Beware of pollsters with agendas.
A pollster is supposed to be someone just culling data from a statistically significant portion of the population, right? Someone with one eye on politics, and the other on science? Well, if you consider the efficacy of propaganda a scientific end, Frank Luntz is your kind of pollster.
Former Colorado Senator Gary Hart is not just any observer of the 2008 election campaign. He sees strong parallels between the contest pitting Democrats Barack Obama (who he supports) against Hillary Clinton and his own 1984 run for the White House. Back then, Walter Mondale, the former Vice President and clear favorite among the Democratic Party elite, held a delegate lead over the upstart Hart, but he didn’t have enough support to lock up the nomination in advance of that year’s convention. However, Mondale soon secured the support of the Dems’ superdelegates – a group of high-profile party officials with the power to champion the candidate of their choice. By doing so, he knocked out Hart, who many observers saw as having the better chance to defeat the sitting president, Ronald Reagan.
Hart weighs in on this subject and much more during the following Q&A. The conversation begins by touching upon topics at the center of his latest book, Under the Eagle’s Wing: A National Security Strategy of the United States for 2009, which he’ll sign on Wednesday, March 26, during an appearance at the LoDo Tattered Cover. The discussion includes colorful reflections on the Bush administration’s disinterest in taking advice from outsiders, as well as his Eagle’s Wing advocacy for a shift in American foreign policy that would find the U.S. building coalitions rather than going it alone. (In many ways, the book makes the case for Hart as a cabinet official in a possible Obama administration.) He then talks about the timing of his Obama endorsement – it turns on Clinton’s use of the vintage catch-phrase “Where’s the beef?,” which Mondale used against Hart back in the day – and traces the history of the superdelegate to the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago, which took place more than a dozen years prior to the concept’s adoption. He also handicaps the upcoming primaries in Texas and Ohio, to be held on March 4, and suggests that, despite its faults, the Democratic Party’s nominating system is more, well, democratic than the one used by Republicans.
Once a party man, always a party man:
Nevada
Total Number of Delegates: 33
Pledged: 25
Unpledged: 8
How to Recognize a Nevada Delegate:
Nevadans like to claim that their state was named for the Spanish word that means "covered in snow." This, of course, seems deliberately misleading to anyone who has visited Las Vegas during the summer (which starts in February and runs through December). In Spanish, the word nevada can also be translated as "snow job," to describe "a deception or concealment of one's real motive in an attempt to shake down tourists." The second definition is far more believable and can be supported with much evidence. For starters, 90 percent of all America's gold is mined in "The Silver State." (Alaska is the leader in the production of silver.) And then there are the alien conspiracy theories surrounding Area 51 that were created by the state tourism department, and perpetuated by the CIA, to cover up the trillions of dollars spent to buy stealthy, super-secret, hypersonic space planes to spy on imaginary enemies. When trying to identify Nevada delegates in Denver, just remember that as America's foremost deliberate misleaders, Nevadans can't help but become oxymoronic oddballs. And their deception will be further concealed by the natural split in state politics. By and large, northern Nevadans will look like college professors who are actually pro-life, and southern Nevadans will look like war veterans who are actually trade-union supporters. The all-inclusive giveaway will be that they all look slightly overdressed, as their summer wardrobes include light, solid-color sweaters needed to guard against the chill of Nevada's air-conditioned indoor climate.
Famous Nevadans: Paiute princess Sarah Winnemucca; UPS founder James E. Casey; the hardest-working first lady in U.S. history, Thelma "Pat" Nixon; tennis great (and staunch Democratic supporter) Andre Agassi; wholesome TV actress Dawn (Mary Ann on Gilligan's Island) Wells; holesome porn actress Jenna (Candy Suxxx, Up and Cummers 11) Jameson; NASCAR brothers Kurt "Asshole" Busch and Kyle "Shrub" Busch; Killers vocalist and keyboardist Brandon Flowers; Panic at the Disco bandmates Brendon Urie, Ryan Ross and Brent Wilson.
