Half Past Noon

I really am fascinated by the politics of my home state and the great Big-Shouldered City. Our dear Gov. Blagojevich came into his office after the previous Republican governor was sent packing in disgrace (currently serving time in jail on charges of corruption). Now Gov. B is under heavy fire from even his own party, as I’ve posted before. The latest Chi-town Tribune poll puts Blagojevich’s popularity at 13%. That’s the lowest for an elected pol ever.

Ask Gov. Rod Blagojevich whether he’s interested in running for a third term, and he says he considers himself “a great governor” who has “more to do.” Ask Illinois voters whether Blagojevich should run for a third term, and the answer is an overwhelming “no.”

Today we reach the numerical One Month mark until the Extravaganza announced at the top of the column to your right. I’ve thought about this event a lot, and tonight my thoughts turned towards menu. Below are listed the options, in no particular order. Your input is welcome. No, desired.

1. Bail-out burgers, with a side of free-market fries.
2. Russian Borscht and Klondike bars.
3. Polar Bear Pizza (they deliver), and a couple pitchers of Pipeline Porter.

While chatting with Chris, I think I figured out one of the reasons my visceral reaction to last night’s debate tilted in favor of Biden over Palin: I prefer the East Coast. I completely disagreed with 90% of what Biden said (excepting parts of his predictable anti-Bush diatribes), but found Palin very hard to stomach. This isn’t merely a pronunciation bias (although I’m sure it’s that, too). And I suppose that some might say that I was just annoyed at Palin’s utter lack of substance (which is also true). But that’s the point: our two coasts have respective cultural virtues and sins. The East is charming, but snobby; the West is relaxed, but lazy. The East claims the snooty Ivy League; the West’s best universities (U of C at Berk, UW, etc) are overrun by hippies. It’s the difference between Brooks Brothers and Birkenstock, Merlot and microbrews, education and entrepreneurialism. And it’s the difference between Mr. I-Think-I-Have-A-Higher-IQ-Than-You and Ms. I’ll-try-to-find-you-some-and-bring-them-to-you.

Not suggesting a right or wrong here, but it’s always refreshing to clarify reasons for personal preference.

Excuse me while I drink my Vernors.

Log one for the fringe and the rumor mills: What if the push the Obama campaign needs is a new VP candidate? Namely, someone with the last name of Clinton. If Obama is unable to capitalize on the economic down-turn, it’s hard to see him cementing his victory until election day. McCain’s edged out to a lead in key swing states, despite the Palin-scopy performed by the media over the past couple weeks (which seems to have hurt McCain in states he’s already written off, not the ones that matter).

There are plenty of excuses for Biden to drop out, primarily his medical history. It’d be the perfect cover.

The probability is slight. Very slight. But if the moon turns red, and the stars fall from the sky–you heard it here first: Biden is switched out for Bill or Hillary Clinton.

No one told them mass protest was a hard-won skill. Slate’s Chris Beam covers the inept rioters at the RNC. Seriously, the stupidity is shocking.

All I can think is, red-state hicks and blue-state peaceniks richly deserve each other. Stuff like this almost drives me to say Chris is right. ‘cept we’ve had violent political protests before, and I don’t mean Chicago in 1968.

The delegation reaches Seventh Street and Wabasha and stops. A crowd has gathered, including major media. (“Are you NPR?” asks one protester excitedly.) Goodner takes the bullhorn and recites a list of grievances. Civilians are dying in Iraq. The federal government botched the relief effort in New Orleans. There’s no “free tuition” for college or “free health care.” “Mother Earth is crying in pain, from, uh …” he trails off. The crowd laughs. He mumbles something about alternative energy. “It’s windy here!” offers another protester. An onlooker comes up to me. “Shouldn’t they be in college?”

Another vanful of riot police pulls up. Meanwhile, a counterprotest is forming. As an Iraq chant begins, one of the anti-rioters yells, “You could have volunteered!” “Or take a bath!” shouts another. A protester raises two middle fingers skyward: “F*** you, white America!” The two hecklers seem baffled. “You’re white,” says one.

@Chris: I was wondering if you would comment on Cameron Strang (of Relevant Media Group) and Donald Miller (also emergent, author of Blue Like Jazz) and their decisions regarding praying at the DNC:

Cameron Strang was initially asked to pray, but withdrew after having second thoughts. Donald Miller didn’t even have first thoughts: “When someone asks you to pray, you do it.”

My question is not, “Would you pray?” as interesting a discussion as that might be. My question is actually whether or not Chris sympathizes with Donald Miller’s rhetoric in the interview linked above. As I read it, it sounded more than a little like my favorite Obama-booster. Comparison after the jump: » Read the rest of this entry «

That’s right, Canadians will be probably going to the polls this year, too. Don’t our politicians look, well, funny? If you want to forget about Obama and McCain, go read this article. You might return refreshed.

If Davey knew how to sing rock guitar, this is what he’d sing.

The Capitol Police are now trying to kick reporters out of the press gallery above the floor, meaning we can’t watch the Republicans anymore. But Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) is now in the gallery talking to reporters, so the cops have held off for a minute. Clearly, Democrats don’t want Republicans getting any press for this episode. GOP leaders are trying to find other Republicans to rotate in for Blunt so reporters aren’t kicked out. (HT: Mark Reimers)

Is this for real? Regardless, it’s awesome. Like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington come to life. And I hate politics, so believe me, this is entertaining. I wish politicians could take themselves this un-serious more often.