Unity!!!

Full disclosure: I am not registered to vote in Delaware or Alaska; but I have opinions and everyone else is putting their two cents in (or more ... whoa). And, I have a big mouth.

US Senate hopeful, Christine O'Donnell is a kook. If you want the full list of crazie, take a trip over to your favorite search engine. In the name of unity (and laziness), I'm not listing it here.

Let's take a trip back in time. Picture it 2006; a time before the Tea Partyers were tea partying, President (Junior) Senator Obama was still a newbie strolling, happily around DC, the unemployment rate was around 4.5% and Twitter was born. 2006 was pretty awesome.

In Delaware's 2006 US Senate republican primary election, Christine O'Donnell was defeated by Jan Ting. O'Donnell must have gazed into her magic crystal ball and saw that in the future Ting would endorse Barack Obama for President and leave the Republican party in 2008; because instead of bowing out gracefully and throwing her support behind Ting in his bid to defeat democratic incumbent Sen. Carper she ran as a write-in candidate. Voters and pundits were outraged. Crickets.

Welcome back to 2010! Tea Party on! Vacation President Obama has played more golf than GWB and Clinton combined, the unemployment rate is twice as high as it was four years ago and everybody and their grandma is on Twitter. Damn, 2010 kinda blows.

On Tuesday, the third time was a charm for Christine O'Donnell. She, now a Tea Party candidate, successfully defeated Congressman Mike Castle in the primary election, essentially igniting a, albeit small...it is Delaware we're talking about after all, civil war. Rush and Levin vs Rove and Krauthammer, The American Spectator vs The Weekly Standard; basically, true conservatives vs ruling class, sexist, cocktail partying, elitist, RINOs. The former screaming "unity, for the greater good", the latter noting that Rep. Castle had a better chance of winning the general election because he's a seasoned politician without a crazy list.

But, again in the name of unity and because an O'Donnell win in the general election is for the greater good or something I won't opine on her kookiness. Dammit, I think I just did. Oh well. Anyway. . .Vote O'Donnell!

Now, let's take another trip. This time let's go to Alaska, where incumbent, republican Senator, Lisa Murkowski was defeated in the primary election by Tea Partyer Joe Miller. Instead of bowing out gracefully, Murkowski has launched a write-in campaign. Voters and pundits are outraged. How dare she?!?

In the name of unity I'm not going to point out that O'Donnell did the same thing in 06 and nobody cared. Dammit, I did it again. Oops. I know, I know...I'm a stupid RINO that doesn't understand that Murkowski's write-in bid is wayyy different than O'Donnell's in 2006. Hmmm, if you don't support Murkowski are you a sexist?

If you live in Alaska: Vote Miller!

Ahhhhhhh...Unity! I feel better.

Thoughts on Sarah Palin

Palin on Oprah

The long speculated (and hyped) interview between the Queen of Daytime and Caribou Barbie finally aired today. I am not a fan of Oprah nor am I a supporter of Palin, but I tuned in, mostly out of curiosity.

The questions and tone were predictable. It is a well known fact that Oprah is an enormous (pardon the pun) Obama supporter. In fact, I wonder what would have happened if Oprah had been on Team Hillary, different outcome? Hmmmm...anyway...back to the big sit-down. It was lame, as most Oprah interviews are. Palin didn't screw anything up, she loves her family and her country. Oprah was less than warm, but, like Martha Stewart, I believe Oprah is more affectionate to her dogs than she is any other human being.

Me on Palin

Sarah Palin is very likable. She comes across as genuine and cheerful. She is good looking. Her closets are free of skeletons. She is unapologetic for her point of view, without being judgmental of others. A recipe for the perfect Republican nominee for POTUS? Not so much.

Female (and black) conservatives are treated like factory irregulars that should be discounted or tossed away. They are subject to more scrutiny and attacks. I'm not sure if Palin can handle this without coming across as whiny or small town. She has to accept that men and women are critiqued differently. Fair or not, it is a fact. She has to master the art of entering every situation as if it is hostile, without looking bitchy or annoyed. She has to artfully kill with kindness, all who cross her, without appearing clueless or naive. And, Todd is going to have to embrace the idea of being called, Mr. Mom...albeit, the badass, outdoorsy, hunting and fishing, snow machine racing kind.

A friend (and DC insider) and I chatted the other day about Palin. He likes her, but would like for her to improve. I asked him why she uses Facebook as her primary source of communication. His take: most likely, she likes Facebook and since she was able to make the jump from Mayor to Governor, doing things her way, she is reluctant to change.

Palin needs a bit of coaching, not to change 'who she is' but to change *how she does things*. Using Facebook as an outlet to reach supporters, is fine, but she has to use other avenues as well. There is a huge conservative movement on Twitter, Palin's tweets are less than few and far between. Twitter and Facebook can be used in conjunction with one another, she should know this and utilize. Also, Palin has an official PAC, its website was last updated, this summer to announce that she was not seeking a second term as Governor of Alaska. You can't raise money on Facebook. You can, however, raise money, send out emails and update supporters through a PAC, in fact that is exactly why they exist.

I wish Sarah Palin all the best, as a private citizen. There has been chatter of a talk show. I would lurve to see Hillary Clinton as her first guest. Maybe that could top Naomi Campbell's appearance on The Tyra Show...a girl can dream, can't she?

Pro-Choice?

Choices...we all make em...some good, some not so much...but they are ours as are the effects that ensue. Democrats claim to be the party of choice because of their Pro-Choice stance on abortion...but think about it...is the Democratic Party the party of choice? I think not. From school vouchers to Healthcare, the left side of the aisle has shown that the only choice they want you to make is how far you wanna bend over...pass the Astroglide.

