Trick or Treat?

When the news about Barack Obama coming to JMU hit yesterday it sent ripples through the Democratic faithful and shivers down Republican backs. Obama bringing his campaign to the reddest area of a state the GOP has taken for granted as their turf for years shows how serious he takes Virginia and reaching out to all voters. The last time a presidential candidate came to Harrisonburg was Richard Nixon in 1968 and that was before he formally announced. I bet the Convocation Center will be packed and rockin'. You better arrive by 3:00 PM for the 5:15 PM rally if you want a seat. You should RSVP, but seating is still first-come, first-served.

Of course, this is Halloween week so there may be some political tricks and treating this week. The Staunton/Augusta Democrats are having a little Halloween Party on Friday evening. Details here. Does this mean I have to spend $150,000 for my costume? As Joe Biden said,

I know Halloween is coming up, but John McCain disguised as an agent of change is one thing the American people aren't buying.

Signs of Change

According to several people, there has been an explosion of large Obama/Biden signs between from Rockingham to Rockbridge in the past few days. Reports say about 50 of the large signs appeared in Augusta, Staunton, and Waynesboro alone. This is coming on top of a high energy grassroots get out the vote effort with phone banking and door-to-door canvassing.

Local committees hope the signs will stay up until Election Day that is just two weeks away. I was told that every sign was placed on private property with permission, however they may not survive more than a few nights. Many Obama signs place earlier were vandalized with hateful things like "KKK," were cut apart, or were stolen. Apparently, some folks have a hard time respecting freedom of expression!

Signs have been spotted along well-traveled rural highways.

This array of signs is just off I-64 near Tinkling Springs Church.

On Rt. 11 near the Rockbridge/Augusta line.

LOL

The Obama/Biden sign obscures the GOP HQ in Waynesboro.

For more on the GOP and Democrats in Waynesboro, check out

Talk of the Town in the New York Times.

I'm Voting for the Chick?

The VP debate has come and gone - who won? Like most of these much anticipated debates, there is no clear answer and it often depends who you ask.

Senator Biden did well and demonstrated his grasp on a wide range of domestic, military, and foreign policy issues. No gaffes. Most Democrats are probably pleased with his performance in the debate and on the campaign trail. Biden will be at a rally in Roanoke this Sunday. One can picture him as a trusted advisor to a President Obama, a leader in the Senate (especially since it will likely have a Democratic majority), and fully ready to take over if necessary.

Governor Palin also did well, especially since the bar had been set very low by her bungling media performances in the past few weeks. She was witty, personable, and in spite of some errors of fact, never quite had that deer in the headlights look she exhibited in the Couric interviews. She did repeat some of the talking points that several days of extensive coaching had taught her. I imagine most conservative Republicans are pleased that she survived this low hurdle. But, can you really imagine her as a inner circle advisor to a President McCain? Or ready to take over the presidency if necessary? I can't - not in a heartbeat.

An aside that may have some significance - as Biden and Palin greeted each other she asked if it was OK to call him Joe? Biden, at heart a working class kind of guy, had no problem with it. Palin referred to him by his first name throughout the debate while he always addressed her as governor. Did she put herself on his level, or did she seem too flip and disrespectful? Did he seem too formal? The answer may depend on the age of the viewer. Or maybe it makes little difference.

Both Biden and Palin achieved some of their goals in the debate. He reestablished his strong policy credentials and tied McCain to failed policies. She made effective use of her inexperience to make herself a bit endearing and probably silenced the late night comics... for now. At any rate, the story will be front page for 24 hours and then be lost in the financial meltdown, the vote in the House of Representatives, and the stock market opening on Monday.

Folks have noticed "I'm voting for the chick" signs popping up around the central Shenandoah Valley. Not sure who authorized and bought these, but if they think they help elect Palin, they ought to have their head examined. Now, CCC certainly likes "chicks," but referring to a human female as a chick carries the connotation of being young, cute, and air headed. It is a Palin-putdown that those who put up such signs probably don't understand. If the description fits... 

These signs remind me of "womanless beauty pageants" that are still fairly popular in the area. Guys dress up a females, "celebrating" what a guy apparently wants in a girl - big boobs and a shapely butt - but never the recognizing the female as a person. I find them repulsive and lacking of all beauty. Childish. Many of my conservative Republican friends really get into these womanless beauty pageants. Maybe these guys slip off to the big city and are secret weekend cross-dressers?

These signs and pageants represent deep seated disdain and disrespect for women. If by some fluke, McCain/Palin are elected we can expect to to see the vice president quickly shunted to the back room. Unless fashion tips are needed for McCain's friends.

How Green Is My Valley?

Anne Nielson of the Climate Action Alliance of the Valley writes a thoughtful column, Judge Candidates' Environmental Stances, in today's Daily News-Record. If environmental issues matter to you (shouldn't they matter to all of us?) Ms. Nielson's observations deserve our attention. A few tidbits:

• John McCain formerly supported attempts to cap greenhouse emissions and believes climate change is caused by human activity, but he hasn't mentioned it since winning the nomination (right shift?). However, his running mate said, "...a changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other, I'm not one who would attribute it to being man-made."
• Jim Gilmore's stance on climate change is unknown, he doesn't talk about it.
• Barack Obama and Mark Warner support cap-and-trade proposals to limit carbon emissions. In 1986 Joe Biden offered the first bill to limit global warming pollutants.
• Sam Rasoul "calls on Americans to rally to a national effort to meet ... environmental, security, and employment problems."
• Bob Goodlatte supported an amendment to K-12 curriculum include "diversity of scientific viewpoints" on human impact on climate change and encourages more coal-fired power plants.
• Janice Lee Allen's views are unknown except for a vague statement on her website about "creation of a universal organization to monitor pollutants."

