I don’t usually write on stuff like this, but I was struck last night and got to thinking about whether talent is enough, or whether the right person always wins. And in the event that the wrong person is winning, is there a way to correct that?

I saw two of the most talented individuals participating in the vanguard of American cultural expression that is American Idol get sent to the elimination round yesterday, with one of them having to be sent home. If that show had an electoral college (the judges?), that probably would not have happened.

In today’s political season, we may see something similar play out. (more…)

April 24th, 2008 | Politics, Voting, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton | 5 comments

According to The Stranger, as well as a caller into the Thom Hartmann radio program (great show), robocalls are going out to some in Washington telling them that the caucus in on Sunday, not Saturday (the actual date).

The calls apparently came from Meyer Associates Teleservices, a St. Cloud, MN-based direct marketing company. This company has done extensive work for the Obama campaign in Illinois, New Hampshire, and other states.

Robocalling is completely unacceptable. If this was done purposely, it’s inexcusable. If it was done accidentally there are no accidents in politics at this level. Democrats don’t like when Republicans do it to them. Democrats therefore should not do it to each other. Note also that this process is illegal in some states, and Obama’s calls [courtesy of Meyer] were found to violate New Hampshire law.

This is sad, and I really, really want this to be untrue, but the evidence is not looking that way at this point. I want honest, ethical politics, not this stuff.

One Love. One II.

February 8th, 2008 | Voting, Barack Obama | 8 comments