Famous Nevada Democrats:
First Nevada native to be elected governor Emmet D. Boyle; former senator and Las Vegas International Airport namesake Pat McCarran; 24th United States Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Famous Nevadans With Denver Connections:
Director of the Denver U.S. Mint from 1961-1969 Eva B. Adams; Modern Drunkard publisher and editor-in-chief Frank Kelly Rich; mainstream standup ventriloquist Dan McGowan; self-published kids’-book artist Steve T. Laws; Stan's Automotive mechanic Adrian Lucero.
State Nickname: The Silver State, The Mining State, The Battle Born State (official); The Brothel Born State, The Wallet-Mining State, California's Ugly Cousin, Land of the Lost Mormons (unofficial)
Population: 2,495,529
Racial Distribution: 59% white, 8% black, 6% Asian, 2% Native American, 25% Hispanic
Per Capita Personal Income: $31,266
Unemployment: 5.2%
Dear John,
The New York Times would like to endorse John McCain. And all of his affairs, scandals and conflicts of interest. They are totally breaking up.
What a difference a few weeks makes in a political love triangle. Before Super Tuesday, the NYT was smitten, relatively speaking, with moderate maverick McCain when endorsing him as the Republican nominee, saying “…there is a choice to be made, and it is an easy one.” He “…has demonstrated that he has the character to stand on principle” as a “genuine war hero.”
Amy Holmes holds the pundit trifecta ticket: she’s black, she’s pretty, and she’s a Republican.
Or so she’s espousing these days. She’s gone on record in the past to say that she’s registered as an Independent, and that she privately harbors some fairly liberal views, including being strongly pro-choice.
Chaos at the DNC, riots in the streets of Denver, 1968 relived – no, these aren’t just the protest slogans being voiced by the usual suspects in the local radical scene. They’re potential scenarios that were hashed out by high-profile Democrats on last Sunday’s Face the Nation. If Hillary Clinton limps to the convention and manages to wrestle the nomination away from Barack Obama by use of the self-important (and, by now, self-loathing) superdelegates, it could make for some hot times in the Mile High City.
Whether Barack Obama’s Speechgate is a nonissue, a callous Clinton attack or the tip of the iceberg of Obama’s rhetorical and ideological harvesting, the real political marvel of the season is the emergence of YouTube as a viable political cyberhatchet. Somehow, sandwiched in between videos of drunk kids destroying dorm rooms, abortive American Idol auditions and Weasel Attack!, YouTube has found a bit of extra space for candidates to brawl for the eyeballs of potential voters.
Nebraska
Total Number of Delegates: 31
Pledged: 24
Unpledged: 7
How to Recognize a Nebraska Delegate:
Most Americans experience Nebraska only in passing. At 35,000 feet overhead or speeding through on I-80, the state looks flat and boring. It is neither, but that doesn't stop the "flatter than a ninth-grade prom date" jokes. Residents of the state are only happy to perpetuate the misperception, because it gives simple-minded outsiders something meaningless to fixate on while Nebraskans go about their plans for total world domination. And make no mistake: They are extremely serious. There will be no more laughing when the Cornhuskers are in command. After all, this is the birthplace of both Kool-Aid and Dick Cheney, and for Democrats, these names are synonymous with suicide missions. In addition, for the last century, the nation's most beloved citizens, Hollywood celebrities, have beencontrolled by a cabal of Cornhuskers who call themselves "the Nebraska Coast Connection." The "Dream Factory" itself was invented by Wahoo native Darryl F. Zanuck, and our brightest stars continue to be "audited" by the minions of Tildenite L. Ron Hubbard. Nebraska delegates will similarly wear fashions that are purposefully flat and boring in an attempt to dissuade unnecessary attention. Females will wear “Something Unexpected” from Omaha-based Gordmans, which means a forgettable garment purchased at a discount. Males will wearthe Cabela's Seclusion 3-D Stonewashed Canvas shirt and wrinkle-resistant flat-front chinos over MTP Series Performance underwear with scent eliminator. Seriously, you never know what might hit you.
