White Nerdy Wonks

I have to post this image somewhere, to use in Fantasy Football. So here it is.

2011-11-18T07:37:00.002-05:00

Dennis Dixon LiveBlog

2009-11-29T10:22:00.002-05:00

Join us tonight as we discuss all things Dennis Dixon, including perhaps how he is doing against the Ravens.

Dennis Dixon LiveBlog

Steelers-Broncos Fest

2009-11-09T13:56:00.003-05:00

Neither Gobo nor DanNation will be watching tonight's game in the lap of luxury that was the MGM Grand sportsbook's high-roller skybox, as they were for Week 4 of the NFL season. Which is a good thing, because there was just too much football to watch all at once that day, and I dare say it became slightly boring.

Anyway, we can all concentrate on the lone football contest this evening. Let us discuss Steeler injuries, sickle-cell traits, Merril Hoge, and all other things Steelers-Broncos related, such as the game.

&amp;lt;a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&amp;amp;task=viewaltcast&amp;amp;altcast_code=417fb36d30" &amp;gt;Steelers v. Broncos LiveBlog&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;

Vegas (without) Babies!

2009-10-04T10:49:00.002-04:00

Gobo, DanNation, and I are heading into Day 3 of our Vegas trip, having left our spouses to care for our combined 6 children and 17 animals on their own. Friday was spent at the Mirage pool and then at The Price Is Right Live. TPIR is okay, but when you don't get called to come on down, it's a bit lame. But we did get to see Cliffhangers and Plinko played live. And one of the Barker Beauties was fairly hot (while the other one was strangely most assuredly not). So that was alright. Still, I think we Wonks would officially recommend that you could skip it.
ZEUS. Before TPIR, we were killing time. I put about $20 in a video penny slot called Zeus. I bet 30 lines at a penny per line. On my second spin, I got a bonus round of 20 free spins. It took like 10 minutes to get through, and was quite profitable, considering that I had up to that point risked only 30 cents. Then, in an attempt to get rid of the change I would receive if I cashed out, I played a liitle bit more. Again on the second spin, everything went crazy and another lengthy bonus round ensued. DanNation was incredulous that such a result could occur whilst putting up only $1.20 in total bets. As an afficianado of video slots, he protested that such things just do not happen: not only had I reached 2 bonus rounds immediately, but each round yielded about $30 with only 30 cents bet on the pull. I cashed out with a tidy $60 profit. DanNation, on Saturday, came across a Zeus machine during our fieldtrip downtown. He put $15 in and proceeded to lose it all immediately. Then, while playing craps at Binion's (which the owners seem to have put a bit of money into so it 's not AS skeezy as it once was), Dan curses Zeus during the middle of a semi-hot roll where everyone has like $80 invested on the table, and a 7 appears immediately. Way to piss off Zeus, Dan. Fucker.
SPA. We tried something new this year and went to the spa for massages. Definitely worth it. Relaxing massage, architecturally stunning soaking tub where you can sit and watch college football on TV, and free trail mix. You get a pass to the spa for the full day, so we actually went back later in the afternoon. But good God, the steam room almost killed us with drippings of boiling water randomly falling on us from the ceiling.
SPORTSBOOK. My brother-in-law called in a favor, and got us a skybox at the MGM Grand's sportsbook to watch today's set of football games. The skyboxes, as far as we understand, are usually reserved for their highest of rollers. Should be amazing. Then we head to the newly-opened emeril's Stadium in the Palazzo to watch the Steelers Sunday night game. Now, on to bet ridiculous 10-team parlays.

Great Sevens! Can They Repeat?

2009-09-10T10:43:00.003-04:00

Happy start of football season, everyone! Join us this evening as we liveblog the Steelers game, kibbitz about last night's Glee episode, and perhaps continue the health care discussion, at least in terms of whether Bo Scaife and LenDale White deserve health care if they desecrate the Terrible Towel again. BTW, this picture appears to be of neither Scaife nor White -- how many Titans stomped on the damned towel last year?

Steelers vs. Titans Opening Day Extravaganza LiveBlog

You Lie! People WILL Die!

2009-09-10T10:09:00.003-04:00

Okay, so Joe Wilson seems to have stolen the show last night for calling the President a liar on something rather plainly not a lie, because the media needs something to focus on rather than the actual message of whether and how to get universal health care (on the other hand, this site amused me for a good 3 minutes of refreshing). Wilson seems to have saved the non-policy chatter from focusing on Hillary's dress, which I think you could see from space.

Actually, what are we trying to get here? Universal health care? Government-run health care? Health care reform (whatever that means)? Cheaper health care? Fairer health care? More readily available health care? With Obama's flip-flop on a health insurance mandate, it seems to be more along the lines of "universal health care." And with the public option slated to cover only 5% of Americans who can't get insurance anywhere else, this goal should prove popular to the insurance companies. But it still seems like health care will be tied to one's workplace (businesses will either have to provide insurance or pay a penalty). Things will be fairer in the sense that you cannot be denied based on pre-existing condition, and no annual or lifetime caps on coverage. So, essentially, everyone who wants health insurance can get it, and you have to get it, and you don't have to worry about leaving your job. I think this is all very important. I'm still unclear, though, how we're going to reduce costs and reduce premiums. That's the other killer out there. I guess that's more along the lines of the details that are to come.

Anyway, Obama's seemed to counter the whole idea from the below post -- that end-of-life care and ultra-high-cost procedures like transplants would have to be reduced in order to pass health care legislation. When praising Ted Kennedy, Obama said that he "was able to imagine what it must be like for those without insurance; what it would be like to have to say to a wife or a child or an aging parent - there is something that could make you better, but I just can't afford it." Well, if a kidney transplant would make you better, and you can't afford it, then we're picking up the tab? I just don't see that working effectively.

Facebook Challenge -- No One Dies, Really?

2009-09-04T13:33:00.004-04:00

Well, we need something to talk about here after a months-long hiatus, especially since it will be kinda lame if all we do is live-blog Steelers games.

The innundation of status updates on Facebook yesterday about health care, including by fellow Nerdy Wonk DanNation, opened my eyes a little more on the health care debate, namely that I might be disagreeing with one of the left’s basic premises. Here’s the line: “No one should die because they cannot afford health care, and no one should go broke because they get sick.”

First, I guess I should say that I agree with the second part, that no one should go broke because they got sick. I think even staunch Republicans agree with that, at least the way it’s phrased. There’s some other things we can argue about its premise, though – does this mean that all health care should be free? That there should be an income-based cap on how much you can be charged? We’ll leave this for another post.

