Prelude to a Celebration

As of this posting, Barack Obama's web site is reporting only 12 delegates to go until clinching the magic number for the Democratic nomination. Unless he doesn't reach viability in Montana and South Dakota (not going to happen), Obama will clinch it tonight, if not sooner. The superdelegate trickle became a flood, and is only going to get bigger. 

Stay tuned...

Hillary; maybe for you, but not for me

Editors Note: This is the first post by Erin, a new contributor to August Prairie. She'll be provided assistance on this blog as we head on through the general election. 

As Hillary's campaign (hopefully) is seeing its last few agonizing days, I'd like to put in my two cents...the one girl (am I woman now? I don't feel like it) who doesn't want to see Hillary in the White House.

Hillary and her various sycophants have chorused like clockwork that the campaign trail was biased against her because she's a woman. The argument usually goes that opinions against her must stem from the fact that simply, she has a uterus.

What isn't being recognized by her close and personal yes-men is that, frankly...she's offering nothing new in her campaign. Her gender alone appeals to feminazis, working women, and the more "conservative" (although I'm not necessarily meaning Republican) housewives. "You go, working woman!" As a female, supporting anyone else should, by sycophant logic, make me a disgrace to my gender.

Simply; she is a woman running for president. She must be revolutionary!

If gender alone was the prerequisite for one's opinion on leadership, then it wouldn't matter if it was Hillary. It could literally be any woman. Not that women haven't ran before; Hillary has one more "secret weapon".

"Experience". By which I mean, she has Bill. People know her simply because Bill was in the White House, and so some people see this as her "returning home." Granted, I was only a kid during the Clinton administration, but as far as I remember, all she did was endorse the Pizza Hut reading program on some flyer or handout I once recieved at school.

Now to tie this little roundabout post together; as much as I love Pizza Hut, I'm instead putting my trust, my hope, and my vote to Barack Obama. It's time for some new ideas and a fresh face in the White House. "He lacks experience." "He's too passive and naive." Sounds kind of familiar...lets see...I can sort of recall someone only serving one term in the House of Representatives before winning an election...hmmm....anyhow, Hillary's tired campaign of promises that everyone has heard before means nothing to me. Those who aren't looking at gender in her campaign are pulling for her because they are afraid of change. It's easy to hide behind a facade of change, even when the "new" factor is an unrelated variable such as an extra X chromosome.

Same bullcrap. Different gender. Some revolution, eh?

Vacation's Over: Almost Time for the Big Show

Tomorrow night South Dakota and Montana will be the last two states to sound off in the Democratic Primary. Although it is unlikely that Senator Clinton will concede tomorrow, Obama will likely clinch the nomination either tomorrow or Wednesday, as his pledged delegate haul from the two states and a couple dozen superdelegates will put him over the top. That which became possible with his victory in Iowa and probable with his victory in Wisconsin will finally become reality. 

However, the Democrat's marathon was just the preseason. It is time for the real show as the campaign against John McCain and the GOP machine heats up. Although this is a good year for the Democrats, it appeared that 2004 was going to be as well. This ain't the beginning of the end, but rather the end of the beginning.

From tomorrow night to November, August Prairie will be there. Expect more posts, more analysis and features, and a few other major changes. Stay tuned, and let the games begin!

My Predictions: The Aftermath

Well, I guess 12.5% is better than 0% correct. I got Hillary's vote percentage in Kentucky correct, but was over on Obama's percentage. It appears that my delegate count was too optimistic as well, with CNN's current count in the KY sitting at 37-14.

My Oregon prediction was a bit conservative, with Obama looking like he'll win 58-42. There isn't a total number of delegates yet, but my guess is it will higher than my prediction.

It would be nice if Senator Clinton to make any predictions on Puerto Rico, Montana, and South Dakota a completely moot point. I wouldn't hold my breath on that happening. If necessary, I'll make my pointless predictions for the last three contests late next week.

My Meaningless Unscientific Oregon and Kentucky Predictions

Today will be another split decision in the seemingly unending democratic nomination race, but the bigger story will be the milestone reached by Senator Obama. Provided he gains 15-20 pledged delegates tonight (an almost assured prospect), he will clinch a victory in the pledged delegate race (at least until MI and FL are settled). Hopefully the hyperactive labrador puppies in the media will stay still long enough to see tonight for what it is. Given their track record, expect them to discount Obama's milestone and victory in Oregon in favor of Clinton's MAJOR victory in Kentucky. After all, the only states that matter in the United States are those in greater Appalachia (Except for Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia).

