Sebelius: Don't Cry for Me Cawker City!
Looks like our own Sunflower, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, is not going to be Obama's main gal.
Media speculation today is rife with Sen. Joe Biden getting the nod as the Vice Presidential nominee. Like there's a shortage of middle aged white guys who have been passed over for important positions in America.
So, in preparation for this bad news for Our Woman Kathleen, I offer the following re-write of lyrics from Evita for the Governor to sing from the south portico of the State Capitol (if its not all tore up from renovation).
Don't Cry for Me Cawker City
Don't cry for me Cawker City!
The truth is I never left Topeka
All through my Barack days
My Obama existence
I kept my promise
Don't keep your distance
And as for Vice President, and as for fame
I never invited them in
Though it seemed to the blogosphere they were all I desired
Don't cry for me Cawker City (or Dodge City or Garden City or Ness City or Arkansas City or Kansas City)!
Don't cry for me Cawker City!
The truth is I never left Topeka
All through my Barack days
My Obama existence
I kept my promise
Don't keep your distance
And as for Vice President, and as for fame
I never invited them in
Though it seemed to the blogosphere they were all I desired
Don't cry for me Cawker City (or Dodge City or Garden City or Ness City or Arkansas City or Kansas City)!
Technorati Tags: Evita, Kathleen Sebelius, Kansas, Vice President, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, 2008 election, Cawker City
Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2008
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Todd D. Epp
in Pat Roberts, Humor, 2008 Election, 2008 Presidential Election, Kathlee Sebelius
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Todd D. Epp
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Jim Tells Pat--You're Fired (or You Ought to Be)
Rep. Jim Slattery goes Old School in a New School sort of way with a personal appeal via YouTube as to why Sen. Pat Roberts should be retired.First, Jim says Pat screwed up as head of the Senate Intelligence Committee and believing all the Bush Administration's lies about going to war with Iraq. And second, he says he can't believe Pat voted against Sen. John McCain's bill banning torture by the US.
Jim says both positions are not Kansas values.
Hit 'em again harder, harder, Jim!
Here's the video.
And here's where you can give so Jim can buy more airtime: Click here
Technorati Tags: Jim Slattery, Pat Roberts, US Senate, Kansas, 2008 election
Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2008
by
Todd D. Epp
in Jim Slattery, 2008 U.S. Senate Race, Pat Roberts, Media, 2008 Election
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Todd D. Epp
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When Debate Coaches Go Nuts: Fort Hays State Prof Caught with Pants Down
College debate.
Sounds highly cerebral, dignified, civil, and, well, boring.
Guess again.
A Fort Hays State University professor got into with some colleagues and the results are both sad and funny.
An excerpt from College On the Record:
Sounds highly cerebral, dignified, civil, and, well, boring.
Guess again.
A Fort Hays State University professor got into with some colleagues and the results are both sad and funny.
An excerpt from College On the Record:
A long-haired Fort Hays University professor, William Shanahan, and U Pitt professor, Shanara Reid-Brinkley, recently duked it out at the 2008 CEDA, a debate competition, and four-letter words ensued.
Inexpicably, Poppa Shanahan waved his ponytail up and down like a Ribbon Dancer in a rhythmic gymnastics competition, while Reid-Brinkley justified her conduct by saying, “Yes! Because I’m a f*cking girl!”
And of course, it was on YouTube:
Technorati Tags: debate, Fort Hays State University, FHSUBreaking: Obama's First Choice for Veep is John Kerry
I've got this straight from David Plouffe, Barack Obama's campaign manager.
Ok, I got it straight from Plouffe--via three intermediaries. You know, kind of like that scene in Ferris Bueller's Day Off--"My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it's pretty serious."
But Obama's number one pick for Veep as of today is (drum roll please!)
Sen. John Kerry!
Huh?
Yup the guy who ran for President from my party--and lost--four years ago. And his goofy wife Teresa Heinz.
And who else is on The List?
In no particular order, Gov. Tim Kaine (unacceptable), Sen. Joe Biden (acceptable) and Sen. Evan Bayh (who?).
