Political Nanny : Mitt Romney

Ugly Teeth on the Campaign Trail

Madeline Holler — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:13:00 GMT

The votes are in. Dentists are not impressed with the Republican nominee's smile.

A recent poll of 400 dentists found John McCain's smile the worst of all the candidates. Only six percent found McCain's smile the best of the lot (Mitt Romney got 45 percent of the vote.) Barack and the other John (Edwards) were nearly tied at 38 and 36 percent.

Mike Huckabee got 10 percent of the vote. While Political Nanny discourages her candidates from competing in the superficial, she can't help but feel that when your smile is judged worse than Mike Huckabee's, it's time to make an appointment with a Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist.

In fact, John McCain's yellowed, aging teeth are attracting attention (and comments) for what they are not: whitened, straight, youthful, lovely.

Alas, some kids, no matter how much their caregivers encourage brushing after meals and regular flossing, develop cavities and a surface patina. Still, we clearly have more work to do at the sink. John, sit please. Political Nanny's getting out a chisel and the Crest Whitestrips.

Thanks Buzzfeed for the tip!

Mitt to Campaign: Can Johnny Come Out to Play? With Me?

Madeline Holler — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:31:00 GMT

Oh, Mitt. You're such a fighter. Such an ambitious, clueless, big-spending fighter. You'll do just about anything to get into the White House. Like, offering, unbidden, to be McCain's VP!

"Hey, I have an idea," says Mitt to McCain, who's ignoring him. "How 'bout YOU be president and I'LL be vice president and we can take turns!"

Mitt's suggestion doesn't have a lot of traction, it seems. Neither is exactly loved by the all important Christian evangelical base. Plus, McCain doesn't even like Mitt. But dang it if that li'l bugger isn't persistent. That's gotta count for something.

So what do you think, John? Care to take back all those nasty things you said about Mr. Mitt? We didn't think so.

VP Talk: Who Wants to be McCain's BFF?

Madeline Holler — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 19:25:00 GMT

John McCain is used to being alone. After all, what kind of "maverick" would he be if he were, hands down, the most popular guy? (The general election kind, that's right.) So who would be a suitable vice president for McCain, both in netting him support and in convincing us they would play well together? Something tells us Mitt Romney is not going to make the vice presidential short list.

The Atlantic's political blogger has a few suggestions for McCain's VP -- some hardly believable. A lot of you have told Political Nanny you like McCain. So who's your pick? What should the strategy be? Would anybody like to see a McCain/Huckabee ticket? (We'll be watching to see what Huckabee says about his last real competition. He was so nice to McCain back when Mitt Romney was still hanging out in the GOP sandbox and triangulating the Republican vote.)

1. Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)
2. Gov. John Huntsman (R-UT)
3. Sen. John Thune (R-SD)
4. Ex-Sen. Fred Thompson
5. Ex-Sen. George Allen [PN noto bene: the "macaca" guy -- surely this is a joke!]
6. Gov. Bobby Jindall (R-LA)
7. Mike Huckabee
8. Gov. Charlie Crist (R-FL)
9. Mitt Romney

The Wall Street Journal's Pat Toomey has a few ideas as well, all of whom feel incredibly boring, as white and male as they all are.

Here are a few ideas: Joe Lieberman? Man, that would have the GOP party base wailing! Does Condoleeza Rice do anything for you? Maybe Huckabee, since he claims to be the last "authentic conservative" standing. Dems, please weigh in, too. Is there a VP that would surely sink the Republicans in November?

Photo: Time.com

And Then There Were 5: Another Candidate Waves Bye-Bye

Madeline Holler — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:35:00 GMT

[UPDATE BELOW] Another candidate has thrown in his teddy bear bath towel and will withdraw from the rugrat election race.

He hasn't made it official yet, but advisers to the once very likely GOP nominee are confirming that former Massachussetts governor Mitt Romney will announce Thursday that he is ending his presidential election campaign. He's expected to make the announcement when he address conservatives at a convention Thursday afternoon.

Romney takes with him his five sons, loads of grandkids, his lovely wife and a much lighter personal fortune. Leading up to the Super Tuesday primaries and caucuses, he had spent more than $35 of his own money to keep his campaign afloat.

More details as we get them. In the meantime, Political Nanny will pack up his change of clothes and favorite playthings and prepare for another good-bye. We suppose Huckabee was correct Tuesday night when he said it's now a two-man race over on the GOP side (sorry, Ron Paul).

It's now John McCain's nomination to lose. With more room in the sandbox, the rest of them win!

[UPDATE] Romney told a shocked audience of conservatives his reasons for abandoning his presidential dreams. In summary, Iraq:

“in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror.

“Barack and Hillary have made their intentions clear regarding Iraq and the war on terror. They would retreat and declare defeat,” said Romney.

“And the consequence of that would be devastating. It would mean attacks on America, launched from safe havens that make Afghanistan under the Taliban look like child’s play. About this, I have no doubt.”

Others, like Brian at DailyScanner, see it as a postponement of the Apocolypse.

What's your take? Good news? Bad news? If Mitt was your guy, who will you support now?

via Politico

Good Enough Wednesday: Some Thoughts

Madeline Holler — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 13:25:00 GMT

Oh, sweet Mitt. Mitt, Mitt, Mitt. Super Tuesday? Not so super for you, Mitt. If you're planning a very special speech today, know that Political Nanny always liked you second best among the GOP. But if you're planning on burning through another 10 acres of stacked 20s from your own personal fortune, she'll think you're crazy, yet love you more than ever. Let's hope post Super Tuesday is a good-enough Wednesday for you.

And Mike! Southern voters hearted Huckabee! Sure, the West Viriginia win feels kind of disingenuous, but you take what you can get, right? Any chance you're going to turn this around and kick John McCain in the teeth? Because you are knocking them off, one-by-one.

John ... well played. That West Virginia move was slick. The rest of your wins obviously earned. Your own political surge is working.

Hillary and Barack ... this is exactly where you need to be. Tied. A continued battle. It's too soon to know. Wait! A reversal! Obama wins Missouri, not Clinton. Oops, it's still pretty close. She's got more delegates, he's got more states. She's got the old white ladies, he's got the young and the beautiful in every color and creed.

(Question: When you're George W. Bush -- or any Bush -- and you see all this "energizing" and "calls for change" and record number of voters, do you feel in any way embarassed for having created such a fuss?)

Ron Paul, you'll take (second in) Montana -- your best showing. There's a fire in this nation ...

Some extras:

Whenever reporters said "delegate-rich California," did anybody else start craving cake with a delicious, calorie-rich buttercream frosting?

