Hillary Clinton's mother dies

Hillary Clinton's mother dies

Our condolences. Dorothy Rodham was 92. The full statement from the Clinton family: Dorothy Howell Rodham was born in Chicago on June 4, 1919 and died shortly after midnight on November 1, 2011 in Washington, D.C., surrounded by her family. Her story was a quintessentially American one, largely because she wrote it herself. She overcame abandonment and hardship as a young girl to become the remarkable woman she was -- a warm, generous and strong woman; an intellectual; a woman who told a great joke and always got the joke; an extraordinary friend and, most of all, a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Dorothy is and always will be lovingly remembered by her daughter and son-in-law, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Bill Clinton; her sons and daughters-in-law, Hugh Rodham and Maria Rodham and Tony Rodham and Megan Rodham; her grandchildren, Chelsea Clinton and her husband Marc Mezvinsky, Zachary Rodham, Fiona Rodham and Simon Rodham. She leaves behind many friends from all stages and places in her life, friends from California she met in high school, friends from Little Rock and Washington with whom she explored the world, the people who were first her doctors and then became her friends at George Washington Hospital, to the people she met through her children and grandchildren who became as much her friend as theirs. To honor Dorothy, her family will hold a private celebration of her life for family and friends. In lieu of flowers and in line with what Dorothy would have wanted, the family have asked that any one who would want to do so would make a donation in Dorothy's memory to George Washington Hospital (http://www.gwhospital.com/Donations) where she received excellent care and made terrific friends over many years; to the Heifer Project (http://www.heifer.org/), her Christmas gift of choice in 2010 and an organization dear to her heart; or to a local organization meaningful to the giver that helps neglected and mistreated children, a blight Dorothy was determined to remedy until her last day because she knew too well the pain too many children suffer. Her family is and will be forever grateful for the gift of Dorothy's life and for the memories they will treasure forever.

Clinton: No interest in job if Obama wins in 2012

Clinton: No interest in job if Obama wins in 2012
WASHINGTON – Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Wednesday she does not want to stay in her job if President Barack Obama wins a second term in 2012. (AP)

Is Hillary sour on President Obama? Is this code word for "Get rid of Obama"?

I can't see how else to read this. Can you?

Strange Glee in the White House With Tea Party Victory

Strange glee. The Tea Party crowd won an election in Kentucky. Rand Paul, Ron Paul's son won a primary. It made national news. Why are the Democrats happy?

Meanwhile, our dear President Barack Obama suffers from an all-time low approval rating (42%). While he has pushed the barely supported health care bill forward, nothing has changed. Life in 2010 is pretty much the same as the day before he entered office. He has another year to fix this, but that will come quickly. He cannot delay.

Are the Obama people really concerned Paul's modest victory represents something? Maybe not, but with the gust of wind which blew him into office now a mere breeze, they need to gather up the troops. Since part of the campaign for 2008 was reactionary, they want to grab the antiTea Party movement who do not realize one election in Kentucky is just that.

The Tea Party victory gives the Democrats something to threaten lapsed followers with. "Look, if you don't start lapping at out heels, Sarah Pail will be president. and you know she is not a feminist."

In other words, the antiTea Party movement's energy and fervor needs to be manipulated back into the Obama camp, otherwise the very deft and bright Hillary Clinton will use her increasing influence to steal away the 2012 election. She's already raising interest in her work in China, and her tough talk about Korea.

Kennedy is Dead

With Ted Kennedy's death, President Barack Obama is running solo. Not to say Kennedy was all he had. Far from it, but Kennedy's support, both spoken and merely by his presence, carried plenty of weight.

It is sad news to all. Liberals lost a major voice, but conservatives recognize he was bigger than his views and was an iconic American.

As the media goes, I expect a flurry of politicians to say nice things. Some are sincere, and some realize they maybe get face time of cable TV. It will pass, and after some kind of memorial, he'll just be a memory.

His time had really passed. It likely ended when it was obvious he'd never be president. He still lead Massachusetts politics, and, in many ways, was the strongest voice in liberal politics. Unlike Hillary Clinton, he never was shrill. Conservatives who disagreed with him believed him, and knew him as a sharp thinking man, much as Newt Gingrich is respected by liberals.

RIP, Ted Kennedy

Barack Obama Admits He is Not a Unifier

Pittsburgh Steeler fan Barack Obama picked the Steelers to win over the Arizona Cardinals. Maybe he was just trying to tick off John McCain fans?

