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The "Thrilla in Mahnila" ( Big heavy weight fight)

Democrate debate tonight in L.A. on CNN. Get the Popcorn ready!

Debate so far: Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z

Dems Want to Lose -- But GOP Doesn't Want to Win

As a big fan of Victor Davis Hanson of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and offen qoute him on this blog. Today he has a column on the Presidential campaing that really puts thing into perspective. A few quotes from his column:

"Just a few months ago, the 2008 presidential contest seemed predetermined. The New York lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Hillary Clinton were far ahead in their respective party polls. And in the one-on-one match-up, Sen. Clinton was all but declared the foreordained winner a year in advance.

But not now.

After Barack Obama's unexpected surge in Iowa, Bill and Hillary Clinton resorted to chewing him up through their trademark politics of personal destruction......

Long gone was Bill's carefully crafted veneer of ex-president as global humanitarian and bipartisan senior statesmen. Instead, the Bill of old lost his legendary temper at reporters. He shook his finger. He bent the truth. Always he distorted Obama's record......

The result of all this has been that while Hillary still polls ahead of the surging Obama in most states, in hypothetical general election polls she runs behind Republican front-runner Sen. John McCain.

End of story?

Hardly. In reaction to McCain's own surge and the Republican windfall, the conservative base went ballistic. Soon a Republican civil war broke out over how best to lose the election.

Despite McCain's 82 percent ranking by the American Conservative Union, and his support for balanced budgets, an end to pork-barrel spending and earmarks, strong support for the war, and expressed regret over once supporting the Bush illegal immigration reform package, McCain was branded by the conservative media as a sellout and a near liberal. Not to mention, he was supposedly too old and hot-tempered to be the Republican nominee. The more McCain was discovered not to be a perfect conservative, the more he was accused of not even being a good one....

The Democratic cat-fighters are doing their best to give away a once-sure general election, but the Republicans seem to be doing even more to ensure that they forfeit the unexpected gift they've been given.

If Hillary Clinton does end up winning her party's nomination, November's vote may hinge on whether moderates and liberals are nauseated enough by the Clintons' brawling and character assassination to cross over and vote for a decorated Republican war hero - that is, if his own flag-waving party doesn't destroy him first."

Victor Davis Hanson is a classicist and historian at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, and author, most recently, of "A War Like No Other: How the Athenians and Spartans Fought the Peloponnesian War." You can reach him by e-mailing author@victorhanson.com.

To read Hanson's complete column click on the title for a link.

Berkeley City Council tell U.S. Marines to Get Out of Town!

News story from San Jose Mercury News:

"Hey-hey, ho-ho, the Marines in Berkeley have got to go.
That's the message from the Berkeley City Council, which voted 8-1 Tuesday night to tell the U.S. Marines that its Shattuck Avenue recruiting station "is not welcome in the city, and if recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome intruders."

In addition, the council voted to explore enforcing its law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation against the Marines because of the military's don't ask, don't tell policy. And it officially encouraged the women's peace group Code Pink to impede the work of the Marines in the city by protesting in front of the station.

In a separate item, the council voted 8-1 to give Code Pink a designated parking space in front of the recruiting station once a week for six months and a free sound permit for protesting once a week from noon to 4 p.m."

To read the rest of the story click on the title for a link. I wonder who these folks will be voting for for President? I bet it's not John McCain or Mitt Romney. Conservatives don't even think about not voting for John McCain if he gets the Republican nomination.The things that divide we Republicans is minor...minor when you look at our oposition. I wonder if any one at CNN will ask the Democratic candidates at tomorrows debate in California if they support the Berkeley City Council. I wouldn't hold your breath.

The Fun Never Stops!

REPUBLICAN DEBATE TONIGHT ON CNN The remaining candidates John McCain, Mitt Romney,Mike Huckabee and yes Ron Paul will take the stage in a debate -sponsored by CNN, the Los Angeles Times and Politico -- beginning at 8 p.m. ET (5p.m. PST) Wednesday. The last Republican debate before Super Tuesday.

The debate will be at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California,

Tomorrow, Thursday will be the Democratic Debate (Not at the Reagan Library) but in Los Angeles between Barack Obama and Hillery Clinton.... who would want to miss that as much as they do not like each other?

A snow storm a "few" years ago!

Mr "Class Warfare" Drops Out

John Edwards, Mr Class Warfare, is dropping out of his quest for the Democratic presidential nomination. Good riddance!

John McCain...... Conservative 82.3% of the time !

A number of conservatives such as Rush Limbaugh have threatened to not vote for John McCain if he gets the Republican Nomination.

