Whine & Cheese

Ready To Make Nice?

Mommy and Daddy Stopped Fighting!

I was fortunate enough to grow up in a household where I don't have a memory of my parents ever fighting (on the flip side, never saw much signs of affection either)... so watching the recent verbal barbs being exchanged between the Democratic nominees made me cringe at time... I kept thinking... please, not in front of the children...err, ummm... country.

So while last night's first head-to-head meeting of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton won't go down in the annals of memorable and cracklin' debates.  I am not naive enough to think that this is a permanent truce, but it still made me feel better.

The night was not without its disagreements.  But it had the hush of chess match.  I didn't see, nor once things got going and the non-combative tone established, expect any "checkmates"... but there were a bunch of "checks" or moves to safety from both of the candidates.

However, the decision to watch last night's debate probably pushed me into "get a life" territory.  Did I actually chose this over the Lost premiere?!?!?  Well, that's okay.  No spoilers thus far (though, as I type, it's still early in the day) after big season-ending "bangs," the island tends not to get interesting again until the end of the season... or mini-season, as looks to be the case this year.  For those of you who did watch Lost, if anything good happened... shhhhhh!

At least night we got to see celebrities at the Kodak Theater, which may not be the case in a couple of weeks for the Oscar ceremony... but what an eclectic crew!  Look it's Ugly Betty!   Speilberg!   Meathead Rob Reiner!  Diane Keaton (in that darn Annie Hall hat)!  Garry Shandling!   Leonardo DiCaprio (ok, I didn't know he was there until I saw pix this morning)!  Ed Helms?!?!  Pierce Brosnan!  Jason Alexander!  Stevie Wonder!   Josh Lyman!   Err... I mean Bradley Whitford, but that still made me fondly think back to The West Wing... I'm guessing Josh would be an Obama man.

The debate ended on a positive note when a question about a joint ticket featuring both, in alphabetical order, Clinton and Obama got a huge ovation.  I am at a loss whether or not there is true animosity or "like" between the two... and while I have my preferred order, I think it's a ticket that would rock.

What A Difference...

a year makes?   Or not.

Much is being made of the below picture taken prior to last night's State of the Union address as Hillary Clinton, I am quite certain, warmly greets Ted Kennedy while his new BFF Barack Obama's attention is elsewhere... Obama reports he waved to Clinton earlier in the evening.

But wouldn't you have loved to have been that woman in the glasses? 

Bet she's thinking... Awwwwk-ward!

That reminded me of a picture I posted from last year's SotU address of the now leading Democratic nominees for President... 

Hmmm... seems even more appropriate today!

Though you might want to skip that post (though it does funny for some "Aunt Linda" pictures from Saturday Night Live)...since I kinda sorta mention my gut telling me I didn't think either of them would be the next President.

Let's hope I'm wrong and that one of them will be standing the entire time for next year's State of the Union. 

Spin (Re-)Cycle

We watch a decent amount of politics-oriented television... and try to stay even keel, some things just drive me nuts after awhile.

Thanks to this past weekend's Democratic South Carolina Primary we heard a lot about the black vote. Apparently I was supposed to feel a mix of shock and awe that Obama received a vast majority of the black vote... and how devastating it is to the Clinton campaign, who have always received backing from the African American community.  The punditry places much of the blame on allegedly divisive comments made by the Clintons, rather than the "Duh?!" reality that, to the best of my knowledge, neither Clinton has never run against an African American opponent and had competition for this traditionally Democratic voting bloc. 

Now it's true that Clinton had the lead among African American voters in early polls... but this was before a vote was ever cast and before Obama became (in a rapid manner) a viable candidate -- the ever popular, everybody loves a winner/bandwagon syndrome.  I don't see how this is surprising or unexpected.  Likewise, and on the flip side, I don't read much into Obama not getting much of the SC white vote.

Now I am not naive enough to think that race and gender issues are not in play, but I think are being over-stated.  When there is a nominee, how many Democrats will flip to the Republican Party?  I am voting Clinton in the upcoming primary... that said, there is absolutely no doubt that I will vote for whoever the ultimate Democratic nominee is... Obama... Edwards... heck, Gravel (he's still in it right?!).  While our preferences for the Democratic nominee are more passionate than I can ever recall, I don't see a whole heck of lot of votes in the (D) column in jeopardy.  (Again, this is not saying that I don't have my worries about the outcome of the election)

That leads me to my other pet peeve, the "half glass empty" spin.  After the New Hampshire primary, one very well-known journalist (of the "household name" variety... well, I guess... depending on the household) said of Clinton's 39% victory that subtext was that "over 50% of Democratic voters rejected Clinton."  Huh?!?!  Beyond the one vote for their preferred candidate, I had not realized that NH voters were asked whether or not they would never vote for a particular candidate if they were the party nominee?!?

