Presidential flirt and New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg will not run after all.
Here's the AP story that just crossed.
NEW YORK (AP) -- After two years of playing coy about his
presidential ambitions, Mayor Michael Bloomberg declared in a
newspaper editorial Wednesday that he will not run for president as
an independent and said he might support the candidate who "takes
an independent, nonpartisan approach."
The 66-year-old billionaire businessman, who aides had said was
prepared to spend $1 billion on his own independent campaign, wrote
in a New York Times editorial that he will be working to "steer
the national conversation away from partisanship and toward unity;
away from ideology and toward common sense; away from sound bites
and toward substance."
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Cleveland Rocks
Tonight's Obama/Clinton debate is on MSNBC, 9-10:30 from Cleveland State Univ. Brian Williams and Tim Russert are moderating.
Dodd Nod
It's popping around here today. Nasty weather on the First Coast, hundreds of thousands of central and southern Florida households and businesses with no power, dismal economic news and the last debate before next Tuesday's If-Not-Super-Then-Just-Really-Important primaries.
Before tonight's Cleveland debate, Clinton has a 10 point lead in Ohio and she and Obama are tied in Texas.
CT Sen. Chris Dodd endorsed Obama today. Maybe not the biggest deal but not insignificant. And my understanding is that he and Hillary are pals.
One more note: This weekend Florida delegates are elected to represent their respective congressional districts at the DNC convention in August. Another exercise in futility? Regardless, votes for CD4 will be cast from 10 to noon at the IBEW Union Hall.
Before tonight's Cleveland debate, Clinton has a 10 point lead in Ohio and she and Obama are tied in Texas.
CT Sen. Chris Dodd endorsed Obama today. Maybe not the biggest deal but not insignificant. And my understanding is that he and Hillary are pals.
One more note: This weekend Florida delegates are elected to represent their respective congressional districts at the DNC convention in August. Another exercise in futility? Regardless, votes for CD4 will be cast from 10 to noon at the IBEW Union Hall.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Coincidence of the Day
Claire Cook, my dear friend and author of such delicious summer books as Must Love Dogs, Multiple Choice and Life's a Beach, just finished her latest: Summer Blowout. I got an advance copy this week. I think it will be released in June.
It is about a woman who works at a hair salon. In the Acknowledgments at the front of the book Claire thanks, among other people, Donna Crowley "of Charles David Salon for inspiration and support."
Donna Crowley is the mother-in-law of First Coast News traffic reporter Julia Crowley.
And this concludes the Coincidence of the Day.
By the way, Claire may very well be the world's sweetest person - reason enough right there to buy her books. That she spins a delightful, fun-to-read yarn is a bonus.
It is about a woman who works at a hair salon. In the Acknowledgments at the front of the book Claire thanks, among other people, Donna Crowley "of Charles David Salon for inspiration and support."
Donna Crowley is the mother-in-law of First Coast News traffic reporter Julia Crowley.
And this concludes the Coincidence of the Day.
By the way, Claire may very well be the world's sweetest person - reason enough right there to buy her books. That she spins a delightful, fun-to-read yarn is a bonus.
In a nutshell...
Shot down a spy satellite in space
US embassy is attacked in Belgrade
Three US senators make helicopter emergency landing in Afghanistan (Kerry, Biden, Hagel)
NYTimes reports naughty behavior by McCain
McCain denies naughty behavior
Teamsters backs Obama
Full Lunar Eclipse
Raining cats and dogs outside the station
Donna and I are sick as dogs inside the station
Oscars are Sunday
That's a wrap.
US embassy is attacked in Belgrade
Three US senators make helicopter emergency landing in Afghanistan (Kerry, Biden, Hagel)
NYTimes reports naughty behavior by McCain
McCain denies naughty behavior
Teamsters backs Obama
Full Lunar Eclipse
Raining cats and dogs outside the station
Donna and I are sick as dogs inside the station
Oscars are Sunday
That's a wrap.
Texas Smackdown
I had grown numb to the seemingly endless presidential debates. Or at least I thought I had. It seems I just needed three weeks off. Because I am really looking forward to tonight's Obama v Clinton matchup in Austin.
I've become a debate junkie and because of over-exposure my tolerance had just really built up and they didn't give me the same high anymore. But after three weeks cold turkey I'm ready for my fix. (Apologies for the crude analogy)
Their last debate was January 31st and during it they could not have been nicer to each other. Since then, a lot of bad blood and delegates have been spilled promising great drama tonight.
It starts at 8. It's on CNN. We'll have a full wrap on FCN at 11.
I've become a debate junkie and because of over-exposure my tolerance had just really built up and they didn't give me the same high anymore. But after three weeks cold turkey I'm ready for my fix. (Apologies for the crude analogy)
Their last debate was January 31st and during it they could not have been nicer to each other. Since then, a lot of bad blood and delegates have been spilled promising great drama tonight.
It starts at 8. It's on CNN. We'll have a full wrap on FCN at 11.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Did Romney Get Out Too Soon?