The American Conservative Union has a rating system that rates each member of Congress. If you vote conservative on every vote you get a 100% rating. John McCain has a life time voting average of 82.3% For comparison Hilary Clinton's life time is 9% and Barack Obama's is 8%. Conservatives think about it! To check out the ratings click on the title for a link to the ACU's ratings.

Road to the Republican Convention

On January 9th, only three weeks ago, on this blog I posted my predictions on the road to the Republican Convention in Minneapolis. I will now post my updates on my predictions starting with Super Tuesday.To date my predictions have not been too accurate so take what follows with a grain of salt. These prediction are also based on a best case scenario for Romney. (* indicates no change in prediction)


Jan. 3
Iowa- Huckabee (already won)

Jan. 5
Wyoming caucuses (R)- Romney (already won)

Jan. 8
New Hampshire -McCain (already won)

Jan. 15
Michigan - McCain (Update: Romney Wins, McCain 2nd)

Jan. 19
Nevada- Romney (Update: Romney Wins)
South Carolina (R)- Huckabee (Update: McCain Wins)

Jan. 29
Florida- Giuliani (Update: McCain Wins)

Feb. 1
Maine (R)- McCain*

Feb. 5 (Super Tuesday)
Alabama- Huckabee (Update: Romney will win)
Alaska- Romney*
Arizona- McCain*
Arkansas- Huckabee*
California- Giuliani (Update: McCain will win)
Colorado-Romney (Update: McCain will win)
Connecticut-McCain
Delaware-Giuliani (Update: McCain will win)
Georgia- Huckabee (Update Romney will Win)

Illinois- Giuliani (Update: Romney will win)

Massachusetts- Romney*
Minnesota-McCain*
Missouri-Huckabee ( Update: Romney will win)
New Jersey- Giuliani (Update: McCain will win)

New York- Giuliani (Update: McCain will win)
North Dakota- Huckabee (Update: Romney will win)
Oklahoma- Huckabee (Update: Romney will win)
Tennessee Thompson (if he is still in) (Update: Romney will win)
Utah- Romney, an easy one*

Update: Hugh Hewitt's prediction of delegate total results after Super Tuesday: McCain 745, Romney 327, and Huck 197. (Click on title above for his analysis on the delegate count)

It takes 1,191 delegates to secure the nomination.

Feb. 9
Louisiana - Huckabee*
Kansas (R)- Huckabee (Update: Romney will win)

Feb. 12
District of Columbia- Giuliani (Update: Romney will win)
Maryland- Giuliani (Update: Romney will win)
Virginia- McCain (Update: McCain will win)

Feb. 19

Washington- Giuliani (Update: McCain will win)
Wisconsin- McCain*

March 4
Ohio- Giuliani (Update: Romney will win)
Rhode Island- McCain*
Texas-Huckabee (Update: Romney will win)
Vermont- McCain*

March 11
Mississippi- Huckabee*

April 22
Pennsylvania- Giuliani (Update: McCain will win)

May 6
Indiana- Romney*
North Carolina- Huckabee (Update: Romney will win)

May 13
Nebraska- Huckabee (Update: Romney will win)
West Virginia- Giuliani ( McCain will win)

May 20
Kentucky- Huckabee(Update: Romney will win)
Oregon- Giuliani ( Update: McCain will win)

May 27
Idaho (R)- Romney*

June 3
Montana- Romney*
New Mexico (R)- Romney*
South Dakota- Huckabee (Update: Romney will win)

Big Win for John McCain !

Tonight John McCain won the Republican Presidential Primary in Florida. He beat Mitt Romney by about 5%. It is also reported by several news media outlets that tomorrow at the Reagan Library in California that Rudy Giuliani will endorse John McCain before the Republican Debate on CNN. That debate will have John McCain, Mitt Romney,Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul. It looks now like John McCain is unstoppable on his way to the Republican Convention in Minneapolis this summer. I like John McCain and as readers of this blog will remember he was my first choice before his campaign fell apart last summer. Since then I have gotten to know Mitt Romney better and he is still my candidate. If I was voting on Super Tuesday(next Tuesday) it would be for Romney but at this point Romney is a long shot to get the Republican nomination. Congratulations to John McCain for bringing his campaign back from the dead. You are a heroic leader and a true warrior!

And then there were 3

So long Rudy, it was fun while it lasted. Will you endorse John McCain on Wednesday????

All eyes on Florida.........Again!

The Polls will close today in the Florida Republican Presidential Primary at 7pm EST and 4pm PST. I will update this blog post as the results come in and as events unfold:

95% reporting

Mitt Romney 31%
John McCain 36% ( AP, CNN and FOX News Project as winner)
Rudy Giuliani 15% ( Rumor that Giuliani will pull out and endorser McCain Wednesday)
Mike Huckabee 13%
Ron Paul 3%

Snow Day II in Medford, Oregon

Today is an official "Snow Day" for the school children of the Medford School District. This picture was taken today outside our home this morning. Unfortunately, there is no "Snow day" for the self employed but it sure is pretty if you don't have to drive in it. May get more snow this evening..

