Impressions ........by David Mixner

-Just a quick note to let you know that now that election is over, the "Impressions" column will continue once a week to cover the transition and this new exciting era of American politics.

-Rahm Emmanuel is an excellent choice for Chief of Staff. The Illinois Congressman certainly knows the House of Representatives -- just as Biden knows the Senate. Emmanuel is tough, skilled and will the serve the President-elect with intense loyalty. Because of his role in the Clinton White House he would bring needed experience of the pitfalls one could face in a new administration. Just one word of caution in that Emmanuel had a tough time with 'gays in the military' in 1992. He should just remember it is sixteen years later and a lot of things have changed since then. I am sure he is aware of it.

-Republican Senator Gordon Smith has lost his re-election campaign in Oregon. What most don't know is that the two Udalls elected to the US Senate from Colorado and New Mexico are Smith's relations! It could have been quite the family affair.

-Alaska must be a very special place. Not only did they (barely) re-elect Senator Ted Stevens who had been CONVICTED of seven felonies, they gave us Governor Sarah Palin. In some states, it is against the law for felons even to vote. Most likely, the US Senate will refuse to seat him and don't be surprised if Governor Palin runs for his spot. If she wins, move over Joseph McCarthy!

-Fox News ran a news item saying sources inside the McCain campaign said that Palin didn't know that Africa was a continent. Whew. How really close we came to a real disaster in this election.

-Insiders are saying that Obama has a clear vision of who he wants in his cabinet and will move quickly over the next couple of weeks. He doesn't want any positions undecided by his swearing-in day. In fact, expect most to be filled by Thanksgiving or shortly thereafter.

-The Secretary of State position will be a very interesting choice for our new President-elect. Rumor has it that Senator John Kerry is quite interested in the position. Kerry certainly has the 'chops' for the post. His years of service on the Foreign Relations Committee, his battles against AIDS in Africa, his international reputation and his keen intellect make him a prime choice. In addition, he was an early supporter of Obama and a close ally of Senator Edward Kennedy. Others in the running include former United Nations Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and Governor Bill Richardson.

-Expect close Obama foreign affairs advisor Gregory Craig to be made National Security Advisor to the President.

-It is a close race for Attorney General between Eric Holder and Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano.

-Word has it that Caroline Kennedy might be offered either the Court of St. James or United Nations Ambassador. How cool would it be having her as our face to the world in the United Nations?

-Progressive CEO Leo Hindery has an excellent piece on CEO compensation in the latest Business Week. In an incredible article, Hindery outlines five steps to end executive abuse and improve shareholder and consumers rights. Take a minute to read this important column.

-Thank you, Colorado, for voting out the most homophobic Congressperson in the United States. In a landslide, Betsy Markey defeated Colorado Republican Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave. This is a real victory. In the wake of the passing of anti-gay initiatives in California, Arizona and Florida, we need to find the silver linings wherever we can.

Mixner's Personal Campaign's Winners and Losers:

WINNERS!

WINNER: Dr. Martin Luther King and the brave heroes of the civil rights movement who made all of this possible.

WINNER: The Obama Campaign Team because never in my 40 plus years of politics have I seen a better run campaign with no leaks, no infighting and total discipline. An extraordinary historic achievement in a year when Hillary Clinton was inevitable and McCain came out of his Convention with a 12 point lead. They never flinched. This campaign was a work of art.

WINNER: The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Senator Chuck Schumer who took advantage of the anti-Bush atmosphere and fielded a top notch group of candidates and made sure they had the money and the issues to make it work. A special nod to Tom Lopach on the Committee.

WINNER: Empire State Pride Agenda who might be the most important force in turning the New York State Senate to Democrat. Special kudos to Executive Director Alan van Capelle who had the vision and guts to try it.

WINNER: Kay Hagen in North Carolina who finally retired Elizabeth Dole and makes for another impressive Democratic woman in the United States Senate.

WINNER: Senator Ted and Vicki Kennedy who gave Obama a needed lift at a crucial time and campaigned endlessly for him even in illness. A true story of courage.

WINNER: Caroline Kennedy who came into her own this election and we can expect her to be a major force for some years to come.

WINNER: Howard Dean whose 50 state strategy worked this year. He took a lot of heat for it and it is paying off in places like Montana, North Dakota, etc.

WINNER: The over 3 million Americans who donated in small donations over and over again to Barack Obama. A historic achievement in eliminating the power of big money in politics.

