SuperSpade Quick Notes Summary for 2008-10-30

• Check http://www.peopleinthemiddleforobama.org/ for reasons why “regular” people are voting for @barackobama #
• @maddow is doing an interview [on her own show] talking about her Barack Obama interview. She’s reminding me why I respect her so much. #
• @maddow on @barackobama: “I have no reason to believe that Barack Obama is more liberal than he says he is.” #
• @maddow on @barackobama being moderate to get elected: “I don’t think there is deeper truth to candidates beyond how they act politically.” #
• @maddow on @barackobama & his political ideology: “A candidate is his/her positions.” #
• @maddow on @barackobama not being a Progressive: If you only talk abt your opponent & not abt ideology, you are not a progressive movement. #
• @maddow I can’t wait to see/hear the interview! #

SuperSpade Quick Notes Summary for 2008-10-29

• Why don’t voting machines ever flip votes from Republican to Democrat? #
• VERY Moving Video: Charles meets Barack http://tinyurl.com/5eclnz #
• Many of the Taxi Cab companies in King County (Seattle-area) are teaming up to help get Democrats out to the polls. #gotv #

SuperSpade Quick Notes Summary for 2008-10-28

• Still writing that new post called Would You Tell Me Who You Voted For?… #
• New post at The SuperSpade: Would You Tell Me Who You Voted For? ( http://tinyurl.com/6n7fhp ) #
• New post at The SuperSpade: Dealing with race on the doors ( http://tinyurl.com/64wp6k ) #

Dealing with race on the doors

What’s up fam,

I wrote this letter (see below) to a number of c(3) organizations in Michigan that do civic engagement. Some of us in Michigan were concerned about the potential for race-based violence inflicted on our canvassers. I have received some interesting feedback so I wanted to share it with my SuperSpade family. Enjoy.

Stay up fam,

Brandon Q.

Friends,

I wanted to follow up from our conversation at Friday’s meeting regarding the increasing negative tenor of this year’s presidential campaign and how that may feed into issues of election protection and to be frank, violence. To be sure, the scope of the conversation is not about how any Presidential candidate handles race issues, but about how our work (especially when we are canvassing) is impacted by racist and xenophobic rhetoric. Our staff and volunteers are at the vanguard of connecting with voters in Michigan who have been racially primed (due to the recent debates surrounding affirmative action) in ways that many other states have not.

From my conversations with most of you, there appears to be a common theme in our canvassing philosophy that says when you encounter any contact that is belligerent or otherwise not receptive, the canvasser should promptly remove themselves from the situation. I believe this measure is very responsible as it maximizes the safety of our volunteers and ensures efficient use of our time.

SuperSpade Quick Notes Summary for 2008-10-27

• The easiest way to GOTV is to ask people if they’re going to vote: http://is.gd/4Wag The Truth is Always Simple. #
• Side-by-side comparison of VP candidates’ environmental records, courtesy of Plenty Mag: http://www.plentymag.com/vp_matrix.html #
• NY Times Mag piece by Micahel Pollan about how the next Pres. can & should change America’s food policy & eating habits. http://is.gd/4WNq #

Would You Tell Me Who You Voted For?

My girlfriend and I have been doing a pretty large amount of volunteering for local political efforts here in Seattle, including Barack Obama and the Mass Transit Now Campaign. This has included lit dropping, my own work managing the Social Media and Text Message Strategy for WA Obama campaign, and phone banking for Obama and Mass Transit Now. It’s been a great experience.

While making calls, I’ve noticed an interesting trend: people ardently refusing to share how they voted in a particular race or on a particular issue.

Do most people feel this way?

I don’t understand the harm in sharing the way that you voted with another person after you’ve already voted. The vote is cast, the deal is done, so why not talk about it?

At first I thought that the people were just annoyed by the phone call, but that wasn’t the case, as most of them were quite talkative. Then I thought, maybe they’re ashamed or embarrassed by their vote, not wanting to tell me because they voted against the cause I was pedaling. Could be. Then I thought, maybe it’s generational, with older voters holding their votes more private & sacred, but this was dispelled when an 18 year-old people told me he wouldn’t share.

