Ding, Dong, the Blago's Gone / Quinn is In

Governor Patrick Quinn is the new chief executive of Illinois. A few months ago, I'd never have imagined that Bush and Blagojevich would both be gone by the end of January.

BLAGO FULL OF BULL

For six years, Blago held the State of Illinois hostage. Oh, yeah, he talks a good game. But he has bankrupted the state. He brags incessantly about the children's health insurance plan that he championed, but it has not helped children. Healthcare activists say there are almost no providers who accept payment from the program. Why would they? The state has not been keeping up with its obligations for a long time.

For all of his populist talk, the former Governor showed no interest whatsoever in supporting and funding agencies that provide services to the poor and needy. He seemed to have a vendetta against higher education, consistently slashing funding to the state's universities. He raided state pensions. He rarely visited the state capitol in Springfield, opting instead to "work" from his home in Chicago. A Chicago commentator claimed today on MSNBC that he regularly saw Blago jogging through his neighborhood on weekday afternoons. That's how the man "worked on behalf of the people."

A friend and I campaigned in the last election for one of Blagojevich's opponents, hoping to do whatever we could to get rid of him. In downstate Illinois, even hard-core Democrats were ready to abandon the party because of Blagojevich. So, why did the people re-elect him for a second term? I suppose for the same reasons that people re-elected George Bush: ignorance? loyalty? fear of change? Or maybe it was just the Chicago machine that is capable of producing thousands of votes.

Re-election notwithstanding, the impeachment of Blagojevich has been on the table for some time, along with efforts to introduce recall as an option in Illinois law. Today's impeachment was not about pay-for-play with the U.S. Senate seat. That escapade simply gave Illinois legislators the balls to finally do what should have been done a long time ago.

GOVERNOR QUINN

Many people, even in Illinois, aren't familiar with the new Governor and are wondering what to expect. I can tell you this: he will not be one of those who follows his term in the State House with a term in the Big House. Pat Quinn has been an activist and reformer for years. I was delighted when he was elected as Lieutenant Governor. I wish him God speed in his efforts to bring good government and fiscal responsibility to the State of Illinois.

Rahm Emmanuel: More Interesting Than You Think

This was supposed to be a post on healthcare reform. Boy, did I get side tracked when I started researching an expert whose opinions I planned to discuss. The expert is Ezekiel Emmanuel, the brother of the new White House Chief of Staff, Rahm Emmanuel.

There is plenty of interest here. First of all, the Emmanuel brothers--there are three of them--are each interesting in their own right:

• The oldest, Ezekiel, is an oncologist and Chair of the Department of Bioethics at Harvard University. He is the author of Healthcare, Guaranteed: A Simple, Secure Solution for America.

• Rahm, the middle son and Obama's Chief of Staff, was once a ballet prodigy who was offered a scholarship with the Joffrey ballet. Political activism led to his early career as a political fundraiser whiz kid. His later position in the Clinton White House inspired the character Josh Lyman on The West Wing. (1)


• The youngest, Ariel, a former professional racquetball player, is the founder of Hollywood's Endeavor Agency and represents prominent personalities, such as Martin Scorsese, Reese Witherspoon, Michael Moore, Jude Law, Matt Damon, and Mark Wahlberg.
  

The brothers are very close, usually in daily contact. And all three have strong personalities. They are not shy about confrontation and controversy. Rahm, for example, spoke with Tony Blair in the Oval Office just prior to a joint appearance with Pres. Clinton: "This is important," Emanuel said, "Don't f--- it up." (1)

CONTROVERSY

But this is where it gets really interesting. Close followers of the recent Presidential campaign will remember that Obama struggled to win Jewish voters. Many suspected--and some vehemently claimed--that he would not support Israel. But Obama's new Chief of Staff is Jewish--and not just any old liberal Jewish guy. Like Obama, he is the son of an immigrant. His father, Dr. Benjamin M. Emanuel, was born in Israel.

Dr. Emanuel was, according to Wikipedia, militantly active in a Zionist paramilitary organization. (2) A Google search quickly produces pages that refer to Dr. Emanuel as a "terrorist" and a "racist." But the subject of Israel has become more heated and polarizing than an abortion rights debate, and sometimes it's hard to sort out the facts.

This much is clear: the Emanuel family will be a pro-Israel influence on the White House. According to ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper in his blog, Political Punch:

Israeli newspapers are already rejoicing about President-elect Obama's selection of Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., to be his White House chief of staff.