WINNER: Jeremy Bernard and Rufus Gifford for choosing Obama early and delivering millions of dollars in the early months of the campaign.  

WINNER: Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle who was one of Obama's earliest supporters and now can be a major player in making America great again.

WINNER: Oprah Winfrey who took major heat from women's groups for endorsing Obama and even saw her ratings dip. Guess who will get the President of the United States on her show?

WINNER: Nancy Pelosi who insisted that if Obama had the delegate votes he should be the nominee and for delivering a huge new majority in the House of Representatives.

WINNER: Rachel Maddow who emerged as the new media star in the election. Special mention has to go to Donna Brasile for her amazing work on CNN and Andrea Mitchell for on the spot old fashion excellent reporting. Finally, Frank Rich, who made millions of us wait for his intellectual and extraordinary Sunday column in the New York Times.

WINNER: Senator Claire McCaskill who emerged as an early Obama supporter and a major new force in American politics. Keep your eye on this smart lady!

WINNER: The blogs who kept this campaign honest, raised money (especially for NO on 8 and Obama) and became the leading source of information this year. Special notice to DailyKos, Towleroad, Politico and Taegan Goddard of Political Wire for excellence in this political year.

LOSERS:

LOSER: The right wing nuts who have dominated political discussion for far too long in America and made this nation divided instead of united.

LOSER: John McCain who sold his soul to the devil in attempt to win. He abandoned all his values, principles and beliefs in the quest for raw political power. He is especially a loser in sticking this nation for years to come with Sarah Palin. How could you, John?

LOSER: Ohio and Florida who have had all the attention for years and now have to compete with Virginia, North Carolina, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada.

LOSER: The Lady de Rothchild who betrayed her Democratic Party in its hour of need and became the "Tokyo Rose" of the McCain campaign. Her attempts as a billionaire to portray Obama as an elitist only embarrassed herself and her credibility for years to come.

LOSER: Right wing talk radio which was unable in an economic crisis keep their listeners from voting for Obama. Fox News is taking a major hit and Rush Limbaugh is going the way of Joseph McCarthy...into addiction and irreverence.

LOSER: Bush and Cheney who were clearly and beyond a doubt resoundedly rejected by the American people.

LOSER: Sarah Palin who is one of the two or three two reasons John McCain has lost. Unfortunately we most likely will have to listen to her craziness for years to come.

LOSER: White Supremacists who now have to depend on an African-American to lead them to economic security and jobs.

LOSER: Senator Mitch McConnell who has seen his Republican Senate go down in flames.

LOSER: The mindnumbingly infantile use of 'Socialism', 'Marxist' and 'Communist' which proved how out of touch the McCain camp was by using themes more suited for the 1950's than the 21st Century!

LOSER: The use of fear as a way to victory. People ignored the fear-based campaign of McCain/Palin and voted on issues. It has been a long time coming but it is here. Time for the likes of Karl Rove and Steve Schmidt to be fully banished into the political trash heap of failed divisive strategies.

LOSER: Senator Lindsey Graham who has been McCain's abused lap dog for years now will spend that honor in a smaller sphere.

LOSER: Texas - which has been the source of money and power for the GOP for years. Welcome the new power players from the nation's heartland...........Chicago.

LOSER: Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani shredded what little reputation and principles he had left in a raw attempt to kiss ass to the right wing nuts. Please don't burden us by running for Governor of New York. You smell to high heaven.

LOSER: Senator Joseph Lieberman forgot his long time support for all progressive causes including LGBT issues and embraced Sarah Palin. Has he no shame?

Tell Family and Friends in California To Vote No On 8! Donate!

There is one day left and No on 8 has an incredible endorsement ad to play through tomorrow. It is not too late to make one last contribution to No on 8!. Donate now by clicking here. Don't wake up Wednesday morning and wish you had done more. It will be too late then. Click here to donate.

Ten Reasons To Vote For Barack Obama

-Economic Crisis
-The War in Iraq
-The Supreme Court
-Women's Right To Choice
-HIV/AIDS
-LGBT Rights
-Health Care
-Education
-Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
-Environment/Global Warming

Barack Obama and the Grassroots Art Movement

Not since the late sixties with civil rights and opposition to the Vietnam War can I remember a more spontaneous grassroots arts movement on behalf of a candidate or cause. Literally thousands of stunning songs, pieces of art, dance and writing have coalesced around the Democratic nominee for president, Barack Obama. The "Yes We Can" campaign has brought out the best not only in the established arts but also in homes and offices all over America. Youtube.com is filled with professional and amateur videos that capture the spirit of Obama.

