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Post by maggiethecat on Jan 6, 2008 19:47:43 GMT -5
And I would have considered karma for the prediction, Mouse - and the hope that you might be right - but it seems to me you might have more than enough already!) What? Housemouse can never have enough karma.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2008 19:48:37 GMT -5
And I would have considered karma for the prediction, Mouse - and the hope that you might be right - but it seems to me you might have more than enough already!) What? Housemouse can never have enough karma. CRACKING ME UP VERA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Post by maggiethecat on Jan 6, 2008 20:22:59 GMT -5
CRACKING ME UP VERA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is my purpose in life, darlin'.  And now, with apologies to Kurt Weill, "Oh, it's a long long way, from January to November . . . " Last week McCain was deader than Jacob Marley and all of a sudden he's hotter than a pistol and leading the pack in New Hampshire. Hillary and Barak are duking it out, neck 'n neck, with increasing levels of shrillness (a pained remark from someone who likes them both). And Mitt Romney is looking increasingly like the Disney automaton Mouse pegged him as. Something tells me we'll be able to look back on our impassioned predictions here come election day and laugh. Or weep.  As my sainted mother remarked recently, "I never had to worry about any of this stuff when I was young: FDR was always president." ;D Anyone else remember the radio DJ in Ohio who, about ten years ago, who instigated a write-in campaign for the Late Great pres, claiming that FDR dead was better than any of the candidates who were running , alive? Don't laugh. FDR racked up something like 2,500 votes in that precinct. |
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Post by matilda on Jan 6, 2008 21:13:07 GMT -5
CRACKING ME UP VERA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is my purpose in life, darlin'. And now, with apologies to Kurt Weill, "Oh, it's a long long way, from January to November . . . " Last week McCain was deader than Jacob Marley and all of a sudden he's hotter than a pistol and leading the pack in New Hampshire. Hillary and Barak are duking it out, neck 'n neck, with increasing levels of shrillness (a pained remark from someone who likes them both). And Mitt Romney is looking increasingly like the Disney automaton Mouse pegged him as. Something tells me we'll be able to look back on our impassioned predictions here come election day and laugh. Or weep. As my sainted mother remarked recently, "I never had to worry about any of this stuff when I was young: FDR was always president." ;D Anyone else remember the radio DJ in Ohio who, about ten years ago, who instigated a write-in campaign for the Late Great pres, claiming that FDR dead was better than any of the candidates who were running , alive? Don't laugh. FDR racked up something like 2,500 votes in that precinct. Oh, soooo bless maggie's sainted mother! Can another FDR emerge somewhere, anywhere?? Please?? M |
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Post by housemouse on Jan 7, 2008 8:33:05 GMT -5
(And I would have considered karma for the prediction, Mouse - and the hope that you might be right - but it seems to me you might have more than enough already!) Please note, I have done nothing to manually manipulate my karma levels. Wait a minute, in the interest of full disclosure, at one point I did lower my karma significantly, but as you can see, it has been (more than) restored by the karma fairy. As my sainted mother remarked recently, "I never had to worry about any of this stuff when I was young: FDR was always president." ;D Two karma points (one for you and one for Miss J.) for making me laugh out loud! Last week McCain was deader than Jacob Marley and all of a sudden he's hotter than a pistol and leading the pack in New Hampshire. Hillary and Barak are duking it out, neck 'n neck, with increasing levels of shrillness (a pained remark from someone who likes them both). And Mitt Romney is looking increasingly like the Disney automaton Mouse pegged him as. I am surprised to see McCain reviving a bit. I still don't think he has a chance, but he has come out swinging. I like Hilary and Obama exchanging blows, it leaves an opening for my man John to slide in with his southern charm and civility (great way to describe it Maggie), and win hearts and minds. That being said, although I am still staunchly pro-Edwards, Obama is starting to grow on me while Hilary is starting to sound more and more shrill. Someone needs to hook Romney up to a power source quick before he implodes. The other option? Stick a fork in him - he's done. |
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Post by Duchess of Lashes on Jan 7, 2008 12:22:41 GMT -5
Someone needs to hook Romney up to a power source quick before he implodes. The other option? Stick a fork in him - he's done. That's at least four times within a single thread you have spoken "the word" and this time, I just can't help it! I have to give you a karma! |
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Post by carl1951 on Jan 7, 2008 14:46:59 GMT -5
Well...it looks like Iowa may be the state deciding who is heading to the White House. That certainly might be a historic first.
Considering, in a state with 2.5 mil people, only 240,000 showed to caucus. A very, very small number.
The power of a few can be very powerful.
I did hear something interesting on CNN ( I believe), the crowds showing up at the some of the political rallies, are not from NH but from surrounding states. It is a ploy to make it appear there is more supporters than there really are/is.
