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?

Beyond the Pale(n)!

Forgive me, but to my mind, Sarah Palin is one of those irritating people at big black tie dinners who rushes out at the end of the event to collect as many swag bags as she can possibly carry off. Despite vociferous vocal declarations to the contrary, apparently being frugal and budget-minded actually aren't attributes to be consigned to the Alaskan governor. Instead, there is a pattern of greed, narcissism and rule-stretching to obtain more money and more goodies.

Now, I have to say in all honesty that I have some sympathy with the situation Mrs. Palin found herself in: She wanted to look as good as possible while being projected for the first time onto the national stage. Everyone, no matter what the status, strives to look nice and feel good when going out in public. We all have had moments when we've had to buy a new suit, dress or evening wear for a special occasion. Yet, for most of us, those purchases are often accompanied by the fear of how we are going to realistically pay for them. Unfortunately for us, we don't have the RNC blindly (and tone-deafly) footing the bill. With the clothes, I can see how Palin would want help in making herself, her husband and especially her children look presentable. However, believe it or not, that scenario can be accomplished without succumbing to a $150,000 shopping spree at Neiman-Marcus and Saks! Not to mention multi-thousands being spent on a personal hair dresser and make up artist. For a woman who so memorably described herself as a pit bull "Hockey Mom", I assume she knows how to put on her own lipstick! Besides, every television station has its own make up person, not costing the candidate a penny. Are you listening, RNC?

Sarah seems to really know how to work the system when it comes to money. She charged the state of Alaska for hundreds of days of per diem to live in her own home! The state paid for trips for her to see her husband, Todd, race across the snow. Her children's trips were paid by state money. She sold one jet at a loss and rented another for private use again using taxpayers money. She seems never to have met a financial loophole that she hasn't exploited to make more money. Of course, she has five children, but bringing children into the world means that the family is responsible for their care. Isn't that what Sarah tells welfare mothers? Hell, Sarah has taken funds, squeezed out in expenses and pocketed freebies to such an alarming extent that it would give a true Reaganite "Welfare Queen" pause.

If the election on November 4th does not put Sarah Palin in the Vice-President's office, can an appearance on the "The Price Is Right" be in her future?

Impressions of an Election..........by David Mixner

-The Lady de Rothschild continues to get her diamonds tarnished by carrying John McCain's dirty water. The good Lady has become the symbolism of those who turned on the Democratic Party in its great hour of need. Now in an effort to fortress McCain's losing campaign, the good Lady has proclaimed Sarah Palin the victim of sexism from those attacking her competence. Come on good Lady, you know that attacking Palin's concept of seeing Russia is a foreign policy is not sexist. The good Lady even claims that - now get this - Palin is good on gay rights and abortion. M'lady, you have sunk into the mire with the rest of them and it is sad to see such a dirty tiara.

-Speaking of Palin, it is very troubling to read the interview with poor Levi Johnston - her soon to be son-in-law. He has dropped out of his senior year in high school to get a job to support Bristol and his baby that is due soon. You'd think that the Palin family could have helped him finish his high school education and given these two young people a better chance at life. Not a very good role model for other families facing similar difficulties. The good news is that Levi forgot to register to vote!

-Republicans are getting desperate all over the country and resorting to the only thing they have left...slimy campaigns. Incumbent Republican Elizabeth Dole, in an effort to rescue her failing campaign, has gone to new lows. In an editorial in the Fayetteville Observer, the paper lambasted Dole for reaching "the low mark in negative political campaigning." It continued by saying, "Jumping into the deep end of the slime pool is no way to catch up." Democrat Kay Hagan continues to run her campaign on issues and is up by 2 points in the latest PPP poll.

-Word is that the Republican National Committee is giving up on McCain and starting to send more money out to places like Georgia where Democrat Jim Martin is giving incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss a race for his money. In a huge boost for Martin, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution strongly endorsed the Democrat.

-This news just in from Louisiana. National Republican committees are pulling there ads out of the campaign of Republican challenger John Kennedy to use elsewhere. This is pretty good sign that they believe that incumbent Democratic US Senator Mary Landrieu is going to win. This was the only Democratic seat that appeared a year ago to be in trouble. This is really good news.

