But, he still thinks George Bush is a tool.

The politicos say that there is no way that a Clinton/Obama or Obama/Clinton ticket could occur. Too much bad blood. No chance whatsoever. Too polarizing. Well, there was no way Kennedy would ever pick Johnson. Clinton might pick Obama, but I don't see Obama picking Clinton. One thing we know: no one will pick Governor 39%!

Ok, Mike. Read Acts 5:38 -- "For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." If God wanted you to be president, you would be winning! (Who actually thinks God cares about our elections? She has a lot more to worry about than our elections!) You could apply this to Romney also, except that we know Moroney is not a Christian!

via freakgirl

The GOP Presidential debate last night. I probably won't watch the Dem debate in California tonight, either. What is it going to be, an hour long argument between Clinton and Obama?

I did watch the clips of the GOP debate and I loved that Romney claims McCain is outside the mainstream of the Republican party because if Romney is IN the mainstream then Lord help us! In Florida he said that America should return to a time when people waited until after marriage to have babies. Oh yes, the 1950's was a great time. There were back alley abortions, a cold war with the Soviet Union and black people couldn't eat at the Woolworth's counter. But, on the positive side, I think people sure did dress smartly, didn't they? I could get a fedora!

Good. That is all.

I'm off to get some Veuve.

Rudy's out and will maybe endorse McCain? McCain was grinning like an old man that just crapped his pants last night in his victory speech last night. The best part about this news is that I don't have to keep trying to spell Giuliani right anymore! Whew!

Romney says he'll stay in the race. Great, it means we still have to pay attention through Super Tuesday. I guess it now looks like there will be some presidential campaign money spent in Texas for the first time in a while.

Pink Lady always posts when she sees somebody out and about and how they shun her. Yesterday morning I was Austin Java for a butt crack of dawn breakfast meeting and standing next to me getting coffee or breakfast or something was none other than Patrick Rose. He had no idea who I was, but when I turned back he was gone.

I said to the girl at the counter, "Did I just make Patrick Rose leave?" She replied, "You kind of have that affect on people." Burrrrrrn.

For all their big talk, the Democrats in Congress are not impressing me. All the shouting and rhetoric about the government overstepping and Bush abusing power, yet they just extended the surveillance crap? Seriously? Seriously.

As someone that has some conservative leanings, this bothers me. I do not care for government intrusion into privacy. I also do not believe that everybody is a potential terrorist. While I appreciate a strong national defense, I am well entrenched in my opinion that this administration has stepped over the line on too many occasions to count.

Poor job, Congress. Poor.

That this dumbass has never voted before. Why is she going to mess up a good thing this time?

I have to say...Lloyd Doggett's response was really my favorite to the State of the Union. Short, to the point and was a major Burrrrrrrn.

"There's nothing wrong with the state of the union that cannot be made better by getting a new President. 357 more days and counting. Meanwhile, he remains an obstacle to both a sound economy and a sane foreign policy. He can talk of benchmarks or earmarks, but all the President is really doing is marking time until his successor can begin cleaning up his mess."

Senator KBH released a statement of affection for the president. Including, "We must only accept victory in Iraq and we can only do that if the Congress fully funds the troops ably led by Gen. Petraeus." Really? KBH? So, at what cost? I mean in all categories...money, lives, relations with other countries, threat to our own crumbling economy....just full speed ahead to victory, damn the torpedoes?

See, I know KBH is not stupid. But, this kind of statement released with these platitudes you would expect from a third grade Sunday School teacher irritate me. Dear Senator Hutchison: I am not retarded. Please quit talking to me like I am. Oh, an your hair looks like a wig.

State Senator Leticia Van de Putte gave a response broadcast on Univision, I think. It's posted on YouTube and too bad the only Spanish I know is "piso mojado" or I could tell you about the content.

Rep. Mike Conaway also released a statement. Who? I don't know either, but he's got his finger on the pulse of America....I tell you what. Here's his gem sentence: "As always, the number one priority continues to be keeping our homeland secure." Yes, sir, as foreclosure rates climb higher than ever before and bankruptcies sweep the nation and oil prices rise and drought scours parts of the country and corporations practice predatory lending...the number one priority remains homeland security. There is nothing to fear but Republican fear mongerers and do-nothing congressman, Conaway. So thanks for that. 'Tard.

