The Political Whore » Presidential-Election http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore Florida's leading source for inside information on politics and media Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:05:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 The Short List: Obama’s a 21st-century kind of guy http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/2008/11/17/the-short-list-obamas-a-21st-century-kind-of-guy/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/2008/11/17/the-short-list-obamas-a-21st-century-kind-of-guy/#comments Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:00:56 +0000 Joe Bardi http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/?p=2130 The President-Elect put a modern-day spin on the old radio address to the nation by becoming the first President (or soon-to-be President) to post their radio address straight to YouTube.

]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/p=2130 0 Election Central: Obama Wins It! http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/2008/11/04/election-central-2/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/2008/11/04/election-central-2/#comments Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:46:27 +0000 Joe Bardi http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/?p=1712

(Photo credit: Bobster1985)

This is the launchpad for all CL election coverage. The Loaf staff has fanned out across the Bay area to keep eyes and ears locked on voting sites, candidate rallies, election parties and spontaneous outpourings of joy/grief in the streets. Keep it locked here all day and night. And if you haven’t already, get out there and vote! Download and print our ballot guides here.

1:47 A.M.: Brian Blair well behind challenger Kevin Beckner as vote tabulating stalls in Hillsborough County, in a battle for better conservation and dignity for LGBT residents.

1:01 A.M.: One last thing. Just got this text message: “We just made history. All of this happened because you gave your time, talent and passion to this campaign. All of this happened because of you. Thanks, Barack.” I’m not worthy …

1:00 A.M.: I’ve just been taking it all in for the last hour. History. Amazing. Now, I’m going to fall asleep watching the replay of Comedy Central’s Indecision ‘08, which I missed the first time around. Good night all.

12:05 P.M.: Obama speaking now.

11:46 P.M.: Wayne reporting in from the Beckner party: “Phyllis Busansky was just here and she said it’s a slow process counting the Hillsborough votes. Officials are having to bring the machines in from precincts to do the job.” Garcia characterized Beckner as “real unhappy with the situation.”

11:44 P.M.: Obama set to speak around midnight EST.

11:30 P.M.: David Warner reports the streets of Ybor resounding with cheers of “OBAMA! OBAMA!”

11:28 P.M.: McCain closes a classy concession speech. I think McCain did his best work this campaign in the last five days.

11:18 P.M.: McCain concedes!

11:16 P.M.: NBC calls Florida for Obama.

11:10 P.M.: Leilani checks in, in between parties in St. Pete.

11:07 P.M.: Results from the other big race: Calrissian vs. Palpatine.

11:06 P.M.: We’re popping a bottle of Champaign here at Election Central.

11:00 P.M.: Obama called the winner by NBC!

10:51 P.M.: NBC hints they will call the election at 11 p.m.!

10:50 P.M.: David Warner reports in from the Kevin Beckner election party in Ybor.

Plus: News from earlier in the day and that fancy MSNBC voting widget thingy we’re trying out are after the jump.

10:29 P.M.: Unconfirmed reports that CNN just called Florida for Obama.

10:28 P.M.: Wade Tatangelo covers SoHo on election night.

10:16 P.M.: Stephen Hammill reports the Waterside Marriott is rockin’ with 600 Obamaicans in attendance.

10:15 P.M.: It’s not all good news. With more than half the votes counted, Amendment 2 is at 62% yes.

9:57 P.M.: Obama’s Grant Park rally looks like a doozy. It also looks like a victory rally, as Obama seems unbeatable at this point, though no one on the networks seems to want to say that.

9:46 P.M.: Electoral College has it Obama 200-McCain 90. Florida is leaning Barack. This smells like an Obama victory …

9:28 P.M.: “The rack is packed. But no one save a few servers is offering even a cursory glance at the Fox News playing across the sushi/sports/billards bar.”

