Mission Accomplished

Jedi scores victory. America increases coolness points tenfold.

Let's Do This Thing

Angus can't handle any further analysis of this election. "Dad, I'm gonna need one of these when this is over."



I hear ya, lil' buddy.

He's sick of Joe the Plumber, undecided voters, and the states of Virginia, Ohio, Nevada, Iowa, Florida, Indiana and New Hampshire.

It's down to the final weekend, and a nation turns its lonely eyes to the jedi. Help us, you're our only hope.

Think the jedi has all of the celebrity support? Think again. Hank Williams Jr.: no longer rolling smoke, now blowing it up a dying campaign's ass.



There's nothing left to say. WVPC is in between a place of boredom and anxiousness that can only mean that Election Day is in 48 hours.

Until then we're gonna unplug. See you for the Wevoteprocat Election 2008 Wrap-Up Part 1. That's right, we're looking back at the whole damn thing.

Poll Vault

Angus is scratching his head over these recent polls. "Dad, what does it all mean?" Angus, I wish I knew. Fortunately, the CS Monitor helps sort out the confusion.

Sometimes the polls we want are not the polls we get.

In other news, the once, albeit brief, gem is now a fading jewel among half of the GOP. She's like the Yankees though: don't write them off until you've got it wrapped up.

The boss is defending her, but is anyone listening?

Girl on campus? She didn't make a lot of noise. Make that campuses.
WVPC: it's not a problem that she switched schools; it's a problem that she's a heartbeat away from the presidency (yes, that's a tired metaphor).

In Pittsburgh, Palin outlines her plan as VP. I gotta admit, WVPC is a sucker for special needs. Why does she do this to me?

Even though I love those with special needs, I still can't join this exclusive club known as the Real America. It's a troubling dichotomy, says Rachel Brooks.
I guess I need a few more Gretchen Wilson albums.

The heat is on in Florida as The Rays take game two, and JMac gets hot-headed in Ormond Beach.

It's the threads, Angus. While the purchases smack of hypocrisy for the "just one of the folks" candidate, WVPC doesn't really care. It's the RNC. This isn't exactly a mom and pop operation. It's not like Dems walk around in rags.

JMac sits down for Meet the Press on Sunday. Angus sits down with Stephanopolus on This Week. Just kidding. No guests have been confirmed as of WVPC press time.

The Endorser

If you thought Chris Buckley was big news, and most outside the Beltway probably didn't, The Jedi scored a bigger nod on Sunday. Forecast for months, the nod comes with a critical assessment of the current direction of the GOP. The kicker: "not just small towns have values."

Powell joins a long and peculiar list of new friends of the left (at least for two more weeks). The Gipper's former speechwriter continued her assault on the Palin pick. Other members of the dissatisfied right crowd:
- Pat Buchanan (for reasons other than Palin)
- Kathleen Parker (for Palin reasons)
- George Will (Iraq)
- Tucker Carlson (Iraq)
Granted, none of these folks will likely vote for the jedi, but their unhappiness is a good indicator that not all has been well in GOP land. WVPC was holding out for Arlen Specter, but don't count on it.

Who is the mastermind behind the Sarah pick? If you guessed Steve Schmidt, you may be wrong. It could be the same dude who helped usher in the Iraq war. The Neocons want Sarah. Larry Flynt wants her, too. And he got her. Well, at least in the Flynt way.

Plumber thrust into national limelight, reveals wealth.

Further proof that my liberal arts degree was a huge mistake, some plumber got more people to pay attention to economic policy than either candidate.

The Jedi and JMac sought to provide a real debate after the last snore fest. They save the best for last. A strategy that would've been helpful three weeks ago. Town halls suck.

How did they turn around the boring old formula? I guess they listened to their Uncle Ted.

JMac limps out of Maine and Wisco to focus on maroon territories. Rallies have also been abruptly---brief.

Speaking of limping out of a familiar place, Lil' Buckley resigns from Big Buckley's fading jewel of the conservative movement.

As WVPC celebrates our lady's dirty thirty, Cindy dishes the dirt on The Jedi's campaign. Angus isn't buying it, Cind.

Mouth Poop.

Two debates have passed since you've last heard from WVPC. Angus had a terrible cough. It's all that venom in the air.

The messsage is loud and clear: Drill Here, Drill Now.


Hey, the guy has his Workingman's PhD. He's an energy expert.

Ayers: the new favorite and, hopefully, last ditch effort.

Does the approaching cold weather give you the blues? Here's the thermometer to help you brave the current political climate:


Obama: Warm. He may make some lofty promises, but, like Al Davis says, "just win, baby."

Biden: Lukewarm. A less than impressive debate performance against America's new lovable lightweight and gaffes on the road mean Delaware Joe is just so-so.

JMac: Cold. He admits that he's not the frontrunner. Commentators from both sides of the aisle scoffed at his economic plan to buy up mortgages.

Palin: Cooling off, but she's still popular where it counts (the new, blue-collar GOP base) and when it will count (Election Day).
Angus: On fire. Is there a more lovable cat? Nope.

Momma Said There Was No Knock Out

The Jedi and JMac rolled into Mississippi. Neither offered a spellbinding performance, as JMac's campaign made a near game time decision. As expected, Obama seemed in firmer control over the first half, which primarily dealt with economic issues. The tide turned during the second half as JMac showed off his foreign policy expertise. JMac's ability to articulate on defense issues trumped what could be a continuation of a disastrous foreign policy. The old man looked old and cranky but still confident. The jedi looked cool but maybe not as confident.

Rather than accentuate the differences in personalities between the two candidates, moreover, the debate illustrated the differences between the two parties. JMac spoke in narratives and soundbites, much like the GOP's election strategy, which usually pays great dividends on election days. He looked mean and sounded condescending. On the other hand, Obama's answers were more nuanced, somewhat wonkish. His response reveals the complexity of the issues, but poetics and contemplation don't win elections. One man has become a campaigner in the GOP mold; the other can't seem to lower himself to the attack mentality of a presidential campaign.

Obama even agreed with JMac on several points. Does this make the Jedi look weak? A reluctant concession to his opponent?

Who won? Two major polls show Obama, but the reaction around the press blogs gives JMac the edge. Ben Smith explains this lack of a true consensus. Cillizza examines both candidates' tactics.

Here's reaction from around the blogosphere.

Those who think JMac won:
Des Moines Register's Yepsen

Newsweek's Romano

Barnes at The Weekly Standard offers a mild nod to JMac.

And now for the Jedi:
Slate's Kaplan gives Obama the edge after one round.

Time's Klein praises the jedi's tactics.

And TNR tells him what he failed to do: get emotional.

In case you decided to watch Yes, Dear reruns, here's video of the entire debate.

WVPC wanted to keep this blog focused on last night's debate, but there are some things even we can't resist.

See you after the VP showdown in St. Louis. WVPC will have a seat right next to Nelly.

It's the economy, stupid.

Extra! Extra! Financial crisis forces candidates to finally confront real issues.

The jedi offers his response to the meltdown. Economic woes usually mean it's a good time to be the Democratic nominee.

JMac has Republicans clamoring for regulation. The party of free markets is really doing some heavy self-evaluation right now.

This just in: Republicans will win rural vote. Thank you for stating the obvious.

Even with a small lead, many fear that Obama may lose. And what will happen if he loses? Pinot grigio will flow like blood down these streets!

Ever dated someone you didn't like but you couldn't quit? JMac knows the feeling. His relationship with a Grey Old Lady has always been rocky at best.

Dittoheads anxiously await the self-destruction of their leader. Will he combust if the jedi captures the White House?

The hockey mom is a predatory species. Salon reveals some of the dirty tricks up North. Let's hope that Alaskan pipeline doesn't lead to the White House.

Palin meets world leaders, offers Kissinger moose hunting tips.

Fortunately, Maureen commented. Allow her to elaborate:
"The two made an odd couple: the last impure Rockefeller Republican and the first pure Rovian Republican, grown totally in the petri dish of cultural crusaderism."
Oh, that's some tasty editorial.

No thanks to the bridge to nowhere? Well, she said yes first. Fought earmarks? Kinda sorta not really. Lowered taxes in Wasilla? Dammit. Wait, I've got it. Fought the big oil companies! Yeah, that's it. Wait. Shit.

The debate goes on? La dee da dee dee.

See you in Mississippi? We need it more than ever.

Non-Palin Edition

A day of remembrance and a break from mudslinging and Palin.

The campaigns held a brief ceasefire on Thursday as JMac and The Jedi paid their respects on a somber day in politics.

When you're on the homestretch, the goodwill doesn't last long.

New line of attack: JMac doesn't send emails. While this isn't some shocking revelation, The LA Times lets it be known that JMac can't type due to poor fingers. Ouch.

The seven homes argument didn't really work (psst, Obama...many middle class voters yearn for wealth. Some find owning multiple homes as an admirable trait and a sign of hard work, even if it is more indicative of privilege and inheritance). The "third Bush term" jab was going okay until some woman from Alaska hopped aboard The Once Straight Talk Express.

Where does that leave the Obama campaign? They're mounting a counterattack that's critical of JMac's dirty politics and distortions, but it's too early to tell how ideals and policy resonate in the election of biography and diversion.



Johnny, do you got some room on the Straight Talk Express bus for a case of Cat Burglar DVDs?

JMac held up pretty well on Friday's View, as Whoopi, Barb, and co. came out swinging. The interview, however, wasn't without some half-truths and even fallacies.

Stay tuned for more as WVPC cranks into overdrive.

We Vote Pro-Cat: Palin Edition

Since you can't get enough of that hockey mom, it's WVPC's first all-Palin edition blog. We'll give her (and you) a break/"deference" after this epic blog. Here goes.

First and foremost, I quote Patrick Swayze (hang in there, Dalton) when I say "she's like the wind." But she's running on empty. Enter strategists.

As you already know, the right fell in love with this pick quite instantly, but the rest of the country is still skeptical after excerpts from her first television interview.

Here's the the reaction from the blogosphere.

Angus' take: Well, dad, I would describe her performance as nervous exasperation. She knows the media is ganging up on her, and last week's convention speakers only reinforced that notion: the "elites," 2008's latest shitty political buzzword ,can't stand her, and they're out to get her because she's blue-collar, a mom, and hunts. I don't buy that, dad. I just want to know why the highest office in the land has turned into such a joke.

The performance may have fallen short of galvanizing her supporters (WVPC can't find any blogs that offer overwhelming praise for last night's responses), but it certainly and predictably emboldened her critics. Will parts two and three reveal a deeper understanding of her intellect, decision-making, and worldview?

Even though this analysis is probably two weeks late, here's why Palin is a brilliantly sinister pick:

- If the Dems attack her, they look like patronizing, arugula-chomping, Prius driving snobs. And don't forget that buzzword, you elitist.
- She changes the GOP is for old white guys image. A good surface move and clever facade. Who doesn't like a mom?
- She diverts attention away from more important campaign issues. Who needs a plan when you've got personality?
- She reignites the culture wars. Wedge issues may gain more importance to voters.
- The election is now all about biography: war hero and hockey mom versus community organizer and veteran senator who persevered through personal tragedy.

How does it all add up? Disney movie.

Stop Saying Maverick!

It's the second most overused word in the election. Numero Uno? Change.

JMac wrapped up things in St. Paul with a speech heavy on bio but lacking many policy specifics. Once reluctant to discuss his POW time, the party, and certainly last week's convention speakers, now injects JMac's bio into nearly every speech. JMac didn't hold back as he offered an intimate bio that certainly showed his heroic personal story. It's a story filled with the drive to succeed that evokes praise and a hot temper that makes some nervous.


JMac certainly benefited from the bio laden speech; he can draw a television crowd as sizable as the jedi's.



"Funny how? Like community organizers are here to amuse you?"

With hay bales and American flags in the background, the jedi sat down with Stephanopolus. Revelations: Obama briefly considered joining the military, he regrets his abortion response/"above my pay grade" comment at last month's Saddleback Forum, and he would break from his party on three issues:

"I think that, on education, we do have to improve accountability. And I've not only supported charter schools, which the teachers' unions have opposed, but I've also said that we should look at pay-for-performance," he said. "That's not something that's popular in my party."

"Obama said he would also support increasing the size of the military and reducing healthcare litigation costs, moves he said would anger portions of his party."

Even though the interview illustrated that the jedi is better delivering a prepared speech to a stadium-sized crowd, he can give thoughtful, although sometimes initially unclear, answers to complicated questions that can't be answered in black or white soundbites. His answers offer a grey area that is hard to sell to the masses but present a sense of humility and perhaps indicate that he would be a very analytical president.

Black or white? Just when you think the nation has moved past it, Polman reminds us that race is frighteningly prevalent in this election and quite possibly transcends policy and personality when some Americans pick their president. Notice Polman's piece is not citing public opinion from the Bible Belt.

Even if Palin wowed Jmac and the GOP, they're not in a hurry to cart her out to the Sunday morning talk show circuit. After last week's drubbing and pregnancy speculation, the GOP is quite bitter over Palin's treatment in the press and they want interviews on their own terms. WVPC: The McCain campaign will probably start with the weekday morning and afternoon shows (View, Ellen, Regis) and go from there. They should cart her out as quickly as possible to avoid any signs of vulnerability. The decision is strikingly parallel to the Bush Administration's disdain for the media and its hand-picked q & a sessions and public appearances. If the media keeps laying on the criticism, the GOP will play victim with the following equation/scenario: Media = elites. Us = honest folks who could care less about what the chattering classes in NYC, D.C., or Hollywood think. The heartland crowd goes wild.

One of the sharpest cons blogging and writing for The Atlantic, Douthat offers some free advice to Democrats: don't attack Palin. Go after the old man and his policies.

Delaware is behind Biden even if the occasional investigative journalism piece tarnishes those blue-collar First State credentials. At the heart of the matter is Joe's support for the 2005 Bankruptcy Bill and what it means to debtors.

With his Biden selection, Obama chose one of the Dems' premier Washington insiders. That benefits Obama if you spin it this way: Biden has a record of experience, and his action hlped bring jobs to Delaware. The opposite spin diminishes Delaware Joe: his ties to the banking industry reflect a commitment to corporate interests that supersede a pledge to protect hard working Americans from reckless lending practices.

The story probably lacks the pull of Palin's pregnancy or JMac's temper, but it raises some interesting questions about what Obama preaches and what Joe sometimes practices.

Raisin' McCain and Hockey Mom: A Night for the Base

Give me red meat.


Alaska, motherfucker?


Sarah Palin and another star-studded lineup took to the podium last night in St. Paul. The gloves were off. Last night's speeches made Tuesday's digs seem tame as Romneybot 3000, Rudy, Huckabee, and a couple of CEOs offered red meat speeches laced with venom.

In a speech laced with more sensitively worded Obama digs, Palin impressed the Beltway with her small town, hockey mom charm. She addressed her critics (the media) and defended her 'executive experience.' Despite little experience in the national limelight, Palin appeared poised, prepped and confident. One prominent poll indicates it may have worked.

Most of the chattering classes were impressed. Cons were fawning over her tough rhetoric. And critics were intimidated by how poised she seemed at center stage and capable she is of collecting middle class votes.

Obama responds:


But was she honest?

Rudy offered some of the evening's harshest criticism with barbs like "Hope is not a 'strategy.'


Notice the quiet response to Rudy's Iraq claim: "JMac got it right. Obama got it wrong." The issue divides the base, so the convention has really played it down.

Mike Huckabee fired up the crowd. Will Huck be the nominee if JMac loses in November?



Mitt Romney kicked it off. As a rich East coast guy, he bashed 'Eastern elites.'

The crowd erupted in applause, as it did again when Romney vowed to "stop the spread of government dependency to fight it like the poison it is. It's time for the party of big ideas, not the party of Big Brother." Say what?

Unlike Denver, personal digs were rampant. Like Denver, there was little substance.

If you'd like to pick and choose your speeches, CNN offers a RNC speech database.

Think the left has ownership over the Hollywood vote? I guess you don't know much about the GOP's secret Tinseltown weapon, Jon Voight.

In a stinging editorial, Joe Conason tells why the Plain pregnancy matters in this election.

Levi Johnston in "There Will Be Gum."

Diddy knows damage control. The former Puffy offers an apology to the great state of Alaska.


John Rich makes it too easy, so I'll just let the music speak for itself.

Put Angus First.

Tuesday night brought all of the heavy hitters, except that one commander-in-chief guy, to St. Paul. That's not to say he wasn't featured (he spoke via satellite), but when Joe Leibermann and Fred Thompson upstage the president, it's safe to say he's reached irrelevancy.

Strangest talking point of the night: "doesn't care what the polls say." Laura Bush, in reference to her husband, and Fred Thompson, in reference to JMac, uttered this sentiment. That logic seems a bit flawed when your sitting president has a 28% approval rating, and you have a foreign policy that, more or less, could follow in his footsteps. I'd have tossed that line if I were the elephants in the speech writing room.

That Huskie independent and thorn in the side of the Dems, Joe Leibermann, took headliner status. With a voice that could put a meth binge to sleep, the same guy that debated Dick Cheney just eight years ago strode to the podium. His calls for unity and general eloquence didn't quite receive the same applause as Fred's drawl. Joe walked a tightrope with comments like "we're living our worst nightmare." The applause was tepid.

Fred "Red Truck" Thompson delivered an impassioned homage to JMac and Reagan. For a party platform that isn't hip to two dudes getting hitched, Republican males have a creepy infatuation with Ronald Reagan. Nevertheless, the speech indicates that Thompson shines when he isn't running for president.

Note, speakers didn't mention Biden. This bodes well for the Dems. The GOP has a hard time attacking someone so experienced.

Ed Kilgore takes us behind the scenes and tells us what, through his lens, really transpired.

JMac canceled an interview with Larry King. It was part of a busy day of retaliation for supposed misspeaks and insensitiveness made against Gov. Palin.

Megan McArdle offers some nice perspective on the Palin pregnancy. If stories like this keep emerging from the woodwork, Joshua Green wonders if they could yank her. Orr says that Dems patronize Palin to their own detriment. WVPC's angle: when did being mayor become more noble than being senator? If you listened tonight, you'd think a senator is the least noble profession in America. I'm just curious; what again is the GOP nominee's profession?

Question of the day: Do speakers like Giuliani and Leibermann indicate that the GOP has a bigger tent than often given credit for? In an interview on MSNBC, Newt Gingrich answered yes. WVPC: Not really. The party has always contained mods, cons, and a few in-betweens. Rudy and Leibermann are just foreign policy hawks. The party has some doves, or at least cautionary isolationists, too. On that note, congrats to Ron Paul, 2008's real maverick. Some of Paul's rhetoric would have been a welcome addition to the slate of speakers.

See you tomorrow.

Gustav subdues (still) boring old white guy gathering. Red State Rocker set to perform.

I know David Lee Roth. And you, sir, are no David Lee Roth.

Forget Hagar. This convention might not even be Gary Cherrone. JMac curtails day 1.

JMac and PTA mom visit Missouri, convince locals that she's a bulldog.

In a story destined for People Magazine, Palin reveals that 17 year old daughter is pregnant. My favorite quote from this article: "I think it's a very private matter," said Roberta Combs, president of the Christian Coalition of America. Abortion? Sexual Orientation? Not so private, family matters, eh Roberta?

Obama and Biden gave their first joint interview. Here's Part 1:


Part 2:


Even though Will can't help but espouse his less government is better government beliefs, he makes some nice observations in his latest Newsweek op-ed. The candidates will never be blue-collar, and, they might be better off if they stop pretending that they are.

E.J. explains GOP's infatuation with Palin: ideologies trump lack of experience.

Don't let WVPC's left-leaning jabs fool you into thinking we're without sympathy for our friends across the political aisle. Our heartfelt sympathies to GOP convention attendees: "No open bar," per Bloomberg.

DNC wraps-up. JMac nabs MILF.

New VP qualification: dead bear on sofa.

If the jedi owned Thursday, a governor had the headlines on Friday. No, one of Huckabee's kids didn't hang another dog. JMac tapped a little known Alaskan governor as his running mate. The good news: she's, and be prepared to hear this term quite a bit over the next 60 odd days, an "outsider," and, because of this, she has more in common with JMac than you may have thought. Here's some initial reaction from Obama's camp.

Before the GOP gets too erect and makes premature comments like this, she's under investigation. A little known state saga moves from the Anchorage Daily News to The Chicago Tribune to MSNBC. The gamut has heralded her as a fellow maverick, "a cross between a Fox anchor and a character on "Northern Exposure," and a potential "Dan Qualye in drag." Ouch.

Is JMac's move a trap to catch undecided Hillary voters? The world's worst political columnist, who works for the world's worst newspaper, ponders that same question.

WVPC's verdict: Once the buzz dies down, Palin will have her work cut out for her, particularly against Biden in October. Joe will want want to be stern but not bullying. Palin will gain the admiration of many women across spectrum of politics. She'll capture the hearts of those who don't really follow politics, the people, mainly middle class women, who want a mom in the upper echelons of Washington power. Her acceptance speech in Ohio played admirably with shout outs to Ferraro and Hillary, predictably with fawning over JMac's military experience, and regionally with energy policy reform. Columnists, bloggers, Dems and some cons will patronize her. We don't know if she has Reagan's Teflon quality or the jedi's charm. All we know is that now JMac doesn't have much of a case with that whole "Obama's inexperienced argument." But he'll push it anyway. The race will be close, and this VP choice isn't as bad as it looks.

The Dems have packed up their bags and left Denver. Obama delivered one of his better speeches of the last two months, but the convention failed to deliver a unified message. They need talking points, but they, at least until Obama's above average acceptance speech, delivered mostly pageantry, accolades to party veterans, and apologies to Hillary and her followers.

Palin's social views, at least one of them, come at the perfect time: the party platform's slam dunk issue that turns out the base.

If the 2008 campaign excites you so much that you're already salivating for 2012, here's something that will dampen your spirits. I hear an old red prop revving up its engine.

Denver: Day 1 - My Michelle

It was a day of Michelle mania, bitter Clinton supporters, an emotional call-to-arms from the Senate's venerable Dem, Caroline's great bone structure, and brain drilling?

Sounds exciting, right? Well, one of the party's most prominent insiders doesn't see a "message." Ouch. Wait. Is the bald-headed one correct? Possibly. When you barely have a lead, shouldn't you have a clearer message? The giant projection screen behind the stage should have three bullet points that reflect what Dems want to do. Show those bullet points over and over again. Have the speakers incorporate those bullet points into their speeches. Yeah, it's a cheap soundbite, and it looks like something that Republicans would do, but, you want to win, right? Rocky Mountain...sigh.

My Michelle had the spotlight on Monday night. According to WSJ, she had an appetite for "reintroduction." Like her? Thank Oprah.

Hillary's on deck for Tuesday night.

In preparation for Biden's Wednesday night speech, Reason's David Weigel explains what to love and loathe about Delaware's talky pol.

WVPC will be back with coverage of day two.

Trust the Biden Touch.

And now, to Darcy's Pint for a horseshoe!


Just when it looked like McCain had grabbed the headlines with his praiseworthy performance at Saddleback Church (watch here), the jedi's VP speculation stole the headlines. The speculation is true: loquacious and experienced Delawarean completes ticket. First stop: the capital city, baby.



The choice was not received without skepticism. He's "self-loving;" the move is "too safe"; he's "digressive." Others were able to turn those weaknesses into strengths: he's "realistic,""resilent," "reassuring," and "down-to-earth." JMac's verdict: Biden is a "formidable" opponent.

Those are the words of Beltway insiders. What about average Joe's? 23% don't know who he is. I guess that happens when church is a more popular Sunday destination than Meet the Press. Sigh.

In politics, experience is an asset in the chamber, but it's a liability on the campaign trail. Biden brings strength and challenges to the ticket. WVPC's verdict: he'll make mincemeat of JMac's future VP pick during their lone debate.

This week brought a whole new kind of housing crisis to the campaign. WVPC's verdict: while owning eight homes is kinda offensive, the Dems mudslinging isn't much different than the elitist accusations the GOP hurled at Obama just a few weeks ago.

And, finally, progress in the conservative movement. Amen.

We still like him.

"Oh, please," says Malcolm.

Brace yourself, married couples stray. Brace yourself some more, politicians stray from their spouses. And, finally, politicians lie about it. The big question: why should it matter? That's not in defense of dishonesty. It is in defense of couples dealing with their problems internally without the whole world finger-wagging at the cheater.

The media, er, the New York Post, held a Saturday morning scolding. Also, all those cons who thought he was a phony are licking their lips. That Kirsten Powers. She knew it all along.

WVPC knows what they'll say: he lied. So what? If you're running for president, and you and your wife had already settled this, what would you say? I have a feeling you wouldn't have the same answer if you were running for president.

In case you missed it, here's the whole story along with some footage from the Nightline interview.

Is this the Democrats' Mark Foley for the 08 election? Doubtful. It's hard to connect Edwards to Obama because Johnny's endorsement is old news now that Obama has the nomination locked up. Is it over for Edwards? Can he kiss a cabinet position goodbye? Likely. Even if Barack isn't put off by Edwards' actions, America is watching his every move. Sigh.

Earlier in the week, JMac volunteered Cindy for the Sturgis beauty pageant. I don't think he knew that she may have to do body shots in order to win. JMac will probably remain silent on Edwards, and that response is with good reason.

WVPC know what you're thinking: where's the Obama news? Edwards unintentionally stole the headlines on Friday. You want some jedi news? Here's the most ridiculous article I've read on Obama's appeal among young voters.

Low Blows

Britney. Paris. Barack? Before I could finish my Lohan, the McCain campaign reminded me of another vapid celebrity. You know, that smart, articulate, popular, hopeful guy running for president. Barack Obama. Yeah, the name doesn't really ring a bell, so I'm so grateful for the McCain campaign. They filled me in on who this guy really is: a smart, articulate, popular and hopeful guy running for president.

How can this guy be president? He hates NASCAR and babies. He reads books. He consults intelligent people when he wants good insight. He speaks in complete sentences. We want doers and deciders, not thinkers and, uh, undeciders, Barry.

It's nothing new in American politics. Archaeologists have just unearthed documents that reveal similar accusations took place in the great Lincoln Douglas debates of 1858.

Douglas: This lanky man is just another vacuous, Johnny Come Lately celebrity. He's no different than that opinionated hussy of yesteryear, Dolly Madison (Note to readers: it was difficult to find a suitable 19th century comparison to Britney Spears. Dolly will have to do.).

Lincoln: You know what they're saying. He's got a funny sounding name. He doesn't look like those other presidents on wooden nickels, or whatever we're using for currency nowadays.

Douglas: Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Missouri!

Lincoln: Have you seen the price of buttermilk lately?

Douglas: Buttermilk? Elitist!

Well, folks, history repeats itself.

In case you've been living under a poli-rock for the last week, JMac's crew unveiled this gem:


Others, like the folks at Progressive Accountability (work on that name), counterattacked with this ad. It speaks louder but it isn't very funny.


Britney and Paris were just the beginning. Race reared its head into the campaign on Wednesday, when Barack spoke in Missouri and, a bit later in the day, JMac accused the jedi of playing the ol' race card.

Saddened that JMac, the once noble maverick, has gone so low? WVPC is too. However, it might be the only way he can win. While many predicted that these tactics would backfire, the jedi's camp already said they did.

Get ready for more of the same, WVPC nation. Mudslinging. Feces flicking. Turd tossing. The good discourse is over, as are the decent metaphors for throwing proverbial insults in the form of human waste.

We try to avoid partisan jabs on this site (oh, who are we kidding), but, John, you drove us to them. 2000 was a long time ago, you desperate old man.

If you havin' Phil Gramm problems, I feel bad for you son...

Lose your job? Sick loved one? Disabled? Tired of Ryan Seacrest? Stop whining, America! So says Phil Gramm, McCain's economic confidante. McCain quickly, and wisely, disavowed the comments. One can imagine that Gramm received a royal ass-chewing behind the scenes on the Straight Talk Express.

While Gramm's comments make McCain look out of touch on economic matters, the you-haven't-heard-from-me-in-a-while Rev. Jesse Jackson's Obama insult makes Obama look good. The more distance Obama puts between the Rev and his campaign, the more he could benefit with those who have always been uneasy about The Rev. Jackson creates an interesting conundrum for Obama: support him or denounce him? The Rev's comments may have taken care of that decision.

Finally, as promised, WVPC takes a hard look at McCain's potential VPs. Will he go fiscally conservative? Will he go socially conservative? Will he go evangelical? Will he go young? Will he go old? Will he go moderate? Dear God, please go moderate. Here's look at some names being tossed around:

Bobby Jindal. He's young and, well, let's face it, doesn't look like a lot of people in the Republican party. He toes the party line on about every issue, but his demeanor is less than captivating. Plus, he might be too young.

Mike Huckabee. Prior to the 2008 campaingn, he was just that one governor who lost a bunch of weight. The Iowa victory changed all of that, but the party base has ambivalent feelings about Huck. He could woo the evangelicals, but he risks alienating the fiscally conservative Republicans who aren't thrilled about JMac anyway.

Mitt Romney. Quite possibly the most inauthentic figure in American politics has slowly crept his way onto the running mate short list. The Dems could pick Romney apart if he gets on the ticket.

Charlie Crist. He's a popular name thrown around GOP circles. Plus, he's really tan.

Olympia Snowe. She's probably too moderate for the far right crowd, but she would help draw votes from independents and the center. However, there's probably little chance for Snowe in this campaign forecast.


Michael Reagan. Hey, the conservatives have an incredible man crush on his dead dad. Why not put his off-putting, vulgar son on the ticket? McCain/Reagan '08. Score.

In quick hits, The CS Monitor profiles Obama's mastermind, David Axelrod. Obama stays on message with tough love + government responsibility approach to problems in the African American community. Alas, how could we forget the most controversial image of the week.



"It's satire," says Angus.

50th blog, suckas.

50. Fifty. Fify. Or is it Fifee?



Anyway, welcome to WVPC's fiftieth blog. It was all the way back in 2007 when we first brought you the best Internet coverage of politics and cats. How are we going to celebrate? Hot chicks who cover politics. That's right. As promised, here are the top six (we couldn't come up with fifty) babes in the world of political coverage. They're all hot, so we won't rank them in any ascending or descending order. Enjoy.

Rachel Marsden. Commentator. Canadian.



This right-leaning babe was a Faux News favorite until her ouster. That's not the only time that things have been rough for my north-of-the-border beauty. Double trouble: psycho and conservative. Growl.

Claire Shipman. ABC News.



My Sunday mornings become so much better when Claire joins the Round Table on This Week.

Katherine Mangu-Ward. Reason.



Her blogs are concise. Her tilt is libertarian. Her presence during my daily browsing: priceless. Katherine, keep up the good work for women with hyphenated last names everywhere.

Mika Brezinski. MSNBC.



She can tolerate Joe Scarborough. What can't she do? Always a pleasure, Mika.

Ana Marie Cox. The founder of Wonkette, now with Time, is an obvious choice. Cute. Snarky. Partisan.