Pinkdome's analysis. LAST ONE! LAST SOTU from George Bush! Everybody dance now!

There's a press conference tomorrow, so we'll get the deets. Anybody know who wants that seat...real bad?

Jenny Hoff at KXAN is doing her first liveblog, ever. Go visit and comment!

Here's the text of the speech in case you couldn't bear to hear him speak.

Glen Maxey, the former legislator, is running for Travis County Tax Assessor. The Statesman ran a piece that claims he asked the District Attorney for special treatment for his lover. Maxey clearly wasn't prepared for such an attack and stumbled in his answers.

The Statesman's sensationalist reporting was very tittalating and spends an inordinate amount of time on the young paramour, painting him as rough street trade.

I do think that if you knew the District Attorney and your husband/wife/child was facing jail time you might go to them and talk about what you should do as a family member and how you could help. Not to ask them for leniency, but still I am not sure we wouldn't all do the same thing.

Two Dems have filed to take on U.S. Rep Michael McCaul in Austin. McCaul's district includes West and North Austin and parts of Pflugerville and Manor. One is a policy wonk that isn't raising a lot of money and the other is a folksy lawyer that had his own show on Fox Television.

This is a pretty vulnerable district for the Republicans. Even Ted Ankrum got 40% of the vote in 2006 and he didn't have hardly any money at all.

Does the 'folksy lawyer' gig still work in Texas?

Since Charleston is my real home, I know a little bit about the state. First, outside of Charleston it's f'ing scary. Much like Austin, when you pass Crosstown Blvd, it's no teeth and aggressive ignorance for miles and miles.

I'm actually a little surprised that Obama took SC. I knew Edwards wouldn't because even though he's got roots from the area, people hate him there. He was a trial lawyer, you know. Plus, he's the richest man in NC and lives in a big ass mansion. So, a.) He's new money and not Southern Aristocracy and if there's one thing we hate it's interlopers and b.) Running around saying you're the son of a millworker gets old. We all want to say, "But you sure are rich now, John." Besides that, more than half the GD populations of SC and NC are sons and daughters of mill workers. What the heck do you think was the economic roots of those states...nuclear engineering?

Ok, on to Clinton. While people may have loved Bill...or begrudgingly accepted him in the South, that love did not and does not translate to Hillary. When I visit, I hear people talk about her and some literally think she is Satan. I'm not talking about thinking she's a devil...they think she is the literal Lucifer himself come to bring the Apocalypse if she is elected. I know.

I believe this trend will be similar in her support throughout the Southern states.

So, that leaves us with Obama. The South has a large percentage of African-American voters and young voters. (Maybe? I don't know...you know I don't look at statistics. I just make them up.) I'll just say there's a lot more black people back home because I see them and I don't see as many in Austin. There's the basis for my hypothesis. I'm a social scientist! Look at me!

Obama's victory cut across all demos and is an interesting look at changing attitudes and voter behavior in the South.

The vote for Obama tells me that people are fired up. They do want dramatic change and if there is anything South Carolina will do...it's stir some shit up. You'll remember it was that hot head Calhoun that basically started the whole "Let's secede, y'all." thing.

I still have an endless love for former Fort Worth Councilwoman Wendy Davis. She needs my love more now then ever because of the tough fight she has had with three firemen challenging her eligibility in the primary. The FWST's blog, PoliTex, has been keeping up with all the mess. Check out that picture and you know she can count on the frat boy vote if we all manage to stay sober enough to vote.

Rep. Dennis “I saw a UFO” Kucinich (above) is dropping out of the race for the White House. Sources say that the UFO that was spotted in Stephenville warned that some shit would go down if Kucinich was elected president so he has promptly stepped down. The only thing to miss from this weirdo is his hot wife!

The NY Times endorsed Clinton over their hometown fella, Giuliani. As a matter of fact, they brutally tore him apart. The Paper Of Record endorses McCain for the Republican nomination and boy, howdy, do they mean it. From the NY Times:

The real Mr. Giuliani, whom many New Yorkers came to know and mistrust, is a narrow, obsessively secretive, vindictive man who saw no need to limit police power. Racial polarization was as much a legacy of his tenure as the rebirth of Times Square.