Famous Nebraskans:
First indigenous woman to become a doctor Susan La Flesche Picotte; Tribal chiefs Red Cloud and Standing Bear; leaders of the free world Gerald Ford and Dick Cheney; business leaders Daryl F. Zanuck and Warren Buffet; religious leaders Malcolm X and L. Ron Hubbard; A-list actors Harold Lloyd, Henry Fonda, Marlon Brando, Montgomery Cliftand Hilary Swank; B-list actors James Coburn and Swoosie Kurtz; D-list actors Sandy Dennis, Janine Turner and Nick Nolte; F-list actor Larry the Cable Guy; TV journalists Dick Cavett and Paula Zahn; Spy magazine co-founder Kurt Andersen; Acme Novelty Library cartoonist Chris Ware; dancer Fred Astaire; Eagles bass guitarist Randy Meisner, pop-rocker Matthew Sweet, Maroon Fiver James Valentine, and all the members of Bright Eyes, Broken Spindles and Cursive.
Famous Nebraska Democrats:
First district representative, 41st United States Secretary of State and three-time losing presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan; 36th Nebraska governor and U.S. senator Jim Exon; 38th Nebraska governor, ex-boyfriend of actress Debra Winger and former U.S. senator Bob Kerrey.
Famous Nebraskans With Denver Connections:
7News reporter Lance Hernandez; 9News morning anchor Gary Shapiro; 9News weatherman Marty Coniglio; Region VIII FEMA director David Marstaud; Julia Blackbird's Cafe owner Julia Siegfried-Garrison; RealWorld: Denver actor Tyrie Ballard; Red Cloud West singer-songwriter Ross Etherton.
State Nickname: The Cornhusker State (official); The Cornhustler State, The Cornhusky State, The Cornhonky State, The Cornholio State (unofficial)
Population: 1,768,331
Racial Distribution: 85% white, 4% black, 2% Asian, 1% Native American, 8% Hispanic
Per Capita Personal Income: $30,758
Unemployment: 4%
Image courtesy Minneapolis/St. Paul City Pages
Courtesy of barackobamaisyournewbicycle.com:
Barack Obama helped you move a sofa
Barack Obama built you a robot
Barack Obama followed you on twitter
Barack Obama held your hand when you were frightened
Barack Obama is your new bicycle
Barack Obama wrote on your fun wall
Barack Obama skated here all the way from the beach just to see you
Barack Obama parsed your error
Barack Obama spent the afternoon setting up your router
Barack Obama took off when he heard you weren't coming
For most of us, the college experience—what we remember—lives on in two neat categories: “Never Again” and “I Found Myself.” This formative process produces “Don’t Remind Me” and “The Best Time of My Life,” where high-minded philosophies mix with pragmatic acceptances that retain extraordinary influence on our decisions, hopes, fears, aspirations and nightmares until the end of our days. And it's the same with our political candidates, our fearless leaders who were once fearful fresh(wo)men, whose honesty and openness at 18 would horrify campaign managers, PR gurus and senior strategists of later years. Before the spin set in, before we became utterly confused by who we might elect into office, we can take a step back from who they are and look at who they were.
Dear Ron Paul supporters,
I have a tip that you might find helpful – and, no, it doesn’t involve bunker-building or camouflage mouse pads. It has to do with graphic design. I’m not an expert in the art of campaigning, but I keep noticing all of these banners hung on highway overpasses that say something about Ron Paul being evil. That may not be the best slogan.
