Politirazzi

By Meg

As I type, Obama is giving a speech on the meaning of patriotism. This coincides with an absolutely fascinating article in today’s Washington Post about one city in Ohio where the false rumors about Obama have reached a sort of critical mass (the rumor that Barry’s a homosexual is new to me but may serve to cement Dan’s fantastic assertion that Michelle is the new gay icon).

The article focuses on one citizen who is having trouble reconciling the Barack Obama he reads about in the newspaper with the scary Muslim radical described on the Internet and through word of mouth. It’s a problem that I’m starting to see even in my own living room; my roommates were discussing Obama’s “strict Muslim faith” the other evening and both were amazed when I told them that he denies these rumors.

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By Kim

In the spirit of the celebration of Pride Week here in NY, I leave you with this submission to Steven Colbert’s “Make McCain Exciting” contest, Vogue Edition! (Though I must admit my favorite submission is “Super McCain Bros.” Dude, he totally knows where all the secret 1 ups are!)

Today Now!: How To Pretend You Give A **** About The Election

A humorous look at feigning interest in the presidential election. From The Onion.

— Jeff

By Dan

Tonight, Michelle Obama is the keynote speaker at the DNC's Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council Gala at the Waldorf-Astoria. So this seems as good a time as any for me to declare for the first time publicly that Michelle Obama will be the new gay icon!

Move over Liza Minelli, Bette Midler and Hillary Clinton! I predict that over the next eight years, Michelle (Ms. Obama, if you're nasty!) will move into the top spot in the pantheon of gay icons. Madonna, Cher and other first name-only celebs will all pale in comparison to the love and affection that will soon be showered on Michelle Obama by gay males across America!

Her style is second to none and based on what we've seen from other politician's wives in the past, it's a safe bet that Michelle Obama will have no problem being as full throated in support of LGBT equality, as her husband is calculating, on the issue of gay marriage.

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Gawker says Barack Obama is more popular than Jesus and Angelina Jolie, but I argue that he's not more popular than Miley Cyrus. How embarrassing, Barack. How embarrasing.

— Emily

By David

The Washington Post beat me to the punch today on something I’ve been kicking around with for a while: Why is it that in this year of unconventional candidates do we have a presidential election that is so, well, conventional?

McCain the maverick and Obama the post-partisan promised us something different — if not traveling on the same plane to town halls, then at least something other than the “Republicans are reckless Neanderthals, Democrats are effete wusses” meme we’ve been getting since at least 2000, as Democrats tack ferociously to the center and GOPers go off on God, guns and gays.

The Post piece focuses mostly on the back-and-forth, charge-matched by countercharge:

Since Obama wrapped up the Democratic nomination a few weeks ago, he and McCain have served up a series of indignant exchanges over foreign policy, terrorism, the economy, energy policy and campaign money. Their aides have gone farther, with snarling conference call putdowns and taunting e-mails flowing constantly out of the Chicago and Crystal City headquarters.

McCain has given a series of policy speeches and Obama is beginning to do the same. Whatever substance they may contain has been buried in negative counterattacks from the opposing camp, designed to turn ideas into stereotypes and candidates into caricatures. In the hands of Obama's advisers, McCain is nothing more than the third coming of President Bush. To McCain's staff, Obama is merely a liberal, naive, arrogant extension of what Democrats have been offering for years.

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Look what Slate is playing up regarding Barack Obama and Scarlett Johanssen.

Does he, by chance, think he's too cool for her?

— Emily

The delightful thing about art is that you can interpret it many ways.

While the artist, Scott LoBaido, may have been intent on showing off his patriotism when he added his bubbles to this Reagan picture, there are plenty of people out there who would be more than willing to take his sincerity with a very big grain of irony.

LoBaido's exhibit of his surreal paintings opens at the Enchanted Gallery at 242 E. 50th St. Friday.

— Linda Perney

* See art inspired by Barack Obama, Ronald Reagan and more in this photo gallery

Photo credit: Tommaso DeGrezia

By Jeff

Gas prices are high. Who’s to blame? Someone is always to blame, right? When prices rise for consumers, there has to be some corporate fat-cat wearing a monocle and lighting cigars with $100 bills and cackling maniacally.

Multiple choice: What’s the main reason for higher gas prices?
A: Oil speculators
B: The Iraq war
C: Greedy oil executives

Let’s go to the Google. How many hits do I get if type in: “gas prices”, oil speculators? 561,000. For “gas prices”, Iraq war? 433K. For “gas prices”, record profits? 408K.

