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Is It A VP Yet?

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:31:39 AM EST
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It's 10:30 am. Do you know where the Democratic Vice Presidential nominee is?

This is an Open Thread.

Post Script - Kevin Drum has moved to Mother Jones. As readers here know, I take an especial delight in disagreeing with Kevin, but he is a must read for all of us. Kevin has the quality of being able to intelligently discuss an issue without suffering from what I call "take out the cork syndrome." It comes from one of my favorite books, Umberto Eco's "Foucault's Pendulum":

For anyone who did not know that the Piedmontese expression, he would occasionally explain: "Me gavte la nata. Take out the cork." You say it to someone who is full of himself, the idea being that what causes him to swell and strut is the pressure of a cork stuck in his behind. Remove it and, phssssh, he returns to the human condition.

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    • Display: Sort:
    Is It A VP Yet? | 209 comments (209 topical)
    If he texts after say 4pm Eastern ... (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by davnee on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:37:25 AM EST
    ... we'll know he knows his pick is a loser.

    We;ll know it is NOT Hillary (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by goldberry on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:45:23 AM EST
    In fact, the long drawn out process seems deliberate.  It prevents her from gathering momentum of a news cycle when the backlash hits.  When the furious older female Clintonistas start for their torches and pitchforks it will be almost too late for Hillary to unsuspend and challenge.  
    Almost.  

    [ Parent ]
    its not Hillary (5.00 / 1) (#194)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:58:48 AM EST
    I, the last holdout, have fallen

    [ Parent ]
    A lot of people on CNN last night (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by jpete on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:40:47 AM EST
    seemed to think it is Hillary.  It's as though the station decided to give him a big hint.  

    The crucial bit of evidence everyone was citing was that he said he wanted a VP who would challenge him on his opinions.  Just possibly he realizes that a man who can choose a strong woman shows his own strength.  A lesson he may well have figured out  before he got married.

    Unlike BTD (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by Demi Moaned on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:45:36 AM EST
    ... I'm not convinced it's not Hillary.

    [ Parent ]
    Possibly (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by Athena on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:09:04 AM EST
    I'm not either.  He is willingly ignoring the electoral realities he confronts if he doesn't pick her.  But he is capable of a stubborn defiance regarding what he needs to win.

    [ Parent ]
    Just recently finished Ryan Lizza's (5.00 / 2) (#134)
    by Demi Moaned on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:28:44 AM EST
    ... profile in The New Yorker. If nothing else, he certainly does seem focused on winning elections.

    [ Parent ]
    I think choosing Hillary... (5.00 / 3) (#24)
    by Jerrymcl89 on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:51:15 AM EST
    ... would be the only pick that would make the overlong dramatic buildup pay off. But I still don't think he'll do it.

    [ Parent ]
    Tepid (5.00 / 3) (#16)
    by Stellaaa on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:45:06 AM EST
    At Rally, Finding Clinton's Aid to Obama Too Tepid

    Read the tone of this article and tell me if you don't want to just pull your hair out.  

    Now they try to tell her what to do with her heart.  

    Trashy Hit-Piece (5.00 / 3) (#61)
    by JimWash08 on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:03:37 AM EST
    The Times just cannot seem to stop sliming the lady. It's either her or Bill. I think their readership goes up when they do that. All those CDS-suffering Obamans must get a rise from articles like this.

    [ Parent ]
    you know what (5.00 / 6) (#81)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:12:09 AM EST
    I am starting to wish Hillary and Bill would both say "to hell with all of you we are going to Jamaica.  see you all Nov 6th"

    [ Parent ]
    I will....!! (5.00 / 1) (#90)
    by Stellaaa on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:16:36 AM EST
    I am so sick of the lot of them.  Not a clue on how to build coalition.  Such brats.  

    [ Parent ]
    Maybe they are training in Jamaica (none / 0) (#168)
    by blogtopus on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:44:43 AM EST
    People who run down there tend to become world leaders... heh

    [ Parent ]
    Not only was Hillary held to a (5.00 / 5) (#94)
    by frankly0 on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:17:13 AM EST
    standard no other candidate has been held when the Obama camp (including the MSM) insisted that she must -- must! -- drop out to protect The One, now she is being held to a standard of demonstrating her support that goes a million miles past what has been expected of other candidates.

    And of course it is all the more absurd because Obama has done so little himself to reach out directly to these voters. Somehow, these voters are important enough to demand Hillary's unstinting effort, but not so important that The One must devote time and energy to wooing them?

    [ Parent ]

    if i were hillary being the veep (5.00 / 1) (#97)
    by hellothere on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:18:07 AM EST
    candidate would be the last thing i'd want.

    [ Parent ]
    She deserves to take some time (5.00 / 3) (#162)
    by JavaCityPal on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:41:35 AM EST
    off - if people can't respect that she has just lost two good friends in a very short period of time, they can unify their party themselves.

