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Source: (consider it) Thread: Purgatory: The political junkie POTUS prediction thread
Melisande
Shipmate
# 4177

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The thing for me is: I have two kids, 6 and 3. This is the first election the 6-year-old will remember; the 3-year-old won't. But as of last night, my kids are no longer growing up in a world in which the United States electing a black man is unimaginable. I found myself choking up explaining to the older one what this means for all the people around us whose experience of being American is so different from ours....

They're still growing up in a world in which US states codify homophobia, and where the female candidates have fake pornos made about them, but no matter where we go from here, something has changed.

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The door itself makes no promises.
It is only a door.
-- Adrienne Rich

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Timothy the Obscure

Mostly Friendly
# 292

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McCain's concession was truly classy--too bad about his supporters. He seemed to me to be almost relieved that he could go back to being himself again, instead of the nasty attack-bot that the handlers had turned him into.

I'm not an Obamamaniac (he was my 3rd or 4th choice), but I was for very nearly the first time able to vote for a major-party candidate for president without feeling sullied. And for the first time in my adult life, I actually feel somewhat hopeful about the future of my country.

I think Obama has a resonable shot at a successful two-term presidency. I don't think he'll be able to dig us out of the hole Bush got us in in four years, but he can make a start if he can get Congress working. The hard part there will be getting his own party to refrain from going overboard and rubbing the GOP's face in their deeper minority status.

I think this may be for the Republicans what 1972 was for the Democrats, when McGovern (who was certainly no extremist) got captured by a shrill faction that alienated large parts of what had been the Democratic base (especially labor). Watergate was the only thing that saved the Dems from an even longer trip to oblivion. If Obama is as good at building bridges as he says he wants to be, we may see moderate Republicans switching to the Democrats and the GOP itself becoming more of a haven for the hysterical right-wing evangelical Palin mob. At least until a Republican version of Bill Clinton comes along to remake the brand (probably by reviving something like Eisenhower Republicanism). I expect the tarnish on the GOP will last at least four years.

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When you think of the long and gloomy history of man, you will find more hideous crimes have been committed in the name of obedience than have ever been committed in the name of rebellion.
  - C. P. Snow

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Scot

Deck hand
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quote:
Originally posted by Melisande:
They're still growing up in a world in which US states codify homophobia, and where the female candidates have fake pornos made about them, but no matter where we go from here, something has changed.

If it's any slight consolation, the black man and the old white guy also starred in fake porn.

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“Here, we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, nor tolerate any error so long as reason is left free to combat it.” - Thomas Jefferson

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Organ Builder
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quote:
Originally posted by Scot:
]If it's any slight consolation, the black man and the old white guy also starred in fake porn.

It may not be a consolation for Melisande, but it is for me.

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How desperately difficult it is to be honest with oneself. It is much easier to be honest with other people.--E.F. Benson

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Robert Armin

All licens'd fool
# 182

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This morning I spoke to my (Brit) school. I scrapped the talk I had prepared, and spoke about what Obama's win symbolised - using many points I had learnt from this thread - talking about our own need to overcome prejudice and accept others as they are. At the end I prayed for God's help to love others, no matter who they are, but my final petition was, "And today may God indeed bless America".

I'm still feeling that way now. I think He has and I pray that He will continue so to do.

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Keeping fit was an obsession with Fr Moity .... He did chin ups in the vestry, calisthenics in the pulpit, and had developed a series of Tai-Chi exercises to correspond with ritual movements of the Mass. The Antipope Robert Rankin

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comet

Snowball in Hell
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quote:
Originally posted by Zwingli:
Honestly, people, get a grip.
Sheesh.

nuh-uh. and you can't make me. [Razz]

I dont want a fucking grip right now. I've just taken my thumb out of the door after 8 years and the throbbing if going to take a few days to die down.

deal with it.

my mom was part of the Civil Rights Movement. she was gassed, arrested, beaten, spit on, and treated like shit by all sorts of people including family.

This morning I called her up and thanked her. I told her if she hadn't done those things we couldn't have elected Obama. that it worked.

She cried. I cried.

I'm an emotional basket case today.

And what's beautiful, really, is the fact that Obama is black is really just the icing on the cake. that's not why I voted for him. I wouldn't have voted for Condileeza Rice.

He's going to be a brilliant president.