Damn kids! Arnold Schwarzenegger's 18-year-old daughter followed mom Maria Shriver's endorsement, not the governor's, and voted for Barack Obama. (And wore a T-shirt in case there were any questions.)

From The Root, an African-American woman confesses that, even though she's a big ol' lefty, she's nominating Condoleeza Rice as her candidate for president. After all, the fact that a woman might vote for Obama or an AfricanAmerican might vote for Hillary Clinton just boggles the mind of pollsters and the press. However do these women make up their minds! Last night over on ABC, Sam Donaldson (who needs to hang up his toupee and retire from live broadcasting) asked, incredulously, what's a black woman to do?

Predictions ... not so easy. Even estimated bedtimes were off. No sooner were folks at CNN shaking their heads saying, "this'll be a late one ... results from delgate-rich California won't be ready until the wee hours ..." when 5 minutes later, after retrieving a pack of Little Debbie Swiss Rolls, Political Nanny noticed they called the Golden State for Clinton and McCain.

Finally, a note to John Edwards. We all know who you're going to endorse. Now that Super Tuesday is over, just come out and say it.

We'll continue licking the bowl of this delicious election throughout the day, here at Political Nanny.

Scrapbooking the Election: Baby Pics

Madeline Holler — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:02:00 GMT

Awwww, aren't Baby Candidates so cute? Look at those chubby legs. Look at those pretty smiles! Remember when they couldn't walk or talk or propose immigration policy with a team of top experts and the latest opinion polls?

During these quiet moments on the Mega Election Day, let's take a look back at the candidates. In this next installment of Scrapbooking the Election, Political Nanny cracks open the babybooks (or, at least Mitt Romney's -- he's the only candidate with a full pictorial life history online -- that's him up there) and look at the youngest, cutest versions of these already haggard possible presidents.

Mitt Romney (here as the hunky missionary on the right)

Mitt is a "miracle baby," the son his mother wasn't supposed to be able to have.

Fun Mitt baby fact: his name honors two important men in his father's life -- J. Willard Marriott, a family friend and future hotel magnate, and Milton "Mitt" Romney, a cousin of George's and a former quarterback for the Chicago Bears. Uh, connected.

(Is it bad that Political Nanny finds Mitt's father way more charismatic in old black and white photos than she finds Romney in other more dynamic media? Read the entire hagiography on Mitt the boy, the Mormon, the man, the president.

Hillary Clinton (the girl, the bigger girl)

Cute (!), but we all know she's a little sad. (Mean dad issues.)

Disappointing self-description that makes us think, "nature or nurture": her favorite subject in school was history and she got good grades, but she was ... here we go ... "bad at math." Did she throw like a girl, too?

Next youngest photo in the Campaign Scrapbook is a high school picture of Mike Huckabee. (No hunky missionary shots of him, just a knowing smile that says "Jesus loves me!")

Unsurprising Mike fact: At 14, he was an AM disc jockey in Hope, Ark.

Who doesn't love a McCain in uniform? (He's the hunky one, the other guy is his father.)

WTF McCain fact: the movie he most often references is "Weekend at Bernie's"

Ron Paul (he's super not into the fun part of campaigning, so there are no pictures of his uber-serious, gold-standard, ungovernment-funded youth to be found. You'll have to settle for a billion years ago, when he was in his 40s and visiting Ronald Reagan -- look, the pic is signed!)

Mundane yet at the same time fascinating Ron Paul fact: his favorite foods are tilapia and chocolate chip cookies

Baby Barack! (Or, little boy Barack, in Hawaii with his grandfather)

Excellent Barack family fact: His grandmother was called "Toot"!

Photos: boston.com, hillaryclinton.com, Chicago Tribune, deathby1000papercuts.com, CBSnews.com, azcentral.com

The Edwards Matrix

Madeline Holler — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:34:00 GMT

Think of it as the grown-up version of picking a prom date.

An Edwards supporter who doesn't know which box to check on her absentee ballot has come up with a cheat sheet to figure out which candidate she will support. She has posted the Edwards Matrix for all to see.

Problem is, the matrix is inconclusive. The mom who designed it gets all the important stuff -- Iraq, healthcare, experience, hair. But the would-be dates are still in a dead heat.

Political Nanny is looking for something definitive -- a gun to her head, marching orders, whatever you got. Clinton, Obama ... Obama, Clinton. To hell with choice. Could somebody help her decide!

Seems like Republicans are less undecided than Democrats, but there are still plenty who are (but with much less consequence, since McCain seems to be far enough ahead of the others). Apparently, we undecideds are not alone. Salon's Rebecca Traister brilliantly describes how millions of Democratic voters are feeling right this very minute. And this minute. And this one too.

will.i.am. & o.ba.ma: Yes We Can

Madeline Holler — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:14:00 GMT

Political Nanny wasn't into Obama's Superbowl ad. She likes this election music video a little better. But here's the problem.

First, it's fun listening to Obama give his big speeches, so having will.i.am talk over him -- with the same words -- feels like the Black-Eyed Peas guy is trying to take credit. But then it's kind of beat poet artsy, so we'll grant a pass on that one. But then it starts feeling like a "We Are the World" but in separate studio sessions because nobody can take the time to get together and sing in a star-studded ensemble anymore. Where's the love in that?

Fine, standing alone is a symbol, one person makes a difference, let's go with that. So we get a montage of other famous (and some not so much) people also talking over Obama. (Have we mentioned the tune is quite catchy?) Sometimes we understand what they're saying. Once in awhile, Political Nanny gets the goosebumps -- kind of her applause meter, if you will.

But then ... then this. What Political Nanny found most annoying -- and she's blaming herself for this -- once Scarlett Johanssen shows up, we stop listening to the message and start leaning in to hear what SJ's singing voice sounds like. (Still not sure.) Wait, where are we? Yes can what? Oh, damn, missed her again.

Mental exercise: After you watch this, watch it again, only try to imagine it's a Mitt Romney or Hillary Clinton speech. Huh, doesn't work so well.

So, sure, it's the Political Video of the Year.

Or you can watch a music video lovenote to Mike Huckabee, with lyrics like " it don't bother me that you went to fake college, cuz the Bible is the once source of true knowledge," and "you were a dream in 2007, gonna be the president of heaven," and "lost that weight, look great, gonna marry church and state."

Thanks for the tip DailyScanner

Did Superbowl XLII Pick the President?

Madeline Holler — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 11:02:00 GMT

What does Superbowl XLII tell us about Election 2008?

Can we read anything into a New England loss and a New York win? Yeah, Political Nanny didn't think so. But if New York Senator Hillary Clinton and former Massachussetts Governor Mitt Romney were doing better in the race these days, we're pretty sure newscasters would be all over the tenuous connection. Poor Romney had the misfortune of watching the game with reporters, including those from the New York Times. (They're the ones cheering in the picture above.)

