Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Thursday

82% of voters turned out to vote in Tuesday's election in Los Angeles County, the most since 86% turned out in 1968.  Though many showed up for the historic and popular campaign of Barack Obama let's encourage them to keep it up and see if we can get even half of that for municipal elections next March.

In light of the passage by voters of Proposition 8, which eliminated the right of same-sex couples to marry in California, the Los Angeles County Clerk has already ordered no further same-sex marriages be performed in LA County.

Landslide victory for Mr. Avis Ridley-Thomas in the race for LA County Supervisor.  State Senator Mark "Don't Call Me Curley" Ridley Thomas bested City Councilmember Bernard Parks by nearly 2-1 in Tuesday's election.  The County's loss is the City's gain; Parks is a reasoned voice on the Council and I think we need him in the City still.

When major print publications like The Christian Science Monitor and US News and World Report are abandoning their hard copy editions and going to online only, it's a step backward for the Daily News to end it's ValleyNews.com program which allowed community reporters to post stories of church meetings, school succeses, community projects and other community oriented news at a super local level.  The Daily News has ended it's relationship with YourHub, the provider that powered the project.

Add one more candidate to the list of seekers for the post of Mayor of Los Angeles.  Zuma Dogg has filed paperwork to run for Mayor and is encouraging you to sign his petition.  He begins his drive this Saturday in Highland Park at Casa Princesa.

Live Election Results

You may need to refresh the page for updates.

Open Thread for Election Day 2008

It's here! Finally! Here's your chance to bloviate away dum dums! Last minute electioneering, punditry, predictions, analysis, on the scene, reports, etc. are all welcome here.  For today only, we're turning off the requirement to sign in to post comments (comments will still be moderated however so be good) for your convenience (especially if you're posting via your phone, etc.).

Mayor Sam's Ballot Recommendations - Take This With You to the Polls

Bond Measure
Proposition 1A
Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act.

For the same reasons you need to vote NO on Measure R, the Mayor's shady transit tax, vote no on this one. We don't need any bond issues in a bad economy. This high speed rail technology is unproven; if there was a need for it in California, private industry would be jumping to build it, rather than a few politically well connected construction firms and unions who will benefit from such a scam. Also if you think Metrolink is dangerous, imagine a train going a couple hundred miles per hour hitting another train going the same speed.

Initiative Statute
Proposition 2
Standards for Confining Farm Animals. Initiative Statute.

Oh my this one has a lot of emotion around on it both sides. I have some issues with this and I don't want to eat eggs from China or Mexico (too far) but if Antonio Watch is for it, I'll vote yes simply based on that fact. That's how much I trust his judgment.

Initiative Statute
Proposition 3
Childrens Hospital Bond Act. Grant Program. Initiative Statute.

Oh no. I know it's "for the children" but again, another bond. Many of these hospitals are private, non-profit institutions, I think fundraising is the better way to go as to deepening state debt. We can get more bang for our buck this way.

Initiative Constitutional Amendment
Proposition 4
Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minors Pregnancy. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

Another one I have mixed feelings on, but I've already come out against it and will be voting no. We have to deal with abortion and teen pregnancy different than we have been, but there are too many crazy families out there to tie some young women down with this.

Initiative Statute
Proposition 5
Nonviolent Drug Offenses. Sentencing, Parole and Rehabilitation. Initiative Statute.

Drugs should be legal but until they are follow the law. I say no.

Initiative Statute
Proposition 6
Police and Law Enforcement Funding. Criminal Penalties and Laws. Initiative Statute.

Too often politicians don't allocate the proper funding to law enforcement and push other nonsense as budget priorities. This will guarantee a level of funding for law enforcement and tightens laws on many gang crimes. Vote yes.

Initiative Statute
Proposition 7
Renewable Energy Generation. Initiative Statute.

Oh hell no. It sounds good but it's a bamboozle. When the Republicans, Democrats, the Chamber of Commerce and the Sierra Club are all against something you know something's up. David Freeman can wear his cowboy hat all he wants, but it's a scam and he knows it.