Before going to bed last night, we also caught some of a CNN special where they noted how political polls are used (or mis-used) in the same way.  Their example was a poll question from a prestigious newspaper asking respondents "Who is the best leader?"... Candidate A gets 57%, B 22%, C 18%.  So is it wrong or misleading when Candidate B's political ad states (without ever citing these actual numbers)... "In a recent poll, over 40% of respondents do not think Candidate A would be the best leader for our country."

While I am not "PollyAnna" enough to think that the presidential or any political race is about issues or qualifications, some of this stuff does bug me.  While it's easy to blame the media, it has only become a phenomenon given that it works (or the perception that it works!)... and that "news" channels have to fill-up 24 hours a day one way or another...   

... whether its the lack of context for a quote turned sound-bite, a tear-less "crying" episode, how a poll question may be asked (or the results presented), an "outburst" that didn't involve a raised voice, how you would act if your "first choice" is not the nominee, that 5 might not be the conclusion when presented with the hypothesis of 2 + 2... stop and think... pretty often "doing the math" really ain't that hard.

Express Lane: Issue 43

Broadway's 'The Color Purple' Will Close Feb. 24 - The show comes to an end after a 2 1/2 year run... guess Fantasia really was a big box office draw. (1/24/08)

Amazing Race 12's Jen and Nate are Still Together - Well, knock me me over with a feather!  After a post-Race break, the two say things have "never been better" (though that's was a pretty low bar). (1/16/08)

Clinton Chooses Dancing Over Singing - Asked by Tyra Banks what reality show she would prefer to compete on, Clinton chooses 'Dancing With the Stars' - now once I know where Obama and Edwards stand on this issue, I think I will finally be able to make up my mind. (1/15/08)

Oprah Winfrey Getting Her Own TV Network - Perhaps ticked that Ellen Replaced Her As Favorite TV Star the Discovery Health channel will become her OWN... OWN as in Oprah Winfrey Network.  Yes, that's the name... not making this stuff up! (1/15/08)

Woman Who Made Hillary Cry Votes Obama - A pretty funny footnote... ok, I'll give you "emotional moment," but frick sake she didn't cry! (1/9/08)

'Big Brother' Returns to Showtime - Wasn't sure 'After Dark' would return for the first non-summer BB edition... sinc the premium channels are hurting for programming like the networks, but the wildly addictive (and unedited) 3 hour nightly block returns to ShoToo. (1/8/08)

Coming Out...

... politically, that is.

Oh what the heck, I have pussyfooted around enough with this post and that post... and it really isn't too hard to read between the lines to have figured out my Democratic nominee preference is Hillary Clinton.  Oh, did the fact that I have a category for Clinton give it away too?!?  Now, I say preference, since as I have stated time and time again, it doesn't matter who the nominee is... they have my vote.

My Clinton "coming out" party here is, of course, thanks to the results of last night's New Hampshire primary.  Truthfully, after Iowa I was feeling as dispirited as Clinton herself.  When I saw the early lead in NH, I just figured it would be slowly and painfully pulled away by the end of the night (ala John Kerry in 2004).  As hinted in Monday's post, I sensed there was not enough time for the Obama momentum to cool... and that we were headed to an Obama coronation, not at all too dissimilar from the one Clinton was accused of months and months ago. 

Heck, post-Iowa on The Chris Matthews Show, the "meter" notched a rare unanimous vote (12-0!) that Obama would be the Democratic nominee.  While voters want "change," it seems they certainly don't want "inevitability" either.  I am glad that things are back to a level playing field.  I would like to think that I would have thought the same if Clinton had swept both Iowa and NH.  While I am no fan of the primary "eat your own" season, but I think we end up learning a lot more about the candidates when its a competitive race.