Tapper quotes the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz:

Emanuel "is the son of a Jerusalem-born pediatrician who was a member of the Irgun (Etzel or IZL), a militant Zionist group that operated in Palestine between 1931 and 1948." (3)

There's plenty of controversy, and I find it a bit curious that the mainstream media hasn't picked up on this.

"There could not be a more provocative appointment than Rahm Emanuel, if he wanted to send a signal that he is going to stick by a quite hard-line pro-Israel policy," said Ali Abunimah of the Electronic Intifadah on Democracy Now. (3)

CONCLUSION

I can't wrap my mind around the socio-political implications of Barack Obama's election and his subsequent appointments. What strikes me most is how stunningly wrong his opponents have been about him. Both he and his Chief of Staff are complex and deeply interesting personalities. President Obama, certainly, is not easily pigeon holed. The first few days of Obama's administration have been exhilirating, and it's going to be fascinating to watch events unfold in the weeks and months to come. Some will question whether Obama's supporters have also been wrong about him. Some probably have been.

SOURCES

1. Washington Post, Fighting for The Spoils, October 2006.
2. Wikipedia, Ari Emanuel.
3. Political Punch, Will the Arab World Take Issue with Rahm's Israeli Roots . . . ., November 2008.
4. New York Times, The Brothers Emanuel, January 25, 2009.

A Few Notes On The Inauguration

High Points:

• Sasha and Malia walking through the Capitol toward the inauguration. (My eyes got watery.)
• Barack Obama appearing on the jumbotron as he walked toward the ceremony, causing the masses on the Mall to erupt in a sea of excitement as they waved their hand-held flags high in the air. (Tears came rolling down my face.)
  
• When Barack Obama said, ". . . so help me God." (A few more tears.)
  
• Seeing troops in Bagdad listening to President Obama's address.
• Hearing words to our nation: "The time has come to set aside childish things."
  
• Hearing words to leaders of other nations: "Your people will judge you by what you build, not by what you destroy."
  
• The benediction--delightful.
• Itzak and Yo-Yo--a little bit of heaven.
  

Low Points:

• Rick Warren. I thought he'd surely rise to this occasion, but he did not. He had a Bible full of appropriate scriptures, and he chose a divisive one. His message was narrow and non-inclusive.
• Sadly, the health problems of Senators Byrd and Kennedy during the post-inaugural luncheon.

Silliest Sight:

• Bush 41 wearing a goofy fur hat and looking utterly lost during the benediction. I'm sure he was . . . .

Most Fun:

• Waving bye at my TV screen as Executive One lifted the Bush family up, up, and away.
• Hearing the roar of the crowds singing "Nah nah / nah nah nah nah / Hey, hey, hey / Gooood Bye!" as the Bush helicopter circled above them.
• Chris Matthews of MSNBC. Love that guy. His best observation: the great metaphor of Dick Cheney in a wheelchair as power passed to Obama.

Most Grounding:

• My dogs snoring through the whole pompous affair.
  

OMG: He's Almost Gone

I can remember day after day, week after week, month after month wondering if this day would ever come, wondering how much more damage he would do before going.

Only a few hours left. I'm nervous. I have to remember to breathe. Will we make it without incident? What will it feel like when he is finally and forever gone? It's still hard to believe he and his friends held this country hostage for eight horrible years. I remember when he moved into the White House and we learned that the Clinton folks had shamelessly trashed the place. It was shocking then, but it was merely an omen of things to come: the new residents would trash our nation, our reputation, and our Constitution, leaving a mess we would never have imagined eight years ago.

So, in a few hours, let us breathe a collective sigh of relief. At long last the White House will be occupied by a man, a family, and an administration worthy of our admiration and respect, in whom we may dare to have confidence. They reflect the very best of America. Let us take pride in who we are and have hope for what we may yet become.

Political Upheaval: Mayan Calendar Mixup?!

When the Spaniards arrived in Mexico at the beginning of the 16th century, they met and eventually subjugated the Maya, a people who were far more advanced in many ways than any civilization on Earth. Among the Maya's amazing accomplishments was a highly complex calendar system that accurately records events from the time of the Big Bang to the current day. That calendar comes to an abrupt end about four years from now. Many believe this portends a great cosmic shift of some sort, perhaps a great shift in human consciousness or the end of history as we currently understand it.