Annie Hlywak. Wevoteprocat.blogspot.com.


This feline knows how to get the political scoop and how to fill the litter box with genuine poop.

Enjoy your Sunday.

Obama readies for national fight, Hillary bows out and Russert waves goodbye

One smooth cat coasts to the nomination.

It was a long strange trip, but we finally have the main event (ok, it's still not official). Brooks assesses the matchup.

JMac has been prepping his attack plan for months. Expect more elitist accusations. Yawn. The jedi floats a new website to deflect the insults. In the age of arugula, the site is unfortunately necessary.

The old man also likes it town hall style, even on the first date. Why? It allows him to connect with voters on an intimate level. Let's just hope it's an unscripted format. The more the scribes write and advisers prep him, the stiffer he looks. Play to your strengths, JMac.

Now that Hillary is out of the spotlight, the number one topic is who will be number two? The media is, shall we say, caught in a Webb of speculation. Others think there's Nunn other like him.

To offset national security inexperience concerns, Webb is the smart bet. His Senate tenure is short, but, well, so was is prospective boss's. Other names you'll hear often over the next few weeks along with their strengths and weaknesses in parentheses:

Joe Biden (Strengths: experience, foreign relations committee. Weaknesses: long-winded, no military experience)


Chris Dodd (Strengths: Senate experience, nice head of white hair, Angus loves him. Weaknesses: despite experience, still not really a household name, no military experience, from affluent East coast state)

John Edwards (Strengths: left-leaning populist, connects with most blue collar voters, great hair. Weaknesses: already failed once, owns huge fucking house, performs poorly in debates)

Hillary Clinton (Strengths: more blue collar appeal (somehow), lures female voters, in-house adviser in husband. Weaknesses: in-house adviser in husband, rivalry is too fresh, hated by large portions of population (somehow).

Claire McCaskill (Strengths: red state appeal, brief gubernatorial experience, friendly. Weaknesses: little experience on the national stage, not-yet-a-household name syndrome, Rams fan).

WVPC will cover the GOP's VP search tomorrow in our 50th blog!

In a Sunday NY Times must read, we get some insight into JMac's time as a POW.

Finally, Wevoteprocat salutes Tim Russert. Sunday morning coffee will never be the same. Thanks, Russ. Go Bills!

Magic Number: 70.5

Gaze at the scenic beauty of a Democratic showdown.

50.5: WVPC's current fantasy baseball score. That's enough for last place for those familiar with CBS Sportsline's scoring system.

48: The number of hours necessary to transform a bumbling, inarticulate former press secretary into a left wing hero and/or Republican scourge.

70.5: Number of delegates Barack Obama needs to secure nomination. And what a strange fight it's been for those delegates.

Things got really loud in Florida yesterday. All of this infighting has the GOP licking its lips.

WVPC hasn't offered much commentary on the Democratic superdelegate fight. Quite frankly, it bores us. It's like paying attention to the conflict in a movie when you've already read a review that reveals the ending. Spoiler alert: the jedi wins.

The class issue (Whole Foods, "bitter," shots of Crown Royal in an Indiana bar) is the most fascinating issue of the second half of the 08 campaign. That said, the NY Times gives it some more exposure.

When it comes to arugula, Barack and Roll can shrug off elitist accusations. When it comes to lobbyists, he may have more difficulty. Newsweek looks at his ties to those with much sway in the Beltway.

The running mate search is on, and one name resonates: Webb.

Even if the GOP may have looked better than the squabbling Dems over the last eight weeks, the founder of the 2001-2006 White House Press Network, I mean Faux News, predicts an Obama landslide. WVPC smells conspiracy.

The L.A. Times looks at JMac's peculiar votes for veterans' benefits. Note to Obama campaign: read this editorial and start taking notes for the first debate.

All eyes are on Puerto Rico this Sunday. Either HRC or Obama's people will be nursing a severe Captain Morgan hangover. This just in: Hillary wins.

Sundays. Many Americans flock to the nearest megachurch, get spritualized and wash it all down with a heapin' helpin' of riblets at Applebee's. On this Sunday, the jedi, in a long overdue decision, says goodbye to Trinity.

WVPC out.

Pinned Down

Clearly the best determiner when picking a presidential candidate

Just when you thought a candidate could avoid jingo-pandering, the flag pin makes its less-than-triumphant return.

Coming from a smooth operator like the jedi, "sweetie" doesn't sound like such a derogatory term.

Flag pins. Sweetiegate. Dodging bullets from a former candidate. Any good news for the jedi? Well, Hillary won't be an obstacle much longer. Forecasting her campaign's death for weeks, the media offers an assessment of why she failed.

With an SNL appearance and a solid week of laying down some concrete ideas, the GOP is falling in love, er, make that tolerating his presence in order to win what was once an unwinnable election and rebrand (May 2008 political buzzword) their party, with JMac. As the Dems gain seats in Mississippi and other solidly red regions, the GOP clearly has the blues, but JMac's maverick status has suddenly become more appealing to the figureheads and blowhards who once cast him off as a RINO. John McCain: makeover artist.

Could Democrats actually benefit from a McCain victory in November? Brommel thinks so. He may be onto something. Dems will have a much wider majority as the nation turns its eyes to the party but away from its potential presidential candidate. Note to Obama: get Tony Stewart and Carrie Underwood to campaign for you, and your problems will be solved. Also, drape yourself in flags. Lots of flags.