-Hiring undocumented workers in your family business and then denying it can cost you votes as incumbent Republican Senator Gordon Smith has found out. His Democratic opposition, Speaker Merkley, is now ahead of Smith by five points. Ironically, Republican Smith keeps running ads with Obama's picture in it. Bet Barack would be surprised to know they were such close friends!

-One of the most intellectual and passionate bloggers around, Wayne Besen, is working hard to stop the Radio Hall of Fame from honoring the Rev. James Dobson's radio broadcasts which are filled with hate towards the LGBT community. Besen has helped launch a new web site called DumpDobson.com. Check it out.

-Have you made your contribution to defeat Proposition 8 yet? Do it now at www.noonprop8.com .

-The Republican stronghold in Nevada, Washoe County, for the first time in 30 years, has more Democrats than Republicans due to the Obama voter registration drive. You gotta thank those volunteers...they are simply amazing.

-Another powerful editorial for Barack Obama from the Boston Globe. The paper ends in an no hold's barred endorsement by saying:

"As the first black major-party presidential nominee, Obama has strived to make voters comfortable with a 'skinny kid with a funny name.' And yet the historical significance of his bid is impossible to ignore. Voters can make no more powerful statement about America's commitment to inclusion and opportunity than to put forward this man - Barack Hussein Obama, son of a father from Kenya and a mother from Kansas - as the nation's representative to the world.

An early Obama campaign slogan declared, "We are the ones we've been waiting for." His critics deemed such rhetoric too ethereal. Now it seems prescient, as the nation confronts a financial crisis of historic proportions, as well as all the other policy failures and debt-fueled excesses of the last eight years. The United States has to dig itself out. Barack Obama is the one to lead the way."

-Rumors are flying all over the place that former Republican Secretary of State Colin Powell will endorse Obama. Lawrence O'Donnell even penned a post yesterday on Huffington predicting Powell to announce after Wednesday's final debate. Will trade Secretary Powell for the good Lady de Rothschild any day.

-In the "dare we believe it" department, the New York Times/ CBS poll has Obama leading by 14 points. God, I want to believe it with all my heart. I really, really want to believe it!

-Very sad news coming out of Dallas. According to his son, major Democratic contributor Fred Baron is dying of terminal cancer. Many of us knew the Dallas attorney through his active involvement in the Edwards for President campaign. Our thoughts are with him and his family.

-Hope you have gotten your tickets for the Empire State Pride Agenda Dinner in New York this Monday (October 20). It is looking to be quite the evening with Whoopi Goldberg, Governor David Paterson and honoring Ralph Lauren. I hear they have set another record with this dinner but don't miss it. Order your tickets by end of day on Friday by clicking here. -

Speaking of great events, there was a helluva one in Los Angeles this past Sunday at the ever-hip   Sunset Strip Mondrian Hotel and Asia De Cuba for the campaign against Proposition 8! Evan Wolfson's speech moved the entire crowd. The place was packed and Eric McCormick of "Will and Grace" fame coughed up $10,000 only to be topped by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa who donated $25,000! Loni Anderson chatted with Steven Guy (photo). Celebrities Nia Vardalos, Chad Allen, Jeremy Glazer and Thomas Roberts roamed through the crowd looking hot and sexy. Over $250,000 was raised for the No on Eight campaign that evening.

-Just in case you are getting over-confident and think you don't have to do anything more for Obama, take a look at the video below, watch with horror and double your efforts. Isn't it time for one more contribution to Obama? Just click here.

Shocking Video of Palin Pals

The Republican Vice Presidential candidate is currently bounding around America accusing Obama of associating with terrorists. She loudly and with almost hate in her voice proclaimed that Obama's past is filled with questionable characters including William Ayres and Jeremiah Wright. Well, in new information, it seems that Governor Palin has no room to talk given what we are learning about her pals.

Please look at the video below and you will realize that Rev. Wright looks like a moderate compared to "Palin's Pals"! Palin's husband was a member of the Alaska Independence Party for a number of years. Palin twice spoke to their Convention. She has without a doubt attended one of their conventions before being elected mayor. One of the party's main planks is for Alaska to leave the United States and become an independent country. Now all that has been brought clearly out in public.

