HE'S BAAAAACKKKKK

**JEREMIAH WRIGHT RETURNS**

**Preaching from the pulpit Sunday morning at the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston**

“This ordinary boy just might be the first president in the history of the United States to have a black woman sleeping at 1600 Pennsylvania, legally.”

**Will the Republicans jump all over this?**

*Stay Tuned*

Obama's Ace in the Hole?

**SEPTEMBER SURPRISE?**

**Look for former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Bush Secretary of State Colin Powell to endorse Barack Obama for President sometime AFTER the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota this week**

**YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST**

TWITTERING

Some Brief Thoughts:

• Is Hurrcaine Gustav keeping President Bush away from the RNC a godsend for the McCain camp?
• How will the media play this week? Lives at risk usually trump politics. Look to see how the hurricane coverage competes with the RNC.
• No Bounce? No Problem. People keep pointing to polls where McCain/Palin edge Obama/Biden nationally. At this stage these polls mean nothing. The fact that McCain selected Palin, and that he is behind in almost every battleground, with the exception of Florida, and that traditionally strong GOP States such as Indiana and Montana are being contested suggest this election might break big for Obama in late September.
• Opposition Research: The trickle is about to turn into a flood. Look for the media to unearth anything and everything they have on Governor Palin once the 'honeymoon phase' ends.

SEPTEMBER SURPRISE?

Where's Colin? Colin Powell has gone into hiding. Will he endorse Obama after the RNC?

**STAY TUNED FOR MORE THROUGHOUT THE DAY**

Gustav Rains on GOP Parade

President Bush and Vice President Cheney will not be attending the Republic National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota this week. Both were slated to speak on Monday, the convention's opening night. White House spokeswoman Dana Perino has said the White House is looking into alternative means of Bush addressing the Republican convention, most likely by video.

There is still ongoing talk within the McCain camp as to whether the convention should be cut-short or altered in any way, out of deference to the citizens of the States bordering the Gulf.

**STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS DEVELOPING STORY**

Palin's Israel Connection: Pat Buchanan? (FLORIDA, FLORIDA, FLORIDA)

disclaimer: as a T.V. personality, I love Pat Buchanan

Does John McCain suddenly have a Florida problem?

Democratic Congressman Robert Wexler lashed out at John McCain's running mate Sarah Palin, saying the choice was an insult to Jewish Americans because of her support for Pat Buchanan.

"John McCain's decision to select a vice presidential running mate that endorsed Pat Buchanan for President in 2000 is a direct affront to all Jewish Americans, "Wexler's announcement said. "Pat Buchanan is a Nazi sympathizer with a uniquely atrocious record on Israel, even going as far as to denounce bringing former Nazi soldiers to justice and praising Adolf Hitler."

Buchanan has said that Palin indeed backed him in the past. However, the Alaska governor's support may have been related to Buchanan's domestic policy, rather than his foreign policy views.

ELDERLY JEWISH-AMERICANS IN BROWARD AND PALM BEACH COUNTY WON'T SOON FORGET 'ACCIDENTIALLY' VOTING FOR BUCHANAN IN 2000.

WILL A VOTING BLOC THAT HAS BEEN SUSPICIOUS OF AN OBAMA CANDIDACY BEGIN TO TAKE A SECOND LOOK?

COULD THIS BE THEIR OPPORTUNITY FOR PAYBACK?

**STAY TUNED**

The Republicans Are Coming...

After a brief one day respite, we'll be back tomorrow for a Sunday Morning recap and a preview of this weeks Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Stay tuned for wall-to-wall coverage and a primer on what to expect for the coming week!

Governor Sarah Palin: McCain's Trap Door?

Reckless! Irresponsible. Crazy...Inexperienced:

These are just a few of the adjectives being used to describe Republican nominee John McCain's choice for his Vice Presidential running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

Let me go out on a limb and add another one: shrewd.

Yes, shrewd. This is how the McCain camp has gamed this selection out:

The Announcement

To the complete and utter surprise of the entire Washington and media establishment, Senator John McCain selects little-known Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin to be his running mate. With just under two years of experience under her belt, the selection rocks the country and re-establishes equilibrium in the coverage of both campaigns.

