We walked into the school unsure what to expect. Through a hallway, a couple of steps and a corner later, we entered a relatively small auditorium that was shockingly swollen. Young and old packed tight together with a long line outside consistently feeding the frenzy. It was pure political chaos and this was the bluest vein the neighborhood. Side conversations, confusion and technical difficulties—you couldn’t ask for a more surreal and historical local moment.
The MC had some difficulty talking over the crowd, but managed to utter something to the effect that in all her decades as a local party organizer, she has never seen a crowd this large come to a caucus. This came with cheers. Without any hesitation, I got the sense that this was an Obama crowd. There were no overt gestures to suggest this; sure there were a couple of buttons and stickers, but not at ‘rally’ levels.
The day before, Obama filled the Key Arena 20,000 strong with at least 3000 turned away at the door. Upon hearing this, Barack Obama later grabbed a megaphone and made his way outside to address the huddled group of seemingly starstruck, rain soaked believers. The dedication to the average voter here is notable, and unmistakably galvanizing. I felt the importance of that moment all the way down here in Olympia especially as I casted my vote for him today. Our precinct went 6 to 1 for Obama because we felt as convicted about being in the moment as he did outside the Key Arena with a cheap megaphone talking to complete strangers who couldn’t get inside. He didn’t have to do that, and I didn’t have to vote for him, but he, like all of us, knew the collective importance in doing what it takes to affect real change; that perhaps this simple gesture was a clear shift over the conventional ethos of modern politics. Fucking unbelievable.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Romney Suspends Campaign
Mitt "Soundwave" Romney has officially suspended his campaign. This news may come as a shock following the infusion of cash that gave his campaign from his personal fortune. There must have been some serious campaign debt to pay off if that is the case.
McCain-Huckabee '08
McCain-Huckabee '08
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
What's So Super About Tuesday?
If it wasn't for the fact that there were so many primaries on one day there would be nothing "Super" about Tuesday. It was more hyped than the Super Bowl though and McCain has made himself out to be the Eli Manning of the day. No one gave him a shot and he has managed to pull off a dramatic upset and has left political prognosticators stunned.
For most of us in the Evergreen State, this Saturday will be a first for most Washingtonians. A Presidential Primary that matters. That REALLY matters for both parties. The Obama and Hillary are in a statistical dead heat, with a slight delegate advantage for Obama. Bill Clinton is coming to Seattle and Barack will also be here later in the week. Welcome to the "other" Washington.
McCain has a substantial lead in delegates and has to be the odds on favorite to win the nomination for the GOP. Washington State should turn out heavy for McCain both for caucuses and poll voting. Ron Paul has done very well in Washington, at least fundraising, we'll see how he does.
Hillary and Obama are going to be the real story this week leading into Saturday.
Check out this little run down on the former first lady. Politico
For most of us in the Evergreen State, this Saturday will be a first for most Washingtonians. A Presidential Primary that matters. That REALLY matters for both parties. The Obama and Hillary are in a statistical dead heat, with a slight delegate advantage for Obama. Bill Clinton is coming to Seattle and Barack will also be here later in the week. Welcome to the "other" Washington.
McCain has a substantial lead in delegates and has to be the odds on favorite to win the nomination for the GOP. Washington State should turn out heavy for McCain both for caucuses and poll voting. Ron Paul has done very well in Washington, at least fundraising, we'll see how he does.
Hillary and Obama are going to be the real story this week leading into Saturday.
Check out this little run down on the former first lady. Politico
Sunday, January 27, 2008
The Lighter Side of Camelot
I typically have a hard time finding my muse, but when I read headlines that beam things like Edward Kennedy endorsing Barack Obama, it cues me right up.