However, as we are learning more about the Independence Party and Palin's connections, we uncover some extremely disturbing information. The party founder, Joe Vogler, openly expressed his disgust and "hatred" of America even to the point of not being wanted to be buried under the American Flag. His speech is hateful and harmful. In addition, it turns out Vogler was killed as he attempted to illegally buy explosives on the black market. Wonder what those were for? Perhaps a terrorist act?

We have a right to know more about Palin's pals. Don't you think?

Impressions of an Election............by David Mixner

-Biden was so Presidential and brilliant last night. The initial polls are excellent with CBS poll showing  Biden winning 46% to 21% and the CNN poll show a Biden victory of 51% to 36%. Once again the voters are more impressed with our team in the debate than the commentators.

-One of the best parts of campaigns is often the concerts that come out of them and the interesting paring of performers. Who wouldn't want to be at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York on October 16 to see The Boss and The Piano Man do a concert for Barack Obama. They could have sold out Shea Stadium with Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel. Wow.

-If you are in Washington, DC tomorrow (October 4) head on over to Politics and Prose bookstore to be greeted by Larry Tribe talking about his new hit book "The Invisible Constitution". Larry will be int he store by 1PM. It won't be possible to have a more intelligent afternoon in Washington tomorrow than at this event.

-The ever-great site, Queerty.com, points out that this summer Congress passed the provision to remove the ban of HIV travel to the United States. For some reason, Homeland Security has decided on its own to 'streamline the process' but not to lift the ban. This ban continues to shame America around the world and you have to wonder what idiot reason Secretary Michael Chertoff has for this one. After all, you remember he was so brilliant at handling Katrina. "Heckuva job, Chertie!"

-It baffles me why Republicans are screaming so loud against early voting in Ohio. Seems to me both sides would want to make sure their supporters had an easy time voting. But then maybe it might have something to do with the McCain/Palin ticket falling behind in the Buckeye State.

-Taegen Goddard has poll results on its site that show newly registered voters are breaking for Obama by a margin of two to one.

-Way to go President Clinton! After raising some concern about his energy behind Obama, he proved many of us wrong by delivering a hot and passionate speech in Florida on behalf of the Obama/Biden ticket. Thanks Mr. President!

-Thank God Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger protected the State of California from a horrible fate! The ever wise Governor decided to veto the bill that would have created Supervisor Harvey Milk Day to coincide with the release of the film "Milk". Not one single Republican in the legislature voted for the bill despite the fact that Harvey Milk died while being in service to his city, state and country.

Remember Iraq? That is the war that is still raging in the Middle East. A group of activists and citizens in the cold northwest corner of Wisconsin hasn't forgotten. They have formed the Iraq Moratorium and every couple of weeks take time out of their lives to remind people of the continuing tragedy of this unjust war.

We have talked a lot about Proposition 8 in California which would repeal marriage equality granted by the California Supreme Court. However there is also a big battle going on in Florida which is an attempt to put into the Florida State Constitutional a ban on marriage equality. The good news is that they need 60% of the vote to successfully include it. You can help out by going to www.SayNo2.com which is the site for Florida Red and Blue.

-There is a great site headed by Kathleen Unger to maintain election day integrity and prevent fraud or people from being denied the right to vote on technicalities. Go to www.ElectionPreparedness.com and find out all about it. I know that many areas are looking for lawyers to prevent voter suppression on election day.

-Now, this is precious. The Republicans in Minnesota who hated the late Democratic Senator Paul Wellstone (in picture at left) are using him in ads in attempt to defeat Al Franken. Have they no shame at all?

-Democrat Musgrove has pulled within two points of incumbent Republican Wicker in the race for US Senate in Mississippi.

-Newsweek columnist Fareed Zakaria has a tough column on McCain's selection of Palin. He closes by saying:

"Obviously these are very serious challenges and constraints. In these times,for John McCain to have chosen this person to be his running mate is fundamentally irresponsible. McCain says that he always puts country first. In this important case, it is simply not true."

-The Georgia US Senate race is continuing to amaze and heat up. Incumbent Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss has only a 2% lead over Democratic challenger Jim Martin. People are talking heavily about the "Obama Effect" in that progressive Southern State.

-Set your recorders and Tivos to record the 2AM (EST) showing on tonight (Friday) of the GLAAD Awards on BRAVO. If you missed it the first time around, it is a great show. Not in the program is the wonderful introduction Judith Light gave when she presented me the "Pioneer Award". If you are at all slightly interested, you can watch it here by clicking here.

