Below Boston - Recent Comments

However much this may seem like yesterday's news, the closer Obama gets

southshoreblues — Sun, 11 May 2008 16:49:44 GMT

to the nomination, more relevant this becomes. He is going to be one long "Dean Scream" if Obama does indeed get the nomination (assuming nothing happens at the convention.) The above posts (Moyers included) don't simply give Wright the benefit of doubt, they are misguided enabling on level rivaling that of Mrs Josef Fritzl.

Okay, as Sen Obama would say -- I am "just being provocative." But the notion that Wright was engaging in some kind of thoughtful exploration of alternative epidemiology is beyond ridiculous. Wright is a race-baiter of the worst kind.

Wright gets his flocks whipped-up into a frenzy with racist ideology and conspiracy theories, just like a Klan rally. He knows where AIDS came from or at least where it didn't come from. We know that he doesn't believe the racist conspiracies that he spews, because you would have completely ignorant to do so. We know that he is not so dumb as he would not otherwise live the lavish lifestyle he does if he was as indeed so ignorant or crazy or in any way senile.

Rather, he knows what he is saying and the effect it has on his followers. Cult leaders to not preach moderation or in muffled ways for the same reasons.

So rather than inspiring his flock to achieve their best, he preaches paranoia ala Koresh, Jones, Castaneda, et al. Yet the difference is that at the end of the day Wright hops into his Mercedes and drives to his mansion in a nearly all white country club community -- where no doubt he does not use the poor grammar and 'street' talk he does in his services.

He is a race hustler. He is a devout and dedicated divider, not a uniter. Is he someone we could rely on to bring the country together? Not a chance. And why would he? Would certainly be bad for business?

So the guy who sits in the front row (metaphorically) of Wright's services, calls Wright his "spiritual adviser" and more compass, asks Wright to officiate at the most important events of his life, and laps up Wright's hate-speak and race-baiting for 20 years. Is he going to be person so bring the country together and get us past the issue of race?

Is Obama hiding an Afrocentric, racist past, that rallied around the mantra of "kill whitey"?? Probably not. Is Obama an opportunist who cozied to Wright as a stepping stone to be elected in an area where race hustlers control the votes? Yes, probably -- at a minimum. And is he willing to drop the same to continue his career advancement? Apparently.

How is Obama's behavior any less disconcerting than triangulation strategy? What Obama and HC have demonstrated in the last 6 months is that both are willing to do/say/align with anything that will get him/her elected.

Edwards is looking pretty good these days, but unfortunately that is now a moot point. Right?

Great post on this subject from Digby . . .

Jan A — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:58:01 GMT

the legendary blogging pioneer. In her post on Hullabaloo entitled Hear ye, Hear ye, she takes on the media, especially Tim Russert, for his/their coronation of Obama as the nominee. It is up to the candidates and the party to declare a winner, not the mainstream media.

Look, I have the same analysis of the outcome of the elections in Indiana and North Carolina that most people have this morning. Clinton's best argument --- which was essentially that the voters were taking a second look at Obama and showing some buyers remorse --- didn't pan out last night. And there's nothing wrong with political junkies sitting around the virtual pot-bellied stove and saying the race is "over" or exhorting her to drop out. We're citizens and, in some cases, political players. There is, however, something unbelievably distasteful about a handful of powerful, millionaire, celebrity pundits "declaring" such a thing and having the paper of record breathlessly report it as if it was decisive and meaningful.

This same media will bash whomever the Democratic candidate is as they give McCain a free ride to the White House. We must never be fooled into thinking they are honest brokers.

The idea floating around, even in the blogosphere, that once Tim Russert "says it" it's true is so galling that I can hardly keep from projectile vomiting. Giving him that power will come back to bite us hard down the road.

That said, I hope both candidates continue this campaign without getting sucked into a media-induced smackdown. Keep it classy, Barack and Hillary. You are both so much better than McCain and this is not a game show.

What I am sensing is that she is staying in as if to point out to the

Susan H — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:11:02 GMT

undeclared super delegates 'look, I can still win in WV and Kentucky even when my political demise has been publicised which speaks more to Obama's deficiencies in the Fall than anything else'.....she is directing this strategy and rational to cold, hard,politicians who are used to looking at poll results and especially the presidential electoral map( magic number 270 brilliant in everyone's mind) and I honestly cannot understand how we here in MA have 4 Congressmen( 1 woman - Niki Tsongas who is probably an Obama supporter so really 3)who have yet to declare; the best I can surmise is that they want a winner and sense that both candidates are weakened.

Regardless of what happens in the next few days,the primary season is OVER on June 3rd and after all this effort IT WILL BE the undeclared supers who decide this contest because while at this moment Obama is closest, even he isn't 'over the top yet'.

