Barack Obama lays out his national energy plan yesterday in Lansing, Michigan.
** PARIS HILTON MOCKS MAC. In her very own new “ad.”
** THE DARK KNIGHT HITS $400 MILLION IN DOMESTIC BOX OFFICE. The new Batman picture — which as you know from my featuring videos of it on the NWN weekend edition for five weeks running, I expected to be a very big deal — hit $400 million in domestic box office on Monday. A day earlier than I projected. The old record for fastest to $400M was 43 days. This picture did it in 18 days.
A bigger deal than I expected, as it blew past the huge finales to the Lord of the Rings and Star Wars sagas in only its third weekend of releases. As well as the fourth installment of my beloved Indiana Jones adventure.
Which means I need to read the screenplay again before writing a column about it, as this movie is clearly more significant in a deep-seated way than the ongoing back-and-forth and bric a brac of national and state politics.
** MAC VOLUNTEERS CINDY FOR MISS BUFFALO CHIP. Okay, somebody get ahold of advance. In his talk to the giant motorcyle rally at Sturgis, South Dakota, John McCain has just volunteered his wife Cindy for the Miss Buffalo Chip contest. Well, Senator, one might want to consider that.
Mrs. McCain, the super-rich beer heiress who has made the Vietnam War hero’s grand lifestyle possible, is 54. Which, I can tell you from experience, though certainly not of the beauteous Mrs. McCain, is not too old for such ponderings. Yet, the senator might want to consider what Miss Buffalo Chip actually entails.
The whole Sturgis deal is essentially of an exercise in roaring engines and soft porn, not the least of which is the topless Miss Buffalo Chip. I will be fascinated to see how the morally resolute far right spins this appearance.
** CURIOUS CALIFORNIA COVERAGE. The haggling over the chronic California budget crisis continues, with, as I mentioned early this morning, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in all kinds of private conversations.
I’ve mentioned, though this is not a major theme here, the collapse of the conventional California political press corps. When I go to various meetings and so forth, the press are increasingly few and far between, whilst the PR and hangers on folk increasingly take up space.
But the Sacramento Bee is trying to hold the line. Not getting rid of people, unlike every other other conventional media outlet in the state. The state capital is its local beat. So when the Bee screws up, which I generally don’t get into, it’s not insignificant.
Yet here we have two articles which are notably wrong-headed. First, we have an article by a very young reporter which purports to show that it is impossible to issue federal minimum wage paychecks to the state workforce which Schwarzenegger has not laid off. Because, the really old computer systems, according to compliant state Controller John Chiang, don’t work.
Well, that might be true. If the only option was to rely on those very old systems. But, contrary to the young reporter’s view, and that of his old editors, that is hardly the only option. If you give, for example, me, or anyone with anything approaching a sophisticated computer system — even the Bee itself, notwithstanding it starting a “State Worker” web site to identify with and advocate on behalf of state employees — the job can get done rather quickly.
Needed. List of employees. Ability to print checks at federal minimum wage. Not difficult.
The other odd piece in today’s Bee is that of longtime conservative columnist Dan Walters. This is a fellow who can be thought of as the Bob Novak of California. But he thoroughly dislikes celebrities. He goes on — in his latest usual 450-word column — about Schwarzenegger being involved only in stunts and so forth. Walters, who incorrectly predicted that Pete Wilson’s governorship meant a new Republican hegemony in California, totally missed the news of the day yesterday in California politics. Which was actually covered in his own newspaper, which he might consider reading on occasion. Namely that Schwarzenegger was not merely pushing to temporarily inconvenience the state workers that the Bee is now championing in its embrace of constituency journalism, but is also pushing for new revenues and budget reform.Which Walters himself has argued for prior to his tee time, or whatever it is he does after 11 AM.
** TIRE GAUGES. Let me say something about tire gauges. Now, Barack Obama pushed back hard today on the Team McCain mockumentary line on tire gauges, which is supposedly that keeping your tires inflated is a stupid idea, and constitutes the entirety of Obama’s energy plan. Which was probably not a great idea to roll out yesterday, when Obama laid out an entire national energy plan.
Obama points out, accurately, that keeping your tires properly inflated will save you a lot more money at the pump than offshore oil drilling, which would take a great many years before it ever came online, much less had any impact on the pain at the pump. As I believe I’ve mentioned from the outset of this faux debate.
