For most of you this will probably begin at 9:00 with the VP debate! And trust me I am TiVOing it so I can laugh along with you.
However tonight will be even funnier for me and G-d freaking knows I need to shut off for an hour or two and just LAUGH! I, along with three of my good friends are off to see Lewis Black from the 5th row! This will be my third time seeing Lewis and each time is unique, crazy and hysterical. If you don't know him you should look him up! He is probably best known for his stints on the Daily Show with John Stewart where he does mostly political satire work. In his stand up he does that and so much more! He also makes sure to be audience/city specific so no two shows are totally alike. I can already here all the great political stuff he must be ready to crank out. In fact, I was joking this week that he could roll out a TV at 9:00 and just add commentary to the Palin-Biden debate! He'll also have lots to say on the 'energy crisis' as well as the financial collapse I am sure.
I can't wait! I am picking the boys up around 6, we hitting midtown for dinner and drinks and then WALKING to the Fox for the show.
On the Football front it looks like within two weeks I won't just be on the internet, I will also be on the radio. It looks like Sunday mornings from 11-12 and Monday mornings during 15 minutes of DRIVE TIME!!!!!!
Showing posts with label Sarah Palin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sarah Palin. Show all posts
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
RNC - Night 2 - Sarah Palin 'shines for the crowd'
Look, I'm not going to try and kid you, I am not anywhere near the Republican 'base' on almost every single social issue. However, I can certainly recognize and respect a strong performance while still getting to be a little bit critical :).
First, Sarah Palin did more than what the media expected but exactly what I expected, she delivered. No one goes from Mayor of a podunk town to Governor of a podunk State (no offense Alaska) without having a certain amount of flair and charisma. She did a very nice job of counter balancing her "I'm a hockey Mom" with I'm a tough as nails bitch and can sling mud and half truths too very well.
*side note - thankfully the RNC was in MINNESOTA where they actually know what hockey is or that might have not gone over well
Second, she had very good timing, she worked the crowd and really does have a speaking style that works well.
Third, she hit the ball out of the park for the 'BASE' and that is what John McCain needed. To the new Republican base he is a scary 'liberal' and she fits right in, especially on socially conservative issues.
Now, I can turn to some criticisms:
First, let's start with the family. Again, under 'full disclosure' I have a 8 year old nephew with Downs Syndrome. I do NOT have a favorite niece/nephew among the 9 that I have but I am pretty sure I am his favorite Uncle :). I understand and respect the entire special needs spectrum from a very personal level. What I do not believe is fair is that the Palin Family can be open on one side of their family life and then choose to stay 'closed' on another. Facts are facts and in the world we live in today what is going on is 'fair game'. A part of me REALLY despises it but I realize why it happens. Truthfully, the Republicans have run for a VERY LONG time now on the FALSE notion that Obama is a Muslim, or that he conspires with terrorists. This mud slinging stuff sucks and I wish it didn't happen but it does. Is having a 17 year old pregnant daughter make you a bad mother? No. All of a sudden to have the young man who impregnate her become her fiancee and have his life changed (see that he mysteriously no longer has a MY SPACE page) is a bit more than interesting.
Second, let's get off personal and go to the facts. Mrs. Palin, or her speech writer, was NO WHERE CLOSE on several facts. There is no single evidence that points to Obama-Biden raising taxes for the majority of citizens. Raising taxes for the majority of Republican delegates sitting in that hall, probably, but not the single mother making $34,000 a year raising 2 kids. On the War in Iraq, she talks of 'forfeit' like this were a game of kickball. That is just ridiculous. EVERYONE wants an end to war, isn't that why we fight them in the first place? Win, divide the loot and get out or take over...hmmm...the problem here, and she brought it up is that the Republicans (thanks to the President) want to WIN. Someone please tell me what exactly is winning here? Seriously, what does it look like? Maybe if we knew that we could get on board.
Third, this concept of energy and how Obama-Biden want to make matters worse by not drilling. Look, this is a policy debate. Fact is there probably is no right and wrong. Will drilling solve some problems, short and long term - YES; will drilling cause some problems, short and long term - YES. You will fall in one camp or the other but to lie and say the opponent doesn't care is RIDICULOUS. While we are on energy. When did energy become the #1 issue in America? And if the media is SO liberal how did they buy into this concept. I thought the #1 issue was the ECONOMY, which, oh by the way, the energy issue is a part of. I would think #2 would be the war, but back to #1. If the economy didn't SUCK people would not be complaining as much about energy prices. If our foreign policy was stronger we might not see the energy issue (which is ALL ABOUT MONEY, big fat oil company money). Lastly, we are in this crazy dependency not because of Republicans, Democrats or whatever, we are in it because of ALL OF US. Shut up and work together - solve problems, stop taking blame - BOTH SIDES.
