Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Awesome

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  • Russell Brown,

    See, I thought McCain came over as someone barking talking points without really even considering the questions.

    I think that's the great divide. I don't mind a politician looking like he's thinking about the answer to a question, or expressing nuance when he does answer -- but I accept that for some folks that's an unforgivable sign of weakness.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Hillary takes the stage for her speech soon.

    On CNN they're filling in time by fooling around with an electoral map that's a multi-touch sensing screen. It's like a big iPhone with a few extra gestural features.

    It's only about a year since multi-touch was fresh outta the lab, isn't it?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Lucy Stewart,

    For instance, he's lost count how many houses he owns.

    But it doesn't matter how many houses he owns, giovanni - he was a prisoner of war! He didn't have a house then! He didn't even have a kitchen table!

    I'm not sure if I was more disgusted hearing McCain pull out that excuse, or watching Jay Leno laugh it off and move on.

    Or do you think people are watching that speech and thinking 'wow, she managed to brush her hair'?

    I can almost guarantee that some TV channel somewhere in America devoted at least five minutes to analysing what she wore.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report Reply

  • Gareth Ward,

    On CNN they're filling in time by fooling around with an electoral map that's a multi-touch sensing screen.

    "Oi! Karl! Which ones you want to win? Nah mate, it's even easier now - just touch the screen! Sweet!"

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report Reply

  • LegBreak,

    Oh, just an unpleasant and cascading series of strains and spasms. Nothing serious. Except when I move.

    Unfortunately, it looks like my ace new ergonomic chair ain't arriving till next week.

    So no-one has been kicking you at the bottom of the stairs then?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    That sounds uncannily familiar, locally speaking.

    Locally speaking, as of this morning and Glenn's testimony Peters is a goner. Does it mean we get to stage Decision 08 before the yanks?

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Mark Harris,

    Am I the only one creeped out that the play-out music was a cheesy "Isn't she lovely"?

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle,

    Am I the only one creeped out that the play-out music was a cheesy "Isn't she lovely"?

    She quoted Sly Stone in the speech, though...

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • robbery,

    America, please don't fuck this up.

    that's assuming that the American voting public has any control over it.

    I take it you've watched the excellent black box voting documentary?
    some entirely suspicious results there, not that anyone in American politics of big business would act in a corrupt way of course.

    new zealand • Since May 2007 • 1882 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Hillary 's looking pretty awesome: completely in command, leaving no doubt about voting direction.

    You have to wonder how things might have been different if Mark Penn hadn't run her campaign.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Sara Bee,

    I really liked this comment from Salon's Alex Koppelman (he's discussing Mitt Romney's presence nearby to the Democrat convention):

    "John McCain earned his homes through the hard work, insight and fortitude of his family and himself, and Barack Obama got a special deal from a convicted felon," Romney continued, trying to steer the conversation away from economic disparities and toward the friendlier topic (to him, at least) of Tony Rezko. Exactly what insight of McCain's helped earn all those properties was unclear, unless it was his ability to recognize a powerful, wealthy Arizona family
    when he saw one.

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 67 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Grigg,

    General Petraeus, is a little at odds with the experienced John McCain over the surge it seems.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Exactly what insight of McCain's helped earn all those properties was unclear, unless it was his ability to recognize a powerful, wealthy Arizona family when he saw one.

    I'm all for nailing McCain on this, although it's a bit rich coming from the party that nominated the husband of Teresa Heinz last time around.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Andrew Smith,

    Perhaps my reference to Mrs Obama being 'manicured' was a mistake...apologies. I just don't think she will make a difference to the voters. I also think that Obama has made a huge mistake in selecting Joe Biden as running mate. Obama has talked 'new' and 'change' and has selected 'old' and 'stale' as his side-kick. Another f"up for the Dems.

    Since Jan 2007 • 150 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Obama has talked 'new' and 'change' and has selected 'old' and 'stale' as his side-kick.

