Flag City Politico

Helping Others

The community has spent the past few weeks remembering how bad things were during last year's floods. It was a rough time for many people within Findlay, Hancock County and the surrounding areas.

The people in this community banded together to support one another in that time of crisis, but we did not do it alone. There were plenty of individuals who came to our area to help out, and we will always be grateful.

With a major hurricane once again headed toward Louisiana/Mississippi/Texas, and two others headed toward the United States, let's remember how other people are about to face hardship and challenges. Individuals will be left without food, clothing, shelter, medicine or basic necessities.

If you are able, please contact one of the organizations listed below.  If you have other suggestions you would like readers to know about, please share them in the comments section. If nothing else, a simple prayer of support can do wonders. Pay it forward!

American Red Cross
Red Cross - Donate Online
Hancock County Red Cross
Local Blood Drives

How the Red Cross May Use Your Donation to Help Disaster Victims

• $25 provides five blankets at an emergency shelter
• $75 can cover a doctor's visit for an individual injured in a disaster
• $350 will provide emergency food and shelter for 25 disaster victims for one day

Volunteer Match - Disaster/Relief Volunteering

Freedom Corps - Response & Recovery

Friends of New Orleans

Thanks to everyone who can help out!

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updated information...

USAToday - 1st Night Canceled 

Politico - McCain: Convention now a call to action 

CNN - McCain arranges charter plane for delegates 

Gustav - Track | Models | Wind Map | Satellite 

-RSKnopfJr

Being prepared has numerous interpretations right now

Gallup Daily Tracking Poll
Obama - 49%
McCain - 41%
Obama +4%/McCain -3% since last poll

McCain may postpone convention
John McCain said the Republican National Convention may be postponed, after federal officials said Hurricane Gustav was gathering to a devastating Category 5 as it headed toward star-crossed New Orleans. >>
Politico

GOP officials say Gustav likely to force convention changes
McCain campaign manager Rick Davis plans to meet with Republican officials in charge of the party's convention planning in Minneapolis-St. Paul Sunday to review the latest news on Hurricane Gustav and discuss what their options might be — then consulting with the presumptive Republican nominee to determine what changes may need to be made. >>
CNN

Gulf Republicans Skip Convention, McCain on Edge as Gustav Nears
With the Republican National Convention set to open Monday in St. Paul, the threat posed by Hurricane Gustav has already prevented prominent GOP officials from attending and has John McCain on edge about whether the event should be postponed. >>
FOXnews

Hurricane is God's Favor to Democrats
On a plane from Denver to Charlotte following the Democrats' convention, I found myself seated behind former National Chairman of the Democratic National Committee Don Fowler and Congressman John Spratt of South Carolina. Their conversation was interesting to say the least. >>
RedState

2 Top Alaska Newspapers Question Palin's Fitness
Since yesterday's shocking arrival of Gov. Sarah Palin as John McCain's running mate there has been the usual cable news and print blathering about the pick from those who know little about her. >>
HuffingtonPost

Let Palin Be Palin
A spectre is haunting the liberal elites of New York and Washington--the spectre of a young, attractive, unapologetic conservatism, rising out of the American countryside, free of the taint (fair or unfair) of the Bush administration and the recent Republican Congress, able to invigorate a McCain administration and to govern beyond it. >>
The Weekly Standard

A Brilliant Trap Makes Dems the Male Chauvinists
SHE'S just a beauty queen. She's another Dan Quayle. And ironically, the biggest criticism of Sarah Palin, John McCain's veep choice, is she has no experience. Funny, coming from the Barack Obama camp. >>
New York Post

The Joan of Arc of Alaska politics
Sarah Palin was a hockey mom, small-town mayor and rising young Republican star in Alaska in 2003 when she ran afoul of her party's establishment as a whistleblower and was cast into the political wilderness. >>
Anchorage Daily News

‘Suburban mom’ who took on her own party
Sarah Palin made the leap from being a small town mayor to governor of Alaska two years ago by vowing to reform a party that was imbued with corruption and tainted by its cosy ties to the oil industry. >>
Financial Times

Who is Prepared to be President? Nobody
Is Barack Obama prepared to be president? No. Neither is John McCain. >>
RealClearPolitics

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2 days until the Republican National Convention.