    Obama needs to announce he has cancelled her Obama appearances because she is not obligated to get votes for him, and she has more important things to attend to right now.


    [ Parent ]

    the only good thing about finally (5.00 / 3) (#187)
    by Valhalla on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:53:27 AM EST
    announcing the VP for me, at this late, late point is that I'm hoping some of the pressure will be off her to keep shilling for him.

    The VP is supposed to be the lead out there campaigning for him.

    [ Parent ]

    just to add salt . . . (none / 0) (#46)
    by pukemoana on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:00:21 AM EST
    comment from a "top" democratic consultant
    I am very encouraged by the NYTimes story this morning that HILLARY  needs to do more to help unify the party, not Obama, with testimonial quotes from HER voters.  It's like the hamster started running again in the mind of his campaign and they're acting like desperate, scrappy  street yard bulldogs not aloof Ivy Professors.

    On Ambinder's blog at The Atlantic

    [ Parent ]

    I wonder if it's going to be a girl (5.00 / 5) (#33)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:56:27 AM EST
    or a boy.....<just snarking after all the sexism this primary>

    Well, I had guessed 10:00 or 10:30 EDT (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by Anne on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:59:18 AM EST
    this morning, so I was wrong...oh, well.

    Obama is acting like a parent with a sick sense of humor, making the children wait until 11:59 pm to open their presents because it's still technically Christmas...at this point, "the kids" are going to be hugely disappointed, and may make a note to suggest "Santa" bring Obama some nice lumps of coal - early - like November 4th.

    If the message at this stage is "that's for me to know and you to find out," - the rhetorical equivalent of sticking out his tongue at us, I guess we can look forward to a couple new phrases in his repertoire: "I'm rubber, you're glue; whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you" and "I know you are, but what am I?'

    Can "nanny-nanny-boo-boo" be far behind?

    Ugh.

    This is getting silly. Maybe he will fly all the (5.00 / 2) (#47)
    by Teresa on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:00:35 AM EST
    contenders to Springfield. He can do it like Miss America. Fourth runner up is....

    Cute (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by andgarden on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:01:46 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    I can't figure out what they are waiting for now. (5.00 / 0) (#73)
    by Teresa on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:10:34 AM EST
    If they aren't planning an event together today, why not just announce it now? I think if he could sneak the person to Springfield without the media finding out, he may wait until just before they walk out together.

    At this point, it can't live up to the hype (unless it's Hillary or Gore and I know it's not Gore and I'm pretty sure it isn't Hillary).

    [ Parent ]

    if it's not Hillary (5.00 / 2) (#85)
    by ccpup on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:14:11 AM EST
    and I'm almost sure it's not, we're going to end up calling whoever it is "Edsel" in honor of that other event that was built up and built up and built up and then fell famously flat upon arrival.

    I wonder if the Obama Campaign is anticipating a huge surge in the Polls with all of this?  And what do they have waiting as Plan B when it doesn't happen?  More commercials about how many houses John McCain (or, rather, his wife) has?

    [ Parent ]

    I think they lost control of the process (5.00 / 3) (#174)
    by Valhalla on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:47:14 AM EST
    Waiting it out seems to be the pattern response to a bad situation from this campaign.  They were hoping for something, anything, to bump him in the polls to ameliorate the backlash when it's not Clinton.  But again, they had no backup plan if things didn't work out as they hoped.

    Now all the media speculation is just the carnival barkers who play up the freak show for its amazingness and reality.

    [ Parent ]

    as i recall kerry issued a press statement. (5.00 / 1) (#111)
    by hellothere on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:22:16 AM EST
    edwards was still in dc at his home there. it gave edwards some moments in the spot light alone. and that wasn't a bad idea. it was a favorite at the time.

    [ Parent ]
    the swimsuit competition (5.00 / 3) (#69)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:09:00 AM EST
    would be must see teevee

    [ Parent ]
    Eewwwww (5.00 / 2) (#74)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:10:38 AM EST
    I just hurt myself thinking about that.....except hmmmmm Evan Bayh ;)

    [ Parent ]
    Seriously? Evan Bayh? Ha ha. (5.00 / 1) (#127)
    by Dr Molly on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:26:31 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Seriously (5.00 / 3) (#142)
    by CST on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:33:22 AM EST
    I'm with Tracy, he is a little Clooney-esque.  Although we could take the suggestion below and just go with the original.

    [ Parent ]
    LOL (none / 0) (#173)
    by Dr Molly on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:47:12 AM EST
    Well, now I'll have to take a second look, if both of you think so.

    [ Parent ]
    he is a combover (none / 0) (#190)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:55:15 AM EST
    waiting to  happen

    [ Parent ]
    You funny (none / 0) (#197)
    by Dr Molly on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 11:01:22 AM EST
    Well, this is what we've been reduced to. Come on, Obama - enough already, tell us.