Pretty close. Purely based on Google hits, it appears that we can blame those evil oil speculators for driving up gas prices just like Sen. Obama’s recent pandering says (an opinion echoed by Bill O’Reilly). Of course this ignores the fact that every other commodity has also skyrocketed in price. Did all speculators from every industry conspire together to bid up every commodity?

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By Kimberly

Donatella Versace has dedicated her latest spring/summer 2009 collection featured in Milan, Italy, this weekend to Barack Obama, citing that he is "a relaxed man who doesn't need to flex muscles to show he has power." She went on to recommend that Obama "get rid of the tie and jazz up the shirt.” Perhaps Obama should loosen up and sport the silk tank top seen below — that is if he wants to lock up the voting bloc of Fire Island!

But in all seriousness, this news story underscored just how much Obama has influenced a renaissance of art and creativity while also encouraging political engagement. Through these images and works, Obama is already an icon. I’ve rounded up a few of my faves for your enjoyment.

The “your new bicycle” Web site started by Mathew Honan as a joke to describe Obama in warm and fuzzy, young love situations to give him a softer side. Just refresh the Web site barackobamaisyournewbicycle.com or click the text to get the next giggle. Some of my favorites: BO baked you a pie, BO smiled when he heard me mention your name and BO helped you move a sofa.

http://obeygiant.com/post/obama

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Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, once rivals for the presidency, will join forces (with matching capes and rings, perhaps) for the first time on the campaign trail in Unity, N.H., this Friday. Unity! I want to cringe and smile at the same time.

Further upping the symbolism in the fact that Obama and Clinton each received EXACTLY 107 votes in Unity, N.H., during the Jan. 8 primary.

— Emily

By Dan

Short on the heels of Tim Russert's untimely demise, comes news this morning of the death of comedy legend George Carlin.

There are no words that I could write today that would adequately describe the impact that watching a George Carlin HBO special had on me when I was 11 or 12. In the wake of the first Gulf War, he did a bit, see below, that crystallized all of the yellow-ribbon mania that had been floating around my NYC suburb full of symbol-minded people!

About a month after 9/11, I had occasion to fly back to Madison, Wis., where I had graduated college four months earlier. This special happened to be replaying on HBO and lo and behold, it was as timely in 2001 as it was 10 years earlier.

Pour some out tonight and enjoy!

By Lynne

McCain may not have been in the news as much as Obama this week, but I’m not so sure that the media Obama’s been getting is translating into any new votes.

McCain needs to focus on choosing his vice presidential running mate. That choice will have significant impact on his ability to peel Democrats away, keep Independents from voting for Obama or solidify conservative support.

As far as Obama — I’m hoping he takes another vacation, maybe does a little writing. Hey, he could do some more fundraising for his campaign now that he has broken his promise to accept public financing in the general.

Seriously, people are tired. We need a break. I’m in Chicago — Obamaland — helping get ready for the upcoming Green Party National Convention in July, and people are a lot more concerned about gas prices, and overcrowding on the Metra.

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(AP)

By Jeff

Bob Barr isn’t going to be president; we know that for sure. He knows he’s not going to be president, and his ardent supporters know he isn’t going to be president. Third-party candidates don’t run to get elected, they run to gain visibility for their message, hoping that some of their core issues will gain traction and force the general election candidates to take a favorable stance.

Barr is certainly the highest-profile candidate to start a third-party run in my lifetime (nobody knew who Ross Perot was before he started). But the concern about Barr is how genuine are his beliefs. Barr was a Democrat in the '60s until being exposed to Ayn Rand. Then was a Republican until 2004, and has been a Libertarian since.

Now changing political parties isn’t a huge red flag since the move from Democrat to Republican in many cases really isn’t a very big difference; Reagan did it. Jim Webb did it. But Bob Barr sure seems to be changing his mind a lot, and we’ve learned from John Kerry, flip-flopping can paralyze the effectiveness of a candidate’s message.

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By Kim

Obama has launched his first general election campaign ad “Country I love” in 18 key states this Friday. The 60-second spot, see above, is based on his connections to the American foundations of “strong families and strong values.” However, what may be a first for any general election ad EVER is that upfront Obama points out that he was raised by a single mother. But hell, I was too — he’s just like me! But for such a family-centric ad message, I’d like to point out Michelle and his daughters are no where to be seen.

