Sarah Palin is the biggest public relations fraud since the Spice Girls. “Never has so much attention been paid by so many to one with such little talent or accomplishments.” (Apologies to Churchill.) Now that her shine has evaporated, she is being ignored more and more by the media and will soon achieve her destiny of irrelevance.
So the media is back to analyzing Obama’s and the Democrats weaknesses and trying to drive a wedge between supporters of the Clinton’s and the rest of the party.
When Obama is leading by six points, the media – CNN et al, report it as an “underperformance”. When he leads by 3 points it is called a “statistical dead heat.” When John McCain leads by 1 point, he is said to have “pulled ahead”. Now that John McCain has slipped to his usual position of 5 points behind Obama, the Republican spin doctors abetted by their friends in the media, are now saying that national polls are meaningless. It’s what's happening in the swing states that count.
Yesterday we had a CNN’s pollster advising the public not to vote early. (I guess the early vote is breaking for Obama.) “Have you never heard about the October surprise?” he chirped. “Wait until then before making up your mind” he continued.
Mark my word. The Republicans are planning to steal this one if they can’t win it fairly. How much of the popular vote does Obama need to win, to really win? If he wins 53% to McCain’s 47% (a six point spread) will that be enough? If the Republicans don’t want to see the country erupt into civil unrest, they better not go ahead with their plans to steal those close races.
Now the strangest interview I have seen in days is the one this morning on CNN with Ralph Nader. The interviewer was attempting to highlight the “Nader factor”. The theory is that with Nader in the race polling 4%, this could be enough to deny Obama victory.
Then Nader said a most curious thing: In Florida where both Obama and McCain are polling 48% each (without the Nader factor), when Nader’s 4% is taken into account, it is McCain who loses 4% and fall to 44%. End of interview. I have not seen such a hurried exit to commercial in a long time.
Talk about the liberal media: well thank God for them, wherever they are. If we didn’t have some balance and choice we would all be fed the poison of Limbaugh, and FoxNews and the “spin” of the Republicans through CNN.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Throw the right, Obama!
Senator Obama infuriates me at times. He is like a boxer with a knock-out right punch who round after round, allows his opponent to rain a barrage of unanswered blows on him, without response. At the democratic convention he came out swinging and the ‘bounce’ in the polls was nine points. The voters, both democratic and independent, loved it. The Republicans were terrified and unsure of themselves. Since Palin’s appointment he has retreated into his usual polite sparing with John McCain and the Republicans.
This is war, my friend. There can be no let up in your attacks on John McCain, between now and election day, if you hope to win. No apologies. Take no prisoners. This is not a scholarly debate with your law faculty colleagues, at the university.
I can understand the approach taken with the Clintons in the primaries, of not burning any bridges. They were needed later to unite the party. But now the sole aim has to be ‘winning’. After victory, Obama can make those changes that will bring about more civility in politics and presidential campaigns.
In any event, Americans like to see their political leaders show some fight. They want to see their leader draw the line in the sand and say to their opponent with steel in their veins and blood in their eyes: “if you cross that line I will punch you in the nose”. That’s what President Kennedy did to the Russians in the Cuban missile crises. That’s what Senator Clinton did during the Ohio-Texas primaries.
Did Senator Obama have to be so superlative in his praise of the ‘surge’? Couldn’t his answer be simply, “yes it was a success”. Did he have to say it was a “spectacular success”? Did he have to be so glowing in his praise of small town mayors? Couldn’t he have just said that they do an important job, but there is a vast leap to move from small town mayor to leader of the largest economy and most powerful military in the world, in 18 months.
Senator Obama has reserved some of his most stinging comments for his own base. After it was revealed that that pillar of Christian and right-wing values, Sarah Palin, had a teenage daughter who was pregnant, the verbal assault by Obama, on those who were questioning Palin’s family values, was scathing. (Just try and imagine what the reaction of Rush Limbaugh and the Republicans would have been like if it was Obama's unmarried teenage daughter that was pregnant.) The fact that his mom had him when she was a teenager is irrelevant. Neither his mom nor grandmother was running for public office, nor did they try to pass themselves off as the embodiment of “American values”.
The Republican talk show pundits have been displaying a sort of cock-sure smugness with regard to the upcoming presidential debates. Some have gone so far as to suggest that that will be the defining moment in the race. Do they know something, like they did at that forum at the Saddleback church? There are no honourable men in politics. The stakes are much too high.
To fall into a Republican trap once, could be considered carelessness. For it to happen a second time would be – well- darn dumb.
