Political Nanny : endorsement

Nanny Cam: Hillary's Playdate With Jack Nicholson

Madeline Holler — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 04:45:00 GMT

All right, all right, all right. Hillary and Political Nanny have just returned from a very fun playdate with a very special friend of Hillary's. Yes, yes, yes, Political Nanny was just saying Barack has the coolest friends, and it's true: he does. But Hillary has the weirdest ... and we like weird. Weird is good.

Her buddy Jack Nicholson put together a little video montage featuring himself, which supposedly presents arguments for why she should be in the White House. The nice thing is, Hillary's campaign is trying to leverage some of its support from professional entertainers. Not amature ones whose homages to the New York Senator kind of added to her dork factor.

No, you won't get goosebumps like you do watching videos starring Obama. But you get some laughs, and not the kind of laughs that might wind up looping on a ballpoint pen.

Dress Your Family in Campaign Swag and Marc Jacobs

Madeline Holler — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 22:36:00 GMT

Political statement or fashion statement? Who cares! Just order your high-end campaign T-shirts for one or both of the Democrats now (especially the Marc Jacobs Hillary tee, because, well, not being insensitive or anything, buuuut, will they be available much longer?).

Each T-shirt features the candidate, big-faced and beautiful, on the front. Obama's -- designed by grafitti artist Obey -- has street cred, style, and even screams "Hope" or "Progress," your choice. Hillary's, offered by Marc Jacobs, is more classic and features the New York senator with an American Flag lapel pin. You have to buy Hillary's in a Marc Jacobs store. Obama's you can order online. Hers is $35, his is $25. Hillary!

These T-shirts are hardly standard-issue Nannywear, but Political Nanny wants one of each anyway. She'd even take one with John McCain's face, especially if his daughter designed it and military-esque epaulettes weren't involved.

A confession: Political Nanny has already started half-packing her dear little Hillary's bag -- ready and willing to unpack it quickly if Texas and Ohio turn out for her. But Hillary's depature would leave yet another empty whole in Political Nanny's heart (she's still mourning Dennis, Fred and Mitt). Which is why she thinks she'll cherish her Hillary T-shirt for years to come. That is, if Political Nanny can ever get her hands on one. Not unlike the campaign, Obama's tee is easy to find, easy to buy, instantly rewarding. Hillary's is more of a challenge, requiring near manic dedication to see the process through to the end.

The Coveted Wax Museum Endorsement

Madeline Holler — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:34:00 GMT

Curators of the D.C. branch of Madame Tussauds don't mean a thing ... a thing! ... with how they arranged wax figures of the two Democratic frontrunners.

They have placed confident Barack Obama behind a desk in the fake oval office. Where's Hillary Clinton? She's standing next to the desk in a baby blue silk shantung pantsuit. It appears as if Bill, who is also there in his wax-tastic glory, is escorting his wife out the door. Wax-Hillary is even waving good-bye.

The subtle expression of political favorites finally got to those in charge of the display.

From the NY Times:

Later, in fact, the Hillary Rodham Clinton figure was moved to join Mr. Obama behind the fabled Resolute desk.

That kind of love feels so forced.

Photo: New York Times

Hillary Plays Texas Hold-Me-I'm-Trembling-'em

Madeline Holler — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 05:10:00 GMT

The Potomac Primary is so yesterday. Which is why Hillary Clinton is in Texas today. She lost big in Tuesday's primaries in Virginia, Maryland, and Washinton, D.C. She's gambling all her chips on Texas and Ohio's March primaries, the next big races and what appear to be her last chance at the nomination.

Mike Huckabee, too, has to regroup if he's going to continue in the race. McCain won big in the veteran rich region of the country.

No more modesty or superstitions: Barack Obama and McCain have no choice but to adopt the frontrunner label.

Let's see what hand the voters in Texas deal her. In the words of Kenny Rogers (hey, he's irrelevant -- surely he endorsed somebody!), she's got to know when to hold'em ... and when to run. (Or, not run in this case.)

Oh, and she should probably congratulate her competitor, since it's become newsworthy that she hasn't. Just saying. Congrats Barack and John!

What do you think of a John McCain/Barack Obama match up?

Photo: Ron Niebruegge

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

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

Ultrasound Canceled! It's Still the First Trimester

Madeline Holler — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:20:00 GMT

If only we could hold a sonogram wand against the belly of this election beast, the sex of the next president, and the size of his/her win, could be accurately predicted. But the campaigns are still developing, it's early in the race, and this election has crappy health insurance. We'll have to wait and count votes to see who actually emerges from the mess.

A tough lesson for those in the news business! Pundits and political writers relied on old wives' tales this week to try to predict the details of the nation's first primary before it was even over. They observed whether New Hampshire carried its primary low or high, they peed in glass jars and mixed it with Dran-O, they relied on polls that gave Barack Obama double-digit leads. Then they painted the nursery blue.

Boy, are they pissed. It’s a girl!

Why? How? Where did it all go so wrong?

