A 15-point margin in Wisconsin is incredible. Wisconsin is a lot like Ohio except for the wacko ultra-Left Madison college population, which is even worse that Columbus's Ohio State.Hey! Wait a minute! It's really not so abnormal here. You know as I was walking up Bascom Hill yesterday, past all those Barack signs...
... I overheard two students making fun of the way one man's face is plastered everwhere. "It's like Saddam," one guy said.
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Ugh. He compared y'all to Buckeyes? I'm an SEC guy myself, but if I was a Wisconsin student, I'd be incredibly insulted by that comparison.
Obama cultists will end up being his bane.
Ohio State has a better Big Ten record than Wisconsin. Way better.
On Fox News the Beltway Boys pointed out that Republicans and Independents voted in Wisconsin's primary, and that 90% of those voted for Obama to avoid facing Billary in the general.
They also said that Ohio and Texas wouldn't allow anyone outside of the Democratic party to vote in their primaries so that there would be a more honest accounting.
Last night it seemed that Billary were going to win Washington State by a narrow margin. What was the delegate split in Wisconsin?
I overheard two students making fun of the way one man's face is plastered everwhere. "It's like Saddam," one guy said.
How can you be so certain it wasn't said as a compliment?
I recall seeing a video of a anti-war protest back in 2004 and this 20 something crunch granola chick was saying that dictators that provide free education and free health care weren't so bad. 'I like that kind of dictator'
Lefties love dictators. It's the power thing. Gets 'em hawt. Rush said so, yesterday.
Interesting Obama poster
Behind him....The Alps?
Of course, love the camera angle in the poster so that he is positioned above our eye level, looking beyond into the...something....clearly above us.
Barack means....blessed
(From Language Log...)
Truly, he is above us.
But not to get down on lefty Madison students. I did the Horribly Hilly Hundred last year and we spent some qualiy time in Madison sampling copius amounts of adult beverages and while gazing at the lovely ladies which more than made up for me throwing up around mile 72.
Professor Althouse -- weren't you making posts not so long ago with video and photos from anti-war demonstrations, making fun of that same part of Madison?
Very purple Wisconsin voted 1.1 million for the democrats combined and 400,000 for the republicans combined and Larry Kulow said the real winner was John Mccain?
mmkkkay
"Every single one, of the millions and millions of people who support him, are becoming more like Tom Cruise everyday. They're all jumping on couches."
~NPR's Wait, Wait.. Don't Tell Me! host Peter Sagal.
.. I overheard two students making fun of the way one man's face is plastered everwhere. "It's like Saddam," one guy said.
Cult of Personality, anyone?
People are going to be embarrassed that they willingly underwent Obamabotomies when the novelty of it wears off.
Larry Kulow said the real winner was John Mccain?
Probably referring to McCain getting pretty much a unified GOP vote whereas the Hillary/Obama battle has Dems engaging in their own sectarian war.
See the thing is there is really no passion on the part of the GOP for any of the candidates; most are voting out of reflex. On other hand there is a lot of passion on the part of both Hill and Obama's people and I'm betting there's going to be a lot of sour grapes on the losing side.
I've been on a lot of liberal/Dem blogs reading comments and I've seen vitriol directed at each other from both Hill/Obama camps that even Rovian Stormtroopers would have a hard time matching.
I don't really see a McCain victory in November as a plus for conservatism so I'm pretty apathetic in any event. If the weather is balmy, I may end up riding instead of voting anyway.
People are going to be embarrassed that they willingly underwent Obamabotomies when the novelty of it wears off.
And pretty pissed off by 2010 when we're still in Iraq because Obama is 'reserving his rights as CinC' to events on the ground, gas is still at $3.20/gallon and taxes are back up to pay for $4000 tuition credits and health care.
Shouldn't the "Beltway Boys" call themselves something else.
Aren't they like over 60 and refer to themselves as "boys".
That's kind of gay.
"How can you be so certain it wasn't said as a compliment?"
I heard the scoffing tone in their voice. I thought it was clear from the context that they did not approve of the idolatry of a political figure. It didn't seem that that disliked Obama so much as they thought the adulation was ridiculous.
"Professor Althouse -- weren't you making posts not so long ago with video and photos from anti-war demonstrations, making fun of that same part of Madison?"
