Strollerderby : bill clinton

Morning News: 'The Monster' to Head State Department

Madeline Holler — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Looks like president-elect Barack Obama will make the big announcement today: Hillary Clinton will officially become a part of his administration as secretary of state. Filling out the other top spots in his national security team are current Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who will remain in the job, and retired Marine General James M. Jones as national security adviser. Susan Rice is expected to be named ambassador to the U.N.

OK, but here's the awkward part:

Remember Samantha Power? She was one of Obama's foreign policy advisers during the campaign -- the one who got busted for calling Hillary Clinton a monster? Well, she's actually a part of the transition team put together to help prepare for Clinton's nomination. Insiders report that she made a big gesture to bury the hatchet and that Clinton received it well. Good. Because we like both of them.

Final thing about the anticipated nomination: Husband Bill jumped through all kinds of hoops to please Obama so that his wife could take the job, including releasing names of donors. Good Bill.

Considering the economy, wars, etc., Obama is said to be working hard to set the right tone for his inauguration Jan. 20th. He has limited the maximum donation amount to $50,000 (typically, it's $250,000). His committee also won't take donations from lobbyists, corporations, political action committees for non-U.S. citizens. And there's been some talk of Michelle opting out of a couture gown for something more pedestrian.

While the Obamas and a packed Washington, D.C., celebrate the new administration, Laura Bush and her husband will be heading back to Dallas. She told Tom Brokaw on Meet the Press yesterday she plans to continue working on behalf of women and children in Afghanistan.

Current Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is heading to India on Wednesday in the wake of the attacks on Mumbai last week. She will offer condolences and also support for the Indian government.

In interesting health news, voters in Switzerland approved a new program that will provide heroin for addicts at clinics around the country. Switzerland has long provided clean needles and designated areas for users to shoot up, but supporters say this next step will cut down on crime and improve the health of heroin junkies.

Photo: JCU.edu

Morning News: Stevens Loses; Senate Dems Now at 58

Madeline Holler — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:30:00 GMT

Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, the guy who risked it all for a free grill, a back massager and a new deck, has lost his bid for re-election. Stevens, who likely would have won handily, had it not been for those pesky election year felony charges, lost narrowing to Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich. All of this adds up to nearly enough Democrats for a filibuster-proof Senate and a nightmare scenario for Republicans.

Oh, and Stevens will also likely seek a presidential pardon. (Of course, he is. Come on, George ... do one courageous thing before you leave office and tell him to serve his time.)

Is Hillary playing hard to get? Or is it that Bill, her husband, is hard to vet? Who knows, but apparently accepting the Secretary of State position is not a foregone conclusion. Insiders say she is torn between joining Barack Obama's cabinet and staying in the Senate to get healthcare legislation written and passed.

Know who else wants to stay in the Senate?

Obama rival and Hillary Clinton pal John McCain. He brought together a bunch of advisers to put together a political action committee -- a signal he intends to run for re-election in 2010.

Obama's cranking through the possible appointments: Eric Holder, a deputy attorney general under Bill Clinton, will likely be offered the attorney general job today.

This warms the heart: Dick Cheney and Alberto Gonzales were both indicted by a Texas grand jury on charges related to prisoner abuse.

Back to the Clintons -- Don't Ask Don't Tell, the bill that allowed gays to serve in the military bud forbid them from being gay might be overturned. The bill's sponsor says it'll happen in Obama's first year in office.

We reported recently on a hospital superbug that is giving thousands and thousands diarrhea. That superbug? Also showing up in loads of supermarket meat. Break out the veggie kabobs!

The parent company of Lean Cuisine is recalling a bunch of the frozen chicken meals. Not because of the gurgly tummy issue from the supermarket meat, rather these meals may contain some foreign matter. Ugh!

OK, so we've all gotten used to Bush's total incompetence regarding Hurrican Katrina. Looks like Hurricane Ike victims are faring no better. Months later, some families are still waiting for trailers, having spent their life savings on campers to live out of on their front lawns. The emergency services in this country are so embarrassing!

Anti-Gay Church Lays Off Workers (After Spending Gobs on Prop 8)

The Second Thing Michelle Said After Obama's Historic Win

Morning News: Is Hillary Back?

Photo: Politico

Morning News: Anti-Gay Church Lays Off Workers (After Spending Gobs on Prop 8)

Madeline Holler — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:00:00 GMT

It's the embarrassing twist of fate that makes this story so tragically comic.

Focus on the Family, the Colorado Springs-based evangelical Christian ministry and media empire, announced yesterday it would lay off more than 20 percent of its workforce due to financial difficulties. The conservative group, led by its founder and president James Dobson, is coming off a spending spree that pumped more than a half a million dollars in the California Proposition 8 campaign, a gay marriage ban.

Focus on the [very narrow definition of] Family also donated $83,000 worth of non-monetary support to get the ban passed. It was the seventh largest donor group in the nation. And now there are financial problems? Sweet Jesus, you have a sense of humor!

Speaking of Christians with a sense of humor, Mike Huckabee (remember him?) is still going after Mitt Romney in his recently released memoir/political manifesto "Do the Right Thing." Romney's spokesperson replies that Huckabee's digs are petty and beneath the former Arkansas governor.

Newt Gingrich told Bill O'Reilly he thinks all the protests against Prop 8 show "there is a gay and secular facism that wants to impose its will on the rest of us." Or have equal rights, but whatever.

Swedish health officials will no longer classify transvestitism, fetishism, fetishistic transvestism, sadomasochism, gender identity disorder in youth and multiple disorders of sexual preferences as diseases. Sweden, why always Sweden?

