When the going gets tough, the tough get U.G.L.Y.

I am a little confused. As a friend of mine said a while ago, I thought this election was going to be different and we are going to stick to the issues without getting personal. But yet again, it's gotten U.G.L.Y. Between the McCain - Palin campaign's desperate smears against Barack Obama, to the Elizabeth Hasselback taking up the McCain cause and pushing Obama's "radical connections"on of all places The View. This election has gotten U.G.L.Y. Ugly I say.

To me a lot of what is out there right now is reminiscent of what the Clinton campaign pulled in the spring when they were grasping for anything to bring down the Obama campaign. We know how that worked. These personal attacks and not sticking to the issues of this campaign, especially when we are in the BIGGEST economic crisis of our time, only shows the lack of substance the McCain campaign has on the issues. While it is easy to go the route of the McCain campaign and smear the opponents, I am happy to see the tie in with the Keating Five with current events rather than just naming names that are associated with a candidate.

I couldn't have said it any better.

After watching the Sarah Palin be paraded in front of the media and the McCain campaign doing everything in their power to protect Mrs. Palin from any rogue questions, I am glad someone else has come out and say what I've been thinking!

Taking it to the Kitchens

I've been a little out of it lately and haven't read, blogged or done much else for the past couple of weeks. Part of it is realpolitik toddler hasn't been napping, so I haven't had much time to sit and read and blog. But miraculously today, we are napping, so time to blog.

Women, women, women. Like 1996, 2000,and 2004, women, and specifically mothers will make the difference in this year's campaign. We moms have been courted time and time again and this year isn't any different and I am not sure how I feel about it. I understand the demographic that each campaign is trying to get to and introducing their candidate to this demographic, but I think I am insulted the way both have gone about it. Senator and Cindy McCain on Rachel Ray and Michelle Obama on Paula Deen's show , does this mean that this is the only type of television that mother's watch? Cooking shows? Now I understand that it is to show a different side to the candidates, actually just to Senator McCain, since Barack Obama wasn't on Deen's show, but I would be curious to see some numbers on if individuals that stay home, like mothers, that will actually base their opinions on who they will vote for by how the candidate or significant other of the candidate performed on a let's face it, a talk show. Again, I understand widening the base and it makes for riveting TV, to watch Senator McSame (McCain) make his rib recipe, but yet again I am a little bothered by the indication that is how I and other mothers get to know the candidates.

Mr Uncomfortable

I just finished watching Palin's speech at the RNC and here comes John McCain from behind the virtual curtain. Could the man look any more uncomfortable?!?! Is it just me or does it look like his head has been placed upon a box dressed up in a suit.

example #1

example #2

Ok, ok I know he spent 5 years in a Vietnamese prison where who knows what happened to him, but seriously. He has handlers and obviously speech writers, can someone give him some tips to loosen up?!

Time to get back to work.

After 7 weeks on vacation and then another 2 weeks getting myself and realpolitik baby back on our regular time schedule, it's time to begin blogging again.

As you know, I've been out of touch for most of my vacation so I am working on it. 

Things you can look forward to now that I am back and ready to go - in no particular order.

1. Palin - McCain

2. My friend Joe

3. Travel

4.  Something dumb I heard the other day

5.  "Nanny" parks

6.  PUMA's

I know for sure there is more out there that I will discuss and blog about, but that is a little taste of things to come.

Anyone read the NY Times today?

After realpolitik baby went to bed, rather than clean up all the toys off my living room floor, I decided to do a little Google News browsing. What to my surprise do I see? "Clinton Invokes 2000 Recount". Did it really take this long for the Clinton campaign to decide this. For as much as the Clintons and the Gores didn't get a long, did Hillary really not pay attention to the debacle of 2000? The war of words and the clinging on till the bitter end just continues to give the Democrats a bad name. John McCain was spot on during the Weekend Update on SNL,
,
let the Democrats continue to fight it out. As he just sits back works his campaign and watches the possible implosion of the Democratic party. We have another week, but I hope that after the May 31st Rules and By-Laws Committee, whatever the outcome is, doesn't continue to drag this out any further, otherwise I am going to have serious reservations, dare I say it, if the Dems can pull it off in November.

Didn't we learn our lesson the first time?

The subject brings two subjects to light. The first political and the second mom-ical.

1. In the past and specifically over the weekend, the Clinton campaign continues to bring up the fact that she has won the "popular vote", meaning that more people have voted for her than for Obama over the primary season, but he has more the the delegates. So, again I ask. Didn't we, the democratic party, learn our lesson 8 years ago? This is the same argument that the Gore campaign used in 2000, but it didn't change the outcome of the election. Why would it change the outcome of this primary?

2. The past couple of days I have caught realpolitik baby hanging off the side of his crib ready to take the plunge to freedom and the beyond. Today it happened. I was brushing my teeth and all of a sudden I heard a thump, and then cries. I rush to find my son on the floor, no bones broken but just a little freaked out. After a few minutes of consoling and explaining that hanging off the highest point of the crib wasn't such a good idea, he went back into the crib with a book and a little Micheal Jackson music for 5 more minutes. Well, as the title of this blog goes......didn't we learn our lesson the first time? Yet again on the floor, but this time a little less shocked. I knew this day would come.

