Rambling from the North

KSTP just held one of the very few televised gubernatorial debates of the year. I did not do a question-by-question analysis but I am going to throw down some of my observations about it and why I think Hatch won the debate.

For the most part, none of the three candidates said anything new. They repeated their lines, mostly about education, and the sniper attacks against each other. Hutchinson came out strongly in favor of the DREAM act and had a good explanation that debunked the general Republican rhetoric about the act.

Hutchnson came off as smart but cocky. He did not say much in the way of offering a new deal like the IP claims they do. I was highly unimpressed with most of his talking points, aside from the very good explanation of the DREAM act.

Pawlenty came off about as slimy as possible. He took many sniping shots at both Hatch and Hutchinson. He went so far as to openly call Hatch a liar, saying he "often misrepresented the facts." He came off as a spinner. He danced around, kept saying the usual RNC talking points, whether or not they were right, and never missed a chance to attach his opponents. He did not look like sweet Timmy from down the block; he looked like one of Karl Rove's puppets.

Hatch did well. He ignored most of the shots that were fired at him by both Hutchinson and Pawlenty. He held his ground, hit the talking points, and stayed on message. This was a good debate for Hatch because Hutchinson and Pawlenty appeared to be fighting with each other, with him in the middle saying, "look, we've got problems, lets focus on them" He didn't sink to their level, or let his temper get the best of him. He looked good and this should boost him in the polls slightly

I don't know if a lot of people were watching or not, the football game was a dud, Simpson's was a repeat, the only thing to compete with the debate was the nice weather, and a House marathon (which has taken away most of my Sunday studying time, and yes, I'm still watching it) but, if that assessment is accurate. Hatch should see a bump in the polls, taking it more from Pawlenty, but maybe a little bit from Hutchnson. If he can just keep this kind of attitude up throughout the next week Hatch will pull this off, just barely, but he will.

No- its not about the fact that we're going to win the NJ Senate Seat (which we are) but the New Jersey Supreme Court has ruled that, under the New Jersey Constitution, Homosexual couples have the same rights as heterosexual couples! WoOOOOOOooOOooOO!!! 2 states down, 28 to go!

One of the highest profile races this campaign season isn't the governor, or the AGs race, its the race for Ramsey County Sheriff. A battle for the life of Ramsey County if you ask me.
Well finally, the Star Tribune has endorsed, and it has endorsed the best candidate for that job, Chief Bill "Corky" Finney.

"However, county law enforcement must have an administrator. To fill that role, we give the edge to Finney because his campaign conduct was slightly less egregious, and because we believe his leadership style will yield more transparent budgeting and better relationships with the County Board and with Ramsey County communities."

I think it is more than slightly less egregious, and he will clearly be a better sheriff. This race is an important one and I encourage everyone to help the Chief in the next few weeks.

I caught one quarter yesterday of the football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Chicago Bears.
For once, I was cheering for the Cardinals, because we need the Bears to lose if the Vikings are to even get close to the playoffs.
Once again however, we can chalk it up to Denny Green's poor coaching skills for one of the biggest choke jobs in the NFL.

Rediculous, purely rediculous.
Having a runner as bad as theirs running with the ball so often is the worst idea since Greedo shooting first... or Kennedy running for Senate!

This is probably the saddest announcement I've heard in quite some time.

"I know these moments are never going to come again," Warner said. "This weekend made clear what I'd been thinking about for many weeks -- that while politically this appears to be the right time for me to take the plunge, at this point I want to have a real life."

I was a big supporter of Gov. Warner. I think he really could have won the presidency. I hope he realizes what has happened.

Since most people are looking at the next thirty days, and not the next two years, I'll hold off on my preferences for president until Nov. 8, but after that, its time to get in gear for the presidential elections. There really isn't time off is there?

This is really rediculous- take a look at this picture and tell me whats wrong with it.



This is clearly not a mistake. This is clearly meant to confuse voters into placing blame squarely where it should go--on the Repuclian Leadership. This is a screenshot someone sent me, its just disgusting what they are doing.

The resemblance is just kind of uncanny!

Let me just say first and foremost that this guy is sick. Sick Sick Sick!

What is even more sick is the Republican Leadership however. I just found this on Daily Kos and had to spread it to as many people as possible.
The fact that these guys knew what was going on for several years now, and took no actions. Did not keep pages away from him, did not probe his IMs, just kept letting him go. And now they are blaming the Democrats and the Kids for the scandal!

The lesson from all of this, according to the republicans is as follows:
1) Democrats cannot be in control of congress because they are weak on security (national, clearly not domestic or sexual security)
2) Kids are responsible for being abused by their elders
3) Democrats are evil and forced Foley to send IMs to these children through magic spells

I am not sure what these guys are thinking, but seriously,they all should check themselves into mental rehab.