But I think I absolutely disagree with the first part of the argument – that no one should die because they cannot afford health care. In fact, I think that adherence to this argument will actually prevent any kind of government-sponsored health system from being implemented. End-of-life care, like basically every other medical cost, is spiraling out of control. If I was not at a new job, I might actually take some time and provide some statistics. But I think it’s fairly uncontentious statement. And then you get to crazy heart transplants and the like.
I think everyone is entitled to basic health care. And basic can include a lot of things. You get check-ups and preventive care (that only makes economic sense, after all). You get a broken bone fixed. You get catastrophic care after a car accident. You get treatment for your diseases and illnesses to either help you get better or to maintain a reasonable standard of health and life: dialysis, heart pills, chemotherapy, etc. But I think we bankrupt the system before it even starts if we say that you are entitled to every last procedure that someone with a billion dollars could pay for. Do we pay for multiple kidney transplants when dialysis isn’t working? Do we pay for hip replacement surgery for the 95-year old in poor health (or even, at all)? Do we pay for a liver transplant for an alcoholic? Do we pay for a heart transplant for someone over, say 60? I think the answer is no. If you have the money (or the private insurance), then fine. But I do not think that these advanced procedures are an entitlement. If you don’t have the money (or the private insurance) in these situations, well, then, you’re going to die. I think we have to be very up front about this. Long-shot surgeries, or procedures that merely delay death for a few weeks should not be a part of mandatory health care. We’ve got to face it that, even with a public option, some (or even a lot of) people are going to die because they cannot afford (better) health care.

Bill Cowher is a Whore for Comcast

2009-08-14T11:49:00.001-04:00

I'm only posting this photo so that I can link to it on our FF website. Sorry if this disrupts the flow of the blog.

This sums it all up

2009-05-18T21:44:00.000-04:00

So, Are We Done Here?

2009-04-24T21:12:00.000-04:00

Okay Now I'm Hooked

2009-02-12T21:48:00.001-05:00

American Idol: Tatiana Del Toro Makes It Into Top 36
by TheDlisted

They're obviously using directors from the Apprentice.

Lloyd is Gonna Hit a Homer...

2009-02-08T23:10:00.001-05:00

I heard this on the radio today. Almost drove up onto the sidewalk.

Stolen from PittGirl

2009-02-02T17:49:00.002-05:00

(Have a Good Sandwich)

The Only Possible Fly in the Ointment

2009-02-01T00:36:00.003-05:00

(Reference to justify the post: WTTG Fox 5; Post-Gazette)

They're not booing, They're saying "Duuuuuuce!"

2009-01-30T16:20:00.002-05:00

So, just for fun, I decided to take a look and see what Steelers jerseys were available on ebay.

You've got the usual crop of current Steelers - Roethlisberger, Ward, Polamalu, Holmes, Harrison, Casey Hampton, even some less popular players like Mewelde Moore. You've got some of the popular old-timers such as Bradshaw, Lambert, Greene (Joe and Kevin), Woodson. I guess you could even put Levon Kirkland in that category.

Then you've got some oddities. Duce Staley, who was a bust as a free agent. Yancey Thigpen, who was actually good for a couple of years, but I will always remember him for dropping a wide-open TD pass at the end of a meaningless game in Green Bay in 1995 (in a game we watched at Messiah's house, I have no clue why I remember this so vividly). Mark Bruener, nondescript tight end. Kordell Stewart. Oy. I think I would buy this, just to cross out the "Stewart" and write in "Holmes". My personal favorite, though is the Plaxico Burress jersey, which has the wrong number on it.

Twas the Night Before the Super Bowl

2009-01-30T13:39:00.002-05:00

'Twas the night before the Super Bowl,
when along the gulf shore,
Steelers fans were praying for "just one more;"
The players were nestled all snug in the sack,
With visions of the first NFL Six-Pack;
Coach Tomlin was young, but wise for his years,
So I drifted off to sleep without any fears;
When at the stadium there arose some strange chatter,
The Cardinals feared, what was the matter;
We heard "Okel Dokel",
we heard "Double Yoi,"
We jumped from our beds, our hearts jumped for joy;
He stood at the fifty with a grin ear to ear,
Steelers fans everywhere started to cheer;
Then in an instant to our surprise,
This little old man had tears in his eyes;
He went to the booth and there took his chair,
While Terrible Towels waved in the air;
Then over the airwaves came his shrill voice,
The Steelers Nation began to rejoice;
He said, "I am back, but you know I can't stay,
I just had to see my Steelers play;
From my home up above, I have a great view,
But I wanted to celebrate here with you;
So bring on the Birds, we'll send them a flyin',
On the way back to Phoenix , they will be cryin';
Ben, Hines, Troy , Jeff and all of the rest,
No matter the outcome, to me you're the best;"
The airwaves went silent, the stadium still,
Was this just a dream, it seemed so real;
In our team we have faith, in our team we have hope,
But the game's not the same without Myron Cope.

What What What?

2009-01-24T21:59:00.001-05:00

The video really speaks for itself. All I can add is "Fox sucks."

news from the iss

2009-01-21T21:23:00.000-05:00

steeler fans in space.

Hail to the Chia-f

2009-01-20T14:08:00.004-05:00

I can't get the image to embed for some reason, but this is an actual product.

I have not yet located the Chia-Tomlin.

Dan adds: I posted the image. When saving, I changed the file type from PNG (which doesn't work -- whatever it is), to Bitmap, which typically does.

Quick Inaugural Liveblog

2009-01-20T12:00:00.009-05:00

11:42 AM: Dick Cheney in wheelchair. Old man must've come back, shot him in the knee.

11:45 AM: Barack looks like he may hurl.

11:53 AM: Warren's such a douchebag.

11:57 AM: John Paul Stevens finishes Biden swearing-in, mutters under breath "Praise Jesus, I could safely quit in four minutes!"

11:58 AM: Bush looks like he's counting down nanoseconds until he can get the hell out of that town.

12:01 PM: Constitution violated. It does not call for Yitzhak at high noon.

12:04 PM: Did they remember to invite Good Looking Chief Justice John Roberts?

12:05 PM: Yes.

12:06 PM: History...

12:07 PM: Guns fire. Startled Cheney wheels self toward undisclosed location.

12:20 PM: "We are a nation of Christians, Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers." He just lost the Shinto vote in 2012.

12:23 PM: Wow, he's talking about service to others without using creepy Bush phrases like, "You can go to a shut-in's home and say, 'I love you.'"

12:37 PM: Boring poetry. Hey! They already have a Presidency of Barack Obama entry in Wikipedia. It is very brief.

Willie's Gonna Spin You Arahnd.

2009-01-19T19:46:00.000-05:00

Saturday Night Liveblogging

2009-01-17T23:37:00.000-05:00

Get it?

A Funny from Jodi in Munich

2009-01-15T15:37:00.002-05:00

Warning! Major Time Suck Ahead!

2009-01-14T13:45:00.002-05:00

OK, so last week when I was looking for the box score from the Pupunu game, I found Pro Football Reference, which, as you may guess if you've ever spent time on Baseball Reference, is a site full of useless yet valuable football stats. I just spent my entire lunch hour perusing the site, and it will probably suck up a substantial amount of my remaining should-be-working time over the next week or three (depending on Sunday's result).