27 days until the first Presidential debate in Oxford, MS.

33 days until the Vice-Presidential debate in st. Louis, MO.

36 days until the second Presidential debate in Nashville, TN.

46 days until the final Presidential debate in Hempstead, NY.

66 days until Election Day.

143 days until Presidential Inauguration.

-RSKnopfJr

A Historic Evening...and then Morning

I nestled into bed last night and got ready for Obama's speech. I wasn't sure what to expect, but my expectations were high. And to be honest, the show I saw blew me out of the water.

Before one word was uttered, the night was already historic. The first African-American candidate from a major party running for President...accepting his nomination on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr's 'I have a dream' speech...in from of 80k+ people...it was an extraordinary moment in political history.

This historical backdrop, combined with the actual staging of the event, then the introductory video, then the speech, then the celebration; if I was asked to script the last hour of a political convention, it would be something like that.

 

There was nothing major in the speech that alarmed me. He hit all the popular themes that got him the nomination, and even reached out to centrists with his comments regarding gun control and gay marriage. It was a little light on specifics, but that's what the next few months are for.

The speech, in and of itself, will be mostly forgotten in a few weeks, but the impressions will linger. Challenging McCain, standing up to criticism of his patriotism, challenging the people watching to continue the movement...these snapshots of emotion are what people will remember.

Once the emotion has died down, it will be interesting to see the reaction to the speech. Will it continue to go down as one of the best in history? Time will tell...and a win in November would go a long way.

So, we had the history from last night, and then today, a little bit more. By now you know John McCain announced his VP nominee, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. She is the second woman to be selected for a major party ticket, and come November 5, we will have either a woman or African-American elected to the executive branch for the first time.

I had the television on in my office this morning, the background noise of Joe and Mika is very comforting, waiting for some sort of breaking news. The McCain camp did a great job of concealing the choice of Palin. Every TV talking head kept revising their selection as potential picks were confirmed to not be in the mix. Blackberrys would go off, prompting everyone to stop what they were doing to see if one of their contacts had just responded.

CNN put up a graphic that 'signs' pointed toward Palin, but FOX got the first confirmation (surprise, surprise). With less than an hour before the rally was to begin, it was confirmed by the McCain campaign, and the scramble to find out something about Palin began.

 

Compared to the event from the night before, or even the introduction of Biden, the event in Dayton earlier today seemed amateurish. Issues with the microphone, music, no one seeming to know where to stand...combined with the smaller venue, crowd, and nervousness of Palin in her speech...it just wasn't flattering for the Republican roll-out.

Her speech was also a stark contrast from Bidens. Instead of delving into policy or political themes, it was more of an introduction of herself and family. Almost as an afterthought, she mentioned how much she admired McCain and was grateful to be selected by him. It could have been better...and probably needed to be better...but I think that the shock of the selection muted the criticism.

We will find out more about her in the near future, so stay tuned. Once the media (and Democrats) start finding out more about her (the beauty pageant, the Vogue photo shoot, etc.), we'll see how well she can stand up to the scrutiny and criticism.

-RSKnopfJr

What do you think about Barack Obama's selection of Joe Biden?

conducted August 23-29, 2008

-RSKnopfJr

Democratic Convention - Day 4 Preview: Change You Can Believe In

From the Democratic National Convention Website:

On Thursday night, the DNCC will throw open the doors of the Convention and move to INVESCO Field at Mile High so that more Americans can be a part of the fourth night of the Convention as Barack Obama accepts the Democratic nomination. Obama will communicate the urgency of the moment, highlight the struggles Americans are facing and call on Americans to come together to change the course of our nation.

 

• Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. will address the convention.
• Al Gore will address the convention.
• Barack Obama acceptance speech: "Change You Can Believe In."

Obama Speech Stage Resembles Ancient Greek Temple
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's big speech on Thursday night will be delivered from an elaborate columned stage resembling a miniature Greek temple. >>
ABC News

Sneek Peek: DNC Behind The Scenes

Please make plans to tune in.  Even if you are not Democratic, or would never vote for Obama, the spectacle from Invesco Field is going to be, not only historic, but something memorable.

