According to NPR it's the issue that stopped the Wright Controversy. It turns out Hillary's Stupid and no one noticed before.

You saw the HRC mailers with a gun message, but it was a $2500 German hunting rifle that the graphic designer mirrored the image to show a left handed bolt.

LB, what do you mean a fake WVWV??? I've looked pretty closely into most election ratfuckery and this WVWV stuff is at the top of even Rovian level dirty tricks. They repeated this same robocall in OH and other states as well as NC.

... saying it's fake, I tend to believe them, especially as opposed to unlinked assertions by OFB types.

Nice one on the gun thing. Never hire anybody from the "Creative Class," eh? Can't trust 'em.

[x] Any (D) in the general. [ ] Any mullah-sucking billionaire-teabagging torture-loving pus-encrusted spawn of Cthulhu, bless his (R) heart.

LB,

I really am not sure if you just haven't seen the background on this robocall stuff or you are saying it is all OFB ginned up. I'm really kind of disappointed.

Go read the facts in the NAACP complaint

and they tried this in Ohio in 2007 as well.

Do I need to point you to NH & Tobin as to how this is normal procedure for the GOP, and apparently now the Dems.

Just stop repeating the NH stuff, intranets. It didn't stick then, so why are you trying to make it stick now? Wait, don't answer.

[x] Any (D) in the general. [ ] Any mullah-sucking billionaire-teabagging torture-loving pus-encrusted spawn of Cthulhu, bless his (R) heart.

I don't mean NH primary.. I mean convicted of phone jamming in NH 2002 by GOP and sent to prison stuff. That's why I included Tobin. There are other proven ties to robocalls and Delay and other tricksters.

What has Obama said in the last month that would draw undecided voters to him? Is it his exhaustion, his boredom, his disappointment? Lately he's run an anti-campaign that almost seems designed to repel people.

I'm not saying it will -- He's got a huge Label that says EXCITING pinned to his back. And that seems to be enough for some people.

But is it ENOUGH?

That's why I'm confused. Hillary keeps coming up with more ideas. And she's far from exhausted, bored or disappointed.

Isn't that closer to what we want in a leader?

Good scandal! No one's ever even heard of it. I like that! Bet it will keep people from voting for her in droves.

Lambert -- me too. I can't stand the suspense. I was volunteering in Phila for the last primary though, so I could feel a sense of momentum and excitement building up to election day and we were so busy. It felt great. Today not so much. Hopefully it's just bc I'm far away from the real action. I wonder how the volunteers in IN and NC are feeling things today.

Katiebird, it IS confusing, except I'm not confused anymore. At this point I say it comes down to the misogyny. She is a patently more qualified, experienced, intelligent, competent, seasoned, and exciting political figure than he is, AND her presence in the race is equally as historic as his. SO, it's woman-hatred plain and simple at this point. That's my story and I'm sticking with it.

NOTE Except for the TX caucus votes, for which, IIRC, the Hillary campaign has the affidavits stashed away, for use if necessary.

I suspect she has a lot more than just TX up her sleeve -- that's her campaign went back and took affidavits from people in the Super Tuesday and 'week after' caucus states as well....

it turns out that there were a lot of complaints about the caucuses well before Texas, but they got almost no coverage. I'd not be surprised to find that Clinton can 'go nuclear', and demand that a whole bunch of red state caucus delegations not be seated because the states did not properly enforce their own rules -- those rules had to be approved by the DNC, and failure to abide by those rules can be used in a credentials committee challenge.

*********
re: the gun flyer...

if you had any proof about how completely out-of-touch the media and Obama supporters are, you need look no further than the gun-flyer controversy. People are obsessing over the fact that a graphic designer reversed a photo image, and ignoring what the flyer is saying... that Obama wanted to make handgun illegal in Illinois.

(and if you don't think that the media is in the bag for Obama, the "great lakes" gaffe is a far dumber mistake than reversing a photo, but no one is mentioning that....)

as Shakespeare's Sister IIRC says, so it's smart of Obama to go with that. It's all part of the process...

[x] Any (D) in the general. [ ] Any mullah-sucking billionaire-teabagging torture-loving pus-encrusted spawn of Cthulhu, bless his (R) heart.