I depict demonstrations that I encounter -- such as the anti-abortion march in Austin, Texas a few weeks ago. I don't necessarily "make fun" of them. I accept the political activity around me as a significant part of the culture, just like I accept the football. I'm not a participant, but an observer. I have frequently, however, observed that the anti-war rallies tend to be made up of older citizens and that most students walk right by and go about their own lives.
Imus opens the show with it's over for Hillary, based on some small details.
I think this race is over as well, it still amazes me how quickly the Clintons blew their campaign up. There was no need for the VRWC to even get out of bed, between the left and the Clintons themselves, their flaws were exposed for all to see.
I though Obama's speech was just way too long. Someone needed to break out Dave Chappelle's "Wrap it Up" box
Looking at how rapidly W. aged while in the White House, septuagenarian McCain's going to need an oxygen tent and perhaps a defibrillator in the Oval Office.
Actually, I believe everything Kudlow says despite the fact that he's a completely insane cocaine fiend.
Well, I guess the good news is we won't have 4 years of Hillary!. There's not a dime's worth of difference between their policies, but at least Obama isn't nails on a chalk board for me.
Doug said...
I think this race is over as well, it still amazes me how quickly the Clintons blew their campaign up. There was no need for the VRWC to even get out of bed, between the left and the Clintons themselves, their flaws were exposed for all to see.
I’ll bet that within a week, Hillary will give a speech or interview. She will harp about the Vast Left Wing Conspiracy that is trying to sabotage her campaign with dirty tricks to let Obama win. The old VLWC excuse.
Although, did I hear right that Obama criticised Hillary's 'freeze mortgage rates for 5 years' nonsense. If so, good for him.
The main thing Obama did was not be Hillary.
Michelle seems to be working that angle, though.
Middle Class Guy said...
I’ll bet that within a week, Hillary will give a speech or interview. She will harp about the Vast Left Wing Conspiracy that is trying to sabotage her campaign with dirty tricks to let Obama win. The old VLWC excuse
I agree. I also believe that giant Communist amoebas are eating old Jews in a condo in Boca Raton.
Actually, I believe everything Kudlow says despite the fact that he's a completely insane cocaine fiend.
Bingo! As awful as his show on CNBC is, reading his continued posts on the "Goldilocks economy" on The Corner are always insanely batty and worthy of a good laugh. I take Ann Coulter more seriously than I do Kudlow, at least she's trying to be funny.
I’ll bet that within a week, Hillary will give a speech or interview. She will harp about the Vast Left Wing Conspiracy that is trying to sabotage her campaign with dirty tricks to let Obama win. The old VLWC excuse.
It's not a surprise snotty elites like Ann would vote for him, but it was obvious snotty elites like Josh Marshall threw her under the bus. And now, Democrats are sending a freshman senator totally un-vetted into the general.
With a little help from the GOP
Not so. According to an article in Time Magazine, Republican party activists have been organized by the G.O.P. to throw their weight behind Barack Obama, the democratic rival of frontrunner Hillary Clinton. Early in Obama's campaign, top Republican fundraisers flushed his coffers with cash, something the deep pockets hadn't done for any candidate in their own party. With receipts topping $100 million in 2007, the first-term Illinois senator broke the record for contributions. It was a remarkable feat, considering that most Americans had not even heard of him before 2005.
Snip
Thanks to Karl Rove and his friends in the shadows, the Democratic nominee may ultimately be determined not by Democrats but by the G.O.P., with the help of its unwitting accomplices at the DNC.
Long article, but well worth the read. Democrats pwned again.
We need a corollary to Godwin's law re "Nazi;" I note it only took three posts from our resident lefties to invoke the name that cannot be uttered: KARL ROVE. You folks really need to get a life! Democrats are doing what democrats always do: eating their own in internecine fights.
Thanks to Karl Rove and his friends in the shadows, the Democratic nominee may ultimately be determined not by Democrats but by the G.O.P., with the help of its unwitting accomplices at the DNC.
So what you're saying is that the Democrat Party are whores who will take money from anyone eh?
Is that the same as being pimped out?
Roger said You folks really need to get a life! Democrats are doing what democrats always do: eating their own in internecine fights.
I think it was Karl Rovespeare who once said that Democrats are a dish best served cold.
With fava beans and a nice chianti of course.
Kudlow is right that it inures to McCain's benefit. His campaign will wait and then unload on Obama in the general election in a way that Hillary never could. America will have a clear choice for once, not between liberal and conservative, but between traditionalism and radical leftism.
The accuracy of "TheCityEdition"s article can be gauged by this statement about the Grey Davis ouster: That was the year Enron's Ken Lay, on the hook for $3 billion pilfered trom the state in the rolling blackouts scandal, succeeded in installing "Governator" The only connection between Ken Lay and the installation of Schwarzenegger was Davis's inability to deal with Enron and Reliant's manipulation of California's electricity supply.
I don't know who author Rosemary was channeling, but her smears have little contact with reality as I know it.
What is it about lefties? Everything's a conspiracy.
Roger
If you think the GOP have suddenly has fall in love with a liberal Democrat and are going to hand the courts over for the next 25 yrs without a fight you are incredibly naive. And it has nothing to do with abortion or gay marriage. The fact is more self identified Democrats are voting for Hillary by a fairly wide margin. It's not a conspiracy theory, just common sense. They have nothing on Hillary and they know it.
Thanks to Karl Rove
Rove, you magnificent bastard!
Everything's a conspiracy.
Well, it certainly can't be Hillary!'s fault that her campaign to become the inevitable president didn't work, can it?! Then she, a politician, would have to take responsibility for something.
Well, maybe she is trying to take responsibility, but she's waiting in line, and Senator Craig is before her.
Connoisseurs of moonbat ravings will want to click through to the proffered Time link to satisfy themselves that-- sure enough!-- it does not say anything about the Republicans for Obama being "organized by the GOP". Be sure to stick around for the Cancelled Election conspiracy theory, complete with yet another non-supporting link.
I wondered about that, Paul. Thanks for doing the heavy lifting.
So Republicans are voting against Hillary! because they hate her! So we'll give Obama some money and vote for him!
But, she would be so much easier to beat in the general!
Fools.
The fact is more self identified Democrats are voting for Hillary by a fairly wide margin. It's not a conspiracy theory, just common sense. .
So your contention is Obama is only whipping her butt because Rove has mobilized the VRWC to funnel bazillions into Obama's coffers and are crossing over in open primaries to vote for the candidate that is on paper, more liberal than she is.
They have nothing on Hillary and they know it
And what do 'they' have on Obama? Oh I know, same thing Hillary has, zippo.
Comparing and contrasting, Obama's claim to fame isn't a miserably failed health care initiative which in all liklihood cost the Democrat party a majority Congress they presided over since the Cro-magnon man started walking upright.
I am amazed that you lefties give the GOP more credit than we conservatives do for political savviness.
Be sure to stick around for the Cancelled Election conspiracy theory, complete with yet another non-supporting link.
Actually I am waiting for some last minute sleight of hand move by Hillary to somehow wrangle MI and FL delegates to her side.
Then the real bloodshed will begin.
Don't call me a fool, garage. I voted for Hillary for exactly that reason. But let me tell you, it was not an easy thing to do. And in any case, elections are so unpredictable it's hubris to think you know 9 months out how things are going to play out.
That poster bothers the hell outta me.
I dare ONE of Barack's supporters to find an American campaign poster that floats a bust of the "figurehead" like that above a faceless crowd.
I have seen it done before.
But if I told you where and by who you would commence with accusations....
Hell at least the Obama campaign did not do the round halo-they went for the square shape.
But-that's been done before too.
In California there is a demographic racial group that is not voting for him by huge percentages-
Are they picking up the subliminial messages of-
The Cult of Personality?
Historically is Wisconsin like Ohio?
I've been told that it is extremely Union heavy.
Look at this Wisconsin historical site and you should see some of these posters-
Nothing is ever new again...
Poster with motto-
Stop Next War Now these men stood firm against militarism and war vote for them...
link
Or how about this poster for Victor L. Berger-for U.S.Senator( from Wisconsin)-with this slogan-
for a Speedy, General and Lasting Peace-Tax the Profiteers
Link to Berger Poster
What if these candidates had WON?