    [ Parent ]
    that was my reaction (5.00 / 3) (#145)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:34:36 AM EST
    attraction is sooooo subjective.


    [ Parent ]
    Eeeewwwwwww (5.00 / 1) (#75)
    by cmugirl on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:10:52 AM EST
    on so many levels.

    [ Parent ]
    In that case (5.00 / 4) (#113)
    by coigue on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:23:07 AM EST
    let's hope it's Clark

    [ Parent ]
    Or his close "advisor",,,,, (5.00 / 3) (#132)
    by Maria Garcia on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:28:36 AM EST
    ...George Clooney.

    [ Parent ]
    oh yeahhhhhh! (5.00 / 2) (#136)
    by coigue on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:29:01 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    I'm almost half-expecting (5.00 / 2) (#72)
    by ccpup on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:09:35 AM EST
    him to stand in front of three doors and ask "will the person behind door number two please come forward?"

    The media bobbleheads might be obsessed with this, but I suspect most Americans have moved from "oh?" to "ugh".

    And if it ain't Hillary?  Oh boy.  Watch those poll numbers move ... down.

    [ Parent ]

    Or they could do it like hell's kitchen..... (none / 0) (#110)
    by Maria Garcia on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:21:18 AM EST
    ...only the winner's door will open.

    [ Parent ]
    "Democrat's in general"? (5.00 / 1) (#56)
    by mmc9431 on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:03:07 AM EST
    That OK. I read in NY Times David Brooks thinks Biden shoulf be the man. That's another strike against Biden for me! One of his reasons is:

    Democrats in general, and Obama in particular, have trouble connecting with working-class voters, especially Catholic ones. Biden would be the bridge.

    If the Dem's have truly lost the working class, what's left of the party? I thought that they were the strength.

    Democrats in general? (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by ccpup on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:11:03 AM EST
    except for Hillary who strongly connected with them and got their votes by impressive margins.

    I guess he meant some other Dems or something.

    [ Parent ]

    Biden (5.00 / 1) (#104)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:20:23 AM EST
    isn't going to help with working class catholics. Obama doesn't try to relate to them but he cluelessly thinks if he puts a catholic on the ticket that they'll come running? ROTFLMAO! Typical Obama though.

    [ Parent ]
    I keep checking (5.00 / 2) (#62)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:04:32 AM EST
    in the same way that I tracked my package from the online shoe store.  I knew exactly what I was getting, a pair of walking shoes like I've had a bazillion pairs of before, but it was still fun to keep track of where it was.

    Once the order came, it was SO anticlimactic. The waiting was interesting.  The outcome was not.  Just like this will be.

    I don't think Obama's VP announcement suspense idea was a smart plan.  The VP isn't a pair of shoes.

    It would be something of a chuckle, (none / 0) (#175)
    by JavaCityPal on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:48:02 AM EST
    though, if Obama felt he was backed into a corner and had to pick Hillary only to end up with no upward bounce result. There he'd be stuck with her.

    The only part of this that interests me is what the reaction of the polls will be.


    [ Parent ]

    It's me. (5.00 / 2) (#128)
    by TheRealFrank on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:27:08 AM EST
    I'm the VP pick.
    He's trying to bury this (5.00 / 1) (#133)
    by Pol C on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:28:38 AM EST
    No one in their right mind would announce this on a Friday afternoon--or the weekend--if they wanted to make a significant impression with it. One reason for this is that Obama doesn't want any Democrat enjoying the limelight at his expense for even a moment. Another is that the decision's too revealing--it shows how he thinks, both for better and worse--and he's much too guarded a personality to be comfortable with that.

    I put a post up on my own blog Wednesday that touches on this. It's called "The VP Pick: Why It Doesn't Matter, and Why It Does." The link is here.

    http://polculture.blogspot.com/

    Maybe... (none / 0) (#177)
    by rdandrea on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:48:45 AM EST
    He doesn't want to bury the McCain "house" story just yet.

    [ Parent ]
    Obama's VP texting elitist & exclusionary IMO (4.00 / 4) (#3)
    by Saul on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:36:26 AM EST
      I hear a lot of people stating this.  Texting is considered a high tech and young person's thing of communication.  Texting has become very popular among the young, latte drinkers and business savvy people.     Many elders who are not computer savvy or into phone texting will feel excluded not knowing who his VP is until it hits the News.   I think his unique announcement will be looked at by many elders as shunning them. Why not include everyone at the same time?
    If you're running for president you are president of ALL the people.  Using this method of VP announcement is somewhat exclusionary in nature and caters only to the computer savvy and cell phone junkies who for the most part are the young generation.  

     I know there will be a very short window between his texting and the news announcement but the method is still favoring one group over another.  Sounds like a small thing to be concerned with, but people look at everything especially if there is even the slightest appearance of someone being excluded.