My dad was a war hero. An Army Ranger, a guy who fought on the ground. Where things got far nastier than they ever did in the air, which accounted for his three Purple Hearts, and war stories that would shrivel you right up, involving bodies stacked like cord wood, and more. A very smart guy, a Reagan fan, not an intellectual guy. He taught me a few key things in life, like how to shoot, how to stay physically fit and some other things we needn’t get into here, though all those lessons work very well even today, with the same techniques. And he taught me to use some tools, basic stuff. One of which is the tire gauge. “You keep your tires properly inflated for three reasons. One, so you don’t kill yourself in that Mustang when you drive it fast. Two, so you don’t run down the tires. Three, so you don’t use up gas like an idiot.”
All still true. Though the Mustang is long since gone, replaced by a Jag. I strongly suspect John McCain’s dad told him a lot of the same stuff. I don’t know what the fathers of McCain’s staff told them.
“Now, two points,” noted Obama today. “One, they know they’re lying about what my energy plan is. But the other thing is they’re making fun of a step that every expert says would absolutely reduce our oil consumption by three to four percent. It’s like these guys take pride in being ignorant.”
** NO CHENEY AT REPUBLICAN CONVENTION. It looks increasingly like Vice President Dick Cheney will not make an appearance at the Republican national convention next month in St. Paul, Minnesota. Not because he’s ill, unlike Ted Kennedy at the Democratic convention, though he’s had multiple heart problems for many years. But because he is wildly unpopular.
Cheney has been the lynch pin figure of the Bush White House. The man pushing the current energy policy, the current environmental policy, the current economic policy, and the current war policy.
Which has yielded him about a 17% job approval rating. If President Bush is radioactive, Vice President Cheney is a dark figure from a comic book.
** TED KENNEDY LIKELY TO SKIP DENVER. Over the weekend, Senator Ted Kennedy filmed a five-minute video for use at the Democratic national convention at the end of this month in Denver. He has not officially declared himself out of the convention, but the video certainly suggests that. He is undergoing treatment for a brain tumor, as readers know, and the treatment suppresses his immune system.
Even before his seizures which led to the discovery of his brain tumor, Kennedy has been noteworthy for his absence from the trail on behalf of Barack Obama. He began as the counter to Bill Clinton in the primaries. But as I’ve reported, the legendary liberal lion of the Senate, last of the Kennedy brothers, fatigued rather easily on the campaign trail and found it difficult at times to move around.
Expect to see Caroline Kennedy, the senator’s niece and only surviving child of JFK, in a large role in Denver. Caroline, who is perhaps the best friend of California First Lady Maria Shriver, was a major presence in the Obama campaign during the primaries. And with the eclipse of Washington insider Jim Johnson as principal veep vetter for Obama, the once seemingly reclusive former first daughter is playing a big role in selecting Obama’s running mate.
** WHERE THEY ARE TODAY.
Barack Obama is in Youngstown and Berea, Ohio. He is doing town hall meetings on energy security in each Ohio community.
John McCain is in Newport, Michigan and Huntington, West Virginia. He tours a nuclear power plant at his Michigan stop and holds a “telephone town hall” with Pennsylvania voters at his West Virginia stop.
Obama is using his town halls in Ohio, a state won twice by President Bush, where he holds a slight lead, to tout his national energy plan and attack McCain as a tool of the oil companies. McCain is using his Michigan stop to attack Obama as an opponent of nuclear power. In the primaries, Hillary Clinton attacked Obama as a supporter of nuclear power.
** FROM THE ARNOLD FILE. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will be in and around the Capitol today, conducting private meetings pertaining to the chronic state budget crisis. He will have no public events.
Schwarzenegger has reportedly put forward a compromise plan calling for a temporary sales tax hike, long-term budget reforms, and cuts. Something for both Democrats and Republicans. The partisan maneuvering continues.
John McCain talks up offshore oil drilling yesterday at the National Label Company in Pennsylvania.
** FOUR ON THE FLOOR: MAC TV. So why did lovable old John McCain suddenly put out FOUR negative TV ads in less than two weeks?
After the latest (and rather good) version of his positive biographical spot went wide just three weeks ago?
