Shut Up Fool! Awards Happy Birthday Speaker Pelosi Edition

Today is Speaker Nancy Pelosi's 70th birthday, and she's had a great week leading up to it. She got a historic health care passed twice through the House and stayed classy through the process as the Republifools showed their asses.

As for that pool table you wanted as a birthday present, Madame Speaker, you earned it.

Now if you'll just show transgender Americans some love and get ENDA passed through the House.

And now, since it's Friday, let's move on to see what fool or fools deserved our illustrious award this week.

It was a tough one, with Ann Coulter tripping over her tongue in Canada, the usual tripe from the triumvirate of Limbaugh, Beck, and Hannity, and the unhinged rantings of Tea Klux Klan members.

But my winner this week is Rep Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) favorite 'Great White Hope', Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA)

Cantor had the nerve to step up to the mike the very day that reports of a white powdery substance was sent to Rep. Anthony Weiner's (D-NY) office, Dem legislators being called the n-word, f-word, wet---ks and baby-killer complete with multiplying reports of death threats against them.

And what does he talk about? His debunked claim that his Richmond office was targeted, but won't issue any recordings other than the one GOP legislator Jean Schmidt (R-OH) received from a pissed off brother.

He along the rest of the conservafool movement blamed Democrats for the violence and terrorist acts stoked by a year of racist, inflammatory GOP rhetoric.

Rep. Eric Cantor, shut the HELL up fool!

Hillary Clinton...shutting down. Overdue bow on Friday, according to New York Times!

I have experience, I could always work at Starbucks...






Well, the shocks and jolts keep coming today, folks.

Early this morning I got word that the Planning Commission in Malibu "denied" the proposal for an ordinance to ban pot dispensaries within the city limits.

Then, on the heels of that heady moment, a news flash confirmed that the Justices at the California Supreme Court "denied the stay" on their ruling lifting the ban on Gay Marriage.

Just as I was catching my breath - and getting ready to head out to the local deli for a salami & rye sandwich - more sh** hit the old fan!

The New York Times fired off a missive heralding Mrs. Clinton's decision to endorse Barack Obama, express her support for the Senator - and egads! - bring her financially-troubled year-and-a-half campaign to a screeching halt.

Today, someone must have given Hillary a whiff of smelling salts!

In a staggering about-face, one adviser confided that Mrs. Clinton would concede defeat - and not only congratulate Mr. Obama for his big-win Tuesday - but also proclaim him the party’s nominee while pledging to do the "right thing". (McCain would be proud)

Although Mrs. Clinton was reluctant to squelch the torch last night pending an opportunity to discuss her future with the powers-that-be today, even the precious few in the inner sanctum confessed that events on Wednesday signaled it was time to relinguish her sweaty grasp at the old brass ring.

One of her long-time supporters since the halcyon days said it best.

"We pledged to support her to the end. Our problem is not being able to determine when the he** the end is," confessed Charles B. Rangel. (New York Democrat)

When Walter F. Mondale - and others - announced that they were now backing Mr. Obama - it must have been tantamount to a prize punch in the gut.

"I was for Hillary — I wasn’t against Obama, who I think is very talented," Mr. Mondale said. "I’m glad we made a decision and I hope we can unite our party and move forward."

Traitor.

But, that's all water under the bridge now, eh?

A send-off party is planned for Mrs. Clinton and her supporters for Friday.

Would you attend?

Talk about doom and gloom!

Were I Hillary, I'd take the first flight to Hawaii and chill out on the beach with a bottle of Chivas Regal 'til I got royally sh**-faced.
(uh-huh)

After all, the party proper had little to say on the heels of her fall-down-go-boom episode except,

"Democrats must now turn our full attention to the general election."

Yeah, it's roll-over time.

Some of Mrs. Clinton’s supporters urged Mr. Obama to take the senator on as his running mate.

In one of those ominous conference calls with members of the New York Congressional delegation on Tuesday, Mrs. Clinton was allegedly asked whether she would be open to joining a ticket headed up by Mr. Obama. Insiders say, if the big cheeze offered up the VP ticket - she would not only accept - but join in the good fight to storm the White House in the fall.

