You are not the first I've heard to mistake her sarcasm in that line for whining. I guarantee you the women in New Hampshire got the joke.

And if that was Obama's version of graciousness, he better work on it a little bit. Of course, Hillary can't sharpen up her sarcasm or she'll be called shrill, to say the least.

Posted at January 9, 2008 3:33 AM in response to How Could the Polls be so Wrong?

Consider it done Larry. Look at Chris Matthews. He is getting the crap slapped out of him right now. Thank you, NH.

Let's share the blame with Edwards though, calling for a 2 person race between him and Obama after ONE caucus. And Obama himself, already acting 'presidential', according to MSNBC, above the fray in the debate the other night.

We've had to sit through a year of pre-game on this election, the least the media and the candidates can do is let us actually vote in every state before declaring victors. Again, thank you NH.

Posted at January 8, 2008 7:18 PM in response to How Could the Polls be so Wrong?

I have also been driven to distraction by the question of why the Dems are not making the Republicans actually filibuster. Then last night an answer came to me that did not really make me feel any better. Perhaps the Democrats are afraid that Republicans talking around the clock about the great and glorious surge would actually bring people over to their side. Do politicians ever willingly give a microphone to the other side? Even Reid's fakey all night filibuster last spring was Democrats talking all night, making it look like they were holding up the bill and not the Republicans.

I really think they are just unwilling to give air time to the Republicans, and they may have a good point there. What if the Republicans read (highly selective of course) letters from the troops instead of the collected works of Ann Coulter? Would that really help the Democrats?

I am left with the conclusion that the only thing to do is just not bring up the supplemental at all this time. Of course, if they are so scared of Republicans talking that they won't make them filibuster they surely can't take the heat that cutting off this funding would bring their way. Better leadership is the only answer. I'm about done with Harry Reid.

As to the Move On ad, I'm a member, and I have a hard time defending all of that ad. I would have much preferred just sticking to the facts in the body of the ad and dropping the name calling. On the other hand, I think all the publicity and attacks have brought in a lot of new members. Update: I've read more opinions and am happier now about the 'Betray Us' language. Disrespect was deserved in this case.

Posted at September 21, 2007 11:47 AM in response to Why Are Senate Dems Afraid of a Real Filibuster But Not Afraid to Condemn Move-On

I agree with your overall point. But I also would like cell phone access to blogs like TPM promoted and facilitated by our technology and gov't policies. We would all benefit, especially given the dearth of in depth commentary in the traditional media. The more places people can access the truth the better. (aha, now the government reluctance to smooth the way here is explained!) Even frequent posters probably only comment on a small percentage of the blogs items they read.

I have no doubt technology will soon get where it needs to be to allow easier user input. Someone even now is probably coming up with a portable roll-up full size bluetooth keyboard for the iPhone. It would be nice if people were already in the habit of getting their news and blogs from their phones - making their own contributions would be an easy next step.

Posted at September 13, 2007 12:10 PM in response to To Wrap the World in Communications

cscs asked if we would really be reading TPMcafe on our cell phones. I am doing so right now, as well as posting. I read many blogs each day on my phone. I use my laptop for writing anything much longer than this,but reading is easy, even on the current sorry US cell systems .

Travelling in Japan even 3yrs ago it was easy to see how far behind we are. Every 20something on the trains had more capability in their phones than I had even heard of over here, admittedly as a casual user, not an expert.

Posted at September 13, 2007 7:00 AM in response to To Wrap the World in Communications

I did not know about Frontline Wireless, but it is apparent to me that universal access to wireless broadband is the solution to the EDGE network that Jobs is looking to for the future of the iPhone. In that respect, all the whining about EDGE is missing the point.

Posted at July 3, 2007 8:40 AM in response to The I Phone and Me (or my company)

I don't have nuffsaid4now's first hand experience, but I was about to make the same case. Any new citizens who care enough to vote have probably already noticed that there is a decidedly racist streak in the Republican party today.

Posted at May 11, 2007 6:23 AM in response to The Citizenship Wave & the 2008 Election

Right after the hearing I was sure he could not possibly stay. I'd be hiding in shame after that performance. But as always I underestimated their capacity to live with shame. So now I'm not so sure.

But he definitely failed in his mission to keep the purge investigation contained within the DOJ. As Schumer said, there is nowhere else to go for answers but the White House. They cannot be happy no matter what the happy talk statement said.

On listening to parts of it again, my favorite part was the Leahy questioning at the beginning. To paraphrase:

Leahy: You said in March that Iglesias was on Sampson's list because he lost your confidence. When did he lose your confidence?

Abu: When I saw his name on Sampson's list.

You really can't make this stuff up.

Posted at April 19, 2007 8:28 PM in response to Reader poll: the end?

I like the idea of impeaching Cheney first because it removes Bush's 'Impeachment Insurance'. No one is going to impeach Bush as long as Cheney would become president in his place.

That said, I do believe that impeachment of anyone at this point is a waste of congressional energy that should be used toward other goals, like say, getting the hell out of Iraq.

Posted at April 19, 2007 8:15 PM in response to Reader poll: the end?

I think he will resign within the next few days. The only reason for doubt is that Schumer made it clear after the hearing that Abu's resignation would not stop the investigation, so the WH may feel they have nothing to gain by him leaving. They are just that tone deaf.

As for a replacement, personally I think it should be one of the fired USAs - David Iglesias would be a fine choice.

Here's a real cringe-inducer - imagine the private conversations between Bush and Gonzales. Talk about a meeting of the mindless. After listening to Gonzales all day all I can do is marvel anew at the sheer ineptness of this administration. And to think that if this all hadn't happened he might very well have gotten a SCOTUS nomination at some point. Let's thank the fired 8 for taking one for the team.

Posted at April 19, 2007 2:34 PM in response to Reader poll: the end?