Is this a good time to transition to Bill Clinton? Anyway, he might pose a problem to Hillary getting a cabinet position. His non-profit and business dealings might pose a conflict of interest for the possible future secretary of state. It has been so hard to keep loving Bill.

More familial ties: Joe Biden might be gaming the system a bit in order to get his son appointed to his soon (but not too soon)-to-be-vacated Senate seat. Biden's apparently holding out until right before inauguration day, so that Delware's governor-elect can do what he's told and keep a Biden in Congress.

Or Biden's just being a family cave man. Researchers have found evidence of the importance of the nuclear family even way back in prehistoric times.

Are the Obama's getting close to making a school choice for the girls? Reports are they were at Georgetown Day School tossing the ball with their Secret Service agent.

A 16-year-old Japanese school girl might be the first female to play for the major leagues in that country. Apparently she's got a crazy good knuckleball. Ganbatte, Yoshida-san!

Finally, Lord help us! The atheists are organizing!

Morning News: The Second Thing Michelle Said After Obama's Historic Win

Mom Kicked Out of the PTA for Position on Prop 8

Prop. 8 Protests Spawn Hope and Great Photos

Pregnant With Palin

Photo: hellocolorado.com

Morning News: Is Hillary Back?

Madeline Holler — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:30:00 GMT

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton? Maybe. Last week it was a rumor that died down quickly. Since yesterday, though, there appears to be some traction. Obama camp insiders are trotting her name out among a few others (John Kerry, Republican Chuck Hagel, Bill Richardson), and some of his advisers say she's the best pick.

Why?

It's better to have a Clinton on the inside, rather than outside making trouble (true, that). The drawback of Hillary? One word:

Bill.

On foreign matters, this update: Osama bin Laden is apparently hanging on by a thread these days. He's mainly focused on his own survival and basically cut off from al Qaeda operations. Good news, sure, but on the lam for seven years? Damn.

Those leaky Dems have also disclosed that Lawrence Summers may no longer be under consideration for the Secretary of Treasury position, thanks in part to women's groups who can't stand the guy and his girl brain/boy brain "theories."

More than 1 million people are expected to attend Barack Obama's inauguration Jan. 20 in Washington, D.C. That's a ton of people. (Will you be one of them?) Everybody's scrambling to get tickets, places to stay, enough law enforcement, and enough public viewing space.

Think some generous Northern Virginia families would be willing to put up a few of these 8,000 bedouin tribesmen for the big swearing in? These guys claim to be the lost tribe of Barack Obama. They even have evidence that they are linked by blood to the president-elect. Come on, guys, we get him first!

If your priest is a real jerk, you might want to avoid being seen at the inauguration, on TV or otherwise. South Carolina's Rev. Jay Scott Newman is refusing communion to anyone who supports Barack Obama, unless they've done penance for their vote. Who knew the Holy Trinity was so dang bi-partisan!

And you thought Joe Biden was going to be an embarrassment. Obama's Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel had to apologize on behalf of his father yesterday. Dad, who was once a member of a militant Zionist group thought to have committed terrorist acts against Palestinians, had this to say about how influential his son will be: "Obviously he will influence the president to be pro-Israel," he was quoted as saying. "Why wouldn't he be? What is he, an Arab? He's not going to clean the floors of the White House." Oh, cringe.

Speaking of terrorists? Embarrassments? People who won't go away? Bill Ayers is on Good Morning America this morning in his first interview since the election. Will ABC let Elisabeth Hasselbeck take a few minutes off The View stage to watch?

Felon/Senate incumbent from Alaska Ted Stevens is almost certain to have lost his re-election bid. But did he get to keep the grill?

A complaint has been filed against the Mormon Church for not fully disclosing allllll the contributions made to the campaign to ban gay marriage in California. Seems stuff like state phone bank use, commericals and other promos weren't reported in the disclosures. We hope this complaint turns in to a huge pain in their asses.

Disaffected youth keep pouring into Nebraska hospitals as parents watch the deadline to abondon their teens under a very unrestrictive safe haven law grow nearer. State lawmakers will way lower the age limit (to, like, three days) in a special session in January. We've said it before, but Nebraska might want to consider beefing up its family services outreach. Because, wow. Just wow.

Barack Obama Asked If Bill Clinton Was The First Black President

Brett Singer — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:00:00 GMT

This was funny when it happened – during the Democratic Primary, way back in January of 2008. (That seems like it was more than a year ago.) Now, it's not only hilarious but of course takes on a whole new meaning.

Basically, the moderator, Joe Johns, asks Barack Obama is he agrees with Toni Morrison, who once wrote that Bill Clinton was, "the nation’s first black president." Hillary Clinton was sitting right next to him, which made the moment even more amusing. Obama's answer was measured, and quite funny.

Morrison eventually endorsed Obama for President. When asked by Time Magazine if she regretted, " referring to Bill Clinton as the first black President," she said, "People misunderstood that phrase. I was deploring the way in which President Clinton was being treated, vis-à-vis the sex scandal that was surrounding him. I said he was being treated like a black on the street, already guilty, already a perp. I have no idea what his real instincts are, in terms of race." Obama said something little different – basically, that Bill Clinton connected with African-Americans in a way that previous Presidents had not. Then he questioned Bill's dancing ability. It's quite funny, and has much more resonance now. Take a look:

They say: Obama Wins

Comedians From The Past Weigh In On The First Black President

About Ann Nixon Cooper

Morning News: Obama Landslide? Todd and Sarah Splitsville?

