The Six Million Dollar Man

Ole Miss is pissed and I don't blame them. It's hard to understand how much person-power goes into these major debates unless you've seen them up close. But trust me, it involves all kinds of people and skills, staff at every level, and everything from rewiring buildings to catering to relocating classes and university offices for two or more weeks. New stage sets are designed and custom built. Press and advance staffs set up shop in their temporary home. Secret Service also moves in, takes charge, and does their sweep, all while the institution is trying to go ahead with classes and normal campus life. It takes a village, that's for sure. And it ain't cheap.

The last debate here cost $6 million. Remember the trucked in air conditioning? UNH has learned the hard way that these things cost a lot of money, and now has the smarts to include in that contract that the full costs are paid by the media outlet host. (UNH 2007 was Fox; Ole Miss is ABC). Maybe that's why we only got one debate this last cycle!

Now Team Obama says they're still planning on showing up inMississippi, in their really fast planes, to speak directly to voters. If McCain doesn't show, they're willing to an impromptu town-hall meeting. So, while Mighty Mouse is flying around trying to save to economy in a single bound, Obama puts out more direct communication, talks to the press, and in general, acts presidential.

I say "on with the show" and see who blinks now!

Biting The Hand That Feeds You, reprise

A few weeks ago I forewarned that it just isn't a good idea in the long term to ban press coverage during a campaign--press avails, press conferences, reporters and voters from asking questions of the candidates--all necessary, and all FREE.  

This is why you can't go around pissing off the media when you are trying to run a national campaign:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/23/networks-revolt-against-r_n_128608.html.  (updating quickly, so things may have changed!)  McCain's paid media is pushing lies and getting called on the carpet for it (too many links to pick just one, sorry!).  So one might think that he'd try to compensate for that with free media.  That would be logical, and therefore, wrong.  McCain does seem to be losing his head a bit, doesn't he?

I'm glad the media took the SNL Hillary's advice and "grew a pair."  

Rising To My Own Challenge

Last week I made good on my challenge to myself & my readers to take action this election year, and went down to my local NHDP office (the former Clinton campaign HQ in Dover) to volunteer.  Now that I am an "experienced" volunteer, I felt more confident and was better able to make it clear that I wasn't ready to do phones.  After introductions, tours, and updates, I was assigned a computer and handed call logs to enter info.  

During the NH Primary, I made the calls and marked these sheets, and passed my completed sheets over to a staffer.  The sheets were pretty much the same--voter name, address, number, boxes to check indicating level of support--and they also used the software VoteBuilder.  But one thing was new.  Bar codes!  Whoa.  I felt like George H W Bush when he first saw a grocery store scanner.

This was cool, at least to me.  I got my own hand-held scanner, scanned the voter ID then scanned the results from a sheet that had all the codes on it.  Click, that was easy.  I think I felt cool mostly because during the primary, only paid staffers entered data; I felt like I got a promotion!

So, now I am in DC for work.  On my first night here I had the good fortune to reunite with former UNH College Dems Prez & former Edwards summer staffer, Laura, who is now living in Baltimore.  And when she asked what's new on the NH campaign trail, I told her all about the cool scanner.  Since I never entered data before, I didn't know if she had used the scanners or not.  She did, but not until very close to the Primary.  But clearly the NHDP/Team Shaheen is hip to technology, and well-funded.  Now I want to know who used what during the NH Primary.

And when I get back from DC, I'm spending every Wednesday night between now & the election with my new scanner toy.  My new challenge to myself is to bring someone new with me each week.  Care to join me?  

Feeding My Addiction

In a desperate attempt to feed my addiction of all things political, and after being robbed of a Dover Obama fix Friday, I dragged my kids and my eager 17-year old nephew to Manchester on Saturday morning with the HOPE of catching Barack Obama at the downtown rally. I wanted to see and hear the push-back" against the McCain campaign to prove to myself that dems aren't always wooses (is that even a word?)

Gates opened at 8:30am, we weren't able to head west until 10ish, but the "program" was scheduled to begin at 10:30am. In campaign speak, that usually means that the headliner will be on about an hour later. So we hit Elm Street at 11am, and as we were driving BY Veteran's Park, we heard Obama's voice booming over the loud speaker. WHAT? On schedule?? How can that be??