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Evil Dragon Lady, Breaker of Men's Constitutions

"It's hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning.” -Calvin

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The Bede's American Successor

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quote:
Originally posted by comet:
He's going to be a brilliant president.

Like that other brilliant US Senator from Illinois, Adlai Stevenson? [Smile]

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This was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride of wealth and food in plenty, comfort and ease, and yet she never helped the poor and the wretched.

—Ezekiel 16.49

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Sober Preacher's Kid

Presbymethegationalist
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I don't think America will ever be the same again.

Consider, in this election cycle:

  • a woman who is the wife of a former president campaigned for the Democratic nomination, and nearly won. She was backed by the party establishment too. A great many people think she has a great shot at being the President.
  • A black man with a background as far from Iowa and Apple Pie as anything I can think of successfully challenges her, wins, and gets the nomination of the Democratic Party.
  • In winning the primary battle, Obama galvanizes the Democratic Party and creates the greatest political machine ever seen in US politics.
  • Millions of new voters are engaged, and Obama's internet-based retail fundraising stuffs the Democrats full of money. For once, the Republicans and their corporate backers can't keep up.
  • The Republican candidate chooses a woman as his VP to pick up on the Hillary vote who were let down by Obama.
  • In the end, the oldest candidate every with a female running make faces off againt the first black candidate, and looses.

This was also the first election without an incumbent since 1952. Any one of those points would make this election one for the history books, but together I think the electoral landscape has been permanently changed.

I think Obama's fundraising strategy has shown a way to break the back of corporate influence. It has certainly created a large crack in the system.

I think that within two to three terms of Obama leaving office, a woman will be elected President. Because he tore of the White Men Only sign on the White HOuse, and because there are a number of strong female political leaders in the US who can credibly make an effort.

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NDP Federal Convention Ottawa 2018: A random assortment of Prots and Trots.

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Callan
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# 525

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Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:

quote:
This was also the first election without an incumbent since 1952.
Presumably you are counting the Veep as the incumebent otherwise you could count 1960 (Kennedy vs. Nixon), 1968 (Humphrey vs. Nixon), 1988 (Bush snr. vs. Dukakis) and 2000 (Gore vs. Bush jr.)

Anyway, a big shout out to the US electorate who did the right thing. Better late than never. [Biased] A big shout out to Obama as well who is presumably now trying to sort out the handover of the nuclear codes whilst deciding whether or not to go for Crimond or 'Abide With Me' at his Grans funeral. That must feel utterly weird.

What else can I say? Oh yes! "Richard Nixon, Spiro Agnew, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George HW Bush, Dan Quayle, Newt Gingrich, George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Sarah Palin, John McCain, Can you hear me John McCain. Your boys took one hell of a beating tonight!"

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How easy it would be to live in England, if only one did not love her. - G.K. Chesterton

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passer

Indigo
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My thanks to the folks who responded to my question. [Smile]
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mousethief

Ship's Thieving Rodent
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quote:
Originally posted by Gildas:
What else can I say? Oh yes! "Richard Nixon, Spiro Agnew, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George HW Bush, Dan Quayle, Newt Gingrich, George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Sarah Palin, John McCain, Can you hear me John McCain. Your boys took one hell of a beating tonight!"

Please don't forget Karl Rove.

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This is the last sig I'll ever write for you...

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RuthW

liberal "peace first" hankie squeezer
# 13

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quote:
Originally posted by Robert Armin:
At the end I prayed for God's help to love others, no matter who they are, but my final petition was, "And today may God indeed bless America".

I'm still feeling that way now. I think He has and I pray that He will continue so to do.

[Axe murder]

I was a little teary last night, but I was too exhausted to take it in. This morning I woke up at 5:30 am and turned on the radio to be sure it was true, that I hadn't dreamt it. And then I cried.

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Golden Key
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MT--

But we WANT to forget Karl Rove.
[Paranoid]

At least until he's hauled off to court somewhere.

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Blessed Gator, pray for us!
--"Oh bat bladders, do you have to bring common sense into this?" (Dragon, "Jane & the Dragon")
--"Oh, Peace Train, save this country!" (Yusuf/Cat Stevens, "Peace Train")

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Foolhearty
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I've been watching the evening news -- a black male reporter interviewing a bunch of black men at a barbershop in his home town, then cutting to the faces of people in the crowd last night at Obama's speech.

