June 03, 2008
Question of the day
"[W]hen will Hillary drop out? Tonight? Tomorrow? Thursday? August 28? January 21?" -- Brendan Loy, the proud father of a child who's lived almost her entire life so far with the Democratic nomination in...Posted by joe lance on 09:17 AM | Comments (1)
May 27, 2008
Parties wrapping up presidential nominations, with one glaring exception
As of Memorial Day 2008, nominees for President of the United States have been named, either officially or de facto, by the Constitution (Chuck Baldwin), Green (Cynthia McKinney), Independent* (Ralph Nader), Libertarian (Bob Barr),...Posted by joe lance on 08:03 AM | Comments (0)
May 24, 2008
What to do on this Saturday night
In about twenty minutes, the Libertarian Party National Convention's presidential debate will be broadcast live on C-SPAN. I just read that former Alaska senator Mike Gravel will be included in the debate. I'm not...Posted by joe lance on 08:42 PM | Comments (2)
May 23, 2008
Hillary's chances are toast — or had better be
This (note: salty) is the worst, most deplorable, desperate act yet from the Clinton campaign. I'm practically speechless. And I don't care if you think Barack Obama is unqualified, or is too liberal, or...Posted by joe lance on 06:32 PM | Comments (3)
May 17, 2008
Reason number 51,708 to choose someone other than Hillary Clinton
She's preferred by the Lyndon LaRouche organization. I'm just joking, by the way, about using news like this to decide on supporting or opposing a candidate. One can find some group of fringe nutjobs...Posted by joe lance on 08:11 PM | Comments (0)
May 13, 2008
West Virginia winner: Mike Gravel!
And on his birthday, too. Oh, you meant the Democratic primary. Right. I'll be watching those returns after tonight's BUG meeting....Posted by joe lance on 11:16 AM | Comments (0)
May 12, 2008
It's the war, stupid
A question was asked today: "What is the biggest existential threat to [U.S. Senator John] McCain's candidacy?" You can help answer this question. Go to Marc Ambinder's place and take the poll, and see...Posted by joe lance on 06:08 PM | Comments (0)
May 11, 2008
Michelle Obama in Tennessee Thursday
The event is a fundraiser. Details are at Post Politics....Posted by joe lance on 09:30 PM | Comments (0)
May 07, 2008
Quotes from primary coverage
Gems from last night, and ongoing: Hillary's assertion that Indiana "broke the tie" in the PA-NC-IN trifecta is quite possibly the most pathetically unconvincing piece of election-night spin since Joe Lieberman's "three-way split decision...Posted by joe lance on 09:27 AM | Comments (0)
May 06, 2008
'Heels and Hoosiers
Add me to the list of bloggers who'll be watching the North Carolina and Indiana returns tonight. Though opinion polls can be useful indicators, the election results are always the real document, of course....Posted by joe lance on 10:23 AM | Comments (0)
May 03, 2008
Obama wins squeaker in Guam, party readies for recount
Let's see, who gets the link tonight? How about race42008.com? They are just pointing to CNN, though. Obama led the vote count throughout the day and had a 52.7 percent to 47.3 percent advantage...Posted by joe lance on 09:34 PM | Comments (0)
April 05, 2008
Ben Smith: Obama-Webb "looks perfect on paper"
The Politico guides us through a list of hypothetical running-mates for Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, including each as a possible pick by the other. Best quote: Obama-Bloomberg "creates the Archie Bunker nightmare...Posted by joe lance on 11:22 AM | Comments (1)
March 25, 2008
Quote of the day
Taegan Goddard almost always serves up a quote or two of the day; today (well, yesterday, as I'm behind) it's his turn to be quoted. Considering many Democrats feel Al Gore lost the presidency...Posted by joe lance on 05:02 PM | Comments (0)
March 21, 2008
Gov. Richardson endorses Obama
I don't have much to say on this that hasn't been spewed through the tubes already, so I'll just link and quote. So Mark Penn said earlier today that Bill Richardson's endorsement was no...Posted by joe lance on 09:58 PM | Comments (0)
March 16, 2008
Obama wins Iowa..again..some more
Brendan Loy points to the news that Iowa Democrats held their county conventions yesterday, and that as a result, presidential hopeful U.S. Senator Barack Obama increased his potential delegate lead in the party's nominating...Posted by joe lance on 11:06 AM | Comments (0)
March 08, 2008
There was a caucus today
In case you forgot, or missed it, Wyoming Democrats are holding caucuses today. The report is that U.S Sen. Barack Obama outdid rival U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton by a 59-40 margin. This can only...Posted by joe lance on 05:27 PM | Comments (0)
February 24, 2008
Nader makes it official
John McCain is suddenly not the oldest candidate in the race for the White House. Ralph Nader announced on NBC's Meet the Press this morning that he is running a fourth time (yes, Tim...Posted by joe lance on 09:57 AM | Comments (0)
February 20, 2008
How do you say "Yes We Can" in Hawai'ian?