Clintons, "Behaving badly"

From an Editorial in today's San Diego Union -Tribune:

There is something awfully distasteful about a former president morphing into a political attack dog. Even more so when the individual in question embraces his new role in ways that are cynical, hypocritical and underhanded....

Much of the media saw through this and, in recent days, there has been a lot of criticism of the Clintons for their “anything goes” approach to this race. This isn't news to those of us who have long been skeptical of this couple and their tactics. But it may have come as a shock to African-Americans and other elements of the Clinton coalition who now support Obama.....

One has to wonder if it isn't already too late and if the Clintons haven't already crossed some line and lost the support of the same people they will need in November, should Hillary Clinton become the Democratic nominee. In fact, Obama has begun telling audiences that, while he is confident he can bring the Democratic Party together if he is the nominee, he is not sure Hillary Clinton can do the same if she wins the nomination. We'll leave that to the Democrats to sort out. But one thing that the Clintons already have had working in their favor is the notoriously short memory of the American people. Folks age. Time passes. People forget. Even the juiciest soap operas fade from memory.

But thanks to recent events, and the way the Clintons have behaved, it's all coming back.

(To read the entire editorial click on the title above for a link)

Snow in Medford, Oregon

It started snowing in Medford this afternoon and it's sticking. It's a winter wonderland.

No football this weekend!

This is the first week end since July that there has not been a pro or college football game! What with politics and basketball I almost didn't realize it. We still have the Super Bowl next weekend. Then nothing! Yes, I know there is the Pro Bowl, and then there is College "Letter of Intent day" on February 5th followed by the Spring football practice for the Ducks in April and the Spring Game but not until NFL Preseason in August will we see the next real football game.

Liz Cheney for Romney

Liz Cheney, Vice President Dick Cheney’s daughter and former co-chair of Fred Thompson’s presidential campaign, has signed on as a senior foreign policy adviser to Mitt Romney’s campaign.

Cheney, a State Department principal deputy assistant secretary who was responsible for Middle East and North Africa initiatives, could help blunt charges by John McCain that Romney is weak on foreign policy issues.

“I am proud to support Governor Romney. Throughout this campaign, he has distinguished himself as a leader who can guide our country with a clear vision for overcoming the threats we face today,” Cheney said in a statement released by the campaign on Sunday.

Return to Camelot????

Caroline Kennedy has endorsed Barack Oboma.... now word is that the last Kennedy Brother, Teddy will endorse Obama.

"Each evening, from December to December,
Before you drift to sleep upon your cot,
Think back on all the tales that you remember
Of Camelot.
Ask ev'ry person if he's heard the story,
And tell it strong and clear if he has not,
That once there was a fleeting wisp of glory
Called Camelot.
Camelot! Camelot!
Now say it out with pride and joy!"

Sung by Richard Burton as King Arthur in the Broadway Musical and by Richard Harris in the Movie .

Mitt Romney wins straw poll in Jackson County, Oregon

All politics is local. Tonight at the Jackson County,Oregon Republican Lincoln Day Dinner, Mitt Romney won the Presidential Straw Poll as follows:

Mitt Romney 46%
Mike Huckabee 16%
John McCain 14%
Rudy Giuliani 12%
Ron Paul 10%

Over 300 Republican gathered at the main ballroom of the Red Lion Hotel,in Medford,for the dinner and the Straw Poll. U.S. Congressman Greg Walden skipped the Republican Congressional weekend retreat at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virgina, to return to Oregon and speak at tonight's dinner. Radio Talk Show Personality Rusty Humphries was the featured speaker.

Caroline Kennedy Endorses Barack Obama!

A President Like My Father


By CAROLINE KENNEDY
Published: January 27, 2008

OVER the years, I’ve been deeply moved by the people who’ve told me they wished they could feel inspired and hopeful about America the way people did when my father was president. This sense is even more profound today. That is why I am supporting a presidential candidate in the Democratic primaries, Barack Obama.

My reasons are patriotic, political and personal, and the three are intertwined. All my life, people have told me that my father changed their lives, that they got involved in public service or politics because he asked them to. And the generation he inspired has passed that spirit on to its children. I meet young people who were born long after John F. Kennedy was president, yet who ask me how to live out his ideals.

Sometimes it takes a while to recognize that someone has a special ability to get us to believe in ourselves, to tie that belief to our highest ideals and imagine that together we can do great things. In those rare moments, when such a person comes along, we need to put aside our plans and reach for what we know is possible.

