Everybody Hates Mitt

But these kids love him.



Nice reference, Mitt. I heard MC Hammer's all the rage, too.

The rest of the GOP field doesn't share these youths' enthusiasm.


However, The Mitt finds himself in an unlikely position: frontrunner. That's right; he's leading in Florida polls. Well, at least pretty close to frontrunner.

Even if the Times says the hate is turned up on Romney, last night's debate seemed more like a GOP love fest.

This doesn't bode well for Rudy, who really missed his best opportunity to define his positions amidst the shrinking Republican field.

That tightness may be loosening up a bit. We've already got a two person race on the Dem side, and the Globe says the GOP will become the same after Florida.

Mama McCain is in the house, and you can't contain her.

With mom on his side, McCain stands the best chance at beating Hillary.

The former first lady took her message to Good Morning America this morning. She's going on the counterattack, but she's gotta kinder, gentler machine gun hand.

As for the Jedi, let's just say his My Michelle is ready to step up her game.

Obama gets George Stephanopolus' full attention on This Week. McCain sits down with Russert on Meet the Press.


Finally, a new candidate enters the 2008 race. His background reads like this: small town Indiana boy finds fame and fortune in the Hollywood Hills. He conquers the world for a few brief moments, just to disappear a few years later. He fires his old running mates and replaces them with yes men. For ten years, he makes a promise he just can't keep. And some dolphins were involved. Finally, does he take us to Paradise City in 2008?


If it's the best politics and cat coverage, it's Wevoteprocat. We'll get back to you on Sunday. Keep R-O-C-Kin the USA until then.

The Wind Cries Thompson

The red pickup truck has finally run out of gas. Did he really ever have that much in the tank? You've heard the stories: he's lazy, he lacked motivation, Jeri was pulling the strings, etc. Fred Thompson seems like the quintessential example of politics ruining probably a decent human being. Yeah, the red pick up truck was a sad plea for redneck votes, but no more than putting Al Gore in flannel shirts or giving John Kerry a rifle. Fred seems like he would be a good neighbor. One of those "you mind your business, and I'll mind mine" types.

He was mellow and had somewhat refined tastes. Few supporters noticed he was more Gucci than NASCAR, more Hollywood and Washington than Tennessee, and apparently more of a mack than his appearance lets on. His Senate tenure was fairly uneventful, and past voting tendencies illustrate a small handful of moderate inclinations. Maybe he just got sick of the charade? Anyway, it was a very brief love affair between Fred and the GOP.

Dick Polman has tough words for the last days of the beyond struggling Edwards campaign.

John Gibson. You may know him as the Fox News blowhard who believes there's some PC/liberal assault on Christmas. Well, his latest remarks are as invidious as ever. What? Me insensitive?




Gibson, you have incurred the wrath of cat nation.

Disharmony

The debate has turned ugly. The media perpetuated the two person race, and it came full circle tonight in Myrtle Beach, aka the Redneck Riviera.

Edwards tried to chime in, but all eyes were on the Jedi and Hillary.

Ever heard of Freedom's Watch? Be afraid. Be very afraid. Yes, that's our first crunchy link. UTNE Reader coming soon. To the hybrid!

Onto all things non-crunchy (Republicans). Could the anti-hippie McCain and the bass player who lost a bunch of weight form a super ticket? This hypothetical ticket would help McCain woo evangelicals weary of his moderate past (God obviously hates campaign finance reform. Duh!). On the other hand, let's say Romney wins the nod. Would Huckabee ease the worries of those not down with Joseph Smith and co.? Or would Huck just spell disaster for GOP fiscal conservatives who view his as a big government type bent on helping the poor (what a terrible idea). WVPC says that Romney or McCain will steer clear of Huck when it comes to picking a nominee. The acrimonious vibe between Romney and Huck wouldn't bode well for a ticket. No one running for President likes Romney.


All this hostility is in the air. Malcolm says, "Can't we all just get along?"



Unity.

Old man gets revenge in S.C.

Who's laughing now, GW Bush? After getting ambushed by Bush operatives in 2000, the even older and wiser (?) John McCain can claim victory in the Palmetto State (Psst. I liked hims better eight years ago).

The GOP lives in the shadow of Bush. Newsweek's Evan Thomas discusses how they can escape it. Wevoteprocat declares it this week's must read.

Speaking of This Week, it was a good roundtable, as Matthew Dodd arrives at the table. Does Vanden huevel have another outfit? I've seen that purple blazer like 15 times within the last two months. Topics include the minority vote, Florida, economics, and McCain. Check it out.