For example, did you know that Yancey Thigpen holds the Steelers record for single-season receiving yards? Even more shockingly, he accomplished this feat during a season when Kordell Stewart was throwing him the ball! Also, Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress are 3 and 4 on this list - from the same season (a disturbing reminder of how out of whack the offense was during the 2002 "Tommy Gun" season).

Anyway, sorry if this gets anyone fired.

P.S. We may want to (at least temporarily) change the name of this site to "White, Black and Gold Nerdy Wonks."

Steelers-Ravens III: Electric Boogalee

2009-01-13T16:09:00.003-05:00

Come on, who among us didn't know in their heart of hearts that it would come to this?

Here is your AFC Championship game discussion thread.

Initial thoughts:

1) Willie Parker's running last week, coupled with Chris Johnson's success against the Ravens (until he got hurt), gives me some hope that we might be able to run just enough to set up playaction.

2) Corollary to #1, if Ben can be just a hair more accurate on deep balls (heh) than he was against the Chargers, it's possible that good things could happen on offense.

3) I'm not holding my breath on 1 and 2, so the defense better maul some folks. I'm hoping Polamalu gets tired enough of hearing about Ed "the greatest safety ever" Reed that he goes completely nuts (in the good, football way).

Discuss amongst yourselves.

Playoff LiveBlog

2009-01-11T12:00:00.002-05:00

If anyone's around, we can do a playoff version of the LiveBlog, starting about 45 minutes before the game. Hopefully, the Steelers can buck the trend of visiting teams winning.

Re-Post: November's Steelers-Chargers LiveBlog

2009-01-09T10:48:00.005-05:00

To help prepare for the game, we've got the LT/Troy commercial up top and a re-post of the Live Blog from the Week 11 game down below. Relive the glory as Bram, Sean, and I discuss Troy's interceptions, Big Ben's sexual exploits, goal-line strategy, how not to aid choking babies, and the introduction of the Bud Lite (or is it Miller Lite?) drinkability ads..

Steelers-Chargers Thread

2009-01-05T10:29:00.002-05:00

Consider this a Steelers-Chargers discussion thread. I have already written to the NFL to find out if, since Polamalu's TD in the last game was not properly credited to the Steelers, we can start off with a 6-0 lead, and begin the game by attempting an extra point.

I'll get the actual discussion started by saying that I am thankful we don't have to play the Colts. They were the only team out there that really scared me (No, really, the Ravens don't scare me).

I think one key to this game is to get some pass rush and hit Rivers a few times early in the game. He's an emotional player, and if we rattle him early it will be a good thing.

The other key to this game is to have a somewhat less-than-atrocious punting game.

Finally, let's all pray for a blizzard.

Larry Sabato's 2008 Political Map

2008-12-28T11:05:00.001-05:00

Every four years the Center for Politics produces the "Political Map of America," which restructures the states within the continental boundaries of the United States. On the political map, each state takes up only the volume merited by its Electoral College weight. After all, trees, rocks, and acres do not vote; only people do. Giant geographic Alaska and Montana shrink to pea size while states such as California, Texas, and Florida swell considerably on this political map.

Best T-Shirt Ever

2008-12-16T07:02:00.002-05:00

Available at Compress Merch.

Hold that Toddler!

2008-12-15T16:31:00.001-05:00

So, I think everyone in the intertubes needs to know that my 15-month old son (known as the Moose, or alternatively, Bam-Bam (as in the Flintstones, not Morris)) is responsible for the Steelers run of come-from-behind victories. During each of the Chargers, Cowboys, and Ravens games, the Moose was removed by his mother from the bath and handed to me, wrapped in a towel, during the fourth quarter, right after the Steelers had done something that made it look like they had blown the game (e.g. getting stopped on 4th and goal in the Dallas game, or the sack-fumble in the Ravens game). As soon as I picked him up, good things started to happen, and I refused to put him down. You all know the results of those three games. What you may not know, however, is how difficult it is to hold the world’s strongest toddler for such a long period of time. All I’m saying is that I would like to be voted a playoff share. Possibly one each for me and the Moose.

By the way, as further evidence of the Moose’s Steelers prowess, during the Sunday nighter against the Jags back in week 5, the Moose refused to sleep, and he was downstairs with me watching the comeback in that one as well, although I wasn’t holding him.

Finally, I should add that every Sunday since the Chargers game, I have been wearing the same, beat-up Steelers sweatshirt that I bought sometime during the Barry Foster era. It has not been washed during that time, and will not be washed until they lose a game. Make of that what you will.

He Hath Given His Empire Up to a Whore

2008-12-11T09:47:00.003-05:00

I think Octavius Caesar's words to his sister is a fun intro to the circus the Illinois governor has thrust upon our nation. As we all know by now, Rod "I'm a Dick" Blagojevich was selling Obama's Senator seat to the highest bidder, which surprisingly enough was not Blagojevich himself.

QUICK FUN FACT: If (when) sent to prison, of Illinois' past 8 governors, Roddy will be the 4th to serve time!!

QUICK FUN QUOTE: In every government on earth is some trace of human weakness, some germ of corruption and degeneracy, which cunning will discover, and wickedness insensibly open, cultivate, and improve. -Thomas Jefferson

So where does that leave us, the American People, or peons if you will? How can we take politics seriously again? As of yesterday I finally came to terms that Sarah Palin actually was a VP candidate, Joe the Plumber is an idiot yet his opinion was still sought after, and a blatant racist can easily win re-election in a run-off. I was ready to move on and work hard for Obama and his team of Care Bears, i even applied for a job on-line. But now Blagojevich had to go and muck it up and the rest of us are forced to run laps because he's cod.

First OJ now Rod's Blog. Is nothing sacred anymore?

Steelers vs. Cowboys LiveBlog

2008-12-07T10:14:00.004-05:00

Motivation to Purchase a Wii?

2008-12-03T17:34:00.003-05:00

It's on Bitches!!

2008-12-02T09:09:00.003-05:00

Let the recount begin!! Long time racist and senator, Saxby Chambliss, is racing a run-off election today against Jim Martin, who looked quite awkward thanking hip hop artists T.I., Jeezy, and Ludacris for their support during a rally in the ATL.

Palin reared her pretty head all over Georgia campaigning and firing up the base- an Republican strategist confessed she only did it for the sax. Chambliss should have no problem winning today as run-offs are based on turnout and I don't see Black folks coming out today the way they did on November 3rd, not to mention the fact that Libertarian candidate, Allen Buckley, will not (I think) be on the ballot.

In other news Bobby Jindal, the Republican governor of the great state of Louisiana, gave his best Obama impression which leads many to assume he'll be the front runner in 2012 (sorry Sarah): "I think the American people are tired of campaigns and politics," Jindal said. "We need to get behind our new president and our new Congress, support them, and stop being Democrats and Republicans."