The cynic, or advertising major, in me also notices the call out of the Kansas values his grandparent’s raised him on, namely accountability, self reliance, love of country, Golden rule, etc. Plus, as Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post points out, “images of Obama's mother and grandparents — all of whom are white — are featured prominently in the ad.” Don’t forget the little white-haired lady pulling him close to whisper something in his ear.

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(AP)

By Lynne

There are so many ways candidates get take cheap shots at each other — in debates, interviews, e-mails sent to campaign supporters, through push polls, phone banking, direct mail and, yes, with the supposedly uncoordinated assistance by 527 political action committees whose "independent" expenditures are often very nasty indeed. Or they can get their supporters (heck, even their wives) to give interviews, blog, speak from a pulpit ...

But one way to run a clean campaign is by accepting clean money — which generally refers to public financing. For presidential campaigns, that money comes from the tick box that people can choose to select on their tax forms. Public financing releases candidates from dialing-for-dollars or constant email appeals and allows them to time to focus on pesky things like developing policies that will protect people and planet. Or, here’s a thought — doing the job they are currently being paid to do and were voted in to do.

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By Jeff

I work with a conspiracy theorist. She loathes George W. Bush and his “Crime Family” and is one of the people who think every random occurrence somehow ties back to Bush. She mentioned today that McCain was going to win because elections are all frauds and pre-determined by some cabal of powerful Illuminati. I also work near Ground Zero and am exposed to “9-11 Truthers” on nearly a daily basis.

I don’t really engage the woman at work about her nutty theories, and I’m not going to get into a point-by-point case against the various WTC theories because it’s been done a fair amount of times before. Nor am I going to try and explain away each and every other conspiracy theory attributed to Bush (e.g. he’s holding bin Laden for an October surprise to help McCain).

However, I’d like to walk through the logical progression and show why you can pretty much automatically dismiss any and all wide-ranging government conspiracy theory that someone tries to put in front of you.

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Slate comes up with their own list of rumors in response to the Obama campaign's Fight the Smears site, except these are funny.

— Adrian

Apparently, I've put myself on the fist jab beat.

Michelle Obama appeared on "The View" today and fist jabbed its lovely hostesses.

— Emily

(AP)

By Kim

I don’t even know if I am allowed to report on this story that has buzzed around the blogosphere for a few months, but I figure this is the wild card that can at the very least sting McCain in the behind — that is, if little old ladies ever got wind of it.

The story goes that in 1992 while McCain was campaigning for his Senate seat, three anonymous reporters witnessed a testy exchange between Mac and his wife while she poked fun at his thinning hair. He responded, flustered, with:

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By Adrian

To all my loyal fans — and I know there is at least one or two of you — I’m back. I was out in the great state of Texas for some family business but have happily returned to New York (despite American Airline’s best effort to keep me home). I’ll confess: I’ve been so busy that I just haven’t had time to keep up with politics. So, I want to do something a little different. I want to address an issue that is near and dear to my heart. I plan to send the following letter to both candidates.

Dear Senator McCain/Obama,

It wasn’t that long ago that I accompanied my best friend Daniel through security at LAX. It was August 2001, and Daniel had just helped me move from Texas to California for my freshman year of college. Daniel had never flown and was excited to board a Southwest flight back to Texas. As I watched him nervously walk down the jet way, I smiled and saw nothing but smiling family members standing around wishing their loved ones bon voyage.

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(AP)

Gore finally endorsed Obama in Detroit last night. Better late than never, right? Right??

— Meg

Breaking

NBC News veteran Tim Russert has died of a heart attack at age 58. A statement from Adrian:

"My condolences to Mr. Tim Russert's family and all his colleagues and NBC. Tim, your honesty and thorough reporting, calm voice and piercing intellect will be missed by millions of viewers around the world."

By Lynne

McCain might not have to do anything to grab disgruntled Hillary supporters away from Obama ... not as long as Green Party candidate Cynthia McKinney is in the race.

The Nation posted an opinion piece this week by John Nichols in which two students, former Clinton supporters who are now backing McCain, wrote:

For those of you who just can't stomach McCain, we suggest you look into Cynthia McKinney, the Green Party candidate. She is an African American woman from Georgia and is a former member of the House.

We think the endorsement will make more impact if it goes to John McCain, but we see Cynthia McKinney as a viable alternative and someone more qualified than Senator Obama to be President having served for longer in Congress.