{They were running before WW II}
and the old Milwaukee mayor Emil Seidel with the caption-War Destroys Life-Socialism Preserves Life-
Former Mayor of Milwaukee Poster
Now I have been told by labor lawyers that Wisconsin has always been more Liberal. Looking at the Wisconsin historical site there might be reasons for that.
Garage: I have no doubt that Republicans arent planning to cede the fight to a liberal democrat--The republicans, however, have their own hands full consolidating their own party. Anyone suggesting republicans IDed Obama early and funded his run give the republicans far more credit for foresight than I think they deserve; Now, if some of these republican donors could be IDed from campaign donations, and their ties to the RNC established, I might be more inclined to buy the thesis. Until then..its nothing more than a ritual invocation of the devil incarnate: Rove
Now, if some of these republican donors could be IDed from campaign donations, and their ties to the RNC established, I might be more inclined to buy the thesis. Until then..its nothing more than a ritual invocation of the devil incarnate: Rove
Actually Cheney is the Devil incarnate, Rove is merely one of the lesser demons. You should know that by now. If not, I will be happy to provide you with the official list of Republican Nazis, Fascists and other Minions of the Underworld (2nd Edition). It also includes flowcharts and bio information of each one. Email me within the next 10 minutes and I'll include the Imperator Reagan the Mass Murderer pop-up book for the kids. (We're still working on the rights to the video game)
Seriously though, Roger, you are spot on in terms of the GOP. Considering the disaary the party is in right now, it takes a cosmic leap of faith to think somehow the party faithful could organize an underground movement to sabotage Hillary's nomination by getting Obama to the head of the line.
Obama beatable? I don't know about that unless Garage is counting on the Bradley Effect. I'm a pretty staunch conservative and describing myself as ambivalent about McCain is being generous. Sure I think we could do worse but I don't see much of a groundswell of excitment for him within our own party.
Obama on the other hand has the ladies fainting as if George Clooney planted a wet one on them. He is definitely the Reagan of the Dems in terms of charisma and promising that shining castle on the hill and with the American mood where it is right now, he pretty much is the man of the times.
OK so Wisconsin does something interesting in 1944.
When the most of the country voted for the Democrat-Wisconsin voted for Dewey-the Republican.
But- Dewey was an isolationist...
We, of the VCBC (Vast Cheese and Beer Conspiracy) have spoken!
We have dropped yet another house on Hillary. Die be-otch, die already! Go away and take your disgraced, disbarred, impeached unindicted co-conspirator with you.
But will she? No. Prepare for one part scorched earth and two parts subterfuge.
Roger
You're reading way too much on the Rove angle, or even the cross-over votes. And I admit they may have bitten off more than can chew. But I'm convinced they'd much rather see Obama, as he could never take off the gloves against McCain like Hillary could. He will look like a young ungrateful punk getting dirty against war hero. And he already been bitch-slapped once by McCain in the Senate.
Roger
You're reading way too much on the Rove angle,
Garage, you linked an article which you stated was worth the read and specifically snipped an excerpt which pretty much indicts Rove and his 'agents in the shadows' as being the one responsible for Obama's rise and then tell Roger he's reading too much into it?
This dry CNN article offers some context to the ravings in that City Journal piece. (Is there a word that means paranoid, dishonest, and credulous at the same time?)
One of Hillary Clinton's big donors is Morgan Stanley CEO John Mack:
Mack was already active politically - but on behalf of Clinton's political opponents. A Bush "Ranger," he had raised at least $200,000 for the President's reelection bid and was one of the most prominent business names on GOP donor lists. At one time his name had circulated as a potential Bush Treasury Secretary.
Another "Republican" Clinton supporter: Jeffrey Volk, global head of Citigroup's agency and trust business.
Many big donors give to multiple candidates, often in both parties. Why? To be on the side of the winner:
This year's scramble for the business seal of approval can make it hard for candidates to pin down a loyal commitment. Blackstone Group CEO Stephen Schwarzman and Amgen CEO Kevin Sharer have written checks to McCain - and to Romney. Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg has donated to John McCain - but also to Clinton. Among Democrats, too, looks can be deceiving. Much attention was lavished on hedge funder Paul Tudor Jones's splashy May 19 fundraiser for Obama at his waterfront mansion in Greenwich, Conn. Less noticed was the $2,300 check he wrote to Giuliani just two months earlier.