[tangent] I do have my general election worries.  Todd and I agreed that our Senator John McCain is likely get the Republican nomination (Catty sidenote: Is wife Cindy looking a tad "Stepford Wife" lately?!)... thanks in part to winning to NH, but also by default given the rest of the Republican field.  And whatever the polls say, I do have concerns about a Clinton or Obama match-up vs. McCain.  Still hedgy about the country electing for a woman and black/bi-racial man.  If Edwards mounts a miracle comeback, I'll re-assess... but being a white man is certainly a checkmark in his elect-ability column. [/tangent]

It has bothered me that there is so much anti-Clinton sentiment among Democrats.  What has she ever done to you?  Ha!  Unless you've lived in Arkansas or New York, I am guessing not much.  That said, I get the divisiveness, the baggage, the accusations of being slick or a "politician" (which I think is a circle of hell even lower than "liberal")...

But if "I just don't like her" is a valid reason to not vote for her... without dragging [gasp!] issues into this post, "I just like her" is a big reason I plan to vote for her..

Almost three four years ago today (see, keeping a blog does come in handy!), I had about 15 seconds with the Senator.  It was for a book signing and I admit being a bit scared.  I figured the store would be chilled by her mere presence... and reputed combo of 47% ice queen, 53% bitch. 

It couldn't have been any more different.  Hundreds of people into the line, she greeted me with a warm "Hi" and handshake like I was the first person she met that day. 

While it was over in a little more than a blink of the eye, it was enough for a first impression... and a quite positive one.  For comparison purposes, I kind of regret not going to an Obama book signing event last year.  But while the happy face and greeting could have all been an "act" and that book-signing merely prelude to her Presidential run (at the time, she was in full non-committal mode)... I left feeling she was quite warm and genuine... but also full well knowing that I would not want to be on her shit-list.   

Before I left the signing table, I managed to say to her "I hope you give us a chance to vote for you someday"... Clinton chuckled back "Oh! Thank you!" ... as if the thought had never entered her head.

Come our February 5th primary, I plan to keep my word.

Weekend Mash

Some random stuff from the weekend:

• The holiday season was officially over.  Everything came down over the weekend... some stuff going quicker (picking up outdoor lights) and other stuff taking longer (finding, then re-boxing ornaments).   Some of the bigger house displays in the neighborhood dismantled shortly after Christmas, but I didn't think it was that odd to stay up through New Year's Day.  Though, even I will admit, that it dragged on a few extra days since the holiday was early in the week and it seemed to take awhile to get to the weekend.


• Though we didn't plan on it, we ended up watching a good portion of the NH debates on Saturday night (about half the Republican, all the Democratic)... and so you don't think we're total losers... it was over a very large cocktail.  As I have mentioned before, it is with metaphysical certitude that I am voting for the Democratic nominee and while I do have a preference, I am "fine" with whoever that may be... at this point, it appears pretty certain that that will be -- in alphabetical order -- Clinton, Edwards, or Obama.  That said, I am bit weary of the attempts to distinguish themselves as "change" or "experience."  By merely being a Democrat, they are all "change" candidates... and on the opposite end of the spectrum I don't think any of them are particularly "experienced" (again the top 3, arguably you can say those candidates out of the Race, or even low-polling Richardson, are more experienced).  And, amongst ourselves, we agreed that this time-condensed primary season is not good.  While it is somewhat of a relief to think that most of this jockeying/in-fighting will be over come February 5th, it's not allowing enough time for momentum shifts and re-shifts (and re-shifts!) that I think are pretty important part of the selection process.


• Having blogged for several years now, I have learned that misery loves company.  Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, posts about your wonderful relationship or fabulous vacation are not very popular.  So (!!!), as we tend to do once the calendar rolls over to a new year, we have begun to ponder where to go on vacation this year.  We think we have narrowed it down to 3... again, I am fully unaware of how un-endearing this is... so in that spirit and in no particular order, which of the following destinations would most piss you off to read all about here on W&C:
  

1. Canadian Rockies - This has been a "finalist" destination for several years now.  We likely would have done it last year if we hadn't decided on the Colorado road trip/MINIs in the Mountains last year.  To get slightly more specific, we're talking Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper...
   


2. Hawaii - Our destination of two years ago (Honolulu and Maui)... this/next time, we're definitely interested in going to the Big Island... and probably one other island (a return to Maui?).  While we had a good time there and certainly have pleasant memories (Todd still ribs me over one particular drunken moment), I feel like I need/want to give Hawaii another chance.  Last time, it was in the aftermath of the car accident (not fun to be calling the body shop/insurance companies from your tropical vacation), so I wasn't terribly relaxed or as "present" as I would have liked to have been (and, in retrospect, it took a very long time to get over all that).