    I think it's a mistake and McCain will probably use it against him in a TV ad.

    ie  

    Hello, I am John McCain and unlike my opponent I will let ALL of the American people know at once who my VP choice is.  I will not pick a select group to be privy first to my VP announcement.  
    Oh, lord, McCain has so much material (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by goldberry on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:42:02 AM EST
    I saw a blog post at the LATimes which smells of Danger, Will Robinson in a big way for Obama.  He is being compared to George Bush.  Yup, wouldn't that be a double-half-caf-triple-toe-loop-twist: the Republican contender successfully ties his Democratic opponent to - another Republican.  But not just any Republican.  The worst Republican who just ran the country into the ground in the past 8 years.  
    Man-o-man-o-man, the Democrats really screwed up on a cataclysmic scale this year.  Obama is a non-starter, a deal breaker.  If he were in a Monty Python skit, he would have been returned to the pet shop.  But all the DNC seems capable of is telling us that he is just "pining for the fjords".

    [ Parent ]
    Whoever wrote that is a moron (5.00 / 2) (#43)
    by Dadler on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:59:36 AM EST
    If there's one thing Obama ain't, it's Dubya.  A mixed race kid abandoned by his father...please, tell me you have more brain cells than that.  Disagree with him all you please, I certainly do, but I am not so out to lunch as to suggest Obama is really the spoiled pr*ck Dubya.  Then again, McCain said he was Paris Hilton, so you must believe that will work to.  And if a large enough swath of the American public actually buy that, or use it to vote against Obama and for John McCain-Bush, then they deserve the misery they get.  At some point, can someone please take some blame other than pols?  Pols are pols, and you know what?  People are people.  Neither has any corner on the moron market, they both work the stalls equally well.

    Sometimes this crap is just too much to bear.  Give me a wall to punch.

    [ Parent ]

    then when don't you "text" your (5.00 / 1) (#63)
    by hellothere on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:05:15 AM EST
    candidate and tell him to stop playing to repubs and dissing democrats. we aren't picking on obama. he sent a welcome wagon to republicans for heavens sake.

    [ Parent ]
    "elitism" and "arrogance" (5.00 / 6) (#91)
    by Josey on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:16:41 AM EST
    aren't limited to race or economic status.

    Obama's slogans and gimmicks, designed to distract from his Empty Suit - are very Bush.


    [ Parent ]

    Give me a break (4.62 / 8) (#112)
    by goldberry on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:22:19 AM EST
    Obama is not a kid who was raised in the ghetto.  He was born to well educated parents and raised by middle class grandparents.  Ohm and BTW, I was the same age as Obama and lived in Hawaii at the same time he did. If you had to be a kid of mixed race background, you couldn't pick a better place to grow up.  There are few more diverse places on earth and Hawaiians didn't like any of us.  

    The comparison to George Bush is apt.  In fact, he doesn't have the political pedigree that George Bush had, so he is at an even greater disadvantage and more at the mercy of the Blue dog coalition that is foisting him on us.  Bill Clinton didn't have the pedigree either but he had one thing, ok, TWO things, that Obama doesn't have: substantial prior executive experience and savvy leadership abilities to get things done in even the most hostile atmosphere.  At the first sign of difficulty, Obama wilts.  

    Take off the rose colored glasses.  Everyone else has caught on to what Obama is, or they are beginning to realize it.  And once he's seen for what he is, it's hard to see him in any other way.  There is no way in Hell that you are going to convince me that Obama is a worthy candidate.  He will never get my vote unless he is playing second fiddle to Hillary.  

    Wake up and smell the Starbucks.

    [ Parent ]

    I saw (5.00 / 1) (#180)
    by JThomas on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:50:16 AM EST
    John McCain with his 9 vehicle entourage drive to his local Starbucks to get himself a cup of coffee yesterday. C'mon tell me it ain't so,John...you drink Starbucks? And waste 20 gallons of gas to get that 4 dollar cup of coffee...what a man of the people.

    [ Parent ]
    lol, (none / 0) (#157)
    by vicndabx on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:39:23 AM EST
    starbucks

    [ Parent ]
    Obama=W...Not So Much (none / 0) (#211)
    by daring grace on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 11:18:58 AM EST
    Actually, Obama was born to 'well educated' PARENT unless you think a dad who leaves while you're still a baby and makes one return engagement for a Christmas reunion qualifies as a parent.

    One significant way Obama differs from W is in his exposure from an early age to different cultures and places outside the U.S. I could be wrong but I thought I heard that W never left the U.S. (except maybe to Mexico) before he was president and had zero curiosity about the rest of the world. Hence, his enlightened approach to foreign engagement.

    The MOST significant way Obama is not W. is in his policies. In these he is much more like Hillary Clinton than Bush or McCain.

    [ Parent ]

    Link to that blog? (none / 0) (#154)
    by Romberry on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:37:54 AM EST
    Have a link handy?