There are differences, very real differences, between the candidates. Read Nielson's commentary for more info. Research the candidates' positions. This fowl doesn't want our chicks' futures to be foul. Vote Green.

VeepStakes, part one

Barack Obama's selection of Senator Joe Biden as his VP running-mate has many Republicans, even here in the Old Dominion, concerned. Biden has a solid reputation as a straight shooting working class Democrat who will appeal to a broad swath of middle class Americans. Many former Hillary supporters will rally to Biden joining the ticket. His long experience in the Senate and reputation as "big thinker" on foreign and military policy will strengthen the ticket nationally and be a valuable asset in the Obama administration. Like a great president from Illinois, Obama is comfortable with and wants a team of rivals in his inner circle. One last point - Biden sought the presidency, but his age suggests he probably wouldn't run in eight years. Hillary Clinton and her supporters will recognize that her opportunity awaits. I predict that, with his working class roots, his Pennsylvania heritage, and his Catholic upbringing will make Biden a very attractive choice for many Americans. Biden is an excellent choice and one the CCC previously predicted.

As the speculation centered on Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket, Bob Goodlatte was practically begging John McCain to choose a conservative. Goodlatte is smart enough to know that his base in the 6th District is conservative. And those conservatives don't like or trust John McCain. Unless McCain picks someone who will energize this base, many will sit out the election - they won't donate, they won't help, and many won't vote. Locked in his first competitive race in years, Goodlatte is understandably worried. After all, he's holding his nose while running with Jim Gilmore. If the national ticket fails to inspire, Mr. Goodlatte will be hanging out there all alone.

Goodlatte seems especially concerned that McCain will try to pick someone like Joe Lieberman who has been at his side, correcting McCain's numerous misstatements on Iraq and terrorism. Lieberman is a former Democrat, is pro-choice, and seen by many right wingers as a "liberal" on social issues. Another potential choice, Tom Ridge of Pennsylvania, might be an attempt to off-set Biden's appeal in that state, but he is also pro-choice. Mitt Romney - will born-again Christians vote for a Mormon? Those I know find him a total turn-off. Many conservatives in the 6th might prefer a Mike Huckabee type of candidate. While that might help Bob, it would sink McCain in state after state. Seems there are no good choices for McCain - if he goes right to help right wingers like Bob, he alienates the moderates and independents he needs to have a prayer of winning. If he opts for a moderate, the wingnuts sit out '08.

I might be crowing about my prediction of Biden joining the Obama ticket, but I don't feel nearly so cocky about predicting McCain's choice. There aren't any good ones. McCain is unpredictable. I don't think like a Republican. Thank God. My early guess is that he doesn't pick anyone I've named above - he's gotta roll the dice. I do know McCain doesn't care one bit what will help right wingers like Goodlatte - his "maverick" reputation is mostly earned by stomping on the toes of his own party.

A Virginia VeepStakes - Nope!

Barack Obama has been in Hawaii for a little R&R and a lot of preparing for the convention and the selection of the VP. A couple of Virginians are figuring prominently in those plans.

Mark Warner will be the keynote speaker. A great opportunity for Governor Warner to showcase himself nationally and to promote the kind of centrist, pragmatic approach that made him a successful governor and that will elect him to the U.S. Senate by a landslide. Yes, it will be a 15-20 percentage point win! Or more.

The selection of Warner to deliver the keynote address is probably a signal that Governor Tim Kaine's chances to be selected VP are quickly dimming. It seems pretty unlikely that two Virginian governors would figure so prominently at the Democratic Convention. The grist mill says Kaine has seemed a little glum in the last few days. Cluck.

While Kaine certainly remains in the very short list of potential Obama running mates, two senators are, I believe, more likely choices - Evan Bayh and Joe Biden.

Senator Bayh campaigned with Obama last week and as a former Clinton supporter might bring some of her supporters on board. He's a solid choice from the heartland and probably a safe choice for the ticket. But, is he a compelling choice? And, with a Republican governor poised to appoint a replacement, the political calculus of the U.S. Senate may weigh more heavily on the decision.

With the Russian invasion of Georgia and international issues, at least for now trumping the economy, Senator Biden's expertise in foreign and military policy might be much more appealing to Obama. Biden is a bit of a loose cannon and has been known to let his mouth get him in political trouble, but there is little doubt he is one of the finest minds on international issues, connecting the dots, and seeing the big picture. Senator Biden has been pretty quiet recently - not wanting to insert foot? Another plus for Biden is the fact that Delaware's governor is a Democrat.

This bird doesn't gamble, but if I did I'd be betting on Joe Biden as Barack Obama's running mate. Of course, I like my crow with Tabasco sauce.