-Have to admit that I have some guilty pleasures. Not only do I love "Judge Judy", I also can't wait to read Cindy Adams each morning in the New York Post. I know, I know...

-The tiny city of LaCrosse, Wisconsin with a grand total of 52,000 people turned out nearly 15,000 plus citizens to listen to Barack Obama this week. Below is a picture of the crowd.

Impressions of an Election.............by David Mixner

-This will scare you all, early voting begins today in many states. People are ACTUALLY voting on the Presidential race as we speak! Registered voters living in Georgia, Kentucky and Virginia are first in line but it escalates each week. About one third of Americans will vote before election day. If you are supporting Obama vote early or by absentee to make sure you vote is counted.

-Seems as though some states have to be moved soon to the Obama column from toss-up. The latest Iowa poll has Obama up by 14% and in Minnesota, Obama has developed a 8% lead! On the other hand, Pennsylvania has closed somewhat and might be moved into the undecided column but North Carolina clearly has to be moved also into the toss-up category since the two candidates are virtually tied in that state.

-Speaking of North Carolina, there is nothing but good news coming from the Tar Heel State. Not only has Obama closed the gap but for the first time in the Rasmussen Poll, Democratic challenger State Senator Kay Hagen has moved ahead of Republican incumbent Elizabeth Dole. Hagen now is winning by 5%!

-the Congressional newspaper Roll Call has developed a list of the 50 richest people in the US Congress. Here is the top five. (For the remainder of the Top 50 click here):

1. Senator John Kerry ($230 million)
2. Congresswomen Jane Harman ($225 million)
3. Congressman Darrell Issa ( $160 million)
4. Senator Jay Rockefeller ($80 million)
5. Congressman Robin Hayes ($78 million)

-Now it turns out that John McCain has 11 cars and 7 houses (9 according to pundit Paul Begala) and the endorsement of the Lady de Rothchild. Now remind me again who is the elitist?

-In the 'sure this is really change' department, Senator John McCain refuses to rule out former Texas Senator Phil Graham as his potential Secretary of Treasury! Now we all know that it is Graham who told us to stop whining about the economy and the one who brought to us this mess on Wall Street with his deregulation bills.

-The Mississippi Supreme Court ruled that the Republican attempt to place their close US Senate race at the bottom of the ballot is just unacceptable and have order it back to the top of the ballot. When the Republicans can't win the voters they resort to all sort of tactics to suppress voters.Unbelievable.

-There is an incredible article in this month's issue of GQ Magazine by Robert Draper called "Prisoner of War". It is about McCain's history with the issue of Iraq and his policies toward that country. It is a must read. Just click here.

  -Speaking of great articles, Ebony Magazine has a fantastic piece by Goldie Taylor (on left)called "A Woman's Worth: We've Come A Long Way Baby". Here is an excerpt about Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin from this fascinating article:

"I do know that she's a life-time member of the NRA, a proponent of individuals who wielded the very weapons that killed my father and brother. I do know that she “lives really close to Russia,” but I'm not so certain she is ready for Putin. I know she wanted to ban books for public libraries and sex education in schools, but that her 17 year old is pregnant and preparing for a shotgun wedding. I know that she loves her husband enough to allow him (and probably did herself) use her office to settle a personal score--one that the McCain campaign would now like to cover up under a blanket of Juneau snow. I know that the Alaska Independent Party, and its secessionist platform, was enticing enough for her to attend its conference (and for her husband to become a card carrying member). Does she love her country? I'm sure. Enough to support those who want to leave it"

-George Bush's approval rating is down to an amazing 19% in the American Research Group Poll. Think about it, over 80% of the people of this country thinks he is doing a bad job.

-Sunday was not a good day for John McCain. On This Week with George Stephanopoulos very conservative columnist George Will almost left his support of McCain in the dust! Will said in response to McCain's actions surrounding the economic crisis, "John McCain showed his personality this week," said the writer and pundit, "and made some of us fearful." Wouldn't call that a ringing endorsement, would you?

-The very conservative San Diego Union-Tribune came out against the repeal of marriage equality in California and urged voters to vote "NO on 8"! The historically right wing paper said in and editorial entitled "Gay Marriage Should Not be Repealed" : "With gay marriage a fait accompli, society has not crumbled. The long-standing institution of marriage is not in crisis. Californians have taken this change in stride. Indeed, there appears to be a marked shift in public opinion toward acceptance of gay marriage."