    [ Parent ]
    I believe the Obama campaign leaders (5.00 / 4) (#119)
    by Jjc2008 on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:24:52 AM EST
    and gurus on and off the net are as much ageist as some of them are sexist.   While I have run a network and know my way around technology very well, when I am at our district's dem meetings, many of the county's leaders (mostly men, mostly younger than me) immediately assume I am computer illiterate and talk to me like I am mentally disabled.  Their reason??? I am a female over sixty...they can't imagine I even know what texting means let alone use it.

    But yea, there are many older citizens who choose not to text, preferring to talk.  But in the end, the Obama campaign has reeked of "We are the COOL campaign" and anyone NOT COOL is well....not who we want. I hated that 'tude when I was 20, when I was 40 and guess what, at 60 I find it just as elitist as it was back in the sixties.

    [ Parent ]

    not merely exclusionary, but dumb.... (5.00 / 1) (#170)
    by p lukasiak on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:46:06 AM EST
    the whole "texting" thing is for the most part, imho, dumber than dirt.

    Yes, there are certain specific occassions where a text message is the optimal form of communication -- but its simply far too time consuming to type out the message rather than just say it.  

    Its the personal communications form of bloggingheads TV -- 95% of the information that is conveyed in both media could be more quickly and thoroughly conveyed through the use of the 'primary' media (the phone itself, or the blog/written word), the attraction seems to be primarily its novelty.  In terms of interpersonal communication, texting is a step backwards, and in terms of communication to a wide audience of substantive ideas and information, "bloggingheads" and other uses of internet video is a step backwards.

    [ Parent ]

    Maybe he should spread the word of his pick (4.42 / 7) (#6)
    by DemForever on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:39:28 AM EST
    by telegraph or the pony express, both familiar to McCain

    [ Parent ]
    Just use the News (5.00 / 0) (#8)
    by Saul on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:41:20 AM EST
    like we do now. How about that.

    [ Parent ]
    Lots of people (none / 0) (#31)
    by Politalkix on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:54:51 AM EST
    do not have access to the News when they are at work. Many companies restrict internet access for non-business activities.

    [ Parent ]
    Yes (none / 0) (#59)
    by Saul on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:03:23 AM EST
    but most places have a radio or some lounge communication there if not in there cars.  The whole point is you do not exclude anyone or give the appearance that you are.  Worst case scenario is most workers will find out about it when they get home which is how we get the majority of all our news any way.  

    [ Parent ]
    Nobody is getting excluded (none / 0) (#87)
    by Politalkix on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:14:40 AM EST
    People who can receive text messages will receive them. The Obama campaign is expecting the news to get transmitted by radio or television within minutes after the text message is sent; so people who do not have mobile phones but are interested will also have an opportunity to know extremely quickly. Better than having to wait to go home to get the news for a lot of people!

    [ Parent ]
    It sends a "signal" - (5.00 / 6) (#118)
    by Xanthe on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:24:21 AM EST
    frankly, I am beginning to care less and less about the VP much less which horse they use to get the message out.

    [ Parent ]
    I just hope he uses a phone/device... (5.00 / 1) (#130)
    by EL seattle on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:28:16 AM EST
    ... that has a good-sized display when he writes it.  Otherwise folks might get a message indicating that "it's bidem" or "it's clintom".

    [ Parent ]
    He Will Use The News (none / 0) (#195)
    by daring grace on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 11:00:33 AM EST
    by texting.

    Along with all the tech savvy latte drinking youngsters every news organization in the world will get the message and rush to be first to broadcast/print it.

    Non text messaging folks will hear about as soon as those who text, sooner if they're near a tv or radio and others are away from their computer or have their phone turned off.

    [ Parent ]

    Or at a press conference? (5.00 / 4) (#11)
    by EL seattle on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:43:33 AM EST
    That attracts live "breaking news" coverage on CNN and Fox and MSNBC that plays like a serious policy announcement, and not a promotion for Cingular Wireless?

    [ Parent ]
    I always thought JFK was misguided (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by DemForever on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:54:18 AM EST
    by using television rather than exclusively radio in the 60 election

    [ Parent ]
    Hah (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:59:10 AM EST
    "exclusively radio".  That means he also used radio.

    If Obama text messaged simultanously with doing a tee-vee announcement, nobody would be balking.

    [ Parent ]

    I suspect that everything will (none / 0) (#146)
    by inclusiveheart on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:34:39 AM EST
    happen within minutes - texts go out - emails go out - and then whatever else they've planned is launched pretty quickly thereafter.

    Especially if he waits until tomorrow which is a Saturday, the text thing is a way of including more people not fewer in "the moment".  Not everyone is sitting by their TVs waiting for something to happen and they won't be doing that tomorrow either - so people who are out and about are able to participate.  

    In addition, it gives those people some time presumably to go turn on their TVs AND it has the added benefit of in essence scooping the news media therefore ensuring that they feel the pressure to cover whatever theater they have planned live.

