"When" Is Finally Here, Now the Hard Part.

Heard someone say they're glad this election is over.
Not me. Of course the last three months of dealing with a health stuff left me far behind the punditry but watching the excitement and strong response this cycle-not a small part of me wishes it would go on.
Actually it will. The hard part begins November 5 as the winner starts putting together the team to start tackling the economic freight train barreling down the track at the American people. The new(whomever) administration will have to sell it's program and the sacrifice quotient across many segments of society will not be easy to take -again whomsoever in the the Oval Office. The "Winner" being given a strong mandate will have only a slightly easier task meeting voters expectations. Nothing is going to get solved fast enough for us. We are an impatient lot.

First. It's too long.
Thirty painful minutes too long.
Who can relate to the spin of the hero not a hero...but STILL a hero nonsense Gary Oldman spouts to his son in the final scene. His kids right Batman did nothing wrong. Why paint Harvey Two-Face as a white knight? Ridiculous. Truth gets flushed for what convenience? Pssst ...he can do the things we can't do. YEAH like stand up for truth and justice, maybe. Inspiration? He stands for something more... YEAH like fulfilling revenge fantasies.
This is what keeps the "Dark Knight" from reaching greatness as a film.
Taking the easy road. Bailing out on the truth is the best option in fighting evil justice. Throw justice out the window when it comes to battling the likes of the Joker.

Second. I don't see it. The W as Batman connection per the Wall Street Journal.
Wait a minute. Just read the first paragraph again. Damn now I see it. Do you?

Veep, Veep.

Really like Tim Kaine but he may be too young and unvetted.
Webb's great but can be abrasive as heck.
Hagel's good but too conservative for a chunk of the Hillary supporters.
Bloomberg doesn't rock anyone's socks 'cept his own.
Rendell worked the wrong side of the street in the primary but could bring in PA.
Some folks are talking up the Kansas Gov who has Ohio ties, Kathleen Sebelius.
Pretty wide open. May not even be a politician.
Let's hash this out.
Kaine is young on the national stage and there's "no vetted like veep vetted". In a national campaign a fresh face like Barack doesn't need a another fresh face up and comer. And he doesn't need a potential Tom Eagleton, Admiral Stockwell, or Eliot Spitzer fire to put out.
And I love Kaine.
It is said the act of picking a running mate is the first "presidential decision" a nominee makes.
What, uniting the base? If Dems don't have the fire in the belly for victory then the hell with the whole damn thing. The Presidency never comes easy.
Ask W his election were not cake walks...bag jobs maybe not cake walks.

2000 Democrats were complacent in large measure due to over confidence in Bill Clinton's ability to deliver.
Folks expected to win. Supreme Court-> W winnah!

2004 Bush is weak, the American people are wise...they can see through the Republican manipulations.
How's that working for you? Ohio's Secretary of State W campaign staffer? Fancy that.

2008 Stop expecting to win, take nothing for granted, fight in every state. It's about restoring balance to the union. Pick a Veep who balances toughness and respect. It may seem a safe no brainer choice but those can be hard to pull off.
Again ask W. He's still waiting for his turn as President.
Right Scott.

Let's take another look at potentials.
Governors only please.
5. Bill Richardson(NM)
4. Kathleen Sebelius(KA)
3. Mike Easley(NC)
2. Brad Henry(OK)
1. Phil Bredesen(TN)
How a bout a Phil?...Get to know Phil.
And his 2007 inaugural address. Read familiarish? About five minutes long.


Wager it's from this list?
Ed Rendell? Like'im, but the Hilary support thing is hanging over his head...so he's a casualty.
Gut talking, of course, who knows what numbers, equations, and trends Barack's people are following.
I don't think his campaign fought this battle to hand over too many power chips to the Clinton camp.
The time to cut deals was 4-6 weeks ago.
Hilary as a candidate really smash through the glass ceiling but lost this race the old fashioned way; poorly timed, poorly managed campaign strategy.
Time to end the political hospice that is the Clinton campaign.
If eight years of Bush/Cheney won't unite the party WTFW?

The presumptive nominee needs to be firm then run to win or lose as who he is. That's what Reagan did, do not shy away from the unease in certain segments of the electorate.
Embrace it, acknowledge it, address it and if people sense your not full of BS you'll attract enough swing (R) and Indy voters in states like CO,NV, MO,etc...
People want to make history.
Just an aside...It was not a good performance by John McCain Tuesday night (6/3).
But he has been counted out before this election cycle.
Thursday's (6/5) moves by the Obama Campaign to take charge of the party heading into the summer have been neatly and swiftly done. WITHOUT I may add doing anything but showing respect for Hilary.
Next, hope the No Money from Lobbyists pledge doesn't become a stick that (R) can beat them with.
It's tough to keep ALL lobbyist money out. Plus folks have different definitions of Lobbyist. Teachers, Unions, Environmentalists these groups can qualify as lobbyists as well.
Fighting a thousand little arguments over the definition of Lobbyist can really raise the noise to signal ratio when trying to get the Campaign's Message through.
Finally secret meetings are cool, but only effective if some substantive level of cooperation between the principals gets hash out.