Initiative Constitutional Amendment
Proposition 8
Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

We've talked enough about this. HELL NO!

Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute
Proposition 9
Criminal Justice System. Victims Rights. Parole. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.

Yes. This provides a number of important rights to victims of crime.

Initiative Statute
Proposition 10
Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy. Bonds. Initiative Statute.

Once again, another bond and another bad idea. Sounds good again, but the market can make it happen better - and cheaper.

Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute
Proposition 11
Redistricting. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.

Yes, yes, yes. We need competitive races and competitive districts. It's silly to have one party dominate so greatly, no matter who it is. Take the process out of the hands of politicians who can't handle it. Along with another proposed idea to move the California primary to September this is part of coming good government reforms we need.

Bond Measure
Proposition 12
Veterans Bond Act of 2008.

We couldn't do this here - vote, blog, bloviate, etc. if it were not for our veterans. Those who have given service to our country deserve some care for their basic needs. Yes.

County Measures

Measure J. Community College Classroom Repair, Public Safety, Nursing & Job Training -- Los Angeles Community College District

The community colleges just got a huge bond measure a few years ago and has wasted a good chunk of it. However, there are a few good projects now under way. Lets give the colleges a few more years to prove they can spend wisely and if they really need more money we can talk about it. Vote No.

Measure Q. Safe, Healthy Neighborhood Schools -- Los Angeles Unified School District

Oh hell no. Another pretty name. We know how the LAUSD has pissed money away on the Belmont Learning Center as well as the weird ass roller coaster monument on the arts school downtown (off the freeway). They've built new schools that are now not needed. They've wasted millions on a failed computer system. LAUSD has some new leadership in place in some areas, lets wait and see.

Measure R. Traffic Relief - Rail Extensions - Reduce Foreign Oil Dependence -- Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

How the hell do they get to put "reduce foreign oil dependence" in the title? We all know to vote no on this super shady measure. We don't need to charge the whole county for transportation on the Westside.

City Measures

Proposition A. Gang & Youth Violence Prevention, After-School & Job Training Programs -- City of Los Angeles

From Janice Hahn, the women who brought you hiring gang bangers with public money comes this tax scam. No, no, no, no. When will they get it?

Proposition B. Update of Low Rent Housing Authorization -- City of Los Angeles

This measure should titled "Let Mayor V Make Shady Deals To Build Housing in LA" if it were honest. If folks knew that, it would certainly lose. We don't need the city to build housing (by giving out tax money to their developer friends) to resolve the housing issue. Let the market freely do it and it will happen.

Obama Wins First Two Precincts

The New Hampshire towns of Dixville Notch and Hart's Location - who both open  and close their polls sometime around midnight on election day and are thus the first locations in US primary and general elections to cast votes - have given a stunning victory to Barack Obama for President.

In Dixville Notch, with 21 registered voters, Obama won by nearly 2-1, 15-6.  In Hart's Location Obama took 17 of the town's 29 votes with 10 for McCain and two write-in votes for Ron Paul.

Independent candidate Ralph Nader received no votes.

Is the tide turning in Santa Ana?

(Art Pedroza)

Today I attended a fundraiser for mayoral candidate Michelle Martinez in the same Santa Ana neighborhood in which my good friend, Orange Juice Blog founder and Ward 3 Council candidate Art Pedroza, who also attended the event, lives. School board candidate Valerie Amezcua was co-headlining.

The combination of media-types and politicos that attend these house parties always represents an interesting mix. Today the discussion ranged from Barack Obama to Prop 8 to analysis of local races, a discussion that revealed a basic truth: the Obama 'change wave' has forced its way around the usually long-draping 'Orange Curtain.' The question we ask ourselves here in the county seat is: is it large enough to turn the tide at the local level?