No woman. No Hillary. No general. No decent governor like Kathleen Sebelius, Bill Richardson, Mark Warner, or Brian Schweitzer.
Let's hope my best friend's sister's boyfriend has it wrong.
Why, Obama, why have you become such a dork since the primaries?
Cross posted to Kansas Watch and South Dakota Watch.
Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, John Kerry, Vice President, 2008 election, Democrats, Presidential election
Posted on Monday, August 18, 2008
by
Todd D. Epp
in 2008 Election, 2008 Presidential Election
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MyDD: Slattery a "Realistic Shot" on Road to 60 Democratic Senators
MyDD's Todd Beeton (great first name, Todd!) lists Kansas Democratic U.S. Senate candidate as a "realistic shot" as the Democrats look to take 60 seats in the Senate this fall. He's not in the top tier of "solid" but in the next sub-sub group.
An excerpt:
An excerpt:The 3-5 "realistic shots" according to USA Today (and general CW):
Jeff Merkley in Oregon
Road to 60 candidate Ronnie Musgrove in Mississippi
Al Franken in Minnesota
Road to 60 candidate Kay Hagan in North Carolina
Tom Allen in MaineAnd these lists don't even take into account our two other Road to 60 candidates: Rick Noriega in Texas and Jim Slattery in Kansas, or netroots favorite Scott Kleeb in Nebraska.
So, what do you think? Can Rep. Slattery pull off a CPA Surprise like Lynn Jenkins did in the Second District GOP primary against Runnin' Jim Ryun?
Posted on Monday, August 18, 2008
by
Todd D. Epp
in Jim Slattery, 2008 U.S. Senate Race
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But Will She Have a Clue About What She's Talking About?
Can't say this will be appointment TV for me.From the Hollywood Reporter:
Katie Couric will talk politics on webcast
Katie Couric will anchor a live, daily webcast for CBS News each day of both the Democratic and Republican national conventions that will begin after the network's primetime coverage goes off the air.
Cross posted to Kansas Watch and South Dakota Watch.
Photo: CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric receives the Alice Award from the Sewall-Belmont House & Museum June 10, 2008 in Washington, DC. The Alice Award is named for suffragist Alice Paul. (photo from wireimage.com)
Posted on Monday, August 18, 2008
by
Todd D. Epp
in Media, 2008 Election, 2008 Presidential Election
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Shields: It's About the Voters, Stupid
Democratic commentator Mark Shields reminds Sen. Barack Obama--and frankly, all political candidates--that elections aren't about them but about the voters.
Shields is afraid Barack is going to make the same mistakes that Vice President Walter Mondale and Senators John Kerry and Hillary Clinton made, saying they were ready to be President.
The nugget:
Cross posted to Kansas Watch and South Dakota Watch.
Technorati Tags: Mark Shields, Barack Obama, candidates, 2008 Election
Shields is afraid Barack is going to make the same mistakes that Vice President Walter Mondale and Senators John Kerry and Hillary Clinton made, saying they were ready to be President.
The nugget:
The identical mistake was made in the messages sent, a quarter century apart, by these two Democrats: A presidential campaign -- especially a successful campaign that will enable the winner to lead the nation -- is not about the candidate; a successful presidential campaign is about the voters. It's also obviously about the country, the future and the differences with your opponent.It's an important reminder for all candidates in all parties at all levels--it's about the voters, stupid.
Cross posted to Kansas Watch and South Dakota Watch.
Technorati Tags: Mark Shields, Barack Obama, candidates, 2008 Election
Kephart: Obama Does Well But McCain Does Better at Saddleback Church Forum
The following is a posting from Sam Kephart, former Republican candidate for U.S. Senate and an occasional contributor to South Dakota Watch. 
I don’t agree with Sam’s conclusion but I think he provides a thoughtful analysis of last night’s candidate forum between Senators Barack Obama and John McCain with Pastor Rick Warren at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California.
——-
Over 400 years ago, in Shakespeareʼs play The Merchant of Venice, his character Launcelot said “…but at length, truth will out”. So it did Saturday evening, August 16th., for Americaʼs 2008 Presidential campaign.
