1. Every time I think the press couldn't possibly infuriate me any more than it already has with its absurdly simplistic and highly unscientific polls and its "interpretations" of them, I see Anderson Cooper (I call him Vanderbilt Boy, and it's copyrighted) and his legion singing yet another ode to Obama as they visit still more insult to still more injury upon the American people.

The latest poll they've sunk their able teeth (too bad it can’t be brains) into, that 22% of WV voters say race is playing a factor in the election, is of course being interpreted by Vanderbilt Boy and his ilk as an indictment of 'white" America (white newsmen are the new black, you know), when, in fact, it is simply a statement of reality, a reality largely CREATED by the media, that RACE has been all over the place in the media, in every debate, in so many Obama supporters' bizarre accusations against Clinton supporters, in Rev Wright's sermons (and yes I know the drill: Obama and the Rev have NOTHING in common there), and in Obama‘s own ill-chosen description of Pennsylvanians.

The poll did NOT say "I, a white person, would never vote for a black person." In fact, in WV, as elsewhere, more whites voted outside their own "color" than did blacks. The fact that some 90% or more blacks are voting for Obama never seems to be in question. The press NEVER asks if GENDER is playing a role in people's biases. In fact they insinuate that it's downright WRONG for women to support Hillary-- that it MUST be suspect. And the mantra that all Clinton supporters are "under-educated" is the most insulting of all. Now Edwards joins in; for some inexplicable reason he is unwilling to let Hillary have her moment, and to just let the voters vote.
I'm turning in my democratic party membership and going independent. The politics of the party are worse than individual politics, and they submerge the democratic process in group-think, name-calling, and political correctness that surpasses Orwell.
I remember when it was all the rage to say Hill "implied' that O's supporters were “delusional," despite her NEVER uttering that word or anything like it, or even invoking the voters at all, but rather challenging Obama to give more substance to support his campaign. So many unsubstantiated accusations have been launched against Senator Clinton and her supporters that one loses count. Somehow it's been OK for the press to flat-out call Clinton supporters stupid and/or racist. In addition to the obvious harm this race-baiting has caused, it is beyond arrogant for Obama supporters to believe that the only reason one might not support him is race, as though otherwise, the man is the one politician on earth who is above reproach, correct on all issues for everyone. Just the panacea for the planet.

Now the drumbeat is that suddenly we need to be "reintroduced' to Obama. Somewhere all that “substance” got lost. Wonder where. In fact it has been OBAMA’s associations-- and the press’ reverse-racist fawning over him-- that have called race into the equation more than anything else.
Let's hope the dem party finds some real courage, stops playing the race card, and FINALLY forces some ISSUES to the table. As for the Dems being a shoo-in, if they and the press keep up the bias and elitism-- yes-- I think 7-figures and up qualifies the press as elitist-- they may yet snatch that defeat, but it will be from out of their own flapping jaws.

P at 5:50AM on May 15th 2008

2. Good. Hopefully in the time it takes them to recover, we can recover our economy and our standing in the world.

Strados at 7:35AM on May 15th 2008

3. P- it's okay to admit there are a lot of racists. There are people voting FOR Obama because they're racist too, they just don't have the same population size. Don't deny the problem that blatantly exists in our society. You can't possibly tell me if Obama were white as Ron Paul we'd even be having a primary debate. He'd have won months ago.

Strados at 7:37AM on May 15th 2008

4. Newsflash.....Since Stenk won't report on it, I will. John 'Spedwards' has just stepped forward to endorse Obama....HA, HA, HA, that's a gas; wait until you see who's most likely to win, then jump in with an endorsement. What a slimey, snake, weasel. If I were Obama, I'd would've given that nut-job a boot in the arse off the stage. Then Obama would get my vote..well, not really, but would get my respect.

Lizard at 7:38AM on May 15th 2008

5. Lizard...if you haven't noticed...there is a huge number of "superdelegates" who are just as you put it, waiting to see who will win before they support them. Politicians are rarely known for bravery. Those who are, are usually gotten rid of by the cowardly masses.

Strados at 8:10AM on May 15th 2008

6. In honor of John Whatshisname's endorsement I sent the picture of Obama with his hands over is crotch during the pledge of allegiance to 40 people on my email list. Democrats and Republicans alike. It should be about 4000 by today and on and on.

Took lessons from Karl Rove

http://www.cafepress.com/cp/moredetails.aspx?showBleed=false&ProductNo=211252815&colorNo=4&pr=F

What a shame to have to go to Foxnews to get some good commentary.. Not OReilly of course but a Harvard Law Professor

Susan Estrich: Could Obama Be Another Dukakis?
Monday, May 12, 2008

By Susan Estrich

LOS ANGELES — It is a thought that sends shivers down the backs of Democrats, a name that brings to mind memories of an election lost that might have been won, against a war hero once referred to in headlines as a “wimp” who won not so much by his own strengths but because of the skill of his operatives in painting his lesser-known opponent as an out of touch “liberal” who refused to salute the flag or admit his mistakes, not to mention his supposedly unpatriotic wife.

Could Obama be another Dukakis

YouBeturSweet Bippy at 8:59AM on May 15th 2008

7. Cenk,

Let's see how many more indictments come out of the U.S. Attorney's office in Chicago, and how many corrupt politicians and fixers supported Obama.

Obama can't claim that the Bush Administration and the GOP is lacking in ethics, while he is being supported by individuals who want to fleece the taxpayers of Illinois.

And let's not forget that Obama hasn't had the media scrutiny that he will receive over the next 6 months. How many times can he plead ignorance, such as not knowing that Tony Rezko was trading jobs for money or that Rev. Wright hates white people (while living now in a house worth $1.6 million on a very white golf course) before people start thinking that he is either stupid or lying?