Around racial issues. Again. The only good reason for people not to vote for Obama is their loathsome racism, unlike swell folks like, say, Josh Marshall. It couldn't possibly have something to do with the fact that Obama hasn't said anything new in months and comes across like he stopped caring long, long ago. He's already in Vegas Revue mode, endlessly replaying a catalog of old hits.

because that's "creative" and they're all about the meta.

[x] Any (D) in the general. [ ] Any mullah-sucking billionaire-teabagging torture-loving pus-encrusted spawn of Cthulhu, bless his (R) heart.

But only for about half the people. The other half aren't too happy with it. http://www.xist.org/earth/pop_gender.aspx

Although I agree with your sentiment.

Twisty's pretty good at pointing that out as well.
http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/

Corrente, Shakesville, Echidne, and Twisty are the only blogs I have bookmarked these days.

I have three daughters. In this election the political really is personal.

in n.c., a slightly reduced turnout by blacks +

a slightly higher than expected turnout by whites =

a clinton victory in n.c.

this is just a prayer, not a prediction. but i don't think it impossible by any means.

if it comes to pass, give the rev and the big dog a lot of credit.

gardening is the best way to pass time, better than nail-biting for sure.

Around racial issues. Again. The only good reason for people not to vote for Obama is their loathsome racism, unlike swell folks like, say, Josh Marshall.

why does WKJM just hand the keys to the White House to McCain now?

I mean, if you want to alienate Clinton voters, falsely accuse them of racism.

Not to mention the fact that every time someone like WKJM talks about the 'alienating black voters if Obama doesn't get the nomination' the entire GOP gets a tingle up their leg, because every non-black voter who isn't solidly in the Obama camp in the country thinks "well, i guess they care about black voters more than me".

Not to mention the fact that Obama's whole "electability" argumnet -- all those states where he is supposedly 'more competitive' than Clinton, are only more competitive because women stick with the Dem against McCain, and men switch to McCain.

but I feel the same way, something is wrong, it's too quiet and..happy...we don't deserve a win!

BTW, found a great NYT piece by Jodi Kantor over at TaylorMarsh, “With Right Props and Stops, Clinton Turns Into Working Class Hero ”

This piece highlights a subtle but critical point about HRC, even though she doesn’t live the working class life, doesn’t pump her own gas, doesn’t make her own coffee and hasn’t had to worry about a paycheck for years - she gets it. She understands what people are going through and connects with them. That’s the difference between being “elite” and not. Elite is a mindset not a balance sheet.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/06/us/pol...

But I kept waiting for scandal #3… And it just dawned on me today! The Boiz think that the gas tax holiday is that scandal. They are so out of touch. And no matter what happens in either state, the Bullshit Class will claim that Obama wins, and that the gas tax was the deciding factor. Bet the rent.

I certainly don't think the Gas Tax Holiday is a scandal but I don't think it's a good idea.

First and foremost, it will never happen. Not a chance in hell. Second, even if it did happen, it won't help and may even exacerbate the problem (increase in quantity demanded --> higher prices) and we will end up paying anyway. The oil companies will just pass on the cost to us. Third, it's just pandering and it seems like an act of desperation.

All that said, I think it will work for Hillary tonight. I have no way of knowing how much it will help her, but if I was guessing I would say perhaps a point or so in each state.

It's a smart move politically but a non-starter in Congress and economically inconsequential at best.

But, what do I know? As a federal employee, I'm hoping that if it's enacted that I get the day off. ; )

To the Unity Pony, there is and can be no DOA.

Anyhow, the gas tax holiday works. Doesn't save the world, but might help the people to whom a few bucks mean a lot. Of course, "those people" are racists, so no bailouts for them, not even tiny ones!

[x] Any (D) in the general. [ ] Any mullah-sucking billionaire-teabagging torture-loving pus-encrusted spawn of Cthulhu, bless his (R) heart.

I'm just feelin' too good today, nothin' can get me down. IN and NC are looking good, the Celtics are playing the Cavs tonight, game 1 and the suns out. Stop me, I'm flying.

http://www.familiesonlinemagazine.com/pe...

I love this job!

Well, poopies on him. Sorry, I told you I was happy.

Lassie says it is time to come home!

...any day.

The polls look too good to be true. There's got to be some ratfucking going on somewhere today either by Obama folks or the GOP.

That is a great article. Reminds me of how few flattering pieces about Clinton appear in the MSM, ever. No snark, no sexism, and no mention of Obama.