With polls showing the enigmatic Jim Walker within striking distance of entrenched incumbent Vince Sarmiento in Ward One, Art Pedroza neck-in-neck with the equally entrenched Carlos 'Busty' Bustamante (so named by local bloggers for sexist comments involving the words 'implants' and 'water bra' in reference to OC Sheriff Sandra Hutchens) in Ward 3, and Michele Martinez running a well-oiled grassroots campaign in the old-school, populist vein against perpetual Mayor Miguel 'Papi' (yes, as in 'Godfather') Pulido, is Obama's message resonating in these largely Democratic contests, and if so, how strongly?

Is the electorate ready to remove all of the incumbents? Will they be wise enough? Will they be brave enough? Will they be strong enough? A little over a week is remaining in this historic election cycle which will represent a fundamental shift in U.S. policy no matter which Senator is elected President of the United States. It's 2000 all over again. We all remember what happened last time.

For thousands of candidates, not just two, it's game time.

SMS

Bachmann and Palin - McCarthy and Agnew Redux?

With the Republican Party pulling ads and El Tinklenberg coming on strong (including a spike in fundraising), it would seem as though there is severe fallout from Minnesota Rep. Michelle Bachmann's recent appearance on Hardball. Although she never apologizes and probably hopes most people in her district missed her "anti-American" remarks, Bachmann nevertheless felt it necessary to release this video.

It will be a toss-up, however, as to whether Bachmann or VP nominee, Sarah Palin, will get this year's "Spiro Agnew Award." You remember Spiro, right? The hard-hitting, alliteration-loving and media-hating verbal hitman (and Vice President that resigned in disgrace) for Richard Nixon. Perhaps we compromise and give Bachmann the "Joe McCarthy Award" and Palin gets the one named after the former Maryland governor.

I apologize for lying to you. I promise I won't deceive you except in matters of this sort. - Spiro Agnew

Some comedic analysis on Palin and Bachmann by Bill Maher.

Some additional thoughts on patriotism and the presidency in today's Times.

Sarah Palin, in extolling the virtues of small towns, has mused about how they are "pro-America," presumably as distinct from the anti-American parts of the nation. Even more baldly, Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota told MSNBC that she was "very concerned" that Barack Obama "may have anti-American views." Although Bachmann declined interviewer Chris Matthews' invitation to name other members of Congress who were anti-American, she ventured the opinion that the American people would welcome an expose on those members who fit the bill. She later tried to extricate herself from her own mudslinging, but her previous comments were neither forced nor misconstrued.

Setting aside the amusing spectacle of a member of Congress calling on the media to expose members of Congress (careful what you wish for, congresswoman), it is worth considering the implications of this alleged anti-Americanism. We begin with what we hope is obvious to all: There is a difference between disagreeing about how to improve this country and asserting that one side of the debate is pro-America and the other is anti-America. ...

The veer into who is pro- and who is anti-America, however, is another matter altogether. Does Obama's passing friendship with William Ayers, co-founder of the Weather Underground, constitute an act of bad judgment? Perhaps. Is it evidence of anti-Americanism? That's where a critique becomes a smear. Similarly, Bachmann glibly tossed around her malevolence, lighting upon House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) and Senate Majority LeaderHarry Reid (D-Nev.), who, in her estimation, are liberal, leftist or anti-American -- or some combination thereof.

Source: Editorial. "Patriotism and the presidency," Los Angeles Times, 10/26/08. (emphasis added)

Stealing my vote (or so I think)

More than two weeks ago I reregistered to vote here in San Diego as I had moved just across the street from my former residence. It was around 4pm on a weekday and the only table I saw actively recruiting people to vote was "Students for Obama."

In order to vote on election day and register avoiding an argument, I decided to put "decline to state," under the option of political party. So I registered Republican earlier to have a say in who I preferred in the Republican party. Huckabee? After reading that scathing article on the man several months ago in the National Review, he lost my vote. Romney? Maybe. Rudy? Maybe. McCain? I liked him. I forget who I voted for but it was either Romney or McCain.

