Draft Bloomberg, 2008

Another Mayor of New York? What?

No, don't draft Michael Bloomberg to win (each letter is a different link). Draft him because it will finally take votes away from Republicans, for once. Damn you Nader.

Although, it is a tough call to tell whose race his candidacy as an independent will affect more. He is, and always has been, essentially a Democrat. But as a Republican he was popular - amongst other Republicans. And just as these "independents" and "moderate republicans" still voted for Bush in 2004, so too will they vote for as close to a Republican as they can - again. Bloomberg can easily steal all the disappointed Ron Paul voters, and that small difference could mean a landslide victory in states like Florida and Ohio, which have been so close the last two elections.

We'll see what happens in time. Vote Blue in '08.

Fake News Not So Fake

I've written a few fake news articles about possible presidential nominees in 2008 (included, but not limited to, Papa Smurf). One of those articles was about a Democratic candidate that I named "Eniwon Butboosh." You can read that post here.

Last night I was considering the Republican nominees of 2008. I remain unimpressed. John McCain is such a sell out he has become the Puff Daddy of the Neoconservatives. Mitt Romney hasn't made a decision about anything, ever, and he won't win his own state let alone the Republican nomination. Rudy Giuliani has accomplished nothing, ever. Literally, ever. He has done nothing. And he was a mayor. I can't emphasize how incredibly dense you have to be to think he has any qualifications. Sam Brownbackkk...........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.... Oh, sorry, even saying his name makes me fall asleep, let alone listening to him talk. Mike Huckabee - Uh... no.

But looking at the candidates I can't help but sigh in relief. None of them, despite how much I despise what each and everyone of them stand for, is as bad as Bush. And my original joke of "Eniwon Butboosh - 2008" actually stands.

I would never vote for any of them, and I encourage all curious moderates to follow my lead and vote Democratic. But the Republicans this year are all are not as bad as Bush. Bush not only represents all that is evil and wrong with this world, he represents what happens when connections and corruption enter the white house. He and Cheney, with their connections to the oil industries, Halliburton, and other powerful individuals in the business, religious, and political nexus, single-handedly distorted, manipulated and exploited everything in the country during the past 6+ years of their reign over the white house. Whether it was hiring their cronies or providing contracts and money to their families and business partners, nothing in the government was executed without some sort of gain for someone in the Bush/Dick web. Sam Brownba....................................................... Sorry... Sam Brownback may be more conservative than even Bush, but at least he does not have the same for-gain mindset of the Bushies. John McCain may be a sellout, but he doesn't have the support (or, in Cheney's case, support) the oil industries. And Giuliani - again, a man who has done nothing, ever - doesn't have the white house connections that allow him to get away with nominating under-qualified Neanderthals for important military and political positions.

Barack Obama, John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, and Bill Richardson - each of them is a qualified, trustworthy, strong candidate that deserves our vote and respect, no matter which one of them gets the Democratic nomination (I hope to see that no matter who receives the nod, we can put our differences behind us and rally ourselves towards that candidate). But at least we can finally say "Anyone But Bush, 2008" and be satisfied that is what we're getting. It's comforting that the worst case scenario is still better than it has been for the past 6 years.

Knock on wood.

Tom Vilsack Announces First, Drops Out First

Sooner than you can say "Who the hell is Tom Vilsack," The former Governor of Iowa will announce Saturday that he is dropping out of the presidential race.

Vilsack, the first person from either party to announce his candidacy back on November 30th of 2006, is the first Democratic in the very competitive field to withdraw. Few people expected he had any chance of winning the election, but some hoped that a Governor would emerge from the field since American history gives Governors a better chance of winning back the presidency. With Vilsack's withdrawal, Bill Richardson (D-NM) is the last remaining gubernatorial contender. Tom Vilsack's aides have cited a lack of funding mixed with the publicity of the top prospects (Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John Edwards) forced him to take his name out of the running.

Maureen Dowd: Obama’s Big Screen Test

Apparently Maureen Dowd's new article about Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton is Controversial. So, as a reference for those reading blogs, I'm posting it below:

Obama's Big Screen Test
By Maureen Dowd:

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.- Hillary is not David Geffen’s dreamgirl.

