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Archive for the 'Media Watch' Category

PoHo on Your Turn with Kathy Fountain today at 12:30

Monday, October 27th, 2008

Talking about the last week of the campaigns and what will happen in the election for president today on Fox 13’s Your Turn show with Kathy Fountain. Phone or e-mail your questions in, yourturn@wtvt.com or call 813-875-8255 or 800-826-4434 (according to the Fox website.)

The Short List: You betcha Sarah Palin was in Tampa!

Monday, October 27th, 2008

Meet Vlad and his pal Boris. These gentlemen are from Russia (perhaps) and they have prepared a musical ode to Sarah Palin. Quote the musicians: “Hello Sarah Palin we wrote this song for you because we see you from Russia! Plz respond to our emails!! We like to hear from you!!”

St. Petersburg Times endorses Barack Obama

Friday, October 24th, 2008

The Times has previewed its Sunday newspaper with its endorsement of Barack Obama:

We recommended Obama before the Florida primary in January as the Democrat who offered the most promise and a fresh start. Since then, he has continued to impress. His approach to creating a fairer tax policy and expanding health care with a blend of public and private coverage stands up well to scrutiny. His determination to rely more on diplomacy than force in foreign policy and to seek a timely, orderly withdrawal of troops from Iraq remains the most pragmatic approach. His acknowledgement that more troops are needed in Afghanistan should reassure those concerned about his willingness to use military force where needed. His energy proposals, while opening the door more than necessary to offshore drilling, are bold and balanced. As the economic crisis has mushroomed, he has responded with an appropriate mix of caution and sound principles grounded in reality.

We also recommended McCain in the Florida Republican primary. At the time, we acknowledged our serious disagreements with his embrace of the Bush tax cuts he once opposed, his determination to keep fighting in Iraq and his opposition to abortion rights. But the Arizona senator’s history of challenging conventional Republican thinking on issues such as immigration and climate change, his candor and his willingness to reach across party lines made him an attractive candidate. McCain, 72, remains an American hero, a former Vietnam prisoner of war whose service to his country has been honorable. Yet his campaign in recent months has been unworthy of his record and raises serious questions about his judgment and leadership if elected.

Most disturbing has been McCain’s choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. It was a reckless decision based on political calculations, not the country’s best interests. There were many more qualified candidates, including Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. While Palin is an aggressive campaigner who has her own independent streak, she is clearly not prepared to be a heartbeat away from the presidency. Contrast McCain’s most important decision as a presidential candidate with Obama’s thoughtful selection of Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, an experienced hand comfortable on the world stage and well versed in foreign policy.

The Times also recognizes this coming landmark of diversity:

A generation ago, the nomination of an African-American for president would have been unimaginable. Now Obama stands on the brink of history, and his election would send a powerful message to the world about how far Americans have come on issues of equality and opportunity. But voters should look beyond skin color in selecting the next president. They should look for the candidate who best represents their hopes and aspirations, who can meet the nation’s difficult challenges with sophisticated responses, who can inspire us and unite this country as he turns the page and leads America in a new direction.

For president of the United States, the Times recommends Barack Obama.

Video: Ad shows Congressional candidate Raul Martinez kicking a guy’s ass

Friday, October 24th, 2008

As reported in The Hill, the latest ad up in South Florida markets by incumbent Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart shows video of former Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez opening a can of whoop-ass on a much smaller man during a protest in the heavily Latino city.

The Short List: Barack Obama up 7 in Florida

Friday, October 24th, 2008

Will Farrell turned up on the Thursday edition of SNL, reprising his role as the strategerizer in chief. In this clip, Dubya meets with Tina Fey’s Sarah Palin and gives John McCain an uncomfortable endorsement. Interesting how with less than two weeks to go until the election, SNL is really out of material on the subject. Though amusing, this is the least of the Fey-Palin appearances. Still, it has its moments. Enjoy.

The power of Sarah Palin and Barack Obama dancing with the stars

Thursday, October 23rd, 2008

What is it about the incredible viral power of sticking McCain’s or Obama’s head on some dancers? One photo and one video are winging around the Internet, and one has a tie to Tampa Bay.

First, the photo. A few days ago, Tampa Bay musician, graphic designer and 2006 Best of the Bay winner Martin Rice sent over a Photoshopped shot showing Obama dancing with Sarah Palin (from a Dancing With the Stars photo) with the note, “Unfortunately, this is what the country wants.”

Martin Rice)

Dancing With the Candidates (credit: Martin Rice)

He sent it to three friends. Within days, the picture ended up all over the world, and on ABC News:

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The Short List: John McCain with 1-point lead in Florida

Thursday, October 23rd, 2008

John Stewart continues his fine work this election season with this bit on candidates pandering to baseball fans in Florida and Pennsylvania. What looks like a clear win for McCain soon turns into a draw, and it’s all thanks to Sarah Palin.

The Short List: Charlie Crist touts John McCain — too little, too late

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

We’re combining forces to bring you a more complete set of morning headlines in politics, media and pop culture. Joe Bardi’s Short List on the Daily Loaf and Wayne Garcia’s Morning Roundup in PoHo blog will now be combined, giving you even more news to start your day with.

Here’s a great idea. Too bad it’s illegal in Florida: