Big Al sees Barack Obama as "a healer"

C.J. Baker of the Powell Tribune conducted a fine interview with Wyoming's former U.S. Senator Al "Big Al" Simpson. As always, Simpson was outspoken. He campaigned by the McCain-Palin ticket, which won by a handy margin in the state. Still, the lifelong Wyoming Republican is ready to give President-elect Obama a chance:

Some Republicans have heralded the election of Barack Obama as a surefire disaster, but Simpson isn't scared -- even if he would rather have seen McCain and Palin elected.

"Somebody will say, 'I heard Simpson isn't afraid of Obama. He must be an old fart sitting there who doesn't even know what he's doing anymore.' But I'll tell you, I still do," he said. "And what I see is this: I think (Obama's) a healer. And I think he's going to do what he said he's going to do, which is help heal the nation, and get rid of this stench of partisanship, which is unworkable."

Read the entire article on the Casper Star-Tribune web site.

Can pro athletes think beyond sports?

Professional athletes are not known for their political acumen. Just look at John Elway -- diehard McCain supporter who campaigned with him in Colorado. He gets points for getting involved. But he's just another one of those rich athletes who was glorious on the field but became a fat-ass golfing Republican upon retirement. And why not? Elway really made out with Bush's tax cuts for the rich. And he stood to make even more dough with McCain's plan for even more tax cuts for duffers. How much money do these people need? Remember Elway refusing to visit with Bill Clinton after the Broncos Super Bowl win? He's only become worse with time.

Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall was a big Obama supporter during the recent campaign. He wasn't the only one, but seemed to be the leader of the pack. Here's how Denver Post sports reporter Lindsay Jones describes an election day interview with Marshall:

Marshall, who has been one of the most out-spoken Barack Obama supporters in Denver’s locker room throughout the fall, said he got to his local voting precinct at 6:20 a.m. He said the process was easy and he was out by 7:10 a.m. It was his first time voting. He wore his “I voted” sticker on his hooded sweatshirt, but because he was shirtless during the interview, he took the sticker and put it on his forehead.

Marshall caused a frenzy Thursday night when the Broncos played Cleveland. Denver went ahead with just 1:14 left on the clock behind a touchdown pass from Jay Cutler to Marshall. In the end zone, Marshall pulled out a black-and-white glove to celebrate Barack Obama's victory two night's before. His teammate Brandon Stokley intervened, thinking that Marshall's move might penalize the Broncos for delay of game or unsportsmanlike conduct. Marshall was quoted later that he wanted to make the same sort of salute as black U.S. athletes Tommie Jones and John Carlos made at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. As most commentators noted, Marshall's was a good-hearted salute that came at the wrong time for the Broncos.

Maybe so. But it's good to see a pro athlete thinking about something more than himself. I always wonder why we don't see more of that sort of spirit from athletes. Sure, there's basketball great Bill Bradley as a U.S. senator. And everyone remembers Roberto Clemente's ultimate sacrifice when he died flying in earthquake supplies to his native Nicaragua. Sure, there are a few other examples. But most pro athletes are self-absorbed and know little beyond their own playing field.

Marshall thinks beyond the gridiron. I admire him for that.

Vote Republican! Avoid Pelosi Syndrome!

During these final days of the 2008 election, Republicans are pushing ads that portray Wyoming as a reliably conservative state and one that distrusts East Coast Liberals. If you are a born and bred Wyomingite with conservative creds, you are good and trustworthy. If you were born somewhere else -- especially any East Coast state north of Virginia or (worse) California -- and you're a Democrat, you are bad, untrustworthy and probably a Socialist.

The latest Repub ads supporting Cynthia Lummis emphasize these crucial differences and encourage Wyomingites to vote for "real" conservatives whom also are "real Americans" too. A radio ad I heard today in breaks of the Denver Broncos game has some ersatz cowboy narrator (probably an actor!) with a folksy voice. He used all the buzzwords that are supposed to push the right buttons in Wyomingites: "East Coast Liberal" and "out-of-state money" and "unions" and "Nancy Pelosi." When I heard all this, I began to feel a bit sick. So I went to the doctor.

Doctor: Sorry, Mr. Shay, but I'm afraid you have a case of Pelosi Syndrome.

Me: Not Pelosi!

Dr.: I'm afraid so.

Me: What's the diagnosis, Doc? Give it to me straight!

Dr.: First it's the arms and legs, and then the torso. Last to go is the head.

Me: Tumors? Lesions? Cankers? Boils?

Dr.: Worse. Your body turns blue. Hordes of Wyoming Republicans see that you're a Democrat and they set upon you like a pack of ravening wolves. You don't stand a chance.

