Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Chasing Down Yard Signs

This piece was produced for the Huffington Post's Off the Bus Project.

by Mike Caulfield and Bryan Bissell


Earlier this week, an advertisement popped up on New Hampshire Craig's List pledging to pay New Hampshire residents $25 apiece to sport a Mike Gravel lawn sign on their property. But within a few days, and a few media mentions, the ad was withdrawn.
The offer originally read:

I would like Senator Mike Gravel to be the 2008 Democratic presidential
nominee. I think he ideas are fantastic and he says it like it is.

So, I will pay anyone in NH with a reasonably visible and prominent
yard $25 for the priveledge to install a Mike Gravel sign on their property!
Very simple. Just email me your address and I will have my people come to you
and drop an evelope in you mailbox. Your only obligation is to keep the sign
visible and use the cash to take a friend to a bar for a few beers and tell them
about Senator Gravel!

Greg


It has since been deleted, although the following ad may be a product of the same group. However, the offer of $25 has disappeared from the request:

Hello!

We're an independent group supporting Mike Gravel for President. We
havethousands of signs and we are looking for spots to place them. We have
allsizes, but we are mainly looking for high traffic areas for our 4x8
signs.

We'll come to your location and set it up for you, and most importantly
we'llcome get it when the race is over. All we need is your O.K., and that's
it.


When reached for comment, Greg Chase, the wealthy Gravel backer believed to be the sponsor behind both efforts, initially said he was not aware of the twenty-five dollar offer. Pressed further, he acknowledged that his cousin was in charge of Craigslist yard sign dispersal, and in all likelihood it had come from his organization.

"I don't know what he did or didn't do. I just gave him a budget."

But, he surmised, "People pay for viewing anywhere else, especially in the context of billboards."
When informed of the exact wording of the advertisement, Chase said that he and his cousin had a nearly identical conversation a week ago, and that it must have come from there. Asked why the ad was taken down, Chase has this to say:

"There is no need to pay. There have been plenty of requests for yard signs, so I can only assume he didn't want to pay anyone. We've been getting a reasonable number of requests so I don't think it will be necessary."

Some in New Hampshire were skeptical after the recent plea to NBC to put Gravel into the debate, but according to Mr. Chase, "feedback has been fantastic. In the last week we've gotten an enormous number of replies, whether they're Gravel supporters or not. This is especially true in terms of the economics of getting off of oil, which has resounded even if people haven't heard of Gravel."

Meanwhile some skepticism remains from the pay-for-play aspect of Chase's yardsign and youtube schemes. But the beat goes on; yesterday Chase further emboldened his crusade for Gravel's truth by placing advertisements in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, USA Today, Philadelphia Enquirer and the Los Angeles Times. So does he regret what might be a political faux pas in terms of the $25 yard sign ad?

"All the stuff that I'm doing is independent expenditures, protected by free speech. I don't think it's a good way for it to be, but that's the point I'm trying to make. My goal is to get Gravel to poll better, to have a shot, to have a voice and in so doing keep him in the debates longer. I sorely wish I had started earlier."

Judging from that, the answer seems to be a simple and emphatic "no".


Co-Author Mike Caulfield is a fellow Granite State blogger who is one of the driving forces behind Blue Hampshire, one of the state's pre-eminent political blogs.

Bush

Concord, NH -

I hate to beat a dead horse, but...I'm watching Olbermann right now (which is rare since I never watch tv) and I can't help but think, yet again, how on earth did GW Bush get to be a two-term President? I know that makes me out of touch...but fuck it. What a travesty.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Drexel Debate Live Blog IV aka Love Blog IV

Concord, NH -

BW Promises a tougher lightning round.

10:46 Another Biden joke about staying in time.

10:49 Richardson say "I have a specific proposal" looks like the handlers finally got to him and said not to say "I have a plan"

10:50 A question about airlines? WTF? Maybe my poor ass just hasn't flown in too long, but I'm surprised this is worthy of a debate question.

10:51 Russert's tie makes him look like a prep school teacher.

10:52 Fill the vacuum is the new Saber Rattling. I should know, my students call me Mr. Vacuum (Bissell, get it?)

10:53 Clinton tried to run away ...AGAIN. Christ, take a fucking stand the first time around!

10:54 "Do you, the NY Senator, support his plan?" Russert zings. As if she needed to be reminded who she was.

10:55 "Sen. Clinton said two things in the course of about two minutes" - Edwards. Compares her to Bush/Cheney

10:56 Can't tell if she was for it or against it. - Obama. Kerry, anyone? But then he kind of two-faces himself.

10:57 Russert calls Kuci on the UFO thing. Though he mucks up his answer. His office is in Dover, not Exeter.

10:58 Obama swings it back to life on earth needing to be better taken care of.

10:59 Clinton - "I'm gonna do everything I can." I think that's the tenth time she's said that.

11:00 Kudos to Dodd for speaking some truth to marijuana incarceration.

11:01 "If I were President I'd flat shut it down" re: Chinese toys, Biden.

11:02 for Halloween Obama - Mitt Romney mask...has two sides to it. I wish they would have asked everyone, That could have been funny.

....
Analysis -
Obama - had a slow start, but had the best lines of the night.
Edwards - hit hard, but I wonder how people respond to it.
Clinton - by far her worst performance. Seriously. Didn't answer anything. Got hit by most people.
Richardson - widely ignored, and had too much trouble keeping in the lightning round but once again actually brought up good policies.
Biden - had some of the best laugh lines, but widely ignored. His second Rudy references was forced.
Dodd - not his best performance. The Drivers license thing might help him, but it almost looked like he felt picked on.
Kucinich - did a good job early, why doesn't he say "I'm the only real Progressive here"? If he was a Repub he would say Conservative at least 25 times. Got fucked on the UFO thing, but nearly pulled it off by saying more people saw UFOs than support Bush. Russert well prepped to say only 14% seen them.

Debate was boring at times, when bogged down with SS stuff, but not bad overall.

Drexel Debate Live Blog III aka Love Blog III

Concord, NH -

10:13 Just called a friend, there are About 250 people at the Gravel alternative debate in Philly.

10:17 Rattle Saber. This time Joe Biden.

10:18 Edwards rehashes We Have to be patriotic about something other than war. Haven't heard that in a while.

10:19 "Everyone knows that the war in Iraq was about oil" - Kuci. Saber rattling! If he says constitution one more time he will surpass Ron Paul's record. Wow, he just called for impeachment and called Bush unworthy!

10:21 Richardson again getting smart and talking about renewables and sacrifice.

10:22 Dodd brings up the carbon tax.

10:25 "My view is we didn't need a surge in Baghdad, we needed a surge in New Orleans" Ed

10:27 Clinton tried to just say she didn't know the specifics of Rangel's tax law. Bullllll shit. "I never thought Bill and I would be in that bracket, to be honest" Bulllllll shit. Also, this is way longer than 30 seconds. "There's a lot of moving parts." Man, she won't pin down anything.

10:30 "Its either the largest building in the world or the biggest tax rip-off in the world, and I think we know which one that is" - good line from Obama

10:32 Kuci is doing kind of a cool inverted "V" thing with his hands as he talks about the upward movement of our policies.

10:34 Edwards just said that Wal-Mart lobbied against a container ship security bill - dig on corporate America and Clinton. Man, container ship shit should be a way bigger deal. I'm gonna write a movie about it. Just watch.

10:35 LIGHTING ROUND!!!

10:35 Richardson commits to more school time. Also sounds exasperated that edu finally comes up. Williams is being a wimp on keeping time.

10:37 Kuci - Country that stands for peace, global warring and global warming. Again a wimp.

10:39 Edwards - Two Public School systems.

10:40 Dodd - Ed is the answer to every single problem.

Commercial Break

Drexel Debate Live Blog II

Concord, NH -

9:43 Long quotation read from Giuliani about Clinton's lack of executive experience.

9:46 "Hillary just gave an example of not turning the page." - Obama. The Barley House erupts! Talks more about transparency. "That's a fight they're comfortable having." re: Republicans obsessed with Clinton. That one silenced the bar here in Concord. Applause. Wow, Obama finally steps up!

9:48 Hate to get all fleshy here, but Edwards has a weird curly-Q going on with his hair, but "I believe in Santa Claus and I believe in the tooth fairy, but I don't think thats gonna happen" about Hillary raising so much money and actually fixing something.

9:52 Hell, even if they had invited Gravel he wouldn't have gotten any face time. Its all ClinEdwAma.

9:53 Richardson said today he wouldn't go negative and he's flaunting it right now. Saber rattling. But he is sticking to his guns and trying to separate himself by focusing on his record. "I trust Sen. Clinton, but I don't agree with her on a number of issues." She was smiling.

9:56 Dodd doing a great job of citing his partnership with Republicans.

9:57 I am not perfect, nor do I claim to be. - Edwards. I completely disagree with what Bill said.
People vs. Powerful. Is this resonating? He is the only one saying it. "Are you willing to look your children in the eye tongiht and say 'I'm gonna turn this mess over to you.'"

9:58 Rep. Kucinich you're smiling, why? - BW Again settling his differences. Way to go. People need to hear this. "if we don't do this tonight this debate is a total flop."