Also, the election of 1980 was supposed to be a nail biter, going on until the California returns were all in. It was over by 9:15 ET.

Kent at 9:21AM on May 15th 2008

8. P- it's okay to admit there are a lot of racists. There are people voting FOR Obama because they're racist too, they just don't have the same population size. Don't deny the problem that blatantly exists in our society. You can't possibly tell me if Obama were white as Ron Paul we'd even be having a primary debate. He'd have won months ago.

--

Strados, no one is saying that racism doesn't exist. But more than the minority white racism is the media's strange reverse racism. Just because Obama is not as white as Ron Paul, he's been given a largely free pass. If we disagree with Obama, voice suspicions that he's got his own personal underlying race agenda, whisper that at the very least his circle of friends are overtly racist, or even say we would rather vote for someone else (for any reason), we are being politically incorrect at best, and racist at worst - after all, if you find anything at all wrong with this candidate, it HAS to be because he's black, not because of his positions on issues.

I'm a Republican, and so not a Clinton fan (either Clinton). But I must say I've never seen a candidate battered so much by the press, while the press idolizes their opponent.

Hillary has made some huge mistakes (think "sniper fire"). While I think she should be called to the carpet for that, Obama's lies are just as blatant (like he had no idea Wright was the racist jerk that he is until last month, even after 20 years of sitting in the church during his sermons and having a personal relationship with the man that would certainly have clued him in even if he wants to say he fell asleep during all those fiery anti-white sermons). And instead of the press holding him to the same "truth" standards they hold Hillary to, this dude is applauded.

Mind boggling.

Mind numbing.

I used to think Hillary was the best Dem to have run against McCain because it's a proven fact that Republicans will come out in droves to vote against a Clinton (even if not actually voting for the Republican candidate, the vote for the Rep candidate because they are voting against Clinton still counts). But looking at things as they are, I have a feeling that Republicans will view Obama in the same way they view Hillary - and when they vote this fall, they will vote against Obama, his way left leanings, his associations with a hate mongering preacher (he cut those ties only when Wright forced him to, and not because Wright was spewing some new brand of Wright-hate), and his BS, blatant lies.

And I don't care what Hillary calls on her followers to do if Obama is the candidate - there are enough of them who really, really dislike Obama (because of his own comments about those bitter blue collar workers who cling to their guns and religion and don't like people who are different than them, among other things), and will vote for McCain (because they view him to be the lesser of two evils) or they will not vote at all.

Short of Obama pulling off a miracle and being able to convince the blue collar Dems that he was just joking when he trounced on their religious convictions and their love of hunting, he's going to lose a good number of Dems.

And because he's simply so POLARIZING, I expect the Republicans to come out in droves to vote against him, as Republican women would not vote for him because he's "a babe" and do not share his conviction that a baby is a "punishment", and Republican men certainly do not share his views on the economy, negotiating with terrorist regimes without condition (it's always been our policy that you never NEGOTIATE with terrorists, and that they must renounce terrorism and change their ways first)

Add to that the fact that this guy is so left of center that "Obama" and "moderate" could never be used in the same sentence, and you've got the perfect candidate to bring the Republicans to the polls against him.

As for other Republicans running... I expect to see some seats lost to moderate Dems, and some seats gained by Republicans. After years of this Democratic congress, I'd wager the people have figured out that all their campaign promises were a joke, since they haven't delivered on any of them.

This young turd is usually annoying, but today he was good for a chuckle.

laura at 9:21AM on May 15th 2008

9. Hey there Big Guy,

Wow, a 20 point margin. That's a lot for the GOP to overcome. But,
I'm not surprised, I haven't seen such a weak GOP candiate as John
McCa....John McCai.....that guy from Arizona.

I sort of agree, at this point, Obama might make it to the White House. So I'm reparing for a return to Carterism (remember Jimmy?).

I can see it now, Jimmy, excuse me Obama, making the rounds and attending state dinners with Kim Jong-il, Hugo Chavez, Ahmadinejad and leaders of Hamas.

We'll flip on the tube and there will be Jimmy, excuse me again, Obama telling us if we, the American people weren't so greedy, hateful, short sighted and learn to read a little better, the United States could return to it's pre-WWII greatness.

Willet at 9:38AM on May 15th 2008

10. as white as Ron Paul? Isn't Ron Paul as white a Ron Paul?

How about this...if Ron Paul were as black as Barack Obama he would probably be the nominee...for the Democrats!

Davidg at 10:31AM on May 15th 2008

11. Cenk,

Thanks for cutting the camera and sparing us your final convulsive spasm or ecstasy.

bob at 10:41AM on May 15th 2008

12. I only wish that were true, but the Dems can't nominate an electable candidate!

Sarah at 10:43AM on May 15th 2008

13. If Obama wins the Presidency, does that mean that blacks now have equal opportunity to all other Americans. If blacks have equal opportunity to all other Americans will affirmitive action, afdc, foodstamps, welfare and all other programs meant to provide reparations for slavery be ended. If a black can become President I would think it means blacks can have any job they want now and special rights and economic programs are no longer needed.

bigbob at 11:17AM on May 15th 2008

14. Has McCain rejected the Republican Party in an effort to win the General? If he keeps this up, he won't win the nomination.

Cecil Jones at 7:54PM on May 15th 2008

15. We keep hearing this constant whine from the obummer camp about racism when the most blatent racism is the fact that 90+% of the black community vote for obummer because he is black.

Geoff Barker at 11:21AM on May 15th 2008