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Sunday, August 31, 2008

RNC - Putting The "Labor" Back Into Labor Day

A new promotional video for the Republican National Convention, which may begin on Labor Day, or not. Depends upon enthusiasm levels as well as acts of God:

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Obama- Biden on "60 Minutes"

In their first interview together as running mates, Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Joseph Biden discuss their roles and strategies for the upcoming presidential election:

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God was Listening

Do you remember this guy? He asked his followers to pray hard for God to rain on Invesco Field during Barack Obama's speech there last week:



As you surely recall, the weather in Denver on Thursday night could not have been more perfect. And, as it turns out, Stuart Shepard is getting his response from The Lord this week. Apparently Shepard is not on the same team as the Almighty:



The Lord works in mysterious ways, indeed.



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Obama-Biden Dine in Hamilton, Indiana

(Photo by Cathie Rowand of The Journal Gazette)
Barack Obama and Joe Biden made a stop for dinner this evening at the Pier 32 restaurant on Indiana 1 on Hamilton Lake. According to the Journal Gazette, Obama bounded off of his campaign bus at 5:45 p.m., shouting to his running mate, "Biden! Let's get something to eat!" His call was met with applause from boaters in bikinis and sunglasses gathered in the parking lot, on the docks, in the landscaping and along the road.

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Palin's Mom-in-Law May Vote Obama

The New York Daily News reports that Faye Palin still hasn't decided which way she'll vote. The Gov's mother-inlaw told the News that she doesn't agree with Sarah on everything and that she enjoys hearing Barack Obama speak:
"I'm not sure what she brings to the ticket other than she's a woman and a conservative. Well, she's a better speaker than McCain," Faye Palin said with a laugh. "People will say she hasn't been on the national scene long enough. But I believe she's a quick study."


Many in Palin's hometown spoke highly of her and reflected on her positive qualities as well as the "hometown girl makes good" angle of it all. But many feel that she's running on the wrong ticket; preventing them from casting a vote for her:

"I'm still leaning toward Obama. I think Sarah has been really good for our state, and it would be wonderful to see her in the White House, but she's on the ticket with McCain, and I can't vote for McCain," said Eileen Moe, 33, a second grade teacher at Iditarod Elementary, which Palin's kids attended.

"If it was her running for president, there'd be no question in my mind," Moe said. "The Republicans right now are about big business and big oil. I don't see Sarah as a staunch Republican in that way."

Not everyone is convinced her experience as mayor and governor are enough for a vice president who would be next in line to the presidency.

"I wouldn't say she's qualified," said Bill Gleason, 60, a contractor from nearby Big Lake. "I want someone with a little more experience. "

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"Bringing Home a Friend"

In an ad airing in Northeast Pennsylvania, Joe Biden tries to make Barack Obama more familiar to working-class voters. He compares Obama's childhood to his hardscrabble upbringing in Scranton, saying they both learned the same values. "So it's good to be coming home, and bringing home a friend," Biden concludes. The vice presidential nominee will visit Scranton on Monday. Watch:

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GM Recalls One Million SUV's

General Motors has just issued a recall involving vehicles with a heated washer fluid system. A short circuit in the system could cause electrical features to malfunction, which could lead to an odor, smoke or potentially a fire. Crap! We own one of the affected vehicles. When I read about this early yesterday, I wasn't very concerned. I'd never seen any button for some fancy schmancy heated washer fluid system in ours. But, since it's my wife's vehicle, and she was out and about with a friend who picked her up, I decided to go check it out.

Ayup. Our 2008 Saturn Outlook IS equipped with all of the bells and whistles; even the ones that tend to smoke and burn. Fortunately, it's not a serious problem and we'll get it resolved at the dealership. On the plus side, while I was rooting through the owners manual on the vehicle to determine whether or not we had the smoke and burn option, I DID discover another kewl accessory that we didn't even know we had - a built in power inverter.

I'm so glad that I paid $20 for the noisy, stinky, cigarette-lighter-plug-in converter that we used on our last trip now (Sucker's in the trash can now). I can't describe how cool it was to peel back a rubber cover in an SUV and see a standard household outlet awaiting my electronic needs. That, on top of heated washer fluid that may or may not heat more than it's required to. . .what a deal! Since I detoured into our personal involvement with this recall before disclosing the details of it, here we go:

GM said it includes the 2008 Buick Enclave, 2006-2008 Buick Lucerne, 2006-2008 Cadillac DTS, 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade ESV, 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT, 2007-2008 Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Tahoe and Suburban, 2007-2008 GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL, 2006-2008 Hummer H2 and 2007-2008 Saturn Outlook.

