Semi-Super Saturday and Sunday Thread

The week was surfeited with politics, so I've pushed the open thread to the weekend, when Democrats and Republicans will be holding caucuses or primaries in five states.

The Week in Brief

- Twenty-four states held Super Tuesday primaries. On the Democratic side, Barack Obama won more states and delegates, while Hillary Clinton won the biggest states by surprising margins, and the race remained deadlocked.
- The Republican primaries cleared out the field, with John McCain sweeping the big states (Rudy Giuliani's old citadels), Mitt Romney winning the small caucuses and his home states of Massachusetts and Utah, and Mike Huckabee holding his own in the South.
- Mitt Romney quit the race, refusing to tamp down rumors of another run in four years.
- Ron Paul blew the doors off at CPAC and then made it clear he was not going to run as an independent.

The Weekend Races
As ever I'd suggest looking to the exit poll hoarding/quick updating CNN site for updates.

Kansas caucuses (GOP only)
The winner gets 39 delegates, 27 statewide (winner-take-all) and 12 for each congressional district (also WTA) and Mike Huckabee just won it.

Louisiana primaries
The Democrats (67 delegates) - Barack Obama will easily win, running up the score in the 2nd (New Orleans) and 6th (Baton Rouge) districts. Speculation that post-Katrina black flight would limit Obama's support is off-base, as the primary turnout will remain almost half black and a lot of those ex-9th Warders are in Baton Rouge.
The Republicans (47 delegates) - It'll be an interesting test of Mike Huckabee's Southern support--it's not quite like Arkansas here, but he was able to win Kansas… potentially, he can limit John McCain to a 1-2 record today.

Nebraska caucuses (Dems only)
Barack Obama will win in a landslide.

Washington caucuses
The Democrats (97 delegates) - The final polls showed Obama leading by about 25 points among Democratic caucusers, and Gov. Christine Gregoire endorsed him on Friday, so he should win comfortably.
The Republicans (18 delegates) - The moderate GOP vote will give it to John McCain.

Feb. 10

Maine caucuses (Dems only)
This is the lone down-to-the-wire race of the weekend, and Obama's campaign expects Hillary to win it. She's got the big names in the state; he's had his New Hampshire organizer camped out here for a month.

This week's Politics 'n' Prog is a tribute to John McCain: Porcupine Tree's "Lazarus."

Comments

[Lamar]

I guess CNN is OK, but they still have Mitt's picture up as a candidate. If you absolutely had to have three GOP mugs up there, why wouldn't you limit it to those actually in the race?

[Warty]

Better music selection this time, but I still won't be satisfied until you pick Opeth.

[Click \'n\' Learn]

1. Romney might not have "quit", and even Ron Paul might not be gone yet if, for instance, millions of people suddenly realize how bad McCain is.

2. Don't look for Reason or the MSM to help show how bad McCain is: you need to do it yourself. You can do that by getting his answers to these questions on videotape and uploading his response.

3. Let's see if Reason has the guts to demand that a cheap labor employer pays the full costs for their labor rather than pushing those costs off on the state. I think we know whose side the "libertarians" at Reason are going to come down on. (I also suspect some Abramoff-style funny business vis-a-vis the compact with the MI, but don't expect Reason to look into that.)

4. Reason's buddies the SPLC are part of a new campaign from the NCLR, a group that was previously given credibility by KarlRove. Perhaps he should have done some research first.

5. Weigel went to CPAC and doesn't seem to have discomforted anyone in any way by, for instance, asking them questions. Meanwhile, recent pub stunts by the LP weren't covered hereabouts.

6. Xin Ha Bap Wa Progu (The People's Glorious Committee Ardently Pursuing the Battle Against the Scourge of Prog) highly recommends this week's prog antidote. (Chinese site, but seems to be OK)

[Max]

The New York Times boots Ron Paul from Congress:

"Mr. McCain has 703 delegates so far, Mr. Huckabee, 190, and Ron Paul, a former congressman from Texas, 42."

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/09/us/politics/09cnd-campaign.html?_r=1&hp=&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin

[P Brooks]

Taylor Marsh (whoever she is) is frothing at the mouth and hyperventilating about the vast anti-Clinton conspiracy.

[Cesar]

The "pimping" comment was a little assholelish. They never said, for example, that Mitt Romney was "pimping" his sons.