    From a communications standpoint - it is a pretty smart strategy - assuming it plays out the way I think it will.

    [ Parent ]

    Disagree (5.00 / 1) (#151)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:36:52 AM EST
    A press conference where you see and hear the candidate is smarter

    [ Parent ]
    But you will see and hear the (none / 0) (#164)
    by inclusiveheart on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:41:43 AM EST
    candidate.  This is not the "either or" proposition as you are making it out to be.

    [ Parent ]
    most americans owned television (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by hellothere on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:01:30 AM EST
    at that time. it wasn't elist. duh!

    [ Parent ]
    TV was smart for him (5.00 / 2) (#105)
    by Pol C on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:20:28 AM EST
    JFK had a really thick regional accent, and radio got in the way of how his personal charm offset it. People like to say that that charm was what won the Nixon debates for him with TV viewers, but I think that accent was what lost it for him on radio.

    [ Parent ]
    People also forget Nixon (none / 0) (#191)
    by brodie on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:55:33 AM EST
    had a great, deep voice for radio, which projected confidence and strength.  Conversely to Kennedy, teevee tended to underscore Nixon's lack of charm and shiftiness.  

    But I'm not sure of where those actual numbers from the radio come from, or whether it's another story that gets repeated a lot w/o much evidence to back it.

    Back in 60, besides cabbies and the very poor (both groups being inherently difficult to poll), I'd imagine the other sizable non-teevee owning group was the upper class, which was overwhelmingly Repub.

    [ Parent ]

    It was a medium that worked for him (none / 0) (#36)
    by pmj6 on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:57:56 AM EST
    better than it did for Nixon. JFK was young, cute, sexy (heh...), Nixon actually looked like the crook he was.

    [ Parent ]
    But it was NEW and not all Americans owned one (none / 0) (#39)
    by DemForever on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:59:07 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    In 1960 most of us (90%) (5.00 / 2) (#165)
    by misspeach2008 on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:42:08 AM EST
    had televisions. They may have been black and white, but they sat in most living rooms. I lived "down on the farm", and we had two.

    [ Parent ]
    This is as good as a press conference (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by trublueCO on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:02:38 AM EST
    I'm sure that most in the media circles have signed up for the text message/email alert anyway. You better believe that once it is confirmed that it will be breaking news on all the channels.

    I don't think there will be much lag time between the text and non-stop news coverage.

    [ Parent ]

    The graphics are all locked and loaded (none / 0) (#158)
    by inclusiveheart on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:40:01 AM EST
    file clips selected, packaged stories about each of the contenders have been produced -- the networks are ready - unless the candidate is totally coming out of left field - the news media will be right on it - and not for nothing they all have blackberries and have signed up for the text messages - they'll tell people right away.

    Who knows, one of you could be at the grocery store and witness someone receiving the text live screaming "Its ---- !"  It is in its own way a very grassroots style of communication - no media filter applied.

    [ Parent ]

    The graphics are all locked and loaded (none / 0) (#159)
    by inclusiveheart on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:40:01 AM EST
    file clips selected, packaged stories about each of the contenders have been produced -- the networks are ready - unless the candidate is totally coming out of left field - the news media will be right on it - and not for nothing they all have blackberries and have signed up for the text messages - they'll tell people right away.

    Who knows, one of you could be at the grocery store and witness someone receiving the text live screaming "Its ---- !"  It is in its own way a very grassroots style of communication - no media filter applied.

    [ Parent ]

    The image (5.00 / 8) (#163)
    by Steve M on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:41:37 AM EST
    of some random person in the grocery store screaming "It's Evan Bayh!!!!!!" and, perhaps, fainting from the excitement, is almost too precious for words.  Bonus points if the imaginary person doesn't even know how to pronounce the name.

    [ Parent ]
    EWW (5.00 / 1) (#176)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:48:19 AM EST
    You have a wicked sense of humor! Yeah, I can just envision the massive amount of excitement Bayh will create! LMAO!

    I think it might be more like some others have posted: Obama bye bye

    [ Parent ]

    If it was Hillary Clinton though (none / 0) (#208)
    by inclusiveheart on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 11:11:33 AM EST
    I think the response could be very dramatic.

    I should go hang around my grocery store this afternoon and see what happens.  I went to the vet this morning wondering if the news would come during that time - I was thinking it would be interesting to see if anyone got texted the news while I was there.  Admittedly, the chances are higher of witnessing something as I'm in DC - but I wouldn't be surprised if it created a stir on the streets of New York and other cities where people are out and about on foot.

    [ Parent ]

    I;m sure they'll do the live breaking news thing.. (5.00 / 1) (#77)
    by Maria Garcia on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:11:53 AM EST
    ...but they have been a little snake bit by the hoaxes so it will be funny to see the networks doing a mad dash to verify. I'm sure that hundreds of interns are on it as we speak.

