New Poll on Iraq

The results of a recent USA Today/Gallup poll are up at pollingreport.com, and the results show almost no change in opinions of the war whatsoever.

Since last October, around 55% of Americans have agreed that the invasion of Iraq was a mistake. Over the same period, 40% of Americans have consistently said the invasion was not a mistake. According to USA Today/Gallup, there's been virtually no change on this question in the last nine months. That 40%, it appears, has accepted a steady stream of American casualties and massive war spending as the price for...whatever it is we're fighting for.

Americans may disagree on the wisdom of the invasion, but they're in full agreement on the importance of a politician's stance on the issue. A whopping 75% say that a politicians past and current stances on the war are "very important" or "extremely important." With that number in mind it's easy to see why every Republican Presidential candidate (except Ron Paul) is supporting the war, while every Democratic candidate opposes it.

The Democrats should be careful in their opposition, however. The strong majority say they'd be less likely to support a candidate who voted to cut off funding for the war.

Coulter gives Edwards a One Word Gift

The last time the media focused on former Senator John Edwards was when it was revealed that two Edwards bloggers had written some very anti-religious blogs during their previous incarnations as writers for Pandagon and Shakespeare's Sister. Those were stories that the Edwards Campaign has been furiously trying to kill. So much so, that they have not been able to push any of their own stories. And with Obama and Hillary providing so much news fodder, the media has been happy to focus on them.

The infamously offensive conservative commentator Ann Coulter spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) after being introduced by Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney (from Massachusetts). After making plenty comments that were offensive, yet mostly run of the mill for Ms. Coulter, she ended her speech by calling John Edwards a "faggot" (showing her tolerant side).

While the comment was offensive and inappropriate, it was a godsend for the Edwards campaign. They finally had an opportunity to get back in the media, without being on the defensive, and perhaps fuel a larger media drive. The Edwards campaign could use this opportunity to push other stories that would benefit the campaign.

They have already successfully tried to parlay this new attention into a fund raising opportunity by featuring it on the campaign's front page and having a "coulter cash" fund drive. This should help them out with their fund raising which apparently is already doing relatively well. The Edwards campaign could turn some heads when this quarter's fund raising numbers are disclosed (March 31st). I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Coulter Calls Edwards A Faggot

Ann Coulter spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference and gave Edwards some free media by calling him a "faggot"

Al Gore at the Oscars

For those who missed the Oscars, this is what I was talking about.

Al Gore's Prospects

Will He, Can He, Should He?

Al Gore's documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, won an Oscar last weekend for "Best Feature Documentary"(which you can view above).

He has appeared on countless television shows, including some of the late night circuit and importantly, Oprah (where Oprah heaped praise on him).

The question that many people within the dreaded "beltway" AND in the rest of America, are contemplating is whether Albert Gore Jr. will run for president again.

This question was first raised in 2004, when some thought Al Gore want a rematch after the 2000 election, which he barely lost.

Now people are mentioning his name again as perhaps one more candidate ready to run for office.

There are some interesting things to note about Gore's electoral possibilities.

First, despite not running for office (during which there would be much more propaganda to promote him) 52% of those polled had a favorable opinion of him.

This is partly because of his work on global warming (which he has made a cause celebre) particularly his work with An Inconvenient Truth.

Today, Al Gore is presenting at the University of Oklahoma, which isn’t particularly known for its liberal tendencies. The presentation was moved from the large Catlett Music Hall (where former Mexican President Vicente Fox presented earlier this week), to the much larger Lloyd Noble Arena (11,205 seats).

His presentations around the country are selling out everywhere from red states to blue states. He even sold out a 10,000 person arena in Boise, Idaho of all places.

Melinda Henneberger has an interesting article on Huffpost about Gore's global warming presentations where she describes people's reactions in Idaho about Gore and his presentation.

"Once you see the movie, it's a no-brainer," says Nick, a freshman whose parents are Republicans. Same story with Karie Harlander, who is sitting in the student lounge tucking into her noontime fruit cup; she hadn't known anything about the conference, either -- but again, when I say "global warming," she responds -- well, warmly: "I watched him on Oprah and I loved how everything was digital." "Really, and this was Al Gore?'' says her friend, Annie Shull. "Wow." Oh yeah, Karie says, "That helped a lot to understand how much is changing every year," as the frostline moves.

Gore clearly has an ability to connect to his audience. Even in Idaho...

Though leavened with jokes, Gore's talk is not so much a feel-good presentation as a walk through the Book of Exodus, complete with storms, plagues and infestations, all happening in real time. Repeatedly, he uses religious references to describe the situation: "You can almost hear God saying, 'Hey, Pharaoh!'" And, "Noah was commanded to preserve biodiversity."

"Preach it!" a man in the crowd calls at one point.

Another thing to note is the immense support Gore has in the online community.

If you Google "Draft Gore" you will find five different websites that exist for the purpose of drafting Al Gore as a presidential candidate in 2008.

Draft Gore
draftgore2008
Al Gore-08
www.algore.org
Al Gore petition

Ads for some of these organizations also feature prominently on important blogs such as dailykos.(although they may not be up right now).

These organizations are all working to set up the foundation for a successful Al Gore run. This list does not even mention the numerous environmental and global warming groups that regard Al Gore, or "Goracle" as some have taken to calling him, as their fearless leader.

Gore is also keeping limelight on himself by being involved in three high profile activities in the next three months.

On March 21st, he'll testify on global warming to both the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and at a Joint Subcommittee Hearing on Climate Change, held by the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, and the Science and Technology Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.