Hillary comes across as a serious McCain opponent in the fall.

For a depressingly sexist and tiredly pandering article from my neck of the woods, read this from the Boston Herald. or don't. Altho the comments smacking down the writer are pretty good.
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/opinion...

I think I'll send it along to Melissa at Shakesville.

http://anglachelg.blogspot.com/

Go, read, enjoy.

Even Sadly No has a story. Apparently they think you were exaggerating or something.

Balloon Juice has their Gas Tax wankfest going full steam, with the 2-3 new threads on the subject every day.

------------------------------------------------
Real ponies don't oink- Patrick McManus

Despite whatever the expectations are, the number of uncomitted delegates shrinks today.

If Sen Clinton gets fewer delegates than Sen Obama today, she loses ground that becomes even harder to make up. This will require her to have an even bigger lopsided victory among the superdelegates at the convention.

There's a saying that the perfect America's Cup boat would fall apart and sink right after crossing the finish line of the last race -- if it's built any stronger, it gives up speed because of weight. Unfortunately for us, it looks like IACC Obama is going to fall apart just after crossing the finish line in the Louis Vuitton Cup (challenger series).

Has it really come to this? Is the desperation of Lambert to defend Hillary’s Roman gas tax holiday as part of her increasingly scattershot campaign strategy really so acute? This let-them-eat-Ramen stuff is normally Chicagoboyz territory. If the great distinction between Clinton and Obama is the latter’s unwillingness to let us all have a few extra syrup sandwiches this summer … well, really. I’m at a loss for words. But then I am a bit parched, no thanks to Barack Obama and his elitist no-free-sip-of-Mountain-Dew-every-other-month policy. Fucking robber baron.

http://www.sadlyno.com/archives/9391.html

"Let them eat wank"

------------------------------------------------
Real ponies don't oink- Patrick McManus

over to the light, HRC. I try not to read from the Herald, it makes my eyes water but this is a good one. BTW, who the #@%* said Pantsuits (and I do employ the proper noun usage)are not de riguer. Personally, I'm stocking up on them and as soon as Hillary wins the nomination I'm wearing them every day. Yeah, I'll provide photos, that's how committed I am.

>If Sen Clinton gets fewer delegates than Sen Obama today, she loses ground that becomes even harder to make up. This will require her to have an even bigger lopsided victory among the superdelegates at the convention.

I don't think that is a concern. Either the Supers are going to come over to Hillary in large numbers because they recognize Obama is damaged goods, or they are going to recognize Obama is damaged goods and not come over to Hillary because they don't care. Either way, the exact pledged delegate count won't really matter.

Via Pollster, under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, North Carolina is one of eleven states that has to track voters by race and other demos. You can download demo info on early voters with this application - here. It includes race, sex, Congressional district. What it doesn't tell you is who the person voted for (obviously) or whether the turnout for early voting will hold for election day. As of May 3, early voters were about 40% African American and 60% women.

"Syrup sandwiches"?

How is that even possible?

[x] Any (D) in the general. [ ] Any mullah-sucking billionaire-teabagging torture-loving pus-encrusted spawn of Cthulhu, bless his (R) heart.

someone didn't close their italics tag, the rest of the site is in intalics

You know its not a good day if their are cries of "voter irregularities". If you hear about those fairies (I only call them fairies because obama and his supporters have made a mockery of legitimate voter fraud problems) then you know numbers aren't looking as good as Obama's camp would like. I'll be nervous if an hour before we haven't heard about any irregularities. (This includes the WVWV issue resurfacing.)

is truly bizarre.

I am inclined to agree that the proposed saving won't help most people, and the oil companies will be trying hard to find a way to pass any windfall tax on to consumers.

Hillary's proposal is a start. But we need to do more, much more.

The OFB reaction though, is completely disproportional to the subject. They are posting thread after thread on the topic, all of them freaking out like Hillary proposed outlawing cheetos.

Desperate times in Obamaland

------------------------------------------------
Real ponies don't oink- Patrick McManus

I'm buying pantsuits for everyone in the family! Even the men! oh, wait.

We can share photos. Or have a pantsuits convention!

Hillary want's the gas tax to be paid for by oil companies "excessive profits". Obama and his supporters want us to pay for it.