I guess I’ll just put this in the “things other people do that I’d never do” pile.

One Love. One II.

SuperSpade Quick Notes Summary for 2008-10-24

• At a DTV transition info mtg in Seattle w/ FCC Comm. Adlestein, Rep. Jim McDermott, @susangleason,@jonathanlawson. Info @ http://www.dtv.gov #
• Plenty Magazine rates the Pres. & VP candidates side-by-side on Environmental Issues: http://tinyurl.com/5rmx8f #
• Know How To Vote parnership with NAACP is official. Check NAACP.org to get Early voting info: http://www.naacp.org #
• Still writing that new post called Know How to Vote NAACP = Empowered Voters… #
• New post at The SuperSpade: Know How to Vote NAACP = Empowered Voters ( http://tinyurl.com/5e8no3 ) #
• List of Presidential A-List Donors http://www.newsmeat.com/2008a-list.php h/t to @eddiegriffin #
• A graphical comparison of Newspaper Endorsements in 2008 & 2004 http://is.gd/4K5H Does this give evidence of a media bias? #

Know How to Vote + NAACP = Empowered Voters

A little while ago I told you about Know How To Vote, a simple way to get early & absentee voting information for your state from your cell phone or computer built by my web development company, Opportunity Technology.

In partnership with the NAACP Civic Engagement efforts, Know How To Vote will be a key part of their Get Out The Vote (GOTV) effort. I am very excited to be a part of this effort in an official capacity, and to specifically help the NAACP’s new President & CEO Ben Jealous integrate new media, new technology, and new strategies to achieving realizing the vision of the organization:

To ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights and there is no racial hatred or racial discrimination.

I look forward to working with the NAACP and all other groups that share this vision in the future.

One Love. One II.

SuperSpade Quick Notes Summary for 2008-10-23

• Still writing that new post called 12 Ways You Can Safeguard the Vote, Courtesy of YES! Magazine… #
• New post at The SuperSpade: 12 Ways You Can Safeguard the Vote, Courtesy of YES! Magazine ( http://tinyurl.com/5ovb42 ) #
• Great Obama photoset at http://is.gd/47Lx @BAGNewsNotes, I’d love to hear your thoughts/feedback. #

12 Ways You Can Safeguard the Vote, Courtesy of YES! Magazine

YES! Magazine released today their 12 Ways You Can Safeguard the Vote tool. It contains links to lots of great resources, and tips for what you can do before, on, and after Election Day to make sure that your vote is properly counted.

Here is their checklist:

1. Check Your Registration. Make sure there are no errors, mistakes, or discrepancies which would prevent you from being able to vote.
2. Vote Now. Vote early, in person or by mail, if you can in your state. Check if you can using Know How To Vote.
3. Learn how to vote. Read your voter pamphlet to understand how your paper ballot works, and if voting using an electronic machine, get a clear demonstration first.
4. Identify State & Local election officials. Get their names and numbers because these are the people to call if there are problems.
5. Vote as early as possible on Election Day to avoid long lines & hassle.
6. If you have ID, bring it with you. If you have a cell phone, bring that too.
7. Avoid straight-party voting. Vote for each race individually, to make sure your votes each count exactly as you want them to.
8. Verify your vote, especially when voting on an electronic voting machine. There have already been cases in states like West Virginia where people used the touch screen to select Barack Obama but had the machine count their vote for John McCain. Just like at the store, get a receipt.
9. Observe, Document, Report. If you or anyone else that you see has issues voting, take good notes & inform the authorities using resources such as 866-OUR-VOTE.

They save the most important pieces of advice for last. These are the steps we can take to make all future elections exercises in democracy, not insanity.

• Call your candidate. Encourage them to challenge results you don’t trust. Sign up to help.
• Call your election officials. Hold them accountable to their responsibility to ensure clean elections 
• Work towards fair and transparent elections. Learn about election & voting issues, and take action before the next election.

One Love. One II.

P.S. I recently joined the Communications Advisory Board of YES! Magazine.

