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Late Night Open Thread: Working Girls

Let the River Run.

We're coming to the edge,
Running on the water,
Coming through the fog,
Your sons and daughters.

Let the river run,
Let all the dreamers
Wake the nation.
Come, the New Jerusalem.

An open thread. Go ahead and vent.

< SUSA MI Poll: More Support For Unity Ticket | All Four Caucus-Primary States Show Same Trend >
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  • Display: Sort:
    I get the feeling that the race is not (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by MarkL on Thu May 29, 2008 at 12:46:25 AM EST
    over at all.. more so than a few weeks ago.
    Does Obama really have a boatload of SD's in his pocket? I am skeptical.

    MarkL....I feel the same way you do. I think (none / 0) (#3)
    by PssttCmere08 on Thu May 29, 2008 at 12:53:46 AM EST
    obama is running scared.  I assume his handlers are watching the polls; they don't look good at all...as for his boatload of SD's, I would be surprised.  The bottomline is we can speculate all the day long, but convention time is the only thing that counts.

    [ Parent ]
    Well, he LOOKS like he's running (5.00 / 0) (#6)
    by MarkL on Thu May 29, 2008 at 12:59:04 AM EST
    scared, which is as good as the real thing.

    [ Parent ]
    He's looked like that (none / 0) (#12)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:16:44 AM EST
    since NH.

    Wonder if we'll ever find out what's really been going on behind the scenes.

    [ Parent ]

    I just think he's out of his league. (5.00 / 3) (#15)
    by MarkL on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:18:00 AM EST
    And looks nervous as a consequence.

    [ Parent ]
    Sure, but I don't mean personally (5.00 / 2) (#25)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:27:05 AM EST
    so much as the actions of his campaign.  It's been really noticeable for the last couple months that they simply have not been behaving like people who have the nomination all sewn up.

    [ Parent ]
    Sandra Day O'Conner (5.00 / 0) (#4)
    by nellre on Thu May 29, 2008 at 12:55:49 AM EST
    Couldn't find a job as a lawyer after graduating near the top of her class at Standford.
    She made supreme court.
    Have we come a long way baby? Hillary as president?
    I am not giving up until she does, and she will not give up until we do.

    Looks like the ladies are revolting....check (none / 0) (#9)
    by PssttCmere08 on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:04:50 AM EST
    this out....

    link

    [ Parent ]

    OK, an open thread, so (none / 0) (#21)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:25:07 AM EST
    would you talk about your "handle," psstcmere08?  Makes me chuckle every time I see it, and I feel like I'm hearing a stage whisper.

    Where'd it come from?

    [ Parent ]

    Gyr....long ago I was on a chat site WBS and (none / 0) (#143)
    by PssttCmere08 on Thu May 29, 2008 at 11:11:16 AM EST
    it was kind of hard to break in there, so I had to come up with something creative to get noticed...this did the trick!  Glad you like it...

    [ Parent ]
    don't bother (none / 0) (#23)
    by Jeralyn on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:26:09 AM EST
    it's a ploy to leave the Democratic party. Not interested.

    [ Parent ]
    Do you think something like this will catch on? (none / 0) (#144)
    by PssttCmere08 on Thu May 29, 2008 at 11:12:48 AM EST
    We have seen things this season we thought we would never seen....

    [ Parent ]
    That video was great (none / 0) (#43)
    by bridget on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:39:14 AM EST
    they really summed up the whole misguided yet forced  Obamamania nicely

    and how hard the Big Dems tried to show their Obama support esp after the last big losses to Hillary was too obvious for words

    I got a real kick when they showed SuperRepub Laura Ingraham (sp) explain the whole primary affair lol -  incl the job of the Dem Superdelegates (who seem to not want to do it, however) and how she made the case for Hillary as a candidate for change ;-)

    Bill was great on that video, too.

    The start of the video was perfect. Hillary should have used it in an ad IMO. Like I said in another thread, the Repubs will. The Obama I 'm not ready for Prez yet comments practically scream to be put in a campaign ad ;-)

    [ Parent ]

    These aren't ladies revolting (none / 0) (#72)
    by Newt on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:02:32 AM EST
    it's more like a bunch of revolting men.
    Here's a sample comment from the Or Else link

    Women beware...
    If Obama wins somehow it will be open season on womens' rights. To the victors go the spoils. He is bringing all the sexists with him and all those that have no class or respect for women.
    His associations and sympathies with Muslims and his cousin in Kenya who believe in Sharia law should also be most alarming.
    I'm not saying that I will open a Burka store, but this is very scary!!
    As a man my blood boils at the treatment of Hillary who should have already received the nomination hands down.

    Democrats like that we can do without.


    [ Parent ]

    Sharia is scary (none / 0) (#74)
    by Steve M on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:06:11 AM EST
    The number of Muslims in Congress has doubled within the last three months.  Any day now, they'll be issuing us those little prayer rugs.

    [ Parent ]
    more of a concern in Great Britain than here (none / 0) (#88)
    by ChuckieTomato on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:20:24 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    are you serious? (none / 0) (#92)
    by Stellaaa on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:24:37 AM EST
    what is it 2?   C'mon, that is just silly.

    [ Parent ]
    Hee hee (none / 0) (#96)
    by Steve M on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:28:37 AM EST
    Yes, it is 2.  1 from Minnesota and 1 from Indiana, exactly where you'd expect the Muslim hordes to invade from.  

    [ Parent ]
    I think that was snark (none / 0) (#97)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:28:55 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    I like the pretty little prayer rugs (none / 0) (#104)
    by Cream City on Thu May 29, 2008 at 04:09:36 AM EST
    and have just the spot in a hallway for one.  Can I please, please have a Muslim member of Congress who would hand those out to the voters instead of buttons and bumper stickers?  They wouldn't look pretty in my hallway at all. :-)

    (Steve M, you are on such a roll here lately. . . .)

    [ Parent ]

    they really pull the room together (5.00 / 0) (#117)
    by sickofhypocrisy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 06:36:54 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Yuck! (none / 0) (#95)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:28:28 AM EST
    Man, I don't like being on the same side as people like that.


    [ Parent ]
    You're not. That is such a freeper post. (none / 0) (#105)
    by Cream City on Thu May 29, 2008 at 04:10:13 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Every single argument BTD (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by masslib on Thu May 29, 2008 at 12:59:53 AM EST
    makes for a Unity Ticket, is an argument for Hillary on the top of the ticket, whether he will concede so or not.

    Speaking only for myself.

    Well, BTD has changed his position (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by MarkL on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:00:45 AM EST
    markedly. He no longer declares that Obama is the superior candidate.

    [ Parent ]
    He only makes that argument (none / 0) (#29)
    by Edgar08 on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:32:19 AM EST
    Cause he thinks the Primary is over.

    [ Parent ]
    well, I have not supported Obama, but (none / 0) (#40)
    by MarkL on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:37:46 AM EST
    I think he appears a far inferior candidate to what I thought 5 months ago. I don't think BTD is gaming his posts.

    [ Parent ]
    To me (none / 0) (#86)
    by Edgar08 on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:20:12 AM EST
    That's not an issue either way.

    [ Parent ]
    He actually (none / 0) (#118)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu May 29, 2008 at 06:50:46 AM EST
    has conceded that Hillary is a better ge candidate and if he could put her on top he could. But it's not up to him.

    [ Parent ]
    Vent: I am sooooo sick of Obama (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by oculus on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:14:01 AM EST
    saying he'll be the nominee on such and such a date.  

    June 3, 2028!! (none / 0) (#17)
    by MarkL on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:18:28 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Yep That makes sense! HeeHaw! (none / 0) (#32)
    by Serene1 on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:34:45 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    I think all these false starts.... (none / 0) (#34)
    by diplomatic on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:36:06 AM EST
    are a bad sign for Obama.  Can't close the deal.  Usually foreshadows a nightmare ending for the person who fails to seize the moment over and over again.

    [ Parent ]
    I think his (none / 0) (#37)
    by Stellaaa on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:37:20 AM EST
    trying to get a mainstream family narrative is so pathetic.  

    [ Parent ]
    Does (none / 0) (#119)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu May 29, 2008 at 06:55:11 AM EST
    he realize how bad this looks? Does he realize how much ammo this gives the GOP? Obama declaring himself winner how many times? It's like some sort of bizarre punchline.

    [ Parent ]
    You watch American Idol (5.00 / 0) (#13)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:17:19 AM EST
    and your talent bar gets lowered.  The kids are talented, but tepidly.  Then you hear real talent like Carly Simon and you go, oh yeah, that's TALENT.

    I don't watch Idol (none / 0) (#115)
    by magisterludi on Thu May 29, 2008 at 06:18:15 AM EST
    because, generally speaking, I prefer singer-songwriters, not just vocalists, when it comes to popular music. That's why Simon is special, along with Joni Mitchell, Laura Nyro (RIP), Carole King, etc. These songwriters have left a real legacy.

    [ Parent ]
    you are the best jeralyn (5.00 / 0) (#14)
    by proudliberaldem on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:17:58 AM EST
    love love love this song.

    Gerry Ferraro on Fox tonight (5.00 / 3) (#16)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:18:26 AM EST
    GRETA VAN SUSTEREN: If Senator Obama is the nominee for the Democratic Party, do you intend to vote for him in November?

    FERRARO:  <sweetly>  I intend to do precisely what Michelle Obama said when she was asked that exact same question if Hillary were the nominee.  I intend to think about it, and I'm going to look at a whole bunch of issues.  Part of it is -- and obviously, the Democratic National Committee thinks that was a good idea because nobody objected to her saying that in February.

    (heheheheh)

    THAT is a great answer. (5.00 / 2) (#18)
    by MarkL on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:19:04 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Gosh I hope that's youtubed! (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by nycstray on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:26:55 AM EST
    Go Gerry GO!!!!!!!!

    [ Parent ]
    Greta doesn't get YouTubed (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:30:12 AM EST
    much, I don't think.  But she said the complete interview with Ferraro, which they only showed a bit of tonight, will be posted on her site, www.Gretawire.com, I think by tomorrow sometime.