The Reaction

Hair trigger response from the Obama campaign. Slams McCain for choosing an inexperienced Governor with zero foreign policy experience.

Enter the Trap Door

The McCain camp quickly responds that Senator Obama and Governor Palin (Governor is an impressive title, even if it is in Alaska) have in fact both served in public roles for roughly the same number of years, and hence, have the same level of experience.

The Gamble

The McCain camp was hoping to get exactly the reaction it did. They are betting that in Obama making the experience case against Governor Palin, he is in fact making the case against his very own candidacy. In making the case for his candidacy, they feel that he in some way validates her existence on the ticket. A classic trap door.

The Remedy

Turn her into a pedestrian. Ignore her and solely focus on McCain.

 

On The Road: Where Are They Saturday?

11 AM: Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Hillary and Bill Clinton will be attending a Cleveland, Ohio memorial service for Stephanie Tubbs Jones, the Congresswoman and staunch Clinton supporter who passed tragically last week from a brain aneurysm.

5 PM: John McCain and Sarah Palin hold a "Road to the Convention" event in Washington, Pennsylvania.

THINGS TO WATCH 

Chemistry: How will the two interact onstage together. During Palin's introductory speech John McCain seemed a tad bit uncomfortable standing next to her. What kind of visual image will we get?

The Stump: How is she on the stump? Will she be able to connect with voters?

**ACCESSABILITY**

Is she ready for what the National Press Corps is about to throw her way? To what lengths will the McCain camp go to shield her from the press? This is a key point to watch.

 

The Palin Effect: What it Says and What it Means About Election 2008

What it says about the McCain Camps Thinking: Frankly, that he is too old and too experienced. Instead of reinforcing a strength with Ridge or shoring up a weakness with Romney, the McCain camp has all but ceded to the idea that this election is indeed about change. They have come to the calculation that with a depressed Republican base the only way for McCain to get to 270 electoral votes is by stirring the pot. The hype about Palin being the face of the future of American Conservatism is just that, hype and jibe: Both Romney and Pawlenty would have appeased the conservative wing of the Republican party, but neither would create the national stir of putting a women on the ticket, especially after 2 years during which the mainstream media made it a persistent theme.

DOES PALIN'S PICK UNDERCUT THE MCCAIN LINE THAT BARACK OBAMA IS NOT READY TO BE PRESIDENT???

The Soft Bigotry of Low Expectations: The Vice-Presidential Debate

CONTRARY to the conventional wisdom that putting Palin in a room with Biden is the equivalent of political homicide, Biden will walk onto that stage with everything to lose and nothing to gain, whereas Palin has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Her bar will be set low and the slightest slip up on Biden's part could cost him the debate.

Is She Ready to Lead?

This is the theme that Democrats will hammer home over the next 65 days. In choosing Palin, the media starved McCain camp has succeeded in shifting (albeit not balancing) the attention from the Obama campaign. The question now is at what cost? Will this be good attention? Or bad attention? If the media chooses to focus more on her inexperience and on the question of whether she is ready to lead, this pick will blow up in McCain's face.

What Now?

Stay Tuned...

UPDATE: Republican and Democratic Reaction to Palin's Selection

Evangelical figure, Dr. Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission:

Governor Palin is a vice-presidential selection which shows that John McCain at the age of 72 today is still able to think outside the box. Governor Palin will delight the Republican base. She is pro-life. She is an avid hunter and member of The National Rifle Association and is both a conservationist and someone who avidly believes in exploiting our fossil fuel resources as well as developing other forms of energy. A mother of five and a background as a television commentator makes her appear to be a very solid candidate for appealing to a lot of women who feel that Senator Clinton was treated disrespectfully by the Obama camp. It appears that Senator Obama played it safe in picking Senator Biden and Senator McCain made the bold and unconventional choice in picking Governor Palin.

Obama Campaign Response:

“Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency. Governor Palin shares John McCain’s commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade, the agenda of Big Oil and continuing George Bush’s failed economic policies — that’s not the change we need, it’s just more of the same,” said Bill Burton, Obama Campaign Spokesman.

Mark Levin @ the National Review:

“Count me in with both feet… Palin would knock the legs out from under Obama’s monopoly hold on ‘change.’”

Stay Tuned for Review of Media Reaction to the Palin Selection...

IT'S OFFICIAL: MCCAIN/PALIN 2008

**BOMBSHELL**

NBC NEWS, THEPAGE, CHICAGO TRIBUNE AND POLITICO ALL CONFIRM THAT FORTY-FOUR YEAR OLD ALASKA GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN WILL BE JOHN MCCAIN'S VICE PRESENTIAL SELECTION.

WHO IS SHE?

IS SHE READY TO BE PRESIDENT?

IS HE PLAYING POLITICS?

HOW WILL ROMNEY AND PAWLENTY FEEL ABOUT BEING USED AS PAWNS IN THE PROCESS?

HOW WILL THE BASE REACT?

DOES THIS ROLL BACK ALL THE PROGRESS MADE ON THE HILLARY FRONT THIS WEEK?

MCCAIN CAMP DID NOT SEE THE PATH TO 270 WITH A CONVENTIONAL PICK...IS PALIN A GAMECHANGER?

STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION...

 

AND THEN THERE WERE TWO...

INTERNET ERUPTS AFTER CHICAGO TRIBUNES JILL ZUCKMAN REPORTS ALASKA GOVERNOR PALIN TO BE MCCAIN VP PICK. REPORTS ALSO PEG JOE LIEBERMAN AS THE ONLY ONE OF THE MAJOR KNOWN VP CANDIDATES IN OHIO TODAY. PREVIOUS REPORTS HAD 'A WOMEN WITH TWO KIDS' STEPPING OFF A LATE NIGHT CHARTER FLIGHT FROM ANCHORAGE TO MIDDLETOWN, OHIO (RIGHT OUTSIDE DAYTON)...

If it is Palin: does the selection undercut John McCain's assertions that Barack Obama is not ready to be President? Does she pass the 'Ready to be President' threshhold?

Palin has been Governor of Alaska for just one year...

STAY TUNED FOR ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENTS...

Is the McCain Camp Having Fun With the Media?

**ALL BETS ARE OFF**

There seems to be a lot of media misinformation and 'miscommunication' leading up to the VEEP selection.

Interesting Tidbit:

• Governor Sara Palin's son will be deployed to Iraq in September...

SAY IT ISN'T JOE?

ABC NEWS REPORTS THAT SARAH PALIN IS IN ALASKA, NOT DAYTON OHIO WHERE THE VEEP PICK IS SET TO BE ANNOUNCED. DOWN TO TWO:

JOE LIEBERMAN AND LINDSAY GRAHAM CONSERVATIVE SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA

It's known that McCain values comfort above all and now appears set to pick one of his two closest colleagues in the U.S. Senate.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE

BREAKING: NBC CONFIRMS ROMNEY AND PAWLENTY NOT MCCAIN VEEP

Who's left?

Darkhorse: Alaska Governor Sara Palin? WOMEN WOMEN WOMEN

Joe Lieberman - McCain says screw the Republican base.

Tom Ridge - Pennsylvania...

STAY TUNED: SURE BE A HECK OF A DAY!

WRAP UP: OBAMA ACCEPTANCE SPEECH @ the DNC

*THE FIGHT HAS BEEN JOINED*

In what is sure to be one of the great acceptance speeches in modern American political history Barack Obama takes off the gloves and makes the case for his candidacy and the case against his opponents. Part policy, part biography, part Brooklyn Brawler, and in a memorable closing, part preacher.

The gloves have been dropped:

“It’s not because John McCain doesn’t care. It’s because John McCain doesn’t get it.”

“I’ve got news for you, John McCain. We all put our country first.”

“John McCain likes to say that he’ll follow bin Laden to the Gates of Hell – but he won’t even go to the cave where he lives.”

Read the entire speech here.

Next Up: For you equal-time aficionados, we'll be covering the Republicans in St. Paul, Minnesota next week. Also wall-to-wall coverage of McCain's VEEP selection slated for Friday morning in Dayton, Ohio.

I HAVE A DREAM

OBAMA SPEAKS 45 YEARS TO THE DAY OF MLK 'I HAVE A DREAM' SPEECH: NOW

WATCH IT HERE: CNN DNC LIVE STREAM

BIDEN OPENS HIS MOUTH!

Courtesy of Mark Halperin's The Page and MSNBC's First Read

Outside Invesco Field, the Democratic running mate jokes about being VEEP with a National Guardsman:

“If I had your hair I’d be president, you know what I mean? I wouldn’t be screwing around with this job.”

Will the media cut him some slack or jump all over this like R. Kelly at recess?

Stay Tuned...

McCain VEEPSTAKES HEATING UP

All indications are pointing to a Friday morning announcement for John McCain's running mate. Chatter throughout the day has been that the pick will be leaked this afternoon in order to deflect attention from Obama's acceptance speech at the DNC (slated for 10 PM Eastern). Here's an updated rundown of the candidates (in order of odds):

• Romney? Sure he knows economics and he's been an executive, but, how far can a ticket worth upwards of half-a-billion dollars combined carry a message that sets out to paint their opponent as elitist? My guess is not very far.
• Pawlenty? Young, fresh, Minnesota (although his ability to carry it remains a question), Conservative through and through, and big with the Evangelical community. Cons? Does anyone really think that Tim Pawlenty is qualified to be the guy who's a heartbeat a away from having a heartbeat? Let's face it, McCain doesn't have many heartbeats left, and I'm not too comfortable with a guy that has zero foreign policy experience backing him up. Biden would chew him up and spit him out a la Cheney/Edwards 2004.
• Lieberman? Think of all the fun Democrats could have with this one. The Republicans made a war-hero look like a deserter in 2004. Democrats have learned a lot since: Swingin' Joe can't seem to make up his mind...Pros? Jewish, Florida. Cons? Everything else.
• Kay Bailey Hutchinson? ???????????????????????????????

Tom Ridge? Ridge has said he was not vetted by the McCain camp. For that reason he is off my list. That being said, the smart money is still on Ridge and McCain still doesn't have the guts to pull the trigger.

Pawlenty doesn't have the experience - Look for Romney.

PRIMER: Thursday Night @ the DNC

**OBAMA**

Enough said. Everything else is noise.

Stay tuned for post-speech review and any breaking McCain VP news...

Twittering: Recap of Night 3 @ the DNC

THE COMEBACK KID DOES IT AGAIN... 

• BUBBA: He Came, He Saw, He Conquered. Completely obliterates any lingering doubts that he is not behind Barack Obama's candidacy for President. Magically interwove America's domestic woes with her standing in the world today. Made the case for Obama and in doing so masterfully made the case against McCain and the Republicans. A+++
• BIDEN: A good, but not great speech. Did not seem to be completely comfortable with the message he was sending. Nevertheless a good performance coupled with a great (if not exploitive) introduction by son Beau Biden and a touching video tribute. A-
• KERRY: A passionate address to the convention where he stood as nominee four years earlier. In a bit of payback, took the fight to McCain and the Republicans on the national security front. A
• The gloves came off Wednesday night with the Democrats fielding an all-star line-up of seasoned national security hands. The convention to date has not had the kind of unified, singular theme that you look for in a Presidential campaign. Does Obama tie it all together in his speech Thursday night? There has been no mention of Guantanamo, wiretapping, or (gasp) Vice President Cheney...Is this a tactical mistake? Time will tell.
• QUOTE OF THE NIGHT: TIE (Bill Clinton)
  • "Barack Obama is ready to be President of the United States of America"
  • "The world is more impressed by the power of our example, than by the example of our power"

In case you missed it:

STAY TUNED FOR A THURSDAY NIGHT PRIMER & ANY BREAKING NEWS ON MCCAIN'S VICE-PRESIDENTIAL DECISION...

 

PRIMER: Wednesday Night @ the DNC

 

**Will the Gloves Come Off?**

Tonight is 'National Security Night' at the DNC, with a long list of Democratic heavy hitters lined up to speak. What should we look for? (in order of speaking appearance)

• Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed: Low-key but tough Senator from Rhode Island, West Point graduate, and ex-Army Ranger. Look for him to deliver a low-key yet stern rebuke of Bush Administration policies while affirming Obama's national security bonafides.
• ex-Senator Tom Daschle: Could that be Chief of Staff Daschle? Time will tell, but this experienced Washington hand has had Senator Obama's ear from the get-go.
• BUBBA: Speaks after two and before four other speakers. Will bad cop Bill show up tonight? Or will he use this as an opportunity to redeem himself in front of a Democratic audience. The former President has everything to lose and everything to gain. Will this speech be more about Obama? Or the Republicans? Will he advocate for an Obama victory, or a Democratic victory? Time will tell, but sources have already said that the President will be splitting town before Obama gives his speech Thursday night? STAY TUNED
• Senator John Kerry: Must be a bittersweet appearance for the 2004 Democratic Presidential nominee. Look for this Vietnam war hero to take the fight to McCain and the Republicans on national security and Iraq. Payback can be a  _ _ _ _ _ (use your imagination)
• New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson: Outside of VEEP nominee Joe Biden, arguably the most experienced foreign policy expert in the Democratic party. Former Congressman, Secretary of Energy, and Ambassador to the United Nations, Richardson has been at the forefront of U.S. National Security policy-making for three decades. Look for him to talk about restoring America's standing in the world...Now that Biden is the VEEP nominee, look for Richardson's name to circulate as potential Secretary of State in an Obama Administration.
• Iraq War Veteran Tammy Duckworth: Sure to be an emotional address - for the 411 on Army Major Duckworth please click here.
• BIDEN: Notice the buffer zone between the Clinton and Biden speaking slots. The main event. Look for Biden to take the hatchet to his 'distinguished colleague from Arizona' (how do you like that for Senate-speak). Absolutely convinced he will deliver a barn-burner that will blow the top off the Pepsi Center. Arguably the biggest night of his life: he will deliver.

Twittering: Recap of Night 2 @ the DNC

• Clinton: Brought down the house and completely obliterated any doubt people had. Immediate reaction from women on the floor was positive. (Is this the end of the Obama/Clinton story?) CON: Made more of a case for a Democratic victory than an Obama victory. Did not vouch for him as much as you'd like. Next Up: Bubba...Does he end any and all speculation? Or play bad cop?
• Keynoter Mark Warner: What's up with the talk about getting in at the ground floor of the cell phone industry? Is he the democratic version of Mitt Romney? 'Race for the Future' theme was solid, but delivery was absolutely horrible: can you say THUD? If he wants to be considered a national candidate he'll have to figure out how to polish up his oratory skills.
• HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT: Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE.

Stay Tuned for Wednesday Night Primer: B&B - BUBBA & BIDEN

Pakistan's Cloudy Political Future: A Primer

 

Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (N) withdrew its support from the ruling coalition government (Aug 25)

President Pervez Musharraf resigned on Aug 18, ending his nine-year reign that thrived with US backing, but succumbed under impeachment threat following the first free and fair elections he conducted after overthrowing Nawaz Sharif in a coup in 1999

Musharraf has been replaced by Mohammedmian Soomro, chairman of the Senate and a Musharraf loyalist, pending a parliamentary vote to choose a new head of state within 30 days

Presidential election is set for 6 Sept.Asif Ali Zardari appears to be the front-runner to become Pakistan's next president

His resignation raises new fears that Pakistan will exacerbate tensions with its neighbors(India and Afghanistan) and increase terrorism (WSJ)

GI : The resignation may be met with short-term optimism as the civilian government promises to restore full democracy to the country. However, this is likely to be short-lived as the economy is likely to deteriorate further and the security situation will worsen as the ruling coalition remains in policy deadlock

Musharraf has left behind a fragile economy that is dealing with inflation, twin deficits, external debt; currency has also taken a hit; the country is also facing severe oil and power shortages, foreign investment in the past year has already declined from $1.76 bn to $62.2 mn on political risks

There are intense concerns in Washington that Mr. Musharraf’s departure could open a new era of instability in the nuclear-armed country of 165 million people, as the fragile coalition jockeys for its share of power

The National Assembly voted 264-42 confirming Mr. Gilani of the PPP as the nation's new prime minister.Nawaz Sharif PML(N) and Asif Ali Zardari, widower of Benazir Bhutto (PPP) agreed to form a coalition government.Opposition parties Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) won 87 and 67 of the 242 seats; pro-Musharraf ruling Pakistan Muslim League PML (Q) party won only 40 seats in Feb '08 parliamentary elections.

WSJ : The PML(N) is tilted toward more fundamentalist Islamic elements and demand the immediate reinstatement of judges while The PPP has a more secular, pro-western approach and has kept its position vague on the issue of restoring the judges however both parties have agreed on a common agenda.

Pakistan's generals are gradually distancing themselves from Musharraf; lawyers boycott courts to pressure Musharraf to reinstate senior judges he sacked under emergency rule

Hill N' Bill: Good Cop, Bad Cop?

Courtesy of The Hill:

DENVER — Bill Clinton appeared to undermine Sen. Barack Obama again Tuesday. 

The former president, speaking in Denver, posed a hypothetical question in which he seemed to suggest that that the Democratic Party was making a mistake in choosing Obama as its presidential nominee.

He said: "Suppose you're a voter, and you've got candidate X and candidate Y. Candidate X agrees with you on everything, but you don't think that candidate can deliver on anything at all. Candidate Y you agree with on about half the issues, but he can deliver. Which candidate are you going to vote for?"

Then, perhaps mindful of how his off-the-cuff remarks might be taken, Clinton added after a pause: "This has nothing to do with what's going on now."

The comments are unlikely to be taken as an innocent mistake by those Democrats who continue to be angry with the former president for, they say, not supporting the Illinois senator wholeheartedly, if not implicitly undercutting him.

Sign of things to come? Stay Tuned...

PRIMER: Tuesday Night @ the DNC

Tuesday night means Hillary-Night at the DNC. What can we expect?

• Party unity is nothing short of a euphemism for reaching out to female voters who felt slighted by the way Hillary was 'treated' during the primary season. The Obama campaign has made the calculation that they in fact do have a serious problem on their hands; hence the first two nights of the convention have been dedicated to family, women, and working class issues.
• Content and Delivery - Words and Tone. Which Hillary will show up? Will she continue to refer to Obama as 'my opponent'? She did as recently as three days ago.
• Will Bill join Chelsea and Hillary on stage after the speech is delivered? Or is this a girls night out?
• Mark Warner, former Virginia Governor and current candidate for U.S. Senate will be the evenings keynote speaker (Apparently there is such a thing as a keynote and a headline speaker). Again look for him to pound home themes having to do with the economy, working class values, and rural America.
• Do the gloves come off tonight? Since it's ladies night, probably not. (Waiting on Biden)

Stay tuned for updates. It's going to be a wild night...

Russia Recognizes Independence of Breakaway Regions

Today Russian President Dmitry Medvedev recognized the independence of the Georgian breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

"I have signed decrees on the recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia," Medvedev said in a national television address, standing at a podium flanked by two Russian flags.

"Russia calls on other states to follow its example," he added.

Things to Watch:

• European reaction: Europe is dependent on Russia for 40-80% of their energy consumption. Will they condemn Russia's continued bellicose behavior? Or turn the blind eye?
• How will the Arab countries react? Will they follow suit and recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia?
• Will other former CIS countries continue to stand behind Georgia? Or slowly stand down?
• White House/NATO reaction: Will we see increased naval activity in the Black Sea?
• Cease-fire: Is this the straw that breaks the camels back?

Twittering - Night One @ the DNC

Some Brief Thoughts (after a very long night (and day):

• Kennedy: Not 1980, but inspiring nonetheless in what looks to be his last appearance before a Democratic National Convention.
• Michelle: Well crafted speech hits the nail on the head. Powerful delivery and even more powerful story that will resonate with millions of working-class Americans.
• Gripes: No mention of McCain. One less night to define the opponent. Does it begin on Tuesday night with HRC? Or is Biden getting ready to hit clean-up and knock one out of the park on Wednesday?
• Repeat: Is this convention more about Obama defining McCain? Or Obama defining Obama? Monday night told us the latter, but we still have three nights to go.

Stay tuned for Tuesday night primer...

KENNEDY SPEAKS

 

“My fellow Democrats, my fellow Americans, it is so wonderful to be here. And nothing is going to keep me away from this special gathering tonight.”

Vows to be on the Senate floor next January.

Says after November, “The work begins anew, the hope rises again, and the dream lives on.”

Will he? Or Won't he?

 

**STILL WAITING ON SENATOR KENNEDY**

ALSO

 VS.

CAMELOT VS. THE CLINTONS

WHO TAKES ROUND ONE?

Twittering

Brief Thought:

• Nancy Pelosi has to be the most uninspiring public speaker.
• Why is she dressed in a star-trek outfit?

Kennedy to Counter PUMA

Ted Kennedy will be making a dramatic appearance at tonight's Democratic National Convention, against doctors orders!

If anyone can unite the Democratic Party, it's the liberal lion himself and I have a hunch this is his way of countering the Clintonites, better known as the PUMA'S:

PARTY UNITY MY ASS'ers...

Will it work?

I think so.

Twittering

Some brief thoughts on the Democratic National Convention:

• Boy do I miss Tim Russert.
• Where's Bubba?
• Is this convention more about Obama defining McCain? Or Obama defining Obama?
• It's still the economy stupid.
• Polls mean nothing until September 27th (figure it out).
• Get ready to hear  a lot about food stamps, firefighters, cops and single parents.
• Moments to watch: Kennedy, Bubba (yes, until Hillary is President, he's still more important), and of course Obama on Thursday night.

Madonna, McCain and...Hitler?

 

NOTE TO CELEBRITIES: STICK TO WHAT YOU KNOW.

I'm tired of celebrities using their pedestals to further their own political philosophies. The truth is that nobody cares what they think. We pay them  tens of billions of dollars year-in-and-year-out so we can watch them sing, dance, act, and jump up and down as they rub their bellies and heads at the same time, nothing less, nothing more.

I don't want to hear about late-night e-mails sent between Scarlet Johansson and Barack Obama. I don't care if Heidi Montag (of MTV Hills Fame) is supporting John McCain. All of this is for nothing more than the vain, shameless self-promoting celebrities are known best for; they don't care about you or the issues that affect you on a day to day basis.

Shameless self-promotion case-in-point: Madonna. Last night during her opening show of her worldwide tour Madonna sheepishly mixed images of John McCain and Adolph Hitler on the stadiums big screen. I do not support John McCain, and I disagree with most if not all of his positions. I do not think this country can afford four more years of the failed foreign and economic policies being pushed by Senator McCain. But, for all the disagreements, I can honestly say that I respect John McCain, for the man he is and for the sacrifices he made for his country. John McCain is no Adolf Hitler, and Madonna should be ashamed of even making the comparison. As a 'practitioner' of the mystical Jewish strain of Kabala, Madonna should know the sensitivities involved in leveling such comparisons.

Nevertheless, it's not surprising to me that the aging 'queen of self-promotion' is at it again. And she will be again. That's the beauty of this country, she has the freedom to make these statements.

But even more beautiful than the freedom of speech is the freedom of choice. So I ask you, choose not to listen to this crap.

Connecting the Dots: Why You Should Care About Russia-Georgia

 

Knock, Knock. Who's there? Russia. Russia who? Russia's back and you better take notice!

Cheesy? Maybe. But purely for illustrative purposes. All of a sudden the tiny Caucus state of Georgia (no, not the one known for peaches and freaknik) has been all the rage in Western media outlets. So what's this about? Who wants what? And why?

The conflict in Georgia is Russia's largest military engagement outside its borders since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Here are some of the key issues in the current crisis.

Who is fighting whom?

On one side is Russian air, naval and ground power. On the other is the military of Georgia, a small, separate country south of Russia on the eastern shore of the Black Sea. It was part of the Soviet Union but has a history of troubled relations with Moscow.

Where are they fighting?

The bulk of the fighting revolves around two pro-Russian enclaves, South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The fighting appears to be expanding toward other parts of Georgia. Russia captured a military base in western Georgia on Monday, and there were conflicting reports whether a main road had been cut near the city of Gori.

What is the background to the fighting?

Moscow has long viewed itself as the protector of the two enclaves, which have been under pressure from the central government in Georgia.

In 1990, Georgia voted to abolish the autonomy of South Ossetia and by 1991 the ethnic antagonists were fighting. In 1992, Georgia and Russia signed a peace treaty and Russian troops began patrolling the South Ossetia border.

That same year, Abkhazia declared its independence from Georgia and another war was fought, which ended in 1994 with a treaty between Russia and Georgia. Russian troops then began patrolling that enclave too.

What touched off the latest fighting?

