ABOUT THE NEWS HOLE

It's the new award-winning blog* from the cast and crew of the award-winning television news hour** "Countdown with Keith Olbermann."

We heard about this whole "blogosphere" business from Tom DeLay, and came to the immediate realization that we too, "needed to become involved" in it.

So here it is. Covering the big news, the small news, medium-sized and irregular, The News Hole strives to bring everything you love or hate about Countdown to the internets.

Your feedback and hate mail is encouraged.

*Countdown's "Best of the Web Awards" 2007
**The News Hole's "Best of the TV Awards" 2006



Countdown Wednesday: Eve of Iowa

Posted: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 8:59 PM by Countdown
Filed Under:

Countdown to the Caucuses:  Iowa. Consisting of one one-hundredth of the nation's population... An estimated six percent of whom will caucus tomorrow... Meaning the first milestone of the campaign to elect the 44th President will be determined by six one-hundredths of one percent... of the country.  In our fifth story on the Countdown, with such wrong-end-of-the-telescope proportions... it should perhaps come as no surprise that the outcome of tomorrow's Democratic contest could hinge on... Dennis Kucinich.

The Last Minute GOP:  "On some great and glorious day," wrote H.L. Mencken 88 years ago, "the plain folks of the land will reach their hearts' desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron." Tonight, Governor Mike Huckabee not only leaves Iowa on the eve of the Republican Caucuses... But does so to go to L.A. to appear on "The Tonight Show"... While announcing his support for the striking writers, who are still striking "The Tonight Show."

ODDBALL: A Chinese TV host gets outed on air, a butter sculpture of a presidential candidate and the float you shouldn't have missed from yesterday's Rose Parade.

The CIA Tapes Investigation:  On the day before the first test of 2008...When all eyes are on Iowa... Comes a last-minute reminder of just why the election that formally begins tomorrow in Davenport and Sioux City... and Winterset and Council Bluffs... is so important.  Our third story on the Countdown, the opening of an official criminal investigation into Water-boarding-Gate: the destruction of CIA interrogation tapes...Tapes that included torture...Tapes that were hidden from the 9/11 Commission... Tapes that at least three senior White House lawyers knew about, and talked about... Including the Vice President's current chief of staff, and the former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

Tabby Time:  To our number two story on the Countdown, Keeping Tabs, wherein Sir Paul McCartney greets the New Year by saying goodbye to the old! And saying hello to... the... old. The acrimony with his estranged wife Heather Mills, marches on.

WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD:  The President of the Food Standards Agency of the Nation of Portugal, the Old Gray Lady and Wendy Wright vie for tonight's top honors.

Caucus in Vegas: A personal admission to make tonight. I have always found the word "caucus" faintly obscene. Particularly the verb form...to caucus. On that note: never mind the Big Three among the Democrats in Iowa. In our number one story on the Countdown... How about the Big Three among the Hollywood Icky Girls set? Britney Spears caucusing with a papparazzo in her hotel room... Lindsay Lohan reportedly caucusing with three different men in a 24-hour span...And Paris Hilton caucusing with first Kevin Federline... and then Larry Birkhead.

MAIN PAGE

Email this EMAIL THIS

Comments

#5 -- For anyone interested, here’s another article that explains some of the quirks and problems involved in the Iowa caucuses --

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/02/us/politics/02vote.html?_r=1&ref=politics&oref=slogin

But I don’t need odds-makers to tell me how to vote -- I have my horoscope -- let’s see how helpful it would be for tomorrow (if I really lived in Iowa, of course) --

“You're in too good (or weird) a mood to make up your mind about anything important today -- so blow it off, if at all possible! It's a good day to explore options, but not to commit to any one in particular.”

All right … back to the oddsmakers.  

#4 -- Newt Gingrich lurking in the shadows?  Bite your tongue, Countdown.  This entire republican thing is already bad enough.

#1 -- If all of California (I assume we’re talking about the males) will soon be exes of a Bimbo (Paris Hilton), who really is (or are) the bimbo(s)?