GM spokeswoman Carolyn Markey said there have been nine reports of fires and three of them have been linked to the system. There have been no accidents or injuries connected to the defect, she said.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation last February into 2007 Yukon and Tahoe vehicles over potential engine compartment fires. In June, the highway safety agency upgraded its investigation into about 2.7 million 2007-2008 GM trucks and SUVs and reported allegations of 41 engine fires.

Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse to fix the problem free of charge, GM said.

For more information, owners may contact Buick at (866) 608-8080, Cadillac at (800) 982-2339, Chevrolet at (800) 630-2438, Saturn at (800) 972-8876, GMC at (866) 996-9436 or Hummer at (800) 732-5493.



Good luck and, don't forget to use *OnStar in case of personal vehicle infernos!

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Saturday, August 30, 2008

Obama Explains Biden Pick, Reacts to Palin

Obama describes why he selected Joe Biden for his running mate, and gives his first reaction to McCain's choice:


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Breakfast in Ohio

The Obama's and Bidens enjoy breakfast at the Yankee Kitchen Family Restaurant in Boardman,Ohio:

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"Revitalize" - New Obama Michigan Ad

Barack Obama's Michigan-specific ad asks "In tough times, who’ll help Michigan’s auto industry?" -

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"No Change"

Obama's first post-Palin ad:

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Palin - For Obama Before She Was Against Him?

The New Yorker seems to lay out that case:

Palin thought it was pretty neat that Barack Obama was edging ahead of John McCain in her usually solidly red state. After all, she said, Obama’s campaign was using the same sort of language that she had in her gubernatorial race.

“Something’s kind of changing here in Alaska, too, for being such a red state on the Presidential level. Obama’s doing just fine in polls up here, which is kind of wigging people out, because they’re saying, ‘This hasn’t happened for decades that in polls the D’ ”—the Democratic candidate—“ ‘is doing just fine.’ To me, that’s indicative, too. It’s the no-more-status-quo, it’s change.”


Picture courtesy of Jesus' General

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"Worse than Dan Quayle"

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer blasts McCain's VP pick, Sarah Palin, calling her "worse than Dan Quayle" with "almost no experience". Click to view:

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NOUN-VERB-POW.com

Kossack James EB has made an interesting discovery:

One of the most memorable moments of the long primary season was Senator Joe Biden's quip that every statement made by Giuliani consisted of little more than "a noun, a verb, and 9/11." With devastating concision, Biden captured the hollow essence of Rudy's failed campaign.

It's become increasingly apparent that McCain is following the same sorry course, deflecting all criticism by referring to his years spent as a POW in Vietnam, rather than offering anything approaching a substantive rebuttal. This would be merely shameful, were it not for the fact that McCain insists (and the media reiterate) that he is reluctant to discuss this period of his life, or attempt to use it for political gain.

McCain is finally being called to account for this strategy of redirection--at least in some quarters--and it may very well be the case that the campaign is sufficiently worried about the backlash that it's taken measures to soften the blow. How else to account for the following:

www.NounVerbPOW.com

This address takes one directly to McCain's campaign site! If the McCain campaign purchased this domain to prevent someone else doing so, that's one thing; but do they really want it linked directly to their website?



You know. . .something else has been eating at me about this whole deal. McCain likes to "uprade" every so often in the spousal department - do ya s'pose Cindy's feeling a bit like her predecessor right now? Just wondering out loud. . .

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Not Here, Not EVER

After John McCain used a Van Halen song during his introduction of Sarah Palin as his running mate yesterday, the band wants to make to make one thing clear -- they're not running with The Devil McCain.

Van Halen's management says the band had no idea McCain was planning on using "Right Now" during the event in Dayton, Ohio, stating that "Permission was not sought or granted nor would it have been given."

This seems to be the latest in a pattern of ignoring copyrights and requesting permissions by the McCain camp. I recently wrote about prior transgressions by the campaign.

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Democratic Duo visits SW Pennsylvania

Barack Obama and Joe Biden toured a Biodeisel Plant in Manoca, PA on Friday:

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Friday, August 29, 2008

Friday Nite Retro


Welcome to Friday Nite Retro here at Left in Aboite! Tonight I'm featuring one of my favorite alt-country artists - Lucinda Williams.