Steelers vs. Bengals LiveBlog

2008-11-20T18:18:00.002-05:00

Here we go again. Ocho Cinco is out, but we're in. Join us for some more cutting football analysis, which so far usually involves making fun of CSI promos, Bram complaining about Willie Parker, and me leaving the chat for 15 minutes to attend to an injured set of babies.

Killing time before the Steeler game: Happy Philosophy Day

2008-11-20T13:49:00.005-05:00

David Bain, a lecturer in philosophy at the University of Glasgow, wrote a neat little piece for bbc.com. He puts forth 4 questions, the first being my favorite which i will post here for debate until kickoff at 8:15 tonight.

The question: Should we kill healthy people for their organs?

Suppose Bill is a healthy man without family or loved ones. Would it be ok painlessly to kill him if his organs would save five people, one of whom needs a heart, another a kidney, and so on? If not, why not?

Consider another case: you and six others are kidnapped, and the kidnapper somehow persuades you that if you shoot dead one of the other hostages, he will set the remaining five free, whereas if you do not, he will shoot all six. (Either way, he'll release you.)

If in this case you should kill one to save five, why not in the previous, organs case? If in this case too you have qualms, consider yet another: you're in the cab of a runaway tram and see five people tied to the track ahead. You have the option of sending the tram on to the track forking off to the left, on which only one person is tied. Surely you should send the tram left, killing one to save five.

But then why not kill Bill?

Me? I would kill one to save many.

Steelers vs. Chargers LiveBlog

2008-11-16T15:23:00.002-05:00

Okay. Looks like the Ravens are gonna lose pretty badly. Let's see if the Steelers can't make up for last weekend. Or at least try to hold a 4th quarter lead.

Apropos of Nothing

2008-11-13T09:50:00.003-05:00

I thought I would mention this. We have in our house a small, stuffed bear, whose hands are made of plastic filled with the same sort of gel that is found in the icepacks you put in a cooler. it lives in the freezer, the hands get frozen, and when one of the little ones has a boo boo, we break out the bear instead of ice.

His name: Stephen Cold Bear.

You're Kidding Me...

2008-11-12T23:54:00.001-05:00

Three votes. (FiveThirtyEight)

BHODS

2008-11-12T15:39:00.009-05:00

It was Charles Krauthammer who coined the annoyingly-overused phrase "Bush Derangement Syndrome," defining it as:

...the acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal people in reaction to the policies, the presidency — nay — the very existence of George W. Bush.

At the time, he surely recognized that it was just a matter of time before the shoe would be on the other foot. And while the Right at large had shown signs all year of the early stages of "Barack Hussein Obama Derangement Syndrome," we may have our first official case in an elected official.

Republican Congressman Paul Broun, within the hour, has taken back his taking back of comments about Obama planning to build a domestic security force so that he can impose a Marxist dictatorship. Meant it just the way he said it, thank you very much.

Keep talking, "Congressman." It's nice to have a little post-election comic relief!

Comprehending What It Means

2008-11-07T11:02:00.003-05:00

I think it might be impossible for whites to truly comprehend what Obama's victory means for many African-Americans. But two images have let me appreciate it just a little bit more.

First, as shown above, we have Jesse Jackson welling up while standing in Grant Park after Obama won. This picture is cropped, however. When the image was broadcast live, Jasckson was standing among several seemingly random people -- all white -- who were assuredly happy, but were not emotional and were completely oblivious to Jackson and his tears. I felt it was doubly-symbolic. Not only was the reality of a black President enough to move Jackson to tears, but the lack of similar emotion from those surrounding him highlighted the difference in the meaningfulness of the moment among the races. I think there was also, then, a triply-symbolic aspect to this image, in that not only was it historic that a black man was elected President, but the fact that he was black was hardly meaningful to most whites that voted for him. Basically, it was moving that the white people didn't find the moment moving. So it was another reason for Jackson to be overcome with emotion. The content of Obama's message, if not his character, completely dwarfed any part about the color of his skin. Well, maybe that doesn't count as triple symbolism. We'll stick with double. Someone let me know if they find a screen-cap of Crying Jesse with the white people around him. (Jay Leno said that Jesse was crying because he makes more than $250,000 per year. Apparently, Jesse had other reasons for the tears. Very moving).

Second, while coming out of the Metro station on the way to work this morning (Friday), there was a line of 35 or so people snaked around a corner. All of the people in line were black. They were lining up to buy a copy of Wednesday morning's Washington Post from a specially set-up street vendor. Newspapers all over the country have been printing out extra copies. The Post had to print out an additional 350,000 copies due to demand. Newspapers sold out in Atlanta, Indianapolis, Charlotte, Detroit, Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles as well. I know that there's no evidence that this is all due to large masses of black people wanting to buy a commemorative newspaper, but I'm also fairly sure that white people in general would not be standing in a long line to wait to buy one, especially two days after the paper came out. I stopped for a minute or so to just look at the line. It was a good visual representation of the meaningfulness for African-Americans of Obama's victory.

Little Help: Soviet History.

2008-11-06T19:39:00.003-05:00

Quick. A little while ago I read a piece about how the fall of the Soviet empire had not as much to do with Reagan bankrupting them and Pope John Paul being a mensch, but more to do with something else.

I forget what. Anyone?

[Czhallo. Is Gorbechev. I am out of town right now, but Andelmans have been gracious enough to give me job answering telephone.]

Prediction Update: I Kicked All Y'all's Ass. Unless I Didn't

2008-11-06T17:13:00.006-05:00

There are still several races to be decided, so we can't establish a true WNW Predictions winner. But here's how things look so far. Winner is bright yellow. Possible winner is in less-bright yellow. If our average guess would have won (or possibly won), I made it teal. The actuals are in green. I believe all of that was unnecessary.

So, I have at least 4 "points", with a possible of 6. Except others can also approach 4 points. So I might win nothing. And even if I win, I win nothing. So I will at least win the nothing.

I knew I liked them

2008-11-06T15:38:00.002-05:00

And now for the truly important post-election news.

Malia and Sasha Obama, promised a puppy after the election, are instead considering a rescue dog.

As a habitual rescue pet adopter, I encourage the Obama girls to go in that direction. It would do wonders for animal rescue in the U.S. to put the first family's face on their efforts.

Rahm n' Noodles

2008-11-06T12:53:00.005-05:00

There are no noodles. I just wanted to make a pun.

Anyway, Rahm Emanuel has apparently accepted the Chief of Staff job. On the one hand (the bigger hand), I really dig this. I like Rahm, and I think it's very smart to immediately slap down a Jewish guy in a high-profile position. That ought to (at least for about 12 seconds) shut up the Barack Heart the P.L.O. crowd.

On the other hand, he's kind of a fiery guy, and that breaks a little with the Obama tradition to date. Also, he's always struck me as more of a policy/advisory dude -- though I guess that is part of C.O.S. Anyway, I'm sure O will choose a pretty diverse cabinet that will have a little something for everyone.