Mr. Giuliani’s arrogance and bad judgment are breathtaking. When he claims fiscal prudence, we remember how he ran through surpluses without a thought to the inevitable downturn and bequeathed huge deficits to his successor. He fired Police Commissioner William Bratton, the architect of the drop in crime, because he couldn’t share the limelight. He later gave the job to Bernard Kerik, who has now been indicted on fraud and corruption charges.

Gee, now I see why Perry endorsed him. They are a lot alike. They are both arrogant and have bad judgment, they both tend to appoint the wrong people and have been awfully close to people brought up on fraud charges. Makes perfect sense now. I bet they share the same DNA. (Ew)

The new Austin Police Chief wants to put cameras in downtown to catch crime AS IT HAPPENS! I really on have a few suggestions for Chief Acevedo and none of them include cameras in the streets of Austin.

1.) Maybe your should get policemen to stop shooting people that don't have guns and are running away from them. Cops shooting people in the back kinda looks bad.
2.) Maybe you should tell police officers to not hire hookers and get busted for it. You know, just a thought as I read that cops are cracking down on hookers. Start at home, when cleaning up your mess.
3.) Quit calling out the GOSHDARN (See,not a cussword) SWAT team every week. It's like we are living in Detroit.
4.) Do something about the crime on Rundberg for Chrissakes. Those residents are so mad about it, they are having parades to ask you to do something!
5.) Tell the cops to stop speeding through my neighborhood without their sirens and constantly running red lights. It's pissing me off.

Are we still having a discussion about teaching creationism as science in Texas? Yep. A Bible-oriented group proposes a master's degree in creationism and the state's commissioner on higher education didn't chase them out of his office with a pitchfork. Instead, Raymond Paredes has been in "regular contact" with the governor about it.

I love that the Statesman filed a request to read the emails sent in from outraged scientists in our state. Perhaps we should just tell scientists the same thing that Governor Perry told the gays during that ban on same-sex amendment thing. Remember when he told the gays to just move?

That's right science folks, just move. Leave. Texas don't want you none. Apparently, we'd rather stand around with our thumb up at our asses and pray that Jesus will cure all our ills.

How can you even debate this? Faith is Faith and I got it, but science is completely different and has nothing to do with religion or Jesus or the Bible. To insist otherwise, as if they compete is probably one of the best ways to tell if you are talking to a complete moron and then you shoot them in the face.

Ugh, I'm a little cranky this morning. Too much champagne last night and then having to even think about stupidity this early in the morning gets me going.

I think the last paragraph in this story sums it up:

Study: False statements preceded war

"Some journalists — indeed, even some entire news organizations — have since acknowledged that their coverage during those prewar months was far too deferential and uncritical. These mea culpas notwithstanding, much of the wall-to-wall media coverage provided additional, 'independent' validation of the Bush administration's false statements about Iraq," it said.

The Fourth Estate really let me down.

The stock market is set to plunge this morning after the worldwide free falls yesterday. Recession here we come! What sort of recession planning should I do other than stock up on evaporated milk and put cash under my mattress?

I'll be bitter if I have to cut back on luxury goods. Let's see, as an adult I remember 1992 as a really bad year, 1999 sucked as the tech bust got started, 2001-2002 was pretty bad, too...so bring it on 2008. I already know I can live off of turkey hot dogs and Doritos.

I did not watch the debates last night. I was busy in Congress with the gentlewoman from France, Veuve Clicquot. We held a summit on some very important topics regarding life, liberty and the pursuit of hot ass.

That being said, I did see the clip version and the wrap ups. I thought all the pundits had said that Obama and Clinton were going to make nice since they were headed to a ticket together somewhere down the line? Not so much. Senator Obama managed to sound forceful, but defensive. I thought Senator Clinton was going to come across her podium and beat the shit out of him.

Obama sounded forceful and targeted and Clinton demanded she was the most qualified. The heated exchanges are already making the rounds on YouTube.

Then there was John Edwards. He just wanted to be heard, y'all. Poor thing, he finally said that the kind of squabbling those two were doing was a fine example of what's wrong instead of what's right for a future president. His best line was when he said that the petty arguing from them did nothing to help one more American get health insurance. ZING!

Did Edwards come off as the only one above the fray and laser-focused on the needs of the country?

