Post Debate

From last night’s debate –

(Via Americablog)
(This photo, taken by Reuters, was not photoshopped.)

Is cable news getting completely out of control? I was watching pre-debate on CNN last night, and they had no less than 10 pundits commenting. They probably all spoke for only a couple of minutes apiece. And Jen caught one guy logging on to facebook. HAHAHA.

After the debate, all the talking heads were saying that McCain clearly had his best night, and he won, and blah blah blah. Then the snap polls came online and they had to shut the fuck up as those polled affirmed what all Americans saw – Obama won big.

CBS poll of undecided voters:
Who won the debate?
McCain (R) 22 Obama (D) 53

and CNN:

Just keep in mind, that with out the snap polls, it would be the talking heads that set the narrative, that would have told us who won. Everyday Americans would say to themselves, well, I thought Obama won, but all I hear on the TV and the radio is that McCain won. Maybe I’m wrong. But, with snap polls, there is instant confirmation of what we saw. I love it.

Meanwhile, Daily Kos reports that Joe the Plumber isn’t an umcommitted voter as the media is making him out to be. He fully backs McCain. Additionally, Obama’s employer healthcare plan exempts small businesses, so Joe would not be fined. Also, I am going to make it my life mission to someday be referred to as “Jalynn the lesbian” in a nationally televised federal election debate.

Incidentally, Joe the Plumber originally registered with the Natural Law Party. From wikipedia – “The party based its platform on Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's view that natural law is the supreme organizing principle that governs the universe, and that the problems of humanity are caused by people acting against this natural law. The Natural Law Party claimed that it could realign humanity with this organizing principle through techniques such as the practice of Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program, and problems would be alleviated.”

“The U.S. Natural Law Party, led by Dr. John Hagelin, ran as a third party that was largely center-left in ideology. It took liberal positions on abortion and gay rights, promised that it had scientific solutions to combat social ills such as poverty, crime, racism, bigotry, and came off as being politically moderate to conservative on economic issues.”

Yeah, it certainly sounds like this guy is pretty confused. I mean, I don’t think that a strong McCain (2008) supporter is going to take liberal positions on abortion and gay rights… just saying. OH, and Joe may not even be a licensed plumber...and he owes back taxes. A real stand-up guy - and now he's a registered Republican.

And how about crazy McCain on abortion. Note the air quotes “health of the mother.” Note to John McCain, using air quotes to mock health of the mother exemptions is NOT they way to win over independent women. I also enjoyed CNN’s focus group tracker that showed men way up, when McCain talked about restricting a woman’s right to choose, and the women’s line, way down. Seems about right. Men want to tell women what they can and cannot do with their bodies. Reminds me of how some health insurance policies will cover Viagra and not birth control. See, because birth control (in a radical rightwing view) is akin to abortion, but get an old, tired penis up for some horizontal boogying is totally fine.

Also, Obama will be in St. Louis this Saturday at the Arch. Gates open at 10:15am, program begins at 12pm. RSVPing is not required, but suggested. More information here.