Smack Down! Powell and Clinton Tag Team

Tags

Bill Clinton, Billy Kristol, Christine O'Donnell, Colin Powell, GOP, Mike Bloomberg, Neo-cons, Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin, teabaggers

First for housekeeping: There is a new post over at Walking in the Shadows, should you be so inclined. I’m not sure yet how I’m going to operate this blog vis-a-vis this one. I’m still working it out in my little old head.

Of more consequence, please take a look-see at a new blog Republic of Gilead. Ahab, the writer, left a comment on yesterday’s post about the Values Voter Summit. He went as an infiltrator. I’ve added him to my reader, and he promises to keep watch at the goings on of the religious right. We seem to pretty much look to the same sources, but he’ll make my job a whole lot easier no doubt, and he has a nice looking and reading blog.

I saw Colin Powell and President Bill Clinton on Meet the Press. Powell excoriated the “chatter” from the far right that went beyond legitimate criticism of the President. “Let’s get this straight. The President was born in America, he is a Christian.” Both he and Clinton however saved their worst for Newt (the Slime) Gingrich: Clinton said:

Gingrich does this sort of thing from time to time. (Clinton alluded to similar treatment of he and Hillary during his years.) Newt is running for office. He likes to do this kind of thing and stir things up. It’s his shtick. He knows better, he’s an intelligent person.

This is serious paraphrasing on my part, since I can’t locate any transcripts yet (MSNBC doesn’t have them up yet), but the gist is correct. Powell also said that such attacks are inappropriate. “Attack him on policy, not on stuff like this,” he said.

In other words, Newt, you are an irrelevant SOB and go sit down and shaddup.

Meanwhile (you can’t beat that word for a segue can ya?) Sarah forewent the VVS and paid the price coming in #5 in the “who we want to be prez” vote, and spoke in IOWA last night. I only got a snippet, but it seemed the Moosalini was kinda threatening. Kinda like, “estab GOP, you best do as I say or mama is gonna send my grizzlies against ya.” It was I assume a rather not so veiled finger wagging at Karl (the dough meister and soon to be irrelevant) Rove and perhaps at other more establishment types.

Perky Palin as in “PAY lin,” may just be astute  enough (a word she probably doesn’t know), to realize that she is unelectable but she can sure be the power broker and thus amass more $$ to her personal vault in WaSiLLA. Just a shot in the dark on my part.

Speakin’ of which: Palinator’s baby clone, Christine has continued the ways of most of the really wacko right teabaggers–refuse to be questioned! She cancelled stops at Face the Nation and Fox, apparently not ready to, answer a thing.  Foxy will no doubt set her straight – “we made ya baby!”

The Contrarian came up with an interesting scenario. If the GOP nominates an utter wacko (ala Palin or one of her generated clones) might Bloomberg enter the race as a third-party candidate? And if Colin Powell, another centrist, should join him? Well I’d have to think long and hard about NOT voting for them. At least I would have to seriously investigate a lot of written positional material. What think you?

Am I wrong to think that Billy Kristol may be getting a bit nervous? Between Iraq and Sarah, I’m thinking perhaps a lynch mob might start forming outside his residence? I may do a piece on the neo-con wonder boy next week. Stay tuned.

Well, enough today. I’ve added, subtracted, and otherwise cleaned up a few of the blogroll entries. Too many to name but take a look and if you have been around a while and you’re not there, let me know. I tried to add all my new friends, but invariably will miss someone!

Related Articles

• Colin Powell Knocks Down Gingrich and Birthers (themoderatevoice.com)
• Colin Powell: Newt Gingrich’s Obama Critique ‘Doesn’t Make Any Sense’ (VIDEO) (huffingtonpost.com)

Front Row Seats At the Circus

Tags

Christine O'Donnell, Colin Powell, election 2010, Glenn Beck, GOP, John Boehner, Jon Stewart, Mitch McConnell, Politics, teabaggers

I’m tellin’ ya kiddies, the three-ring circus that these days passes as the GOP is ampin’ it up and promising to give us a real show. I for one am pleased as punch (now what exactly does that mean?).