-Want to keep up on a daily electoral vote count? Just tune into www.electoral-vote.com . Warning. It is not for the faint of heart as you hold your breath each day to see what state is moved where!

-Finally, like most newscasts (evil grin), I bring you some interesting weather! A very complex series of events this week could enable a tropical depression over Puerto Rico right now to become a Cat 1 hurricane and hit New Jersey/ New York City directly by the weekend! Now this would be the only second hurricane in modern history to make a direct hit on the Garden State. About a quarter of the computer models are forecasting this possibility!

The Palin/McCain Ticket

How very awkward it must be for Senator McCain to suddenly be relegated to the second spot on the ticket. Even Governor Palin couldn't resist the other day referring to the ticket as the Palin/McCain team. Of course, given her history of back stabbing those helpful to her career (even her own mother-in-law), it is not surprising that she feels this way. I am sure by now Governor Palin is complaining to her inner circle how John McCain is holding her back. If you read the press each day, it is if Obama and Palin are the two seeking the highest office in the land.

Even the crowd of Republicans gathering in this election seem to be confused. According to the local law enforcement (in an estimate that I seriously doubt viewing the pictures), Palin pulled 60,000 folks in Florida. Poor John McCain just a week or so earlier was only able to fill about 3,000 seats in a 12,000 seat arena in Jacksonville, Florida. Is poor Sarah doomed to only campaign with McCain the last weeks of the election to avoid further embarrassment to the head of the ticket? Or will they suddenly switch her to town meetings with no crowds to measure? Wait a minute, if they did that then she would actually have to answer free flowing questions. We know how they feel about that possibility in the way they have insisted the Vice Presidential debate be structured so to protect her from any real exchange of ideas or knowledge.

Meanwhile, they are using the foreign policy connections of the Bush Administration to hastily arrange meetings with Sarah and foreign leaders in New York doing the United Nations General Assembly. The poor heads of state of Iraq, Pakistan, Georgia and Ukraine will be forced by this administration to serve as props for Palin. The great scholar Socrates knew that you can't pour knowledge into a person by mere proximity. The sad one is that U2 member and activist Bono has agreed to be part of this sideshow. He should know better but I guess at this stage he can't resist meeting with anyone. By the way, shouldn't the head of the ticket...what's his name....oh yea, McCain, be meeting with these heads of state?

There is no question but that 'gut the bear' Sarah has energized the base of the right wing of the Republican Party. But that is a mixed blessing to the GOP. In the last couple of weeks, according to Research2000 polling, good old Sarah's favorable ratings have tumbled an astounding 21 points! She is now has the LEAST favorable ratings of the four people on the two tickets dropping from first to last place. Many women especially are moving toward Obama as they realize her record and beliefs on women and reproductive rights. She is quickly becoming a liability to the Republican ticket. Also, as reported recently in the Los Angeles Times, Alaskans themselves are getting angry and are beginning to turn on their once popular governor as well due to the fact that she is now officially unapproachable -- and can only be reached through the McCain campaign. Anyone, whether dealing with governmental affairs or private concerns, is immediately referred to the McCain campaign.

In some ways she reminds me of the Barry Goldwater campaign in 1964 without the intellect or philosophical depth of the Senator from Arizona. She is stirring up the religious right to claim the Republican Party as rightfully it's institution and my guess is that we will be dealing with her impact long after this election. This could mean the first theologically based major political party in our history. In the long term, if it is perceived that our nations greatness is disappearing, their influence could be greater than any of us dare to imagine.

Hopefully she will continue to hurt McCain but lets not kid ourselves, the cat is out of the bag and we have to deal with her for a long time to come unless the investigations in Alaska prove real criminal and unethical conduct. Sarah is here to stay.

Impressions of an Election.........by David Mixner

-The campaign season is getting hot and heavy these days and no where hotter than in Oregon. I have said all along that Republican senator Gordon Smith is in trouble and the mounting evidence is proving me correct. After denying employing undocumented workers in his family business, the local newspapers are finding them everywhere. The revelations appear to be taking a toll and the latest polls have his opponent Democrat Jeff Merkley pulling into the lead by a mere 1% for the first time. Watch this race. It could be the sleeper of the year.