    [ Parent ]
    Thanks! (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by nycstray on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:33:09 AM EST
    I like her political interviews. I'll check for it tomorrow :)

    [ Parent ]
    Too bad I didn't see that interview (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by bridget on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:49:10 AM EST
    what a great answer - glad she  didn't get intimidated by the Obamamedia and is is back feeling strong and sounding foxy ;-)

    [ Parent ]
    I saw it too! (none / 0) (#77)
    by janarchy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:09:58 AM EST
    And started to cry. It was the best thing I'd heard in ages. I don't care what the Cool Kids think, Geri Ferraro still rocks my socks off and has more wisdom (and snark) in one hand than 10 other people put together.

    [ Parent ]
    She is great. Now I've got my answer (none / 0) (#106)
    by Cream City on Thu May 29, 2008 at 04:13:24 AM EST
    ready when asked this again, as I constantly am, too, by all the bright-eyed Obamans in my family.  I'll just say that I'll have to see what I think of Obama's "tone."

    [ Parent ]
    I need to do that as well (5.00 / 0) (#137)
    by janarchy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 08:37:50 AM EST
    Because throwing people's words back in their face? Better than anything.

    I still have friends (who are in the tank for O) who are completely baffled as to why I dislike Michelle Obama so much. When I cite stuff like that, it doesn't penetrate. So yes, we should all use the good lady's words right back at her. (Can I say I want to scratch Obama's eyes out too...?just kidding, giggle giggle)

    [ Parent ]

    OK, I'm venting (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:22:42 AM EST
    Happened to catch a fragment of Larry King tonight, with a mixed panel of "political analyst" types, and the Obama fan said something snarky and derisive about Clinton, and they all laughed, Ha, ha!, even the pro-Hillary people.

    Which got me to thinking that I've NEVER, not once, heard snarky derisive comments made about Obama on TV with everybody laughing along.  Not once.  Not ever.  Hillary's fair game for any crude humor, but Obama is treated like sacred territory.

    Man, it p****es me off!

    Heh, I've been avoiding those shows (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by nycstray on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:31:07 AM EST
    tonight it was Criminal Minds, Top Chef and Food Network.

    I'm taking the lead on recipes for my CSA, so the food shows are keeping my blood pressure down and giving me ideas to share with the group. It's a two-fer!

    [ Parent ]

    Got my own personal CSA (5.00 / 1) (#71)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:01:32 AM EST
    on my own land.  I live way out in the country, so fresh produce in winter is 20 miles or so away to the nearest supermarket.  The local general store only carries aging broccoli, cabbage, and weirdly, green peppers in winter.  Figure if I'm reduced to frozen veg for four or five months, might as well eat my own frozen beans rather than Birdseye's.

    Got peas going strong, and I'm already eating rhubarb, scallions, radishes and lettuce from my garden.  Just planted four or five different kinds of potatoes, regular and paste tomatoes, cukes, zucchini, brussels sprouts and a dozen different herbs.  Strawberries are starting to set fruit, and a dozen new raspberry canes are leafing out nicely.

    Tomorrow I'm going to plant my native American-style "three sisters" together--  corn, pole beans and winter squash (Carnival), as well as some of those wonderful little French filet beans for fresh eating.  Also got some cauliflower starts waiting for me at the tiny nursery in the next town.

    I recently read with disbelief a whole thread on some Obama blog about how living in the country was an impossibility because of the lousy food!  Aaeeiii! I wouldn't mind a decent Indian or Chinese restaurant within reach, but it's nothing compared to the months you can eat like a king from garden-fresh produce and even organic grass-fed meat from a nearby farm, if you're so inclined, to say nothing of eggs still warm from the hen.

    Great food is one of the main reasons to live in the country.

    [ Parent ]

    I'm in Brooklyn, so I rely on my (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by nycstray on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:25:43 AM EST
    upstate farmers and ranchers. I get about 80% from small family farms here in NY and a bit more from NJ & PA. I freeze my own veggies also. I'm just finishing up last years. Still have blueberries  and such for muffins too. I have 2 freezers along with my reg fridge/freezer. And I learned how to kept some root cellar types of veggies longer. This year the CSA has added poultry and an orchard  is also participating. I may have to train my dog to pull a cart, lol!~ Have beef and pork from upstate also along with all my dairy. I make my own yogurts, sodas, pastas and such.

    I'm itching to move back to CA so I can garden again. I'm doing a small kitchen/fire escape garden also for extra beans chilie peppers spinach and cherry tomatoes along with herbs. I hope to keep it going indoors through the winter. I think I've designed a cat proof set up this time . . . What type of tomatoes do you grow for paste? I need to swing by the farmers market to pick up some plants and I would love to make my own :) I need to figure out which day the grain seller is there. I just learned there was one last season and I do have a grain mill . . . .

    I'm so jealous you can grow all those good things! I'd trade that in for eating out any day! As it is, I haven't been in a real grocery store for about a year! We have a couple of small organic groceries where I can pick up a fresh item or 2, but I stay pretty well stocked with the local farmers.

    [ Parent ]

    That sounds fabulous! (5.00 / 1) (#99)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:44:30 AM EST
    You don't need to move to CA to garden, y'know. I'm in Vermont, in the Champlain Valley, and we've got a nice long growing season.  I can even grow lima beans pretty well here.