Rick Warren, Pastor of the Lake Forest California-based Saddleback Church, hosted a Civil Forum on The Presidency that was cablecast, live, by MSNBC. He personally interviewed, for an hour each, both Senators Barack Obama and John McCain. If you didnʼt see it and you plan to cast your vote on November 4th., youʼd better catch the re-broadcast or look it up online. It was the clearest, cleanest in-depth view of the opposing candidates since the election season started.
Pastor Warren was able to get both men to reveal more about themselves in an hour-long detailed conversation, than the best of Americaʼs political hacks and news anchors have been able to do in more than eighteen months of ad nauseum, generally uninsightful, coverage.
Both candidates were relaxed, confident, open, polite, and considerate. Senator Obamaʼs personality and charisma were very apparent, and he gave honest, thoughtful answers. However, John McCainʼs responses to the same questions (he was in a sound-proof room while Obama was asked them first) were nothing less than a political tour-de-force… and a defining moment in Americaʼs 2008 Presidential Campaign. It would not be right, nor fair, to say McCain “won” the debate. In the first place, it wasnʼt a debate; it was a candid conversation with each of the candidates. There was nothing to win - no right or wrong answers. However, it was a very clear window into their worldview, emotions, and priorities.
It should have been clear to anyone who watched it, that John McCain is, indeed, ready for our nationʼs highest elected office… and Barack Obama is not.
My conclusion comes not so much from what was said, but how both Senators answered Pastor Warrenʼs probing questions. For the most part, Barack Obamaʼs
answers were, at best, tentative. McCainʼs were clear, immediate, and unflinching.
Thereʼs an interesting concept in psychology called meta-talk. In essence, it refers to the greater meaning of our spoken encounters with each other, i. e., when a conversation is taking place there is more going on than just the words being spoken.
Thereʼs body language, intonation, patterns of speech, etc., all of which add to the unconscious context or hidden meaning behind whatʼs being said.
While Senator Obama gave thoughtful answers, his responses were sometimes hesitant and filled with vocal pauses, indicating that he was either not comfortable answering the questions, hadnʼt yet formulated a conviction, or wasnʼt sure how he was being perceived. Senator McCain, by comparison, was direct, immediately responsive, heartfelt, humorous, and confident.
It was readily apparent that McCainʼs waters run much deeper than has ever been shown before on TV. His deep regret about the failure of his first marriage was evident; his patriotism and commitment to Americaʼs security and values were real. Obamaʼs concerns for for the little guy and his desire to protect “the least among us” were also manifest and compelling. Given Americaʼs current energy and economic mess, due largely to an axis of greed that has been allowed to build, unregulated, between the elites of Wall Street and K Street, Obamaʼs positions have great appeal to many Americans.
In the final analysis, however, itʼs clear that the evening went to Senator McCain, who is ready to inherit the mantle of power. Senator Obama, while obviously a charismatic political phenom, is not quite ready to be Commander-in-Chief.
The arguable “father” of modern social theory was the late German politician and economist, Max Weber (1864-1920). Weber once said “Avoid holding all those who contend as politicians in contempt, but strive to hold them to account. Remember that they will shape the world in which you live and that each of you has the ability to affect, somewhat, whether it is more a bit of heaven or a bit of hell.”
The big winner of the night was Pastor Rick Warren. By holding his guests to account, rather than in contempt, he got both Senators to give gut-level answers, without spin, that brought the truth out. Perhaps Weber was right…
Cross posted to Kansas Watch and South Dakota Watch.
Photo above: Sam Kephart.
Photo below: Online flyer of the event from Saddleback Church.
Sam Kephart is CEO of Virtual Acumen Corp., a Spearfish based creative agency specializing in digital media and marketing. He was also a Republican candidate for the U. S. Senate in 2008. He can be reached at sam2sam@aol.com
I don’t agree with Sam’s conclusion but I think he provides a thoughtful analysis of last night’s candidate forum between Senators Barack Obama and John McCain with Pastor Rick Warren at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California.
