Open Thread

Posted by Steven D | Jun 4, 2008 | 52 |

So, what other wonderful things happened today while I was focused on Pond stuff and replacing my daughter’s rubik’s cube (which had the audacity to break)? Must have been something going on . . .

About The Author

Steven D

Father of 2 children. Faithful Husband. Loves my country, but not the GOP.

52 Comments

Omir the Storyteller on June 4, 2008 at 7:30 pm

Nope, nothin’.

This concludes the World’s Shortest Ever Open Thread.
- refinish69 on June 4, 2008 at 7:32 pm
  
  Clinton Will Suspend Campaign on Friday, Adviser Says
  
  Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is moving to suspend her
  campaign and endorse Senator Barack Obama on Friday after
  Democratic members of Congress urged her Wednesday to leave
  the race and allow the party to coalesce around Mr. Obama,
  according to a senior adviser to Mrs. Clinton.
  
  Read More:
  http://www.nytimes.com/?emc=na
  - RandyH on June 4, 2008 at 7:33 pm
    
    Beat me to it.
    - refinish69 on June 4, 2008 at 7:45 pm
      
      LOL I have been doing the Happy Happy Joy Joy Dance since I got the email. LOL
      - Omir the Storyteller on June 4, 2008 at 7:53 pm
        
        I love it.
        
        I have a Snoopy dance graphic I plan to use on November 5th.
  - Steven D on June 4, 2008 at 7:37 pm
    
    So many senior advisers, so little truth. I’ll believe it when I see it.
    - refinish69 on June 4, 2008 at 7:46 pm
      
      I also heard yesterday from a member of her staff that I know personally that she would concede later this week.
    - chocolate ink on June 4, 2008 at 8:04 pm
      
      Me too Steven. So far this leak to the media is just another way of keeping herself in the spotlight and taking away from Obama’s victory. She really does seem pathological about this. She was supposedly asking other dem’s what to do? Excuse me but you lost Hillary there ain’t nothing for you to do-it’s been done. Exit stage left or right in her case…yet why do I get the feeling she won’t.
      
      What should she do..how bout her job as Senator, remember you do have a job Senator. Go fight for that health care you said you’ve been fighting for us for the last 16 years or so(yeah right)or that wonderful gas tax holiday you were going to fight to the death for-haven’t heard a peep outa that idea since you were in you’re with us or against us mode on that crack-brained idea-just go away, you lost.
      - on June 4, 2008 at 9:22 pm
        
        You know, she missed her moment. So ungracious.
      - Oscar In Dallas on June 4, 2008 at 9:42 pm
        
        Like school on Saturdays: no class.
      - fabooj on June 4, 2008 at 10:30 pm
        
        Me as a Party leader: “Well, Hill, you can go back to the Senate or you can go back to the Senate.”
        
        All this drama is childish.
    - idredit on June 4, 2008 at 9:29 pm
      
      The concession has been rescheduled from Friday to Saturday
      
      Ben Smith:
      
      In a statement, the Clinton campaign lays the framework for concession:
      
      Senator Clinton will be hosting an event in Washington, DC on Friday to thank her supporters and express her support for Senator Obama and party unity.
      
      UPDATE: Clinton rescheduled her final campaign event for Saturday, “to accomodate more of Senator Clinton’s supporters who want to attend,” the campaign said in an email.
      
      and she’s still going out on a low Bitter!
      
      No Communication
      
      [.]”Carrie Budoff Brown reports the Obama campaign learned of Clinton’s decision to drop out about the same time you did.
      
      Even when news reports circulated early Wednesday evening that Clinton would drop out of the race Friday, the initial reaction was muted.
      
      “No comment,” said an Obama aide.
      
      The Clinton campaign had not yet made contact with the Obama campaign, said another aide outside an evening fundraiser in Manhattan.”
      - chocolate ink on June 4, 2008 at 9:42 pm
        
        This is getting beyond ridiculous-she’s going to try and dominate or going to dominate the news cycles till now until well when exactly-how many ‘breaking’ hillary stories are we going to get between now and Friday or Saturday? Obama who? Historic what?
      - halo0 on June 4, 2008 at 11:04 pm
        
        Tomorrow we will probably hear that its been rescheduled for Sunday… etc. etc.
  - Cee on June 5, 2008 at 7:25 am
    
    Refinish,
    
    Suspend? Bullshit.
    
    Meaning she’s still giving her delusional followers hope that something will happen.
    She needs to quit and give up the delegates before anyone thinks about negotiating about letting her keep her senate seat or helping her supporters keep their congressional seats.
    - refinish69 on June 5, 2008 at 9:11 am
      
      I didn’t use the word suspend. All I keep hearing is she will end her campaign and endorse Obama. It has been moved to Saturday which sucks.
RandyH on June 4, 2008 at 7:33 pm

Hillary finally agrees to suspend her campaign. She will endorse Barack on Friday.
- Omir the Storyteller on June 4, 2008 at 7:58 pm
  
  I liked the quote that got out earlier — from Emanuel? — that said in effect, “Barack Obama is the nominee, and you don’t tell the nominee what to do.”
  
