You Can't Make This Stuff Up

Wow. She's even more of a ditz than she first appeared. She actually makes Tina Fey's impersonation seem more, well, composed and... rational? The woman is just babbling...

David Letterman Reacts to John McCain Suspending Campaign

Beware the wrath of a talk show host scorned.

Race car driver Richard Patrese tests his marriage in a Type R Honda

Okay, apparently this was filmed to promote the handling of a Honda, but oddly it reminds me of the way Karen reacts to my driving...

Hockey Moms Against Sarah Palin

Ah, the bitter bitter truth...

Ninja cat comes closer while not moving!

HeeHee

See, Politcal Ads Can Be Funny, Too

You Have to Be F**king Kidding Me

This is why I despair:

"New polling shows that the presidential race has tightened since Sarah Palin delivered her vice presidential acceptance speech on Wednesday.

Both the Gallup and Rasmussen daily tracking polls reported today that John McCain now narrowly trails Barack Obama.

Yesterday’s Gallup poll results of surveys conducted before the speech showed Obama with a 49 percent to 42 percent advantage over McCain. Today’s daily tracking poll showed that lead reduced to 48 percent to 44 percent.

On Tuesday, the poll reported Obama ahead 50 percent to 42 percent, the first time either candidate has reached the 50 percent marker.

While the Gallup shift from yesterday is not statistically significant, other surveys also appear to show public opinion moving toward the GOP following the party’s convention.

Rasmussen reported Friday that when "leaners” are included, Obama is ahead of McCain 48 percent to 46 percent. The same comparison on Thursday has Obama ahead by 5 percentage points.

Rasmussen also found that Palin’s favorable rating of 58 percent is now a point above that of both McCain and Obama. Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden is viewed favorably by 48 percent of those polled."

FIFTY-EIGHT F**KING PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE VIEW SARAH PALIN FAVORABLY???

Based on WHAT????

Her ability to read a speech from a TelePrompTer?

Her demonstrated inability to provide moral and practical guidance for her teenaged daughter? (Why don't we just make Lynn Spears president if that's a qualifier, for God's sake.)

Her contempt for the Alaskan legislature's investigation into her possible illegal activities as Governor?

Her lying?

This is what I wonder about those of my fellow Americans who think Sarah Palin is someone to be admired: as Frasier asked a drinking buddy in an immortal episode of "Cheers," "What color is the sky in your world, Cliff?"

On the Other Hand, Maybe We Have Bigger Problems to Worry About

How Is This Even a Question?

When I find myself wondering how it's possible that Barack Obama leads John McCain by only four or five percent (depending on which recent poll you look at), I have to wonder, are the people who support McCain living in the same world, breathing the same air, reading the same news, watching the same TV reports, that I am?  Given McCain's ethical collapse in recent months, as he's swung from "maverick" to GOP right-wing hypocrite; given his support for the spectacularly-failed policies of the Bush administration; given his age, health, and well-known shoot-from-the-hip, hot-headed temperament; given the blatant cynicism and disregard for good governing that his selection of Sarah Palin for his running mate clearly illustrates... how is it possible there's anyone other than die-hard GOP fan-boys who supports this man for President?

The argument that John McCain is somehow a better choice for commander-in-chief because he has "experience" is specious.  As many have said before, there is no set of experiences that prepares you for the presidency.  It is a unique office, part executive, part inspirational, part strategic, part managerial, and wholly make-it-up-as-you-go-along.  Herbert Hoover was one of the most "qualified" presidents we've ever elected, with a resume that promised great things.  He had everything you'd need for president, except the one trait that mattered most: the ability to lead, to inspire, to speak to those better angels of the American republic.  Abraham Lincoln, as most of us know, was probably one of the least "qualified" candidates to run for the highest office, but while his resume was thin, his talents were unmatchable.  So let's agree that experience, by itself, is no predictor of how a candidate will do in office once he's elected.

What matters is character, judgment, and the ability to lead and inspire.  And in that regard, given how McCain has behaved over the last six months, in contrast to Obama, why does this race remain so close?