Williams was born on January 26, 1953 in Lake Charles, Louisiana to poet and literature professor Miller Williams, an amateur pianist. The elder Williams worked as a visiting professor in Mexico and different parts of the American South, before settling at the University of Arkansas.

His daughter started writing when she was 6 years old, showed an affinity for music at an early age, and was playing guitar at 12. Her first live performance, at 17, was in Mexico City as part a duo with her banjo playing friend Clark Jones.

Lucinda Williams Profile


Williams recorded her first albums in 1978 and 1980 - They featured a traditional country and blues style and received very little attention from radio,the media or the public. In 1988, she released her self-titled album, "Lucinda Williams", which contained the single "Passionate Kisses". That song was later recorded by Mary Chapin Carpenter, garnering Lucinda her first Grammy (Best Country Song, 1994).

Passionate Kisses


The album also contained the single "Changed the Locks", about a broken relationship,which received radio play around the country and gained fans among music insiders, including Tom Petty, who would later cover the song.

Changed the Locks


The follow-up album, "Sweet Old World" was a melancholy album dealing with themes of suicide and death. But Williams' biggest success during the early 1990s was as a songwriter. Williams had garnered considerable critical acclaim, but her commercial success was moderate. Emmylou Harris said of Williams, "She is an example of the best of what country at least says it is. But, for some reason, she's completely out of the loop. And I feel strongly that that's country music's loss." Harris recorded the title track from Williams' "Sweet Old World" for her career-redefining 1995 album, "Wrecking Ball".

Sweet Old World


Williams also gained a reputation as a perfectionist and slow worker when it came to recording; six years would pass before her next album release, though she appeared as a guest on other artists' albums and contributed to several tribute compilations during this period. The long-awaited release, 1998's "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road" was Williams' mainstream breakthrough,earning her a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album.

Car Wheels on a Gravel Road


Car Wheels also contained the single "Still I Long for Your Kiss" from the Robert Redford film "The Horse Whisperer".

Still I Long For Your Kiss


The single "Can't Let Go" also enjoyed considerable cross-over radio play.

Can't Let Go


My personal favorite from Car Wheels was "2 Kool 2 B 4-Gotten". This live version doesn't do it justice, however:

2 Cool 2 Be 4-Gotten


Williams followed up the success of Car Wheels with "Essence" in 2001. This release featured a less produced, more stripped-down approach both musically and lyrically, and moved Williams further from the country music establishment while winning fans in the alternative music world. The title track, which has a contribution on Hammond organ by alternative country musician Ryan Adams, was the song that introduced me to Lu.

Essence


She won the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Performance for the single "Get Right With God", an atypically uptempo gospel-rock tune.

Get Right with God


Her seventh album, 2003's "World Without Tears", was a musically adventurous though lyrically downbeat album, that found Williams experimenting with talking blues stylings and electric blues. My favorite tune from that effort:

Righteously


Williams is still active today. Her latest album, titled "Little Honey", is due out on October 14, and will include 13 new songs. In July 2008, though Little Honey had yet to be released Paste magazine.com, listened to an advance copy and rated the duet between Williams and Elvis Costello on the song "Jailhouse Tears", as the #5 all time greatest country/rock duets.

Drop by Lu's official site and check out the rest of her work! Thanks for dropping by for tonight's FNR.


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38 Million Viewers

More people watched Barack Obama speak last night than watched the Olympics opening ceremony in Beijing, the final "American Idol" or the Academy Awards this year. And that number doesn't include viewers who were tuned in on PBS or C-SPAN, whom Nielsen had no numbers on. It also nearly doubled the viewership of John Kerry's acceptance of the Democratic nomination in 2004.

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Consolidating the Hispanic Vote

A special Democracy Corps and Greenberg Quinlan Rosner survey of Hispanic voters in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada shows that Barack Obama holds a commanding lead among Latinos in the southwest. The Democratic nominee leads John McCain by 45 points and has a chance to perform better among Hispanic voters than any Democratic presidential candidate in recent history:

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Sarah Who?