"The tally totaled more than 37,000 votes....In comparison, the last caucus in 2004 had a total of nearly 4,000, which was considered a strong turnout," reports the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, via Political Wire. Barack Obama...Posted by joe lance on 09:19 AM | Comments (0)
February 11, 2008
No You Can't
Go ahead, Republicans. Close ranks behind this. Special to Ron Paul supporters: Barack Obama won't do everything you'd like, but he will end this war. (HT: VV)...Posted by joe lance on 12:19 PM | Comments (2)
February 10, 2008
On to Chesapeake
Barack Obama swept the weekend, winning caucuses in Nebraska, Washington, and Maine, as well as the Louisiana primary. Oh, and don't forget the Virgin Islands. The next primaries are in Maryland, Virginia, and the...Posted by joe lance on 06:54 PM | Comments (0)
February 09, 2008
Well, the Red State-Blue State divide may still be with us
As evidence, I give you Kansas, whose Republicans resoundingly caucused for Mike Huckabee today. FOX News is showing a 60% total for Huckabee, compared to 24% for John McCain and 11% for Ron Paul....Posted by joe lance on 05:16 PM | Comments (0)
Hamilton County Democrats choose delegates
I couldn't live-blog the Hamilton County Democratic Convention today, but I wrote as if I were, then filled in the rest this afternoon. Below, then, is my account of the proceedings:...Posted by joe lance on 04:25 PM | Comments (2)
February 08, 2008
Dissecting the delegate selection process
I'm off to the Hamilton County Democratic Party's convention tomorrow, to bring you an inside look at the first round of national delegate selection. The County Convention is the first step in a two-step...Posted by joe lance on 08:53 PM | Comments (0)
February 07, 2008
Mitt Romney to suspend campaign
Wow. (HT: Grits)...Posted by joe lance on 12:58 PM | Comments (0)
February 03, 2008
Huckabee=Roy Moore surrogate?
If you're a Chattanoogan, or a Tennessean, for that matter, and you haven't voted early, you must read smijer's post on former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee before you do anything rash. At the very...Posted by joe lance on 09:53 PM | Comments (0)
February 02, 2008
"Yes We Can" the song
Via 10,000 Monkeys and a Camera; and Nashville for the 21st Century; and Newscoma: Another link UPDATE: Welcome, citizens of Brazil, Italy, and everywhere else in the world coming to this page. Obrigado e...Posted by joe lance on 06:40 PM | Comments (0)
Ask Dr. Paul
WDEF's Joe Legge will be interviewing U.S. Rep. Ron Paul for a piece that will air on Tuesday, February 5. He asks for your input into what questions will be asked of the candidate....Posted by joe lance on 09:24 AM | Comments (0)
February 01, 2008
Nader here nor there
A lot of news has escaped without receiving the TennesseeTicket touch™ but I am sure you're aware that Ralph Nader appears to be planning another run for the presidency. A question in front of...Posted by joe lance on 09:22 PM | Comments (0)
January 31, 2008
"John Edwards and I"
Uh-oh, I sense a drinking game coming on. How many times will Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama say that each was working on an issue "similarly to John Edwards"? UPDATE: Never mind. I guess...Posted by joe lance on 08:19 PM | Comments (1)
January 29, 2008
Goodbye Rudy Tuesday
Okay, so I called it as occurring a week later, but still. NBC: Giuliani to drop out, endorse McCain...Posted by joe lance on 10:09 PM | Comments (1)
You can get anything you want with Ron Paul
Arlo Guthrie has endorsed Ron Paul. So, I guess he's still sitting on the Group W bench, huh? HT: Future with Ron Paul 2008...Posted by joe lance on 09:39 PM | Comments (0)
Rand Paul coming to Chattanooga
Breaking: Rand Paul, son of U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), will make a stop in Chattanooga on behalf of his father's presidential campaign, on Saturday, February 2, at 9:00 am. The event will be...Posted by joe lance on 05:38 PM | Comments (0)
January 28, 2008
Ron Paul not coming to Chattanooga
Gid forwarded me an email, from which I extracted a sort of haiku: Ron Paul is now not Coming to Chattanooga Keep the work going Meanwhile, John Edwards did pay a very short visit...Posted by joe lance on 09:22 PM | Comments (0)
January 26, 2008
NBC calls South Carolina for Obama with no returns yet in
Wow. I can say that I've never seen this before. Edwards, they say, came in third, even after making some last-minute gains. What will he do now?...Posted by joe lance on 07:04 PM | Comments (2)
January 25, 2008
O how the mighty linemen have fallen(?)