We have that kind of opportunity with Senator Obama. It isn’t that the other candidates are not experienced or knowledgeable. But this year, that may not be enough. We need a change in the leadership of this country — just as we did in 1960.

Most of us would prefer to base our voting decision on policy differences. However, the candidates’ goals are similar. They have all laid out detailed plans on everything from strengthening our middle class to investing in early childhood education. So qualities of leadership, character and judgment play a larger role than usual.

Obama beats Hillary in South Carolina Primary!

"Ford at Fox" Best DVD of 2007

My Christmas present won Best DVD of 2007

The critics have spoken and the massive, $300 box set Ford at Fox was named the best DVD of 2007 by the contributors at DVDBeaver.com. For the fourth annual poll, Thirty-six DVD critics from all over the world submitted their individual top ten lists -- each of which is featured -- and then editor Gary Tooze tallied up points for the final results. The coveted John Ford box contains 24 John Ford films on 21 discs; kudos to any critic who had time to watch it all.

I am still working my way through the 24 movies and have watched about half. I started with the oldest... the "silent picture movies" and have now worked my way up to the "talkies". Of course I have already seen most of his later movies from 1939 on.Thanks Dear for the present.

Bill Clinton back in the White House with nothing to do ????

In tonight's debate in Florida Mitt Romney had a quick reply when asked how he would run against the team of Bill and Hilary Clinton

"I frankly can't wait because the idea of Bill Clinton back in the White House with nothing to do is something I can't imagine,"

Three Giants

The Republican Party is lucky to have these men of substance ready to lead the country at this time. I may disagree with them on certain issues and may thing one may be a better candidate than the others but all three have the potential to be great Presidents.

The Republican 11th Commandment

The Eleventh Commandment was a phrase used by former President of the United States Ronald Reagan.

The Commandment reads:

"Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican."

With the Democrats self destructing due to the "below the belt" campaign between Hillery Clinton and Barack Obama it would good for Republicans to relearn the 11th Commandment. On this blog I have in the past violate it but I hereby vow to abide by it in the hopes other Republicans will also abide by it. I hereby take the pledge to not speak ill of any fellow Republican. Let me practice , Rep. Ron Paul is a nice guy and Mike Huckabee has a way of connecting with people! I will support the nominee of the Republican Party. The Republican party is the "big Tent" party.

Sir Winston Churchill

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Sir Winston Churchill died 43 years ago today. Click on the title for a link to a photo essay on the greatest man of the 20th Century

"Slick Willie Rides Again" by William Greider ( & Washington Post Update)

William Greider in The Nation Magazine on the Clintons:

The Clintons play dirty when they feel threatened. But we knew that, didn't we?
The recent roughing-up of Barack Obama was in the trademark style of the Clinton years in the White House. High-minded and self-important on the surface, smarmily duplicitous underneath, meanwhile jabbing hard to the groin area. They are a slippery pair and come as a package. The nation is at fair risk of getting them back in the White House for four more years. The thought makes me queasy. ........

The one-two style of Clintons, however, is as informative as low-life street fighters. Mr. Bill punches Obama in the kidney and from the rear. When Obama whirls around to strike back, there stands Mrs. Clinton, looking like a prim Sunday School teacher and citing goody-goody lessons she learned from her 135 years in government....

To read the entire column click on the title for a link


UPDATE: NEWS STORY FROM WASHINGTON POST 1/24/08

DILLON, S.C., Jan. 23 -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign aired a new radio ad here Wednesday that repeated a discredited charge against Sen. Barack Obama, in what some Democrats said is part of an increasing pattern of hardball politics by her and former president Bill Clinton.....
In Washington, Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.), who endorsed Obama last week, castigated the former president for what he called his "glib cheap shots" at Obama, saying both sides should settle down but placing the blame predominantly on Clinton.

"That's beneath the dignity of a former president," Leahy told reporters, adding: "He is not helping anyone, and certainly not helping the Democratic Party."

That concern was also voiced by some neutral Democrats, who said that the former president's aggressive role, along with the couple's harsh approach recently, threatens to divide the party in the general election.

A few prominent Democrats, including Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (Mass.) and Rep. Rahm Emanuel (Ill.), have spoken to the former president about the force of his Obama critiques. There is some fear within the party that if Obama becomes the nominee, he could emerge personally battered and politically compromised. And there is concern that a Clinton victory could come at a cost -- particularly a loss of black voters, who could blame her for Obama's defeat and stay home in November.....

Harpootlian, a prominent voice in South Carolina politics and a onetime Clinton supporter, said the Clintons' recent tactics have been "all about deceit.".....For some rank-and-file Democrats, the tack against Obama is prompting a reevaluation of Clinton and her husband. Bill Clinton gained enormous popularity among Democrats in the 1990s partly because of his ability to achieve tactical triumphs over Republicans. Now, watching the use of rough-edged tactics against a fellow Democrat, some of those who supported him then are having second thoughts.

