theCLog

Tomorrow’s rain forecast could spell trouble for some candidates. The question is, who?

An article in The Hill suggests rain could favor an Obama victory in North Carolina, where the heaviest rain is expected to fall near the more-conservative coast.

Generally, however, rain dampens turnout among Democrats, according to a study published in 2007. The study found that rain lowers turnout by about 1 percent per inch of rainfall, to the detriment of Democrats, and may have contributed to Electoral College totals in 1960 and 2000.

An earlier study, which examined fewer election years, found no boon to Republican candidates.

Another factor to consider might be the effects of early voting. Any rain-related turnout reduction may still not be enough to counter the large Democratic turnout during early voting.

Bookmark It

I received this flier in the mail the other day from the North Carolina Republican State Executive Committee.

Clinton and McCain look like they’re in love, judging by the cover, and the copy is just adulatory:

“With intensity and hard work, she left 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling”

and, on the inside,

“I share Senator Clinton’s goal of promoting women to more important roles throughout our government. By the end of my first time, I promise you will see a dramatic increase in the presence of women in every part of the government. You have my word on it.” [emphasis theirs]

Is this the same McCain who skipped the vote on the Lilly Ledbetter Act (legislation he opposed) and said that women needed “education and training” to close the pay gap? Whose record on women’s issues recently earned a D from the Economists’ Policy Group for Women’s Issuess (Obama got a B)? Who spoke derisively of “women’s health” — complete with air quotes — when discussing abortion?

(more…)

Bookmark It

Check out the ticket section of Craigslist, where folks who have tix to his election night party are trying to score more than victory:

Looking for a super hot chick to be my date to the Obama event. I have no problem pulling hot girls in general so since I have Obama tickets you have to be not just hot but like super model hot, or if you look like Eva Longoria. Wanna be my date to Obama?

I have an extra ticket to the Obama rally and am looking for someone who’d like to go with me for free. I will be awarding this ticket strictly on looks and welcome all women to reply to this ad.

I am a normal guy who is just looking to have a good time with a beautiful woman. Please reply to the ad with a current picture of yourself with your beauty on display. Nudes are ok.

Alas, some folks think this is a wee bit crass:

(more…)

Bookmark It

Much has been written about Obama’s oratory skills, but now some people are alleging that the presidential candidate is using covert techniques to persuade, even hypnotize, folks. Heh.

This document contains over 60 pages of evidence and analysis proving Barack Obama’s use of a little-known and highly deceptive and manipulative form of “hack” hypnosis on millions of unaware Americans, and reveals what only a few psychologists and hypnosis/NLP experts know. …

Obama’s mesmerized, cult-like, grade-school-crush-like worship by millions is not because “Obama is the greatest leader of a generation” who simply hasn’t accomplished anything, who magically “inspires” by giving speeches. Obama is committing perhaps the biggest fraud and deception in American history.

You can read more about it here.

Bookmark It

The Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America protested against Fannie Mae at Trade and Tryon streets during lunch today. About 150 staffers, volunteers and homeowners congregated outside the mortgage giant’s offices, chanting “no way, Fannie Mae.”

NACA recently helped 20,000 homeowners restructure their mortgages but says it’s been unable to get cooperation from Fannie Mae, which backs a substantial chunk of all U.S. mortgages. The group contends Fannie Mae is using tax money to foreclose on homeowners. It wants the mortgage giant to stop foreclosures and interest rate increases while restructuring loans to affordable payments.
Monica Hayes of NACA says people are coming in to NACA offices off Albemarle Road daily with foreclosure tales. “[Fannie Mae] needs to restructure the loans,” she said.

(more…)

Bookmark It

Have you ever thought, hey, I could write a better advertisement than that? Or, why doesn’t campaign X talk about this? Well, now’s your chance to execute your own marketing campaign. Sites like Saysmetv.com and WowofNow.com will let you purchase airtime in the media market you select for as little as less than $100 (prime air time is substantially more, of course). At the ad’s end, your name will flash on the screen as its sponsor. WowofNow is an Obama-oriented site, but Saysmetv you can upload your own ad or choose from an array of candidates or issues. It’s a great way to get the word out about your campaign or your issue, if you’re so inclined.

Bookmark It

Barack Obama is continuing to get support from some surprising folks. Junior Johnson, the NASCAR legend, has come out in support of Obama, signing an e-mail that went out to supporters today. Johnson’s personal politics aside, NASCAR is so often depicted as a reliably conservative support that I was surprised to hear Johnson would sign off on a statement like this:

My family and I have given this election a lot of thought.

Our country is in a rough spot, and we’re going to need some serious change. There’s only one candidate ready to deliver it — and that’s Barack Obama.

Every day I talk to someone else who’s never voted for a Democrat, but now they’re voting for Barack Obama. They realize that Barack understands what we’re going through here in North Carolina. And they’re ready for change.

So I’ve made up my mind, and I’m ready to get involved. I know that I could never have won a race without my pit crew, and I know Barack can’t win this one without us.

Much less this:

I know what it means to run an aggressive race, but I also know what it means to compete with integrity. Have you gotten one of these pre-recorded calls that are flooding our state smearing Barack Obama’s character and questioning his patriotism? That’s crossing the line, and North Carolinians deserve better.

Bookmark It

Former CLer Jared Neumark has founded a comedy production company. You can check out their videos here, including this one about Sarah Palin’s $150,000 shopping spree. Jared’s the sales clerk.

Bookmark It

Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg chairman Dwayne Collins, who sought appointment to the late Valerie Woodard’s District 3 Mecklenburg County Commission seat, is now urging commissioners to seat the man who beat him out for the appointment.

“I feel the denial is rooted in politics as opposed to being guided by principles,” Collins said in a statement e-mailed this afternoon. “Members who voted in favor of blocking Mr. Dunlap’s appointment did so with a host of important policy issues before the board, including the reassessment of property values, and the possible implementation of a $50-million-dollar cap on Park and Recreation bonds. I feel that the decision of certain board members to block Mr. Dunlap’s appointment was primarily driven by the fear of finding the results of many policy issues, including the aforementioned, not to their liking. As a result, along with blocking Mr. Dunlap’s appointment, this fear caused certain members to embrace the art of stalemating these issues in hopes of securing the majority, therefore assuring themselves outcomes much more to their liking after the November 4th General Elections.”

Collins is expected to speak on the Caucus’ behalf at the Nov. 5 commission meeting, according to the statement.

Bookmark It