So what did last night do? It kept thinks interesting. Do I think Sarah Palin will ever appeal to the Hillary Crowd? Not if they look at her record - NRA lifetime member, pro life, pro drilling, against universal healthcare, anti-environmental issues (and if you don't think so look up her thoughts on polar bears). She will shore up the Republican base and energize a DEAD campaign. Polling numbers will change, but there is a long way to go and the polls are missing a whole GENERATION. No phone based poll gets to the under 28 (or so) set that does not have a HOME PHONE. They all have just a CELL NUMBER!!!!!!
I am hopeful that the upcoming debates will be about substance and not rhetoric. I am also hopeful that thousands of people will one day rise up from reading my blog and demand that I write a National Column that makes me millions of dollars from book deals and world tours...
First, Sarah Palin did more than what the media expected but exactly what I expected, she delivered. No one goes from Mayor of a podunk town to Governor of a podunk State (no offense Alaska) without having a certain amount of flair and charisma. She did a very nice job of counter balancing her "I'm a hockey Mom" with I'm a tough as nails bitch and can sling mud and half truths too very well.
*side note - thankfully the RNC was in MINNESOTA where they actually know what hockey is or that might have not gone over well
Second, she had very good timing, she worked the crowd and really does have a speaking style that works well.
Third, she hit the ball out of the park for the 'BASE' and that is what John McCain needed. To the new Republican base he is a scary 'liberal' and she fits right in, especially on socially conservative issues.
Now, I can turn to some criticisms:
First, let's start with the family. Again, under 'full disclosure' I have a 8 year old nephew with Downs Syndrome. I do NOT have a favorite niece/nephew among the 9 that I have but I am pretty sure I am his favorite Uncle :). I understand and respect the entire special needs spectrum from a very personal level. What I do not believe is fair is that the Palin Family can be open on one side of their family life and then choose to stay 'closed' on another. Facts are facts and in the world we live in today what is going on is 'fair game'. A part of me REALLY despises it but I realize why it happens. Truthfully, the Republicans have run for a VERY LONG time now on the FALSE notion that Obama is a Muslim, or that he conspires with terrorists. This mud slinging stuff sucks and I wish it didn't happen but it does. Is having a 17 year old pregnant daughter make you a bad mother? No. All of a sudden to have the young man who impregnate her become her fiancee and have his life changed (see that he mysteriously no longer has a MY SPACE page) is a bit more than interesting.
Second, let's get off personal and go to the facts. Mrs. Palin, or her speech writer, was NO WHERE CLOSE on several facts. There is no single evidence that points to Obama-Biden raising taxes for the majority of citizens. Raising taxes for the majority of Republican delegates sitting in that hall, probably, but not the single mother making $34,000 a year raising 2 kids. On the War in Iraq, she talks of 'forfeit' like this were a game of kickball. That is just ridiculous. EVERYONE wants an end to war, isn't that why we fight them in the first place? Win, divide the loot and get out or take over...hmmm...the problem here, and she brought it up is that the Republicans (thanks to the President) want to WIN. Someone please tell me what exactly is winning here? Seriously, what does it look like? Maybe if we knew that we could get on board.
Third, this concept of energy and how Obama-Biden want to make matters worse by not drilling. Look, this is a policy debate. Fact is there probably is no right and wrong. Will drilling solve some problems, short and long term - YES; will drilling cause some problems, short and long term - YES. You will fall in one camp or the other but to lie and say the opponent doesn't care is RIDICULOUS. While we are on energy. When did energy become the #1 issue in America? And if the media is SO liberal how did they buy into this concept. I thought the #1 issue was the ECONOMY, which, oh by the way, the energy issue is a part of. I would think #2 would be the war, but back to #1. If the economy didn't SUCK people would not be complaining as much about energy prices. If our foreign policy was stronger we might not see the energy issue (which is ALL ABOUT MONEY, big fat oil company money). Lastly, we are in this crazy dependency not because of Republicans, Democrats or whatever, we are in it because of ALL OF US. Shut up and work together - solve problems, stop taking blame - BOTH SIDES.