This is war, my friend. There can be no let up in your attacks on John McCain, between now and election day, if you hope to win. No apologies. Take no prisoners. This is not a scholarly debate with your law faculty colleagues, at the university.
I can understand the approach taken with the Clintons in the primaries, of not burning any bridges. They were needed later to unite the party. But now the sole aim has to be ‘winning’. After victory, Obama can make those changes that will bring about more civility in politics and presidential campaigns.
In any event, Americans like to see their political leaders show some fight. They want to see their leader draw the line in the sand and say to their opponent with steel in their veins and blood in their eyes: “if you cross that line I will punch you in the nose”. That’s what President Kennedy did to the Russians in the Cuban missile crises. That’s what Senator Clinton did during the Ohio-Texas primaries.
Did Senator Obama have to be so superlative in his praise of the ‘surge’? Couldn’t his answer be simply, “yes it was a success”. Did he have to say it was a “spectacular success”? Did he have to be so glowing in his praise of small town mayors? Couldn’t he have just said that they do an important job, but there is a vast leap to move from small town mayor to leader of the largest economy and most powerful military in the world, in 18 months.
Senator Obama has reserved some of his most stinging comments for his own base. After it was revealed that that pillar of Christian and right-wing values, Sarah Palin, had a teenage daughter who was pregnant, the verbal assault by Obama, on those who were questioning Palin’s family values, was scathing. (Just try and imagine what the reaction of Rush Limbaugh and the Republicans would have been like if it was Obama's unmarried teenage daughter that was pregnant.) The fact that his mom had him when she was a teenager is irrelevant. Neither his mom nor grandmother was running for public office, nor did they try to pass themselves off as the embodiment of “American values”.
The Republican talk show pundits have been displaying a sort of cock-sure smugness with regard to the upcoming presidential debates. Some have gone so far as to suggest that that will be the defining moment in the race. Do they know something, like they did at that forum at the Saddleback church? There are no honourable men in politics. The stakes are much too high.
To fall into a Republican trap once, could be considered carelessness. For it to happen a second time would be – well- darn dumb.
The Politics of Change
Some time during the recent Republican Convention, former mayor Guiliani, in a desperate attempt to justify McCain’s pick of Palin as his Vice Presidential running mate said: “we (the republicans) have it right. We have the older person at the top of the ticket and the younger person at the bottom”. I guess that is what is wrong with the Bush –Cheney administration!
These Republicans will say anything to get elected. What shocks me is their bare-faced lying. For instance: when it was pointed out by the media that Sarah Palin had fully endorsed that so-called “bridge to nowhere” before it became unpopular; and her claims now, that she told Washington “thanks but no thanks” is a little less than the truth, her ‘handlers’ replied that they were not about to change that li(n)e in her speech as ‘it had worked for them’.
The Republicans have consistently used whatever ‘works’; to hell with principles. Their main strategy is to mock or undermine Obama’s strengths. So if he pulls large crowds, they call him a celebrity. If he inspires hope, they say that he has a messianic complex. If his message and vision of change has lit a fire, they say that it is lofty but meaningless rhetoric.
Now that Sarah Palin is drawing large crowds, inspiring the Republican base and promising ‘change’ in Washington, McCain and his advisors have been exposed for what they truly are: what’s the right word? – Obama called them ‘sleazy’; other words like small minded and dishonest come to mind. A 72 year-old man who has spent the last quarter of a century in politics in Washington attempting to pass himself off as an agent of change : that has to rank as one of the greatest political sleight-of-hand in the history of U.S. presidential elections.
But what is almost funny it weren’t so pathetic, is watching McCain follow Palin around the country, like an infatuated school boy. That gave me an idea for an Obama advertisement:
Tina Fey playing Sarah Palin: the scene is a classroom filled with republicans (including McCain) as the pupils. Palin is the teacher. Palin is addressing the class (in that irritating high pitch tone of hers).
Palin: Listen up republicans; Obama’s plan will reduce taxes for those making $50k per year. Right?
Class of Republicans: Right
Palin: The citizens will also pay less taxes if they make $100k per year. Right?
Class of Republicans: Right
Palin: What about those making $150k per year?
Class of Republicans: They will pay less taxes under Obama’s plan than under our plan?
Palin: Very good class. Did you get that John?
John: I don’t get it.
Palin: Oh John you never get it, do you?
These Republicans will say anything to get elected. What shocks me is their bare-faced lying. For instance: when it was pointed out by the media that Sarah Palin had fully endorsed that so-called “bridge to nowhere” before it became unpopular; and her claims now, that she told Washington “thanks but no thanks” is a little less than the truth, her ‘handlers’ replied that they were not about to change that li(n)e in her speech as ‘it had worked for them’.