Rudy also made an appearance on This Week. He's never looked scarier.


Apparently, he has a supporter in Jon Voight. And he still thinks Florida will take him all the way to the top. It worked for another GOP bully not so long ago. Hey Rudy, tell Judy to leave my special friends alone. She's about to break that kid's neck.


Rudy has finished last or second to the last in every contest. Ron Paul has had better showings than the former America's Mayor. The next three weeks are crucial. Everyone in the Beltway is still scratching their heads over Rudy's demise.

Meet the Press hosted an all-star panel. Man, Reba McEntire has really let herself go.


A fourth place finish near his home turf spells disaster for Thompson. Wevoteprocat's prediction: expect a concession speech tomorrow.

Four percent for Edwards in Nevada. How can the man survive past South Carolina? He can't. It was a good run, but he's just throwing away money at this point. Both of the two Americas have rejected him.

Do you know what time it is? Wave your hands in the air like you just care because it's time to check the candidates' temperatures. That's right; the Thermometer is ready.

On this frigid January Sunday, maybe some hot temps will warm you up.

Dems:
Hillary - Hot. Has the former first lady regained her front runner status? Nevada says yes.
Obama - Warm. The Reagan comment got him in some hot water, but his temp has cooled. Sunday found him in church. The Clinton's nasty campaigning, however, makes him look good. The endorsements from red state Democrats help, too.
Edwards - Frozen. Prediction: he'll endorse Obama by March.

GOP:
McCain - On fire. The party faithfuls are gravitating toward a face they kind of trust.
Romney - Hot. Third place in a NASCAR region isn't bad for a corporate tool. And the Nevada victory doesn't really hurt him.
Huckabee - Warm. The polls don't necessarily reflect this view, but WVPC sees things a bit differently. The economy is heading towards peril. Huck's the only GOP candidate who seems to understand the plight of middle and lower class GOP voters.
Rudy - Lukewarm. He's not frozen, but the Florida strategy seems like it could backfire. How can he make a strong case after such a poor showing in New Hampshire? However, he'll do better than expected on Feb. 5. Wait and see.
Thompson - On ice. South Carolina was his last chance.

Is Bill Clinton hurting Hillary? His Obama insults hurt the party. He doesn't seem to care. Who would've thought the Dems would run a nastier campaign than the GOP? Do us a favor, Bill. Lay off.

Finally, could they still blow it?

It's Ne-va-duh.

Wevoteprocat is always on the money. Well, maybe not always but our intentions are perfectly good. We gamble just like anybody else in this crazy game we call politics. Being the wonkish felines, Angus, Annie, Malcolm, and Lady have hit the Vegas political buffets with a vengeance. Here's what they got:



Mitt and Hillary's luck luck has never been better.
The two scored victories in what may be a preview of November. Wevoteprocat has said it before, but with this election were allowed to change our minds every once in a while. Who knows, Duncan Hunter and Kucinich could dominate the Feb, 5 primaries, and it would be par for the course in this never-a-dull-moment (well, except when Thompson speaks) campaign.

From the top link: "In South Carolina, the economy and immigration were cited as top issues, with more than half the voters saying illegal immigrants should be deported. Conservatives and white evangelical voters turned out in heavy numbers, according to the polling place interviews." Yes, those illegal immigrants are really damaging that robust South Carolina economy.

As the economy takes a downward spiral, Nevadans look to a man with business credentials. Mitt is in the bullshit business, and he has unveiled his new package.

Now, Mitt's the man that can bring change to Washington.

There's no Regan this time around. Even so, Reagan wasn't that iconoclastic when he hit the campaign trail in 1980. I'm glad I was too young to remember. Freshly minted NY Times columnist Bill Kristol elaborates from his more comfortable publication:
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/014/607onvmn.asp?pg=1

Newsflash: the Civil War is not over. From the bumper stickers on the back of pickup trucks, which I somehow see in Union states, to Huckabee's defense of the confederate flag, the battle rages on.

You know Huck. But do you know Mrs. Huck?

If you know Huck, you know he likea da Jesus. However, does he receive too much harsh treatment for his beliefs? When judgment day comes, we'll be sorry.

Thompson makes his final stand in South Carolina. This weekend is the last you may see of this mug:



Another Thompson probably has a nice long career ahead of her. I predict a short-lived stint at Fox News. Bring the falafel!



As our heads bobbed in unison to Collective Soul songs, my generation watched Chelsea grow up in the White House. Lately, she's been hitting the trail for mom.