    I'm doing paste tomatoes for the first time this year, so I'm just going on recommendations.  I'm told that the common Roma is not so flavorful, being more of a commercial variety grown by agribusiness for its uniformity and sturdiness rather than flavor.  I put in several San Marzano (Manzano?  Can't remember the spelling!), which are supposed to be much tastier, but I'll have to let you know...

    I'd love to hear what you've discovered about winter storage, since I'm still trying to work that out and not sure what I can get away with.  Contrary to all the advice I read, my potatoes did just fine up to the end of March in a cardboard box under the counter in my cool but not cold kitchen.

    I'd also LOVE to hear about cat-proofing ideas!  I haven't been able to start stuff indoors because I don't have any place I can close off from curious kitties who like chewing seedlings and digging in dirt and just plain sitting on nice-smelling seedling starts!

    Hey, NYCstray, there aren't a lot of opportunities at TL to yak about gardening, so email me at jeshawks (at) shoreham.net, if you want to continue the conversation without annoying the proprietors...

    [ Parent ]

    Anybody (none / 0) (#130)
    by Molly Pitcher on Thu May 29, 2008 at 08:15:28 AM EST
    interested in greening up and feeding the entire world?  My son has gone vegan--the whole route, making soy or nut milk, making his own tofu. The desserts sound really good.  He hopes to build himself an 'earthship' home once they get out of Somerville.

    [ Parent ]
    I'm jealous! (none / 0) (#113)
    by cloudy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 05:13:47 AM EST
    I would love to have a garden but it's farmer's markets for me.  Indian food is actually pretty easy to cook if you have the necessary spices (you can get a lot of them online).  I've been working my way through this cookbook.

    [ Parent ]
    To have fresh vegetables and fruit (none / 0) (#139)
    by samanthasmom on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:25:14 AM EST
    in your own backyard requires that you are willing to work hard. First when you have to plant and care for them, and then you actually have to cook. I live in the "burbies" and have a small garden - not nearly big enough to supply us with all of the veggies we eat, but there are lots of local farmstands. What I can't believe is how many of my friends do take-out several nights a week. By the time they drive to the restaurant, wait for the order, and drive home, I have dinner on the table with much better food.

    [ Parent ]
    Speaking of food.. Chicken Piccata.. (none / 0) (#31)
    by MarkL on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:34:34 AM EST
    I want to make that for someone this weekend. Looks pretty simple. Any special Italian tips?

    [ Parent ]
    Don't know if it's an Italian tip (5.00 / 1) (#114)
    by cloudy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 05:18:30 AM EST
    but when cooking piccatta I find it helps to have cutlets that are pounded thin enough.  Give it a good sear on each side, throw it in the oven to finish it through and make the sauce in the pan you used to sear. It took me forever to learn how to cook chicken without drying it out.

    [ Parent ]
    Brining keeps chicken breast moist (none / 0) (#116)
    by magisterludi on Thu May 29, 2008 at 06:35:21 AM EST
    while grilling and baking. I don't brine mine longer than 3 hrs lest they become rubber chicken. I don't brine for cutlets, tho.

    [ Parent ]
    I haven't made that in years! (none / 0) (#76)
    by nycstray on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:08:35 AM EST
    When I cook, everything from scratch and fresh :)

    Is the recipe simple? I just googled and got this one that looks good. My main thing with new recipes is to have everything prepared ahead of time so I have all the ingredients out and measured and I can concentrate on the steps of recipe/cooking. For the Chicken Broth, go with the organic in a box if you don't make your own. They tend to be richer in flavor and not so "canned" tasting. What are you serving it with?

    And guess what I'll be cooking this weekend!

    [ Parent ]

    Chicken picatta is one of those things (none / 0) (#141)
    by samanthasmom on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:37:38 AM EST
    you can make in the time it takes to boil the water and cook the pasta. Use thin sliced chicken breasts so that they can cook quickly without drying out. Dredge them in flour before you sautee them to help keep the moisture in.  Use fresh lemons and a splash of the white wine you'll be serving with it to make the sauce. I use the wine to get all of the fond off the pan. I always have chicken stock in the fridge, but if you don't, one of the brands that comes in a box will let you use a small amount and easily refrigerate the rest. The trick to making good piccata is to cook the chicken through, but don't overcook it. It needs a light touch.

    [ Parent ]
    All my shows are on hiatus after (none / 0) (#41)
    by Jeralyn on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:38:27 AM EST
    May Sweeps: Brothers and Sisters, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Shark, Medium, Boston Legal, Dancing With Stars, even Lipstick Jungle and Cashmere Mafia.

    Sunday nights are just not the same. I'm actualy watching the Bachelorette.

    Why did the Sopranos and Cane have to end?

    [ Parent ]

    Catch up with Robin Hood on BBC (5.00 / 1) (#107)
    by Cream City on Thu May 29, 2008 at 04:18:23 AM EST
    as this season just started only a couple of episodes ago, and they're usually rerun again.  We got hooked on it last year -- it's the traditional story and setting but with modern snarky twists.  Robin is a cutie, but one of the baddies is a greasy-haired Euro guy in tight black leather pants.  The Sheriff of Nottingham seems to be possibly bi.

