Famille Du Pentium

Barack Obama has started turning his attention toward defeating John McCain, with whom he's in a statistical tie in a national straw-poll.  And the first issue he picked is an excellent one, the Iraq war.  This long-distance debate between McCain and Obama helps me, a regular Republican who now supports Obama, in deciding whether to stick with that position or jump to the first reasonably moderate Republican candidate in a long time.  The final decision, I think, will be made based on the words and actions of these two.

So on to the debate: I won't play-by-play it here, but basically Obama admitted that if Al Quaida became a threat in Iraq, he would act.  Meaning, he would re-insert troops.  McCain attacked Obama, pointing out that Al Quaida had already established a base in Iraq, which is why our troops are there in the first place.  As if waiting for his perfect cue, Obama countered that, in fact, our troops are in Iraq because President Bush said that it's former dictator had weapons of mass destruction, and Al Quaida in Iraq didn't establish a base in Iraq until after the US invasion. 

Score one for Obama.  McCain can support continued military action in Iraq without towing the Administration Line that re-writes history.  I remember Colin Powell assuring me, on T.V., that Hussain had weapons.  Weapons that he would use against me.  He didn't say "Al Quaida is in Iraq."  He said they have weapons.  Listen and learn, McCain.  Following Bush won't get you elected this year.  Look at his approval numbers. 

Added Later by Editor: Oh yeah, the article on MSNBC is HERE: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23374260/ 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 07:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It's been a while since I posted, I'm not really giving up-to-the-minute updates anyway.  But at this point, in the Dem race, Obama is slightly ahead (but by no means a given) even with superdelegates, and McCain is the clear front-runner and chosen one for the Republicans. 

It took a lot, really, for me to come to the conclusion that the best man to lead our country is Barak Obama.  And I've got to tell you, it has nothing to do with race.  It has more to do with our country's standing in the world - our greatness, if you will.  We are becoming not a lot different than other countries.  Countries we say should become more free.  I think Barak Obama can restore that greatness.

We desparately need a great communicator.  We need someone to go to Israel and say "Mr. Omert, tear down this wall!"

Wait, did I just compare Obama to Reagan?  The nerve!

OK, if it'll make you feel better, we need someone to go to the Middle East and say "Ich Bin Ein Palastinian!"

You probably don't even want to figure that statement out.  I'm going to go have another beer. 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 08:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

So I no sooner post the last article, than I read that not only might the Superdelegates NOT EVEN DECIDE who will win in a tie, the Democratic party might have what's called a "Second Ballot" in which all delegates are reset, and basically anybody can win.  At the convention.  Which is supposed to be what the Superdelegate rule is supposed to avoid.  You know, that superdelegate rule that our democratically elected Democrat leaders approved 25 whole years ago in a back-room deal to ensure that we voters don't muddle things down?

Anyway, apparently now (sit down) the front runner in a Second Ballot would be...

yeah, really, sit down.

Are you sitting?

Al Gore.

I'm starting to look at McCain. 

http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/02/15/al-gore-to-the-rescue.aspx 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 09:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here's why you should fear Superdelegates.  These are the elected Democrats who the party elite have chosen to help break a tie, in case there is one.  There are HUNDREDS of them. 

What happens is, if our Democratic primary and caucus votes are too close to call, the Superdelegates step in  help us clarify things.  Apparently a particular candidate being 100 or 200 elected delegates ahead of the other isn't enough; it's considered a "tie" if there isn't a clear and away winner just before the convention.

Worried?  So am I.  But apparently MSNBC thinks we're stupid, and wrote a patronizing article about it, telling us that we shouldn't worry because "Again, the superdelegate system has been in effect for nearly 25 years."  So that's all you need, right?  25 years of complete and utter success in the Democratic party should be enough for you to trust the Superdelegate system.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23184492/

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 09:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The great thing about primaries is, you don't have to pick a side yet.  You can play both sides.  Sure, you can only vote in just one party's primary, but you can still root for candidates from both parties until the conventions.

I'm not backing off my support of Obama but it's refreshing to see a moderate Republican way ahead right now.  For those of you unaware, despite some of the GOP's elder's wishes, John McCain is winning big against far more socially conservative opponents.  

Unfortunately, McCain must still woo the far right.  That's unfortunate, but realistically he can't get elected without at least a minimal amount of their support.  I hope that doesn't translate into the same, dull boring Right-leaning social agenda that Bush has pushed.  We need change. 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 08:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

First, if you're in a Super Tuesday primary state, I hope you voted.  I did!

Here's how it's shaking out.  I'm going to bed soon, so I'm quoting projections from MSNBC.

Illinois: McCain, Obama

McCain: 314 delegates, Romney: 127, Huckabee: 58.  That's as of 9:00 PM CST, so subject to change.  But it appears that McCain has surged ahead in the Republican positioning.  Take that, Rush Limbaugh - maybe people don't care what you think anymore.

Clinton: 160 delegates, Obama: 129, Edwards: 26 (didn't he drop out???).  It's a close race  here, just 30 minutes ago Obama was ahead in delegate count, until Clinton took NJ. 

States still waiting to report: Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, California, and Alaska for the Democrats, and Alaska, California, Montana, Colorado, North Dakota, Arizona, and Utah for the Republicans. 

Have a fun night watching returns, if you're so inclined.  And if, like me, you feel you've already done your civic duty by voting and are going to bed early, have a good night.  :) 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 09:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I'll admit it, I'm a movie-and-entertainment-industry whore.  I'm the "target audience" for companies like Disney, Warner, SKG, etc.  I love good movies.

The Coen Brothers, makers of classics-that-you'll-never-show-your-kids as Fargo and The Big Lebowski, have apparently scored another winner with "No Country for Old Men" starring Tommy Lee Jones, taking the PGA Producer of the Year award, which basically translates into Oscar Best Picture awards (if everyone is paying attention).

Meanwhile, Michael Moore has apparently won some accolades with "Sicko", in which he proves that if you fly to another country, you might get better health care if the cameras are rolling.  Yadda yadda yadda,  top producer for a documentary, yadda yadda yadda.  Does anyone really care what Michael Moore thinks anymore anyway?  :)

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 01:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)