Bitter Unity?

Ok, so while on vacation I've given myself 15 minutes of surfing. After going to a few of my favorite blogs, I moved on to the news of the day (I have my priorities you know). Well I am not sure exactly what day yet, since an 8 hour time difference makes my days and nights all disconbobulated at the moment, but I digress.

My local paper not giving me all the information I was looking for - except to see that my beloved Chicago Cubs are winning on the road, I purused the New York Times, and came across an article of how the Obama and Clinton campaigns are trying to work together to bring unity to the party. So let's discuss blow by blow.

1. Harden Hillary supporters are still up in arms over Obama clinching the nomination and will not support Obama. my response.....get over yourselves! What are the reasons? Is it policy or experienced based? Or is it that you just don't like him. We, as democrats, need as much support and unity as we can get if we want to win in November. Let's all remember the end result.

2. This "symbolic" gesture of Obama writing a check to the Clinton campaign to help her out with her $+12 million debt. Seriously?! Like this woman and her husband don't have enough money to pay off their own debt. Didn't they start a website to ask people for money to help them with their Whitewater legal bills? Why not do the same now? Quick question, would she write him a check, symbolicly showing that she is behind him?

3. Obama hiring Clinton's people for his own campaign. One gripe Clinton supporters have is that " Mr. Obama’s campaign had made only a perfunctory effort to hire Clinton staff members; the Clinton campaign payroll is ending for most employees in less than a week." Don't we all know that when we work for a campaign that there is a 50/50 chance that you'll be out of a job? Isn't this the chance to take when working for a campaign. Surely they can't be claiming they are poor.

4. I am going to end with this, because I could go on and on and on about this article but this one struck me as a little off. "They are discussing whether Mr. Obama’s campaign will provide a plane and staff for Mrs. Clinton as she travels on his behalf." Does this sound like she wants to be paid off for endorcing Obama. To me it sounds as though she is thinking "well, if he wants me to go away and support him, then he is going to have to pay me for it" Who talks like that?! Do any other people who endorse a candidate get their own plane and staff? Hitch a ride with Obama?! I am sure the DNC has some money to help her out, but maybe it's beneath her to not only endorse the soon to be Democratic nominee, but also any other democrat that might be in that particular state, district, etc.

Obviously I have my own unity issues with Hillary Clinton and her supporters. Hey, if they want to have their own party- go ahead. They seem to know what's better anyway. But come November when we are still going to be stuck in this war, our gas is going to cost $6 a gallon and we aren't any better off, you'll see a "don't blame me my mam voted for Obama" bumpersticker on realpolitik toddler's Sit and Stroll.

Travel anxiety

Tomorrow, realpolitik son and I leave for a 7 week vacation. (maybe I'll rename my blog realvacation mama for a few weeks) So the past 10 days I've begun to organizing myself to pack. My bedroom has become a large staging area for all of the things I need to take along. Surprisingly being gone for 7 weeks, I don't need to pack a lot in terms of clothes, but there are other things that I need to take a long and that is what is taking up a lot of room in my suitcase. So we are on the last 24 hours of being in the windy city and feel like I am not ready. I've made this trip numerous times in my life, so I know exactly where I am going and what I will find there, so I am not sure why I am having so much anxiety of this trip, specifically.

Hopefully this will all pass, because after 2pm tomorrow afternoon, there won't be much I can do about the situation.

BTW, for those who are wondering - all 2 of you that read this blog. I am planning on bringing the laptop. Internet access will be limited where I am, but I do hope to hop on the speedy Internet a few times to blog, and give you updates on what I have an opinion on. One thing though.....someone is going to have to keep my in the loop with some of the political stuff because just like the Internet my access to US papers, magazines, etc will be limited. Ahhh of all times to go out of the country and miss all the excitement. So email me and let me know!

FREE PRODUCT!