Terry McAuliffe, the Clinton campaign chairman, continued to swear up and down there were "absolutely zero discussions" in that vein on Tuesday.

But today is Wednesday.

Who knows what tomorrow brings?


T-Shirt market went through roof today...
(Chelsea eat your heart out!)

Barack Obama...Secures ticket. Hillary stews in background!

Hello, is anyone listening? I won the popular vote!





The New York Times reported in a news flash just minutes ago that Democratic candidate Barack Obama has leapt over the threshold of the 2,118 delegates needed to be nominated at the party’s convention in Denver in August.

The daily is touting the accomplishment this evening as a "victory" for Mr. Obama, the son of a black Kenyan father and white Kansan mother, who they note, "broke racial barriers and represented a remarkable rise for a man who just four years ago served in the Illinois State Senate."

In an emotional speech to supporters in St. Paul just a short while ago, Mr. Obama thanked the ralliers for choosing "not to listen" to doubts or fears but "to your greatest hopes and highest aspirations."

Confident about the new path he is now embarking on, he noted with hearfelt enthusiasm,

"Tonight, we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another — a journey that will bring a new and better day to America. Because of you, tonight, I can stand before you and say that I will be the Democratic nominee for president of the United States."

But, there was one cloud hanging over the celebration.

Not surprisingly, Mrs. Clinton was reluctant to hand over the reigns.

"This has been a long campaign and I will be making no decisions tonight," Mrs. Clinton told supporters in New York.

She said she would be speaking with party officials about her next move. In fact, I expect she'll be stomping her foot at Democratic headquarters bright and early in the morning demanding that her supporters "do something!"

Tough ti**y, Hillary.

In what was described by the Times as quite a "combative speech", Mrs. Clinton argued up-and-down "she was the stronger candidate" and that "she had won the popular vote", not Obama.

Denial. Denial. Denial.

Spoil sport, if you ask me.

In a bold-faced effort to give the impression she was not being selfish, and that she had the interests of others at heart, the fast-talking Senator used the occasion to twist and distort the facts to make sense of an argument for continuing.

"I want the 18 million Americans who voted for me to be respected."

They will be Hillary.

You don't have to steal an election - or make a fool of yourself in the process - to make that happen

It's not their fault you lost, is it?

Obama, the consummate gentleman responded with proper decorum.

"I am a better candidate for having had the honor to compete with Hillary Rodham Clinton."

Yeah, you've learned how to watch your back, handle yourself in public, and - in spite of your alleged lack of experience - managed to deftly avoid setting off any of the mine fields that old "soldier-boy" keeps exploding on the campaign battleground day-in and day-out.

What a diplomat, that Obama.

Starting tomorrow, I expect the presidential campaign will take on a new twist.

Let the games begin!


No more dashed hopes...

Bill Clinton...foot-in-mouth disease again? Hillary to pull out!

Ah, no more hanky-panky in the White House?


Well, did slick Willy put his foot in it again or were his stunning remarks yesterday a sly attempt to ease the pain a little for Hillary as she possibly winds down her campaign?

While valiant Hillary stumped amid strident supporters who stomped for the presidential hopeful at rallies around South Dakota and Montana, the former president was holding court in another part of the state waxing poetic about his own political career.

"This may be the last day I'm ever involved in a campaign of this kind," Bill confessed in Milbank, South Dakota.

Are they going to yank the plug on 'ya, Bill?

"I thought I was out of politics," he rasped, "Till Hillary decided to run. But it has been one of the greatest honors of my life to go around and campaign for her for president."

But what about that knife in her back, eh?

According to the campaign team, as of yesterday, Hillary is still in the "rat" race.

In that event, maybe the reason Mrs. Clinton dashed from the stage yesterday was not due to a frog in her throat as alleged - but rather - to rustle up a bit of rope to hog-tie Bill, don't 'ya think?

Today, many are asking if Bill 's musings were just the old - " foot-in-the-mouth disease" - interrupting the political flow ad nauseam once again.

Or, if the wise old political owl was signaling Hillary's swan song to engender a graceful exit from the political stage?

If so, it was a hatchet job.

