Not too long ago, Political Machine had a Hollywood moment, featuring an early preview of Oliver Stone's 'W' script and an analysis on why the director is rushing to get the film done before the November vote.

At the time, details about the film were scant. We knew Josh Brolin would be playing the President, Elizabeth Banks would be playing the First Lady and that Ellen Burstyn would be taking on the Barbara Bush role, but little else.

Now, thanks to Entertainment Weekly, we have a few more details on the movie, which is still in the pre-production stage (location scouting, casting, procuring Fiji water). However, among the many interesting things we've learned, we now know that Stone has had a hard time getting big-time actors to sign-on to play the Bush Administration's heavy hitters (Cheney, Rove, Rumsfeld).

''You'd be amazed how many male stars of a certain age in Hollywood are Republicans,'' says Bill Block, CEO of QED, one of the producers for 'W'. ''I'm not going to name names, but a lot of them just didn't want to have anything to do with it.''

So, how did Oliver Stone convince rising star Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men) to take on such a controversial role? He appealed to the actor's intelligence, naturally. ''When Oliver approached me about George Bush my initial reaction was 'Why would I want to do that?' But Oliver pointed out certain simi¬larities I had with the character. We both have well-known fathers. We both grew up in the country. We both have strong mothers.''

If that wasn't bad enough, Brolin is driving his wife "crazy" trying to imitate Dubya's Texas/Connecticut drawl. ''I'm talking to myself all day long,'' Brolin says.

B. Brandon Barker is the author of the novel Operation EMU.

For those who feel like the 2008 presidential election has gotten a little too serious, sit back, relax and think about the Muppets. I know, it's tough. What with Operation Chaos, Operation Sharpton and Operation Gravel in full swing, it's difficult--not to mention downright irresponsible--to hitch your hopes and dreams to a bunch of wealthy has-been puppets in suits.

But, still. Isn't it funny how much Sen. Joe Biden looks like Sam the Eagle? Or, how much Rep. Dennis Kucinich looks like Electric Mayhem keyboardist Dr. Teeth? Gov. Mitt Romney... and Guy Smiley? See what I mean? The 2008 LOLection® isn't just about absurd fun and games. It's therapy.



B. Brandon Barker is the author of the novel Operation EMU.

By now, you've heard the news: President George W. Bush is the least favorite of all modern presidents including Truman, Nixon and the evil Chester Arthur. Plus, he can't shoot a three-pointer.

The CNN/Opinion Research survey shows that 71 percent of Americans disapprove of Bush. "This is the first time," said Keating Holland, CNN's polling director, "that any president's disapproval rating has cracked the 70 percent mark."

But, I know what you're thinking: How can I celebrate this milestone? For a limited time only--262 Days, 8 Hours and 33 Minutes, according to the Bush Countdown Clock--you can get yourself a Bush Chew Toy, which could be either snuggled or torn to shreds--whatever your cat desires.

How do you know it's going to work? Not to worry. Murray provides a demo:

B. Brandon Barker is the author of the novel Operation EMU.

Not since Harry S. Truman sank a 21 foot jumper during a campaign stop in Keyser, West Virginia in 1948 have we seen a presidential candidate hit a genuine three-point shot. Ladies and gentlemen, our long wait is over.

As part of the "3-on-3 Challenge for Change" voter registration drive in Indiana, students who registered 20 people to vote were eligible for a drawing to play Sen. Barack Obama in a game of 3-on-3 at their school. In the following video, we see clips of the historic game at Maple Crest Middle School in Kokomo, Indiana.



But, wait. I know what you're thinking. Kokomo? Yeah, Kokomo. Is there a problem?



B. Brandon Barker is the author of the novel Operation EMU.

Why is the new Hillary Clinton Rap "Takin' Back the White House" so much richer and more fulfilling than the recent triple shot of McCain Girls parodies?

Well, first of all, there's (I) a candlelit bubble bath, (II) champagne and (III) a raucous pajama party. I mean, a presidential campaign can only get so far without a smattering of supporters in tight camisoles bouncing on the bed. Right?

Starring soon-to-be sensations Rachael Drummond and Phillip Wilburn, and directed by Alex Drummond, this nasally performance not only has a low-fi charm, a down-home joie de vivre and some nicely coordinated Laker-Girl moves, it also could be another indicator of Hillary's inevitable turnaround. Or, not.