Matt Stoller having to fly Southwest instead of Delta on one of his trips just to give the finger to Hillary and them poor folk is no big deal to some. Doing so while kissing the tails of big oil--as Obama did with his vote on the Cheney big oil giveaway, er energy bill--is quite another. The more they dig into their gas tax hysteria, the worse and worse Obama and they will look.

BTW, Lambert, I'm sure they can doctor a video or help spread it through the media to show just how possible it is for a "syrup sandwich".

No only did Carter lose the election in 1980, every Democratic member of the House Ways and Means committee lost. Now most people have forgotten that if they ever knew it, but you can best believe that Capitol Hill remembers that.

The same political capital required to pass a windfall profits tax could go to passing a carbon tax, which would pay for single payer health care, pubic transportation, an many other things we need.

I am souring on Clinton.

I know her remark about "obliterating" Iran came in the context of protecting Israel, but considering that Israel has nuclear weapons and Iran doens't, it was way out of line.

Further more, if we do attack Iran (and I don't understand why China would lend us money to do that, but let it go) Hillary would not be in a good position to hold Bush accountable for his crime. She would be in a similar position to Kerry in the 2004 campaign.

As much as I dislike the Unity Pony, I am increasingly of the view that he may be the stronger candidate.

Shorter Krugman: WTF?

Over at Krugman's blog today:

OK, this has gone overboard.

Hillary Clinton’s proposed gas tax holiday is not, in my view, a good idea. But the furor over what is, when all is said and done, a small and temporary policy proposal is entirely disproportionate. What’s going on?

Part of it, clearly, is the fact that many people in the media really, really want Obama to win and Clinton to lose — read Kurt Andersen — and have seized on the gas tax as their latest proof that she is ee-ee-vil.

But there’s also something going on with economists, a phenomenon I recognize wearing my other hat: the tendency to place excessive weight on issues where professional judgment differs from lay opinion....

Economists really do know something about tax incidence that the laity don’t. So when a presidential candidate says something that conflicts with economistic wisdom, it becomes THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE EVER. Except, you know, it isn’t.

There’s a lot of troubling stuff in both Democrats’ proposals. Mandates aside, Obama is seriously low-balling the cost of health care reform, and promising way too much in middle-class tax cuts. Clinton’s numbers don’t quite add up either, though she’s probably closer to the mark — and both Dems are towering figures of responsibility compared with McCain. Amid all this, the gas tax holiday is a real issue, but a small one; don’t let economist’s tendency to overemphasize their areas of expertise distort your view.

"The gas tax holiday is a real issue, but a small one."

Lather, rinse, repeat.

to do a post debunking this

I know her remark about “obliterating” Iran came in the context of protecting Israel, but considering that Israel has nuclear weapons and Iran doens’t, it was way out of line.

Did Hillary ever use the word 'obliterate' in her answer during the debate?

And if she did, did Obama not copy her answer?

If Iran strikes Israel we strike Iran?

Now we hear that it is Hillary's tone that is troubling? Not what she said but the fucking tone?

Now we hear that it is Hillary’s tone that is troubling? Not what she said but the fucking tone?

If Presidenting is mostly a matter of knowing just the right words to use... Roget for President!

Like, not Barry-tone!

[x] Any (D) in the general. [ ] Any mullah-sucking billionaire-teabagging torture-loving pus-encrusted spawn of Cthulhu, bless his (R) heart.

Looks good to me. Is it still happening after a Refresh?

[x] Any (D) in the general. [ ] Any mullah-sucking billionaire-teabagging torture-loving pus-encrusted spawn of Cthulhu, bless his (R) heart.

*rimshot*

before he was for obliterating Iran.

------------------------------------------------
Real ponies don't oink- Patrick McManus

*groan*

------------------------------------------------
Real ponies don't oink- Patrick McManus

I'm heading up that committee.

I love this job!

I can hear the clock ticking and the birds singing..and it does feel strange. Meanwhile, my dirty dishes are piling up, along with dirty laundry and I can't do anything--feel catatonic.

What the hell, Hillary supporters are so conditioned to existing in a state of anxiety that happiness is scary. I'm waiting for my sister's report after voting in N.C., then maybe I can function again.

... feel free to post on that. Any information, at this point!

[x] Any (D) in the general. [ ] Any mullah-sucking billionaire-teabagging torture-loving pus-encrusted spawn of Cthulhu, bless his (R) heart.