"They're obvious distortions," said Ralph Byrd, a retired electrical engineer in Greenville, S.C., who voted for Clinton in 1992 and 1996. "We've had enough spin in the White House the last eight years, and we don't need any more. It's deliberate distortion that we don't need."

For some rank-and-file Democrats, the tack against Obama is prompting a reevaluation of Clinton and her husband. Bill Clinton gained enormous popularity among Democrats in the 1990s partly because of his ability to achieve tactical triumphs over Republicans. Now, watching the use of rough-edged tactics against a fellow Democrat, some of those who supported him then are having second thoughts.

"They're obvious distortions," said Ralph Byrd, a retired electrical engineer in Greenville, S.C., who voted for Clinton in 1992 and 1996. "We've had enough spin in the White House the last eight years, and we don't need any more. It's deliberate distortion that we don't need."

New Design for University of Oregon's New Basketball Arena

The new design will be a building within a building. In the center will be the seating bowl, encapsulated in a wood skin.... an ode to the 1926 built McArthur Court ("The Pit"). The outside building will be a largely glass skinned building and will be more "transparent" and will be less rectangular than an early design.

(To read more click on the title to a link to a press release issued by the University of Oregon )

Movie: "Attonement".......... Very Slow! ****

I have been waiting to see the Movie" Atonement" for over a month but it didn't start showing in Medford until after Christmas and then my wife came down with a bad cold so finally last weekend we went and I was disappointed. Don't get me wrong, it is a good movie and yesterday it got a "Best Picture" nomination but it was not as good as I had hoped. Basically the story starts in 1930's England were a young man is falsely accused of sexual assault and goes to prison and then is released to join the English Army in France during the early months of World War II. He ends up at Dunkirk on the French side of the English Channel when the British Army is evacuated as France is falling to the Germans. He is in love with the older sister of his accuser and their love story is a major part of this movie. The movie is beautiful to look at, there is good acting, and the sets, costumes and music are very well done. I love movies about the English during World War II and I like this story but the Director harms the movie by intruding on it. You end up being distracted by how he directs the movie rather than being able to set back and become emotionally involved in the story. You always know you are watching a movie. Basically he tries to be too "artsy". The first half of the movie is very slooooow. I have always been intrigued by Dunkirk and the movie has the longest enactment of that "battle" in movie history with a cast of thousands (or so it seems) but again the Direction get in the way of the drama of the moment. If I had not heard about the movie and just watched it I would have probably been pleasantly surprised but with all the build up it didn't meet my expectations. I wanted a 5***** movie an all I got was a 4****. Before I went someone described it as another "English Patient" and I didn't want to believe it but it is true. The movie also has a certain amount of revisionist history cynicism that I dislike. On the other hand there a are some very moving scenes that show the horror of war and the kindness of people. It didn't get nominated but "Charlie Wilson's War" is still my pick for movie of the year.

Bye... Bye Fred.......Then there were 4

Fred Thompson officially withdrew his candidacy for President today. Now it is down to Giuliani, Romeny, McCain and last and also least Mike Huckabee.

Romney and the Florida Primary

For the last 24 hours I have been mulling around a theory that Mitt Romney should do well in Florida if not win. Today I received support for my theory from a Rasmussen Poll from Florida that shows the following: Romney 25%, McCain 20% and Giuliani 19%.
In all the Primaries to date McCain has not had serious competition for the vote of the Liberal to Moderate wing of the Republican party and has in fact received a lot of support from Independents. Independence's can not vote in the Florida Republican primary. In addition he and Giuliani will now be dividing up the Liberal to Moderate Republican vote. On the other hand, in this essentially three man, race Mitt Romney is alone in competing for Conservative Republicans. Yes, I know McCain has a fairly conservative voting record but most conservatives, moderate to hard core, can not forgive McCain for his championship of "campaign finance reform" ( limitations on free speech) and "amnesty" for ILLEGAL immigrants. He also is not a "team player." Up until Florida Romney has had to share the fractured conservative vote with Fred Thompson and Mike Huckabee. For all essentially purposes Thompson and Huckabee have no chance to win the nominations so I forecast that most conservative Republicans in Florida will rally to Mitt Romney as the last Conservative to have a chance of winning the nomination. Since there are more Conservatives than Liberals in the Republican party in Florida this would be a state Romney will win. The only fly in the ointment as to my theory is if McCain can convince the Republicans that he has the best chance of beating Hillery and that could trump everything.

