"I’ve been an Obama skeptic, but I have to say at the end of his event in Iowa I attended Saturday night, I got out of my chair in the back and stood up and craned my neck to get a good look at him as he finished his speech. He’s an electrifying performer and there was a sense in the room that maybe, just maybe you were witnessing the beginning of something historic," – Rich Lowry, NRO.
Attention, Kossites
From here.
Quote For The Day
"You discussed [in a briefing the previous week] the fact that there is videotape of Abu Zubaydah following his capture that will be destroyed after the Inspector General finishes his inquiry. I would urge the Agency to reconsider that plan. Even if the videotape does not constitute an official record that must be preserved under the law, the videotape would be the best proof that the written record is accurate, if such record is called into question in the future. The fact of destruction would reflect badly on the Agency," – representative Jane Harman, February 10, 2003.
Romney Has Spent $100 Million?
Watching him get poorer and less popular has its charms.
Face Of The Day
The body of a Kenyan man lies in an alley in the Dandora district of Nairobi, Kenya, 02 January 2008. Stringer/AFP/Getty.
The War Is Over, Apparently
Glenn Reynolds celebrates.
Poor Jay Carney
Like the rest of us, the hacks just have to wait until the actual results come in.
Edwards’ Final Push
Jane Hamsher so wants to believe:
I like Edwards message, it appeals to me, but I got the sense that if I wasn’t already on his team I might not be persuaded by listening to him. Edwards speaks like a man who is convinced he’s right and will doggedly pursue his message whether people want to hear it or not. Which I respect. but Huckabee has a sense of himself as a man with a message that is right for the time, and all people need to do is hear it and they’ll think so too. The populist frame is not all that different, but one message is alienating, the other enfranchising.
If Obama is the Democratic nominee, many Republicans will cross over to vote for him. If Huckabee is the Republican nominee, will left-wing populists and blue-collar Dems cross over for him?
On The Verge
A reader writes:
In case you were looking for the mood of any actual Iowans today…
I am a 31 year old single, professional female, and Iowa native living in Iowa City. I will be a first-time caucus goer tonight. I switched my affiliation from Republican to Democrat only a couple months ago. After many months of being drowned in candidates here in Iowa (I think we ceased having real commercials on TV about a week ago, its been nothing but back-to-back political ads for days), I fully expected to feel relief that this day was finally here. More because I knew tomorrow all the incessant phone calls would stop (Mitt Romney’s campaign called once while I was listening to Obama speak) and life could get back to normal.
I was really surprised to find that when I woke up this morning and saw "Caucus" written on my calendar for today, I was actually excited. Excited to get to participate tonight. Excited when I came to work and found a decorated "O" cookie on my desk from a co-worker. Very excited to be among the very first in the nation to cast a vote for Barack Obama. The only other time I’ve ever been excited or optimistic about a candidate was for John McCain back in 1996, during his plaid shirt days, but even then I wasn’t motivated enough to caucus.
She’s what Richelieu is talking about.
(Photo: a Friendly House gymnasium January 2, 2008 in Davenport, Iowa. Scott Olson/Getty.)
“Stopping The Militant Gays”
Jim Talent says Romney has been consistent with respect to homosexual rights over the years. I like the idea of "militant." You’re "militant" if you want to commit to another human being and be included as an equal in your own family. I think what Talent means is that it’s ok to be gay as long as you are ashamed. Sorry, Jim. Those days are over. For ever.