What looked to be a dull, sad affair dominated by two-year-olds posing as voters, suffering from the need for instant gratification (translation: fix the economy in 60 days and let me get back to my Mimosa or I’m switching sides), has turned into the jackass tumble that we had hoped. They are killin’ and eatin’ their own–finding that it all tastes just fine with a sip o’ tea.

If ya hadn’t heard, a 41-year-old virgin, orthodoxy Catholic woman, who hates masturbation and considers porn to be adultery, and thinks evolution is a crock, beat a sane and sensible GOPer for the right to face off against the Dems in Delaware. (In case you forgot, Delaware is an actual state of the union, located out east, and you basically wave at it as you pass from New Jersey to Maryland, sorta.)

Carl Rove wet his pants immediately and called her “crazy” and then Rushy said, crazy or not, we gotta elect her, cuz Obama is sellin’ off Merika to Kenyans in weekly raffles, and NewtyPatooti, nodded and said he’s still channelling daddy, and next to that Christine makes perfecto sense. So, well, you know it must be true.

Meanwhile back at the ranch (well not really–actually DC), Mitch (the neck) McConnell, withdrew into his shell, whispering to aides to look for a hare and send a message to John B. to take over. He was just too upset.

Meanwhile (see above) Johnny Boehner was issuing orders at lighting speed. “Sell my stock in Agent Orange Tanning Co.,” he screamed, and “get me a two-page memo pronto on all things NASCAR! And get me a case or two of that Bud Light stuff, or maybe it’s called ‘This Bud’s for You.’ I’m not sure. Oh and cancel my next golf game–in fact cancel all my golf games. I’m one of the people!”

Colin Powell was caught as he rushed getting into his car. “I never knew her!” he bellowed three times before the light changed twice. He looked ashen, and those present saw fear in his eyes. His destination was unknown.

Meanwhile (see above again) Glenn Beck was wandering around Fox (we only lie because it’s good for you) Noise, muttering, “where’s my spotlight? I am the savior of the world. Who is this McDonnell chick? I want Sarah. Get Sarah on the phone!”

As the elephants filed out and we waited in the stands for the clowns to arrive (that would be Sarah, Michele and Michelle, and well, DeMint, and King, and oh it just gets tiresome, you know who they are), we had a moment to turn to the Internet Tubes and discovered this:

If you haven’t heard of him well then you need to be sure to bookmark this one. Andy Borowitz and his Report is hysterical. I found it on Twitter, and now receive him in my e-mail. Here’s a sentence from his last post, just to make it clear you want to read this:

Galvanized by Republican senatorial nominee Christine O’Donnell’s anti-masturbation stance, masturbators from across the state converged on Wilmington today in what some are calling the largest pro-wanking protest in American history.

Now you may be concluding, but you would be wrong, that Merika has gone quite bonkers. I’m here to tell you that that is not the case. If you still doubt, then read this: The New York Magazine, in a cover piece recently pointed out that Jon Stewart is the most trusted newsman in the country! That is surely sane isn’t it? And, and, well, AND he ain’t even a news person! Ain’t that a corker as my grandma used to say. (NO I don’t know what a corker is either–sigh.)

And oh, goodie, you just knew this was coming. Stewart and Colbert are leading a “bring back sanity to America” rally at the Mall in DC on October 30. Technically Colbert is leading a counter rally called “Keep Fear Alive”  but only the crazy people don’t get it. I mean this country is hysterical. It is fall off your chair, spin in place ala the Exorcist wacko, sock-um bumper-car madness, and we got the front row!

Barnum and Bailey, or what’s left of em, are surely pissed they missed getting in on this roadshow for sure. Hell, Europeans are reserving their tickets,  not wanting to wait for the time delay on election night as pundit and all the punditos from East and West, North and South, will be spouting and guffawing, slitting their throats, barfing, snorting white powder, or soda up their noses in one grand insane (Nero never topped this) event.

Meanwhile (yes, I’m oh so predictable) I hear a whole bunch of them tea-sippers are hanging out together at something called the Values Voters Summit. All manner of every hate position in all the land is being represented. Just for a sneak, to show you how much you can learn, Michele (crazy-eyes) Bachmann, is lecturing on “how government works.” Heady stuff, right?  And then Inhofe came forth and warned about rampant open gay sex in the military! Oh, just gives ya gooseybumps, all the love being offered up!