10:00 "There's only 3 things he mentions in a sentence, a noun a verb and 9/11" - Biden, of course. I've been waiting for a Rudy jab. B-House erupts. Now its Biden's turn to say Fuck you to Richardson, ends a sentence with ", man." Classic Biden.

10:09 Question, are you fearful about Obama/Osama? "No, because I have confidence in the American people"...then zings Romney.

Commercial break.

Drexel Debate Live Blog

Concord, NH -

Greetings from the Barley House. I'll be quasi-live blogging the debate here. Yeah, a debate at the bar. Who else wants to say that NH shouldn't be the first state to vote? That's what I thought.

We're off!

9:03 It was almost painful to hear Obama "go after" Clinton on the first question. What a shitty way for him to have to start. You can't really start off well with a question like that. Talk about tail wagging the dog. He should have just gone after her, and not warned the press beforehand.

9:05 Clinton tries to defend herself by saying the Republicans hate her, therefore she isn't like them.

9:07 Edwards stands behind the word "double talk." Alright. I love it when candidates take stands.

9:09 Clinton has been smiling all night. Looks like the pollsters have told her to stop laughing.

9:09 First glimpse of a non-Obama-Clinton-Edwards candidate as the camera accidentally pans wide and shows Fighin' Joe Biden.

9:14 "It plays into this whole urban legend that the US is on a crusade against Islam." - Joe Biden, when speaking about the consequences of the Senate's actions. "Big nations can't bluff."

9:16 Still have neither seen nor heard Richardson and Kucinich.

9:19 "So the way to do that is to vote on a resolution written by the neocons? Have any of y'all read this thing?... You stand up to them. You say No." Rattling the saber. Oooh, Clinton stares straight at her opponents when they talk about her. Doesn't phase Edwards.

9:21 Once again, Richardson is the only one to bring up moderate Iran. This is KEY!! he still seems a little nervous. Saber rattling. That's 2. Ooh, 3.

9:23 Kucinich reiterates that he is the only one to vote against the war. This is good, but he also repeats international law. Thats not going to get him anywhere. Time for us to stand up for the Constitution. (applause)

9:25 Way to go Obama! Bitchslaps Tim's stupid question to get them to pledge to stop Iran from getting nukes. Now that is the politics of hope. Can the cynicism of the MSM.

9:27 Iran v. Pakistan - "It's not close." Biden. Droppin' it on the overhype of Iran.

9:28 Dodd gets in a Fuck you glance at Richardson when he says he negotiated with El Salvador.

9:29 Richardson is putting nuts on table. His Bill Barloon in the crowd line didn't seem to get the response he hoped.

9:30 Yes! Kuci's taking on the media, too. Drop dead, MSNBC! Ooh and he's talking nuclear power with Iran. No one ever mentions this. You hear that Republicans? Lead on the issue.

9:32 "I oppose the war. But...." who else, Clinton.

9:35 "If you believe we don't need a timetable then Sen. Clinton's your candidate." who else, Edwards. "Are we gonna hear, if I had known then what I know now?"

9:37 Clinton is calling Iraq a "semantic difference" and in a way she is right, unfortunately. Not enough people say End it Now!

Commercial Break

Monday, October 29, 2007

Didja Hear the One About?

Snow Pond, NH -

Now that Iowa is neatly and officially tucked into January 3rd, the Post had an article basically saying, well, now we're really just waiting on ol' Bill Gardner. But I think this has been one of the best when will it be? articles yet. Not only does Ed O'Keefe refrain from subtle digs at a December primary, but he shows Gardner warmly reminiscing about primaries past and future.

"I like the open process. I like the opportunity for any person's son or daughter to someday grow up and be president, and that there be a place that allows for individuals who want to try to become president to actually be able to do that," Gardner said.
...
And he thinks of the time Democrat Gary Hart arrived in his office and dropped bags full of 1,000 one-dollar bills, after asking New Hampshire residents to donate cash towards his application fee.

As for the current presidential campaign, Gardner said: "It's certainly not decided."


Better still is the news out of Gerald Ford's posthumous book, Write It When I'm Gone. In it he calls Bill Clinton a sex addict, and recounts a story from when they first met at Ford's Colorado home.
"I'll tell you one thing: he didn't miss one good-looking skirt at any of the social occasions," Ford said. "He's got a wandering eye ... He isn't very subtle about his interest."

"I'm convinced that Clinton has a sexual addiction. He needs to get help -- for his sake. He's already damaged his presidency beyond repair," Ford said.

I am always in favor of time capsule books like this, especially when the time alloted for the capsule is less than a year. Ford did a classy and important thing by telling the world his feelings, while respecting the office by keeping mum in life. Plus, Reuters dropped a pretty hilarious title in their coverage: "For Gerald Ford, Dead Men Do Tell Tales."

The idea of Clinton as a sex addict is great. A lot of men consider themselves to be such a thing at one point or another, but I'm not sure we really can fathom it. But when an addiction expert like Betty Ford weighs in, it makes it that much more palatable. Certainly man can be addicted to greed, gluttony and ganja. Why not lust? Hell, I'm putting myself on notice.

These are the things people should be reading about.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

On Cask

Portsmouth, NH -

Just wanted to throw some needed attention in the direction of cask-conditioned beer. A few days ago the New York Times had an article about the re-emergence of cask beer at bars in New York, and around the country, in the last couple of years. Thank God.

Cask ale, to refresh your memory, is unfiltered and unpasteurized beer served by hand pump, without the addition of carbon dioxide. That makes it a lot smoother, frothier and heartier.

The cask also promotes a more natural process of serving beer. It has a shorter shelf life that requires better tap planning and encourages local distribution. In other words, think globally drink locally.

Plus it just tastes better. Fans and friends well know my take on McNeill's in Brattleboro, VT, where they constantly offer three different cask beers: Duck's Breath Bitter, ESB, and Dead Horse IPA. When I lived in Da Bratt back in 2004-05, I spent a couple of weeks sampling their other offerings like Ruby Ale, Slopbucket Brown, Big Nose Blonde, and Wassail. But all along I knew what had to be done, and with the exception of occasionally sampling the seasonal rarities, I haven't ordered anything out of the carbon tap ever since. If you have the opportunity of cask ale at your disposal I would suggest you do the same.

Here in New Hampshire, Strange Brew in Manchester offers one cask, usually Shipyard's Old Thumper Ale. If anybody knows of any others, please post it in the comments section.












Look at that healthy cask glow!


P.S. The Patriots are unbelievable.

Friday, October 26, 2007

Week 8 NFL Picks

Here are the Week 8 NFL Picks

Cleveland over ST. LOUIS
CHICAGO over Detroit
TAMPA BAY over Jacksonville
Indianapolis over CAROLINA
NY JETS over Buffalo
Pittsburgh over CINCINNATI
Philadelphia over MINNESOTA
TENNESSEE over Oakland
New Orleans over SAN FRANCISCO
NY Giants over Miami
NEW ENGLAND over Washington
SAN DIEGO over Houston
DENVER over Green Bay

Last Week: 9-5
Season Total: 26-15

Rock Solid

Snow Pond, NH -

I was looking through some old Chris Rock material tonight to back up a point I was making when I came across this nugget from 1999's Bigger and Blacker, which is probably the greatest stand-up performance of my generation. Witness Rock wax truthful on Hillary, sex, homophobia and war. Hell, with wisdom like this, he should be President.

See, this whole Monica Lewinsky scandal, a lot of this
shit is Hillary's fault. That's right, I said it. I said
it. It had to be said. Somebody got to say it.

Everybody's like, "Hillary's a hero."

No, she ain't. Aquaman's a hero. He can talk to the fishes.
What the fuck can Hillary do? A lot of this shit is
Hillary's fault, 'cause, ladies, you know your man.
You know your man better than he knows himself. You know
what kind of man you got.

You know if you got the crazy, need-a-blowjob-all-the-time
man. So sometimes you gotta save your man from himself. So
you know what happens if he don't get his medicine.

So Hillary Clinton put us all in danger. She put the
security of the free world in jeopardy, and she needs to
suffer the consequences for her actions.

That's right, she's the First Lady. She's supposed to be
the first one on her knees to suck his dick!

Shit!

That's right. Monica Lewinsky shouldn't have even stood a
chance.

Hillary's supposed to already be down there like, "Hey, I
got it. I've got it. I got the dick! Tickle his ass, or
something. Yeah, grab a ball, make yourself useful."

And they always been on Clinton. Before any of this
happened, they was on Clinton.

What was they on him for?

Gays in the military. Everybody says, "Don't let them in!"

If they wanna fight, let them fight, 'cause I ain't
fighting. I wouldn't give a fuck if I saw a Russian tank
rolling down Flatbush Avenue. I ain't shooting nobody. So
call me a faggot. When the war is over, I'll be the faggot
with two legs, thank you.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

The Trials of Exeter Academy

Snow Pond, NH -

This is good, from Washington Post's The Trail's coverage of Romney's visit to Phillips Exeter Academy:

"How can any of your campaign promises be trusted?" the young man asked.

"Good question," Romney said, adding that "it's real good if it were accurate."

...

As about 100 students and faculty looked on, Romney then explained his position: "I've never been an advocate of gay marriage. I've opposed gay marriage and civil unions. Now, at the same time, I'm against discrimination."