    And Marian?  She's the bravest and boldest of them all, and her stunts look like Olga Korbut on speed.

    I'm waiting for Weeds and Big Love again. . . .

    [ Parent ]

    I'm catching the ones I missed (none / 0) (#61)
    by nycstray on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:53:59 AM EST
    watching DWTS and AI :) They may be reruns, but not to me! I can always catch up on Law and Orders  and I need to start paying attention to baseball as my Fantasy teams are tanking. And yeah, watching the Bachelorette also {grin}. If things get real bad, I'll just switch my work hours and play during the day/work at night  ;)

    [ Parent ]
    Race trumps gender (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by SueBonnetSue on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:38:57 AM EST
    Obama has race protection.  The MSM is so afraid that they will appear racist if they make snarky comments about BO.  

    [ Parent ]
    Never ever count out Sen. Hillary Clinton (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by athyrio on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:25:37 AM EST
    She is the most amazing and fighting democrat we have witnessed since Truman and FDR...I am truly impressed with her and am hoping and praying that she hangs in there for all of us....

    she will (none / 0) (#49)
    by diplomatic on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:42:53 AM EST
     

    [ Parent ]
    Dailyhowler as usual (5.00 / 2) (#39)
    by Serene1 on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:37:34 AM EST
    has a very good analysis on the recent Hillary bash by MSM. The headline is
    WHO SENT THE DOGS OUT! Obama's campaign--channeling Murdoch--told the dogs to bark:
    Link below:
    http://www.dailyhowler.com/

    Aah the new way of doing politics!

    You wanna see an blood pressure riser? (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by Jeralyn on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:40:35 AM EST
    I got this in the mail tonight.

    Florida Democrats call for 50/50 delegate split, end to racially divisive remarks

    WHO: Prominent Miami-Dade and Broward civic leaders and Democrats including Miami-Dade Democratic Party Faith Outreach Committee Chairman Gary Johnson, Democratic activist,  Christopher Norwood, City of Riviera Beach Mayor Thomas Masters, clergy including Rev. Carl Johnson, Rev. Johnny Barber, Rev. Alphonso Jackson and Rev. C.P. Preston, and supporters, along with State Sen. Frederica Wilson (invited).

    WHAT: Press conference calling on the DNC to apportion Florida's delegates equally

    WHEN: Thursday, May 29th at 10:30 a.m.

    WHERE: Joseph Caleb Center,
                  5400 NW 22nd Ave, Miami
                  in front of the Media Center

    On Thursday, May 29th, more than 200 South Florida Democrats will hold a press conference denouncing statements likening the fight to seat Florida's delegates to the anti-slavery and civil rights movements, and to state that Florida voters want no part in a politicized delegate fight.

    "As African-Americans, we resent references being made to the Voting Rights Act and to slavery, when what this is, is a political fight," Sen. Wilson said. "I truly feel that if the scale were tilted the other way, we wouldn't even be having this discussion." Sen. Hillary Clinton won 49.8% of the January 29 vote versus 32.9% for Sen. Barack Obama, and Obama leads the overall delegate race.

    At the press conference, the group will present a copy of the agreements signed by seven of the eight original Democratic presidential candidates, in which they pledged not to campaign in Florida and acknowledging that the primary would not count for the purposes of delegate selection.

    "You can't change the rules at the end of the game, and then try to say you're fighting for us," said Gary Johnson. "This is not about fighting for us. It's about one candidate wanting to change the rules to her benefit, and to speak for voters without asking what we want."

    The group is calling on the DNC Rules Committee to seat Florida's delegates to the 2008 Democratic convention by dividing the delegation equally between the leading candidates "If what both sides want is fairness, than let's have the fairest possible result," Norwood said. "We all want our state delegation seated, but we want them apportioned equally between the two candidates, so that nobody gains an advantage from the mess that was made by the Republicans, the DNC, and the Democrats who voted to move up Florida's election date."

    "The point here is that we do want our votes counted," Wilson said. "But we knew going into the election on January 29 what the rules were. The only reason people are looking to change those rules now is to benefit one candidate over the other, and that's not fair."

    I had to walk to another room to calm down.


    It's a beautiful day (5.00 / 6) (#66)
    by Steve M on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:58:55 AM EST
    when African-Americans have the right to fight to not have their votes counted.  The American Dream in action.

    [ Parent ]
    Oh, man! (none / 0) (#75)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:07:17 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    "end to racially divisive remarks" (5.00 / 1) (#73)
    by bridget on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:05:01 AM EST
    did they really have to put that in that letter, too?

    def. a blood pressure riser- Yikes!

    [ Parent ]

    WTF? (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by janarchy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:15:54 AM EST
    "As African-Americans, we resent references being made to the Voting Rights Act and to slavery, when what this is, is a political fight," Sen. Wilson said. "I truly feel that if the scale were tilted the other way, we wouldn't even be having this discussion." Sen. Hillary Clinton won 49.8% of the January 29 vote versus 32.9% for Sen. Barack Obama, and Obama leads the overall delegate race.

    Because if the scale was tilted the other way, the DNC would have rushed to seat the delegations and bend over backwards to fix The Rulz to appease Obama. As usual.

