Media Coverage

Still no real hangovers to report, but here is another take on the tired phrases and personalities of the 2008 election (from The Daily Beast)…

Thinking: “Red States versus Blue States”
Always more of pundit crutch than a really meaningful distinction, the mixed-ideological results in places like California (yes to Obama, no to gay marriage) should force people to abandon rhetorical shortcuts in favor of actual analysis.

Congratulations to President-elect Barack Obama, he won a hard fought election against a centrist candidate, and he did it with class.

Three thoughts for tomorrow…
1. We need the media.(Example)
2. Republicans should look to reconstitute their party. (more…more)
3. Smile. Another peaceful election with a strong message from the American people.

I agree with Campbell Brown about Dole. But how amusing is the end of her spiel when she expertly strings together five monster cliches. Heh.

For months Andrew Sullivan has been crazed in attacking McCain/Palin — and that’s fine. But today’s insinuation that racism is not just prevalent in the South but driving the vote is unconscionable and disgusting. I’d think he’d be wiser to stick to pillorying the right and their “eight years of failed policies” than trying to shorthand the beliefs of 75 million people in 11 states. From his blog,

Check out the state map on 538, showing the pattern of support for Obama and McCain. Now go look at the state map on the Civil War Association of the pattern of support for the Union and the Confederacy. Tells you something, don’t you think?

This commentary is nothing more than Us Weekly gossip for political hacks. Where before Sullivan brought nuance and intelligence to a complicated conversation, he’s now known for bringing cowardice and half-baked attacks that do more to illustrate his own ignorance than they do to inspire thought.

Tucker outlines what he sees as the trouble with the last few President’s running against, and then trying to govern without, the Washington elite…In Defense of Elitisim (via DailyBeast).

A wise president would break the cycle, soliciting help on day one from seasoned Beltway hacks, influence peddlers and various other corrupt local fixtures who pollute this temple of democracy—in other words, from people who actually know how the system works. In order to do this, however, you’d have to admit that governing requires more than good will and authenticity. Good luck with that.

So instead the candidates continue to pose as ordinary people. Most of the time, this is more amusing than sinister. Joe Biden, who spent 20 years living in a former duPont mansion, is suddenly the son of Scranton, a town he left at the age of 10. Obama and McCain—both products of elite high schools—drone on about their tough childhoods. Ludicrous, yes, but harmless.

More troubling is the assumption behind all of this, that elites are inherently bad, that large groups naturally make better, fairer decisions than small groups.

Anxious to hear Jon Stewart’s response.

You’ve got eight days to make up your mind.

I didn’t ride today, instead I’ll head over to Biloxi tomorrow, but in sitting on my keister all day I’ve been privy to a deluge of Obama television ads, specifically this one. This might not be surprising as Obama raised $150 million in September. But I’m in Alabama where this race isn’t very close…

Note: I’m near the Florida panhandle so some of the ads could be from the more liberal Pensacola-based area. However,  media buys in the panhandle counties are a sign that Obama has no place else to spend his excess cash.

From FoxNews (via The Daily Beast)

A different take of the economic concerns we face with Drew Carey of Reason.tv
“It’s not the high cost of living, its the cost of living high.”

Cool site. Funny piece on celebs and Obama.

BO never meant to insult SP. JMC used the same phrase last year, but in modern politics it’s not what you meant to say, it’s what ends up on YouTube. 

JB’s in hot water too.