Those faces in the crowd -- rapt, filled with hope and disbelief and joy and incredulity, and, and, and --

and I'm in tears again for maybe the 14th time today.

Today I live in a brand new America.

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Fear doesn't empty tomorrow of its perils; it empties today of its power.

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Sober Preacher's Kid

Presbymethegationalist
# 12699

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I'm looking forward to President Obama's first state visit north to Ottawa. During such visits is is customary for the US President to meet with the Governer General of Canada, currently Her Excellency Michaelle Jean.

It should be an interesting visit. [Smile]

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NDP Federal Convention Ottawa 2018: A random assortment of Prots and Trots.

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Erin
Meaner than Godzilla
# 2

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I never can remember where the hell I've seen these, so if this is a repeat of an earlier post, my apologies. But... damn.

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Commandment number one: shut the hell up.

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Crœsos
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# 238

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I was in DC last night, watching the returns come in at a restaurant. After the race was called a bit after 11:00, everyone went wild. There was partying in the street, drumming, people waving Obama yard signs like flags, cars honking with people hanging out the windows waving large American flags, and a huge assembly outside the DC Municipal building. It was all incredibly festive. Given that this is the only Federal vote DC residents get to cast and the fact that the District went overwhelmingly for Obama, I can understand their jubilation. This is going to be big.

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Humani nil a me alienum puto

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RuthW

liberal "peace first" hankie squeezer
# 13

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quote:
Originally posted by Erin:
But... damn.

[Tear] [Tear] [Tear]
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WatersOfBabylon
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# 11893

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I'd just like to point out that in Maverick County, Texas, Obama got 78.2% of the vote. Hilarious.
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Pigwidgeon

Ship's Owl
# 10192

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quote:
Originally posted by WatersOfBabylon:
I'd just like to point out that in Maverick County, Texas, Obama got 78.2% of the vote. Hilarious.

[Killing me]

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"...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe."
~Tortuf

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Melisande
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# 4177

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quote:
Originally posted by Scot:
quote:
Originally posted by Melisande:
They're still growing up in a world in which US states codify homophobia, and where the female candidates have fake pornos made about them, but no matter where we go from here, something has changed.

If it's any slight consolation, the black man and the old white guy also starred in fake porn.
Oh, gosh, well, that restores my faith in humanity. [Roll Eyes]

--------------------
The door itself makes no promises.
It is only a door.
-- Adrienne Rich

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New Yorker
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# 9898

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Obama better hurry up and grab the evil rich people's money. His minions are angry.
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mousethief

Ship's Thieving Rodent
# 953

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That's what you get for promising to pay your volunteers.

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This is the last sig I'll ever write for you...

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Zwingli
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# 4438

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Yes, I thought canvassers were volunteers; wonder if they told those they were talking to on Obama's behalf that they were being paid.
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Jason™

Host emeritus
# 9037

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Hey folks. If you haven't already done it, go here and watch Obama's concession speech from the New Hampshire primary.

If you can't watch videos, you can read it here.

I watched it this morning and lost it. I wrote elswhere, to those who cynically say that nothing will change, or who worry that we've made the wrong decision in all this, take comfort in the fact that it's up to you. The most significant promise this presidency has made is that you are in fact responsible for the change you want to see in this country.


And I'm sure many people would call me horribly naïve. I know there are cynics or realists who say that politics can't work this way, that it's not going to happen the way we think. That we've all been brainwashed and that nothing is ever going to be different. But I think they miss the point -- we've already begun to change. The results of November 4th, 2008, are just the wonderful, visible proof.

After all...

quote:
Originally posted by BarackObama:
We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics who will only grow louder and more dissonant in the weeks to come. We’ve been asked to pause for a reality check. We’ve been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.

But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope. For when we have faced down impossible odds; when we’ve been told that we’re not ready, or that we shouldn’t try, or that we can’t, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people.

Yes we can.

So to the blog commenter who wrote, "Nothing will change. Mark these words." I say to you -- I will mark them. I'll mark them in the same way we marked the words that said a black man couldn't possibly be elected President. And the words that said his lack of experience would ruin his campaign, that the timing wasn't right, that it couldn't be done.

By proving them wrong, Barack Obama sucked all of the sap, all of the naïveté out of those three words -- yes we can.

[/soapbox]

[ 06. November 2008, 16:23: Message edited by: Jason I. Am ]

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Erin
Meaner than Godzilla
# 2

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quote:
Originally posted by Jason I. Am:
Hey folks. If you haven't already done it, go here and watch Obama's concession speech from the New Hampshire primary.