Eight years ago, as I was helping to form a local chapter of the Green Party, I learned that the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) had endorsed then-Green Party* candidate Ralph Nader for...Posted by joe lance on 07:41 PM | Comments (1)
January 22, 2008
How many people voted early for Fred Thompson?
I'm doing a story on the February 5 elections (local, as well as the presidential primaries) for an upcoming alt-weekly issue. I plan to cover early voting in general; but today's announcement by former...Posted by joe lance on 09:49 PM | Comments (2)
January 20, 2008
"A speech...we'll be reading 20 to 30 years from now" (if not longer)
Don't walk, but run, to the nearest place you can find a transcript of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's speech given today in Atlanta. It is powerful, and moving, and it perfectly illustrates that Americans...Posted by joe lance on 07:16 PM | Comments (2)
January 19, 2008
Destroying a couple of myths
Look. I know that people are gullible; and I myself have some embarrassing moments from time to time. But I can't currently count the number of people, including some extremely close to me, who've...Posted by joe lance on 06:03 PM | Comments (1)
January 18, 2008
Headlines for your weekend
Mike Bloomberg Meets With Ross Perot’s Son-in-Law "[H]e is an attorney with extensive interest in, and knowledge of, ballot access laws." Presidential Candidate Ron Paul Comes To Chattanooga? It Could Happen... "Two locations have...Posted by joe lance on 08:37 PM | Comments (1)
January 17, 2008
It's getting drafty in here (updated)
It appears that some hunches were right on about the Unity08 guys closing up shop so that they could concentrate on their real goal: inciting New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg to run for President....Posted by joe lance on 10:40 AM | Comments (2)
January 13, 2008
New leader in "worst candidate video"
There was "Obama Girl," a long time ago. That turned out to be fake, because the "girl" really supports Senator Hillary Clinton, or so I read. Then there was the young singer-songwriter who sang...Posted by joe lance on 11:04 AM | Comments (2)
January 08, 2008
Exactly what is Obama changing?
You've heard the word "change" so much lately that it jingles and rattles in your head; and news producers have found an excuse to play snippets of a great David Bowie tune. But what...Posted by joe lance on 03:43 PM | Comments (3)
Earliest New Hampshire returns
I rather like the pattern here: Dixville Notch got the voting under way. The results: * John McCain 4 votes * Mitt Romney 2 votes * Rudy Giuliani 1 vote * Barack Obama 7...Posted by joe lance on 11:53 AM | Comments (0)
January 06, 2008
Romney wins Wyoming, national media shrugs
What? There was another caucus after Iowa's, and before the New Hampshire primary? We didn't know about that. Yes, Saturday marked an attempt for more national attention by Wyoming Republicans, who moved their caucus...Posted by joe lance on 11:09 AM | Comments (0)
January 04, 2008
Up with Hope
Hope, Arkansas: home of two of the state's more recent governors (Bill Clinton and Mike Huckabee), and of some other notables. (I was just looking up Melinda Dillon the other day on IMDB and...Posted by joe lance on 02:03 PM | Comments (4)
January 03, 2008
Iowatching
NBC just called the Republican straw vote for Huckabee. The top three Democrats are in a complete white-knuckle tie, although Obama holds the lead this very second. I know you know this; I just...Posted by joe lance on 09:06 PM | Comments (0)
December 31, 2007
Obama's lead in latest Iowa poll explained
Via Political Wire: "Obama's rise is the result in part of a dramatic influx of first-time caucusgoers, including a sizable bloc of political independents. Both groups prefer the Illinois senator[…]" -- Thomas Beaumont, Des...Posted by joe lance on 11:52 PM | Comments (0)
December 30, 2007
FOX News shows its fairness and balance (updated)
(Please disregard this post. It was composed using erroneous information. My mistake.) UPDATE II: Nope. Now it looks as though it's real, again. But for some reason, when I earlier perused the schedule at...Posted by joe lance on 04:21 PM | Comments (0)
Who's with Bloomberg? (updated)
Today's Washington Post contains an eyebrow-raising story by David Broder (which, as I write this, Bob Schieffer is also mentioning on CBS) about a bipartisan group that will meet at the University of Oklahoma...Posted by joe lance on 11:15 AM | Comments (0)
December 28, 2007
One week to betrothal
Like a grossly outdated storybook heroine, Iowa voters are busily trying out their signatures with new last names. "Mrs. Iowa D. Edwards" "Ms. Iowa D. Clinton" (Relax, it's the 21st Century.) "Mrs. Iowa D....Posted by joe lance on 12:34 PM | Comments (0)
December 21, 2007
Independent online primary results (updated)
As if to prove some of the writers listed in my last post right, the ragtag throngs of cyberspace have spoken, and have selected two presidential nominees, thusly: Democratic Winner: Dennis Kucinich Republican Winner:...Posted by joe lance on 03:35 PM | Comments (0)
December 19, 2007
Let there be choices
2008 could be a most interesting election year. We stand to have: A Ron Paul campaign with somewhere in the neighborhood of $20M and a horde of devotees (and Bob Barr around somewhere) A...Posted by joe lance on 10:27 PM | Comments (1)
December 18, 2007
Breaking news, or tabloid nonsense? John Edwards' supposed illicit affair with staffer
I just caught a story on Politics1.com that, though it bears much fact-checking, has the potential to shake up the race for the Democratic nomination: Buzz is that the new cover of the National...Posted by joe lance on 11:27 PM | Comments (0)
November 29, 2007
There was the Obama Girl, and then there was this
You be the judge....Posted by joe lance on 06:54 PM | Comments (1)
November 25, 2007
A left-libertarian's dream ticket: Kucinich-Paul in 2008?