Simply amazing

Not over yet

LindaB — Thu, 08 May 2008 12:51:04 GMT

I sure can't predict this campaign. I am a huge Clinton supporter and if she wants to stay in the campaign, I am behind her.

Yeah, I felt bad for Chelsea . . .

Jan A — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:04:23 GMT

she worked her heart out for Hillary. During parts of her mother's speech, she looked like she was going to cry. I guess I feel kind of protective because we all watched her grow up.

I hope Chelsea gets some rest after this long primary season is finally over. We are going to need her to help out in the general. We are going to need everyone. We MUST take back the White House this time.

Turn out the Lights, the Party's Over!

Mullaley — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:44:41 GMT

Somewhere Dandy Don Meredith is singing,

"Turn out the Lights, the Party's over."

Looks like it is over

LindaB — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:00:55 GMT

She is meeting with all her top aids on Thursday apparently to decide what to do next. I think she will decide to suspend her campaign. You could almost tell by the looks on Bill and Chelsea's faces last night.

LOL

Jan A — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:33:42 GMT

Are you really glad to see me or is that a pretzel in your pants?

What, No Flag Pin!

Mullaley — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:30:33 GMT

I note (with irony) that there is no flag pin on Bush's flightsuit. Where was the outrage from Fox News?

The Codpiece Story

Liberal Linda — Tue, 06 May 2008 10:16:25 GMT

Whenever I see that Mission Accomplished banner I think of the
George W. Bush - News Parody Cartoon

not saying it's wrong

Ryepower12 — Mon, 05 May 2008 05:18:59 GMT

I'm just saying that it's no where near passing the burden of proof.

Bill Moyers mentions this very fact in his defense of Rev. Wright

Jan A — Mon, 05 May 2008 04:31:34 GMT

The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment

Liberal Linda — Sun, 04 May 2008 23:58:55 GMT

The United States government did something that was wrong-deeply, profoundly, morally wrong. It was an outrage to our commitment to integrity and equality for all our citizens. . . . clearly racist.
-President Clinton's apology for the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment to the eight remaining survivors, May 16, 1997

We have to remember that our government carried out these experiments.

If the aids virus was a side effect of the polio vaccines production process would the medical companies admit to this?

Would they admit to giving aids to the world.

It's a giant leap

Ryepower12 — Sun, 04 May 2008 20:39:56 GMT

To go from there to saying that America caused HIV. It would take years of research to prove that happened and even then, if it did, it would only mean it was an accident - not as if it was done on purpose. It should shock no one that something like that could happen then, when vaccines were still very new and medicine wasn't anywhere near as advanced as it now is. Still, though, an interesting topic... just nothing you could take and start making a stump speech blaming America on AIDS with.

Left Out?

Cater68 — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 03:13:18 GMT

Didn't former Mayor Madden and William Ryan also do a lot of heavy lifting on promoting the benefits of the east-west parkway? Regardless, this is great news!

There is a difference between weighting exit polls regarding election

Susan H — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:42:25 GMT

results and the "longer version" which looks at the demographic of voters.

I have heard no-one( political scientists) or read anywhere where the data collected about who voted( women, men, young old age breakdown, religion, income, education level) has been questioned.....there is a difference between taking a specific precinct and then weighting the electorate to project a winner based upon that precinct.

It's obvious that the exit polls used to be spot on accurate in projecting a "winner" and that this ability has been "lost" but I have never heard a criticism about polls/results showing the demographic of voters - I cannot explain why that is but I have no doubts whatsoever that this primary season has seen the race devolve into identity politics - women are voting for Hillary overwhelmingly and he has had to cobble together the overwhelmingly AA vote with youth vote and higher educated larger income voter.

I do not understand your other concerns.

Are we all suppose to suddenly beome "mum" when indications are that our 2 candidates have been giving themselves self-inflicted wounds?

When there is still time to point out where corrections can be made about a candidate and a campaign we should be silent because any hint of a problem is a problem in and of itself?

I don't agree with that.

Obama still has time to make adjustments and he MUST do so because the Republicans are quickly adjusting to his campaign and are trotting out that campaign playbook which Richard Wirthlin laid out for them after 1980 - people vote for the person NOT the policies.They are capitalizing on the opening Obama himself gave them:he characterized a while subgroup of Americans in language which showed his values and to many people not only was his characterization inaccurate it was another example of the stereotype that Republicans have worked hard to establish about Democrats - that Democrats really do not understand average Americans or their values.

This is where Obama needs to begin the constant recitation of how, until a few short years ago, HE was an American who worried about the light bill, paying the student loan off, worried about the toys his daughters played with ( lead paint from China) and stop with the "ending politics as usual" schtick. He has hit a ceiling with that narrative and he needs to CONVINCE the other half of the Democratic Party that Hillary Clinton has captured that of the threesome left who are running for President, he is the last one who should be tagged as "elitist"..... but he hasn't done that....yet.