[Cesar]

Lone wacko, do you realize how obnoxious self-linking is?

[P Brooks]

I interpreted the comment, in context [I read the excerpt of the transcript, but did not see the show], as a comment on the Clinton campaign, not as an aspersion on Chelsea's character. They are in fact, attempting to trade a rare commodity (a chat with Chelsea) for gain.

This is on the order of the recent flap over people daring to use the word "lynch" in the same sentence with the name of a certain extraordinarily talented golfer.

[Episiarch]

Lonewacko used to believe that spaces between words were provided by IllegalImmigrant labor (and the MexicanGovernment), but has finally found a source of spaces made in the USA. By Americans. Himself, presumably.

[economist]

While this post has nothing to do with the topic of the thread, I just wanted to warn everyone to never, EVER, buy the book "South Park and Philosophy: Bigger, Longer, and More Penetrating". Really. It sucked so badly that I have considered trying to get a refund, although there was nothing physically wrong with the book. Seriously, you guys, if any of you like South Park, don't waste your money on this book.

[Max]

Seriously, you guys, if any of you like South Park, don't waste your money on this book.

I hate South Park. Would the book be a good purchase?

[sage]

Washington caucuses

The Republicans (18 delegates) - The moderate GOP vote will give it to John McCain.

Well I can't speak for all the caucus locations, but the amount of anti-McCain senitment was extrememly high. Only two people stood up to speak for him, and one of them walked out after he was done. The other person babbled something about him being the nominee so we need to get behind him or whatever.

From my precinct we sent two delegates to the county convention, one for Paul and one for Romney.

What a thouroughly fucked up process that whole thing was. Jesus I'm not a big fan of politics today. America is doomed, folks. Buy guns, food and gold. And prepare for the worst.

[Mo]

Cesar,
The difference between the Romney boys and Chelsea was that the Romney boys weren't calling superdelegates to pressure them in their corner or hard selling to morning shows.

[Max]

What a thouroughly fucked up process that whole thing was. Jesus I'm not a big fan of politics today. America is doomed, folks. Buy guns, food and gold. And prepare for the worst.

Be assured, my young friend, that there is a great deal of doom in a nation.

[Sam Grove]

Hey everyone!

Dondero has been posting on Cafe Hayek and calling himself 'freedomlover'.

[Mr. Nice Guy]

Mo
I don't think it even necessary to do any googling to be safe to assume that Romney's sons, and I imagine any of the kids of those running or who ran, did stuff like working phone banks or making appearances to win support for their family member/presidential candidate.

Did you see those Romney family vignettes? I'm not sure they were pimping but they might have been abuse...

[Mr. Nice Guy]

"What a thouroughly fucked up process that whole thing was."

What is the non-self interested (if any) thinking behind picking a caucus over a primary?

[Mr. Nice Guy]

For those who don't trust their common sense, or simply have had it shorn off through countless hours of reading/watching mind-numbing, passion inflamming, conservative propaganda, google:
"Romney's son campaigning" (not in quotes though, duh)

[Click \'n\' Learn]

~ Special non-self-linking update ~

1. These people are just paranoid, there's nothing to worry about: link, link. If you doubt that, speak to your local cosmotarian.

2. Whose side would cosmos come down on this? I'd imagine that would be a difficult call for them.

3. Believe it or not, there are some things worse than prog.

[Kolohe]

Nebraska caucuses (Dems only)
Barack Obama will win in a landslide.

yep, 69-31 w/ 73% in

Washington is 67-32 w/ 37% reporting (but the county results only show returns from a few rural counties, so I'm sure where this 37% is from)

[Kolohe]

In May 2006, we exposed the existence of a nationwide FEMA program which is training Pastors and other religious representatives to become secret police enforcers who teach their congregations to "obey the government"

Remember the days when FEMA was the organizational framework of world domination by the illuminati/freemason/trilaterals?

Also, back in those days, the dollar was strong and East Asia was dirt cheap. Good times.

Hecka job you did there Brownie

[sage]

What is the non-self interested (if any) thinking behind picking a caucus over a primary?

Hopefully I understand your question correctly. The GOP in WA state awards half of the delegates at the caucus (today) and the other half at the primary (2/19). The dems nominate all their delegates today, and the primary is a beauty contest for them - nothing else.

[Cesar]

You still self-linked in your handle, jack-off.

