The Nation's Campaign '08 blog features an entry by John Nichols on the endorsement of Barack Obama by John Edwards, "Obama-Backing Edwards Elbows Aside Clinton."
One observation was of particular interest:
No one missed the fact that Barack Obama and John Edwards looked right together. "They looked fantastic together," gushed Jill Zuckman, the Chicago Tribune's able political writer. "They looked like a ticket."
Ms. Zuckman is a Chicago Tribune national correspondent and her gushy enthusiasm may strike readers as something less than what would be be expected from an unbiased, detached reporter. Although it's not the first time Ms. Zuckman's conveyed her appreciation for the combo.
In her June 28, 2007 dispatch, "Fighting the 'Who?' factor - Candidates considered outside the top tier struggle to get even a once-over from voters," she writes of:
Obama, an electrifying orator and the most formidable African-American presidential hopeful in history; and former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, a handsome Southerner and his party's most recent vice presidential nominee.
Certainly Barry Obama gives good teleprompter, but I don't know that qualifies him as an electrifying orator. He sometimes looks as though he's viewing a tennis match. And John Edwards might be a handsome Southerner, but would the Chicago Tribune's national correspondent ever refer to Hillary Clinton as a beautiful Midwesterner? I mean, if that were in fact the case. I doubt it, Sweetie.
Now that Ms. Zuckman has said how fantastic Obama and Edwards look together, it'll be interesting to see how objectively she reports on them in the future.
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Comments Policy
"They looked fantastic
May 15, 2008 - 15:02 ET by Free Thinker"They looked fantastic together," gushed Jill Zuckman
It makes them sound like they are ice skaters or something. With John's hair and Obama's smile who needs a brain? Surely even that nut in Iran would recognize their good looks and we could all be best friends forever!
BFF
May 15, 2008 - 15:06 ET by Michael M. BatesHeck yeah. Even Hugo Chavez would probably like to join that happy group.
Blades of Glory
May 16, 2008 - 04:04 ET by ToddonCapeCodIce skaters, like in Blades of Glory?
Yeah. Everyone thought
May 15, 2008 - 15:04 ET by motherbeltYeah. Everyone thought Kerry and Edwards looked terrific together, too.
By a hair
May 15, 2008 - 15:09 ET by Michael M. Bates"We have better ideas, better vision, a better sense of the difficulties in the lives of average Americans.''
Kerry paused. "And we have better hair.''
Yep, that made all the difference, didn't it?
Next thing you know she'll
May 15, 2008 - 15:10 ET by mjgNext thing you know she'll get a "thrill up her leg" like someone we know.
So many thrills up the leg, so little time
May 15, 2008 - 15:14 ET by Michael M. BatesNext thing you know she'll get a "thrill up her leg" like someone we know.
Someone we know and would like to forget.
Could be
May 15, 2008 - 15:10 ET by Eileen RightChris Matthews in drag having another leg thing.
American Dream – 10,000 politicians swimming to Europe with a lawyer under each arm.
Chrissy in drag
May 15, 2008 - 15:16 ET by Michael M. BatesChris Matthews in drag having another leg thing.
When Chrissy gushes, he gushes. And it flies all over the set.
Gag me with a spoon. This
May 15, 2008 - 15:29 ET by ricklailGag me with a spoon. This is sickening. It reminds me of 2 snakes when I see them together.
A bitter, clingy gun owner who drives a 4-WD truck with a gun rack and goes to church and studies the Bible.
Two snakes
May 15, 2008 - 15:33 ET by Michael M. BatesIt reminds me of 2 snakes when I see them together.
But two electrifying and handsome snakes, right?
Out of Touch
May 15, 2008 - 15:35 ET by forest"They looked fantastic together," gushed Jill Zuckman, the Chicago Tribune's able political writer. "They looked like a ticket."
Yeah right, Silky is going to help Obama win the rural vote. That's a great looking ticket - if you're John McCain.
Silky helps
May 15, 2008 - 15:37 ET by Michael M. BatesThat's a great looking ticket - if you're John McCain.
The way he's going, McCain will need any help he can get.
Breck Boy didn't carry NC
May 15, 2008 - 15:39 ET by ricklailBreck Boy didn't carry NC the first time. I don't think Obama will either even with the Breck Boy.
A bitter, clingy gun owner who drives a 4-WD truck with a gun rack and goes to church and studies the Bible.