“Whoever is the nominee is going to win, so the stakes are very high,” says Mr. Geffen, the Hollywood mogul and sultan of “Dreamgirls,” as he sits by a crackling fire beneath a Jasper Johns flag and a matched pair of de Koonings in the house that Jack Warner built (which old-time Hollywood stars joked was the house that God would have built). “Not since the Vietnam War has there been this level of disappointment in the behavior of America throughout the world, and I don’t think that another incredibly polarizing figure, no matter how smart she is and no matter how ambitious she is — and God knows, is there anybody more ambitious than Hillary Clinton? — can bring the country together.

“Obama is inspirational, and he’s not from the Bush royal family or the Clinton royal family. Americans are dying every day in Iraq. And I’m tired of hearing James Carville on television.”

Barack Obama has made an entrance in Hollywood unmatched since Scarlett O’Hara swept into the Twelve Oaks barbecue. Instead of the Tarleton twins, the Illinois senator is flirting with the Dreamworks trio: Mr. Geffen, Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg, who gave him a party last night that raised $1.3 million and Hillary’s hackles.

She didn’t stand outside the gates to the Geffen mansion, where glitterati wolfed down Wolfgang Puck savories, singing the Jennifer Hudson protest anthem “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.” But she’s not exactly Little Miss Sunshine, either. Hillary loyalists have hissed at defecting donors to remember the good old days of jumping on the Lincoln Bedroom bed.

“Hillary is livid that Obama’s getting the first big fund-raiser here,” one friend of hers said.

Who can pay attention to the Oscar battle between “The Queen” and “Dreamgirls” when you’ve got a political battle between a Queen and a Dreamboy?

Terry McAuliffe and First Groupie Bill have tried to hoard the best A.T.M. machine in politics for the Missus, but there’s some Clinton fatigue among fatigued Clinton donors, who fret that Bill will “pull the focus” and shelve his wife’s campaign.

“I don’t think anybody believes that in the last six years, all of a sudden Bill Clinton has become a different person,” Mr. Geffen says, adding that if Republicans are digging up dirt, they’ll wait until Hillary’s the nominee to use it. “I think they believe she’s the easiest to defeat.”

She is overproduced and overscripted. “It’s not a very big thing to say, ‘I made a mistake’ on the war, and typical of Hillary Clinton that she can’t,” Mr. Geffen says. “She’s so advised by so many smart advisers who are covering every base. I think that America was better served when the candidates were chosen in smoke-filled rooms.”

The babble here is not about “Babel”; it’s about the battle of the billionaires. Not only have Ron Burkle and David Geffen been vying to buy The Los Angeles Times — they have been vying to raise money for competing candidates. Mr. Burkle, a supermarket magnate, is close to the Clintons, and is helping Hillary parry Barry Obama by arranging a fund-raiser for her in March, with a contribution from Mr. Spielberg.

Did Mr. Spielberg get in trouble with the Clintons for helping Senator Obama? “Yes,” Mr. Geffen replies, slyly. Can Obambi stand up to Clinton Inc.? “I hope so,” he says, “because that machine is going to be very unpleasant and unattractive and effective.”

Once, David Geffen and Bill Clinton were tight as ticks. Mr. Geffen helped raise some $18 million for Bill and slept in the Lincoln Bedroom twice. Bill chilled at Chateau Geffen. Now, the Dreamworks co-chairman calls the former president “a reckless guy” who “gave his enemies a lot of ammunition to hurt him and to distract the country.”

They fell out in 2000, when Mr. Clinton gave a pardon to Marc Rich after rebuffing Mr. Geffen’s request for one for Leonard Peltier. “Marc Rich getting pardoned? An oil-profiteer expatriate who left the country rather than pay taxes or face justice?” Mr. Geffen says. “Yet another time when the Clintons were unwilling to stand for the things that they genuinely believe in. Everybody in politics lies, but they do it with such ease, it’s troubling.”

The mogul knows it’s easy to mock Hollywood — “people with Priuses and private planes” — and agrees with George Clooney that it’s probably not helpful for stars to campaign for candidates, given the caricatures of Hollywood.