I forwarded an email to one of my mom friends last week about super cute hair clippy's for her daughter. I have to live vicariously through someone with a girl, realpolitik son hates wearing a hat, let a lone cute clippy's. So we talked about it later and she asked "How do you find all this stuff?" I had to explain that I am a product junkie. Product primarily means skin care stuff, but it has expanded to include cute baby gear, clothing, bags, and almost anything I can get my hands on.

I do indulge every once in a while and purchase cute diaper bags, stationary, and other small things, but I do have to limit myself, and I am proud to so, do a good job at it. Everything else I find, I keep an eye on or file in my favorites to look at later when it comes to gifts. But not anymore! This afternoon, a friend of mine, pointed me in the direction of PRIZEY! OMG, I am in LOVE!!! More product to look at and now, not only new places to find things to purchase, but also get for free. Free, I said! How fantastic! Now, I am not going to be one of those people who is going to sign up for every contest, but don't be surprised if it has anything to do with skin care, clothing, travel accessories, etc. I am so there! While I wish I could keep this site all to myself, I had to share with others. Consider this my community service for the week.

My Sundays

Much to my mother and probably priest's chagrin, a majority of my Sundays for the past several of years has not included church but rather a big cup of coffee, the Chicago Tribune, and for one hour Meet the Press. As I am sure you know by now, I love the show and it's host Tim Russert. So today when I flipped on the television, I took the news of Tim Russert's death pretty hard. Partly because I think I secretly would have liked to be Tim Russert, in terms of being a journalist asking great questions about politics to politicians, but also because he wasn't only a journalist, and political junkie but a good son, father, sports enthusiast and all around nice man. When I worked in D.C. I happened to be in an elevator with him once, and while we just exchanged "hello's", I could sense that he was a genuinely nice man.

I am not sure what my Sundays will be like now, the coffee and the Trib will always be there, it's Tim Russert on Meet the Press that I will miss the most. I am sure Father George will probably see a little more of me on Sundays, but when Sunday afternoon rolls around and I want something to talk about with friends I won't have Mr. Russert's good hard hitting questions to quote to help make my point.

He is so B.U.S.T.E.D.

I am not sure if where you live there is as much news coverage of the R. Kelly trial, but here in the land of not so big news, it has been mentioned in every television, newspaper and radio for the past couple of weeks. About a week or so ago, news broke that Chicago Sun-Times music critic ,Jim DeRogatis, had to testify. Now if you are like the majority of people I know, you have no clue why Jim DeRogatis would be called to testify in the child pornography case, let me tell you some back story.

Allegedly, Jim DeRogatis, music critic for the Chicago Sun-Times, was given this tape by someone, held on to it for a period of time, THEN proceeded to give it to police. There is a questionable gap of time between when Mr. DeRogatis received the tape and when he turned it over to police. So defense attorneys want to know how long he had the tape, who else has seen the tape and if he duplicated the tape. Mr. DeRogatis and the Sun Times made a big stink about being subpoenaed, and after filing some appeals he took the stand but pleaded the 5th amendment when he was placed on the stand.

So, here is why I think Mr. DeRogatis is so BUSTED. Having knowledge of and actually possessing child pornography is a crime. No sh*t he isn't testifying. I am not sure if anyone else has thought of this, but who is to say Mr. DeRogatis doesn't possess other such tapes, photos, etc. Hey Sun Times, care to check your employee's computer? Not being an attorney, I am not too sure of all the in's and out's, but I don't believe that this would fall under the first amendment; but doesn't pleading the 5th for fear of self incrimination put up some red flags that there is something else there?


OK, full disclosure. I am not a big fan of Jim DeRogatis as a music critic, so maybe I just see this as my way the little weasel gets some payback.

Jumping the Wall

Firewall that is. After a full week of not being able to access any webpages that need passwords - including my blog account, I've jumped the wall and now everything is back to normal!
I have a whole list of issues to discuss with you all, including R. Kelly, Hillary Clinton, and children's haircuts, but it will have to wait at least until nap time. Until then!

And now, the end is near......

