If this isn’t more evidence that Sarah Palin was chosen as a showy campaign bauble, rather than a serious candidate for second-in-command of the United States of America, then I guess my naivete rivals that of her most zealous supporters.  Just read an AP story up at MSNBC.com that says — surprise — Palin will be heeling right at McCain’s side, following her quick trip home, for the next couple of weeks on the campaign trail. And so far, she’s turned down any further interviews with the press following her chat with ABC’s Charlie Gibson tomorrow.

Perhaps I sound uncharacteristically snide in making an (intentional) animal comparison, but I’m sorry, the disingenuousness of the McCain campaign has just done my civility in at the moment.  The doublespeak continues: on the one hand, her extensive executive experience is supposed to make her perfectly competent to wrangle with President Putin, her neighbor across the Bering Sea — not to mention affairs of state in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and North Korea — yet when it comes to talking on her own to voters, or especially to journalists, well, that’s far too dangerous territory to navigate by herself. Full story »

Now this is truth that needs telling.

Even though Obama’s tax plan would cut taxes for 95 percent of Americans, polls show that more than half — 53 percent — believe John McCain when he says a vote for Obama is a vote to raise taxes. Unless you’re in that lofty top 5 percent, you’re in for a break. How much? Go here to have yours instantly figured out, using computation by the non-partisan Tax Policy Center.

Once you’re there, take a look at the graphs that show exactly who will get what benefits under an Obama vs. a McCain administration (you’ll need to click the link that shows how your result was calculated).  It’s clear whose pockets the McCain campaign is in.

And while you’re at it, be sure to Digg the site — obamataxcut.com — so the McCain operatives can’t squelch it. A link is available when you get there.

Isn’t it ludicrous even to ask such a question? Apparently not, in the presidential race of 2008.

I’ve spent the better part of the last two weeks absorbing and reflecting on the drama of the conventions. I got so whupped up alongside the head with the Palin pick, followed by incredulity at the delirious embrace by her party, that I’m only just now managing to mobilize some reactions. One of the strongest is that I don’t want – and we don’t need – “just a regular Joe – or Jane” – at the helm of this nation, whether as president or vice president. Full story »

I’m a recent addition to the S&R line-up since my first guest appearance at the DNC, and I hope I can run with these clever, yappy dogs. I’ve been worried that I’m not enough of a pitbull – unlike Sam, whose ‘reality check’ radar functions more forcefully than mine, or Brian, whose critical slant isn’t compromised by pesky emotions. I, on the other hand, found myself inspired by the multitude of earnest political conversations buzzing around Denver last week (even while ABC reporters were getting arrested trying to unveil connections between lobbyists, big money and Dem lawmakers), and moved deeply while listening to Barack Obama energize 80,000 people inside Denver’s football stadium last Thursday night.

I felt like I’d been to church. Full story »

… I have no doubt she would be getting roundly condemned by the Republicans, and especially conservative evangelicals, about her “poor choices” — and her daughter’s. Since when did the “values voters” crowd decide to rally behind not just a working mom, but one with so many competing family concerns? They would be vilifying her if she were Obama’s VP pick, accusing her of neglecting her large family, her special-needs child, and her teenage daughter who would clearly prompt the question, ‘if she can’t keep things in order at home, how can she run the country?’ Full story »

Anyone who exercises regularly to stay fit and combat stress knows it has to be part of a daily routine, even if it’s one of the biggest days of your life. That includes Barack Obama, whom I caught of glimpse of as he worked out at the Denver Athletic Club about 8:00 this morning. Full story »

What is it with these wild, out-of-control visitors to the Gulf Coast bearing German names? First we had Katrina, three years ago tomorrow; now Gustav is threatening an unwelcome arrival. But we still haven’t gotten Katrina’s mess cleaned up, 1,095 days after she roared through and forgot to turn the water off. Miles of inundated neighborhoods in New Orleans still lie in empty ruins; residents are still stuck breathing formaldehyde in FEMA trailers; crime engendered by a rising homeless rate is still rising. It’s still a disaster.

Enter the Bergevin Brothers. Full story »

As I was walking down the 16th Street Mall this afternoon, I passed a woman wearing a button that said “Ask Me How Many Houses I Own.” It’s amazing how quickly a creative entrepreneur can turn something into a marketable opportunity, even a political gaffe.

McCain’s deeply regrettable admission has been the subject of many a comment, criticism and joke here around the DNC this week, to no one’s surprise. But what has surprised me was another McCain gaffe that’s gotten far less press, yet which also provides major evidence for how far removed he is from the daily world of the people he seeks to govern. I’m speaking of his admission a few weeks ago that he does not use the Internet and had never sent an e-mail.

I’ve heard apologists argue that it’s a generational thing; he’s 72. My mom is 69, and she’s never sent an e-mail either. But she’s not running for president. Full story »

As a Democratic woman, I breathed a big sigh of relief last night. Hillary did what she needed to do.

She stepped up with class and grace when the moment demanded it. Plenty of Democrats were nervous as they entered the Pepsi Center last night, and a camera cut to Mchelle Obama’s face as her husband’s one-time rival started speaking indicated she might have been among them. But Clinton quickly allayed doubts with an unequivocal endorsement of Barack Obama as “my candidate,” which elicited cheers amid a sea of bobbing signs proclaiming “Obama” and “Unity.”

It was a poignant occasion for Hillary supporters, and even women like me who have been on board with Obama since the beginning. Full story »

I ducked out a few minutes ago to grab a gelato over at Gelazzi on Larimer Square and didn’t realize, as I tried to walk in, that it was reserved temporarily for a private party. “Oh, I’m sorry,” I said, retreating. But when the woman at the door saw my press pass, she invited me right in. I figured that whoever was hosting, I could take the press packet handed to me in exchange for a cup of chocolate-chocolate chip and coffee Italian-style ice cream.

Turns out it was a gathering to establish a U.S. Department of Peace. That’s the goal of The Peace Alliance, a D.C.-based organization whose mission with such a project is
“to reduce and prevent violence domestically and internationally.”

It sounded a little gimmicky at first. But as I thumbed through the press kit, I started to wonder, why not? Full story »

Though polls indicate a tightening gap between Obama and McCain, especially in swing states like Colorado, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is not worried. Speaking at a Politico/Denver Post/Yahoo! News breakfast panel this morning, she told the crowd that Obama’s strength lies with many voters who are not within the ranks of those previous “likely voters” polled, including younger voters and those who have never voted before.

Pelosi is confident that economic issues will move an election victory in Obama’s direction. Full story »

So I’ve just finished a full day and evening roving around Denver on Day One of the Democratic Convention, ducking into the inviting Lime Cantina for a round of nachos and margaritas to restore my flagging energy and mellow my overwhelmed mind before I tackle reporting on the massive dose of information I got at the events I attended today.

First, however, some personal reflections from a first-time Scrogue guest blogger. I’m feeling a bit like a political Pollyanna confessing this, but being here in this hyper-stimulating setting refreshes my faith in the whole enterprise of politics. Full story »

Reigning atop a short list of the nation’s hippest leftist university towns, Boulder will be holding court at the base of the Flatirons as the DNC legions descend on Denver. Just a half-hour away, Boulder’s Democratic denizens are hoping to lure some of them to partake in its progressive proferrings. Here, then, is a brief introduction to the People’s Republic.

Nestled in a green valley on the eastern edge of the Rockies and surrounded by thousands of acres of public open space, Boulder offers a coveted combination of culture and nature in close proximity. Full story »