These Donkeys Are Real Jackasses

194 days to go. Thats 6 months and 11 more days of political spin doctoring, rabble rousing, and finger pointing. The latest spin battle is being waged by the official campaign websites of Obama and Clinton. In the end both competitors are left bloody while neither emerges victorious.

The sordid tale of this particular tom foolery begins way back in August of 2007, when the Florida state legislature voted to move up the date of their presidential primaries. In response the Democratic National Committee stripped Florida of delegates to send a message to the other states. Shortly thereafter Michigan state officials, anticipating reprisals, scheduled their primary 2 weeks earlier than Florida, January 15. As anticipated, the Democratic National Committee voted to strip Michigan of delegates as well.

Now here's where things get interesting. In early September of '07 Michigan rescheduled their primary. In October Obama pulled his name from the Michigan ballot, and announced that he would not be running in the state's primary. This, almost a full two months before the DNC voted to strip Michigan's delegates.

Fast forward to April '08 and the delegates are now at battle over whether or not the Florida and Michigan votes should be counted. Obama, who did not campaign in either of the states, adamantly defends the DNC's decision to strip delegates. Clinton, who desperately needs to remain viable candidate in the eyes of the nation, includes popular vote counts in Michigan and Florida when tallying up the current score.

In the end, the Dick Dastardly Award goes to Obama for his blatant misrepresentation of the facts. According to the ironically named factcheck.barackobama.com:

"In today's edition of "The Note," ABC News' Rick Klein wrote that "By one (rightly disputed) metric -- the popular vote, including Florida and Michigan -- Clinton has pulled ahead of Obama. But without the rogue states, Obama is still up by 500,000 -- and if you can find another objective measurement by which she's in the lead, let us know." ... Somehow, the Clinton campaign took his report and twisted it into this: "ABC News reported this morning that 'Clinton has pulled ahead of Obama' in the popular vote." That is a false reflection of what ABC News reported.

The Clinton campaign took something and twisted it? That sounds about right to me, but just to be thorough, lets take a look and see what the HillaryClinton.com has to say on the topic:

Estimates vary slightly, but according to Real Clear Politics, Hillary has received 15,095,663 votes to Sen. Obama's 14,973,720, a margin of more than 120,000 votes. ABC News reported this morning that "Clinton has pulled ahead of Obama" in the popular vote. This count includes certified vote totals in Florida and Michigan.

Well, it looks like Barack was right. She twisted Rick Klein's statements to her advantage. Then to top it off, Obama turns around and twists Clinton's words to HIS advantage! He implies that Clinton is trying to sneak the Florida and Michigan votes by us, when in fact, the very next line on her site indicates that "this count includes certified vote totals in Florida and Michigan."

While the democratic nominee has not yet been decided, one thing certainly has been: these donkeys are real jackasses.

Barack Sets Us Straight On The Facts

195 days to go. In the blink of an eye, we are one day closer to E-day, and the picture doesn't look any better than it did when we last looked. The votes are in, and Hillary has won Pennsylvania. The democratic race for the presidential nomination is virtually a dead heat, with Obama still leading slightly in the popular vote and delegate count.

Random thought of the day: Would the Irish be more likely to vote for Obama if we apostrophized his name? Barack O'Bama? No I guess not. If the Irish vote for him, it will more likely be as a result of his charismatic speeches about Hope and Change.

If charisma were the lone deciding factor in choosing our President, Obama would be the candidate of choice. I can see it now, if I squint really hard.... Obama is standing before a podium on the White House lawn. The birds are chirping merrily, and the photographers' cameras snap rapidly. Flickering pale white light bathes our Commander in Chief, as flash bulbs alight. In a warm basso voice, our beloved leader warms us with a charismatic speech, faultlessly explaining why our taxes have soared since he took office. Lovingly, and eloquently, he will explain to us all: while things have gone terribly since he took office, we should hold out our Hope, that someday things will Change.

I guess it goes without saying that I'm not a big Obama fan. I did my best to keep an open mind, but when I learned about his stand on live birth abortion, I couldn't stomach him any longer. In case you have an aversion for clicking links, I'll give you a taste of whats out there. Were you to follow the link I have so generously provided for you above, you would be taken to the official homepage of the Barack Obama campaign. The following is a direct quote, (captured on 4/23/2008, factcheck.barackobama.com)

" Rhetoric: 'In the Illinois state Senate, (Obama) opposed a bill similar to the Born-Alive Infants protection Act, which prevents the killing of infants mistakenly left alive by abortion.' [Washington Times, 4/2/08]

Reality: Obama said he would have supported federal born alive legislation, a move pro-choice groups would not have opposed because it made a distinction between a fetus in utero and a child that is born. "

Firstly, lets address the "Rhetoric" portion of the statement. Despite the implications inherent in labeling this particular quote rhetoric, the quoted statement is true. Barack Obama did infact vote against Illinois state legislation "which prevents the killing of infants mistakenly left alive by abortion." Obama is unable to deny his voting record, as it is... well... on the record.

What he is able to do, is charismatically and eloquently explain WHY he voted the way he did. This brings us to the "Reality" portion of the statement. Obama would have voted for the bill, if only it had "made a distinction between" a fetus in utero and a child that is born. If only the BORN Alive INFANT Protection Act had made a distinction, it would have turned out differently. Perhaps if it had a clearer name it would have passed. Maybe if it had been called the Born (and by this we mean no longer inside the womb) Alive (also known as not dead) Infant (for further clarification on the word infant, please see webster.com) Protection Act, then it would have passed.

Following is the entirety of the born alive infant protection bill as it was proposed at the 93rd General Assembly of the Illinois State Senate. (www.ilga.gov). Of special interest are lines 14 to 23.

1        AN ACT concerning infants who are born alive.

2        Be  it  enacted  by  the People of the State of Illinois,
3    represented in the General Assembly:

4        Section 5.  The Statute on Statutes is amended by  adding
5    Section 1.36 as follows:

6        (5 ILCS 70/1.36 new)
7        Sec. 1.36. Born-alive infant.
8        (a)  In  determining the meaning of any statute or of any
9    rule,  regulation,   or   interpretation   of   the   various
10    administrative  agencies  of  this State, the words "person",
11    "human being", "child", and "individual" include every infant
12    member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive  at  any
13    stage of development.
14        (b)  As used in this Section, the term "born alive", with
15    respect  to  a  member of the species homo sapiens, means the
16    complete expulsion or extraction  from  its  mother  of  that
17    member, at any stage of development, who after that expulsion
18    or  extraction  breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of
19    the  umbilical  cord,  or  definite  movement  of   voluntary
20    muscles,  regardless  of  whether the umbilical cord has been
21    cut and regardless of whether  the  expulsion  or  extraction
22    occurs  as  a  result  of  natural or induced labor, cesarean
23    section, or induced abortion.
24        (c)  A live child born as a result of an  abortion  shall
25    be  fully recognized as a human person and accorded immediate
26    protection under the law.

27        Section 99.  Effective date.  This Act takes effect  upon
28    becoming law.

The Calm Before The Storm

As the trees of Maine begin to bud, and the color green makes its glorious return, it would be pessimistic of me to say that I dread the swiftly approaching autumn. With the presidential election only 196 days away its as if a shadow is looming on the horizon. I know I should enjoy the spring and its vibrant celebration of life while I can. For soon the leaves will flare into color, then slowly wither and die, and election day will be upon us.

November 4, 2008: a day that shall forever live in infamy, as one decisive moment in American history when a nation was forced to choose which inept candidate would become her Commander In Chief.