The Republicans have consistently used whatever ‘works’; to hell with principles. Their main strategy is to mock or undermine Obama’s strengths. So if he pulls large crowds, they call him a celebrity. If he inspires hope, they say that he has a messianic complex. If his message and vision of change has lit a fire, they say that it is lofty but meaningless rhetoric.
Now that Sarah Palin is drawing large crowds, inspiring the Republican base and promising ‘change’ in Washington, McCain and his advisors have been exposed for what they truly are: what’s the right word? – Obama called them ‘sleazy’; other words like small minded and dishonest come to mind. A 72 year-old man who has spent the last quarter of a century in politics in Washington attempting to pass himself off as an agent of change : that has to rank as one of the greatest political sleight-of-hand in the history of U.S. presidential elections.
But what is almost funny it weren’t so pathetic, is watching McCain follow Palin around the country, like an infatuated school boy. That gave me an idea for an Obama advertisement:
Tina Fey playing Sarah Palin: the scene is a classroom filled with republicans (including McCain) as the pupils. Palin is the teacher. Palin is addressing the class (in that irritating high pitch tone of hers).
Palin: Listen up republicans; Obama’s plan will reduce taxes for those making $50k per year. Right?
Class of Republicans: Right
Palin: The citizens will also pay less taxes if they make $100k per year. Right?
Class of Republicans: Right
Palin: What about those making $150k per year?
Class of Republicans: They will pay less taxes under Obama’s plan than under our plan?
Palin: Very good class. Did you get that John?
John: I don’t get it.
Palin: Oh John you never get it, do you?
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Canada's Election
Prime Minister Harper of Canada announced a National Election last Sunday. This will be a sprint. Unlike the U.S. elections - which is a marathon, this will be over before the Americans cross the finish line.
It wasn't supposed to be like this. There was an agreement among the parties to have elections on a fixed date and at pre-determined intervals. But after Harper's astrologers - also called pollsters- predicted a majority for his minority government, principle and agreements were cast to the wind.
The pollster's have looked into their crystal balls and have predicted that the minority conservative goverment has a good chance of getting a majority of the parliamentary seats- if an election were called now. So never mind that we had a National election less than two years ago; or the cost. The conservatives have listened to their astrologers and have decided that it is better to go ahead now rather than later, when the omens are less favourable.
After many years of a vigorous liberal majority government, led by Jean Chretien, the new liberal leader Stephane Dion has failed to inspire the nation: but worse has allowed the conservatives to step all over him. The latest act, confirming their contempt for him, is a political ad showing a bird taking a crap on Dion.
Dion is no Chretien. Former Prime Minister Chretien has earned my everlasting respect, for telling George Bush that we Canadians "are not in the business of changing other peoples goverments". This was after he declined the American president's invitation to join in the invasion of Iraq.
Dion's message is confused. It appears that he his trying to run on a 'green' platform. But there is also an official Green Party. It sounds like incest to me. This kind of narrow message will always fail to appeal to the greater population.
That's why John Edward's anti-poverty platform, and Senator Clinton's gender-based message failed to resonate with a majority of voters. That kind of approach is more suited to the role of an activist. And no country wants an activist for it's President or Prime Minister.
It wasn't supposed to be like this. There was an agreement among the parties to have elections on a fixed date and at pre-determined intervals. But after Harper's astrologers - also called pollsters- predicted a majority for his minority government, principle and agreements were cast to the wind.
The pollster's have looked into their crystal balls and have predicted that the minority conservative goverment has a good chance of getting a majority of the parliamentary seats- if an election were called now. So never mind that we had a National election less than two years ago; or the cost. The conservatives have listened to their astrologers and have decided that it is better to go ahead now rather than later, when the omens are less favourable.
After many years of a vigorous liberal majority government, led by Jean Chretien, the new liberal leader Stephane Dion has failed to inspire the nation: but worse has allowed the conservatives to step all over him. The latest act, confirming their contempt for him, is a political ad showing a bird taking a crap on Dion.
Dion is no Chretien. Former Prime Minister Chretien has earned my everlasting respect, for telling George Bush that we Canadians "are not in the business of changing other peoples goverments". This was after he declined the American president's invitation to join in the invasion of Iraq.
Dion's message is confused. It appears that he his trying to run on a 'green' platform. But there is also an official Green Party. It sounds like incest to me. This kind of narrow message will always fail to appeal to the greater population.
