Hillary’s New Math Problem | Newsweek Voices - Jonathan Alter | Newsweek.com: "Hillary Clinton won big victories Tuesday night in Ohio, Texas and Rhode Island. But she's now even further behind in the race for the Democratic nomination. How could that be? Math. It's relentless."
------------------
I remember an old saying: "The hurrieder I go, the behinder I get." That may be gramatically challenged, but it seems to describe Clinton's situation. The problem is that on Tuesday the Dems burned through about 1/3 of the remaining delegates in that day's four primaries. Although Hillary Clinton "won" the primary votes in Ohio, Texas, and Rhode Island, she failed to close the delegate gap by any significant amount. So now she still has to close basically the same size gap, but she has only 2/3 as many remaining delegates to win. That means that now she is in a worse position than she was before the Tuesday primaries. She has to do more with less. The math just gets worse and worse for her. This is like a chess game where one side has a queen, a rook, and four pawns, and the other side has a knight and four pawns. It is just a matter of time. Sooner or later, the bigger army is going to win unless that player makes a huge mistake.
That's why chess players concede in those situations. They see no point in playing the game out to an inevitable conclusion. But I think Hillary Clinton would sooner shred Obama's public image and fracture the party rather than quit, even if she has only the remotest chance of getting the nomination. There is always the superdelegate strategy, and the Florida and Michigan do-over strategy. For Bill and Hillary it is always about them, and nothing else matters. The people around them are always expendable.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Newsalert: Gun-control case divides state AGs
Newsalert: Gun-control case divides state AGs: "Attorneys general from 31 states have filed a legal brief urging the high court to strike down the law being challenged in the case, the District of Columbia's strict, 32-year-old ban on handguns. Led by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, a Republican, the group backs a security guard who wants the district's statute to be ruled unconstitutional.
Lending their support to the District of Columbia are attorneys general from five other states — Hawai'i, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York — who say reasonable regulation of dangerous firearms is constitutional and keeps the public safe. A sixth attorney general, Democrat Lisa Madigan of Illinois, sided with the district in an earlier court filing, but declined to join the supporting states' latest brief."
-------------
POLS 354:
I wouldn't use the term "divides" to describe a 31 to 5 pro-gun rights breakdown. A better headline might be, "State AGs give overwhelming support to gun rights in DC case."
Lending their support to the District of Columbia are attorneys general from five other states — Hawai'i, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York — who say reasonable regulation of dangerous firearms is constitutional and keeps the public safe. A sixth attorney general, Democrat Lisa Madigan of Illinois, sided with the district in an earlier court filing, but declined to join the supporting states' latest brief."
-------------
POLS 354:
I wouldn't use the term "divides" to describe a 31 to 5 pro-gun rights breakdown. A better headline might be, "State AGs give overwhelming support to gun rights in DC case."
ON DEADLINE: Democrats Fret Long Battle - Yahoo! News
Democrats Fret Long Battle - Yahoo! News: "A senior Obama adviser, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Obama's team will respond to Tuesday's results by going negative on Clinton — raising questions about her tax records and the source of donations to the Clinton presidential library, among skeletons in the Clintons' past."
---------------
This is turning into a Republican's dream. Clinton got traction against Obama by negative campaigning, contributing to yesterday's wins in Ohio, Texas, and Rhode Island. But now Obama has little choice but to go negative against her in return. It is like a game of Prisoner's Dilemma where both players lose.
---------------
This is turning into a Republican's dream. Clinton got traction against Obama by negative campaigning, contributing to yesterday's wins in Ohio, Texas, and Rhode Island. But now Obama has little choice but to go negative against her in return. It is like a game of Prisoner's Dilemma where both players lose.
Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB4180
Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB4180: "Amends the Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Student Silent Reflection Act. Allows a teacher to conduct (instead of requiring a teacher to observe) a brief period of silence at the opening of every school day with the participation of all pupils assembled. Provides that this period shall be an opportunity for such silent reflection as may be desired by each individual pupil (instead of an opportunity for silent prayer or for silent relection on the anticipated activities of the day). Effective immediately."
----------------
The Illinois House of Representatives has passed a bill doing away with the mandatory moment of silence. Now what will the Senate do?
----------------
The Illinois House of Representatives has passed a bill doing away with the mandatory moment of silence. Now what will the Senate do?
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
California cows start passing gas to the grid | Environment | Reuters
California cows start passing gas to the grid | Environment | Reuters: "RIVERDALE, California (Reuters) - Imagine a vat of liquid cow manure covering the area of five football fields and 33 feet deep. Meet California's most alternative new energy.
On a dairy farm in the Golden State's agricultural heartland, utility PG&E Corp began on Tuesday producing natural gas derived from manure, in what it hopes will be a new way to power homes with renewable, if not entirely clean, energy."