(To view the detailed results of the Rasmussen poll chick on the title for a link)

John McCain the neo Victorian

William Kristol in his new column in the New York Times in today's column analyses in a persuasive way that John McCain is a throwback to the Victorian age. As support for this proposition Kristol quotes from a poem written by William Ernest Henley in 1875. The poet is titled "Invictus" and was memorised by John McCain as a school boy and was a poem that sustained him the years he was tortured and held captive in North Vietnam. It came up because McCain used a small portion of it in his victory speech in South Carolina Saturday night. The following is the poem as quoted by Kristol:

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud,
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbow’d.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

I find Kristol's column interesting because I have always been drawn to Victorian heroes. Winston Churchill was also a throw back to the Victorian age and maybe so was John Ford. I am supporting Mitt Romney for President but I admire and respect John McCain. He reminds me of another Victorian.... Teddy Roosevelt.

(To read Kristols's column click on the title for a link.)

Three generations of McCains have defended this country at great sacrifice. Today on "This Week with George Stephanolos" on ABC during the "round table" discussion one of the "liberal" commentators called McCain a "warmonger" and no one challenged her slur on this hero.She was able to speak today because of men like John McCain.Also today I saw a television ad for the United States Marine Corps that was broadcast during the NFC Football Championship. This was the one the "liberals" in San Francisco would not allow to be filmed in that City. Thus the Marines used a shot of the Golden Gate Bridge from the others side. Fortunately these people are a minority and lets us hope there always be men willing to answer the call of duty. We are the Captains of our fate.

General Patton alive and leading troops in Iraq !

Yes, General George Patton is alive and leading troops in Iraq. Click on the title for a link to a "You Tube" site with George Patton talking to the troops in Iraq. Very funny and it will drive the "Libs" nuts!

McCain Wins South Carolina

Congratulations John. If Huckabee can't win in South Carolina he has no hope of getting the nomination. He may not pull out but he is gone. Poor Fred Thompson. I like him but he didn't have the fire in the belly to win. It's now a three man race, McCain, Romney and Giuliani. Unless Giuliani wins in Florida it will be a two man race. On to Florida.

Michael Barone's Column

One of my favorite people is Michal Barone the political commentator and the author of the respected "Almanac of American Politics." I bought my first edition I think in 1980. He knows every Congressional District in the United States. Often before I go on trips I will read his descriptions of the Congressional Districts I am visiting because his description of the towns is better and more truthful than any travel book. There is no one better at reading election results and projecting winners. He started out as a liberal but as time has gone on he has personally become more conservative. He is a frequent commentator on FOX NEWS. There is no political junkie I respect more.

Today's column gives a tour through his political life and his love of politics. It is well worth a read. It starts out:

My campaign and election memories go back to 1960, when I was one of the few who backed John Kennedy at an election night party that my parents were throwing.

The early broadcasts had him winning big (they extrapolated that his gains in heavily Roman Catholic Connecticut would be matched across the mostly Protestant country), and I was too young to stay up for the dramatic conclusion.

Two years later, as a freshman at Harvard, I went into Boston and saw a fresh-faced Edward Kennedy on the night of his Senate primary victory. In 1965, I ventured to New York to report for the Harvard Crimson on the race for mayor of New York. At John Lindsay's election night headquarters, I urged the guard to let novelist Norman Mailer into the press and VIP section at the front of the room (maybe not the right judgment).

I have many memories of campaigns, too --

(To read the rest of the column click on the title for a link)

Barone ends his column writing about William White's campaign books the first of which was.... "The Making of the President 1960". I read them all.
I loved the books and White did see the nobility of American politics.

Romney Wins Nevada Caucuses

Romney has now won three states. Nevada has more delegates than South Carolina.

Iowa- Huckabee
Wyoming Romney
New Hampshire- McCain
Michigan- Romney
Nevada- Romney
South Carolina- McCain

University of Oregon's New Basketball Arena Gets Approval

This mornings Eugene Register Guard Newspaper has a news story about the new arena

SALEM — The Legislature’s top budget-writing panel gave the University of Oregon’s plan for a new basketball arena a key endorsement Thursday that could set the stage for its ultimate approval.

Although some members of the interim Joint Ways and Means Committee sought assurances that the arena won’t be a drain on the athletic department or the university budget, they ultimately were satisfied that the project would pencil out. Only two members on the 19-member panel voted against approval, and none spoke against it.

Committee approval is a major milestone. The arena bonds now will be packaged with other construction measures for a vote by the full Legislature in February, and because lawmakers must vote the entire package up or down, items that are likely to draw significant opposition typically are not included to avoid jeopardizing the entire bill.

(To read the rest click on the title for a link.)

This project is moving forward due to the hard work of UofO President Dave Frohnmayer, Athletic Director Pat Kilkenny , Nike's Phil Knight and Jim Bartko of the Athletic Department. Thanks!