That's why John Edward's anti-poverty platform, and Senator Clinton's gender-based message failed to resonate with a majority of voters. That kind of approach is more suited to the role of an activist. And no country wants an activist for it's President or Prime Minister.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
John McCain Panicked
To be sure, Rush Limbaugh is an ignoramus on radio, and is buffoon-like when televised. He readily admits that the poison he spews over the airwaves is meant to be “entertainment”. So of late I have been imagining what fun he would have given us if it was Senator Obama’s 17 year-old un-wed daughter that was pregnant.
Would we be given a daily diatribe about his (Obama’s) inability to manage his household, so how dare he attempt to manage the country? Or perhaps the line of attack would be a nasty “baby’s momma” joke. Or would we be reminded that their family values are out of line with “mainstream America”?
After Senator Clinton and former President Clinton both ‘hit the ball out of the park’ at the Democrats convention, followed up by Senator Obama’s masterful analysis and delivery, the McCain Camp panicked. They had spent weeks stoking whatever residue of malcontent remained among Senator Clinton’s supporters. Now their Machiavellian plans were unraveling – fast.
They knew that the true reading of the recent evenly divided poll results, was not a gain for McCain but a loss for Obama, due to supporters of Clinton who were still holding out. Now with the Democrats leaving the convention energized and more united than ever, McCain panicked. Hence his hasty pick of Sarah Palin as VP. (I wonder how he would handle that 3am phone call.)
As soon as it was announced, she unashamedly went directly after Senator Clinton’s supporters: even having the gall to quote her “18 million cracks in the ceiling” line. It was laughable. I haven’t seen so much entertainment since Limbaugh said that a woman’s place is in the kitchen.
What John McCain needs to be concerned about are the 10,000 people who showed up for Ron Paul’s convention and the 38% of Republicans who say they wish their candidate for president was someone other than McCain. Your house is on fire, McCain. (But please don’t panic!)
Would we be given a daily diatribe about his (Obama’s) inability to manage his household, so how dare he attempt to manage the country? Or perhaps the line of attack would be a nasty “baby’s momma” joke. Or would we be reminded that their family values are out of line with “mainstream America”?
After Senator Clinton and former President Clinton both ‘hit the ball out of the park’ at the Democrats convention, followed up by Senator Obama’s masterful analysis and delivery, the McCain Camp panicked. They had spent weeks stoking whatever residue of malcontent remained among Senator Clinton’s supporters. Now their Machiavellian plans were unraveling – fast.
They knew that the true reading of the recent evenly divided poll results, was not a gain for McCain but a loss for Obama, due to supporters of Clinton who were still holding out. Now with the Democrats leaving the convention energized and more united than ever, McCain panicked. Hence his hasty pick of Sarah Palin as VP. (I wonder how he would handle that 3am phone call.)
As soon as it was announced, she unashamedly went directly after Senator Clinton’s supporters: even having the gall to quote her “18 million cracks in the ceiling” line. It was laughable. I haven’t seen so much entertainment since Limbaugh said that a woman’s place is in the kitchen.
What John McCain needs to be concerned about are the 10,000 people who showed up for Ron Paul’s convention and the 38% of Republicans who say they wish their candidate for president was someone other than McCain. Your house is on fire, McCain. (But please don’t panic!)
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Georgia the U.S. is with you, maybe.
To really understand or even be accurately informed of what is happening in the world, one has to use the U.S. media sparingly. They are afflicted by the herd mentality; and feeding frenzies. Theirs is a world of sound bites. So we are given gossip instead of news and sound bites instead of facts.
If you really desire to know what the rest of the world think, spend more time with the BBC. Or if Peter Jennings was here, we could at least get the other side of the story. But then again, he was Canadian (and probably spoke French too) which would make him elitist.
Take that little spat between Russia and the darling of the U.S. - Georgia. When it began we were shown images of John McCain shouting with glee "Georgia the U.S. is with you".
This is where John McCain is supposed to be "strong"- war. So he was given free reign to 'play president.' We were told that the president of Georgia was in daily touch with him and the people were even chanting his name in the streets. He understands how to deal with Russia, it was said, and even spoke some "strong" words. Barack Obama accurately describe it as 'bluster instead of a (foreign) policy'.
If all you listen to is CNN and FoxNews you would think that the fearless leader, John 'Wayne' McCain, had confronted evil and defeated it.
The fact is that Russia has for all purposes annexed those two regions of Georgia that are in dispute. And all that the Bush administration could do was to "plead" with the Russia parliament to hold off on their vote, ratifying the move by Putin. It was pathetic the way the Russians poked John 'Wayne" McCain and his other blusterers in their collective eye.
