7 posts tagged “election”

With the large margin of victory in North Carolina (14 points) and the narrow margin of loss in Indiana (1.8 points or 23,000 votes) means that the delegates gained in each contest wipes away the ones Hillary earned in Pennsylvania.  The Clinton camp canceled the morning television visits, there's only one fund raising event scheduled for the late afternoon.  I think this will give them the time to think about whether to continue with the campaign.  I'm sure they'll keep going all the way until Denver, if they do, then there are a couple contests that Clinton "could" win, all to help her bow out on the high note. 

I think she's come to terms and recognized that this very well could be the end.  Both parties talked about party unity, so I think that the speech in Indiana was more of her concession.  She's still needed to collect the debt her campaign owes her since she had loaned 5 million in order to keep it floating.  I don't think that she'd be able to get the large percentage of Superdelegates (over 70% or 200 count) needed in order for her to secure the nomination for the Democratic party before Denver.  Now her campaign will have to enter into negotiations to try and get both Florida and Michigan seated and the delegates awarded (and votes counted), even if that were the case, she'd still be down to Obama. (100 delegate lead in favor of Obama and 170K votes still in his favor)

With Obama's path looking even more clear, it's time that his campaign starts to focus on McCain.  Also, Clinton's supporters really should start licking their wounds and stick with the party to help Senator Obama this November.

Contest results

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
NBC News has allocated some of the pledged delegates from Indiana and Pennsylvania.

INDIANA: Clinton 35-31 (6 remain to be allocated)
NORTH CAROLINA: Obama 49-42 (24 remain to be allocated)

The Delegate Counts:
PLEDGED: Obama 1,572-1,415
SUPERDELEGATES: Clinton 272.5-256
OVERALL: 1,828-1.687.5

This would put Obama within 197 of the 2,025. (This, of course, does not include Florida and Michigan.)   

MAY 2008
6 Indiana and North Carolina primaries
13 West Virginia Democratic primary
 West Virginia GOP primary (1/3 selected)
20 Kentucky and Oregon primaries
27 Idaho Republican primary

JUNE 2008
1 Puerto Rico Democratic primary
3 Montana Democratic primary
 New Mexico Republican primary
 South Dakota primary

AUGUST 2008
25-28 Democratic National Convention in Denver

SEPTEMBER 2008
1-4 Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul
26 Presidential debate in Oxford, Miss.

OCTOBER 2008
2 Vice Presidential debate in St. Louis, Mo.
7 Presidential debate in Nashville, Tenn.
15 Presidential debate in Hempstead, N.Y.

NOVEMBER 2008
4 Election Day 

Immigration

I think if there is to be a control of this subject, there should be more of a crackdown on the businesses that take advantage of the undocumented aliens as the cheap labor source.  While many of the undocumented aliens do take the necessary steps to become citizens, it's the remainder that don't (because they're trying to keep or preserve their language and culture) which end up becoming a burden at the tax payers expense.  Of course those in favor of foreign labor are corporations who are addicted to cheap labor. Corporations that choose to outsource are the ones who are benefiting at the American tax payer's expense when you consider that the American tax payer is basically subsidizing the labor costs by supplying the undocumented workers and their families with welfare, free education, free medical, WICs, housing assistance, etc. -- something the corporations won't do.

"Illegals do the jobs Americans won't do" vs. fair compensation - Americans won't allow themselves to be exploited like undocumented aliens do (well some anyway), but they WILL do the work that undocumented aliens do for fair compensation and benefits. If Americans did the work that undocumented aliens do at a higher pay, would that benefit the consumer?  Yes, it would. But many Americans who do not care about America's future are consumers who favor the idea of exploiting undocumented workers (or outsourced labor/jobs to other countries like China) because it keeps commodity and service prices down in the short term (yay Wal-Mart).   

Most undocumented aliens here do not receive a typical paycheck with tax deductions, instead they are paid in cash  without having to pay those darn taxes (lucky...well not really). A basic principle in economics is this: The more people that assimilate into the system the better because it will make up a larger tax base.  Either that or we just eliminate paying taxes all together.   

So for the next Democratic debate, why not skip out on topics like the lapel pin or Reverend Wright.  Instead, why not talk about "undocumented alien immigration"?  This week is also Cinco de Mayo so having the topic of "undocumented immigration" or "undocumented immigration reform" (illegal aliens) would be the perfect this time of year to cover during the next debate between the two candidates.  Each candidate will offer their spin on how to solve, what the U.S. cannot do is build a massive wall.  That doesn't sound like the best solution to me... sorry Lou Dobbs. 

There can't be a reform of immigration until there is control of it and there can be no control of immigration until they secure the borders.  Anyway, the point of this post is to provide a quick laugh at the expense of the political panderers and watch them jump through the hoops in order to secure a vote.  I'm sure this video clip w/the "solution" offered in it would make Lou Dobbs smile.  Oh, in case you don't know who Lou Dobbs may be, he's been labeled as the "guy who hates Mexicans".  Actually, he's made "illegal immigration" his soapbox to stand on during his show on CNN.     

What was asked:
(Source: The Huffington Post)
"MORE THAN half the debate turned over to Bittergate, Rev Wright, the Weathermen, Tuzla, FLAG LAPEL PINS?"