[Kolohe]

And the problem these days with shadow govt these days is everyone has a frackin website. I mean, jesus, even the area 51 guys had the common sense to wipe their existence off of maps.

What's that you say?

Dammit!

[Kolohe]

Self-linking in a handle does not seem that rude; I find it very appropriate and discrete way of marketing. It's the spamishness and brokenrecord-ness that irks.

[Cesar]

Kolohe-

Its not obnoxious, but he said "non self-linking edition". Since he still self-linked in the post, it was a bit dishonest.

[n0rd1x]

Via KHQ wesbite

Republican Caucus Results: With 60% of the precincts reporting - Ron Paul 45%, Mike Huckabee 20%, John Mccain 17%, Mitt Romney 9%, Uncommitted 9%.

Could Ron Paul pull out a win?

[Kolohe]

So Washington called for Obama and the initial delegate count looks 14 to 5. (out of 78 total not including super delegates)

With Nebraska 10-3 (out of 24) so far Obama has widened his pledged delegate lead of 9 by +16.

[Kolohe]

CNN finally updated their site for Was GOP caucus

16% reporting

McCain 802 27%

Huckabee 782 26%

Paul 640 21%

Romney 504 17%

Uncommitted 280 9%

[Kolohe]

The KHQ site does stir my inner Alex Jones. It does seem like that CNN & Fox are slowest in their returns anytime Paul has the potential of a breakthru.

[Franklin]

Results from Washington GOP.

[jl]

so I never really figured out how the Louisiana voting works. How does the vote today tie into the voting that was done a couple weeks ago (with the lawsuit Paul filed and what not)?

[jl]

oh, and I think the reports from the KHQ site are just for Spokane, not the entire state.

[Kolohe]

It just occurred to me how much the "blue/red" color scheme has been standardized. I'm just now noticing that the everyone does the Dem maps in shades of blue to show Obama vs Clinton and all the GOP graphics in shades of red.

I remember the '84 election where the map was solid blue except DC and Minnesota.

And I think Stuart made a segment about this earlier in the week, but it's only sinking in now watching it that every single channel does this.

[Kolohe]

Looks like a 4 for 4 clean sweep today for Obama

[Tom Walls]

With 37% counted, Paul could actually jump ahead of McCain at this point.

When I was out in Wash. in November, I saw a ton of large signs, stickers and even heard people talking about Ron in public. I know it doesn't reflect the outcome at the ballot box, but it was pretty damned impressive.

[Chuj]

Wow, looks like it could be a Huckasweep too tonight. Would that be a bitchslap to McCain, or did his supporters just not bother since he's closed to closing the deal

[Franklin]

Yeah, according to KHQ, 90% of the precincts are reporting in Spokane and RP is dominating with 46%.

According to CNN, Spokane isn't included in the 37%.

[Tom Walls]

Well, on the CNN site I don't see any results other than Stevens County.

[Colin]

Maybe Paul quit a little too soon.

[Franklin]

Tom, you're right. I didn't notice that. I guess they're not getting the results by county.

Colin, Ron hasn't quit.

[prolefeed]

Since we don't seem to have an official open thread for the weekend, here goes:

So, who is the best person to vote for in a Libertarian Party primary, and why? Who is the worst, and why?

Your input will help me to decide who to vote for.

[Dwayne Mayor]

Obama thrashed Hillary tonight at the polls. Bill may not be getting that third term he thought inevitable just a few months ago. Highly recommend a listen to Obama's speech tonight if you haven't heard it yet. I notice he's adding in more detailed policies as time progresses. Now if only we could nail him down on decriminalizing Mary Jane!

[Chuj]

So, if it's Obama versus McCain, I'm voting for McCain just because I'm short and I'm tiried of my Presidents towering over me. At 5'7" I would look McCain eye to eye.

[Rick Barton]

Here's the latest from Washington (I called the radio station):

WA State Republican Caucus Results: With 78.3% precincts reporting - Huckabee 23.8%, McCain 25.4%, Paul 21.1%, Romney 16%, Other 1.1%, Uncommitted 12.5%

Dr Paul's "scaling back" announcement today might have hurt his results.

[Rick Barton]

Here's the link at the station that the fellow turned me on to:

http://www.khq.com/Global/story.asp?S=7847796

[yoshi]

What a thouroughly fucked up process that whole thing was. Jesus I'm not a big fan of politics today. America is doomed, folks. Buy guns, food and gold. And prepare for the worst.