The audience started laughing.

Lesson learned, when you roll up on Exeter (aka Ex Tech) don't be bringin' that weak sauce.

Gravel Supporter Puts His Money Where His Mouth Is

This piece was originally produced for Huffington Post's Off the Bus Project, and is currently featured on the front page of their politics section.

Snow Pond, NH -

About two weeks ago, a supporter of Sen. Mike Gravel purchased a full page advertisement in the Concord Monitor. The ad likened Gravel to New England's favorite, and currently dominant, sports teams:

"The Red Sox and Patriots used to be underdogs, too."

It was a very simple ad, composed of little more than a metaphor and a plea for voters to "root for" Mike Gravel. The man behind that ad, Gregory Chase, just decided to up the ante a whole lot. Today he is putting more than $1,025,000 of his own money on the line for the cause of a low-polling, financially-floundering former Senator from the wilds of Alaska. That's right, Million with an "M".

Mr. Chase is a Harvard-educated hedge fund manager and a New Hampshire resident. He is also a newcomer to political activism, but he is entering the game with a bang. Upon hearing the news that Gravel was being excluded from October 30th's DNC/NBC debate, Chase decided that he needed to do something about it.

He called NBC to find out why the decision was made. NBC pointed Chase to Drexel University, where the debate is to be held. So he called Drexel, who said to call the DNC. Then the DNC told him to ask NBC. No one could shed light on the actual criteria for why Gravel was not allowed in the debate. Ultimately Chase felt that it was "pretty clear" that it was NBC's decision.

So what does the young multimillionaire with a newfound political will and a heartfelt cause to celebrate do about it? He contacts NBC and tells them that if money is an issue, he would be willing to pony up the dough himself. Today Chase sent this letter to five executives at NBC, DNC chairman Howard Dean, the President of Drexel University, and also published it as an advertisement in four newspapers. In it, he said this:

If it would help get Senator Gravel back into the debate, I offer to purchase $1 million of advertising from NBC, or simply pay NBC $1 million in exchange for the service of allowing Senator Gravel to participate in your debate.


Chase wasn't even done yet. Well aware that the NBC stunt might not pan out, or that it might smack of pay for play, he simultaneously posted a more populist video on youtube offering a $25,000 prize for the Mike Gravel-related video that receives the most views between now and December 31, 2007. In the youtube video, the entire wad of cash can be clearly seen sitting atop a couple of newspaper advertisements also supporting Sen. Gravel. Here in the upper Granite State, north of Concord, that is what you might call cash on the barrelhead.

Those newspaper ads, by the way, are more than just a one-trick pony. Chase has purchased advertising space in the three major New Hampshire newspapers, the Monitor, the Manchester Union Leader and the Nashua Telegraph every single day between now and the end of the year. These ads are all entirely funded by Mr. Chase, they are not connected to the campaign, and touch on issues ranging from decreasing military spending to repealing the Federal Income Tax in favor of a national sales tax and imposing a carbon tax. There is even one advocating lowering the drinking age to 18, the same age at which one can join the military. All of them match Sen. Gravel's positions and hint at Mr. Chase's passion.

Having worked as an oil trader for Morgan Stanley before recently moving to the hedge fund business, Chase is no stranger to the role of money and oil in the upper ranks of our economy. The idea that Gravel might be excluded from a debate because of a lack of money raised a major red flag.

"It strikes me as so incorrect. Some of the things about earning money are great," Chase remarked, "but sometimes money can play into people's perception of themselves or others in ways I don't like. To think that a prerequisite to being a politician or President is to know people who have money in the bank is very unfortunate. It is completely bogus to cite how much money he has, and it gets my blood boiling to think that's how our political system is working."

Chase also lamented Gravel's financial disadvantage as a non-incumbent. "Gravel needs a little push.
I would imagine it is a whole lot easier for the others to make a few phone calls" to build up the campaign coffers. "But," he said, "that's not what his campaign is about."

Gravel's name recognition problem, as well as his candor, are big part of the justification Chase gives for his monetary support of the Senator.

"He used to have a pretty big name, but he doesn't now even though he has been a multi-term senator. I think that should count for something. And he's got the guts to criticize other candidates."

By that logic, it only seems fair that a millionaire like Chase should try to help make up the difference, whether by offering to buy his debate ticket or flying the flag every day in the newspapers. After all, it was a haphazard glimpse of Gravel at an earlier debate that got him interested in the first place.

Chase calls himself an Independent and also likes some of the things that Ron Paul is saying. His first foray into politics was simply voting in 2004. A young man in his late 20s, he wonders whether this new enthusiasm is a matter of going through a normal process of political awakening, or something different, something bigger.

"Maybe I just don't like the way things are, or maybe this is a unique time. This country is headed in a direction that's not so appropriate and not so great. It causes me a lot of anxiety."

As for Gravel, "I just saw him at the debate and realized that [with the other candidates] we are choosing between republic and empire. Senator Gravel understands that it and makes me have a great deal of respect for him."

For a million plus, that is some respect.

Jose Rodriguez, a Gravel staffer, said of the NBC offer, "We are aware of it. We don't know if it is legal or if it is legitimate. Somebody here is trying to get to the bottom of it."

But more to the point he said, "It shows a lot by the actions of our supporters who are willing to put up quite a bit of money and raise a lot of hell."

For sure.

As for the legality of the issue, Chase said that he had spoken with an election lawyer who advised him to make dependent expenditures on behalf of Gravel, where his name would have to be attached to any advertisements he made, along with a notation that it was not involved with the campaign. Furthermore, Chase mentioned that he has never met Gravel, and for that matter has never been to a political rally in New Hampshire. At first Chase was reluctant to release his name, but then he realized, "Hey, this is what I believe. Why would I mind putting my name on it?"

It is clear his genuine convictions are driving this massive political spending spree. Chase is a true believer in America's need to change our tax code, eliminate our dependency on oil and reduce our military spending, and he truly believes Mike Gravel is the only candidate seriously talking about these issue. Why else would Chase make these sacrifices?

"I've stopped working on the day to day operations of my hedge fund right now because I'm focused pretty much full time on trying to get Sen. Gravel's name out. He is polling low, he is a longshot, but it is
critically important that he get his ideas out. A lot of people will support Gravel and his ideas once they learn about them."

Ay, there's the rub of the political system these days. How would the pundits react if Hillary bought her way into a debate? What if John Edwards' top supporter ran a hedge fund? Should it only matter sometimes? Does so-called campaign finance reform actually help democracy? These questions may never be answered without a healthy dose of spin and cynicism.

As for Chase's million dollars?

"We could put it in a fireplace and burn it for all I care, as long as he gets in the debate."




The Peace Czar also contributed reporting to this piece. He is the proprietor of Bleeding Hearts Club, a sustainable and subversive political art business. He occasionally muses on his eponymous blog.

Aggressive Questionable

Concord, NH -

I don't know which is worse, Giuliani blaming torture on the "liberal media" or the audience applauding him. The Caucus (who recently linked to a piece I worked on) reports from Mr. Mayor's latest trip to Iowa as he talks about waterboarding as torture.

"Well, I’m not sure it is either. I’m not sure it is either. It depends on how it’s done. It depends on the circumstances. It depends on who does it. I think the way it’s been defined in the media, it shouldn’t be done. The way in which they have described it, particularly in the liberal media. So I would say, if that’s the description of it, then I can agree, that it shouldn’t be done. But I have to see what the real description of it is. Because I’ve learned something being in public life as long as I have. And I hate to shock anybody with this, but the newspapers don’t always describe it accurately."

(Applause)

Read all about it!

Don't Leave Me Hangin'

Concord, NH -

Sorry about the massive delay. Expect two good stories soon.

Heart,
BTB


P.S. Holy crap, the Red Sox just killed the Rocks.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Each Muscle in Chuck Norris' Body Is Worth Ten Delegates

Concord, NH -

Chuck Norris is endorsing Mike Huckabee, according to CNN. This could be big, if there were any young Republicans. Will Norris show up as a sidekick on the campaign trail? Or will Huckabee have to be a force of one out there if Norris is missing in action?

One thing is for sure, if Huckabee pulls this out, the Chuck Norris myths will go on forever.

Its the Great Pumpkin, Tom Tancredo

This piece was originally produced for Huffington Post's Off the Bus project.

Keene, NH -

A storm blew through New Hampshire on Friday, pouring rain and gusting warm winds through wet trees and knocking down millions of leaves onto forest floors, front lawns and city sidewalks. When the sun came out on Saturday, the combination of the orange and red leaf-strewn ground with the bright blue sky made for New England autumn at its finest. Toss in Keene's wide, plaza-like main street with tens of thousands of jack-o-lanterns, seventy-odd thousand people, and the constant aroma of pumpkin pie, sausage, and cider donuts, and you get the annual
Keene Pumpkin Festival in idyllic Hollywood conditions.

Thank God for those smells, too. Not only were they mouthwatering but they masked the rotten, earthy stench of those same brilliant leaves that filled my nose throughout the mile long walk from my car to the festival. It was a perfect setting for a scene of 50,000 plus jammed into a small town--a bunch of gritty people hidden behind perfume and costumes, and whether they knew it or not they were about to be confronted by one of the eight remaining Republican Presidential candidates.

