So Exxon feels like it shouldn't have to pay punitive damage for the spill in Alaska way-back when. Why shouldn't they? It's not like Alaska ran into them.
Punks.
Here is Roberts showing his hand. The lawyer's response is right on.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Obama Never Lost
With the exception of the superdelegates (which are starting to switch sides), Obama has never lost a primary voting day yet from the delegate count perspective. This was surprising. Check it out:
In other words, you take the superdelegates out of the equation (since they aren't elected), if you add up the delegate count totals from each day of voting Obama has come out ahead every day.
Nuts.
Each day delegates were won Obama first, followed by Clinton
1/3 (IA) 16 - 15
1/8 (NH) 9 - 9
1/15 (MI) 0 - 0
1/19 (NV) 13 - 12
1/26 (SC) 25 - 12
1/29 (FL) 0 - 0
2/5 (SuperTuesday) 842 - 828 (11 still to be decided)
2/9 (LA, NE, WA, VI) 105 - 56
2/10 (ME) 15 - 9
2/12 (DA, DC, MD, VA) 111 - 57.5 (6.5 to be decided)
2/19 (HI,WI) 56 - 38
In other words, you take the superdelegates out of the equation (since they aren't elected), if you add up the delegate count totals from each day of voting Obama has come out ahead every day.
Nuts.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Obama and the Grassroots
I talked yesterday about needing to get the heck away from the 50+1 strategy that has dominated politics over the past few decades, particularly since 2000 and the Rove-model. This model targets specific states and leaves others to rot, thereby screwing the local parties and hurting the party as a whole. Campaigns have traditionally been run from the top-down from within the establishment. HRC's is like that, for example. If you look at the endorsements in the states she gets most of the part machine (the governers, etc). The unfortunate bit about this is it really takes the power out of the little people and puts it in the hands of the power players. Those that 'know best', etc. The morons.
Enter Obama. The revolutionary thing about what he has been doing is that it has been TOTALLY grassroots built. He was a community activist long before a politication and has been a precient captaion. He knows what happens on the grass roots level and surrounded himself with people that know how to make it happen. And it shows. It is how he keeps closing a 20+ point cap between him and HRC over and over again. And it is how he is ahead in the polls in Texas and closing fast in Ohio.
This post has excerpts from volunteers involved in the ground game in Texas and how the Obama camp handles the situation. If this is indicative of his judgement regarding the people he surrounds himself with and his execution of goals, he will be a very compentent president.
Anyway, the big plus to all this that I kinda touched on yesterday is how it rebuilds the Democratic party in places where it has been decimated (namely heavy red states). I believe STRONGLY in the 50 state strategy where the party is competitive in all 50 states. Howard Dean started to implement this after 2004 and we reaped its benefits in 2006 by winning some seats that we wouldn't have otherwise because the party was competitive and able to leap on opportunities that prevented themselves through corruption, etc. With Obama pouring this money and talent into all 50 states and reinjuvinating the local parties he just strengthens the party as a whole across the country, regardless of who wins the presidency.
A choice quote to illustrate this:
And a quote that better illustrates the difference between the grass roots model Obama is using and the tradional model that HRC is using:
That is just awesome and a great sign for the future.
UPDATE: Here is a brief post about early voter turn on in Texas.
Nuts. Article talks a little more about the 50 state strategy long term briefly as well.
Enter Obama. The revolutionary thing about what he has been doing is that it has been TOTALLY grassroots built. He was a community activist long before a politication and has been a precient captaion. He knows what happens on the grass roots level and surrounded himself with people that know how to make it happen. And it shows. It is how he keeps closing a 20+ point cap between him and HRC over and over again. And it is how he is ahead in the polls in Texas and closing fast in Ohio.
This post has excerpts from volunteers involved in the ground game in Texas and how the Obama camp handles the situation. If this is indicative of his judgement regarding the people he surrounds himself with and his execution of goals, he will be a very compentent president.
Anyway, the big plus to all this that I kinda touched on yesterday is how it rebuilds the Democratic party in places where it has been decimated (namely heavy red states). I believe STRONGLY in the 50 state strategy where the party is competitive in all 50 states. Howard Dean started to implement this after 2004 and we reaped its benefits in 2006 by winning some seats that we wouldn't have otherwise because the party was competitive and able to leap on opportunities that prevented themselves through corruption, etc. With Obama pouring this money and talent into all 50 states and reinjuvinating the local parties he just strengthens the party as a whole across the country, regardless of who wins the presidency.
A choice quote to illustrate this:
The Obama campaign has singlehandedly done more to rebuild the Democratic Party of Texas in 2 weeks than the TDP [Texas Democractic Party] has been able to in probably 10 years.
And a quote that better illustrates the difference between the grass roots model Obama is using and the tradional model that HRC is using:
Obama's campaign shows the fruits of the very things kos and dkos in general has promoted. People powered politics, 21st century grassroots/netroots, internet fundraising, raising the level of involvement among the electorate, run a 50-state campaign.
Hillary's campaign represents the old way of running a political race. Lock up the establishment. Get endorsements, and do the usual GOTV operation, focus on the democratic strongholds, do traditional fundraisers with big spenders, etc.