I parked the minivan in downtown Manch-Vegas and unloaded everyone, and we briskly walked back toward the venue. Just as we had one more street to cross, the throngs started heading toward us. Gobs of them. All leaving just as we were arriving.

We swam against the current enough to check out the goods being hawked, and to see the signs, t-shirts, and buttons of all the lucky and happy on-time people. At the gate, we were told by uniformed and surprisingly chatty secret service agents that we couldn't go in the park (I wanted to show my nephew the set), and that they estimated 10,000 in the crowd. I didn't do any fact checking, but all news accounts I saw later just said, "a crowd of thousands." Apparently, crowd sizes are a touchy subject lately.

I managed to buy an Obama t-shirt from one vendor, and a deck of Presidential Cards from another. The cards are to complement my Dean Deck obtained free at a 2004 debate at UNH. For this new deck, Bush isn't the only Joker. McCain is one, too.

My nephew did a good job of hiding his disappointment, and the kids were rewarded with lunch at Chuck E. Cheese. Mommy/Auntie, however, still needs her fix.

And Now For Something Completely Local

Time to bring it back to New Hampshire!

Yesterday was the official kick-off of the general election for many state-wide races. Tuesday was "primary day" for NH, with Shaheen & Gov. Lynch easily winning their party's trust. So Team Shaheen held a little thank you/kick-off in Dover Wednesday at 4pm at the Jenny Thompson Pool.

It wasn't a huge crowd, but it was decent. Mostly, it was made up of UNH College Dems, Strafford County Dems, local elected officials, and loads of Shaheen grandchildren. Last time I saw the whole family together in person, I think Molly was in middle school! Now the Shaheen daughters are all grown up (and very attractive), and the older daughters have several children. It was cute to see Billy & Jeanne being plain old grandparents before the event.

I attended alone but was happy to run into a few familiar faces I haven't seen since last semester. But NH has finally got fall weather moving in, and I got too cold to hang around. So, I stayed long enough to eat a free hot dog, chat with a few students and friends, hear a good anti-Sununu stump speech, and pick up a larger-than-normal lawn sign. Jeanne Shaheen has definitely picked up a LOT of former Clinton supporters, and they seem to be working their butts off for their new boss.

And onto tomorrow: Supposedly, Barack Obama will be in NH Friday & Saturday. This morning a few websites said he'd be in Dover, but by lunch the Dover event wasn't listed any more. Hmm. So, I'm still going to try to see him this weekend, but I sure hope it's right in my own back yard. Yes, we in NH are still spoiled! What, I have to drive out of my town to see a candidate??

Until I get a confirmation, I will leave you with this little state poll to lift your spirits, if Sarah Palin is still bringing you down.

Late night update (9pm, late for me!): After hours of searching websites and driving through downtown Dover, Seacoast Online/Portsmouth Herald's Michael McCord comes through with the info:  the Dover event is invitation only, for undecided voters.  Try that, Sarah Barracuda!  While I'd prefer to be on the invite list, preaching to the choir Bush-style, might light some fires, but Obama needs to swing some voters.  Now the goal is to see if I can make the Manch or Concord rallies instead.  

Thanks (but no thanks), Sarah Palin

If you think the extreme right-wing of the Republican Party is energized by Sarah Palin, you ain't seen nothin' yet. I'd like to thank Gov. Palin for all that she has done to re-energize the outraged center and left hand side of the spectrum, and especially women!

So, to all those friends of mine who are still reeling from this insulting pic of a VP and, here are some ideas of what you can do with all that angry energy to put Palin back in Alaska, where she belongs:

First and foremost DONATE!! Don't just talk, ActBlue! Or support your favorite candidate directly: Obama, Shaheen, Shea-Porter. Buy a supporter shirt or hat and WEAR IT! Or support your party, or state party. If you are so inclined, donate to a 527 as well (such as moveon.org).

WRITE a letter to the editor of your local or school newspaper. Or post a comment on a news site or blog. DEMAND that Palin answer questions from voters and the press. Remember how appalled people were when Hillary didn't take questions in NH (or some were scripted)? Well, Palin's silence is absolutely unacceptable. And let's move the discussion back to the ISSUES, such as the economy.