Okay, everybody's already chimed in on this, so here are some of the reactions:

"Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency. Governor Palin shares John McCain's commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade, the agenda of Big Oil and continuing George Bush's failed economic policies -- that's not the change we need, it's just more of the same." - Bill Burton (Obama Campaign Spokesman)


"The vice president is a heartbeat away from becoming president, so to choose someone with not one hour's worth of experience on national issues is a dangerous choice. If John McCain thought that choosing Sarah Palin would attract Hillary Clinton voters, he is badly mistaken.The only similarity between her and Hillary Clinton is that they are both women. On the issues, they could not be further apart." - Senator Barbara Boxer

"That’s right folks, the old guy went for the hot young thing. A May/December political pairing of historic significance. I’m sure he’s thinking, she’s from Alaska, she’s got to be in the pocket of Big Oil, we’ll get along fine. Or maybe he’s counting on her hottie librarian look to appeal to all those disaffected Clinton supporters. Either way she will be known henceforth as the Geraldine Ferraro of the GOP." - Frogette

"This is insulting and I feel pandered to. Clearly he wants to capture the voters Hillary earned...and he thinks a woman, any woman will do." - Deb Morrone

"In the long run, Palin may help McCain win Alaska’s paltry 3 electoral votes, but Romney could have helped in Colorado and Nevada and Tim Pawlenty could have helped in Minnesota. I have a gut feeling that McCain just drove the Straight Talk Express into a ditch. Congratulations to President Barack Obama!" - Robert Rouse

I’m sure the country will feel completely comfortable with Palin becoming president if something were to happen to McCain - especially considering 99% of the American people have never heard of her until today. I wonder if she’s related to Dan Quayle?" - Jeff Pruitt

"McCain has chosen Alaska’s brand new governor, Sarah Palin, as his V.P. pick. It’s an interesting choice, most likely seeking to poach disgruntled Clinton supporters from Obama. But, other than the fact that both Clinton and Palin have two X chromosomes, the similarities are few." - Doug Masson

"Thank God she's not from Indiana. We already served our term as a spawning ground for inexperienced third-tier veep candidates." - John Good



Lionel Weighs In

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Obama's Convention Speech Research Shows Dramatic Movement

Via Greenberg Research:

On this historic evening, Greenberg Quinlan Rosner/Democracy Corps conducted qualitative research in the swing state of Nevada among 39 undecided voters or weak supporters of either candidate who watched Obama's speech. Participants answered a series of questions about the election, the candidates, and the major issues in this campaign. They then watched Barack Obama’s acceptance speech live, followed by another series of questions on many of the same topics. Two follow-up focus group discussions with 21 of the participants allowed for significant exploration of reactions to the speech. While this was clearly a qualitative exercise and not a representative survey, the movement we saw in attitudes toward the election and Barack Obama was dramatic:

  • After viewing the speech, more than 1-in-4 of these swing voters moved from undecided to supporting Barack Obama or from supporting John McCain to undecided.

  • On a thermometer scale of 0 to 100, Obama’s mean score rose 9 degrees (from 57 to 66 degrees) after voters saw his speech.

  • Obama achieved gains on every personal attribute tested in this exercise, with the most dramatic movement coming on some of the most important measures in our polling – ‘on your side,’ ‘has what it takes to be President,’ and ‘will keep America strong.’

  • In a head-to-head match-up with John McCain on which candidate would better handle a series of issues, Obama again gained ground on every measure, with the most significant movement coming on ‘national security,’ ‘strengthening America’s relationships with other countries,’ and ‘sharing my values.’

    In the focus group conversation after the speech – one group with those who shifted toward Obama and another among solidly undecided voters – it was clear that the introductory video and speech made a deep impression. Voters spoke emotionally about the importance of family to Obama and the central role that family plays in his life and his beliefs. They applauded his emphasis on personal and mutual responsibility, his commitment to veterans, and his refusal to engage in negative personal attacks on McCain. They came away with a firm belief that Obama understands the challenges facing our country, and particularly middle class and working families. Perhaps most importantly, from his plan to cut taxes for small businesses and the middle class to his commitment to alternative energy and victory in Afghanistan, they believe he has the right ideas to produce the change these voters desperately seek.

    Voters in both groups cited the unique atmosphere at Invesco Field as one of the most memorable aspects of tonight’s speech. They found the sheer size and scope of the event very impressive, but they were most impacted by the audience and the fact that it didn’t look like a typical convention audience. Looking at the crowd tonight, they saw real people who reminded them of themselves and their neighbors, reinforcing the focus on the middle class that so many of them saw running through both Obama’s personal story and his policies.