Breck Boy didn't carry NC
May 15, 2008 - 16:07 ET by Michael M. BatesI've sometimes wondered how a state bright enough to consistently keep Jesse Helms in the Senate could have deteriorated to a point of electing the Hair Brush Man.
Michael
May 15, 2008 - 16:43 ET by jefflebowskiIt was a lot of Damn Yankees that have moved to NC and also because the country was sick of George Bush that got Edwards elected. History kind of repeats itself, doesn't it.
He didn't run for re-election because the VAST percentage of North Carolinians had enough of his act. All he did his one term is run for President.
Obama could pick Howdy Doody
May 15, 2008 - 15:46 ET by R D HelmObama could pick Howdy Doody as a running mate and he would still beat McCain, who is too timid for prime time.
I guess he wore himself out throwing all those hand grenades at members of his own party. :-(
Howdy Doody
May 15, 2008 - 16:03 ET by Michael M. BatesObama could pick Howdy Doody as a running mate and he would still beat McCain, who is too timid for prime time.
A problem for the 'Rats is that Howdy would be a superior candidate to the socialist undoubtedly to be selected by Barry.
I think its a pretty safe bet
May 15, 2008 - 17:28 ET by R D HelmI think its a pretty safe bet that who ever Barry-O picks will be wooden-headed. :-)
RD - yeah -
May 15, 2008 - 17:32 ET by Dee Bunkand have a really long nose ; )
Dee... LOL...that was a
May 15, 2008 - 17:35 ET by bigtimerDee...
LOL...that was a good one...all we need now is to throw in some long strings...
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Yes BT - And a puppet master for
May 15, 2008 - 17:40 ET by Dee Bunkthe two of them. Who will it be?
Dee, ya know, Barry-O could do us conservatives a real favor.
May 15, 2008 - 18:00 ET by R D HelmHe could pick John McCain. :-^)
Excellent Idea RD! We could agree not to oppose them
May 15, 2008 - 18:03 ET by Dee Bunkand we would be rid of two lousy Senators.
RD and Dee.. Boy do I
May 15, 2008 - 18:18 ET by bigtimerRD and Dee..
Boy do I second that...now what do we do about Hill?
I know...maybe McCain will pick her....lol.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
bt, LOL,
May 15, 2008 - 18:43 ET by R D HelmHey, I can't fix everything.
Dee,
May 15, 2008 - 17:38 ET by R D HelmYou mean like this nose?
Nose for news, RD
May 15, 2008 - 17:40 ET by Michael M. BatesIs that Michael Dukakis?
...hmmm...reminded me more
May 15, 2008 - 17:52 ET by bigtimer...hmmm...reminded me more of Clintoon...lol.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Wrong helmet
May 15, 2008 - 17:57 ET by CobraManNo, that's the wrong helmet.
Yeah - like that
May 15, 2008 - 17:41 ET by Dee Bunk; )
Just what we need...
May 15, 2008 - 15:49 ET by Tom in NCTwo inexperienced egomaniacal anti-American socialist buffoons running(or should I say ruining) the country
Yeah, that's the ticket
And then we can put our heads between our legs and kiss our ass goodbye
Inexperience, Tom in NC
May 15, 2008 - 16:05 ET by Michael M. BatesTwo inexperienced egomaniacal anti-American socialist buffoons running(or should I say ruining) the country
But, but, don't you know that B. Hussein does have experience? As a "community organizer" on the South side of Chicago.
Who could ask for more?
Be carefull what you wish for
May 15, 2008 - 16:05 ET by CobraMan"They looked like a ticket."
Yep, they sure do, a one way ticket to loservile. How'd that V.P. thing work out for you Edwards? Not that good, eh? Oh well, John Kerry still has your back.
"Obama, an electrifying orator"
Not without his prepared speeches and his teleprompter to guide him.
He's got a ticket to ride
May 15, 2008 - 16:10 ET by Michael M. BatesYep, they sure do, a one way ticket to loservile.
Maybe Jumpin' Johnny could bring out all those bigots who don't like Obama not because he's a radical leftist but because he's of mixed heritage.
Let's play the race game!
May 15, 2008 - 16:23 ET by CobraManLet's play the race game!