*yawn*

When I see these comments I just have to assume the whomever writes this is incapable of reading a history book. America has been doomed every year since Washington took office. How is America more now doomed than say the War of 1812, Civil War, the depression, the half dozen panics, the two world wars, the fucking 60s for god sakes ... please do tell... Perspective seems to be something that most folks don't understand.

[Rick Barton]

Ding Dong the Hillary is dead...the Hillary O Hiilary the Hillary is dead...

Now only if Ron Paul was the GOP nominee, things would be so groovy.

[Sam McManus]

Kolohe: Regarding the rad/blue thing, networks used to alternate it every cycle, but with the contentiousness of the 2000 election, that cycle's color designations have stuck.

[Heinrick]

"The difference between the Romney boys and Chelsea was that the Romney boys weren't calling superdelegates to pressure them in their corner or hard selling to morning shows."

You do realize that the only reason is because no one knows who they are, right?

[modd]

It really doesn't matter what our presidential choice is. Leave it blank just as well. I almost always do that so as not to create an 'I won the popular vote' attempted take-down of the federalist system. Or just put your favorite write-in, RP if you will.

What we have to worry about, or not, is that all those Romney-Republicans don't vote and even more house and senate seats are lost. I always point out to people that their single vote has less impact on the Presidential selction than it does in their congressional district. I then quiz them on who their Congressperson is and 98% of the time they have no idea.

That's what we're up against. So maybe we should encourage Republicans to vote,despite their treachery of Libertarian causes, in the wake of a probable Obama or Clinton victory. Who cares about the lost-cause of the presidency. Just don't encourage that popular-vote mantra. But by all means get to the polls for anyone in Congress that will block or fillibuster an agressive mandate from Obama or Clinton.

Of course, that might keep us in Iraq. It's a dicey situation. I could see Republicans keeping us in the war by getting Dems to compromise on that in exchange for passing the New Deal pt 2,3,4,5 or whatever your count is. But I agree prolefeed, it's time to work out the vote chessmatch we usually face.

[Brandybuck]

Current in Washington results (at 87% reporting): McCain 26%, Huckabee 24%, Paul 21%. That's damned impressive for Paul if you ask me. But wait a few minutes for Dondero to show up laugh and say how horribly pathetic it is.

[Pig Mannix]

@Brandybuck

Well, we all knew Paul wouldn't get the nomination from the get-go. But at least he's managed to put pro-liberty ideas in the mainstream and on the table. Of course, we'd all like to win, but as things go, he's done a hell of a job - certainly a lot better than anyone else has...

Props to Ron Paul!

[prolefeed]

Current in Washington results (at 87% reporting): McCain 26%, Huckabee 24%, Paul 21%

Considering that this is by far Paul's best percentage showing, I'd say the "scaling back" thing didn't hurt him much, if at all.

And, considering Paul did best in the same places Romney did, perhaps he's picking up a huge chunk of those voters.

[Warmongering Lunatic]

JL -- If a Republican got >50% of the vote in the primary, they'd have gotten 20 of Lousiana's delegates. Since nobody did, the primary today didn't allocate any delegates.

The members of the "Pro-Life Pro-Family" slate of state convention delegates have largely rallied around McCain, and the state executive committe chose McCain for the delegates it gets to allocate directly, so, despite Huckabee coming out ahead in the primary today, McCain is expected to get pretty much all of Louisiana's delegates.

[Rick Barton]

I'm thinking that Dr Paul coulda won in Wash had he made his first comment Sat morning sound more like his second, where he made it quite clear that he was gonna stay in and "fight for every delegate" that he could score.

We're still with you, Dr Paul!! Kudos!

[Tom Bux]

I hardly slept last night. I saw Obama's speech last night and it gave me nightmares. The thought of him as President literally kept me up all night.

The prospect of higher taxes and socialized healthcare freaked me out.

[Bob]

The prospect of higher taxes and socialized healthcare freaked me out.

It took an Obama speech to make you think about that? Where have you been for the last 50 or 60 years?