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    Cenk Uygur on Obama's Speech

    Cenk reporting live from Inesco:

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    "I Was a Proud Republican. Not Anymore"

    Indiana resident Barney Smith tells the Democratic National Convention crowd why he abandoned the Republican Party - "We need a president who puts Barney Smith ahead of Smith Barney":

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    Thursday, August 28, 2008

    Obama NAILS it!

    Barack Obama delivered everything he needed to in his 44 minute speech at Mile High Stadium tonight. He systematically addressed each and every issue that Republicans have attempted to attack him on, one by one, from the "celebrity" crap to the attempt to paint him as weak and unexperienced. Any doubts that the Democratic Party is at all fractured should now be completely cleared.

    Eight is Enough!




    I'll End The War In Iraq Responsibly... Finish The Fight Against Al Qaeda And The Taliban In Afghanistan... Provide Affordable Health Care for Every American... Cut Taxes For 95% Of All Working Families... End Dependence On Oil From Middle East In Ten Years... Invest $150B In Renewable Sources Of Energy Over The Next Decade... Rebuild Our Military To Meet Future Conflicts..."John McCain Has Voted With George Bush 90% Of The Time... I'm Not Ready To Take A Ten Percent Chance On Change"... "Bush-McCain Foreign Policy Has Squandered The Legacy That Generations Of Americans — Democrats And Republicans – Have Built"... "If John McCain Wants To Follow George Bush With More Tough Talk And Bad Strategy, That Is His Choice – But It Is Not The Change We Need"... "It’s Not Because John McCain Doesn’t Care. It’s Because John McCain Doesn’t Get It."

    Chris Matthews on Barack Obama's acceptance speech


    "We are the party of Roosevelt. We are the party of Kennedy. So don't tell me that Democrats won't defend this country.I will never hesitate to defend this nation."


    "I will rebuild our military to meet future conflicts. But I will also renew the tough, direct diplomacy that can prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons".


    "Senator McCain likes to talk about judgment, but really, what does it say about your judgment when you think George Bush was right more than 90 percent of the time?"




    "Change means a tax code that doesn't reward the lobbyists who wrote it, but the American workers and small businesses who deserve it. Unlike John McCain, I will stop giving tax breaks to corporations that ship jobs overseas, and I will start giving them to companies that create good jobs right here in America. I will eliminate capital gains taxes for the small businesses and the start-ups that will create the high-wage, high-tech jobs of tomorrow. I will cut taxes - cut taxes - for 95% of all working families. Because in an economy like this, the last thing we should do is raise taxes on the middle-class."


    "For over two decades, John McCain's subscribed to that old, discredited Republican philosophy - give more and more to those with the most and hope that prosperity trickles down to everyone else. In Washington, they call this the Ownership Society, but what it really means is - you're on your own. Out of work? Tough luck. No health care? The market will fix it. Born into poverty? Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps - even if you don't have boots. You're on your own.Well it's time for them to own their failure. It's time for us to change America."




    "As President, I will tap our natural gas reserves, invest in clean coal technology, and find ways to safely harness nuclear power. I'll help our auto companies re-tool, so that the fuel-efficient cars of the future are built right here in America. I'll make it easier for the American people to afford these new cars. And I'll invest 150 billion dollars over the next decade in affordable, renewable sources of energy - wind power and solar power and the next generation of biofuels; an investment that will lead to new industries and five million new jobs that pay well and can't ever be outsourced.And for the sake of our economy, our security, and the future of our planet, I will set a clear goal as President: in ten years, we will finally end our dependence on oil from the Middle East."


    "Now, many of these plans will cost money, which is why I've laid out how I'll pay for every dime - by closing corporate loopholes and tax havens that don't help America grow. But I will also go through the federal budget, line by line, eliminating programs that no longer work and making the ones we do need work better and cost less - because we cannot meet twenty-first century challenges with a twentieth century bureaucracy."

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    OBAMA: Convention Bio Video/Intro

    As seen just before Barack's acceptance speech this evening:

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    Al Gore Addresses the Democratic National Convention

    Former Vice Pres. Al Gore calls electing John McCain 'recycling' the Bush-Cheney policies.Al Gore at the Democratic National Convention 200:

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    Bill Richardson Rips into McCain

    "McCain pays 100s for a pair shoes! BUT WE'LL PAY FOR HIS FLIP FLOPS" -

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    DNC Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.

