Attendees make their way past the Capitol heading for the National Mall in the early morning. Photo by Jeremy M. Lange
Nobody was tired; nobody was cold. By the time we’d gathered our group and walked the two miles from my friend’s apartment in Virginia to the Lincoln Memorial—most of us wearing multiple layers of Obama T-shirts, I with my pajamas under my pants for extra warmth— it almost seemed warm.
We had woken up late, 7 a.m., and didn’t leave Arlington before 8:30, which meant that by the time we reached the Mall the throng had already filled the prime spots by the reflecting pool. We settled in between the new World War II memorial and the Washington Monument in a comfy spot at the edge of the sidewalk, right in front of a screen. From where we were, we could barely make out the tip of the Capitol.
The cops were half-heartedly trying to keep 17th Street NW clear, which meant we were at one of the few places on the Mall where you could spread out without being sandwiched. So we sat down on the concrete and we waited.
Elect us Republicans, McCain said today, and we promise to never do to America again what we did to the country before. I think that’s what he said, isn’t it?
Earlier, we posted Bob Scheer fingering Phil Gramm, McCain’s economic guru, as the key culprit in the world-wide bad financial paper disaster. Now Josh Marshall says so too.
On tonight’s MSNBC coverage of the Republican National Convention, Chris Matthews and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty had this discussion:
CHRIS MATTHEWS: Do you think that this is settling in well, this decision by the candidate, by Sen. McCain, to select someone so unknown to the country? Is it working, as you see it?
GOV. PAWLENTY: Well I think, Chris, there’s always an introduction period where the public and the press is gonna ask, Who is this person? What’s her background? Do they have any things that are worthy of coming out in the discussion? That’s what’s taking place, it’s part of the natural process. But the things that have been raised against Gov. Palin, I think are ridiculous. Are you gonna hold her responsible—not you, but is the media gonna really hold her responsible for her 17-year-old juvenile daughter? It just seems like that’s unfair and out of bounds.[emphasis mine]
Oh, my bad. I thought parents were supposed to be responsible for their “17-year-old juvenile” children.
Follow-up question should have been: What else shouldn’t we hold Gov. Palin responsible for?
Steve Bowden on "Group challenges UNC to go green": Thank you for covering this very important issue.
From what I hear, the Energy Task Force meeting has been changed to South Building, room 105. Just a heads up.
Bob Geary on "Attorney Ken Lewis whomps competition in Durham For Obama vote": Spot on, Sam. I would only add that I keep listening for which of these candidates, if elected, would actually break the mold of the "I'm a very important senator" club and take on a tough fight or two on behalf of somebody other than the usual (as you say) Bloodsuckers. A candidate who is
Anthony on "Lawson, Roche to face off in 4th District Republican primary": I love how the media chooses who they think are the main candidates. These aren't the only two guys running. Sure, Lawson is the Ron Paul's endorsed pick and Roche is a Fox News freak, but how about reporting the whole picture... Everyone who's running.
Steven R. Storch on "Tuesday in Durham: Politics in the era of unlimited corporate spending": This is why my camapaign for district court judge is not accepting campaign donations, from anyone. Local judges have been raising thousands in campaign funds from attorneys and special interest groups, who then appear before that same judge after the election.
Steven Storch
Magistrate, Durham, NC
Kellie Hahn on "It’s a-live! The public option, that is. (Someone tell Kay Hagan.)": I called Kay Hagan's Washington office today to let her know that as her constituent, I wanted her to support a public option if it comes up through reconciliation. The phone rang and rang. Then it was busy. More endless ringing. I finally called the Raleigh office of Kay Hagan and was told that the
John Schelp on "Revisit sign ordinance? Let’s not go there, committee tells Medlin": Great coverage by the Indy. In the end, 273 citizens sent messages asking officials not to tinker with the sign ordinance. Two people wrote for electronic billboards. 273-2!
Today, the message was heard. The Planning director was told not to make changes to the sign ordinance. This means the Planning staff will evaluate the billboard industry's
James Ray on "Race for sheriff, at-large BOCC seat highlight Orange electoral slate": I am very excited to see some new names in orange county offices. . I like Lindy, but I think he should step aside and let Clarence Birkhead take the post. I am from the south part of the county and the Sheriff patrols are rarely seen down here. The problems are
Trianglopic on "Judge delays ruling on Carson tipster identity": Richard Allen, R. Allen, or simply Allen Baddour made up his mind as soon as he say the race of the defendants. His short history as a judge is evidenced by an attitude of racially based judicial bias. He is a disgrace to the judiciary and needs to be prevented from presiding over
