First Door on the Left

I watched the Republicans debate last night and I watched the Democrats debate tonight. The difference was night and day. Last night we witnessed an argument amongst immature and egotistic children. Tonight we witnessed a discussion between adults.

It is difficult to select a winner in tonight’s debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. I think Mrs. Clinton appeared a bit more comfortable and more sure of her answers than Mr. Obama. It was abundantly clear which of them has more experience being in the public eye. Mr. Obama, at times, appeared just a little too eager (and perhaps a bit desperate) to accentuate the differences between himself and Mrs. Clinton. I don’t think either of them won over any of the other’s ardent supporters this evening. If anybody was honestly sitting on the fence, tonight’s debate may have tipped them in Mrs. Clinton’s direction.

I believe the clear winner tonight was the Democratic party. As I stated at the beginning of this post, the difference between the candidates of the two parties became so apparent tonight. It is clear beyond doubt that the next President of the United States with either be Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. There is not a candidate on the Republican side who can hold a candle to either of them.

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, January 31, 2008

I can honestly say that I will be proud to whole-heartedly support whichever candidate ultimately wins the Democratic nomination, be it Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, and I will proudly cast my vote for that person in November.

(CNN was a bit amateurish in their production of the debate. Twice they came back from commercial to find the one of the candidates in the middle of an answer and it was clear that Wolf Blitzer’s assignment was to create contention between the candidates. I had to laugh when they showed a shot outside the Kodak Theater and there, amongst all the Clinton and Obama signs and supporters, was a huge banner with Ron Paul’s name on it. Despite all that, both Senator Obama and Senator Clinton gave outstanding and laudable performances.)

Picture of the day:

Vice President Giuliani, Secretary of State Schwarzenegger, President McCain

The real story:

Schwarzenegger Endorses John McCain

LOS ANGELES (AP) – California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger endorsed Sen. John McCain in the Republican presidential race on Thursday, praising him as an extraordinary leader who can reach across the political aisle to get things done.

McCain predicted a “flood of endorsements across this country from both liberals and conservatives” would soon come his way as he tries to take command of the nominating fight after a bruising series of early primaries and caucuses.

“I won a Republican-only primary in the state of Florida but I also have been able to gain the support of independents, as well, which is vital to winning a national election,” he said.

McCain and his principal remaining rival, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, square off in 21 primaries and caucuses next week with more than 1,000 delegates at stake.

At a news conference, Schwarzenegger said McCain has the national security credentials to do the job, and is a “crusader against wasteful spending.”

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani also attended the event, one day after he dropped out of the race and threw his support behind his longtime friend.

Right wing heads are exploding all across this great land and I am loving every minute.

Don’t forget that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will have their first one-on-one debate tonight at 8 pm ET (7 pm CT) on CNN.

One of them will be the next President of the United States.

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton

In other news, reports are circulating that the Obama campaign raised over $32 million in the month of January. That’s just over one million dollars per day. Not bad.

The Republicans are holding another debate Hillary Bash tonight. It’ll be on CNN at 8:00 pm ET (7:00 pm CT). I’m told there will be four participants.

Mitt Romney - John McCain

I know that John McCain and Mitt Romney will be there, but somebody actually had to remind me who the other two participants will be. Ready? Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul. Who knew those two were still in this thing? And why?

Okay, Huck is probably looking for the vice presidential spot on the McCain ticket (just in case Rudy turns it down), but why in the world is Ron Paul sticking around?

McCain/Giuliani or McCain/Huckabee… could the Democrats possibly wish for a better year? (Well, yes they could… any ticket with the name Romney on it.)

If you’re planning on watching the “debate” tonight, you are required (you know) to participate in The Drinking Game (especially if you are a Mormon who supports Flipper Romney). Every time one of the candidates says “Hillary” you must take a drink of the alcoholic beverage of your choice. Let me warn you beforehand… you are going to have one hell of a hangover in the morning.

If you really want to have fun, add “Reagan” to your drinking list. Since the event is being held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, you can bet his name will come up a lot. Conservatives just love them some Reagan!

No love lost between these two

UPDATE: I watched the debate tonight, believe it or not. I was wrong on the Hillary thing; not one of them mentioned her once. But boy howdy was I right on the Reagan thing. I tried to keep track of how many times his name was deployed, but I lost count. And let me just say this to you Republicans out there: You have got to be kidding! This is the best you have to offer? That’s just sad.

If I had to pick a winner of tonight’s debate, I would say it was a toss-up between Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul. Though they were wrong in most of what they said, they did give clear and well thought out answers (when they were given the opportunity to speak, which was rarely). Mitt Romney and John McCain came off looking like weak, argumentative and poorly educated children.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will be debating tomorrow evening (same time, same station). I hope they were watching tonight. It was the perfect example of what they should not do and how they should not behave. I hope the Republicans have sense enough to be embarrassed for their leading candidates tonight. From what I witnessed, I don’t think the candidates have the intelligence to be embarrassed for themselves.