And here is the will.i.am video.

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Commandment number one: shut the hell up.

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beza
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# 10581

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The New Hampshire speech is incredible, remember it is a concession of defeat - how many candidates have imploded in such situations (remember the Dean Scream?) yet he is calm and inspirational. The Clintons and the Republicans' hearts must have sank when they heard this.

If he is half the statesman as he is an orator he is going to be a great president. Not necessarilly a great Democrat, but partisanship is the last thing the US needs.

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Barnabas62
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# 9110

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Given this is a prediction thread for an event which has now come to pass, I think that might be an appropriate valedictory. Thanks, Jason.

[x-posted with Erin and Beza, whose underlinings also seem very appropriate to me]

[ 06. November 2008, 16:47: Message edited by: Barnabas62 ]

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Who is it that you seek? How then shall we live? How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?

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RadicalWhig
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# 13190

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AMENDMENTS FOR A NEW REPUBLIC:

AMENDMENT XXVIII

1. Upon vacating the office of President or Vice President, whether by resignation or upon the election and inauguration of a new President or Vice President, the former incumbent shall be investigated by a Scrutiny Committee.

2. The Scrutiny Committee shall consist of: (i) Fifty members of the House of Representatives, to be chosen by random lot; (ii) one US citizen from each State, qualified for jury service in their State, chosen in the usual manner of chosing grand jurors in their State.

3. The Scrutiny Committee shall meet at the seat of government of the United States within thirty days after the former incumbent President or Vice President has left office. The committee shall elect a Chairman and shall have the authority to determine its own sessions, adjournments, regulations, and order of business. It shall have the power of subponea and the right to hear and take evidence on oath. Its proceedings shall at all times be held in public.

4. The Scrutiny Committee shall enquire into any illegal or unconstitutional acts performed by the former President or the Vice-President, or by other persons with the knowledge and consent of the President or Vice-President, during their terms of office. If the Scrutiny Committee finds sufficient evidence of such acts, they shall have the authority to: (i) appoint a special prosecutor to prosecute charges against the former incumbent according to law; (ii) determine that the former incumbent shall be stripped of US citizenship. If the Scrutiny Committee find no evidence of such acts, but that the former President or Vice-President have performed their duty in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the United States, the Scrutiny Committee may award the former President or Vice-President the office of Honourary Life Senator, with the right to sit and speak in the Senate (but not to vote) for life.

That would sort a few things out.

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Radical Whiggery for Beginners: "Trampling on the Common Prayer Book, talking against the Scriptures, commending Commonwealths, justifying the murder of King Charles I, railing against priests in general." (Sir Arthur Charlett on John Toland, 1695)

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Mr. Spouse

Ship's Pedant
# 3353

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quote:
Originally posted by Zwingli:
Yes, I thought canvassers were volunteers; wonder if they told those they were talking to on Obama's behalf that they were being paid.

I think the decision to pay volunteers was one for the local organisers. In this part of California no one got paid to phonebank. Not even the office managers were paid, and some of them had taken 4-5 weeks off work.

I know as well that Nevada were looking for unpaid intern staff to work there, so Indianapolis may not be reflective of the nation as a whole?

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Try to have a thought of your own, thinking is so important. - Blackadder

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New Yorker
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# 9898

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RadicalWhig -

I like your idea, but it would be corrupted and twisted within about 30 seconds.

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agrgurich
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# 5724

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quote:
Originally posted by Orb:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by agrgurich:
[qb](No, I haven't changed any of my opinions, but I wanted to give the new leader a tip of the old top hat.)

"Do you think you will have done after four years if the US is better financially and globally?"

I'm not turning into a liberal Democrat, if that's what you mean. I look forward to being a member of the Loyal Opposition during the next 4 years.

On another subject, I'm very tired of all the complaints about how the crowd reacted to McCain's speech. As a Republican, I've seen plenty of concession speeches. The crowd always cheers anybody their candidate thanks & boos any mention of the winning candidates. It's traditional.

Suppose Obama had to concede, how would his crowd react to any mention of McCain/Palin? [Big Grin]

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Life is a comedy to those who think & a tragedy to those who feel.-Horace Walpole

AJG

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Living in Gin

Liturgical Pyromaniac
# 2572

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quote:
Originally posted by Erin:
But... damn.