Abraham Lincoln once said,
“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

Hillary Clinton...Newsweek cuts hopeful out of campaign race!

Wait til you get home...


In this week's edition of NEWSWEEK, the publishers are running a full-page article with a graphic and photos depicting John McCain and Barack Obama surveying the political landscape across the United States.

And, Hillary Clinton is nowhere in sight!

Are the publishers at the top weekly news magazine subtly making a prediction about an outcome next week in the Democratic camp? Or, have insiders tipped the editors off early about Hillary's political demise?

Fasten your seatbelts, something tells me it's going to be a bumpy week!



The call at 3 a.m. that Hillary is going to hate...

Hillary Clinton...climb every mountain!

On the heels of her victory yesterday in West Virginia - wily Hillary compared her arduous battle with Barack Obama on the campaign trail - to a bit of treacherous "mountain-climbing".

In a quip to the voters, the hapless presidential hopeful chirped,

"Here in West Virginia, you know a thing or two about rough roads to the top of the mountain."

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Nation, Roy Romer - a former Democratic Party Chairman - (and ex-superintendent of Los Angeles Public Schools) asserted to the press,

"This race, I believe, is over. It is time for the party to unify...and move on to the general election."

Hillary, you're welcome to climb every mountain, but you should do it on your own time and not the drag the rest of the Nation along kickin' and screamin' with you.

Who was it who once said,

"You shouldn't punish others for your own choices."

Reverend Jeremiah Wright...A.I.D.S. conspiracy lunacy. White coats, comin' to take him away. Ha Ha, Hee Hee!

Obama says you've got it all wrong, Reverend...



When I read in the morning paper that Reverend Jeremiah Wright once lamented that the A.I.D.S. virus was part of a conspiracy to wipe out the black population, I laughed.

Well, his theories were a bit refreshing in some respects.

After all, years ago Church leaders preached about a lot of fire and brimstone and alleged that the deadly virus was God's way of punishing "gays" for engaging in immoral acts.

Of course, in support of their arguments a whole posse of 'em were inclined to quote verses from Revelations. You know, all the scriptures that speak of famine and plagues and things that go bump in the night when the day of reckoning comes.

In recent years, however, scientists have been able to determine - because of A.I.D.S. activists like Elizabeth Taylor (who has raised millions in funds for research) - that the virus actually originated in the lowly monkey.

Yes, the nasty infection jumped species.

Looks like a couple of men in white coats (no, not the Ku Klux Klan) may be jumping Reverend Jeremiah Wright in the near future to cart him off to the funny farm if he continues foaming at the mouth about such nonsense!


Suggestions that the virus evolved into the mainstream because of willful deliberate action by a plotting few or the result of a vaccine that went wrong - are a preposterous notion - at least to those with a modicum of intelligence and common sense.

The man is a lunatic!

Prophetic leader?

How about pathetic loser!

Amen.

Hillary Clinton...gay rumors persist in tabloids! Old news to G & L community.

When I sauntered into Von's this morning for a cup of java and a doughnut, I couldn't help but notice the screaming headlines at the check-out counter on the cover of a tabloid magazine:

Hillary Clinton Gay Affair!

Well, that bit of gossip has been circulating around the gay community for years.

G & L activists haven't pursued the issue - or put the spotlight on the persistent whispers that swirl around Jodie Foster either - because most have taken the stance that both - if the rumors are true - should be afforded the opportunity to "come out" when they're ready to skirt the idea.

Actually, the titillating thought of the winsome duo in the sack - Whoa Nellie, Hillary & Jody! - is inclined to rev up a few scintillating passions in some.

Although both high-profile celebrities are cool and aloof in the public arena, I just betcha, they're both wild tigresses in-between the sheets, dudes!

Meow.

Theorists allege that the reason Hillary never left Bill over his womanizing - and in particular, the Lewinski affair - was due to the fact the Clinton union is a marriage of convenience. Makes sense, doesn't it?

As long as Bill acts discreetly, and doesn't embarrass her too badly in public, she'll forgo on the heave ho!