For your very uncommitted, undecided Political Nanny, this aftermath of the "surprise" "comebacks" (well, maybe for McCain) in the New Hampshire primaries has been more fun than a baby shower with no games AND an open bar. Political Nanny hated all the frenzy and frothing at the mouth that followed Iowa and led up to New Hampshire. She’s hoping, audaciously, for a little more caution going into South Carolina and eventually to Feb. 5, Super Tuesday.

But the fun! The fun! Maureen Dowd, a die-hard Clinton-hater, bawled like a girl after the results and speculated that New Hampshire ladies sopped up Hillary’s tears with sympathy votes. We're laughing so hard we're crying, Maureen.

Others, like Salon’s Rebecca Traister, navigate us through the makings of an anti-Hillary pile-on. The details -- from prologue to postscript – are so compelling, you’ll never take a thing Chris Matthews says seriously again (not that you have for a verrrrrrry long time).

Politico offers this mea culpa and explanation for why journalists got it wrong. It’s refreshing in its candor, delightful in its self-loathing. A sample:

Our own publication, Politico, did its part in promoting several of these flimsy story lines. We used predictive language in stories. We amplified certain trends and muffled the caveat, which perhaps should be printed with every story, like a surgeon general’s warning: “We don’t know what will happen until voters vote.”

And for some nasty fun, watch the blooper videos from Slate. Be patient, Anderson Cooper looks like a total ass in the final clip (and why Gloria Borger keeps trying to make her point, we can only guess). The collection also includes an NBC correspondent's confession that, regarding Obama, it's difficult to be objective. Yikes!

You know, the gestation of an election is supposed to take some time. It’s not supposed to be decided by fewer than 1 million people (just under 800,000 to be more specific) in two different states. How ridiculous would it be to have all but one candidate drop out at this point – before the bulk of the country (remember, the population is over 300 million) could help narrow the field? How fat and swollen and pre-diabetic and endless and post-due would a general election feel in that case? Schedule an induction, STAT!

So, call the lab, cancel the next ultrasound, and have a little fun. Let’s take the presumed advice of an election midwife: eat right and drink plenty of fluids, exercise moderation, avoid polls and negative campaigning. Above all else, give the horse-race analysis a rest and try to enjoy this very special, very magical time that only happens once every four years of your life.

And now, a tribute, to a Political Nanny fave, Bill Richardson. He has withdrawn from his race for president. No, we never thought he’d actually make it to the White House (now THERE’S a prediction even Political Nanny feels was safe to make), but we liked him behind the microphone. In the most recent debate – the one right before the New Hampshire primaries – he was funny, smart, and able to get the discussion back to the issues. Even though he won’t be the Commander in Chief, we get the feeling he’ll nonetheless be moving to D.C. for a job about this time next year. Political Nanny will pack your toys and change of clothes, little Bill, and have them sent to you there.

Finally, this tidbit:

John Kerry has endorsed Barack Obama, not his former play- and running-mate John Edwards. On the one hand, that's sad for Edwards, on the other hand, does a Kerry endorsement have much weight? Hey, Political Nanny is just asking!

Photo: BBC.co.uk

Group Hug! Candidates Endorsing Candidates

Madeline Holler — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:30:00 GMT

Political Nanny's pet presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich made a surprising demi-endorsement just a day and a half before Iowans kick off the voters' portion of the 2008 election program.

He told his supporters to back Barack Obama if they can't gather enough Kucinich delegates to meet a minimum percent of those gathered. As we discussed before, Iowans have a built-in back-up plan when it comes to determining their state parties' favorite candidates. If a candidate can't gather enough support, those caucusers are allowed to regroup with their second-choice candidate. Kucinich hopes his would-be supporters will gather under the Obama sign.

Naturally, he'd like New Hampshire's Democratic primary support to go all and only to him.

"This is obviously an 'Iowa-only' recommendation, as Sen. Obama and I are competing in the New Hampshire primary next Tuesday, where I want to be the first choice of New Hampshire voters."

Obama's response?

“He and I have been fighting for a number of the same priorities — including an end to the war in Iraq that we both opposed from the start, reforming Washington and creating a better life for America’s working families. I encourage all Iowans to take part in the caucuses this Thursday — not because it will be good for any one candidate, but because it will be good for our party and the future of our country.”

Political Nanny feels certain that Kucinich's suggestions for second-best presents an interesting dilemma for more than one lefty Iowan, since Ralph Nader also recently made an endorsement of his own: he told the press he's backing John Edwards.

Those Democrats -- it's just one big group hug after the next. (Hey, John, quit pinching Hillary!)

Guess Who Ralph Nader Just Endorsed!

Madeline Holler — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 17:33:00 GMT

Who cares what the governor of New Hampshire thinks, right? Or the editor of Iowa's largest daily. Or, sorry to say, Sean Penn. Political Nanny listens to Political Nanny when it comes to who she'll vote for in the primaries.

Endorsements, with a couple of exceptions, just haven't been that interesting. Until now ...

Public citizen, consumer advocate, sometimes presidential candidate, one-time election spoiler, and Babble "Timeout" subject Ralph Nader made an endorsement, just in time for the Iowa caucuses. He's throwing his support to John Edwards.