-RSKnopfJr

Hillary's Speech

I'm not sure what speech they were watching, but to listen to MSNBC's Keith Olberman and Chris Matthews right after Hillary Clinton wrapped things up last night, I began to wonder if they were viewing the same thing I was.

"Home run! Grand Slam! Over the houses next to the stadium!"

I'm sure that Olberman was shaking from the excitement. The superlatives coming from him did not seem adequate enough to convey the sense of satisfaction he obviously felt at the time.

I know that MSNBC is trending 'liberal', but I prefer them just because I cannot stand watching CNN (for the talent they have, it is wasted by all of the extra people that they try to fit into analysis roles), FOX (it seems like they are going out of their way to upset people who think they're trending 'conservative') or network news (not that Tim Russert is gone, I'm not sure which channel I will be watching come election night).

Bottom line...since I discovered Morning Joe, I watch MSNBC to see Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski, Willie Geist and Chuck Todd (he's starting to grow on me). I used to like Chris Matthews, but then he started teaming up with Olberman and his objectivity flew out the window. Olberman, whom I enjoyed back in his ESPN days, has really started to blossom into something special...if you like someone who is brash, condescending and SOMEHOW managed to fall into this gig.

But I digress.  Watching Hillary Clinton, I thought she did a pretty good job last night. Her speech was extremely well delivered, hit at all the core issues that are important to her, and served as a reminder to her supporters of why they voted for her in the first place.

It seemed to me, however, like this was a speech where she could have easily announced that she was running for President in 2012. It would be a surprise if Obama does not win this November; if he doesn't, don't worry - Clinton will be there to pick up the pieces and take the party forward.

For as good as her speech was (read some of the positive reviews here), not all the comments were glowing (read below), and not everyone is ready to join with Obama supporters in a circle of love, or even mutual respect. There were more "I" references in the speech than mentions of Obama, and Clinton came up short of embracing the man...just the position of Democratic nominee.

If there was one part of her speech that I admired, it was toward the end when she challenged her supporters. She asked if they were in the campaign to support her, or the ideas and ideals she was fighting for. It was a nice way of telling them to continue the fight, even though she was not going to be the nominee.

I appreciate that whatever deal was brokered will allow her name to be put into nomination this evening. From the historical perspective, it is important to recognize what she accomplished during this election season and to celebrate how far we have come as a nation.

Tonight is the roll call of states. I'm tuning in to see if:

1. There are a significant number of Clinton votes
2. New York (with Clinton leading the way) puts Obama over the top by asking for approval by acclimation, or
3. The Illinois delegation puts Obama over the top (traditional for the nominee's home state, or
4. If a battleground state (Ohio anyone?) is allowed to put Obama over the top.

Stay tuned. It will be fun.
 
Meanwhile, McCain's lead didn't last long...

Gallup Daily Tracking Poll
Obama - 45%
McCain - 44%
Obama +1%/McCain -2% since last poll

Many Clinton Supporters Say Speech Didn't Heal Divisions
Hillary Rodham Clinton's most loyal delegates came to the Pepsi Center on Tuesday night looking for direction. They listened, rapt, to a 20-minute speech that many proclaimed the best she had ever delivered, hoping her words could somehow unwind a year of tension in the Democratic Party. >>
Washington Post

Hillary Goes Out With a Whimper
When she first campaigned for a New York Senate seat, Hillary Clinton earned the nickname "The Laundry Lady." Last night's speech was a reminder why. >>
The Atlantic

Clinton Delegate Upset With Her Party

Hillary Supporters for McCain
West Virginia's registered Democrats, like their cousins in western Pennsylvania and eastern and southern Ohio, are having a hard time fitting anywhere within Barack Obama's vision of the Democratic party. >>
The Weekly Standard

Mile-high anxiety
I've been to a lot of conventions, and there's always something gratifyingly weird that happens. >>
International Herald Tribune

Clinton's Wealthy Die-Hards Are Contradicting Her Campaign's Message
Back in primary season, Hillary Clinton said her campaign was dedicated to serving people "with needs" while her opponent's appeal was aesthetic in nature, and therefore best appreciated by well-heeled voters. >>
HuffingtonPost

GOP Veep Sheet: Tryouts in Denver
Just a few short days before John McCain is expected to announce his vice presidential choice, we still don’t know exactly who that person will be. But we have a better idea of how he’ll make the announcement. >>
Politico

Chatter over Hutchison as possible VP pick gets louder
Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's long-shot prospect for vice president is getting a push from conservative and other pundits in the lead-up to next week's Republican National Convention. >>
Houston Chronicles

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5 days until the Republican National Convention.