This is a big one. For Kennedy, It demonstrates a clean break with Establishment pals, including the Clintons, and serves as a ‘passing of the baton’ to a whole new generation of politicos. The Clinton’s were furiously vying for Kennedy’s backing, but came up short, in part due to Mr. Clinton’s weirdness as of late. As you’ve unfortunately read in my previous postings, my unorganized ramblings are essentially political accounts from a layperson—written with limited knowledge in national affairs. Though one thing is for certain, the double knighting from the Kennedy camp (Caroline Kennedy also officially endorsed Obama) is so defiling to Billary that their only strategy is devout prayer for a surplus in delegates on Super Tuesday.
There is a decent amount of contention in political circles over the meaning of obtaining an ‘endorsement.’ What makes the topic squishy is the fact that endorsements vary. It could mean access to massive voting lists, a one day fanfare that fosters strong media attention or both. Yet, when you land old Establishment kudos that is something quite different and notable. It could mean adding another layer of prestige and a series of power players following suit. A week from Tuesday shall be interesting indeed.
This is a big one. For Kennedy, It demonstrates a clean break with Establishment pals, including the Clintons, and serves as a ‘passing of the baton’ to a whole new generation of politicos. The Clinton’s were furiously vying for Kennedy’s backing, but came up short, in part due to Mr. Clinton’s weirdness as of late. As you’ve unfortunately read in my previous postings, my unorganized ramblings are essentially political accounts from a layperson—written with limited knowledge in national affairs. Though one thing is for certain, the double knighting from the Kennedy camp (Caroline Kennedy also officially endorsed Obama) is so defiling to Billary that their only strategy is devout prayer for a surplus in delegates on Super Tuesday.
There is a decent amount of contention in political circles over the meaning of obtaining an ‘endorsement.’ What makes the topic squishy is the fact that endorsements vary. It could mean access to massive voting lists, a one day fanfare that fosters strong media attention or both. Yet, when you land old Establishment kudos that is something quite different and notable. It could mean adding another layer of prestige and a series of power players following suit. A week from Tuesday shall be interesting indeed.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Romney is a Robot
I don't have the energy to write about this fool. See here to view a former picture of Governor Romney.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Attack: (verb) take aggressive action against a place or enemy forces; oppose fiercely
"I have said for months that I would much rather be attacking Republicans, and attacking the problems of our country, because ultimately that's what I want to do as president."
-Sen. Hillary Clinton (D), December 2007
“We are not a collection of red states or blue states, we are the United States...”
-Sen. Barack Obama (D), January 2008
Recently, the former Presidential contender and current Massachusetts Senator, John Kerry personally sent me an e-mail. As I read on, I was anxious to find a veneer of personal trickery, but it appeared sincere. After a couple of cocktails, I thought to myself, "Okay, either this occurred because I'm on a damn mailing list, or this jackball has mistaken me for another dope smoking Motel Martin."
The Kerry letter was poignant. In summary, he paralleled his Swiftboat, Willie Horton-esque political experience with that of the current events between the Obama and Clinton campaigns. Kerry goes on to ask all of us to engage in a national push back campaign against concerted attacks on Obama. That's actually one of the few things I can agree on with Kerry. My support for Obama is obvious, so the bias exists in that any challenge on the man will be a perception by me as an "attack." That aside, the opening quotes to this treatise, perhaps taken out of context, may provide insight into the character of both the candidates possibly highlighting who indeed holds the tendency to 'attack.'
Well, shit was going down in South Carolina. Yet, one of the most intriguing moments during the heated exchange between Hillary and Barack, came during a brief pause by Obama to address the national audience. He articulated that it is important to address the charges from the Clinton camp to demonstrate to Americans what type of leader he would be--a truthful and earnest one. Of course, that drew swift rebuke from Hillary, but the fact that he highlighted a seemingly heated personal exchange and turned it into an intellectual lecture on the value of the political sparring match between him and Clinton was fucking brilliant. The arguing did drag on, and he knew this, which made the comment to the audience translate into a couple more delegates and a couple more votes.
I guess Kerry would be proud; as well as Willie Horton for that matter. Horton, wherever you are, just know that a brother is running for President who won't exploit your past transgressions and will utilize his deft political instincts for quelling any bullshit that comes his way.