3. Europe - Since getting my passport, this has obviously been another destination that has come up over and over again.  Here I can't give specifics.  I have never been "across the pond."  If you are a W&C regular, you know Todd travels to France on business pretty regularly (and is going there in March), but I am just overwhelmed by where to go!  Of course, the "biggies"... London, Paris, or Rome... are immediate considerations... but part of me wants to go a non-obvious route... say Barcelona, Amsterdam, Berlin, or Switzerland (I know that's a country, not a city, but not exactly sure where to start there either... just want Alps!).

If you have an opinion on any of the above... chime on in!

Presidential Politics

For those of you looking for a TAR recap/thoughts, I'm claiming the 5th today... thought it was a good episode, particularly Lorena's classic meltdown over the camel milking... but some thoughts about the Presidential race have been on simmer for awhile, so I feel it's time to let those thoughts out.

I am supporting the Democratic nominee for President. 

Who?  While it doesn't show much depth to my political character... it really doesn't matter... just like it hasn't mattered for most of my voting life.

While it is fun to argue amongst the candidates and take those tests that tell you which candidate most closely aligns with your own belief system, my gut tells me that a lot of people are not too different from myself.

That's why I get kind of frustrated when I read... "anyone but xxx" or "I hope it's not xxx"... and this is about members of one's own political party (or should I say not a member the opposition party?). 

Okay, who am I kidding ... when it comes to the Democrats, those xxx's are pretty much Hillary with a hint of Barack and John thrown in for good measure.  Sometimes it feels as if way too many people are waiting (or, dare I suggest, even hoping) for Hillary's version of the Howard Dean Scream implosion... and again, I am sensing this amongst non-Republicans.

I do "get" the reasons for ABC (the 'ole "'Anyone But Clinton" acronym resurfaces)... yes, even amongst non-Republicans, but I just don't see ultimately what good it does... except give the opposition more ammo (pardon the pun), that it's a divided front... one reason I particularly dislike primary season.

So sure support your candidate, but why go on the record bad-mouthing or expressing disdain for the others?  If Hillary's not your choice, are you voting for Rudy?  If Barack's not your cup of tea, is Mitt the way you go?  If not John E. or Joe or Dennis or Chris or  Bill... then Fred or John M. or Mike or Tom or Duncan?

Finishing "History"

Well I finally finished Hillary Rodham Clinton's Living History... having my book signed by Hill herself in January, I finally started it earlier this summer, got tossed aside to spend three months on the epic Anna Karenina, started it again in the fall only to have it share time with Oprah's fall "classics' selection of The Good Earth (which I am also close to finishing)... whew!

So what did I think?!   I thought it was a thoroughly entertaining, fascinating and very readable (despite how long it took!) account of the famous First Lady...and given the weight and length of her husband's memoirs, it probably qualifies as a Cliff Notes version of the Clinton administration. 

Although often criticized for her participation in her husband's administration, HRC definitely makes the case that she was more than qualified to do so.  Clinton was working on issues like education, healthcare, and women's issues long before she arrived in Washington.  Although I always thought it, she is consistently articulate, intelligent, and thoughtful when speaking about these issues.  It is a real shame that after the botch on healthcare early in the Clinton White House years that she was relegated to a more traditional First Lady role... though there is no doubt that she has to be one of the most politically influential First Ladies ever.

I am sure most non-Republicans would enjoy reading this book.  The GOP takes quite a beating, but HRC always coherently defends her point of view... even her infamous "vast right wing conspiracy" allegation.

What surprised me a little was the genuine affection for her husband.  Like others, I suspected their marriage was more of a "business relationship" than a great love story.  But one does not sense that at all while reading the memoir - she is definitely under the spell of her charismatic husband.  This is even more evident in the passages about the Lewinsky scandal.  She writes about it sparingly - and the personal betrayal still seemed to be a raw nerve for her at the time she recounted those times.  The pain in the passages surely indicate that this was a man that she loved...and still does.  The book also speaks volumes of HRC as a mother.  When she writes about Chelsea the words simply glow -- and while Chelsea still remains quite the enigma -- all credit to both her parents for apparently raising a very normal, intelligent and well-balanced daughter in the most abnormal circumstances.

Capitol "Hill"

In the year-end "awards" on The McLaughlin Group, Eleanor Clift called Hillary Rodham Clinton "a rock star in the political world."  Anyone attending yesterday afternoon's booksigning for Living History here in Tempe, AZ could say little to dispute that claim.