  Like my sig says, it’s Obama’s party now. And I don’t think he’s going to let anyone forget it.
idredit on June 4, 2008 at 7:50 pm

Senator Obama, the next president of the United States took Joe Lieberman by the hand to a corner of the Senate chamber for a “scolding”?

The details via The CarpetBagger Report:

Obama backs Lieberman against the wall (literally)

Joe Lieberman, fully embracing his role as a Republican attack dog, took the lead in a GOP conference call this morning to attack Barack Obama’s Middle East policy. On the call, organized by far-right Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), Lieberman argued, weakly, that Obama holds the U.S. responsible for Iran’s strength in the region.

“Senator Obama argued today that American foreign policy in recent years has essentially sort of strengthened Iran,” Lieberman said, adding, “If Israel is in danger today, it’s not because of American foreign policy, which has been strongly supportive of Israel in every way. It’s not because of what we’ve done in Iraq, it’s because Iran is a fanatical terrorist expansionist state.

“Obama, apparently, didn’t care for Lieberman’s comments, so much so that the Democratic presidential nominee confronted Lieberman directly on the Senate floor this afternoon. Subscription-only Roll Call reported:

[D]uring a Senate vote Wednesday, Obama dragged Lieberman by the hand to a far corner of the Senate chamber and engaged in what appeared to reporters in the gallery as an intense, three-minute conversation.

While it was unclear what the two were discussing, the body language suggested that Obama was trying to convince Lieberman of something and his stance appeared slightly intimidating.

Now, as far as I know, this wasn’t an entirely forceful confrontation, and the two reportedly “patted each other on the back” after their discussion. Reporters apparently peered over the edge of the press gallery wall to watch the disagreement, prompting Obama to smile and point up at the reporters. (I mention this because I don’t want to suggest Obama was about to smack Lieberman around.)

But it’s also the kind of anecdote that reminds us that Barack Obama is not afraid to push back against those attacking him.[.]

Using forceful, but not angry, hand gestures, Obama literally backed up Lieberman against the wall, leaned in very close at times, and appeared to be trying to dominate the conversation, as the two talked over each other in a few instances.

Wow, warms my heart. Obama will not allow himself to he pushed around.
- Omir the Storyteller on June 4, 2008 at 7:56 pm
  
  Maybe he was just offering Lieberman a position in his administration. Ambassador to the Van Allen belt would be a good one.
  - americanforliberty on June 4, 2008 at 8:04 pm
    
    he’s reminding Traitor Joe that the day he–Barak–is elected President, we elect a Senate with a veto-proof majority..that Joe Lieberman is nothing come November.
    
    And remind Joe he should shut-up now…because after November no one will care about Joe.
    - Isis on June 4, 2008 at 10:28 pm
      
      Dumped. Powerless. A hack. There’s a cold place in Purgatory for Joe.
  - Oscar In Dallas on June 4, 2008 at 8:41 pm
    
    That literally made me laugh out loud.
  - Cee on June 5, 2008 at 9:48 am
    
    Ambassador to the Van Allen belt
    
    LOL!
- Hurria on June 4, 2008 at 8:49 pm
  Lieberman is a lunatic:
  
  ““If Israel is in danger today…“
  
  Israel is not in danger today – at least not from Iran. Contrary to what Obama (and others) keep parroting, the threat from Iran is not “grave”, it is nonexistent. (In fact, whatever danger Israel is in today and yesterday is a direct result of Israel’s own actions, but that is another topic.)
  
  “…Iran is a fanatical terrorist expansionist state.“
  
  Iran is not a fanatical state at all, as Lieberman would know if he knew anything at all about Iran.
  Iran is not a terrorist state at all, nor is it the “greatest state supporter of terrorism” as self-appointed “terrorism experts” are fond of shouting. Israel supports Hezballah, which is arguably not a terrorist organization at all, but a legitimate national liberation organization, which has, by the way, been going more and more mainstream ever since the Israelis withdrew from everywhere except the Sheb`a Farms. Israel is said to support Hamas, which is also a national liberation organization, though admittedly some of their activities qualify as terrorism, and are reprehensible (but not more reprehensible, and far less bloody, deadly, and destructive than the activities of Israel or the United States).
  It is ludicrous to suggest that Iran is an expansionist state. The modern-day state of Iran has no history at all of attacking or invading other countries going back at least a couple of centuries before the modern-day State came into being.
  