The Morning After

2008-11-05T13:02:00.005-05:00

I'd like to first begin with how accurate I was with the predictions, not perfect, but pretty spot on- you are welcome. The live blogging I felt went well and was much fun, sorry I ducked out early, but I had to go to sleep so I called the race. VA and IN were nice surprises.

- WTF in CA!!?? They banned Gay Marriage? That's the whole point of CA!!
- Ted Stevens still holding on. He better not win, I don't want Palin in the Senate...nor does McCain.
- Al Franken demands a re-count. Well a recount is mandatory.
- 300 dollars says Obama appoints Hillary to the Supreme Court.
- Another 300 says Dems set up shop in AZ in an attempt to turn it by 2012.

Election LiveBlog starting at 7:30PM tonight!

2008-11-04T18:22:00.005-05:00

too cute

2008-11-04T16:14:00.001-05:00

A morning prayer

2008-11-04T09:15:00.000-05:00

Barack atah Illinois, Elohenu melech ha'olam, boray p'ri ha-electoral landslide.

Amen.

[cross posted at the other joint]

Predictiooooooooons.... Predictions.

2008-11-04T08:22:00.006-05:00

Let's See Who Can Get Closest. I'll bump up from the Comments later in the day, so they're easier to see:

1) Electoral Votes for your winner of choice. Use CNN's Election Calculator for even more precision.

2) Difference in Popular Vote Percentage. Use "O +x.x%" for example.

3) Number of Senate Dems. DO NOT INCLUDE Lieberman or Sanders (the Independents) in your count. Right now, Dems have 49. There are at least 5 pretty-solid pickups, for a seeming floor of 54. That leaves, in order of polling chances for the Dems: OR, NC, MN, GA, KY, MS.

4) Number of House Dems. The current House is 232 to 200 (with 3 vacancies).

5) Tipping State. This is the same question as last week, and I think the most thought-provoking one, as you can't rely on any single poll to figure this out. What state will be the one that the networks claim gives your candidate his 270 electoral votes and announces him as the winner? It could be any state, since it depends on the chronology of how quickly each state's votes are counted.

6) Turnout Compared to 2004. In 2004, turnout was pegged at 60.7% -- the highest since 1968. There seems to be a wide variance in the statistic though (this chart pegs 2004 at 55.3%, "but has a voting-age population 20 million people higher than the other figure), so a hard-number prediction will not work. So, predict how many percentage points higher/lower turnout in 2008 will be than in 2004. (Still not perfect, I realize, but doable).

7) Will John Murtha Pull Through? Murtha is the longtime Rep from Johnstown, PA, but called his constituents racist, an assessment that no one agrees with, except for everyone.

UPDATE:

Here's a handy sheet of everyone's guesses so far. I have the low on the popular vote differential, but Jason has the low on electoral. Yet, Jason also makes the apparent stunning prediction that Obama carries SC.

Didja Vote Yet?

2008-11-04T07:15:00.002-05:00

I voted shortly after 6 AM, since I don't know if I'll have time after work. The line was out the door. I was number 106 at my station (there are two separate wards at my polling place, each with a separate count), about 20 minutes after the polls officially opened in NJ.

How about you?

Amazing Race

2008-11-03T16:52:00.004-05:00

I enjoyed Rachel Maddow's Sunday recap of the gaffes, greatest hits, and downright strange moments from this seemingly eternal campaign.

So many great moments. McCain talking about the plan he's laid out for his fellow prisoners. Mike Gravel's bizarro commercial with the silence and the rock throwing. Biden trying to get a paraplegic to stand up. Obama visiting 57 states. Palin knowing nothing about anything.

Take a gander.

Kos Election Contest

2008-11-03T09:27:00.003-05:00

Kos has an election pool where you can win a laptop (you have to be a registered Kossack to enter). When I fill mine in, I'll try to post a screenshot or link or something as my official predictions.

Right-wing quote of the day

2008-11-02T16:04:00.000-05:00

From PowerLine:

"Still, I have a feeling that once you get past his core constituencies, Obama's support is very thin."

Interesting.

Predictions: Senate and Prez

2008-11-02T13:36:00.002-05:00

Let's just do it-

Virginia: Mark Warner over Jim Gilmore
New Mexico: Tom Udall over Steve Pearce
Colorado: Mark Udall over Bob Schaffer
Alaska: Mark Begich over Palin's Pet Toy Ted Stevens
New Hampshire: Jeanne Shaheen crushing John Sununu
North Carolina: Kay Hagan upsets Elizabeth "Godless" Dole
Oregon: Jeff Merkley over Gordon Smith
Minnesota: Norm Coleman barely beats Al Franken
Kentucky: Mitch McConnell over Bruce Lunsford
Mississippi: Roger Wicker in a close one over Ronnie Musgrove
Georgia: Jim Martin upsets Saxby Chambliss
Louisiana: Mary Landrieu ontop of John Kennedy (not that he minds)

Obama wins: HI, CA, OR, WA, NV, NM, CO, MN, IA, WI, IL, MI, FL, NC, VA, DC, MD, DE, PA, NJ, NY, CT, RI, MA, NH, VT, ME.

McCain wins: AK, ID, UT, MT, WY, AZ, TX, OK, KS, NE, SD, ND, MO, AR, LA, MS, AL, GA, TN, SC, KY, IN, WV, OH.

Obama over McCain 333-205

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. You heard it hear first. Let's go Steelers!!

Happy Obamaween!!!!

2008-10-31T19:18:00.006-04:00

The Wife caved us a Barack-o-Lantern this year! Enjoy!

Chill

2008-10-31T14:30:00.004-04:00

I posted the link to this in a comment, but I feel it is necessary to put it on the front page.

Voting Against Economic Self-Interest

2008-10-31T13:07:00.006-04:00

There was an excellent article in the Washington Post yesterday about small-town voters fearing they'd be forgotten about if Obama wins. Yet, as you read the stories of the people in the article, and the hard times they've been facing, you see that they fail to realize that, in a way, they've already been forgotten about.

The article starts about the billboard (pictured above) with Obama in a turban (Note: Why do they put Hussein in quotes? Do they think that's his nickname and not his actual middle name? Fascinating!).

Midway through the article, we get a great snapshot of a person uniwttingly voting against his economic self-interest. Or at least of a person who seems to have no idea that his supposed opinion is completey cock-eyed. The guy has a sad, hard-luck story that is all-too-typical in America today: no health insurance, job could be outsourced to Mexico, plus some tragedies thrown in of a a child dying and becoming addicted to meth. It seems that all he wants is to go back to the way things used to be. A time before unemployment, back when there was economic security, or at least a way to make ends meet. Yet, he views a message of "change" to be anethema to him (it seems there might be some race issues coming into this):

"There was a time not long ago where somebody like Obama would have tried to become president, and they would have run him out on a rail," Collins said. "That's back when this country had backbone. Now, we say, 'Okay. He might be different than what we're used to, but maybe we can use a change.' But wait a minute now. What was wrong with the way things were?"