9:27 P.M.: This in from Wade Tatangelo: “SoHo shows it’s civil side. At the Dubliner a crowd of mid-20-something Hyde Park residents discuss the pros and cons of Obama and McCain. Equal number of people voted for each candidate, but a consensus is reached that everyone present is proud of the fact that young people are voting. As one McCain voter put it, ‘I would be so happy to something like 85% of the country voted in this election.’”

9:22 P.M.: MSNBC calls Ohio for OBAMA!

9:15 P.M.: Garcia reports in live on tape from the Waterside Marriott.

9:10 P.M.: From Garcia: “Just about 25% of vote in in Hillsborough and two close races worth watching, Beckner-Blair and Johnson-Busansky. Busansky tightened the race considerably on the last turn of the vote.” More: “Feeney and Keller losing GOP House seats in Orlando area in voting so far.”

Get yours today, Republicans.

9:00 P.M. UPDATE: Obama Chief Campaign Strategist David Axelrod on MSNBC right now trying to keep everyone calm. McCain wins Kansas and North Dakota, Obama takes New York, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois. That puts the elctorial college count at Obama 175-McCain 75.

8:36 P.M.: Some good news for the Republicans: MSNBC calls Georgia for McCain.

8:30 P.M.: Warner reports from the Marriott: “‘I will be your hostess for the evening,’ says Alex Sink at the podium, announcing victories for Obama in PA and NH, saying crowd is sparse at Marriott because Dems are so well-organized that volunteers a’re already hitting the phones calling voters in the Midwest and the West.”

Plus: MSNBC just called the North Carolina Senate race for Kay Hagen. Liddy Dole resigned to a future of servicing a heavily Viagraized Bob Dole.

8:19 P.M.: Tatangelo reports four people currently at SoHo’s MacDinton’s. Soccer on the TV!

8:15 P.M.: Behind the scenes at Tampa’s Obama victory party.

8:10 P.M.: From Garcia: “Buddy Johnson has 15% of vote posted, Deborah Clark has 69% posted. What is Buddy’s freakin’ problem?”

8:00 P.M.: MSNBC reports Obama wins Pennsylvania! (And a whole bunch of others!). Meanwhile, Garcia reports: “Blair and Beckner neck and neck after the absentee ballots, which were supposed to break heavily for GOP, and that doesn’t include the early voting. Might be a long night for Comm Blair.”

Amendment 2 up in Pinellas, but shy of 60%.

335 of 376 Precincts Reporting:
YES
54.27% 226,196
NO
45.73% 190,611

7:50 P.M: Pinellas reporting in 306 of 376 locations:

John McCain (REP)
45.29% 185,413
Barack Obama (DEM)
53.28% 218,126

In from Garcia: “Brickfield edging out Matton, Bostock beating Flowers. So far there is no help down ballot for the Dems in Pinellas. Early returns in Hillsborough show strong GOP voting, McCain ahead.”

And don’t miss Eric Snider’s “Scenes from a mixed marriage.”

Getting underway at the Obama victory party in Tampa. Photo by Stephen Hammill.

7:30 P.M. UPDATE: This in from Alex Pickett: “The polls have closed. There are no lines at the polling places I visited on the northeast and south portions of St. Pete. But the lines are still long at Chick fil a.” Meanwhile, Wayne Garcia reports the invite-only Obama party at the Marriott Waterside is currently “dead.”

7:00 P.M. UPDATE: Bay area polls now closed! Stay tuned for results …

6:30 P.M. UPDATE: Results starting to trickle in. MSNBC has Indiana basically tied with 1% reporting. McCain running away with Kentucky.

5:20 P.M. UPDATE: Exit polls any second now starting to leak out. I’ve got MSNBC on and Chuck Todd is talking about how Florida is going to go for Obama. MSNBC has changed their look for election night, with clean graphics covering a third of the screen. It’s amusing to watch all these 0% results scroll by for no reason.