He has to start to do that or McSame will be the one to grab the mantle of "I understand average Americans better".

Because grabbing and holding onto that mante means victory.

To point that out isn't wrong...it's essential if we want to win.

I think you misunderstood my post

Jan A — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:06:18 GMT

I did not say the media was "pushing" for a convention fight. I think that the Clinton campaign is pushing for anything that will keep it alive and the media is going along with it.

My main point is that the 24/7, do or die coverage of both campaigns is not good for the party and the divisions are growing - maybe beyond healing. It makes the Democrats look like a bunch of clowns.

As for the exit polls, I don't believe I alleged anything. If you saw the video I posted, Andrea Mitchell reported that the original exit polls were inaccurate because they predicted an Obama win and had to be adjusted after the votes came in. I do question, and at one time you did as well, how exit polls used to be incredibly accurate prior to the 2000 presidential election and since that time have been inaccurate. Just wondering.

As for the rest of your response, I don't know what it had to do with my post.

Thoughts

Debbie B — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:19:24 GMT

Interesting points made by all.

My point regarding "infrastructure", was that these were established organizations working long before the 3 - 4 weeks prior to the election. Personally, I do find it interesting that her support, consistently, begins to drop and shift. Makes me wonder if the "support", according to polls that have her up 20+ points in these states are actually folks who change their mind, or simply name recognition.
If it is shifting... it makes me wonder how the McCain campaign could progress. Essentially, what is the strength of that support?

You brought up the Mass. primary. We do have to remember that she was up 30 points at the time of the NH primary. Her eventual win here... showed just how much and how fast that gap can close. In fact, MA is probably the most pure example of voters' thoughts. We all know that the grassroots here in MA, were all up in NH working for whomever they were supporting. All organizations had to scramble a bit, due to us moving to SuperTuesday, shortening the actual campaigning to about 3 weeks.

As an Obama supporter... I would have loved to see a PA win. (Yes, I admit my bias.) However; as a Dem. I am concerned by the pattern that continues to appear in these big states and believe it should be considered.

Do you get email updates from the campaigns? Long ago I signed up

Susan H — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:20:28 GMT

and got updates from all of them( except Gravel); Hillary Clinton will be pushing to have MI and FLA seated, which will result in a Convention fight it isn't something that the MSM has to "push". The only way I do not see this happening is how the IND and NC results come in.

Obama's "cling to" remark will have the sticking power of Kerry's "I voted for it before I was against it" infamous line and it would be beyond smart for him to adjust to that reality.

Minimizing something because "we" don't think it's important doesn't make it go away. It's the same thing that happened with the Swift Boat group. The Kerry campaign's initial reaction was "who would believe that?" and they let it go literally weeks without a response and then used surrogates to defend. The proper response should have been righteous indignation from Kerry himself immediately. IMHO, Obama should start speaking about how until recently he was an average American concerned with the light bill, all his monthly bills - just like the rest of us - being concerned about what kind of toys his small daughters played with, whether they had lead paint associated with them for instance, and lay off the "ending politics as usual" shtick. We've heard that from him but as the recent news concerning him has shown people are still being "introduced to him".

Exit polls are weighted differently - too many women, too few elderly to use an example sometimes resulting in screwy projections but are you alleging that the open response results( tell us what you consider yourself :liberal, moderate or conservative, religion:Jewish Cathloic, Protestant) have been made up out of whole cloth? I don't believe that. I think this aspect of the exit polls do reflect what we have seen since NH - that we have descended into identity politics and deep divisions are occurring within the Party. Anecdotally, I can say I have personally witnessed this as well among Party activists in our area which goes beyond anything I have seen before.

It concerns me.

Exit polls wrong again . . . hmmmm

Jan A — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 03:49:08 GMT

From the Morning Joe show. I was wondering why the PA race was "too close to call" for so long last night. Looks like those silly exit polls were inaccurate . . . again.

Boy, that Joe Scarborough just loves Hillary Clinton, doesn't he? Wait! Isn't he a Republican? Do you think he will vote for her over John McCain? Me neither. Then, why do you suppose he keeps pulling for Clinton and trashing Obama?

Personally, I do not believe this he said/she said trivia contest or a big fight at the convention, all being amplified by the media while they give their "friend" McCain a free ride, will do anything but make the Democratic Party look like the gang who couldn't shoot straight.

The exit polls (which were deemed "unusable" for the actual vote but okay for dividing up the electorate, I guess) are being cited as saying that 68% of Clinton voters and 50% of Obama voters in Pennsylvania wouldn't vote for the other Democrat. Nice, huh?