How about all the blacks who only vote for Barrack the Magnificent, our glorious Messiah, simply because he is considered a "real" African American while, at the same time, they describe Ms. Rice as the "House Slave" or an “Oreo” (you know, black on the outside but white on the inside) and insist that she doesn't represent "real" African Americans?
This is a fun game! Shall we play it some more?
The race gane
May 15, 2008 - 16:48 ET by Michael M. BatesHow about all the blacks who only vote for Barrack the Magnificent, our glorious Messiah, simply because he is considered a "real" African American. . .
We rarely hear about that 90+ percent, just those devilish whites who won't vote for Barry. They just gotta be racists.
Or
May 16, 2008 - 21:21 ET by Eileen Rightthe 10 percent of "Uncle Toms".
American Dream – 10,000 politicians swimming to Europe with a lawyer under each arm.
Howdy Doody -
May 15, 2008 - 16:14 ET by Eileen RightI thought Dick Gephardt retired.
American Dream – 10,000 politicians swimming to Europe with a lawyer under each arm.
Eileen... American Dream
May 15, 2008 - 16:20 ET by bigtimerEileen...
American Dream – 10,000 politicians swimming to Europe with a lawyer under each arm.
ROFL...if only we could be so lucky...I love it!
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Howdy Gephardt
May 15, 2008 - 16:52 ET by Michael M. BatesI thought Dick Gephardt retired.
I think he hung it up when he realized America just isn't ready for a guy without eyebrows.
This just leaked from the
May 15, 2008 - 16:21 ET by goldbarThis just leaked from the RNC:
"McCain to choose Strom Thurmond as running mate".
Must have had a gap in their
May 15, 2008 - 16:28 ET by KarmaMust have had a gap in their Depends.
His segregationist views
May 15, 2008 - 16:37 ET by SchnikeysHis segregationist views would certainly entice me into voting for that ticket, as a conservative.
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Grizzly Bear '08
Thurmond for VP
May 15, 2008 - 16:53 ET by Michael M. Bates"McCain to choose Strom Thurmond as running mate".
He's tanned, he's rested, he's relaxed. Boy, is he relaxed.
Of course they "look
May 15, 2008 - 16:39 ET by RMROf course they "look fantastic together". To libs, "looks" is everything.
An empty suit mouthing platitudes of "hope" and "change", plus a Ken-doll trial lawyer is a perfect Dem ticket.
To libs, "looks" is everything.
May 15, 2008 - 16:55 ET by Michael M. BatesTo libs, "looks" is everything.
And don't forget: "Intentions" are worth a whole lot, too.
unfortunately it means a lot to 60% of the so called moderates
May 15, 2008 - 16:58 ET by Dee Bunkwho don't pay much attention. They don't know the issues and they judge the candidates on their looks and personality.
So-called moderates
May 15, 2008 - 17:05 ET by Michael M. BatesThey don't know the issues and they judge the candidates on their looks and personality.
Which explains how John F. Kennedy ended up in the White House.
But wouldn't you love a JFK now Michael?
May 15, 2008 - 17:14 ET by Dee BunkI'd take him any day over Obama or McCain. He was more conservative than either of them.
JFK now
May 15, 2008 - 17:17 ET by Michael M. BatesI'd take him any day over Obama or McCain. He was more conservative than either of them.
That's faint praise. Kennedy was a disaster.
I liked Kennedy better than most other Dem Presidents though
May 15, 2008 - 17:24 ET by Dee BunkObama = Carter one of the Worst. Obama makes Kennedy look like a right wing fanatic.
JFK's accomplishments, Dee
May 15, 2008 - 17:37 ET by Michael M. BatesI was in grade school when JFK ran. Distributed his literature door to door and we had so many of his signs in our front yard that some folks thought our house was a polling place.
Then I grew up. By high school I questioned what he'd done. What was his greatest accomplishment?
A mediocre congressional career? The Bay of Pigs? The Berlin Wall? The Cuban Missile Crisis? Vietnam? Crumbling in front of Khrushchev at Vienna? The food stamp program? Grooming people like Ramsay Clark and Thurgood Marshall for advancement? Taking LBJ as his veep?
Just because he's not as lefty as today's current crop doesn't make him worthy of admiration or to serve as an example. IMHO.
Michael Bates...
May 15, 2008 - 17:46 ET by JerAre there any Democratic presidents whom you consider worthy of admiration?
Jer
Okay Jer so what Republican presidents do you admire?