Today, I read this excerpt from an article in The Guardian, and wondered if maybe the Mayans weren't as accurate as we thought. Did they mess up on that date? Conservatives boycott Fox News? Geezus, what next? Did the great shift happen on Nov. 4, 2008?

As the implosion of the defeated Republican campaign continued yesterday, the landscape of American conservatism was dotted with signs that these were very strange times indeed.

Rush Limbaugh, behemoth of right wing radio, took to the airwaves to declare war on two enemies: Barack Obama and the Republican party. Bloggers at FreeRepublic.com, an internet hub for conservatives, announced a boycott of Fox News, and John McCain's aides fell over one another to leak embarrassing details about the campaign to the press.

-Oliver Burkeman in The Guardian, 11/8/08

This ain't the world we knew!

And It's About Damn Time

It was the greatest thing I’ve ever seen. Between the announcement on MSNBC and the acceptance speech, I sat alone outside in the dark where thousands of stars were watching the monumental shift on this planet. Something was right in the Universe.

Several months ago, I wrote an unpublished piece called Puttin’ Out The Trash—And It’s About Damn Time on our national dialog about race. It included several comments from callers to talk radio shows, along with my own unspoken responses. My hope was that all the trash people were putting out into the public discourse would eventually lead to some measure of understanding and healing. One call from before the Iowa primary stands out in my mind more than any other:

Caller: I’m a black man, and I will not vote for Barak Obama because he cannot win. White people will not vote for a black man, so why should I waste my vote?
My response: It’s a damn lie; you must get past it. Don’t live that lie.

In the wake of this racially charged election and Barak Obama’s landslide election, I hope we’ve learned some things about our collective myths and our personal lies. Perhaps many of us have learned that we can judge people by the content of their character, not the color of their skin--or their body shape, sexual orientation, social class, citizenship, or any other simplistic and narrow-minded measure. Discerning character is not rocket science; it is revealed by words and actions. And words and actions have revealed much about us in these last few months.

Come what may, many of us are ready to move beyond the ugly past. Some will want to stay behind, and that is their choice. Some are angry and bitter today because the world is challenging their small notion of reality. But the rest of us—thank God—find ourselves in a better place, and we won't stop here.

I regret that my health made it impractical for me to be in Grant Park last night, sharing the cheers, the tears, and the pride with that crowd of beautiful Americans. It was a great, great moment for democracy, the human spirit, and maybe even the Universe.

It's Oct. 22; Do You Know Where Your Democracy Is? Protect Your Right to Vote.

Today, a woman from Code Pink was removed from the Mortgage Bankers Association annual convention after she attempted to handcuff guest speaker Karl Rove for the crime of treason. (Video from IReport.) An anchor woman for a major cable news network called the woman's actions "crazy." IMHO, it's far from crazy; it may be the sanest thing I've heard on the news lately.

Speaking of Karl Rove and his influence on our democracy, the Ohio Secretary of State has received death threats for protecting voters' rights as Republicans and their right-wing extremist supporters pull out all the stops in their ongoing attempt to rob citizens of the right to vote.

• CNN story
• Black Box Voting report
• NY Times Op-Ed by Paul Krugman on Republican attemtps to Block The Vote.
• Rolling Stone investigative report: Block the Vote.
  

No matter where you live, your vote may be in jeopardy. According to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., co-author of STEAL BACK YOUR VOTE, the following seven steps can help you protect your vote:

1. Make sure you are registered to vote. A law sponsored by the Bush Administration (Karl Rove, in particular) has resulted in mass purging of previous voter registrations.
   
2. Do not mail in your vote; vote in person.
3. Vote early so you have time to resolve any challenges to your vote.
4. If your right to vote is challenged, do not accept a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots are most often discarded.
5. Make sure you have a valid photo ID and take it with you to the polls.
6. Volunteer to register voters and to help get voters to the polls.
7. After the election, support efforts to hold the government accountable and make sure the votes are counted.

The following is an informative and very well-done video by investigative journalist Greg Palast. It's about 15 minutes long and includes an interview with former US Attorney David Iglesias who was fired in one of the politically motivated dismissals for which the Bush Administration is under investigation.


Steal Back Your Vote! from Greg Palast on Vimeo.

Sarah Who? A Final Word

I decided yesterday that I was done with Sarah Palin. One final post, and that's that. Unless, of course, she wins the election (and I do mean she). Yesterday, when she slandered Obama in the worst possible way--short of playing on rabid racism--I reached fed up. She claimed that Obama consorts with terrorists. The "terrorist" in question is University of Illinois professor William Ayers. The University of Illinois, the most conservative institution in the Big Ten, is twisting young minds with terrorism. Who knew?? (Friends, I hear your raucous laughter.)