[JParker]

I was at the one of the caucuses in Kansas. The Right-To-Life crowd was unified around Huckabee. You can expect him to win in any state that would outlaw abortion from now on. The county chairman spoke for McCain told everyone that not rallying around McCain would be used against the Republicans to polite applause. The Huckabee speaker said there would be another "Bloody Kansas" if abortion law was sent back to the states instead of being overturned entirely by national amendment to the largest applause of the day. The Ron Paul speaker notified those assembled that "The ReLOVEution" was here to stay and they could like it or lump it.

[Syd]

Obama stumbled a bit here and there. He and Hillary Clinton look like they could use a break, which they get a bit of after next week. This last week and a half has been brutal for all the major candidates.

[joe]

I can't recall there ever being a case before when a candidate was criticized for having their family members campaign for them. Was it "pimping" when George H.W. Bush sent his genial but slow-witted son to do sit-downs with prominent religious leaders?

But the "evil, deviant, scary Hillary" meme is so deeply embedded in our political discourse that it colors everything they do.

[J sub D]

Now if only we could nail him down on decriminalizing Mary Jane!

Spiderman's wife has been criminalized?
Say it isn't so!

[J sub D]

I can't recall there ever being a case before when a candidate was criticized for having their family members campaign for them. Was it "pimping" when George H.W. Bush sent his genial but slow-witted son to do sit-downs with prominent religious leaders?
But the "evil, deviant, scary Hillary" meme is so deeply embedded in our political discourse that it colors everything they do.

Yeah, that is really transparent bias against the Clintons. I'm no friend of the family, but unless you're in the Giuliani family, of course you go out and support the campaign.

[Warmongering Lunatic]

J sub D --

Spiderman doesn't have a wife. In fact, with the current continuity, now he never had a wife.

[Franklin]

"Considering that this is by far Paul's best percentage showing..."

Paul received 25% in Montana.

In Washington (like Maine, Nevada, Alaska, etc), Paul supporters won a much higher percentage of delegates than votes in the straw poll.

For instance, in Clark County...

Attendees were given the option of declaring what Presidential candidate they preferred. Those elected to be delegates made these choices:

Ron Paul 224
Huckabee 211
Romney 184
McCain 151
Uncommitted 88

The results of the Straw Poll (which includes all those in attendance who may or may not be a delegate)

Huckabee 407
McCain 329
Paul 319
Romney 313
Thompson 14
Uncommitted 6
Hunter 3
Guiliani 2
Keyes 2

According to posts at freerepublic, ronpaulforums, dailypaul, etc., many Paul supporting delegates are saying that they checked "Uncommitted" on the sign-in sheet because they thought openly supporting Paul might hurt their chances of getting elected as a delegate (which might explain the high uncommitted number in the delegate vote). Of course, without a brokered convention, it doesn't mean much to the nominating process but it sure can have an effect on the Republican Party. The RP people have already made their mark on the Alaska GOP (on gambling, hemp and Constitutional War).

More conspiracy stuff... as Tom Walls said above, the Washington Republican results aren't being reported by county for some reason (they are for the Democrats). But, in the only two counties I can find that have independently reported their results (Spokane and Clark), Paul came in 1st place in both. Has anyone seen any other results by county for Washington Republicans? Or maybe an explanation as to why the Democrat results were reported by county but not the Republican Results.

[J sub D]

J sub D --

Spiderman doesn't have a wife. In fact, with the current continuity, now he never had a wife.

He's still hitched in the daily paper version. I am aware that Marvel did a retcon on their whole lineup. Don't know any of the specifics though.

[Mr. Nice Guy]

"unless you're in the Giuliani family, of course you go out and support the campaign."

LOL!

Hey, can anyone tell me why there seems to be no awarding of delegates from LA?

And how can there be no final count from Washington yet? WTF?

And how did Paul do so well there? I don't think libertarian-pro-life-anti-immigrationists when I think of Washington state. What did he do there that his campaign failed to do elsewhere? Or is there some unique dynamic going on?

[the innominate one]

Glenn Greenwald over at salon.com bitchslapped McCain in his blog and namechecked Matt Welch and his book

also, he criticized the democrats (again) for not actually doing anything to oppose McCain's warmongering

[joe]

MNG,

Delegates are only awarded if someone wins over 50% of the vote in LA.

The Democratic delegates have been awarded, haven't they?

[joe]

From Kos:

Delegates:

Louisiana

56 delegates
23 Obama
15 Hillary
18 still unassigned

Obama's projections was for a 31-25 take in Louisiana.

