Still living off a once-true characterization as a maverick, McCain must now surround himself with people who actually are smart and knowledgeable about myriad issues. Should be no problem finding enough lobbyists. Pundits will start speculating that McCain will be lucky just to stay alive for four years, but thankfully, his vice-president seems more capable. One thing for sure: the power plutocracy that really runs the country will have little trouble pulling the strings behind the scenes and keep the puppet McCain dancing to the tunes written by corporate interests.
Ralph Nader summed the whole electoral mess up this way,
A large fraction of Americans know that we need a Jeffersonian political revolution to fix our corrupt system. But they were not fooled by the Obama rhetoric about change, not from someone that has been a product of and servant for the two-party plutocracy. Yes, all the votes for me and the other third-party presidential candidates spelled the difference between Obama winning and losing. Our voters correctly protested against the corrupt two-party system. They did not elect McCain. Only those who voted for McCain elected him, and that is something they must live with as they watch a McCain administration continue dismantling American democracy and budget-busting global warmongering.
Cynthia McKinney wisely noted, “It is time to stop saying God bless America, and begin repeating God save America. The good news is that we will build even greater public support for a true political revolution during the McCain presidency. All too often things must get much worse before they can get better. They will get worse.”
As to Obama, half-jokingly he said, “I may come back as a third-party candidate.” Or did that reflect a calculation that Democrats had learned their lesson? As to all the screaming from the left that the Republicans stole this election also, Obama immediately said “John won it fair and square.” Thanks Barry, exactly what I expected from a phony change agent.
Article comments
1 - Baritone
You know, Joel, I think we should all just drink the fucking Kool-Aide and be done with it. Everything in this country, at least from your perspective, has turned to absolute shit from top to bottom. There is in fact, nothing worth saving, nothing worth caring about. God hath forthaken uth. Thufferin thuccotath!
The future is so fucking dismal that it's impossible to imagine who would want to continue to draw breath in it.
But, maybe there still is one hope. Yes! If the nation turned to someone. Someone who knows who all the phonies and pretenders are. Someone who knows the truth. YOU! Fuckin a! YOU, and only you could lead us out of the wilderness to the heights of truth, justice, and the American way. You are fucking Superman! "Here I come to save the day!" Oh, no wait, that's Mighty Mouse. Oh well, screw it, that'll work. Go get em Mickey, er, I mean Mighty.
B
2 - Dave Nalle
It's nice to see that there are people on the extreme left fringe who feel the same way about Obama that the extreme right fringe feels about McCain. Provides a sort of cosmic balance.
Dave
3 - Ruvy
Have I missed a bit of news, or is Joel writing a satire piece?
His stuff is going down in quality by the article....
4 - troll
Provides a sort of cosmic comic balance.
fixed it for ya
5 - Jones
CNN & MSNBC's larger than life Saint Obama seems to grow smaller the closer we approach him and find out the truth that cable news pundits can't seem to find or report to voters?Obama has lost his small 3pt lead in the national polls his position in the electoral count has deteriorated. Obama has dropped significantly and it's hard to locate a single instance in a battleground state where Obama has improved in all recent polling data. Whether it was vacation, Putin's aggressive invasion of Georgia, or some other factor like voters beginning to see that cable news pundits like CNN & MSNBC have not been reporting fair, balanced or in some cases truthful information on both candidates, voters have begun to research Obama on their own and the American TV viewer is learning daily on the lack of true journalism from these cable news pundits?. Proof of that is Obama starts the week leading to convention in his weakest position thus far in the general election. The bad news - obviously - is that Obama appears to have reaped no initial benefit from the tens of millions of dollars he's spent on advertising over the last two and a half months. All of which strikes me as a bit of a problem at this point. While the cool, composed, no-drama Obama may appear presidential to some it also makes him detached from the many and multiplying crises around him. These are not the most soothing of times for Americans. The economy is shaky. Unemployment is up. Growth is down. Oil prices have hit the roof just as home prices have crashed through the floor. Detroit is facing a full-fledged meltdown. We are still embroiled in two wars, neither of which offers much hope for a happy ending. Al Qaeda is running wild in western Pakistan. And now, like some bad acid flashback, Russia is acting like it wants to restart the Cold War. Obama should try to alter his basic nature or pretend to care deeply about these issues that are not important to him. Obama needs to recognize that unrelenting cool may not be what voters are longing for this election.