-The Lady de Rothschild, a Democratic National Committee member and fervent Hillary Clinton supporter, has endorsed Senator John McCain because she says Obama is an elitist! Now that takes the "Marie Antoinette Let Them Eat Cake" award! This titled billionaire with homes around the world calling Obama - a man who was raised by a single mom on food stamps - an elitist defies credulity. To make matters worse for the McCain campaign, today she was widely quoted as saying she was considering the McCain "redneck" vote. Yow! Will Howard Dean step up to the plate and demand that she resign her position with the Democratic Party? This vague 'elitist' issue is enough apparently for her to overcome McCain's anti-GLBT positions, his support of the war, his disastrous economic policies and sad environmental record. It is time for this destructive Oligarch to go. Pearls and all. Calling Dr. Dean!

In the midst of the staggering Wall Street crumble, CNN interviewed McCain advisor Carly Fiorina about her candidate's response. Ironically, that very day Hewlett-Packard laid off 25,000 workers. That is the company that Fiorina used to run. Also, she said that none of the candidates, including McCain and Palin, could run a company and for that she was banned for further appearances by the campaign. And to think she on the short list for McCain's Vice-President! I'm guessing she and Lady Rothschild will be banished to the same "Cone Of Silence".

  -Actor Brad Pitt just donated $100,000 to the No on 8 campaign in California. A great role model for the rest of Hollywood, he and Angelina Jolie were widely quoted a while back as saying that they would not marry until "everyone" was granted equal marriage rights. Bravo, Brad! We will be waiting for those checks to come in from Hollywood's elite who has been treated well by the LGBT community over the years. And if Brad could give that much don't you think our own millionaires and billionaires could step to the plate with a million here and a million there? The YES side is out raising us by 33%. Time to get busy.

-Continuing on the theme of contributing to the fight against Proposition 8 and its ban on marriage equality, reporter Karen Ocamb has an excellent article called "A-Gays Missing in Fight Against Proposition 8" found in IN Magazine. It is a must read. Seems like some very important people in the community have done nothing to help in this epic battle. Click here to see who is sitting on the sidelines.

-As the Obama campaign picks up steam this week, interesting polls from some states that many thought were out of his reach following the Palin selection. Guess that glow from "Caribou Barbie" is starting to wear thin. In Indiana, the Indianapolis Star and WTHR poll has Obama up by 3%. In North Carolina, the CNN/TIME poll has Obama only trailing McCain by 1%. Maybe "Happy Days Are Here Again" after all!

-Reports grow on Governor Palin's expensive taste in clothes including a $2,500 Valentino jacket she wore at the Convention. Included in her expenses are also hundreds of dollars for glasses. How is a mother of five on a low salary paying for all this stuff? Just interested. Also, today, her husband, Todd, has declared he will not honor the subpoena issued to him to answer questions about his wife's alleged unethical behavior in "Troopergate." Hmmmm. That doesn't bode well for a couple championing "reform", now, does it?

-On September 25, New York Governor David Patterson and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom are   joining forces at the Manhattan Park Avenue home of Ira Statfeld and Michael Recanti to raise serious money to fight No on 8 in California. If you can go to the high end event call Carrie Roush at 202-683-2551 and join in the fight for Marriage Equality.

-A new poll of traditionally conservative economists finds that they want Obama to win over McCain by a margin of 66% to 28%. If McCain's recent clueless comments on the spectacularly tanking economy weren't enough to convice you of his glaring inadequacies, this information should settle the argument on who is best for the American economy.

-According to the Field Poll, Obama leads McCain by 16% in California!

-Good news for wildlife lovers....and we need some! The Grizzly bears are making a comeback in the lower 48 states. There are now 765 Grizzlies in Montana and that is the highest in over thirty years. Watch were you walk in Montana!

-Democratic New Mexico Senate candidate, Tom Udall, is now leading by 16% and almost assures us of picking up that Senate seat.

-On a sadder note, my guess is that the eventual death toll from Hurricane Ike will run into the hundreds as we realize how many had been simply swept out to sea.

-The following is a magnificent television ad on 'change' from the Obama campaign

"The Economist": Lexington on Palin

Even in Britain's conservative establishment there is shock at the Sarah Palin selection for Vice President. The dubious choice is chronicled in the Economist's Lexington column entitled "The Woman from Nowhere". Please read the entire column but here is the ending that gives you the overall flavor of the article.