So what did last night do? It kept thinks interesting. Do I think Sarah Palin will ever appeal to the Hillary Crowd? Not if they look at her record - NRA lifetime member, pro life, pro drilling, against universal healthcare, anti-environmental issues (and if you don't think so look up her thoughts on polar bears). She will shore up the Republican base and energize a DEAD campaign. Polling numbers will change, but there is a long way to go and the polls are missing a whole GENERATION. No phone based poll gets to the under 28 (or so) set that does not have a HOME PHONE. They all have just a CELL NUMBER!!!!!!
I am hopeful that the upcoming debates will be about substance and not rhetoric. I am also hopeful that thousands of people will one day rise up from reading my blog and demand that I write a National Column that makes me millions of dollars from book deals and world tours...
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Republican National Convention - Day 1
As unbiased as possible - I PROMISE :-)
1. The theme of the convention was established, in my opinion - Change = Reform. John McCain is his own man/maverick (though I think they will be careful with that word for their 'base) that Independents can trust. While the Obama campaign pounds 'Change', I believe the Republicans will talk about 'Reform'; taking what they see as almost working and tweaking it. They are trying to appease the base yet reach out to swing voters at the same time, I guess that is a sound strategy.
2. The President and his father - I'm not sure why our sitting President is live via satellite while his father is in the hall, oh yeah, and his wife as well. I understand that he is NOT popular at this point but the idea of his speaking is not to the 15,000 in the hall, these people are 'sold'. It is the millions supposedly watching or maybe the millions just getting sound bytes and reactions of the spin doctors. With that in mind, are they fooling anyone? They gave the guy 5 minutes and held their breath that he enunciated his words properly and didn't give that sarcastic, "I know I'm better than you chuckle".
3. Joe Lieberman - What the F dude? On every side, what the F dude? From Senator Lieberman's side; and I should preface this that I like Joe. I think his experience is great, I support many of his core issues and as a Jew I am proud that he was a VP nominee 8 years ago. However, last night was no service to your 'legacy'. You can support Mr. McCain but to be a 'puppet' on their stage where you were clearly not wanted (see the tepid applause you received) was not wise in my mind. Several times you referred to yourself as a Democrat. While I appreciate all that you have done in your years as a Democrat, you chose to be an Independent so you could win your Senate seat back. I'm cool with that, but you can't sit on that fence, Joe. Secondly, the Republican Party. What did Mr. Lieberman do for you? Do you really think that ME, and yes I mean me, a social liberal and fiscal conservative (and a Jew no less) was going to change his mind based on Mr. Lieberman's 'testimonial for McCain/Palin'? Give me a break. I don't think he has even met Sarah Palin yet and if he had he probably didn't know it.
4. Sarah Palin - I am not getting into her personal life. I have learned through lots of adventures (and no I was NOT a pregnant teen) that the world is not Black & White, there are way too many shades of grey for us to pass judgment. Fact is good parents, great parents, have kids that make mistakes and some of them are more glaring than others. Does it speak to other things? Maybe, but I won't bash her for what I don't know. However, how the Republicans are spinning her is phenomenal! I am going to TiVo her speech tonight because in all honestly I have my Fantasy Football Draft and I know my priorities :), but I am very interested in hearing her. If I were handling the Democrats I would leave well enough alone. I would applaud the Republicans for choosing someone fresh, new and a woman and I would say we are excited to get to the real issues of where we differ. I would leave the 'mud' to the media and keep their hands clean. Going after her could be a NO WIN proposition.
So, how did I do on a unbiased basis?
1. The theme of the convention was established, in my opinion - Change = Reform. John McCain is his own man/maverick (though I think they will be careful with that word for their 'base) that Independents can trust. While the Obama campaign pounds 'Change', I believe the Republicans will talk about 'Reform'; taking what they see as almost working and tweaking it. They are trying to appease the base yet reach out to swing voters at the same time, I guess that is a sound strategy.
2. The President and his father - I'm not sure why our sitting President is live via satellite while his father is in the hall, oh yeah, and his wife as well. I understand that he is NOT popular at this point but the idea of his speaking is not to the 15,000 in the hall, these people are 'sold'. It is the millions supposedly watching or maybe the millions just getting sound bytes and reactions of the spin doctors. With that in mind, are they fooling anyone? They gave the guy 5 minutes and held their breath that he enunciated his words properly and didn't give that sarcastic, "I know I'm better than you chuckle".