    Unbelievable. Screw the other million plus people who voted just so your candidate can get more than he deserves. Love it.

    (and I suppose if/when they don't get what they want, the term 'racist' will be bandied about yet again)

    What world is this again?

    [ Parent ]

    Well, I "truly feel" that he (none / 0) (#108)
    by Cream City on Thu May 29, 2008 at 04:23:15 AM EST
    is not upholding his oath of office as a legislator to uphold the Constitutions of his state and country.

    More evidence of such a lack of historical knowledge in this land of ours, but you'd think that at least some of them might know that they're asking to go right back into the awful years as Reconstruction ended but before Jim Crow was established.  An era when AAs in the South still had the ballot but it was made meaningless by exactly the sort of idiocy they seek here with shenanigans like 50-50 vote splits.

    [ Parent ]

    The other problem is (5.00 / 0) (#135)
    by janarchy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 08:33:24 AM EST
    that once you pull crap like this, people who are upset about it (and rightly so) will tend to remember about it. And the next time there IS real voter suppression? Will refuse to lift a finger to help. Or throw their words back at them.

    This whole situation that Mr Post-Racial has set up is very disturbing because, personally, it's set back race relations 20 or more years.

    Watching people shoot themselves in the foot is not pleasant in the least.

    [ Parent ]

    It's complete gibberish. (none / 0) (#50)
    by MarkL on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:44:26 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Wonder what the Obama (none / 0) (#52)
    by Stellaaa on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:48:26 AM EST
    team contributed.  

    [ Parent ]
    I'd like to see a list of the 200 (5.00 / 1) (#98)
    by nycstray on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:40:36 AM EST
    and how many are connected to Camp O. . .

    [ Parent ]
    50/50 is the same as no election at all (none / 0) (#53)
    by ChuckieTomato on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:49:10 AM EST
    But they want the votes counted...

    [ Parent ]
    What would Lewis Carroll say? (5.00 / 4) (#56)
    by MarkL on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:49:46 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    I don't know but I know what I say (5.00 / 2) (#67)
    by ChuckieTomato on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:59:15 AM EST
    they want the votes counted but do they want them to matter

    [ Parent ]
    Right.. it's another version of saying (5.00 / 5) (#69)
    by MarkL on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:59:53 AM EST
    the delegates will be seated---after the nominee is chosen.

    [ Parent ]
    WWBTDS? (none / 0) (#62)
    by oculus on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:54:36 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Somebody fell (none / 0) (#128)
    by Molly Pitcher on Thu May 29, 2008 at 08:06:47 AM EST
    down the rabbit hole.  (That grin up in the tree is NOT the Cheshire Cat.)

    [ Parent ]
    They do understand that the (none / 0) (#68)
    by Serene1 on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:59:39 AM EST
    nomination is not an end to itself but is a precursor for the GE. Also this year being a very important year for Democrats care should be taken to ensure an outcome that is seen as fair and just as also the best.

    Why FL & MI matters now is because both the candidates have not sewn up the nomination. One leads in the popular votes one leads in pledged delegates. Both have an equally strong case to make. In such a scenario it would be foolish not to take Fl & MI into account because both these states will be in play in GE and it would be wiser to have the voters in these states also have a say in the nomination race which nobody thought will turn out to be this close at this stage.

    Also we all are adults not children. Rulz are created to facilitate a process not to obstruct. Following the rulz would have been o.k if a clear nominee would have emerged by now. Since it is not the case then the next best option is to decide a winner talking all the states into account.

    [ Parent ]

    Being southern born, (none / 0) (#127)
    by Molly Pitcher on Thu May 29, 2008 at 08:04:33 AM EST
    I had an intuition that "As African-Americans" was part of the equation.  I can easily see that black loyalty is to Obama, but there is nothing fair about the proposal.  

    [ Parent ]
    Great Hillary line sums it all (5.00 / 1) (#59)
    by Stellaaa on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:51:31 AM EST
    "The White House is won in the swing states, and I'm winning the swing states".  Short, sweet and to the point.  

    Obama Practices Looking-Off-Into-Future Pose (5.00 / 2) (#101)
    by cymro on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:52:44 AM EST
    The Onion is often good for light relief at the end of the day. This one is especially amusing.

    More Rambling (5.00 / 2) (#102)
    by Edgar08 on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:57:02 AM EST
    If I tasked myself with convincing others to support a Unity ticket, my argument would include electability, but it would focus more on what an Obama/Clinton/Clinton/Obama White House would look like.

    Is it possible that Obama has a certain perspective on Government that would help a Clinton White House be better than it would otherwise be without him?

    Is it possible that Clinton has a certain perspective on government that would make an Obama White House better than it would otherwise be without her?

    Clinton does have the Foreign Policy experience, yes, more than just tea parties, she has that down, but wait.  Obama DOES provide a fresh face to the outside world.

    Obama believes his strong hand is cleaning up government, eliminating conflicts of interest.  Transparency.  Clinton believes her strong hand is job creation.  And budget control.

    Clinton has a more aggressive health care plan, but can't Obama help here with that?  She may have learned her lesson about being too secretive, but he is still someone who can reach out across the aisle on that issue without that history.