-Sen. Hillary Clinton (D), December 2007
“We are not a collection of red states or blue states, we are the United States...”
-Sen. Barack Obama (D), January 2008
Recently, the former Presidential contender and current Massachusetts Senator, John Kerry personally sent me an e-mail. As I read on, I was anxious to find a veneer of personal trickery, but it appeared sincere. After a couple of cocktails, I thought to myself, "Okay, either this occurred because I'm on a damn mailing list, or this jackball has mistaken me for another dope smoking Motel Martin."
The Kerry letter was poignant. In summary, he paralleled his Swiftboat, Willie Horton-esque political experience with that of the current events between the Obama and Clinton campaigns. Kerry goes on to ask all of us to engage in a national push back campaign against concerted attacks on Obama. That's actually one of the few things I can agree on with Kerry. My support for Obama is obvious, so the bias exists in that any challenge on the man will be a perception by me as an "attack." That aside, the opening quotes to this treatise, perhaps taken out of context, may provide insight into the character of both the candidates possibly highlighting who indeed holds the tendency to 'attack.'
Well, shit was going down in South Carolina. Yet, one of the most intriguing moments during the heated exchange between Hillary and Barack, came during a brief pause by Obama to address the national audience. He articulated that it is important to address the charges from the Clinton camp to demonstrate to Americans what type of leader he would be--a truthful and earnest one. Of course, that drew swift rebuke from Hillary, but the fact that he highlighted a seemingly heated personal exchange and turned it into an intellectual lecture on the value of the political sparring match between him and Clinton was fucking brilliant. The arguing did drag on, and he knew this, which made the comment to the audience translate into a couple more delegates and a couple more votes.
I guess Kerry would be proud; as well as Willie Horton for that matter. Horton, wherever you are, just know that a brother is running for President who won't exploit your past transgressions and will utilize his deft political instincts for quelling any bullshit that comes his way.
Snowball Effect
SOUTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATIC DEBATE January 20
MLK DAY SERVICE
This happened on the same day? Definitely not the top of their game. This is truly remarkable given A) The Clinton's historically strong relationship with the black community, B) The prominence of the African-American voters in South Carolina, and C) The fact that both of these events happened on the same day. How is the public going to react to Obama playing so rough with that little old lady? It never looks good to hit a girl, even if she is playing dirty.
Obama is at the top of his game. Does any one remember that Bill Clinton was once the "man from Hope?" 1992 doesn't seem as dire as 2008. The parallels are quite similar really, the economy was in recession and the first Gulf War had just ended, and a Bush was in the White House. 2008 is fruition of the seeds planted in 1992, and to a lesser extent 2000. The war has been ridiculously expensive and has greatly burdened our economy for decades, and should have been won in 1992. The Bush tax cuts have magnified the cost of the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. Obama is an incredibly gifted speaker, the question is not whether he has the support of the American people, the only unknown is if he can transform his vision into reality. He will win because he is grounded in his beliefs and seems the most natural politician running for the office of President in either party.
MLK DAY SERVICE
This happened on the same day? Definitely not the top of their game. This is truly remarkable given A) The Clinton's historically strong relationship with the black community, B) The prominence of the African-American voters in South Carolina, and C) The fact that both of these events happened on the same day. How is the public going to react to Obama playing so rough with that little old lady? It never looks good to hit a girl, even if she is playing dirty.
Obama is at the top of his game. Does any one remember that Bill Clinton was once the "man from Hope?" 1992 doesn't seem as dire as 2008. The parallels are quite similar really, the economy was in recession and the first Gulf War had just ended, and a Bush was in the White House. 2008 is fruition of the seeds planted in 1992, and to a lesser extent 2000. The war has been ridiculously expensive and has greatly burdened our economy for decades, and should have been won in 1992. The Bush tax cuts have magnified the cost of the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. Obama is an incredibly gifted speaker, the question is not whether he has the support of the American people, the only unknown is if he can transform his vision into reality. He will win because he is grounded in his beliefs and seems the most natural politician running for the office of President in either party.
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