SuperSpade Quick Notes Summary for 2008-10-22

• Volunteering for @barackobama tonight in Seattle. #
• @cmspringer What I’m saying is, aren’t all the ads they’re going to buy already bought? It’s hard to believe there are time slots remaining. #
• Dems outnumber Republicans 3-to-1 in early ballots cast. Find out how to cast yours today at http://www.knowhowtovote.us #
• @cmspringer Fair enough: if someone can pay, there’s always time. I just would like the focus to come off of money and onto people. #
• Plenty Mag examines John McCain’s environmental record just like they did Obama’s. Interesting read: http://is.gd/4zp8 #
• Live From Main Street is in Seattle this weekend talking Sarah Palin & Real National Security http://is.gd/4zu9 #

SuperSpade Quick Notes Summary for 2008-10-21

• New post at The SuperSpade: Interview: Why Early Voting is Both Important and Revolutionary ( http://tinyurl.com/6owj9j ) #
• Pray for Barack’s grandmother. #
• @dumilewis I liked it too man. I should have mine up tomorrow. #
• Some white kids are now calling angry Black strangers ‘Obama’ http://is.gd/4vnP #
• A great description of undecided voters. http://is.gd/4rdZ #
• Barack Obama and John McCain shouhd stop asking for money. http://is.gd/4vpX What are they buying now that they don’t already have? #
• @baratunde I’m suprised it took so long for the ‘ism to come out too. Makes me want to be a fly on the wall at an election day Klan meeting. #

Interview: Why Early Voting is Both Important and Revolutionary

On Monday, I was interviewed as part of a small series on Politics and Technology by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine. We talked at length about early voting, why it’s such a big issue this election, what are the types of good & bad things that we can do with early voting data, and ways that people can find out early voting information with tools like Know How To Vote.

I’m looking forward to talking with Jeff again about Politics and Technology soon.

Enjoy.

One Love. One II.

SuperSpade Quick Notes Summary for 2008-10-17

• Looking forward to going to see Trouble with Water tonight in Seattle. http://troublethewaterfilm.com/ I’ll be reviewing it on The Spade. #

SuperSpade Quick Notes Summary for 2008-10-16

• New post at The SuperSpade: Top ten take aways from final debate ( http://tinyurl.com/4lvmmh ) #
• So I guess the media is giving McCain a pass on equal pay for women huh? #
• It seems that McCain doesn’t want Obama to be President more than he wants to be President. Why are people still undecided…seriously? #

Top ten take aways from final debate

Per usual, below are my top ten take aways from last night’s final debate between Senator Obama and Senator McCain.

1. Obama nailed McCain on the Lily Ledbetter case where a woman was underpaid compared to her male counterparts. If you are an undecided woman and don’t know McCain’s stance on furthering gender inequity, get it together.

2. How many times was McCain going to interrupt Obama? Show some respect.

3. John, you referenced Joe the plumber 21 times. Personal anecdotes are good when you use them sparingly. No one person in America represents everyone.

4. How can we live in a country where quality education is an afterthought?

5. McCain, please stop rolling your eyes sista girl!

6. Did McCain really put women’s health in air quotes? That line would have worked had he actually explained how “women’s health” could be used in an extreme case to justify abortion. It came off as very dismissive and insensitive.

7. I loved Obama’s comeback on pointing out the need for funding to support kids with special needs. McCain, you can’t do this with an across the board spending freeze now can you?

8. Did you peep how McCain tried to briefly mention Ayers while looking at Bob and not Obama? It seemed like a throw away line so that his campaign could say, “See we did it.” BTW, Obama did not bring up Keating, Alaska Independence Party, seven houses, etc…..in a word classy.

9. Republicans need a much better line on the economy than cutting taxes. You can’t get a return on anything you don’t invest in right? So when all you do is cut taxes, the economy really doesn’t grow and you find yourself in situations like we are in now when people need the government’s help, but the “beast” as it were is so starved that it really can’t do anything and we continue the cycle of cynicism.