Now, I’m not advocate of violence of ANY kind mind you. Just sayin’ they all ARE together, ya know in one place, and well, you know. Not that I advocate any wrongdoing. Just makin’ that real clear. Just sayin.’

Okay, seriously. These two links are worth your time. They are about the GOP and the teabagger hell they have created. Or, remember why your mother told you not to touch a hot stove!

Republicans serve the devil his tea, from This Week, and

Tea Party mocking needs to end, from The Daily Beast.

See ya tomorrow!

Related Articles

• Andy Ostroy: Sarah & the GOPettes: Assessing the O’Donnell Victory (huffingtonpost.com)
• Tea Party Notches Huge Upset With O’Donnell Senate Victory in Delaware (politicsdaily.com)
• Comedians Stewart and Colbert plan Oct. 30 rally on the mall (thehill.com)
• Rush Limbaugh Joins Sarah Palin In Condemning Karl Rove’s Critique Of Christine O’Donnell (mediaite.com)

Short Takes on the Day 10/23/08

Tags

Colin Powell, Congress, Democrats, Election 2008, fundamentalism, GOP, James Dobson, Joe Lieberman, Literature, Stephen King

The Salon posts a fascinating interview with Stephen King on the 30th anniversary of his major book, “The Stand.” King speaks about the apocalyptic book as it relates to the real world scenario before us today. Having read the book many years ago, I found it one of King’s better writes. Sadly, few of his books translate well to the big screen, and “The Stand” was no exception. However his thoughts on it’s message and how it dovetails with the woes of today is quite interesting. Stop by if you have the time.

Glenn Greenwald has a very good piece on Joe Lieberman. While the Congressional leaders such as Harry Reid seem reluctant to punish Joe for his outrageous behavior in trying to smear Obama, many of the left are adamant that he be removed from chairmanships and the Democratic caucus. Greenwald paints a sad picture of the cowardly behavior of the Democratic leadership in the face of Lieberman’s extreme tactics. Lieberman has not just campaign FOR McCain, he has gone out of his way to paint Obama as dangerous and no friend of Israel. I think that deserves ostracism from the Democratic power grid myself.

There is an extraordinarily good article at The Daily Beast today. You should definitely read it. It is about James Dobson and his long and intense battle to keep Colin Powell a cypher in the Republican party. This is just fascinating reading and gives you a glimpse of how the inner workings of the party are shifting. There is a war going on between the wingnut religious right and the mainstream conservative that is compelling. This war, and who wins it will have much to say about the next Republican candidate and the future of the party. I never thought I would root for a winner, but putting “country first,” I feel I must in this case. This piece delves deeply into the dark world of Dobson and his ties to the usual suspects. It’s chilling readers.

To those who thought that lately Palin has sounded a bit better answering questions? Oh, well, you were WRONG. She’s just as stupid and baffling as always. Staying with the Dobson theme, Ms. Palin recently gave an “interview” with the dark Dr. Dobson. If you recall, the Republican platform is the most right wing it has ever been, at least since Barry Goldwater. Sarah, poor dear was asked her opinion on the efficacy of said document. She seems to understand that it is composed of “planks” and little else. Read it and weep or laugh, as the case may be.

Nobody would argue that the Republicans have pulled out all the stops in the last few weeks and days to divide this country in ways that shock even the well seasoned politico. There is no odious charge too vile to throw at Senator Obama in the hopes that fear and hatred will trump common sense and reasoned thought. Rusel DeMaria has a smart idea for the Obama administration. Keep that election ground game up and running, and turn it into a public forum of education and inclusion. Let’s see what we can do to repair the damage fostered by the angry, sore losing right. See what you think.