And, it suits slick Willy's willy; after all, the prospect of hopping into bed with two lusty women is a great little scenario for the over-sexed former president whose favorite motto is: Don't Ask. Don't tell.

Actually, for many men, fantasizing about a threesome with two Lesbos is quite a turn on!

Yeah, men are such animals, aren't they?

As to Hillary - well, I guess the pant suits make sense now - don’t ‘ya think?

For some, butch is a turn on!

Hillary & Bill same person.
Ever see 'em together?

Barack Obama...say what? Senior analyst disassociates with sports tied to African Americans!

Barack on the "down low"...
(pictured left)



Just when we thought issues pertaining to the race card were dealt a final deadly blow - and tucked away into the good night - another wild zinger zips out of the Barack Obama camp!

At media outlets around the Nation, the morning papers were running photographs of Obama sprinting about the basketball court, underscoring his vim and vigor at the tender age of 46 big ones!

Heh, judging by comments from the ring-siders, Obama put the competing players half his age to shame!

Some have scratched their heads and wondered why Oprah's good buddy hasn't capitalized on the athletic image, especially in view of the fact some whine that Senator John McCain is too old to run for President.

According to the Senator from Illinois, age is not an issue.

A bit of diplomacy on his part, perhaps?

And, when asked why there weren't any press junkets booked around his favorite past-time, the presidential candidate stressed that when he's on the court - it's his downtime - and one of those rare occasions when he is able to relax out of the political spotlight.

In view of a comment made by his Senior Analyst - on the heels of the Obama revelation - one has to wonder...surely that's not entirely true?

After all, in one of those jaw-dropping moments, the aide allegedly let is slip that the reason there were few photo ops - or in-your-face reports from the stands - was due to the fact there was some reluctance on the part of the Obama team to show the candidate playing a sport heavily associated with African Americans.

Oops! Someone put their foot in it...

Hoop nightmares, do ya think?

Barack Obama...quote of day!

In response to the clatter over Obama's recent comments about an alleged bitterness sweeping through middle America, Richard Cohen - a journalist with the Daily Breeze - quipped in his morning column today,

"At times Barack has the air of a Maitre 'd who shows you to a bad table."

Ouch!






A fiver for a table near the window, please!

Hillary Clinton...losing grip; looney tunes, next?

Many faces of Eve - um - Hillary...


How a person acts under stress is not only a test of their mettle, but a good indicator of their character...

In the past week, it's been painfully obvious that wily Hillary has been on the edge, ready to topple over into oblivion.

Or, at a minimum, about to become a National Joke.

Her overall flip-flopping - from screechy emotional highs to dark sultry lows - has been negatively impacting the voters, too, no doubt. No wonder!

One starry night, the lagging Democratic candidate gushed that it was an honor to be in the race with Obama (surely she wasn't referring to the human race, was she?).

But, on the heels of that curious truce, there was an about-face. Yup, a day or two later, Bill's better half was flailing her arms about wildly and screaming like a banshee in heat. Uh-huh, Hillary's angst revved into high gear, when she stumbled across a flyer on Health Care, Obama had the audacity to breathe life into.

If that wasn't startling enough, a few surreal hours later, the Senator was traipsing about a wide stage wild-eyed at a rally, embracing the heavens, and mocking the coming of America's new Messiah.

That Dem Dame is sure losing her grip.

Hillary has pranced, writhed - literally clawed her way - in a bold-faced effort to stake her claim on the nomination; all-the-while, tryin' to fathom a way to overcome the swelling momentum of the Golden Boy from the wrong side of the tracks.

Was the color bar on the TV screen screwing up the other night, or was Senator Clinton literally turning "blue" in the face at her latest dis-organized rally?

No matter.

Why, Obama's turning into a regular Teflon Dem; after all, none of the sh** she's been hurling at the wall has managed to stick or even impact much.

Ironically, her curious conduct has landed her in deep doo-doo, too.

"Let's talk about the issues," she has cried out ad nauseam on the campaign trail, with bitterness seething deep within the cockles of her soul.

But, what has she done in reality?

Of course, the frustrated delegate monster, has meandered the other way.

Like at last night's debate, for example.