I’ll lay out the sequence of events and reasons at each juncture.
Are new campaign director Steve Schmidt and company crazy like foxes?
Or just crazy?
Well, here’s the deal. Schmidt and company may be setting themselves up for a big backlash. But in the short term, their plan has worked. From my other blog.
** 24/7 LIVE TV NEWS FEED FROM RUSSIA TODAY. Russia has re-emerged as one of the world’s great powers. Click here for a live TV news feed on your computer, bringing you English-language, jargon-free, fast-paced coverage of global and Russian news from the new Russia Today channel. You probably already know about CNN International, BBC World, and Al Jazeera. Russia Today, which also features culture, entertainment, and sports, is based in Moscow and is owned and operated by the TV Novosti division of Russia’s state news agency, RIA Novosti.
While it’s quite foolish to expect to see, say, criticism of Vladimir Putin on Russia Today, which I know as a former DemRussia advisor, the channel is very interesting nonetheless. With U.S. cable news chattering away as it does, this sort of respite can be informative. The NWN live link to RT does not constitute an endorsement of the channel’s views. It’s presented as an otherwise unavailable new media window.
** TRACK GLOBAL AND U.S. ENERGY PRICES IN NEAR REAL TIME VIA BLOOMBERG ENERGY MARKET WATCH. After crashing over $147 for yet another record on July 11th, crude oil is trading in the $120 to $121 per barrel range. The drop of over $26 per barrel comes on acknowledgement that the weak US economy will cut future demand and the easing of geopolitical tensions.
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76 Comments
Jonas Blane:McCain sounds mean. I like the old McCain.
Aug 5, 2008 - 8:11 am Jonas Blane:I like Obama’s energy speech.
Aug 5, 2008 - 8:20 am Capitol Boy:Barack’s energy plan is brilliant. Visionary, down to earth, balanced, well-spoken.
Then there’s McCain. “Drill now.” “You don’t need to inflate your tires.” He’s acting like a nasty idiot.
Aug 5, 2008 - 8:24 am Len:I think Mike Murphy and John Weaver are right. McCain is wrecking his brand with stupid, snarky attacks. Schmidt is winning the battle and losing the war.
Aug 5, 2008 - 9:01 am Capitol Boy:Did you see the Dan Walters column today in the Sac Bee? He doesn’t know about Schwarzenegger’s tax increase proposal.
Aug 5, 2008 - 9:02 am Capitol Boy:Godspeed to Senator Kennedy.
Aug 5, 2008 - 9:14 am Ann:lol
Capitol Boy:
Did you see the Dan Walters column today in the Sac Bee? He doesn’t know about Schwarzenegger’s tax increase proposal.
Aug 5, 2008 - 9:02 am
Aug 5, 2008 - 9:15 am Ann:You mean old McCain?
Or old old McCain?
lol
Jonas Blane:
McCain sounds mean. I like the old McCain.
Aug 5, 2008 - 8:11 am
Aug 5, 2008 - 9:22 am Bill Bradley:Thanks.
Aug 5, 2008 - 9:49 am Bill Bradley:Thanks.
>Ann:
lol
Capitol Boy:
Did you see the Dan Walters column today in the Sac Bee? He doesn’t know about Schwarzenegger’s tax increase proposal.
Aug 5, 2008 - 9:02 am
Aug 5, 2008 - 9:50 am Bill Bradley:Aug 5, 2008 - 9:15 am
Yes.
>Capitol Boy:
Godspeed to Senator Kennedy.
Aug 5, 2008 - 9:50 am Bill Bradley:Aug 5, 2008 - 9:14 am
I did see that.
That is not the only thing there.
>Capitol Boy:
Did you see the Dan Walters column today in the Sac Bee? He doesn’t know about Schwarzenegger’s tax increase proposal.
Aug 5, 2008 - 9:52 am Bill Bradley:Aug 5, 2008 - 9:02 am
Perhaps.
>Len:
I think Mike Murphy and John Weaver are right. McCain is wrecking his brand with stupid, snarky attacks. Schmidt is winning the battle and losing the war.
Aug 5, 2008 - 9:53 am Bill Bradley:Aug 5, 2008 - 9:01 am
I’m letting this play out a bit.