What was peculiar about the Students for Barack Obama booth was that there was a white haired man with a tall hat aggressively recruiting voters. The rest of the tablers were well...students. This guy was fresh from the good old 1960's and 1970's and to him CHANGE was in the air. I analyzed his body language. He was tall--maybe 6'1. And he said politely that it did not matter if I was a Democrat. But then he kept on trying to make small talk while I filled out the tedious registration form.

I politely said I did not know who I was going to vote for and I thought both candidates had their strengths and weaknesses. What good would it do me to argue with someone who clearly already had made up their mind and I had made up mine? He was perhaps 61 and I am 19 going on 20. He misses the good old Carter era with flowers in the air and I am concerned with the economy and have been raised on Reaganomics and the very heart of the American people: success comes from hard work, not handouts. The Obama utopia seems wonderful. Obama's ideas all seem hopeful, and well...messianic. I was a realist not a flowerist and this older babyboomer gentleman was the opposite. He was an idealist.

He refused to give me physical or mental space while I registered. He winced at me, and scrutinized me trying to figure out which candidate would be getting my ink on November the 4th. [Ed. note: please correct me if I have the wrong date!]

He said that I should get a cute little slip in the mail reaffirming that I, Maia, have the right to vote. He said it should come within the next week ....or so. It has been 3 weeks!

On my way off, he said something alarming. "So now you can vote for McCain!"

I smiled politely and said I had to go. After I tuned him out with his little diatribe on why Obama was the One and that Bush was like Hitler and our country was going to hell with any more Bush-like people in the office, I obliged him for 24 more seconds and said I really had to go and thanked him for his honest opinion. I am the least confrontational person. But I was also appalled. When he was prosletyzing on why Obama was the holy saviour and it was good for me and my brethren to be Saved [see Moxie.nu the Mox has very good points] I felt my boundaries had been violated.

OK. Yes it was clearly "Students for Barack Obama." But at the time I just wanted to register, and be on my way back home or to class. I thought that as fellow Americans they would respect my right to vote. But now, I'm starting to doubt it. My voting slip has not been delivered. And usually when you do anything in the civil process from registering to actually voting the canvassers and poll workers are supposed to give you space. Am I right or am I wrong?

I'm a bit worried. When I go to the local library to vote this November should I get some headphones and pepper spray to keep the workers from going into my booth and shouting in my ear to vote for Obama? Is the new idea of help, holding my hand, and gently like a good Presidential figure, nudging it to the left...to "get my vote to count?"

After reading up on Obama's social policies and foreign policy goals, I am a bit concerned. As a Jew, Israel will "no longer be the darling of the media." [see Drudge Report for updates] As a firm believer in free markets, wealth will be redistributed. Instead of firmer standing against totalitarian dictatorships across the world, Obama wants to be on speaking friendly terms with the likes of Cuba, Venezuela etc. Like history proves in Carter's era, talking and negotiations and appeasement is not the best diplomatic road to trod down upon.

But then again on election day if Obama wins the election. The American people have spoken. I will respect that choice and time will tell if Obama will be the best President yet. But for me personally, I at least want my vote to count. Without diatribes. And without worry.

Why we like Peggy Noonan

Because she tells it like it is...




Just watch (the voices are Mike Murphy and Peggy Noonan) ...

transcript:

Chuck Todd: Mike Murphy, lots of free advice, we'll see if Steve Schmidt and the boys were watching. We'll find out on your blackberry. Tonight voters will get their chance to hear from Sarah Palin and she will get the chance to show voters she's the right woman for the job Up next, one man who's already convinced and he'll us why Gov. Jon Huntsman.
(cut away)

Peggy Noonan: Yeah.

Mike Murphy: You know, because I come out of the blue swing state governor world: Engler, Whitman, Tommy Thompson, Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush. I mean, these guys -- this is how you win a Texas race, just run it up. And it's not gonna work. And --

PN: It's over.

MM: Still McCain can give a version of the Lieberman speech to do himself some good.

CT: I also think the Palin pick is insulting to Kay Bailey Hutchinson, too.

PN: Saw Kay this morning.