——-
Over 400 years ago, in Shakespeareʼs play The Merchant of Venice, his character Launcelot said “…but at length, truth will out”. So it did Saturday evening, August 16th., for Americaʼs 2008 Presidential campaign.
Rick Warren, Pastor of the Lake Forest California-based Saddleback Church, hosted a Civil Forum on The Presidency that was cablecast, live, by MSNBC. He personally interviewed, for an hour each, both Senators Barack Obama and John McCain. If you didnʼt see it and you plan to cast your vote on November 4th., youʼd better catch the re-broadcast or look it up online. It was the clearest, cleanest in-depth view of the opposing candidates since the election season started.
Pastor Warren was able to get both men to reveal more about themselves in an hour-long detailed conversation, than the best of Americaʼs political hacks and news anchors have been able to do in more than eighteen months of ad nauseum, generally uninsightful, coverage.
Both candidates were relaxed, confident, open, polite, and considerate. Senator Obamaʼs personality and charisma were very apparent, and he gave honest, thoughtful answers. However, John McCainʼs responses to the same questions (he was in a sound-proof room while Obama was asked them first) were nothing less than a political tour-de-force… and a defining moment in Americaʼs 2008 Presidential Campaign. It would not be right, nor fair, to say McCain “won” the debate. In the first place, it wasnʼt a debate; it was a candid conversation with each of the candidates. There was nothing to win - no right or wrong answers. However, it was a very clear window into their worldview, emotions, and priorities.
It should have been clear to anyone who watched it, that John McCain is, indeed, ready for our nationʼs highest elected office… and Barack Obama is not.
My conclusion comes not so much from what was said, but how both Senators answered Pastor Warrenʼs probing questions. For the most part, Barack Obamaʼs
answers were, at best, tentative. McCainʼs were clear, immediate, and unflinching.
Thereʼs an interesting concept in psychology called meta-talk. In essence, it refers to the greater meaning of our spoken encounters with each other, i. e., when a conversation is taking place there is more going on than just the words being spoken.
Thereʼs body language, intonation, patterns of speech, etc., all of which add to the unconscious context or hidden meaning behind whatʼs being said.
While Senator Obama gave thoughtful answers, his responses were sometimes hesitant and filled with vocal pauses, indicating that he was either not comfortable answering the questions, hadnʼt yet formulated a conviction, or wasnʼt sure how he was being perceived. Senator McCain, by comparison, was direct, immediately responsive, heartfelt, humorous, and confident.
It was readily apparent that McCainʼs waters run much deeper than has ever been shown before on TV. His deep regret about the failure of his first marriage was evident; his patriotism and commitment to Americaʼs security and values were real. Obamaʼs concerns for for the little guy and his desire to protect “the least among us” were also manifest and compelling. Given Americaʼs current energy and economic mess, due largely to an axis of greed that has been allowed to build, unregulated, between the elites of Wall Street and K Street, Obamaʼs positions have great appeal to many Americans.
In the final analysis, however, itʼs clear that the evening went to Senator McCain, who is ready to inherit the mantle of power. Senator Obama, while obviously a charismatic political phenom, is not quite ready to be Commander-in-Chief.
The arguable “father” of modern social theory was the late German politician and economist, Max Weber (1864-1920). Weber once said “Avoid holding all those who contend as politicians in contempt, but strive to hold them to account. Remember that they will shape the world in which you live and that each of you has the ability to affect, somewhat, whether it is more a bit of heaven or a bit of hell.”
The big winner of the night was Pastor Rick Warren. By holding his guests to account, rather than in contempt, he got both Senators to give gut-level answers, without spin, that brought the truth out. Perhaps Weber was right…
Cross posted to Kansas Watch and South Dakota Watch.
Photo above: Sam Kephart.
Photo below: Online flyer of the event from Saddleback Church.
Sam Kephart is CEO of Virtual Acumen Corp., a Spearfish based creative agency specializing in digital media and marketing. He was also a Republican candidate for the U. S. Senate in 2008. He can be reached at sam2sam@aol.com
Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2008
by
Todd D. Epp
in 2008 Election, 2008 Presidential Election
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