Garage, I don't doubt that some Republicans are crossing over to vote for Obama. I happen to know some Democrats who are crossing over to vote for Huckabee.
But those votes are spit in the ocean.
If Kudlow is a cocaine fiend what does that make Obama? A crack whore? The Lefties that bag Rush, Bush, McCain's wife etc had better be ready to hear more of the same re their guy, acknowledged pipe sucker that he is.
Larry has an absurdly rosy view of the economy, but he is clean these days.
Kudlow is right that it inures to McCain's benefit. His campaign will wait and then unload on Obama in the general election in a way that Hillary never could. America will have a clear choice for once, not between liberal and conservative, but between traditionalism and radical leftism
What would be good for McCain is if Hillary believes she still had a shot and decides to try drawing some blood on Obama in areas of attack that Republicans will wanna build on. For example, if Hillary intends to more vigorously attack Obama's qualifications to be Commander In Chief. If she ups the attacks in that area, it makes it easier for McCain to take those attacks to another level, because even the Clintonoids said so.
If Hillary has to gracefully exit right after March 4th, the Clintonoids will no longer pave the way on making it seem that even many Democrats think these areas are fair game to hit Obama on.
McCain is a good candidate but I don't think he'll be able to beat Obama. Obama is such a refreshing and talented young man that it's already feeling like it's his election to lose. Few people will believe he's a "radical leftist". If he's not coming off as a radical leftist right now, when he has to mobilize the party base by highlighting his "progressive" traits/views, why would he come off as one when he emphasizes his more centrist traits/views for the general election?
A lot of the Republicans in the Althouse community have long been out of touch with the pulse of the country, which is why they were declaring Obama "over" and "exposed as a lightweight" back in August of last year. There's nothing lightweight about him, and the American people are craving new blood in our highest offices.
McCain is the one with all kinds of problems. For one, half of his own party have been trashing and hating him for years, so how much heart and energy will they put behind him compared with the massive enthusiasm that's gonna keep Obama going? For two, McCain will be stuck defending Bush's foreign policies, which are widely considered (even by those who don't consider them a complete fiasco) to have been riddled with incompetence and imprudence. Thirdly, McCain seems like a nice guy, but if he becomes vicious in the campaign in order to knock Obama down a few pegs, he'll do as much or more damage to his own image. Fourth, McCain is boring as a speaker, even when he's making good points (think: Bob Dole vs Bill Clinton). Lastly, McCain has the feel of someone who is past his moment to be prez. Maybe he should've been prez in 2001, maybe he should've at least been the GOP nominee in 2000, but this is 8 years later and why doesn't the GOP have any new blood like the Democrats do at this moment when the people want...yes, CHANGE.
Obama can only defeat himself now. For example, if he makes a stupid choice for VP, that could blow up in his face pretty quick. Since I believe he's gonna try and underscore his change message by picking a surprising VP choice (my guess is he'll go with a woman, but one who is not yet on our radar screens). He just better make sure he vets the hell out of that choice, cuz the GOP will focus on ripping that person to shreds no matter who it is.
How about Oprah. It worked for Henry Clay.
Wisconsin is a lot like Ohio except for the wacko ultra-Left Madison college population, which is even worse that Columbus's Ohio State.
Kudlow is leaving me scratching my head. I live in Ohio but had no idea OSU is considered a "wacko ultra-Left" institution.
Loafing Oaf makes a good case for the general and he may well be right. The one thing that gives me some pause with his/her analysis is that HRC has pretty much evenly split the popular vote when you deduct crossover of republicans from actualy registered democratic voters. Assuming HRC is not perceived as the change agent, that suggests to me that the change is the mantra among Obama supporters and there arent all that much more of them than HRC supporters. Will be an interesting time ahead.
Fourth, McCain is boring as a speaker, even when he's making good points (think: Bob Dole vs Bill Clinton).
No kidding. McCain makes Wilford Brimley sound dynamic. McCain's speech cadence reminds me of the guy who played the judge in Anatomy of a Murder.
Loafing Oaf:
Good arguments you made and you may be right. Let's assume neither Obama or McCain has any big skeletons that have not yet been disclosed.
