An Inconvenient Truth: Al Gore and Wife Quit Marriage

An Inconvenient Truth author Democrat Al Gore and moralist wife, Tipper, are backing off their wedding vows. Once, Al said of Tipper, that she's "someone I've loved with my whole heart since the night of my high school senior prom."

Legally separated, divorce looks likely on the way. After 40 years, this decision was not made at Britney Spears divorce speeds.

Tipper was not the usual vice presidential who heads up feel-good programs on behalf of the White House (usually this includes the stereotypical female role of nurturing children, be it through improving literacy or decreasing obesity). Instead, Tipper created the Parents Music Resource Center. Like other well-connected wives, she used Al's influence to move it forward.

 To be noted, no mention of a John Edwards-type scandal has appeared. Not even a Monica Lewinsky - Bill Clinton level event. Just two people who find marriage inconvenient.

How will this play on President Barack Obama? For starters, Al is not an elected official. Obama is still married, and no scandals is in any way connected to his marriage. Yet, Gore is a Democrat, Obama is pushing various action for gay marriage. The current gulf oil spill, North Korea and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is biggest on his to-do list, and probably, for Obama, working to the Iraq War follows soon after. In other words, talk shows will mention it, as will blogs like this one, but it will be inconsequential. The average Democrat's view of marriage is flexible, and open top revision. Republicans might crow about Al and Tipper's personal failure to stick with their marriage, but Al's political career is over anyway.

more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100601/ap_on_re_us/us_gore_separation

How One Man Gets Around: John Edwards Admits Cheating on His Wife

Remember John Edwards? He tried running for president based on his Hollywood good looks, only to be beaten by Barack "Mr. Hollywood" Obama himself. Obama, however, hires better men than Edwards hires women. Edwards hired those Catholic bashers, while when Obama's Muslim campaign coordinator was found to be in cahoots with a terrorist group, he had the good sense to get out.

Get out of here John Edwards. We don't need your kind around. If we need a politician to have an affair, we'll just get Jesse Jackson. He's already fathered a child out of wedlock.

Edwards admits to extramarital affair

(CNN) -- Former U.S. senator and Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards admitted to an extramarital affair in an interview with ABC News, the network reported Friday. He denied being the father of the woman's child, as had been alleged in tabloid reports.

Speaking to the network for a story to be aired Friday night, Edwards acknowledged the affair with 42-year-old Rielle Hunter, which began after she was hired to make documentary videos for his campaign, ABC said.

Two Will Lose: Inevitability in the 2008 Presidential Race

A friend described to me what he is thankful for, and, what many American voters are struggling with -- there is one certainty in this election: When the election in November is over, when the 2008 Presidential Race has finished, two candidates will have lost.

While many Barack Obama supporters are calling the Hillary Clinton campaign racist, and while many Hillary Clinton supporters are calling the Barack Obama campaign sexist, we see that neither camp respects the other. This means that when they join forces, after the Democrat super delegates are done being kissed on like some New York whore, lies begin.

Which lies? The ones which begin, "Wow, what a tough campaign (fill in name of winner). I (the name of the loser) respect you, trust you, and fully support you." They, then, will bear the other's love child.

Meanwhile, conservatives will be forced to vote for John McCain. They do not want to, but given their choice, whether Hillary or Barack, they are stuck.

Many Christians have found themselves stuck compromising one way or another. Many are choosing Obama if for no other reason his strong leadership reminds them of George Bush, despite his pro-abortion and pro-gay perspectives (Obama promises to dedicate presidency to homosexual activism, the Catholic News Agency quotes Obama, ""As your President, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws," Obama said.")

Yet, likewise, wanting to remain prolife, who do they vote for? John McCain, a man whose campaign was quoted by the Huffington Post, "In a response to a question about the religious right, an important component of the Republican coalition, he said that it was, indeed "a serious problem...""

So then there is Hillary Clinton, who all but makes love to organizations like Planned Parenthood, who, along with Sen. Barack Obama and Elizabeth Edwards, chased pro-abortion voters.

At least two of the remaining candidates will lose. Well, yes, there's that. So will America. Damned if they vote for (X), and damned if they don't? That depends on what 'damned' means, which no doubt, each candidate would accuse the other of doing.

Hillary Clinton Steps Off National Stage?

Hillary Clinton looks to be quitting the race. Like my thoughts for Mitt Romney, I think Hillary has begun the fight for Vice President.

Barack Obama has been clear: he will not serve as Vice President. It is, for him, all or nothing.

