Rednecks for Obama

We live in Missouri, rural Missouri.  Down the road a piece, just over the hill and down through the holler, rests the country store.  The folks like to sit around the pot belly stove and yack a bit.  They only fire up the stove in the winter, but it is a comfort just to have […]

Obama a terrorist? Pfft

Some argue that terrorism has been going on since the start of the Civil War, with setting trains on fire to shooting prisoners. The American Heritage Dictionary describes terrorism as “the unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of […]

Electoral College – a Debate

The race is heating up. The next few weeks will see more debate on the value of the Electoral College, the process of electing the President of the United States of America. This is an important equalizer in American politics. The Founding Fathers established a process based on their immense knowledge and understanding of history. […]

Live Debate analysis – McCain, Obama, Video Excerpts

We will be posting live on the final debate between McCain and Obama.  Tonight we will refine our process to include live analysis, and possibly scoring points as the debate unfolds.  The pictures framing this paragraph reflect our expectations and bias. Stay with us: Bob Schieffer is the moderator – the format is a sit […]

Can McCain Win The Debate?

McCain can win this debate – but he will have to hire Bill Clinton as a stand-in to do so.  We are seeing very clearly that words do matter – and Bill Clinton is the modern master of words.  McCain is a seasoned politician, able to deflect criticisms, able to spin content; but this debate […]

Sarah Palin – Terminator Transformer

The genre was resurrected by a different Governor – Arnold Schwarzenegger – and has been taken to the next level by Sarah Palin.  This is the story of robotics – mindless creatures programmed to defend their creator.  The Terminator film series took this to another level – beyond mere defense – the robots are offensive. […]

Johnny Horton sings Republican Theme Songs

Johnny Horton sang a bunch of ballads for a couple of decades. The Republicans seem to have taken up the mantle of Horton in the 2008 Presidential Election. North to Alaska is a nice marching tune to line up the rank and file – well, the rank anyway. [wp_youtube]JSt0NEESrUA[/wp_youtube] And how about The Battle of […]

Stubborn McCain Champions War

John McCain owns the Republican Party – at least for the next two months.  He owns the Republican National Convention.  He owns the message being presented by every speaker and every video.  The stubbornness of John McCain is evident in the message presented.  McCain’s life bookends are all about War.  His adult life is framed […]

Vice Presidents – how do we measure

There is a big hoopla about Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as the Republican Vice Presidential nominee.  Why don’t we measure Governor Palin against past Vice Presidents?  Let’s take a look at the last seven. Dick Cheney Al Gore Dan Quayle George H. W. Bush Walter Mondale Gerald Ford Nelson Rockefeller Rank these people in terms […]

Obama Explains Economy in Speech

Barack Obama has come through with a practical explanation of the economic problems and the fear Americans are experiencing.  Obama has remained cool and Presidential while McCain continues to harangue anyone who questions his judgement. This is an excellent example of the difference in leadership styles.  McCain is erratic and risk taking, bounding from one […]

Hypocrisy is a Bridge to Nowhere

Local hypocrites beg Feds for money.  That might have been a better headline in a local newspaper.  The actual headline is, “Local Officials rallying for funds.”  This small Missouri community is very conservative – the joke around town is that we have too many churches and not enough strip joints (127 Churches, one strip joint).  […]

Slacker Uprising – Michael Moore

The devil is in the house.  Michael Moore has created a new documentary encouraging all slackers to get out and vote.  Moore traveled to 62 cities in battle ground states and chronicled his journey and his audience response.  This man is gifted – that is not to say correct – but he is gifted. By […]

Matt Damon on Sarah Palin

Writing versus delivering speeches

Barack Obama has raised the bar on the delivery of speeches. Sarah Palin did not match him – but she is better than many politicians.  But the question for this writer remains – is speech delivery as important as original thought? We know today that Barack Obama writes his own speeches.  The delivery is superb […]

RNC Video Bio of Sarah Palin

We don’t have to comment – the video speaks for itself. We are proud that America produces great leaders.

Joe Biden responds to Governor Palin

Joe Biden talked on the air with Matt Laur – that guy from one of those morning shows.  Joe Biden is not intimidated and is showing his considerable political skill.  McCain’s speech writers prepared a well crafted speech – but Sarah Palin delivered it with vigor and skill. Listen to Biden’s response:

Speaking of Experience

Experience is a fascinating topic, given the Presidential election of 2008.  This writer thinks it is reasonable to assume that none of the Founding Fathers had experience in Washington D. C.  Some of our greatest Presidents had little experience, including Lincoln, T. R. Roosevelt, and Woodrow Wilson.  Richard Nixon had a mere four years as […]

Karl Rove on Palin and election (video)

The Washington Post is very generous in sharing information (well, I guess that is their job). This writer believes that Karl Rove is an excellent example of someone who does things right – but seldom does the right things.  This is a man who has successfully shaped American politics the past eight years.  This is […]

Liberty Parade Kicks Off Protests for RNC

It is a fine day in Minneapolis.  83 degrees, breezy, and the air is full of political frenzy.  Downtown Minneapolis this afternoon was the host to the Liberty Parade, and it was quite a sight.  Have a look: Perhaps this is a nice prelude to the theatrics of the week.  We will see.

Obama and Biden on 60 Minutes

These are true statesmen. Senator Barack Obama is ready to talk policy – he does not have to attack John McCain for making the most ludicrous choice for Vice President since that guy in 1856.

Dichotomies of Political Philosophy

We live in a world of politics – but politics creates strange bedfellows. The Republican nominee for President, John McCain, is about to pick Alaska Governor Sarah Palin for the Vice President spot on the ticket. What a strange turn of events. Governor Palin is a fierce conservative – and that creates a real dichotomy […]

Bill Clinton DNC Speech Text, Video, 8-27-2008

I am honored to be here tonight to support Barack Obama. And to warm up the crowd for Joe Biden, though as you’ll soon see, he doesn’t need any help from me. I love Joe Biden, and America will too. What a year we Democrats have had. The primary began with an all-star line up […]

A Season for Hope – Ted Kennedy

This writer grew up watching the Kennedy family. We watched and followed John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy. We cried with the nation when those great men were assassinated. We were saddened when Senator Ted Kennedy seemed to fail the legacy. But Ted Kennedy is a man who demonstrates that there is salvation in America. […]

Hillary Clinton comments on Joe Biden

This writer just received and email form Hillary Clinton – we will share it here: I want to congratulate Joe Biden on becoming the vice presidential running nominee. Joe is a friend and colleague, a strong experienced leader and a devoted public servant. I look forward to not only seeing him in Denver next week […]

Broder on Political Conventions

Understanding the American political process is essential to understanding how to vote. The strategies used by candidates to win their party nomination and the subsequent quest for political office reveals a great deal about their thinking processes and their character. The Washington Post is one of this writer’s favorite places to visit for information. The […]