>Capitol Boy:
Barack’s energy plan is brilliant. Visionary, down to earth, balanced, well-spoken.
Then there’s McCain. “Drill now.” “You don’t need to inflate your tires.” He’s acting like a nasty idiot.
Aug 5, 2008 - 9:54 am Bill Bradley:Aug 5, 2008 - 8:24 am
It’s a good speech.
Of course, he has given a lot of speeches …
>Jonas Blane:
I like Obama’s energy speech.
Aug 5, 2008 - 9:56 am Bill Bradley:Aug 5, 2008 - 8:20 am
A lot of folks like the old John McCain.
>Jonas Blane:
McCain sounds mean. I like the old McCain.
Aug 5, 2008 - 9:57 am Brasky:Aug 5, 2008 - 8:11 am
BTW - oil is down to $118. I think I’m paying about 60 cents less at the pump than I was a couple of months ago. The causes?
1) Bush’s reversal of his unilateral and confrontational policy toward Iran
2) Conservation by American drivers
Of course, we could always go with McCain’s plan and wait 15 years for prices to go down.
Aug 5, 2008 - 10:29 am Brasky:“a 17% job approval rating”
Do you have to call in special scientists to measure something that small?
Aug 5, 2008 - 11:28 am Ann:lol
WB: Which has yielded him about a 17% job approval rating. If President Bush is radioactive, Vice President Cheney is a dark figure from a comic book.
Aug 5, 2008 - 11:29 am larry:Caroline Kennedy would be an inspired choice as the Vice-Presidential nominee.
Aug 5, 2008 - 11:29 am marcus waldron:Dick Cheney, the ultimate chicken hawk, is beyond the pale.
Aug 5, 2008 - 11:33 am Bill Bradley:Perhaps.
Aug 5, 2008 - 11:44 am Bill Bradley:I’ve talked with her. She is a very nice, intelligent, classy person. We’ve had far worse VPs.
>larry:
Caroline Kennedy would be an inspired choice as the Vice-Presidential nominee.
Aug 5, 2008 - 11:45 am Bill Bradley:Aug 5, 2008 - 11:29 am
Ah, yes.
>Ann:
lol
WB: Which has yielded him about a 17% job approval rating. If President Bush is radioactive, Vice President Cheney is a dark figure from a comic book.
Aug 5, 2008 - 11:45 am Bill Bradley:Aug 5, 2008 - 11:29 am
You know, if I were VP, I could got around getting drunk at every NFL stadium in America, and my approval rating would be higher than Cheney’s.
The guy is just very bad news.
Yet, I know he is a smart guy, and would still love to meet him.
>Brasky:
“a 17% job approval rating”
Do you have to call in special scientists to measure something that small?
Aug 5, 2008 - 11:47 am Bill Bradley:Aug 5, 2008 - 11:28 am
Well, the gas tax holiday idea looks preposterous, as it was.
>Brasky:
BTW - oil is down to $118. I think I’m paying about 60 cents less at the pump than I was a couple of months ago. The causes?
1) Bush’s reversal of his unilateral and confrontational policy toward Iran
2) Conservation by American drivers
Of course, we could always go with McCain’s plan and wait 15 years for prices to go down.
Aug 5, 2008 - 11:48 am Vladimir Bierko:Aug 5, 2008 - 10:29 am
A lot of people liked the old Bob Dole too. I’m not referring to age, I’m referring to how he tempered his wit in ‘96.
>Bill Bradley:
A lot of folks like the old John McCain.
>>Jonas Blane:
McCain sounds mean. I like the old McCain.
Aug 5, 2008 - 12:02 pm Brasky:Aug 5, 2008 - 8:11 am
“You know, if I were VP, I could got around getting drunk at every NFL stadium in America, and my approval rating would be higher than Cheney’s.”
If I were a VP candidate, this would be my campaign platform.
Aug 5, 2008 - 12:20 pm Brasky:“Well, the gas tax holiday idea looks preposterous, as it was.”
And the “drill now” does considerably less to alleviate gas prices than conservation and diplomacy, which are both proven to be effective. Of course, that doesn’t stop McCain for attacking Obama on both counts.
Guess we could all drive 7mpg 1971 Chrysler New Yorkers if we could just drill for enough oil.