He could have gone the route that Hillary Clinton used to go, claiming she was a northsider, and therefore a Chicago Cubs fan, while cheering for the Chicago White Sox when they were in the World Series? The truth is, Hillary was no northsider, but grew up in posh Park Ridge, a northwestern suburb, and that she cared nothing for sports.

All of It: One Man, One Place, All Said
http://anthonytrendl.blogspot.com

Senate Seats for Sale: Obama's, What About Hillary's?

Elsewhere in the blogsphere, my influence can be found.

Newly Listed: Hillary Clinton's Seat (NY) : Fresh on the Market
For Sale: Barack Obama's Senate Seat (IL) : For Sale: Barack Obama's Senate Seat (IL)

Hillary Clinton Turns Down Secretary of State Cabinet Position

In an unexpected turn of events, Hillary Clinton told Barack Obama to, "Shove it," regarding his offer she become Secretary of State in the Obama cabinet.

"I was supposed to be president. The media promised me," and reminded reporters about their new houses and vacation time shares in Alaska.

Barack Obama released a statement:

I'm stunned. I was certain she would take whatever crumbs I offered. I needed a secretary. She needed a job. I thought, in my bid to help America's economy, I could hire her off the street, and keep her from skid row. Her insolence surprises me, especially after the sweet manner she ran her campaign. I needed a right hand man, and Hillary clearly was the one for it. Finding manly men in my party is hard, as we all know.

Barack Obama Begins the "I Love Hillary" Secretary of State Dance

No surprise here, but certainly politically complex. The media loved Hillary Clinton then hated her, loves Barack Obama, but now, all changes. As Obama backtracks on all the negative things he and his supporters said about her, he is now forced to reconcile politics with politics. All incoming presidents have had do similar things, but the polarizing Democratic primaries intensified both sides of the dilemma.

And wouldn't you know it, a woman gets into the cabinet at a high level, but winds up just a secretary.

Obama poised to name Hillary Clinton to State post
Reuters
By Ross Colvin CHICAGO (Reuters) - US President-Elect Barack Obama was poised to name his national security team on Monday, with former political rival Hillary Clinton in line to be picked as secretary of state.

Even Hillary Would be Better

Look around -- I'm young, educated, suburban and care about issues like the homeless. Most of my friends are voting for Barack Obama. In fact, peer pressure to vote for him has been tremendous. That said, I know others who are so pro-John McCain that they cringe when I suggest that Obama will not ruin our country.

So I voted for John McCain. My writer friends, most whom care more about the homeless than actually spend time with them, think I am unintelligent.

Tomorrow, I will look out the window. If the world is still there, I will go to work. If not, I'll stay home and drink coffee.

January 21, I will repeat the process, if, as one friend suggests, I am not dead. If I am dead, I regretfully will no longer be blogging, nor looking out windows.

So I voted for John McCain. He is not my first choice, nor my second. Possibly, he is my third, but, really, Barack Obama is not on my list. Even Hillary Clinton is higher on my list.

270 electoral votes needed to win, 527 undecided?
Right. Poor old Barack is down in the first quarter, with John McCain up by five. The score is 8-3. The election is over, and was when I voted. Illinois' decisions were made long ago.

The upside is once Obama is run out of town, we can bring in a new senator, one committed to getting the job done.

And so, I voted for John McCain. Tomorrow, I'll be a tiny point in a million point spread, and next week, a minor, soon forgotten statistic for pollsters and analysts.

Hillary Clinton Write-In Candidate?

Barack Obama could be in trouble if this catches wind.

Hillary Clinton Write-In Candidate

Palin / Hillary Open (Tina Fey as VP Candidate Sarah Palin)

Palin / Hillary Open

Gov. Palin and Senator Clinton address the nation.

SNL - Saturday Night Live

Hillary Clinton's Best Speech

I have written my share of speeches. Yesterday's speech by Hillary Clinton was the best I have ever heard her give. The content was perfect: a balance of transfering power to Barack Obama mixed with Carl Sandburg-style patriotism. She sharply avoided specifics -- John McCain himself could have said much of it (minus a few digs at Republicans, of course).

Her poise was perfect, as was her delivery, staying away from the staggered phrasings that marked her own faled campaign. She dressed in a bright orange jumpsuit, good look for many late middle aged women, hitting the skin tones nicely in the bright DNC convention all lights.

She avoided mentioning the wealth of John McCain, knowing both she and Bill, as well as Obama, are about as well-heeled as it gets. Instead, she talked about unions.

One surprising thing was way she dissed Joe Biden's wife by indicating she would only have a minor support role.

All of those things she said in her campaign, like how little we know about Barack Obama, she apparently never meant.