    [ Parent ]
    The situation with MSNBC... (5.00 / 1) (#150)
    by Pol C on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:36:17 AM EST
    ...points up that he wants to downplay this. They had to give most of the on-air talent two weeks off because NBC needed the tech people in Beijing. There's a skeleton crew in DC to handle Matthews and Abrams, and CNBC overtimers handling Olbermann. MSNBC has to be Obama's favorite network. If he's going to choose a time when they can't really cover it, you know he doesn't want anyone covering it.


    [ Parent ]
    Do you have parents? (5.00 / 3) (#21)
    by dk on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:46:50 AM EST
    Grandparents?  Do you have any respect for them?

    There are a million ways to criticize McCain by talking about his positions on the issues, but relying on ageism should not be one of them, in my opinion.  It makes you come off just as shallow and bigoted as insulting Hillary for being a woman, Obama for being black, etc.

    [ Parent ]

    Thank you. (5.00 / 5) (#153)
    by Valhalla on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:37:29 AM EST
    I was already sick of the snotty age comments about McCain months ago.

    Not only is it ageism, it's stupid.  Obama is not doing well with 'the aged' (anyone over 35) so constant sniping associating age with senility, Alzheimer's, being out of touch just because you can't name the top 5 American Idol contestants, and being mentally disturbed will not win over any of the majority of Americans who seem to be settling in to not voting for Obama.

    One of the few comforts to me of this whole campaign season is the possibility of watching the insufferability of many of his supporters backfire in a loss.

    [ Parent ]

    But it's ok to suggest that young people (none / 0) (#25)
    by DemForever on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:51:27 AM EST
    are elitist because they dare use new technology to communicate?

    [ Parent ]
    Nobody here has suggested that (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:53:19 AM EST
    except I guess you now.

    [ Parent ]
    Reread Saul's "latte drinking" post (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by DemForever on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:56:52 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    You should re-read it (5.00 / 3) (#45)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:00:06 AM EST
    Saul wasn't saying that texting is elitist, just presidential candidates announcing solely by text is elitist.

    [ Parent ]
    Saul said that Obama's decision (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:00:46 AM EST
    to go with this texting thing was elitest and is going to exclude many people.  My father has a cell phone but he doesn't know how to text and he has been a consistent voting Democrat voter for 40 yrs now.  In my opinion it was a horrible screaming "elitest" decision.

    [ Parent ]
    I think you need to reread Saul's post (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by cmugirl on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:01:38 AM EST
    Saul was saying (if I may speak for him), that it was elitist of the Obama camp to break the news only to people who have high technology and the money to afford them, as opposed to the actual people who have the gadgets.

    It's a turn-off to many people already.

    [ Parent ]

    instead of getting all defensive (none / 0) (#84)
    by hellothere on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:13:35 AM EST
    and taking a remark here as personal, why don't you review a number of the diaries here with numerous remarks saying the same thing. it is a leathal decision to use anything that smacks of exclusionary action in a presidential campaign. and frankly anyone who can't get their head around that isn't clued in. i am sure you can see that if you stop and think about it. it doesn't work. and look at the recent drop in poll numbers.

    [ Parent ]
    Who's suggesting young people are elitist (5.00 / 4) (#108)
    by dk on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:21:06 AM EST
    I'm suggesting that your comment is making a joke at the expense of someone's age, and that is, in my opinion, just as wrong as sexism and racism.

    My mother is John McCain's age, and while she has never had to rely on the pony express, is a well regarded doctor who believes in single payer health care, and for that reason and many others would no doubt make a much better President than either one of the men running for the office today.

    [ Parent ]

    No (none / 0) (#32)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:55:00 AM EST
    But it is okay to say that a presidential candidate who is supposed to be president of ALL the people is elitist if he's excluding a huge faction of the population.

    [ Parent ]
    My guess is that they will find out rather quickly (none / 0) (#37)
    by DemForever on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:58:14 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    That was the idea (none / 0) (#49)
    by DemForever on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:00:58 AM EST
    but a lot of folks here are sensitive about anything that looks like it might be critical of McCain

    [ Parent ]
    Oh Bull (5.00 / 2) (#60)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:03:28 AM EST
    Just because people here are willing to discuss issues and topics fully doesn't make them sensitive to criticizing McCain.  People tend to be accurate around here though because inaccuracy is challenged and discussed.........sheeesh

    [ Parent ]
    Some of us are of the mind (5.00 / 1) (#65)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:06:15 AM EST
    that one side isn't evil while the other isn't saintly.

    That's called perspective.  And BTW, I developed the trait full-on because of this election.

    [ Parent ]

    Sheesh (5.00 / 1) (#83)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:13:32 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    In an exclusionary sense - yes - (none / 0) (#44)
    by Xanthe on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:59:41 AM EST
    as well, there's a rich background here - HRC's voters, for instance.