Throwing caution to the wind, she ventured off precariously on a tangent about Saturday Night Live skits; then, wondered aloud - deadpan to a stunned audience - if someone might rustle up a pillow for poor Obama.

Why, so he can snuff the life out of her?

Or, maybe she'll toss in the towel, at long last...

Hopefully, there are just a couple of rounds left in 'er, for the voters' sake.

Oh, she'll "go down", alright.

Otherwise, the Democrats will have to haul her off the campaign trail, kickin' and screamin'...right into a straight jacket, eh?

As they say at the end of a Looney Tune,

"That's all folks!"

Hillary Clinton...Bill Clinton campaign; Promo Photo

Merging of two strange bedfellow candidates...


Some pundits were quite upset yesterday when it came to their atttention that at rallies, Hillary and Bill, have been passing out buttons urging voters to plug down their votes for the "Clinton's"...as a team!

"Why," one astonished political analyst lamented, "...asking voters to cast a ballot for Mrs. Clinton is wrong. She's running in the race as Senator Clinton, after all."

Others, stand amused on the sidelines, theorizing what die-hard promoters of "change" have been predicting all along...

A vote for Senator Hillary Clinton is not a vote for change, but rather, amounts to casting a ballot for the same old same old.

You know what I mean?


Bill's favorite Hillary button...

Barack Obama...Power of 3 M's; surge forward to Potomac!

After the sweeping win over the weekend, polls indicate that Barack Obama has the power of the 3 M's behind him - Men, Minorities, and Moderates.

In fact, if the election were held today, Obama would squeak by McCain by a couple of percentage points, according to weekend polls.

In fact, the recent take on voter trends, indicates that a large percentage of white men prefer to cast their ballot Obama's way.

And, Obama has a wider appeal by a spread of at least nine points, with younger men.

Hillary loses out, by all accounts, if only by a fraction.

"Many men are reluctant to vote for a woman," one pundit opined, after reviewing the tallies.

Yup, it's okay for Ma or the wife to micro-manage the budget in the family household, but a few men appear to be reticent about the idea of a woman running the "White House" in much the same way.

Interestingly, male voters are not getting out to the poles as much as their counterparts, according to reliable sources.

Frustrated?

Disgusted with the fact there is no Dem to vote for, other than Barack or Hillary?

In contrast, women are scurrying to the polling stations en masse in record numbers.

Well, now that the racial issues have been squared away - widely duked out in the media - it appears that the battle of the sexes is predominantly underway big time.

I wonder, is this causing any strain in bedrooms around the Nation, at night?

Sleep tight, hang loose, and sweet dreams America.

Soon, there will be a spanking new President in the Oval Office on Pennsylvania Avenue - black, white, female - whomever.

Hail to the Chief!

Hillary Clinton...hands out campaign stickers in Gay Gulch!

For Hillary, it is Hollywood or bust!


Hillary's minions were spotted trying to foist campaign stickers on chic gay boys on trendy Robertson Boulevard last night in West Hollywood.

Now that pretty boy John Edwards is out of the race, voters have to find someone else to pin their donkey tails on.

You go girl!

John Edwards...bows out of campaign race; heartfelt e-mail explains!

I was saddened to hear that John Edwards chose to end his campaign since I thought in my heart he was best man for the job!

Dear Julian,

You have stood with Elizabeth and me throughout this campaign. Your support has sustained us as we have traveled across this country.

Earlier today, I suspended my campaign for the Democratic nomination for the presidency. I made this announcement from where our journey began just over 12 months ago: New Orleans.

I began my presidential campaign in New Orleans to remind the country that all of us - as citizens and as a government - have a moral responsibility to each other, and what we do together matters.

Now, it's time for me to step aside so that history can blaze its path. We do not know who will take the final steps to the White House - but what we do know is that our Democratic Party will make history.

And, along the way, all of you who have been involved in this campaign and this movement for change and this cause, I am asking you to continue speaking out for those who have no voice, just as Elizabeth and I will continue to do.

We need you.

Do not turn away from the great struggles before us. Do not give up on the causes that we have fought for. Do not walk away from what's possible, because it's time for all of us - all of us together - to make the two Americas one.