30 days until the first Presidential debate in Oxford, MS.

36 days until the Vice-Presidential debate in st. Louis, MO.

39 days until the second Presidential debate in Nashville, TN.

49 days until the final Presidential debate in Hempstead, NY.

69 days until Election Day.

146 days until Presidential Inauguration.

-RSKnopfJr

Democratic Convention - Day 3 Preview: Securing America’s Future

From the Democratic National Convention Website:

Barack Obama offers a new, tough foreign policy that is neither Republican nor Democratic, but is a strong, smart American foreign policy to make our country more secure and advance our interests in the world. Wednesday night’s Convention program will feature the voices of Americans who share Barack’s vision of making America stronger and safer.

 

• Former President Bill Clinton will speak on Barack Obama's commitment to a stronger and safer America as well as the history of Democrats making positive change in the lives of all Americas; nightly theme will be "Securing America's Future."
• Gov. Bill Richardson and Sens. Evan Bayh and John D. Rockefeller IV will echo Obama's call for a new direction in national security and outline his policies and plans to secure America's future.
• Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will discuss Barack Obama's plans to make America more secure by investing in smart energy policies.
• Sen. Ken Salazar and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn will speak.
• Rep. Patrick J. Murphy and Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth will lead a tribute honoring those who give so much to secure our nation's future.
• Headline speaker: Democratic Vice-Presidential nominee Senator Joseph Biden.

 

-RSKnopfJr

Electoral College Projection: 10 weeks until Election Day

Watching the Democratic Convention, I was thinking of a few things...

After seeing the footage of Michelle Obama and her kids in rehearsal, it was interesting to see the lack of spontaneity after her speech (although, the kids had a great moment...see below). Everything was a little too scripted, but then, this IS a show for the American voters. The speech was fine and did what it needed to do. Does the person who could wind up as First Lady make a difference to voters?

Even though I haven't been a huge supporter of his political views over the years, it was great to see Edward Kennedy be able to not only make it to the convention, but to speak. I know the commentators were wondering if he was going to be able to, but did anyone seriously think for a moment that he was not going to say something...especially after being one the earliest high-profile backers of Obama? He did a great job!

I love the staging and how the colors and graphics are in Obama's style (that is one of those little touches that I appreciate)...but seriously, that podium and speaker background have got to go. The Dems usually have something nice (2004 was great), but this time 'round, let's just say I'm not a fan.

Anyway...we have a new leader...

Gallup Daily Tracking Poll
McCain - 46%
Obama - 44%
McCain +1%/Obama -1% since last poll

The reviews are in from Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention, and they're not all positive.

Democratic National Convention - Senator Edward Kennedy

Obama, Clinton camps working on hotel roll-call vote
Supporters of Hillary Rodham Clinton furiously circulated petitions on the floor of the Democratic National Convention last night, hoping to stave off a plan to hold the convention's roll call at breakfast Wednesday — out of the public eye — sources inside the delegations said. >>
Denver Post

McCain may announce VP choice before Friday
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain may announce his choice for a running mate earlier than expected, sources told FOX News on Monday. >>
FOX News

Joe Vengeance
Senator Joe Lieberman enters the room, but I can’t see him—just a centipedelike scrum of black suits and Hasid hats that has formed around him and now moves, buzzing, toward the dais. >>
New York Magazine

Obama: a decent 2nd choice to the Jonas Brothers >>
Politico

Democratic National Convention - Michelle Obama

Presidential race tight in battleground states
The race for the White House is as close in some of the key battleground states as it is nationally. Quinnipiac University polls out today in Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania are an indicator of just how tight the battle stands right now between John McCain and Barack Obama. >>
CNN

RealClearPolitics Electoral College
270 Electoral Votes Needed to Win
Obama - 273
McCain - 265
Obama +9/McCain -9 since last projection

 

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6 days until the Republican National Convention.