First off let me just say, you would think that with a 4 day vacation from husband and baby I would be all over my blog. I chose to spend my time on the phone to husband making sure baby hadn't broken a limb, and was eating and sleeping ok, also cleaning the house, and yes having a little "me" time which included hanging out with one of the best-est of best people, having some dinner, going for massages, mani pedi's., etc All something that I hadn't done in a long time and I was glad to have a partner in crime to share some "me" time with.

But now both baby and husband are back and it's back to "normal" around the realpolitik house for at least another month before I and baby leave for a 7 week vacation. Can you really call it a vacation if you are just moving location but still have all the responsibilities of being a mother and taking care of a house?

This is not the true reason for this blog. News has broken that it looks like only half the delegates from Michigan and Florida will be seated at the Democratic Convention come August, but that the Clinton campaign may be able to contest this decision the first day of the Convention. Now this isn't a done deal yet, Rules and By-laws Committee doesn't meet until Saturday, but this is a likely scenario. I had this discussion with some other women/moms earlier last week, but nothing was really resolved or discussed about what will happen or their feelings about Hillary. I of course, was the first to say, Ms. Clinton needs to hit the bricks and everyone needs to find a way to unite the Democratic party to see the Dems win come November. I think that maybe a better question to ask is how do the Michigan and Florida delegations feel about not being seated at the Convention. Each state's Democratic Committee, knew what the consequences were for pushing up their primaries, so why the complaining. I know I've said this before.

Lastly, Former White House press secretary Scott McClellan's book. I am taking a small poll. Interested in reading it? Don't care? What's that all about?!

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.

Come on people, it's the Mouse!

I love magazines. I just do. Realpolitik husband mocks my reading and subscription of magazines, but I just like them. The two that I probably couldn't live without are Vanity Fair and People magazine. Ok, huge spectrum on the scale of magazine reading but I've got People to keep me in the loop with the latest celebrity gossip and Vanity Fair for the extra long articles on everything and anything. So, this week when many of my new SAHM friends are wondering who Miley Ray Cyrus is, and what is the big deal over these Vanity Fair pictures, I've got the inside track.

Here is my take on this whole situation. From everything that I've read and seen, it appears to me that The Mouse, aka Disney, was very unhappy with what photos Vanity Fair chose to place in their magazine and turned the screws on Miley to put out this statement after initially she had stated that the photos were natural and very artsy. Why all of a sudden the change of heart Miley? Seems like the Mouse is very unhappy with your photos, which don't conform to the squeaky clean image that you and the rest of the Disney employees are supposed to exude both personally and professionally - except for Jamie Lynn Spears.

So first there is the controversy over these pictures and what exactly Miley thinks about the pictures. Then there now is the controversy over what parents of Miley fans think of these pictures. First off, these people need to get a grip! Vanity Fair is an adult magazine! AN ADULT magazine, not Playboy, Hustler adult, but a over-18-years-old-to-understand-it magazine. What pre-teen girl will be going out and purchasing Vanity Fair? If you don't like the pictures and what you think your child assume from those pictures then don't buy the magazine or if you have a subscription keep it out of the hands of your daughter. If you are so concerned, then have a conversation with your kid, BE A PARENT! We all know what kind of pictures Annie Leibovitz takes, remember a naked, pregnant Demi Moore and the controversy over those photos. I think there are 15 year old models that have taken similar pictures but haven't gotten as much flack. I am chalking this all up to the Mouse.

The Best Poll of the Campaign - so far

Yet again I've been out of commission the past week or so due to some family obligations, but I am hoping that after Sunday - Orthodox Easter- I'll have a little more time on my hands to get back to the 2 a week blogging. But in the meantime, this morning I came across the best and maybe what I thought was the craziest polls so far.