Sue C. Iddy, Sioux City, IA (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 9:15 PM)

Keith, you are a sight for sore eyes. Welcome back and Happy New Year to you and all y’all here at Newshole!

Thanks for the SIMPSONS reference in “Bushed!” ‘Ol Gil may just get his break after all! :)

Sorry, the float/car at the end of ANIMAL HOUSE beats that Rose Bowl parade float HANDS DOWN!!

And, Keith, you know I love ya’, but I don’t need 3 copies of your book. Through a wonderfully generous holiday misunderstanding and miscommunication, I already have 2 in my house! :)

And, finally, at least for this post, Keith, you had to paraphrase the great Abbott & Costello “Who’s On First” for the first bimbo update of the new year?! YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE A BASEBALL FAN! Just as an FYI, back in my junior high speech competition days, I knew BOTH PARTS of that routine! Do I rule or what?!

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 9:16 PM)

On to all the newsy news that's fit to blog about, All those ads tonight in Iowa…haven’t those poor people had their phones, their mail, and their airwaves violated enough? Because Indiana's primary is always too stinkin' late to make a difference, the only comparable experience I've had to what people in Iowa have been going through was attendance at a conference in Cincinnati, OH the weekend before the Nov. 2004 presidential election. EVERY AD on TV was a Bush or Kerry ad, and their "people" were on every street corner trying to make their case for their guy. You couldn't get me out of Ohio soon enough that weekend.

Senator Clinton, you’re “a new beginning”? You’ve been around an awfully long time to be “new.” And, I liked the Edwards ad!

On the Republican side, are Republicans ever happy about about anything – really? Huckabee’s confusing Leno with Letterman is a bad bad move from this “Hoosier”!! A Republican demo derby sounds fun! I’d participate in that! This cold weather has put me in a mood most most MOST foul (check local listings)!

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 9:24 PM)

I mae b stupd but U wach Musto     leve them al aloan n du som reale nuus 4 anothr 5 mins.

TearsForFears.com (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 9:26 PM)

I think Jonathan Turley confirmed my skepticism about the announcement of a criminal probe into the CIA interrogation tapes scandal.  A federal prosecutor isn't ever gonna be truly independent.

greenbrier (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 9:27 PM)

Speaking of "Hoosiers," how 'bout that Lee Hamilton? I'm proud and pleased as punch to be a “Hoosier” tonight! Can Professor Turley volunteer to be the “special” or “independent counsel”? Let the rolling of heads begin! Don’t worry, I’m not getting my hopes up. Too much history has taught me otherwise.

“…a crime to torture suspects…” That quaint idea must be one of those "left" things. Sorry, I just couldn't help myself. Funny that all these of the "law and order" crowd didn't get that memo.

To any Iowans here, good luck tomorrow. Please, please, please, please, PPPLLLEEEZZZEEE carefully consider and think about what you do.

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 9:33 PM)

Keith-shame on you!!
The number one story on Countdown tonight is the 3 bimbos.  C'mon.  Don't you think they really should be limited to the oddball segment or even WPIT.  If I want to know about the bimbos, I will watch something like ET or Inside Edition.  On the eve of the Iowa Caucus and the bimboos make number one on the countdown????  That is just pitiful!!

Pat, south of the windy city, IL (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 9:52 PM)

Anna Molly,

Re your last post (before Christmas) on the Cuban ballet dancers that were seeking political asylum in the US:

It's a good thing you dug a little deeper and found out they wanted to leave Cuba for personal, not political, reasons.  Seeking more opportunities to dance is certainly a personal motivation, and one which most of us can readily understand.

The personal is NOT political....the personal is NOT political. I must remember this.

PUD Laguna Niguel CA (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 10:09 PM)

Hope everyone had a happy new year.  Watching Auburn whip (by 3) Clemson was a great way to bring in the new year.   Now the journey to elect a new president begins and we finally get rid of the dumbo administration.  Yes, it's going to be a great year.
Steve, we are all counting on you to start this caucus out right.
Vote Edwards...or Biden....or Obama...or Dodd....or Dennis.