Nebraska

24 delegates
16 Obama
8 Hillary
2 still unassigned

Obama's projection was for a 15-9 take in Nebraska, so he got an extra delegate.

Washington

78 delegates
52 Obama
26 Hillary

I shifted from CNN projections to that of the Washington State Democratic Party chair's estimate. The number is tentative until confirmed. Obama's projection was for a 49-29 take in Washington, which would mean an extra three delegates from what he expected.

US Virgin Islands

3 delegates
3 Obama
0 Hillary
0 still unassigned

[THE ROVING REPORTER]

THIS JUST IN!!!!

AWIK DUNDEROOOOOO IS NOW ENDORSING THE "ONE, TRUE, PURE LIBERTARIAN" MIKE "HUMPING FOR JEEBUZ" FUCKABEEEEEE.

Dateline: today. Parma, OH.

"the one true keeper of the sacred word, neeh.. errrr... 'libertarian', one Kapit?n Liberteeee, Awik Dunderoooooo, released through a cloud of mucus, blood, and fecal matter, his endorsement for the 'one true libertarian' that's running."

"'Mike has a proven libertarian track record, highlighted by true, real libertarian cred,' began Dunderoooooo. Awik then had to pause, as his half wedgie from his form-fitting bermuda shorts caused obvious discomfort. The audience became more and more uncomfortable, as it dawned on them that he was also trying an 'on the fly adjustment' from the left side back to the right. After several grunts and a sound that sounded like 'ooohhhhhhhaaahhhh', he was ready to continue.

"'My liberty loving friends. There you have it. I am endorsing the one true libertarian. He always has been a libertarian. And for that I support him.'"

Analysts predict unreal economic profits from the DUNDEROOOO action figures to be launched by URKOBOLD. The URKOBOLD shall hoard all profits ruthlessly.

[highnumber]

I don't think libertarian-pro-life-anti-immigrationists when I think of Washington state.

You think of western Washington. Try thinking of eastern Washington. You can do the same thing with Oregon. Washington and Oregon could each split east/west and then reform as two new states, with a liberal western state and a conservative, libertarian-leaning eastern state. I think it has been discussed before.

[Dr. Black]

We Ron Paul supporters are gonna go ballistic if Sambo Obama gets the nomination. Long live the Confederacy!

[economist]

Is there a reason why Dondero is such a douche?

[John C. Randolph]

I don't think libertarian-pro-life-anti-immigrationists when I think of Washington state.

IIRC, it's a state where both wings of the ruling party have tried repeatedly to impose an income tax, and the voters keep rejecting it.

-jcr

[Joe Allen]

I was born in Portland, graduated Highschool in Wash, worked for Boeing and Uncle Sam's Canoe Club so I think I can call myself an authority.

A big chunk of those uncommitted votes in WA are for Ron Paul, and almost none are for Hunerd Years McCain. A guy with only 27% of the vote with 87% counted in a three way race is not the winner any way you slice it.

[J sub D]

Is there a reason why Dondero is such a douche?

There exists at least three schools of thought on the cause (causes?) of doucheificity.

1) Genetics. The Mendelians ascribe most personality traits and especially douchiness to genes. Douchiness in particular is believed to be caused by a recessive gene in the 21st chromosome pair.

2) Nurture or upbringing. Popular among pschologists and the religious right, nurture doucheificationists contend that somebody like Eric Dondero was raised in a doucheified environment. e.g. family D&D marathons and tofu Thursdays. It is also theorized that public school humiliation due to dweebish playtime preferences contribubes to total douchiness.

3) Disease. A few scientists in the medical profession have asserted that the bacteria E. Douchi was genetically modified in cold war laboratories by the East Germans and inadvertantly released in Frankfurt. Epidemiologists who support this admittedly minority view, point out that douchiness is far more prevalent in Central Europe than elsewhere.

As my all to brief summary indicates the cause, and thus the solution/cure is a matter of vigorous debate in academia that likely will continue for some time. Fortunately, the war on douchiness continues, funded primarily by United Way contributions.

[NoStar]

In my eastern Washington town, we had approx. 80% for Ron Paul in the caucus straw poll.
My own precinct had 5 delegates to elect plus the Precinct Committee Officer is an automatic delegate. I am the PCO. All six of us are Ron Paul Delegates.