I ask what he will say if he ever runs into Bill Clinton again. “ ‘Hi,’ ” he replies. And will he be upset if Hillary wins and he never gets to sleep in the Lincoln Bedroom again?

“No,” he says with a puckish smile. “It’s not as nice as my bedroom.”

HILLARY CLINTON: "I'm in. And I'm in to Win."

Senator Hillary Clinton has announced her candidacy for the presidency of the United States. See the video on her website. In an email message sent to her supporters early Saturday, Senator Clinton wrote: "I'm in. And I'm in to win." On Monday, January 22nd, for three nights in a row, she will be participating in discussions on her website, allowing anyone to ask her questions and understand her as a candidate. She issued the following statement on her website:

Today I am announcing that I will form an exploratory committee to run for president.

And I want you to join me not just for the campaign but for a conversation about the future of our country -- about the bold but practical changes we need to overcome six years of Bush administration failures.

I am going to take this conversation directly to the people of America, and I'm starting by inviting all of you to join me in a series of Web chats over the next few days.

The stakes will be high when America chooses a new president in 2008.

As a senator, I will spend two years doing everything in my power to limit the damage George W. Bush can do. But only a new president will be able to undo Bush's mistakes and restore our hope and optimism.

Only a new president can renew the promise of America -- the idea that if you work hard you can count on the health care, education and retirement security that you need to raise your family. These are the basic values of America that are under attack from this administration every day.

And only a new president can regain America's position as a respected leader in the world.

I believe that change is coming November 4, 2008. And I am forming my exploratory committee because I believe that together we can bring the leadership that this country needs. I'm going to start this campaign with a national conversation about how we can work to get our country back on track.

This is a big election with some very big questions. How do we bring the war in Iraq to the right end? How can we make sure every American has access to adequate health care? How will we ensure our children inherit a clean environment and energy independence? How can we reduce the deficits that threaten Social Security and Medicare?

No matter where you live, no matter what your political views, I want you to be a part of this important conversation right at the start. So to begin, I'm going to spend the next several days answering your questions in a series of live video Web discussions.

Starting Monday, January 22, at 7 p.m. EST for three nights in a row, I'll sit down to answer your questions about how we can work together for a better future. And you can participate live at my Web site. Sign up to join the conversation here.

I grew up in a middle-class family in the middle of America, where I learned that we could overcome every obstacle we face if we work together and stay true to our values.

I have worked on issues critical to our country almost all my life. I've fought for children for more than 30 years. In Arkansas, I pushed for education reform. As first lady, I helped to expand health care coverage to millions of children and to pass legislation that dramatically increased adoptions. I also traveled to China to affirm that women's rights are human rights.

And in the Senate, I have worked across party lines to get billions more for children's health care, to stop the president's plan to privatize Social Security, and to make sure the victims and heroes of 9/11 and our men and women in uniform receive the fair treatment they deserve. In 2006, I led the successful fight to make Plan B contraception available to women without a prescription.

I have spent a lifetime opening opportunities for tens of millions who are working hard to raise a family: new immigrants, families living in poverty, people who have no health care or face an uncertain retirement.

The promise of America is that all of us will have access to opportunity, and I want to run a 2008 campaign that renews that promise, a campaign built on a lifetime record of results.

I have never been afraid to stand up for what I believe in or to face down the Republican machine. After nearly $70 million spent against my campaigns in New York and two landslide wins, I can say I know how Washington Republicans think, how they operate, and how to beat them.

I need you to be a part of this campaign, and I hope you'll start by joining me in this national conversation.

As we campaign to win the White House, we will make history and remake our future. We can only break barriers if we dare to confront them, and if we have the determined and committed support of others.

This campaign is our moment, our chance to stand up for the principles and values that we cherish; to bring new ideas, energy, and leadership to a uniquely challenging time. It's our chance to say 'we can' and 'we will.'

Let's go to work. America's future is calling us.