From two political vixens to one hot cat:




Wevoteprocat knows the beauty of a good campaign fight.

We'll have complete coverage of the Sunday news shows and the GOP South Carolina results tomorrow. Until then, bet the house that you can't find coverage this good anywhere else, sucka.

Slow day. Mitt visits Staples. "Have you met an SP?...One day it'll be like that."

Wevoteprocat will shatter suppression like nobody's risky business. Spectatorism is something that we don't have time for. We jump right in...

While in South Carolina, Mitt Romney visited a local Staples Office Store, a little mom and pop operation. Apparently, saving money on Post-It notes wasn't the only thing on this reporter's mind:

http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=3724214n

Not familiar with the Palmetto State's upcoming fight?

Red pickup truck (prop). Check. Nice drawl (sleep inducing). Check. Grandfatherly charms (and looks). Check. Why isn't Thompson faring better in South Carolina? Regardless of his poor poll position, Thompson bets it all on the land of grits. Ya gotta admit, the man can read the cue cards.

The Mitt man assessed his chances down South. He bailed when he saw the first Camaro on cinder blocks..


Has the media ignored Edwards? He did make the cover of Newsweek in the coveted spot of a week before Iowa.

Onto another campaign marching to its death, Rudy is giving his all to Florida. In fact, he'll probably settle down there after the loss. Why has Rudy suffered so much? The media pitched the McCain comeback? Romney's clean look charmed the fragmented GOP audience? Kansas? Some say not so fast, Wevoteprocat!

What about the land of gambling, buffets and The Moody Blues? Headline predictions: "The wild west shootout in Nevada," "Candidate X rolls the dice in...," "John McCain joins Blue Man Group, croaks on stage," "Giuliani caught in prostitution sting."

If you cross Russert,




you cross Angus.


Be forewarned, Michael Yglesias.

Romney wins! Gorgeous hair and teeth conquer Michigan.

But does it turn viewpoints on a dime?



Mitt finds home state magic.

I think Mitt won because he's spent so much time in Michigan over the last thirty years. Why, here's Mitt's family at their Detroit summer home.




Hucakbee tried to import some of that Southern hospitality. Close, but no creationism. From ABC News:

"In Michigan, evangelicals divided evenly between Romney and Huckabee, 32 percent to 31 percent, with 22 percent for McCain."

McCain finishes second. Could this be engine trouble for the Straight Talk Express?

Don't count out Mac. The faithful will flock to the tested one in their time of need. The Dems can easily pick apart Romney's mod to con transformation.

Obama and McCain would make for one of the best presidential debates in history. Wevoteprocat is thankful they're both running for the highest office in the land.

In other Mitttastic news:

Mitt peddles bullshit to auto workers.

Can Mitt's can-do attitude fix the motor city's economic woes?

Mitt's biggest asset? He's not George W. Bush.

Kerry endorses Obama. Note to Obama: don't take campaign advice.

Everyone's favorite windsurfer endorsed Obama. It's a diss to Edwards, but they never really got along that well anyway. 2004 was a clam chowder and barbecue ribs package that couldn't even beat GW Bush.

Kerry stated his case on This Week this morning.

Jack Kelly illustrates why Kerry is still late to the party.

Mitt's message resonates in his home state. On the other hand, he hasn't spent much time on a private beach in Michigan. Here's a fact from the article:

"But for all his homestate pride, Romney has not lived in the state as a full-time resident since departing for college in 1965. He resides in a wealthy suburb of Boston and has vacation homes in Utah and New Hampshire."

What's the cure for Michigan's economic woes? Pizza. Mitt stated, "We bought Domino's Pizza, which is headquartered in Ann Arbor.”

We've heard about the two Americas. The Red versus Blue echoes the North versus South of the 1860s. We know about the divisions along party lines: fiscal conservatives versus religious-social conservatives. With the New Hampshire results, the commentators have a new label to illustrate the demographics of the Dems: Wal-Mart or lunch bucket Democrats versus Starbucks or white wine Democrats. I propose an additional disjuncture: cat lovers versus non-cat lovers. It's a bisection that will divide both parties. Stay tuned to Wevoteprocat for further info on this developing story.

George Will discusses the bleak landscape of the GOP party.

That bleak landscape includes a former mayor fighting for his political life. What happened? That jewel of journalism, The Weekly Standard, addresses Rudy's pitfalls. Just read the last two paragraphs.

Rudy addressed some of these concerns on Fox News Sunday. You may have a bit of difficulty locating that video. Let's just say that they're not that tech savvy over at Murdoch, O'Reilly and Hannity. They're also about four months late on that Soujah Boy Internet dance craze.