Start here:

Democratic National Convention - Official Site of the 2008 Convention in Denver

Democratic National Convention - Official Site of the 2008 Convention in Denver
Official site with volunteer details, the convention history, how to attend, press coverage, a weblog, and multimedia. August 25-28, 2008.

No surprises expected. Hillary hopes for cheers. Obama will say she ran a hard campaign, and thanks he for her support, and Joe Biden will be lauded as the great white hope against John McCain.

Barack Obama Ignores Hillary Clinton as VP

Barack Obama is ignoring Hillary Clinton for all the expected reasons, and her supporters are ticked, for all the expected reasons.

A new concern are that the ObamaGlow is getting dimmer. John McCain is nicking away at that, explaining that Barack is not as big as his celebrity shine would indicate. McCain's even suggested Obama is playing the race card.

'Dream Ticket' Meets Reality: Obama Looks Beyond Clinton'
ABC News
By JENNIFER PARKER and SUNLEN MILLER Some supporters of Hillary Clinton are voicing anger that Barack Obama may choose another woman for his vice presidential running mate.

USA TodayPoll: McCain Shrinks Obama’s Lead in Three Battleground States

Barack Obama Campaign Gear

In a desire to be an equal opportunity blogger, after posting a lot of pro-Hillary campaign materials, I though posting some Barack Obama campaign t-shirts might be in order.

Apparel

Barack Obama Black Clothing Women's Long Sleeve Dark$24.09
Barack Obama Black Clothing Women's V-Neck Dark T-$20.09
Barack Obama Black Clothing Maternity Dark T-Shirt$24.09
Barack Obama Black Clothing Women's Plus Size V-Neck$25.09
Barack Obama Black Clothing Dark T-Shirt$19.09
Barack Obama Black Clothing Women's Plus Size Scoo$25.09
Barack Obama Black Clothing Long Sleeve Dark T-Shi$24.09
Barack Obama Black Clothing Women's Dark T-Shirt$20.09

Barack Obama Gets the Nomination

Barack Obama Gets the Nomination

This means Hillary Clinton does not. The numbers do not matter.

John McCain vs Barack Obama.

Let the fight, and mudslinging, begin.

Colin Powell: Too Old? Too Military? Too Male? Too Republican? Too Black? Too Uninterested?

Colin Powell: Too Old? Too Military? Too Male? Too Republican? Too Black? Too Uninterested?

Colin Powell is black. I'll get that out of the way. While you probably noticed that, so will the American voter. Since Barack Obama has a few followers voting on his race, this could impact the competition.

Unless, what if, Barack Obama picks Powell? He's military, but Obama is not.

Powell is respected, a true leader. Most of his career we never heard of him, then, wham! He's in the public eye thanks to becoming Ronald Reagan's National Security Advisor followed by appointment as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, then, as George W Bush's Secretary of State. However, he hardly launched into those positions from nowhere, and served in leadership, but quietly.

Wise? Loaded with wisdom. As military people go, he is as diplomatic as you'll find.

What matters in any vice presidential candidate are his views. While in these days, we hardly expect that a VP will step up into the role of president, it can happen. We want a VP to represent what America, on the whole wants. Though Republican, some of his views will appeal to the more liberal side. These could alienate the conservative crowd, as well as evangelicals and Catholics who would prefer an anti-abortion White House.

• Pro-choice
• Supports affirmative action
• Favors some gun-control
• Supports the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.

Where he stands on the Iraq War is not as simple as for or against. While he seems to agree with Bush that Iraq is a source of future terrorism, and wants a peaceful Iraq, he disagrees that the USA military is capable of getting the job done. However, he'll concede that war will continue when we're gone. All said, I think, if in charge, he would send in a wave of troops to settle what could be quickly settled, then pull out, but leave advisers.

Views are not enough, though.

Race, of course, will be a strength and weakness. As many people out there who, as closet racists, will vote for him because he is black, there are as many, or more, who are equally racist, and not vote for him because of skin color. With Barack Obama running, though, this leaves the KKK crowd (and their subtler brethren) with the choice only not voting, voter for a this party, or voting against what they believe.

Meanwhile, he's 71. Ageism is a factor for some voters. Powell looks very alive, and younger than chronology suggests. He would be 75 after the first term. Two terms seems unlikely.

My guess: if offered, he would turn it down. His life as been the military, not domestic service. He's been a desk leader, as well as in the trenches. Capable as a leader, but his focus has been different. He has not pursued an office since 2005, and, will not this time. He's retired.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Powell

First seen here: Colin Powell: Too Old? Too Military? Too Black? Too Uninterested?