We need you.

I hope you will take a few moments to listen to the video clip of my speech in New Orleans earlier this afternoon or to read it below.

In the meantime, Elizabeth and my family join me in thanking all of you for your support and for working so hard on my behalf. We are truly blessed to have such friends.

Thank you.

John Edwards
January 30, 2008

See Video speech below...

Democrats...squabbling turns off voters; Slick Willy gets bad press!

Can Hillary, the "nutcracker", keep "Wild Bill" in line?


Heading into the home stretch on the campaign trail, there has been a big flap over the contentious mean-spirited behavior of Democratic hopefuls, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. In fact, gentle slaps we witnessed earlier on in the bid for the Presidency, have turned into near lethal punches. No knock outs, yet, though.

On the Dave Letterman show - on a three-way split screen - Hillary accusingly pointed a finger at Obama and criticized him for his former "slum landlord ties", while Barack - not to be outdone - lamented that while he was trying to prevent jobs from going overseas, wily Hillary was on the payroll at Wal-Mart - reaping in questionable spoils.

Dave Letterman was squeezed into the middle panel, tossing this way 'n that, trying to act as referee and get a word in edge-wise. Hilarious skit!

Meanwhile, Slick Willy has been making the rounds on the campaign trail, much to the disgust of the pundits, the press, and many Americans.

In fact, some have labelled his actions "demeaning" and "disingenuous".

Yeah, he was grabbing the headlines alright, and casting a long shadow over Hillary's strident speeches to voters elsewhere in the country. Some argue that he is a clever conniver who is using the occasion to tout his own accomplishments in the White House!

In one ambush, as he strolled through a swarm of reporters, he stopped and accused the press of fanning the frenzied flames, exacerbating the race issue, and focusing on the dispute between himself and Hillary.

He then retorted, "Shame on you. Shame on you!"

Yeah Bill, you chastised 'em, after you put your own two cents worth in. If you felt that strongly about the issue, you would have walked on and simply uttered to all within earshot - "No Comment".

When Obama raised the issue of "Wild Bill" recklessly loose on the Nation, his hubby just shrugged and sighed, "That's him. Not me".

If she can't curb her pit bull now, what will it be like when they're back in the White House?

An operator on a Cable Car the other day joked to me, "Well, the Democrats may as well enjoy the party while it lasts. They're not going to win. All that squabbling between 'em. And, they're not even talking about the issues. Each wants to be a first. Hillary, the first woman president. Obama, the only Black man to make it into the Whitehouse."

Then, as he shifted the gears on the trolley, he cackled, "They wouldn't vote in the Jew. What makes 'em think they will vote in Obama?"

Strong words.

I wonder what a cross section of America thinks?

Obama gives Hillary a gesture!

Democrats...2 1/2 candidates, according to Today Show pundit!

When Matt Lauer asked a pundit - Tim Russert - appearing on the Today show as a guest, how the field was shaping up for both the Republicans and the Democrats after underdog Mitt Romney's big "Win Tuesday", he opined,

"The Republicans have about 3 or 4 potential candidates. And, the Democrats have about 2 1/2 or 3."

A half? - Lauer quizzically responded...

So, who was the pint-sized candidate Russert was referring to, when he "misspoke"?

John Edwards losing muscle?

Hillary Clinton...fibs to get votes? Round 2, comin' up!

Over the weekend, Hillary Clinton spun a couple of tales, obviously designed to touch the middle class, with the ultimate aim of bringing some new blood into the Democratic fold.

In one instance, she harkened back to the oil crisis of the early 70's.

"Do you remember those days?" she cried out angrily to the throngs in her midst.

She proceeded to note that she recalled sitting in a gas line at 5 a.m. in the morning, in her crummy old car, waiting to fill 'er up.

Frankly, I can't imagine Hillary ever owning a "clunker", can you? Was this just a tale concocted to give the impression that she's just like you and me - "suffering the same hardships that the common Joe does, daily?"

Another yarn was more troubling...

