Debate Headline Winner

In Barron's:

Plumber Takes Center Stage as We Go Down the Drain

Debate Headline Winner

In Barron's:

Plumber Takes Center Stage as We Go Down the Drain

Help Combat Vote Suppression

I suspect personally that most of the inevitably stupendous glitches we're going to see in polling places and voter eligibility will fall under the adage "Never attribute to malice what can be adequately explained by stupidity." However, we're already seeing reports of some GOP attempts to disenfranchise voters through various strategies such as Michigan's "lose your home, lose your vote," a scheme to challenge the eligibility of voters whose homes have entered foreclosure despite the fact that many remain resident in those homes. Therefore, thought I'd point out this fundraising effort to pay for volunteers and lawyers to be marshalled and trained to spot violations and file lawsuits and bonds.

Moveon.org has a similar effort: "a rapid response fund to support legal actions, run newspaper ads to get the media talking about GOP voter suppression, and prosecute anyone who tries to steal this election."

The rhetoric at these sites is a little extreme imho but I think the efforts are definitely worthwhile.

Help Combat Vote Suppression

I suspect personally that most of the inevitably stupendous glitches we're going to see in polling places and voter eligibility will fall under the adage "Never attribute to malice what can be adequately explained by stupidity." However, we're already seeing reports of some GOP attempts to disenfranchise voters through various strategies such as Michigan's "lose your home, lose your vote," a scheme to challenge the eligibility of voters whose homes have entered foreclosure despite the fact that many remain resident in those homes. Therefore, thought I'd point out this fundraising effort to pay for volunteers and lawyers to be marshalled and trained to spot violations and file lawsuits and bonds.

Moveon.org has a similar effort: "a rapid response fund to support legal actions, run newspaper ads to get the media talking about GOP voter suppression, and prosecute anyone who tries to steal this election."

The rhetoric at these sites is a little extreme imho but I think the efforts are definitely worthwhile.

Obama/McCain at the Al Smith Dinner

The Huffington Post covers (including video) the last joint appearance of Obama and McCain, which was at the annual Al Smith dinner, where the candidates make fun of themselves and each other. Bet McCain supporters wish that he had been as relaxed and charming in the debates as he is here - he's actually funnier and looser than Obama. Best lines:

McCain:

• "Maverick I can do but messiah is above my paygrade."
• "Being a friend and colleague of Barack, I just called him 'that one.' He doesn't mind at all. In fact, he even has a pet name for me -- 'George Bush.'"

• "It's gonna be a long, long night at MSNBC if I manage to pull this thing off."

Obama:

• "I do love the Waldorf Astoria, I hear from the doorstep you can see all the way to the Russian Tea Room."
• On the charge that he’s nothing more than a celebrity. “I have to admit that that really hurt. I got so angry about it I punched the paparazzi in the face on my way out of Spago's. I’m serious. I even spilled my soy chai latte all over my shih tzu. It was really embarrassing.”
• My favorite line is this one: "It is an honor to be here with Al Smith. I obviously never knew your great grandfather, but from everything that Senator McCain has told me, the two of them had a great time together before Prohibition."

Obama/McCain at the Al Smith Dinner

The Huffington Post covers (including video) the last joint appearance of Obama and McCain, which was at the annual Al Smith dinner, where the candidates make fun of themselves and each other. Bet McCain supporters wish that he had been as relaxed and charming in the debates as he is here - he's actually funnier and looser than Obama. Best lines:

McCain:

• "Maverick I can do but messiah is above my paygrade."
• "Being a friend and colleague of Barack, I just called him 'that one.' He doesn't mind at all. In fact, he even has a pet name for me -- 'George Bush.'"

• "It's gonna be a long, long night at MSNBC if I manage to pull this thing off."

Obama:

• "I do love the Waldorf Astoria, I hear from the doorstep you can see all the way to the Russian Tea Room."
• On the charge that he’s nothing more than a celebrity. “I have to admit that that really hurt. I got so angry about it I punched the paparazzi in the face on my way out of Spago's. I’m serious. I even spilled my soy chai latte all over my shih tzu. It was really embarrassing.”
• My favorite line is this one: "It is an honor to be here with Al Smith. I obviously never knew your great grandfather, but from everything that Senator McCain has told me, the two of them had a great time together before Prohibition."