Madeline Holler — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:30:00 GMT

We're loaded down here with Morning News today. We've got election predictions, strained candidate marriages, strained political relationships (starring Bill Clinton), Britney talking about her crazies, expensive fancy Elmo and a woman held captive by her husband for fifty -- 5-0! -- years. And much, much more (like, did you know Barack Obama's campaign plane stinks?).

We'll start with a prediction: Obama's going to win in a landslide.

Hey, we didn't say it. Democratic strategists did. They think with Florida, Ohio, Virginia and North Carolina shifting toward the Democrat -- and as long as the ecomony is still tanking (that shouldn't be a problem) -- the election is Obama's to lose. Hell, even military families are openly supporting a non-Republican on military bases and everything.

McCain didn't endear himself to the guy who asked the second question at Tuesday's debate. McCain assumed the guy hadn't heard of Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. Because the guy was black? Or because McCain is that out of touch? The question-asker fills in the details on his Facebook page.

Bill "Holdin' a Grudge" Clinton still refuses to love Bill "Judas" Richardson. Hillary has forgiven him for endorsing Obama, the governor of N.M. said, but Bill hasn't. "That politics," Richardson says.

Know what a correspondent for CBS News doesn't love? The smell of Obama's campaign plane. Or the Democratic candidate campaign's treatment of its press corps in general (no printed schedules!). The reporter longs for the organized and fresh-scented flights of John McCain.

What else do we have in love today? Looks like it's time for our Daily Palin and this pressing question: Why, why isn't Sarah Palin wearing her wedding ring?

Is this splitsville for the first couple of Alaska? Or is she retaining water due to another pregnancy? Did she accidentally flush her ring down a sink in the Straight Talk Express? Or maybe, mayyyyybeeeee ...

It's Troopergate? She's pissed that Todd said too much? Though, truthfully, he appears to be falling on the sword for Sarah and taking the blame mostly himself. Read the dishy testimony here and here. It includes accounts like (1) Sarah got sorta spanked by the later-fired public safety commissioner for driving once without Trig in a car seat and (2) that the state retaliated against her for selling the famous eBay jet by not having available to her a plane that could fly her to the Bush and (3) that it was Todd's obsession, not hers -- she even asked him to stop talking about it! Still, other details make you think ... hmmmm, what is the deal with this trooper/ex? He seems kind of creepy.

Oh, PS: Palin and the McCain campaign when ahead and cleared her last night of any wrongdoing in Troopergate. (Wait ... outside of a George Orwell novel, can you do that? Clear yourself in your own investigation?)

Daily Palin interview meltdown: the energy expert told people at a town hall meeting that Congress bans exports of Alaskan oil (turns out, that's false).

Daily Palin action on behalf of the base: Her office refused to sign a state proclamation for National Coming Out Day. What do you think her gay BFF thinks of this?

Daily Palin justice: The son of a Tennessee state legislator has been indicted for hacking into Sarah Palin's email account.

Rounding out your Morning News, we have a sneak peak at the upcoming Britney Spears documentary. Even she wonders what the hell she was thinking back in her head-shaving crazy days. She also refers to herself as a "smart person." Hey, don't judge! Maybe she is.

It's official: continental Europeans are obsessed with imprisoning loved ones. The latest discovery? An Italian woman who was held prisoner in her own home by her own husband for fifty years. They have two grown kids, by the way. She finally broke free when she was taken to the hospital for a heart problem.

Does pizza make it burn when you pee? (No? Us either.) If you answered yes, however, you're not alone! Pizza and other foods may set off your undiagnosed chronic bladder condition. (Tip: you might want to get that looked at.)

Good news that could be better: One in four American girls got the cervical cancer vaccine.

Will there be room in the Christmas budget this year for the most expensive Tickle Me Elmo doll yet? This one can move just like the little TV monster. We have to ask: why? Why?

Photos: Politico, Getty Images [via momlogic]

Morning News: Your New Daily News Digest

Madeline Holler — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:30:00 GMT

Welcome to Morning News! We're bringing you headlines and links to parenting and other big stories in the news every weekday. Click while you pump. Get the facts before playgroup. Make co-workers think your 24-hour network isn't Sprout or Nickelodean! Let's get started ...

What's on for Monday? It's still all about Sarah Palin, but this morning she's in a janitor's shirt, we've got the details on Trig's birth, she's ready for interviews, and ... did she get Chris Matthews fired? Also: Obama talks abortion regrets, there's lunch with Bill, orgasmic ladies strut, Angelina is a real doll, Ike's a real shit, and Fannie and Freddie are real gone.

Today in Sarah Palin: The mom in the news, Sarah Palin, will stay in the news. She is featured in this week's issue of Newsweek, a one-stop shop for the latest on Palin -- McCain allies try to tamp down "troopergate"; a contributor confesses her admiration for Palin; and the big BIG news for later this week: Palin has agreed to an interview with ABC's Charlie Gibson. Sidenote: Check out the cover photo (Sarah Palin in a janitor's uniform) and headline (Palin-tol-ogy). Having her dig for bones to discover the missing link might have confused the base.

Even More in Sarah Palin: Finally! The Trig Paxson Van Palin diagnosis and birth story! In this NY Times piece, we learn she was only pregnant for a month (her words), the leaky fluid/labor on a plane story (she was actually induced), and this juicy detail: she didn't tell her parents OR her kids that she was pregnant until her third trimester.