Did Romney get out too soon?
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney had the strongest business resume of the bunch.
During his campaign the slowing economy was a story but wasn't the story. Within hours of dropping out, however, it seems like the feeble economy shot to the top of every newspaper in the country. Housing Market Vacant. Mortgage Crisis Deepening. Bernanke Recommends Returning to Barter Economy!
Why didn't Romney sense this, stick it out another month and pour everything he had into a single "I'm Mitt Romney and I'll fix this lousy economy" message? It seems like his experience was preparing him for exactly such a moment in time. Did he really miss out on it by no more than a moment?
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney had the strongest business resume of the bunch.
During his campaign the slowing economy was a story but wasn't the story. Within hours of dropping out, however, it seems like the feeble economy shot to the top of every newspaper in the country. Housing Market Vacant. Mortgage Crisis Deepening. Bernanke Recommends Returning to Barter Economy!
Why didn't Romney sense this, stick it out another month and pour everything he had into a single "I'm Mitt Romney and I'll fix this lousy economy" message? It seems like his experience was preparing him for exactly such a moment in time. Did he really miss out on it by no more than a moment?
'41 to Endorse McCain & Where's Jeb?
One of the NY Times reporters assigned to the McCain campaign writes in his log that the nominee-in-waiting will travel to Houston Monday to meet with Bush '41. And while the "e" word has not yet been said aloud, the former president is expected to endorse McCain.
Which leads nicely into the point I set out to make in this entry. Where's Jeb?
Arguably the most popular, pristine Republican of them all is no where to be seen. After leaving the governor's mansion, Jeb Bush said he was going to lay low for a while. Man, he wasn't kidding.
How would his endorsement of someone other than McCain have changed this race?
For a while I had his personal email address. I sent him one request for an interview not long after he left Tallahassee and he sent back a short but very nice note saying that he really wanted to just be out of the spotlight for a while. You've got to respect that, right?
Subsequent emails to that same address, however, have not been returned. And those who have access to him won't make eye contact with me when I begin to hint around at maybe them helping me out a little getting in touch with him or passing a message along.
Which leads nicely into the point I set out to make in this entry. Where's Jeb?
Arguably the most popular, pristine Republican of them all is no where to be seen. After leaving the governor's mansion, Jeb Bush said he was going to lay low for a while. Man, he wasn't kidding.
How would his endorsement of someone other than McCain have changed this race?
For a while I had his personal email address. I sent him one request for an interview not long after he left Tallahassee and he sent back a short but very nice note saying that he really wanted to just be out of the spotlight for a while. You've got to respect that, right?
Subsequent emails to that same address, however, have not been returned. And those who have access to him won't make eye contact with me when I begin to hint around at maybe them helping me out a little getting in touch with him or passing a message along.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Dan Rather
Had Florida lawmakers left the state's primary date alone just think of how actually important the state and its delegates would be right now. Recall that in 2004, the primary was March 9. With the Democratic race "closer than Lassie and Timmy" (to borrow a Dan Ratherism) Florida's 210 Dem delegates could make all the difference in the world right now. Or at least enough difference to really make a difference.
I know many people would rather "walk through a furnace in a gasoline suit" (another from Rather) than admit the early primary might have been a mistake this year. But if it had been left alone Florida would be knee-deep in candidates, campaign rallies and media money right now.
It looks like now we've got our back to the wall, our shirttails on fire and the bill collector's at the door.
The situation here would give aspirin a headache. It's shakier than cafeteria Jell-O. The race is as hot as a Times Square Rolex and Obama's lead as thin as turnip soup.
And finally, if a frog had side pockets, he'd carry a handgun.
What in the world this last one means is beyond me. But I do kind of miss Dan Rather. Don't you?
I know many people would rather "walk through a furnace in a gasoline suit" (another from Rather) than admit the early primary might have been a mistake this year. But if it had been left alone Florida would be knee-deep in candidates, campaign rallies and media money right now.
It looks like now we've got our back to the wall, our shirttails on fire and the bill collector's at the door.
The situation here would give aspirin a headache. It's shakier than cafeteria Jell-O. The race is as hot as a Times Square Rolex and Obama's lead as thin as turnip soup.
And finally, if a frog had side pockets, he'd carry a handgun.
What in the world this last one means is beyond me. But I do kind of miss Dan Rather. Don't you?
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Dobson to Endorse Huckabee
Evangelical heavyweight James Dobson is about to endorse Mike Huckabee. That's according to AP. Dobson is founder of Focus on the Family. Huckabee is a Southern Baptist preacher so this isn't exactly coming from Left Field.
The part of this that interests me is a statement Dobson released Tuesday. He slams John McCain for a litany of conservative no-nos: support of embryonic stem cell research, opposition to federal anti-gay marriage amendment, his temper and use of dirty language.
Dobson said if McCain is the nominee he would not cast a ballot for president for the first time in his life.
And that, my friends, is a taste of what is ahead for McCain as he grows securely into his front runner status. Conservatives don't think he's even close to being one of them. McCain addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference today. CNN reported that he received boos in addition to applause.