We're no experts, so who knows whether Ralph is a good or bad playmate for John. But Political Nanny adores Ralph and respects his opinion. His support feels like a gut-check: she's long suspected John really means what he says and contrarians like Ralph are the first to smell the BS, yet he thinks John, for the most part, is the real deal.

From Politico:

Nader said he has watched Edwards from afar and sees his more pugilistic brand of populism as a "glimmer of hope."

"It's the only time I've heard a Democrat talk that way in a long time," Nader said, acknowledging what was, for him, a rare moment of praise for a Democratic leader.

"Iowa should decide which candidate stands for us," he added. "Edwards is at least highlighting day after day that the issue is who controls our country, big business or the people."

Not the most unflinching of endorsements -- indeed, he's used the endorsement mostly as a way to criticize Hillary for being too Republican. But what's notable is that it's not himself that he's endorsing. Can we assume he won't be making a bid? Or does that depend on whether John Edwards gets the Democratic nomination?

In any case, Political Nanny is excited that Ralph Nader has come out to play.

It's Hard to Share Friends

Madeline Holler — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 20:43:00 GMT

Political Nanny has seen friendships melt down over cookies, games of Candyland and birthday parties that include some but not all of our classmates. So she wonders whether friendships ever break up over political endorsements? Political Nanny is sensing a little tension between her candidates' friends' friends.

Let's back up for a second:

Among Oprah's regulars, both in appearance and casual reference on her show, is Maya Angelou. Sometimes we see "Maya" (no need for a last name, just like "Oprah") talking about her poems and books. Sometimes we peek inside her home, curl up on her sofa and listen to the two of them talk about whatever is on Oprah's mind. The two women are close, it's clear, and Oprah has a deep respect and reverence for the poet, it's obvious.

So Political Nanny was a little surprised to learn that one of Oprah's newer faves, Barack Obama, did not have the support of Angelou. However, his chief rival for now, Hillary Clinton, whom Oprah subtley criticized during the past few days of stumping for Obama, does.

Thanks to the LA Times for this link to a radio spot of Maya Angelou calling Hillary "My Girl." She refers to a long history of experience and, Political Nanny detects, subtely criticizes Obama. Sure, a 60-second South Carolina radio spot is no packed stadium of frenzied fans. But it's another sign of (1) the embarassment of riches facing registered Democrats and (2) the narrow differences of so many of the party's promising candidates.

Hopefully, our friends' new friends can continue to get along with each other and treat each of Political Nanny's candidates with kindness and respect -- despite their differing opinions. Political Nanny doesn't think a group playdate wouldn't be so bad, though things could easily fall apart if Mike Huckabee's best friend Chuck shows up.

Choose-Lifers Chose Fred

Madeline Holler — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 19:38:00 GMT

Single-issue conservative voters got their pro-life marching orders yesterday when the National Right to Life Committee announced its endorsement of Fred Thompson for president.

What put Thompson over the top for this once-influential-but-we’ll-have-to-see-now special interest group? Was it his long-standing opposition to abortion? Not exactly. While Thompson consistently voted against abortion rights as a Senator, he also consistently put in long work days as a lobbyist on behalf of abortion rights for the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association.

Nevermind these inconsistencies, he says, because his "heart is now fully engaged" with his head, ever since (hold on to your heartstrings) he saw a sonogram of the fetus that is now his 4-year-old daughter (cue daughter to run up on stage). No word on whether voters can ignore all his other actions/votes/opinions/experiences pre-dating the young girl's conception.

What's extra interesting is that Thompson is a state’s rights man and has said he doesn’t favor a constitutional amendment banning abortion in the United States. Which is something the group that just endorsed him has worked hard for for decades.

So why didn’t the NRLC just go with someone like Huckabee, whose views are quite in alignment with the group’s goals to ban all abortion everywhere? The group has gotten used to having a seat at the national policy table and in their view, Thompson’s the most electable conservative of those who, like Romney and McCain, have had a change of their unstopped beating hearts.

Giuliani Gets an Amen!

Madeline Holler — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 20:56:00 GMT

We didn’t see this coming! Pro-gay rights, pro-choice, pro-broken marriages, pro-pre-marital everything Giuliani received a rather stunning endorsement from a rather anti-anything-fun kind of guy.

Pat Robertson, of the 700 Club and founder of the Christian Coalition, announced he’d be backing Giuliani for president. While Robertson called for this unexpected “Amen!” I’m sure more than one of his followers responded with “what the …?”

Giuliani gladly accepted the endorsement. But why? How? Some say this shows that the former NYC mayor’s tough talk on terrorism is important enough to outweigh the 700 Club and Christian Coalition members’ concerns about abortion and finding a pro-life candidate to support.

A New York Times reporter on the campaign trail in Iowa analyzed the unexpected partnership this way:

“The endorsement helps them quiet talk the talk that had bubbled up among Christian conservative leaders about supporting a third-party candidate if Mr. Giuliani, a supporter of abortion rights is the nominee, and bolstering his advisers’ contention that he can compete among Christian conservative voters who are dominant in early voting states like South Carolina and Iowa.”

Still. Of course nobody expected Robertson to back Satan, right?