Me: I'll stay at home.

Dr.: They'll find you.

Me: I'll hide in the mountains.

Dr.: They'll find you no matter where you try to hide.

Me: I'm done for.

Dr.: True, unless....

Me: What, Doc? Give it to me straight!

Dr.: Well, you could fall into line and vote Republican. This is a conservative state, don't you know? It's futile to resist. Vote Lummis. Vote Enzi. Vote Barrasso. Vote McCain. Vote Palin.

Me: Is this my only hope?

Dr.: I'm afraid so.

Me: Any side effects?

Dr.: There's one. First it's the arms and legs. And then the torso. The last to go is the head.

Me: What do you mean, Doc? Give it to me straight!

Dr.: It's called Palinitis. Your body turns red.

Me: But I'll be O.K. as long as I stay in Wyoming?

Dr.: True, but next time you go to a blue state, those Democrats will come at you like a ravening pack of slightly miffed bunny rabbits.

Me: Doesn't sound dangerous.

Dr.: It's death by a thousand little nibbles.

Me: I'll stay home. Who needs blue states anyway? Who needs Colorado or New Mexico or California or New York or Pennsylvania or Massachusetts or Washington or Hawaii or Florida or Virginia or Maryland or North Carolina or....

Dr.: Exactly. If you stay in Wyoming and vote the Republican Party line, you'll live forever.

Me: And what a full life that will be!

THE END

Obama vs. The Cranky Old Guy

From Al Rodgers on Daily Kos

Yet another letter to my Arizona son

Dear Kevin:

How's school? You know I have to ask that first. It's the irritating Dad in me.

I also want to irritate you about another matter. I know that you said you're going to vote. But have you? I ask for a couple reasons. Arizona has early voting, and it appears that the Democrats (at least according to tracking polls) are turning out in big numbers. But those numbers have to be really big because McCain still leads Obama 51-46 percent. That may seem like a lot, but last month McCain had a much wider lead of 59-38 percent. Sen. Obama has really closed the gap in the last month and it's getting tighter every day.

So you and your buddies have to get out and vote. Did you know that some national polls show that voters ages 18-30 are voting 2-1 for Obama? Your own Arizona Public Interest Research Group shows that this age group makes up a quarter of the electorate. That's not bad in a state known mainly for its cranky oldsters shriveling up in the Valley of the Sun. You know, people like John McCain, Arizona native.

So it's up to you and your peers. You and the guys (and some girls) who grew up on Dungeons & Dragons and Sonic the Hedgehog. We parents tried to inject some lectures on citizenship amongst all the videos and soccer games and school and driving lessons. Most of all, we tried to demonstrate what it means to be an engaged citizen, someone who really cares what goes on in his community. Some of that stuck, I know, because I've seen what you've accomplished and how you've behaved since you left home. Your Mom and I and sister are proud of you. We'd be proud of you even if you were a Republican. I was an election judge in Cheyenne when you came in to vote for the first time in 2004. I can't be with you this time but I know you'll do the right thing. Pressure!

I'll see you in January, when I'm in Phoenix on business. I'll even be there on Jan. 20, Inauguration Day for Barack Obama. Maybe we can watch it together on TV.

Love, Dad

P.S.: The Arizona Capitol Times reports this:

...at least one internal Republican poll conducted toward the end of the week showed McCain clinging to a tiny 3-point lead. McCain is tied in Maricopa County, usually seen as a death knell for any statewide Republican candidate, but he makes up the difference with a strong performance in the northern part of the state.

Newsweek: Obama leads McCain 53-40

This just in from Newsweek:

With less than two weeks left in the presidential contest, Barack Obama continues to hold a commanding double-digit lead over John McCain according to the latest NEWSWEEK Poll. Among registered voters nationwide, Obama now leads McCain by 13 points, 53 percent to 40 percent. Among likely voters, Obama's lead is similarly strong, 53 percent to 41 percent.

Don't these people know they're on camera?

And where does all this hatred come from?

This filmed at John McCain's rally this morning at the Stock Show Arena in Denver.

Sen. John McCain, teller of tall tales

Surprise: USA Today explores Wyoming's oil patch, finds strong McCain support

USA Today wrote about Wyoming in its series "50 States 50 Days," an attempt to get to all of the states and interview people about their views on the presidential race. In Wyoming, they focused on oil patch workers in Midwest and environs. All said they will vote for McCain. The reporter had to go south to Casper to find some Obama supporters. The story is pretty accurate, as far as it goes. My guess is that Obama finds most of his support in Cheyenne, Laramie, Rock Springs, Jackson, Lander, Casper and Sheridan. Not surprisingly, those are where the Democratic Party organization is strongest. Dem candidates for U.S. House and Senate are finding that to be true, too. Nick Carter of Gillette is running for Dr. John Barrasso's Senate seat. Wonder what kind of support he's finding in his home town? Gillette is the epicenter of the coal and coal-bed methane industry.