CT: Yeah, she's never looked comfortable about this --

MM: They're all bummed out.

CT: Yeah, I mean is she really the most qualified woman they could have turned to?

PN: The most qualified? No! I think they went for this -- excuse me-- political bullshit about narratives --

CT: Yeah they went to a narrative.

MM: I totally agree.

PN: Every time the Republicans do that, because that's not where they live and it's not what they're good at, they blow it.

MM: You know what's really the worst thing about it? The greatness of McCain is no cynicism, and this is cynical.

CT: This is cynical, and as you called it, gimmicky.

MM: Yeah.

American Dream

Tyra Banks works it

The August issue of Harper's Bazaar casts supermodel Tyra Banks as First Lady in a pictorial that is a fun and sexy tip of the supermodel's chapeau to the presumptive Dem Presidential Nominee and his wife, Michelle.

Dang, that looks hot. In more ways than one. For the full slide show, click here.

McCain's Sermon From The Mount

John Mc"Crypt Keeper"Cain (a.k.a. Old Man Grumpus) released his newest campaign ad on Friday.

Thank gawd I got around to watching it today... the Lord's Day. I feel doubly blessed.

In this new ad, I was at first horrified to discover that Barack Obama is the anti-christ (run, children, run!!).

But then the ad revealed that Barack freed the slaves from Egypt (Yay, Barry!).

And then Charleton Heston endorses Obama from the grave (hoooray)!!

It all worked out in the end! God bless us one and all!

Coro Alumnus to be Obama's VP Pick?

Both Politico and the Washington Post are suggesting that Coro alumnus, Tim Kaine, may be selected as Senator Obama's running mate. Although Coro alumni have served in every administration since President Eisenhower, this would be the highest level public servant for the venerable leadership development organization. Just weeks ago, he was considered a dark horse in the Veepstakes but his stock continues to rise.

The Virginia Governor went through a Coro training program in Kansas City and is part of a national network of more than 10,000 leaders in local, regional and national/global businesses, nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies and elected public office. Now in its sixth decade after launching in San Francisco, Coro has grown to include centers in six cities: San Francisco (1947), Los Angeles (1957), St. Louis (1972), Kansas City (1975), New York (1980), Pittsburgh (1999), and a new Executive Fellows program in Cleveland (2005).

Kaine, an early Obama supporter whose biography nicely dovetails with the Illinois senator’s, "ranks very, very high on the short list," said a source who has spoken recently to senior Obama aides about Kaine. - Amie Parnes and Ben Smith, Politico

Picking Kaine would seem to satisfy many considerations Obama has recently laid out. During an interview with Tom Brokaw on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, the presumptive Democratic nominee said he was looking for someone who shares his desire to change Washington politics.

Kaine, a former Richmond mayor, would bring outside-the-Beltway credentials to the campaign. The relationship the two share would seem to fit with Obama's desire, as he said, for someone "with independence -- who's willing to tell me where he thinks, or she thinks, I'm wrong." And the governor probably would bolster Obama in Virginia, where the campaign is making an all-out push. - Michael D. Shear and Shailagh Murray, Washington Post

Coro is a nonprofit, non-partisan educational institute supported by foundations, corporations and individuals. Coro alumni in public office (from California) include U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, Congressman Jerry Lewis, state Senator Alex Padilla, California Secretary of State Debra Bowen and others. Coro Southern California's 2nd Annual Summer Family BBQ will be held next month on August 17th in America's suburb, the San Fernando Valley.

(Full Disclosure - I am a consultant with Coro Southern California and also a former staffer and program participant).

Priorities (Girl Dub)

Ladies, this is priceless:

John Mc"Crypt Keeper"Cain is up to his Old Man Grumpus ways again.

Back on July 9, he was asked whether he thinks it's fair for insurance companies to cover Viagra for men, but not birth control for women. Here is his response.

Watch and be afraid! BE... VERY... AFRAID!!




Yes, this is the same man who in 2003 voted against forcing insurance companies to cover birth control.

