Nancy Reagan was trotted out today to endorse Senator McCain. Well, "trotted" may be too optimistic. The Senator walked with her for the cameras. Needless to say, the former First Lady isn't exactly spry, so he had to really slow down to walk with her, and it made him look about 112. Whoever thought of this one should have had a damn podium. Some campaign worker's head is rolling for that video clip.

And Senator Clinton claims to have been greeted with sniper fire in Bosnia when she was actually greeted by a kiss from an 8 year old. Well, maybe the 8 year old was spitting bullets at her.

This is such an exciting election. Regardless of political affliation, we should all agree that we may very well make history. But damn, it's so long and we don't have a Dem nominee yet. Mccain is getting a free pass on everything and basically ignored with all the attention with Hillary dodging bullets and the stories going to the Dem candidates.

TIS

Well, she came out and said that she "made a mistake" which just proves that she's human. She also said that Senator Obama should have turned his back on his pastor, and HE said that she's just saying those things to deflect the sniper story.

Actually, the most impressive Clinton to me right now is Chelsea. While campaigning at a college campus, someone asked her about Monica Lewinsky. She basically told him to shut up, it was none of his business. Good for her!

Of course we all know it'll be historic to have a first black or first woman President. However, I also heard that if McCain wins, he'd be the oldest President. I thought Reagan was.

Anyway, I believe he's 72 years old and if he wins and serves two terms he'd be 80 years old at the end of two terms.


TIS

Yeh McCain will be the oldest President. He has also said that he will not seek a second term if elected in November.

Reagan was 69 at his 1981 innaugural, and 73 when re-elected. He was almost 78 when he left office in Jan., 1989.

Yes and by the end of his second term he could not recognize his cabinet or the joint chiefs of staff.

There were some reports that he had also referred to his Vice President as prime Minister.

I agree with SB. Whoever decided to have 80-something Nancy Reagan and 71 year old McCain be seen together should be fired. The only way that it could have been worse is if the announcement was held in a nursing home with Metamucil in the picture.

Goombah, thank you for the laugh. That image will make me chuckle throughout the day.

They needed to be introduced by Bob Barker.

I kind of figured that the claim McBush would only seek one term was an urban legend. There is something to it. From the January 3, 2008 Boston Globe

Like I said earlier, what's the incentive to vote for a president who will only have the chance to implement policy for 2 to 2.5 years? The next set of candidates will be taking away the spotlight and, more importantly, Congress can stall on anything they want for the next president.

In Pennsylvania Obama has launched a 6 day bus tour starting in Pittsburgh and heading east along the turnpike with stops along the way. He's trying to tap into the blue collar voters, who are heavily supporting Hillary at the moment. Her numbers are still pretty strong.

Bill Clinton has been capaigning hard through PA for his wife. I heard one of his speeches while driving home from work last week, and let me tell you, the guy can deliver an electrifying speech. I'm not voting for Hillary, but I have to admit that his speeches at colleges are the best I've heard this election season. He's been received like a rock star.

Obama has had that rock star reception as well, but perhaps not as much lately. Bill Clinton is probably the best campaigner of the past 30 years, regardless of whether one agrees/disagrees with his politics. If he wasn't the former two-term president, Obama and Bill Clinton would be the true dream ticket.

I agree Goombah, Bill Clinton is a wonderful speaker without a doubt. Obama is also very very good and inspiring.

As far as the Pennsylvania primary goes, I know it's an expected Clinton win. Right now the polls show her about 15 point lead I believe. However, I expect the lead to narrow as Obama is campaigning as well and tends to narrow the gap a litte. He says he's going to consider a Clinton win by 4/5 points as a good thing for him.

Is anyone else getting "ajita" (sp)from this campaign? Man, it's so exciting, but I can't wait til the Dems get their nominee.



TIS

Oh, and just an after thought on another issue. Regarding the revote possibility in Fla/MI. It doesn't seem like it's going to happen at this point. When I was in Michigan my entire family felt there should not be a revote and I tend to agree. I was surprised they all felt that way. Their reasons:

The candidates, the states knew the rules consequences beforehand
If any bitching is to be done, the people of each state needs to bitch to their State representatives. In my mind, the only thing they could do, but would end up being a wash anyway, is split the delegates right down the middle. I can understand how the voters feel though. Then again, like I say, blame your state for not following the guidlines. Personally, I don't like the whole idea of delegates/superdelegates.

TIS

Senator Bob Casey of PA endorsed Obama today.

On a lighter note, I have some pretty serious and awesome news. Chris Matthews, who hosts Hardball on MSNBC, is doing a college tour that starts this week. Obama will be at my school (West Chester University) from 5-6 this Wednesday. Tickets are available Monday at noon for students. I cannot wait!

Chelsea Clinton was just here yesterday too.

Cool Patrick! I am a big Obama fan, but you may want to make sure Chris Matthews doesnt pull a "Larry Craig" on Obama. He is a bit in the tank for him!

I just found an article about in on MSNBC. Looks like McCain will be doing a similar show down the road at Villanova.