6 - Clinton is VP favorite among Dem delegates
Clinton is VP favorite among Dem delegates
Obama not selecting Clinton shows continued poor judgment for the Democratic Party!
REALCLEAR POLITICS;
Senator Hillary Clinton, without doubt, would be the ultimate and qualified VP surprise. She would be a big-league pick for Obama, and a gesture designed to unify the Democratic Party. She still polls higher against Mccain than Obama even after June. If you scroll down Obama's list of choices, the analysis hasn't really changed: Obama with anyone other than Clinton doesn't seem to add much at all, while an Obama-Clinton "Dream Ticket" would be nearly unstoppable. Eight weeks ago Obama probably felt like he didn't need her. Eight weeks later, he probably needs her more than he's willing to admit, and certainly more than she needs him. If Obama wants to win, and if his ego will allow it, he should pick Clinton.
CBS:
Senator Hillary Clinton is by far the favorite choice for the number two spot on the Democratic ticket, according to a CBS News/New York Times poll of delegates to the Democratic convention. By more than five to one, 56 percent superdelegates think putting Clinton on the ticket would help Obama win the election. Other people mentioned by at least 2 percent of delegates as possible Obama running mates include retired General Wesley Clark, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, Virginia Senator Jim Webb, and Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius.
New York, Aug.19:
At least 28 percent of the delegates likely to attend the Democratic Convention in Denver, want Hillary Clinton to be Barack Obama's running mate. Six percent favor Delaware Senator Joe Biden, and four percent mention two other unsuccessful Democratic candidates: New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and former North Carolina Senator John Edwards. Support for Clinton as the first choice for the vice-presidential nomination is universal. Sixty-one percent of delegates pledged to Clinton name her as their choice for vice presidential candidate.
# of votes % of votes
Sen. Evan Bayh 32
4.8 %
Gov. Tom Kaine 51
7.6 %
Sen. Joseph Biden 175
26.3 %
Sen. Hillary Clinton 247
37.1 %
Some other person 160
24.0 %
7 - troll
after re-reading his article Joel said - "I'm no longer sure how good an idea it is to attribute concocted quotes to people in my opinion pieces"
8 - Baritone
If Joel's article was meant to be satire, I missed it.
B
9 - Condor
"Sixty-one percent of delegates pledged to Clinton name her as their choice for vice presidential candidate."
Will that change the election? There is another percentage from both inside and outside the DNP wouldn't appreciate another (or the other) Clinton near the White House. There are also those who feel that by selecting Clinton, Obama would acquiese to the machine, and that also leaves a bad taste in the mouth (pun left in after realizing it). Edging those votes to the other party or out of the polling places has not been calculated and the figures are probably not available. WWOD? We'll know soon enough.
Would the progressive sounding Obama really dig up the dead to further the cause? In my mind that selection would fly in the face of all he has stumped upon.
How big is Obama's ego? Would he really choose a manipulative grandstanding Clinton and the other half near his administration? Is he being pressured for the future legacy of the party? What does that say for Obama's confidence in carrying not 1 but 2 elections? Don't think for a minute that Clinton wouldn't run against Obama during a subsequent campaign. Her time is running out. If she didn't make it this time, or unsuccessfully campaigns next election as a sitting VP, she's done. Eight years later, in all probability would be too late.
If Obama makes a good choice in someone like Warner, he (and the voters too)would be better served by someone who is there to work and not contend.
My 2-centavos
10 - Baritone
If I were a betting man, I'd place my money on Biden. I think Clinton would be a disastrous choice. Caine has less experience than Obama. Bayh would not be a bad choice, but not a great one either. He may be the most bland politician that ever held office. Personally, I like Richardson, but he is not widely known and having both a black AND an hispanic on the same ticket just might be too much. Biden is pretty well known. He has long experience in the Senate and is very knowledgeable in foreign affairs, and could act as Obama's attack dog.