To assist you in dealing with the chronic anxiety that we all are feeling about this pending election, I have picked four videos to remind you of the arts and this campaign. Take some time, chill, relax and remember what this campaign has been all about over the last year. Hopefully with all the hard work and a little bit of luck we will wake up on Wednesday morning to a new America.

Impressions of an Election.............By David Mixner

-So far, Barack Obama has been endorsed by 231 newspapers with a combined circulation of 21 million people. McCain has a total of 102 newspapers with a circulation of 7 million people. Forty-Six of the papers that endorsed Bush in 2004 have switched to Obama. One of the more interesting endorsements for Obama was the Anchorage Daily News. You bet'cha. If you want to know how your newspaper endorsed, go to www.editorandpublisher.com .

-Tell me again, John McCain, why we should not tax corporations more? Exxon/ Mobil, just for this quarter, has reported an all time record profit of $14.3 billion dollars! So much for taking our hard earned money at the gas pump and putting it back into exploration.

-Astronaut Sally Ride (photograph) has endorsed Obama and says he is the best choice for the future of the space program.

-Matt Drudge continues to bring shame to his site The Drudge Report by endlessly printing every slimy unauthenticated rumor about Obama. His effort to pump up the Republicans with such trash is unbecoming. But not surprising.

-The latest CNN/Time battleground state polls continue to show we are heading in the right direction. They showed Obama leading in a number of states including:

Florida +4%
Virginia +9%
Pennsylvania +12%
North Carolina +6%
Nevada +7%
Ohio +4%

-In the 'just when you think it can't get any worse' department, incumbent Republican Elizabeth Dole sank to new lows in the already acknowledged nadir known as Republican politics. She accused very religious challenger Kay Hagan of 'associating with Atheists" in a television spot! The Charlotte Observer called out Dole on her disgusting ad and said:

“This is indecent. It is the modern-day version of the “white hands” ad, a lie born of Dole's desperation in a race in which she has trailed for weeks. It is also a deliberate attempt by Dole's campaign not just to distort the truth, but to shatter Hagan's admirable record as an elder for more than a decade in Greensboro's First Presbyterian Church, as a Sunday School teacher and a volunteer in her church's fundraising campaigns, worship services and community service programs. It has no place in N.C. politics. Unless she admits this egregious, shameful mistake and acts appropriately, Elizabeth Dole has no place in N.C. politics, either.”

-Queerty.com carried the story of 109 year old Texan Amanda Jones whose father was a slave. Her life has spanned three centuries and has voted Democrat for seventy years. She proudly filled out her Absentee Ballot for Barack Obama this week. She announced it was her proudest vote ever in her long life.

-Speaking of the Lone Star State, a University of Texas poll showed that 23% of the voters of that state believe Barack Obama is a Muslim. Really. No kidding. No wonder they keep electing Republicans. Guess they have had too many head injuries in those Friday night football games.

-McCain has 177 lobbyists for Big Oil, Wall Street and other corporations running his campaign. No wonder his campaign thinks Obama's fair tax policy is "socialism".

-My political guru in Nevada, Dr. Jerry Cade, reports that Democrats out numbered Republicans in early voting in Clark County (Las Vegas) by 54% to 29%! In the Republican stronghold of Washoe County (Reno), Democrats have out numbered Republicans in early voting by 51% to 33%. Good news.

-Patrick Range McDonald sent a note about a rally in West Hollywood, California on Sunday at 4PM against Proposition 8. The huge rally will be at Santa Monica and Robertson Blvd. If you are in the Southland, please get your butt to it and while you are at it please give more money. We need $3 million more in three days to air a spot by Senator Dianne Feinstein against Proposition 8. Go to www.noonprop8.com and give one more check.

-"Keep on truckin' Scott Kleeb" is driving his pickup truck all over Nebraska. The Democrat, running for U.S. Senate, is having citizens sign his truck with missives detailing what they need from their government. The truck is covered with messages from the grassroots. (See Photograph).

-Alison Teal reports in "Hot Flashes from the Campaign Trail" that National Public Radio had a story of a factory worker in Missouri who voting early. As an old civil rights activist, I loved his quote which sounds like he might have gotten it from his preacher last Sunday:

 "Rosa sat so Martin could walk; Martin walked so Barack could run; Barack is running so children can fly."