    The Democratic National Convention's tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. on the 40th anniversary of his "I Have a Dream" speech:

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    John Lewis - "We still have a dream"

    Rep. John Lewis remembers Martin Luther King's 'Dream' speech 45 years ago:

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    Howard Dean - "We are your party"

    DNC Chairman Howard Dean tells fellow democrats why Barack Obama is their choice for President:

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    Blood Not Always Thicker than Water

    As reported in US Magazine:

    "I'm not voting for McCain," says Kathleen Hensley. "I have a different political standpoint.

    "I'm voting for Obama," the Phoenix resident says. "I think his proposals to improve the country are more positive and I'm not a big war believer."



    Ms.Portalski, 65, is the half-sister to only child Cindy Hensley McCain. In an interview with NPR News' All Things Considered last week, Portalski said she felt "like a non-person" after Cindy McCain described herself as an "only child." She describes Cindy as "aloof and standoffish" and doubts that she'll ever make any attempts at reconciliation.

    Portalski's son Nathan, a 45-year-old aerospace machinist, also plans to cast a vote for Barack Obama:

    "I wouldn't vote for John McCain if he was a Democrat," he told Us. "I would not vote at all before I'd vote for him. I question whether Cindy is someone I'd want to see in the White House as first lady."

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    Civil Emergency in N.E. Indiana

    This is the first "civil emergency" warning that I can recall seeing from the "Weatherbug" service. Apparently a major fiber optics line has been cut:



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    McCain's Teleprompter Problem

    The secret behind John McCain's frequent word mix-ups is finally revealed:

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    McCain's Million $ Parking Lot

    Not only does John McCain have at least 10 properties he can't remember, but he also owns a parking lot in Phoenix Arizona worth between $1.4 and $2.4 million. That's over $1 million more than the average American home!

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    America - Are You Ready?

    MobLogic makes the rounds in Denver to ask whether America is ready to elect a black President. Sounds like we are!

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    Wednesday, August 27, 2008

    Joe Biden - "I Accept Your Nomination"

    Joe Biden accepts his party's nomination for the veep spot with Obama. As an initial supporter of Joe in the primaries, I'm absolutely thrilled by his selection, and thoroughly enjoyed his acceptance speech this evening!



    As the full video is not yet available, click HERE for the full transcript of Joe's speech tonight.

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    A Humble Milestone

    In all of the day's convention excitement, I forgot to proffer my thanks to all of you for helping me to surpass 100,000 unique visitors today! The event occurred at 9:14 this morning; a google search referral for an image that I posted last summer. Like many of you, I've experienced a lowered traffic level this spring; however, 2008 has still been a record year for Left in Aboite.

    Our first full year, 2006, we had 18,715 unique visitors. For 2007, that number climbed to 32,951. For 2008 thus far, we stand at 47,058 unique visitors. Again, I thank you for dropping by and hope that we always have something interesting for you to peruse.

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    Bill Clinton Delivers

    Bill Clinton made it clear tonight that he's firmly behind Barack Obama and made a clear contrast between Barack's presidency and the failed policies of the current one. He masterfully compared the attacks waged against him 16 years ago which so closely parallel the ones used against Obama; youth and inexperience. Two nights. Two Clintons. Two home runs. ONE united party!

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    Evan Bayh Adresses the DNC

    Our own junior senator and veep runner-up, Evan Bayh, addresses the Democratic National Convention:

    Bayh focused on John McCain's constant push for offshore drilling. He says "lets review the facts. White House analysts congressional analysts and the oil industry all agree that offshore drilling wont add one drop to our energy pool in 10 years." He then quoted T. Boone Pickens saying " we can't drill our way out of this crisis".

    Reed says that even though know one quite knows whether offshore drilling will pollute the coastlines, he says "kindly old Doc McCain would like to sell it to ya anyway."



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    Barack Obama Nominated by Acclamation

    Let's Roll!

    Hillary Clinton moved to suspend the roll call vote and nominate Barack Obama by acclamation. The motion was passed, and Nancy Pelosi formally extended the nomination to Obama. Obama accepted the nomination, becoming the first African-American to represent a major party for president:


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    Quote of the Day

    Regarding Joe Biden:

    “McCain knows Biden well. He knows how good he is as a knife fighter. He’ll take McCain apart,” said one Republican operative.


    Hat Tip - Politico

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    Tuesday, August 26, 2008

    Bumper Sticker Philosophy

    I saw this one today and had to share

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    Hillary's Convention Speech

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    Hillary Hits it out of the Park!