Some see Him on a grilled cheese sandwich, others see him in a piece of granite. Of course, you can find both on eBay.

Andy Lopez is running for Sheriff. He's got some crack wordsmiths on staff! Read his email in the permalink and enjoy the glory.

"A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom." --Martin Luther King, Jr.

I interviewed my mom about the presidential campaign this year. She isn't a political news junkie like I used to be, nor is she terribly interested in the ins and outs of the political game. Retired and living in the Deep South, I thought she could give me an idea of the pulse in other parts of the country. Here are a few tidbits from that discussion:

Me: Mom, are you following the elections?
Mom: Well, sort of. I am watching the debates more than I ever have. We certainly could use someone to shake things up. I'm worried about the economy.
Me: You and everyone I know! Who are you liking so far? (Disclosure: My family has tended to vote Republican since that disaster with Jimmy Carter.)
Mom: I just don't know yet. I like Hillary, but she just sounds so superior when she talks. It makes me mad. I know she's smart, probably smarter than Bill, but I wish she didn't sound so haughty. I like Obama, too. I'm not sure he's got enough experience, though.
Me: Did you ever think there would be the possibility of a woman or a black man in the White House in your lifetime?
Mom: Honestly? No. But it is exciting.
Me: What about the Republicans this year?
Mom: I don't know. I don't like that Giuliani. He hasn't done anything except be mayor of New York. McCain is the only one I kind of like, but he is old!
Me: What about George Bush?
Mom: I can't even stand to listen to him anymore.
Me: I love you, Mom!

Any last thoughts?
Mom: Well, I am enjoying watching the debates more this time. I'm learning about the candidates more. And on another note, did I see the you said "sonofabitch" on your blog?
Me: Probably.
Mom: Well, son, I wish you wouldn't say that. Do you know what it makes me when you say that?
Me: Yes, I still remember you slapped me on the 7th hole at Indian Pines a few years ago when I hit a wicked slice.
Mom: Well then, there you go. Remember your upbringing. Love you.
Me: Love you, too, Mom.

So, there you have it. Mom is basically undecided this year and if Hillary will quit trying to sound like the smartest nerd in the class she could probably win more people over. Also, I should stop using profanity on the blog because it betrays how I was raised.

Seriously, the GOP candidates are just now figuring this out? What do we have to do to get their attention, build Hoovervilles along the railroad tracks? This is why this election will turn. We've had 8 years of Republicans in the White House and the entire goddamn country is a big Fire Sale for anybody visiting from Europe. You can get a house in Tarrytown at the foreclosure auctions and a $300 tax refund from the feds is getting a positive buzz.

Uhm, I can't believe people running for president don't read the same news I do. There are some serious economic troubles my friends. That starts with a T and that rhymes with a B and that stands for Bush.

Texas Supreme Court Justice David Medina and his wife have been charged in an arson fire that destroyed their home in the Houston suburb of Spring last summer. Seriously? What kind of jacked up state are we running here? That's the kind of shit you'd expect to hear in Louisiana...or maybe New Jersey or something. (AAS)

That former fat ass Huckabee gave an interview on Belief.net where he's managed to alienate anyone that's not an evangelical Christian. Way to go.

BELIEF.NET: Is it your goal to bring the Constitution into strict conformity with the Bible? Some people would consider that a kind of dangerous undertaking, particularly given the variety of biblical interpretations.

HUCKABEE: Well, I don’t think that’s a radical view to say we’re going to affirm marriage. I think the radical view is to say that we’re going to change the definition of marriage so that it can mean two men, two women, a man and three women, a man and a child, a man and animal. Again, once we change the definition, the door is open to change it again. I think the radical position is to make a change in what’s been historic.

He gets in a subtle dig at Romney with his polygamy crack. Touche!

Via Americablog

. Wonder if Bill will have access to interns if Hillary is elected?
Was going to create a Texas parallel, but worried about naming the ex-boyfriend of a gubernatorial candidate!

President Bush danced with Saudis in a traditional sword dance. He stood arm in arm with some Saudi prince waving a sword. If that's not homoerotic imagery I don't know what is.

This statement from the Al Edwards campaign needs a 7th grade English teacher to diagram it for me.

