The Political Dogfight

The Tough Reality of Work In Washington

A funny but unfortunately true comment from McCain of all people:
"I’m not sure I dislike anyone in this room enough."
-- Sen. John McCain, quoted by the Wall Street Journal, on refusing to say who he might choose to lead the Department of Education if he was elected president.
(hat tip: Political Wire)

A Direct Communications Channel and a Post to Elizabeth Edwards

(You can also find this post on the frontpage of The Democratic Daily.)

Elizabeth Edwards made a post at Dkos about Yearly Kos. Late in the game I made a substantive post that I hope catches the eye of someone in the Edwards or other campaigns.

I fully believe there is a new communications channel that can be created for a candidate or organization. This new channel is a Direct One-on-One Voter Communications channel.

The following is an edited portion of the original comment:

<>But your campaign, and the others, are also missing the ability to create an entirely new type of direct one-on-one voter communincations channel.

I believe the other type of 'spin, which really isn't spin, is using a campaign video blogger whose primary job is to get the off-cuff remark or reply from Senator Edwards on the days campaign or some attack or news or ?. A comment from a tired candidate about the days news or the days campaign is a powerful expression of reality.

This is one-on-one communication in the most authentic manner.

VoteVets and Wes Clark Come Down HARD

Here's the latest from VoteVets and Wes Clark...

Protect America, not George Bush---General Bapiste

A Song From the Past That Speaks To the Present

I'm old enough to think back to another pivotal time in our nation's history. It was a time of great optimism, great despair and more than a little bloodshed. Recently I remembered a song that has stuck in my heart all these years. As you know, I adopted it as the theme song for all my blogs.

With so many similarities to the news of that day, I thought you might take a break and enjoy a song from the past that speaks to the present and the future. And yes, on some days it just breaks my heart that we are truly back in the past while deciding our future.

Goddamn Body Armor Issues Still Exist

The issue of proper body armor for our troops has been in the forefront of the mismanagement of this goddamn stupid war. Once again the DoD has rejected Dragon Skin as a body armor bidder even though it's better, lighter and takes an enormous hit. Soldiers for The Truth, founded by the late, great Col. David Hackworth, once again proves it's value by making these video resources easily available.

Think of the soldiers and Marines that could be saved. To demonstrate the armor the following was created as an pure test. Simply damn amazing....(details below)

From DefenseReview here's a direct quote:

Pinnacle Armor Dragon Skin has been in production since 1996, and is battlefield proven by almost every US Federal Agency. It's been proven in real combat engagements against real enemy threats. It is currently, hands down, superior to U.S. Army Natick's Interceptor body armor (USMC Interceptor Multi-Threat Body Armor System Outer Tactical Vest with USMC Interceptor SAPI/ISAPI/ESAPI) with regard to surface area of coverage, protection level (ballistic threat level and multi-hit capability), durability, longevity, and wearability.

And this is the equipment that the Defense Department is refusing to buy. We need a true Congressional Investigation. This smells and endangers our troops.

Truth About Political Debates...From A Republican

Here's the truth about the political debates of both parties as currently structured.  I would even make a stronger statement: '...it hurts the country in the process.' (emphasis mine...)

"If anything would convince me to lean away from running, it was watching all of those guys with too little time, with too many Mickey Mouse questions from the reporters. It's exactly the wrong way to pick a president, and I think it doesn't help the country much."
-- Newt Gingrich, talking about the first Republican presidential debate on Hannity & Colmes last night. Hat tip Political Wire

Words That Come Back To Haunt...

Historical Quotes of the Day

"Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the president to explain to us what the exit strategy is."

-- George W. Bush, 4/9/99, criticizing President Clinton for not setting a timetable for exiting Kosovo.

"I think it's also important for the president to lay out a timetable as to how long they will be involved and when they will be withdrawn."

-- George W. Bush, 6/5/99

Hat tip: Think Progress
The Political Dogfight Hat Tip to: Political Wire, an essential daily read...