[Overused]

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It's all fun and games until somebody gets burned at the stake.

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RuthW

liberal "peace first" hankie squeezer
# 13

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quote:
Originally posted by agrgurich:
On another subject, I'm very tired of all the complaints about how the crowd reacted to McCain's speech. As a Republican, I've seen plenty of concession speeches. The crowd always cheers anybody their candidate thanks & boos any mention of the winning candidates. It's traditional.

Exactly. It gives the candidate a chance to appear gracious by shushing them. Not that McCain needed any help in that department.
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Lyda*Rose

Ship's broken porthole
# 4544

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quote:
Originally posted by Melisande:
quote:
Originally posted by Scot:
quote:
Originally posted by Melisande:
They're still growing up in a world in which US states codify homophobia, and where the female candidates have fake pornos made about them, but no matter where we go from here, something has changed.

If it's any slight consolation, the black man and the old white guy also starred in fake porn.
Oh, gosh, well, that restores my faith in humanity. [Roll Eyes]
There have always been some people who have never gotten over the thrill of drawing dirty pictures on public bathroom walls. Unfortunately such folks now have the Net to play on.

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"Dear God, whose name I do not know - thank you for my life. I forgot how BIG... thank you. Thank you for my life." ~from Joe Vs the Volcano

Posts: 21377 | From: CA | Registered: May 2003  |  IP: Logged
Choirboy
Shipmate
# 9659

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quote:
Originally posted by Zwingli:
Yes, I thought canvassers were volunteers; wonder if they told those they were talking to on Obama's behalf that they were being paid.

Some were volunteers (like myself), and some were not. I doubt they talked about why they were canvassing, any more than those telemarketing fund raisers hired out by candidates of all stripes say that they actually work for a contract outfit.
Posts: 2994 | From: Minneapolis, Minnesota USA | Registered: Jun 2005  |  IP: Logged
comet

Snowball in Hell
# 10353

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quote:
Originally posted by agrgurich:
On another subject, I'm very tired of all the complaints about how the crowd reacted to McCain's speech. As a Republican, I've seen plenty of concession speeches. The crowd always cheers anybody their candidate thanks & boos any mention of the winning candidates. It's traditional.

I dont care who does it or how "traditional" it is, it's sleazy and it sucks and it appeals to the baser nature of humanity. the part that our parents should have beaten out of us when we were in preschool.

it sucks when it comes from the left, too.

mama always said, if you dont have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.*

*of course this does not apply to Hell. [Big Grin]

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Evil Dragon Lady, Breaker of Men's Constitutions

"It's hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning.” -Calvin

Posts: 17024 | From: halfway between Seduction and Peril | Registered: Sep 2005  |  IP: Logged
Barnabas62
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# 9110

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Folks, we've had a discussion about the future of this thread and we reckon that, since it was set up as a prediction thread, it has obviously reached the end of its natural life. Already there are post-election consequence threads on various topics and that seems the right way to go.

So we intend to close it tomorrow, just to allow a little time for the present tangents to play out. If any of you want to continue those as separate discussion threads, please feel free to set them up.

And my personal thanks to all contributors for their comments on what has been for me the most remarkable presidential race for many many years.

Barnabas62
Purgatory Host


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Who is it that you seek? How then shall we live? How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?

Posts: 21397 | From: Norfolk UK | Registered: Feb 2005  |  IP: Logged
moron
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# 206

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quote:
Originally posted by Barnabas62:So we intend to close it tomorrow, just to allow a little time for the present tangents to play out.
Oh sure, just like the godless liberals you are: euthanasia when it suits you, instead of a natural death.


(5450 or bust.)

Posts: 4236 | From: Bentonville | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
Nicolemr
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# 28

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*sigh* I will miss this thread. I hope it will be kept in Limbo, it's certainly deserving IMHO.

You realize it would have been a year old on Nov. 9?

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On pilgrimage in the endless realms of Cyberia, currently traveling by ship. Now with live journal!

Posts: 11803 | From: New York City "The City Carries On" | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
Carex
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# 9643

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Perhaps this is a good time to go back to the first page and review some of the predictions...

mjg's initial prediction was off by a bit:
quote:
Originally posted by 206:
Clinton/Obama lose by two percentage points to Guiliani/Huckabee.