Tomorrow is the big Pennsylvania Democratic primary. This is it people, this should (hopefully) tell who the heir apparent will be! So with all this attention on Pennsylvania and deciphering who will win the primary before people in the state go to their polling places, MSNBC/McClatchy/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has done a recent poll to see exactly which way the tide is turning. This poll is a lot like the rest, but what gave me a really good laugh this morning were some of the specific demographics that were polled, specifically Hunters. Gun Owners, Beer drinkers and Bowlers. I am still a little baffled if I am more amused by the the stereotyping of Pennsylvania voters or is it just that I am amused that we've come to this. I guess if the candidates show up at any place, there will now be a poll on that! How about waffle eaters? Pittsburgh Pirate or Steeler fans? I'll admit it was 6am when I flipped on the news and heard about this poll while not firing on all my caffeinated cylinders. But this did give me a good laugh, while the rest of me was not happy to be up so early.

My name? Oakley, Annie Oakley

A very good friend of mine and I went to a baseball game last night, and in between a few beers, hot dogs and getting, hmmm let's say berated by a gentleman in front of us, we discussed everything under the sun. But that is what you do at games, watch a few home runs, talk, eat, etc.

So in our discussions we got on the topic of Hillary Clinton's newest comments and one of the biggest burns ever given during a Presidential campaign. Take it from a girl who once won the Annie Oakley award at YMCA camp in the summer of 1985; I don't claim to be pro gun, especially with all that has happened in my fine city the past several weeks, but here is another example of the Clinton campaign's "bringing it to streets" attitude. Just face it, Hillary isn't as charismatic as her husband and she is not coming off as sincere either. So maybe she does remember the days of her father taking her behind the cottage that her grandfather built to learn to shoot. But I am not sure you want to use the words "cottage". Personally, I think her word selection actually made things worse, and it shows how so not working class Hillary Clinton is. Can the people she is speaking to in Pennsylvania relate to having a cottage? Come on now!

Shame on me!

Ok, ok, I know I've totally slacked the last week or so. I think I was so excited to have Realpolitik husband home for a week straight without having to go away for work that I got all out of sync with my blogging, laundry, baby duties, etc. So let this be my virtual slap on the wrist.

On several occasions, I have started to blog about a particular topic but didn't do so because I wasn't sure how to bring up the issue without adding more flame to a now smoldering fire, but in the past couple of weeks much has been discussed in my personal conversations as well as in the blogosphere about the unconscious discrimination of religion and religious holidays that I need to put in my two cents.

It all started with a discussion with Realpolitik husband regarding one of the groups he tours on the lecture circuit (he is an entertainment agent that tours almost anything around the country). One of the the individuals within this team, has requested that there are not any lectures scheduled on any of the Jewish holidays, as she does not want to discriminate against these individuals by not given them the opportunity to see the lecture. So I asked my husband, "Does that mean that they also don't schedule any lectures between sunup and sundown for the month of Ramadan?" His answer, "No, but she just wants to make sure none of the Jewish participants are discriminated against, since she is Jewish." Ok good point but aren't you discriminating towards other who may want to attend and cannot do so because of their religious holidays?

Then through the month of March there was some serious uproar over several companies inviting mommy bloggers to attend their events that fell over Passover. I have to agree with these moms who were appalled by the fact that these companies/PR people didn't look at a calendar to realize that maybe it wasn't a good time to schedule an event and expect good attendance. I know that those companies apologized up and down and from what I have read everyone was happy with the apology. I just hope that other religions and holidays get the same consideration.

Maybe I am a little sensitive this days as Eastern Orthodox Easter is not for another 3 weeks, (and I am craving a patty melt) but people still ask me how my Easter was and have tried schedule things during my Easter weekend. (oh, it's not a one day only experience for us Orthodox- try at the minimum three days!) While in this case Eastern Orthodox, specifically Greek Orthodox, make up only 1.5 million people in the United States and pales in comparison to the population of other religions, I just hope the same consideration is given to everyone.

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!

Struggling to go Green

This Saturday between 8pm -9pm CST, the City of Chicago will participate in Earth Hour. During that period of time, many of the buildings in our city will either turn off or dim their lights to help bring awareness to climate change. After hearing about this today, or course on NPR, it made me contemplate my own methods of being green, and how, at times, it can be difficult to be a SAHM while also being more conscience about the environment.