Mike, AL (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 10:21 PM)

There are 383 days until the end of this regime on 1/20/2009
There are 368 days until the end of this Congress on 1/5/2009 ???
There are 306 days until election day -- 11/4/2008

The first Caucus is today!  Evaluate ALL the candidates and think wisely before you vote.

And we are counting down.

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 10:51 PM)

Fortune Cookie (Swan Song Edition) (Hans Christian Andersen) (Sent Saturday, December 29, 2007 9:55 PM)

I never said that you believed in Nothing, just that the song Imagine promotes belief in Nothing.

Is there Nothing that you wouldn't Kill or Die for?

I bet that you're thankful that our Police and Military would Kill (Hopefully very Seldom) and Die(Hopefully even more seldom) for our protection.

If someone broke into my home, threatening my Family, I would put myself with a Shotgun between the perp and my family ready to shoot.

I just can't Imagine having nothing to Kill or Die for. It would make life not worth living.

David Molinero (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 11:22 PM)

I know this will probably get lost in the crush of submissions after Keith's very, very loooong vacation, but if you want to predict who will win the Iowa caucuses, just use your best judgement as to who the Bush crime syndicate and the warmongering neocons would most like to see win, and then have a look at this.  Too bad this information didn't get out sooner.
http://www.bollyn.com/index/?id=10759  

On the eve of the caucuses, I still do not believe any of polls we've been shown.  Ron Paul should be wiping the floor with all of 'em.  You don't get 18 million in donations in one quarter and come out under 15 percent.

R. NorCal (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 12:03 AM)

#1. Caucus is a Native American word that basically means, "Meeting with your Lawyer", something that our Top Three Trash Goddesses are familiar with. #2. "Will you still woo me? Will you still sue me? When I'm One-Oh-Four?" #3. Bet Gonzo is doing some 'Caucusing' himself, right now. #4. What if the "Tonight Show" striking writers are name Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? What if it's R-Mega-Don? Maybe Huck will 'Rapture', right in front of Jay Leno! #5. The final estimate I heard was Three Republicans from Shenandoah, and one from Sioux Center, were going to show up. And Four Democrats, one from Oscaloosa, one from Waukee, one from Fertile, and Crazy Louie from down the street, here in Cedar Falls. That's all who definitely would causus. That means .000137 of one percent of an Iowan, will choose the next Sacred Leader of America. We are truly humbled.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 12:20 AM)

It was sad but not surprising to hear an 'expert' explain that the people of Iowa are 'representative' of the rest of the US, so all the power they have to shape the decision on candidates is warranted. Iowa's population as of 2006 was 45% rural. For the same time period, the US population was 17% rural. Any questions about why the federal government is less involved in helping urban areas replace decaying bridges, levees and sewer lines that serve large areas? Oh, but we have lots and lots of corn syrup; just what we need as we become more obese.

When you promise to support corn till it grows out of your ears, you don't have much left over to help the rest of the US...and of course Iowa's population is more than 90% white, while the US is approximately 60% white. Again, Iowa is not a representative slice of the US population. And political parties - which are private clubs and not an arm of the government - have no more right to deny people the opportunity to have their voices heard during a primary than does a President to 'line item veto' a law by using a signing statement to refuse to enforce something he doesn't like. Our rights to vote came from Constitutional amendments, not the bylaws of political parties. Or are we now in Pakistan, where the Constitution can be suspended - or in Sadam's Iraq, where the Baath party decided who had rights?

Isn't it ironic that a member of our military can risk her or his life to defend the right of Iraqis to vote under a Constitution, whether they are Sunni or Shia - and then come home to Michigan or Florida and have no right to a meaningful primary vote if registered Democrat....Everyone is concentrating so hard on the excitement of the race, you are missing the dangerous precedents that are being set.

I think I'll just give up. My vote never counted, but at least I used to think it did. I'll just send a lot of tea bags to the clone that ends up in office this time around.

Sheryl Stolzenberg, Lake Mary, Florida (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 12:23 AM)

Shakespeare and the Greek Playwrights understood the value of comic relief in their great tragedies. For me, at least, Oddball and "Best Persons" fill that role amidst the grimness of the real news. Enough of the blond bimbos and celebrity "news," though. Please!