4:30 P.M. UPDATE:

3:30 P.M. UPDATE:

2:30 P.M. UPDATE:

1:30 P.M. UPDATE:

NOON UPDATE:

NEWS FROM THE 11 O’CLOCK HOUR:

]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/p=1712 26 Today we find out: Tampa Bay, who you voting for? http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/2008/11/04/today-we-find-out-tampa-bay-who-you-voting-for/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/2008/11/04/today-we-find-out-tampa-bay-who-you-voting-for/#comments Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:18:08 +0000 Wayne Garcia http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/?p=1701 We’ll conclude our election series that looks at the opinions of a variety of people in Tampa Bay about who should be our next president. You can make your voice heard in two ways: take our unscientific survey after the jump and Get Out To Vote!

Paul Pelak, professional photographer and college educator in Tampa
He’s voting for: The registered Independent hasn’t yet made a choice. “I am still torn.”
Why? “My dad’s a Democrat because he’s a union carpenter. I have my own business, so I can see where the Republicans make a lot of sense. It’s a malaise. I think everyone is waiting for something that is not business as usual. You keep on hoping for an independent third party.”
Local candidate who most interests him? No one. “My time factor at work … has torn me away. I have not gotten into the local races because I feel they have the least effect on my life.”

T. Hampton Dunn, founder of [5]art gallery in St. Petersburg
He’s voting for: Barack Obama
Why? “Although there are a number of reasons, my current motivation is to vote against the possibility of President Palin.”
What he would say to a McCain supporter: “Can you really vote for a group that thinks nominating Sara Palin was a good decision?”
Local candidate who most interests him: “With everything else that’s going on in the world, local politics usually takes a back seat.”

Gregory Giordano, chief legislative assistant to state Sen. Mike Fasano
He’s voting for: John McCain
Why? “The life issue is very important to me, and I believe John McCain has a very solid record of standing for the rights of the unborn. As well, I believe he has the most experience, not only legislatively, but through his military and what it means to be a front-line soldier and what they have to experience and as commander in chief, I believe he would use his military experience to understand the needs of the soldiers on the front line as well as have the strategic or tactical understanding of being head of the worlds strongest military.”
What he would say to an Obama supporter: “I would suggest that an Obama supporter truly understand the background of that individual and how their experience would translate into the US. Does he have the wide-ranging experience to run the military, to understand the legislative process in grave detail? Does he have the experience as an executive? I would just encourage an Obama supporter to look at that, all the items, as well as make certain that the voters core beliefs in whatever issues life, taxation, health, match up with the positions that Mr. Obama has professed.”

Dr. Steven Tauber, professor of political science at the University of South Florida
He’s voting for: “Of course, I am speaking for myself and not from my position as a USF professor, but, with that said, I am enthusiastically supporting Barack Obama.”
Why? “There are a number of reasons, but first and foremost it is essential that there be a Democratic president because the past eight years of the Bush/Cheney presidency have been a disaster on economic policy, foreign policy, and social policy. The United States needs to go in a significantly different direction. …I appreciate Senator Obama’s style.  Many people have criticized him for being too ‘professorial,’  but quite frankly that is exactly what the nation needs.  We have suffered through eight years of an intellectually uncurious president who thinks in the short term and operates on gut instinct (which is almost always wrong).”
What he would say to a McCain supporter: “I would tell people considering voting for John McCain that he is not the so-called ‘maverick’ that he claims or might have appeared to be in 2000.  McCain supporters should examine how John McCain has run his campaign, and they can see that his presidency would be no different than the Bush presidency. His selection of Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate is a perfect example of his ill-considered leadership style.  In order to satisfy the immediate goal of revving up the radical right-wing base of the Republican Party, McCain settled on an ethically challenged person who is totally unqualified for the office of vice president, much less president if anything ever happened to McCain.”
Local candidate who most interests him: “The most interesting and most inspiring local candidate is Phyllis Busansky, who is running as the Democratic nominee for Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections.  The current occupant of the office, Republican Buddy Johnson, is incompetent and corrupt, and he has brought shame to Hillsborough County.”