Yes, Ayers was one of the founders of the Weather Underground during the Vietnam era. Palin is not old enough to remember the upheaval of the Sixties, nor has she experienced an urban environment during tumultuous times. A lot of people did a lot of outrageous things. Perhaps she doesn't comprehend the passage so many people have made from immature Sixties radical to mature, mainstream professional. But never mind all that; she doesn't care. What kind of "terrorist" activity did Ayers and Obama engage in? Here are the facts:

Obama's Chicago home is in the same neighborhood where Ayers and Dohrn live. Beginning in 1995, Ayers and Obama worked with the non-profit Chicago Annenberg Challenge on a huge school improvement project. The Annenberg Challenge was for cities to compete for $50 million grants to improve public education. Ayers fought to bring the grant to Chicago, and Obama was recruited onto the board. Also from 1999 through 2001 both were board members on the Woods Fund, a charitable foundation that gave money to various causes, including the Trinity United Church that Obama attended and Northwestern University Law Schools' Children and Family Justice Center, where Dohrn worked.
-CNN Fact Check

If these are Gov. Palin's idea of terrorism, then I salute her--with the middle finger of my right hand--and, then, I must move on. There is no need to spend more time and energy on a woman whose character flaws and blind ambition assure that she is not a rising star but a shooting star, a flash that burns itself out as it becomes most visible.

People of all political persuasions have had just about enough of this gun-totin' hockey mom whose command of the English language is so poor that it's often impossible to discern the objects of her phrases. In The National Interest Online, a publication of the The Nixon Center, Jacob Heilbrunn expressed concern about the following Palin statement from the VP debate:

I'm thankful the Constitution would allow a bit more authority given to the vice president if that vice president so chose to exert it in working with the Senate and making sure that we are supportive of the president's policies and making sure too that our president understands what our strengths are.

"Jeepers creepers," said Heilbrunn in his article, The Mad Matron, "Palin apparently wants to tell McCain what his strengths are." I thought she was referring to the strengths of the Vice President, but who knows. The real issue is her unambiguous belief in the expanded powers of the VP, a la Dick Cheney. Heilbrunn characterized Palin's performance this way:

This wasn’t a simpering hockey mom cheering on her big guy, but “mommy dearest” laying down the law to her charges around the nation.

The full article is interesting reading, especially in light of the source, The Nixon Center.

Frankly, if it weren't so obvious that Gov. Palin is merely an unwitting pawn of the McCain campaign, I would have much harsher words for her. With more polish and political savvy, she could be far more dangerous than Ahmadinejad or actual terrorists such as Osama Bin Laden. If she were shrewd enough to become President, her simplistic jingoism and narrow world view could finish the Bush/Cheney destruction of this democracy and drive the Middle East into 'nukuler' conflagration. But the boys of the Republican Party will make sure she never gets that far.

My Mistake: Gov. Palin is a Neo-Federalist

I erred in a post of a few days ago when I assumed that Gov. Palin was mistaken in referring to herself as a "Federalist." It turns out that George Bush and the Neocons have re-invented the notion of federalism in American culture. They proudly own it now, using the term in its pre-Constitutional sense, meaning a loose confederation of independent states. Take the word out of the context of U.S. history, pretend that the great constitutional debates over federalism v. states rights never happened, and you may get an idea of the meaning. Palin and the Neocons are not Federalists in the traditional sense of American History; rather, they are neo-Federalists.

Somehow, I'm reminded of how the Nazis decided to call themselves the "National Socialist Party." I don't mean to suggest a similarity between the Neocons and the Nazis; they use the terminology correctly in the strictest sense, but it's just so darn misleading.

For a good (and brief) summary of the meaning of federalism in the context of U.S. history, check out Country Studies: Hamilton vs. Jefferson. The one solid similarity between Alexander Hamilton and the Neocons is their belief that government should be about the business of protecting business and commerce above other interests. Perhaps that's really what they mean when they call themselves Federalists. If so, then Gov. Palin used the term incorrectly, after all.