Sen. Barack Obama kicks off Hardball College Tour Posted: Thursday, March 27, 2008 2:04 PM by Cathy Finkler

NEW YORK – March 27, 2008 – "Hardball with Chris Matthews" kicks off its 2008 college circuit as the "Hardball College Tour" hosts Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama live at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, Wednesday, April 2, 5-6 p.m. ET, and will re-air at 7 p.m. ET and 11 p.m. ET. Matthews will interview Sen. Obama on key issues of the 2008 presidential election, including the economy and the Iraq war, with West Chester students also having the opportunity to question the candidate.

Sen. Obama will join Sen. McCain as candidates appearing on the 2008 College Tour. "Hardball" has additionally extended an invitation to Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton.

"As someone from Pennsylvania, I will be thrilled to welcome Barack Obama to the Philadelphia area and to the huge number of college and university students in the area. The higher education system in Pennsylvania is a huge catalyst to the state's economic future," said Chris Matthews.

"The Hardball College Tour" continues at Villanova University with special guest Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain on April 15.

"Hardball" has a proud tradition since 1999 of college tours at some of America's great universities, including Georgetown University, the University of Southern California, the University of Notre Dame, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, Clemson University, Michigan State University, American University and Stanford University. Marquee guests on the Hardball College Tour have included former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Sen. McCain, Sen. Clinton, Robin Williams and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania offers high-quality undergraduate and graduate degree programs in more than 100 subject areas to nearly 13,000 students from 38 states and 55 countries. The second largest institution in Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education, West Chester's rich heritage dates back to 1871 when the University was founded as West Chester Normal School to train teachers for the Commonwealth's newly established public schools. Located In the county seat of historic Chester County, the University is 25 miles west of Philadelphia and 17 miles north of Wilmington, Del., convenient to major cultural and commercial institutions and recreational activities.

http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/27/828384.aspx

If the nominaton battle goes to the convention floor, I'm predicting a further battle over credentialing.

It will be settled before that. If Obama closes the gap in Pennsylvania and if he wins out in NC, Indiana and Oregon it will be over. The Superdelegates will stampede to Obama and he'll clinch the nomination. Once that happens they will seat the Michigan delegation giving Clinton the % of delegates she won and Obama the rest. Florida is dicier, and if Edwards endorses Obama he could pledge his delegates to him, and add them to whatever Obama won. In fact so could Biden and everyone else who was on the Florida ballot. This would be a cae of Hillary being careful about what she asks for.

The real question is will she bow out with grace.

The thing is, Clinton is ahead of Obama by about 15 points in PA, although I think the gap will lower. IF Obama wins PA, it'll be a real surprise. As far as NC, I think Obama has a huge lead. I don't know about distributing the MI delegates because Obama and Edwards were not even on the ballot.

As far as Edwards (and Biden) giving their delegates to Obama, I didn't think they could do that. One ting I've concluded though is, Hillary will NOT bow out, so I don't know.

Patrick, that's great that you can go to the college in PA. I'd love to join on the excitement of this election. Take pictures and keep us posted if you can.

TIS

My in-laws live in Northeast PA, a democratic stronghold. They are all voting for Hillary. They think Obama will convert everyone to Muslim. They are not informed voters. If one member of the family says that they heard Obama will have all women wearing scarves across their face, then they all believe it.

PA is a heavily Catholic state, so that Muslim stuff really scares them, plus he's black.

My nephew recently moved to VA and he's heard the same things from people regarding Obama. It's hard to believe that anyone would actually believe that, although I do remember people saying that when JFK was elected, the Pope would actually be running the country. I thought we had made progress since those days, but apparently not.

I can't believe after the Wright controversy people still hold on to the Obama is a Muslim fallacy. It concerns me that people actually believe this, and that they vote.

1 in 10 Get Obama's Religion Wrong


It is all well and good to like or dislike a candidate, but one ought to do so based on substantive reasons and not unsubstantiated rumors whose importance is weak anyway.

Last night in class one of my students commented that he would not take the oath of office on the Bible because he is a Muslim. Madonne!

PA is about 30% Catholic.

And DT, the real question is whether your "ifs" hold any water.

Also, are Hillary or Obama Steelers or Eagles fans.

I take it you never saw TRUE ROMANCE.*

*=And if you all know what scene I'm refering to...yup, that's the final nail that gets me banned. Oh well, it was nice talking and knowing you all for these years. Sweet dreams folks.

How Iranian of you, my dear.



Do 30% of those PA Catholics "snap" after going to Vietnam?*



You know what holds water? Pot. Legalize it America!



What, no love for Phillies?

*=Of course, I'm getting this data from THE DEER HUNTER. It might not be quite accurate.

I grew up in Northeast PA, and spend quite a bit of time there. Hillary is popular there largely because she is seen as a Scranton girl. Her dad is from there and one or two siblings still resides there. She apparently lived there for a few years as a child.

NE PA is unique. It is staunchly Democratic, but heavily pro life. Scranton was the first campaign stop for both Kerry and Bush after their respective conventions and nominations in 2004.

And don't forget. Scranton is home to Dundler Mifflin