The good news: The Wall Street Journal's online edition is free (hey, Angus has stocks.). The bad news: Karl Rove contributes to their editorial page. And he's dropping references to The Bard.

Ryan Lizza dissects race and the Obama v. Hillary matchup. Hispanics hold the key to each candidate's fate in the upcoming primaries (Nevada and South Carolina).

And finally, the L.A. Times examines the buzz word of the 2008 campaign.

We'll have reports from Michigan this week. Okay, reports from my living room. We'll pretend we're in Michigan.

Richardson bows out of race. Will nation ever move on?

What do you need to win the presidency? A good resume? Impeccable credentials? Diplomacy experience? I guess you just can't compete when you're up against a Clinton or an Obama. Richardson, the perpetual fourth place finisher, decides to call it quits.

Who's the next to go? I guess Duncan Hunter is still in. Let's just say a certain red pickup is running out of gas.


Now for a Wevoteprocat exclusive. We call it The Thermometer.

Okay, it could use a better name. While it may not have the best moniker, you can count on its reading.

The Dems are pretty obvious this week:
Hillary: Hot! Duh. However, NH should be seen as a life preserver rather than a checkered flag.
Obama: Warm. The second place in NH may have cooled him off, but he's certainly not slowing down. He enters next week as the man to beat.
Edwards: Let me express my feelings in borrowed verse:

I am an American left-leaning voter
I live on Foster Avenue
I'm hiding out in the big city blinking
What was I thinking when I endorsed you?
Edwards is trying to break our hearts.

The GOP is a bit trickier.
McCain: Scorching. In case you missed it, J-Mac has owned every political headline for the last 24 hours.
Rudy: Warming up. His late state strategy has captured the media's attention. Will people care come Feb. 5? America's mayor might be in for a letdown: a New York City sized ego might yield a Youngstown, Ohio result: rusted out and going nowhere.
Huckabee: Cooling off. No one thought he would do well in New Hampshire, but he did better than expected. So, why is he cold? The party faithful are flocking to McCain.
Thompson: Cold. South Carolina could create a bit of an upswing, but he's looking, drumroll, tired and the latest web push is painful. Reagan dreams are over. Go home and enjoy your twilight years with the woman who could pass for your daughter.
Romney: Cold. The Stormin' Mormon enters his home state with everything on the line. The masses are catching on to the shtick.

See you Sunday! We'll have exclusive endorsements from Annie, Malcolm and Lady. Wevoteprocat out.

What a Difference a Day Makes.

She's gone from:





To:

It's been an interesting 24 hours or so. Be prepared for this headline: "Comeback kids ___________."

McCain makes good on Wevoteprocat's prediction: old fart finishes first. The old man rolls into South Carolina with poise and confidence. Huckabee doesn't look so invincible.

You'll hear plenty about the winners today, but what about New Hampshire's less fortunate?
Obama's close silver medal makes his front runner status a little less comfortable.
One prevailing yet somewhat frivolous argument in support of the Obama candidacy is in question after last night's results: people are sick of the political dynasties. New Hampshire women didn't buy that notion, and the rest of the country may grow more comfortable with the idea of a new Clinton era. Obama also barks back at Slick Willy.

Romney is on the rocks. Some say it's a question of 'authenticity.' Get out!

Giuliani employs a strange strategy, but it might work. New Hampshire has a big influence, but it's one state.

Our man Edwards takes his bronze in stride. He's still in it for the long haul. Things don't look good for the best hair in this race. What could he do after the inevitable loss? His Senate seat is long gone, and a third attempt would be difficult if a Dem wins the White House (Note to Obama or Hillary, think Secretary of Labor or HUD). Obama can lose this election and still have a better political career than any candidate. Edwards can't make that claim. Hillary could continue fighting the good fight in the Senate, but what might have been would certainly taint her political career.

Look for Wevoteprocat's exclusive Thermometer in tomorrow's edition.

All is not quiet on New Hampshire eve.

Good evening, Wevoteprocat nation. New Hampshire, Vermont's square cousin, will host the first-in-the-nation primary tomorrow, and the world really cares about New Hampshire for a day or two.

Hillary and Mitt pilot sinking vessels as they head into the waters of Lake Winnipesaukee. Can Hill and Mitt lead their ships to victory? It doesn't look promising, but it's forced them to change directions in the final hours. The former first lady also turned up the heat on the young Jedi.