And this is the same senator who claimed in 2007 not to know whether condoms prevented sexually transmitted diseases.

Ladies, I'm sorry; I just don't know what to tell you -- Keep 'em crossed?


(Your fingers, that is... that insurance companies will cover birth control for all women and not just pills for the erectile dysfunctional boys)

Well, it's good to know where John McCain's priorities ...ahem... stand.

Hot Sheet for Wednesday

Yesterday's primaries in Kentucky and Oregon, (Clinton took Kentucky, and Oregon went to Obama) put Senator Barack Obama in the lead with the most pledged delegates.

Recalling the lengthy road he has traveled,Obama told a boisterous crowd gathered near the Iowa state Capitol: "Tonight, Iowa, in the fullness of spring,with the help of those who stood up from Portland to Louisville,we have returned to Iowa with a majority of delegates elected by the American people,and you have put us within reach of the Democratic nomination for president of the United States."

Just another night of fatal shootings in the Valley: The DN reports of a night marred with violence and a lock-down of a North Hollywood neighborhood; a car full of men open fire at a man in Northridge (his injuries reported to be non-life threatning); while in NoHo, two men are fatally shot and five others wounded in two separate, but (according to police) related shootings.

Moore (LAPD's Deputy Chief Michel Moore) said the North Hollywood shootings may have involved a car-to-car exchange of gunfire as there appeared to be a number of cars involved. In the Northridge shooting, the victim's injuries were not
life threatening. He appeared to have been wounded from a shotgun blast fired at a long distance, Maarschalk said, adding he was not cooperating with police.

The gunman who opened fire at a church carnival in Granada Hills over the weekend has now been formally charged with three counts of attempted murder. Fernando Diaz Jr., 33, is accused of using a semiautomatic .22-caliber rifle to fire into the carnival just before 11 a.m. Saturday at St. John Baptist de la Salle Catholic Church.

Rob McKay at the Huffington Post suggests that when it comes to campaigning, Small is the New Big in Progressive Politics:

The next stage of the on-the-ground campaign will be the battle for the swing states in the general election. The grab for this group of voters has generally been coordinated by a seasoned team of professional campaign staff operating in war rooms and spending millions in mobilizing voters. But new efforts among progressive voters, musicians, and grassroots groups are saying the way to be
"big" in '08 is to "go small." And how resources are spent in this election and after,could determine whether the Democratic Party is about short-term voter excitement or permanent citizen engagement.

File under: Doncha Hate When That Happens?: Will Corporate America's Chairpeople ever learn the difference between the "reply" and the "forward" button when it comes to email? Countrywide Financial Chairman Angelo Mozilo gets schooled on the differences.

And finally, one wedding and announcement of an impending wedding hit the news: Sorry boys, but Jessica Alba quietly wed her boyfriend and Baby Daddy Cash Warren yesterday, while George "Mr. Sulu" Takei of Star Trek fame announced his intention of marrying long-time love Brad Altman:

The actor announced on his website that after 21 years together, he and Brad Altman,his business manager partner,were "overjoyed" to be able to marry legally and were "enjoying the delicious dilemma of deciding where, when, and how we will be married".

"Our California dream is reality," wrote Takei, 71, on his site georgetakei.com. ""No more 'separate but equal.' No more second-class citizenship. Brad and I are going to be married as full citizens of our state."

Ain't love grand? Congratulations and best wishes to both happy couples!

Pennsylvania Democratic Debate Tonight on ABC

If we include last Sunday's Compassion Forum, this will be the 22nd time Senators Obama and Clinton have squared off in a debate for the Democratic nomination. ABC is hosting tonight's 90 minute debate at the National Constitution Center--starting at 8 p.m.--in the "Virtue, Liberty and Independence" state.

No word yet if there's a drinking game--akin to Clinton's recent shot and a beer--for every reference of "out of touch," "elitist," "bitter," "win-at-all-costs," "kitchen sink strategy," "Bush Republican," "beer and guns," "chose my words badly," "Bosnian sniper fire," and "small town America."