"Mr McCain’s appointment also raises more general worries about the Republican Party’s fitness for government. Up until the middle of last week Mr McCain was still considering two other candidates whom he has known for decades: Joe Lieberman, a veteran senator, independent Democrat and Iraq war hawk, and Tom Ridge, a former governor of Pennsylvania (a swing state with 21 Electoral College votes) and the first secretary of homeland security. Mr McCain reluctantly rejected both men because their pro-choice views are anathema to the Christian right.

The Palin appointment is yet more proof of the way that abortion still distorts American politics. This is as true on the left as on the right. But the Republicans seem to have gone furthest in subordinating considerations of competence and merit to pro-life purity. One of the biggest problems with the Bush administration is that it appointed so many incompetents because they were sound on Roe "v Wade. Mrs Palin’s elevation suggests that, far from breaking with Mr Bush, Mr McCain is repeating his mistakes.

As astutely chronicled again and again in the international media over the past few days, the rest of the world is quite clear that it overwhelmingly endorses Barack Obama as the best person to lead America. Instead of alienating ourselves from others, perhaps we should examine why they see this man as the obvious choice for our leader.

Nothing More Needs To Be Said: "New York Times" Editorial

Gov. Palin’s Worldview (September 13, 2008)

If he seriously thought this first-term governor — with less than two years in office — was qualified to be president, if necessary, at such a dangerous time, it raises profound questions about his judgment. If the choice was, as we suspect, a tactical move, then it was shockingly irresponsible.

It was bad enough that Ms. Palin’s performance in the first televised interviews she has done since she joined the Republican ticket was so visibly scripted and lacking in awareness.

What made it so much worse is the strategy for which the Republicans have made Ms. Palin the frontwoman: win the White House not on ideas, but by denigrating experience, judgment and qualifications.

The idea that Americans want leaders who have none of those things — who are so blindly certain of what Ms. Palin calls “the mission” that they won’t even pause for reflection — shows a contempt for voters and raises frightening questions about how Mr. McCain and Ms. Palin plan to run this country.

One of the many bizarre moments in the questioning by ABC News’s Charles Gibson was when Ms. Palin, the governor of Alaska, excused her lack of international experience by sneering that Americans don’t want “somebody’s big fat résumé maybe that shows decades and decades in that Washington establishment where, yes, they’ve had opportunities to meet heads of state.”

We know we were all supposed to think of Joe Biden. But it sure sounded like a good description of Mr. McCain. Those decades of experience earned the Arizona senator the admiration of people in both parties. They are why he was our preferred candidate in the Republican primaries.

The interviews made clear why Americans should worry about Ms. Palin’s thin résumé and lack of experience. Consider her befuddlement when Mr. Gibson referred to President Bush’s “doctrine” and her remark about having insight into Russia because she can see it from her state.

But that is not what troubled us most about her remarks — and, remember, if they were scripted, that just means that they reflect Mr. McCain’s views all the more closely. Rather, it was the sense that thoughtfulness, knowledge and experience are handicaps for a president in a world populated by Al Qaeda terrorists, a rising China, epidemics of AIDS, poverty and fratricidal war in the developing world and deep economic distress at home.

Ms. Palin talked repeatedly about never blinking. When Mr. McCain asked her to run for vice president? “You have to be wired in a way of being so committed to the mission,” she said, that “you can’t blink.”

Fighting terrorism? “We must do whatever it takes, and we must not blink, Charlie, in making those tough decisions of where we go and even who we target.”

Her answers about why she had told her church that President Bush’s failed policy in Iraq was “God’s plan” did nothing to dispel our concerns about her confusion between faith and policy. Her claim that she was quoting a completely unrelated comment by Lincoln was absurd.

This nation has suffered through eight years of an ill-prepared and unblinkingly obstinate president. One who didn’t pause to think before he started a disastrous war of choice in Iraq. One who blithely looked the other way as the Taliban and Al Qaeda regrouped in Afghanistan. One who obstinately cut taxes and undercut all efforts at regulation, unleashing today’s profound economic crisis.

In a dangerous world, Americans need a president who knows that real strength requires serious thought and preparation.