In support of her arguments on financial issues, she proceeded to accuse mortgage lenders of engaging in business conduct that was not only deceitful but downright dishonest. A case in point...she alleged that documents were often drafted so they were difficult for the common person to comprehend...and rife with "ifs, ands, and buts" - which made it tough for Joe Public to determine the extent of their obligations(s).

In what appeared to be a calculated moment, Hillary posed the question to the packed house, which was all ears, "Do you read the fine print?"

In response to her own query, she alleged, "I don't."

Ooops, maybe it was just a case of diarrhea of the mouth, do you think?

I mean, it stretches one's credulity to think that a woman with a background in law would not go over an important legal document with a fine tooth comb.

Or, was that pronouncement just a fib - offered up to humanize herself - in the eyes of the voter, with the ultimate aim of landing votes?

If not, then as a Presidential hopeful, Mrs. Clinton is a scary proposition.

Who knows, in view of her candid disclosure, she just might sell America down the river - with a mere stroke of the pen - none-the-wiser!

Presidential Race...what the huck? Clinton surges forward, Obama cools heels!

By golly, I did it! (Crocodile tears?)


Yesterday's schedule was hectic. Early in the day, I attended the Mayor's inaugural ceremony here in San Francisco, dashed off to draft a post, then proceeded to get all spruced up for a night on the town.

When a passer-by informed me that Clinton had nabbed the New Hampshire primary, I did a double-take. Say what?

The McCain win, on the other hand, was not a surprise.

Look, it's going to be a topsy-turvy Presidential Race right down to the wire, as evidenced by all the curious goings-on to date.

The win by Huckabee in Iowa caused pundits to cry out - What the Huck? - and sit up and take notice of the guy whose political career was in the dumpster just a scant few months ago.

And, Hillary's 3rd place show at the Caucus in Iowa had 'em writing her off with a footnote, "The Clinton Dynasty is dead".

Late into the wee hours last night, theories were bandied about over the latest upheaval. Maybe the turnout was not there, one theorized. No, the records reflected otherwise.

Another suggested it may have been a case of dishonesty. Perhaps a sector of voters was swearing allegiance to Obama’s face, but in the back rooms of the polling stations, was doing an about-face?

In the privacy of the ballot booth, was it difficult to cast a vote for a Black man?

Months ago I predicted - bottom line - that no matter what voters said in the bright light of day, they'd vote "their way" in the final analysis.

For example, women would vote for Hillary, since they wanted to see one of "their own" in the Oval office. And, Blacks would vote for Obama, for the same self-serving reason. The Caucasian male? Well, he would probably cast a ballot for the strongest white candidate on the short list favored to win, on either side of the fence.

Just may be true!

Of course, there is the McCain factor...did he steal independent votes originally promised to the Obama pool?

With Ron Paul winning ten percent of the vote - a gain for the mild and meek Texan - undoubtedly, precious votes were snatched up from Obama in this scenario, too.

Then, there was the "moment" or the "episode" - call it what you will - the nano-second melt-down of Hillary. That attention-getter may have brought about a "change" alright: for the first time in decades, voters were privy to a private moment in which she revealed - unabashedly - how human, and down-to-earth, she really is?

In response, the American public cast a sympathy vote in support - albeit, a hasty, emotional one.

Unlike William Kristol, I don't believe the tears were manufactured, at all.

I've been critiquing enough movies over the years to figure out when a ham is on the stage.

Just as Huckabee and Obama had their day in the sun, now Hillary and McCain have a moment to bask in the glow.

But, hold onto your hats, there are more surprises on the horizon as the stakes get higher and campaign organizations - done testing the waters - push on with new vigor and determination in the race to the White House.

The next catch phrase?

How about,

"Don't ask what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."

Hillary has a head start on that one in the eyes of the voters.

Clinton Kryptonite packs wallop!

I'm Not Surprised

During the time I was working for Continental Airlines, Houston hosted the 1992 GOP convention. Many of those delegates went through IAH to get to the convention and return to their homes scattered across the country. I met some of the GOP leadership like now Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), other George HW Bush cabinet peeps, and convention delegates from various states as I worked flights during this period.

