Also...

Something that dawned on me... if McCain did happen to win, with a Democratic Governor of Arizona, would his seat be filled by the Gov? If so, and the Dems win the 59 seats shown as possible on electoral-vote.com, would McCain's seat push the Dems to 60? If so this could put a lot of pressure on a McCain presidency, as the Dems could push through bill after bill after bill, without any resistance from the Republicans, that McCain would either have to sign or veto.

Dems could leverage this to their advantage in a few ways. If McCain consistantly vetoes bill after bill they can put a lot of public pressure on both McCain for being an obstructionist, and put pressure on the Republicans in the Senate to override his veto (they'd have to pull 7 over). This could really play to the Dems advantage in the 2010 mid terms. They could say "We passed this, this, and this, but John McCain and the Republicans blocked it." Depending on the bills they push through, and if played right, they could really stick it to the Republicans.

Or if Republicans cave... they get what they want passed anyway and can take all the credit.

Just to let you know...it seems that your latest FTP edition (have there really been 42 of them already!? Wow!) has become inaccessible by way of the Huffington Post - to me, at least - no matter which route is used. I can only guess that you and the "5 rules" guy must be engaged in some kind of conversation that the powers that be over there deem to be inappropriate for common consumption...or, something. :-)

Now on to more politics. You want Obama to fight back, to go on the mad as hell offensive but let us not forget Howard Dean. And if most people are right about Obama using the Dean hand book, angry doesn't go to well with arrogant. The democrates have been too arrogant and far too arrogant for too long. I guest the dinosaurs went the same way. Gore, Kerry, Hillary, all took major missteps. The election was Gore's but he tried to distance himself from the Clitons. It should have been a Edwards-Kerry ticket but for some reason we thought we needed a general and not a president. And Hillary thought the election was hers -- wait is Obama falling into the same trap?

McCain, McCain, McCain yes we know his wife is rich. Yes we know that he is a trophy Husband, that he old, that he is the president for big business not the president for the people by people but I hope we do not get into to a smear campaign over his wife, or that he is Bush-lite. Let's attack the man. The man on the issues. That he is at this point the General that America does not need. We a leader, yes someone who is ready to think outside the box not a person ready to follow orders.

By the way a General follows orders.

The "5 rules" guy commented on my article over at HuffPost, check it out.

I also mention to my loyal readers that tomorrow, 8/9, is the 34th anniversary of Nixon's resignation. So celebrate responsibly. "I am not half-crocked" (or something like that)...

As for Obama, I think it's the media filter. I think he actually has been just as serious, but what gets on the evening news is the twenty seconds during a very serious speech where he cuts loose a little bit. Maybe I'm reading it wrong, though, I don't know.

loslobo -

Sometimes it's the week in review, sometimes I get carried away with a single thought. This week, it was the latter.

As for repetition, the only thing I have to say in defense is: "Brutus is an honorable man." Google it. I may not have reached the Bard's standard, but that's kind of what I was going for.

Oh, and I just finished watching the Olympic flame get lit, and I have to say... it is almost impossible to top Barcelona (92) in this regard. That archer shooting a flaming arrow to light the cauldron is a pretty tough act to follow, and I have yet to see anyone better it. China's bit was good, but not up to the Barcelona standard.

-CW

As far as the talking points go, I wouldn't keep repeating "Obama is the elitist", after a while the message gets lost, and all that is remembered is the phrase. The classic Repug ploy...62,400 repetitions = 1 truth...

See ya on DU

Thanks always

'The Political Brain' sounds interesting - I will check it out.

I meant to say that I've noticed something different about Obama's speeches since he became the presumptive nominee...well, with the ones he's given on this side of the pond, anyway.

He seems to be a tad too...oh, what is the word...lighthearted? He's been sounding more like a comedian and less presidential. And, while you have convinced me of the value of framing the message and proper use of talking points, I do worry that he may be getting a little carried away with the silly stuff. It's probably nothing that a week in Hawai'i won't solve - but I think he should get more serious and intense as soon as he gets back and carry it through to November.

As for making things sound simple while not talking down to your audience...that's just one more reason why Obama's VP short list is really a list of one. No one does this better than Joe Biden! Obama should take a lesson or two.

You're damn tootin' I feel better!

That 5 rules article was pretty sobering, I must admit.

I strongly recommend you get a copy (buy it or head to the library) of Drew Westen's book "The Political Brain: The Role Of Emotion In Deciding The Fate Of The Nation."

It will set off several lightbulbs, I guarantee it. Did for me, at any rate. I don't know why this man isn't on Obama's staff right now. He's the Democratic answer to the "Death Tax" coining guy on the GOP side.

Anyway, I've always been a big fan of making things sound simple, while not talking down to your audience.

-CW

You know, I have always been one to discard concepts like "framing the issue" and "talking points" and the like. But, I have to admit that I'm beginning to look at this stuff from an entirely new perspective...especially after this FTP Obama edition and those 5 ways to lose an unloseable election!

I guess just knowing that you have the truth and the real solutions and the true leadership on your side is simply not enough. If you can't translate that into a message that resonates with voters, then you have nothing! It's like a light bulb just went off for me.

...Stan

You're right, I was kind of on an Obama roll today.

As for Edwards... I can't really talk, I was going to vote for him before he dropped out. And you are entirely correct -- this would have been a disaster of immense proportions. But he isn't an officeholder right now, and you're right, while the media is having a field day, it's really not that big a deal to the party since he doesn't have to resign, or anything like that.

Hoo boy, the trash just keeps on coming, doesn't it?

I hope you're right about holding stuff back. For political wonks, it's hard for us to understand sometimes that a HUGE slice of the electorate (who actually dutifully turn out to vote) just doesn't pay that much attention until a few weeks before the vote. So, like I said, if you're right, it might just work. We'll see...

-CW

You were right on about today being the ultimate trash day.

As for Obama, I really wonder if all the good stuff (on both sides) is being held back until after the convention. Maybe daily history channel programs on the Keating 5? Probably too much to ask...