    Frankly, I don't give a damn - on a scale of 1 to 10 - maybe a 5, but yes it occurred to me.  The widening chasm between the younger Obama voters and people like myself is what we should concern ourselves with here. I want a Democrat to win.  So do you.  Texting a message is fine if it's concurrent with other methods.

    I like your name - some of us have been Dems forever.  

    [ Parent ]

    Since I was 5 years old (none / 0) (#53)
    by DemForever on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:01:50 AM EST
    and JFK was innaugurated

    [ Parent ]
    and I have a photo of myself (none / 0) (#101)
    by Xanthe on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:19:26 AM EST
     as a child wearing a Roosevelt button.

    Bottom line:  we both want a Democrat in the WH.

    [ Parent ]

    it suggests that the campaign is (none / 0) (#57)
    by hellothere on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:03:08 AM EST
    tone deaf and not inclusive. don't take a comment as personal when it wasn't meant for you.

    [ Parent ]
    ah shucks..i thought is more funny than insulting (none / 0) (#34)
    by DFLer on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:56:35 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Yep (none / 0) (#28)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:53:46 AM EST
    both of the modes of communication (text and telegraph) are extreme.  You definitely get that point, don't you.

    How about the good old television.  Has worked wonders in the past.


    [ Parent ]

    People (none / 0) (#58)
    by Politalkix on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:03:13 AM EST
    at work will disagree with you. Not many offices provide workplace television for their employees. What you are saying is very "elitist" in my opinion :-).

    [ Parent ]
    Here's an idea (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by Militarytracy on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:07:31 AM EST
    When he announces at a press conference it could also be texted for those in need of it.

    [ Parent ]
    I think that is what will happen. (5.00 / 1) (#129)
    by Joan in VA on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:27:49 AM EST
    It will be (near) simultaneous. Those who wanted to give up their phone numbers may get it a tiny bit faster. I'll keep my number to myself and wait a few seconds.

    [ Parent ]
    Maybe (none / 0) (#122)
    by Politalkix on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:25:27 AM EST
    he wants McCain to know last because it is public knowldege that the Senator from Arizona cannot email or text :-) Snark.

    [ Parent ]
    but but mccain is this evil (5.00 / 1) (#140)
    by hellothere on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:32:03 AM EST
    genius who broke the cone of silence to learn about the debate when he was supposed to be "good". so surely he'll hear about obama's veep choice. i'm sure he has his hearing aid turned on just for that. snark

    [ Parent ]
    Thank you Saul - (none / 0) (#12)
    by Xanthe on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 09:43:34 AM EST
    I thought about posting this thought but you do a better job of it than I would.  And frankly, I am really trying not to turn into the cranky old voter.  

    On another thread earlier I called Sen. Obama a "prom queen" trying to decide between a football quarterback and class president as a date.  I then read in Anglachel's Journal how Rove and the Republicans are attempting to "feminize" Obama.  (Claps hand to head)  I fell for it and feel badly I posted that comment.  Read her journal today - as usual it's excellent.

    Short Version:  It's Rove guys - take it with a grain of salt!

    [ Parent ]

    you know it isn't all "rove". it is (none / 0) (#67)
    by hellothere on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:07:32 AM EST
    often obama. sometimes obama is actually at fault. own up to it! obama has his own "rove" and why he is allowing these bad decisions? focus on that if want to change things.

    [ Parent ]
    Well I meant it in the context (none / 0) (#88)
    by Xanthe on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:14:46 AM EST
    of the comment and my subsequent reading of Angachel.

    Please don't holler at me, Mr. Hello (or is it Ms) - I am trying real hard to be fair to Sen. Obama - I fear I am not on occasion.  Yes - he has many faults and being from Chicago - I get Axelrod.  

    No - you are right - it's not all Rove - I didn't intend that at all -

     

    [ Parent ]

    i am not yelling. that is CAPS! (none / 0) (#123)
    by hellothere on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:25:42 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Getting close to the bottom of the barrel (none / 0) (#64)
    by Ennis on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:06:07 AM EST
    Not only is Obama elitist to use high-tech communications, but he's also now coloring his hair with gray to create the illusion of experience.  

    More to follow.

    [ Parent ]

    Obama's VP rollout (4.00 / 2) (#82)
    by Ennis on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:12:58 AM EST
    is another brilliant stroke by the Democratic party's latest political genius.  It's created a buzz and captured more attention than it would have otherwise.  

    You can tell it's working by the the increased level of whining from the anti-Obama crowd.  

    Ha Ha! (5.00 / 2) (#86)
    by cmugirl on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:14:30 AM EST
    Thanks again for a great laugh!

    [ Parent ]
    yeah, (5.00 / 1) (#89)
    by ccpup on Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 10:16:00 AM EST
    the souffle looked pretty when it went IN the oven, but I don't know what happened when it came OUT.

    It just kinda fell flat and disappeared and hit the trash in no time flat.

    And then we ordered pizza and forgot we ever got excited about the souffle.

    [ Parent