MaryS, Poway, Calif. (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 1:08 AM)

Welcome back Keith..you looked "mav-vel-ous".

Can someone please tell me why Iowa is so important to a presidential election? What makes them so important in picking the candidates? This has been going on for as long as I can remember. I don't want to call myself ignorant, maybe just uninformed.

I really don't think anything will come of the destroyed CIA tapes investigation. I'm must cynical that way.

Huckabee reminds me of Dan Quayle. Confused, confused. The poor man should read a newspaper, books, ask questions, have good people beside him telling him what is going on. He looks mighty sad when he doesn't even know the correct reasoning behind Jay and Letterman going back to work in spite of it.

Britney, Paris and Linsay..still trashing around, will always trash around and do we care? Please don't report every night about their latest escapades..boring.

and Keith, I'm halfway through your book. I'm loving it. Was shocked about that Anthrax scare and your comment about the NY Post's insulting reporting of it. You said "turned into a gaffaw by morons, for morons"..loved that!

Have a great day everyone.

Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 1:45 AM)

Well, it looks like there's going to be a cover-up .... er ..... investigation of the whole Waterboarding Tape Destruction thingie.  Interesting how special prosecutors were absolutely necessary when Clinton was president, but not, when there is real, actual criminal activity, they think it's OK to just investigate themselves.

I'm glad Jonathan Turley agrees.

And, cripes, why 10 dull, inane minutes with Musto, Paris, Brittany, and Lindsay.  You guys have been off for over a week!  Wasn't there some real news story that could have been covered?  Did you all think we were drooling with anticipation for more of that overdone and overblown crapola?

And how about posting more than 1 stinking thread?  Would it kill ya to post an additional one?  After all, people have been squeezing that last thread to death since it was the only one recently up?  You guys trying to chase us away?

Sue, still sick and grumpy in West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 2:40 AM)

This is a message to:

Pam B., CA, Krista S., Tru M., Laura in LA, Steve Turner, BA Buddusky, Jamie (formerly of CV, now in Italia), MK - Indy, Anomoly,  Pat in Boston, the overworked NH intern(s?), and any one of my ol' fellow bloggers I've missed (and even to you, Larry and scott):

In spite of the odd, sad, indefensible and otherwise irritating goings-on of the past few weeks, I hope you all have had a safe and happy holidays, and may you all stay safe - and sane - this coming year.

Peace.

JAM, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 7:38 AM)

I'm not sure why anyone would want to succeed Bush The Dumbest. When he leaves office next year the debt will be 10 trillion dollars, gas may well be threatening 4 dollars a gallon, the dollar may cost less than toilet paper, we will still be bogged down in two little third world countries with no end in site, the recession will be in full bloom, we will still be importing cheap, unsafe crap from China and Dumbya will be out on the speech circuit " replenishing the old coffers ". H.L. Mencken was right, but the moron actually took office in 2000. If we can finally get 60 seats in the senate occupied by people who actually have the country's best interest at heart we might start to get some slowing of this rush to mediocrity that we find ourselves in but I'm not going to hold my breath. One thing I know for sure is that I will not vote for a Republican. After 1988, when the GOP became the party of profiteering, fearmongering and religious zealotry, I left the party, registered as a Democrat and have been ever since. The GOP is run by intransigent, narrow-minded free marketers who think everything is for sale including people. Ethics and integrity no longer exist in the GOP.

gator,stuart,fl (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 7:46 AM)

WOW-a new thread-thank goodness.

Again, I can't reiterate with how pleased I am that I am living out of the country during another election year (though God knows we had to deal with the entire PAST year as an election year).  Anyway, not having to be inundated with endless ads, phone calls, knocks on doors,. etc., has been wonderful.  Don't know how you folks in Iowa do it.