Ted Kennedy Faces Brain Cancer and Grim Future

Democrat Ted Kennedy has brain cancer. Malignant and fatal, it looks like he will be dead within five years.

As a Kennedy, and with that, great wealth, he can afford the best treatment available, but it is no less serious. There is no cure. Just the same, we can only wish him the best of health these remaining days.

What is next for him? No doubt, he is in shock, and unsure. He is 76.

The Kennedy era, filled with scandal, death, money, and power, will soon end. No heir to their dynasty truly exists. From his brother's (President John F Kennedy) murder, to his other brother's (Robert Kennedy) murder, to his own trouble with the death of Mary Jo Kopechne in his car (the infamous Chappaquiddick incident), tragedy has surrounded his family.

Eloquent and influential, Kennedy has served as a leader among Democrats since the early 1960s.

His presidential endorsements have not gone well. In 1988 he supported Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis to win the nomination. In 1992, he backed former fellow Massachusetts Senator Paul Tsongas. In 2000, he backed Vice President Al Gore. In 2004, it was Massachusetts Senator John Kerry.

Currently Kennedy is supporting Illinois Senator Barack Obama, his best shot recently in picking a winner. This was a key endorsement, which, no doubt, impacted Hillary Clinton's chance of securing the Democratic nomination.

Lemmings in an Era of Individuality: Limbaugh, Coulter, Colbert, Colmes, Stewart

Is there a Limbaugh factor? I could not say. I avoid all talk radio. The liberals and conservatives alike are filled with gassy self-righteousness. Some try to be funny, others are so serious that only bran cereal will fix their problem.

Rush Limbaugh, maybe the best known of all political radio hosts, is smart, but his agenda is not about focused, objective analysis. He is all about being against whatever the Democrats are scooping. One recent campaign was to cause chaos in the Dems primaries, to skew the numbers by convincing Republicans to vote Dem, then switch back. This isn't playing fair, but it is legal.

Easy toss out arguments against Limbaugh influence, "He's been busted for drugs," "He's arrogant," "He's conservative and stupid." Sorry, that just means you dislike him. Just like when Bill Clinton was playing with Monica Lewinsky's cigar, people ignore personal lifestyle choices.

A few days ago, I asked about which celebrity bamboozled you into voting for their guy. The most notable celebs to announce were not Republicans, but two very wealthy Hollywood Democrats.

Say what you will about extremist right-winger Limbaugh using his celebrity voice to influence to impact an election. Look at the highly publicized Jack Nicholson and Tom Hanks endorsements.

We are lemmings.

The Limbaugh Factor (story paste from the Washington Post). Interesting thoughts.

Our Readers Who Comment have also expressed special interest (or disgust) with a story that asked if conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh's "Operation Chaos" -- in which he urged Republicans to vote for Clinton in the Democratic primary -- actually held down Obama's totals. Limbaugh called off the operation yesterday, Alec MacGillis and Peter Slevin report, saying he wants Obama to be the party's pick, because "I now believe he would be the weakest of the Democrat nominees."

Limbaugh is a polarizing figure and has supporters in the comment string today, but most of those who bothered to write are not fans; many remind us that Limbaugh has had drug abuse problems, and several wonder if my colleagues at WaPo have lost their way in even bothering with the story, which I really liked.

Barack Obama Must Have Two Brains (or three?)

With Barack Obama having both found love among the media and the people of North Carolina (not so much love in Midwest Indiana), he's moving on to be the Democratic candidate for presidency.

For Hillary to win, she must have supporters come out of the woodwork, and vote Chicago-style. She cannot spare a remaining state. She has not lost, but she is not winning.

Can she do it? Yes. Will she? No. Her voters are just voters, no more committed to her than an average voter would be.

John McCain naturally prefers Hillary to win, believing fully that he can beat her more easily.

As long as she runs, Obama must continue to fight her. He'll start running again McCain this week, but his attention is divided. He needs two brains, two tongues: ones says to Democrats, "I'm liberal," the other says to Republicans, "But not that liberal," with a third one to independents, "I'm more independent than John McCain." He'll need to be more Bill Clinton than Bill Clinton, but look like Ron Reagan while he does it. He needs all of his charm, but needs now to look sagely, and reduce the criticism that he has not spoke about hard issues with depth.

Appearance is everything.

BBC News
Obama takes big step ahead in Democratic race
Washington Post
By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Barack Obama took a big step toward the Democratic presidential nomination with an easy victory in North Carolina on Tuesday, and Hillary Clinton vowed to keep her struggling campaign ...