Senator Clinton's announcement came early and strong. She states that she wants to "start a conversation" and is offering her own blog as a starting point for opening the discussion, telling the media and her followers that she wants to use modern technology to gain strength - just as Howard Dean gained his force and popularity in 2003. Here is what she writes on her blog page, as well as the link to be part of the dialogue:

Soon we'll launch the official blog of HillaryClinton.com, a crucial part of our exciting national conversation about the direction of our country and the place to go to learn more about Hillary.

We know our readers are going to have a lot to say, so we want to give you the first word.

We're looking for your ideas on how we can work together for change. If you'd like to write the very first guest post on the HillaryClinton.com blog, submit your entry in the form below. And if you already have your own blog or other website, please post your entry there and let us know about it. We'll select one entry as the first guest post on our blog.

To sign up, click here.

Mrs. Clinton, if successful, will be the first female nominee of a major US party. However, her announcement comes at the heels of Barack Obama, another major player in the Democratic primaries. Obama is also considered a more likeable candidate, but on without as much experience as Mrs. Clinton, and without the donor power.

Also, Clinton's announcement overshadows that of Senator Sam Brownback, the conservative Republican candidate from Texas. Mr. Brownback is most anti-abortion, homophobic candidate thus far on the Republican side and may garner most of the votes from conservative evangelicals as well as much of the funds. He is also one of the few candidates who can steal funding from John McCain, who has yet to announce but has been campaigning since almost 2002, and the first prominent Republican to officially announce his presidency.

As far as Mrs. Clinton's chances, she is both loved and hated. Most Democrats love her, and she is centrist enough to not alienate the Democrats that lean a little more right. But she is hated by Republicans passionately, and simply by running she could bring them out to vote in large numbers. Also, some of the far left dislike her because she voted for the war in Iraq and is against same sex marriage (although she is for same-sex unions). But with a strong running mate (perhaps Barack Obama?) she is a viable candidate, and the race for the presidency will be exciting.

Often Times I Write 140 Page Strategies for Things I Don't Plan on Doing

Rudy Giuliani, ex-Republican mayor of New York and likely presidential candidate in 2008 got his first taste of presidential press time today when a 140-page strategy for his bid for the White House.

According to the spokesman for former Time Magazine's "Man of the Year" (Note: This year, it was me. I was Man of the Year. Your congratulations can be made in the form of generous donations), the document did not actually belong to Rudy Giuliani but rather his staff member, and the documents were someone else's ideas that were "committed to paper."

That reminds me, I left my 175 page strategy document that I wrote this morning possible about dinner ideas on the kitchen counter.

But I digress. Anyway, the strategy was not exactly controversial. No plan of putting R. Kelly in charge of the House Caucus for Missing and Exploited Children. But it laid out all the possible negative campaigns against him, including allegations from his ex-wife, as well as his spending strategies.

Although, by far the most shocking finding was that he was torn between running for the president or continuing his business ventures.

"What's this you say? A REPUBLICAN who would care more about making money than helping the country? Why surely you jest!" -- Indeed, that was my reaction as well, but in fact it is true.

Otherwise this would hardly be news if it didn't seem like a purposeful political stunt by a fellow Republican presidential candidate. And considering Giuliani is one of the more liberal candidates in the Republican party, he probably wasn't going to get the nod anyway.

Democrat Rap

Dennis Kucinich has "announced" (to the press) that he is running for president, again. For those of you who do not remember him from the 2004 election, he is a progressive democrat representative from Cleveland, who was probably the only Democratic Nominee that Ralph Nader supported.

He will be an interesting candidate, and I'd like to see what happens with him. However, his last name is Kucinich. What happens if he becomes the greatest president ever? So popular he is placed on the new 117 dollar bill in the year 2026? Can rappers work his name into their songs.

"It's all about the Kucinich's, baby."

No... It just won't work.

"It's all about the Obamas, baby."

Better.

Possible Presidential Candidates 2008 - an Update

I've decided to give a rundown on possible presidential candidates in 2008, as well as talking points about their candidacy. We will start with the Democrats:

Tom Vilsack (already filed papers) - Governer of Iowa - Not a frontrunner but the first to file papers, he may be a promising candidate because Governors are more likely to be elected president, and at the moment he is one of only two Democratic Governors to show interest.