Short Takes on the Day 10/22/08

Tags

Colin Powell, Election 2008, John McCain, racism, Sarah Palin, terrorism, voting

Ahh, its good to be back up and running at full strength. The feeds are working beautifully and actually things are faster than before. No more having to manually update with the time entailed in waiting for that. I like Google reader, as long of course that it doesn’t crash. I have one small problem with not being able to “unsubscribe” and when you go to the very poor Google help site, you see a lot of questions about feeds not updating. So here’s hoping that i don’t have the problem. I like Firefox so far as well. It seems to load better than IE.

On to the news of the day. There is a lot of talk around the blogosphere about voting. McCain and his band of obstructionists are trying to cut the rights of many to vote at all. Crooks & Liars has a good article on what you can do to insure that your vote counts. Be sure to take a look and copy their points. We must vote, and we must be sure our votes are counted. Here in Iowa, I so far, know of no problems. We live so rurally, that there are never lines. But you can’t be too careful.

Is anyone slightly offended by McCain’s new tack of suggesting that Obama’s tax cuts are simply “welfare” for those who don’t pay taxes? Since when is being poor a crime Senator? I guess he forgets that most of these folks are working poor, they work, they just don’t make enough to have to pay taxes. Why exactly do we want to dump on them John? Oh, is it because they are unpleasant to look upon from the penthouse? You pig John. Emptywheel suggests perhaps Rethugs might want to rethink that, given their high wardrobe spending.

Frankly, I place little credence in such stuff, but it is undeniable that Al Qaeda did suggest that it favored a Kerry victory in 2004. Today we hear that Al Qaeda is claiming that now would be a good time for some type of attack to swing things McCain’s way. They believe that McCain is more likely to keep warring around the world, further depleting American resources. Such is regrettable, and of course but another reason to vote Obama. Read more at Ezra Klein‘s blog at American Prospects.

You have probably noticed that the McCain/Palin duo is starting to re-use old campaign arguments that didn’t go over the first time, in some desperate attempt to find something that will stick. Remember that Sarah started out trying to entice Hillary women to her side. That didn’t work, but well, nothing much has, so today she is back on that tack. Jezebel weighs in with a nice “thanks but no thanks, Sarah.”

Of course, what would the day be without a tiny bit of conspiracy theory to go around. Undoubtedly you have heard of the latest Palin gaffe wherein she again and I repeat Again, seemed confused as to what she would do as a VEEP. Well, Michael Tomasky ponders if this is just evidence that the woman is THAT stupid or if something else is at work. Surely we know that many in the McCain campaign knew this selection of Palin to be the fiasco that it is turning out to be. Could it be that they are just not bothering to explain the Constitution to her, wanting to shut down that 2012 run many expect her to make? You decide.

Maureen Dowd agrees with me about one thing regarding Secretary Powell. He put the McCain/Palin hate mongering attack of Muslim inferences directly on the table and condemned the rhetoric. I don’t agree that you should give racists a free pass, ever. Too much time has been spent on defending that Obama is not a Muslim and not enough spent on calling that charge what it is: simply racist. Read Dowd’s post about the Muslim kid who died for America, and then feel very very ashamed that we have allowed campaigns to devolve into this kind of smear without all repudiating such filth. And read it because Powell mentions some of the emails he has received since his endorsement. We have dangerous people in this country, and they are not people of color, but lily white reactionary nut cases.

Thank You Secretary Powell!

Tags

Barack Obama, Colin Powell, Election 2008, Islam, John McCain

You may call me the predictor! Just about a month ago or so, I predicted that former Secretary of State, Colin Powell, would endorse Senator Barack Obama for president. And astounding as it may seem, I was actually right.

Secretary Powell, on Meet the Pressdid just that yesterday. In his measured and laser sharp way, he set out a series of reasons that justified and called for the endorsement of Mr. Obama, all the while being polite as regards Mr. McCain.

It was timed, as I suspected it would be, to perfection. It seems that the Obama campaign has planned a series of eruptions leading up to the final date of November 4. Coming close on the heels of the final debate, that series, of which can only be described as a perfect victory for Mr. Obama, this endorsement finalizes in the conclusion that the Senator is more than ready to take on the mantle of the presidency.

General Powell was more than gracious to his old friend John McCain. Yet in the end, his endorsement of Obama was so reasoned and so compelling that one could not miss the stinging rejection of John McCain. Powell skewered the Senators policies, his methods and even his fitness for the office, all the while maintaining a level of decorum and dignity.