    These are all the things I would be talking about to convince people that Unity ticket was necessary.

    It also has the therapeutic affect of forcing two groups of supporters into realizing that their candidate is not perfect, and that those imperfections are nullified with a co-presidency of sorts.

    Pollyannaish.  Maybe so.  What I do know is that while Gore helped Clinton with Tennessee in terms of electability, Gore also did something I fully concede, as great as I think Clinton was, I think Clinton's administration was made even better with Gore's participation.  I think Clinton would have been less inclined to focus on some of the environmental issues.

    Here is an example of a government I was very proud of a long time ago:

    link

    And I'd fully concede that without Gore in the White House, Clinton would have been less inclined to make these kinds of investments.

    Now that I've said all that, I stand by my opinion that I think the primary is too toxic for our two candidates to reconcile as such.  The party is divided.  See above for potential solution.

    But if I was making a case for a Unity ticket, these are the kinds of things I would be talking about.

    I've been trying to think of... (5.00 / 1) (#129)
    by NotThatStupid on Thu May 29, 2008 at 08:11:57 AM EST
    ... a Democratic Party Presidential nominee who was less qualified than Senator Obama. I thought that in some of the elections from the early years of the 20th century the Democrats surely must have nominated someone worse - I mean, c'mon, the guy who lost to Warren Harding had to have been a major loser, right?

    Well, no, actually. The likes of Alton Parker, James Cox, John Davis and Al Smith were dramatically more qualified than Senator Obama is.

    My country is more important than my (former) party; I still won't vote for him.

    Ohh, those PC thugs (5.00 / 1) (#131)
    by boredmpa on Thu May 29, 2008 at 08:17:06 AM EST
    I've always hated the Politically Correct insult, because it's been misused so much to legitimize knowledge of issues of race, sex, orientation, class etc.

    Thus I find it amusing that fox is now running a story about how conservative bloggers got a rachel ray ad removed because her scarf reminded them of terrorists and was thereby insensitive.

    Faux news link

    err that's horrible grammar (none / 0) (#132)
    by boredmpa on Thu May 29, 2008 at 08:18:26 AM EST
    and supposed to be "used to deligitimize"

    [ Parent ]
    Wow, that is a serious 80s video! (none / 0) (#2)
    by andgarden on Thu May 29, 2008 at 12:49:44 AM EST


    Joan Cusack (none / 0) (#5)
    by kredwyn on Thu May 29, 2008 at 12:57:05 AM EST
    continues to be one of my faves...

    [ Parent ]
    Vent? (none / 0) (#11)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:14:56 AM EST
    OK.

    AAAARRRRGGGHHHH!!!

    Thanks, Jeralyn.  I feel slightly better.

    Since we're venting (none / 0) (#19)
    by Steve M on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:21:41 AM EST
    that "let's vent" beer commercial is really really dumb.

    yep (none / 0) (#38)
    by diplomatic on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:37:24 AM EST
    I've scoffed at it a few times myself.

    [ Parent ]
    If he had a boat load (none / 0) (#28)
    by Stellaaa on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:32:15 AM EST
    and the party wanted to end it, would they not have pulled the plug already?  I think it's all a psych out game.  I think they are nervous.  The did get their wish, the RFK thing I think has Hillary out as a VP possibility.  

    Some moron (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:36:30 AM EST
    can't remember who it was, maybe Chrystia Freeland on Hardball, said the other day that the RFK comment would give Obama a perfect excuse to tell Hillary he couldn't have somebody on his ticket who would say something like that.

    As I said earlier, ARRRRGGHHHH.

    [ Parent ]

    It's silly (5.00 / 4) (#36)
    by Steve M on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:37:16 AM EST
    Before Texas and Ohio there were all these "anonymous sources" assuring us Obama had commitments from 50 superdelegates and would be rolling them out within the next week.  They try this again and again.  Obviously it's just a mind game.

    The Obama supporters seem convinced that it's all part of some master plan, that Obama is effectively toying with the nomination process and could end it at any time.  Yeah, as if he's campaigning all week in Puerto Rico (with its 0 electoral votes for the GE) just for fun.

    [ Parent ]

    that may be the best thing then (5.00 / 3) (#51)
    by diplomatic on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:46:55 AM EST
    Hillary being "out" as VP might make her more determined than ever to see this through to the convention and get that nomination outright.  She knows that millions are counting on her to make the case.  It is only getting stronger, imo.

    [ Parent ]
    DK diary title says Wes Clark (5.00 / 3) (#60)
    by oculus on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:52:26 AM EST
    says she's taking it to the convention.  Hope that's true.

    [ Parent ]
    Why, just this week Huff Post had a (none / 0) (#46)
    by oculus on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:40:31 AM EST
    headline Obama is now lining up civilian endorsements for, you know, after he secures the nomination.

    [ Parent ]
    The same HuffPo which before and (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by Serene1 on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:49:58 AM EST
    after PA kept up the drumbeat of Obama is the nominee why is Hillary even in the race, after Hillary's WV win they declared does it really matter but on Obama's NC win they headlined their website as Obamamania is back!.