FYI. There is additional pre-debate analysis by Carla Marinucci and Beth Fouhy as well as a breakdown of the Indiana and Pennsylvania primaries by Janet Hook.

Measuring the distance

After reading Mayor Sam's Swiftboating Obama post; I kept thinking about the last election. There seemed to be something present then that wasn't now and for the life of me, I couldn't figure out what it was. But still, it nagged at me --- until I read this in the Baltimore Sun:

COLUMBUS, Ohio-- Legendary rocker Bruce Springsteen put on a blistering two-hour and 30-minute show here Monday night that had most of the crowd on its feet for the entire performance.

The tight set from Springsteen and his E Street Band meant there was little time for Springsteen to do other thing he does best: talk about the state of the nation.

That was fine with one concert-goer here in the moderate Midwest: "He's liberal, he's big into unions and all that," he told his companion before the show began. "I hope he keeps politics out of it tonight."

That was it! Bruuuuuce!

One of the few artists who has never been afraid to wear his political heart on his sleeve; Bruce Springsteen has been invoked by such disparate political contenders such as John Kerry and Ronald Reagan (At a campaign stop in Hammonton, New Jersey, Reagan said, "America's future rests in a thousand dreams inside your hearts. It rests in the message of hope in songs of a man so many young Americans admire, New Jersey's Bruce Springsteen." The Reagan campaign briefly used "Born in the U.S.A.", an anti-Vietnam War song, as a campaign song, without permission, until Springsteen, a lifelong Democrat, insisted that they stop.)

He was a huge supporter of John Kerry's in the last election, but had been mum so far as to which candidate he was supporting this time around. Until now.

The article went on to quote Bruce:

In the current race, "there are two really good Democratic candidates for president. I admire and respect them both enough to wait and see what happens."

He did, however, express admiration for Obama, saying: "I always look at my work as trying to measure the distance between American promise and American reality. And I think (Obama's) inspired a lot of people with that idea: How do you make that distance shorter? How do we create a more humane society? We've lived through such ugly times that people want to have a romance with the idea of America again, and I think they need to.

"The hard realities and how things get done are important, too, but if you can effectively convince people that it's possible to make things better, they get excited," the 58-year old singer-songwriter said.

Obama, for his part, has mentioned Springsteen as the person he would most like to meet. So, is it possible that Bruce could pull a Bill Richardson and throw a high-profile endorsement Obama's way as Obama's supporters seek to put pressure on Clinton to drop from the race for the good of the party?

The only hint Springsteen gave was after "Livin' in the Future." Taking a page from a famous 60s folk song, he shouted, "There's a new wind blowing!"

Then, he launched into the redemptive anthem "The Promised Land," which includes lyrics such as:

There's a dark cloud rising from the desert floor
I packed my bags and I'm
heading straight into the storm
Gonna be a twister to blow everything down
That ain't got the faith to stand its ground
Blow away the dreams that
tear you apart
Blow away the dreams that break your heart
Blow away the
lies that leave you nothing but lost and brokenhearted
The dogs on main street howl,
'cause they understand,
If I could take one moment into my hands
Mister, I ain't a boy, no, I'm a man,
And I believe in a promised land
I believe in a promised land...

Well all right then -- that was your Valley Doll Rock Report for the Day!

Why Gov. Bill Richardson is No. 1 in my heart ...

Gov. Bill Richardson (a F.O.B., who even watched the Superbowl with the Former President at a kegger at the governor's mansion-- okay, I'm kidding about the kegger) has declared his support of Sen. Barack Obama for the democratic nomination.

Richardson, who had sought to become the first HISPANIC President (whaa... who said hispanics won't support an african-american candidate?!) bowed out of the race back in January, and while initially supporting Sen. Hillary Clinton, has seen the light and was awestruck by the brilliant speech on race given by Sen. Obama on Tuesday in Philadelphia.