But no matter how absorbed by the exciting football match-up we were (and by "absorbed," Political Nanny means "in the other room snacking") the campaign was always near. Fox wouldn't sell national ad time to any of the candidates (were the campaign money managers relieved to hear that?) but Political Nanny's local market was hit with some like this one for Obama. Great song (anybody know who/what it is?). Song aside, the ad was kind of a so-so -- we expect goosebumps and tearing up ... or belly laughs -- from 30-second ads and this didn't deliver.

Admittedly, Political Nanny started getting a little excited when she saw an ad featuring James Carville and Bill Frist, riding around New York City together. But it wound up being an ad for Coke, which is just such blah product. It didn't feel fun anymore.

Photo: NY Times

Who Loves You, Campaign Baby? (Rambo, Porn Stars and Writers, That's Who)

Madeline Holler — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:23:00 GMT

Running for president is not a popularity contest. Oh, wait, it is! And just like high school this competition hinges on the backing of other popular kids. This year's election has been a veritable Endorsement Bonanza. Everybody is getting in on it, no matter what their relevance levels, which for most, in Political Nanny's estimation, peaked somewhere between 1983-1989.

So for every Maya Angelou that steps up to stump for Hillary Clinton, there's a Toni Morrison who thinks you should vote for Barack Obama. Mike Huckabee's campaign took off after Chuck Norris promised to kick campaign butt. Now Hulk Hogan is throwing his weight around to encourage support for Obama. Rounding out the Aging Muscle-Man endorsements is Ric Flair, also for Huckabee, and Sylvester Stallone, a McCain man, naturally (this endorsement suspiciously coincided with the release of Stallone's latest Rambo movie).

This year's backers come in all shapes, sizes and professions. Here are a few more:

Vampirist Anne Rice and barrister-cum-crime-novelist John Grisham heart Clinton.

Porn star and writer of "How to Make Love Like a Porn Star" Jenna Jameson would like to tell you how to vote like a porn star -- casting a ballot for Hillary Clinton. She has her reasons. Of course, Porn Stars are not a monolith. Savanna Samson wanted to toss her lot to Rudy Giuliani, but his campaign climaxed prematurely and made a huge mess. Equally deflated is King of Porn, Hustler's Larry Flynt, who made his sweet love for Dennis Kucinich well known. Now, all Flynt has left are a few good memories of what might have been.

There was, of course, the Grande Dame of endorsers -- Oprah for Obama. Here are some other celebrity endorsements (a couple of which are even 21st-Century relevant)

Kevin Bacon - John Edwards
Donnie and Marie Osmond - Mitt Romney (Political Nanny KNEW he'd have someone!)
Lance Armstrong - John Edwards
John Mayer - Ron Paul (that body of thought is a wonderland)
Jeff Gordon - Rudy Giuliani
Bo Derek - Rudy Giuliani (eh. 7.5)
50 Cent - Hillary Clinton (word?)
Adam Sandler - Rudy Giuliani
Martha Stewart - Hillary Clinton (you OK with that, Hillary?)
George Clooney - Barack Obama (double swoon)
Harry Belafonte - John Edwards (daylight come and he went home ...)
Wilford Brimley - John McCain (dinosaurs, unite!)
Scarlett Johansson - Barack Obama

You're relevant to Political Nanny no matter when you peaked. Whose endorsement are you endorsing? Whose endorsement do you find stunning?

Thanks to BuzzFeed

Debate Zingers, Right and Left

Madeline Holler — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 04:54:00 GMT

The CNN/Politico/LA Times Republican debate Wednesday night and the Democratic debate Thursday night didn't break any new ground. Except for one. There were some pretty funny zingers in both.

McCain tried his best to clobber a surprised Mitt Romney all night. Huckabee went after the moderators, who were ignoring him on the outerreaches of the seating arrangement. Ron Paul called the nitpicky Iraq discussion "silly," since he thinks the U.S. should even be there.

The Democrats aimed their mirth not at each other or the moderators. They aimed it at Republicans. Liberals (or whatever they want to be called, "progressives") haven't been this happy in a long time.

Here are two of the best from Thursday night (you can watch video here):

Barack Obama on whether Mitt Romney, a former CEO, might be more qualified to run the business of a country:

Let me just also point out that Mitt Romney hasn't gotten a very good return on his investment during this presidential campaign. (Laughter, applause.) So I'm happy to take a look at my management style during the course of this last year and his.

Hillary Clinton on umpteen years of Clintons and Bushes in the White House:

"It did take a Clinton to clean up after the first Bush and I think it might take another one to clean up after the second Bush," she said.

Keep'em coming, candidates. These debates are wearing thin.

Now Casting 'Election 2008: The Movie'

Madeline Holler — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:36:00 GMT

Eventually, the 2008 Election is going to make a great epic movie. Sure, we don't yet know the ending. And yeah, so far the story centers mostly on the campaign and surprise Iowa win for a bi-racial Senator, and a pretty decent tearful plot-twist, courtesy of the ambitious, conniving, first woman to do anything important in this country ... ever! There's also the tension building over a New Hampshire comeback for the aging Republican stalwart. Comic relief/hints of horror from the fundamentalist Christian with populist appeal threatening the hopes and dreams of a Morman businessman with daddy issues. There's the 9-11 Mayor, the stinking rich son of a South Carolina mill worker and a second-rate actor on a ubiquitous television franchise to squeeze in there too.

You couldn't write this stuff! But somebody will. Though it's a bit early to be drafting a script -- and hiring a script doctor to come in and punch up those debate scenes (let's be honest, Monday night was 10 minutes of rancor surrounded by 100 minutes of the usual) -- we can start thinking about other ways to get this project greenlighted. Help Political Nanny cast the lead roles:

Slate has made a solid case for Reese Witherspoon as Hillary Clinton in this very amusing video that cuts several Hillary moments with those of another Witherspoon role, Tracy Flick in the 1999 movie "Election." The anger at a lifelong ambition suddenly under threat. The singular focus on winning. The tears. (If it gets on your nerves the first time, go back to it later and watch it again. Eventually, you'll love it.)

How about the rest?

For obvious physical reasons, Mike Huckabee should be played by Kevin Spacey. We're sure Spacey's already brushing up on Scripture, guitar chords and radical weightloss techniques in anticipation of this film (think Spacey will go fat suit or real weight-gain for background scenes as a tax-hiking governor of Arkansas?). It's so the role he was born for, not that Bobby Darin disaster he got a little too into a few years ago.

Fred Thompson could play himself. And he could play himself playing himself on Law & Order and it could get a little Being John Malkovich only with Southern aphorisms and lots of scheduled naps.