Before I continue...this is what I think 'bout abortion. Firstly it is a states' rights issue...for example: you can get an abortion in Kansas later in the pregnancy than you can elsewhere in the US...if Roe v. Wade was overturned tomorrow...the debate and decision would go back to the states. Secondly...having an abortion is a very personal decision that should be made only after careful consideration (you can't really go back on it...and it could haunt you forever). Lastly...I'd like to see some similar legislation for dads. If a man doesn't want a child...he should be able to relinquish his parental rights before the child is born. Girls, we fought for equal rights...not different/better/special rights...and believe it or not...some women like to trap men in relationships with babies.

Clearly, the Republican Party is *the* party of choice:

What kind of gun do I want to buy?
Where do I want to hide my secret cash?
What kind of steak am I going to eat?
What minority group do I want to offend?
Which charity do I want to pretend like I care about?
Which version of the Bible do I want to thump today?
Which private school do I want to send my cherub to?
Which gas-guzzling SUV do I want to kill the environment with today?

I chuckle...and no we don't eat kittens (although, I've heard they taste like chicken). But honestly, other than abortion...what choices do liberals offer? Eat this, not that. I'm sorry your school sucks...stay there anyway. Oh...you chose a Directv subscription over health insurance, no problem...here's some...but wait, you can only go to these four doctors....what's that...you need a heart transplant...well you can't have mine...it's bleeding. You don't like Obamacare, no worries...you can stay with your company's policy, that is...until they stop offering it because it's too 'spensive because Obama raised every tax he could find and then he made some new ones...choice schmoice...do what I say and like it...bwa ha ha ha ha ha.

Life is about consequences. If I speed...I may get a ticket, sure...I'll cuss, but I'll pay the fine and slow down. If you eat your weight in cheeseburgers, while spending all your 'extra money' on flex-pay rings from QVC instead of on health insurance...that's up to you...I'm okayyy with it...I'm not gonna make you swap out your snazzy ring collection for health insurance...oopsie now, you've got shugabetes...sorry, but remember you made those choices...own them.

Bottom Line: Gandhi said: 'Be the change that you want to see in the world.' I say: 'Take responsibility for your choices. Don't be a victim...and if you are...press charges.' Zen worthy indeed.

Political Battle of the Sexes

I’ve come to the conclusion that no matter what political party we affiliate ourselves with – we love to hate women. Until they make a serious boo-boo, male politicos are judged on merit. Of course, some partisans will snicker about intelligence and make Satan comparisons…but for the most part, poly-dudes are fairly evaluated. Women, on the other hand are subject to a bit more scrutiny…accent, attire, make-up, hair, wrinkles, weight and likability…just to name *a few*. Katherine Harris, Sarah Palin, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Meghan McCain and Michelle Obama have all been targets.

Once a woman enters the political ring (either by choice or by association) she becomes joke fodder. Laura Bush’s Stepford wife likeness has been replaced by Michelle Obama’s Hulkish and (gasp!) bare arms. Who can forget Katherine Harris’ Tammy Faye Baker comparison? How about Nancy Pelosi’s waxy Botoxic face? We are mean…all of us…men and women alike. Racist jokes are bad but sexist jokes are funny? I beg of you people to be more correctly politically incorrect...the next time you want to make fun of a politico – make fun of two and make sure one has a penis…an affirmative action indeed!

Hello, my name is _______ and I am a _______

Before Arlen Specter officially made the jump across the aisle, republicans often referred to him as a RINO (Republican in name only, if you’ve been living under a rock) because he leaned center left on certain issues and voted accordingly. Sen. Specter isn’t the only party defector being picked-on. Earlier this week, Rush Limbaugh spent part of his show discussing Colin Powell and how he too should become a democrat. The bottom line – republicans (especially hardcore righties) love to call out their own, the preferred insults are RINO (when they are very angry) or less offensive names such as neo-con or progressive (which they can easily take back). If I remember correctly (and trust me I have tried to forget…but an elephant never…you know) the Republicans labeled themselves ‘Mavericks’ in the last election (that worked out well…for the Democrats).

We the people have become so critical and irrational when it comes to political disagreements that our country is basically evenly divided. We only believe the polls when they favor our side of the argument. We don’t like investigations or hearings unless we’re holding them. We don’t like the media, unless they are favorable to us. We can’t stand protestors, unless we are the ones protesting. And…we can’t take a joke, period. Each time a new party is in charge we complain about the abuse of power and lack of checks and balances. After losing an election, we have discourse in our own party…insisting on playing the blame game because heads must roll. But…chin up my good people, if history tells us anything, these same courses of action have been ongoing since our young democracy came to be…and if we’re lucky they will continue for all of our time here on earth.

The Mc Factor

Thanks to a show called Grey’s Anatomy we have new terminology for somewhat desirable men. Enter McDreamy *gag* and McSteamy *double gag*. Having never watched Grey’s I assumed the show had something to do with a 24 hour McDonald’s and Cleveland Steamers. Apparently it does not.

Average actors, Patrick Dempsey and Eric Dane, play characters Dr. Shepard and Dr. Sloan...Mchuh? I don’t get the Mc factor. But again, I have never watched, I’m sure it makes perfect sense to the Grey’s faithful. As for me, Dempsey will always be Ronald Miller from Can’t Buy Me Love. I won’t pick on Dane because he had Skin Cancer (which I believe was punishment for being on Charmed).

I guess my point…which isn’t all that pointy…is that a television show, with the help of its psycho fans have the power to make an average person better with marketing. Which clearly doesn’t work in politics…considering uber average candidate/war hero John McCain (Mc factor, check; Skin Cancer, check) could only muster his age (give or take) in votes . 2012 GOP political propects: McMormon, McBarbie, McBJ and *shudder* McHuck *weeping*.