Portrait of a Wanna Be President

After Tuesday's primaries, there has been much talk about Hillary Clinton and if it is mathematically possible for her to become the nominee for the Democratic Party. Senator Clinton has been very adamant that "it ain't over until it's over" and she is going to see this through to the end. I admire Senator Clinton and her determination, but why don't we look past the primaries and general election into the future when Senator Clinton is President. I think we look at the Senator's performance and attitudes during the election to get a good portrait of how she will be as the Commander in Chief.

What makes me nervous about this portrait is what I've seen so far from Hillary. I don’t believe she has painted a very good picture of herself and how she, as President, would bring this country together after 8 years of division. A big criticism of the current administration is that they do what they want and then ask questions later. I don't see this being any different in Hillary. The attitude of what will happen with the delegates from Michigan and Florida and the Clinton campaign crying “foul” after an agreement had been settled that those delegates wouldn’t count, gives a good snapshot of what may happen. She is very strong minded, which is needed to be President, but is also not willing to budge on issues or arguments – prime example, not exiting the race. While Clinton One (that would be Bill) I thought was very good to broker agreements and work with many to accomplish legislation and policy, I don't see that same characteristic in Hillary. Of course the same charisma of Clinton One is not there, and maybe that is where it all starts for me.

I want that job!

A few of my mom friends were over today and the topic turned to the politics and the other taboo topics, religion and sex. As we discussed the election and how things have begun to get personal rather than sticking with the issues, a brief flash of election stratagy theory came to my brain. I am not sure why it took me this long to realize, but there is some poor intern or very low level staffer on each campaign whose only job it is is to review the names of those associated with each candidate, particularly donors, and do a Google search to see what good, bad, and ugly comes up. How else would all this video of the Rev. Wright come to light, and only 24 hours later an photo of the same honorable Reverand photographed with President Clinton during a prayer breakfast.

Maybe I am a little envious that there is someone working for a campaign whose only job it is to do web searches all day, and if they do find something juicy that might land them a real White House job if said candidate is elected.

Like I said, I want that job!

The long of the short lists

I got a call from a friend of mine this afternoon and wanted to have a conversation about possible VP's. I was flattered someone thought of calling me and asking me for an opinion on what each ticket will look like, but then also horrified that I didn't have a more thoughtful answer of the possibilities. I am going to blame John McCain's Jedi mind tricks, which insured me that these are not the VP candidates I am looking for.

So while I am still in a bit of a VP daze at the moment, I decided to do some research and see what others have to say. I haven't heard or read anything yet that I totally agree with or believe that they have found the holy grail of vice presidential candidates; but here are some interesting thoughts:

Will Durst's suggestions are well thought out, especially his idea of countering the minority card, by listing several Republican party minority candidates. Personally, I wouldn't list George Clooney as "taking the woman thing out of play" maybe the hunk thing out of play- which wouldn't hurt McCain's chances.

On a more serious note, from a cohort blogher, this list is a little more concise and thoughtful. I like the safe bet of the young Republican governor from the Midwest, Tim Pawlenty. This would be the safe candidate that really wouldn't add too much drama for the Republicans, they have enough of that right now with Spitzer.

Lastly, a news article out of Reuters, focuses on McCain's age and like the above blog does pick some of the young Repub governors as possible running mates. Again, very thought provoking and does give some background on who is in and who is "ouft".

After reviewing these list and pontificating, Here is what I think. Taking into consideration this could all change dependent on what happens with the Dems in terms of Florida and Michigan and who the final nominee will be. But using today's knowledge, without looking into my crystal ball, here is my very short list.

1. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. A young Republican Governor that will do a very good job bringing out the vote in Florida, which may become a huge battleground state again. If the Democrats totally piss off the Democratic and Independent voters in that state, it will be an easier victory for the Republicans in Florida, since a lot of them probably won't show up in the general election. People are sick of election drama in Florida.

2. MN Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Like Governor Crist, with a lot to offer McCain in terms of delivering an important state to the red category.

3. Kay Bailey Hutchison: She has a reputation for not being particularly conservative on life and immigration issues, but she is more accomplished than Hillary (if she is the nominee) and could help McCain reach out to the women's vote.

The dark horse? Joe Lieberman. You can't have a discussion about VP's without adding Joe to the list. His age is bothersome, and while McCain is having problems winning many conservatives over, this wouldn't be a wise choice. But if you are looking for experience, and someone who would do a good job of wiping away any sort of Democratic momentum, Joe is the guy.

So there you go. To my friend and her aunt who called this morning to discuss, I am sorry for my delay in my response, I hope this helps. To those of you out there, who are wondering about my pontificating and if possibly I've drank the red Kool-Aid, there is nothing to worry about. When one of realpolitik baby's first 25 words is "O-bama" I don't think there is much to worry about. Not to mention, I would much rather think about the strategy Democrats can use against the Republican ticket, than listen to any more discussion about the Florida and Michigan primaries.