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January 3/4 Smorgasbord and Open Thread

by: Mike Hoefer

Fri Jan 04, 2008 at 12:44:39 PM EST


(Part put below the fold by me.  Tell us what's happening on the ground today.  I heard, e.g., that Concord HS, though on vacation, was mobbed with young people for the big O. - promoted by Dean Barker)

Last night I was with a number of notable hampsters. It was a lot of fun thanks to the Caulfield's for hosting. The side comments were hilarious- get a bunch of over-informed political junkies in a room and watch out. The Obamian's in the room tried to remain respectful but there was a small bit of trash talk.

I've created a "before and after" of the Pollster.com trend. Clinton finished about where the averages had her. Obama and Edwards did significantly better.

Mike Hoefer :: January 3/4 Smorgasbord and Open Thread

I stopped by a Kucinich event at the Colonial on the way there. It was very well attended and executed event. Approximately 500 people filled the theater and gave Dennis a warm and heartfelt welcome. A couple of notables... "We need a new direction in Iraq, out!" and when asked (via written question) what he would do to create a verifiable voting machine he said "It's right here... Paper"

Outside there was small funeral for the death of  the "Marketplace of Ideas" (in response to the limiting of candidates at Saturday's debate.

If you or your friends want to catch somebody in the next 4 days Pindell/Boston Globe has the best listing of events I have seen ... maybe by the time the next cycle rolls around the candidate's web teams will embraced the concept of publishing event info in ical format.

I will be at the "100 Club" dinner tonight, camera in hand, and will look to post some photos tomorrow. If you want to find me, I will be the almost 40, balding guy in a Navy Blazer. (Seriously though, if  you want to connect, you can get my email from my site profile and drop me a line)

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Now that I'm an undecided voter (0.00 / 0)
I'm going to see Richardson tonight and Obama tomorrow and try and figure out which one to vote for.

GoBama! (0.00 / 0)
Richardson is too much like a used car salesman to me...

[ Parent ]
The prodigal son returns.... (0.00 / 0)
where the heck have you been... we were going to sent the swat team out

Hope > Fear




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[ Parent ]
Please go see Hillary! (0.00 / 0)
I think if you go see her, you will be very impressed!

Energy and persistence conquer all things.


Benjamin Franklin


 


[ Parent ]
For the record... (0.00 / 0)
Not that it matters...

I've seen Hillary twice, and Hillary surrogates several more.  I don't mind her...  I wouldn't mind voting for her.

But, if she wins the nomination, my brother and sister (who i've gradually persuaded to register as Democrats) have vowed not to vote in the general election.


[ Parent ]
so... (0.00 / 0)
I guess my point is:

I can't vote for someone who turns so many people off from the Democratic Process.


[ Parent ]
Bring them to see Hillary!! (0.00 / 0)
Welcome back!  

Energy and persistence conquer all things.


Benjamin Franklin


 


[ Parent ]
I did (0.00 / 0)
I dragged my sister (nearly kicking and screaming) to a Hillary Event in Hannover.

At this event, a New York Voter drove all the way up to ask her a question: Did she read the National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq before she voted to support the Invasion?  Hillary said "I was briefed" and got into a bit of a heated exchange with the person.  

That sealed the deal for my sister.  


[ Parent ]
Bring her again!! (0.00 / 0)


Energy and persistence conquer all things.


Benjamin Franklin


 


[ Parent ]
I appreciate you enthusiasm for your chosen candidate (0.00 / 0)
but... it aint gunnah happen.

She was complaining all evening about the 200 or so Hillary signs that showed up in two foot intervals along RT 16 on her way to work.

Next snow storm, we discover the campaign's views on the Environment.

Of course, my Obama Sign is under a six foot snow drift, so i'm not exactly one to talk...


[ Parent ]
nhcollege dem is back (0.00 / 0)
cool

for transparency sake ~I represent Union print shops

[ Parent ]
I've seen her! (0.00 / 0)
She just doesn't do it for me. She has some great people working on her campaign, but I really like Richardson and Obama for different reasons and can't decide which one I like more.

I saw Richardson tonight and he talked a lot about all this stuff he wants to do, expanded federal education mandates, and then talks about "balancing the budget" by killing ~$8bn in "corporate welfare" while maintaining tax cuts, so I'm not sure how realistic he is. He also doesn't seem very respectful of Westphalian principles -- asking for Musharraf to go if he's elected, and promoting democracy and human rights through "pressure" as foreign policy ends.

I like that he's conservative where I'm conservative: balanced budgets and gun control. And I like that he has a lot of foreign policy experience, but I don't think I agree with the way he sees foreign policy issues. His support for the Cuba embargo and travel ban is especially off-putting because it means he doesn't respect my right as an American citizen to freely travel abroad. But... experience and a balanced budget goal is very appealing.

I'm starting to lean Obama. I feel like, electorally, a Richardson vote makes more sense (not a "rubber-stamp" of Iowa, not a media-darling), but I think Obama's closer to me on the issues I care about (or maybe issues where I think the President largely lacks much Congressional oversight) than Richardson is. I don't know...I feel conflicted.


