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Tea on the Tarmac
 For those of you that have missed this story: Obama caused a stir a few days back with a comment that implied that Hillary's foreign policy experience could be boiled down to sipping tea in exotic locales. Some even accused him of being sexist. Specifically, Barack said: "It's that experience, that understanding, not just of what world leaders I went and talked to in the ambassador's house I had tea with, but understanding the lives of the people like my grandmother who lives in a tiny hut in Africa," he said. (click for full story at NY Times)Hillary responded the next day in an Iowa speech. Defending her claim of superior foreign policy experience from her time in the White House as such ( also from the NY Times): "I was so honored to be able to travel around the world, representing our country, going to places that oftentimes were not necessarily a place the president could go," Mrs. Clinton said. "We used to say in the White House that if a place was too dangerous, too small or too poor, send the first lady."Then, she recounted a trip to Bosnia in 1996 after the Dayton Peace Accords were signed, noting: "I was the first high-profile American to go.""We landed in one of those corkscrew landings and ran out because they said there might be sniper fire," Mrs. Clinton recalled. "I don't remember anybody offering me tea on the tarmac when that was happening."
Touch e, Senator! Well, kind of. Unfortunately the same NY Times article later points out: "As it turns out, the trip to Bosnia may not have been as harrowing as Mrs. Clinton explained to the voters here in Dubuque. The Daily News was first to report that Mrs. Clinton was accompanied on the Bosnia trip by Sinbad, a comedian, and Sheryl Crow, a singer. First Daughter Chelsea Clinton also was along for the ride."One average-Joe commenter at the Times mocked: "We used to say in the White House that if a place was too dangerous, too small or too poor, send Sinbad. If it's really dangerous, send Carrot Top." The question for us Dems is: does Hillary really think that this USO tour, entertaining the troops qualifies as a "high-profile diplomatic mission" that converts into relevant foreign policy experience? Or is she just blowing more smoke in the faces of Iowa voters? As I've always said here at The Chief Source: Sniper fire + Sinbad = bullshit. Luckily, the NY Times also offers up a link to the original story from back in 1996 documenting her visit, in which it says "Among the troops, reaction to the visit ranged from great enthusiasm to only mild interest" and one soldier is quoted saying that he thought that it was all right for Mrs. Clinton to visit, but "everyone really wants to see Sheryl Crow and Sinbad."
I Don't Y Huckabee
 After watching Meet the Press today with Mike Huckabee, I am sick to my stomach; this man absolutely scares me to death. Here are the highlights: "Faith doesn't just influence me, it really defines me" (from TV ad). "We didn't do tent revivals on the grounds of the capitol" (defending his "separation of church and state" policy as Governor). "I feel homosexuality is an aberrant, unnatural and sinful lifestyle" (comparing homosexuality to pedophilia, sadomasochism, and necrophilia as deviant behaviors). "If you take the life and suction out the pieces of an unborn child for no reason than its inconvenience to the mother, I don't think you've lived up to your Hippocratic Oath of doing no harm" (regarding the criminalization of abortion in the US). I don't know if I'd feel better if he was the nominee so that the Democratic candidate looks sane, or if I'd prefer to lose the general to another R a little less crazy. Your thoughts?
AP: Thompson's closing argument targets Iowa slackers
The "E" Word - Part II
USAToday/Gallup Poll, Dec 14-16, 2007 (click image for gallup video)
"If the elections were being held today, for which of these two candidates would you vote?"
The Matinee In Highland Square
The "E" word
 This afternoon I was the fifth person (of 90) to get a comment up on a Times story about Hillary and Obama's electability. I recommend reading this entire thread (click image). Man, I hope that this reflects the general pulse of Dems in Iowa. Great stuff.
Obama Versus Hillary Editorial
 From the Washington Times, Grace Vuoto: What part of "anyone but Hillary" Clinton do Democrats not understand? The surest and best path for Democrats to defeat conservatives in 2008 is to elect Sen. Barack Obama as their nominee. Mr. Obama is leading in Iowa, and the race is now a dead heat in New Hampshire and South Carolina. In response, the Clinton camp has insisted that Mr. Obama is not electable by the general population. They maintain that his opinions are too liberal, that Republicans will use the issue of his past drug use against him and that he has insufficient experience. Yet this negative approach has thus far failed to resonate with Democratic voters.
Moreover, it is Mrs. Clinton, not Mr. Obama, who cannot be elected. In last week's Fox 5-The Washington Times-Rasmussen Reports poll, 40 percent of Americans state they will vote to prevent Mrs. Clinton from becoming president. She gets the largest "anti-vote" of any candidate in both parties: 64 percent of Republicans, 42 percent of third-party or independent voters, and 17 percent of Democrats insist they will vote against her. Hence, the Clinton camp's recent attempt to malign Mr. Obama as unelectable is pure farce. It is like telling Democrats to be afraid of a toy pistol while ignoring a bazooka which is being aimed at them. In a general campaign, Republicans will go nuclear against Mrs. Clinton.