John McCain: “I’m old, tired and cranky. I hate Mitt Romney. Elect me.”
Mitt Romney: “I’m rich and it’s my turn. I hate John McCain. Elect me.”
Ron Paul: “I’m just old, tired and cranky.”
Mike Huckabee: “I’m cute and witty. God loves me. Elect me.”
All: “I loved Ronald Reagan more than you did. So there. Elect me.”

Update: The John and Flipper show. (These are the guys who want to be your president.)

Flipper channels Ronnie:

At least John McCain wouldn’t be the oldest candidate running. Nader will turn 74 on February 27th of this year. (McCain will be 72 on August 29th.)

Ralph Nader Flirts with Presidential Bid

Ralph Nader

Ralph Nader has formed a presidential exploratory committee, and said in an interview Wednesday that he will launch another presidential bid if he’s convinced he can raise enough money to appear on the vast majority of state ballots this fall.

Nader, who ran as an independent candidate in each of the past three presidential elections, told ABCNews.com that he will run in 2008 if he is convinced over the next month that he would be able to raise $10 million over the course of the campaign — and attract enough lawyers willing to work free of charge to get his name on state ballots.

Nader said he established an exploratory committee with the Federal Election Commission and launched a Web site after Dennis Kucinich, a liberal Ohio congressman, announced his decision to withdraw from the presidential race last week.

He was set to announce that he had formed an exploratory committee Wednesday, even before former Sen. John Edwards made it known that he’d be ending his candidacy. But with Edwards — who has made economic populism and ending poverty cornerstones of his campaign — leaving the Democratic field, Nader said, he feels his candidacy is more urgent than ever.

I have no doubt that the old lunatic could raise $10 million. There are enough rich Republicans out there that would give him at least that much if they thought it would keep the Democrats from winning the White House this year. (It won’t.) Getting lawyers to work for free, though, is another question entirely.

Both John Edwards and Rudy Giuliani will be exiting the presidential race today. We knew last night that Giuliani was quitting, but Mr. Edwards comes as a bit of a surprise. Of the two, he is the one I am sorry to see leave. I thought he would stick it out at least through Super Tuesday.

Edwards to Quit Presidential Race

John Edwards

DENVER (AP) – Democrat John Edwards is exiting the presidential race Wednesday, ending a scrappy underdog bid in which he steered his rivals toward progressive ideals while grappling with family hardship that roused voters’ sympathies, The Associated Press has learned.

The two-time White House candidate notified a close circle of senior advisers that he planned to make the announcement at a 1 p.m. EST event in New Orleans that had been billed as a speech on poverty, according to two aides. The decision came after Edwards lost the four states to hold nominating contests so far to rivals who stole the spotlight from the beginning – Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.

The former North Carolina senator will not immediately endorse either candidate in what is now a two-person race for the Democratic nomination, said one adviser, who spoke on condition of anonymity in advance of the announcement. Clinton said Wednesday that Edwards called her to inform her about his decision.[..]

John and Elizabeth

Edwards waged a spirited top-tier campaign against the two better-funded rivals, even as he dealt with the stunning blow of his wife’s recurring cancer diagnosis. In a dramatic news conference last March, the couple announced that the breast cancer that she thought she had beaten had returned, but they would continue the campaign.

Their decision sparked a debate about family duty and public service. But Elizabeth Edwards remained a forceful advocate for her husband, and she was often surrounded at campaign events by well-wishers and emotional survivors cheering her on.

Edwards planned to announce his campaign was ending with his wife and three children at his side. Then he planned to work with Habitat for Humanity at the volunteer-fueled rebuilding project Musicians’ Village, the adviser said.

With that, Edwards’ campaign will end the way it began 13 months ago – with the candidate pitching in to rebuild lives in a city still ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. Edwards embraced New Orleans as a glaring symbol of what he described as a Washington that didn’t hear the cries of the downtrodden.

Remarks of John Edwards Today in New Orleans:

This second story comes as no surprise whatsoever. Rudy Giuliani was considered the frontrunner for the Republican nomination until he started campaigning and people got to know him. The more they saw him, the less they liked him.

Giuliani to Exit Presidential Race Today

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – Rudy Giuliani told supporters Wednesday he’s abandoning his bid for president and backing Republican rival and longtime friend John McCain.

“I spoke with Rudy Giuliani this morning and he confirmed that he is dropping out of the race and will endorse Senator John McCain for president,” New York Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno said in a statement.

Once the Republican presidential front-runner, Giuliani suffered a debilitating defeat in Tuesday’s Florida primary.