So it was that I finished my walk toward Main Street, with the real smells of the season giving way to the false smells of seasoned meat, when I happened upon what I was looking for: a pickup truck with billboards attached to either side, each sporting a huge picture of Rep. Tom Tancredo on one half, and his platform written on the other.

*End Illegal Immigration
*Secure Our Borders
*No Amnesty
*Pro-Life & Second Amendment.

Critics maintain that Tancredo is a one issue candidate. But judging from the billboard, he is actually a three issue candidate, with guns and abortion crammed into the last bullet point. But most importantly, the sign maintains:

It's Your Country, Take It Back.

I met up with the candidate next to that truck, accompanied by two staffers and two supporters clad in Tancredo for President t-shirts whose motto, inscribed on the back in military-style stencil font, said I'm a member of Tom's Army against amnesty.

Within minutes a few more supporters had gathered around, one of whom was a member of
the Minutemen who had driven up from Massachusetts to pay his regards and trade stories with the Congressman about the shameful state of our Southern border. Likewise in response, a gentleman strode halfway across the street to berate him about the true causes of immigration troubles, which he believed to be poverty. Tancredo ignored the man, and was consoled by a woman who called the protester a coward, and then wished Tancredo well as he headed out to campaign.

"Secure that border!" she called out as we all walked away, a look of great pride spread across her face as she paused before turning and walking to her car.

One liners like that, but with a slightly different spin, wound up dominating the day as we walked through the crowd. Passersby had the following things to say about Tancredo: I've never heard of that one; I hate political crap; Never heard of his name. The last one uttered by a guy wearing a t-shirt with a picture of Mickey Mouse flipping the bird.

The clincher came toward the end: "So you're bringing the racists to Keene. Great, great." That from a guy who kind of looked like Paul Simon (the singer, not the Senator), and wore a Viking helmet for his Halloween costume.

Fear not, conservatives, it wasn't all negative. One of the first stores we entered was a combination cigar and picture frame shop that happened to offer home made cannolis and free coffee. Tancredo savored his cannoli as three or four people timidly walked up to him to express their awe.

"Oh my God, look who's here! Tom Tancredo!"

After pressing the flesh a little bit and enjoying the support of the cigar store customers, the Congressman grabbed a cup of coffee and forged back into the streets, which were lined with kids dressed as black cats, vampires, and
Gimlis, while adults were going as the King, a slutty witch, a voodoo shaman, and all the Hillary supporters were decked out in orange pumpkin garbage bags with holes cut out for their head and arms.

Upon leaving the cigar store, we all gathered in the middle of the street to meet up with a supporter who had just arrived. The staffers all began chatting with each other, while Rep. Tancredo finished a conversation with a well-wisher. After he was done he slowly wandered down the busy street, thoughtfully looking around at the vendors and smiling at the little kinds eating cotton candy. What didn't dawn on him was that all of his people were still a hundred yards behind him.

I wanted to tell him to turn around, but he seemed to be enjoying himself too much. I didn't want to ruin the moment. He eventually caught on, as he spun on a dime and shot me a puzzled look.

"Where did they all go?"

"Uh, they're still back there, sir."

Suddenly it was awkward, and time for the Congressman to make small talk. He asked me if I had heard that they used to have the world record for the most pumpkins here in Keene, but Boston topped them a couple of years ago. I acknowledged that I had read it, but couldn't remember what the exact record was.

He told me that it didn't seem right that Boston could compete against Keene for the pumpkin record. "It just isn't fair."

I almost mentioned how that sounded a lot like socialism, but I held my tongue. "You're right," I laughed. "They should pick on someone their own size."

Shortly after we returned to the entourage, Tancredo's right hand man revealed that it was almost time to go. We had to turn around immediately and head back to the car. The supporters, who were all wistfully aware that the end was nigh for this particular Tancredo fix, started to vocalize their passion more and more.

"He gets the big picture. Its not about me, its not about you, its about the heritage," they said to one another.

As it became clear that Tancredo himself, in spite of being the only candidate with the gumption to show up to Pumpkin Fest in person, wasn't going to go out of his way to introduce himself to the voters, the supporters called out to the crowd.

"Come on and meet him! Come on and meet him! He's a great guy, very personable," they called to little effect.

But still, the people did not come. Something about pumpkins and fresh food took precedent over politics.

After all, the Keene Pumpkin Festival is all about lighting up Jack-o-lanterns, so it makes sense that any candidate visit would be incomplete without its own pumpkin. Sure enough, Tancredo's supporters had carved a pumpkin for him, and it was a beauty. It said Tancredo '08, and had the American flag on it. It took the artist two hours to make, and they were two hours well spent.

So they, along with the other 25,000 carvers represented in Keene, had to find a place to put the Tancredo pumpkin. This particular gourd was huge, and the poor guy carrying it around was struggling from step one. I noticed this and immediately pointed him toward the booth where people registered their pumpkins for the official Jack-o-lantern count before placing the pumpkins one of the many racks set up in town.

There were three-shelved racks lining the entire Main Street of Keene, each one filled with pumpkins, as well as a major tower at either end of the street standing some seventy feet high and full of jack-o-lanterns. Around this tower was a two-tiered border, a fence if you will, of pumpkin shelves almost entirely full of the carved orange goodies.

Directly in front of the pumpkin tower, in prime real estate, was an eight-inch patch of empty plywood just screaming for a big pumpkin to fill the void. The only problem was that it sat horrifyingly just out of reach. There it was--the promised land, a perfect parcel to kick-start one's destiny--in clear vision, but still a painfully tantalizing four feet away.

To make matters worse, the barrier that kept Tancredo from setting his pumpkin where it seemed to belong was annoyingly small. They eyeballed, reached out in vain, and finally realized that the only way to get their prize was to take matters into their own hands and cross the fence.

So, with the wink of an eye, one of Tancredo's men walked about ten yards to the right, around the side of the shelf where the fence was a weakened strip of yellow caution tape. He looked left and right, ducked underneath, and casually placed the Jack-o-lantern front and center where it would live to make its own way in the Keene Pumpkin Festival, and maybe even to earn a living wage and to give its own pumpkin children a chance at a good education.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

But Will It Play in Skaneateles?

Snow Pond, NH -

Or for that matter, Punxsutawney.

For this Sunday's must-read column we're taking a break from Frank Rich and heading south to the Washington Post. They have a great feature this week on the Hillary Clinton upstate New York theory, and its potential flaws. Whenever I have seen the Clintons on the stump, Bill has always talked about Hillary's overwhelming victories in Republican-leaning Upstate New York. Taken at face value, it is a pretty convincing argument that Hillary moved from a 3-point deficit in 2000 to at 61% take of the Upstate vote in her re-election bid.

What the campaign doesn't say is that Gore outpolled her Upstate in 2000 before she was able to pork barrel her way into their favor, and both Chuck Schumer (72%) and Elliot Spitzer (69%) have won their recent statewide elections with more votes than Hillary (67%).

In other words, she's hardly the rural juggernaut her campaign is making her out to be, especially since her 2006 opponent was, in the words of Dick Vitale, cupcake city, baby! Dennis Kucinich probably could have been elected Senator in New York in '06 if he was facing John Spencer.

In fact, the article quotes same backyard Upstaters that Clinton has so cheerily adopted have the same concerns about her character that everyone else has.

"I don't like her. I don't think she's honest," said Jim Morelli, a construction equipment salesman.

"I'm not a fan at all. She shifts a lot of her policies depending on what the question is," said Wendy Leffler, a development officer with a hospice care agency. "I don't feel her values are consistent."

Wait, do you mean shifting policies like voting for Kyl-Liebermann one day, and then latching on to Jim Webb to water it down the next?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying she's unelectable. I think she can do it if she makes the general. But it won't be by winning over kindly dairy farmers and GOP-leaning rural business leaders. She'll win it by doing things like raising nearly five times more from military contractors than any other Democrat, and almost double any Republican.

But its not just her, they've given more to Dems this time than to GOPers. And if there is one thing we know about the Military-Industrial complex, it is that they like to win. And if there is another thing we know about them, it is that they resemble Borat's sister in they both a-like to make MONEY!

I understand that people who work for weapons makers and lobbyists are "real people" who have the right to make political donations, but if I was a Democrat I would do my darnedest to make sure that my candidates would actually be able to distinguish themselves from the "real people" who pull the purse strings in Washington to the "real people" in the rural swing states who make the decisions to put the candidates in office.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Week 7 NFL Picks

Here are the week 7 picks

HOUSTON over Tennessee
Baltimore over BUFFALO
DETROIT over Tampa Bay
WASHINGTON over Arizona
NY GIANTS over San Francisco
NEW ORLEANS over Atlanta
New England over MIAMI
OAKLAND over Kansas City
CINCINNATI over NY Jets
DALLAS over Minnesota
PHILADELPHIA over Chicago
SEATTLE over St. Louis (God, I hope so)
Pittsburgh over DENVER
Indianapolis over JACKSONVILLE


Last Week: 7-6
Year to Date: 17-10

Friday, October 19, 2007

Pimpin' All Over the World Wide Web

Snow Pond, NH -

We are expanding our audience here at 3Q!

