Election Results: Pins and Needles

So far, so good for Barack Obama, as I write this at 5:15 pm pst. I'm disheartened (and more nervous) to see some red states for John McCain, but no surprises yet. But if MSNBC is right, Pennsylvania is the winner, which helps dash McCain's hopes a bit. True, it was a blue state already, but McCain thought he needed it to buttress expected red state losses elsewhere.

Still too nervous to get too excited. Perhaps more later, we'll see!

UPDATE 5:45 pm pst: OK, too much information!!! Even though it is tough getting through to the political sites, they are simply all over the place. MSNBC and FOX seem to be in agreement on Pennsylvania, but Electoral-Vote.com, which has Obama DOWN right now has given him Ohio and Florida--which if true means an Obama win, almost assuredly. But none of the sites are currently in agreement. Arrrgghhhh!!!

VOTE TODAY!

Today is the big day, and a lot is on the line. I've spoken my piece--quite a lot actually--and there isn't much else left to say if you haven't made up your mind. All I ask is that you vote. OK, that's not all I ask, but you know what I mean.

Today we're having an election party at Chez Greenlee, so posting will likely be light. Which is unusual for a political blog, I know. But we'll have plenty of time to do a post-mortem later, and either celebrate or lament together.

If I have the time, or something truly amazing happens, I'll try to sneak away for a few quick posts. In the meantime, please vote if you haven't already. Thank you.

But, please scroll down for some other good stuff.

First Votes in USA go to Obama

It's much too early (in fact wee hours early) to be counting our chickens. But it is still encouraging to see that the first votes in the nation, in Dixville Notch and Hart's Location, New Hampshire, have cast their votes for Barack Obama.

I'm still crossing my fingers and all other crossable appendages, and sitting on pins and needles here. As you can imagine, I'll be uncomfortable for most of the day. . .

So please, for my sake, don't take anything for granted! VOTE!

[Excerpt]

Barack Obama the Big Winner in Presidential Race in Dixville Notch, N.H

DIXVILLE NOTCH, N.H. -- Barack Obama came up a big winner in the presidential race in Dixville Notch and Hart's Location, N.H., where tradition of having the first Election Day ballots tallied lives on.

Democrat Obama defeated Republican John McCain by a count of 15 to 6 in Dixville Notch, where a loud whoop accompanied the announcement in Tuesday's first minutes. The town of Hart's Location reported 17 votes for Obama, 10 for McCain and two for write-in Ron Paul. Independent Ralph Nader was on both towns' ballots but got no votes. . .

Read more at (believe it or not): FOX "News"

Palin and McCain on Saturday Night Live Presidential Bash

Image from SaturdayNightLive.com

I am watching Saturday Night's Presidential Bash as I write this. As I've said before, I've watched SNL since episode one in 1975, when it was still called NBC's Saturday Night, and the cast was called "The Not Ready for Prime Time Players."

Well, tonight's episode was in prime time. It was a compilation of political clips, past and present (mostly present), and of course was quite funny, given the number of episodes they could draw from. I was surprised to see that the tone of the current stuff was largely negative toward Democrats in general, and toward Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards and Joe Biden in particular. For all those who claim that SNL is "in the tank" for Obama, they really ought to watch this episode on NBC.com.

Of course, there were several jabs at John McCain and Sarah Palin too. Mostly Palin, she's just so easy, and Tina Fey is so good at the part. But the real life cameos of McCain and Palin (separately) were the most newsworthy bits. What they weren't was funny. Particularly Palin, who showed no sense of fun or comedic timing whatsoever.

Obama's Grandmother Dies, Wingnuts See Conspiracy

Image of a FReeper from source, Wonkette

There are some things most of us believe are just beyond politics. But not in this campaign season. Both of the Democratic candidates have had losses in their families, and both have drawn nasty comments in right-wing world. Yesterday's passing of Barack Obama's grandmother brought lots of sorrow and sadness for many people. But not everybody. . .

[Excerpt]

McCain-Palin Wingnuts Mourn Obama’s Granny

From, obviously, the Free Republic website:

• They should do an ice test to see how long she’s been in the freezer.
• Better pull her absentee ‘cuz she was dead on Election Day.
• I think that “event” took place 2 weeks ago. Otherwise it would have made great political news for these last 48 hours to talk about Obama’s grandma and take the focus off of his exposed coal comments.

Read more at: Wonkette

McCain Campaign's Splelng Spelling Problem

We all know that John McCain--despite claims of having invented the Blackberry--is somewhat "computer challenged." But someone really ought to teach his campaign about the spell check button. . .

Source: Think Progress

Rachel Maddow: Voters Beware!

On MSNBC's The Rachel Maddow Show, the host has a segment called "Rachel re:" that is akin to the "Special Comments" on Countdown with Keith Olbermann. Rachel has a different style though (despite what some right-wing critics think), sprinkling sarcasm, and a knowing bemusement to her editorials.