The former mayor finished a distant third to the winner, McCain, and close second-place finisher Mitt Romney. After the results, Republican officials had said Giuliani would endorse McCain on Wednesday in California.

This is going to be fun. It is no secret that John McCain and Mitt Romney despise one another. I hope they tear the Republican party apart at the seams.

Romney vows to carry on to Super Tuesday

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Republican Mitt Romney, his family and supporters vowed to carry his campaign into the vote-rich Super Tuesday contests next week after narrowly losing Florida’s primary to rival John McCain.

In his concession speech Tuesday night, Romney issued a call to arms to conservatives to support him, vowing to cut federal spending, end illegal immigration and teach children “that before they have babies, they should get married.”

Meanwhile in another galaxy…

NBC: Giuliani to endorse McCain

John McCain and Rudy Giuliani

ORLANDO, Fla. – After a poor showing in Florida’s Republican primary, NBC News and the National Journal reported Tuesday night that Rudy Giuliani will endorse winner John McCain on Wednesday in California.

Speaking to supporters Tuesday night, Giuliani referred to his candidacy repeatedly in the past tense, as though it was over.

“We’ll stay involved and together we’ll make sure that we’ll do everything we can to hand our nation off to the next generation better than it was before,” he said.

A senior Giuliani official told NBC that he will endorse McCain on Wednesday in California, where Republicans are set to debate at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.

I honestly cannot remember when the last time was that I had this much fun. George W. Bush and Karl Rove destroyed the Republican party. We are just now beginning to see the fruits of their labors.

See also: “Rudy+John=Friends 4Ever.”

Where is Lloyd Bentsen when you need him?

“Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy.”

“You’re the one that was making the comparison, Senator.”

It is becoming more and more difficult for me to select a Democratic candidate to endorse. Both Clinton and Obama have said and done things with which I disagree. I can tell you this with 100% certainty, however — any of the Democratic candidates would be better for the future of America than any of the Republican candidates. Whoever becomes the Democratic nominee will have my full support.

8:55 pm CT — 75% reporting, results holding. McCain, 36%; Romney 31%; Giuliani, 15%; Huckabee, 14%.

Though there were (officially) no delegates at stake in the Democratic primary, Hillary drew more votes in this allegedly “red” state than John McCain: 725,471 to 588,484. The excitement and the turnout continue to reside with the Democrats.

The winners in Florida:

John McCain and Hillary Clinton

8:36 pm CT — 67% reporting:

McCain – 531,503 – 36%
Romney – 468,196 – 32%
Giuliani – 223,102 – 15%
Huckabee – 197,541 – 13%

Hillary Clinton, as expected, won the most votes in the Democratic primary. She has made it quite clear that the rules apply to everybody but her.

John McCain

8:11 pm CT — CNN, AP, CBS and NBC have all called it for McCain. Wingers are not happy.

Rumors are flying that Giuliani will be dropping out tomorrow and endorsing McCain. Winger heads will definitely explode.

8:08 pm CT — 51% reporting — McCain, 35%; Romney, 31%; Giuliani, 16%; Huckabee, 13%.

7:30 pm CT — With things settled on the Democratic side, we’ll focus on the Republicans…

35% reporting – McCain still leads Romney by a nose, 34% to 32%. Giuliani and Huckabee are bringing up the rear with 16% and 13% respectively.

7:08 pm CT — The polls are closed in Florida. The early returns are showing pretty much what was expected.

On the Democratic side, the only candidate to campaign in the state (though she promised she wouldn’t) is leading. With 22% of the precincts reporting, Hillary Clinton has 49% of the vote. Barack Obama follows with 29% and John Edwards has 14%. The major networks have already projected Clinton to be the winner. (Though with no delegates at stake, she wins nothing but bragging rights.) (See “Democrats shut out of Florida.”)

Things are a little tighter on the Republican side. John McCain leads right now with 34%. Mitt Romney is right behind him with 31%. Rudy Giuliani and Mike Huckabee are fighting it out for third place with 16% and 14% respectively.

I think this is pretty much where things will end up. I don’t look for much change throughout the evening.

'Look at the time! I've got to get to Iowa and New Hampshire!'

Clinton Booked for Letterman Show

NEW YORK (AP) – Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton will yuk it up on CBS’s “Late Show with David Letterman,” a day before the Feb. 5 Super Tuesday contests.

Clinton will join Letterman on set before a studio audience in New York this coming Monday. She was last on the program Jan. 2, in a cameo appearance from Iowa.

It will be the former first lady’s ninth visit to the show. She first appeared in 1994 from the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, where she was interviewed by Letterman’s mother.

Letterman’s show has been a popular destination for the presidential hopefuls. Democrats Barack Obama and John Edwards have both appeared twice since entering the race – Obama as recently as last Thursday, where he read the nightly Top 10 list.

Hillary Clinton and David Letterman, August 30, 2007