This just popped up in my feed reader: Dennis Kucinich says that he would strongly consider fellow Congressman, but candidate from the opposing major party, Dr. Ron Paul as his running-mate, were he to...Posted by joe lance on 10:45 PM | Comments (3)
November 07, 2007
Endorsements (and not)
Two notable endorsements were announced today in the presidential campaign. Former GOP candidate and current U.S. Senator from Kansas, Sam Brownback, threw his support to fellow Senator John McCain (R-AZ). I am a little...Posted by joe lance on 05:47 PM | Comments (0)
November 06, 2007
Ron Paul's next move?
A very substantial statement hit the airwaves yesterday, and the aftershocks continue today. Congressman Ron Paul, a libertarian who is running for the Republican nomination in next year's presidential race, took in $4.3 million...Posted by joe lance on 09:56 PM | Comments (9)
October 18, 2007
Time for an '08 update
Political Wire points us to an AP story on the Politico that has U.S. Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) throwing in the towel: Besides money, Brownback's support for a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants...Posted by joe lance on 12:13 PM
October 16, 2007
Campaign finance reform without limiting "speech"
Marc Ambinder issued a correction to an earlier estimate that had Democratic frontrunner Sen. Hillary Clinton edging ahead in the number of new donors, when, really, Sen. Barack Obama continues to lead in this...Posted by joe lance on 08:44 AM
October 07, 2007
Ron Paul descends on Nashville
Presidential candidate and Texas Congressman Dr. Ron Paul stopped in Nashville this weekend, drawing supporters and onlookers from far and wide. Chattanoogans went A.C. Kleinheider was there, and provides a roundup Chris Wage offers...Posted by joe lance on 09:02 PM
September 28, 2007
Some debate on PBS last night
Others, not so much. I thought the event to be rather interesting without the frontrunners. Of course, having Keyes and Paul on stage keeps things interesting no matter what. I continue to be impressed...Posted by joe lance on 01:43 PM
September 05, 2007
Fred hits the airwaves
To me, he looks rather frail in this ad. What do you think?...Posted by joe lance on 07:32 PM
August 29, 2007
Headline of the Day
goes to Marc Ambinder: "The Other Hsu Drops" Seriously, though: does this story have "legs" (or should that be "feet"?), or is it a rehash of the Buddhist temple saga of 2000? Your thoughts...Posted by joe lance on 10:50 PM
Quote of the Day
US Rep. Dennis Kucinich, vegan: “I mean, I’m 60 years old, I have a – my wife’s 29. You draw your own conclusions. Diet helps.” (HT: VV)...Posted by joe lance on 07:42 PM
August 11, 2007
I'm Telling You, It's the Bass Guitar
Mike Huckabee wins the much-speculated-about second spot in the Ames straw poll. Earlier in the day, he regaled visitors with his rock band, Capitol Offense. A Baptist preacher who plays Skynyrd can't be all...Posted by joe lance on 09:39 PM
Ames High and Low
It's still ultra hot out, so it seems a fitting time, between cleaning house and installing new cabinet hardware in the kitchen, to keep track of the heated political event of the day: the...Posted by joe lance on 01:24 PM
August 10, 2007
Fred, Newt and Hillary
UPDATE: Welcome Unity08 guests. Though I often disagree with him, I admire A.C. McCloud's writing and, by extension, thought-process abilities. He has a very good post today on his belief that it will take...Posted by joe lance on 12:47 PM
Party Insider Presidential Candidate Ratings
I found this interesting bit of statistical trivia at Political Wire: Who is your party’s most overrated presidential candidate? * 42% of Democratic insiders named John Edwards, while Barack Obama came in a close...Posted by joe lance on 08:27 AM
July 23, 2007
Are Y'all Watching The YouTube Debate?