Here, Rachel takes on the dirty tricks being employed by the right, to try and suppress the vote. It's must-see. Check it out.

Rachel Maddow, Election Season Star

Image from source, PopEater

It's gratifying to see other people discover a personality that you've been a fan of for years. But it's weird too. Rachel Maddow didn't just "appear," she's been around for years, but it's still cool to see her getting so much attention. She deserves it.

[Excerpt]

Election Year Yields Big Career Boosts

In the past few months, the celebrities supporting McCain and Obama have been almost as visible as the candidates themselves. The Los Angeles Times put together a list of media personalities whose fame has grown during their election coverage - we agree with some of their choices, like Tina Fey and Elisabeth Hasselbeck, but we'd take it a step further. . .

See the list at: PopEater

An Answer for all of the "We Can't Trust Obama" Claims

For months, I've been seeing and hearing about those stupid email hoaxes, alleging all kinds of nefarious things about Barack Obama. Lately, a "truthier" version of those emails have been going around, this time using real (or half-true) tidbits to plant doubt in "uninformed" voters' minds. To my way of thinking, many of these undecideds are probably either hard-core Republicans who are trying to justify voting Democrat, or they are people who are (possibly sub-consciously) racists looking for a different label to hide behind. Just my opinion, take it for what it's worth.

The writer of the piece excerpted below got just such an email, from a former employer. At the risk of burning his bridges, he answers every claim in the email--and answers them well. It's pretty late in the campaign for this to help you with your acquaintances who pass these along, but hey, they may be out in force tomorrow! It's well worth a read, in any case.

[Excerpt]

In Which I Burn All Bridges to My Former Boss

An email came to me by a circuitous route the other day. Normally I would pass on responding to something like this--particularly since the specifics have been rebutted by others more effectively than I dilitentte such as I could ever manage.

But this one is special--it comes from a person that I worked with very closely for many years. This person was a veteran of business affairs. A longtime senior executive. And I was his right hand. . .

Read more at: Talking Points Memo

It's Come to This: Free Sex Toys for Voting?

Image from source, MSNBC

Leave it to my friend and contributor, Stupid Monkey Planet, for finding a story linking sex toys to voting. With a nose for odd news like that, he really needs to get that blog of his going (or work full-time at Greenlee Gazette!)

[Excerpt]

Free sex toys — and much more — for voting
Businesses across nation ready to reward citizens for casting their ballots

Just when you thought it was safe to focus on the issues in this historic election season, a chain of sex toy shops has joined retailers, restaurateurs and other businesses across the nation in the time-honored tradition of rewarding Americans who go to the polls. . .

Read more at: MSNBC

Conservatives Think Obama Flipped the Bird to McCain

This has been a long campaign full of stupid. One thing after another--usually from the McCain side (and before that Hillary Clinton's)--of ridiculous, pointless accusations and insinuations.

So, why should this end any differently than it started. Right-wing blogs (and who knows, probably FOX "News" and the Hannitys and Limbaughs) are all atwitter that Barack Obama flipped the bird to John McCain! Oh the humanity! If you freeze-frame it, it surely does look like he's flipping somebody off. But if you watch the whole thing, clearly he had an itch.

I'll report, you decide. Heh.



And if you want to see what the wing-nuts are saying, try this: FreeRepublic

Keith Olbermann's Campaign Comment: Alternate Universe

I've pondered the thought behind Countdown with Keith Olbermann's "Campaign Comment" many times, often right here on the blog. When the John McCain/Sarah Palin campaign says something egregious, pulls a gaffe, or a unpleasant fact is revealed, I've wondered, "If Barack Obama did that, wouldn't FOX "News" be ALL OVER IT?"

One of the things left out of Olbermann's comment--probably wisely--was the question of Sarah Palin's coming grandchild. The is relegated to the blogs, and has been since about late week one of Palin's introduction. But imagine if you will that Obama had a teenaged daughter who was 5 months pregnant. Then imagine that he brought the "baby daddy" up on stage at the convention. And imagine that he'd been a typical slacker youth like Levi was, only that he was a black rap fan instead of a white hockey enthusiast. Do you think the Rush Limbaughs, Sean Hannitys and Ann Coulters would have still framed the story as heartwarming? Doubtful.

Anyway, Olbermann had a lot of other "in bounds" things for his list of what if alternate universe scenarios. Check it out.

Rachel Maddow on the New Poll Tax: Long Lines

Rachel Maddow and other liberal talkers like Randi Rhodes have been talking for quite a while about lengthy voting lines, and their potential to disenfranchise voters. This was a problem in 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006. And it is a problem again this year.

Here in Nevada, or at least in Clark County, the elections have run very smoothly every time I've voted in the last 14 years. But in some locations--surprise, surprise, usually in minority and poor areas--lines can be 2, 4, 8 even 10 hours long. Many of the precincts have only a handful (or less) of voting machines. How many people have the time or the inclination to wait that long?