AL EDWARDS CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT CHALLENGING BORRIS MILES I am running for State Representative of District 146 again because I understand that redistricting will have a dramatic event on all of us. I know we need a strong Democrat to keep a Republican from controlling District 146. I want to help save and preserve TSU, Texas History more importantly Emancipation-JUNETEENTH and all of Texas culture. I am that unbiased individual who is willing to fight for the betterment of all citizens, especially for the improvement of our educational system.

Such as.

This reporter from Rhode Island went to New Hampshire to see the primaries in person up there. First, I noticed the snow banks everywhere. Well, that's not true...first I noticed his teeth . Guy's got choppers, yo! (He's still cute, though) Then I noticed the long line of people to get in the polling place.

I thought, would I stand in that line in between big snow banks and freezing my ass off to vote?

In the wake of the New Hampshire primary, everyone is asking how the pundits and pollsters could have been wrong. Astrologers and psychics to the rescue! What a relief to know how it will all turn out! Even Merlin the Magician has weighed in.

The Chron is reporting an incident where Rep. Borris Miles crashed a party and made threats. This is the type of story you don't want coming out before a primary.

I had a spirited discussion with someone about whether or not the country is on the brink of a recession. All signs I see point to a yes. The president is expected to announce some temporary tax cuts in his State of the Union and I can't help but think, too little too late?

I'm no economist, so what do the leading economic indicators tell us? Foreclosure rates are still up, the credit crisis is not leveled out, either. Oh, and the dollar continues to fall. Consumer confidence is still low. So, what industry is 'recession proof' and do you work in that industry? If not, are you cutting back on spending?

Hillary's mantra, "four more tears" will be her path to the presidency? Nixon rolled out Checkers. Many other candidates strive to fake their humanness and generate sympathy. Get a grip! We're talking political expediency here -- if it gets votes, do it! Heck, it beats fearmongering and saying "9/11" every five minutes.

As a side note, I might cry, too, if I were running for president. The job means a lot of extra hours and dealing with gross incompetence and the pay isn't all that great. Talk about a career slump!

Note: This post is by the long-absent Bluebonnet, and not PD. Although he may agree with me!

Okay, unlike other blogs (*cough*ITPT*cough*), we don't endorse any candidate. I'll vote for Hillary if I absolutely have to, but I won't be happy about it. Given that . . .

I don't know how many of y'all read Jezebel, Gawker media's blog on women/feminism/pop culture, but I read it pretty religiously. Yesterday morning after Hillary's win in New Hampshire, a post on the site basically asserted that the only reason Hillary won the state is because she cried (and the bloggers gave a "f*ck you" to anyone who voted for her) which drew much ire from commenters. What I think of this theory: it is complete bullshit.

True, there are voters that are easily swayed, but a majority of people who vote (I like to think) have known for a while who they wanted to pick. Whether because she is a woman, or because they trust the last name Clinton, or they approve of her campaign platform, a good amount of voters surely knew before the "crying" incident happened that they were going to vote for her.

To me, the idea of Hillary (at this moment in time) showing public emotion rings so extremely false that I couldn't help but see it as a ploy. And it's not like she bawled, because that would have been too much (memories of Howard Dean yelling). No, she just got a little choked up, like some are wont to do upon viewing Hallmark ads (you know you do!).

The whole thing with the media trying to find a reason for why the polls were off and using the "it's because Hillary cried" line, well, it's just ridiculous. She had been the presumed leader since talk of the election began, right?

Right. See the following "Colbert Report" clip for more (including a pretty funny chat with Huckabee):

And in other news, Kerry is endorsing Obama, for whatever that's worth.

But for different reasons. Houston will have some sexy and sexist emails to discuss throughout the campaign. We'll only have this whole "passionate about prosecuting crime" thing.

The county GOP is worried about the fallout from the recent email scandal. Just for the record, I'm not interested in a 'sexy' email. If you are trying to sex me, try whispering something about cash or real estate in my ear.

Bill Richardson has dropped out of the race and Bloomberg is gauging his potential support. I'm guessing we'll have to wait until after South Carolina before Fred Thompson backs out.

I saw a headline that said Romney pulled his ads in SC and FL, but I didn't care enough to read why.