Also though, I think Kucinich would be a good choice because his wife is HOT!
11 - bliffle
Wow, lots of interesting VP possibilities, but I begrudge giving much thought to it right now until I devise a new personal strategy for cellphone, broadband data, mobile data, PDA, etc. It's all gotta change this month, for me, anyhow.
12 - Baronius
Baritone, I've been surprised that Richardson's name hasn't come up more often. I can't imagine a better balance for Obama. Different part of the country, different ethnicity, executive and foreign policy experience, no skeletons. Reminds people of the Clinton era without making them think of scandals. It seems like an obvious pick.
13 - Baritone
Bar,
As I said, I like Richardson. His Hispanic roots could pose problems, but in the early debates that he took part in, I thought he came off quite well. His appearance on The Daily Show was delightful. He managed to be self-deprecating and was pretty funny. I don't know if that serves as a qualification for VP, but, at least, he'd be entertaining.
B
14 - Arch Conservative
I never imagined that there would come a day when a single event would give both Hillary Clinton and myself pause to say "now that was one of the happiest moments in my life but alas that day and that even are drawing near.
Chuck Baldwin 2008
15 - Pablo
Baronius,
Oh you mean this Elliot Richardson? Bilderberger, CFR, Trilateral Commission, and who has always been a flunky for David Rockefeller.
Yeah he is a really nice guy, good thing he is on OUR side, like his buddy Dr. Strangelove (Henry Kissinger).
Oh and Baronius how did ya like the Saddleback boy? you will only find very very few evangelicals actually sitting members of the CFR, however Rick Warren is truly one of the good ole boys. You might not have seen Obama being asked in an interview several months ago about the CFR, it was quite interesting. He first of all said that he did not know if he was a member! Then he made a smirk and said that there was no "secret" handshake for its members.
I found that quite revealing for several reasons. First of all, for him to say that he did not know if he was a member, was dishonest on its face. Any person of reasonable intelligence would know without question if she/he were a member of one of the most prestigeous and powerful organizations in the world, particularly with their annual dues of $500. The with his second remark about secret handshakes, he openly acknowledged that many people in this country for good reason are suspect of the CFR as to their real agendas.
I am not surprised however Baronius that you like the guy, as I am sure you are not that I don't.
Cheers
16 - troll
...Elliot Richardson
wtf - ?
didn't know his name was in the hat
17 - Baronius
Pablo - Elliot Richardson is a Republican, and dead. Bill Richardson is a living Democrat. I was suggesting that Bill Richardson would be a reasonable choice for Obama's running mate. Considering that Bill Richardson ran for president this year, I thought that I didn't have to include his first name. Let me be clear about this: I don't think that Obama should choose a deceased Nixon aide for VP.
Also, I never said I liked the guy (either one).
18 - Pablo
Forgive me for using the wrong name, I meant Bill Richardson, the ex governor of New Mexico, who is in fact a member of Bilderberg, the CFR, The Trilateral Commission, and lap dog to David Rockefeller.
19 - Baronius
Of course he is.
20 - Clavos
More to the point: who cares?
21 - Pablo
Certainly not you Clavy, that much is for sure.
22 - Clavos
You're quite right, Pabby, I am not frightened of the CFR, Bilderberg, or even the Trilateral Commission; and I see the Bohemian Grove and Skull and Bones as harmless frat boy clubs, though the former does seem to be rather a silly activity for grown men.
So, no, I don't care...
23 - Baronius
Clavos - Interesting. I'm not worried about the CFR, I'm terrified by the Trilateral Commission, and I'm strangely comforted by the Federal Reserve.
24 - Clavos
...I'm strangely comforted by the Federal Reserve.
Well, if that's the case, Baronius, then perhaps the knowledge that both Alan Greenspan and Paul Volcker are members of the Trilateral Commission should help somewhat to alleviate your terror of it. :>)