There are many things that I already do to do my part to slow down the effects of global warming and hopefully do something good for the environment;, including the 3 r's, reuse, renew and recycle, purchasing locally grown organic foods as well as place compact florescent bulbs in as many of our light fixtures as possible. Those things I find easy and should be no brainers when it comes to doing something for the environment. What I struggle with are some of the other things that I could do to bring down my carbon footprint. For example:

1. Usage of electricity. We live in a day and age that almost everything runs on electricity and as a SAHM, I have realized that there is always some sort of electrical appliance, light, etc on in the house. My parents believed that if you were not in a particular room, the lights should be off in that room. This was because of the cost of electricity, but I see the point when it comes to emissions too. But if you are home, how do you make sure you are not using at least one piece of electrical equipment? Remember, it's still bitterly cold outside so leaving the house is sometimes not an option.

2. Traveling by car or by plane. Let's face it. I would much rather fly to my in-laws in Texas rather than be in the car with husband and child for over 20 hours driving down to visit. Also, I have family that live in Greece. I don't have much of a choice when it comes to visiting them, my only option is to fly. What I guess I have the most difficulty with is driving. If it isn't to the store, it's to a play date, or to grandma's house. I do my share of walking or taking public transportation to the post office, for coffee, meeting a friend, but I know I do more driving than need be.

3. Waste. As I mentioned, I do my share of recycling, but I've never known anyone who generates as much garbage as my family. Maybe I just feel that I take the garbage out way more than anyone else in my condo building. The majority of my trips to the garbage are worth of recyclables, or dirty diapers, but there is just so much more that, again I think I can do. What's the rule about having a garbage compost in a common area of a condo building? (ooh I can only imagine the nasty-grams I would get from my neighbor)

I guess my point is that if maybe we all work together and do our parts in some way shape or form, that we could possibly cancel out our impact on the environment, and while an hour of dimming our lights is a good idea and a start, just stop and think about exactly what you do each day and the impact it has on the environment.

You've got to be kidding me!?!

It's the second day of spring and I am wearing, a coat, hat, boots, and as of 20 minutes ago, gloves. Why you ask am I wearing such apparel? Because it is snowing, yes Snowing! But this is what has me specifically bothered this afternoon.

Loving realpolitik husband bought me a pair of fingerless gloves from Banana Republic for Christmas. I have a tendency not to wear gloves in the winter because I am always too warm with them on, or I am never able to handle things very well when I do have gloves on. So fingerless gloves are the best thing for me, they keep my hands protected from the elements while also allowing me the flexibility to handle groceries, keys, etc without any problem. I have worn said gloves since Christmas, not everyday, but the majority of the days for the past three months, until 20 minutes ago. To much to my chagrin, my gloves have started to disintegrate. (See Exhibit A)

I've been asking myself all morning, what is worse, having my beloved Banana Republic gloves be unusable, or the fact that it is March and I am still wearing gloves!!!!

Should I stay or should I go?

I spend a lot of time in my car, either driving back and forth from a grandmother's house who has been more than accommodating and willing to watch realpolitik baby for a day or two, or just with basic errands. Since I purchased my car almost 18 months ago, I have logged a lot of miles as well as hours listening to one of my new vices, satellite radio.

When I am not listening to the pop, rock, or all Micheal Jackson all the time stations, I listen to NPR. It wasn't until recently that I have logged more NPR listening hours than before. Some of it is because I no longer have the time to read the paper (excluding Sunday's crossword puzzle), and also because I am looking to get "the rest of the story" which either I cannot find or don't have the time to seek out. That being said, I have found myself in a new dilemma. What to do when you've made it to your destination, but the interesting story you are listening to has yet to end; do you stay in the car, or do you just turn the car off and go about your day?

Any suggestions?

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.

My mom is better than your mom

Another reason why I try to keep specifics about baby out of this blog...... I still have hang ups about my playground taunts.