[WARNING: The following video contains one of those Bubba wigs.]



B. Brandon Barker is the author of the novel Operation EMU.

Tired of looking at McCain, Obama, Clinton and Clinton? Feast your eyes on Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt--quickly--and wonder quietly how they've managed to carve out a niche in this year's LOLection®. Because the excitement won't last long.

According to the New York Post (wait, don't go!), Ms. Montag--star of MTV's bland but engrossing mockumentary 'The Hills'--has turned down an invitation to sit at the MSNBC table at the White House Correspondents dinner. Why? According to the New York Post's Page Six sources, the network refused to pay travel expenses for her co-star and boyfriend Spencer Pratt. The source claims, "[Spencer] demanded first-class tickets for both him and Heidi - even though he wasn't invited."

However, an MSNBC rep denied that Montag ever was invited, saying, "We are not having, nor did we invite, any celebrities to sit at our table." Heidi's last dig? She claimed there were not enough 'A-listers' on the guest list.

Political Machine's Jay Albritton scooped us on Monday about the courting of wrestling fans during the Pennsylvania primary. During WWE's "Monday Night Raw" program, Senators Clinton, Obama and McCain--who all declined invitations to lock horns in a specially arranged smackdown--were kind enough to provide taped messages to accompany WWE's voter registration drive. (According to sources, attendees who declined to register were treated to a Pumphandle Fallaway Slam.)

However, in a shocking turn of events, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama decided at the last minute to hop in the ring for what proved to be a brutal yet memorable contest, thwarted at the end by an enormous Samoan named "Umaga" who will probably not be bidding on Obama's waffles any time soon.



B. Brandon Barker is the author of the novel, Operation EMU.

It's time for Obama supporters to put their money where their mouth is. Or, the other way around. Check it:

This morning on eBay, an auctioneer with the melodious seller name of "dixpea amc nash rambler parts" posted a half-eaten plate of waffles linked to Democratic candidate Barack Obama. The unfinished breakfast was left behind after the Illinois Senator's visit to Scranton, Pennsylvania's Glider Diner.

According to the eBay posting, the winning bidder will receive the following:

One (1) Heavy Duty Diner Plate
One (1) Fork and One (1) Knife
1/2 Sausage Link and 1/2 Belgian-Style Waffle (Whipped Cream not Included)
Some 100% Maple Syrup Residue

Also promised is Barack Obama's DNA, which the seller claims is on the silverware. The entire contents are currently wrapped in plastic and sitting in the freezer.

One final note: The owner of the Glider Diner has requested that the auction be canceled. Come on, dude: It's the LOLection. Just lie back and think of white-haired women.

B. Brandon Barker is the author of the novel Operation EMU.

As the dust settles on Wednesday's live ABC debate between Democratic candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, and moderated by Charlie Gibson and Debbie Gibson, the bad reviews are coming fast. However, as sincere (and correct) as they may be, they are missing the point: This is the 2008 LOLection®, people. Brace yourselves for some serious unrelenting silliness.

For those who need a little more explanation, here is a brief, multiple-choice question to illustrate the point:

Q: Which question would you most like to ask the next President of the United States?

A. Is it possible to pay off the national debt without raising capital gains taxes?

B. Would you delay a troop-pullout in Iraq based on a general's advice?

C. What is up with the pregnant transvestite that was on Oprah?

If you answered "C," you are most likely going to decide the next president of the United States. Which is totally cool.

For those who still don't understand, or who didn't even read this post and went right to the video, here you go:



B. Brandon Barker is the author of the novel Operation EMU.

As of today, we can rest assured that Sen. Barack Obama has nailed the hipster vote, Sen. John McCain has nailed the meteorologist vote, and Sen. Hillary Clinton has nailed the Jack Nicholson vote. Which includes Christian Slater.

But what about the rest of the country? Like, the old folks. Check it:

On Tuesday, at a high school gym in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, Bill Clinton had an explanation for the age discrepancy in the polls. "Once you've reached a certain age," he said, "you won't sit there and listen to somebody tell you there's really no difference between what happened in the Bush years and the Clinton years." In other words, Obama has no influence with white-haired women.

Or, does he?



B. Brandon Barker is the author of the novel Operation EMU.