A very interesting news report.
Later, Carl
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Post by maggiethecat on Jan 7, 2008 15:17:59 GMT -5
It's about at this point in the process that I have to stop and remind myself that we've only heard from two states out of fifty so far, and everything will change. Everything. If the early primaries -- which for some reason always seem to be low population states -- really decided the nominations, then Muskie would have gotten the nod . . . or Teddy Kennedy . . . or Ross Perot.  Brace yourselves, folks. I just heard on the radio that the new voting machines in Florida are subject to more glitches and problems than the infamous hanging chads of old.  |
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Post by carl1951 on Jan 7, 2008 18:51:16 GMT -5
Mouse's Disclaimer: Please note, I have done nothing to manually manipulate my karma levels. Wait a minute, in the interest of full disclosure, at one point I did lower my karma significantly, but as you can see, it has been (more than) restored by the karma fairy.
Sooooo.......are you saying votes CAN be manipulated? Is there a Vote fairy? Is it anything similar to the Karma fairy?
As an example, I could touch the screen to give Barb Karma but it actually would register a smite? Is it possible Karma fraud is right in front of us? Say it ain't so Mags. Say it ain't so.
I know it ain't so, but ya gotta say it.
Just having fun.
Later, Carl
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Post by carl1951 on Jan 7, 2008 18:57:58 GMT -5
I do have to agree concerning the low population states.
The "pundents" (jeez I hate that word) talk about what happened in Iowa as bigger than landing on the moon.
Then we have the "super, duper Tuesday next month.
That's the one to watch.
I'm beginning to think the "first to vote/caucus," are really publicity hogs and love the attention because it's the only time they are in the news.
Later, Carl
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Post by shmeep on Jan 7, 2008 20:00:30 GMT -5
And I would have considered karma for the prediction, Mouse - and the hope that you might be right - but it seems to me you might have more than enough already!) What? Housemouse can never have enough karma. Mouse's Disclaimer: Please note, I have done nothing to manually manipulate my karma levels. Wait a minute, in the interest of full disclosure, at one point I did lower my karma significantly, but as you can see, it has been (more than) restored by the karma fairy. Karma Fairy here! I couldn’t help it. After Mouse lowered her own karma over 100 points and no one reacted, I couldn’t help but to get crazy with the karma. Then I kind of forgot about it…oops. I am surprised to see McCain reviving a bit. I still don't think he has a chance, but he has come out swinging. I like Hilary and Obama exchanging blows, it leaves an opening for my man John to slide in with his southern charm and civility (great way to describe it Maggie), and win hearts and minds. That being said, although I am still staunchly pro-Edwards, Obama is starting to grow on me while Hilary is starting to sound more and more shrill. I’m not at all surprised to see what’s happening with McCain. I started hearing a faint buzz about him a few weeks ago, after the Republican party realized Fred Thomson didn’t seem to care he was running for president and after it came to light Giulini had backed a corrupt official and had had taxpayers pay to protect his mistress when he was still married to his third wife (he’s on #4 now, I think). Romney’s negative ads backfired and suddenly the Republicans realized they had ditched McCain too soon. McCain didn’t even try for Iowa (nor did Giuliani or Thompson, for that matter) but when Huckabee defeated Romney, McCain’s people practically declared that as a McCain victory because it suddenly meant he was still in the game. He has a much better chance of getting the nomination than Huckabee at this point (see? Iowa doesn’t always determine everything, but it does set the chess pieces in place). Well...it looks like Iowa may be the state deciding who is heading to the White House. That certainly might be a historic first. Considering, in a state with 2.5 mil people, only 240,000 showed to caucus. A very, very small number. The power of a few can be very powerful. It’s not about the numbers. It shows a trend and allows the other states to get an idea of how electable their candidate is among various populations. There has always been a lot of griping about Iowa and New Hampshire going first, but it doesn’t bother me. It’s part of a tradition that I kind of like for some reason. One option that might work would be for states to trade off getting to be the first in primaries, but I doubt if that will ever happen. It's about at this point in the process that I have to stop and remind myself that we've only heard from two states out of fifty so far, and everything will change. Everything. Yes and no. The current Republicans can go through several primaries and have nothing determined. It depends on where the momentum is and so far, there is no momentum on their side and anything really can happen in their primaries. Giuliani has certain states (Florida, for example) set aside as his main focus and his intention is to pick up speed as this thing rolls on and I’ve heard that other candidates have similar strategies and all are hoping to build momentum and snatch victories away from others in the wake of their sudden surge of popularity. I don’t imagine anything like this happening with this bunch of Republicans any time soon, so I make no predictions where they are concerned. But the Dems…wow. There’s something happening that is new and exciting. Iowa has ignited Obama and now people all over the country who kind of liked him before but didn’t think he had a chance are jumping on board. News of the independents and Republicans who are