The USA Today reporter interviewed historian Dr. Phil Roberts:

"McCain will win, but it will be a lot closer than people think," says Phil Roberts, history professor at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. "My suspicion is a lot of Wyoming Republicans will sit it out. There's not a lot of enthusiasm for voting for McCain."

Roberts says he sees Wyoming Republicans as mostly business-oriented rather than driven by ideology, social issues or other reasons. He calls them Romney-style Republicans, referring to former presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

Read the entire story here: http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-10-15-50states-wyoming_N.htm

The oil patch workers were more interested in the McCain/Palin philosophy of "drill, baby, drill" that anything else. Again, no surprise, but you'd think they'd be at least mildly interested in the economic meltdown that will affect their pocketbooks as much as the changing of the guard in D.C. Also, health care, foreign policy, education. Not a mention of any of those from the McCain supporters. Then again, McCain has few ideas other than "drill, baby, drill." If you had any doubts about McCain's bankrupt philosophy, go to this link and see what kind of sleazy robocalls are being made to your house by the McCain/Palin campaign: http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/10/latest_mccain_robocall_alleges.php

McCain oozes negativity in tonight's debate

Tonight's debate in a nutshell, as described by Obama campaign spokesperson David Plouffe:

“We came into the debate with two thirds of the American people thinking that John McCain is running a negative campaign, and Senator McCain spent 90 minutes trying to convince the other third. Once again, Barack Obama won a clear victory because he made the case for change for the middle class, while John McCain just had angry and negative attacks."

More than 12,300 voters have cast absentee ballots so far in Wyoming

AP reports:

The Wyoming Secretary of State's Office says more than 12,300 people have cast absentee ballots so far in the general election.

That's about 5.3% of the state's roughly 233,000 registered voters. Absentee voting began Sept. 25 and continues through Nov. 3, the day before Election Day. Officials in the state's most populous counties say absentee voting has been typical of a presidential election year, and possibly a little heavier than 2004.

Laramie County Clerk Debbye Lathrop says about 2,650 people have cast absentee ballots in her county so far. She says absentee voting has been busy at the county's absentee polling place. Chris Lindsey, the deputy county clerk for elections in Natrona County, says nearly 1,140 people have already voted absentee in Natrona County.

Are you a Laramie County resident at least 18 years old who hasn't yet registered? No problem. Go down to the City & County Building, register and cast your vote. You can do that in Wyoming. Really, you can. My advice: be a real maverick in this red state and vote for Barack Obama.

Get more details here: http://www.laramiecountyclerk.com/

Irritate a Know Nothing -- wear your Obama T-shirt to Wal-Mart today

Steelmaggie13 in Alabama is one of those Steel Magnolias who give the South a good name. Here’s part of her diary on Daily Kos:

Soooo... Tonight I needed to go to Wal-Mart. I try to avoid it as much as I can because I prefer to give my money to the local businesses in town, but I had to go tonight. I try to wear one of my Obama Tshirts whenever possible because I am just really proud of my candidate. Tonight it was my HOPE MONGER tee ;o) It's funny the looks you get from people when you're in the minority.. Sometimes people look at my shirt and then at my face like I'm crazy.. Some smile, some say "Love that shirt!" And tonight... a woman actually confronted me about it.

I was behind her in line thru the self check out... and she looked at me and in a tone dripping with disdain, said, "Can I just ask you 'Why'"? (I knew immediately what she meant), but I asked her, "Why what?" She made a motion with her hand over her own chest, indicating my shirt... She said "Why? Why all that?" My first reaction was really incredulousness, and I said back, smiling, "Why NOT?!" I asked her what our other choices were. And she said.. "Well, not SOCIALISM!"

I said to her, "Oh, you must watch Fox News because they're the ones who are pushing that storyline.". I could feel my heart start pounding harder... She said something about his record, and I know the look on my face was complete disgust (I've GOT to work on that, I never have had a very good poker face), and I said back to her... "Records?? Consider if you will that the Republicans have been in charge of the gov't for the past 12 years.. and LOOK where we are!"