I arrived 45 minutes prior to the signing... hundreds of people were already lined up outside the bookstore (which had to be closed to only people with tickets for the signing), the parking lot was filled to capacity, nearly every local news station had reporters on hand, police cars and motorcycles circled the lot, and at least six Secret Service agents were monitoring the area. 

We were in the first group to be let into the store.  Radios buzzed as we heard the Senator was on time...as she slipped through a back door we heard a cheer go up at the back of the store amid the flashes of cameras from the media.  We snaked our way through the store and caught our first glimpse of perhaps one of the world's most famous heads of blonde hair. It was hard not to get a little star-struck.  Small in physical stature...her "aura" was anything but.  The very woman who claimed to be "no Tammy Wynette," told the world of a "vast right wing conspiracy," and spent eight years in the White House where she met innumerable celebrities and foreign dignitaries was just a few yards away.

As we were now quickly approaching the Senator, I finalized my mental "plan."  I am never good at talking to authors (let alone a former First Lady and Senator), but I felt like I really wanted to say something to her.  I noticed she was shaking hands with some folks (a bit of a surprise considering all the "rules" for the signing), so I quickly adjusted my plan to include a potential handshake. 

The moment was here.  She looked up gave me an enthusiastic "hi" which I returned... the book already signed was pushed to the side...a little befuddled I managed to get out "I hope you give us a chance to vote for you someday"...she kind of giggled and said "Oh, thank you..."   A publishing rep handed me a signed book, Todd followed and we were done (for Todd's account... click here).  I turned to him quickly and said "Did we shake hands?!"  He assured me that we had.  I later remembered the hand shake...but the whole thing was over all so quickly my brain seemingly could not absorb those couple of seconds.

I think what threw me off was that HRC was signing "two books ahead."  So the book she was signing while I was in front of her actually went to the person two people behind me.  With 900 books to sign in 1.5 hours, we have a fairly hastily scribbled signature that reads "Hillary R Cl"  with the "-inton" pretty much a dragged line (subconscious commentary??)... the actual signed book was a secondary, but utterly cool, benefit to just having the opportunity to "meet" her.

I really do hope she runs for (and becomes) President some day... though after eight years under the microscope at the White House already under her belt, I would not blame her if she did not choose to take that path again.

Shania Past, Hillary Future

Had a good time at the Shania Twain concert on Friday night. Shania definitely wins the "Miss Congeniality" award -- starting the show off wearing an AZ Diamondbacks jersey and finishing off w/ a Phoenix Coyotes jersey (she apparently wears hometown sport jerseys in each city), raising money for a local children's charity, and shaking hands and signing autographs as she circled her "in-the-round" stage. In a moment that would make any mother proud, she always said "thank you" (even mid-song) when gifts were handed to her from the crowd. None of her wildly sexy trademark outfits were on display, Shania instead opted for "girl-next-door" simplicity.

The show however did little to dispel any thoughts that Shania is a "studio" artist - in other words, her vocals get a lot of help in the recording process. She is certainly a competent singer - I just don't think she would get very far in say an American Idol-type competition. But nevertheless, I respect artists the most who sing, write, and play their own music (though Shania did not pick up a guitar on Friday -- and with a 9-member band I guess there was little reason to).

The night was filled with all of her catchy hit songs. While there is some truth in what the local critic said about them ("Twain's catalog has the musical staying power of a Chinese meal"), they met all the criteria of what makes good pop music. Yes, pop music. This concert rocked and popped - leaving much of Shania's country music roots, in my opinion, floating somewhere in the dust.

**********

My next "celebrity" run-in will be no other the Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton! Saturday's newspaper informed us the Clinton would be stopping in town on January 5th for a book-signing. And while it is no surprise that our household already owns a copy of Living History, we jumped at the opportunity to purchase a couple of more copies and meet her in-person. We already have our "place in line" reservation -- 173 & 174. Our local independent bookstore must be loving this...with those 170+ books sold in just a couple of hours after the opening on Saturday.

The Clinton office put some serious restrictions on the signing. A maximum of 900 books (this is apparently the number of books "Hill" can whip through in 1.5 hours), no personalization just a signature, 2 book maximum and only books purchased at this store, no other books or memorabilia signed, and no photos. But nevertheless I am pretty excited to have my allotted 6 seconds with the Senator and former First Lady.

For an alternate account of these events, please click here...in one household there are only so many thing to blog about!