Political Nanny feels like Mitt Romney could be played by Tom Cruise (in lifts), what with them both being Scientologists ... or Mormons ... or whatever. Same difference. If Cruise refuses the height-enhancing orthotics, his hair could land him the Edwards role, which leaves Romney open for ... suggestions? A young Charlton Heston?

Joe Biden's role would be too small for the talents of Alec Baldwin, but we'd like to see him do it anyway. The two come so easily unhinged that we feel, just like the real Biden, Baldwin will steal the few scenes he's actually in.

Only Tommy Lee Jones and a box of jawbreaker candy could do the role of John McCain any justice. Which leaves Robert Duvall to play Rudy Giuliani (mmmhmmm, good one, huh?! And we know Duvall would say yes!). But Chris Dodd? We'll have to have open casting for him unless you've got some ideas.

Barack Obama has said he'd like Denzel Washington to play him in the movies but thinks his ears make Will Smith a better fit. Fine, but Political Nanny likes any excuse to watch Denzel so he's got her vote.

Duncan Hunter, Tom Tancredo, and Mike Gravel can be played by extras. After all, this film's got a budget.

And Dennis Kucinich. Dennis, Dennis, Dennis. Now, keep an open mind on this one. Political Nanny sees Mike Myers channeling a little Austin Powers channeling the comeback role of a lifetime. Think it'll work? (Julianne Moore gets to be the hot Mrs.K!)

Political Nanny also hears Ralph Nader is thinking about getting in the race. Who's going to play him? Jim Carey? John Turturro? Alan Alda? The talented and versatile Fred Thompson? Fred's got time to rehearse and he'll be available since, well, he called it quits Tuesday and will only appear in the first 20 minutes of this politico-historical epic.

That leaves squeaky Ron Paul, sweet Bill Richardson and gasbag Chris Matthews, who would no doubt want to play himself. Any suggestions? We're looking for an Oscars sweep.

Photo: Wonkette.com

Candidates' Cribs: Their Digs, Pre-White House

Madeline Holler — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:10:00 GMT

Readers, rest assured. America's housing market meltdown won't leave any of the candidates without a very, very pleasant roof over their heads. But you're kind for caring. How about we take a peek at those roofs and do a little real estate market analysis, you know, on behalf of those candidates who don't manage the upgrade to something bigger and whiter.

Mother Jones was kind enough to assemble a photo album of many of the top candidates' domiciles and CNBC ran the numbers.

John Edwards, that son of a mill worker, lives in the most expensive house of any of the candidates. His rambling $6 million compound, which he purchased in 2007, has risen in value over 4 percent. Think he went the exotic loan route? Incidentally, the average home value in his North Carolina county is $365,000. He's defintely on the other side of the tracks . And when this Chapel Hill estate won't suffice, he's got his $1.08 million beach home.

Rudy Giuliani lives in a $5.25 million nine-room co-op in Manhattan's Upper East Side, by far the best of all the candidate's cribs, in Political Nanny's opinion. The Manhattan housing market has been quite good to him -- the median price of a Manhattan apartment has risen 14 percent since moving day a few years ago. The average cost of a Manhattan apartment is $1.5 million, which, in local money, is kind of slummy, right?

Next up, John McCain's $3 million Phoenix condo (which, according to MoJo, is actually two condos combined into one). We all know the market in Arizona's cities is tanking. The average home price in Phoenix is $428,000, down 1.8 percent in the last nine months. Now, from the outside, his condo looks like a hospital. But for beauty, he can always go to his $1.1 million 6-acre ranch in Sedona.

A tie between Hillary Clinton's Westchester, N.Y., home price and the home Mitt Romney has in Belmont, Mass. There are others. These houses cost the candidates $1.7 million. Clinton has a slight edge in that her neighborhood's prices are down just 2.8 percent, while the Romney's are watching a 9 percent decrease around them. For the Clintons, the average price in the area is $1.13 million. For Mitt and family, the median home price in Belmont is $680,000. (MoJo pictures his $3 million New Hampshire house on a lake, which should not be confused with his $5.5 million main residence, a former ski resort in Park City, Utah. Yow!)

Barack Obama bought his almost-South-Side Chicago house -- a beauty -- for $1.65 million in 2005 (the height of the market, what was he thinking?!). The average value of a home in his area is $310,315. Overall, prices are up 1 percent, so, he's doing OK and won't likely need to take advantage of Hillary's mortgage bailout plans.

Missing from the market analysis: the stats on Fred Thompson's McClean, Va., home, which set the Thompsons back $3.3 million. With prices dropping in the Northeast, though, we'd hate to see him get upside down on his financing. And also Mike Huckabee's Little Rock McMansion, which he and his wife paid $525,00. Sounds like a steal, but we're guessing it's one of the more pricey homes in Arkansas. Which would explain why they registered for house-warming gifts after they bought it.

Now, for any of the candidates trying to establish some Green credentials, Political Nanny's advice is: install solar panels and change those incandescent bulbs, quick! Most of these rather enormous homes likely have an oversized and embarassing carbon footprint. We're just saying ...

Finally, the ones missing from the collection are two that Political Nanny would have really liked to see and also a pair that could give some perspective: the homes of Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich. Send over the links if you think you have tracked either or both of them down. Is Political Nanny alone in imagining Kucinich's digs might bear some resemblance to Austin Power's pad? No, only her?

Hillary: Send Me to Prison

Madeline Holler — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 19:33:00 GMT

Hillary Clinton said in an interview that her dream would be to compete on America's Next Top Model. She admits, though, she wouldn't have much of a chance. Now, Political Nanny doesn't like to traffic in the superficial, but, since Hillary brought it up? Yeah, not a chance.

However, the former first lady and presidential hopeful thinks she could go all the way as a contestant on Dancing With the Stars, and we don't see why not. Especially, as she says, if she gets one of the really good pros. (Oh, but not if Barack Obama is one of her competitors. In that competition? He'd be ready to lead his rhumba partner on Day 1.)

Clinton tackled these and other difficult topics with Tyra Banks earlier this week in a taping for Bank's eponymous talk show. Her interview airs Friday (check for local times ... or check in with Political Nanny, who vows to set up the Political Nanny Cam and bring the video to you.)

Other interesting tidbits: Clinton likened the White House to a prison. Some outtakes (thanks L.A. Times Top of the Ticket):

"Do you ever get lonely?" Banks asked the New York senator. "Do you ever sit in your room by yourself sometimes and just feel alone?"....

"I don't feel lonely," Clinton said. "But I do feel sometimes isolated. Because when you are in these positions that I have been in, it can be very isolating. It is one of the reasons I put on the dark glasses and the baseball cap and go out of the White House. President Harry Truman once said that the White House was like the crown jewel of the American penal system because you can feel confined."