Bumper Sticker of the Day !

"Those of us who follow politics seriously rather than view it as a game show do not look at Hillary Clinton and simply think "first woman president." We think -- for example -- "first ex-co-president" or "first wife of a disbarred lawyer and impeached former incumbent" or "first person to use her daughter as photo-op protection during her husband's perjury rap."

Christopher Hitchens, Wall Street Journal ( Click on the title for a link)

The Drudge Report

I am addicted to the Drudge Report. Ever since the days of Monica Lewinsky & Bill Clinton and before I have been an addict of Matt Drudge's blog. I check in every day several time each day. Even when I was in England, I would use the computer in the hotel lobby to check in on the latest stories. This morning Mitt Romney was on the CBS Morning Show and was asked what he does first thing in the morning and he mentioned he checks in on the Drudge Report and checks it several time each day. Of course Matt Drudge linked it on his blog. The main stream media hate it but you can bet they check it out regularly( To check it out click on the title for a link)

South Medford Basketball

Last night my wife was feeling a little "under the weather" so my friend Shaun and I went to the South Medford vs Sheldon Irish men's high school basketball game here in Medford. I was very torn between staying home and watching the primary returns from Michigan or going to the game. We have season tickets for all of South Meford's games so I recorded the TV primary coverage. South is rated as the #2 or 3 team in the state but they were tied with Sheldon in the South Western Conference. Sheldon and South exchanged leads and Sheldon led by 3 paints at the end of the 1st Quarter and by as much as 6 points in the 2nd Quarter. South led at the half and blew them out in the second half. South won the state championship last year but it's best player from last year is now playing for Duke University. On the team this year is a player who has signed a letter of intent to play for Washington State University and a brother of the Duke kid who is very good too. Let's hope they make it to state. After the game I went home and watched all the Michigan primary coverage on TV that I recorded on my VCR. No TIVO yet. There was a good crowd at the game for a Tuesday night. High school basketball is good clean fun. I was commenting to my friend that all or most of South's games are broadcast on the radio. This adds to the feeling of community spirit. You don't get that in the big or even medium sized cities where there is little radio coverage of high School sports and most people don't care unless there kid is involved. I don't know this for sure but I doubt that in a city like Eugene Oregon ( Where Sheldon is located) there is much radio coverage of high school sports. On the other hand their is radio coverage in the smaller cities of Roseburg, Grants Pass, Medford and Ashland. Hay, even the Hot Dog was good. Isn't it amazing how much beter a Hot dog tasts at a game over one at home.

Good Day for Mitt Romney..... Romney Wins Michigan

Romney wins with 39%, McCain 30% and Huckabee 16%. On to South Carolina and Nevada. Romney should win Nevada. This is a big boost for Romney and keeps him in the game.

So Far:
Romney 2 wins (Michigan & Wyoming)
McCain 1 win (New Hampshire)
Huckabee 1 win (Iowa caucuses)

"The Iron Horse:" Directed by John Ford

As I have posted before, for Christmas, I received the 24 movie DVD set of "Ford at Fox." The set starts out with some of the silent movies he directed in the 1920's . As a student of John Ford I felt I needed to watch his silent movies but did not expect to enjoy them as much as I have. Last night I watched the 1920 movie "Just Pals" and the 1924 "The Iron Horse" about the building of the Trans Continental Railroad. What a pleasant surprise. For an 83 year old movie they have done a good job of restoration.This is an epic movie with a cast of thousands filmed on location. The movie starts with Abraham Lincoln and ends with Lincoln. Ford was a great admirer of Lincoln and worked him into several of his movies. The movie was made 55 years after the completion of the transcontinental railroad. It has been 83 years since this movie was made. One nice feature of the movie is Fox has recorded a musical soundtrack that was composed in 2007 in place of the typical organ music that would have been played when the movie was shown in your neighborhood theater in 1924. John Ford was only in his 30's when he directed this movie but through out the movie you see his touches that showed up in his later movies. There is one scene where just before a fight in the saloon the bartenders take down the mirror behind the bar. There is the Irish humor and the reverence for the veterans of the Civil War. Ford loved America and American history and it showed. For more on the movie click on the title for a link to the imdb.com page on the movie.

A "Brokered" Convention

A good analysis by Jay Cost, of Real Clear Politics, on what would happen at a "brokered" Republican Convention:

As the Republican race is still wide open, I thought it time to review how delegates to the Republican National Convention will be allocated this year. There has been talk about a "brokered convention." And while I think that there will probably be a clear nominee come September 1, 2008 - the probability of a convention fight is much greater than it has been in the last thirty years. Accordingly, we are well advised to get a lay of the land, to see exactly how the GOP convention might proceed if there is no clear winner.