Edwards solidifies future cabinet appointment: Secretary of Great Hair and My Dad Worked in a Textile Mill Department.

Go ahead, Barack. You can run your fingers through it.

North Carolina's favorite populist (sorry, Jesse Helms) finally made his endorsement clear. No, he didn't pick Mike Gravel.

In the meantime, Hillary scores another meaningless victory, but it's enough to keep her in the news for another five weeks. The news cycle continues as follows: she's holding on for dear life, voters second guess Obama's commitment to working class values, Hillary wins another primary, superdelegates undecided, Obama looks to wrap up nomination, blah, blah, blah. Tell WVPC those won't be the stories until July. Go ahead, tell Angus.

If Barack does get the nod, he'll need to get angry quickly. Not sure I would heed that advice, but I guess you play dirty when you fight the GOP in the general.

While the W takes potshots at a certain unnamed future Democratic nominee, others have advice for JMac: avoid Bush like the plague.

Edwards endorsement makes WVPC nostalgic for the 08 candidates of yore. Which of the former '08 candidates will we see again? Here's some presumptive percentages based on nothing even remotely scientific (Angus helped with these forecasts).

GOP
Romney: 90%. Varmint hunting can really take you far in politics. Yes, with just one hastily purchased NRA membership, you too can go from a moderate governor of the most liberal state in the U.S. to a Barry Goldwater-loving, no new taxes, big military budget con in a matter of days. In an off year when they can't find a new Reagan in the flock, the GOP has a sudden infatuation with Romney. Can you say Secretary of Commerce?

Huckabee: 75%. The real compassionate conservative won the hearts of some caucus voters in that now ancient month of January. JMac seems warm to Huck, so I don't know why he wouldn't give him a phone call for the Office of Faith Based Initiatives. Well, unless he calls John Hagee first.

Paul: 0%. JMac scorned Paul's isolationism and Dr. No faces some challenges from within the GOP attack machine.

Democrats
Edwards: 99%. Yesterday's endorsement was an unofficial invitation, or plea, to join a future cabinet. Put your money on Secretary of Health and Human Services or Labor.

Biden: 75%. Hey, he already said that Obama was clean and articulate. Compliments like that can land you a Secretary of State position if you're lucky.

Richardson: 70%. Prediction: Barack Obama will have more clout than James Carville come November. Just to piss off the Dem establishment, Richardson could accept a cabinet position. He's another secretary of state candidate.

Dodd: 50%. The venerable senator may be looking for a new gig to augment his already nice resume. A cabinet position would be a good way to go out.

Come back this weekend when WVPC looks at the best lookers in politics. You won't want to miss this!

Score us some green, dude.

Start up the Prius and let's head to Whole Foods! The environment was on voters' minds for a few nanoseconds last week as the nation celebrated Earth Day. Time magazine irked a few folks last week with this image:



Cacophony of voices: Blasphemy! My uncle didn't fight so Time magazine could...
Here's the accompanying article. When WVPC Googled this cover, this article emerged at the top of the result heap. Who in the hell is Christine Bude? Why does she have 1,003,436 views? Why are two readers and four cats my audience?

Global warming doesn't seem to be a major concern among the candidates. Here's what they've acknowledged thus far: global warming is real. That's a start, I suppose. Other than that the topic is nearly absent from campaign stump speeches. The candidates seem to understand this point: for most middle and lower class voters, paying the electric bills on time and affording gas takes precedent over eco-friendly light bulbs or building a new deck made of recycled Howard Dean signs. And be prepared to live without all that cool stuff they bought during the carefree Ipod era. To the Journal, there's that other thing they could have difficulty living without: inhabitable space.

You probably already know about what went down in Pennsylvania last week. Yes, the Pirates probably lost some games (Dammit! Ian Snell is on Angus' fantasy team.), but Hillary scored a victory.
How does the Jedi respond to this defeat? Playing hoops in the Hoosier State. Barack, brush up on The Bird. Remember, he's from French Lick, not Boston.
If he's brushing up on Larry Legend, he's brushing off Jeremiah Wright. The media's assessment of the rev: gloomy and doomy. Hey, kinda like the Book of Revelations. If the jedi doesn't have enough problems already, the media and blogosphere threw around the E word last week. Unfortunately , the E doesn't stand for excellence in everything; it stands for electability.
And that's from The New Republic! Here's some of the same arguments from Team Rove. Hell, Rove even has some advice. Karl, I smell Pulitzer.

While the Dems bickered in Pa., JMac toured forgotten America. Good PR move, but it's just election year politics unless he can prove it. JMac is still behind in most polls, but he's gaining ground even after enduring a tough week in the op-ed sections and blogs.

Finally, let's check the nation's political temperature because it's time for The Thermometer.




- Obama: Cold. The Pennsylvania loss and Wright's less-than-stellar criticism rebuttals show new vulnerabilities.

- Hillary: Heating up. PA. win helps but she's still has a long way to go.

- McCain: Warm. Things are going well and if Obama totally derails, JMac will take the presidency.

- Howard Dean: Lukewarm. Head of DNC tenure has been rocky, but he looked firm on Sunday's Meet the Press.

- Russert: Cooling off. WVPC praised and defended him in the past, but Stephanopolus runs a better Sunday show. George, you had us at This Week.

We'll see you later this week.