-The Lady de Rothchild has taken her tiara and diamonds to New Hampshire to hold press conferences for John McCain. Once again the big Democratic contributor married to a billionaire is accusing Obama of being an elitist! I guess when you have that much inherited money, the notion of irony never enters your addled thought process. Even so, you have to admit that Lady de Rothchild seems to have lost all sense of what is elite and what is a noble struggle to create a magnificent life.

-The 'silver fox' President Clinton joined Barack Obama on stage for the first time last night at a huge, boisterous, and incredibly satisfying rally in Florida. If you missed the meeting of Democratic Titans, it is worth viewing. Just click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC-9PgJfJIw

-This will be my last Impressions of an Election column and next week after the election, I will begin my "Impressions by David Mixner" column. Lets hope I love covering this transition!

I leave you with this Obama canvasser who does it all on horseback in Missouri.

The Economist Endorses Obama

One of the world's most influential magazines, The Economist, announced their support of Barack Obama for President. You read the entire endorsement by clicking here. However, you see the tone of the endorsement in the excerpts that follow:

"That, however, was Senator McCain; the Candidate McCain of the past six months has too often seemed the victim of political sorcery, his good features magically inverted, his bad ones exaggerated. The fiscal conservative who once tackled Mr Bush over his unaffordable tax cuts now proposes not just to keep the cuts, but to deepen them. The man who denounced the religious right as “agents of intolerance” now embraces theocratic culture warriors. The campaigner against ethanol subsidies (who had a better record on global warming than most Democrats) came out in favour of a petrol-tax holiday. It has not all disappeared: his support for free trade has never wavered. Yet rather than heading towards the centre after he won the nomination, Mr McCain moved to the right.

Meanwhile his temperament, always perhaps his weak spot, has been found wanting. Sometimes the seat-of-the-pants method still works: his gut reaction over Georgia—to warn Russia off immediately—was the right one. Yet on the great issue of the campaign, the financial crisis, he has seemed all at sea, emitting panic and indecision. Mr McCain has never been particularly interested in economics, but, unlike Mr Obama, he has made little effort to catch up or to bring in good advisers (Doug Holtz-Eakin being the impressive exception).

The choice of Sarah Palin epitomised the sloppiness. It is not just that she is an unconvincing stand-in, nor even that she seems to have been chosen partly for her views on divisive social issues, notably abortion. Mr McCain made his most important appointment having met her just twice."

The Economist concludes by saying:

"So Mr Obama in that respect is a gamble. But the same goes for Mr McCain on at least as many counts, not least the possibility of President Palin. And this cannot be another election where the choice is based merely on fear. In terms of painting a brighter future for America and the world, Mr Obama has produced the more compelling and detailed portrait. He has campaigned with more style, intelligence and discipline than his opponent. Whether he can fulfil his immense potential remains to be seen. But Mr Obama deserves the presidency."

Final Days: Tale of Two Rallies

Nothing better illustrates the differences between the McCain and Obama campaigns than the situation this week in the Philadelphia area. Both candidates were in Southeast Pennsylvania stumping for votes in the final days.

On Tuesday, an old fashion Northeaster was winding up off the coast of Delaware. The impact up and down the East coast was severe. In the City of Brotherly Love, heavy cold rain poured down all day. Even some of the outer edges of the city had their first hint of snow. It couldn't have been a more miserable day.

McCain canceled his scheduled rally in Quakertown. Not far away 9,000 people in the West Chester area stood in freezing temperatures, pouring rain and waited for Obama. The candidate bounded on the stage in casual dress (sneakers and jeans) and gave a stirring speech to the enthusiastic crowd that was drench to the bone. Nothing will stop us this time around and the people of West Chester proved that once again. Neither rain nor snow nor gloom of night....

Final Days: Obama's Last Economic Ad - Pass It On!

The following ad from the Obama campaign captures the dramatic difference between the two candidates on the economic crisis and McCain's impetuous choice of Palin. It is really good and if you have time you should send it to your entire list of family and friends this weekend. This is just one more thing you can do to help propel Obama to victory!