It's McCain. Kooky, man. I wouldn't guess that this momentum won't last long, but I'll wait until after South Carolina before I make any statements about Super Tuesday. I expect Huckabee to do well in South Carolina and Michigan.

As for Clinton and Obama, not really a surprise. I do think most people thought Obama would pull it off, though. As for Edwards, he is clearly hanging on by a thread. When I saw his whatever speech that was supposed to be I actually yelled at the screen. He was talking about some girl that died because her health insurance didn't pay for her liver transplant. What in the hell was that? Shouldn't you talk about how you would be a good president? He's an idiot.

Check out KXAN's great coverage and comments from local pundits.

It's Tuesday, that must mean somebody is voting somewhere. It's another tiny state, insignificant in so many ways, that will once again give a media and money bounce to someone. Please let it be that kook McCain.

Senator Clinton almost choked up in an interview. Is it the first time I've ever thought she is a real live person that is passionate about something other than winning? Yipes! Could it be?

On the other hand, I'm not sure how I feel about Obama saying, "I'm riding this wave. You are the wave and I'm riding you." Uhm...dirrrty!

Somehow I got an email about Hillary Clinton from a weirdo, not as much of a weirdo as the Ron Paul supporters, but still..This one started off claiming that Hillary Clinton is a witch. It went downhill from there. Here's an excerpt:

Like in the witchery, at her age of 61 years old Senator Hillary RODHAM CLINTON is to become overnight a candidate for a change, pulling a rabbit out of her hat. This can happen only in the witchcraft that she and her husband William J. CLINTON, former President reportedly believe in and practice.

This is leads to another question of whether the souls of Clintons are with the Satan in witchcraft and/or Evil Empire of former Soviet Union/Russia...

I'm at a loss. I did reply and told this person they ought to be ashamed of themselves for spreading this type of email and then I asked them if believing in witchery also meant they believed in fairies and flying nuns.

Dear God, my prayer today is that you deliver me from the raging stupidity that I have been confronted with so early in the day. Please give me peace and keep morons and idiots from my path as I try to get through another day without having to see the Your mistakes with genetic dilution of cognitive thinking. Amen.

For Chrissakes! The all-volunteer run station, KOOP, is off the air after its third fire since 2006. Seriously, just give up and shut it down. It's becoming a menace to the community.

The best part of the presidential campaign being so freakin' long is that we get gems of criticism like this one from Keith Olberman.

During a national election I try to pick a candidate I like fairly early and then I look at the candidates from the opposite party I've decided upon. This year, I cannot decide on either.

Just finished watching the GOP and Democratic debates in New Hampshire. What a challenge to find the BEST candidate! With the most recent political stalemate, I begin to wonder if the Bloomberg Independent Candidacy could be a reality. Bill Richardson actually made the most sense, but he doesn't stand a snowball's chance in New Mexico.

. Ok, so why would you expect anything different that Bill O'Reilly would act like the jerk that he is and push is way around?. I would like to see a mud wrestling match between "Mofo" Perry and O'Reilly -- we could give the proceeds to the record number of Texas uninsured children.

Uhm...it's way up north? It's small? It's got a reputation for having kooky people? I dunno. I'm of the opinion that these early votes that states always clamor for are so last decade. But, here we go. The New Hampshire primaries are tomorrow.

Will it be Obama or Clinton to pick up the lead? Clinton could use a good showing, and Obama is certainly riding high. On the Republican side, Romney could use push here. I see McCain is rising in the polls. The Republican primary is much more exciting as moderate Republicans are freaking out over the Huckabee and Romney campaigns in the first place. Anyone seeing how they are tearing apart Huckabee? I'm not paying much attention.

Oh well, let's all see how it goes! (BOOOOOOORRRRRRRING)

The Fox Business Channel isn't doing so well. According to unconfirmed reports, the Fox Business Channel is getting about 6,300 viewers on an average day. Who are these 6,300 people? Seriously, that's just embarrassing.

This is a testament to two things. A.) The business network is already crowded and the audience for this niche has already built relationships with other vendors. B.) TV viewership, as a whole, is down year over year. TV now confuses their viewer with too many choices.

Well, I couldn't help but catch a news update. NBC predicts it will be Huckabee and Obama. Huckabee? Are you kidding me? Dear Lord in Heaven please save us from the idiots in Iowa!