May 15, 2008 - 18:07 ET by Dee Bunkcan you share please?
Dee: Admired GOP prez
May 15, 2008 - 18:33 ET by JerLincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Eisenhower...On the personal level, Ford and both Bushes rank very high.
And, to repeat for at least the sixth or seventh time since I began posting nearly a year ago, I consider Ronald Reagan to be the best president in my lifetime [which began during the Truman administration.
How's that?
Jer
Jer: Truman is fine by
May 15, 2008 - 22:00 ET by stratmanJer:
Truman is fine by me. His decision to use atomic weapons on Japan probably saved my uncles' and neighbor's lives. These guys are heros to me and a couple of them were queued up to invade Japan. The others might have been used at some point.
Truman also knew the response to an invading bully (North Korea) was opposing force, not direct negotiations.
Can't go wrong with your Repub picks either, whether for job performance or due to personal integrity.
RRAM Tough!
My dad's life, too, strat...
May 15, 2008 - 22:09 ET by JerMy dad's life, too, strat....He was on his way from Germany to the staging area for the invasion of Japan when the war ended. My sister was born a little over nine months later, and one year after that...me.
Jer
strat, I agree. Give 'em Hell Harry was the bomb!
May 15, 2008 - 22:30 ET by R D HelmHe didn't take any crap from anybody.
In 1946, Truman old Andrei Gromyko that, if the Soviets didn't have their troops out of Iran within 48 hours, we were going to do to Moscow what had been done to Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
In one account I read many moons ago, the Russkies were out of Iran in less than a day.
Now that was a real President. :-)
Legalize Freedom-Vote Libertarian
Truman
May 15, 2008 - 22:53 ET by harry flashmanHarry 'The Hat" Truman - the little harberdasher from Lamar, Missouri was the last Democrat I'd have ever voted for.
A small correction on the "Give 'em hell" quote.
What he really said was - "I just tell them the truth and they think it's hell."
My favorite Trumanism is the one about one-handed economists.
He told his staff to find him a "one-handed economist" and when asked why he wanted such a thing, he said - "Every goddamned time an economist gives me his opinion he finishes his assessment with 'but, on the other hand.'"
Harry Truman, an American Original.
Truman was certainly an
May 15, 2008 - 23:10 ET by CortillaenTruman was certainly an interesting man. They say he gave the order to drop the nukes without any hesitation, True or not, one look at projected casualties for Operation Downfall shows his decision was dead on. Of course, I can't help but note his birthtown is a mere fifty miles from mine, heh.
www.rhjunior.com Great comics with a hefty dose of Christian and anti-nutjob goodness.
"With your mind as high as Mt. Fuji you can see all things clearly. And you can see all the forces that shape events; not just the things near to you." -Miyamoto Musashi
50 Miles?
May 15, 2008 - 23:16 ET by harry flashmanMy family is from Excelsior Springs and Harry spent election night, 1948 at The Elms and woke up to "Dewey Wins!" in the ChiTrib.
Musashi? From a Missourian?
We truly have "Globalization."
I think it was "Dewey
May 16, 2008 - 02:04 ET by CortillaenI think it was "Dewey Defeats Truman!", actually, but same difference. You know, maybe some true conservatives should take lessons from Truman's media-weak victory, though I'm not sure if that could still work in today's US.
As for quoting Musashi, what can I say? If something is good, I acknowledge it, and he had an understanding of life and battle that few people in history could match (I strongly suggest reading a translation of his Go Rin no Sho, Book of Five Rings). Likewise, I'm also liable to quote MacArthur, Reagan, Sun Tzu, and Kenney (literally wrote the book on air force application theory, took the Japanese apart, and made MacArthur jump for joy). The joy of the information age is that we have unprecedented access to the experience, knowledge, and wisdom of cultures around the world. This particular quote from Musashi is my favorite in that it is the goal I strive for, to answer the why that lies behind the what.
www.rhjunior.com Great comics with a hefty dose of Christian and anti-nutjob goodness.
"With your mind as high as Mt. Fuji you can see all things clearly. And you can see all the forces that shape events; not just the things near to you." -Miyamoto Musashi
That blows my mind Jer
May 16, 2008 - 08:29 ET by Dee BunkI don't understand what led you to the dark side.
It's very simple, Dee...
