Day: August 4, 2008

Michelle Obama on International Best Dressed List

Trish

Vanity Fair’s 2008 International Best Dressed List has been announced, and Michelle Obama is on it.

The magazine chose this stunning dress to illustrate its choice, but listed several other outfits as well, including the “Maria Pinto purple sheath, with a black Azzedine Alaïa belt, worn when her husband claimed the Democratic presidential nomination.” That was also — who could forget? — when she offered him the so-called terrorist fist jab.

I have long thought Michelle Obama reminds me of Jackie O., another woman known for her style and relaxed glamour. At 5’11” of course, it’s probably easier to relax.

Others singled out by Vanity Fair for their unerring taste included:

  • Fran Leibowitz
  • Sarah Jessica Parker
  • Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mathilde of Belgium
  • Matt Lauer
  • David Beckham
  • First Lady of France Carla Bruni-Sarkozy
  • Kanye West
  • Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

There were also lots of other people including a bunch of attractive furriners I never heard of.

But what about Cindy McCain in her trim little suits and pearls, usually looking slightly pissed off, pretty much bored, and like she would flinch if John McCain accidentally touched her?

Not on the list.

McCain Played ‘Age Card’ on Comedy Shows

Jon Ponder

As part of his stump speech, Barack Obama has been preemptively describing how the Republicans are going to use fear tactics to convince the “low information” crowd to vote against him in November. On June 20, in Jacksonville, Obama said it this way:

“It is going to be very difficult for Republicans to run on their stewardship of the economy or their outstanding foreign policy … We know what kind of campaign they’re going to run. They’re going to try to make you afraid. They’re going to try to make you afraid of me. ‘He’s young and inexperienced, and he’s got a funny name. And did I mention he’s black?’ ”

After Karl Rove-puppet Steve Schmidt took charge of the McCain campaign a month ago, the new team was reportedly biding its time, looking for an opportunity to use Obama’s statements to charge him with playing the race card — and, not for nothing, neutralize his warnings to voters about Republican scare tactics.

On July 31, Rick Davis, the McCain operative whose job Schmidt took, rolled out the new line of attack. “Barack Obama has played the race card, and he played it from the bottom of the deck … It’s divisive, negative, shameful and wrong.’’

The corporate media — which is quickly reverting to the depths of the pre-Katrina see-no-GOP-evil that was its hallmark in the 2000 and 2004 elections and, especially, during the run-up to Bush’s invasion of Iraq — is playing into the Republicans’ hand by pretending it doesn’t understand that, if anything, Obama was playing the “racist” card against the Republicans, which, based on their past performance and his ethnic background, he is entitled to do.

[…]

Poll Shows Negative Ads Boosting McCain

Trish

Negative campaigning is working for John McCain, according to Rasmussen.

This is the first time McCain has enjoyed even a statistically insignificant advantage since Obama clinched the Democratic nomination on June 3

…the race for the White House is tied with Barack Obama and John McCain each attracting 44% of the vote. However, when “leaners” are included, it’s McCain 47% and Obama 46%.

This is the first time McCain has enjoyed even a statistically insignificant advantage of any sort since Obama clinched the Democratic nomination on June 3…

A week ago today, Obama had a three-percentage point lead and the candidates were even among unaffiliated voters. Today, McCain leads 52% to 37% among unaffiliateds.

Beyond the general negativity, one specific tactic is proving effective: going after Obama on race.

Sixty-nine percent (69%) of voters have seen or heard news coverage of McCain’s ad including Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. Just 22% believe the ad was racist. But, most say Obama’s comment about not looking like other Presidents on the dollar bill was racist.

Sounds like Obama is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. He has to talk about race, being the first person of a different one to make it this far in running for president, but saying anything other than how open-minded everyone is apparently pisses people off.

Forty-six percent (46%) of voters nationwide now say that Obama views U.S. society as unfair and discriminatory. That’s up from 43% in July and 39% in June. By a three-to-one margin, American voters hold the opposite view and believe that our society is generally fair and decent.

I find it really hard to believe that two-thirds of my fellow Americans look around themselves every day and see fairness and decency.

I have long held that Americans are not facing up to their issues with race. It’s my special theory that the rest of the country uses the South as a scapegoat to make itself feel better. By saying the only “real” problems are down here, they get a free ride on the Peace Train. Evidently too many are already riding it in their minds. Wake up, folks.

If you’re willing to elect another dumb s**t who doesn’t know a Sunni from a Shite because the other guy makes you mildly uncomfortable, you deserve what you get. I just don’t want the rest of us to be stuck with your poor choices.

Obama Predicted to Pick Evan Bayh This Week

Trish

Bil Browning is making me very happy with his prediction that Obama will pick Evan Bayh as his running mate, and will do it this week.

Choosing Bayh sends a great message to Clinton diehards that they are welcome aboard

Browning gives a number of reasons for the timing and the pick, including getting it out before the Olympics start Friday, Obama’s travel plans to Indiana, the fact that the domain name, “obamabayh08.com” has been registered, and a special invitation from the Obama campaign for an appearance by the candidate on Wednesday.

I have been hoping Obama would go with Bayh since I saw him defending Hillary Clinton a few months ago on the Sunday shows. He’s very well-spoken, and picking him sends a great message to those Clinton diehards out there that they are welcome aboard. Being a former governor is a plus as well.

Would you be happy with this choice? Or were you hoping for someone else, and if so, why? I’d really like to hear from you.