So, essentially he's against Obama because he's afraid that "change" will affect the past, which he wants to go back to, as opposed to the present, which he views as a failure. I can understand that you might disagree with the partiular type of change that someone offers, but being against change in general, when the present is crushing you, is a little sad to see.

A Few Words About Anonymous $50 Contributions

2008-10-31T00:04:00.010-04:00

This "anonymous donations" dust-up is an unnecessarily big to-do that's missing the big picture. Why should we be concerned about small anonymous or "untraceable" donations? The reason we require some degree of openness in donor lists is so that we can be sure that politicians or the parties cannot be beholden to special interests. We want to prevent corruption. We want to know if a politician is receiving tens of thousands of dollars from an industry that her committee affects. We want to know if a political party is getting millions from certain corporations or labor unions. We want to know if foreign governments are trying to buy favorable policy. We want to have an open door on the potential influence-peddling that privately-financed elections can foment. But a donation of $50 is not going to buy influence anywhere. And even more obviously, an ANONYMOUS donation of $50 is not going to buy any influence. What corruption comes from allowing $25 donations from unknown sources in a billion-dollar election? None.

So what is the real concern? That people are putting up repetitive small-dollar donations under fake names to get around certain restrictions, doing so to a large-enough degree that it would buy influence, and then telling the Obama campaign that the 75 people known as "DFDSSD" are really them? I assume that is not seriously being alleged. Or is it that foreigners are donating to a campaign? Well, American citizens living abroad ARE allowed to donate to a campaign. Also, there's no way of verifying whether someone is a citizen or not -- even of the person had a passport, the State Department (rightfully) doesn't share this information. And why should they? We want to prevent the influence of foreign money. (Like the Clinton-Gore China and Buddhist monk fundraising issues). If the campaign is not soliciting the contribution and has no idea that foreign money is being received, what are we worried about?

Why are we concerned that a $25 gift-card donation is "untraceable"? You know what else is untraceable? Cash. And you can make $50 cash donations anonymously, or $100 cash donations non-anonymously (but, again, without any way to verify an address). Why do we allow cash donations in small amounts? Because, again, it is so incredibly unlikley that someone would make enough $50 donations anonymously (but tell the campaign that it was him) to be able to buy access. So gift card away.

The spirit of the rules is that we don't want people secretly influencing policy. These anonymous small donations don't violate the spirit of the rule. And since address verification is not required, it doesn't violate the letter of the rules either. So what's really the concern? "Karl Marx" donated $10? Who cares?

Mind you, it raises an eyebrow that (supposedly) the Obama campaign would accept a higher percentage taken out of each donation by the credit-card processor in exchange for no address verification. But the law allows this, and if the economics are right for the campaign (they can raise more money by having less donations excluded), as long as there's no chance of undue influence, the problem seems inconsequential.

I think what we have here is exactly what the campaign-finance reformers wanted (at least those that still wanted a privately-financed election). Millions of people are giving hundreds of millions of dollars. The donations are so diffuse that it's impossible for any person or group to unduly influence the candidate. If anything, we've finally got a candidate that is "beholden" to the public in general, not any particular people, companies, or industries. And if we wanted campaigns to vet every single donation, even those less than $1, it would tremendously raise the costs of campaigning, requiring even more fundraising and just compound the problem.

Disabling the address verification clearly brings Obama more money. But what is the concern? What effect will it have on Obama? Without some reasonable allegations about that, this is just a lot of noise.

Finally, a note on privacy of donors. People should be allowed to financially support a candidate to some extent without having their name (let alone their address and employer) posted on the Web for everyone to snoop around. Personally, I think the threshold level should be much higher than it is -- maybe $10,000 or so for Presidential general elections post-convention(whether it's an individual or a bundler). With the vast sums at issue, I just don't see much influence coming from amounts less than that (yes, I realize that people are limited to a quarter of this, but I think that's too low, too). Right now, the law allows you to remain private at under $200. People are entitled to this privacy if they donate less than this. And maybe some people circumvent the rules to donate more but to retain their privacy (as opposed to more sinister reasons), both from the campaigns and the public in general. The McCain campaign publicly discloses the names of all donors, regardless of size. If I was a small donor to the McCain campaign, I'd be pretty pissed off if my name was made public without my knoweldge.

Screen Cap from FiveThirtyEight.Com

2008-10-30T15:04:00.003-04:00

WTF?!?

Oh wait, I know Rashid Khalidi too!

2008-10-30T12:47:00.002-04:00

As we all know by now, the McCain camp has repeatedly pressed for media outlets to write about the connection between Obama and Khalidi, an outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights. The National Review wants more focus on the association, since the LA Times has reported that Khalidi threw Obama a farewell party in Chicago- guess who else was there- Bill Ayers!

Funny thing about the whole guilt-by-association game: during the 1990s, while John McCain served as chairman of the International Republican Institute, McCain distributed several grants to the Palestinian research center co-founded by Khalidi, including one worth half a million dollars- $448,873 to be exact, according to a 1998 tax filing.

It must be sweet to be so old you forget shit that you did.

"Talk me down"

2008-10-30T12:24:00.005-04:00

I believe that one of the hardest things to do in this era of bitter partisanship is to separate message from messenger, and evaluate arguments on their merits. There is a natural defensiveness on both sides, and an unwillingness to even discuss certain issues -- which, as a Barack supporter, I think is anathema to what he preaches.

So one of my roles here will probably be as a Resident Devil's Advocate of sorts. The guy who spots right-wing lines of argument in their infancy, and brings them up for discussion.

The job of my fellow contributors -- and any readers we may have -- will be to talk me down, and show me that these are silly or without merit. Or, if it's the case, admit that they have some merit, but argue why we still shouldn't care.

Case in point: this issue of Obama's untraceable contributions. That link is to the WaPo article, and it seems to be an issue worth discussing. Over at the extremely douchey right-wing blog PowerLine, they raise some interesting questions.

Read it when you have a minute, and share your thoughts.

And I promise not to have you read the vast majority of PL's cheerleading partisan posts, which are utterly insufferable and make me want to hunt the three of them down and bitch-slap them.

Let's Start Polling, too!

2008-10-29T16:57:00.007-04:00

We're going to have a contest here at White Nerdy Wonks a little later this weekend to see who comes closest on a few up-in-the-air questions for the election. But to get you in the mood, we'll start off with a good ol' blog poll to really put your prognostication skills to work.

Can you predict the state that will provide the needed electoral votes on Election Night for the networks to call a winner? You've got to use your thinking caps, because you've got to chronologically figure how your candidate will get to 270+. Let's take Obama: assume that VA, NC, FL, PA, OH, and IN will all be to close to call when the polls close. But how long until they get called? An hour? Maybe if the current polling sticks in PA or VA. But it'll probably be a while until at least FL gets called. And by that point, the Central states will have probably closed, if not the Pacific states. So any state could really be the one that puts Obama over the edge. CA, OR, WA, and NV could all get called before FL/OH/MO. Or maybe they won't matter.