[sage]

I was a precinct captain, not a PCO, so I was not an automatic delegate, unfortunately. The PCO for my home precinct is, though, and is also a Ron Paul supporter. He nominated me to be a delegate, but I didn't get it - it was a majority for Suckaballs and Romney.

[peachy]

Well, well... Maine's another rout. And Clinton just shitcanned her campaign manager. A fine day all around.

[Someone Who Doesn\'t Want to L]

MNG,

I think there's another obvious factor in Paul's support in Washington. He gets the eastern Washington votes for all the reasons that the previous responders have mentioned. He gets the western Washington votes because he's anti-war, and is the only Republican candidate who is. (I don't know Washington well, but I'd guess that stance may actually help him in both halves of the state.)

[Chris Potter]

I can't recall there ever being a case before when a candidate was criticized for having their family members campaign for them.

You also probably can't recall when the family member in question was an ex-President. Did George HW Bush campaign for his son in 2000?

[J sub D]

Well, well... Maine's another rout. And Clinton just shitcanned her campaign manager. A fine day all around.

Well, well. I smell fear.

[Cesar]

She should be smelling fear. Shes likely to get whacked on Chesapeake Tuesday as well. Next is Hawaii--Obama's birthplace.

Obama could possibly pull it out in Ohio but probably not in Texas. That would pretty much make it a tie even in March. It will come down to the Superdelegates and how much Clinton wants to commit election fraud by seating the Michigan and Florida delegations.

[Political Update]

Obama sweeps all weekend contests.
Hillary shuffles/replaces campaign manager; Hispanic woman out/African-American woman in.
MSM ignores Paul even more and tries to write off the Huckster and declare McCain GOP nominee before he has enough delegates.
Chelsea Clinton complains platform heels hurt her feet and her ass is cold standing on the corner in a thong and stockings with no skirt but "Daddy" is gonna be mad if she doesn't bring home enough super delegates.
Ron Paul proposes that his immigration policy, in addition to repealing the 14th amendment, will offer "replacement labor" for illegal aliens with a "cap and trade" program for urban felons and welfare recipients to fill jobs Americans won't do.

[NoStar]

Sage,
I heard of a block of gamblers who are pissed at the state's ban on internet wagering. They got themselves named as uncommitted delegates.
With on 5% between Paul and MarkofCain, Ron Paul could still take Washington State.

PS: Given that the Democrats are not using the primary to select delegates (they use the caucuses only) many Democrats may vote in the Republican primary. Whether they vote for Ron Paul because he is against the war or as a way to saddle the Republicans with a candidate they think is weaker than MarkofCain, Dr. Paul could do very well in the primary voting.

[Chris Potter]

If Hillary even appears to steal the nomination from Obama by political dirty tricks, she's going to regret it come November. She'd be walking a tightrope as it is, without having to worry about not getting the usual ridiculous majority that blacks give the Dems in presidential elections. Though, blacks don't seem to mind the Dems' zealous drug warring and propping up awful inner-city public schools, so I might be wrong.

In case anyone thinks this observation is racist, I say the same about us pro-lifers with respect to the GOP.

[joe]

The Democrat will always get that ridiculous majority of the African-American vote, on the order of 80-95%.

The question is how large their turnout will be.

[Cesar]

The Clintons don't care how much their actions will hurt the party. They just want to have control of it.

[Chris Potter]

Cesar,

In that respect they have much in common with Bush. In many respects, actually.

[Neu Mejican]

Washington and Oregon could each split east/west and then reform as two new states, with a liberal western state and a conservative, libertarian-leaning eastern state. I think it has been discussed before.

Ahhh... The liberal republic of Cascadia...
http://zapatopi.net/cascadia/

Soon my brothers, soon.
http://zapatopi.net/cascadia/geostampsm.gif

[Someone Who Doesn\'t Want to L]

joe,
Exactly right - turnout is the issue. That's part of the reason why Clinton's nomination is the only chance the Republicans have this fall. This is especially true if she's up against a Republican (as it looks like McCain will be the nominee) with significant Independent and Democratic appeal. I wouldn't imagine this would have normally been an issue for Hillary Clinton or anyone, but with the Clintons' tactics earlier this year, she may have depressed turnout more than she would have wanted.