The two also talked about what Bill Clinton should be called if he winds up the First Spouse, and whether she -- remember, future Dancing with the Stars hopeful -- does hip hop or knows the Soulja Boy or the Spongebob dance.

Well what did you expect? Oprah?

Elsewhere on Political Nanny's Playground ...

Club Dem Refuses Race Bait, One Calls Bush 'Pathetic', and Island Survival Strategies

The Democratic candidates clobbered not each other in the debates last night but two of the reps from the media. Brian Williams and Tim Russert tried hard to keep racial discord alive in their early round of questions for Clinton and Obama. But the candidates refused to be baited, bragged on the Democratic party, blah, blah. They defended each other, for example, against how their statements had been reported in the media (Barack on Russert's claim that last night's pledge to take troops out of Iraq was a change from earlier refusals to make such a pledge). They offered excuses for insinuating racism and claims of misusing historic icons being brought up in the first place. (Clinton: “We both have exuberant and sometimes uncontrollable supporters ...”)

Sure, the debate was something of a snoozer (though Political Nanny perked up when Hillary Clinton described Bush, on his trip to Saudi Arabia, as "pathetic" and "begging for lower oil prices.") The questions got so banal that toward the end candidates were asked their strengths and weaknesses. Strengths and weaknesses? Even a teenager looking for work at a video store knows how to answer that one. "I refuse to stop working until the job is done" (Clinton gave her version of that) ... I've been told I'm committed to a fault!" (Edward's take on this "weakness" classic.) Political Nanny was fully expecting them to have to tell Russert the one item they'd like to have with them if they were ever stranded on a deserted island. (A book on shipbuilding, of course!) Mercifully, there was a commercial break.

Michigan

Mitt Romney stays in the GOP race, winning 39 percent of the Republican vote in his boyhood state of Michigan. Headlines 'round the nation say this win, Romney's first, and yet another candidate with a first-place finish in these early states, "scrambles the GOP field." McCain came in second with 30 percent of the vote. Political Nanny's glad these candidates will push on for more of the statewide contests.

Also in Michigan, Hillary, the only of the three frontrunners whose name appeared on the ballot, got 55 percent of the Democratic vote. Uncommitted (code for Edwards or Obama) got 40 percent.

Primary's Baby: N.H. Girl Stalks the Candidates

Madeline Holler — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 17:47:00 GMT

You can tell a lot about a presidential candidate by the way s/he holds a baby. OK, not really. But we're going to deeply analyze it anyway. Why? Because it's fun, because it's naughty, because Political Nanny wishes SHE would have thought of doing what this forward-thinking and shameless contributor to Slate has done.

Darren Garnick, a New Hampshire resident, hauled his five-week-old daughter Dahlia to campaign events around his home state, handing her over to candidates and capturing the moment in a stillshot. The results? Fabulous! The slide show is at once a marvelous demonstration of parenting at its least protective and political coverage at its weakest. In other words, refreshing!

First up is Barack Obama, who winds up holding Dahlia on two different occasions -- the first time in a sweet (and completely competent) traditional infant cradle hold, the second time while Dahlia wears a "Black Power" bib at a rally. Let's look at the cradle hold: Obama is clearly a man who put in the hours with his own kids. He's got two, but they're young and there's not a lot of distance between daily baby-holding and this picture. (We need to keep that in mind when we look at the pics of some campaign trail parents whose own days of second-nature infant handling (the floppy necks!) are decades behind them.) At the rally, Garnick reports that Obama kissed Dahlia's forehead (melt) and then held her up for cheers.

Next up, Rudy Giuliani is stuck with the screeching girl in a fleece pumpkin costume. He looks like he's going to drop her, but he hangs on tight. He was at a disadvantage -- how do you securely snuggle with a squirmy winter vegetable? Let's not judge Rudy too harshly.

Then there's John McCain, who launches the beginning of a curious trend in the baby holds: he's circled his thumb and four fingers around one of Dahlia's legs. Political Nanny doesn't recall doing this with her babes. Perhaps it's an older generation male thing? Because Edwards, Kucinich and (look closely) Romney are doing it too. Political Nanny is not saying it's harmful, just curious. Did they learn this in a Kissing the Baby workshop at Let's Play President summer camp?

What you really want to know, though, is something about Hillary Clinton's baby snuggling chops. Well, hold your "cold-heart" comments, she does just fine with Dahlia, who gazes right into the mother-of-one's eyes. Sure, there's a bit of stiffness in the hold, but Hillary's kid is pushing 30. Maybe it's been awhile. Please note, however, that Hillary is doing that protective palm-around-the-shoulders upper hand thing, which Political Nanny always appreciates when strangers hold her little ones.

In addition to the leg-grip, Mitt Romney does the fingers-around-the-neck upright baby display so competently, he'd make any OB/Gyn proud (except maybe Ron Paul). Garnick notes that the picture, which includes Romney's wife, looks like the New Hampshire father is giving up Dahlia for adoption to a rich white couple. Agreed!

Finally, we see Huckabee and Chuck Norris in a horizontal split-screen shot. Huckabee's doing the hands-under-armpits-with-dangling legs hold (baby facing outward), while Chuck Norris has turned his arm into a seat, allowing Dahlia to rest against his chest. He lays a hand -- it's a registered weapon! -- protectively against her chest. Well done, Chuck, well done!

Garnick didn't get Dahlia into the arms of Fred Thompson (who didn't do much in New Hampshire) or Duncan Hunter (what a relief!) or Ron Paul (coulda shown Mitt a thing or two). And he admits Mike Gravel freaks him out, so he didn't stand a chance. But Political Nanny is grateful for the slideshow and its insight. How will the candidates handle Iraq? Who cares! How are they going to cuddle the nation?

Photo: Slate.com

Break Out the Diapers: Candidates Demand a Change!

Madeline Holler — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 04:35:00 GMT

Candidates from both parties are beginning to sound like a room full of neglected toddlers wearing sagging, saturated diapers. "Change, change, change," they all yelled, screamed, demanded, whimpered during a weekend of debates in New Hampshire. "I'm here for change!"

Well, hold on a second, Mitt and Hillary and John McCain. Just last week you were bragging about your experience and training and ability to, if elected, go on the potty starting from Day 1!

But Political Nanny understands. You're all wetting your pants after the Iowa Caucus when the new kids Barack and Mike got most of the attention and a whole lot of love -- love and support you had hoped (expected?) would mostly be yours. Since everyone is reading these not-totally-surprising-but-still-very-notable wins as Americans wanting change, well, that's what you'll all give them: change!