Chris Matthews gets the boot! (Kind of.): After two weeks of on-air squabbles during the conventions, MSNBC announced it will replace incendiary hosts Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann with correspondent and weekend anchor David Gregory. Though the two had long since embarassed their co-workers and possibly alienated viewers, let's not forget how, when Sarah Palin complained in her acceptance speech about media bias, the entire convention floor chanted "NBC! NBC!" Suuuuure, kick out Matthews when the new girl complains!

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- what it actually means for you and the kids: How to keep track of the failing financial institutions? We can't either, but these are the two biggies and this "conservatorship" thing impacts us all. For the spry of mind in the a.m., the takeover details. (Please submit a summary in comments for extra credit.)

The lunch watched 'round the world: Barack Obama may ask Bill Clinton to pass the salt on Thursday. The two have a lunch date since they'll both be in Manhattan for the anniversary of 9-11 and Obama promised Bill a long time ago he would. Awkward: who picks up the tab?

Speaking of Obama, he regrets his answer on abortion: Remember when he said that determining when life begins was "above his pay grade"? He says that was flip and really believes those are questions better left to theologians. A U.S. president unwilling to play God? What next? A separation of church and state?

Gustav down, Ike to go: New Orleans families may have to pack up and evacuate again! After powering over the Bahamas, hurricane Ike is headed toward the Gulf. Seriously, how do you manage any of that with kids?

Ladies, your orgasms are showing!: Trained sexologists claim they can tell a woman's orgasm history by the way she walks. Apparently, the sum of stride length and vertebral rotation was greater for the vaginally orgasmic women. Didn't you sort of suspect that?

The Angelina Jolie doll: Someone snatched up a one-of-a-kind figurine for $2K on ebay. Imagine what the whole family would have cost!

Photo: edumetrics.com

Image: Newsweek.com

Was Trig Palin drugged?

Brett Singer — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:30:00 GMT

This comes from a reader, who asked what I think is an interesting question that I haven't heard anyone else ask: how exactly is the Palin family getting Trig to stay so calm while in the public eye?

I've forgotten (or blocked out) some of what my kids were like at that age. I can say, though, that I can't imagine either of them being that calm in the face of so much clamor and activity.

One explanation is that the kid is, well, drugged. Now, I don't mean Quaaludes, just a little Benadryl or Tylenol. I freely admit that I've done the same thing, although not recently and only in certain situations, like on an airplane. The idea of doping the kids wouldn't have occurred to be except that our pediatrician suggested it. So this isn't a judgment thing, unless you want it to be.

Another possibility is that baby Trig (short for Trigonometry?) is just a mellow baby. They do exist, although in my experience they are almost as rare as unicorns. There are babies that work in television, or even theater: I saw one in a play who, much to my amazement, managed to stay quiet during a very long and loud scene.

So it's possible that the kid is just naturally low-key. But wow, talk about good behavior.

Me, I would've maybe not put the kid on camera quite so much, but that's a separate issue. (Some say that Trig "has definitely become a central prop in [the McCain] campaign," which unfortunately seems to be true.)

For those of you who currently have children that age, or who haven't erased that period of time from their memory banks, how do you think your little one would have withstood the tumult of a political convention?

image: bagnewsnotes

McCain, Palin oppose teen pregnancy aid and sex education

Red eye? Nope, eye cancer

Man ejected from Yankee Stadium for lack of patriotism

Sarah Palin, Sportscaster

Dadcentric endorses Obama

Shawn Johnson, Democrat? (UPDATE: Now with video)

Elizabeth Edwards slammed for keeping hubby's affair a secret

Sarah Palin Nude?!

Levi Johnston (aka: Mr. Bristol Palin) Meets McCain ... With Pics!

Can a Presidential Candidate Be a Family Man?

Palin’s Daughter’s Redneck Baby Daddy: “I Don’t Want Kids!”

'Palin Should Go Back to the Kitchen' and 4 More WTF Comments About the VP Pick

Political Nanny: Sarah Palin Punches Hard

Political Nanny: Oops! Conservative Pundits Call Palin Pick 'Gimmicky,' 'Bull**it'

Palin family online - real or fake?

Brett Singer — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:45:00 GMT

If the Internet is to be believed, John McCain has chosen a running mate whose family life is just thisclose to being a full season of The Jerry Springer Show. However, as we all know, not everything you read (online or in print) is true.

So in the interest of being fair and balanced (ahem), we present to you a list of what we've found out regarding the veracity of the various blogs, photos and assorted Palin hoo-ha.

Levi Johnston's blog: FAKE
This is clearly fake, but amusing (well, slightly). The tone is pretty close to what was on Levi's now gone MySpace page.

Willow Palin's blog: Unknown
This one could be real but seems very fake to me. I haven't seen any official debunking of it but I can't imagine the Republicans would allow anyone in the Palin family unfettered blogging rights at this point.

Bristol Palin party pics: Unknown

If I had to guess, I would say that these are real. These shots are more than a little bit creepy since Bristol is 17, and may have been younger when these photos were taken. However, if they are real, she posted 'em. I really hope MySpace and the rest have gone the way of other dot-bombs by the time my kids are old enough to care about them. If not, I think I'm going to have a little chat about not posting any and all photos online for the world to ogle at.

Sarah Palin nude shots: FAKE
Let's go one by one:

SO fake. But funny.

The Naked Shot
Click here to see it (not safe for work). Nerve says this looks like Julia Louis Dreyfus, and after seeing the photo they link to, I kind of agree. HOWEVER, Snopes (a good source for all internet fakery) says even that one is a phony. Damn you, Photoshop!