Hannah Altman, high school student in Tampa and CL intern
She’s voting for: Barack Obama
Why? “His speaking skills? Sure, he’s an eloquent speaker – but that doesn’t cover the issues. The fact that he’s black? Well, Palin’s a woman and I don’t support her, so it’s not the diversity he represents. What it comes down to is his positions on issues that I feel important. If McCain had the same views I do, I’d vote for him! But he doesn’t.”
What she would say to a McCain supporter: “I hear people say McCain has ‘more experience;’ Obama’s ‘new.’ Both McCain and Obama have experience as senators. McCain has experience as a soldier and politician. Obama’s early experience took him to the streets of South Side, Chicago, working with the poor, helping them better their lives. I can relate to Obama; I think he can relate to the average American when he’s president in Washington.”

Charles Farrell, pianist, part-time resident of Tampa, currently living in Boston.
He’s voting for: Barack Obama
Why? “The Bush administration plunged the country into the most catastrophic state in its history. We’re in hopeless economic shape, we’re mired in a war that makes no sense and is incredibly costly, our civil liberties have nearly disappeared, our standing with the rest of the world has eroded to a justifiable point of contempt or ridicule, and our citizens have increasingly been reduced to two classes, rich and poor, with the majority falling into the latter category.
“Even a woman’s right to choice whether or not to have an abortion is under serious attack. John McCain blithely would continue along a path that has already brought the United States to the brink of near collapse. My vote is as much a vote against John McCain (as my last two votes were votes against George Bush) as it is a vote for Barrack Obama. That said, I do have a guarded sense of optimism about Obama. My sense is that he will set about mending foreign relations and will work both sides of the aisle in the Senate and in Congress.”
What he would say to a McCain supporter: “If they were wealthy, I might not try. If they weren’t, I’d suggest to them that under another Republican administration they risk losing their home, their savings and retirement funds, they won’t be able to afford decent health care, and they can forget about their kids’ college education. They’d better be a little careful about where they travel in the world too — not that anyone can afford to travel anymore.
“I’d add two final words that should send anyone who isn’t certifiably insane rushing to vote for the Democratic ticket: Sarah Palin.”

Eric Davis, artistic director of freeFall Theatre Company
He’s voting for: Obama/Biden
Why? “There are a lot of specific reasons. The overall general reason is that they represent a huge change from what has been leading us for the last eight years and I think we need that change desperately. I like his approach to how we solve the energy crisis. I like his commitment to health care. And of course his position on the war in Iraq is more in line with my view of that issue as well.”
What he would say to a McCain supporter: “I think that people who have decided are decided. I don’t think anyone could change my mind at this point, and I know there are plenty of people out there — plenty of people I know — who have decided to vote for the other ticket. Where this will be decided is among people who haven’t decided.
“Those people I know I would tell to go to factcheck.org — a non-partisan not-for-profit group at the University of Pennsylvania. All they do is take every single iota of what either of the campaigns are saying in any forum — debate, commercials  — and put up a detailed analysis. Instead of taking either side’s word for what the other side thinks, you get to find out from someone who’s non-partisan.
“In the arts the stereotype that’s often true is that artists vote on the Democratic side of things. But it’s not completely true. For instance I’ve worked at Disney —there were a lot of folks on either side. [But] in this particular election I see that Obama’s positions are more in line with most of my friends who are artists.”
Local candidate who most interests him: “Kevin Beckner [who is running for Hillsborough County commissioner against Brian Blair] is very interesting. His position on growth that is sustainable is very in line with my view of things.”