    I just finished watching Hillary Clinton's convention speech. I wasn't sure what to expect; I've always had a positive opinion of her, other than the behavior in the primaries, and hoped to see her inner Clinton tonight. I was not disappointed in the least.

    She made a compelling argument to her strongest supporters that the race was not about her, but about the people who were counting upon a Democratic president to help them. And, to that end, Barack Obama, as our nominee, MUST be elected our next president. She made me proud. She made me LAUGH ("Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsuits!). She made me cry (Watching Bill's emotions run the gamut during her speech). She was a class act and in top form tonight!

    One of the best lines of the night - Bush and McCain meeting in the TWIN CITIES next week, because, these days, they're awfully hard to tell apart:




    THANK YOU, Hillary!!


    I will post the full video of her speech as soon as it's available.

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    DNC Day Two Highlights - Dems on the Attack!

    Dennis Kucinich took to the podium today at the Democratic Convention and fired up the crowd with a rousing speech. Kucinich's enthusiasm reached a crescendo as he repeatedly exhorted the crowd with cries of "Wake Up America!"



    Bob Casey - McCain's not a maverick; he's a sidekick:



    "If McCain's the answer, then the question must be ridiculous," New York Gov. David Paterson:



    PA Gov. Ed Rendell says Sen. John McCain's energy policies are with the Bush administration and benefit oil companies:



    Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer


    Hillary is up next. . .

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    Support Sunday Alcohol Sales

    Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick, the state's most-watched weekly business television program, is conducting a poll this week on the issue of Sunday alcohol sales. The poll currently shows 67% of voters in favor of Sunday carry-out sales with 33% opposing.

    Please visit the Inside Indiana Business website and vote in favor of Sunday sales!

    While you are on their website, be sure and watch the video from this week's program, which featured an interview with Grant Monahan, President of the Indiana Retail Council, on the subject of Sunday sales. You can access the video by clicking the screenshot below:


    Here are the results as of the time of this writing:

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    Conspiracy 911

    Interesting piece from Apeman:

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    Youth for the Win

    Encouraging new survey results from Democracy Corps and Greenberg Quinlan Rosner:

    Analysis: Audacity of Hope

    At a time of tightening national surveys, Barack Obama’s support among young people is stable and convincing (currently 57 – 29 percent Obama). This stability rests in part on the strong belief among young people that Barack Obama can change things in this country. In a remarkable set of questions, we asked young people to rate the importance of changing issues like the economy, Iraq and health care, and then asked how likely these issues will change if Obama is elected and how likely these issues will change if McCain is elected. Impressive majorities of young people defy the cynical stereotypes of this generation and predict major changes on the economy, on Iraq, on health care, on energy, even gas prices. The necessary antecedent for these changes is the election of Barack Obama. Young people do not believe John McCain can bring about change.

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    "100 Things to do Before You Die" author dies at 47

    Dave Freeman, who co-authored "100 Things to Do Before You Die," a travel guide and ode to odd adventures that inspired readers and imitators, missed that goal after fatally hitting his head in a fall at home. He was 47.

    The ad agency exec/adventurer had visited nearly half of the sites mentioned in the book which declared that "This life is a short journey. How can you make sure you fill it with the most fun and that you visit all the coolest places on earth before you pack those bags for the very last time?"



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    Ed Robertson "Falls for the First Time"

    Barenaked Ladies frontman Ed Robertson, his wife, and two friends, survived a crash of his Cessna 206 floatplane in a wooded area near Bancroft, Ontario on Sunday. After the plane stalled, Robertson managed to set it straight down into the trees with its nose resting on the ground. The pilot and passengers had to get out through the windows but didn't even get scratch.

    In addition to his musical career, Robertson, 37, is host of "Ed's Up" on the Outdoor Life Network. The show documents his travels by plane. He received his pilot's license in 2005 and is described on the OLN Web site as a "recreational pilot." Episodes involve landing his Cessna on water near cities across North America.

    Falling for the First Time


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    Daily Show Welcomes GOP to Minneapolis

    The Comedy Central show has erected a can’t-miss-it billboard off of I-494 that greets motorists leaving the MSP airport. Beneath a photo of the Daily Show crew is the salutation: “Welcome, rich white oligarchs.”