That is just awesome and a great sign for the future.
UPDATE: Here is a brief post about early voter turn on in Texas.
In the top 15 counties with registered Democratic voters, there have been 419,904 early votes cast. Four years ago, the number was 72,688.
Nuts. Article talks a little more about the 50 state strategy long term briefly as well.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Why Obama Is Best Right Now
The choice for me between Obama and HRC was tough. I think HRC, on her own, would make a great president. She has a lot going for her. One thing she doesn't, though, are the idiots she surrounds herself with. That wasn't a good sign to me the way these people keep mishandling things and the message they are putting out. Some states don't matter because x,y and z? My ass they don't. That kind of talking hurts down ticket races and hurts our chances for picking up more seats in the senate and house. 50 state strategy is where it's at! That is what made the difference in 2006. Why would you abandon that kind of ground work now?
The last 8 years has been dominated by the 50+1 strategy on the right. That is to say, you don't need overwhelming majorities to claim a mandate...all you need is 50+1. It has been the polictics of division and leverage. 2004 was a great example of that with the constitutional ban against gay marriage lie to get the evangalicals out to the polls. I'm tired of that kind of polical calculation and from the way HRC campaign has been executed it is clear she is playing that same game. Enough.
Obama, on the other hand, really could lead to a mandate. He is playing working the 50 state strategy that Howard Dean setup when he took over the DNC in 2004. That does a couple of different things. 1) It helps down ticket races for house and senate because you energize the base in red states. 2) You get more people engaged and voting in the general which will help crush the other side and give the Dems the first over 50% popular win in decades.
He has the money. He is killing everyone in the money race. Both HRC and McCain are running into money problems and it isn't even the general yet. So Obama will be able to throw money around like no-bodies business and fight back against the smear machine during the general.
Believe it or not, he does have experience and a record to judge him on. Here are some resources: Project Vote Smart. Washington Post. And a very comprehensive review of his record here.
Sure he is an incredibale orator and draws HUGE crowds to the point of having to book sports arenas for appearances. He is helping to power the young vote like possibly never before (something like 80% plan to vote this year). I mean just the amount of people he brings out to the polls is insane. Every single primary has had record amounts of people voting. It isn't just him, of course, but I would argue he plays the majority of the role in it and he would be able to continue it into the general.
However, the biggest seller for me is that we finally have someone that is slapping down the stupid personal attacks from the right with the scorn they deserve. Instead of becoming all defensive he has been able to turn it around and make the attackers smell like the shit they are. This is a great post about exactly what I am talking about.
So I have more or less shifted my allegence to Obama. I would still vote for HRC in the general and get behind her if she pulls this out of her ass, but I think Obama would be a better choice overall at this point. Plus, he is KILLING McCain in general election polling while HRC and McCain are about even.
I'll post about McCain and why he isn't the straight-talking producer of change he claims to be later.
The last 8 years has been dominated by the 50+1 strategy on the right. That is to say, you don't need overwhelming majorities to claim a mandate...all you need is 50+1. It has been the polictics of division and leverage. 2004 was a great example of that with the constitutional ban against gay marriage lie to get the evangalicals out to the polls. I'm tired of that kind of polical calculation and from the way HRC campaign has been executed it is clear she is playing that same game. Enough.
Obama, on the other hand, really could lead to a mandate. He is playing working the 50 state strategy that Howard Dean setup when he took over the DNC in 2004. That does a couple of different things. 1) It helps down ticket races for house and senate because you energize the base in red states. 2) You get more people engaged and voting in the general which will help crush the other side and give the Dems the first over 50% popular win in decades.
He has the money. He is killing everyone in the money race. Both HRC and McCain are running into money problems and it isn't even the general yet. So Obama will be able to throw money around like no-bodies business and fight back against the smear machine during the general.
Believe it or not, he does have experience and a record to judge him on. Here are some resources: Project Vote Smart. Washington Post. And a very comprehensive review of his record here.
Sure he is an incredibale orator and draws HUGE crowds to the point of having to book sports arenas for appearances. He is helping to power the young vote like possibly never before (something like 80% plan to vote this year). I mean just the amount of people he brings out to the polls is insane. Every single primary has had record amounts of people voting. It isn't just him, of course, but I would argue he plays the majority of the role in it and he would be able to continue it into the general.
However, the biggest seller for me is that we finally have someone that is slapping down the stupid personal attacks from the right with the scorn they deserve. Instead of becoming all defensive he has been able to turn it around and make the attackers smell like the shit they are. This is a great post about exactly what I am talking about.
So I have more or less shifted my allegence to Obama. I would still vote for HRC in the general and get behind her if she pulls this out of her ass, but I think Obama would be a better choice overall at this point. Plus, he is KILLING McCain in general election polling while HRC and McCain are about even.
