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.

Romney prepares for the end.

Me campaign go like this.

Trailing John McCain by nearly twenty points in Super Tuesday polls, Mitt Romney looks tired. The Romney momentum is running low, and he realizes that that 35 million bucks could've bought a shitload of other cool stuff rather than a failed run at the White House. Oh well, Mitt's coping. Apparently, Maine just doesn't have the same clout anymore.

On This Week with George Stepanopolus, Mitt looked weary while Hillary looked poised and confident.


White House Whispers (the name of Stephanopolus' first easy listening album)indicate that even Bush isn't too keen on Romney. Warning: Novak column.

Running mates are a fun thing to ponder in politics. Who would be the ideal fit for the remaining candidates? Here's some of Wevoteprocat's best offerings:

Hillary: If she beats Obama, he's the obvious choice. However, she may want to select a more moderate Dem. New findings show that Obama ain't so moderate. Vilsack and Harkin come to mind.

Obama: Edwards is looking for a job, but back to back tickets aren't likely. Even though she barely has her feet wet in Missouri, people like Claire.

Gravel: The February issue of the Utne Reader and some hummus.

McCain: Huckabee would ease social conservatives' concerns about McCain's moderate leanings, but a Huckabee VP would only rile fiscal conservatives. McCain will look to a moderate Republican female to perk the interests of disillusioned GOP women or those who just don't like Hillary. I like Snowe. Olympia that is, not the Informer. She'll upset social conservatives, but America and the GOP have begun to tune them out. Thank God.

Romney: He won't win the nod, but let's play pretend. He'll pick someone who can provide some counterbalance to his questionable tenure in Massachusetts, where he ran and predominately governed as a moderate. Look for Mitt to pluck one from the GOP loony bin and go with a Southern or Big Sky country conservative who will allay fears about magic underwear and flip flopping.

Hucakbee: A fiscal conservative who hates taxes will boost Huck's GOP standing, but it doesn't look like he has much further to go. He's still young enough to run for another 16 years, and, if anything, he's established himself as a rising star in the GOP and American politics. Huckabee stands the most to gain from the inevitable exit . He'll bow out on Wednesday afternoon, so a running mate doesn't matter at this point.

Ron Paul: A militia member or Denis Hof comes to mind.

Wevotperocat is tuning out the Super Bowl and Monday coverage. We'll see you for a late night session on Tuesday or the wee hours of Wednesday. Until then, make time for cats rather than football.

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.

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?