I can't figure out how to put on a drop-down menu of all the states. So for now, vote for what time zone the state will be in. Consider OR to be Pacific; AZ and ID to be Mountain; KS, NE, ND, SD, TX, TN and IN (why not) to be Central; FL, MI, and KY in Eastern. We'll use NBC/MSNBC as the official caller.

"Buyer's remorse"

2008-10-29T10:27:00.004-04:00

While the poll numbers look good for our side, one thing keeps needling me squarely in the brain: 2000.

While the late October polls in 2004 proved quite accurate, that was not the case in 2000. And you can argue that 2000 was a more similar election to this one. There was no sitting President, and it was a choice between a newbie "outsider" (albeit the son of an insider) and a more established entity.

Recall what went down between the final week of 2000 polling and The Big Day (emphasis mine):

A CNN/USA Today/Gallup tracking poll conducted October 29 through October 31 showed Bush, then the Texas governor, leading Democratic Sen. Al Gore, 48 percent to 43 percent. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

A subsequent poll conducted November 2 through November 4, released two days before the voters cast their ballots, showed the same results.

Gore, however, ended up winning the popular vote by about 540,000 votes. When broken down by percentage, both candidates had about 48 percent of the popular vote. Bush won the Electoral College, and thereby the presidency, by 5 electoral votes.

I know that Big Papa Nate touts the structural advantages in the electoral college, and other mathy things. But still, given the reliance on previously unreliable voters and other unique "issues" in this campaign, I am still a bit worried about the Buyer's Remorse -- the last minute "Do we really want this guy?" Which wouldn't be helped one bit by Osama bin Laden poking his nasty little head into our affairs, as he did around this date four years ago.

Paging Mr. Godwin

2008-10-27T15:44:00.004-04:00

The Pennsylvania GOP is in hot water after an e-mail likening Barack Obama's rise to power to that of Hitler was sent to 75,000 Jewish voters.

Among the co-signers was a former justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court -- Sandra Schultz Newman -- who is either crazy, or (just as likely) didn't read the thing before it went out.

Though I did not receive the e-mail myself, I think I can safely speak for most of the recipients when I say to those involved: "Kindly shove an unlubricated dreidel up your ass."

But just to show there's no hard feelings, Sandy, you're personally invited to my place to watch the election results come in. I'll make the latkes.

Hey, Thanks Navy! James Harrison, You Are Excused.

2008-10-27T13:18:00.004-04:00

Two items from the weekend's foot-ball games.

1) Jesus Christ, Navy. I take my four-year old son to his first football game with my father-in-law in tow, sit through ridiculous amounts of driving rain, and you don't have the decency to make one fucking pass attempt the entire game? I am oh-so-glad I got to witness the first time that this happened in college football in 10 years. Navy ran on 3rd-and-11 (twice), 3rd-and-10, and 3rd-and-9. I don't care if you were down to your third-string QB. If James Harrison can attempt to long-snap the ball, your 3rd string QB could pretend to attempt a forward lateral. What, was Dr. Z coaching this thing? He's probably ordered the audio so he can listen on a constant loop as he types out his columns on an antique Remington. Negative bonus points go to SMU, who gave up a long run after biting on a pump-fake. Yeah, they haven't thrown all game -- better make sure you've got double-coverage down the field. There's a reason you've won only one game all year, SMU.

2) Much ado is being made about the Steelers' James Harrison's valiant-yet-awfully-errant long snap over injured-to-begin-with punter Mitch Berger's head for a safety. Obviously, the Pro Bowler linebacker contributes much more to the team than one errant snap could ever take away. But, I have seen little over what was my favorite play of the game, Harrison's pass interference penalty in the 4th quarter. Manning was being pressured to his left by Woodley, and he put up an opposite-handed, lobby lame duck to Brandon Jacobs that was barely going to make it to the line of scrimmage if it was to be caught at all. As Jacobs was half-jogging for the pass that he didn't really want to catch, Harrison ran up behind him and shoved him down. A more obvious pass-interference penalty there could not be. I assume Harrison thought the ball had been tipped. Reminded me of the first round playoff game the Giants had against the 49ers a few years ago, when the errant long snap (!) on the game-ending FG was botched, but then scooped up by the holder for a desperation pass, but the receiver was blatantly shoved before he could catch it.

Side Note: for the errant long snap play, the entry in the box score reads "M. Berger Aborted."

Montana

2008-10-27T12:37:00.003-04:00

While we're talking about states, I wanted to mention Montana. It's just about my favorite place in the world. In 2006, we took a vacation to Northwest Montana and Glacier Park. We were expecting to find scores of right-wing nutjobs, and what we found were organic dry-cleaners, fair-trade coffee shops, and organic steaks that we bought in the supermarket and grilled ourselves that are the best thing I've ever cooked in my life. The place was conservative in the libertarian sense, but people also realized that they live in the most beautiful place on Earth and actually give a damn about keeping it that way. Anyway, since we were there, I've always followed Montana politics a little more closely than any other state I haven't lived in.

Point being, I'm rooting hard for Montana to go blue this year. it's just outside Obama's column right now, but one recent poll actually showed Obama ahead and most of the recent ones have shown it close. They've got two Democratic Senators and a Democratic Governor, and they've been at the forefront of the Democratic resurgence in the Mountain West.

An Obama victory on November 4th would be sweet no matter how it looks, but for this Northeastern elitist, it would be that much sweeter if it includes Montana.

Minnesooooota

2008-10-26T20:47:00.006-04:00

Jason and I were just talking on the phone, and he reminded me that Norm Coleman -- prior to winning his Minnesota Senate seat -- lost to Jesse Ventura in the 1998 governor's race.

And at present, he's threatening to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory against Al Franken.

So, if that actually goes down, the story would read: One term in the Senate, sandwiched between losses to a mildly insane wrestler and a kind of annoying comedian. And to get to the Senate, he narrowly eeked out a win over Ronald Reagan's bitch, who was, at the time, 116 years old and had entered the race about an hour before the election.

I believe that is what political consultants call a "Shitty Resume."

(An additional factoid from Wikipedia: If Franken wins, he'd be the fourth consecutive Jew to hold that Senate seat).

8 Years Later

2008-10-26T08:38:00.004-04:00

My buddy over at NBC was given the DVD of this to try and air Friday, but NBC said no it's too much like a commercial and MSNBC didn't even look at it. Keith, your producer had this Friday afternoon!!!

The Black Guy

2008-10-25T21:41:00.005-04:00

Good evening, I thought I'd say hello, I'm the black guy. Now why would a group with a bunch of white guys want a black guy? Answer: We have style and we'll do just about anything to belong, just ask Colin Powell, or Alan Keyes or Edward M Daniels, or Bill Clinton. In all seriousness, I grew up with these fine wonky white boys and watched them become fine wonky white men. How do I fit in with the wonky white blog you may ask?: I graduated from Virginia and Carnegie Mellon and live in Elitist Non-America, New York City...I've also spent the last 5 months registering dead pets to vote for Obama. I think I'll fit in fine.