I'll post about McCain and why he isn't the straight-talking producer of change he claims to be later.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
Pretty Much Sums it Up
So I came across this description as to why when you put people who don't believe in government in charge of government things go to shit. I think it pretty well sums it up:
If the Government is a car setting out to give every one a ride to work, then for 40 years the Republicans have been puncturing the tires, pouring sand in the gas tank, stealing the distributor cap, and, whenever they can get their hands on the wheel, driving it straight into the nearest ditch and then, pointing to the wreckage as the tow truck backs up to it, saying, See, this proves that people were meant to walk. And they do this so that they don't have to chip in on gas.
Monday, February 04, 2008
OVER RATED!!!
So before I tell you all why the Patriots piss me off so much, let me tell you a story. Ever since the talking heads started talking about uber the Patriots were and that they were the best team ever and Brady was God and could bring World Peace I've wanted to send one single text message to a friend. I thought I was going to be able to do it when the Colts first played them and were tearing them up, then the 2nd half happened. I thought I'd be able to do it when the crappy Ravens almost beat them, then that BS call in the in-zone at the end of the game gave it to the Patriots. I thought I'd be able to do it when the Chargers played them, then they fell apart. So it came down to the Uber Bowl, then with 4 minutes left the Giants decided to stop playing D and I thought I wouldn't be able to do it. But, as you all know, Eli drove them down and scored and the 'best team evah' lost. So I was finally able to send the text message I had been wanting to send all year. That text message was simply: OVER RATED!!!
It was promptly answered with a 'Fuck u'. ;)
Anyway, the Pats are a good team. Brady is a good QB. The thing that pisses me off the most though is the way the media pumps it up like Brady IS the reason they are so dominate. Bullshit. You give any good QB that offensive line and those receivers and they are going to tear up the opposition. The key is Belichick. After years coaching other teams he finally figured it out and knows how to just make it work. He game plans better than anyone in the league and he knows how to use his players to their greatest effect. The man should get a lot more credit for what he does and not this damn Brady lovefest.
Destiny my left nut.
It was promptly answered with a 'Fuck u'. ;)
Anyway, the Pats are a good team. Brady is a good QB. The thing that pisses me off the most though is the way the media pumps it up like Brady IS the reason they are so dominate. Bullshit. You give any good QB that offensive line and those receivers and they are going to tear up the opposition. The key is Belichick. After years coaching other teams he finally figured it out and knows how to just make it work. He game plans better than anyone in the league and he knows how to use his players to their greatest effect. The man should get a lot more credit for what he does and not this damn Brady lovefest.
Destiny my left nut.
BWAHAHAHAHAHA
Maria Shriver endorses Obama. Take that, you Republican shill. I bet the house is warm and fuzy between Arnold and her now. Whose the girly man now, punk?
Hahahahahahahahahaha.
Hahahahahahahahahaha.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Obama Closing
Check out how fast Obama has been closing on HRC in this chart. It is pretty remarkable.
The more I look and listen then more I think Obama is the best choice for the country. I think he'll set the right tone world-wide and within the country. Too my surprise I've read and heard some pretty die-hard republicans say they will vote for Obama over McCain and I think that is a pretty good sign. With Edwards out I think Obama will attact more of his peeps than Hillary and with the Kennedy blessing he should start making in-roads on the Hispanic vote as well.
From a policy perspective I think they are both pretty similiar. I still think HRC would be a great president too but I think Obama will have a easier time getting things done overall. I really hope he can pull it off on Tuesday, it'll be a landslide in the general if he can.
I also think the last debate between the two of them was fantastic in how civil it was. I, for one, think civility is over-rated but it was nice to see them really focus on the issues and differences between Dems and Repubs instead of beating each other over the head. It would AWESOME if you have whomever looses the primary be the VP for the eventually winner. You get Bubba back in the WH either way that way.
Finally, the money Obama is pulling in is just nuts. $32 million in Jan is more than McCain brought in the ENTIRE year of 2007. Plus, he really motivates people. Look at the voter turn outs in the states for all of the primaries so far...in most states it is almost double what was in the past. That's a FANTASTIC thing.
Very interesting and cool primary.
The more I look and listen then more I think Obama is the best choice for the country. I think he'll set the right tone world-wide and within the country. Too my surprise I've read and heard some pretty die-hard republicans say they will vote for Obama over McCain and I think that is a pretty good sign. With Edwards out I think Obama will attact more of his peeps than Hillary and with the Kennedy blessing he should start making in-roads on the Hispanic vote as well.
From a policy perspective I think they are both pretty similiar. I still think HRC would be a great president too but I think Obama will have a easier time getting things done overall. I really hope he can pull it off on Tuesday, it'll be a landslide in the general if he can.
I also think the last debate between the two of them was fantastic in how civil it was. I, for one, think civility is over-rated but it was nice to see them really focus on the issues and differences between Dems and Repubs instead of beating each other over the head. It would AWESOME if you have whomever looses the primary be the VP for the eventually winner. You get Bubba back in the WH either way that way.
Finally, the money Obama is pulling in is just nuts. $32 million in Jan is more than McCain brought in the ENTIRE year of 2007. Plus, he really motivates people. Look at the voter turn outs in the states for all of the primaries so far...in most states it is almost double what was in the past. That's a FANTASTIC thing.
Very interesting and cool primary.
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