Starting today, you will begin to see some of my work at Huffington Post Off the Bus. I plan on writing one or two articles each week for them, so be sure to check me out on the big stage and tell your friends! Right now they are featuring my latest post on the climate convention from last weekend.

I have also recently collaborated with one of today's most brilliant satirical minds, Noah Berkowitz, to produce a piece about Ron Paul for his Noah Lot More blog. Please check it out, and spread the word! The link to the article is here: Ron Paul Event Leaves Thousands of College Students Confused.


You know how we do, with the fancy cars, the women and the caviar.


All over the Granite State,
BTB

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Notes from Conference Call with Bill Richardson

Concord, NH -

I just sat in on a media conference call with Governor Bill Richardson to discuss 4 major threats of the 21st century. I missed bits and pieces, but here are my notes. I gotta run off to work. Back to blog more later.

P.S. I asked the third question. Woo hoo!

----------------
4 major threats of the 21st century
refugees, climate change, endemic diseases and ______
(global poverty?)
Marshall Plan includes....
reform UN


How has Iraq changed people's opinions on internationalism?
"I believe it has heightened the American public's interest in postive engagement"

Exert public leadership on climate change.
They want to see America do the right things.
Resources waste on Iraq an issue
soured on iraq but not international relations

How does this plan set you apart from your rivlas?
Lays out specificity on what you would do
not only do I lay out a broad agenda but I would do more

What about Iraqi refugees? Would you allow more into US, would you seek to urge our allies to do the same?
yes, I would definitely increase and facilitate
its a nightmare, huge senseless blockages of red tape
I would also urge other countries besides Jordan
I would have an aggressive policy

NY Times

You're on notice!

For the second day in a row The Caucus, the Times' political blog, has published a grievous error. For the second day in a row, I have called them on it.

Yesterday they called Howard Dean "John Dean" and today they mistakenly regurgitated the "news" that Marc Ambinder reported Jeb Bush endorsing Giuliani. In fact, it was Jeb Bush, JUNIOR.

I know it can be tough dealing with political dynasty families since they lack the creativity in their pride-stuffed brains to do anything but name their children after themselves, but you're the New York f'in Times. Don't be an idiot. Seriously. Its not even like they simply misconstrued the name. They went out of their way to call him the former FL governor. As if Jeb would do that right now. It boggles my mind.

I'm on a Bush league computer so I don't know if the links are working, but here it is. They may have changed it by now.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/18/the-early-read-dubious-campaign-donations/

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Clean Air Cool Planet Conference Part I

Manchester, NH -

The Clean Air Cool Planet Conference met this weekend at the Manchester Radisson. In addition to providing a forum for discussions on environmental policy, renewable energy options, and the effects of climate on wildlife, the CACPC gave the current slate of presidential candidates an opportunity to speak to the 550 registered guests whose work is at the forefront of today’s environmental frontier. The motto of the group the put on the conference is, “Clean Air-Cool Planet creates partnerships in the Northeast to implement solutions to climate change and build constituencies for effective climate policies and actions.” In other words, these were a mixture of leading academics, sustainable entrepreneurs, environmental non-profit workers and concerned citizens.

Furthermore, the list of non-candidate speakers was impressive. It included author Bill McKibben, former EPA administrator Christine Todd Whitman, and Stonyfield Yogurt CEO Gary Hirshberg. Not only that, but invitations to speak were sent to all seventeen of the Democratic and Republican Presidential candidates. The organizers were certainly looking to make the $550 price tag of the conference worth the money, if nothing else. Yet of the seventeen invited, only four accepted. They were Democrats Bill Richardson and Dennis Kucinich, and Republicans John McCain and Mike Huckabee.

Richardson spoke Friday afternoon to a packed house, immediately following a rollicking session on the direction of state and federal environmental policy. If the conference estimated attendance at 550, I can tell you they were all there in the heart of the Friday program. I had to cherry-pick a seat during the brief recess before Richardson came on, when everyone got up to use the bathroom, grab a cookie and sneak one more peak at the vendors set up along the wall.

So down I sat, at a table near the back, making sure to spread my pointy elbows, flaunt my makeshift press pass, and glance around in a manner both menacing and harried. This was Bill Richardson speaking, and I needed a wide berth. Finally comfortable enough to half relax after a minute or two, I peered around the room, which was elegantly decorated with white holiday lights dangling from the girders of an old brick armory building, which doubles as a conference center here at the Radisson.

As Richardson was being introduced, I couldn’t help but notice that the acoustics are terrible. I actually felt like Bill Richardson at the debates, struggling to hear the moderator. Only in my case I was supposed to have a multi-speaker sound system blaring the words from six different angles with thousands of carbon-emitting watts powering the noise. Instead, I concentrated hard and hoped that the applause would be light.

No sooner than I had braced myself for a quiet riot, I was jolted out of my stupor when Richardson came up to the podium with Buster Poindexter’s “Hot Hot Hot” blaring from the speakers.

“Pretty wild, huh?” Richardson said with a laugh. The song seemed to legitimately catch him by surprise. He then went into his classic starter joke as the crowd applauded his arrival, with some taking to their feet to do so.

“Thank you for standing,” Richardson quipped with his unique, full-faced smile. “I thought you were leaving.”

He began his remarks by saying that conferences like this were the ones he enjoyed most, because “these are where real solutions are coming from.” Richardson went on to talk about the do-nothing culture of congress, most notably in the field of energy.

Referring to the bill Congress proposed this spring requiring a CAFE standard of 35mpg, Richardson said, “you know what that is? That’s pathetic. It should be 50. Minimum.”

Richardson then used platform to cite his performance as a governor, which has been a hallmark of his campaign strategy so far. He said that he was the first governor to call for his state to follow Kyoto standards, even if Bush wouldn’t. He evoked bipartisan cooperation with Arnold Schwarzenegger as he joked that “The Governor of California and I like to compete as to who is the energy state. But in person I always tell him that he is because he’s bigger than me.”

From there he launched into the bigger picture, saying that America has had an energy problem for thirty-five years, and a change would have to come from the American people, and not just from incremental bills in the Congress. He touted the various regional energy strengths of our nation, with biomass and coal in the Midwest, wind and solar in the Southwest, and wave energy on the coasts. Richardson also touched on the major principles of his energy policies.

He is big into points. There is a four-point philosophy for his energy policy which must:
1) Fight global warming (at this point he toasted Al Gore with his water glass, and joked that he hoped he didn‘t enter the race)
2) Wean us off of oil
3) Support and help people, industry and small businesses who are hurt by high prices today
4) Set clear regulatory standards and let market react

Then there was the Five Point Plan to break oil addiction, strengthen security and create jobs.
1) By 2020 reduce oil consumption to 10 million barrels per day with plug-in cars, efficient utilities, renewable energy and commuter rail.
2) Create new efficiencies in electric energy sector by mandating utilities to use renewables
3) Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 20% by 2020, and 80% by 2040
4) Improve math, science and engineering in our education policy
5) Become the leader of new the energy future

Yet Richardson’s politics aren’t all caught up in bullet points. He also takes the stand of what might best be called the pragmatic progressive. By that I mean that he both acknowledged that our foreign policy is dominated by the Exxons and Halliburtons of the world, and yet was still willing to say, “I want to invite oil companies to become energy companies.”

Richardson, for better or worse, seems to be one of the few candidates willing to ride the line of condemning the status quo while inviting it along for a better ride into the future. Regarding our energy policy he said, “we need to change fast or sink slowly.”

But perhaps my favorite part of the entire speech was when Richardson rhetorically asked, “What is more important to the country and the world than quality of life?”

Because quality of life, in a nutshell, is the political arm of the environmental movement, if not contemporary politics in general. Better yet, I had never head a Presidential candidate address that issue before. Scientists may implore that we save species for their own sake, but voters across America do it because they like to be able to see salamanders, badgers, red foxes and ospreys when they hike and hunt and drive. Voters in New Hampshire like to know that they will still be able to have maple syrup from the farm down the road in another ten years, and skiing in the winter.

Bill Richardson speaks to these things. He makes it clear that he proposes what some say is the strongest energy policy, while at the same time acknowledging a respect for market forces and the boon of tax incentives. He talks of economic growth and ecological sustainability. But most importantly, as I said, he brought up quality of life. After all, no matter how much money we make or how much energy we save, what is it all worth if we can’t enjoy the natural world around us? For all the time he spent on the former, it is really the latter that made the most difference in his speech.


More to come...

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Mea Culpa Manifesto

Snow Pond, NH -

I will be the first to admit I have become a hack. Yes, that spineless breed of dime-a-dozen wannabes who call themselves journalists while they wear their fancy suits and spit out the same old bullshit day in and day out. I haven't written anything live in weeks, and have been relying on news analysis to keep the blog afloat. Next time you see me feel free to slap me. This is not what I came to do.

Excuses abound. These past two weeks have brought a change in the blog life, and not just on account of the coming of the red leaves. I have begun working a couple of day jobs to keep the bills in the blue, and as a result both writing and candidate time have been drastically slashed. The buck stops here, though. I was spending like whatever drunken sailors had been at the helm of the McCain campaign last spring while only bringing it in like Chris Dodd. 7,000 miles on the Sentra's odometer and 350 IPAs from Granite State watering holes later and a shakeup was needed. Hell, I even needed to postpone my bar review column until I could afford to better investigate my subjects.