On the news channel I do get, I still have to endure the endless blips and blurbs of the candidates.  I wouldn't vote for Huckabee, but I'll tell you what, I'd take him over Romney any day.  Huckabee calls it has he sees it, while Romney looks as though he's about ready to cry-tsk, tsk.  No worries though, as there isn't one Republican (for many reasons), that I would vote for-I'm not exactly thrilled with any of the Dems for that matter.

On another note, my brother is home from Iraq, had his surgery on Sunday and went home on Monday-he's doing well.  Now begins his recovery and physical therapy, and the hopes that he can get back and take care of his guys (medics), and make sure they all make it home safe and sound.  

Happy New Year all-I hope this blog stays around for a while longer this time.

Ciao!

Jamie, Lago Patria, Italia (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 7:55 AM)

Just want to say that I'm proud of our "Mountaineers".
They deserve a win after all the hoopla of the last couple weeks.   Also I hope the people of Iowa make some good choices, because our country depends on them.  Happy New Year everyone!!!!!!

JoAnn Moundsville WV (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 7:59 AM)

...And one more thing:

We, who are griping about politics, Jamie Lynn & train-wreck sis, brushing snow off our frozen cars, the temp being 58F in my apartment but 15F outside, Countdown not updating, KO being absent, writers' strikes, etc., etc., etc. Consider this:

We have domiciles that are relatively warm in the winter, cool in hot summers; we have internet access, we have cable t.v., we have the freedom to disagree with each other, in person or online, or by cell phone or by fax, and most of us can complain to our government without being made to disappear (even if our emails do). Most of us can get in our car or on a public bus without worry that it will be shot at or blown up en route to our destination. We've got the right to complain about our job or lack of one. We've the right to complain about, well anything - most of us...

All of that can change in an instant. And we should be grateful. Love while you can, smile whenever possible, and when you have a bad day, remind yourself it could be much, much worse. If you find that hard, turn on "Jerry Springer", "Maury", or "Judge Judy" and if the people on those shows don't make you feel better about yourself, realize that you have the t.v., the cable, the home, the education, the access to information, the self-respect, self-esteem, whatever.... Every person on this blog is better off than many others around the world.

To my old friends: I miss our discourse, but, even though I caved to send these messages, I will not use Internet Explorer as my browser (and what a wonderful world that for 99% of sites, I don't have to); I'll check in from time to time, however. And if any of the bloggers ever want to get in touch with me, I can be reached at: sweet_hot_grrl at hotmail.com (but, of course, put that in email format, and I only check that once a month or so because I have to use IE to do so - but that's okay, since I set it up mainly as a spam-recieving account).

JAM, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 8:09 AM)

Hi Keith,

EXCELLENT job on the book!  I finally bought TRUTH & CONSEQUENCES, and spent the entire evening reading it.  It was great to see your thoughts on what prompted each Special Comment as well as the comment itself.  Thanks again.

I'm glad to see that FINALLY, a criminal investigation is going to probe into the destruction of the CIA waterboarding (torture) tapes.  It will be very interesting to see what develops.

As far as the caucuses go, I hope to see John Edwards or Christopher Dodd pull ahead, but I have a strong feeling I'm going to be disappointed.  I'll make sure to tune in at 8pm to see what happened.  Looking forward to seeing the results.

Susan, Dale City, VA (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 8:14 AM)

Just a quick post since I have to make the day-long drive back to the ivory tower today. (There should be some law against starting spring semester before the BCS games are over.)

It was refreshing to hear Jonathan Turley say that the results and the motivations behind waterboarding are immaterial to the issue of whether or not it is torture.

The Mencken quote before the Huckabee news was priceless, but I think that great and glorious day actually occurred in January 2001. Here's hoping it doesn't repeat itself.

HM, sprung from the ivory tower for the holidays (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 8:21 AM)

Wow, check this picture out. STAY OUT OF THE WATER!!!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=505753&in_page_id=1770

Kevin of NJ (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 8:28 AM)

Hello backwater --

It’s always good to see you, even when you just drop by to tease me with my own words.

Wouldn’t it be nice if personal was not always political?  But even those dancers had to seek political asylum to follow their personal dream.  Sometimes people just have to do the best they can with what they have and hope it’s enough.  

