Category Archives: Uncategorized

(Community Matters) from Saturday night’s opening of Acton’s new campus. Michael Barnes took much better ones at Out & About.

(Community Matters) I don’t know Robert Arena’s work, but trust the recommendation of John Aravosis who runs Americablog.

He’s saying 1) the polls show the race in a dead heat, 2) McCain has solidified 87% of the Republican vote, Obama just 82% of the Democratic vote, with 18% of former Hillary supporters supporting McCain, 3) personal abilities and experience cited as worrisome for Barack, 4) 46% of independent voters indicate they could switch between candidates, and 5) voters are concerned aobut McCain’s stand on the economy and foreign policy but as well about Barack’s experience. This all from a Pew Poll of registered voters (i.e., not likely) and methodology adopted to account for non-land line registered voters. His assessment is that GOP has been very effective at making Democratic candidates for president look weak and that’s what we have to overcome. Full posting here.

(Community Matters) I was under the impression that candidates generally gave each other a pass during the week of each convention. Now we’re hearing McCain will announce his VP pick the day after Obama’s acceptance (we’re also hearing his first three choices were vetoed by the national GOP). No doubt intended to blunt any bounce, just another sign of deteriorating civility in American politics. Since gentlemanly tradition appears off, I suggest Obama consider announcing cabinet nominees on Sept 5. He could start with Hillary Clinton as his nominee for Secretary of State.

During the next eight weeks until the election, he could announce others including General Colin Powell as Secretary of Defense, Madeline Albright as National Security Advisor, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as Secretary of Homeland Security, Robert Rubin as Secretary of the Treasury, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Commerce, Senator Chuck Hagel as the Attorney General and Bill Richardson as Ambassador to the United Nations.

(Community Matters) I’ve been lucky to work with super local leaders (Kirk Rudy, Alexa Wesner, John Thornton and Juan Sepulveda working with the campaign’s Adrienne Donato) in our Obama fundraising. They and so many friends/Obama supporters have made it possible for me to exceed my $100,000 original commitment as a National Leadership Council member. Surprised and honored to have received an invite today from Penny Pritzker to join Obama’s National Finance Committee. So, I’m signed on and now challenged to raise $300k.

(Community Matters) “George Bush’s record as a student, military man, businessman and leader of the free world is one of constant failure. And the part that troubles me most is he seems content with himself. He will leave office with the country $10 trillion in debt, fighting two wars, our international reputation in shambles, our government cloaked in secrecy and suspicion that his entire presidency has been a litany of broken laws and promises, our citizens’ faith in our own country ripped to shreds. Yet Bush goes bumbling along, grinning and spewing moronic one-liners, as though nobody understands what a colossal failure he has been.

I fear to the depth of my being that John McCain is just like him,” – Jack Cafferty, CNN.

Hat Tip: Andrew Sullivan

(Community Matters) After lamenting with a friend how someone we were discussing was, unfortunately, stingy sharing credit and agreeing how this was holding her back, in a later conversation I admitted to another friend that it’s easy to be generous with credit and praise when we ourselves feel appropriately acknowledged and appreciated. so, first revelation was, wow, she must not be feeling enough acknowledgment or credit. Then of course is the bad side, acknowledgment, appreciation and recognition are like sugar, they can become addictive and one’s appetite keeps increasing.

Completely different thought, nevertheless in line with my belief that a sense of power should be added to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: In trying to understand senseless violence and apparently random rudeness, I’ve come to see these acts within the context of understanding (no, not excusing) how some go to drastic lengths to feel some sense of power, especially in completely disempowering worlds.

(Community Matters) One reason we might be seeing a closing of the gaps in key state polls is McCain’s outspending of Obama in media buys. According to Greg Sargent at TPM:

Iowa: McCain has spent roughly $700,000 more than Obama.

Missouri: McCain has spent roughly half a million more than Obama.

Ohio: McCain has spent approximately one million more than Obama.

Pennsylvania: McCain has spent roughly a million and a half more than Obama.

New Hampshire: Spending is about even.

New Mexico: McCain has spent approximately $300,000 more, and has outspent Obama by roughly two to one.

Nevada: McCain has outspent Obama by $800,000, also roughly two to one.

Missouri: McCain has spent $500,000 more than Obama.

Virginia: Obama has spent a million more than McCain, largely because Obama is advertising statewide while McCain is only up in the northern part of the state.

Wisconsin: McCain has spent roughly a half million more than Obama.

North Dakota: Obama has outspent McCain by around $170,000.

Gotta remember that McCain must spend the rest of his primary money before being declared the nominee at GOP convention. Since Obama has opted out of public funding, he can continue to spend primary dollars during the general. Also, of course, Obama is running a 50 state campaign. Finally, it’s heartening to know that even with McCain so significantly outspending Obama in media buys, our field operation far surpasses theirs. I’m not sure if the numbers still hold but a month or so ago McCain had 6 paid field organizers on the ground in Michigan, we had over 300.

(Community Matters) Be still my heart . . .

there’s even a video of it here

(Community Matters) Of course many have been seeing the disturbing trend in the national polls. It’s been noted in 538 but hadn’t significantly impacted the state by state electoral numbers until mid last week. While Obama retains a lead in electoral percentages, 538 considers it now only a “slight” lead. (admittedly, I’m a bit confused by this since I’m reading their numbers to show 284 to 254 electoral vote split favoring Obama but suppose given simulations this could be slight)

Nate Silver now writing about the latest Ohio poll showing Obama tied with McCain, down from an 8pt lead in Public Policy Polling’s July numbers. McCain slightly ahead in Nate’s simulations, winning Ohio’s electoral votes.

Two most interesting citations: 1) in the Ohio poll, Obama is doing well with independents, it’s Democrats with whom he’s slipping and 2) naming Hillary Clinton as his running mate would likely give him a 10 – 15 point bump. Nevertheless, I don’t think it’s worth the dilution of his message for change nor the risk Bill brings to an Obama presidency.

(Community Matters) oh yeah, we saw Woody Allen’s newest movie Friday night. Best ever. Story maybe not 100% believable but who cares, the characters were so exceptional I didn’t want the movie to end.

Of course, Penelope Cruz might be the sexiest person alive and Javier Bardem is way sexy in this role.

(Community Matters) nice posting here

(Community Matters) We’re locked in on Marfa for 3 weeks, Dec – January. Can’t wait.