That said, the SC numbers you posted earlier this year as far as turnout goes were impressive enough that it may not matter who each party nominates. It may be that the Democrats are destined to win this one on voting pattern changes alone. However, the best shot the Republicans have for a victory is through a McCain / Clinton match-up. (And I'd still give McCain the edge in that.)

[Cascadia]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cascadia_%28independence_movement%29

http://www.cascadianow.org/

[Cascadia Now]

1. Achieve greater independence for Oregon, Washington and British Columbia from the federal government in a peaceful and democratic manner, through the consent of the people.

2. Establish an accountable and democratic partnership between communities within Cascadia to foster greater direct democracy among the peoples of Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.

3. Give counties and communities a greater say in their own affairs as well as those of state and federal. A government that is BY, OF, and FOR the people and not by corporate interests and a wealthy few. A responsible government that's objectives are to equally represent the people and their interests and security.

4. Work within the communities of the Pacific Northwest to create a just and sustainable society in all issues and facets of life in our respective states.

5. Push for greater personal freedom, civil liberties, and rights for all peoples of Cascadia.

6. Help end poverty, increase education, protect the environment, maintain and build a strong local market economy and build cultural awareness of the Cascadian Bioregion through dedication and volunteer work.

7. Safeguard and conserve the environment of the Pacific Northwest. To find a sustainable way to ensure our ecosystem remains strong and robust to preserve it for future generations to come.

8. Invest in technologies that will harness alternative energy resources such as solar, wind, hydrogen, and biomass.

9. Have more control over our economy as opposed to those who now control it and regulate it in Washington, D.C. To support local businesses and families by supporting a local market economy that can benefit everybody without exploitation or unbridled greed.

10. Create a system of free education and healthcare to those in need while lowering taxes due to surplus from not supporting a burgeoning bureaucratic federal government and expansive military construct.

11. Encourage and maintain the Pacific Northwest's unique heritage and cultural background through the establishment of Cascadian television and radio stations run by and for citizens of Cascadia. Also, the continuing support for cultural revival programs that that assist indigenous tribes, independent artists, musicians and poets.

12. Establish a bureau for humanitarian aid & assistance that would act as a special force dedicated to international peacekeeping missions and disaster relief.

13. Follow a policy of military non-alignment and establish the International Institute of Peace. A think tank and meeting center to research and resolve international disputes.

[Cesar]

In that respect they have much in common with Bush. In many respects, actually.

They sure do. They sure as shit do.

[Someone Who Doesn\'t Want to L]

Cascadia,
Read "The Nine Nations of North America" by Joel Garreau. He'd suggest you're already part of the way there.

[cold666pack]

that song sucked big time.

[Neu Mejican]

SWDWTLHJ,

Bah...San Francisco as the capital of "Ecotopia" that's ridiculous.

Vancouver is the capital of Cascadia.
Cascadia...Cascadia NOW!!!!

Ecotopia is soooo 70's
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecotopia

Although Callebach has a nice quote for the H&R crowd...

...if you reflect on our change from thoughtless trash-tossing to virtually universal recycling, or from the past in which smokers didn't hesitate to blow smoke in anybody's face to our present restrictions on smoking in public places, it's clear that shared ideas about acceptable or desirable behavior can change markedly. Such changes occurred without anybody getting arrested in the dark of night. Further changes will come...

[Jim Bob]

IIRC, it's a state where both wings of the ruling party have tried repeatedly to impose an income tax, and the voters keep rejecting it.

WA is an authoritarian, big-government state that's only "conservative" when its residents want to keep their money. The rest of the time you may as well be living in the UK, for all the dumbass rules Washingtonians seem to thrive on.

Allow me to get my anecdote on. While living in WA as an adult, more than one of my civilian co-workers, after 9/11, said something like, "There's nothing about me that I don't want the government to know. They can search my house, my car, my records, my computer, I don't care; if everybody would just comply we would probably catch a lot of terrorists."

That attitude was by no means uncommon or considered unusual.

[joe]

I disagree, Cesar. I think Bush just wanted the maximum freedom of action during his term of office, unbound by the interests of the Republican Party. Rather than trying to exert control over the party in Congress, remember, he basically let Delay do whatever he wanted, just as long as he backed Bush on the war, executive power, and his other hobby horses.

I don't think Bush will be, or even aspires to be, a major player in the Republican Party after his term ends. I think he wants to go away and live the faux-cowboy version of the good life in Texas.