Political Nanny : Super Tuesday

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.

The Coveted 'Gangster Party' Endorsement

Madeline Holler — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:15:00 GMT

Snoop Dogg says he's not down with the Republican party or the Democratic party. "I represent the gangster party." So who does he plan to vote for in tomorrow's California primary election?

Either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. (Damn! Political Nanny thought the undecided Democratic voters might finally get some answers ... albeit from Snoop Dogg. What was she thinking?)

"Whether it be him, a black man, or Hillary, a woman, either one to me is a great move for America because we need change, we need somebody in there that’s going to be about listening to the people and representing the people and I feel like both of the candidates will do that."

Mr. Dogg, Political Nanny could have told you that. Super Tuesday undecideds ... anything? Do you have anything?

Rap Mogul Russell Simmons is leaning toward Hillary Clinton. He says he's had Bill and Hillary's number in his cell phone for years. Q-Tip from Tribe Called Quest is certain of his support for Obama.

Hillary Cries It Out -- Again

Madeline Holler — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 17:17:00 GMT

Again with the waterworks?

Hillary Clinton unloaded another round of tears, this time in Connecticut at a Yale Child Study Center event. Forced? Authentic? That's between Hillary and her God (and her campaign strategists).

According to a report, the Senator was hardly sobbing, but then ... Well, here's what happened:

Penn Rhodeen, who was introducing Clinton, began to choke up, leading Clinton's eyes to fill with tears, which she wiped out of her left eye. At the time, Rhodeen was saying how proud he was that sheepskin-coat, bell-bottom-wearing young woman he met in 1972 was now running for president.

Fine, leave her alone, you say. Remember, her husband was always up for a good cry. But Hillary's tears got huge props for her January win in New Hampshire and even though Political Nanny may have found that an overly simplistic explanation, what Clinton said when she took the microphone in Connecticut during this latest emotional moment makes all the mascara dabbing pretty suspicious:

"Well, I said I would not tear up; already we're not exactly on the path," Clinton said with emotion after the introduction.

Hmmmm, analogous to sobbing toddlers who shriek "Mommy ... I'm crying!" at their frazzled mothers. Come on, Hil ... Girl Cry rule No. 1 -- you can either publically wipe away tears or bring them up with a giggle. But not both. It's overkill. The New Hampshire tears ... well played. This Connecticut round? Too much.

This comes less than 24 hours before Super Tuesday, where she's apparently tied with Obama in loads of the states that will be voting tomorrow. Anybody else up for a good cry?

Via Wonkette

Photo: AP

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.

Democratic Dream Team?

Madeline Holler — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 03:56:00 GMT

Finally, someone asked the question on many, many Democrats' minds: How about an Obama-Clinton/Clinton-Obama dream ticket. It was a final question in last night's debate, which was notable for its lack of nasty slights and pointing fingers. Wolf Blitzer asked Barack Obama just that.

Laughter and smiles from the candidates. Loud and enthusiastic applause from the audience. No, nobody looked surprised. And no, nobody said "great idea, let's do it!" But neither of the candidates said it would be out of the question either.

Oh, be quiet. A nanny can dream, can't she?

Photo: CNN.com