We will look at three relevant features: how delegates to the convention are chosen, what are the factors that could cause a brokered convention, and how a deal could be worked out if there is no clear nominee.

(To read the rest click on the title for a link)

Oregon Duck Basketball

( Oregon Coach Ernie Kent)

The Oregon ducks basketball team has gotten off to a good PAC-10 start after a shaky preseason. Oregon last week split in the desert and beat the University of Arizona after a loss to Arizona State. This week they hosted and beat the Cal Bears and the number 23 Standford Cardinal. Way to go Ducks!

Michigan Primary

Tomorrow is the Michigan Primary. The Democratic party has penalized Michigan for moving up it's primary date and so there is no real contest in the Democratic party as Michigan has been stripped of all its delegates for the Democratic Convention. There is a spited primary for the Republicans and several Republican candidates have a lot at stake.

McCain Due to a quirk in Michigan State Law, Independents and Democrats can vote in the Republican Primary. John McCain won here in 2000 against George W Bush when a lot of Democrats and Independents voted in the Republican primary. McCain needs to keep his momentum up from his win in New Hampshire. However,this year he may not be able to count on those Democrats who now may want to vote for Romney or Huckabee because they see them as the weakest candidates for the Republicans. The independents should still be in McCain's camp; but, if he can't win here, where he can get help from independents, where can he win? After Michigan there are fewer primaries where independents can vote in the Republican primary.This is an important state for McCain. If he wins here he can then use it to boost him into a win in South Carolina and Florida. A loss would be a big blow. The main stream media like McCain but if he wins or becomes a front runner they will turn on him.

Romney This is where Romney grew up. His father George Romney was governor. This is a very important primary for him. Mitt, yesterday said he would go on through "Super Tuesday" on February 5 (23 primaries) regardless but the media expectation game makes this very important for Romney. I still think he can continue with some chance of ultimately winning the nomination with a loss in Michigan by picking up delegates as long as it stays a 4 or 5 man race. He should do well in Nevada, 4 days later, next Saturday, due to the large Mormon population there. Quite frankly I have been puzzled by Romney's lack of success to date. He has stood out in the debates and is a well spoken candidate. If I were casting a movie for President he would get the part. He looks like my idea of a President of the United States. However, one commentator said yesterday that Romney's problem is he looks like "a rich guy", which he is . The mainstream media hate him because he was a moderate who has become more conservative. That is unforgivable to the media.

Huckabee The Democrats may also cross over to vote for this guy because they think he would be easy to beat in November and they would be right. "Gomer Pyle" is very glib and folksy. He can sustain a 2nd or 3rd place finish in Michigan if he can win in South Carolina 4 days later. A loss in both Michigan and South Carolina would probable end his boomlet caused by his win in the Iowa caucuses. A win in Michigan could lead to a win in South Carolina and would give him a good chance of becoming a strong regional candidate on "Super Tuesday."

At this point, unless one candidate wins the majority of the remaining primaries before "Super Tuesday" ( Michigan, South Carolina, Nevada and Florida) "Super Tuesday" may result in "mixed results" which could lead to a contested convention in Minneapolis this summer. After "Super Tuesday" the candidate that remain viable , and there could be at least three or four, will be scraping for every delegate and the delegate search will begin. Too much fun!

Watch out Obama !

This is what Peggy Noonan says about Hillery in today's Wall Street Journal:

And if we are to believe the new voice will be a softer, more conciliatory and more engaging one, how to square that with what is going on at HillaryIs44.com, a Web site that is for all intents and purposes a back door to her war room? There you will see that federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald will soon "destroy" Barack Obama in a "scandal" involving an "indicted slumlord" who is Mr. Obama's "friend of 17 years" and with whom Mr. Obama has been involved in "shady deals."

This isn't a new voice, it is the old one, the one we know too well. The item was posted on Thursday, two days after Mrs. Clinton announced her new approach.

Between sobs she is going to try to destroy Mr. Obama. She is going to try to end him. She will pay a price for it--no one likes to see the end of a dream, no one likes a dream killer. But she will pay that price to win, and try to clean up the mess later.

See for yourself..... click on the title for a link to HillaryIS44.com "a back door to her war room?"

UPDATE: This from the Assosciated Press on Sunday:

.. the Clinton campaign scrambled to explain comments by one of its top black supporters, BET founder Bob Johnson, that seemed to raise the issue of Obama's admitted teenage drug use.

"I am frankly insulted the Obama campaign would imply that we are so stupid that we would think Hillary and Bill Clinton, who have been deeply and emotionally involved in black issues - when Barack Obama was doing something in the neighborhood; I won't say what he was doing, but he said it in his book - when they have been involved," Johnson said at an event with Clinton in Columbia, S.C.