Pam Iorio, mayor of Tampa
She’s voting for: Barack Obama
Why? “Our country is faced with serious problems both domestically and abroad.  Our ever-growing deficit and debt threatens our future. We need a different kind of leader — someone who is thoughtful and looks for long-term, meaningful solutions to our problems. I have watched Senator Obama closely over the past two years. He clearly has the intellectual capacity, the ability to bring people together, an open mind to new ideas and a demeanor that inspires confidence. Further, his communication skills will help all Americans better understand our problems and the possible solutions.”

[poll id="2"]

]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/p=1701 0 ‘The Mac is back:’ McCain in Tampa for final rally here http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/2008/11/03/the-mac-is-back-mccain-in-tampa-for-final-rally-here/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/2008/11/03/the-mac-is-back-mccain-in-tampa-for-final-rally-here/#comments Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:48:55 +0000 Wayne Garcia http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/?p=1675 Coverage from throughout Florida’s media. Top line is that Mike Alstott, former Buc running back, introduced John McCain:

Palm Beach Post: John McCain made his final pitch for Florida’s crucial 27 electoral votes here this morning, then planned to hit six other states today in a bid to pull off a come-from-behind presidential victory.

“The pundits may not know it, the Democrats may not know it, but the Mac is back,” a raspy-voiced McCain told a crowd of more than 1,000 outside Raymond James Stadium.

McCain was introduced by Gov. Charlie Crist and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Mike Allstot. He was interrupted at one point by competing chants of “Nobama, Nobama” and “U.S.A., U.S.A.”

Orlando Sentinel: A defiant John McCain made one final plea to Florida voters this morning, imploring supporters at a boisterous rally here to ignore polls suggesting the election may be out of reach and turn out to vote Tuesday.

Nothing is inevitable,” McCain told the cheering and chanting throng of about 1,000 outside Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium. “We never hide from history. We make history!”

Resurrecting the slogan that carried him through his improbable, come-from-behind run to the Republican nomination during the primaries, McCain told the crowd, “The pundits may not know it, the Democrats may not know it, but the Mac is back!”

Tampa Tribune: John McCain just completed a speech of less than 15 minutes, clearly intended to rouse the crowd, end quickly and speed him on his way to his planned tour today of seven battleground states including Florida.

One of his main messages to the crowd was to ignore polls and predictions that Obama is winning.

“The pundits may not know and the Dems may not know it, but the Mac is back. We’re going to win this election,” he said.

St. Petersburg Times: John McCain just finished a quick, rousing speech in Tampa. “We will win Florida and we will win this race. There is one day left until we take America in a new direction, my friends. We need your help and we win!…Nothing is inevitable here! We never give up, we never quit!”

He talked about the troops returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan in victory, not defeat. He talked about his records fighting for change in Washington, and Barack Obama’s lack thereof. And he talked about cutting taxes, not raising them.

“Sen Obama’s massive tax increases would kill jobs, make our economy worse,” McCain said, drawing cheers of No-Bama! No-Bama”

“Nothing is inevitable here! We never give up, we never quit!”

]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/p=1675 0 Crabber Gus Muench, who you voting for? http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/2008/11/03/crabber-gus-muench-who-you-voting-for/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/2008/11/03/crabber-gus-muench-who-you-voting-for/#comments Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:26:26 +0000 Wayne Garcia http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/?p=1668 A Tampa Bay crabber weighs in with his choice in tomorrow’s presidential election, and you can, too, by taking our unscientific survey after the jump.

Gus Muench, Tampa native and professional crabber

He’s voting for: “Not McCain! But [it] makes no difference who is elected. U.S. policies will not change. Too many people on the government payroll. Are we going to put them out on the street? I don’t think so!”

Why? “Republican policies. The Bush administration has acted as dictators in the world and USA.”

Local candidate who most interests him: Hillsborough County Commissioner Al Higginbotham. “Al has not sat on the sidelines, and he wants to know what is happening in the community and the environment. You’ll see the commissioner attending Chamber [of Commerce], Agency on Bay Management, county and community meetings. The commissioner is a big asset to Hillsborough County.”