Oregon: Obama 55%, Clinton 45% 29-23 Pledged Delegate Count
Kentucky: Clinton 65% Obama 35% 33-18 Pledged Delegate Count

There is a lot to write about, and I am sure more after the results of tonight are known. I can't make any promises to live up to my hopes in getting stuff out there, but stay tuned.

Proof Yet Again of Obama's Viability

Senator Obama proves yet again why he isn't John Kerry or Michael Dukakis. I love his mixture of mild amusement at the hypocrisy of McCain/Bush, intelligent discussion of the facts, and a pledge to the GOP to bring on a serious foreign policy discussion.

Too bad the media will probably continue to give Senator McCain a free pass to keep yelling about the "boogeymen" who are only being held at bay by Big Papa Bush.

MIKE GRAVLE FOR PREZ!!!!1! OMG!!!!1!

Words cannot describe the lunacy of this man. Yet he still comes off as more sane then Senator Clinton (R-FantasyLand), the President of the Lollipop Forest.

And Two More are Down

Obama is going to win North Carolina by a significant margin. In addition, Hillary's win in Indiana is going to be insignificant. And the last really large delegate haul is over with, with it being at best a wash for Hillary.

Needless to say, I enjoyed a nice bottle of Yuengling (even if that lousy state went to the other candidate) while watching Senator Obama gives his victory speech.

It's certainly a good day for us Obamatards, even if Senator Hillary (R-NY) will still be in this until the good people of South Dakota and Montana vote on June 3.

Economists? We don't need no stinkin' economists.

NOTE: This post has mild extreme language of the bovine manure variety. I apologize for my diversion from my usual standards, but it was certainly appropriate. If you really are offended by this language, please stop reading and go to http://www.icanhascheezburger.com. I'm sure that will be more your speed.

GIGANTIC SIGH

Hillary just won't stop will she? Either she is bullshitting about being a Super-wonk, or is bullshitting about being Hilz Six Pack. I'll bet you can't guess which one.

Maybe someday she'll collapse in a moment that will put the Dean scream or Muskie crying to shame. That would be a beautiful day, one that will mark a new (and hopefully better) chapter in our nation's politics. The Clintons will finally have been beaten, and being a progressive will no longer be a "dirty little secret". Maybe then we'll have two political parties, instead of one crazy ass party, and one trying to be a weak-ass pro-choice version of the same party.

I tried, I really tried to give her a fair shake. She has shown before she is intelligent, and does seem to care about some things. But to her power is the ends, not the means. Severely wounded by the unfortunate battles of the 90s, she has given up on the idea that there is a better way to win the presidency than roll in the muck.

Hopefully Hoosiers and Tarheels will see through her lies, refuse to submit to her ceaseless pandering. I pray that they will see how shallow and meaningless her gas tax holiday idea is, and how much contempt it shows for American voters. For once I want to believe that they will see through her crap, and see that Obama was the only one honest enough to say that a gas tax holiday is utterly worthless.

Unfortunately, I am very pessimistic about this. The reason politicians pander is because people are more than willing to swallow there crap. Until we stand up and say "NO MORE", they will continue to rely upon truthiness, false sincerity, and other disgusting Machiavellian tools of the trade.

If you truly believe in real change, in actually working to solve the issues that face our nation, you have to be willing to see through the bullshit. Hillary Clinton won't change things, and John McCain won't change things, at least if you aren't wealthy. Barack Obama is our best shot at saving this country from idiocracy and mediocrity. But he can't do it alone.

Prove me wrong, citizens of Charlotte and Evansville. Show me the errors of my ways, people of Moyock and Cayuga. Make me proud voters of Indianapolis and Raleigh. Although a sweep by him won't end this campaign, it will do a damn bit of good in cutting off a potential flank attack by Clinton and her minions.

Help end this charade, and usher in a new age of American citizenship. The people of the "meaningless" states of Virginia, Illinois, Georgia and 28 other contested locales have spoken for their desire for change. Do your part, and make North Carolina and Indiana meaningless as well.

It's Guam's Time to Shine!