Barring the nomination of Mrs. Clinton, the Democratic Party is poised to capture the White House in 2008. This is mostly because there is no Republican candidate on the horizon who can unite the right. Thus, any Democrat but Mrs. Clinton, can peel away enough conservative, Republican and independent voters to win the next election.
Once Mr. Obama secures the Democratic nomination, he will enter the general election with the liberal base highly mobilized. With a running mate who has good foreign-policy credentials, he can convince moderates that he will be effective in international affairs. Also, Democrats generally attract 88 percent of the black vote: Mr. Obama may make even greater inroads as these voters embrace the prospect of electing America's first black president. Finally, he will capture the two vital swing-voter groups: women and Hispanics.[ Article Continued In Comments]
Benazir Bhutto: June 21, 1953 - December 27, 2007
"Democracy is necessary to peace and to undermining the forces of terrorism."
Does It?
 As we walked past this sign posted outside of John Edwards' Campaign Headquarters Bob stopped, laughed, and said, "No it doesn't." We then proceeded to discuss the many reasons why this sign makes no sense. That is one of my favorite memories from our trip. Unrelated: The Nashua Telegraph endorsed Barack Obama for President today. "Illinois Sen. Barack Obama is the best choice for Democrats in the New Hampshire primary on Jan. 8. He is the candidate with the greatest chance of reaching across the aisle - of resonating with moderate and independent voters needed to capture the general election - while maintaining the core principles of his party." I love Nashua.
Name recognition eludes Tancredo to the very end
  In non-Tancredo news:What the hell is Bill Richardson up to? This is definitely worth checking out: Bill called the NY Times today to blast Hillary on her "stunning flip-flop" on Iraq. Yeah, the same Bill Richardson that seemed to be content to subtly brown-nose his way onto Hillary's VP short list. Does he really think that getting aggressive now can make him viable? Considering what we saw at his HQ in NH (an abandon house with doors left ajar), I seriously doubt it. So why go negative now? And why so proactively? Does this mean that Hillary can't count on Bill's all-important withdraw endorsement? Curious, eh?
Candidates Say Merry Christmas
Monday was the busiest mail day of the year; I came home to an overflowing mailbox filled with store circulars, credit card offers, bills, and Christmas cards. Side note: When did everyone start personalizing their Christmas cards? 80% of my cards this year have photographs of the senders on vacation, their kids dressed up in some ridiculous matchy outfits, or (GASP) their red ribbon adorned pets. So anyhow, what's the deal with the presidential candidates sending out holiday greetings via television/ YouTube ads this year? Mike Huckabee started the trend with his controversial ad featuring a large white Christian cross disguised as a bookshelf in the background. Giuliani and Obama, among others, also produced holiday ads.
A very interesting campaign tactic, though I'm not convinced it will sway many voters. In fact, it turns me off-- I feel like they are all exploiting the holidays. Like, Huck-- seriously? If the true reason for the season is Christ, then perhaps you shouldn't cash in on his birthday to raise funds for your twisted thumper campaign.
And I'm spent.
Hungry for Change
This time of year is about three things: family, friends, and FOOD. It seems like around holiday time, family traditions, meeting up with friends, and other festivities always revolve around food. It is something we often take for granted.
This holiday season close to 40 million Americans are considered "food insecure" meaning they struggle to keep food on the table. At the same time, local food pantries are in a state of emergency, unable to meet the growing needs of the hungry population. Hunger affects Americans in rural, suburban, and urban areas, primarily the working poor, and approximately 17% of all US children.
So, there is good news and bad news. The good news is that the US Senate passed the 2007 Farm Bill on Friday, which provides some support for food pantries; the House passed a separate version of the bill in July. The bad news is that until the two chambers can come to an agreement on the bill, the pantries will remain poorly stocked and understaffed. Senator Sherrod Brown has urged Congress to pass a $40 million emergency measure that will help keep the charitable organizations in business in the meantime.
I can't even pretend to know what it feels like to go hungry. Like many other suburban princesses, I complain when there is "nothing to eat" in an overflowing refrigerator. Friends and I will bemoan Panera over Chipotle over Olive Garden on a weekly basis.
It is easy to get wrapped up in our hectic holiday schedules, even with good intentions to volunteer for pet causes or give to the needy. My guess is that you all will be stopping by the grocery story or a mega-mart of some kind before Christmas. Please take the time to throw a few extra canned goods into your cart and drop them off at one of the locations below or another charitable spot; of course, $ contributions are always welcome, too. Your donation just might make someone's holiday season a little fuller.
Akron Canton Regional Foodbank
350 Opportunity Parkway
Akron OH 44307
330-535-6900
Cleveland Foodbank, Inc.
15500 South Waterloo Road
Cleveland, OH 44110
216-738-2265
Good Neighbors, Inc.
Click on the above link to find multiple locations in Summit County
330-733-1453 Summit County Veterans Service Commission
148 Park Street Akron, OH 44308
330-643-2830
AP: Status Quo Gets Ass Handed to Self
10 Presidential Campaign Offices
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