Aug 5, 2008 - 12:27 pm Vladimir Bierko:Conservation requires discipline, sacrifice and constant effort on the part of the individual. Drill now is easy to say and requires no effort or sacrifice on the part of the individual.
Hmmm……. I wonder which approach would appeal to U.S. Americans.
Drill now is like a weight loss pill whose claims have not been evaluated by the FDA for effectiveness. Conservation is a strict regimen of diet and exercise with no alcohol.
Again, which approach would appeal to the masses?
Aug 5, 2008 - 1:05 pm Brasky:“It’s like these guys take pride in being ignorant”
S M A C K !
I like it, I like it a lot.
Aug 5, 2008 - 3:33 pm Ann:lol
Aug 5, 2008 - 3:51 pm Ann:Dan Walters is a really fat, really dishonest guy. Are you finally going to knock him into ONLY giving speeches for money to special interest groups?
That’s where he gets his money now.
Aug 5, 2008 - 3:53 pm Capitol Boy:No shit.
Aug 5, 2008 - 3:56 pm Capitol Boy:Schmidt and your other friends should be ashamed of themselves for the tire gauge stunt.
Aug 5, 2008 - 3:58 pm richard locicero:BHO needs to get more agressive and stop letting Mccain and his trained seals in the media define him. Case in point: that ridiculous sunday MTP where the panelists all said that poor John McCain couldn’t mean those nasty things his ads said! Really? When they all say “I’m John MCain and I approve this message”?
Obama had a great line today about these people taking pride in their ignorance. But why conced offshore drilling when, as he pointed out yesterday in that speech, that drilling would reuire 7 years to yied a drop of oil, and that keeping proper tire pressure woud reduce consumption by three per cent NOW!
What’s the matter?
Aug 5, 2008 - 4:01 pm pat skipper:reporting from Florida…
1. It’s hot but tolerable due to the storm in the gulf.
2. Having a lovely time. Wish you were here.
3. Not one Obama bumper sticker or yard sign in sight.
4. Interestingly, not a single McCain sticker or sign either.
5. I’m in the I-4 corridor, heart of Bush country. Last year at this time I saw several Rudy stickers.
6. Despite the polling and what I perceive as a lack of conviction for McCain here, I have a gut feeling I’d abandon this state were I Obama and use my resources in cheaper media markets in other battleground states.
7. There is definite hostility here regarding the seating of the delegates. Doesn’t help Obama’s cause. Also there are lots of bitter HRC supporters amongst the old crowd.
Aug 5, 2008 - 4:05 pm Brasky:“There is definite hostility here regarding the seating of the delegates.”
I thought Obama came out in favor of seating everyone today - no help?
Aug 5, 2008 - 4:11 pm Ann:OH
MY
GOD.
So who’s the 50-ish chick? Like I can’t guess.
** MAC VOLUNTEERS CINDY FOR MISS BUFFALO CHIP. Okay, somebody get ahold of advance. In his talk to the giant motorcyle rally at Sturgis, South Dakota, John McCain has just volunteered his wife Cindy for the Miss Buffalo Chip contest. Well, Senator, one might want to consider that.
Mrs. McCain, the super-rich beer heiress who has made the Vietnam War hero’s grand lifestyle possible, is 54. Which, I can tell you from experience, though certainly not of the beauteous Mrs. McCain, is not too old for such ponderings. Yet, the senator might want to consider what Miss Buffalo Chip actually entails.
The whole Sturgis deal is essentially of an exercise in roaring engines and soft porn, not the least of which is the topless Miss Buffalo Chip. I will be fascinated to see how the morally resolute far right spins this appearance.
Aug 5, 2008 - 4:16 pm Ann:The Russian model is 20-25 years younger. This must be the New Yorker. lol
Aug 5, 2008 - 4:22 pm Brasky:“The whole Sturgis deal is essentially of an exercise in roaring engines and soft porn”
That’s the MOST generous characterization of this event.
I knew people who used to go there — it’s much calmer than it used to be, but it’s still got a pretty dark underbelly. Although I’m sure the FBI are taking down license plates and looking to quietly serve a few warrants there.
Aug 5, 2008 - 4:31 pm saig:I guess Obama supposes nearly all of us don’t keep our tires properly inflated and don’t have the engine checked much.
