You know about the stimulus-response rule?  Apply a stimulus, get a response.  So, how has the GOP attempt to frame the debate been going?

Stimulus: Tell America that Obama hasn't been to Iraq, and doesn't know what's going on in the Middle East.
Response: Obama visits Iraq, and their prime minister endorses his idea for troop withdrawl timetable.

Stimulus: Tell America that the "liberal" media is treating McCain unfairly.
Response: Media looks at McCain, and watches him make gaffes.

Stimulus: Tell America that Bush's call for drilling has brought down the price of oil, and schedule a photo-op on an oil rigger.
Response: What else?  An oil spill.

This begs the question: "Is the McCain Campaign cursed?"

We Democrats are getting confident.  How can Obama possibly lose?  Just wait until the debates!

The M$M, however, having lots of rating advertising to lose with a blowout, is in a panic.  They need a horse race.  Fortunately, they have a plan, and the money to pull it off.  Want to know how?

Stephanie Miller and Neil Boortz will be taking part in a panel discussion at the US Embassy in London on "The Influence of the Media on Elections and Democracy" TODAY at 1:30pm Eastern / 10:30am Pacific. You can see the entire thing via webcast by clicking here at that time!

I fully expect to see this uttered by someone from either the GOP, or the GOPTPN (Rush, FoxSpews, etc.) soon.  In fact, check out my little exchange with mcjoan on the diary "A bizzare and troubling tale":

"Hello, and welcome to Match Game 2008!  I'm your host, Gene Rayburne!"

Well, not really, but would you like to try your hand as Brett Sommers, Charles Nelson Reilly, Patti Deutsch, or Richard Dawson?

The headline above is an actual headline from the news on Friday, May 30, 2008.  Your job is to fill in the blank.

Then, go below the fold to see the link to the actual headline.

Okay, is there anyone on this blog who thinks that invading Iran is a good idea?

I didn't think so.

And now, there's another reason invading Iran is a bad idea: it would help keep the person in power the person the administration tells us they want out of power.

Based on their history, though, they probably want to keep Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in power.  But, they never said that.  Right.

More under the fold.

This is a simple diary.

My grandfather served in WWII; my father in Korea.

My brother joined the National Guard when he saw he had a low draft number.

All of them came home.  Some of their friends didn't.

I'm so glad we have this information.  Even if the candidates know what's going to happen, we can all start getting along again.

Diebold Accidentally Leaks Results Of 2008 Election Early

There's been so much vitriol over the past week or two towards ABC, thanks to the "debate" between the Democratic candidates for President and the moderators who asked all the questions good right-wingers would pose.

However, on the night of the Pennsylvania primary, ABC provided a brief glimmer of hope.  Not with their election coverage, but with one of their primetime shows: Boston Legal.

Let's see, what's the most crucial issue facing the Democratic Party right now?

Is it Obama vs. Clinton?  No.

Is it the problem of Joe Lieberman?  No.

The Democrats need to start countering the distortions the GOP and their operatives are putting out there.  This is what this site is supposed to do; counter the Right Wing Noise Machine, not take jabs at each other.

So, are you ready to help?

If so, join me below the fold.....

If you're a fan of the Red Sox or the A's, you've been aware that MLB has two regular-season games scheduled for next week in Japan.  

Well, that's in jeopardy, and the issue is ... money.

With the announcement that John Edwards has withdrawn from the race for the Democratic Nomination for President, I'm now a voter without a candidate.

Fortunately for me, I'm not a registered Democrat.  I'm officially "unenrolled".  I can vote in either primary in Massachusetts on Tuesday.

So, are you in a similar situation?  Can you vote in either primary in your state, and you find that without John Edwards, you're unsure how to vote?

Well, take the poll, and join me for some discussion.

Are you sick of the candidate diaries, and the ratings wars, the snide remarks, the "Your candidate isn't a real Democrat!" bickering?

On November 17, Robert Novak  wrote, "Agents of Sen. Hillary Clinton are spreading the word in Democratic circles that she has scandalous information about her principal opponent for the party's presidential nomination, Sen. Barack Obama, but has decided not to use it."

Well, extensive research using the Internet and "The Googles" (but not the tubes, nor The Tubes) have unearthed the scandalous information.  It's all about Obama's fundraising techniques.

Look below the fold for the SHOCKING TRUTH!!

Okay, this promises to be the most divisive diary ever written.  This court case pits three of the most passionate groups of people currently in the United States.  

No, not supporters of Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards.

We're talking about cat lovers, environmentalists and gun owners!

The New York Times
November 14, 2007
Birder Admits Killing Cat, but Was It Animal Cruelty?
By KATE MURPHY

GALVESTON, Tex., Nov. 13 -- Jurors heard opening arguments on Tuesday in the trial of a bird-watching enthusiast who fatally shot a cat that he said was stalking endangered shorebirds.

More after the break.

I remember in 2000, when he said that, in terms of the show, they hoped that George W. Bush won the Presidency, and that Hillary Clinton won the Senate seat, strictly for the "comedy value" it would bring to the show.

Now, it seems that the I-man has found Rove, or something similar.  Looks like he's only going to admit an error for voting for Clinton, though.

It's never a good sign when the President jokes.  I hope we recall the last time he made a similar joke.

At a press briefing this morning that touched on issues like the White House's extrajudicial wiretapping program and torture policies, the president was asked a question about Vladimir Putin's plan to hold on to power when his term as Russian president runs out.

   

Reporter: Mr. President, following up on Vladimir Putin for a moment, he said recently that next year, when he has to step down according to the constitution, as the president, he may become prime minister; in effect keeping power and dashing any hopes for a genuine democratic transition there ...

   Bush: I've been planning that myself.

I'm old.  I'm nearly 50.  I never listened to Radiohead, although I have heard of the band.

Well now, it seems like the band is starting a revolution.

Paul Wins Presidential Race?!

Okay, in something that smells like Diebold, Ron Paul is the projected winner in the Presidential Bracketology tournament.  But, can that be correct?

More after the jump.....