Not for Hillary. She wants the White House, and is a fighter. Behind her smiling teeth are gritted teeth, and a snarl. She isn't giving up; she's focusing.

The big question for Obama: Will she help or hinder him? Or, would someone like John Edwards, very white and somewhat male bring in the Archier Bunker vote?

John Edwards Joins Quitters Row

John Edwards, the guy pretending to run for president, finally admits he is not wanted by the general public.

Edwards to drop out
John Edwards is exiting the presidential race today, according to reports.

» Will he endorse another?

Barack Obama Trounces With 55% (99% of the Votes In)

Not great surprise here that Barack Obama took the prize, but it would have no suprise had Hillary Clinton won. Still, by the numbers, 'ol Hillary was just a second class candidate. In fact, loser John Edwards was closer to Hillary (9%) than Hillary was to Obama (28%).

The surprise would have been John Edwards, who once looked like he was running for Vice President, but now, may settle for assistant mayor of Omaha.

Barack Obama 55%
Hillary Clinton 27%
John Edwards 18%

Obama Wins South Carolina Primary
New York Times
By JEFF ZELENY and MARJORIE CONNELLY COLUMBIA, SC - Senator Barack Obama won a commanding victory over Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in the South Carolina Democratic primary on Saturday, drawing a wide majority of black support and one-quarter of ...

MTV Covers Boxing Match at the Democratic Presidential Debate

MTV covered the debate. Not significant was John Edwards, who was there, but no one cared.

Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama Get Personal At Testy Debate
MTV.com
Obama also responds to Bill Clinton's jabs: 'I can't tell who I'm running against sometimes.'
By Gil Kaufman
In a sign of just how tense and close the race for the Democratic presidential nomination has become, Illinois Senator Barack Obama, ...

Clinton Scores Lonely Victory in Michigan's Hobbled Democratic Primary

Clinton Scores Lonely Victory in Michigan's Hobbled Democratic Primary
By Marie Horrigan, CQ Staff
Whole story
Wed Jan 16, 2:38 AM ET

New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton headed off a potentially embarrassing situation Tuesday when she won Michigan's Democratic presidential primary -- a contest, tarnished by a scheduling dispute between the national and state party organizations, in which she was the only top-tier Democratic candidate on the ballot.

Clinton ended up with 55 percent of the vote in the lightly attended Democratic contest, with 40 percent of the voters choosing the "uncommitted" line.

The peculiar contest resulted from the hard line taken by the Democratic National Committee against Michigan's rule-breaking Jan. 15 primary date, which ultimately led to the national party's revocation of all 156 of the state's delegates to the party's August national convention. The DNC's demand that most states, including Michigan, stick to a Feb. 5 starting date for the presidential nominating process prompted Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards -- Clinton's chief rivals for the nomination -- to withdraw their names from the ballot

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama Kiss and Make Up

As I said, an important reason not to vote for Hillary Clinton is gender. Pleased to see, too, that the race race is being quelled by Barack Obama.

These candidates each have their strengths and weaknesses, and letting race or gender define either is small-minded. Even John Edwards knows that, having neither gender nor race.

Sydney Morning HeraldClinton Shines In Vegas
TheStreet.com
By John Fout After a slow start bogged down by a show of unity that bordered on blather, the Democratic debate in Las Vegas managed to reveal important character traits.

Hillary Clinton: January 2008 Press Releases

Prolific in releasing statements to the press, Hillary Clinton keeps an archive on her website. Here's all of January to date.

January 2008

1/15
Statement by Senator Hillary Clinton Commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday

1/15
Morning HUBdate: “Voice”

1/15
New Clinton Spanish-Language TV Ad Airing In Nevada

1/15
Hillary To Appear On Tyra Banks Show

1/15
Labor Rights’ Leader and Activist Richard Chavez Endorses Hillary Clinton for President

1/15
Yesterday in the States

1/14
Clinton Campaign Hires Colorado Communications Director

1/14
Statement of Hillary Rodham Clinton

1/14
Fact Sheet: Sen. Obama's 129 Present Votes

1/14
New Mexico Lt. Governor Diane Denish Endorses Hillary for President

1/14
California NAACP President Alice Huffman Endorses Clinton

1/14
U.S. Representative Mike Thompson Endorses Hillary Clinton for President

1/14
Obama Camp Keeps Making False Claims About Sen. Obama’s Record on Troop Withdrawal