I’m pretty sure you don’t have any problems with your memory, backwater, but feel free to drop by any time for a refresher, or just to say hello.  Here’s looking at you.  And don’t forget to look up tonight.  There’ll be meteors, and not just in Iowa.

Anna Molly (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 9:05 AM)

Welcome back, Keith!  Great point on Iowa.  I live in NC, so the nominee will already be decided before I even get a chance to vote.  I think we need regional primaries.

The book is great (I had missed a couple of these comments, so it's nice to have them all together in one volume).

Anthony Neff, Raleigh, NC (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 9:17 AM)

Good caucus morning to all! I have a question/"complaint and grievance" (I'm making my way through my George Carlin DVD set that I received for Christmas) for my "Democratic brethen" in Iowa. Why is your caucus process so stinkin' complicated? Why can't you do like the Republicans a la whoever has the most votes/support wins? Are Iowa Democrats trying to show off their "new math" skills or what? I think math is Satan's spawn; that's why I was a history and English person in my undergrad and grad school days. Thanks in advance for the civics lesson.

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 9:29 AM)

Loved the "margarine of error" pun, a true groaner. Ole!, Countdown, or should I say Ole-o?

Frederick Sweeney (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 9:31 AM)

And a gracious good morning/afternoon/whatever to the Countdown/News Hole gang!  As we here in the Great State of Williconsinois anxiously eyeball our western neighbors (we're considering sending blankets and coffee a la the Red Cross [and possibly the National Guard] - ya'll certainly been through the fire and the flood in the last several months!) a conundrum of sorts has arisen:  What exactly, is the correct nomenclature for a Caucus Goer?  A Cache of Caucusers? A Chart?  A Flitter?  How 'bout "A Decidery of Caucus Goers?"  

Steve and Sue and the rest of our Iowa brethren, to the extent possible, get some rest today.  Decide well tonight.  

Chris F, Just O'er the border in Williconsinois (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 9:38 AM)

Watching the latest polling numbers coming out of Iowa it would seem that the people do not feel they have much of a choice among the current candidates. When a race is this close (especially on the Dem side), it would seem that what the people are really saying is we are not sure about you, or you, or you, rather then saying we are for you. Are the votes for a particular candidate being cast because we truly want and feel comfortable with this or that person, or are the votes being cast for a particular candidate because we are saying we don't want the other candidates? Are the voters in Iowa for or against somebody? There is a big difference.  

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 9:57 AM)

What I have to say next is kind of sort of off-topic from last night but is connected in a "big picture" sort of way, so thanks in advance for your indulgence. As I said before, Santa got the impression that I'd been good last year, so I received George Carlin's DVD set for Christmas. All of his HBO specials are in the set plus a couple of interview DVDs. I've been making my way through each one during my daily exercise routine. Yesterday's DVD was his HBO show soon after 9/11. Even my cynical angry Mr. Carlin was showing some of that non-partisan hope and pride that was so abundant in the weeks after the attacks. He said that if "Governor Bush" (yep, he used the words "Governor Bush") handled the terrorists well, he should consider running for President in Nov. 2004. Also, let "that Italian guy from Brooklyn" be in charge of terrorism policy - not a bunch of DC WASPs. BTW, Mr. Carlin's plan for rooting out OBL and his ilk in Afghanistan would have worked swimmingly with minimal loss of life; it involved NFL fans and flatulence.

Any way, my, my, my how things changed. And, because our government and the political climate in general have changed so horribly and so drastically, the process that's beginning in Iowa today is all the more vital and important. As Keith expressed more eloquently in one of his "Special Comments," no "traditional" enemy could've sqandered all of that good will. Only the person/people to whom that good will was granted could've thrown it all away so completely. The stakes are high, and by the time Indiana's primary rolls around IN MAY (too stinkin' late to make a difference barring a screw up of biblical proportions by the leading candidate), the proverbial deal will be done. So, not only to the people in Iowa today, but to voters in all states who are holding their primaries in the next few weeks, good luck, be informed about your vote, and [insert deity of your choice here] bless the United States of America.

