Donuts And Politics

My apologies for the lack of posts the last few days…been away camping and celebrating my first year anniversary of marriage to my wonderful wife.

I wanted to do a little update on the VEEP questions since I’ve heard a few more rumors and some comments have been made about it:

Who Obama may select (in order of possibility, IMHO):

1. Jack Reed–Senator from Rhode Island (military background)
2. Mark Warner-former Virginia gov and current Senate candidate**my favorite** Quote from Warner last weekend: “Let me be clear about this: I have been working very hard these last few months to ask the people of Virginia to give me the honor of being their United States senator,” Warner said. “I will not seek, and I will not accept, any other opportunity.” Its ok because he’ll win that Senate seat from the GOP.
3. Tim Kaine-current VA gov
4. Sam Nunn-former Senator from Georigia
5. Senator Joe Biden new!
6. Bill Richardson-New Mexico governor
7. Janet Napolitano-current Arizona Gov
8. Someone not being talked about-former military person or Gov

Also, John Edwards backed off his statement of NOT being VP, so he remains an outside possibility.

Been a busy weekend. I’ll try to consolidate what we’ve learned:

0. Obama is BACK! Check out the Gallup Tracking poll–goin’ up!

1. Obama is not a good bowler. But he is trying to do well in Pennsylvania.

2. Bus trips are fun! Obama on a 6-day trip through PA. Hillary to follow.

3. Clinton doesn’t pay bills on time. Owes $8.7 million. Vendors are warning businesses to demand payment up front. Will this translate to her Presidency too?

4. Clinton thinks going to the convention without having a nominee yet is ok. Obama isn’t trying to force her to drop out before the end of the primaries on June 3.

5. Breaking primary rules and lying about snipers is no big deal.

6. Obama will win more delegates in Texas than Clinton by 5-6.

7. Gore is back and serious. Watch for climate change ads in the near future as a HUGE campaign starts advocating national consensus on policies for combating pollution and global warming.

8. DELEGATE UPDATE: Obama only 399 delegates away from the magic number (Politico.com).

9. IRAQ IS UNSTABLE. “SURGE” NOT HELPING THAT MUCH.

10. MN Senator Amy Klobuchar (and superdelegate) to endorse Obama on Monday. All 7 NC Congressional superdelegates rumored to be endorsing Obama before the state’s primary on May 6. This would give him a net of 7 more delegates. Does Clinton really think she’s going to be able to convince enough remaining superdelegates to give her the nomination? Seriously. Its a slow but steady trickle to Obama. Death by 1000 papercuts rather than the guillotine, apparently.

Clinton on Wright yesterday:

I think given all we have heard and seen, he would not have been my pastor….You don’t choose your family, but you choose what church you want to attend.

For the past week, she has virtually no comment on the whole thing. Ok, fine. That’s respectable at least, even though she could have come out and defended Obama since she has known him for a few years and should know Wright’s statements don’t reflect Obama’s views.  Now she comes out and says that. When asked about why she was bringing it up now (oh, what was that about snipers in Bosnia?), she said she was just asked a question about it SO SHE ANSWERED IT.  Give me a break! Politicians can answer questions in whatever way they choose and that’s how she CHOSE to answer it.

So, now we turn to the GOP nominee, asked a similar question today in Denver, and McCain says this:

I can only say that I am sure, knowing Senator Obama, that he does not share the extreme views that were expressed that I saw on television.

Wow. The Republican candidate just stood up for Obama while the Democrat basically threw him under a bus. Just shows the desperation of the Clinton campaign and how low they will stoop to try and steal this nomination. Frankly, I would have thought the quotes were reversed. You may be surprised that I am being so charitable and nice to the future GOP nominee, but I gotta give props to him when he deserves it.

His policies, on the other hand, I may never say anything nice about. We’ll see. There may be a few good things he has done, but he’s probably changed his positions on those in the last six months to match Bush. Bush, I just don’t have anything nice to say about at this point policy-wise or personally, so I just won’t say anything at all. Right now.

Some things to think about. On my agenda are:

1. 2nd Amendment case DC v. Heller–first time in over 70 years the Court heard a case about gun-rights.

2. Obama’s Accomplishments (as requested)

3. Iraq War–future policy and response to some comments

4. McCain’s policies

Thanks to our new reader–Wendy–for the great picture.

Thank you President Bush (19% approval), this is the best thing you’ve done in 7 years!

clipped from www.nytimes.com