Montana
Total Number of Delegates: 24
Pledged: 16
Unpledged: 8
How to Recognize a Montana Delegate:
Residents of the Treasure State think that their Last Best Place isthe Jewel of the Lower 48. On average, there are only seven Montanans per square mile of Big Sky Country, and despite being surrounded by all that space and scenic splendor, none of them get along. At first it seems that they are timid, or maybe just a bit cranky. But the truth is, Montanans don't much like people. Especially uninvited guests. You'd think that being bordered by Idaho, Wyoming and North Dakota would be enough to keep people away. It does keep out the working poor, but it doesn't stop the trustafarians and the rich. Zillionaires fly in on private jets and buy huge tracts of land to build their get-away compounds, then put up "No Trespassing" signs and complain about the quality of wines served at the annual Testicle Festival. What's a Montanan to do? With one of the lowest per capita incomes and the highest per capita gun ownership in the country, their "Montana Values" are quickly exploited by politicians and made into public policy. Which perfectly explains the nuance of the state's latest tourism ad campaign: "Montana Sucks. Go Tell All Your Friends." At the Denver convention, the "tell" for Montana delegates will be their vintage fashions. Females prefer to wear clothing from the Carter era, while males all dress like extras from the set of High Chapparal. Montanans will be the delegates who are ignoring you — but don't think of them as snobs. After all, they’re not judging you; they're merely trying to imagine that you don't exist at all.
Famous Montanans:
Ancient actors Myrna "Mrs. Thin Man" Loy, Martha "Big Mouth" Raye, Gary “High Noon” Cooper; motorcycle daredevil Evil Knievel; filmmaking daredevil David Lynch; Oregon D.I.Y. art daredevil Brad Adkins; Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament; Decembrists lead singer Colin Meloy; church lady Dana Carvey.
Famous Montana Democrats:
Longest-serving majority leader in the U.S. Senate Mike Mansfield; the only person ever to be designated the “permanent acting president pro tempore of the U.S. Senate” Lee Metcalf; former congressman Pat "Mr. Carol" Williams; current senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester.
Famous Montanans With Denver Connections:
Former Duffy's owners Ken and Frank Lombardi; Ready-Temp boss man Jim Hannifin; American Furniture chairman Jake Jabs; KBCO morning showman Bret Saunders; Aurora cowboy bluesman Steve Traycee; Ralphie the Buffalo.
State Nickname: The Treasure State, Big Sky Country, The Last Best Place (official); The Superfund State, Land of Celebrity Viewsheds, Montucky (unofficial)
Population: 944,632
Racial Distribution: 90% white, 0.4% black, 0.6% Asian, 6.4% Native American, 2.6% Hispanic
Per Capita Personal Income: $25,929
Unemployment: 4.7%
It's somehow fitting that the last people to know Mitt Romney was dropping his bid for the presidency were his supporters in the room. At the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, Romnites were still handing out buttons and wildly waving posters when Mitt took the stage for a stump speech that GOP insiders had warned would be his last at least a half-hour beforehand. Some claimed that bad cell phone reception kept those in the assembly hall in the dark.Others suggested that working cell phones wouldn’t have turned on the light. Romney took the stage to wild applause and continued cheers during his speech, with only slight hints of what was to come—speaking of the support he had received from his family and voters in the past tense. Suddenly, it came. “I feel I now have to stand aside.”
While other reporters were wasting their time on Super Tuesday night tracking useless information like exit polls and delegate counts, the crack political team at Westword was focused on the issues the matter: namely, which Democratic candidate’s political apparatus throws a better post-caucus party. After a sleepless night of number crunching and data analysis, here are our certified results:
In the days leading up to Super Tuesday, I kept waiting to get an off-white invitation in the mail from an older neighbor, preferably an active, sporty grandmother-type, who had looked up my political affiliation and requested my presence in her home for the Democratic caucus. I would show up wearing a sweater and jeans and she would offer me a shortbread cookie and a cardboard cup of Earl Grey tea, because even though we’re neighbors, we don’t quite know each other well enough for me to drink from one of her cat mugs. I would sit down on the couch with six or so other neighbors and we’d chat amicably about Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. After the count—more of a fun “Oh, you like that candidate?” thing than a mean, divisive political thing—we’d go back to our pleasantries, vowing to meet again for a summer barbecue in Cheesman Park.