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    Coastal Differences

    See? They DO agree on the center ground. . .(Holding up sign Wiley E. Coyote Style: "Help."):



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    Lost to the Dark Side

    I had a good friend named Mary Ellen who ran a blog called The Divine Democrat in the city of Chicago. Then the Democratic primaries began and Mary Ellen, an avid Hillary supporter, began to unabashedly slam Barack Obama in every possible way imaginable. Her attacks were not based in facts, and she seemed nearly mad in her determination to eliminate him from contention. While the rest of us came together after Barack clinched the nomination, her rage only grew larger. She disappeared and her blog went blank until recently when she reappeared.

    And now, I've run across a McCain ad which stars a woman who must be Mary Ellen:



    MARY ELLEN: "I respect McCain's maverick and independent streak, and now he's the one with the experience and judgment."

    JOHN GOOD: You mean that maverick and independent streak where he voted in agreement with George Bush 98% of the time over the last 6 years?"

    MARY ELLEN: "A lot of Democrats will vote McCain. It's okay, really!"

    JOHN GOOD: "No. It isn't. Good luck sleeping tonight, traitor!"



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    Monday, August 25, 2008

    Denver: Day One Highlights

    Michelle Obama gave the headlining speech tonight at the Democratic Convention, stating that trailblazers like Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden have helped Americans 'aim a little higher':



    Barack joined the crowd via satellite after she was finished and praised his wife. Obama's daughters were thrilled to see him, and frequently, and adorably, interrupted their father with shrieks of "Hi Daddy!":



    Ted Kennedy was not deterred in his desire to attend the convention tonight, and pledged to be working in the Senate next spring:



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    "American Centurion"

    The latest political short from the makers of BLUE BALLED and the New York-based TruthThroughAction.org, an organization creating online films and videos that support the Democratic party, its candidates and issues:

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    New Obama Ad - "McCain Don't Know Much"

    To the tune of Sam Cooke's "Wonderful World," a vocalist sings of John McCain: "I'm not up on the economy ... don't know much about industry ... really can't explain the price of gas ... or what has happened to the middle class." At the end, the ad features no less than three pictures of McCain and President Bush together, with the lyrics "If I could be just like you ... what a wonderful world it would be." A narrator concludes, "Do we really want four more years of the same old tune?" Watch:

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    You Tell Me

    Welcome to Monday morning! I can say that so merrily as I am likely asleep as you are reading this - that's right, another vaycay week! I'll be spending the better part of my free time attempting to solve the crime pictured below. I think the poster on what remains of this wall is a solid lead but, since it IS Monday, YOU tell ME:

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    Sunday, August 24, 2008

    McCain AD WATCH: 3 Fridays, 3 False Attack Ads

    Obama's deputy economic policy director, Brian Deese, takes on another McCain attack ad. Director of economic policy, Jason Furman, makes a cameo:

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    DNC Preview

    Sneak Peek before the Convention


    Howard Dean addresses the Crowd across from the Pepsi Center


    Michelle Obama arrives in Denver

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    Presidential Era Gas Prices

    Something to remember when you pull that lever in November. . .

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    "Two Houses, Two Spouses"


    Take THAT Grampy McSame! Hat Tip to my girl Paddy!

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    Stop! Yogi Time

    We spent the day with Jim and Callie's family at the Yogi Bear Campground in Fremont, Indiana on Saturday:

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    Clinton Got a Blowjob

    The comedic genius of Eric Schwartz:

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    Saturday, August 23, 2008

    Change AND Experience - Obama/Biden '08!

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    Walk a Day in My Shoes - Obama-Biden


    Courtesy of the Service Employees International Union:

    Barack and Joe spent a day in the shoes of average Americans last year as part of a series by the SEIU.

    Barack Obama/Pauline Beck



    Joe Biden/Marshall Clemmons


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    Joe Biden on McCain's foreign policy

    Senator Joe Biden on CNN's American Morning July 16, 2008:

    "We don't need someone as commander in chief who's a war hero, we need someone with some wisdom".


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    Straight Talk from Joe Biden at MSNBC Philly Debate

    Joe Biden delivers a solid foreign policy performance last fall in Philadelphia:

    "Actions have consequences; big nations can't bluff".

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    Joe Biden on Iraq

    During debate last year on the binding Iraq-withdrawal bill that would require George W. Bush to withdraw all U.S. troops from Iraq within one year, Joe Biden rips Republicans for standing by Bush's horrible course (Right after Grampy McSame defended those policies).

    "Mr. President, you're leading us off a cliff. Stop."


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