10. McCain came across as erratic. This is a time for reasoned, steady leadership and dear friend, you didn’t do that tonight.

GOBAMA

Stay up fam,

Brandon Q.

SuperSpade Quick Notes Summary for 2008-10-15

• Phone banking for Obama in Seattle tonight with MoveOn #
• On Olberman tonight, John McCain called John Lewis’ comments “the most outrageous thing he’s ever seen in politics”. WOW! #
• Still writing that new post called For undecideds worried about the economy… #
• Still writing that new post called For undecideds needing an excuse to vote for Barack… #
• New post at The SuperSpade: For undecideds needing an excuse to vote for Barack ( http://tinyurl.com/3mjbcz ) #
• Rtwt @optech: Journalism + Technology = Change! Peep the NY TImes Campaign Finance API http://is.gd/459k #
• h/t @cwardell: Obama advertising in XBOX Live video games. The brilliant use of technology here makes me tingle. http://is.gd/48Bt #
• @maddow just made a great point on her radio show: if the goal is to change gov’t, you have to change more than the party in charge. #

For undecideds needing an excuse to vote for Barack

In case any of you undecideds can’t get over your mental block of voting for Senator Barack Obama, take a mental poll of where you stand financially and read this great piece from the New York Times,

Bulls, Bears, Donkeys and Elephants

By TOMMY McCALL

Since 1929, Republicans and Democrats have each controlled the presidency for nearly 40 years. So which party has been better for American pocketbooks and capitalism as a whole? Well, here’s an experiment: imagine that during these years you had to invest exclusively under either Democratic or Republican administrations. How would you have fared?

As of Friday, a $10,000 investment in the S.& P. stock market index* would have grown to $11,733 if invested under Republican presidents only, although that would be $51,211 if we exclude Herbert Hoover’s presidency during the Great Depression. Invested under Democratic presidents only, $10,000 would have grown to $300,671 at a compound rate of 8.9 percent over nearly 40 years.

SuperSpade Quick Notes Summary for 2008-10-14

• @D10Ban Retweet: McCain @ ACORN Rally http://tinyurl.com/4c5yye #

SuperSpade Quick Notes Summary for 2008-10-13

• Peep this vid from Byron Hurt exploring perceptions of Black Masculinity through Barack Obama & 50 Cent. http://is.gd/40a7 #
• Plenty Mag on Obama’s green-ness: http://is.gd/40fT Obama won’t allow the perfect to be enemy of the good. The ? is if that’s good enough. #
• @wind_in_grass +1 vote for the Evi in Transition blog idea. I think it’s a fantastic concept. #
• http://twitpic.com/g4vm – Guess what? Some McCain supporters are racist! #

SuperSpade Quick Notes Summary for 2008-10-10

• PBS piece on Afro-Brazillian candidates in Brazil literally changing their names to Barack Obama to gain popularity http://is.gd/3OxP #
• Check out Wake Up and Save Your Country http://is.gd/3OAu and the cool Turdblossom vid starring Karl Rove describing how to steal elections. #

SuperSpade Quick Notes Summary for 2008-10-09

• NAACP has registerd 17,000+ voters online using their upload2uplift.com tool. It’s great to see old school orgs using new school tools well. #

SuperSpade Quick Notes Summary for 2008-10-08

• Still writing that new post called … #
• New post at The SuperSpade: Another SuperSpade on TV…again ( http://tinyurl.com/3w3tv3 ) #
• Retweet @betterpoints: hTalking point from Warren Buffert on “financial instruments”: Beware of geeks bearing formulas. http://is.gd/3Jv0 #

Another SuperSpade on TV…again

What’s up fam,

I wanted to let you all know that my good friend Dumi will be on television tonight (10/8/08) at 9pm on WTVS (Detroit Public TV), 760am WJR, 101.9fm. The show is also available online. Dumi will be an expert panelist on Bridging the Racial Divide: Part Four. Over the last two years, the series has taken a candid and often contentious look at the role of race in Metro Detroit. The series has gotten a lot of great feedback and the good folks at Kingberry productions have brought some past panelists and new panelists together to discuss what’s happening and on the horizon for Metro Detroit. There are some heavy hitters on board joining Dumi on the panel including Dave Bing, Peter Karmanos, and others.

