FDL Book Salon: Allen Raymond “How to Rig an Election"

It's the second-half of the book..where Raymond really exposes the cynical underbelly of Republican operations. Raymond was, recall, the telemarketing consultant whom the New Hampshire GOP employed to jam the phones of the Democratic GOTV lines on election day in 2002, helping to get John Sununu elected over Jeanne Shaheen. -hosted by emptywheel

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Daily Show: Romney never recovered from being a douchebag

"What happened to the Romney campaign?" Jon Stewart asked correspondent Jason Jones. "He was well-funded, and he certainly looked the part," answered Jones, "but I don't think the Romney camp ever recovered from the fact that Mitt Romney is a douchebag."

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Interesting tidbit in NY Times OpEd

On Super Tuesday, the influential evangelist James Dobson said he would sit out the election if John McCain was the nominee.

My comment: Grrrrrreat! You and your young Earth, anti-choice, anti-stem cell research, home schooling, Iraq war-loving, xenophobes just sit at home on your Bibles. Let the grown-ups manage the government for a change. Works for me!

What is this 'Iraq war' charge on my bill? Part 2

Another great one!

What is this 'Iraq war' charge on my bill?

Great new commercial that is already targeting John McCain and the Repubs for Fall. Check it out!

Who Is More Electable? Obama!

"Voters in many states have only just begun to be acquainted with Barack Obama, and more familiarity may breed more comfort."So says Nicholas Kristoff of the NY Times Editorial staff. I've been saying for months that regardless of Hillary's policies, plans, political saavy, experience and dedication, there is no way she will be elected over a guy like John McCain. She'd even have a tough time going against Romney. McCain is far too moderate, attracts too many independents and is just too plain likable for Hillary to overcome all of HER negatives, going against him.What are those negatives? First and foremost in the general election, she will be the dream candidate for the Republicans. There is such an incredible, irrational hatred of her in the Republican base; they will come out of their graves to vote against her. They've hated her since Day One of the Clinton presidency in 1992 and would love a chance to prove it once again. Then there is the hatred of Bill; has anyone forgotten Ken Starr? Has anyone forgotten the rightwing outrage about US troops in Kosovo? The rightwing never met a war it didn't like, EXCEPT the one that Bill Clinton sent troops to; THAT war they railed against as much as they ballyhoo this Iraq war with their yellow ribbon stickers and American flags. The moment that Hillary is the official Democratic nominee, the Republican prime directive will be "Let the swiftboating begin!" But they may not have to invent a thing; they'll go on Monica Lewinsky and Hillary's not baking cookies and being a "feminazi" (they love to use that term). They'll bring up Whitewater, dead bodies, you name it; can't you just hear Rush and Hannity already?Not that they will be kind to Obama, BUT he has such appeal and indeed genuine crossover appeal, that I believe they will have to take it easy on him for fear of a backlash. If they come out too strong against him, they run the risk of charges of racism, cynicism, anti-hope, anti-change. I think Obama's negatives are far less and apparently polls are reflecting that. Here's Nick Kristoff's article, click on Read More, it's worth it:

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Republicans for Obama

Some prominent Republicans have caught Obama fever.

Excerpt from the article:

Even if Republicans don't convert in more significant numbers, the friendly outreach may blunt the ferocity of GOP attacks. One senior aide to John McCain has already said he's reluctant to attack Obama: last year, McCain's adman Mark McKinnon wrote an internal memo promising not to tape ads against the Illinois Democrat if he becomes the nominee.

In my view, this is huge. Consider what the Republicans intend to do with Hillary or as they undoubtedly will say "Billary". They will use the scare tactic of another four or eight years of Bill Clinton in the White House. Although Hillary is very capable, strikingly organized, informed and intelligent; practically a walking encylopedia on the issues, her Achillies heel is the intense animosity both she and Bill draw from the conservative base. They HATE her with atomic vitriol. If the Dems want crossover votes and they do, they need to go with Obama. People need to look ahead to the General election and plan accordingly.

Here's the article, make of it what you will:







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