This shot of Palin in a mini-skirt isn't too racy, although someone did Photoshop it onto a Playboy cover.

Alas, Snopes says that one is fake as well. They don't offer as much evidence of said fakery as they do for the other pics; all they have is a shot of Palin with the same facial expression, hairdo, etc. I’m not saying it's real, just saying the evidence isn't as compelling. It's probably fake.

Less widely circulated is this shot from GrizzlyBay.org of Governor Palin with, um, Vikings:

That one is real. I think.

So now y'all know who to vote for, right? What? This doesn't matter at all? Oh…

Images/Sources: Nerve, GrizzlyBay, Snopes, Facebook, et al.

Sarah Palin Nude?!

Man ejected from Yankee Stadium for lack of patriotism

Levi Johnston (aka: Mr. Bristol Palin) Meets McCain ... With Pics!

Political Nanny: Mr. Sarah Palin, Alaska 'First Dude'

Proof That Baby Trig Is NOT Sarah Palin's Son?!!

McCain, Palin oppose teen pregnancy aid and sex education

Can a Presidential Candidate Be a Family Man?

Palin’s Daughter’s Redneck Baby Daddy: “I Don’t Want Kids!”

'Palin Should Go Back to the Kitchen' and 4 More WTF Comments About the VP Pick

Introducing Young Mr. Bristol Palin

Trig and Bristol: Palin Family Names Run Amok

Political Nanny: Obama Tells Reporters to 'Back Off' Palin's Pregnant Daughter

McCain, Palin oppose teen pregnancy aid and sex education

Brett Singer — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:20:00 GMT

Ah, running for President. Everything you've ever done is fair game. But hey, stay out of their personal lives! But hang on – this is about their political views? Oh. Um. OK.

"Republican John McCain, whose running mate disclosed that her unmarried 17-year-old daughter is pregnant, has opposed proposals to spend federal money on teen-pregnancy prevention programs and voted to require poor teen mothers to stay in school or lose their benefits."

Palin herself wrote in a questionnaire during her gubernatorial campaign in 2006, "The explicit sex-ed programs will not find my support." (Not sure what she means by "explicit sex-ed" -- plaster genitalia are out, but bananas are cool? Use "va-jay-jay" and "hey-nonner-nonner" instead of the word "vagina"?)

Some have said this is a "karma's a bitch" situation, but that seems unfair to me. Stuff happens, regardless of your personal beliefs. At best, it's ironic (don'tcha think? Sorry, couldn't resist). One good result of this particular scrutiny is that it shines a spotlight on McCain's voting record, and also on statements made by Palin. That sort of information is what people should be basing their voting decisions on, not whether or not Ms. Palin would be better off at home making brownies, rather than running for veep.

source: Yahoo News

Sarah Palin, Sportscaster

Palin’s Daughter’s Redneck Baby Daddy: “I Don’t Want Kids!”

'Palin Should Go Back to the Kitchen' and 4 More WTF Comments About the VP Pick

Trig and Bristol: Palin Family Names Run Amok

Sarah Palin, Sportscaster

Brett Singer — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:00:00 GMT

Before she entered politics, way back in 1988, Sarah Palin was known as Sarah Heath. She was, as you may have heard, a sports anchor for KTUU-TV in Anchorage, Alaska. Video was bound to surface eventually; I'm actually surprised it took this long.

It's not all that remarkable. She reads sports scores, makes less than snappy patter with an anchor that Deadspin describes as, "a weird amalgam of Ron Burgundy and Carl Monday," and she has big ol' 80's hair. There's also that voice, which I think is verrry close to Frances McDormand's in 'Fargo.'

Before I'm accused of "bashing" her, I'm not. That said, I think when the McCain campaign (McCampaign? Hmm...) tells us that she was a "journalist," that's pushing it a little bit.

Enjoy.

Source: Deadspin

Like father like son

Political Nanny: Sarah Palin is McCain's VP Pick!

Dad arrested for leaving son at McDonald's

Dadcentric endorses Obama

Political Nanny: Scrapbooking the Election -- Sasha and Malia at the Convention!

Kidnap dad caught

Airline removes life vests

Son stabs father over haircut

Is it ever OK to hit your kids?

5 ways to get revenge on your kids

How to be an annoying camp parent

Return of the son of stuff YUPPIE parents like

Kids Stuff I like that my kids don't care about

More Kids Stuff I like that my kids don't care about

What about his taste in women?

Airline removes life vests

Family Movie Night – Hairspray

Dadcentric endorses Obama

Brett Singer — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:30:00 GMT

In a move that will shake the foundations of political pundits more than John McCain's choice of running mate, the blog DadCentric has chosen to endorse Barack Obama for President. (full disclosure: Famecrawlerer Whit Honea writes for Dadcentric. We support our own.)

The endorsement amusingly compares the Bush Administration to Applebee's, and takes great pains to point out that John McCain is not an inherently evil man, somewhat like Mr. Obama did in his speech last night. It will be interesting to see if the McCain campaign (the McCampaign? Nah, doesn't work) does the same at their convention next week.

Read the full post – and the remarkably vitriolic comments – here. And make sure you register to vote. This is an election year, people.

image: Droolicious

Shawn Johnson, Democrat? (UPDATE: Now with video)

5 coolest Barack Obama T-shirts and onesies for your politically minded little one

Political Nanny: Sarah Palin is McCain's VP Pick!