______________________
POLS 101:
Please pardon me for making the obligatory (cynical) reference to the fact that in a presidential year there should be an almost unlimited supply of this new energy source available, if you take my meaning.
On a dairy farm in the Golden State's agricultural heartland, utility PG&E Corp began on Tuesday producing natural gas derived from manure, in what it hopes will be a new way to power homes with renewable, if not entirely clean, energy."
______________________
POLS 101:
Please pardon me for making the obligatory (cynical) reference to the fact that in a presidential year there should be an almost unlimited supply of this new energy source available, if you take my meaning.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Police break up party raging in foreclosed home - Today's Paper > Local News | Bakersfield.com - Kern County news, events, shopping & search
Police break up party raging in foreclosed home - worth over 500K: "About 50 teenagers and young adults broke into an empty, foreclosed home in southwest Bakersfield Saturday, throwing a raging party and making off with the home’s high-end appliances, according to neighbors."
-----------------
First...a $540,000 home in Bakersfield? And second, maybe the banks should start renting these foreclosed homes out for parties.
-----------------
First...a $540,000 home in Bakersfield? And second, maybe the banks should start renting these foreclosed homes out for parties.
Police Probe Possible Spork Robbery -- baltimoresun.com
Police Probe Possible Spork Robbery -- baltimoresun.com: "ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Anchorage police have arrested a suspect in an armed robbery. Now they're trying to determine if the weapon involved was a spork -- a hybrid of a spoon and fork found at fast-food restaurants."
------------
POLS 354:
Topic for your consideration: is it time to ban the spork? Remember: people don't rob people--sporks rob people.
------------
POLS 354:
Topic for your consideration: is it time to ban the spork? Remember: people don't rob people--sporks rob people.
Court may consider broadcast decency rules - The Boston Globe
Court may consider broadcast decency rules - The Boston Globe: "WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court this week may reopen for the first time in more than 30 years the debate over what qualifies as an 'indecent' broadcast...The issue before the court now is delicately described as the problem of 'fleeting expletives' in over-the-air broadcasts, which are still regulated. Television viewers who watch some of the entertainment industry's award shows may be familiar with the phenomenon."
---------------
POLS 101:
The Federal Communications Commission licenses broadcast stations to use particular frequencies, and requires them to avoid "indecency" as a condition of keeping those licenses. Celebrities delight in dropping "F-bombs" here and there to show how cool they are and get free publicity. What should happen to the station that broadcasts it?
---------------
POLS 101:
The Federal Communications Commission licenses broadcast stations to use particular frequencies, and requires them to avoid "indecency" as a condition of keeping those licenses. Celebrities delight in dropping "F-bombs" here and there to show how cool they are and get free publicity. What should happen to the station that broadcasts it?
State Supreme Court takes up same-sex marriage
State Supreme Court takes up same-sex marriage: "As gay-rights groups call for marital equality and opponents warn of a public backlash, societal decay and religious conflict, the California Supreme Court is prepared for an epic three-hour hearing Tuesday on the constitutionality of the state law defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman."
----------------
POLS 101 and 354:
This looks like a huge case that could have major consequences. California has 1/8 of the nation's population. If the court creates a right to same-sex marriage, it could lead to a constitutional amendment drive.
----------------
POLS 101 and 354:
This looks like a huge case that could have major consequences. California has 1/8 of the nation's population. If the court creates a right to same-sex marriage, it could lead to a constitutional amendment drive.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Breitbart.tv » Bill Clinton Rule in ‘04: Vote for Candidate of ‘Hope’ Not ‘Fear’
Breitbart.tv » Bill Clinton Rule in ‘04: Vote for Candidate of ‘Hope’ Not ‘Fear’
I wonder if this video was circulated by the Obama campaign. I have noticed that Obama's campaign has learned the art of rapid, strategic response. This week, Hillary Clinton mocked the "hope and change" rhetoric of Obama's campaign, and her new TV ad says basically that we should worry about Obama when the "red phone" rings. So now here is a video in sudden, wide circulation of Bill Clinton in 2004, saying (in support of Kerry) that if a candidate mocks hope and change and plays on your fears (by which he meant George W. Bush) you should vote against that candidate. So--net effect: Bill Clinton is being used to undercut Hillary Clinton's current message. Clever.
I wonder if this video was circulated by the Obama campaign. I have noticed that Obama's campaign has learned the art of rapid, strategic response. This week, Hillary Clinton mocked the "hope and change" rhetoric of Obama's campaign, and her new TV ad says basically that we should worry about Obama when the "red phone" rings. So now here is a video in sudden, wide circulation of Bill Clinton in 2004, saying (in support of Kerry) that if a candidate mocks hope and change and plays on your fears (by which he meant George W. Bush) you should vote against that candidate. So--net effect: Bill Clinton is being used to undercut Hillary Clinton's current message. Clever.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)