Everything in the Obama campaign seems to be done with a certain elegance. While Obama claimed not to be aware of the General’s decision before hearing it on the news show itself, Secretary Powell’s timing and method were exactly in line with the type of campaign that Senator Obama has so for been running.

Moreover, today we learn that Secretary Powell met with both men at the opening of the summer and told them both that his decision would be based on several factors, not the least of which would be the conduct of the respective campaigns, the conventions, and the choice of each for Vice President. We are told that McCain sought no further conversations with the General, while Obama actively called  Powell on several occasions, seeking his advice on various issues. That should be telling in and of itself.

Powell decried the use of Mr. Ayres by McCain and the thinly veiled allegation that attaches, that somehow Mr. Obama is a terrorist sympathizer. The connection was “so tenuous” as to be ridiculous Powell claimed. He further chastised the Republican party for whispering that Obama might be a Muslim. “He is not, he has been a life-long Christian,” Powell stated, and “so what if he were a Muslim?” The Secretary is one of the first to call out the utter racism of this line of argument.

Referring to the above photograph, Mr. Powell, has done this country a great service. He has reminded us all what decent law abiding Muslims in this country have been trying to tell us. They too are patriotic, and American. They too love their country and support and defend her. They are willing to die, and do for her. The underlying racism evinced by Sarah Palin, and Mr. McCain is intolerable, disgusting, and should be rejected on its face by every American.

We cannot, and will not abide such hatred in this country any longer. We will stand up for fairness and justice for all people in this country. We will confront those who preach fear and “otherness” in our society. We will reject those that run on such platforms.

This may be the more pertinent legacy of Mr. Powell’s remarks yesterday. After all, many believe that this race is already over, and that Secretary Powell’s endorsement is little more than frosting on the cake. That may well be so, yet the above remarks take our discussion to a new level of sophistication and complexity.

Mr. Powell spoke of Mr. Obama as being a generational transforming figure, one who crosses all lines in a an attempt to be inclusive. In that he is right. He was also right in claiming that “all villages” have value and importance. This message is important if we are to heal the divisions that have plagued us over the last several years, fanned again by the divisive us/them mentality of the McCain/Palin campaign.

I am starting to feel a certain pride in my country once again. I have not felt it in a very long time, decades at least. I’m not particularly sure, looking back, that I ever had it much, but certainly not since I was a fairly young girl reading the usual history of America in school. Isn’t it ironic the two men of color are the ones to return me, and undoubtedly many others to pride in America again?

Perhaps, just perhaps, I’m feeling the euphoria too much today. Perhaps I am over blowing the importance of it all. Perhaps reality will turn out much more sober and difficult than I can see at the moment. But somehow, I think the earth will breathe a bit easier on November 5 than it has in a long time. Perhaps, just perhaps.

October Surprise?

Tags

Barack Obama, Colin Powell, Election 2008, John McCain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m not a person who enjoys being proven wrong. Especially when one is married to a man who seemingly never is. The Contrarian’s favorite statement is “I thought I was wrong once about something, but I found out I was wrong.” So you can see what I am up against.

I’m not good at predictions either. So, those of you who read regularly, might notice that I don’t often make serious ones. I tend to hedge my bets a good deal. That makes me a not very good gambler. I have no interest in giving away money at casinos. I don’t find it “fun.” I play a mean game of poker, but that is because that is not exclusively a game of chance, but is a real game of skill. It’s mostly about math and psychology. Master the two of them, and you can be successful.  Readers should note that I played online for about two years and turned a $50 investment into a few hundred dollars worth of withdrawls.

That all being said, I think something is in the works here. And I’m prepared to step out on a limb, though I admit, I do so with fingers crossed, and a prayer sent heavenward. (No I don’t think God takes sides, but I do think he nudges us who are aware of his presence in the right direction.)

Colin Powell is arguably one of the most respected persons in America. I might be inclined to go further, but for the mess in Iraq. That was not his finest moment, as he perhaps too willingly accepted “proof” about WMD’s that was suspect to say the least. It is clear he was not for this war, and he counseled against it. We must remember however that Mr. Powell is a product of a long career in unformed service to his country. Being loyal is prized in all warriors. It’s no doubt hard to overcome that.