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 10:17 AM)

I know you'll be up to your eyeballs in Iowa caucus coverage, Keith, but please promise to give some major smirk-time to the unfolding, rather sordid affair and divorce of 'family values'scion Scaife at your earliest convenience.  Many juicy details in Vanity Fair (you know Kenneth Starr read it all)

Marcia Kurtenacker, Madison, AL (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 10:19 AM)

For once, I thought the Iowa campaign was fascinating to follow. Very interesting. The candidates were all terrific in the last few weeks. It appeared there were huge crowds for Obama, Clinton & Edwards. I just hope that whoever ends up in third place this evening doesn't give up. I wouldn't want one caucus to derail anyone's chances in the future. I'd love to see Webb as a VP choice.

At long last we have a presidential election year. We have turned the corner on Bush, Cheney, Rove, Rumsfeld.....suddenly they all appear soooo old.

Time for an entirely new direction - and time to pass the torch, hopefully to a new generation.

Happy New Year everyone.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 10:19 AM)

Here’s another article that explains the mechanics of the Iowa caucus --

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/03/iowa.caucuses.101/index.html

On the democratic side, according the CNN poll conducted on Tuesday, Hillary Clinton is leading, with Barack Obama in second, within the margin of error, and John Edwards is third, well outside the margin of error.  

According the latest MSNBC poll, however, Obama was at 31 percent among likely Democratic caucus-goers, Edwards at 27 percent, and Clinton 24 percent.  “Obama and Edwards gained ground overnight in the tracking poll, and Clinton fell four points to third place — a finish that, if it held, would deal a dramatic setback to the one-time Democratic front-runner.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22485901/

You have to wonder how things can change so fast.  That’s why I plan to rely on my horoscope, instead.  I predict inconclusive results followed by a whole lot of talking about the meaning of it, or lack thereof, both tonight and for days to come.

Finally.  Real political wargames.  It’ll be better than another bowl game, for sure.

Anna Molly (loves real political wargames) (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 10:42 AM)

Well, it’s starting to look like Kenya is shaping up to be another Pakistan –

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/01/03/kenya.violence/index.html

“Kenya's opposition party has called off Thursday's banned public rally and urged its supporters to go home, but hopes to stage another one next week. Supporters and leaders of Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement had been blocked from getting to the rally in Nairobi's city center by government forces who used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowds.  "We are a peaceful people who do not want violence," William Ruto, a top official with presidential candidate Raila Odinga's party told The Associated Press …. Opposition leader Odinga called the meeting despite a government ban on such gatherings, having been forced to abandon his first attempt on Monday soon after the onset of the conflict. Despite this week's two failed gatherings, the ODM now hopes to hold one next Tuesday to protest the result of the elections, in which President Mwai Kibaki controversially retained power.”

Hey, who knows?  Maybe this time we’ll pay attention BEFORE someone gets shot.  On second thought … probably not.  

Here we go again.

Anna Molly (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 10:51 AM)

Off topic: David Letterman with a beard..No! Conan O'Brien with a beard..No! Letterman said he is going to have a barber go on the show and shave it off..I hope so. Robin Williams was funny making fun of Letterman. I know they maybe got bored while off because of the strike, but please guys don't grow hair on your face and scare us all.

Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 11:34 AM)

Isn't it great that in our great democracy, only people in about 10 states seem to have any say in who becomes president...gotta love it

Greg Diesel(Boston, MA) (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 11:47 AM)

Now this is interesting "Judicial Watch Announces List of Washington’s “Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians” for 2007"
http://www.judicialwatch.org/judicial-watch-announces-list-washington-s-ten-most-wanted-corrupt-politicians-2007

R. NorCal (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 11:50 AM)

Hi Keith,
You adorable goofball!!  I found last night's show refreshing and a pleasure to watch.  Ugh... with one exception... what's the deal with the #1 story?  Did you have 5 extra minutes to waste?  Who the heck cares about these three women anyway?  We have seen way too much of them because of their predictable and never ending crappy behavior.  Who really gives a s*@t?  If I want to see flapdoodle like that, I can tune into Access Hollywood or some other show like that.