Enter today's confession as I sit here on the ground floor of the barn with the computer on my lap and the last drops of my bottle of Elijah Craig filling a glass next to me. And so I make a renewed commitment to excellence, such a commitment not made since May Day of 2002, when I beat the odds to run my first ever sub-10 minute beer mile in a then-blistering 8:09. By God I will not be a mom's basement blogger. By God I will be on the campaign trail, witnessing the speeches, watching the crowds, working the word processors and seeking truth for all you non-Granite Staters, and even a few of you lucky enough to be here.

Let's do this. Let's Regulate.

Ahoy,
BTB

More Terrorist Hate

Snow Pond, NH -

I have a theory. Rudy Giuliani is using this primary election to bolster his chances at becoming the next POTUS by increasing the chances of a terrorist attack, while simultaneously casting himself as the terrorist fighter. The Post reported yesterday on Rudy's hotel room spending, which included a two grand stay in West Virginia, a four grand stay outside of San Diego, and a FIVE grand stay in San Francisco. Five thousand dollars...for a NIGHT. I'm sorry, but the sex with Judy can't possibly be worth that much.

"I don't give a damn whether he's staying at Motel 6 or Ritz Carlton," said one Giuliani bundler. "What I care about is where he is in the polls."

You're a bundler. Of course you think that.

If news of this were to ever reach a desperately poor Iraqi whose family had just been killed by a bomb and was wavering about whether or not to become a terrorist, I bet dollars to donuts that this would tip him over the edge.

So there you have it. More gratuitous behavior from Giuliani. More terrorists. More fear. More Giuliani. Hey, its a strategy.

Then on the other side we have....Bernie!

Robert Frank, a Wall Street Journal reporter, has detailed the lives of the rich and famous in the book Richistan. He writes that households with a net worth of between $100 million and $1 billion last year spent an average of $182,000 on watches. Meanwhile, in the real world, 400,000 qualified students were unable to go to college because they lacked the funds.
Eat the rich.

Monday, October 15, 2007

Just When You Thought It Was Safe...

Tilton, NH -

Hate to be such a media regurgitator, but I am working on a couple of longer pieces here at 3Q that just seem to be never ending. In the meantime, what I post is what I think ought to be heard.

So just when you thought it was safe to put all your lockbox jokes in a...lockbox, check this out: Al Gore has posted three brief videos on his Current TV addressing the issues of health care, troop removal and the abuse of executive power.

But wait, we are all so convinced that he isn't running, right?

Could it be that he is just trying to impact the race from the sidelines by scaring the Democratic frontrunners into taking more legitimate positions on the issues, and start doing a better job of leading on the things that more and more Americans care about - single payer health care, abolishing the Patriot Act and removing the troops and ending the war?

Or is he preparing for a blind side right when the media and primary scrutiny on Hillary hits it's apex?

Either way, Democrats, when Goracle speaks it is wise to listen.

Ol' Al Gore, as they say down at Red State, sure seems to have his finger on the "current" of America's heart beat.


Credit is due to the Peace Czar for alerting me to the Current links.

Felons and Filings

Tilton, NH -

The shit hit the fan today, as the official filing period began for candidates wishing to have their names placed on the New Hampshire ballot. The first to show up, not surprisingly, was Robert Haines, the now four-time candidate who can be seen frequently on the streets of Manchester. In addition to Haines, another Republican filed today, Jack Shepard, who happens to be a fugitive from the law. It just goes to show that in the world of Presidential politics, we are never too far removed from Richard Nixon and Lyndon LaRouche. Ahh, La Rouche, such fond memories.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Straw Poll Paul

Snow Pond, NH -

Reports are in that Ron Paul has won yet another straw poll, this time at Nevada's Conservative Leadership Conference.

Paul - 32%
McCain - 17%
Hunter - 15%

Not only does this lend credence to the Ron Paul relevance theory, as evidenced by his straw poll dominance, but it carries some importance because it is one of the first times that Duncan Hunter has scored above the margin of error. He obviously has no shot at the nomination, but will a 10%+ showing in the Western states play a spoiler role in a divided primary?

Moreover, I want to weigh in on the screed caused by Romney's "Republican wing of the Republican party" comment. CNN stole my thunder when they juxtaposed that story with the one about Leo and Clooney set to work on a Howard Dean movie. Let's be honest, can you honestly tell me that Hollywood Mitt wasn't having visions of Matt Damon playing him in a high profile 2012 movie about an early front-running candidate who represents the ____ wing of the ____ party? Seriously. Mitt would love to be President, but I bet he would be content with the consolation prize of a movie about his life and candidacy, maybe called Blowin' in the Wind or something like that.

Peace Vigil(ant) Sunday

Plymouth, NH -

Full disclosure: I am going to ride Frank Rich all they way into oblivion if I have to, as long as he keeps writing about the war. I once again urge you to read this week's piece in the Times. Regrettably, we still need to be reminded of this on a weekly basis. Congress, tear down this war!

In addition to calling the alarm on the folly of military contractors and the callous immorality of the Bush Administration's puppeteering of American military politics, he closes with this:

Our humanity has been compromised by those who use Gestapo tactics in our war. The longer we stand idly by while they do so, the more we resemble those “good Germans” who professed ignorance of their own Gestapo. It’s up to us to wake up our somnambulant Congress to challenge administration policy every day. Let the war’s last supporters filibuster all night if they want to. There is nothing left to lose except whatever remains of our country’s good name.

Think about it.

Lucky me, I headed north this morning for a breath of mountain air and maybe a long-ish run through a forest somewhere in the White Mountain National Forest. Likewise I'm sure all you, dear readers, will find some similar lazy Sunday pursuit to soothe your jangled nerves before the return of the work week. But remember as you mow your lawn and leaf peep and watch your favorite NFL team, that when you have people patrolling the streets with machine guns and extended sections of your city without power, watching tv and taking leisurely walks aren't all that easy to do.



Plus, that shit's expensive. And there's no dancing.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Climate Conference

I spent some time Friday and today in Manchester at the Clean Air Cool Planet conference on energy and climate change. I should have a longer piece up about it tomorrow. The combination of traffic in Netwon, MA and a long Friday night kept me from McCain, but I was able to hear from Richardson, Kucinich and Huckabee. The Trifecta, if you will.

See you on the trail,
BTB

Friday, October 12, 2007

Gravel Hits the Concord Big Time

Concord, NH -

Chris Dodd's not the only one hyping Red Sox baseball, and Draft Gore's not the only one taking out full page ads these days. On page B3 of today's Concord Monitor, a Mike Gravel supporter has purchased the entire page to tout the candidacy of the former Alaska Senator.

At the top of the ad it says this:

"The Red Sox and Patriots used to be underdogs, too"

Then at the bottom is says, "Root for" and shows a waving pennant with the words "Mike Gravel" written upon it.

The fine print at the bottom encourages people to e-mail or telephone a man named Gregory to receive their free Gravel yard sign.

This advertisement comes as the Senator begins his first New Hampshire trip in ages. He will be in the Granite State for a few events this weekend tied to climate change and independent voters. So there you have it, folks, Gravel isn't just in it to embarrass the frontunners at the debates. He's in it to win it!

Gore Got It!

Concord, NH -

Flipped on the internets this morning and what do I see?

"The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded today to Al Gore, the former American vice president, and to the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for their work to alert the world to the threat of global warming."

Well, Draft Gore, it's now or never. Speaking of which, I will be heading to the Clean Air-Cool Planet conference this weekend, which includes some powwow time with the DG visibility group, as well as Richardson, Huckabee, Kooch, McCain and allegedly Gravel. Can't wait.

Peace through procurement of calamitous carbon?

They're callin' it!

Thursday, October 11, 2007

NFL Picks Week 6

Week 6 Picks

CHICAGO over Minnesota
CLEVELAND over Miami
GREEN BAY over Washington
Cincinnati over KANSAS CITY
Tennessee over TAMPA BAY
BALTIMORE over St. Louis
JACKSONVILLE over Houston
Philadelphia over NY JETS
ARIZONA over Carolina
SAN DIEGO over Oakland
New England over DALLAS
SEATTLE over New Orleans
ATLANTA over NY Giants

Season to date: 10-4

Sal Paolantonio had a good piece this week at espn.com, arguing for the career of Deion Sanders and against that of Barry Sanders (no relation). I was always a big Neon Deion fan from his days as a Falcon alongside Andre "Bad Moon" Rison, and was heartbroken when he took the big money with the 49ers. Back in the mid-90s, I truly believed that any team that had Deion would have the upper hand at winning the Super Bowl, and was proven correct when he jumped ship from SF to Dallas, and in doing so tipped the Lombardi balance in one season. Prime Time, baby.

Back to School

I enjoyed this brief from Richardson's school stop in Manchester today, notably the following passage:
His plan for healthcare may have got lost in translation, but when the New Mexico Governor stated he would get rid of junk food in schools. A monumental groan swept over the room. One eight year old saying, “I don’t like that.”

Although the Governor’s classroom audience was below the legal voting age,
he found a way to ask for their support.

“You got to tell your mom and dad. More so than your friends,” he said
playfully.