[poll id="2"]

]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/p=1668 3 The Short List: Obama up 4 in Florida http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/2008/11/03/the-short-list-obama-up-4-in-florida/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/2008/11/03/the-short-list-obama-up-4-in-florida/#comments Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:50:37 +0000 Joe Bardi http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/?p=1662 You’ve got to hand it to John McCain: The Senator’s appearance on this weekend’s Saturday Night Live was by far the funniest appearance by any candidate this election season. (Note to Hulu: Post “Giraffes” now!)

]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/p=1662 1 HCC prof Gregory Comnes, who you voting for? http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/2008/11/01/hcc-prof-gregory-comnes-who-you-voting-for/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/2008/11/01/hcc-prof-gregory-comnes-who-you-voting-for/#comments Sat, 01 Nov 2008 10:00:18 +0000 Wayne Garcia http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/?p=1658 Our second academic in the series, and he’s also for Barack Obama. You can let us know who you are voting for by taking our unscientific survey, after the jump.

Dr. Gregory Comnes, a Hillsborough Community College professor of English, ethics and philosophy

He’s voting for: Barack Obama.

Why? “As an educator, I’m increasingly concerned that the decline in the level of  public discourse makes it increasingly difficult to solve the complex fiscal and environmental problems facing us. Throughout his campaign, Obama has presented his positions thoroughly and rationally without resorting to character assassination that panders to the lowest common denominator — mindless fear.”

What he would say to a McCain supporter: “When it comes to the Bucs or the Rays, I’m as ‘Joe Six-Pack” as the next guy.  In the realm of politics, however, where the problems are extraordinary rather than ordinary, I want my candidate to speak to me as
‘Joe Citizen,’ an audience Obama cultivates and McCain ignores.”

Local candidate who most interests him: “Phyllis Busansky, the democratic candidate for Supervisor of Elections in Hillsborough County. She’s smart, competent, and understands that the primary concern of the job is to provide stewardship of the voting process, not calculate how many grazing cows it takes to avoid paying property tax.”

[poll id="2"]

]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/p=1658 2 Early Voting Pinellas: Deborah Clark can suck it http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/2008/10/31/early-voting-pinellas-deborah-clark-can-suck-it/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/2008/10/31/early-voting-pinellas-deborah-clark-can-suck-it/#comments Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:39:55 +0000 Joe Bardi http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/?p=1655

Fuck Deborah Clark. The Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections has proven herself incompetent this election cycle. Unless two hour wait times to vote are your idea of a job well done. In that case, you must be a Republican with voter suppression on his mind, because under no other objective evaluation could what is currently going on at at the three (THREE!) sites for early voting in Pinellas County be called a success.

That’s not to say it’s a horrible experience. I voted this morning at the First Avenue N. location in downtown St. Pete, arriving just after 9:30 a.m. Despite the long line, the mood of the voters seemed light and relaxed. The weather was gorgeous. People joked around and yakked on cell phones. I even spotted CL Street Teamer Shawn Alff engrossed in a book.

An Obama volunteer named Mike supplied the crowd with free bottled water and cheatsheats on voting a straight Dem ticket before making a speech pushing Jack Killingsworth, Deb Clark’s challenger for Supervisor of Elections. Mike had help from an older woman (I never caught her name) who handed out Obama ‘08 stickers and explained to the crowd that they would be allowed to wear them inside. (About half the folks who took a sticker pocketed it, for fear that the woman was wrong. She wasn’t.) There were also attorney’s on hand to assist any voters who had questions or problems voting. Again, no thanks to Deborah Clark.