In fact, McKinney served six terms in Congress and two terms in the Georgia Legislature. She’s poised to become the Green Party's first female presidential nominee.

Students aren't the only ones noticing. Comedian Roseanne Barr posted several endorsements of McKinney on her blog this week. Since Roseanne "will vote for a woman instead of a man," she is urging support for "cynthia mckinney of the green party. the green party is the future of america ..."

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By David

Interesting new campaign tactic from Obama. His campaign launched a new Web site, "Fight the Smears" to beat back rumors that he is a Muslim, a racist, a terrorist, etc., etc.

Clearly, the Obama folks feel that merely dismissing these rumors as unfounded isn't enough, and they decided that putting out an online truth squad was necessary.

Breaking

(Getty)

Maverick-longshot-but-nonetheless-impassioned Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul has announced he will end his campaign tonight.

Now's a good time to check out Paul's awesome CGI-laced campaign ad, written on by our Dan.
— Emily

By Meg

1. What will Clinton have to do/say to get her supporters to also throw their weight behind Obama?

Nothing. Sure, there will be some who refuse to vote for Obama because he’s not Hillary, just like there will be some Americans who will refuse to vote for Obama because he is black, some who refused to vote for Hillary because she’s a woman and some who will refuse to vote for McCain because ... I don’t know, they think he’s an alien or something.

There are always exceptions to every rule, but most Democrats are going to vote for the Democrat. They’re angry now, which is fine, but they will get over it.

Example: I watched Hillary’s fantastic concession speech (the real one) with a group of die-hard Hillary supporters, one of whom started chanting “Denver!” when Hillary took the podium. An hour later, they were all vowing to vote for Obama. We’re talking about people who were wearing Hillary buttons pinned to Hillary T-shirts. There was signage involved. But they turned pretty quickly. The majority of her supporters will do the same.

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(AP)

By Jeff

Former Clinton supporters are going to be voting for Obama. They were always going to vote for Obama, no matter how much they pouted. I think even if Clinton hadn’t come out for Obama, her supporters would have still voted for him. The quasi-posturing about supporting McCain by her senior supporters was more about bargaining power and trying to get some assurances from an eventual Obama administration.

Now that Hillary has come out and backed Obama and is now making calls to get her pledged delegates to vote for Obama (though not officially releasing them for a reason), it’s even more likely that Clinton supporters will vote for Obama. Obama has already done whatever he needed to do apparently during the private Clinton-Obama meeting last week. We just don’t know what it was. It wasn’t a VP nod, that I’m sure of, but conventional wisdom says maybe it was a promise of Attorney General, Supreme Court Justice or as the shepherd in Congress for his health care plan. Or maybe it was just, “Hey, shut up; you lost. Go away or I will crush you.” That would have been my tactic.

This trend indicates that those Clinton supporters who previously may have been saying they were going to vote for McCain over Obama, are predictably now admitting that they plan on voting for Obama.

By David

Plenty of URL’s have already been spilled on "what went wrong," but before Hillary Clinton’s presidential run is ushered off the stage of history, my take is that it comes down to one thing: The Delegate Hunt.

In the days before Super Tuesday, at a visit to a state Obama campaign office, a couple of local campaign coordinators pointed to a computer with grassroots campaign events like "Dogwalking for Obama" and "Yoga for Obama" and "Salsa for Obama" and said to me, “This is a hunt for delegates.”

How right they were. Some very bright person in the Obama office obviously figured out that you could nickel-and-dime a victory in this thing by organizing in usually overlooked places and piece by piece amount enough delegates to keep the race competitive.

This was a bold strategy. Every previous primary campaign had ended before people were even able to find out how many delegates states like North Carolina and Montana even apportioned, as media and momentum crowned a winner, or at least frontrunner, early on. Why the Clinton team never figured out a way to counteract this, even after Super Tuesday, is a mystery.

As tempting as it is to lay blame at the Clinton’s feat, it’s worth pausing to note that they got in the way of whirlwind. Faced with Obama-mania, all they could really do was cower (and of course, make a dramatic turn to the populist right.)

In hindsight, it is worth remembering how flat-footed everybody was by this phenomenon. To wit, can anyone remember when the last time there was a primary upset in American presidential primaries, a time when the anointed frontrunner from the start wasn’t crowned the nominee at the convention?

The answer, at least since the modern primary process began in 1972, is never.

North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley and Sen. Barack Obama deal with a secret handshake gone awry Monday in Raleigh, N.C.

— Emily