now supporting him is giving people hope that not only can he win, but he could win in a landslide. If a white state can so wholeheartedly back this guy, he’s electable. Period. I did hear something interesting on CNN ( I believe), the crowds showing up at the some of the political rallies, are not from NH but from surrounding states. It is a ploy to make it appear there is more supporters than there really are/is. A very interesting news report. I wouldn’t call it a ploy. I heard the same story and my take was that, while some things certainly are staged (like Hillary’s crowd after her defeat in Iowa—I heard that was a manufactured event and many of those people were in from other states), there is huge interest in what’s going on in this election and the crowds from other states are often very spontaneous. If I lived in Boston and knew Obama was speaking an hour north of me, I would certainly drive up to see him and to be a part of something historic. Obama is like a rock star these days and I doubt if he has to do a thing to bring the crowds. I feel bad for Hillary right now. Really, she is a good candidate. She’s a decent person and a good politician. She’s not technically doing anything wrong, but she just can’t do anything to stop the tsunami of Obama. She tries to run on experience, but the people are speaking and they want someone who excites them and gives them hope. Obama and Clinton have a lot of similar ideas so the country would be in good hands in either case, but he knows how to ignite the masses. It’s been a long time since any politician—especially one so likely to be our next president—gave me goosebumps. During the New Hampshire debate on Saturday, Hillary made repeated references to Obama’s ability to make a pretty speech, saying it wasn’t the same thing as experience and work. Obama countered, pointing out that the ability to speak and to connect with people is how things can change and get done; that these things don’t happen without the will of the people. I grinned when I heard that. Perfect response. Most politicians are so oblivious to what the people want that they just push their own agendas along while the people are in a bored stupor. Obama wakes people up and gets new people involved and with the power of the people behind him, there’s nothing he can’t do. I saw some Edwards interviews over the weekend and he was more impressive than I’ve found him to be lately. He teamed up with Obama against Hillary during the debate more than once and later admitted he did it because he wanted it to get down to a two-man race—himself and Obama. Interesting. Sorry guys, Obama isn’t just a candidate. He’s a movement. He’s the voice of the younger generation, who are finally awake and voting. He’s the future. He’s what can really change politics in this country. I really don’t envy Hillary at this point. Anything she does to try and combat this movement will only make her look bad. Of course Obama can always have a weird Howard Dean moment that makes people question his sanity and back off, but I heard someone today say he would have to light a joint on stage to blow it at this point. Heh. I don't know if you've picked up on this, but I'm rather into politics. Thanks for playing and allowing me to spew opinions. 2008 Election is my favorite TV show. That, and Friday Night Lights. Stupid writer's strike. |
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Post by housemouse on Jan 7, 2008 21:43:05 GMT -5
I’m not at all surprised to see what’s happening with McCain. I started hearing a faint buzz about him a few weeksago, after the Republican party realized Fred Thomson didn’t seem to care he was running for president and after it came to light Giulini had backed a corrupt official and had had taxpayers pay to protect his mistress when he was still married to his third wife (he’s on #4 now, I think). Romney’s negative ads backfired and suddenly the Republicans realized they had ditched McCain too soon. McCain didn’t even try for Iowa (nor did Giuliani or Thompson, for that matter) but when Huckabee defeated Romney, McCain’s people practically declared that as a McCain victory because it suddenly meant he was still in the game. He has a much better chance of getting the nomination than Huckabee at this point (see? Iowa doesn’t always determine everything, but it does set the chess pieces in place). I stand by my surprise. For the past couple of weeks it has been all Romeny and Huckabee with a splash of Guiliani thrown in for good measure - McCain was nowhere to be seen. But the Dems…wow. There’s something happening that is new and exciting. Iowa has ignited Obama and now people all over the country who kind of liked him before but didn’t think he had a chance are jumping on board. News of the independents and Republicans who are now supporting him is giving people hope that not only can he win, but he could win in a landslide. If a white state can so wholeheartedly back this guy, he’s electable. Period. I agree that after Iowa Obama is riding a wave, but I still don't see him going all the way. I did hear something interesting on CNN ( I believe), the crowds showing up at the some of the political rallies, are not from NH but from surrounding states. It is a ploy to make it appear there is more supporters than there really are/is. A very interesting news report. I wouldn’t call it a ploy. I heard the same story and my take was that, while some things certainly are staged (like Hillary’s crowd after her defeat in Iowa—I heard that was a manufactured event and many of those people were in from other states), there is huge interest in what’s going on in this election and the crowds from other states are often very spontaneous. If I lived in Boston and knew Obama was speaking an hour north of me, I would certainly drive up to see him and to be a part of something historic. Obama is like a rock star these days and I doubt if he has