"May I Call You Joe?" **wink**wink**

Some folks are gushing over the sincerity and warmth of Gov. Palin as she shook Sen. Biden's hand before Thursday night's debate and asked if she might call him "Joe." It seemed odd to me, especially since she proceeded to address him as "Sen. Biden" during the debate. Did she ever use the name "Joe"? Yes, she did--only when she used the well-rehearsed zingers, "There you go again, Joe, looking back to history," and, "Say it ain't so, Joe." So much for sincerity.

Not to be overly dramatic, but her platitudes--alternating between good-ol'-girl saccharin and bad-ass patriotism--left me queasy because they are manipulative. How long can democracy survive in a world where people are so poorly informed and so easily manipulated? I wish McCain and Palin would level with is, give us some substantive and truthful answers, but that might be political suicide. Why risk it, when platitudes and emotional ploys work so well?

House Roll Call: Bailout Votes

FYI: See how your Representative voted on HR 3997, "The Bailout Bill." Don't be confused by the strange description of the bill; it seems the bailout was tacked onto an older bill having to do with the IRS tax code.

OMG! Palin Fails Constitution Test

In today's Katie Couric interview, Sarah Palin explained that she believes in state's rights when it comes to Roe v. Wade and that she is, hence, "in that sense a Federalist." What the *&^*?! Could this woman even pass a high school Constitution exam?

From Wikipedia:

Advocates of a weaker federal government and stronger state government . . . generally favor confederation, often related to anti-federalists.

I guess Keith Obermann was right when he said that we'll all--all 305 million of us--will have to evacuate the country if McCain/Palin win the White House.

See update posted on 10/3/08.

Iran: A Credible Source

Wondering what the straight story is on Iran? Want a more solid grasp on the debate about "preconditions"? CSPAN broadcast a forum held today by National Interest Magazine in which former UN weapons inspector David Kay discussed US relations with Iran in practical, realistic terms. Although SourceWatch cites his Republican connections, he seems to avoid ideology and partisan nonsense in his assessment of the current situation and the policy approaches that can result in the sane outcomes we must achieve.

Video: Discussion with David Kay
Article: Iranian Fallout

Worth Watching: Bill Clinton in Florida Today

In a stump speech today, former President Bill Clinton gave a plain-English explanation for his support of the bailout bill. He also addressed key policy differences between Obama and McCain. The speech reminded me why, despite all the crap that took place during his administration, Bill Clinton was a good President.

I apologize to those of you who are unable to play video; I have not found a text version of the speech.

What They're Sayin' About Palin in My Neighborhood

I live in a small city in corn country. The city itself is home to a large university and has a diverse population that is generally well educated. Step just beyond the university community, however, and you find a dominant culture of Ditto Heads, Walmart shoppers, and white-bread working folks. These are the locals--farmers, laborers, clerical workers, nurses, technicians--who support the key industries of the region: higher education, healthcare, and agriculture.

I am a local, a white woman over fifty, and so are most of my friends and colleagues. Two or three of us are political creatures by nature. The rest are not, and they rarely discuss politics. But let me tell you--Sarah Palin has everyone talking.

Here is some of what I'm hearing from this group of older white women in conservative middle America:

• "I'm insulted! I can't believe McCain thinks we're stupid enough to vote for someone just because she is a woman."
• "John McCain must be crazy to pick that woman! Can you imagine her as President? There's no way."
• "Palin is a nut; she's scary."
• "I don't understand why the polls are so close. Obama and Biden are the only sensible choice."

So, where are the pollsters finding all those older white women who don't want to vote for Obama? Where are the ones who like Sarah Palin? One of my friends knows one of those women, but I have yet to meet one.

Obesity: Isn't It Time For Some Facts?

Journals published by Nature hold a vast wealth of information on the latest research in the physical sciences, particularly biology and medicine. The online site for Nature also has free informative videos. Today, I discovered yet another interesting tidbit on the topic of obesity. I already know that appetite is governed by hormones. I've just begun to learn about the central role of gut ecology in entire bodily systems, from nutrient absorption to neurotransmitters and beyond. A new video from Nature discusses the role of intestinal bacteria in obesity:

Video: Human Gut Microbes
Hear scientists explain how our gut flora are involved in how we regulate body weight and may even be a factor in the obesity epidemic. . . .
-From Nature online at http://www.nature.com/nature/videoarchive/index.html.

The video highlights individual differences in gut flora and the capacity for the body to create fat tissue. We are not all alike; as individuals, we are not living, breathing manifestations of clinical averages. To think we are all replicates from a standardized template--and that what is true for you must also be true for me--is sadly and profoundly ignorant.