Nonetheless, it looks like McCain will be the one taking them to the dance this year. After Romney announced he was quitting, former GOP chairman Ken Mehlman endorsed McCain and urged all Republican members to back him.
The part of this that interests me is a statement Dobson released Tuesday. He slams John McCain for a litany of conservative no-nos: support of embryonic stem cell research, opposition to federal anti-gay marriage amendment, his temper and use of dirty language.
Dobson said if McCain is the nominee he would not cast a ballot for president for the first time in his life.
And that, my friends, is a taste of what is ahead for McCain as he grows securely into his front runner status. Conservatives don't think he's even close to being one of them. McCain addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference today. CNN reported that he received boos in addition to applause.
Nonetheless, it looks like McCain will be the one taking them to the dance this year. After Romney announced he was quitting, former GOP chairman Ken Mehlman endorsed McCain and urged all Republican members to back him.
John Cougar Growls
Apparently John Mellencamp is not in the John McCain camp. The mid-American, middle of the road rocker sent a letter to McCain's presidential campaign saying it made him uncomfortable for McCain to use his songs at campaign events. Mellencamp is a liberal and had been supporting John Edward.
McCain was using "Our Country" and "Pink Houses."
McCain was using "Our Country" and "Pink Houses."
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Ron Paul Will Win Georgia
Georgia is part of the Super Tuesday stew. Up for grabs in the Peach State are 87 delegates for the Dems, 69 for the Republicans.
Let's take a quick look at how this state has voted in recent primaries.
Dem
88-Jesse Jackson
92-Bill Clinton
96-Bill Clinton (uncontested)
00-Al Gore
04-John Kerry
GOP
88-Bush
92-Bush
96-Dole
00-Bush
04-Bush (uncontested)
Clearly Georgians are looking for Republicans with four-letter names. So, obviously Ron Paul will win that state today. Polls close at 7.
Let's take a quick look at how this state has voted in recent primaries.
Dem
88-Jesse Jackson
92-Bill Clinton
96-Bill Clinton (uncontested)
00-Al Gore
04-John Kerry
GOP
88-Bush
92-Bush
96-Dole
00-Bush
04-Bush (uncontested)
Clearly Georgians are looking for Republicans with four-letter names. So, obviously Ron Paul will win that state today. Polls close at 7.
Another Pizza Filled Night of Polifun
Thanks to all of you who watched FCN on Florida Primary night. We had so much fun we're going to do it again tonight. And joining Donna and me on set once again is political expert Dr. Henry Thomas.
We're on starting at 8. See you then.
We're on starting at 8. See you then.
Don't forget the South Pacific
As the chattering class focuses on California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois and around here Georgia, let us not forget the easily forgotten. American Samoa has its territorial Democratic Caucus today. At stake, three delegates to be given proportionally.
It has Begun
BC-APNewsAlert 02-05 0027
BC-APNewsAlert
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Mike Huckabee has won the Republican
caucuses in West Virginia.
BC-APNewsAlert
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Mike Huckabee has won the Republican
caucuses in West Virginia.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Tom Brady Rules
You don't have to wait until Tuesday to get your voting fix. Maine Republicans hold caucuses all weekend long. You hadn't heard about it? You are not alone. I just went to the Portland Press Herald web site and the front page is pretty much devoted to the Patriots in the Super Bowl Sunday. I didn't look long but I didn't see even a mention of the vote.
Of course on the other hand... who can blame them? These Patriots are the greatest team to ever walk the Earth.
Of course on the other hand... who can blame them? These Patriots are the greatest team to ever walk the Earth.
Gay Marriage
An initiative to ban gay marriage in Florida will be on the November ballot after all.
A citizens group collected and had certified 649,346 signatures - 38,337 more than was required.
Within minutes of finding out it Floridians will be voting on this, the state GOP sent out the following statement:
“We applaud the Department of State’s certification of the Florida Marriage Amendment for the 2008 ballot, which illustrates the widespread support for the sanctity of marriage. We are grateful for the hard work of the Florida Coalition to Protect Marriage and the hundreds of thousands of Floridians who made their voices heard by signing this petition. The people of Florida will have the opportunity to vote on this important issue in November. I am hopeful we will see traditional marriage - between one man and one woman – defended in our state constitution.”
Nothing yet from opposition or the Democrats.
A citizens group collected and had certified 649,346 signatures - 38,337 more than was required.
Within minutes of finding out it Floridians will be voting on this, the state GOP sent out the following statement:
“We applaud the Department of State’s certification of the Florida Marriage Amendment for the 2008 ballot, which illustrates the widespread support for the sanctity of marriage. We are grateful for the hard work of the Florida Coalition to Protect Marriage and the hundreds of thousands of Floridians who made their voices heard by signing this petition. The people of Florida will have the opportunity to vote on this important issue in November. I am hopeful we will see traditional marriage - between one man and one woman – defended in our state constitution.”
Nothing yet from opposition or the Democrats.
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