to do a thing to bring the crowds. Carl, you and I are in a great place to be filler crowds! I'll tell you what, if Obama had brought Oprah to Council-tucky I would have been there it a hot second! Sorry guys, Obama isn’t just a candidate. He’s a movement. He’s the voice of the younger generation, who are finally awake and voting. He’s the future. He’s what can really change politics in this country. I really don’t envy Hillary at this point. Anything she does to try and combat this movement will only make her look bad. Edwards and Clinton supporters would probably say those two are "movements" and not just candidates. While it is great to see people fired up about a candidate, I think saying he his the future may be a bit of a stretch. I do have to agree that Hilary is in a sticky situation with this, she needs to treat very lightly. Of course Obama can always have a weird Howard Dean moment that makes people question his sanity and back off, but I heard someone today say he would have to light a joint on stage to blow it at this point. Heh. He has momentum at this point, but let's wait and see before we start marking our November ballots. I stand by my belief that Edwards will get the nomination. 2008 Election is my favorite TV show. That, and Friday Night Lights. Stupid writer's strike. Me too, I can't get enough of the stuff. But did you see Friday's episode of FNL? I was disappointed. |
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Post by matilda on Jan 8, 2008 7:23:46 GMT -5
Well...it looks like Iowa may be the state deciding who is heading to the White House. That certainly might be a historic first. Considering, in a state with 2.5 mil people, only 240,000 showed to caucus. A very, very small number. The power of a few can be very powerful. I did hear something interesting on CNN ( I believe), the crowds showing up at the some of the political rallies, are not from NH but from surrounding states. It is a ploy to make it appear there is more supporters than there really are/is. A very interesting news report. Later, Carl The news coverage here would lead a casual observer to think that Obama's killing it. My alternative coverage (Team BJ) is thus all the more fascinating. This one from U/Carl would not surprise me one bit, having lived vicariously, thanks to husband, a former political staffer, through numerous bloody campaigns (including the time I was extremely rude to the then-Premier of NSW before I knew it was him late one campaign evening when he rang home phone looking for husband who the children and I hadn't seen for weeks - a Matilda moment if ever there was one). Thanks for this Team BJ M |
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Post by maggiethecat on Jan 8, 2008 17:10:24 GMT -5
Obama is like a rock star these days and I doubt if he has to do a thing to bring the crowds. I'll grant you his amazing momentum, but has he proven himself as anything other than a charismatic orator and stunningly attractive personality? Can he talk about what he's actually done, versus what he wants to do? I feel bad for Hillary right now. Really, she is a good candidate. She’s a decent person and a good politician. She’s not technically doing anything wrong, but she just can’t do anything to stop the tsunami of Obama. She tries to run on experience, but the people are speaking and they want someone who excites them and gives them hope. Hope is great, but with nothing to back it up other than rhetoric, I'm uneasy. Everyone since FDR has run on a platform of change, so I want something a little more substantial than promises. Sorry! Sorry guys, Obama isn’t just a candidate. He’s a movement. He’s the voice of the younger generation, who are finally awake and voting. Awake and voting? We won't really know this until November. He’s the future. He’s what can really change politics in this country. I really don’t envy Hillary at this point. Anything she does to try and combat this movement will only make her look bad. Of course Obama can always have a weird Howard Dean moment that makes people question his sanity and back off, but I heard someone today say he would have to light a joint on stage to blow it at this point. I can definitely see this happening! He's young, he's inexperienced, and I think his time is not now but, say, four or eight years from now. Puhsonally, I think he'd make a fine Vice-Presidential candidate this time around. At this point, he's all about a rock star persona and some great phraseology which doesn't really stand up to close scrutiny. His inexperience isn't "perceived" -- it's real. He needs seasoning. He needs the weight of years and experience. It's too soon. I''ll back him if he wins the nomination, but I'll be waiting for that other shoe to drop . . . been through this too many times not to. BTW, every time I see Fred Thompson, I crack up -- the expression on his face clearly says, "I gave up a steady gig on Law & Order for this s**t?" And thanks for allowing me to do some opinion-spewing as well! |
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Post by Chris on Jan 8, 2008 18:04:38 GMT -5
This is a very interesting thread and like Matilda I like to have an alternative coverage of the 2008 election. If I were American I would probably be a Democrat. Right now I wouldn't know who to vote for, Hillary or Obama. At the same time I find McCain and Guiliano appealing - probably a good thing I don't get to vote!!! ;D I saw Hillary on the news yesterday almost crying. I really don't know what to think about that. I think it's likeable that she shows emotion publicly instead of appearing as if she was carved in stone. On the other hand, she was almost crying??? Because campaigning is hard??? What do you think, is it going to hurt her? Or emphasize the fact that she is strong enough to show her vulnerability, making her more likeable? - Chris  |
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