I was fortunate enough to see the taping and have an audience with the panelists in the green room. And for those who don’t know, Dave Bing is currently the safest bet in terms of trying to predict the next mayor of Detroit. Check out the show tonight and show Dumi some love.

Stay up fam,

Brandon

SuperSpade Quick Notes Summary for 2008-10-07

• New post at The SuperSpade: Getting shot for Barack… ( http://tinyurl.com/4c7ct5 ) #
• What kind of world do we live in when a Black man can get shot for wearing an Obama t-shirt? Be careful fam #
• Peep http://www.VeteranReportCard.org to see how IAVA grades Congresspersons. Obama: B. McCain: D. Who supports the troops more? #
• Obama’s Report card on Veteran’s Issues: http://iava.www.capwiz.com/bio/id/3181 #
• McCain’s Report card on Veteran’s Issues: http://iava.www.capwiz.com/bio/id/192 #
• Is it just me, or are the rest of the world & the markets basically confirming that the #bailout was a lie & a joke? #debate08 #nashdebate #
• @maddow Looking forward to seeing you on The Tonight Show later this week. Don’t stand Jay up . #

Getting shot for Barack…

Keep your head up fam, we are living in perilous times and if folks are being shot for wearing Obama T-shirts, it is up to us to not go forth with a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind. If this is any preview of an October surprise, then I suggest folks watch V for Vendetta. h/t to Baratunde from Jack and Jill Politics.

Keep your head up fam, we are living in perilous times and if folks are being shot for wearing Obama T-shirts, it is up to us to not go forth with a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind.

UPDATE: What kind of world are we living in? The few times some crazies threatened to assassinate Obama, I had already sort of mentally and emotionally prepared so I wasn’t that affected. And reading this story, I am thinking about how when people feel like they can’t hurt you, they hurt the ones closest to you. I am currently thinking about the four Black girls that died in the bombing Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. God please replace my rage with love. My people have suffered too much. Tears. Slavery, Disrespect. Spat upon. Raped. Pillaged. Fear. My people only want to leave the world better than they found it and for centuries, we have to sacrifice for shit that makes no sense. I will stand up Lord. I pray that your angels are round about me and keep me safe,  my family and my friends, as we continue to fight for a better world.

Man shot three times in street by racist gunman – for wearing Barack Obama T-shirt

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 6:01 PM on 07th October 2008

A man told today how he was shot three times in a London street for wearing a Barack Obama T-shirt.

Dube Egwuatu was buying a mobile telephone top-up card in an off-licence when the gunman confronted him and glared at the top, which carries an image of the Democrat US presidential candidate underneath the legend ‘Believe’.

The man then launched into a tirade of racist slurs, shouting ‘I f***ing hate n*****s’ and urging 36-year-old Mr Egwuatu to leave the shop with him.

Respect: Dube Egwuatu wearing the Obama T-shirt that provoked a racist attack

The man then left the shop but when Mr Egwuatu re-emerged, the attacker was waiting for him in broad daylight with a threatening-looking dog and holding a gun behind his back.

Realising what had sparked the increasingly violent assault, the terrified Mr Egwuatu zipped up his jacket to cover the image of Mr Obama and walked to his car.

But the shaven-headed man, who was white,  followed Mr Egwuatu and after pulling open the passenger door pointed the gun at him.

After pleading with the man to leave him alone, the married former street warden put the keys in the ignition and turned the engine on.

The attacker then fired the gas-powered ball-bearing pistol three times, hitting the civil servant in the face, hand and shoulder.

Fearing for his life and bleeding heavily, Mr Egwuatu raced away in his car and found somewhere safe to call for help.

He was taken to hospital and later sent to have a piece of metal removed from his jaw.

Mr Egwuatu, a data analyst with Croydon Council, said: ‘The venom in his voice was frightening.