[ Parent ]
vote Edwards n/t (0.00 / 0)


for transparency sake ~I represent Union print shops

[ Parent ]
He's the best campaigner, I think (0.00 / 0)
but I don't like his proposed trade or foreign policies...

[ Parent ]
the changing shape of the pollster.com trend is very interesting (0.00 / 0)

We had the "Kiss" on Dec 28 and now the "Recoil"

Those Suffolk numbers seem a bit exuberant to me...

Hope > Fear




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The most happiest time of the year! every 4 years (0.00 / 0)
This is the world series and superbowl  all wrapped up in one for me!

My grandfather who was a precinct captain and Democratic organizer fed the fire of politics to me at young age, bless his Irish catholic heart. I have been hooked ever since.

Pindell/Boston Globe has the best listing of events I have seen .

I agree with your assessment.

 If we don't do it who will?
Teach a mind, change a nation!


Anecdotal trends (0.00 / 0)
I've announced for Edwards here. My daughter and wife are both supporting Kucinich.

This could either signal a bit more momentum for Kucinich - his rally at the Colonial Theater in Keene last night drew a surprisingly large crowd - or could signal my relative influence on my mother's vote.


wife Edwards (0.00 / 0)
mother Edwards, son Obama...but he can't vote till the general...so there's hope...

for transparency sake ~I represent Union print shops

[ Parent ]
If he can vote in the general (0.00 / 0)
can't he vote in the primary?

Can't an underage voter cast a Primary ballot, if they will be OF age by the general?

SGS is Jack Mitchell of Lowell, MA. The symbolism of the "sleeping giant" is based on my HOPE for America.


[ Parent ]
you have to be of voting age to vote n/t (0.00 / 0)


for transparency sake ~I represent Union print shops

[ Parent ]
For the other folks (0.00 / 0)
From Disabilities Rights Center-NH
1. Am I eligible to register to vote in New Hampshire?

You may register to vote if you meet the following criteria:
· You are a United States citizen
· You are 18 years of age
· You may register at age 17 if you will be 18 years old by the day of the next election
· You are domiciled in the community in which you are seeking to register

SGS is Jack Mitchell of Lowell, MA. The symbolism of the "sleeping giant" is based on my HOPE for America.


[ Parent ]
The next election (0.00 / 0)
is Tuesday.

Iowa lets people caucus if they will be voting age in November. New Hampshire does not allow people under 18 to vote.


[ Parent ]
you can register but not vote till 18. n/t (4.00 / 1)


for transparency sake ~I represent Union print shops

[ Parent ]
Hmmm (0.00 / 0)
That's a very revealing comment.

[ Parent ]
My wife came out for obama over instant messenger today (4.00 / 1)
... then asked if I wanted anything at the grocery store!

Hope > Fear




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[ Parent ]
My best bud's babe (0.00 / 0)
called me on the cellie this AM.

Yo, your man ROCKS.

I'll be dropping off an Obama sign soon!

SGS is Jack Mitchell of Lowell, MA. The symbolism of the "sleeping giant" is based on my HOPE for America.


[ Parent ]
Reich "Calls it" (0.00 / 0)
Prediction

The nominees for president in 2008 will be John McCain and Barack Obama. I can't, as yet, see far enough into the future to know which of them will win. I'll report back just as soon as I do.


Hope > Fear




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Some should take note (0.00 / 0)
the blog entry immediately before it: The Widening Trade Deficit With China, in an Election Year

[ Parent ]
it is a good post too (0.00 / 0)
The real problem isn't our trade deficit with China. The problem is that America as a whole is living beyond its means.


Hope > Fear




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[ Parent ]
and having China finance it (0.00 / 0)
that won't last for long...their internal growth rate is enough to keep them afloat

for transparency sake ~I represent Union print shops

[ Parent ]
China (0.00 / 0)
Well, I mean Reich's prediction:
Don't be surprised if in 2008 Congress threatens China with tariffs unless it does more to raise the value of its currency against the dollar, making our imports from China sufficiently expensive and our exports to China sufficiently cheap to close the deficit - and thereby, it's assumed, save good American jobs. But politicians are wrong if they think a rising yuan is any answer.

Is reminiscent of Obama and Clinton's position:

Obama will cosponsor a bill with Clinton to impose high duties on Chinese goods, intended to pressure China into revaluing its currency (FT).

And some people think this policy position doesn't make too much sense.

Edwards, despite his often protectionist-sounding rhetoric, seems to take a softer position on this issue, though still demagogues against "currency manipulation" in general.

Fight Currency Manipulation: Some of our trading partners intentionally manipulate their currencies to keep the price of their exports low, putting American businesses at a great disadvantage. Edwards believes that other nations like China and Japan must make meaningful progress toward ending currency manipulation. Future deals must include strong, clear language on impermissible currency practices. Edwards will also make it easier for the Department of the Treasury to act against unfair trade practices by removing the intent requirement and allowing a range of responses, such as suspending government purchases from the foreign country to taking a case directly to the WTO.


[ Parent ]

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