Then I suspect the experience issue is going to be a big issue for Obama to overcome.
Next would be fleshing out his platform into specifics.
Ann: Hey! Wait a minute! It's really not so abnormal here.
Perhaps it doesn't seem that way to someone who splits their time between Madison, New York, Ithaca, and Austin.
The comrades of Berkeley are wondering why you don't bring them flowers anymore, btw.
To those of us who don't travel from one lefty enclave to the next, Madison really is 30 (or so) square miles surrounded by reality.
You're right, LoafingOaf. McCain will have to run a perfect campaign, and go to the right of Obama. He will have to go against the conventional wisdom that elections are won in the center. Obama shows that people want charisma and passion; I think centrists could be won by someone like McCain, if he would let loose his passion like he has only a few times in his campaign. If he tries to be Obama Light, he's toast.
Obama/McCain will be refreshing because they seem civil. (I hope I continue to think that) Hearing Hillary! say that she would be ready from day 1 to fight The Republicans was a real turn-off for me. Maybe she meant to say fight for Democratic Party principles -- but that's not what came out of her mouth, and I thought such an attack on fellow citizens with whom she disagrees was very un-Presidential.
The next President will lead the entire country. I think either McCain or Obama will do just fine doing that.
Obama/McCain will be refreshing because they seem civil. (I hope I continue to think that)
Amen.
Aren't they like over 60 and refer to themselves as "boys".
Fred Barnes graduated from my high school in 1960, so he's about 65. No idea about Mor TON. Their level of analysis is certainly boyish.
Chris Meloni of L&O SVU is our most famous graduate, but he's a little old for you. It's been fun to watch a fancy suburban prep school boy play a nasty con (Oz)and a blue collar cop.
As awful as [Kudlow's] show on CNBC is, reading his continued posts on the "Goldilocks economy" on The Corner are always insanely batty and worthy of a good laugh.
You know, I even agree that the economy is not doing as badly as everyone whines (or was not, 2002-mid-2007), but his "Goldilocks" phrasing is so contrived it's embarassing. No one is going to use a term like that.
""He out speechified her. He out-hustled her. He out-dressed her. He out-presidentialed her....""
No! Keep hope alive!
So your contention is Obama is only whipping her butt because Rove has mobilized the VRWC to funnel bazillions into Obama's coffers and are crossing over in open primaries to vote for the candidate that is on paper, more liberal than she is.
Well, on paper, they're about the same. It's just that we can trust the unprincipled avarice and power-lust of the Clintons to drive them towards sensible policies that voters will approve of, rather than trying to shape public opinion.
Obama is different. Some of Obama's followers venerate him like a god, and his wife talks about how he's going to save our souls. Ideally, he would repudiate that in the strongest possible terms, but I kind of doubt he will, since that mysticism is a lot of the rationale for his candidacy. Vote for Obama => ??? => Immanentize the Eschaton!
Anti-Obama protesters, rather than waving banners and heckling and engaging in all the disgusting ruckus of modern protest culture, should line up peaceably and silently at his rallies, and kowtow to him. Foreheads to the floor. Large numbers -- 20 or more all in a group -- would be best for this. They can hail him with 万æ³! 万æ³! 万æ³!
Actually, now that I think of that, I'd kind of get a kick of a President Obama if people did that.
But yes, returning to your point -- if Republicans are mobilising to vote for Obama, I think it's a colossal own-goal on their part. In more ways than one.
MadMan,
I don't see what W did in the past eight years to make him any less amenable to leading "the entire country". Maybe it was the 2000 close call. Maybe he's personally very grating.
But policy-wise, he's awfully leftish. NCLB, Part D, even the invasion of Iraq was more a liberal than conservative idea. Other things he's been trashed for (FISA, DADT) were passed without splashing any dirt on a Democrat Pres.
Other than tax cuts, I can't think of anything the guy's done that's truly conservative. And yet, liberals hate him. I haven't seen this much hate for a President since--well, since Clinton! And Clinton--strongarmed or no--had a lot of conservative reform passed under his watch, but it didn't save him from every nasty accusation--and an impeachment trial--under the sun.
Maybe once the memes got going there was no stopping them. But more likely it's just pure partisanship.
In which case, it seems unlikely that any Pres will ever lead the entire country again.
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