Then in May, Gore has a new book coming out, entitled The Assault On Reason, which will be sure to generate publicity.

Finally, on 7-7-07, he will be heading a 24-hour "Save our Selves"marathon on all seven continents, intended to reach 2 billion people (or a third of the worlds population).

Clearly Gore is placing himself (or is being placed) in a position where come September, he may be the most attractive candidate available.

Donna Brazile, his former campaign manager argues as much in this article from the politico:

"Brazile said the former vice president could wait as late as the time states begin requiring delegate slates and statements of candidacy, since he could raise money quickly and much of the campaigns’ budgets are devoted to a long nominating process he would avoid."

She goes on to enumerate the various reasons that she is holding out on working for any candidates, instead opting to wait to see if her old boss decides to throw his hat in the ring.

Even The Economist has issued a comment on Gore's possibilities in the presidential arena, saying that "Mr Gore is the ideal candidate for the Democratic stalwarts who turn out to vote in the primaries." Its hard to believe Albert Gore has not considered his chances at achieving the office, some say he already won.

The hardest question to answer is if Gore will decide to run. Only time can tell, but The Economist did note:

Mr Gore is adamant that he does not want to run again. But will he be able to resist? It would be one of the great dramas of American political history. And James Carville, keen observer of politicians, says that, for them, running for president is rather like having sex for normal people: it is not something that you do just once if you have any say in the matter.

Pols and their Movies

Zapata: McCain:: ?

CNN has an interesting bit on the favorite movies of Presidential hopefuls.
They list various candidates from both parties, their favorite movies and a synopsis from the internet movie database (IMDb).

While I would be the first one to look down my nose at reporting about candidate's movie preferences, after seeing them, I think they could say something about the candidate. What they specifically say is up to your interpretation.

Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona: "Viva Zapata" (1952) -- "The story of Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata, who led a rebellion against the corrupt, oppressive dictatorship of president Porfirio Diaz in the early 20th century."

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York: "Casablanca" (1942) -- "An American expatriate meets a former lover, with unforeseen complications."

Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, R-New York: "The Godfather" (1972) -- "The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son."

Former Sen. John Edwards, D-North Carolina: "Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb" (1964) -- "An insane general starts a process to nuclear holocaust that a war room of politicians and generals frantically try to stop."

Gov. Bill Richardson, D-New Mexico: "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (1969) -- "Two Western bank/train robbers flee to Bolivia when the law gets too close."

Former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Massachusetts: "Raiders of the lost Ark" (1981) -- "Renowned archeologist and expert in the occult, Dr. Indiana Jones, is hired by the U.S. Government to find the Ark of the Covenant, which is believed to still hold the Ten Commandments."

I wonder what Zapata would think of McCain.

Pelosi's Plane

The Top Stories to Note

Story #1: Palestinian Unity

This story is the most important for two main reasons. First, unity between Hamas and Fatah means one very important thing, more peace. There has been a large "up-tick" in violence in the West-Bank and Gaza and it was not all Israeli-Palestinian conflicts but rather Palestinian-Palestinian conflict. The particular problem with this type of violence was the loss of control wrought by the split in the Palestinian factions.

While there was violence today, it was the violence over the dome of the rock, and the temple mount. A religious conflict in which both sides have a "rational" argument defending their religious relic. By having Hamas agree to recognize Fatah treaties with Israel huge steps have been taken in making Palestine more than a democratic state, but also a democratic partner for peace with Israel.

Story #2: Pelosi's Plane

This story matters because it shows the weakness of the Republican Party, particularly in the House. The House Republican press machine chose to focus on this non-story, despite public comments by the White House against their actions.

"This is a silly story and I think it's been unfair to the Speaker… We think it's important that the Speaker of the House enjoy the same kind of security that we arranged for Speaker Hastert in the wake of September 11th. And like I said, I think that there's been a lot of over-hyped reporting on this." (White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, 2/8/07)

They even continued pushing the story (or at least the press kept pushing it) after the House Sergent-At-Arms announced that it was he who asked for the bigger plane not Speaker Pelosi.

“I told Speaker Pelosi that Speaker Hastert used the Air Force plane for travel to and from his district; however, I was uncertain of the rules and guidelines governing use of the plane. I offered to call the U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense to seek clarification of the guidelines. (Sergeant at Arms press release, 2/6/07)

This is a non-story and will not run after today, however, it is worth noting that the Republicans are grasping at straws for almost attack they can get their hands on.


Story #3: Anna Nicole

Last, but not least let us mention Anna Nicole Smith.

If you don't know the facts click here--------------------------------->

Assuming you do know the facts then here's why Anna Nicole is story number 3.

Anna Nicole Smith, a one time Playboy model, wife, and mother, died on February 9, 2007 and then proceeded to take the entire news cycle from about 6 A.M through 4 P.M. Several times throughout the day, MSNBC, Fox News, and CNN all featured reporters who were waiting for the presser from the coroner. The result from the coroner was that the cause of Ms. Smith's death could not be determined.

This story just reminds all observers how much the press (and the audience) enjoys controversy, pain, struggle. They are fascinated by this case because it seems like this woman, (who is a celebrity mostly because the press reports about her, and the press reports about her because she is a celebrity) led a very public life that most of America had an opinion on. She was probably one of the most controversial people since Hillary Rodham Clinton.

This case, like all other celebrity (death) cases remind us that we are near a point where we may need to adopt rules similar to the British, in which the media cannot report on things that are currently in the courts.

The public has no right to know why Anna Nicole died, nor should millions in journalistic resources be spent trying to solve the mystery.

Those are the top stories to note.