1/14
Amber And America Endorse Hillary

1/14
Morning HUBdate: Comfortable and Knowledgeable

1/13
Statement from Bob Johnson on His Comments Today in South Carolina

1/13
Statement from the Clinton Campaign’s Senior Economic Adviser Gene Sperling

1/13
On Meet The Press, Hillary Examines Sen. Obama On Iraq

1/13
Morning HUBdate: The Full Hour

1/12
Colorado Hispanic Leadership Council Kicks Off “Un Nuevo Día” Volunteer Recruitment Effort

1/12
Clinton Campaign’s Volunteer Network to Launch Home “Dialing for Hillary” Phone Bank Initiative

1/12
Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy Endorses Hillary Clinton for President

1/12
Morning HUBdate: Gaining Ground

1/11
Clinton Unveils Aggressive Plan to Jumpstart U.S. Economy

1/11
Morning HUBdate: Jumpstart

1/11
American Samoa Governor Tulafono Endorses Clinton

1/11
Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi Endorses Hillary Clinton for President

1/11
Clinton Says Her Campaign Is About Making A Difference In People’s Lives In New Ad Airing In Nevada, South Carolina

1/11
“Ask Hillary,” She Answers

1/11
Radio Actuality: Adams County Assessor Gil Reyes Discusses Clinton’s Aggressive Plan to Jumpstart U.S. Economy

1/11
Clinton Unveils Aggressive Plan to Jumpstart U.S. Economy

1/10
Clinton Statement on Gov. Richardson Withdrawal

1/10
Henry Cisneros and Edward Romero Endorse Hillary for President

1/10
State Senator Bob Coffin Endorses Clinton

1/10
Clinton Continues Momentum At Campaign Events Across the Country

1/10
Hillary Clinton Statement on Small Business Administration Proposal Affecting Women-Owned Small Businesses

1/9
Congresswoman Shelley Berkley Endorses Clinton

1/9
Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner Endorses Clinton

1/9
Clinton Momentum Sweeps Across the Country

1/9
Clinton Campaign Announces North Dakota Steering Committee

1/9
Clinton Campaign Announces Kansas Steering Committee

1/9
Continuing the Momentum, Clinton Campaign Announces Connecticut Steering Committee

1/9
Clinton Campaign Announces Endorsement of Former Missouri Governor Warren Hearnes and First Lady Betty Hearnes

1/9
Clinton Campaign Announces Oklahoma Steering Committee

1/9
TODAY: Wellington Webb and Clinton Campaign Volunteers to Discuss Hillary’s Record of Change and Momentum Moving Forward

1/8
Former Biden State Director Ronni Council Joins Clinton Team

1/7
Morning HUBdate: Rhetoric vs. Results

1/7
New Hampshire for Hillary Campaign Makes Final Grassroots Push

1/6
Former Biden Supporter State Representative Bill Hatch Endorses Senator Clinton for President

1/6
Former Biden Supporter State Representative Jim Webber Endorses Senator Clinton for President

Bill Richardson Becomes the Most Recent Quitter

Bill Richardson, admitting he is a wannabe leader in a field of three powerhouses (John Edwards, Barack Obama, and, of course, Hillary Clinton). Unable to compete with the big girls and boys, he officially is bowing out.

He could not afford to throw donor money in a lost, futile cause. "His impressive credentials" apparently impressed too few, and, realizing he was losing on every front, quit what he could not finish.

Richardson to end 2008 presidential bid
AP - New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson ended his campaign for the presidency Wednesday after twin fourth-place finishes that showed his impressive credentials could not compete with his rivals' star power.

Joel Osteen or John Edwards? You Pick the Better Speaker.

Speaking styles of two successful Southerners.

Ya'll got thoughts on all this?

JOEL OSTEEN /LAKEWOOD CHURCH


10/14/2007 - Joel Osteen, pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas


John Edwards' latest campaign ad airing in New Hampshire.


John Edwards fixing his hair before an interview. With appropriate music.

Iowa: Still Hillary/Obama, Republicans Undecided (But Voted Conservative)

Whadja think of last night in Iowa?

As you know, Barack Obama beat Hillary Clinton by 8-9 percentage points. She came in third, behind John Edwards.

Mike Huckabee had a similar win over Mitt Romney. That said, in conservative, largely faith-based Iowa, Huckabee had easy pickings there . This showed two things, though: Repubs are still undecided, and, Add Romney and Huckabee and you've got a lot of morally conservative voters willing to vote Republican.

The Democrats never reached out to evangelical and fundamentalist Christians, despite having some values many hold important.