Maurice (Mike) Gravel - (filed papers) - Former Senator of Alaska. Was a senator from 1968-1981. Quite frankly he has no chance, but it will be interesting to see what kind of following he has. Unlikely to get much financing, though and will probably drop out before the second debate.

Evan Bayh - Senator of Indiana - Has all but filed papers annoucing his candidacy. Has the benefit of being an outspoken member of congress but none of the star power of many of the other Democrats in the senate.

Joe Biden - Very popular Democratic senator of Delaware - well liked and progressive, he may be a popular choice for President but he has lost once before in his bid because of cheating on a test back in college - probably not going to be the nominee, which is too bad.

Wesley Clark - Former General - A Progessive General? I plan to throw some support behind Gen. Clark. He is a progressive ex-general (four star), he's been shot... He would be an excellent nominee that no moderate Republicans could argue against. He is pro-choice, pro-union. He does not have much of a chance, but I would not be unhappy if his popularity grows. Currently he is exploring his options. He ran in 2004 and received a decent amount of financial support, but there is little buzz behind him. However, with the current situation in Iraq, he may be our best choice.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama - Senators from New York and Illinois respectively. I group them together because they are the most popular of the possible candidates. Each of them would represent the first of something - the first female president or the first black president. Their popularity is not unwarranted, both of them would make excellent presidents (in my opinion), they both have strong liberal values and are charismatic speakers. However, I think in the current climate, neither of them will win. I welcome their victory, but I'd like to see them as Vice Presidential candidates.

Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico - Don't know much about him. He is a Governor, which may be a plus in his candidacy, but he is likely not going to be the Democratic pick.

Reverend Al Sharpton - If you don't know who he is by now, I can't help you. He has no chance, but the strength of his positions seems to help rally Democratic voters. So that's something.

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES:

John H. Cox - Suprise, he is a businessman with no political history (other than a few failed attempts at congress). He was the first Republican to file papers, and is seen by many as a joke, although he hosted a program called "Progressive Conservative," a radio talk show.

Michael Charles Smith - From Oregon, he as well has no political history. He, too, has already filed papers but he does not believe he can win. He wants to get enough votes that he can spread the message about Republicans drifting too far to the right. Good luck Michael.

Sam Brownback - Senator from Kansas - Extreme Right conservative, he favors teaching intelligent design and banning all abortion and pornography. He may be too far right, even for the Republicans, to pose any serious challenge.

Rudy Giuliani - ex-Mayor of New York City - His only real accomplishment is being Mayor during 9/11. Otherwise he has not accomplished much of anything, except for trying to ship the homeless out of New York. May be too Liberal for the Republicans.

Duncan Hunter - Representitive of California - Not much of a candidate, he may also be corrupt. He was the Representitive that Slandered John Murtha by putting to the table a bill on the immediate withdrawal from Iraq and then voting against it, claiming it was Murtha's idea.

John McCain - Senator from Arizona - Originally seen as a moderate renegade Republican who would be accepted by both sides of the aisle, he has turned out to be nothing but a conservative suck up who has changed (flip-flopped, as it were) on his more liberal positions into conservative positions, as well as caving on issues he was supposedly against, like the interrogation bill. He may be the Republican presidential candidate, and probably poses the best chance of winning in 2008, but he is no longer the respected moderate he once was.

More Republican Candidates will be coming soon.

Presidential Candidate Vilsack

Breaking News: Librocrat.com officially endorses Tom Vilsack for President, 2008 until - someone else decides to run. I think I am the first blogger on the internet to endorse his presidency.

As far as candidates people have heard of, Obama is testing the religious waters to see if he is as disliked as Hillary (Obama voted more liberal than Hillary in 2005), but with only two years experience, it may be difficult for him to win. According to the New York Times, Hillary Clinton has met with the other Democrats in New York, and it was leaked that it was about announcing her candidacy (finally). I think she would make an amazing president, but I don't think she'd win. Perhaps Vilsack/Clinton? Vilsack/Obama? Obama/Clinton?

Are there any other Governors who can run whose names don't sound like slang for reproductive organs?