Georgia launched a surprise operation last week to seize control of South Ossetia. An enraged Russia sent its military into the breakaway republics and bombed Georgia proper.

Was this confrontation expected?

Yes and no.

Many western experts have predicted that Russia would stage some sort of military action after Mikheil Saakashvili was elected president of Georgia in 2004. As part of his platform, he said he wanted to reincorporate the enclaves into Georgia. Most experts agreed that Russia would respond with force if that happened.

Does the United States have any special interests in the area?

Saakashvili is an ally of the United States and sent troops to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan. The United States has strongly backed Georgia's effort to join NATO.

Russia fears that its former Soviet partners and satellites will look to Europe and form a pro-Western ring, curbing Moscow's arena of diplomatic action.

The second concern is energy. Georgia is a major conduit for oil flowing from Russia and Central Asia to the West.

What is the U.S. diplomatic position?

President Bush said Monday that the United States wants Russia to end its offensive and return to the situation that existed before the fighting began.

In a tough statement from the White House after he returned from the Olympics, Bush said: “Russia has invaded a sovereign neighboring state and threatens a democratic government elected by its people. Such an action is unacceptable in the 21st century.”

Bush said there were reports that Russian forces soon might begin bombing the civilian airport in Tbilisi, the Georgian capital. Such an action “would represent a dramatic and brutal escalation of the conflict in Georgia and these actions would be inconsistent with assurances we have received from Russia that its objectives were limited to restoring the status quo of South Ossetia that existed before fighting began.”

What's at stake?

Democracy, resources, and the geo-political re-balancing of the Middle East.

If Georgia falls to Russian aggression we will see a domino effect throughout the region, and the world. Other former ex-Soviet, pro-Western regimes will come under additional pressure from an increasingly bellicose Russian regime. Russia, which currently is the worlds number one producer of crude oil, will control the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyan pipeline, a pipeline that Europe is highly dependent on. Currently Europe is dependent on Russia for 40-80 percent of their energy consumption. Control of this crucial pipeline (responsible for more than 2 percent of world oil output) will make Europe wholly dependent on Russia for it's energy needs (Think US:M.E. Oil).

With oil prices sure to stay between the $80-150 range for the foreseeable future, control of this pipeline will translate to increased State revenues. Increased State revenue translates to increased investment in social services and infrastructure projects - sure to keep the population happy as Putin & Co. go on with their grand plan of re-unifying the Soviet Union. The increased revenue will also lead to increased arms production - these arms are almost certain to end up in States who, let's just say, are not on our Christmas card list. The steady flow of Russian arms to China, and more importantly Syria, Lebanon, and Iran will lead to a re-balancing of the geopolitical pendulum in the Middle East. This in turn hampers any attempt at truly stabilizing Iraq, and further complicates any prospect of concluding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Welcome to the 21st Century: a Cold War, Islamic Extremism and Nuclear Weapons, all wrapped into one.

So yes, you should care about what's going on in Georgia.

The McCain VP Dilemma

Romney? Sure he knows economics and he's been an executive, but, how far can a ticket worth upwards of half-a-billion dollars combined carry a message that sets out to paint their opponent as elitist? My guess is not very far.

Pawlenty? Young, fresh, Minnesota (although his ability to carry it remains a question), Conservative through and through, and big with the Evangelical community. Cons? Does anyone really think that Tim Pawlenty is qualified to be the guy who's a heartbeat a away from having a heartbeat? Let's face it, McCain doesn't have many heartbeats left, and I'm not too comfortable with a guy that has zero foreign policy experience backing him up. Biden would chew him up and spit him out a la Cheney/Edwards 2004.

Lieberman? Think of all the fun Democrats could have with this one. The Republicans made a war-hero look like a deserter in 2004. Democrats have learned a lot since: Swingin' Joe can't seem to make up his mind...Pros? Jewish, Florida. Cons? Everything else.

Ridge? Smart Money is here. Too bad they don't have the guts to pull the trigger.

IT'S OFFICIAL: OBAMA/BIDEN 2008

 

The Vice-Presidential Debate set for September 26th just became a PPV Event....

Biden vs. Pawlenty? Romney? Piyush "Bobby" Jindal?

Good luck Republicans, heck, luck might not even be enough.