The day after it ended, I had a Seattle flight I was working. I was killing time until a short air traffic control delay was lifted before I could board the plane. In the lobby there was a group of teenaged kids who had just attended the convention. They had their GOP t-shirts on and were energized about working for George HW Bush's reeelection. Three girls approached the podium and engaged me in a discussion about joining their party and voting for Bush senior.

After politely listening to them for a few moments I replied, "No thanks, I'm voting for Clinton."

"But why?" one of the eager young white females replied.

"Your party has engaged in practices and behaviors over the years that have led me to conclude that people who look like me aren't wanted. Until your party gets serious about competing for my people's votes and doing the things necessary to get those votes beyond symbolic measures, I'll continue to be a Democrat."

I'm recounting this conversation because of the news that GOP frontrunners John McCain, Rudy Guiliani, and Mitt Romney all declined invitations to the All American Presidential Forum to be held on September 27 at Morgan State University for the GOP candidates. A similar forum was held on June 28th for the Democrats and all eight contenders showed up at Howard University for it.

I'm not surprised that Guiliani isn't gonna show up. He's 'scurred' about the questions that will pop up about his contentious relationship in NYC with the African-American community and the Abner Louima and Amadou Diallo NYPD incidents that happened under his tenure.

McCain has 'F' grades on his NAACP Civil Rights report cards and Romney is probably afraid he'll get hit with questions about the Mormon Church's negative beliefs about African-Americans. Only one of the GOP candidates, Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) even bothered to show up for the presidential forum during the recent NAACP convention in Detroit.

The journalists who will be asking the questions for the five confirmed Republican presidential candidates showing up in Baltimore as I write this are Ray Suarez of The NewsHour, columnist Cynthia Tucker of The Atlanta Journal Constitution and NPR's Juan Williams. Tavis will once again be moderator for the event which will air on PBS starting at 9 PM EDT.

I read Tavis' comments on the snub and he's not a happy camper.

"The word frontrunner has taken a whole new meaning for me," said Smiley in an interview with Lee Bailey. "I didn't know it meant being out front and running from people of color."

"The frontrunners, specifically Mr. Romney, Mr. McCain and Mr. Guiliani, have said to us they will not be on stage at Morgan State University on September 27th. All the Democrats showed up in June, but the front running Republicans have said they will not be there. They have also told Univision that they will not be there for the Hispanic debate. So, collectively, what the Republican frontrunners have told both black and brown Americans is that we don't appreciate you, don't value your issues and you're not a priority to us."

"You can't go through an entire primary process and refuse to talk to black and brown voters," he continued. "It's unconscionable, it's untenable, it's unthinkable and no one should be elected president in 2008, in the most multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-racial America ever and, in the process, ignore and ditch those voters. If you're not going to talk to all of America then you don't deserve to be president of all of America."

That's been the GOP game plan since Nixon concocted the 'Southern Strategy'. Like Tavis, I'm sick of Black conservatives spouting that bullshit 'you need to get off the Democrat plantation line'. You Black conservative clowns continue to apologize and make excuses for your GOP massas. These GOP peeps say they want to compete for our votes, but don't have the cojones to show up at our conventions, our events or give interviews to our media peeps to address our issues.

You black conservatives have shown the African-American community repeatedly over the years where your loyalties lie.

In 2004 the negro Ken Blackwell led the charge to suppress our people's votes in Ohio (he doesn't deserve to be called Black). Ward Connerly is the point negro in trying to get affirmative action programs killed. Don't even get me started on Uncle Thomas, the 'honorary white man' as conservative commentators call him on the Supreme Court.

And all you Black conservative bloggers and GOP butt-kissing preachers have been deafingly silent about how your vaunted GOP showed the world how much they cared about New Orleans and its African-American residents, but can flap your gums ad nauseum when it comes to same-sex marriage and hatin' on GLBT people.

And you want to know why reality based African-Americans vote at a 90% clip for Democratic candidates?

Thanks to the naked racism that's spewing out of your base over the immigration issue, you're driving Latinos away from your party as well at a record clip. 'Bout time they woke up to the true nature of the Republican Party.

Can't wait for September 27 to get here. I'm gonna make sure I have plenty of popcorn on hand to munch on for what promises to be an entertaining evening.