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.

Wevoteprocat sleeps through blizzard of 08.

It's been a long time, been a long time, been a long lonely, lonely, lonely time. Lots of shit has gone down since we last told you all you need to know about the 08 race. Obama won Carolina, McCain won the support of fellow geriatrics in Florida, and the race lost two candidates.

Our man Edwards is gone with the wind. His populist ideas and gorgeous hair will fight future battles as a mere mortal rather than candidate for the highest office in the land.

Paul Krugman offers a sweet epitaph for the Edwards campaign.

For the GOP, then there were four. Florida wasn't so kind to Rudy, so he hopped on the Straight Talk Express. Warning to Rudy: Straight Talk Express makes detours. First stop, Liberty University!

Out in La La land, they're singing praises for Obama. Or should I say, waxing philosophically.

In addition to the LA Times, Moveon.org puts their faith, or at least their open-minded, secular notions of a feeling remotely similar to faith, in Obama. First Hollywood, then Moveon.org, I bet Jane Fonda's next! Hahaha (spoken while spitting tobacco into coffee can in aisle 6 at Wal-Mart).

Back in the late 60s, The Moody Blues illustrated the wonderment of this day of the week. It's the day when Chinese Democracy will finally be released. It's not Monday. It's Tuesday. No, it's even greater than Tuesday...it's Super Tuesday!

Somehow, Mike Gravel is still campaigning. Peep this itinerary item from Friday evening's ABC NEWS Sneak Peek:

MIKE GRAVEL

-- 6:00 pm ET: Attends fundraiser with supporters, Los Angeles, CA

Carry on, Alaska's wayward son.



Hillary and Romney sit down with Stephanopolus on Sunday morning. America sits on the couch on Sunday afternoon. Note to America: read a book!

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?

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.

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.