Political Nanny: Arena Obama

Beau Biden almost made me cry

Elizabeth Edwards slammed for keeping hubby's affair a secret

Beau Biden's Speech: Do it for His Dad

Elizabeth Edwards slammed for keeping hubby's affair a secret

Baby Penis Album only five bucks

Des Moines sex club shut down

Shawn Johnson, Democrat? (UPDATE: Now with video)

Brett Singer — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:00:00 GMT

While Michael Phelps is buying condos and making out with Australian swimmers (not that I blame the guy for having some fun, mind you), adorable pixie-person Shawn Johnson is in Denver, leading the pledge of allegiance at the Democratic Convention. The L.A. Times points out that Johnson hasn't declared an official party affiliation, "but the point is somewhat moot -- she's too young to vote." Jennifer Hudson ("Dreamgirls") sang the national anthem. (UPDATE: see the video below.)

As for why it looks like the event has moved outside, that's because it has. Obama's speech is taking place at Invesco Field (where the Denver Broncos play football) in order to accommodate a larger audience. The campaign expects 75,000 people to attend.

And yes, that's Al Gore standing with Shawn Johnson. He is tall and she is very short.

image: amny.com

Beau Biden almost made me cry

Beau Biden's Speech: Do it for His Dad

Did Michael Phelps actually win 8 medals?

Michael Phelps father in Baltimore, not Beijing

Political Nanny: Don't ... Stop ... Thinking About the 90s

Other Old Olympians

IOC orders investigation of Chinese Gymnast's age

Revenge of the Baseball Gods-Little League Scandal Revisited

Elizabeth Edwards slammed for keeping hubby's affair a secret

Why the puppy games are better than the Olympics

Nastia Luikin's mom watches from the stands (video)

Bela Karolyi likes to kill things

Beau Biden almost made me cry

Brett Singer — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:00:00 GMT

I caught some of Beau Biden's speech from The Democratic Convention last night. Beau is the son of Joe (ouch, that rhymes – Bo, Joe…his full name is Joseph Robinette Biden III), Barack Obama's running mate. He is the Attorney General of Delaware, and was on hand to introduce his father.

He described how his father overcame a stutter as a little boy, and generally praised him to the skies. But first, he talked about the car accident that killed his mother and baby sister, leaving him and his brother Hunter seriously injured. This was right after Biden was first elected to the Senate, in 1972. Beau was not quite 4 years old when this happened. Here's the line from his speech that got to me:

"He [my father] said…Delaware can always get another Senator. But my boys can't get another father."

Yow. Way to tug at the heartstrings, dude.

Here's video of the full speech:

image: flickr.com

Elizabeth Edwards slammed for keeping hubby's affair a secret

Denise Richards Reality Show Canceled

Creepiest spam message ever: "we have hijacked your baby"

Warner Bros. sues over Hari Puttar film

Mr. Rogers Talking Keychain

Do kids do better on tests if they get paid?

Political Nanny: Don't ... Stop ... Thinking About the 90s

Madeline Holler — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:34:00 GMT

Now THAT was a night at the convention! Fleetwood Mac thinking about tomorrow. Bill Clinton talking about yesterday. Joe Biden's son making us cry. A "surprise" appearance by Barack Obama (and the delightful surprise: a full-mouth kiss he gave Biden's wife ... did you catch that?). Whew! Surely Political Nanny wasn't the only one thinking we, the U.S., might actually move out of these dark, dark years and into something more fun! More exciting! More 1992!

The first two nights of the convention, well, they were kind of ehn. Michelle was fab but rushed. Hillary Clinton's speech was fine, great really. But also sounded rushed. Plus, the tension. Did she say enough? Did she mention his name? It was just nice to get it over with.

But then last night, Bill ... President Bill Clinton ... got pissy. Yes, yes, he praised Obama, said the young senator was ready, called on all Democrats to come together and vote and to ignore anybody who calls him "inexperienced" or "not ready to be commander in chief." We'll ignore for a moment that his wife said those things. And riffing on Fleetwood Mac, we'll think about five tomorrows to the Republican Covention where this will be a mantra. However! Clinton argued the same was said about him, back in the day, back in 1992 (ahhhh, '92 ...).

Since anger at the Bush administration can be so moving, and since no one does anger like Joe Biden, Political Nanny couldn't help but enjoy the senator/VP nominee from Delaware (or Scranton, Penn., or, as CNBC had him listed, from Maryland!). Of course, his son's intro to the Senator got everybody juiced up on love and agony (Biden's first wife and daughter were killed in a car wreck just after he won his first election ...).

Finally, Biden was unleashed. He upbraided the Bush administration and its supporters (ahem! McCain). Oh, and praised his super old mom for raising him to punch back. Yow! We're looking forward to lots of Joe in the near future (clearing the calendar for VP debates for sure).

We all kind of knew Barack Obama would show up at the end. Nice touch and apparently unprecedented. A few too many shots of John Kerry (who had to have been thinking of his own lackluster convention ... except for that one super shining moment when that one junior Senator from Illinois brought down the house). But that's history.

Back to thinking about tomorrow (or the 90s ... same difference, perhaps?).

Photo: CNN

Political Nanny: Cindy McCain Fakin' Bakin'

Madeline Holler — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:31:00 GMT

Cindy McCain has once again been busted for recipe infringement.

Political Nanny brought you the news back in April that the possible future-First-Lady's Ahi Tuna recipe was lifted from the Food Network Web site. Well, her Oatmeal-Butterscotch cookie recipe for Family Circle comes from here:

Hersheys.com. Yikes!

Listen, a cookie's a cookie, right? Unless it has a secret ingredient, we're all probably working off the same few butter/flour/sugar configurations. Who doesn't go online before baking a cookie?