31 days until the first Presidential debate in Oxford, MS.

37 days until the Vice-Presidential debate in st. Louis, MO.

40 days until the second Presidential debate in Nashville, TN.

50 days until the final Presidential debate in Hempstead, NY.

70 days until Election Day.

147 days until Presidential Inauguration.

-RSKnopfJr

Democratic Convention - Day 2 Preview: Renewing America's Promise

From the Democratic National Convention Website:

Millions of Americans are struggling to get by. The failed policies of the last eight years have betrayed the country’s values and left an economy out of balance. Barack Obama believes a strong economy is unattainable with a weak middle class. Tuesday’s Convention program will feature the voices of Americans who share Barack’s concerns and strongly support his detailed economic plan to grow the economy, create jobs, restore fairness, and expand opportunity.

• Convention Co-Chairwoman and Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano will outline Obama’s detailed plan to grow the economy, create jobs, restore fairness and expand opportunity.
• Gov. Ted Strickland of Ohio and Gov. Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania will discuss how the failed policies of the last eight years have betrayed our values and left an economy out of balance.
• Sen. Robert P. Casey Jr. of Pennsylvania and Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts will share how Obama’s policies have been directly shaped by the people he has met as he traveled the country.
• Gov. Brian Schweitzer of Montana and former Denver Mayor Federico Pena will speak about the nexus between energy and the economy, highlighting new and innovative policies to help working families in rural, urban and suburban communities.
• Hillary Clinton primetime speech; nightly theme will be "Renewing America's Promise."
• Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner will deliver the keynote address.

TV Schedule for Day 2
While CNN, FOXnews, MSNBC and C-Span will have near-continuous coverage from Denver, ABC, CBS and NBC will be live during their nightly newscasts and from 10p-11p. ABC's Nightline will be from Denver, and PBS' coverage will run from 8-11p.

-RSKnopfJr

All Tied

While sitting here wondering if the same person who came up with these, came up with the color scheme for the Democratic Convention stage...

Gallup Daily Tracking Poll
Obama - 45%
McCain - 45%
McCain +2% since last poll

Hillary Clinton At The DNC: "This Is Barack Obama's Convention;" Clinton And Obama Finalize Roll Call Deal
Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama worked out a convention city deal to give her some votes in the Democratic roll call for president, a step toward an uneasy alliance of former rivals and their still-bitter supporters. >>
HuffingtonPost

Clinton Advisers Skipping Obama Speech
A number of Sen. Hillary Clinton's top advisers will not be staying in Denver long enough to hear Barack Obama accept the nomination for president, according to sources familiar with their schedules. >>
Washington Post

Tensions boil between Obama-Clinton camps
As Democrats arrived here Sunday for a convention intended to promote party unity, mistrust and resentments continued to boil among top associates of presumptive nominee Barack Obama and his defeated rival, Hillary Rodham Clinton. >>
Politico

Convention 'Greening' Goes Awry
The Democrats have embarked on a highly visible effort to make their convention the "greenest" ever, focusing on everything from expanded recycling to more creative programs like encouraging Denver restaurants to offer "lean 'n' green" meals made with healthful, organic, and locally sourced ingredients. >>
New York Sun

The Boss, Bon Jovi headed for Obama's acceptance speech at Invesco Field
The Jersey boys are coming, and we ain't talking about Frankie Valli. The Boss and Bon Jovi are ready to perform. Multiple sources confirmed to the Rocky that Jon Bon Jovi will fly in to perform two acoustic songs before Sen. Barack Obama gives his acceptance speech at Invesco Field on Thursday. >>
Rocky Mountain News

New RNC Ad Uses HRC's Words vs. Obama
As we first reported on Friday night, the Republican National Committee is going to be airing a new TV ad in Colorado, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. >>
MSNBC

Debra - John McCain

7 days until the Republican National Convention.

32 days until the first Presidential debate in Oxford, MS.

38 days until the Vice-Presidential debate in st. Louis, MO.

41 days until the second Presidential debate in Nashville, TN.

51 days until the final Presidential debate in Hempstead, NY.

71 days until Election Day.

148 days until Presidential Inauguration.

-RSKnopfJr