Based on … what?
But what if most of us already did these things, even before he told us to?
Then, essentially no difference. No savings. Nada.
Aug 5, 2008 - 4:46 pm JT:BB:
Aug 5, 2008 - 4:52 pm left field:I am not in the habit of defending Democrat elected officials, particularly when I believe the current Controller has a pig by the tail considering his failure to get a new P/R system up and running during his watch (a disaster which this whole business has illustrated); however, those who think the minimum wage checks can easily be issued keep missing the point. The state can’t simply bring in an ADP, or a computer precocious Bill Bradley, to do it. Why not – cause it’s against the law.
California GC 19130 Justification -
Each and every contract entered into must be justified under Government Code Section 19130(a) or (b) and must provide, in writing, documentation identifying all efforts made to use civil servants to provide services. Only after all efforts have been exhausted can the above provisions be used to justify contracting out for services. Contract requesters and managers must provide written justifications documenting the efforts made to use state staff and the justification for contracting out when state staff cannot provide or are unable to provide the necessary services.
http://www.pd.dgs.ca.gov/masters/GC19130Justification.htm
It’s the state’s anti-outsourcing provision. So much for competition in Government services in the State of California. This provision’s removal was another California Performance Review (CPR) recommendation, and we know what happened to that.
With all his injuries, Mac’s an observer anyways.
Aug 5, 2008 - 5:00 pm Wilbur:Best presidential campaign ad of the week has to be Paris Hilton’s entry into the race, with her counterpunch to McSchmidt’s “celebrity” attack ad:
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/64ad536a6d
Aug 5, 2008 - 5:03 pm Jack Aubrey:It’s probably based on the same stuff that the guys who gave McCain the Republican nomination, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Charlie Crist, are talking about.
saig:
I guess Obama supposes nearly all of us don’t keep our tires properly inflated and don’t have the engine checked much.
Based on … what?
But what if most of us already did these things, even before he told us to?
Then, essentially no difference. No savings. Nada.
Aug 5, 2008 - 4:46 pm
Aug 5, 2008 - 5:15 pm Bill Bradley:That would be, yes.
Aug 5, 2008 - 5:21 pm Bill Bradley:Perhaps. But we’re kinda floating beyond that.
>Wilbur:
Best presidential campaign ad of the week has to be Paris Hilton’s entry into the race, with her counterpunch to McSchmidt’s “celebrity” attack ad:
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/64ad536a6d
Aug 5, 2008 - 5:22 pm Brasky:Aug 5, 2008 - 5:03 pm
Well, Republicans have shown a remarkable disdain for SCIENCE. I wouldn’t expect them to know it when they saw it.
Aug 5, 2008 - 5:23 pm Bill Bradley:Powerlifting, and I say this as a powerlifter, is overrated.
>left field:
With all his injuries, Mac’s an observer anyways.
Aug 5, 2008 - 5:23 pm Bill Bradley:Aug 5, 2008 - 5:00 pm
If the professional Sacramento crowd is good for one thing, it’s for giving the rest of California excuses not to get things done.
And I mean that in the nicest way possible, of course …
>JT:
BB:
Aug 5, 2008 - 5:25 pm Bill Bradley:I am not in the habit of defending Democrat elected officials, particularly when I believe the current Controller has a pig by the tail considering his failure to get a new P/R system up and running during his watch (a disaster which this whole business has illustrated); however, those who think the minimum wage checks can easily be issued keep missing the point. The state can’t simply bring in an ADP, or a computer precocious Bill Bradley, to do it. Why not – cause it’s against the law.
California GC 19130 Justification -
Each and every contract entered into must be justified under Government Code Section 19130(a) or (b) and must provide, in writing, documentation identifying all efforts made to use civil servants to provide services. Only after all efforts have been exhausted can the above provisions be used to justify contracting out for services. Contract requesters and managers must provide written justifications documenting the efforts made to use state staff and the justification for contracting out when state staff cannot provide or are unable to provide the necessary services.
http://www.pd.dgs.ca.gov/masters/GC19130Justification.htm
It’s the state’s anti-outsourcing provision. So much for competition in Government services in the State of California. This provision’s removal was another California Performance Review (CPR) recommendation, and we know what happened to that.