But there is something bigger to consider: how awful is this quadrennial tradition of gathering recipes from the spouses of presidential candidates? For God's sake, rich people don't cook!

Who actually believes that Cindy McCain spends any time in the kitchen? Just look at these BBQ pics (you'll have to do some scrolling) -- she's always sitting around with a red Solo cup. She's a freaking heiress! She doesn't HAVE to cook, and that's OK. But if she concedes that she doesn't cook, well, is that relatable to the GOP base? Well, it should be.

Anyway, does anybody really think Laura Bush cooks? We know Hillary doesn't.

If you're curious, the other candidate's spouses also submitted recipes, but credited them to the family cook (Bill Clinton) and her children's godmother (Michelle Obama).

Bitter, bittersweet cookies.

Photo: HuffPo

Hillary Clinton vs. Reese Witherspoon

Brett Singer — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 18:00:00 GMT

By now Hillary Clinton has officially "suspended" her Presidential campaign (never mind the fact that she, you know, had already lost). While reading this news, I came across two videos that kind of go together.

First, from 60 Minutes and Yahoo! Video (not embeddable) is Hillary, in a semi-casual moment, talking to Katie Couric after a speech. She says, and I can't decide how much she's joking, "Isn't it great that high school is just like life?" I just watched it again and I'm fairly certain she's kidding. I also like it at the beginning when she very quickly hits the hand sanitizer.

Now, continuing in that vein, here is a little video mash-up from Slate: comparing Hillary with Tracy Flick (played by Reese Witherspoon) in the movie "Election." It kinda works. I guess Howard Dean would play the Matthew Broderick role?

Hillary's Inner Tracy Flick

The campaign may be over, but the videos live on. I'm thinking it's not fun at the Clinton house today.

Note to Hillary: You lost

Valedictorian To Be Deported After Graduation

Now Casting 'Election 2008: The Movie'

Note to Hillary: You lost

Brett Singer — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 19:00:00 GMT

Remember when a loss was a loss?

So Barack Obama has won enough delegates to become the Democratic nominee for President. Which means that Hillary is going to stop talking like she has a shot at winning the nomination.

Hillary, however, has not conceded yet (although she may do so today), and her first response was to specifically not concede.

To this I say: huh?

Maybe I'm old-fashioned but I always thought that if you lost something, that means you lost. No backsies, no do-overs. You lost. That's it. Moving on.

Before you say, "Well, that's the Clintons for you," it needs to be pointed out that this is not just a Hillary thing. Remember when Giuliani told Bloomberg he wanted to stick around and be mayor for a few more months, even though his term was over due to term limits? (This was after 9/11, and call me crazy, but I think he would've won.) Bloomberg told Rudy to take a hike (politely, I'm sure.) Now Mayor Mike is trying the same thing. The New York Times reports that "Bloomberg is said to explore a third mayoral term or a bid for governor." One problem with that "third term" thing: term limits. At least Mike isn't waiting until the last second to try and change the law, but he's still trying to change it. Now that it suits him.

Anyone who is even a casual sports fan knows that players have become increasingly whiny the more they get paid. It seems like every baseball game I see, there are at least five or six batters who argue a called strike, thereby delaying the game and also displaying bad sportsmanship. In football, they actually have do-overs of a sort; coaches are allowed to challenge plays and ask that an official review them. Baseball is probably going to start doing this as well. This is a good thing, because umpires sometimes make mistakes that can affect the outcome of a game. But it has to be regulated in some way so that every minute detail isn't argued to the point of absurdity.

Everyone always talks about "the message" that "our children" are getting. You try to tell kids that they need to be gracious about both winning and losing. Then they see Derek Jeter yapping to an umpire that a ball wasn't really a strike, as if it's going to make a difference. Or worse, Hillary continuing to talk as if she has a shot at the nomination, when she has already lost. And the media indulges her -- if she lost, we don't need her to concede, right?

Hillary. It's over. Stop already. OK?

image: phonecam pic that I took of an AMNY news kiosk. I thought it was funny the way Hillary's face was all schmooshed.

Political Nanny: Obama Supporter Refused Communion

Political Nanny: Punches, Not Hugs, for the Obamas

Moms of the Famous Tell Us How To Raise Successful Kids

Brett Singer — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:00:00 GMT

Page Six reports on a new book where the mommies of various famous folks reveal how they raised their offspring.

If the rumors that Brett Ratner is a jerk are true, we may have his mother to blame. Momma Marcia Ratner apparently "coddled, pampered and ultimately embarrassed her son Brett." (Just in case Brett is hiring for "X-Men 4," I would like to point out that I'm not saying he's a jerk. Just that other people say he's a jerk.) Derek Jeter's mom Dot forced him to get good grades if he wanted to play baseball, and Steven Spielberg's mommy thought he would maybe work in a supermarket when he grew up.

The book is "Mother Nuture: Life Lessons from the Mothers of America's Best and Brightest," and while author Stephanie Hirsch did land some good interviews with moms, there are other good stories out there. On the Howard Stern Show, Richard Lewis talked about the time he called his mother to tell her some exciting news: he was going to be on The Tonight Show. Her response? "Who else is on?" Shocking that he's a bit neurotic.

Howard Stern's own relationship with his mother is well documented, including that she raised him "like a veal." Stern's father famously yelled at him in a recording studio when he was 7, something that Howard has turned into a bit on his radio show.