I think Huckabee will take a hit in NH. Everyone does. Expect him to tweak his message to diminish his faith-focus, and talk about caring for others. Consistent with what he believes, but will help limit the religious phobia that swirls around those afraid of his personal life.

I think Edwards' support is temporary. He is too liberal compared to Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and the majority of Democratic voter want someone to build bridges with conservatives. The jury is out whether Hillary/Obama can do this, but few think Edwards can, or intends to.

Still a Hillary/Obama fight. The Clinton campaign is not unorganized, and not hanging their heads low. They know Hillary’s husband lost in Iowa, and then went on to win two White House elections. Expect the Hillary machine to do what it does better than the rest: swing hard, look smart, and handle the PR masterfully.

Rudy never showed up, realizing he had no chance in Iowa. He saved his money, emotions and reality. That reality is that he will not president. He's running for speaking jobs in 2009.

Which Republican is wining their side? I’m unsure. Huckabee’s victory may not withstand then upcoming East Coast liberal onslaught. However, he could thrive. Just like during Super Bowl Sunday, alternatives are still needed. He might be seen as the one credible conservative option, and, as we see, other than Romney, candidates among Republicans are more mid-road moralists or have no reasonable chance (no one, from what I hear, ever took Alan Keyes seriously).

Clinton Loses to Obama, Ties With Edwards: Iowa Caucus

1. Edwards and Clinton both have 31%
2. Huckabee has won Iowa with 35%
3. Obama has won Iowa with 36%

Mike Bloomberg Moves Closer to Running for President

This falls into the 'you gotta be kidding' category. Mike's got pluck, but, in this case, the brains of a duck.

Maybe he has Rudy Giuliani - Hillary Clinton lust. No, not in the way John Edwards would smirk at, but in the way that he's the only leading New Yorker (OK, Hillary's an import, we know, but no one cares) without a White House run. Stephen Forbes had a shot, but not Mikey.

Mikey wants some too.

Bloomberg Moves Closer to Running for President

Merry Christmas to Hillary, Huck and All Their Supporters

Christmas is today.

Some candidates are devoutly Christian, others are politically and conveniently Christian. Some are 'fallen Christian'. Lots of denominations, from Catholic to Baptist to Methodist and beyond.

Some are Jewish, and naturally, not celebrating Christmas in the theological sense. Others are not believers in any god, and are just taking a day off.

A lot like America. We believe all kinds of things, and hopefully, are living out what we believe. We enjoy this freedom, and hopefully, we learn to tolerate others, no matter what they believe. We do not need to agree, but unlike countries like Iran and Sudan, we are able to live together in peace.

I am a Christian, and so can only wish Merry Christmas to those who believe. For those of you are not, I sincerely hope you have a good day filled with warmth and family memories in the making.

So, to Obama, Clinton? Huckabee? McCain, Rudy, Romney, Newt, Thompson, Dean, Kerry, Paul, and Edwards, and you... Merry Christmas (even to you, Osama bin Laden)

• for a lighter look: Bin Laden Urges Americans to Convert to Christianity (Only Jesus is Lord, He Cries Out!)
• for an analytical look: Christmas in Schools?

Barack Obama is Winning as Hillary Clinton Leads the Polls

Barack Obama is fighting a losing battle for 2008, and a winning battle for 2012. Hillary Clinton is en route to winning by a massive margin the Democratic nomination, but her viability in the national election is dire. If she does not win the White House, and few of the more objective analysts (like myself, of course), Barack Obama has both the nomination and the presidency in 2012.

Presently, Hillary is enjoying a gender novelty matter. Take away gender, which will not be an issue by 2012 either way, and things get much closer.

Meanwhile, Obama, safely serving again as an Illinois senator (something Illinoisans are not sure he's doing well), he'll remain high in the national eye, raising money, and paying his dues.

Poll Averages - Democrats

• Hillary Clinton 42.2%
• Barack Obama 23.0%
• John Edwards 12.2%
• Bill Richardson 3.3%

Politicians Cash In, Cash Out as Authors

You already know this. Obama, Clinton, Giuliani, Edwards all have books making them piles of money. Some are already wealthy enough to easily cast a half million or more away to charity, a noble thing to do. Not one has yet to give the proverbial widow's mite, but every dollar helps.

Which brings me to a point. Why not consider (at least) for every dollar you give to support your candidate (including T-shirt purchases, books as well as donations), you support and equal amount toward the local homeless mission nearest your home? I'm doing that. And, at least 10% of whatever my blog makes will go to a nonprofit charity.

