Odds & Sods #47: “While America Slept (The Comedy)” Edition
- Michael Moore is in the middle of making a movie now, but he'd rather not talk about the details of it for obvious reasons.
"If I can just say in the broad strokes of it, in the last eight years, a lot of things happened in this country that we didn't pay a lot of attention to because we were so focused on Bush and the war. While we were so focused on that and distracted, corporate America and others got away with a lot, a lot of stuff that we're going to have a hard time getting our democracy back. The theme of it is 'While America Slept.' But it's a comedy."
- John Williams, on the, ahem, uniqueness of Janet Huckabee -- someone we might be seeing more of before this thing is over:
The night of the New Hampshire primary, I watched the various victory and concession speeches of the Republicans. Of their wives, only Janet Huckabee caught my interest. Everyone else stood by supportively, without much expression. Cindy McCain, as usual, looked like she had come straight from a L'Oréal testing lab. But Janet looked feisty and fun. Her laughs seemed genuinely spontaneous. She nodded along vigorously, sometimes looking like she wanted to grab the microphone.
I also suspected she could crack her husband in half over her knee.
- Two of my favorite people -- Christopher Hitchens and Rabbi Shmuley Boteach -- recently debated the existence of God. Why Boteach would do this, I have no idea. The outcome was a surprise (to me, anyway).
- Hillary has to lend her own campaign $5 million? And her key staff is working without pay? And Obama raised $7 million in the 36 hours after the polls closed on Super Tuesday? And Hillary is begging for more debates? And the traditional media says Hillary is the front-runner? What's wrong with this picture?
- Joe Lieberman is stripped of super-delegate status under "The Zell Miller Rule." I'll bet you a nickel that, before this is over, Lieberman will make an appearance at the Republican National Convention.
- Speaking of Lieberman, a lot has been said about the importance of the Independent vote -- how McCain/Lieberman and Obama "get it." Allow me to point out, however, that Obama widens the Democratic base when he does it; McCain/Lieberman simply moves his base when he does it. As a result, Obama is a transformational candidate; McCain/Lieberman is a "zero-sum game" candidate.
- Gore voted...but for who?
- So Romney's out. If McCain were smart (and not a hot-head) he'd lock Romney into the VP slot -- in fact, maybe he's already done that. Of course, Romney would have to finesse his dislike for McCain, e.g., "Senator McCain has proven that he will say anything to win this election." On the other hand, Romney has proven that he can change positions on a dime. So maybe this is perfect for both of them. On the other hand, SC Gov. Mark Sanford is young, from the South and conservatives like him. So maybe that's your Republican ticket right there.
Ooh, I wish I'd heard that debate. Hitchens is always a hoot.
As far as lapping up Clinton spin, you don't suppose that The Villagers really love the horse race. It obviously isn't the Clintons.