May 16, 2008 - 14:46 ET by JerI don't understand what led you to the dark side.
It's very simple, Dee...a determination to assess politicians and policies as fairly and objectively as possible without regard to ideological considerations
Jer
Jer I find that impossible to believe
May 16, 2008 - 14:59 ET by Dee Bunkbecause I turned around to the bright side for the very same reasons. Someone has to be wrong and it's never me ; )
Don't get me wrong, Dee...I
May 16, 2008 - 15:26 ET by JerDon't get me wrong, Dee...I still find myself landing on the side of the Democrats more often than not. But the number of times is less frequent than most here would assume.
Jer
Demo prezes I have known and loved
May 15, 2008 - 18:22 ET by Michael M. BatesAre there any Democratic presidents whom you consider worthy of admiration?
Not in my lifetime. I understand Grover Cleveland wasn't bad, however.
Answer carefully Michael -
May 15, 2008 - 17:48 ET by Chris NormanAnswer carefully Michael - it's a trap!
Chris
May 15, 2008 - 18:05 ET by JerA trap? How so? Let me know so I can spring it if and when he answers.
Jer
I was just trying to occupy
May 15, 2008 - 18:09 ET by Chris NormanI was just trying to occupy a few seconds of your time while you were waiting.
Speaking of waiting,
May 15, 2008 - 18:20 ET by JerSpeaking of waiting, Chris...the pages are loading this afternoon at an agonizing craawwlll.
Jer
Thanks, Chris
May 15, 2008 - 18:26 ET by Michael M. BatesAnswer carefully Michael - it's a trap!
Thanks for the advice, Chris.
Too bad...You fell for it
May 15, 2008 - 18:39 ET by JerToo bad...You fell for it anyway.
Jer
You fell for it
May 15, 2008 - 18:43 ET by Michael M. BatesToo bad...You fell for it anyway.
Getting the vapors already.
Geez, Michael,
May 15, 2008 - 23:01 ET by R D HelmLOL-Sure hope they aren't theseVapors.
:-O
Getting the vapors, R D
May 16, 2008 - 10:27 ET by Michael M. BatesLOL-Sure hope they aren't theseVapors.
Fortunately, it's more like these vapors.
The "vapors"...always
May 16, 2008 - 15:33 ET by JerThe "vapors"...always wondered, now I know. Thanks for the link.
Jer
Michael,
May 16, 2008 - 20:31 ET by R D HelmLOL-Good to know. :-)
Yeah - come to think of it - I probably just liked him
May 15, 2008 - 17:54 ET by Dee Bunkcause he was cute ; )
Really though I'm not that big of a History buff, but I like Presidents who don't do a lot more than those who do. He didn't do a whole lot and as far as social programs go, food stamps are not that bad. It's probably the only welfare thing I agree with.
OK, Dee
May 15, 2008 - 18:20 ET by Michael M. BatesGot to the part where you wrote: He didn't do a whole lot and as far as social programs go, food stamps are not that bad.
Guess we'll have to agree to disagree, friend. :)
Strange, John Edwards seems
May 15, 2008 - 17:09 ET by SchnikeysStrange, John Edwards seems to think that John Edwards only looks fantastic in a pink dress from Wal-Mart.
Silk pony is as silk pony does.
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Grizzly Bear '08
Johnny's outfits
May 15, 2008 - 17:14 ET by Michael M. BatesStrange, John Edwards seems to think that John Edwards only looks fantastic in a pink dress from Wal-Mart.
Now, now, we mustn't be judgmental. What he does on Saturday nights is his business. Besides, I don't think he'd purchase his frocks at Wal-Mart. Johnny hates Wal-Mart. Or so he says.
Yeah, you're right-
May 15, 2008 - 17:18 ET by SchnikeysYeah, you're right- although growing up, that's probably one of the only places where he could afford to buy anything, which is why I mentioned it.
But who knows, perhaps he screws himself over under a credit burden like most libs by stopping by Victoria's Secret in the mall and going regal.
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Grizzly Bear '08
The "Breck" Girl and Bambi
May 15, 2008 - 20:43 ET by jdhawkThe "Breck" Girl and Bambi - dumb and dumber . . .
»→ Fantastic together
May 16, 2008 - 06:56 ET by Cool ArrowObviously the editor thought "fabulous together" might be a bit much.
♣ a seal - starve a Polar Bear