Top candidates profit from book deals (Yahoo.com story)

Search Books by Your Favorite Politician

Hillary Rodham Clinton

John McCain

Barack Obama

John Edwards

John Kerry

Mitt Romney

Bill Richardson

Jimmy Carter

Tom Tancredo

Dennis Kucinich

Mike Huckabee

Joe Biden

Chris Dodd

Rudy Giuliani

Who Do We Like Least? Democrats Vie for Public Distaste

Who Loves You, Baby?

No one.

It used to be a well-appreciated fact: America hates Bush. Besides, with the Republicans controlling Congress, there was plenty for a Democrat to hate.

That's now trouble. As it seems, given the opportunity, Democrats are very disliked too. They are running Congress now. After much celebration with the more liberal side of the Democratic Party stepping in under Nancy Pelosi, it looked as if Democrats were as popular as the late Ronald Reagan. Not so.

The survey shows Bush's approval ratings at 35 percent, and Congress' even lower, 25 percent. Only 27 percent of those polled said the country is headed in the right direction, and 39 percent said they support the Iraq war, with 58 percent opposed.

That's what it says in an AP piece posted on Yahoo.

No wonder George Bush seemed almost happy when she took office. Congress would make him look good. Who woulda thunk?

What are we supposed to do with that? We love to blame, but we don't know who to blame.

Where this leaves the presidential candidates is the need to push hope. Bill Clinton and Reagan were masters of this. Bush, both, were masters at promoting security, but feeble when it came to hope.

When election times comes, if we dislike everybody in theory (do we really hate Congress that much, or are we just tired of their reputation of giving themselves raises in troubled times, as ethics scandals creep out?) -- will anyone show up to vote? If we are left with a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" attitude, ambivalence will follow, finished off by ignoring the whole election.

We need hope. Real hope, not marketed garbage that is the product of a PR campaign. We need to believe in substance. George W Bush, for all his foibles, is a man of conviction. We need that character in office, with convictions we agree with, we can trust. Kerry lost because we never trusted he had any convictions. John Edwards, to a less degree, seems as wishy-washy (though he is committed to good hair, and is willing to invest in it).

As hope-mongers go, Barack Obama is in better shape, for now, than Hillary Clinton. She's working on this. Obama is simply more stable in his presentation. He feels believable, like a father figure. Reagan was a tough cowboy grandfather, but Obama is softer. He's not exactly Mike Brady of the Brady Bunch, but he carries himself with an academic certainty.

Among the Republicans? Hope is an easier sell for them to their followers. Republican voters tend to look at life and politics more optimistically. However, the Democrats are doing their best to chip away at it.

With Mitt Romney, the Democrats, and even Planned Parenthood is trying to say he's not prochoice and has changed his vote. Prolife Republicans are responding, "Atta boy!" much to the Democrat's chagrin. Rudy Giuliani has divorced to often to feel like a hopeful guy. He's humorous, but not hopeful. Fred Thompson, the jury is still out, but he could play that tenor. John McCain is dead in the water, and was nothing but an interview expert on TV talk shows.

When we all line up to vote, who is still arouning kissing babies is yet to be seen. This much we know, we probably don't like them.

Anne Coulter: Doth the Dems Protest Too Much?

Anne Coulter, the bane of all things liberal, or so she thinks, is not known for her great diplomatic gestures.

• Sweet speaking? No.
• Kind? No.
• Ogled by middle-aged liberals and conservatives alike? Yes.
• Good or bad for the Republicans? Dunno.

That's the question. Is she bad for Republicans? I used to think yes. Then, non-candidate John Edwards got on the anti-Anne Coulter bandwagon. As I see it, given Edwards is among the most liberal Democrats, his interest validates Coulter to Republicans.

This does not make Coulter right in her approach or ideas, just as her ideas are not by default wrong just because she hates liberals. It does mean that John Edwards campaign is desperate for votes, and used Coulter to stir up interest.

As Democrats go, I contend this is still a Hillary Clinton race, with a strong second by Barack Obama. The support is there, the money is there, the media is there. Edwards is about as important as when Alan Keyes ran against Obama in illinois -- lots of noise, but not a chance.

John Edwards is, ironically, helping Republicans. As he is now sitting the chair of the third person in a two-person race, money that could go to supporting Barack Obama, or Hillary Clinton, is lining his coffers. Wasting money does no candidate any good, but, to those investing foolishly in Edwards, voters are the ones really losing. What does Anne Coulter get? Infamy, book sales, and the capacity to stir money from Obama to Edwards. She's the victor.

What if the vote was Anne Coulter against John Edwards? Who would win?