In other Hillary news, her old man isn't quite the draw when the whole country has Obama fever. The Chicago Tribune, however, reports that NH is still Clinton country.

For Romney, Ad"mitt"ing your blunders is always a good move when you're down in the polls.

New Hampshireites are having a Mac Attack. The old man is back on the bus, and he has the ear of every reporter. We're even sending Angus out to cover tonight's speaking events.

Say McCain wins NH. What next? The NYT examines the trouble ahead.

From today's Note:
"Republicans, meanwhile, appear ready to give another contest to another candidate: If McCain wins New Hampshire, that's three states down, three different winners (counting Wyoming, with went with Romney)."
- This makes for an interesting race that will last far longer than the Dems,' who might as well hand Obama the nod tomorrow night. Huckabee will play well in the South and some conservative Great Plains (Kansas, anyone?) and Midwest pockets (Can I get an amen for Branson, MO?), but Rudy, McCain, and Romney will do better in the Northeast and moderate Midwest states (MI, IL, OH, MN, WI).

Thus, the GOP race will be much more interesting after NH is over. Ron Paul will serve as the spoiler of the bunch, and he could finish stronger than Rudy in NH. Paul's end the drug war/leave the guns alone/abolish the IRS/dismantle the Dept. of Education/get out of Iraq message will play well in Big Sky country where the libertarian mindset is still alive and well. On that note, you can have my blog when you pry this mouse from my cold dead hand.

In case you missed the debates, the New Hampshire papers recap:
http://concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080107/FRONTPAGE/801070304/1217/NEWS98
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Romney+goes+on+the+attack&articleId=d59a9cbb-3e85-419e-a017-99960efe9087

You may have noticed that Ron Paul was absent from Fox News' debate hosted by their second rate Russert, Chris Wallace. Even if Fox said no, Leno (back and as hilarious as ever!) said yes. Paul will be a guest tonight. Even if you don't agree with all of Dr. No's points, it would do the Leno audience some good to hear Paul's rhetoric. Let's hope America tunes in.

Brace yourself: Obama doesn't have friend in Bill O'Reilly. In other angry white guy news, Lou Dobbs hasn't ruled out a run.

I thought he told Seacrest no. Bloomberg in 08?

Avoid the headache called cable TV news. Punch up Wevoteprocat late tomorrow night to get all of the NH coverage you need.

It's Dodd!!!

Just kidding. He didn't win. He just broke Angus' heart.

Well, Wevoteprocat (and probably a few thousand less credible news agencies) predicted the winners. Grinell students, creative writing professors and Whole Foods employees dropped their bongs and helped Obama win for the Dems. Homeschoolers, creationists, and Delta Force fans gave Huckabee an easy win over Romney in the GOP contest.

What do we make of it? Well, this could propel Obama to an unofficial yet inevitable nomination in mid February/early March. On the other hand, Hillary and Edwards had respectable showings, and they look good for New Hampshire. We'll wait and see but all lightsabers point to the young Jedi from Illinois.

For the Huckabee crowd, the win certainly helps their cause. Huckabee is front page news, and Romney is known as a silver medalist to those who just started paying attention. It will come down to a battle of McCain versus Huckabee in the coming weeks. Who knows? McCain might get some of that old 2000 magic.

What about Rudy? That mofo wasn't even in Iowa today. Yes, that was our first Fox News link.
Isn't that cute? Fox News has blogs. Who knew? Man, what a great time I had in Cameron's Corner!

Why the Iowa Caucus rocks:
- Parties give everyday citizens tremendous power.
- Candidates actually talk to voters!
- People from D.C. get to see the real America, dammit!

Why the Iowa Caucus sucks:
- Candidates spend millions to capture less than a million votes.
- Iowa is pretty damn white.
- What this guy said.

If you're sick of Iowa news, The New Republic interviews Tom Tancredo. He's not a fan of salsa.

Also, needn't we forget the powerful voice of Wyoming.

In a touching farewell, Joe Biden said goodbye to his last campaign for the American presidency. Say it ain't so, Joe. They don't want experience anymore.

I can imagine the scene in the Des Moines Marriott right now. It's late. Confetti and ribbons line the ballroom floor. Two young staffers share cranberry juice drink boxes:

Huckabee staffer: I can't do this, not right now at least.
Romney staffer: But it's our last night together in Iowa.
Huckabee staffer: It feels so wrong after your loss. Well, that and I was reared in an abstinence only education program in Kansas.
Romney staffer: Don't worry. This thing ain't over. We've got New Hampshire, baby. We've got New Hampshire.