It reminded me of Billy Madison*. Oh yeah.

What do you think about that, Mr. Blue Duck?
That's quack-tastic!

By the way, I've been thinking. On the grand political scale of things, what weighs heavier, the positive of working in a bi-partisan manner to pass a bill about the partitioning of Iraq for political purposes...or the negative of doing so with Sam Brownback? I've been drifting toward the latter ever since the GOP debate.



*Campaign fun fact: Adam Sandler is from Manchester, NH**


**Campaign lame fact: He is a Giuliani donor.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Wherefore the Mitt Hate?

Snow Pond, NH -

Here in New Hampshire, I am a transplanted Massachusan. But when I lived in Mass, I was a transplanted Washingtonian. Although I lived in the Bay State for two years I have never voted in a major election (opting out of the 2006 foregone conclusions of Ted Kennedy, Deval Patrick and John Olver). Furthermore, while there, I had my eyes set North and West, up to New Hampshire and perpetually back to Olympia. Mass politics never really interested me outside of the Presidential candidacy of John Kerry, the legend of Teddy Kennedy, and the olden hijinx of Willie Weld.

So Mitt Romney never really concerned me, especially since it was clear from the day I set foot in the state that he wouldn't run for a second term in a race he certainly would have lost. But the thing that really struck me was how much disdain my friends had for Governor Romney. Maybe they were just a bunch of single-minded liberals who repulsed at the thought of their Republican governor, but it always seemed like more than that. There was real, genuine disdain in their voice. I guess familiarity breeds contempt, for I know my own feelings toward the likes of Slade Gorton.

Nevertheless, it has remained a pebble in my boot ever since. What's the deal with Mitt Romney? I haven't followed him too much on the trail, and if anything I have preferred his commercials to those of any other GOP candidate, whether he is presenting himself as a fresh face or implying vigor and wisdom. I mean, the GOP has to pick somebody. Well, today's Washington Post has a long article about Governor Romney. While it highlights many of his strengths, it also details the political betrayal felt by many in Massachusetts and sets the tone for what we may be able to expect in the future, should he last beyond February 5.

The Grim Preacher

Snow Pond, NH -

Mike Huckabee may be appear to be the most jovial and happy-go-lucky of all the candidates, but today I realized that the fire and brimstone nature of preachin' hasn't entirely left him. Witness what are, arguably, the three most high-profile jokes of Huckabee's campaign jokes to date:

1) 3/2/07 - Washington, D.C.

“I was the first governor to have a conceal-carry permit, so don’t mess with me.”

2) 9/29/07 - Londonderry, NH

"Frankly if I had to raise the kind of money, and if I spent that kind of money, and I wasn't any higher in the polls, I'd go home and cry my eyes out tonight."

3) 10/10/07 - Little Rock, AR

"If I were some of these guys [referring to GOP rivals], I'd have to be sitting in a warm tub of water with razor blades."


So we're talking about a guy who threatens people with his gun, worries about severe depression and considers suicide as a potential tactic to deal with stress. My kind of guy!!

I should reiterate that these are three nuggets pulled out of more than half a year of serious campaigning, but nevertheless warrant mentioning. What also warrants mentioning is that they are all fantastic jokes! Keep 'em coming, Mikey!

Goo Goo for Hill

Snow Pond, NH -

This from the Clinton Camp today:

Hillary Clinton will visit Boston for a Club44 “Make History” low-dollar fundraiser next week at the city’s historic Symphony Hall. The Goo Goo Dolls will headline the Club44 event, part of the campaign’s effort to engage women to make history by electing Hillary our 44th president.

The event will be emceed by actress Mary Steenburgen and Campaign Chairman Terry McAuliffe and will feature other live entertainment, including an a cappella group from Wellesley College, Hillary’s alma mater.

Admission to the Club 44 event starts at $20 per person.


Just 20 bucks to see the Goo Goo Dolls, Mary Steenburgen and Terry McAuliffe?? It's 1995 all over again! At least, that's what the Clinton campaign wants us to believe.

I also find it hilarious that McAuliffe is headlining an event aimed at women. What a snake! And is Johnny Rzeznik even hot anymore? He's gotta be pushing 45.

Considering GGD is headlining a Hillary event (where you at, Celine?) shouldn't this have been the campaign theme song? They are from Buffalo! Sure seems like it to me...

Scars are souvenirs you never lose
The past is never far
Did you lose yourself somewhere out there
Did you get to be a star
And don't it make you sad to know that life
Is more than who we are

You grew up way too fast
And now there's nothing to believe
And reruns all become our history
A tired song keeps playing on a tired radio
And I won't tell no one your name
And I won't tell em your name

I think about you all the time
But I don't need the same
It's lonely where you are come back down
And I won't tell em your name
I guess old rock stars never lose their glam.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Real Front Loading

Snow Pond, NH -

State Rep. Jim Splaine (D-Portsmouth) has just written a raaaather interesting bit about a potential December primary. The position here at 3Q has consistently been the later the better, but the idea that Splaine lays out, that a big jump for NH would actually help Democracy, has me scratching my head a little bit. That might just be crazy enough to work, man!

Monday, October 8, 2007

Sign O' the Times

Snow Pond, NH -

Last spring I met a girl who was a fond believer in the power of the horoscope. She, a Virgo, was intrigued by a potential combination with me, a Scorpio. She tried her best to teach me the ways of the Zodiac, providing sun, moon and planet evidence for all my quirks and behavioral tendencies. I was certainly intrigued, if not converted, and as the Presidential campaign rolled on through the summer I began to wonder what kind of signs each candidate had, and if they meshed with what I thought about each one of them.

A little bit of research kept the intrigue strong. First of all, three of the Democrats were fellow Scorpios. Second, I found each candidate to fall into their respective signs fairly well, with the possible exception of enigmatic Mike Gravel, although in all honesty I don't know enough about him to accurately characterize.

I mean, the intensity and power of Clinton, Biden and Richardson. The vigor of Edwards and Dodd. A dignified Obama. An idealistic Kucinich. Its all a little eerie.

Getting into the historical nitty gritty, if you are looking for a President then being a Scorpio can only help. It is the most common sign of all Presidents along with Aquarius. Each have five. If you are looking for the likeliest Presidential birthday, look no further than Election Day, 2004 - November 2, coincidentally belonging to the two most double entendre-able of all the POTUSes, James K. POLK and Warren G. HARDing.

Speaking of which, no discussion of astrology (what's your sign?) would be complete without some mention of sexuality. I have included a line about the romantic prowess of each sign at the bottom of their respective sections.

Furthermore, given that one's sign is dependent upon birth, I have also included some bonus information: Full given name and place of birth. The stars are a little different everywhere, so experts whose knowledge vastly outweighs mine might be able to glean a bit more from that. I should also cite the fact that I weaseled all the text from wikipedia, so if you take offense then go change it.

Will this mean the Presidency for Scorpio Hillary? Or will Leo Obama become the King of Washington's jungle? Is Gemini truly a fortunate sign for Edwards? Maybe this chart will give you a little insight toward your own prognostications.

The Scorpio
(Oct 23 - Nov 21)

Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton - October 26, 1947 Chicago, IL
William Blaine "Bill" Richardson III
- November 15, 1947 Pasadena, CA
Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr.
- November 20, 1942, Scranton, PA

Scorpio is the eighth sign of the Zodiac and associated with intensity, passion, and power. Scorpios are the most intense, profound, powerful characters in the zodiac. Even when they appear self-controlled and calm there is a seething intensity of emotional energy under the placid exterior. They are like the volcano not far under the surface of a calm sea; it may burst into eruption at any moment. But those of us who are particularly perceptive will be aware of the harnessed aggression, the immense forcefulness, magnetic intensity, and often strangely hypnotic personality under the tranquil, but watchful composure of Scorpio. In conventional social gatherings they are pleasant to be with, thoughtful in conversation, dignified, and reserved, yet affable and courteous; they sometimes possess penetrating eyes which make their shyer companions feel naked and defenseless before them. For this reason they are often referred to as "ice queens." They can be quite combative toward their opponents, giving no quarter in an argument or dispute. Yet most of their aggression is unleashed from a defensive posture.

Scorpios simply never give up. They have tremendous staying power. They're not in the slightest intimidated by anybody or anything. Confrontations are not a problem. In fact, talk to any Scorpio about their lives, and you'll probably be in awe at all they've gone through. Trauma seems to follow them wherever they go. When Scorpio learns optimism, instead of expecting the worst, they'll find that they possess amazing regenerative powers -- the power to heal, create, and transform.

Interesting fact: Scorpio is the symbol of sex and Scorpios are passionate lovers, the most sensually energetic of all the signs

The Gemini
(May 21 - June 20)

Johnny Reid "John" Edwards - June 10, 1953, Seneca, SC
Christopher John Dodd
- May 27, 1944, Willimantic, CT

Gemini is the third sign of the Zodiac and associated with youth and versatility. Individuals born under this sign are thought to have a sociable, fun-loving, lively, communicative, liberal, mentally active and friendly character. The Gemini person is logical, smart, inquisitive, honest,and clever. (on their good side)A Gemini is whimsical, nimble, quick-witted, articulate, lively, active, curious, capable of multi-tasking, talkative, sociable, and mercurial. (on their bad side) Gemini is prone to moodiness, inconsistency, maliciousness, manipulativeness, selfishness, childish games, superficiality, restlessness, gossip and tends to start conflicts, (rarely step up to fight).