Then there's Eliot Spitzer's dad Bernard, who reportedly used Monopoly to teach life lessons to the future Tainted Gov: during a game of Monopoly, Bernard ordered Eliot, then 7 or 8, to sell him a piece of property, then reduced his son to tears when Eliot couldn’t pay the rent. The lesson he was teaching? “Never defer to authority,” Bernard said. Nice.

I'd actually rather hear from people like Bill and Hillary, since Chelsea seems to have turned out so well. As long as we never have to hear parenting advice from the Spearses.

Chelsea Clinton, All Growed Up

Brett Singer — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:00:00 GMT

I had a funny reaction to the recent New York Magazine cover story about Chelsea Clinton. Maybe its because her dad was the first President I voted for, and I remember how Bill and Hill tried to keep her out of the limelight. The press actually respected the notion that the First Daughter was off-limits. Even now, as she hits the campaign trail in support of mom's Presidential bid, they've been fairly hands off; even this article was written with limited participation from Chelsea or anyone close to her.

But back to, you know, me. When I started the article, which talks about her experience stumping for mama Hillary, my first thoughts were bizarrely protective. When the article mentions that she is "a flirt...like her father," I suddenly became her older brother: "Hey! What are you doing, talking about Chelsea like that? She's just a kid. She's off limits!"

Later in the piece, it is pointed out that Chelsea is now 28 years old. She has a job at a hedge fund that sounds like something I wouldn't be able to understand. In short, she ain't no kid, bucko. You got older, and so did she. And she hardly needs my protection.

David Shuster of MSNBC earned a suspension for saying that Chelsea was being "pimped out" by the Clinton camp (see below for video). The NY Mag article takes a different tack, claming that Chelsea is, "orchestrating her own transformation from unwitting victim to willing agent in her parents' dreams of power and restoration." While that sounds good, it's hard to imagine that she would be out and about the way she is if Hillary held a commanding delegate lead (or even a lead at all.)

The tease on the cover suggests that the daughter is "the [Clinton] dynasty's backup plan," which is a bit of a stretch since this is the first time we've seen Chelsea show any interest in public life. But she is good at it, much to the surprise of even die-hard Hillary supporters. So who knows? If Hillary doesn't get the nod, we may still have a female President named Clinton. It'll just take a little longer than we thought.

Photos, video and related posts:

Click here to see a photo timeline of Chelsea (helping to explain, somewhat, my odd reaction to seeing her all grown up). See below for video of the "pimping" comment. And for more about Chelsea, see these Strollerderby posts: Pimping Kids Is Just a Mother's Way, Kids Shuffle Down the Campaign Trail, and Hillary Clinton Hopes "Mum Strategy" Will Give Her Winning Edge.

photo: NYMag.com

Political Nanny's Playground: Candidate Love

Madeline Holler — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 22:05:00 GMT

They say politics make strange bedfellows. But what about politicians? With few exceptions, the slate of 2008 presidential candidates -- both already out and those still in -- hooked up with some beauties.

Political Nanny's opened the pages of her election scrapbook again today, this time for a peek at candidates in love. Looking through the pictures might be like walking in on your parents, so consider this a warning. There's Cindy and John McCain in a hotel room, Bill and Hillary in a hammock, Janet and Mike get beasty, and Michelle and Barack being America's newest sweethearts.

Of course, nothing makes me miss Dennis and Elizabeth Kucinich more than a post full of pictures without them smooching. So I've included one here.

Slumber Parties With the President!

Madeline Holler — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:03:00 GMT

No, not THAT president (this isn’t the 90s!). We’re talking about a possible future president of the U.S. who wants you to pull out the sleeper sofa and whip up fluffy, crisp waffles the next morning. Only if he promises no scary ghost stories for the kids!

Regular sleepovers in the homes of average Americans is all a part of Bill Richardson’s plan to stay in touch with real American families when in office. It’s his way of being a “grass-roots president,” he says.

Well, aside from the certain consternation of his Secret Service detail, I think it’d be great to have the POTUS over for high-calorie snacking and a late-night tickle fight. We could drive around town counting home foreclosure signs in front lawns, maybe feed the ducks and/or homeless people scampering around the park. (Think he'd buy us a tank of premium gas as a thank-you?) Either way, it’d be a blast!

What do you think? Would you be up for hosting the president for a weekend retreat at your house? I think Kucinich would be the most fun. We’d have to do a Level I cleaning for Hillary Clinton. Bill Richardson looks like he snores and we live in a very small house. Would Edwards hog the bathroom? Huckabee has already been deemed a more than suitable babysitter, so why not let him stay over? Who would you like host?

Don’t know the candidates? Keep up with them, their evolving issues and quirky antics over at my alter-ego’s Political Nanny blog.

Hillary Clinton Hopes "Mum Strategy" Will Give Her Winning Edge

Stefania Pomponi Butler (CityMama) — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 14:01:00 GMT

Hillary Clinton is turning to daughter Chelsea to help boost her motherly image, and play down her reputation as a "cold, calculating" political player. Since Clinton announced last week that she's "in to win" for president, intensely private Chelsea has been nowhere to be seen. Now that Senator Clinton has been referring to herself more often as a mother, it might be nice if her child showed up for some photo ops. (Or so the Clinton camp strategizes...)

Senator Clinton's family is seen as key to help soften up her image and make her seem more "compassionate," but we all know hubby Bill Clinton can't play that role. He is well-loved and, therefore, considered a "distraction." So the responsibility now falls on Chelsea who will probably be photographed with her mother A LOT over the course of the next two (two!) years. Even though she has her own freakin' life.

Hey, look! It's Bill!

[via the Telegraph]