Tag: Clinton

The Presidential Presser

I’m a guy who’s not normally without an opinion, but I am flummoxed.

obama-presser.jpgI watched most of the presidential press conference tonight. It began while we were at dinner and the manager of the restaurant was nice enough to allow us to tune the normally muted set away from sports.

As I’ve said in the past, I’m conflicted about what to do with our financial crisis. I’d like to punish the bastards who caused this. I’m worried that will hurt us even more. I’m a guy who’s not normally without an opinion, but I am flummoxed.

I like President Obama. I don’t know if he has the right answers, but I sense he’s working to protect my best interests. I didn’t have that feeling with Bush-43 or Clinton or Bush-41.

He seems like a smart guy. He’s very likable. None of that makes much difference. We really don’t have much choice but to trust him and hope for the best.

Dear Friend

They both started their letter, “Dear Friend.” That gives me the opportunity to tell anyone reading, I find that particular greeting to be, on its face, insincere

In today’s mail, solicitations from John McCain and Barack Obama. They’re both looking for money. There’s a surprise.

They both started their letter, “Dear Friend.” That gives me the opportunity to tell anyone reading, I find that particular greeting to be, on its face, insincere. In many ways, it reminds me of how President Clinton called Monica Lewinski “kiddo.” We all know how that turned out.

I am surprised to see hardly any difference in either envelope. Both make points by underlining and bolding words (in one case, Obama does both simultaneously) in their text presentation.

Check boxes for contributions start at $25 for McCain and $35 for Obama. I assume that extra ten spot is based on research which shows there’s little extra resistance to the extra $10. In other words, those who give $25 would probably give $35.

Each envelope had a four page letter, postage paid return envelope, contribution form and in Obama’s case, single sheet glossy brochure. That implies research in fund solicitation is mature and both sides know the shortest route to my dollars.

In my moments of daydreaming, I have pondered running for political office some day. I’m just not sure how I could get past the fundraising part, which I find unappealing, but know is necessary.

Who Is Missing?

Tonight, they ran the graphic pictured above, promoting their coverage. Where are Obama and Clinton? Aren’t they what the debate is all about?

debate-still.jpgI have been following the 2008 presidential campaign with a great deal of interest. Obviously, the Republican side is all but decided.

The Democrats, living up to Will Roger’s expectations&#185, are still fighting it out. At the moment, that’s a figurative expression, but it could become literal!

Tuesday night is the last of the internecine Democratic debates, this time in Cleveland. It will be carried by MSNBC.

Tonight, they ran the graphic pictured above, promoting their coverage. Where are Obama and Clinton? Aren’t they what the debate is all about?

Far be it for me to criticize “hey look at me” journalism. Still, we’re electing a president. Maybe for this one night, the four horsemen could take a back seat?

By the way, I originally saw this graphic with just Brian Williams and Tim Russert. I wonder if there’s any backstory with the addition of Olbermann and Matthews?

&#185 – Back in the mid-1930s, humorist, writer, movie star Will Rogers wrote, “I don’t belong to any organized party. I’m a Democrat.”

The Democratic Debate

The Democratic race for the president has become quite exciting to watch. Members of the same party are supposed to play nice. Senators Clinton and Obama are playing rough.

I just got off the phone with Helaine. “Please set the DVR for the Democratic debate.” I asked. This one appearance has become ‘must see TV!’ I’ve never recorded a debate before.

The Democratic race for the president has become quite exciting to watch. Members of the same party are supposed to play nice. Senators Clinton and Obama are playing rough.

It is quite possible this one debate tonight will decide the Democratic nominee.

The candidates need to be careful. One could win this battle and set himself/herself up to lose the war.

In a pissing match, everyone gets wet.

Shopping With Stef

Stef wants to make me look good – or so she says. With that in mind, we made a date to drive to the outlet center in Clinton. This is a place I’ve visited, grudgingly, in the past.

Since she was scheduled to work this evening, we planned on leaving at 11:30 AM. That’s a really early Saturday start for both of us. Obviously, that’s one trait she inherited from me.

It was a beautiful early fall kind of day with sunny skies, cool temperatures and an audible breeze. This time of year you really do hear the breeze in the trees.

With the top down, we headed to Clinton. There was traffic as we approached I-95 and a few stop-and-go spots once we got on it.

The outlets were very busy. School is nearly ready to start. That’s got to be part of the reason.

Stef took me to “Off 5th,” Saks outlet store. Zip, zip, zip – five pair of jeans were in her hands. We headed toward the dressing rooms.

I don’t want to embarrass myself too much, but I got locked out of the dressing room three times! It has been a long time since I went clothes shopping, hasn’t it?

And what’s the deal with button fly? Didn’t that go away in the 1850s? I won’t belabor the point, but life’s too short for button fly pants!

We bought two pairs and headed out. I think Stef was surprised it happened so quickly. She’s used to anguishing over every clothing decision. Not me.

We headed to the Cole Hahn store, where I bought two pairs of shoes. Same thing. Speed shopping.

I am curious how one pair of size 11s is comfortable and another won’t even fit on my feet.

We were almost ready to leave, but Stef had a sweatshirt to return. I forget the name of the store (lucky for them). The only two people working had no idea how to take a return and reverse a credit card charge – none!

We waited 45 minutes while they tried everything, and then finally called a manager at another store. Meanwhile, behind us, a line was forming.

We drove home, uneventfully.

You’ve got to be the parent of a post-teenager to understand, but this was a great trip. I’m not talking about the shopping. I’m talking about the company.

Stef was fun to be with – a good, grownup companion. Even at an outlet center, that still has full retail value.

Steve Colbert At The White House

I just hit pause on a video I’ve been watching. I recorded C-SPAN tonight! Has anyone ever done that before?

If my daughter is reading this, she’s laughing herself silly.

Tonight was the annual White House Correspondents Association dinner. I’m sad to say I’ve watched these in the past. It really makes for uncomfortable TV.

Back in 1994, I squirmed as I watched Don Imus be inapropriate and unfunny. Tonight, it’s Steven Colbert’s turn. See, I’m non-partisan.

The good thing about recording this dinner (as opposed to watching it live) is, there’s so much to fast forward through. I did stop, watch, and enjoy, CBS correspondent Bill Plante’s tour of the soon to be dismantled White House Press Room. I had heard for years it was a dingy, cramped, slum. It is.

Back to Colbert.

The problem here is, comedians come here to take the president apart… the most powerful man in the world… a guy with a very serious job…and he’s sitting a few feet from you.

I just don’t think it’s possible to do.

I’m only a TV weatherman, and I won’t go into a carnival’s dunk tank. This is the presidential equivalent.

As Steve began to go through his speech, hitting what he expected to be laugh lines, there was silence. He went through a long dissertation, making fun of the president’s poll numbers and I winced. He talked about the president on an aircraft carrier and in a recently flooded city square to zero response.

I feel bad for the president. Not because he isn’t responsible for what Colbert is talking about. It’s because in this venue, with the president unable to respond, it’s an unfair attack. It was true with Imus and Clinton and it is true with Colbert and Bush.

In fact that’s probably why I’ve paused the video to write this. Frozen on the right side of my computer screen is Colbert at the podium, his finger poking the air for effect. I don’t want to hear any more because I’m embarrassed to watch any more.

Maybe it’s time for this long standing tradition to stop.