    Makes you wonder why they had to scream about Obama's NC win this way if he was really the nominee and had it all sewed up like they claimed.

    [ Parent ]

    What happens (none / 0) (#33)
    by Jeralyn on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:35:18 AM EST
    if she beats Obama by 300,000 votes in Puerto Rico, say it's 650,000 votes to 350,000 votes. What does that do to the popular vote totals if you count FL but not Michigan and you count the caucus states?

    I think it's possible for her to win outright (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by diplomatic on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:40:18 AM EST
    she can get the popular vote victory with just Florida and including caucuses depending on the turnout and margin.  It's within striking range.

    I am Puerto Rican, born and raised and I've been following all the coverage closely as well as talking to my family about things down there.  I think Obama's visit left much to be desired and Hillary really improved her chances with hers.  And the Clintons are going back this weekend.  I like her chances.

    [ Parent ]

    a 300,000 vote margin would (none / 0) (#44)
    by MarkL on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:39:24 AM EST
    put her over the top, with that count, according to RCP---but just barely.


    [ Parent ]
    And then we have to keep pointing out (none / 0) (#109)
    by Cream City on Thu May 29, 2008 at 04:31:00 AM EST
    that even now, even Obama's largest leads -- without FL and MI -- are not even equal to the votes he got in only one state.  His own.  Illinois.  And two-thirds of those were in one city.  His own.  Chicago.  (See RCP popular vote link for the numbers of his leads as variously calculated and for his win in Illinois.)

    Even the Chicago Way will not bring in sufficient numbers to win an entire country.  Plus, of course, his state -- and hers, long before it was his -- will be a blue state, either way.  

    [ Parent ]

    Stuck... (none / 0) (#48)
    by Stellaaa on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:42:01 AM EST
    Ok, we all see how complicated and how "not so in the bag"this election is.  Truth be told, 90% of the voters have tuned out.  They are over this whole thing and they believe the MSM story, he won.  Obama has manipulated this brilliantly.  So, any possibility of the SDs going the other way, will make them look like they "stole" it from Obama.  But, I think the SD's are frozen from fear, cause they know he cannot win.  It's a mess.  Hillary has to fight.  But what do we do about the Media and the Obaama campaign that it will be stolen if she gets it.  

    How do you make that assumption? (5.00 / 2) (#55)
    by diplomatic on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:49:28 AM EST
    If anything, the last few primaries have shown the opposite.  The voters are NOT over this whole thing and they don't care what the media has been telling them.  They still turned out in large numbers in Kentucky and Oregon and West Virginia and sent a pretty clear message, I thought.

    If anyone comes away thinking this nomination was stolen from either candidate, I can only blame the party "leadership" for not making it clear just how close and undecided this race has been.

    That's on them.  Not on Clinton and not on Obama.

    [ Parent ]

    I guess by living where I live (none / 0) (#70)
    by Stellaaa on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:00:14 AM EST
    in the Bay Area.  It's really the creative class mecca.  

    [ Parent ]
    oh, cool (none / 0) (#78)
    by diplomatic on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:11:03 AM EST
    I was very close to moving to Walnut Creek about two years ago to go to an art school in the area.  Ended up going back to good old L.A....
    It was too creative up there for my taste. heh.

    Stellaaa, just remember how many times it felt "over" for Hillary so far but she keeps on going.  The Republicans go into trauma counseling over the phenomenon.

    [ Parent ]

    I live in Berkeley.... (none / 0) (#80)
    by Stellaaa on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:12:59 AM EST
    One of the few Bay Area people who loves LA.  When I say that I get jumped on as if I am an idiot.  I think LA is way more out there with art and lots of other things, here it's provincial and frozen in elitist muck.  

    [ Parent ]
    Another Bay Area person who likes L.A. (5.00 / 1) (#100)
    by rghojai on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:45:15 AM EST
    In fairness, there's plenty of silliness to go around--no shortage of L.A. people who can't stomach positive comments about the Bay Area. Educated, creative-class types can do childish behavior in a big way... not that such a thought might ever relate to politics.....

    [ Parent ]
    Lived in Altadena (none / 0) (#125)
    by Molly Pitcher on Thu May 29, 2008 at 07:59:30 AM EST
    and Menlo Park.  Southern California gets my vote.  (I assume that CA stopped holding elections in private homes, like the last time I voted in CA?)  My kids prefer the Bay area, but then their opinions were formed in the 70's.

    [ Parent ]
    Did you hear Willie Brown saying (none / 0) (#79)
    by oculus on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:11:50 AM EST
    Newsom is now a viable candidate of the future due to CA Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage?  But what about the girlfriend?  

    [ Parent ]
    Newsom is a charmer (5.00 / 1) (#82)
    by Stellaaa on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:16:08 AM EST
    He has done some pretty out there things for the homeless and social services.  Stuff that all the mayor's before did not have the guts to do.  The Homeless advocates are even getting it.  He is actually funding, something I am working on, respit care for homeless people.  Imagine that, when the homeless get out of hospitals to have some place to live and get care.  Hard to do with the whole budget crisis, but it saves hospital stay money.  
    I tell you the counties are screwed with this budget and healthcare costs.  We need National Healthcare...back to my pet topic.  

    [ Parent ]