Aug 5, 2008 - 4:52 pm
That would be based on … reality.
>saig:
I guess Obama supposes nearly all of us don’t keep our tires properly inflated and don’t have the engine checked much.
Based on … what?
But what if most of us already did these things, even before he told us to?
Then, essentially no difference. No savings. Nada.
Aug 5, 2008 - 5:27 pm Bill Bradley:Aug 5, 2008 - 4:46 pm
Well, the Sturgis rally is a cesspool.
Not that I am against cesspools.
It sounds like a blast to me.
>Brasky:
“The whole Sturgis deal is essentially of an exercise in roaring engines and soft porn”
That’s the MOST generous characterization of this event.
I knew people who used to go there — it’s much calmer than it used to be, but it’s still got a pretty dark underbelly. Although I’m sure the FBI are taking down license plates and looking to quietly serve a few warrants there.
Aug 5, 2008 - 5:28 pm Bill Bradley:Aug 5, 2008 - 4:31 pm
Over the weekend with regard to full seating of the Florida delegation.
It takes a while for folks to get it.
>Brasky:
“There is definite hostility here regarding the seating of the delegates.”
I thought Obama came out in favor of seating everyone today - no help?
Aug 5, 2008 - 5:30 pm Bill Bradley:Aug 5, 2008 - 4:11 pm
Hope you’re not there too long, Pat, because I suspect you will end up hit by an extreme weather event.
>pat skipper:
reporting from Florida…
1. It’s hot but tolerable due to the storm in the gulf.
2. Having a lovely time. Wish you were here.
3. Not one Obama bumper sticker or yard sign in sight.
4. Interestingly, not a single McCain sticker or sign either.
5. I’m in the I-4 corridor, heart of Bush country. Last year at this time I saw several Rudy stickers.
6. Despite the polling and what I perceive as a lack of conviction for McCain here, I have a gut feeling I’d abandon this state were I Obama and use my resources in cheaper media markets in other battleground states.
7. There is definite hostility here regarding the seating of the delegates. Doesn’t help Obama’s cause. Also there are lots of bitter HRC supporters amongst the old crowd.
Aug 5, 2008 - 5:34 pm Bill Bradley:Aug 5, 2008 - 4:05 pm
He’s getting more aggressive. Though not quite so aggressive as I might counsel.
>richard locicero:
BHO needs to get more agressive and stop letting Mccain and his trained seals in the media define him. Case in point: that ridiculous sunday MTP where the panelists all said that poor John McCain couldn’t mean those nasty things his ads said! Really? When they all say “I’m John MCain and I approve this message”?
Aug 5, 2008 - 5:39 pm Bill Bradley:Good line.
>Brasky:
“It’s like these guys take pride in being ignorant”
S M A C K !
I like it, I like it a lot.
Aug 5, 2008 - 5:40 pm Bill Bradley:Aug 5, 2008 - 3:33 pm
Well, the problem with “drill now” is that it is non-serious, as I may have mentioned.
It takes a minute to put air in your tires.
The other deal requires putting air in your head.
And yes, I think the Obama campaign is a bit nice on this front …
>Vladimir Bierko:
Conservation requires discipline, sacrifice and constant effort on the part of the individual. Drill now is easy to say and requires no effort or sacrifice on the part of the individual.
Hmmm……. I wonder which approach would appeal to U.S. Americans.
Drill now is like a weight loss pill whose claims have not been evaluated by the FDA for effectiveness. Conservation is a strict regimen of diet and exercise with no alcohol.
Again, which approach would appeal to the masses?
Aug 5, 2008 - 5:43 pm Bill Bradley:Aug 5, 2008 - 1:05 pm
Drill now is totally ridiculous.
Not that Obama is getting at the core of the issue, either.
There’s a reason I have run the real time oil market here for over two years, you know …
>Brasky:
“Well, the gas tax holiday idea looks preposterous, as it was.”
And the “drill now” does considerably less to alleviate gas prices than conservation and diplomacy, which are both proven to be effective. Of course, that doesn’t stop McCain for attacking Obama on both counts.
Guess we could all drive 7mpg 1971 Chrysler New Yorkers if we could just drill for enough oil.