VOLUNTEER. I know what you are going to say. "I hate calling/canvassing." I know, me too. So, do something else. Get a lawn sign, offer to do some viz. Put on a bumper sticker. Offer to do office work or something else at your local field office. Bake them something yummy!! Bring them some office supplies.

Help REGISTER NEW VOTERS. I'm sure your local field office has lots of ways you can do this. It's fair & festival season--maybe you can sit at a table and help sign folks up. Remind your family & friends who may be overseas or in the military to get an absentee ballot and send it in!

SPREAD THE WORD. Yes, gossip. We've all read the stories and blogs (Mudflats has become my new personal fav). Forward the links, tell your friends. Fact check things before you forward them, just for your own credibility.

ATTEND any and all rallies, on both sides of the aisle. YES: go see the McCain-Palin scripted events if you can. Get interviewed by local media and tell them Gov. Palin needs to take questions from VOTERS, just as all the other candidates did during the NH Primary, so WE can vet HER!

Just please DO SOMETHING! Don't sit on that anger & outrage. Put it to good use. Do something about it, so that you don't wake up the day after the election (like in 2000 & 2004) and say "I could have done more!"

O, Ye of Little Faith

Panic not, dear friends.  Despite what you may be reading in the MSM, Obama is doing just fine, thanks.  But in case you don't believe me, here are some things to note:

National polls don't matter.  Sounds familiar, right?  Just like in the primary, this is not a national race for the popular votes.  The primary was a race for delegates.  THIS is a race for electoral votes.  Like it or not, the electoral college is what matters.  You can bet that the folks who delivered Iowa and the caucus states are paying attention to the right map.

11 million new registered Democrats.  Yes, 11 million.  That's how many people registered to vote during the prolonged primary season.  Check your favorite recent poll and see if the methodology reflects that number.  Polls have quotas or goals to reach to be scientifically useful, that much I did learn in stats: equal or similar numbers of D, R, I registered voters, control for income, gender, education level.  Sounds fair, unless it's not.  And Team Obama has made registering new voters a major goal of his campaign, and has dedicated major resources to it.  

So, no need to panic.  Just focus.  And stay tuned on exactly what you can do to make a difference!

Palin Overload

So many good emails & posts are coming my way, I'm just going to put links here.  I've posted way to much to my Facebook page already.  But keep 'em coming!  

From my favorite Washington Post OpEd writer, EJ Dionne: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/04/AR2008090402842.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

More on the higher education of our elected officials:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/04/palin-attended-5-colleges_n_124036.html

Wooing women voters, not:http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-steinem4-2008sep04,0,7915118.story

On dishing it out but not taking it: http://brendancalling.com/2008/09/04/thin-skinned-at-mccain-hq/

This just in:  McCain staff finally learned how to use Google:  I guess the McCain staff has finally learned how to use Google!!  http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/213806.php

OK, just one more lunch time find...or two:

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2008/09/04/moos.nuke.that.word.cnn

Last night, I was sick to my stomach.  Today, between the graphic mix-up and the new-clear word, I'm having a better day.  This is just for kicks (I stoop to a new low):  http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/uselection,0,sarah-palin-affair-big-media-stays-quiet-as-lover-named,43515

Keep the stuff coming, my compatriots!  After 5pm, I'm going on a media black out (family reunion up north, no cell, no internet, no blogs, and lots of hunters).  Wish me luck!

Biting The Hand That Feeds You Free Press

I know I'm veering off my NH Primary-centric blogging mission statement, but there's so much going on that the water cooler at work just isn't big enough to host all the conversations.  And I am feeling rather feisty today.

So I tried to watch some of the GOP convention last night but I quit at 10:15pm.  I made it through Rudy ("noun, verb 9/11").  All the same things caught my eyes: flat visuals, homogeneous audience, zero creativity.  I did finally find some diversity stats (here and here) on the GOP convention delegates:  men outnumber women 2:1, and delegates of color are under 2%...this represents a decrease from conventions past, a huge drop since 2004.  The GOP: moving backwards again...just what our country needs!  As an aside, I was on the NPR website and wanted to hear a story on one of my favorite blogs, Stuff White People Like.  So I searched the four word phrase and what was my number one result?  A story about the RNC!