Well Mr. KO, I can get over it!

Gracie, Henderson NV (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 12:09 PM)

Keith, you should know better and corrected Musto: Olvia de Haviland and Joan Fontaine were sisters.
Glad you are back loved the blue tie's return too.

A, CA (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 12:10 PM)

Anna Molly, Re your last post (before Christmas) on the Cuban ballet dancers that were seeking political asylum in the US: It's a good thing you dug a little deeper and found out they wanted to leave Cuba for personal, not political, reasons.  Seeking more opportunities to dance is certainly a personal motivation, and one which most of us can readily understand. The personal is NOT political....the personal is NOT political. I must remember this. PUD Laguna Niguel CA (Sent Wednesday, January 02, 2008 10:09 PM)


I haven’t been following the threads that closely, but I presume you’re referring to this story:
http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/otherwny/story/232360.html
In a previous life, I was a paralegal specializing in immigration law, and worked on a fair number of asylum cases, including defecting artists. I just want to comment that asylum IS POLITICAL; it is NOT granted for personal reasons. There is a whole heap of evidentiary standards applicants must make, and the authorities doing the enforcing are fairly draconian in their decision-making process. Don’t make judgments on what you read in the newspapers in cases like this—quite simply, reporters often don’t have any clue what the @#@#!@#!%%% they’re talking about here.

Just saying. I could elaborate on what I think about the heart-wrenchingly horrible situations, where people were denied because the situations were personal not political, but I would just get myself all stressed again – getting too old for that on a daily basis. That’s one of the reasons I made the job shift.

ek, mpls mn (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 12:40 PM)

Either this blog is dead or my ISP has stopped--

Groucho Marx (puter literate in the hereafter) (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 12:55 PM)

Hey JAM - how are you??? So nice to hear from you and so nice that you're thinking of us. Here's wishing you as well a healthy & happy 2008.

Sincerely,
Pat

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 1:39 PM)

Under the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966, Cubans who arrive in the United States do not have to show that the reasons for their defection are political; they are assumed to be fleeing persecution and are automatically granted refugee status.  So Cuban defectors don't need to make any claim of political persecution.

Alison Brennan, Sacramento, CA (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 1:40 PM)

Huckabee reminds me of Dan Quayle. Confused, confused. The poor man should read a newspaper, books, ask questions, have good people beside him telling him what is going on.

Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 1:45 AM)

I have to say that there is alot of candidates who are misspeaking recently (ie Hillary, Obama, etc).  I would chalk it up to election fatigue.  They have focused soooo much energy on Iowa, that alot of the candidates are losing their focus.  This happens alot as candidates barnstorm across states, with uneven access to reliable news.  My suggestion to candidates is to take a breath, and regain their focus on discussing the issues, at a slower pace.  

Kevin of NJ (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 1:40 PM)

JAM, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 7:38 AM) I happily pass the same thoughts and wishes to you!

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 1:44 PM)

I can't tell you how impressed I am with the campaign workers in Iowa. A majority of them are so young. They seem to be involved in this election process in big way. They are working their backsides off to get their candidate elected and it shows.

Great, great job. Good luck to you all.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 1:45 PM)

Jamie, Lago Patria, Italia (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 7:55 AM) I'm so glad to hear your brother's OK. I don't know if you've read anything from the previous thread, but 3400 Indiana National Guard troops had their "send off" ceremony at the RCA Dome yesterday. This deployment is the largest of fighting forces from Indiana since WWII. 90 out of 92 of Indiana's counties are represented by at least one soldier. I couldn't watch any coverage of the ceremony - way way too sad.

On a brighter note, should you find yourself visiting in laws back here in "the Circle City," I expect to be contacted for some honest-to-goodness Italian food!

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 1:49 PM)

JAM, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 8:09 AM) Thanks for making me feel guilty about complaining about the frozen pipes to my washing machine yesterday and not being able to do laundry. ;)

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Thursday, January 03, 2008 1:51 PM)



SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.): 

 Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private)

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=544908