  Lieberman is a dangerous nut case.
  - Hurria on June 4, 2008 at 8:52 pm
    
    LOL! It just occurred to me that Lieberman’s description of Iran fits Israel far, far, far better than it fits Iran. Israel certainly IS an expansionist state, arguably it is a fanatical state, and it most certainly has used terrorism extensively throughout its history both pre and post-statehood.
    - RandyH on June 4, 2008 at 9:14 pm
      
      Shhhhhhhh!
      
      As proud Americans, we’re not supposed to talk about Israel’s and our own state-sponsorship of terrorism against anyone who opposes our “national interests.” That would make us the Bad Guys. Stop it. What do you think we are, terrorists?
      
      I think you need to start wearing a flag pin or something. How dare you speaketh the truth?
  - on June 4, 2008 at 9:26 pm
    
    What did Jimmy Carter let slip? A hundred and fifty? The rumor had been 200 or so back in the nineties, but really, after the first fifty or so the whole region is smoking.
  - Knut Wicksell on June 4, 2008 at 10:02 pm
    
    No. He’s a coward, like all the neocons. Obama has him psyched out. I posted this below before I followed the thread. Obama is good. He goes in with a shiv.
- fabooj on June 4, 2008 at 10:32 pm
  
  I only wonder what Obama could have said to his former mentor.
- Cee on June 5, 2008 at 7:35 am
  
  You would have enjoyed the lyrics at Kos of the song Hey Joe by Jimmy Hendricks.
  
  Where ya goin’ with that Lieberman in your hand. LOL!
  - Cee on June 5, 2008 at 10:00 am
    
    I found the lyrics
    
    “Hey Joe”: The musical Obama/Lieberman talk transcript
    by redglare
    
    Wed Jun 04, 2008 at 04:58:25 PM PDT
    
    Hey Joe, where you goin’ with McCain in your hand?
    Hey Joe, I said where you goin’ with McCain in your hand?
    Alright. I’m goin down to screw my old party,
    you know I caught them messin’ ’round with another man.
    Yeah,! I’m goin’ down to screw my old party,
    you know I caught them messin’ ’round with another man.
    Huh! And Lamot ain’t too cool.
    
    MORE…
    
    redglare’s diary :: ::
    
    [2nd verse [Ah. -backing vocal on each line]]
    Uh, hey Joe, I heard you put your party down,
    you put it down.
    Uh, hey Joe, I heard you put you old party down,
    you put it down to the ground. Yeah!
    
    Yes, I did, I swat it,
    you know I caught them messin’ ’round,
    messin’ ’round town.
    Uh, yes I did, I swat it
    you know I caught my old party messin’ ’round town.
    And I gave it the thumbs-down and I swat it!
    
    Alright
    (Ah! Hey Joe)
    Shoot her it more time again, baby!
    (Oo)
    Yeah.
    (Hey Joe!)
    Ah, dig it!
    (Hey)
    Ah! Ah!
    (Joe where you gonna go?)
    Oh, alright.
    
    [3rd verse]
    Hey Joe, said now,
    (Hey)
    uh, where you gonna run to now, where you gonna run to?
    Yeah.
    (where you gonna go?)
    Hey Joe, I said,
    (Hey)
    where you goin’ to run
    to now, where you, where you gonna go?
    (Joe!)
    Well, dig it!
    I’m goin’ way down south, way down south,
    (Hey)
    way down south to McCain way! Alright!
    (Joe)
    I’m goin’ way down south,
    (Hey, Joe)
    way down where I can be free!
    (where you gonna…)
    Ain’t no one gonna find me babe!
    (…go?)
    Ain’t no Harry Reid gonna,
    (Hey, Joe)
    he ain’t gonna take no committee from me!
    (Joe where you gonna..)
    You better believe it right now!
    (…go?)
    I gotta go now!
    Hey, hey, hey Joe,
    (Hey Joe)
    you better run on down!
    (where you gonna…)
    Goodbye everybody. Ow!
    (…go?)
    Hey, hey Joe, what’d I say,
    (Hey…………………..Joe)
    run on down.
    (where you gonna go?)
mainsailset on June 4, 2008 at 7:51 pm

Yep, MSNBC all over it and Obama folks letting news out that a VP slot unlikely.
- idredit on June 4, 2008 at 8:26 pm
  
  WSJ has the same report: Clinton Unlikely as No. 2
  By Jackie Calmes
  
  WASHINGTON — Sen. Hillary Clinton, who refused to concede after Sen. Barack Obama claimed the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday, will do so Friday, two top advisers said. Close supporters suggested she would like to be his running mate, on a unity ticket.
  
  But close advisers to Sen. Obama signaled an Obama-Clinton ticket was highly unlikely. People in both camps cited what several called “a deal-breaker” — Bill Clinton may balk at releasing records of his business dealings and big donors to his presidential library.
  