Worth 2,000 words

2008-10-24T17:39:00.001-04:00

[cross-posted at DanNation]

These two pictures are on Drudge's front page at the moment, pointing to two separate stories about the McCain and Obama campaigns, respectively.

Pretty much says it all about the state of the race, no?

Obama Will Destroy the American Restaurant Industry?

2008-10-24T15:16:00.003-04:00

Hank Williams, Jr. is not only ready for some football, he's ready for Election Day! He's been stumping with Palin and doesn't believe any polls, even Fox News'. It's worth watching this whole 4-minute clip from Fox News, but the best part is at the end, when Hank makes the rather novel attack that an Obama victory will destroy the American restaurant industry as we know it. Neil Cavuto's response is priceless. And why did Hank choose to wear a Steelers' Joey Porter jersey? That is, in fact, the absolute last jersey that I would imagine he'd wear. Well, except for maybe #22.

And for those that have not seen it, here's part of Hank's stump performance. It's just kinda surreal.

And what's with the choice in jerseys again? Who wears #96 for the Redskins? Was this left over from a stump speech for Bob Dole? Couldn't they at least get the man a jersey that says 08? Or whatever number Riggins wore?

At least it wasn't a truckful, a la Bam Morris

2008-10-24T14:35:00.007-04:00

We'll occasionally be veering away from political topics, to touch on equally important matters like the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In that vein, there's confirmation that wide receiver Santonio Holmes will be benched this week after his citation for having a couple of Mary-Ja-Wanna cigars in his ride yesterday.

Granted, so far in 2008 Nate Washington is the new Santonio. He's been the deep threat, and Mr. Holmes hasn't gotten things rolling.

But facing the Giants, I'd clearly prefer to have all the weapons in the arsenal at our disposal.

The Girl In Pittsburgh Who Got Carved

2008-10-24T12:51:00.004-04:00

Bob Mayo is WTAE-TV Channel 4's most erstwhile reporter. He is also, on the side, an avid blogger, and he is really good at it.

Although he keeps threatening to blog more often about cats and puzzles, he usually uses his blog to go deeper in to background on news stories he is already reporting. Check out his work on the carvee (carver?) at The Busman's Holiday.

Midnight Train On My Mind????

2008-10-24T10:20:00.002-04:00

OK. I'm obsessed with polls. I can't go 15 minutes without checking 538, TPM or Pollster to see if there's anything new. I have a feeling that 95% of my posts prior to election day will be of the "Holy shit, did you see that?" variety.

Anyway, Insider Advantage has Obama up a point in frickin' Georgia!!! Georgia, people!!! And with a key Senate race there (at least if we want to get to 60), it wouldn't surprise me to see Obama hit the ATL sometime next week.

FYI, according to Nate, IA is precisely average among pollsters.

Is Making a Deal Out of $150,000 in Clothes Sexist?

2008-10-23T22:35:00.002-04:00

I feel fairly uncomfortable with the stories on Palin's clothes. Societal norms require her to look flawless and to wear something new each day. The campaign has to make an investment in that to present her in a certain way. It wasn't like they bought Harry Winston jewels. It was lots and lots and lots of high-end clothes. Nothing wrong with that. And this was the stupidest thing I saw on all this -- a quote from the head of the Michigan Republican party: "I don't even know how you would spend $150,000 on clothes. You can get a pretty darn good men's suit for $300 to $500." Well, I doubt that either Obama or McCain is getting their suits for $500 or less. And they certainly don't need a new one for each day (or probably more than one each day). It's a completely oblivious comment that reflects an overt sexism that seems to blame Palin for being clothes-hungry, when the public and press essentially demand that she look impeccable. The wow factor about the price of the clothes should be that that's what it costs these days to outfit a candidate for two months, not that she went overboard. It was an investment in presentation and marketing, not a girl-gone-wild shopping spree.

Relatedly, I find this current commercial for the Chevy Traverse to also be sexist:

It basically says that women are so in love with shoes that they run out of their cars like crazy banshees, and would just scoop a whole bunch into their trunk, without regard to getting a matching pair or looking for the right size. I mean, really, what good will 117 shoes of different colors and sizes do? Oh, but you just KNOW it would be a dream come true for the ladies. And then there's that douche eating a hot dog who just shakes his head in humorous disbelief: "Oh, those ladies just LOVE their shoes -- they'll stop in the middle of the road without even putting on their hazard lights." There's no tongue-in-cheek reveal at the end to present this as joke-sexism. It's just out-and-out sexism.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

Like Damn and Whoa

2008-10-23T21:05:00.005-04:00

Jesus, 538 has Obama over 96% tonight. The main graph of the possible EV totals on the right is looking lonelier ever day.

Of course, the better things start to look, the greater my sense of impending doom.

Good Advice: Dodge the Draft and Do Drugs?

2008-10-23T21:04:00.004-04:00

Very nice intro, Archi. Your invocation of Admiral Stockdale got me to thinking -- Viet Nam vets have not done so well in the Presidential elections. Assuming McCain can't pull this one out, you've got him, Gore, and Kerry losing. And then you've got the two draft dodgers winning four elections between them (and Cheney, if you want to count him). And you've got Clinton, Bush, and Obama admitting to drug use (or alcohol abuse) as well. So, is the advice to all the young kids out there aspiring to be President that they should avoid military service at all costs and feel free to dabble in drugs any time up to your 40th birthday?

I'm reminded of the Andrew Sullivan article that Gobo notifed me about about Obama finally representing an end to the kulturkampf of hippies vs. hawks that's been waged in every election since the 60s. But what does it really say if the country has flat-out rejected Viet Nam vets and four times elected men who chose not to serve in that war? Sullivan takes a much more nuanced approach to it all and looks at each election individually. But maybe it's just more general. Like, perhaps military service, including McCain's, counts for nothing among the electorate these days. And that veterans groups are an impotent (or conflicted) special-interest group. But maybe the conflict is not a culture war, but a generational war (Sullivan hints at this too), where the younger generation finally voted in someone of their generation in 1992 and 1996 against two men who served in WWII, and they're not going back.

"Who are we? Why are we here?"

2008-10-23T18:25:00.002-04:00

This here is an experimental group blog featuring several White Nerdy Wonks. Political wonks, specifically.

We come to you today as the liberal answer to The Corner. We are all progressive and proud. But you'll surely notice plenty of differences in our worldviews. We may be white nerdy wonks, but we can pitch a huge tent. And also make erection jokes.

So get to know us! Pick your favorite. Collect us all. Then give us money.

At some point we'll improve the template, create profiles, yadda yadda. But for now, we'll just bring the news and views to you with humor, incisive wit, and probably poor taste.

I'm Archi, and I approve this message.