Among medieval astrologers, Gemini was thought of as a fortunate sign, and its subjects were considered to possess the qualities of intense devotion, genius, largeness of mind, goodness, and liberality.

In bed, Geminis tend to be experimental, they don't really want to do the same thing twice. Geminis are also kinky, they like to do unusual tricks in the bed.

The Leo (July 23 - Aug 22)

Barack Hussein Obama - August 4, 1961, Honolulu, HI

Leo is the fifth sign of the Zodiac and is popularly associated with the keywords magnanimous, generous, hospitable, caring, warm, authoritative, active and open. The downside to a Leo is usually their pride. Yet Due to their positive nature, they can be gullible and tend to believe the best will happen.

Leos are typically pictured as very dignified and regal. They are hard-working, ambitious, determined, talented, love the lime light, exuberant, loyal, extroverted, generous, and enthusiastic. However they are prone to laziness, over dramatic, hypersensitive, insensitive, stubborn and can often take "the easy way out."

Leos, like the Lion they are named after, are thought to be born leaders, with charisma, enthusiasm and determination. They do well under pressure and are good at defusing crisis situations.

Leos usually like to make the first move. They are passionate (they really get into any intimate act). Leos are also very hedonistic, most of the time, they want sex more than their partner.

The Libra
(Sept 23 - Oct 22)

Dennis John Kucinich - October 8, 1946, Cleveland, OH
Individuals born under this sign are thought by practitioners of astrology to have a pleasant, clever, articulate, charismatic, outgoing, fair, artistic, social, refined, diplomatic, even-tempered and self-sufficient character. The positive side of a Libra person is said to be co-operative, sees both sides, open-minded, just, urbane, partnership oriented, avoids conflict, balanced, graceful, idealistic, self-sufficient, and egalitarian. They are prone to rationalize, be easily deterred, indecisive, lazy, are also thought to be flirtatious, extravagant, frivolous, impatient, envious, aloof, and quarrelsome.

Libras are giving because their lover's pleasure is as important as their own. Libras like their sex soft, and sensual (nothing rough).

The Taurus (Apr 20 - May 20)

Maurice Robert "Mike" Gravel - May 13, 1930, Springfield, MA

Taurus is the second sign of the Zodiac. Taurus is associated with material and emotional security. Individuals born under this sign are thought to have a calm, patient, reliable, fair, loyal, affectionate, sensuous, ambitious, and determined character. Generally, there is something distinctly sensual about the appearance. The Taurus person is resourceful, thorough, dependable, responsible, placid, stable, comfortable, solid, earthy, strong, money-oriented, practical, productive, cautious, musical, and artistic. They can also be stubborn, indulgent, insecure, acquisitive, possessive, rigid, stodgy and slow, and prone to hedonism, laziness, inflexibility, habituality, jealousy, and antipathy.

The Taurus in love is very affectionate, sensual, and instinctively aware of the power of their body sexually. However, they are also very possessive and stubborn.


Oh, and what is George W., you wonder? A Cancer.

Tell Your Hippie Friends

Coming soon on 3Q Blog we have the first and ONLY Astrological analysis of the 2008 candidates. WTF! Wait and see.

Sincerely,
BTB
Scorpio
Year of the Cock
Skeptic

Blue Monday

Snow Pond, NH -

The malaise set in a couple of days ago, and it finally breached the skin today like a mild case of Dracunculiasis or a herpes sore. But in the midst of a long political campaign, even a mild case can have a crippling effect on the brain causing you to stare longingly out at the water, with the distant red leaves reflecting onto the surface, as the words swim about in your head but fail to find a smooth stroke into your fingers and onto the screen.

And what a day for it. A Monday and Columbus Day, when I awoke to the sound of mild rain that excluded me from my usual pondside blogging chair by way a rain-vulnerable laptop. A day to celebrate the legacy of the dawn of the Western world and, subculturally, the beginning of the end of Indian dominance on the continent. Maybe it is because I am a Westerner, but I have always felt that that the political slighting of the Native tribes of this land is one of the greatest prolonged miscarriages of justice to ever have been operated upon America. You can feel that when you see beauty of the landscape, read the forgotten histories and visit the rez from La Push to Crow Agency. Show me a politician who speaks to Native America and I will show you at least the potential for a real patriot.

Alas, what better way to explore the feelings of despair than by checking back in with the Good Doctor himself as he looks back on a life of football betting and political terror. Aye, the Hey Rube years. Reading Thompson's musings one politics one is always struck by his eye for brutality and power, glaringly evident in his article from the time of the 2001 Presidential election, The Fix Is In. Here are two particularly telling passages:

Where did Gore think he was -- in some friendly Civics class? Hell no, he was in Florida, arguably the most Vicious & Corrupt state in the Union. ... Not only that, but he was brazenly invading Florida, trying to steal it from right under the noses of the whole Bush family. It was a bold move & brilliantly done, in some ways -- but then so was Lee's decision to invade the North & attack Gettysburg...

...But still there was something wrong. Even reading the Sports section began to give me a Queasy feeling. I came to secretly dread the coming of Sunday, although I never admitted that to anybody. It was too weird....Most stadiums are sold out every Sunday. But only rich people can afford to attend the games in person. It's not much different from getting involved in National Politics.
Terrible, I know. For we still believe in New Hampshire that retail politics will lead us to the promised land of Democracy. Right?

October is upon us now, and it is the fourth quarter both literally and figuratively. Receivers are resting for the potential of one more Hail Mary sprint to the end zone and the oxygen tanks are charging up to feed the lungs of fattened up defenses as they struggle to fight the offensive push.
It is about to rain all week in New Hampshire. So with that news, here's to growth.

See you on the trail,
BTB

Saturday, October 6, 2007

On the Trail: More Pins Than Andy Kaufman's Wrestling Career

Snow Pond, NH -

Yes, that Andy Kaufman. We're back on the blog after a long morning of guiding our nation's youth toward successful careers in politics and an afternoon of napping and watching The Office. For some reason, this pin thing really strikes my fancy. So I was pleased to see that The Caucus did another piece about it today with excellent pictures from the latest debate. Since we are a blog, and actually among the people of the Granite State, we knew that Richardson's pin was from Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities, and we also have the freedom to tell you what they really mean about each candidate's character.

So for the Dems, whatzit mean?

Richardson - I care about budget priorities. I want a constitutional amendment to balance the budget, so that the federal government has to have a balanced budget just like we do as governors in all fifty states. I'm a governor. (Editor's note: maybe it even means a little something about Iraq.)

Edwards (his son's Outward Bound Pin) - I care about my family and I won't forget where I came from. (Editor's note, this has special meaning because of the background and the honor and commitment with which he wears it.)

Kucinich (Congressional pin)- I have pride and principles with respect to our nation's established foundations. (Editor's note: he won't go to war without any official declarations.)




For the GOP...

Paul (Congressional pin) - I will protect the constitution. (Editor's note: he will protect the Constitution.)

Giuliani (US Flag) -I will never forget the attacks of 9/11. (Editor's note: fake patriot and potential fascist.)

Gahhh, the October heat wave is bringing bugs pondside yet again. I'm getting Joba-ed! Better call it a post before I have to call in the team doctor for a sprayin'!

Friday, October 5, 2007

Week 5 NFL Picks

Can't believe I didn't start this earlier in the year, but here we go. These are for the outright winners, not against the spread. Home team in CAPS.

HOUSTON over Miami
TENNESSEE over Atlanta
Jacksonville over KANSAS CITY
Jets over GIANTS
Carolina over NEW ORLEANS
Arizona over ST. LOUIS
Detroit over WASHINGTON
Seattle over PITTSBURGH
NEW ENGLAND over CLEVELAND
INDIANAPOLIS over Tampa Bay
DENVER over San Diego
Baltimore over SAN FRANCISCO
Chicago over GREEN BAY
Dallas over BUFFALO

Ooh, that's a lot of road teams. But you gotta go with your gut. More political stuff later.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Pins Schmins

Snow Pond, NH -

Props to this. The Caucus reports on a recent interview where Barack Obama was asked why he doesn't wear an American flag pin on his lapel.

"The truth is that right after 9/11 I had a pin," Mr. Obama replied. "Shortly after 9/11, particularly because as we’re talking about the Iraq war, that became a substitute for, I think, true patriotism, which is speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security.

"I decided I won’t wear that pin on my chest," he added. "Instead I’m gonna’ try to tell the American people what I believe what will make this country great and hopefully that will be a testimony to my patriotism."

He went on to clarify his remarks today.
"But after a while, you start noticing people wearing a lapel pin, but not acting very patriotic. Not voting to provide veterans with resources that they need. Not voting to make sure that disability payments were coming out on time.

"My attitude is that I’m less concerned about what you’re wearing on your lapel than what’s in your heart. And you show your patriotism by how you treat your fellow Americans, especially those who served. You show your patriotism by being true to our values and our ideals and that’s what we have to lead with is our values and our ideals."

Any time a candidate speaks truth to false patriotism, I applaud it.