That Wave It's Change

Let me run something past y'all.
Does it make any sense for Barack Obama to even engage Hilary?
Her only strength comes from engaging Barak.
Note to Obama campaign you have found the largest base in politics right now...deal from it.
Turn to McCain and the Republicans make'em start using their "stuff" now. Inoculate yourself early from the Republican attack machine.
The money, enthusiasm continue to favor you.
You've suffered big blows and are polling at a rock solid 45%. That's gold!
You've found your base and it's 45%!
Bang, Bash and Battle the Republican mismanagement and scandal wagon.
Remember Hilary is a smart, capable person running a tough campaign.
Remind everyone about that 1 minute each speech and spend the other 44 minutes attacking the policies supported by the Republican candidate.
Your base can grow after a month of tough blows if you remain tough on the issues and on message.
Treat Hilary respectfully but as "over".
That's not being negative it's being real.

Save negative for the Republicans. Big bad both barrels negative. Age, health, competence, scandal, fight within McCain own party over...John McCain. He is a flawed candidate. No style and tepid, at this point, support from his own party stalwarts. He thinks he can attract independents and he can, but can he in the number he could in 2000. Are disaffected Hilary voters going to switch to him or stay home and let him win after eight years of W?
Where is the great rock solid McCain base he needs that before anything. You know, the folks that will continue to vote for him no matter what. Hilary seems to gets more support from the right than McCain. Hence the right wing effort to cause mischief and propel Hilary to the nomination. Either because they believe she's the weaker candidate or (I suspect) if she wins she'll pursue and get passed policies favorable their agenda. After all no Republican President ever could of gotten NAFTA off the ground.
So Obama needs to stay honest, strong and tough on the attack
Anyone squawks or a super delegate starts flagging just say "Hey, how's a Obama/Bloomberg sound or Obama/Hagel third party run sound...thought so"
Stop your nonsense Dem leadership and pundits.
He'll make or break Democratic presidential hopes this summer.

Loving the political back and forth. Engage, educate and entertain.

It does not matter the wheres and whens. And whys of super delegates are irrelevant with a dwindling number of contests to go. But it is a nice historical discussion with great links.
What creatures SDs have become in the here and now is all that matters.

Much of the CW toss about has irritated myself and others no end. But the the majority of voters in both parties primaries have pulled the lever for the same thing. Change. That's the one constant throughout this cycle.
The real question is how deep? How deep does the feeling for change go in the face of a declining economy and stagnant foreign policy?
Now I not good at political physics but I'll guess the SD will tend toward the candidate whose has brought the most new voters and new revenue streams to the party. Who do you want coming to your district to help you win in 2012?
Yep, if I'm a SD I'd want Obama on the stump for me too.
Last Tuesday gave Hilary a strong case for Veep that's all, the math for the top spot is not there.

So you are Howard Dean? What do you propose?

Nothing.
"Shaddup" as Chance Langton used to say and work hard behind the scenes to get Hil and B-Rock to jointly proposed an equitable solution. Show off some of that working together/coordination that the US of A will benefit from with a dream ticket.
They have nothing to lose in both contests, they'll finish close enough to basically tie in the delegate tally.
And gain loads of goodwill and positive pump in FLA, MI, and the media.
Also throw a muzzle on the "Party Elders". Public "stop bickering " pronouncements add nothing and highlight the problem needlessly. Let the campaigns work toward the solution.
Pelosi, Reid, whoever else see themselves in the elder role need to stick to their own knitting.
They ain't running.

Suppose this is spitting into the wind but....
Forget the Clinton's look at the "Big States Hilary Carries" strategery. It's flawed.
Tell me which large democratic state will abandon B-Rock if Clinton is not the nominee?
NJ? MA or NY? CA will go Republican? Stop it. Which ever state or commonwealth went Demy last cycle is rock solid Demy now. Including PA, MI, and WI. Look at the Missouri results while both Republican and Democratic primaries still in play. Democratic turnout high and Obama won. Close but won.
And since then.
35 to 45 percent of the Republicans were still coming out to vote against McCain in a race that'd been all but decided weeks ago.
Another observation: 40 or so percent of Democratic MI voters came out to vote for none of the above with just Hilary on the ticket.
Question remains, will an economic or international event happen that'll cause the momentum for change to become a turn back to an "experience" candidate.

Oscar Talk
Let’s talk Oscar predictions.

It will be a light hearted romp tonight. The Best Picture nominees alone are a collection of uplifting “Best Ofs” if ever there was such a gathering in cinematic firmament!

Whatever.
Here, the last minute predictions for the LA contingent. Remember Swifty Lazar’s parties?
That was old school partying. Like, 1927 before prohibition old school partying. Those are missed.

Best Foreign Language- The Counterfeiters
Best Adapted Screenplay- Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Best Original Screenplay- Juno
Best Original Song- Once
Best Animated Film- Ratatouille
Best Supporting Actor- Hal Holbrook
Best Supporting Actress- Ruby Dee
Best Actor- Tommy Lee Jones
Best Actress- Julie Christie
Best Director- Coen Brothers
Best Film- Juno

What can we say? A lot of split votes and backroom studio dealing.
Daniel Day Lewis does not deserve an Oscar for playing…well, Daniel Day Lewis.
He’s already got one. Enjoy the Red Carpet!

Got Clarity?

At first the staggered Republican then Democratic primary and Caucus schedule seemed awkward. In reality though the pace has allowed each parties' collection of candidates take center stage for a night. Tonight it's the Democrats turn.The cable news breakdown looking at the shifts voter behavior from New Hampshire to today's Democratic vote in South Carolina has been informative but left most of us still scratching our heads about where Election 2008 is heading. Early buzz has it that Edwards may be surging up to second place. Stay Tuned.