In Saturday's Facebook/ABC News back-to-back Republican and Democratic debates and again on Fox for Republicans on Sunday, the talk was about change. Change in immigration. Change in healthcare. Change in Iraq. Change in foreign relations. Change in the status quo. Change in monetary systems. Change in leadership style. Change in change.

The Republicans:

On Saturday, Fred Thompson sounded like he was BSing, a lot, let Political Nanny just get that out there. He seemed caught off-guard. John McCain was ready with a zinger for Romney at nearly every turn. Giuliani got in a couple as well. It was kind of a Mitt Romney pile on. Interestingly, Mike Huckabee sat back a bit. Answered his questions. Stayed out of the fray. Safe.

Side note: perhaps Political Nanny is starting to identify with her captors, and some kind of mainstream media Stockholm Syndrome is clouding her judgment, but Saturday's debates were the best so far for both parties. There was no schtick to upstage the candidates (like videos or planned questions from the audience), and Charlie Gibson allowed the candidates to talk and ignore the clock a bunch.

Even better, Gibson followed up on a couple of points Political Nanny has been curious about: He pressed Republican candidates, who say tax credits are the way to get more Americans insured, by crunching the numbers -- basically laying out how $15,000 in annual premiums (which is essentially what employers are paying for a family) can't possibly be written off the taxes of families with incomes of $60,000. They would only be able to write off something like $3,000. (This is the same problem I see with health savings accounts (Guiliani's healthcare strategy). How do you build up enough to cover ongoing health checkups -- particularly for families who have young kids (well baby checkups must add up to a fortune) and need those expensive immunizations and still have something left over for a catastrophe or, say, minor surgery?)

So Charlie crunched the numbers for them, which no one responded directly to, but that's about when John McCain jumped in and said the trick is to control inflation, so that healthcare won't cost $15,000. Riiiiiight. Huckabee said we have a "disease care system," and not a health care system and wanted to shift to prevention and, of course, control costs (yet have it remain a free-market enterprise. Hmmm.). Romney wants the states to handle it how their governors see fit. But he wants to give support (and money?) at the federal level.

The Democrats:

There was some fun sparring to watch, especially as Barack Obama and John Edwards hooked harms and took on Hillary Clinton, later pointed about by moderator Gibson and getting a laugh from Clinton, "you noticed?" Overall, Clinton wanted voters to believe that she doesn't have to convince them that she's a candidate for change (see? "change!"), since she's been about change her whole life. Then she cited a few things that she's changed, particularly getting healthcare for children in Arkansas. And said, as the first woman president, she would quite distinctly embody change.

Edwards wanted us to know that he has lived through the struggles facing American families and that his desire for change is personal. And possible: he claims he has never taken money from lobbyists or PACs and that he wouldn't allow lobbyists in the White House and, therefore, would be beholden to no one but Americans.

Obama defended his ability to inspire as an important catalyst for change, that inspiring Americans builds momentum and support for change.

Bill Richardson said, "I love change," after also defending experience, a notion that has taken a beating as of late. "What's wrong with experience? We want to change this country, but we have to know how to do it." (Political Nanny detected a defense on behalf of Hillary. So kind.)

Speaking of Richardson, Political Nanny would like to hug him. He provided just the right kind of levity the debate needed to ease the tension and pull the rhetoric back a little to remind everyone they were talking about real issues, actual events, and American lives.

Next up ... the New Hampshire Primaries tomorrow (Tuesday, Jan. 8).

Iowans Play Favorites. Political Nanny Still Doesn't

Madeline Holler — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 05:34:00 GMT

Well, that was that. The candidates stepped out and tested the cold, cold waters of voter approval last night in Iowa. Political Nanny stood at the side, waiting with towels and hot drinks and, for some, a soft hankie to cry in.

Her boys Mike Huckabee and Barack Obama swam confidently to shore, winning their parties' races by about 9 percentage points each. Obama won most of the female vote and most of the younger voters' support too.

Her tough fighters Hillary Clinton and John Edwards, and recently challenged Mitt Romney, flapped their arms and gasped and fought their way to finish in respectable positions and not terribly far behind the winners. Each of them vowed to continue fighting. Each of them is ready to regroup and start again. In five days. Whew!

But quite a few of Political Nanny's babes sank to the bottom. Fred Thompson, John McCain, and Ron Paul made it to the double digits. Joe Biden, Rudy Giuliani and Bill Richardson, and especially Duncan Hunter and Chris Dodd, wellllll, they did their best. But it wasn't great. In fact, Political Nanny will spend the day packing up Chris's bag, gathering his toys, taking down his pretty pictures, and telling him good-bye. He has decided he won't be needing Political Nanny's care any longer. His little friend Joe Biden -- God, remember how hard it was to tell them apart? -- is leaving Political Nanny too.

Down to 13 monkeys jumping on the bed. Time to pack for New Hampshire.

Photo: MSNBC.com

Election Milestone: Candidates Take First Steps In Iowa (Quick, Get the Camera!)

Madeline Holler — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:38:00 GMT

Political Nanny is sitting on pins and needles, at once excited, deliriously proud of and terrified for her candidates. Today, the 15 reach such an important milestone: the Iowa caucuses. They look so grown up! It seems like just yesterday ...! It's all happening so fast (well, not really.)

As the unruly group of them toddles around on stages, grabbing at microphones, saying "cheese" for the camera, and slobbering all over Iowans one last time in hopes of charming each and every one of these Midwesterners to go out tonight and be counted at the caucus (and chances are, they won't), Political Nanny is watching and trying to remember Iowa is not the final word. It's the first, only the first. We caregivers -- those of us experienced with cadidate-children -- know that the early walker in Iowa will not acurrately predict who gets to sit in the White House highchair. (Remember little guy Dick Gephardt?) See, there's time to catch up.

In the meantime, Political Nanny will be watching her babes today as they smile and shake hands and talk pretty and learn their numbers (polls and precinct percentages are the new flashcards!). She'll be watching tonight as the reports come in. Tomorrow, she'll usher the remaining ones over to New Hampshire for primaries there next week.

Those little buggers never could sit still.

Candidates, Political Nanny Loves You. Now Change!

Madeline Holler — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Over the past three months, Political Nanny has grown to love her lot of disagreeable, argumentative, name-calling, cackling, power-praying little presidential candidates. They're approaching the first of many back-to-back primary election milestones -- only three days until Iowa! -- but have already blossomed into tough and sturdy and, how shall we put this, flexible campaigners.

But could they be better? Oh, couldn't we all. In the spirit of starting anew, Political Nanny has made some resolutions for the campaigning men and woman of 2008.

Over at the Democrats' favorite playground ...