Some actually came pretty close for a year out:

quote:
Orginally posted by ORGANMEISTER:
As the economy falters, the dollar drops, fuel prices climb, interest rates rise, and the middle class starts to feel the economic crunch the Reps will be blamed for the economic mess and the social issues that feed the Right will diminish in importance and Hillary can run on her husband's mantra, "It's the economy, Stupid"!

quote:
Orginally posted by Choirboy:
The problem for the Republicans, regardless of nominee, is that anything they do to try to motivate their base will turn off the independents. The faithful are largely demoralized and grasping at straws viz. Fred Thompson. Meanwhile, the Democratic base is already as motivated as possible simply at the thought of getting rid of the Republicans. Face it, the Democrats just have to be 'not the Republicans' to win by a landslide.

The Republican strategy will be to redouble the old Swift Boat go-negative crap to try to depress turnout. It will backfire.

And thanks to Mamacita for being willing to share:
quote:
Originally posted by Mamacita
I'd gladly part with Obama if it meant a cabinet post in the next administration or a viable run for President somewhere down the line.


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Amazing Grace

High Church Protestant
# 95

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I don't wish to appear to be "talking back" to our esteemed Hosts, but I did want to note that Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, who was on McCain's Veep shortlist, HAS been seen traveling around Iowa. So the race for '12 is starting!

I have some post-election predictions and observations to get in. Fair warning, I might say them again in another thread!

* Elements in the really-left wing of the Dem party are going to go through a period of pretty serious disillusionment when Obama starts moving to the center to govern and things maybe don't happen as fast as they like. This is from Congress on down to the 'hood.

* Joe Biden will provide a lot of amusement when he puts his foot in his mouth, but he will get somewhat of a break from a lot of people because he's still not Sarah Palin.

* Joe Lieberman is politically fucked. He might skate by relatively easily since Harry Reid is not known as an enforcer, but Lindsey Graham and maybe McCain will be the only ones who want to eat with him in the Senate lunchroom and his office will probably be next to the boiler room in the basement.

* McCain will react to the various neocon attempts to throw him under the bus by returning more or less to McCain 2000 and making common cause with the moderate, reality-based wing of the Republican party and Democrats who want to make some legislation happen. Country first!

* I doubt McCain will run for reelection in 2010, as Gov. Napolitano is terming out and gunning for that seat.

* New Mexico will stop being a really up-for-grabs "swing state" and lean Dem in future elections as Latinos register and vote in increasing numbers. Long-term residents will prove up for citizenship just so they can vote. This is similar to what happened in California after 1994 and the "Prop. 187" debacle where immigration was used as the election bogeyman. Watch for it to happen in places with growing Latino populations, which is a lot of places outside formerly-Mexico these days, but especially in Colorado and Arizona.

* If McCain's razor-thin margin in Missouri holds up, look for four years of Missourians being annoyed that their streak got broken.

Charlotte

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WTFWED? "Remember to always be yourself, unless you suck" - the Gator
Memory Eternal! Sheep 3, Phil the Wise Guy, and Jesus' Evil Twin in the SoF Nativity Play

Posts: 6593 | From: Sittin' by the dock of the [SF] bay | Registered: Jul 2003  |  IP: Logged
Barnabas62
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# 9110

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Just for info, we did think about letting the thread die a natural death. We recognised its popularity and the fact that lots of folks (including me) might miss it. However, it was bound to lose focus and purpose, which seemed a bit of a shame for such a great thread.

But I for one am sentimental! So I'm happy to close it on its birthday (Nov 9th). That gives you plenty of time to get to 5450. It will stay in Purgatory until housekeeping time for any referencing or quoting you might want to make in other threads, then I'm sure it will end up doing the Limbo for ever.

Barnabas62
Purgatory Host


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Who is it that you seek? How then shall we live? How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?

Posts: 21397 | From: Norfolk UK | Registered: Feb 2005  |  IP: Logged
Jonathan Strange
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# 11001

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This just in...

(Content is worksafe, although not if laughing is banned.)

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"Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,
At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,
When he bears his teeth, winter meets its death,
When he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again"

Posts: 1327 | From: Wessex | Registered: Feb 2006  |  IP: Logged
moron
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# 206

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quote:
Originally posted by Barnabas62:
However, it was bound to lose focus and purpose, which seemed a bit of a shame for such a great thread.