The only real unpleasantness went down right before I got inside. Due to the location of the door to the voting office, the line snaked in front of a driveway that ran along the side of the building. There was a rent-a-cop guy out front; we’ll call him Tik-Tok. Tik-Tok’s main job was to keep people from blocking the driveway by splitting the line and leaving a gap of 15 feet or so. Small groups would then move across the drive when there was enough room for them to reach the sidewalk on the other side. I crossed in a group of 12, of which only about seven made it up the curb. Myself and several other people ended up near the curb but still in the street. Tik-Tok bumbled over and began SCREAMING, “Back up or move forward! Don’t block the drive! BACK UP! MOVE FORWARD! BACK UP!” His sudden, confusing vocal agression was incredibly heavy-handed. Simply explaining what we needed to do would have been fine. Instead, Tik-Tok went into a rage.

Though I was in the street, I never moved because it was clear that Tik-Tok’s ravings weren’t aimed at me. Instead, they were aimed at the African-American gentleman standing two feet to my left — and that guy was having none of it. Dude whipped out his phone, dialed and began yelling back at Tik-Tok, “You’re done! You’re going home! You’re OUTTA HERE!”  Tik-Tok waddled away and was off the street by the time I was finished voting. I have no idea if they angry voter’s phone call had something to do with it, but I like to think it did.

Once inside, the actual voting was fairly simple. My ID matched my voter ID card and I had a printed ballot in my hands withing one minute of presenting them. I was forced to vote with a Bic ball-point pen (a marker would have been easier on the wrist), but that’s a minor quibble.

(Note: Editor David Warner reports that when he went to vote at the same location this morning, he brought an absentee ballot he had received in the mail but does not recall requesting. Had he not have brought the ballot, he would not have been allowed to vote — unless he was willing to fib and tell the poll worker that he never received it, in which case they would have let him vote. So, let that be a lesson: Bring the absentee ballot with you or lie and risk prison. You make the call.)

Let me take a moment at the end and to say “Thank You!” to the poll workers. Everyone (save Tik-Tok) was extremely professional and did his or her best to make the situation easy on everybody. All told, the actual voting took less than 10 minutes, and that is a credit to the poll workers. You guys are doing a far better job than Deborah Clark. I hope that come next year you have a new boss.

]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/p=1655 14 ‘Peter Pan’ Randy Constan, who you voting for? http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/2008/10/31/peter-pan-randy-constan-who-you-voting-for/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/2008/10/31/peter-pan-randy-constan-who-you-voting-for/#comments Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:10:23 +0000 Wayne Garcia http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/?p=1649 One of Tampa Bay’s more colorful characters gives us his assessment of the presidential election today. And you can express yourself, as well, by taking our unscientific survey after the jump.

Randy Constan, guitarist, inventor and club habitué better known locally at “Peter Pan”

He’s voting for: Barack Obama

Why? “First, as a Christian, I’m disgusted with the overall Republican trend to legislate personal morality. I believe we should treat each other as equals and abstain from judging each other as much as we’re able. My ‘family values’ consist of helping those in need, funding education for children and medical care for everyone. And I want someone who sees such a philosophy as being our ‘brother’s keeper,’ rather than a collection of ‘entitlements’ to be continually cut.”

What he would say to an McCain supporter: “I’d ask whether they want another president who believes he’s always right on all things, who won’t consider other views. It has been said that for a president to admit error is political suicide. Yet Obama seems to possess both the vision to see the best course of action, the willingness to listen to all sides and the humility and courage to change course when a better path is revealed.”

Local candidate who most interests him: Hillsborough County Commission candidate Kevin Beckner, who is challenging incumbent Brian Blair. “I’m tired of the rampant overdevelopment of our natural wetlands, and to me, Blair seems much too well supported by land developers.”

[poll id="2"]

]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/p=1649 9 The Short List: Lil’ Opie Richie Cunningham represents for Obama http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/2008/10/31/the-short-list-obama-up-7-in-florida-2/ http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/2008/10/31/the-short-list-obama-up-7-in-florida-2/#comments Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:50:45 +0000 Joe Bardi http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/?p=1643 Ron Howard wants Barack Obama to win so badly that he was willing to complete sacrifice his dignity and make the following video. Way to go, Opie. Happy Halloween everyone!

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