Barack Obama: resolve to inspire (again … and, alone!). What happened to the guy who swept us all off of our feet nearly four years ago? This sparkling source of hope has gotten dull from so much positioning and polling and over-wrought handling. Get back to the basics -- make change feel possible! Make it feel inevitable! If the old caucusing biddies in Iowa (or New Hampshire or South Carolina) weren’t going to vote for you months ago, they’re not going to vote for you now. Indeed, one person can change the world. We just don't want Oprah to think it's her!

Hillary Clinton: tear down that wall! This distance you keep from the voting public reminds us of a certain guy president and no, we’re especially not talking about your husband! So let us in. Let us ask questions – any question! Not pre-approved ones! Trust us! We’ll do the right thing! Trust yourself! You've got the answers!

Joe Biden: Keep on keeping on. You know everything, you really do. You probably even know you don’t have a chance to win. But the candidates need you – America needs you. In government and in this campaign. You turn meta-answers into concrete plans, Joe. You say what we need to hear, not what we want to hear.

Chris Dodd: Be (even more) like Joe. With two of you, oh, how the front-runners won’t get away with pandering to the polls!

John Edwards: John, sweetheart, listen. You have got to expand your message to the middle and upper middle class (who look more like the lower- and middle-class you're talking about, everyday). Here's the deal: the mortgage industry is handing you talking points for these people who, to be honest, you might sorta be alienanting with your anti-corporate talk (you see, that’s where they work!). But with housing, ohhhhh, housing. Just bring up housing, foreclosures, bubbles, all of it -- and they’re listening. They're listening to you.

Bill Richardson: Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the vice presidential stars.

Dennis Kucinich: Don’t go changing to try to please Political Nanny. She loves you just the way you are.

Mike Gravel: Come here and give Political Nanny a hug, you silly guy.

Now back at Camp GOP ...

Rudy Giuliani: Rudy, Rudy, Rudy. So much to love. So much to loathe. Political Nanny would like you to be your own guy. She knows that Republicans often get bullied by big scary Christians who claim to be friends. But would real friends ask you to be someone you’re not?

John McCain: Resolve to stay tough. And be strong. You keep hope alive for conservatives who don't necessarily think the church and state are one and the same. Oh, and next time a supporter mentions The Bitch, show some sac, dear John, and don't be so quick to laugh.

Mike Huckabee: Michael! That's enough! You, my boy, are a man of faith. But you must also resolve to be a man of respect. If all you have to offer Americans are platitudes and religious references, please reconsider your leadership goals and run for president of the Southern Baptists. Because Political Nanny likes her America inclusive, cohesive and as plural as it can get.

Fred Thompson: Sit down, honey, let’s talk. Political Nanny thinks you don’t actually want to run for president. And you know what? That’s perfectly fine. No shame in “spending time with the family.” So, whenever you’re ready to call it quits, know that millions of others are ready for it too.

Duncan Hunter: Still more are ready to see you go, Duncan. So, Political Nanny would like to see even less of you in the new year, young man. You can use the extra down time for painting murals on your very special wall.

Mitt Romney: Political Nanny thinks you’re a good boy, Mitt, she really does. But you want your buddies to like you so much that you’ve changed your mind, mainly by closing it. You say such damaging things to millions of families in the U.S. and completely dismiss millions of others. Political Nanny wants to see you be the truest, most honest version of yourself in 2008.

Ron Paul: You're doing something right, Ron Paul. Look at all those people giving you money! But that doesn't make you perfect, not by any means. In the new year, Political Nanny would like you to work on (1) living in reality, (2) increasing your dosage of paranoia-tempering thorazine and (3) smiling.

And last but not least, a New Year's resolution for her GOP debate interloper and possible candidate (please, please, please) Alan Keyes: Just. Do. It.

Happy New Year, kids! And Happy New Year, voters! Let's resolve to get together everyday for a little election downtime with Political Nanny!

Rudolph, With Your Campaign (Not So) Bright

Madeline Holler — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 11:36:00 GMT

Political Nanny loves all her charges unequally, she really does. But it’s not what you think. She doesn’t love her boys and girl based on family background or affluence or which color figure they choose for Candyland or which side of the gameboard they like to sit on, right or left. She loves them for who they are.

Which is why she’s in a bit of a panic for one of her secret favorites:

Her fake conservative Rudy.

Reports about his struggling campaign have made Political Nanny’s heart heavy. The fact that some are making it seem like he could drop out of the race stirs her viciously protective side. No, it can’t be, not the little fighter (and obviously skilled lover!) Rudy. This election season will be so worse off without him.

He is a joy to look after on so many levels: his personal life is a blast, his missteps even blastier. There’s something so dirty-politics about the guy, and Political Nanny is not stranger to dirt.

Rudy got roundly criticized during some of the GOP debates but Political Nanny thought he was a gem (and let’s face it, the dullness of the others made this little diamond-in-the-rough sparkle madly). Political Nanny was tense, yes she was, during the nitpicky “did not, did so!” kinds of tussles over sanctuaries with another of her desperate GOP charges, Mitt. And she cringed when Rudy tried to quickly recall Bible details discussed during catechism so many years ago. But he needs to stick around. He has to.

Because here’s the deal with Rudy: he and Political Nanny (and, perhaps even you) share a nudge-nudge, wink-wink thing over games his GOP playgroup forces him to play. If someone has to go home now, she’d really rather let go of one of her gay-hating, woman-hating, immigrant-hating, healthcare-hating, ozone-hating, Mormon-hating (or Muslim-hating, ahem!) guys. Because Rudy doesn’t hate. He loves. He loves a lot (if you know what I’m saying). And he makes the others show their love just a little bit more. Problem is, Rudy’s loves includes most of all himself. Like a two-year-old, he is his own favorite person. And it shows. It shows a lot – in his face, in his words, in the paperwork.

He’s not the only one, of course. But he’s the one who keeps getting caught. And any kid will tell you, everybody’s breaking the rules, but only the ones who get caught get punished. It's too early for such drastic punishment for kid who is so fun to watch, so helpful in steering the others to love more.

Don’t go, Rudy. Don’t.

Supporting Fave Candidate is as Easy as Onsie, Two, Three!

Madeline Holler — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 18:07:00 GMT

An HRC pantsuit won’t show up on Oprah’s Favorite Things list for many reasons. And Mike Huckabee would have a hard time selling any family holiday outfit sets for obvious reasons (g'head and click. Totally worth it!). So for politicians who want to turn a profit in clothing sales, Political Nanny’s advice is to start small. Real small. Baby-sized small.

Like this:

The political onsie. The GOP bib. Campaign slogans in sizes 6M to 2T.

Some entrepeneurs and political supporters have already begun offering -- or are gearing up -- to cover babies in their parents' political opinions and Political Nanny says: awwww. How cute!