On Sunday's special edition of The Rachel Maddow Show, Maddow gave an impassioned editorial to end what is essentially a poll tax. Watch.

The Political Day in 100 Seconds

If I'd have known this video would be available, I wouldn't have wasted my time watching all four Sunday morning political shows! All of them encouraged me on Barack Obama's chances on Tuesday. But the later-day "special edition" shows on cable news right now give me pause. People like Ken Blackwell (spoiler of the 2004 election in Ohio) are ramping up the anti-Obama attacks. Will it be too late?

New "NO" on Proposition 8 Ad: The Mormons are Coming!

I agree with this ad whole-heartedly. Religion should not get to dictate the law of this land, and the Mormon Church is most definitely trying to do just that. If this proposition passes, it is fair to say that if your church has deep enough pockets, it can help set public policy. That is un-American, plain and simple.

New Barack Obama Ad: Look Out Behind You!

This clever and funny ad is one of the "closing arguments" from the Barack Obama campaign. It ties John McCain to George W. Bush in a humorous way. And humor only works if it contains an element of truth, right? And be sure to look in your rear view mirror! Objects may be closer than they appear!

Chuck Todd & Bill Kristol (?!) Make Me Less Nervous

Chuck Todd, the "numbers guy" on NBC's Meet the Press let a little air out of my anxiety balloon this morning, with his fancy-schmancy electoral map board. He shows that if John McCain and Barack Obama win all of their solid states, and McCain wins all of the toss-up states, Obama still wins! So, McCain needs to run the table on the toss-ups and also win Pennsylvania. Todd says McCain also needs New Hampshire as a "buffer" in case Obama takes Nevada.

That's a nightmare scenario for McCain, summed up by--of all people--William Kristol on FOX "News" Sunday, as "the one and only path to victory," and not a very likely one at that. Good.



Found at: AmericaBlog

Kiss of Death: Darth Cheney Endorses McCain!

Dick Cheney emerged from his undisclosed location this week to try and pass on his "dark side of the force" aura to John McCain. And the Barack Obama campaign has lost no time turning it into an ad. Good for them!



Found at: AmericaBlog

Can I Vote on Your Marriage?

Photo from source, Newsweek

I remember having an argument with a conservative radio host via the KXNT-AM message boards a few years ago, when Nevada had a "protect marriage" amendment on the ballot. Her name was Heidi Harris, and she was getting married, and had been talking about it a lot on the radio. At the same time, she was decrying "gay marriages" as some sort of assault on marriage in general. Of course, she used a religious argument.

A question I posed to her--which was not adequately answered--was, "What if I belonged to a religion that YOU did not agree with, and I tried to outlaw YOUR marriage?" The argument fizzled out, as did their message board, and Nevada ultimately outlawed same-sex marriage. Nevada. Home of the quickie marriage and the quickie divorce.

The Other Half and I got married in California soon after it was made legal. It holds no legal status in our state, but we thought it was important to make it legal somewhere. Who knows what could happen down the road, so it was a step in making our relationship legal--somewhere--for the future. Tens (hundreds?) of thousands of other same-sex couples have done the same.

And now, California has a ballot measure to take those marriages away. This is distinctly different from preventing same-sex marriage. It is taking an existing right away. For the first time, we're not talking in hypotheticals. Gay marriage is already legal. None of the scary scenarios the anti-gay rights folks predicted happened. But now scare tactics (and hacker attacks to the NoOnProp8 website) are being employed to cloud the issue.

It is worth pointing out that in the United States, civil rights issues are generally not up for a popular vote. If the right for women to vote, the right for blacks to vote, or the right for interracial couples to marry were put up to a vote, they very likely would not have passed. So why is the right for same-sex marriage being endangered by mob rule?

If you are in California, and on the fence on this issue, I urge you to read the following excerpted story, and vote "NO" on Proposition 8. And if you are a voter anywhere who is against this measure, I urge you to vote for Barack Obama, to prevent a conservative-stacked Supreme Court, in whose arena this issue will likely ultimately land. Thank you.

[Excerpt]

Will My Marriage Last?

. . .Few newlyweds enter a marriage with such low expectations (except for maybe Britney Spears, whose 2004 Vegas quickie was annulled after two days). But my new spouse, Jeff Bechtloff, and I are gay men living in California. And like thousands of couples who've tied the knot since the state Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage this spring, we rushed to get wed before voters could decide on Nov. 4 whether or not we should. . .

Read more at: Newsweek

SNL: John McCain on Weekend Update

OK, it was funny, as was the cold opening, but was it Presidential? Not exactly. These skits both played like John McCain has already lost. Many liberal bloggers and commenters are pissed off that Saturday Night Live has given McCain a leg up by letting him appear 3 days before the election. I disagree. I think they got their digs in, and I think the audience gets that.

By the way, did I sense a few "boos" from the audience?