Election Issues Today

Not so Happy Halloween….again.

This little cartoon certainly highlights the current state of our economy, the housing market, and the financial crisis, and relates it to the holiday that kids (of all ages) enjoy so much.  Notice that it was published in the Rocky Mountain News on October 26, 2007, one year ago….wow.  Credit Ed Stein with seeing the future. 

I am always amazed at the amount of ADULT enthusiasm for Halloween, and the “dressing up” that occurs in the normally “staid” and conservative workplaces of America, including local government offices.  Election years provide many, many opportunities for fun at the candidates’ expense and I look forward to seeing some originality to provide us with laughs, badly needed laughs, this Halloween.

Here are a couple of the most memorable City Hall Halloween costumes from my last employer.  The above City Hall “officials” shall remain anonymous to the world.

I encourage other “politically incorrect” bloggers to share with us too.

Is Montana in Play?

So reads a headline on today’s CBS News website.  The site carries an Associated Press story that reflects polling information from Montana indicating a closer race for President than anyone anticipated.

McCain seemed assured of a victory in Montana just two months ago, but now, with ten percent of likely voters still being undecided, McCain leads by only four points, 44 to 40.  That difference is within the normal “margin” of error, so, in effect, nobody knows where the voters really stand right now. 

Obama set sights on Montana early in the year, even spending the 4th of July holiday in Butte, with his family.  Since 1948, the State of Montana has gone for the GOP Presidentail nominee in every year except 1964 and 1992.    Obama has 19 campaign offices in Montana; McCain, NONE.  He share spaces in six GOP offices around the State.  Obama is spending a lot of money in Montana; McCain, NONE.

Additionally, the candidacy of Ron Paul has thrown a monkey wrench into the typically secure GOP areas of the State. See the details of Congressman Paul’s effect on the Montana race in the link below.

Here is a link to the CBS News Article:  Is Montana in Play?

The biggest news these last couple of days was the Anchorage Daily News (ADN) taking the somewhat controversial step of endorsing Barack Obama over John McCain. 

In endorsing Obama, the ADN said:

Gov. Palin’s nomination clearly alters the landscape for Alaskans as we survey this race for the presidency — but it does not overwhelm all other judgment. The election, after all is said and done, is not about Sarah Palin, and our sober view is that her running mate, Sen. John McCain, is the wrong choice for president at this critical time for our nation.

Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee, brings far more promise to the office. In a time of grave economic crisis, he displays thoughtful analysis, enlists wise counsel and operates with a cool, steady hand. The same cannot be said of Sen. McCain.

I think it is very important to keep in mind that Alaska remains very firmly in the McCain camp. The ADN endorsement is not going to make Alaska “blue” but will certainly annoy the Governor.  

In a surprising Arizona poll, Barack Obama is gaining support, although McCain still leads in his home state and is expected to carry it. 

Obama is making inroads into many “red” states this week, but not likely to change the electoral vote outcome in those “red” states.  I think he is working very hard to keep the popular vote close in the “leaning” red states. 

With the election just about one week out, we ought to have MUCH to discuss on this site, but…such is not the case. As the election hits the home stretch there are fewer issues that rise up and grab our attention, and less and less excites me about the campaign and the campaigners.

Much is being left unsaid, by both camps, as this campaign seems to be more lop-sided than most of us had predicted. Of course, that is just polling, and I don’t hold polls in particularly high esteem.
 

VEGETARIAN AS GOVERNOR?

Who cares?  You may ask.  But evidently, the political hacks in Montana thought that Montana voters would react negatively to the idea of a VEGETARIAN running for Governor of this Big Sky BEEF Ranch!

So…recently a rumor was floated regarding the Republican gubernatorial candidate, a State Senator named Roy Brown, that he may be, wow, he may be a vegetarian!   Holy “Cow”!  Would a red-blooded Montana man DARE to be vegetarian AND run for Governor?

Turns out the answer is probably “no.”   The Roy Brown headquarters reaction to this totally UNTRUE and VICIOUS rumor was quick and definite.  They even included an explanation:  At some time in the recent past, the Brown family was caring for a family member who had difficulty with digesting meat and dairy, evidently. So, IN SYMPATHY, the other members of the family joined in her dietary restrictions.  BUT NO WAY are the voters to be concerned that this RED-Blooded, Montana man in the RED state of Montana would secretly be a VEGETARIAN!

The candidate even came up with a contest of sorts, and the prize will be to join him for a STEAK DINNER.  Beef steak, I imagine. Not venison or bison, or any other exotic food stuffs, and certainly not TOFU!

When we run out of political issues to discuss, there seems to be plenty of goofy, cow-toonish,  crap that floats.