I do feel that he did believe what he was told, however much he very much wanted to in the first place. I do think he felt betrayed by the lies that were told him. He did the honorable thing and resigned as Secretary of State. There are those who no doubt feel that he let the country down by not blowing the whistle on a corrupt and lying administration. However, there seem to have been more than enough whistle blowers around for that anyway.

All that being said, I think General Powell retains for the most part the respect of most Americans. And that is power indeed. Up until now, Powell has not given his public blessing to either candidate. But, if one reads between the lines, I think it is fair to believe that ultimately he will give his nod to Obama.

Just the other day at a George Washington University, on a panel with other former Secretaries of State, he said thatObama’s election would be “electrifying.”  He also exhibited displeasure at the deflection of serious issues by “lipstick on a pig” talk. Still he refuses to make a formal declaration. Those close to him say that he has known McCain for years and wishes to endorse him but so far “cannot find a good reason to.”

What I think is going on here, is that indeed Mr. Powell has made up his mind. But he is a shrewd politician, and knows that his announcement will be very important, though less to McCain should he go in that direction. It will be a bombshell of sorts should he endorse Obama, although Fox Faux News  will imply the obvious “lookalike” of the two.

Thus I see General Powell waiting for his endorsement to have the maximum effect. I predict he will endorse Obama, precisely at the point that he thinks it will most influence the vote. And that may be late in October. He will then have the basis of the debates having been completed and can assure everyone that this was the tipping point for him.

Does Obama know? Quite possibly he does, wink, wink, nod, nod, but I suspect if he does, there are but two people who do, he and the General. Perhaps Michelle has been advised, but I don’t think that even Obama’s advisers have been privileged to be informed. Leaks of course are simply prevalent in all politics that any hint would spread like wildfire and spoil the entire effect.

Do I have any information or insider knowledge about any of this? Nope, nary a word. It just seems that Powell’s reticence, coupled with his restated claims that he is “going to do what is best for the country,” reinforce the idea that he indeed has made up his mind and is waiting for the best moment to announce. It is the perfect revenge against an administration who lied to him, and used him and his gravitas to their advantage.

Yet I don’t think that Powell is made that way. I don’t for a minute think this is a calculated political choice on his part to do as much damage to Republicans as possible. It will be portrayed that way no doubt. I do think this method of waiting to make the greatest impact is motivated by his desire to reclaim his honor to it’s fullest degree. That is of course expected in a politician, but as we know from McCain, honor is something held dear to military people, more so than life to many.

 Powell has every right to remove the tarnish his honor has acquired. I agree, that perhaps, he was somewhat responsible for its loss. But surely, much of it was done to him. He need not have regrets about what he does to McCain. McCain has probably done most everything that persuades Powell that Obama should be the choice. McCain has sacrificed his own soul and honor already. It must be clear to Powell that McCain has forfeited country for self. When a person has sold themselves to the devil, nothing Powell does at this point can hurt him more. The General can only state the obvious.

So remember this little post and you can either congratulate me or laugh at my stupidity in a few weeks. We shall see. The human spirit, I find, has an incredible ability to continue to hope for better tomorrows. I do. I hope that Mr. Powell does not let me down or America, or the world.

Doing What I Said I Wouldn’t

Tags

Barack Obama, Colin Powell, Election 2008, Evan Bayh, foreign affairs, Joe Biden, John McCain, Tim Kaine

I said I would not do it. In fact, just last night, I told the Contrarian, “I will not get sucked into the speculation debate on who Obama will pick. It will make no difference, and  why set myself up for being wrong?” Okay, so I am here to tell you that I am not really, but sort of going to, in a round about way. Okay?

The reason I got to thinking I should write something was this: I was wandering through my feeds as I do everyday, reading articles here and there, waiting for something to hit me, juicing me up for a post. And I wandered to Ramblings from Afar, a Pakistani blog, and found this. Nothing so terribly earth-shaking, or shattering or anything. Just a regular Pakistani blogger who thinks Biden has a better clue on how to improve relations with Pakistan and get all of us to work a bit more effectively toward common goals of maintaining democracy in the region, all the while combating the disease of fundamentalist radical Islam.

