Friday Hangover

J: Here we are- one last weekend until the Big One. There are smears and infomercials flying about, and Halloween looms large over the political landscape. Both camps are dressing up as centrists, in a last-ditch effort to gain the few undecided voters that remain.

Fortunately, I'm no longer in the crosshairs of anyone's Get Out the Vote movement. For the first time in my life, I early-voted. I normally like the polls on Election Day- the sense of being part of a group of citizens participating in our civic duty. But having children and no obvious babysitter made the convenience of voting early impossible to ignore. As I was walking out the door, my Little Guy asked me where I was going, so I told him "to vote". Well, there was no way I could be allowed to do that without supervision, so we piled in the Honda and were off to the polls. Once inside, he was fascinated by the process. I showed him the sample ballot, explained to him that straight-ticket voting was for lazy people who didn't do their research, and basically gave him his first lesson in Democracy. I cast my ballot, got my sticker- which promptly went on his shirt- and came home. He enjoyed it so much that when Mrs. J. then went to cast her vote, he absolutely insisted on going back with her. Perhaps it's my Kentucky roots showing, but when a three-year-old insists on heading to the voting booth as many times as possible... well, let's just say I'm proud. Next time around, I think I'll teach him how to buy and sell votes. He and Lyndon Johnson's grandkids can roll around Texas, driving the elderly to the polls.

Speaking of the elderly, I'm really starting to feel bad for John McCain.The more I think about his campaign, the more I truly believe that his entire plan for getting to the White House involved a race against Senator Clinton. If Hillary! had been his opponent, he could have easily chosen Joe Lieberman as his running mate, because whatever issues the base might have with McCain, their hatred of all things Clinton would assure him their support. Instead, his hand was forced, and we get the Palin show. But there will be more time for hindsight once the votes are officially counted.

And I think the person with the biggest axe to grind in the GOP may turn out to be Mike Huckabee. He appeals to the same crowd as Palin, he has far more executive experience, and even most of the Left just likes the guy. If I could have any politician as a neighbor, it would be Mike. He seems like he'd invite you over for a barbecue, and offer you a beer- even though he doesn't drink himself, he keeps a few on hand for guests. He's got to be sitting on a porch in Arkansas and laughing about the absurdity of this race. I expect to see more from him soon, because I believe he's going to end up as the spokesman for the Evangelical wing of the Republican Party.

C: J., I commend you. My father took me to the polls at 6:30AM before he had to go to work when I was a little guy. The metallic sound of the big armature and the curtain whistling behind us, the clack of the levers, is something I will never forget. I got a 'I voted today' sticker. And a cookie. Fine church lady volunteers, indeed. This is a moment that taught me respect for our country, citizenship and the value of one man, one vote. This being an American is serious business and the world is envious of this privilege.

Michigan Smichigan

C: Ah, Michigan. The state whose economy has flopped like Laimbeer in the lane. And $3 a gallon gasoline is pounding nails in their collective coffin. Mitt's trying to ride his Daddy's legacy to his first win of note. Not going to happen. The ability for Independents to crossover gives McCantankerous the day.

And the word "Change" should qualify as waterboarding.

J: And the first talking head who says Hillary "won" Michigan needs to be cracked across the kneecaps with
dimension lumber.

When your opponents remove their names from the ballot, and
the delegates aren't recognized by your party, you don't get any
momentum from the "win".

C: This little gem from the Hucklebee on the Michigan trail: "[Some of my opponents] do not want to change the Constitution, but I believe it's a lot easier to change the constitution than it would be to change the word of the living God, and that's what we need to do is to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards rather than try to change God's standards..."

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/15/579265.aspx

What does he want this country to be, the new Iran? That's all the world needs is one more religious fanatic telling people how to live... And Geezus, what ever happened to separation of Church and State? It's MY Constitution too.

J: Wow. Nice find there. I swear, every time I get close to thinking "Y'know, Huck's not all bad. If he gets the nomination, and wins in November, it wouldn't be too awful- kind of a more right-wing Carter", he goes and does something like this.

I know it takes more than the desire of a President to amend the Constitution, but the fact that he's saying this stuff is a look into the man's mind. Yeah, he's playing to his base right now, but every Democratic operative needs to etch this quote into granite just in case he gets the nomination. That one, and "Science changes with every generation and with new discoveries, and God doesn't. So I'll stick with God if the two are in conflict." Because, y'know, admitting mistakes and progressing intelligently is bad.

And Huckabee must hate shrimp, as well:

http://www.godhatesshrimp.com/

C: Breaking News: With 1.98% of precincts reporting in the Michigan Democratic Non-Primary Primary, Gravel has .44% of the vote. Meaning someone voted for him. In Michigan. In Winter. That, my friend, is commitment.

C: Wow, did I ever miss this call. Congrats to the new Governor of Michigan Willard, you pandered your way to victory. Sweet, sweet lies trump truth, what the hell was I thinking.

And congratulations to Hilary for soundly trouncing Uncommitted, 55% to 40%.