I'm very passionate about this stuff and I think maybe I scared her a little when I answered her back so sharply and quickly, so she said.. "I don't want to argue with you, I just wanted to know why.". So I, still smiling said... "Well, the reason for 'all this' (imitating the same movement she made indicating my shirt) is because THIS is a positive movement. I feel excited and joyful and hopeful about this election. I believe in this guy. I'm very happy with my candidate and I support Obama completely. It's not the dismal, hateful, scary stuff the other side is offering. That's why." I was smiling, but I think she and a few others around us, knew I was spring loaded and ready LOL... I've GOT to work on that. I only want to come across as joyful and confident.. Not snippy and bitchy. I mighta been a little snippy and bitchy in my delivery, but I felt proud of my answers.

Read all of it at http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/12/02934/468/450/628050

mccainpedia "Count the lies" link hijacked (with update)

I'm removing all links to mccainpedia on my blogroll and to the McCain "Count the Lies" posts. The link apparently has been hijacked by webofdeception.com which seems to be a right-wing site as he speaks fondly of Matt Drudge. Beware! I'll do more research and get back to you...

UPDATE, A FEW MINUTES LATER: Maybe it was my problem, or the link's been fixed. ProgBlog citizens! Go about your normal lives! Nothing to see here...

Try going here and see what you get: http://www.mccainpedia.org/.

The questions remains: who and what is webofdeception.com?

Lies, and the lying liars who utter them

McCain stokes hatred and ignorance in the American Heartland

McCain supporters hateful and spiteful and mean-spirited? How could that be? Go to this YouTube video ("The Sidewalk to Nowhere") for the wit & wisdom of McCainiacs waiting in line for a rally in Bethlehem, Penn.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itEucdhf4Us

UPDATE LATER THE SAME DAY: Here's how Sen. Barack Obama responded to the hateful spewing by McCain and his minions:

"They can run misleading ads, they can pursue the politics of anything goes. It will not work. Not this time. I think that folks are looking for something different this time. It's easy to rile up a crowd, nothing's easier than riling up a crowd by stoking anger and division. But that's not what we need right now in the United States. The times are too serious," Obama said at a rally in Chillicothe, Ohio.

There are whoppers, and then there are McCain-style whoppers

Join fellow progressives at Prez Debate Party on Tuesday night

On Tuesday, October 7, 7 p.m., join the Laramie County Democrats and other progressives at the "Debate Party" at Old Chicago on Dell Range Blvd. in Cheyenne. We had a great time at the first prez debate at the Capitol Grille in downtown Cheyenne. Nobody threw anything at the TV except for some choice folksy epithets, such as "Doggone your bald-faced lies you old coot!" And we weren't addressing Sen. Obama.

FMI: LarCoDems HQ at 307-634-9001.

McCain: Just ignore that rabid attack dog behind the curtain

John McCain's lies are mounting up into a big pile of...

Debate winner depends on P.O.V.

Who won the debate tonight depends a lot on your point of view.

Part of the time, I watched through my 57-year-old eyes. I'm closer in age to Barack Obama, but my life experiences are more akin to those of John McCain, 15 years my senior. No, I wasn't a P.O.W., and I didn't marry an heiress. But I did grow up during the Cold War and Vietnam, and those experiences shaped me. Despite my liberal outlook, the old battles and grudges of the Soviet-U.S. face-off are still with me. One big Super-Power against another. The Arsenal of Democracy vs. the Gulag of Godless Communism. I know that the world is a much more complicated place. But I can't change my life's building blocks. And neither can John McCain. Tonight, when he went off on a long diatribe against Russia invading Georgia and Putin being a Soviet apparatchik in the KGB, I knew what he was talking about. I grew up with that kind of lingo, that sort of world view.

But Glasnost started in the 1980s and the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. My son turned four that year. The Soviet Union was gone by the time my daughter was born in 1993. Talking to them about the Soviets and apparatchiks and the Cold War and all the rest is like talking to them about the Crimean War (McCain mentioned Crimea tonight, which made me recall all the lines to Tennyson's "The Charge of the Light Brigade"). This is ancient history to my kids. They like history. But it's not current events. It's not NOW.

And that's what Obama talks about -- NOW. Health care and student financial aid and housing foreclosures and Iraq and Afghanistan. Stuff that is happening NOW and not THEN, back in the old days when the Soviets existed.

How do the young people see McCain? As someone who was born during the Great Depression, was a kid during World War II, went to Vietnam in its early days, and now is old as the hills and twice as dusty. He could be their grandfather of even great-grandfather. Obama? He could be their father. He has a pretty wife and two little kids. He's a guy with energy and vision. He's a guy they can relate to, and work hard to elect.

Who won the debate? Ask a 23-year-old.