VS. What SHOULD have been asked:
(Source: Daily Kos)
The financial crisis
The collapse of housing values in the US and around the world
Afghanistan
Health care
Torture
The declining value of the US Dollar
Education
Trade
Pakistan
Energy
Immigration
The decline of American manufacturing
The Supreme Court
The burgeoning world food crisis.
Global warming
China
The attacks on organized labor and the working class
Terrorism and al Qaeda
Civil liberties and constraints on government surveillance

To let ABC know how you feel, dial 818-460-7477, press 2, then 6, then 639.  You can also call 212-456-7777 and ask for George Stephanopoulos' voicemail. 
ABC News Media Relations: Natalie Raabe Natalie.J.Raabe@abc.com or 212.456.2418

National Constitution Center (the debate's location)
Public Relations Manager: Ashley Berke aberke@constitutioncenter.org or 215.409.6693. 
ABC News: feedback@abcnews.go.com
ABC NEW YORK NEWSROOM: (212) 456-5100 newsradio@abc.com
Newsroom Fax Machine 212.456.5150�
Cristi LandesManager, Programming 212.456.5107 cristi.d.landes@abc.com
Wayne Fisk Director, Programming 212.456.5327 wayne.fisk@abc.com
Jeff Fitzgerald Executive Director, Operations 212.456.5554 jeffrey.t.fitzgerald@abc.com
Heidi Oringer Executive Director, Entertainment 212.456.5541 heidi.b.oringer@abc.com
Jon Newman News Coverage 212.456.5100 jonathan.m.newman@abc.com
Joyce Alcantara Assignment Manager 212.456.5106 joyce.a.alcantara@abc.com
Jim Kane Deputy D.C. Bureau Chief 212.222. 6604 james.f.kane@abc.com
Andrew Kalb Executive Director, Programming3 05.567.2269 andrew.l.kalb@abc.com
Robert Garcia Executive Director, News & Sports 212.456.5103 robert.garcia@abc.com
Peter Salinger (THE MAN IN CHARGE OF ELECTION COVERAGE) Director, Special Events & Sports 212.456.5105 peter.salinger@abc.com
Steve Jones Vice President ABC NEWS RADIO 212-456-5101steve.jones@abc.com

ADDENDUM:
From ThinkProgress.Org:

AUDIO: Hannity Feeds Stephanopoulos Debate Question On Weather Underground»

ADDENDUM:

From the Daily Show

ABC Debate 041708

She knew the rules, so did Michigan and Florida.  Those two states are being punished for moving their primary dates forward. 

I admit, I've been a fan of JoeCartoon since 1997.  If you look at my banner, you'll see that JoeCartoon had a bit of influence on it.  One of my friends sent me the "Frog in the blender" and since then, I've been a fan.  JoeCartoon is the "king of pointlessness" as he puts it, rightly so.  Supahfly was another character that caught my attention, then Thuh Greenfields was next.  This is a special year however, not only are in a presidential race, but JoeCartoon has graced us with his spin on things.  Be sure to check out Blender Poll 2008. 

Here's a nice intro from the gerbil on what you can expect:

Okay, on to Blender Poll 2008.  Here's a few images:

Candidates 2008

As you can see, it's kept fairly up to date on which candidate has dropped versus which has remained in the race. 

Hillary 2008

Okay, I admit it, I selected this particular politician to "blend".  LMAO  But check this out, I was actually given applause.  Oh by the way, the frog to the left gives a brief description of each candidate selected.

Patriotism

Finally, the polls.  As you can see, both Clinton and McCain lead the polls of candidates being thrown in the blender the most.  I guess people really dislike Clinton eh? 

Blender Poll 2008

Here's a few other links to check out:

Someone play "Hot for teacher" QUICK!  Seriously, if you're offended, then you're a prude!  A attractive HOT teacher by the name of Sarah Green who is (really hot) at a private school is at the center of a sex storm after pupils spotted her in a commercial which was found on youtube (did I mention how hot she is?).  Hell, I'm feeling cheated because my teachers were never like this when I went through grades 8-12.  Lame. 

Teacher_468x251

Teacher1_468x250

Teacher2_468x249

This ad basically says that if I wear "scruffs hardware" like the "action jacket", I will get laid by various women who happen to be around a construction site.  Not that I'm calling them (makers of Scruffs Hardware) liars, but I've yet to wear "action trousers" around any construction (which would explain why they (construction workers) are always whistling and in a good mood (generally)) site so I'll have to conduct extensive field tests.  Stay tuned.

Here's the video that has Headmaster Chicken (I shit you not, that's his real name) in an uproar.

Since we're on the topic of teachers (education), I think that education should be a major topic during the campaign season this year, not just change or the economy.  Candidates are jockeying for the best positions to win votes, but are they really concerned with issues like the no child left behind program, or toppling serious questions like "...is our children learning?", or even education reform.  How can any candidate hope to solve this one?  I think Xander Crews has the answer.  Well on education reform that is.  I'm all ears. 

So vote for Xander Crews will you America?  I know that I would.  By the way, I think Miss Green should come off suspension, the commercial she made was before she began her career as a teacher.  Can you imagine a group of individuals in the United States getting their collective panties in a wad over a silly little issue like some hot, sexed up teacher....  no wait... nevermind.