    Dude, you're the one who said that this thing will be won by leadership and experience.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • A S,

    I'm all for nailing McCain on this, although it's a bit rich coming from the party that nominated the husband of Teresa Heinz last time around.

    Nailing him for something someone else said? Why?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2007 • 269 posts Report Reply

  • Andrew Smith,

    Dude, you're the one who said that this thing will be won by leadership and experience.

    No real contradiction, Dude. Just two separate points.

    Since Jan 2007 • 150 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Nailing him for something someone else said? Why?

    Nailing him for calling Obama elitist and not remembering how many houses he owns. Seems fair game to me. And at anyrate Romney is a surrogate, so what he says is fair game too.

    How the ivy-league educated oil baron Dubya managed to market himself as a brush clearing rancher will remain one of the shining achievement of the electoral bullshit machine, though, and likely to be unsurpassed.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Kris W,

    If you want cheesy music - have you seen Dave Stewart's latest effort?

    Cook Strait • Since Nov 2006 • 7 posts Report Reply

  • Mark Harris,

    Anything with "American" "prayer" and "Barry Manilow" will never sully my ears, so I'll take your word for it

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report Reply

  • Mark Harris,

    OK, I succumbed - I listened to the opening 8 bars - that was enough. I was right the first time

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report Reply

  • Mark Harris,

    @RB
    Caught the last few minutes of Hilary on BBC - looked wild eyed and p-fueled to me. Somehow, her rah rah stance is disturbing and I'm really pleased she missed the nomination. I just can't believe in her. Michelle Obama was pure grace in comparison of speaking style. I don't think it was just Penn who let her down.

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Poole,

    On the free-trade bit - we could actually see some movement from an Obama-stration on this. Our canny trade operators like Clark and Goff could quite easily go to him and say "we're a small country, not going to have any real impact on you guys, but we are a symbolic nation when it comes to trade and creating an FTA with us would be a good look for you internationally on free trade without hurting that base you're pandering to".

    Two problems with this.
    1) It's unlikely (though looking less and less unlikely with every utterance that passes the lips of senior National politicians) that it'll be Helen and Phil sitting in those seats when the time comes.
    2) As bad as an FTA under Bush would be, one under an anti-free trader like Obama would be worse. To keep "that base you're pandering to" happy, he'd have to fuck our agricultural lobby even worse than what was done to Aussie. And that was a rogering of epic proportions. Seriously, don't even dream about an FTA with the US, please, because the consequences are scary.

    Can anyone explain to me why people get so incensed about us signing an FTA with China, but desperately want us to get one with the US? I know all the human rights issues, but, really, is the US that much better? I guess it doesn't help that most people here have no idea just what went down with the AUS-FTA. Ignorance is bliss, huh?

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report Reply

  • James Bremner,

    The most notable aspect of Michelle Obama's speech last night was how different it was from the many, many speeches she gave during the primary season, leading up to her "for the first time in my life I am proud of America" clanger. According to Michelle back then America was a terrible place, overflowing with misery and suffering, but last night it was a real swell place and she loves it. Many people will not fail to note the contrast and wonder for a moment which version is the one she actually believes. When they remember that she sat in Rev Wright's Church for 20 years, they will realize what she really thinks.

    It is close alright. Who knows which way it will go. For a lot of reasons you would expect the Dem to be quite well ahead this year. That they aren't should give Obama's advisors a lot of sleepless nights.

    NOLA • Since Nov 2006 • 353 posts Report Reply

  • James Bremner,

    Can anyone explain to me why people get so incensed about us signing an FTA with China, but desperately want us to get one with the US? I know all the human rights issues, but, really, is the US that much better?

    The US not much different to China in terms of human rights? For fuck's sake, don't be such a loser.
    How many protestors are there in Denver right now? Plenty. Try protesting outside the next Chinese Communist Party's People's Congress in Beijing and see how it goes for you.

    NOLA • Since Nov 2006 • 353 posts Report Reply

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