Well, I tend to think its glory was a near utter lack of focus and no discernable purpose but I would. [Hot and Hormonal]

quote:
It will stay in Purgatory until housekeeping time for any referencing or quoting you might want to make in other threads, then I'm sure it will end up doing the Limbo for ever.
And the heathens say there's no immortality. [Yipee]
Posts: 4236 | From: Bentonville | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
Pigwidgeon

Ship's Owl
# 10192

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quote:
Originally posted by Amazing Grace:

* I doubt McCain will run for reelection in 2010, as Gov. Napolitano is terming out and gunning for that seat.

It's extremely likely that Janet Napolitano won't be gunning for a Senate seat. She's definitely on the short list for a Cabinet post.

It will be a loss for Arizona (and her replacement as Governor will be a Republican), but she's term-limited and can't run again in 2010. She would be an asset to the Obama's administration.

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"...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe."
~Tortuf

Posts: 9835 | From: Hogwarts | Registered: Aug 2005  |  IP: Logged
New Yorker
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# 9898

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quote:
Originally posted by Amazing Grace:
* Elements in the really-left wing of the Dem party are going to go through a period of pretty serious disillusionment when Obama starts moving to the center to govern and things maybe don't happen as fast as they like.

Obama's record is that of an extreme-left winger. Why does everyone think he'll moderate his views? I have friends who disagree with his more extreme views - that is most of his views - but voted for him anyway thinking that he does not mean what he says. Jez.

quote:
Joe Biden will provide a lot of amusement when he puts his foot in his mouth, but he will get somewhat of a break from a lot of people because he's still not Sarah Palin.
Exactly. He's an idiot so people will forgive him. Sarah's pretty savy. People would expect more from her.

quote:
McCain will react to the various neocon attempts to throw him under the bus by returning more or less to McCain 2000 and making common cause with the moderate, reality-based wing of the Republican party and Democrats who want to make some legislation happen.
Just what I'd expect.
Posts: 3193 | From: New York City | Registered: Jul 2005  |  IP: Logged
Amazing Grace

High Church Protestant
# 95

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quote:
Originally posted by New Yorker:
quote:
Originally posted by Amazing Grace:
* Elements in the really-left wing of the Dem party are going to go through a period of pretty serious disillusionment when Obama starts moving to the center to govern and things maybe don't happen as fast as they like.

Obama's record is that of an extreme-left winger. Why does everyone think he'll moderate his views? I have friends who disagree with his more extreme views - that is most of his views - but voted for him anyway thinking that he does not mean what he says. Jez.
Huh? No, "everybody" does not think he'll moderate his views. I live in Berkeley with the left-fringe True Believers and there will be Much Kvetching when some of them don't get a pony, erm, all the goodies they want.

Personally I think that he means what he says when he says "there is no red America, no blue America, but we are all the United States of America". He's a smart guy and he's got smart people around him, of both political parties. He knows the score.

Oh yeah. Another prediction. Ralph Nader will continue to run and be less and less relevant. I saw some Nader/Gonzalez signs on the parkway by my house - Matt Gonzalez is from nearby and Nader did very well here in 2000 - and thought, "That is *soooooo* last millennium."

Charlotte

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WTFWED? "Remember to always be yourself, unless you suck" - the Gator
Memory Eternal! Sheep 3, Phil the Wise Guy, and Jesus' Evil Twin in the SoF Nativity Play

Posts: 6593 | From: Sittin' by the dock of the [SF] bay | Registered: Jul 2003  |  IP: Logged
mousethief

Ship's Thieving Rodent
# 953

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quote:
Originally posted by New Yorker:
quote:
Joe Biden will provide a lot of amusement when he puts his foot in his mouth, but he will get somewhat of a break from a lot of people because he's still not Sarah Palin.
Exactly. He's an idiot so people will forgive him. Sarah's pretty savy. People would expect more from her.
From anybody else I would comfortably assume this was tongue-in-cheek.

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This is the last sig I'll ever write for you...

Posts: 63536 | From: Washington | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged
Foolhearty
Shipmate
# 6196

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quote:
Originally posted by New Yorker:
Obama's record is that of an extreme-left winger.

Wow. I see Obama as a little left of center. He doesn't even support gay marriage. Your political spectrum may be off-kilter, NY.

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Fear doesn't empty tomorrow of its perils; it empties today of its power.

Posts: 2301 | From: Upper right-hand corner | Registered: May 2004  |  IP: Logged



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