Hah! Red State Update got a question on! [Did Anderson Cooper just dis Tennessee?] It was live-blogged here (as I'm sure it was in many other places)....Posted by joe lance on 08:26 PM
Soundtrack for Tonight's Democratic Candidate Debate?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=FWPzxVMQU8g...Posted by joe lance on 05:30 PM
July 19, 2007
Ron Paul Endorsed by Another Presidential Candidate
Relax, it wasn't John McCain. But it seems like McCain ought to start endorsing someone pretty soon. The candidate who has thrown his support to Ron Paul is Libertarian Steve Kubby. Kubby will remain...Posted by joe lance on 09:44 PM
June 29, 2007
Howard U Hosts Democratic Candidates
I turned on the PBS last night, intending to watch the debate (or whatever it technically was), but we had company, so I mostly didn't hear the candidates. Watching them with the sound turned...Posted by joe lance on 08:46 AM
June 26, 2007
Aw, Fred, You're Just Playing With Us
Saw this at Taegan Goddard's place (though the story he links to doesn't seem to contain these words): "You're either running or not running. I think the steps we're taking are pretty obvious." --...Posted by joe lance on 11:46 PM
June 23, 2007
Make That 75,001 (Or 38,001?)
Richard Winger's excellent Ballot Access News site briefly mentions a Politico.com story that I had seen, but had forgotten to mention here. Leaving aside the idea that freshly "de-partisaned" New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg...Posted by joe lance on 10:41 AM
June 21, 2007
Ralph Nader Respects Ron Paul
Then again, he also gives props to Mike Gravel. I'm not exactly sure where that puts things. I myself think a whole lot of Ron Paul, even though I disagree with him on a...Posted by joe lance on 11:23 PM
June 19, 2007
Bloomberg: Independent Candidate for President?
From race42008.com, we learn that New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has un-affiliated himself from political parties. The former Democrat who ran as a Republican for Mayor of the Big Apple (and won) has long...Posted by joe lance on 06:55 PM
June 13, 2007
The Blogroll Just Got Weirder
I saw an entry pop up from a blogger who goes by WhitesCreek at KnoxViews, and had to go see for myself. Yes, there really is a website called "Republicans for Obama," and yes,...Posted by joe lance on 02:19 PM
June 12, 2007
Staying Up to Watch the Fred Tonight Show
WRCB's news anchors bravely tried to keep the tease alive that there may be a major announcement from former US Senator Fred Thompson on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. I don't think there...Posted by joe lance on 11:52 PM
May 30, 2007
GOP Presidential Primary Landscape in Dramatic Shift
I can almost hear the ominous "chng-chng" from Law & Order as I peruse blog after blog for perspectives on the almost certain entry by one Fred Thompson into the race. There have been...Posted by joe lance on 12:45 PM
May 27, 2007
I wasn't trusting those Iowans much, anyhow
Recent polling, way in advance of the 2008 Iowa caucuses, has revealed frustrating (to me) results among participants from both parties. Among Democrats, John Edwards holds the top spot. On the GOP side, Mitt...Posted by joe lance on 11:10 AM
May 07, 2007
A Connecticut Yankee in Queen Hillary's Court
A Chattanoogan's guide to the 2008 Presidential race..so far That's right: after a valiant effort aimed at staving it off, I too am joining the media circus that has made this seem like the...Posted by joe lance on 10:33 PM
May 01, 2007
Vote Here in GOP Bloggers Straw Poll
I fully disclose that I am not a Republican, yet I am repeatedly invited to participate in this poll. Sometimes I do. This time, I am giving you the chance as well. They didn't...Posted by joe lance on 04:45 PM
April 27, 2007
Democratic Hopefuls Round First Turn, Founder on Dry Track
These are going to be some fun primaries. I didn't get to watch the Democratic Party's best and brightest (if you count hair) go at it last night, even after good advice. I did...Posted by joe lance on 10:22 PM
April 25, 2007
"A surging Fred..."
Via No Silence Here, Kleinheider on Fred Thompson's pivotal prospects in early primary states: New Hampshire is a must win for Thompson. If he wins New Hampshire and follows it up with a win...Posted by joe lance on 10:35 PM