Want to support your man, Obama? BabiesforObama.com promises to start stocking political garb for Obama babies and donate a portion of the proceeds to his campaign. You can get a “Mitt Happens” bib here, though Poiltical Nanny is not quite sure whether that’s a vote in favor or against the GOP candidate (The fact that it's considered "Left Wing Wear" while also calling him the most electable candidate is further confusing. Oh, that and the description referring to Obama as a Moslem [sic]).

BabyPolitico.com has Hillary, Obama and Howard Dean (?!) kidwear, as well as general agenda items, like expressions of love for universal healthcare and affordable housing and exercising one's right to vote. (Today’s babies are so sophisticated!)

The debatable ramifications of dressing one’s child in political statements are hashed out here, though Political Nanny thinks it's a tired discussion. Is she the only one who thinks the hip, urban parent society and its critics discuss the kids in political and/or concert T’s with too much gravity? It’s a shirt! It’s a onesie! Do it now before they develop their own tastes, opinions and political talking points.

To prove her point AND to support all her candidates, Political Nanny will take one of each in every size, color and political statement. (They're machine washable, right? We wouldn't want questionable stains making statements of their own!)

Nanny Cam: Sorry 'Bout That Satan Thing, Says Mike

Madeline Holler — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:37:00 GMT

Mike Huckabee apologized to Mitt Romney today for an explosive quote in an upcoming New York Times Magazine feature on him. In it, according to early reports, he says Mormons think Jesus is Satan. Which has outraged everyone, even non-believers, even Political Nanny. (She can't wait to read the article!)

But today, after the GOP debates (where Romney came across, finally, as very presidential) and in front of a small group of gathered Iowans, Huckabee apologized. Kind of. In that blame the reporter kind of way. In that talk-around-the-issue way. He says he didn't mean it. In his jokey, self-depracating and vague way. Something Political Nanny used to love about him, but now makes her feel dirty.

Thank you, Mike, sit down.

(From Atlantic PoliBlog)

Two Extra Cookies: Whoever Made This Video

Madeline Holler — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 20:06:00 GMT

Thank you to DailyKos for pointing us to this video. It comes at a time when Political Nanny has been feeling particularly let down by her little funny guy Mike.

While Political Nanny would like to keep a certain level of decorum among her candidates, she’s not above making fun of them when they’re out of the room. Quick. Mike’s on the potty.

Settle Down and Use Your Indoor Voice

Madeline Holler — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:02:00 GMT

Tantrums get attention. So do screaming, sobbing and hand gestures that proclaim, "he did it first!" Those sorts of actions don't give caregivers and innocent bystanders the warm-fuzzies. Instead, they make everyone in the room shake their heads, utter lame excuses and leave.

So it goes with politicians who move into the realm of speech-stump meltdowns. We all watch while candidates go after each other -- both overtly and in coded messages. But it's hardly endearing. Voters say they don't like it when candidates turn negative, such as when debate topics devolve into name-calling and verbal rock-throwing. So the candidate who appears to rise above this childish behavior -- speaking with an indoor voice in campaign ads, using their words during debates -- may be doing themselves a favor in the long run in terms of getting voters' respect and support.

Who seems to be turning the other cheek, pasting on a happy smile and delivering a positive, plan-studded message the most? Which of Political Nanny's charges appears to be explaining positions more than tearing down opponents? According to this New York Times/CBS News poll it is the once-inevitable-and-now-fighting-like-the-rest candidate, Hillary Clinton. Of the registered Democratic primary voters polled, seven out of 10 think Clinton is running a positive campaign. Four out of ten think the opposite.

(Sidenote: Political Nanny thinks this is great. Because she has been standing by for years with her shovel, ready to bury that all too prevalent sentiment that strong, argumentative women are being shrill and/or bitchy.)

Back to the poll:

Six in 10 Democrats said Barack Obama used his words to explain, not attack. But a quarter thought he has been going the 2-year-old route and throwing political fits to get his way.

And bad news for John Edwards, if perceived attacks don’t turn into votes. Because 45 percent said he spent more time explaining his positions (that’s fewer than half!) and 29 percent said he has spent more time speaking negatively. Political Nanny finds this surprising, since she feels like she has a better understanding of John Edwards' positions and his plans for the country under his leadership. Though he has seemed a little negative lately.

For Republicans, 53 percent said Mike Huckabee has been explaining more and 9 percent said he has been attacking more. Apparently the rest of those polled had no opinion. Wha …? Republicans, it's OK to talk about your feelings! You're talking to a pollster, you're safe.

As for Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney, more than half of the Republicans polled said both spent more time explaining than attacking (and yes, this poll was after the YouTube/CNN "sanctuary mansion/sanctuary city" debate). Four in 10 said John McCain and Fred Thompson did more explaining. Again, many expressed no opinion.

More results from this poll of 1,133 registered primary voters will be posted later tonight and tomorrow morning here.

Mitt Uses His Words (Prays for a Miracle?)

Madeline Holler — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 18:48:00 GMT

One-time GOP frontrunner and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Mitt Romney talked to a group of Texans this morning about his faith and where religion fits into politics and governance. It was a much anticipated speech and one he had to give to save his campaign, since many in his party's conservative base are pretty freaked out that he's a Mormon.

First, a kind of pledge:

"If I am fortunate to become your president, I will serve no one religion, no one group, no one cause and no one interest. A president must serve only the common cause of the people of the United States."

On paper, that looks pretty good. So while Political Nanny prefers her candidates to focus less on the word of God during work hours and more on the needs of Americans, she would like the rest of the GOP candidates to come forward, like Mitt, and make similar promises.

We especially want to hear from Rudy Giuliani, who received Pat Robertson’s endorsement (who knows what strings are attached there), and Mike Huckabee, who brushes off these questions by saying religion influences those areas where the state – not national – government is in charge. He is ignoring the fact that federal funding has been used to influence – negatively -- comprehensive sex education. And that No Child Left Behind, an educational mandate from the president and Congress, was used to influence education in the states. It seems plausible that some kind of All Evolution Left Behind mandate would make its debut under an Intelligent Design advocate like Huckabee. We'd like to know that this wouldn't be the case, you know, if one of them were to be elected.

In his speech, Romney went on to reassure all the Christian conservatives listening carefully for his allegience to God Almighty. They heard what they came for:

“No movement of conscience can succeed in America that cannot speak to the convictions of religious people.”

And: “In recent years, the notion of the separation of church and state has been taken by some well beyond its original meaning. They seek to remove from the public domain any acknowledgment of God. Religion is seen as merely a private affair with no place in public life. It is as if they are intent on establishing a new religion in America—the religion of secularism. They are wrong.”

Oh. God help the non-believers!

Salon has a full transcript of the speech.