Aug 5, 2008 - 5:45 pm Kandy Kid:Aug 5, 2008 - 12:27 pm
How hard is it to give every state worker the same paycheck advance for $1100.40 ($6.55 x 168 hours)? Chaing could then calculate the full amount due when the budget is passed and then deduct the advance. Sure some folks will work more than others, but sending everyone a minimum wage check without deductions would comply with the Executive Order and seems to work with the current payroll system. Evidently he is not trying too hard to make this work…
Aug 5, 2008 - 5:52 pm Jack Aubrey:Duh.
Aug 5, 2008 - 6:15 pm pat skipper:the seating of the delegates was buried in the local paper. Day late and a buck shy anyway.
Aug 5, 2008 - 6:29 pm JT:The tire pressure gage gambit by BO is as effective as Dukakis’ endive initiative. Dating myself with my Mass. roots…LOL
Aug 5, 2008 - 6:52 pm four waters:Wilbur,
thanks. i needed a laugh.
Aug 5, 2008 - 6:58 pm four waters:“And I mean that in the nicest way possible, of course … ”
Bill being politic.
i agree with Richard… Obama is still dancing on the stage McCain is setting. but i really like the “ignorance” line. (maybe ’cause i agree.)
Aug 5, 2008 - 7:02 pm Ann:Getting aside from the local hacks, McCain’s campaign SUCKS.
NOT that sucking is bad …
Aug 5, 2008 - 7:17 pm Ann:… BTW, here is LOCAL BOY hack stuff
JT:
The tire pressure gage gambit by BO is as effective as Dukakis’ endive initiative. Dating myself with my Mass. roots…LOL
Aug 5, 2008 - 6:52 pm
Aug 5, 2008 - 7:18 pm Chris M:Maureen Dowd’s best column in ages theatrically describes McCain’s pique at Obama’s celebrity and slickness:
Aug 5, 2008 - 10:30 pm Jack Aubrey:http://tinyurl.com/5fek6u
I got to say.
I AM NOT INTO TOPLESS CINDY MCCAIN.
She seems nice in a vague rich lady way.
Can’t she wear a big hat or something?
I am starting to hate this campaign.
** MAC VOLUNTEERS CINDY FOR MISS BUFFALO CHIP. Okay, somebody get ahold of advance. In his talk to the giant motorcyle rally at Sturgis, South Dakota, John McCain has just volunteered his wife Cindy for the Miss Buffalo Chip contest. Well, Senator, one might want to consider that.
Mrs. McCain, the super-rich beer heiress who has made the Vietnam War hero’s grand lifestyle possible, is 54. Which, I can tell you from experience, though certainly not of the beauteous Mrs. McCain, is not too old for such ponderings. Yet, the senator might want to consider what Miss Buffalo Chip actually entails.
The whole Sturgis deal is essentially of an exercise in roaring engines and soft porn, not the least of which is the topless Miss Buffalo Chip. I will be fascinated to see how the morally resolute far right spins this appearance.
Aug 6, 2008 - 12:15 am Jonas Blane:What new video today?
Aug 6, 2008 - 7:54 am Hap Hazard:Getting aside from the local hacks, McCain’s campaign SUCKS. NOT that sucking is bad — LOL
Aug 6, 2008 - 8:14 am Hap Hazard:Okay, somebody get ahold of advance. — LOL. Was he sleeping? How he could not know what he was volunteering her for is pretty funny. I did like the line that, “I recognize that sound [of Harley’s], it is the sound of freedom]…
Aug 6, 2008 - 8:38 am Bill Bradley:He likes loud engines, that’s for sure.
Aug 7, 2008 - 1:07 am Bill Bradley:Too much stuff.
>Jonas Blane:
What new video today?
Aug 7, 2008 - 1:09 am Bill Bradley:Aug 6, 2008 - 7:54 am
I was going to run it, but there were too many
“real” ads.
>Wilbur:
Best presidential campaign ad of the week has to be Paris Hilton’s entry into the race, with her counterpunch to McSchmidt’s “celebrity” attack ad:
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/64ad536a6d
Aug 7, 2008 - 1:10 am Bill Bradley:Aug 5, 2008 - 5:03 pm
Incidentally, NWN passed 68,000 comments sometime in the past week.
Aug 8, 2008 - 9:29 am