3. Joe Lieberman - What the F dude? On every side, what the F dude? From Senator Lieberman's side; and I should preface this that I like Joe. I think his experience is great, I support many of his core issues and as a Jew I am proud that he was a VP nominee 8 years ago. However, last night was no service to your 'legacy'. You can support Mr. McCain but to be a 'puppet' on their stage where you were clearly not wanted (see the tepid applause you received) was not wise in my mind. Several times you referred to yourself as a Democrat. While I appreciate all that you have done in your years as a Democrat, you chose to be an Independent so you could win your Senate seat back. I'm cool with that, but you can't sit on that fence, Joe. Secondly, the Republican Party. What did Mr. Lieberman do for you? Do you really think that ME, and yes I mean me, a social liberal and fiscal conservative (and a Jew no less) was going to change his mind based on Mr. Lieberman's 'testimonial for McCain/Palin'? Give me a break. I don't think he has even met Sarah Palin yet and if he had he probably didn't know it.
4. Sarah Palin - I am not getting into her personal life. I have learned through lots of adventures (and no I was NOT a pregnant teen) that the world is not Black & White, there are way too many shades of grey for us to pass judgment. Fact is good parents, great parents, have kids that make mistakes and some of them are more glaring than others. Does it speak to other things? Maybe, but I won't bash her for what I don't know. However, how the Republicans are spinning her is phenomenal! I am going to TiVo her speech tonight because in all honestly I have my Fantasy Football Draft and I know my priorities :), but I am very interested in hearing her. If I were handling the Democrats I would leave well enough alone. I would applaud the Republicans for choosing someone fresh, new and a woman and I would say we are excited to get to the real issues of where we differ. I would leave the 'mud' to the media and keep their hands clean. Going after her could be a NO WIN proposition.
So, how did I do on a unbiased basis?
Friday, August 29, 2008
Palin, who the heck is Palin?
Ok, can I get a conservative voice here to tell me exactly who this woman is and a real reason she is the VP Candidate on the Republican ticket?
I looked at her bio and stuff on CNN. She is 44 and has been Governor of Alaska since 2006...ok...so this is the person who is 'ready' to be Commander in Chief if/when the 72 year old McCain should not make it through his Presidency? All I have heard from Republicans for a year now is Obama is 'not ready' to lead...hmmmm...I guess President of Harvard Law Review, Illinois State Senate and the US Senate is not enough compared to 'owner of hunting and fishing outfit' and Mayor of a town of 1,400.
So what's the attraction for the Republicans? Well I guess there is the OBVIOUS which I will save for the end:
1. She is big on environmental issues - or supposedly since she's been rocking the Governor Mansion for 1.5 years
2. She's young - well we know why that IS important (play the baton death march music here)
3. She is a lifelong member of the NRA (thank G-d)
4. She seems pretty peppy (again cue the mortuary music)
I'll just assume she is pro-life but CNN didn't say...
And the BIG WINNER IS:
SHE IS A WOMAN, A YOUNG WOMAN, AND SHE IS NOT HILLARY CLINTON!
I can see it now - thinly veiled, maybe not so thinly, comments made to woo the Hillary Dems that are disgruntled still.
I guess it makes things interesting and I am really waiting to see comments from the hardcore conservative base. I get not going Romney (two rich white dudes) but was this the best option? Again, I need a conservative to chime in because I really do want to know.
Can you imagine the Clinton's if McCain should die in Office? The first woman President and it's not Hillary...
I looked at her bio and stuff on CNN. She is 44 and has been Governor of Alaska since 2006...ok...so this is the person who is 'ready' to be Commander in Chief if/when the 72 year old McCain should not make it through his Presidency? All I have heard from Republicans for a year now is Obama is 'not ready' to lead...hmmmm...I guess President of Harvard Law Review, Illinois State Senate and the US Senate is not enough compared to 'owner of hunting and fishing outfit' and Mayor of a town of 1,400.
So what's the attraction for the Republicans? Well I guess there is the OBVIOUS which I will save for the end:
1. She is big on environmental issues - or supposedly since she's been rocking the Governor Mansion for 1.5 years
2. She's young - well we know why that IS important (play the baton death march music here)
3. She is a lifelong member of the NRA (thank G-d)
4. She seems pretty peppy (again cue the mortuary music)
I'll just assume she is pro-life but CNN didn't say...
And the BIG WINNER IS:
SHE IS A WOMAN, A YOUNG WOMAN, AND SHE IS NOT HILLARY CLINTON!
I can see it now - thinly veiled, maybe not so thinly, comments made to woo the Hillary Dems that are disgruntled still.
I guess it makes things interesting and I am really waiting to see comments from the hardcore conservative base. I get not going Romney (two rich white dudes) but was this the best option? Again, I need a conservative to chime in because I really do want to know.
Can you imagine the Clinton's if McCain should die in Office? The first woman President and it's not Hillary...
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