Thursday’s political round-up

April 26, 2007

Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that wouldn’t generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers:

* The very first debate of the presidential campaign season will be held tonight at South Carolina State University. All eight Democratic candidates are scheduled to appear at the event, which will be moderated by NBC’s Brian Williams and will be shown on MSNBC from 7-8:30 p.m.

* John McCain’s campaign kick-off was not necessarily a major draw in New Hampshire yesterday. At a waterfront park in Portsmouth, police estimated about 250 attendees, many of whom told reporters they were there out of curiosity, not necessarily because they were supporting McCain. The Boston Globe noted there were “plenty of parking spots to be had in walking distance of the park” shortly before McCain’s speech.

* Speaking of McCain, John Murtha criticized the Arizona senator for going on The Daily Show on Tuesday and joking that he had picked up a gift for Jon Stewart during a recent trip to Baghdad. “I had something picked out for you, too — a little IED (improvised explosive device) to put on your desk.” Murtha, in a speech on the House floor, said, “Imagine a presidential candidate making a joke about IEDs when our kids are getting blown up.”

* Despite constant rumors about Michael Bloomberg (R) running for president as an independent in 2008, the NYC mayor seems to have a different candidate in mind. The NYT reported today that Bloomberg wants Al Gore to run, saying “I think it would be good for the country.” The article explained, “The mayor made the comments to reporters after a news conference kicking off the Tribeca Film Festival, as the two men took the stage and teased each other over speculation about their respective presidential ambitions.”

* Rep. Bob Wexler (D-Fla.) is known to fans of The Colbert Report as the unopposed incumbent who said, at Colbert’s request, that he enjoys cocaine and prostitutes. Ben Graber, a local doctor who plans to take on Wexler next year, said he plans to use the comments against the incumbent. “There are many ways to look at it,” Graber said. “Maybe he was shocked and the truth came out.” Few political observers expect Graber to compete seriously against Wexler, in one of Florida’s most Democratic districts.

McCain looked really desperate while talking to Stewart.

He just kept rattling off the BS that we all have seen knocked down, over and over.

  • …So… it’s ok for McCain to joke about being a terrorist and murdering Jon Stewart with an IED, but it’s not ok to joke about coke and hookers. OK.

    “Things are always darketst just before they’re totally black.” -John McCain

    Um… McCain? They’re totally black. Drop out now, retire gracefully and spare what’s left of your reputation.

  • What was going on with McCain’s left cheek during the Stewart appearance? I couldn’t decide if he had a wad of chew going on in there or if he’d just had his wisdom removed. I almost expected him to say was that all he wants for Christmas is a hula-hoop…

  • I’m glad Murtha pointed out McCain’s nasty comment about the IED. I was disgusted when he said that. McCain also said that he would kick the Daily Show’s bomb-sniffing dog, Gretchen. Real nice, you asshat.

    The Today Show was doing an interview with him and his wife this morning. I had to turn it off before I lost my breakfast, but not before I noticed his wife’s face. Is it me or does she look like she’s had a little too much Botox or that her face lift was pulled a little too tight?

  • I’m glad Murtha pointed out McCain’s nasty comment about the IED. I was disgusted when he said that. McCain also said that he would kick the Daily Show’s bomb-sniffing dog, Gretchen. Real nice, you asshat.

    I had completely forgotten about those comments, they were so early on in the interview. I was astounded and couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Was that his idea of humor?

  • McCain’s staff must be hopelessly incompetent if they couldn’t get more than a few curious passers-by to be at his opening rally.

    Yes, it was only the official announcement and everyone has known he’s running for a long time. But that’s supposed to be a time to generate excitement and enthusiasm for the campaign, and it sure didn’t sound like there was much ‘there’ there.

    They could have bussed in a small horde of sign wavers, which would at least have gotten him a mention in the evening news. But this is something they’ll more likely want to hush up than shout about, and that’s not a good way to start for any candidate.

    Not that I’m complaining, mind you. Just saying. 😉

  • Is it me or does she look like she’s had a little too much Botox or that her face lift was pulled a little too tight? -The sister

    She’s gotta keep up those good looks or the ol’ dog will start sniffin’ ’round other bitches.

  • Poor McCain. The more he talks the fewer people follow him. From Hero to Clown in less than a year.

  • A friend of mine called last night; he saw McCaca on the Portsmouth news last night, saying “Day-um—he DOES look like Nikita Khrushchev!”

    I’m waiting to see him start pounding his shoe on the podium at a future media event.

    And Murtha needs to bring out the artillery to pound McCaca back into the salt-mines

  • Is it just me or does McCain’s IED joke remind anyone else of Bush’s hilarious rendition of “Where’s the WMDs?” at that correspondents’ dinner a few years ago?

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