  A day after his history-making declaration that he had enough delegates to be the nominee, Sen. Obama …
  
  (emphasis added)
  
  With the Clintons, it’s always the baggage, the coverup.
  
  Anyway three. is. a. crowd and the Clintons on the ticket cancels the message and the mission.
mainsailset on June 4, 2008 at 8:12 pm

Howard Finneman just now said that on the VP thing, Bill would have to be vetted as well and he ‘wouldn’t pass’??? So Bill wouldn’t pass VP vetting but would be an acceptable First Spouse? Boy is the air going out of that balloon fast.
refinish69 on June 4, 2008 at 8:13 pm

Couple of new designs I did after the joy of watching last night with a couple of hundred volunteers here in Texas.

The Dream

Barack Obama 2008
- RandyH on June 4, 2008 at 9:23 pm
  
  You know, the Obama campaign offers original artwork for free use in stuff like this at their website. Stuff like that cool round logo, in different styles. Check it out.
  - refinish69 on June 4, 2008 at 9:42 pm
    
    Their artwork is personal use only and I actually sale my designs to help pay for my political activism and bills.
    - RandyH on June 4, 2008 at 9:49 pm
      
      That’s a shame. The Obama campaign can never keep their stuff in stock for purchase. They really should set up a licensing program for it then.
idredit on June 4, 2008 at 8:47 pm

Clinton has not departed yet. Check out this NYT/CBS poll

Obama 48 McCain 42
Ambinder takes it apart

ARE AMERICANS READY FOR A BLACK PRESIDENT: In 2000, 38 percent of registered voters said that the country would be ready for a black president; now, the figure is 68 percent. 22 percent of whites and 24 percent of black voters say that race will be important to their vote.
lutton on June 4, 2008 at 8:55 pm

Americablog notes that Caroline Kennedy is leading the Obama campaign VP search.

Hmm, so with Caroline Kennedy leading Obama’s VP search….
John Aravosis (DC) · 6/04/2008 07:37:00 PM ET · Link
24 Comments · reddit · FARK · Digg It! ·

Does callously invoking her uncle’s assassination:

a) Help a potential VP candidate; or
b) Hurt a potential VP candidate.

I’m going to hazard a guess that this wasn’t lost on the Obama folks when they chose her. They’re good. Real good. (Hat tip to reader Tom for mentioning this to me.)
- refinish69 on June 4, 2008 at 9:12 pm
  
  Clinton is not in consideration for the VP spot and never was. I think we all need to leave her room to figure out what day this week she endorses Obama. I am not a Hillary fan or supporter but we need to take the high road just as Barack Obama is doing.
  - Oscar In Dallas on June 4, 2008 at 9:18 pm
    
    …we need to take the high road just as Barack Obama is doing.
    
    Which is why I’m trying to limit my posting until she’s fully exited, stage right…
    - on June 4, 2008 at 9:29 pm
      
      …getting smaller in the rearview mirror…
    - Cee on June 5, 2008 at 7:38 am
      
      I’m not laying off until her toes curl up under the house.
  - RandyH on June 4, 2008 at 9:38 pm
    
    All that Obama is offering Clinton is for her to take the lead on the healthcare issue that needs to start being addressed in his first few months in office. She can do it as a member of his cabinet – and they may even create a special post if HHS doesn’t excite her, OR she can lead the effort in the Senate as Senator. They may even name the bill after her.
    
    From what I’ve been reading, that’s about all they’re willing to offer. No VeePee for you, Hillary. You blew it. BTW – Michelle Obama hates you, Hillary. So good luck “negotiating.”
boran2 on June 4, 2008 at 9:25 pm

Steven, not much happened. Oh, there was an insurrection and now Arthur Gilroy is in charge here. He has retitled BMT as Wake the Fuck Up Tribune.
- on June 4, 2008 at 9:29 pm
  
  And anyone using more than one sentence in a paragraph is flogged on the main deck.
- RandyH on June 4, 2008 at 9:39 pm
  
  No No No. It’s now “Bet On It!” Tribune.
  - Omir the Storyteller on June 4, 2008 at 11:02 pm
    
    Yeah, that way ~~BooMan~~ AG doesn’t have to replace the “BT” monogrammed towels in the executive washroom.
mainsailset on June 4, 2008 at 9:56 pm

Barack said this evening his next planned event is to go home with Michelle and they’re going on a date. Good for them!
Knut Wicksell on June 4, 2008 at 9:59 pm

According to the Great Orange Satan, Obama gave Lieberman a real dressing down to his face to day, up front and personal. That’s exactly what’s needed. Lieberman’s a coward, and Obama knows him inside out now from the Senate. Popcorn time.

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Steven D

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