SuperSpade Quick Notes Summary for 2008-10-06

• New post at The SuperSpade: Voting Rights Essentials: Michigan Edition ( http://tinyurl.com/4agcey ) #
• Detroit Shock won the WNBA Championship!! Jay performed for free to support Obama and he was dope. Happy B-day Alecia. Get out the Vote!!! #
• Still writing that new post called KnowHowToVote.us… #
• Still writing that new post called KnowHowToVote.us — Find out how to vote early in your state… #
• New post at The SuperSpade: KnowHowToVote.us — Find out how to vote early in your state ( http://tinyurl.com/4avppq ) #

KnowHowToVote.us — Find out how to vote early in your state

Now that early voting registration is over in most states, it’s time to think about actually voting!

I think of elections in 3 ways:

1. Voter Registration Done. (Everyone is registered, right?)
2. Voter Education
3. Election Protection

Voter Education means making sure people know the rules & laws of voting in their state so that they can exercise their right to vote in the way that is legal and most convenient for them. Brandon’s list of MI Voting Rights is a great education tool, and something similar exists for each state. Election protection is the process of making sure that every vote that is cast is correctly counted. We’ll get to this one shortly…

Vote Early or Absentee if you can

Here’s why you should vote early:

1. If there are issues or problems with your registration, you can have them addressed long before election day.
2. Voting earlier means your vote is counted earlier, which means that there’s less of a chance of your vote magically changing on election night.
3. It just makes your life easier. Take a look at this great blog post on Early Voting at Daily Kos.

KnowHowToVote.us

In the spirit of Voter Education & encouraging voters to vote smart and vote early, I created a site called Know How To Vote (www.knowhowtovote.us). Know How To Vote will tell you how to vote early in your state (if it’s possible), and how to vote absentee in your state. You can find the info in 2 ways:

1. From your cell phone:
   Text HOWTOVOTE & your state’s 2-letter abbreviation (e.g. MI for Michigan) to 41411.This will let you know if you can vote early in your state and if voting absentee in your state requires an excuse. It will also give you a website URL that you can go to for more detailed information.
2. From the web @ www.knowhowtovote.us
   Go to the site and type in your state’s 2-letter abbreviation to see detailed early & absentee voting info for any state, including whether you can vote early at all, in person, or by mail, and how to submit your reason/excuse for early/absentee voting according to state law

Find out quickly how to vote early in your state, wherever you are. If you’re talking about voting with your friends at work and on the bus, show them on the spot how to vote early by sending a text message.

In this election season, using technology to help the electoral process is not only easier than ever, it’s more important than ever. Sending text messages is already fun; let’s make it meaningful.

One Love. One II.

P.S. Yes, this was a personal plug .

Voting Rights Essentials: Michigan Edition

What’s up fam, I wanted to share with our Michigan readers an email I received from the Michigan ACLU regarding essential information surrounding our voting rights. Please read below and thanks Mary!

Dear Friend,

Today marks five weeks before Election Day, and rumors about voting rights are running wild. Read the information below then share the facts about voting rights in Michigan with a friend.

Fact: You have the right to vote without photo ID in Michigan

Just ask to sign the affidavit form at the polls. Michigan’s new photo ID law allows registered voters who don’t have photo identification, or those who have forgotten to bring photo ID, to vote by signing a form at the polls stating they are not in possession of photo ID. Voters without ID need to know their right to vote because Michigan cities are getting this wrong. Shortly before the August 2008 primary election, both the cities of Allen Park and Grand Blanc sent newsletters to city residents stating the need for photo ID with no mention of the affidavit form for those without ID. The Secretary of State estimates that approximately 370,000 Michigan residents have no form of photo identification.

Fact: You have the right to vote in Michigan if you are an ex-felon.

Even those still on probation or parole can register and cast their vote on Election Day. Michigan law only prohibits those serving a sentence on election day from voting. People in jail awaiting trial or sentencing may vote by absentee ballot, and those who have been released but who are on probation or parole may vote after registering.

