The Elevator Pitch

Via the Maddow Blog (which I highly recommend by the way), comes word that the Obama-Biden camp has a pitch for their campaign:

"Osama bin Laden is dead and General Motors is alive."

Putting aside the question of crowing about another human's death (I'm definitely squeamish about that), I think this pitch could be awfully effective for a couple reasons: 1) It's pithy, memorable, and specific, unlike "Win the Future," 2) The first part is basically "America, Fuck Yeah!" which is always a popular stance, and 3) It highlights accomplishments that are unquestionably the president's.

Weekend Roundup

I am SO looking forward to this election:

Sen. Joseph Lieberman appears to be paying a high price for his embrace of Sen. John McCain in the presidential race. This is the highest disapproval rating in any Quinnipiac University poll in any state for a sitting U.S. Senator - except for New Jersey's Robert Torricelli, just before he resigned in 2002. Among those who say they voted for Sen. Lieberman in 2006, 30 percent now say they would vote for someone else if they could.

Nate is predicting a Franken lead at the end of the day. Oh Nate, whatever happened to us?

Andrew Sullivan makes the case for Rick Warren and moral legitimacy. I have to say, it's persuasive. It does make me think that we need to reconsider our knee-jerk reactions as Democrats and start to develop a new paradigm for governing and good citizenship.

I don't have a strong opinion yet about Caroline Kennedy except on the personal level I really like her. But I do have a problem with political dynasties and the established party system. Barack almost didn't make it to the Illinois Senate because of cronyism and all that sh**. However, she is a true progessive and that makes me happy.

Finally, I'm really not sure what to say about the auto bailout, BofA layoffs, California's budget disaster, Madoff's house of cards, or that our new Veep thinks the economy is "tanking". I'm just going to ignore this nightmare and enjoy the holidays. Luckily, our current president keeps opening his big, stupid mouth and reminding all of us, on his way out, how grateful we should be for our new President--concern about Cabinet picks aside.

Can you imagine Barack saying that being president made him sleepy?:

In the interview, Bush said he did not regret his wartime decisions.

"I was a wartime President and war is very exhausting. War is hard for a country. And, you know, I made the decision that we were going to win.

Morning Roundup--Gobble Gobble

This makes me kind of sad but no doubt the MSM is blowing this way out of proportion.

Tim Russert to finally (but not really) be replaced. My pick is David Gregory though it would be cool to have a woman. But no one wants to look at Andrea Mitchell's bizarro face every week and I'm still pissed at Gwen for her "moderating" at the Veep debate.

Not sure how I feel about this, bloggers seem to be a bit concerned.

EJ Dionne is feeling good about Obama's economic team, so I am too.
"Washington often divides the Democratic policy world between progressives and pragmatists. With Obama, as yesterday's news conference showed, it will have to become accustomed to a president who is both. "

Obama slams CEOs (about damn time we got some leadership from the leadership!) and talks about keepin it real at the WH.

Safe travels to everyone heading out of town for Turkey Day.

Morning Roundup--Part One

Yes, the tracking polls are tightening up. No, there's really nothing to worry about. The state polls are still heavily in Barack's corner. From you-know-who.

Still concerned about the Bradley effect? What the polls say about race. From Sunday's NYT.

Very cool article about Biden, who we haven't heard enough from lately.

Final words on the debate

Biden even won the FOX survey. 'Nuff said.


Biden Palin Undecided
CNN/Opinion Research 51 36
CBS 46 21
Fox 61 39
Survey USA 51 32 17
MediaCurves (indies) 67 33

Veep Debate Live Blogging, Part I

Because we found ourselves so very amusing the first time, we at Salon Sassy are taking another stab at live blogging a debate. This time, it's Biden and Palin. Will Joe be able to keep his foot out of his mouth and take it to Sarah? Will it be Sarah Barracuda or Sarah Barely Literate? We'll have it all for you, while keeping one eye on the Cubs score.

7:58 Like FDR, Gwen Ifills is already out on stage so no one sees her in her wheelchair. Oh, and Ilsa already yelled at everyone, so we're ready to go.

7:59 Penny went all professorial on us and analyzed the podium position. I think I'm out of my league.

8:01 And they're out. Sarah just asked if she could call Biden, "Joe." Strange.

8:03 Joe's up first about the bailout package. Really, the very picture of a polish politician in his answer. Palin's already busting out the folksy "betcha." This room could get ugly.

8:05 What no follow-ups?!?

8:06 OMG, she winked! The room just about lost it.

8:07 Gwen asks the candidates who was to blame. Could be interesting.

8:08 Again with the folksy. She's also looking straight at the camera, clearly trying to make a connection with the viewers. If she keeps with this tack, she could pull it off.

8:09 Biden's doing a good job putting the blame on deregulation and tying deregulation to McCain. It's a real contrast. Biden is playing the role of the stately politician and she's going for woman of the people.

8:12 Palin's sticking with the talking points, and the untruths. Sure, FactCheck.org will pick this apart, but will viewers notice?

8:13 Palin just admitted that she's going to talk about what she wants, regardless of what the questions are.

8:14 We're on to taxes. Didn't we already here 35 minutes of this last week? But, Biden's getting a little fire in his speech. He's warming up.

8:16 She was a little wobbly for a bit talking taxes, but regained control. Josh, on the other hand, easily the calmest person we all know, is actually showing signs of losing his cool.

8:17 Joe just gave the Scranton and Wilmington shout out! They both want to claim the middle class.

8:18 Joe pulls out a policy point, explaining how McCain offsets his healthcare tax credits. I don't think we'll be hearing that from the other podium.

8:19 First sound byte, Joe: "I call that the ultimate bridge to nowhere."

8:19 Gwen asks, what will you have to cut because of the economic troubles? Joe says, McCain's tax cuts. Nice. Again, a little fire building. He's picking up steam.

8:21 With no regard to the questions, she went to a talking point about energy.

8:22 She's talking so much about the little person and fighting big oil that you'd think she's courting the Nader vote.

8:23 The dynamic as I see it: Palin spouts her notes and Biden has to spend time on the policy specifics to refute it. I think Biden needs to get more aggressive and get her to leave the comfort of her note cards.

8:25 For the second time, she said McCain suspended his campaign. Biden needs to call her out!

8:26 Gwen goes after Joe for his vote on the bankruptcy bill. Joe's record is working against him because he actually has one.

8:28 Palin completely ignores the question and Lydia calls it "flagrant." The room here is calling for Gwen (or Joe) to confront her. Ilsa's so frustrated, she just turned to the candy corn.

8:29 Almost on cue, Bridget mentions she looks nervous and Palin rambles in weird SNL circles.

8:31 On whether global warming is man made, Biden pulls out that you can't fix a problem if you don't know what the source is.

8:32 Side note: Biden corrected himself when he said, "Sarah," immediately switching to "Governor." Clearly he's under orders to be respectful.

8:34 They're arguing about mythical clean coal. Time for me to check in on the Cubs game. Stay tuned for part two.

Debate Training-Biden learns what it takes to make girls cry (with HOT PICS)

from sassy reader erin in charlotte

Debate Training