And the fact is, Biden is a master at foreign relations. He has just returned from Georgia, sizing up the situation there. No word of course as to why he went. I’m sure his position as Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee gives him plenty of cover, If, I say IF he went at Obama’s behest.

I think frankly he is a excellent choice as VEEP, not that anyone is consulting me of course. And since we are all going to know by Saturday, I may be blowing hot air to suggest he should be the choice, but here are my reasons:

1. He is an expert on foreign relations. No question about that. He knows this stuff inside and out, backward and forward, and, AND, he seems to have a mighty good grasp of doing diplomacy in a better way that we have seen in the past eight misery laden years. (Read the post by Misanthrope above, it really is good!)
2. He thus counters the “lack of experience” claim of McCain. McCain of course, doesn’t really want to discuss issues, he gets too confused when he does so, i.e., placing Iraq and Pakistan as bordering countries for instance, thinking that 21st century states don’t invade other states, getting Sunni and Shia mixed up, ya know, minor stuff like that. Oh, and McCain also mispronounces the country. McCain like most others calls it Pack-is-tan, whereas Pakistanis have noted that Obama pronounces it correctly, Paaah-is-taahn. McCain simply wants to attack the character of Obama, and Biden will counter that very nicely.
3. Biden is a terrific debater. Now don’t stop when I say this, (I’ve mea culpaed myself to death already) but Biden has that “sounds like you can trust him, sounds like he knows what he’s talking about” like Dick Cheney did. Read that DID. I knew nothing about Cheney in 2000 and thought he was the daddy that would protect us from the Idiot boy going off the deep end. Reasoned, seemingly bright, I thought he would temper the child. (Don’t get me wrong I was major for Gore and voted accordingly, I just thought Cheney was a sage protective blanket over the neophyte Dubya.)
4. Biden does have a tendency to talk on, and thus say things that perhaps he shouldn’t, but dang folks, we need to take the gloves off just a bit here. Biden is old enough to go after McShame without looking like a kid beating up on an old guy. He will simply look annoyed and say, “John’s giving you a load of crap and here’s why.”
5. I don’t know as there are any really embarrassing junk in his closet, but consult with the Obama people, their vetting is far better than mine no doubt.
6. Evan Bayh is a nice guy, but we would lose his seat in the senate, and he has done little that I have been made aware of. He can be viewed as a do-nothing who rode his dad’s coattails. I know less about Kaine from Virginia, but he seems to lack pizazz as they say, and I don’t know as either of these add much in the way of foreign policy experience.
7. McCain certainly promises more of the same in terms of foreign policy everywhere, and seems inclined to go backward. His premise is force and bully tactics first. Afghanistan is proving more hard to handle than thought, something the Russians of course were more than able to explain to us. Mostly we are having a much harder time there because our forces are bogged down in the growing quagmire of Iraq. Musharraf is out and as our Pakistani poster points out, we tend to give money to dictatorships who do our bidding and close our purse to democracies because I suppose they are less controllable. We need Pakistan badly if we are to deal effectively with the Taliban, and Biden’s suggestions provide a new and perhaps more effective way to do that.
8. He has blue eyes, which I like.
9. Okay, the last one was not a really good one, so sue me.

The Contrarian wants to save Biden for Secretary of State. I’m actually gonna step out and say something really weird here. (DON’T throw rocks, rotten fruit I can handle!) How bout giving Colin Powell a chance to redeem himself? I still think he is basically a good guy trapped in an evil empire whose military loyalty oaths just prevent him from ‘fessing up to all the crimes of his ex-boss. And Richardson for something good, maybe switch and give him Secty of State and give Powell the Secty of Defense. Okay, enough of fantasy land, and now that I have probably given the kiss of death to Biden, I’ll shut up.

I cannot wait to be vilified! Bring on the rotten tomatoes!!! I did say fruit remember? No watermelons, but grapes, strawberries, and oh a stray lime are okay though.