On a related note, I can't resist pointing out once again that John McCain's plan for dealing with the childhood obesity epidemic is to send athletes to schools to give presentations. Dear John: If you don't have a freaking clue about the problem, don't try to devise a plan to fix it. You're simply confusing the issue and compounding the problem.

McCain Has Cataclysmic Conversion!

OMG! I just heard John McCain explain his reasons for picking Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate, and this is not the same McCain we all knew yesterday. Today, he is pro-union, pro-woman, anti-establishment, and against the "failed policies of the past." Not only that, he wants to fight against those who are "privileged," who want to protect their own interests over the interests of every-day Americans. It seems that Obama's glorious speech last night has transformed John McCain from a pro-Bush Washington insider, supporter of the privileged elite and the status quo, to a fire-breathing humanitarian populist. Thank you, Jesus!

Now that we all agree on the proper role of government (well, except for the Libertarians), we can rest assured that the days of the GOC--"Government of the Corporation, by the Corporation, and for the Corporation"--are over and the government of the United States of America will once again be returned to the people to whom it rightfully belongs. I wonder what all those powerful Republican fat cats will have to say about that!? Hmmm.... I did see Kay Bailey Hutchinson interviewed this morning regarding McCain's VP choice, and she looked for all the world like someone who had eaten spoiled sausage for breakfast. I was hoping the reporter would hand her a barf bag before we all had witness something very unpleasant.

Convention Week: Raves and Rants

LOVE THAT WOMAN!

No, it wasn't a great speech, but it was a great moment in history, owned by a woman who exemplifies everything that is great about this country and the human spirit. She is truly a role model. I got choked up when I saw Michelle Obama's mother in the audience. How proud she must be of her beautiful, wise, and accomplished daughter.

I've seen and heard some of the unconscionable trash about Michelle Obama that is coming from the right, and I've remained silent. No more! I'm not going to let it pass unanswered; it's an injustice toward a good woman who has earned her way in this life. Common decency requires that she be given a basic level of respect.

In response to an offensive email I saw that slandered Michelle Obama and praised Cindy McCain, I'd like to simply say this: Michelle is a highly successful woman from an ordinary American family. She did not inherit wealth, and the financial success she enjoys did not come through any manner of exploitation. Michelle Obama does not sell beer.

STRAIGHT TALK FROM BILL MAHER AND FORREST GUMP

Yes, stupid is as stupid does. Bill Maher commented Monday on the current state of politics in the US: "Americans are stupid and they get the leaders they deserve." Let's hope and pray that changes. Of course, one big reason that Americans are so damn stupid is that most of corporate media has abdicated its role as a guardian of the public trust in favor of corporate profits and political self-interest. (I urge you to visit Freepress.net.)

SPEAKING OF STUPID . . . WHAT THE ???

The talking heads are saying that some people resent Michelle and Barak Obama's success. They claim that some Americans are asking, "How did they get into Harvard and Princeton? It must have been affirmative action."

What the ????!! Geez, people! It's rather obvious how they got in: they're extremely bright and capable people--exactly the kind of people who should get into Harvard and Princeton.

John McCain got into the military academy despite poor grades because his father was an Admiral. And how did George W. Bush get into Yale?? Affirmative action??! (See CNN commentary on the Bush brand of affirmative action.) The man should have a job that is better suited to his abilities, and he should ride there every day in a short bus. Privilege has its privileges, and they are not earned.

Obama Stands to Gain from Conservative Divide

Earlier today, former congressman and disaffected conservative Republican, Bob Barr, won the Libertarian Party nomination for President in 2008. A large percentage--perhaps as many as a half--of the delegates at the Libertarian convention opposed Barr's nomination, viewing him as nothing more than a Neocon wolf who is co-opted the party for his own self-interest. Some have vowed to leave the Party.

Barr's supporters are energized by the strong likelihood that he will win large numbers of conservative voters who dislike John McCain. There is no doubt that Barr will be a strong candidate, possibly much stronger than McCain. I wonder who will be the spoiler for whom; Barr for McCain or McCain for Barr. Either way, it's bound to be an even bigger win for the Democrats, provided Barr and the Libertarians are on the ballot in enough important states.

Los Angeles Times, 5/25/08
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 5/25/08
Los Angeles Times: Barr to become a spoiler for McCain?, 5/10/08.

Amen, Sister!

Recommended reading: A Real Dialogue on Race by Courtney Martin in The American Prospect.