Fact: You have the right to vote if your home is in foreclosure

The Michigan State Department of Elections is informing poll workers statewide that voters with homes in foreclosure may not lose their right to vote nor be challenged on their right to vote. Those who have moved from their homes may vote in the same precinct up to 60 days after they have left that address.

Fact:  You have the right to vote if you wear campaign gear to the polls

You cannot lose your right to vote if you wear a t-shirt, hat, button or other garb endorsing a candidate or an issue into the polling place. You will, however, be asked to remove these items by a poll worker or risk misdemeanor charges. Any and all campaign materials, including apparel, must be a minimum of 100 ft. outside of the polling place at all times.

Fact: You have the right to be free of intimidation or harassment at the polls

Voters should not be intimidated or discouraged from voting by questions like, “Have you paid your rent?” or “Have you paid your child support?” During the last presidential election, ACLU heard stories of voter intimidation like these occurring in precincts with low-income and African American voters. If voters are harassed or intimidated by anyone at the polling place, they should tell a poll worker immediately and call the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE, a joint project of state and national civil rights organizations, including the ACLU of Michigan.

Take action here! Knowing your rights is the best way to protect your vote. We urge you to tell five people here their rights on election day.

Thank you for your efforts to ensure a fair election for all Michigan voters. We couldn’t do it without you.

Sincerely,

Kary Moss, Executive Director
ACLU of Michigan

SuperSpade Quick Notes Summary for 2008-10-03

• New post at The SuperSpade: Top ten take aways from the Biden/Palin debate ( http://tinyurl.com/4g7mx8 ) #
• New post at The SuperSpade: Top ten take aways from the Biden/Palin debate ( http://tinyurl.com/4g7mx8 ) #
• @fkorten Thanks Fran, the pleasure was all mine! I enjoyed meeting with you & @sgleason. Looking forward to doing great work together. #
• @fkorten According to conservative radio, Palin mopped the floor with Biden last night. Can you say Parallel Conservative Universe? #
• @NewsHour This bill makes me understand why so many people do not eat pork. #

SuperSpade Quick Notes Summary for 2008-10-02

• Senate Dems broke my heart tonight. They didn’t surprise me, but they did hurt me. #
• I hope that if Obama wins Michigan, he will repay the state with funds for mass transit. #
• Neilson says that both campaigns are equally negative. Can they measure which ads were most truthful. http://is.gd/3rqF #

Top ten take aways from the Biden/Palin debate

1. Palin actually said that she wanted to expand the powers of the Vice President. After Cheney, that is in a word…scary.
2. I choked up when Biden talked about not knowing if your kid is going to make it, only to have Sarah go into a McCain talking point. I understand trying to change the conversation but damn.
3. I understand the back and forth between candidates and the media but Palin’s insistence on not answering questions reached a level or rudeness I haven’t seen in a long time. Answer the question! And I didn’t appreciate Palin’s snub of Ifill, show some respect.
4. Palin did not answer any question pertaining McCain’s push for deregulation and opted to talk about taxes when it didn’t even come up.
5. Joe Biden is smart. Take that back, really smart. Why is being smart so disdained in American politics?
6. I don’t know what Palin would do without talking points. Chris Matthews said (and I agree) that Palin sounded like she was at a spelling bee; say the word, spell the word, say the word again.
7. Biden is a fighter and Obama should go directly at McCain’s image as a maverick.
8. You can actually win a debate by not looking dumb? And why were follow up questions disallowed?
9. Why are you winking? I am sorry, why are you winking multiple times? I would never appreciate someone I work with who winked.
10. Umm… if McSame voted with Bush 90% of the time then the past definitely matters. This means McSame can’t disown the Bush legacy. In the words of Jay-Z, “We don’t believe you, you need more people!

UPDATE:

No you can’t call me Joe!!! I am a Senator and you will address me as Senator Biden. I will address you as Governor Palin.

Palin’s suit was sharp.

The WRONG Way to Pass Legislation

The Senate broke my heart by passing the bailout Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (note the re-framing) overwhelmingly.

What’s really eating at me though is the way that it passed. In an attempt to make the bill more palatable to members of  Republicans in the House, they packed the bill with pork. Sure, this is how business gets done in Washington, but in this case it’s really, really, really sick. See some examples of the garbage in this bill here.