What is most interesting - and you hear very little of this in the U.S. media - is Putin's assertion that Georgia was encouraged by the Bush administration to make that tragic move against Ossetia in order to favour one presidential candidate. Putin may be on to something.
Oh how I miss Peter Jennings.
If you really desire to know what the rest of the world think, spend more time with the BBC. Or if Peter Jennings was here, we could at least get the other side of the story. But then again, he was Canadian (and probably spoke French too) which would make him elitist.
Take that little spat between Russia and the darling of the U.S. - Georgia. When it began we were shown images of John McCain shouting with glee "Georgia the U.S. is with you".
This is where John McCain is supposed to be "strong"- war. So he was given free reign to 'play president.' We were told that the president of Georgia was in daily touch with him and the people were even chanting his name in the streets. He understands how to deal with Russia, it was said, and even spoke some "strong" words. Barack Obama accurately describe it as 'bluster instead of a (foreign) policy'.
If all you listen to is CNN and FoxNews you would think that the fearless leader, John 'Wayne' McCain, had confronted evil and defeated it.
The fact is that Russia has for all purposes annexed those two regions of Georgia that are in dispute. And all that the Bush administration could do was to "plead" with the Russia parliament to hold off on their vote, ratifying the move by Putin. It was pathetic the way the Russians poked John 'Wayne" McCain and his other blusterers in their collective eye.
What is most interesting - and you hear very little of this in the U.S. media - is Putin's assertion that Georgia was encouraged by the Bush administration to make that tragic move against Ossetia in order to favour one presidential candidate. Putin may be on to something.
Oh how I miss Peter Jennings.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Polls and the U.S. Presidential Elections
What is it with these polls?
There was a time when the Gallup organization was the definitive polling source. Internationally they still are the best known.
After the Democratic Convention I tried in vain to get any election poll results through the media. There were none. After three days the most that David Gergen, a commentator on CNN offered was that the results are still being tabulated and the "bounce" looks like an 8-12 point lead for Obama over McCain.
So yesterday I visited both CNN and the Gallup web sites. CNN had their so called "poll of poll" showing a tie at 47% each (taken before the convention). I then visited my (still) trusted source - Gallup and surprise, surprise; there was Obama at 49% and McCain at 41%.
There seems to be a concerted effort by most sections of the media to report a "close" race. Maybe it is good for ratings. But does this reflect 'truth' or balanced reporting?
Now last night Wolf Blitzer with the best poker face possible announced from the GOP convention floor: "This just in. The latest CNN poll has Obama -49% and McCain 48%. So there was no 'bounce' from the democratic convention for Obama. "
CNN couldn't give us any poll results for almost 5 days. Now that the GOP convention has been postponed ( some would say by act of God), they produce poll results that look and sound as if they were hurriedly put together. Who are they working for?
Are Americans this fickle? Or do they think we all are stupid.
A close election is in the interest of the republicans. Remember Gore/ Bush 2000? Remember Ohio 2004? They (the republicans) are adept at stealing elections.
They could teach any third world quasi- dictator a thing or two.
There was a time when the Gallup organization was the definitive polling source. Internationally they still are the best known.
After the Democratic Convention I tried in vain to get any election poll results through the media. There were none. After three days the most that David Gergen, a commentator on CNN offered was that the results are still being tabulated and the "bounce" looks like an 8-12 point lead for Obama over McCain.
So yesterday I visited both CNN and the Gallup web sites. CNN had their so called "poll of poll" showing a tie at 47% each (taken before the convention). I then visited my (still) trusted source - Gallup and surprise, surprise; there was Obama at 49% and McCain at 41%.
There seems to be a concerted effort by most sections of the media to report a "close" race. Maybe it is good for ratings. But does this reflect 'truth' or balanced reporting?
Now last night Wolf Blitzer with the best poker face possible announced from the GOP convention floor: "This just in. The latest CNN poll has Obama -49% and McCain 48%. So there was no 'bounce' from the democratic convention for Obama. "
CNN couldn't give us any poll results for almost 5 days. Now that the GOP convention has been postponed ( some would say by act of God), they produce poll results that look and sound as if they were hurriedly put together. Who are they working for?
Are Americans this fickle? Or do they think we all are stupid.
A close election is in the interest of the republicans. Remember Gore/ Bush 2000? Remember Ohio 2004? They (the republicans) are adept at stealing elections.
They could teach any third world quasi- dictator a thing or two.
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