Mixner's Final Fearless Forecast

While the prediction game is sort of silly given how little in reality we all know, it is one that is still fun to play. So in that spirit, I have spent the last couple of days going over polls, ground organizations, staff in certain states and tried to plug into good old fashioned political instinct. Of course if I am way off in my predictions, I am counting on the good grace of my readers to forget them totally. If I am spot on, then I will do my best to be somewhat humble but I am sure I will not be totally successful at that goal.

Basic:

There is no question in my mind but that Barack Obama will carry every state that John Kerry carried in 2004. This will give Obama a solid base of 252 electoral votes only 18 short of his needed goal. I was concerned about New Hampshire for a while but it is clear that Obama is pulling way ahead in the Granite State. Forgive me, but I feel Pennsylvania is really not into play. McCain/Palin might do better than expected in the Keystone State but their efforts will not close the race.

States That Are No Longer Battleground States:

These are the states that have been put, at one time or another, in the battleground category but in reality I believe are safe Obama battlegrounds at this point of time. These would include Virginia, Iowa, Colorado and New Mexico. These total 33 electoral votes and easily take Obama over the 270 mark with a total of 285 electoral votes.

The Two Giants:

For the last two elections it seems as though it has been a mantra of Ohio and Florida, Ohio and Florida and Ohio and Florida! Somehow we have gotten ourselves into some false common wisdom that no one can win without at least one of these two giants. Well, we now know that is not true. I am listening more and more to the polls concerning Ohio. Last week I believed McCain would carry this state but now I have put it solidly in Obama's camp. The massive ground organization that exists in Ohio has made close to 2 million contacts which has to count heavily for Obama on election day. I am still in shock about some of the stories highlighting the fact that McCain headquarters in the Buckeye State that have been closed on weekends! So with some confidence, I put Ohio's 20 votes in Obama's camp.

Florida also is a tough one to call. The polls have been trending toward Obama but still there has not been a big break toward him. Clearly, with the number of appearances by Obama/ Biden and the Clintons in central Florida, we know what turf we are fighting for in the Sunshine State. One of Obama's best field organizers in the country is Steve Hildebrand and he has been in Florida for three to four weeks full time. As Deputy Campaign Manager he built a remarkable grassroots organization for Obama. In some part because of Hildebrand's presence, I am giving Florida's 27 votes to Obama.

The Close Calls

These states are really extremely close and are the highest candidates for recounts on election day. My read is that they are truly toss-up states but I must make a call.

I am going to put Nevada in the Obama camp. In part because my good friend on the ground Nevada political wizard, Jerry Cade, says it is going for Obama. He has one of the better political judgements of anyone I know. The Second Congressional District is a historic strong Republican area and it is breaking even which tells me this state might be changing from Red to Blue this year. Plus, I think the West will go big for Obama and that includes the Silver State. So in the spirit of gaming, I am putting Nevada's 6 votes in the Obama column with some comfort.

North Carolina is literally neck and neck but Obama has held in there for the last couple of weeks. Because of a record turnout in early voting, a strong Obama organizational presence in traditionally Republican Charlotte, a record turnout in the Golden Triangle and huge African-American vote, I am giving North Carolina's 15 votes to Obama.

The notion that Indiana, which is as Republican as you can get, is even in play this year tells you a lot about this election. The fact that Chicago's media market goes into heavily populated Northern Indiana has given Obama great visibility in Hoosier state. Nevertheless, I think it will stay with McCain/Palin and am giving its 11 votes to the Republicans.

Then the Show-Me State of Missouri has been trending heavily toward Obama. His turnout of 100,000 in St. Louis and 75,000 in Kansas City is nothing short of remarkable. Senator Claire McCaskill is one of Obama's strongest supporters. Having assisted her in a small way in her election to the United States Senate, I have seen her remarkable political skills. However, this one state where I think the famous "Bradley Factor" might come into play. Just can't see the Southwest portions of this state going for Obama. For Claire's sake, I hope I am wrong, but I am giving Missouri's 11 votes to McCain.

The Surprises:

We all like surprises and every election has them. That is why many commentators are attempting to make a real race in Pennsylvania. I think three states will surprise us somewhat this year. Two won't be huge surprises and they are North Dakota with 3 votes and Montana with 3 votes. I think they will be swept up in part of the Obama slide in the Western states. The really big surprise I think will be Georgia with its 15 votes. I think the state will go hugely Democratic on election day and put its votes with Obama.

Prediction:

Obama: 374 Electoral Votes
McCain: 164 Electoral Votes

Stay tuned.