Call me an elitist (I prefer to be called a thinking person), but I like my candidates for the executive branch to have more than just a bachelor's degree.  I admit that I do favor law degrees especially. Studying law helps you understand, write, and pass laws.   A BA in journalism...sorry, it just doesn't cut it unless it's outdone (by many years) by experience on the national level. And a BA in journalism means you should know how the media works, and what it means to do their job.

Just thinking here...if part of the game of campaigning and getting elected is getting free media (in the form of news coverage beamed directly into my living room or car radio for free daily), blaming the media and in fact insulting them doesn't really help your cause  Dumb move from dumb people.

And just don't even get me started on the hypocrisy of it all.  

Mind The Gap

Adjusting to all four of us being back in school has made for a tough week, although the constant Palin news has kept me going strong.  Today was hardest at morning drop-off, so we decided at dinner to get bedtime back under control and put the twins to bed early.  Whether or not they fell asleep early is another matter.

So, since I had the TV to myself after laundry, dishes, vacuuming, etc., I decided that I needed to tune into a bit of RNC just to be fair.  Big of me, huh?  Thank you.  Since I don't have cable (cheapskate!), I am watching on public television.  There's less punditry, thank goodness because they are are blander than hell, and with no commercials.  

First thing I noticed, and I noticed it immediately, is that so-called "enthusiasm gap."  Whoa. The arena isn't close to being full, and those that are there look happy but not even close to what I saw at the DNC.  Then there is the age difference: very obvious.  And does anyone have stats on men vs. women delegates, or delegates of color?  This audience looked awfully white to me.  

But you know me, I tend to focus on some, um, less than political things, too.  So, who the hell designed this set?  The backdrop is bland and two-dimensional, often monochromatic and static.  The whole stage is so 20th century.  It just shows more of how the Republican Party in the US is aging and not keeping up with technology or other trends.  Everything looks dated.  

Look at that, I made it through this far without mentioning any of Hurricane Sarah!  There's just so much going on, I don't know where to start.  While I agree with Obama's strong statement that kids are off-limits, I have to say that if you drag them on-stage, mention them in your talking points, and draw attention to them and their flaws, you should expect some scrutiny.  And you should have the smarts to tell them before the big announcement to clean up their MySpace pages.  

So, now RNC is back on track and we're all waiting to hear from McCain & Palin.  My prediction now is that Palin will do well with a prepared speech.  But once she starts hitting the stump, town halls in other, more gentile parts of our country, and the talkshow circuit, getting asked the same probing questions again and again about her lack of experience, she'll crack.  But she won't crumble.  No, she's a Maverick, right?  They didn't call her Sarah Barricuda in high school for nothing!  Palin is feisty, a fighter.  She'll come out swinging.  And, just like her new soulmate, she has a temper and we're going to see it. She's going to lash out and run her mouth, more likely.  

So while this convention is putting me to sleep, things are about to get very lively!  

  

McCain's Maverick Style is Backfiring

My hat is going off to those doing oppositional research and push-back. I'm so proud of Dems for finally fighting back and fighting hard. Seems like they did more vetting of Sarah Palin than the McCain camp did. Is that Change We Can Believe In?

Here are some fun yet informative things I have run across so far:

• Mudflats
• Progressive Alaska
• Huffington Post: On Vetting (or lack thereof), and on McCain's Decision Making
• CNN now on Palin's unmarried pregnant 17-year old daughter. Tell me, WHO vetted this woman and when?? And are they fired yet??

What's apparent to me is that McCain was desperate to appease two groups: right wing evangelical conservatives, and disgruntled Hillary supporters while pissing off Karl Rove. So, why not go for someone who might appeal to both, right? Wrong. By shooting for both ends, he completely distroyed his credibility with the middle. And in this election, it is going to be all about the middle.

I am heeding the warning of many Dems not to get too giddy over this. The "20 year VP" cycle is funny to me. But, come on. Could this get any more ludicrous? My prediction is that she will drop out within two weeks. Until then, she's going to get eaten alive.

Thank goodness Hurricane Gustav killed the Palin bounce. At least now the McCain staff can catch up on the vetting that they should have done last week.