With all of the quasi-economic-populist rhetoric going on as this election draws nearer, why not throw in substantive measures to make this bill more palatable to homeowners, consumers, and everyday citizens? Isn’t that what economic populism is all about?

We need a change in Washington. Yes, I agree that we need a new President, and I think that new President should be Barack Obama. But what we really need is a change in how Washington works. This bill passed the way most bills pass in Washington: too quickly, without enough scrutiny, packed with “sweeteners” for politicians instead of people.

I wish my candidate & his VP (and, frankly, their opponent) hadn’t supported this. When a Democratic Senator who’s name is not on this list tells you they put regular people first, do a double-take.

Democratic Senators that Voted ‘No’ on the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act

• Maria Cantwell (WA)
• Byron Dorgan (ND)
• Russ Feingold (WI)
• Tim Johnson (SD)
• Mary Landrieu (LA)
• Bill Nelson (FL)
• Bernie Sanders (VT)
• Debbie Stabenow (MI)
• John Tester (MT)
• Ron Wyden (OR)

One Love. One II.

P.S. When was the last time that opposing candidates voted the same way on a such controversial legislation this close to an election?

Leave my sister alone!

So here are the two possible McCain story lines post-debate;

Palin lost because Gwen Ifill is writing a book about Obama.

OR

Palin won inspite of Gwen Ifill is writing a book about Obama.

Either way, Gwen Ifill’s credibility is being attacked and I don’t see any in the MSM addressing this crap. First, let me say that Gwen Ifill is one of my favorite people to watch analyze politics because she does it in a way that is fair and balanced. And after the untimely death of Tim Russert, guess who was in the top tier to replace him? Gwen Ifill. Now if that is not a sign of respect, I don’t know what it is. So to see Gwen’s image and reputation being besmirched is making me pissed. To her credit, Ifill responded to McCain’s campaign saying,

“Do you think they made the same assumptions about Lou Cannon (who is white) when he wrote his book about Reagan?” said Ifill, who is black. Asked if there were racial motives at play, she said, “I don’t know what it is. I find it curious.”

Stay strong Gwen, you are a true SuperSpade and we got your back,

Stay up fam,

Brandon Q.

Border politics

I supported Bush going into Afghanistan because I thought we were going to capture bin Laden and those responsible for 9/11.

But now I am worried when I hear Barack Obama and others talk about the infamous border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. This border by all accounts is the headquarters for evil and apparently everyone knows it but I guess we need more than seven years to figure out how to maneuver those mountains. I have a problem with Obama’s hubris regarding the launching of targeted attacks against al-Qaeda and the Taliban if the Pakistan government is not cooperative. The problem with this logic is that it sounds reasonable on face value but if President Obama were to decide that the Pakistani government is not doing all it that it can to help root out bin Laden and company, he would have already the justification for launching full attacks against Pakistan. This is because there is not a large intellectual gap from not being cooperative to being part of the problem.

Bush had a tricky relationship with Pakistan’s former President Musharraff because Musharraff was a dictator that promised to help to the US in the so-called war on terror. Of course, we have little or nothing to show for it but now that the US doesn’t have to pretend to like Musharraff, there is a window of opportunity to do what the neocons probably wanted to do all along; maintain a significant troop presence in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. This strategy ensures that America can keep a strategic base near China and Russia, further isolate Iran, and bolster the mutually assured destruction principle with respect to Israel.

I think Obama should not trade Iraq for Afghanistan. In Iraq, we were supposed to secure the weapons of mass destruction that didn’t exist, and then it turned into a war against Iraq, and then we had to stay to catch the terrorists that migrated to Iraq, and now we have to stay in Iraq to not only rebuild the country, but establish a democracy. Senator Obama, I understood the Afghanistan theater to be focused on holding those responsible for the 9/11 attacks. We don’t need to occupy Afghanistan (like we are doing in Iraq) to achieve this goal. Let’s get back to basics.

Stay up fam,

Brandon Q.