“I believe he is the kind of once-in-a-lifetime leader that can bring our nation together and restore America’s moral leadership in the world,” Mr. Richardson said in the statement, provided by the Obama campaign early Friday morning.

“As a presidential candidate, I know full well Senator Obama’s unique moral ability to inspire the American people to confront our urgent challenges at home and abroad in a spirit of bipartisanship and reconciliation.”

The New Mexico Governor also went on to say:

“...there is no doubt in my mind that Barack Obama has the judgment and courage we need in a commander in chief when our nation’s security is on the line. He showed this judgment by opposing the Iraq war from the start, and he has shown it during this campaign by standing up for a new era in American leadership internationally.”

Oh, snap!

Guess Bill and Hillary won't be going to any more keggers at the governor's manse in New Mexico.

That's okay, Gov. Richardson; you call a Doll, we'll party.

Why Keith Olbermann is No. 1 in my heart ...

<3

Dear Keith Olbermann,

Please marry me. Let's move to Utah and it'll all be good. Let me bear your children, sans pain-reducing drugs, because that's how hardcore I am for you. Because you are my new god. Let's honeymoon in Tahiti, because I've always wanted to go to Tahiti and lounge in a sarong, topless on the beach like a girl in a Gauguin painting (Aha oe feii??). Call a Doll.

iloveyouforever.

xoxo

Valley Doll

[it's a nine minute rant, and quite honestly -- i got up to do my laundry 'round minute 5. it was starting to feel a teeny tiny bit like being at church after that, and even though i agree with pretty much everything he said -- i'm a busy gal! so, you go keith! you get on with your bad self! later gators!]

Obama/Clinton; Still Too Close To Call

Barack Obama may have taken Vermont, but the contests in Ohio, Texas and Rhode Island are still too close to call, reports CNN. The Obama campaign pressed to extend voting by one hour in two Ohio counties.

"Due to reports of ballot shortages in Cuyahoga and Franklin counties, we requested a voting extension in those counties," said Obama spokesman Bill Burton. A judge ruled to keep parts of Cuyahoga county open until 9 p.m. ET.

Ohio, along with Texas, could make or break Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign. "If Obama wins Texas and Ohio, it's game over," said CNN senior political analyst Bill Schneider.

::insert dreamy sigh::

Last night’s debate between Senator Barack Obama and Senator Shrillary Clinton (heh … love it, Zuma) proved once again why

Barack Obama is No. 1 in my heart …

<3 <3 <3

(I’m on a thematic roll … deal)

Mr. Doll and I were actually able to sit and watch the debate last night without the usual circus of children running around (the Valley Brats were playing next door…)

My favorite answer of the night; in regards to foreign relations:

SEN. OBAMA: I think, as I've said before, preparation is actually absolutely critical in any meeting. And I think it is absolutely true that either of us would step back from some of the Bush unilateralism that's caused so much damage.

But I do think it is important, precisely because the Bush administration has done so much damage to American foreign relations, that the president take a more active role in diplomacy than might have been true 20 or 30 years ago.

Because the problem isn't -- is if we think that meeting with the president is a privilege that has to be earned, I think that reinforces the sense that we stand above the rest of the world at this point in time, and I think that it's important for us, in undoing the damage that has been done over the last seven years, for the president to be willing to take that extra step. That's the kind of step that I would like to take as president of the United States. (Cheers, applause.)


After that answer, Mr. Doll turned to me and said, “Look at you! You’re beaming!”

And I suppose I was. Barack Obama's answer was exactly what I’ve been waiting to hear now for so many horrible, polarizing years; we are a country of people who do not all feel that we stand “above” the rest of the world. True, we are the GREATEST country in the world; but that does not absolve us of our global responsibility to lead not only in our might and with our might, but with compassion as well.

How do we fix the wrongs without at least attempting a dialogue?

The answer, the thought behind it all, reminded me of a couple other Cool Cats who thought nothing of taking their messages of love and compassion and peace on the road, all over the world.














I always thought that mind-think worked well for them. I’m glad to see Barack Obama sees it that way, too.