Jay Sherman - "I don't think you need to get into the Guam Primary"

Duke Phillips - "Hell, I don't even know what to call 'em. The Guamish? Guammi Bears? Guambats?"

Barack Obama adds another victory to his total with a victory in Guam. Although the margin is close enough that it quite possibly could tip the other way, it will result in a 2/2 split between Senator Obama and Senator Flick...I mean Clinton.

This is just a warm-up to the Basketball Tuesday primaries in North Carolina and Indiana on Tuesday. Don't expect Clinton leaving the race, even if Obama somehow wins both states by 20%. Something tells me this woman might still be running a sad and pathetic campaign the same day Obama takes the oath of office.

Dear Senator Clinton

I know you probably ecstatic about that "big" victory in Pennsylvania. Those 10-15 extra delegates you'll pick up will put you over the top...oh wait, that's right, you are still down over 100 delegates to Obama.

I'm sure you've spent your campaign funds wisely, and are in great shape for heading into the important May 6 campaigns in Indiana and North Carolina.

Wait, what?

Oh you poor thing, I guess I'll have to give you some money. How does $25 sound? Does that sound good?

Great, I'll just go here and donate it.

Please get off the stage. What little respect I have for you as a member of the United States Senate is about ready to evaporate. Please go back to that august chamber, and help the (hopefully) expanded Democratic majority in working with the House and President Obama to fix the mess that President Bush (and you) have played a role in making.


Thanks,

augustprairie

p.s. Please tell your supporters to stop making these videos. They are fake, bland, and uninspiring. In other words, a perfect metaphor for your campaign.

My Pennsylvania Prediction

After no serious research and little mathematical calculation, I am ready to offer my prediction for the big PA primary. Here it goes:

Pennsylvania Democratic Primary:

Senator Hillary Clinton (R-NY): Pct. 56%, 86 delegates
Senator Barack Obama (D-IL): 44%, 72 delegates

I'd love a better result, but a 12% margin isn't that bad. It certainly won't be enough to deny the fact that Obama will most certainly be the Democratic nominee.

Check back in two weeks for North Carolina and Indiana!

Thoughtful Comments? From a Politician? We don't pay them to Think.

How dare you Senator Obama

That Ivy League elitist Islamoterrocommunoafroterrorist Barack HUSSEIN ObAma has been at it again with his comments that are nuanced, thoughtful, and make some sense. Shame on him, doesn't he know you need to run your campaign like all Americans are moronic and inattentive preschoolers? No good could come of a president who actually treats us like we might be smarter than mildly retarded cats.

Seriously, the thought that a Senator who lives in Chappaqua, New York and a Senator who was the son and grandson of Admirals could call Obama an elitist is laughable. It doesn't look like Hillary is getting much serious play from these comments, and it could quite possibly end up backfiring on her.

Jay Rockefeller endorses Senator Obama

Senator Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia endorsed Senator Obama today. This is a big endorsement, as Senator Rockefeller is the head of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and is considered a decent enough expert on issues regarding security and intelligence. Apparently, Senator Rockefeller decided to emphatically answer the question posed in this ridiculous Clinton ad. And unfortunately for the junior senator from New York, he chose the other guy.

Senator Clinton's Latest Tantrum

Once again, Senator Clinton seems content to stomp around and hold her breath until she gets what she wants, this time with a potential lawsuit against the Texas contest on March 4.

It isn't like the state suddenly changed its rules today or something. They knew the rules well in advance, or at least should have known them. Considering how unprofessional and sloppy her campaign has been, it isn't a surprise she didn't know these rules before they came into play.

Why do I get the feeling that she wouldn't be so concerned about this if the situation were playing into her favor? Senator Clinton has shown time and time again she will stop at nothing, even if it means turning off an entire generation to the political process and destroying the Democratic party, to get this nomination.

One Down: Dodd to endorse Obama

Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) is expected to endorse Senator Obama today. This is big news, as Senator Dodd is the first of the former Democratic candidates to endorse one of the two remaining candidates. Although not quite as important as his support may be, the fact that Dodd is a superdelegate also helps out Obama.

I hope this is the start of a trend. Although I don't see any of the other candidates endorsing anybody at this time, the fact that one has may increase that probability. Hopefully the lion's share of endorsements will go to Senator Obama.