The Last Election Thread

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by VJ

uhhhh

if we make the theoretical hypothesis that all states move 4%, then a randomly picked invididual state does indeed move 4%. is this what you are disputing? if not, what is?

You said "outperform his polling data nationwide", which to me reads as "outperform the national polling data". If you meant "outperform his polling data in each state by 4%" then fine (though I might note that this is fairly unlikely for the reasons that I stated).

[Kirnwaffen]

Sex Toys for Votes...

So, out of curiosity, how do we think this will effect voter turnout?

Just when you thought it was safe to focus on the issues in this historic election season, a chain of sex toy shops has joined retailers, restaurateurs and other businesses across the nation in the time-honored tradition of rewarding Americans who go to the polls.

Babeland, with stores in New York, Los Angeles and Seattle, is offering a pair of self-gratifying incentives for voters who present their registration cards, ballot stubs or “word of honor” that they voted next Tuesday.

The rewards are no-so-subtle reminders of this year’s campaign rhetoric. For men, it’s the “Maverick,” a "sleeve" for self-pleasuring. According to a press release, “He’s always there to lend a hand, he works for every man, and he bucks the status quo.” Women can choose the “Silver Bullet” mini-vibrator, which is “a magical solution to difficult problems” and “a great stress-reliever during these troubled economic times!” The promotion lasts through Nov. 11.

Babeland spokeswoman Pamela Doan told msnbc.com in an interview that the promotion is a first for the company, which she describes as “a sex-positive, women-friendly retailer for sex toys and accessories.”

Although the company is relying on press releases and bloggers to get the word out, “We’re expecting a good response,” Doan said. “Both of these toys are very popular. The Maverick retails for $20 and the Silver Bullet retails for $15. It’s a good reward.”

'Sex crosses party lines'
As to whether Babeland expects voters who take them up on the offer to lean one way or the other politically, Doan said, “Sex crosses party lines. … We’ve tried to make this into a nonpartisan reward because we welcome everyone. That’s our philosophy and our mission. We didn’t want to reward only Obama supporters. We have a lot of Republicans who shop at Babeland too.”

If the sex toys don’t float your vote, there are plenty of other less racy rewards to choose from in the afterglow of casting your ballot.

How about a free cup of Joe? Starbucks stores across the nation and Eat’n Park outlets in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia are among many U.S. restaurants offering complimentary coffee to anyone who presents a ballot stub or “I Voted” sticker.

Voters can get a beer on the house at Todd Conner’s pub in Baltimore’s historic Fells Point neighborhood.

Those with a sweet tooth can stop by participating Krispy Kreme or Ben & Jerry’s locations to receive special treats. Krispy Kreme will be handing out star-shaped doughnuts with red, white, and blue sprinkles, one each, to voters, while Ben & Jerry’s is serving up free scoops of ice cream to everyone who shows up on Election Day between 5 and 8 p.m., whether they voted or not.

Crazy candidate merchandise
Online entrepreneurs cash in on the heated election with candidate-related toys, finger puppets, comic books — and even condoms.

But just as voters should weigh carefully the seemingly endless promises of politicians as they make their decisions at the ballot box, they should also read the fine print on Election Day rewards.

Take the offer extended to voters by Zov’s, a three-cafe chain in Southern California. “Show us your ‘I Voted’ sticker and enjoy a free slice of Zov’s All-American Apple Pie,” it says on its Web site.

To borrow from a past president, that all depends on what the definition of “free” is.

To score the pie, you must not only prove you voted, but also “buy any menu item, or order Zov’s family take-out dinner for 2 or 4.”

[Velociryx]

Sex and politics.

-=Vel=-

[Boris Godunov]

What's the first election anyone remembers?

I remember 1984, when I was 8 years old. My family lived in a suburb of Memphis, TN and my brother and I, along with all our friends, were ardently rooting for Ronald Reagan. He was the President--the only one we had ever known at that point--and we were on the bandwagon in a Southern state.

On election day, my brother and I got home from school before my parents and were watching the election news on TV. My parents finally came in the door, fresh from voting. We excitedly asked them who they voted for, since they hadn't talked about it with us before. They both said, "Mondale."

We were crushed. Humiliated. How could we tell our friends? Why would our parents vote for that other guy, the one who isn't President already?

My folks laughed, and my mom said something to the effect of "Oh, you don't have to worry, really."

[Deity Dude]

Originally posted by Lancer
Almost as soon as he became known the left had 'revealed' that he wasn't a plumber and his name is not Joe! Shocking!

I guess Grover Cleveland isn't really Grover Cleveland because his real first name was Stephen. And Woodrow Wilson's first name was Thomas.

Why isn't he a plumber? Because he doesn't have a license. If you make your living plumbing I think it is fair to say your are a plumber even though you don't have a state certification. Afterall think of all the Accountants that aren't CPA's.

[Boris Godunov]

He doesn't make his living plumbing, he's unemployed and broke.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Tucker Carlson with an interesting article on how Romney has set up the ground work for a run in 2012:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2008-11-03/romneys-game-plan/

Seems like he thinks that right now it's going to be Romney vs. Palin as the big matchup in the primaries. But there is always someone you don't expect.

[Sirotnikov]

[Deity Dude]

oops d/p

[-Jrabbit]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov
What's the first election anyone remembers?

Vaguely remember Kennedy in'60. I was just turning 7, but it was a big deal in my house, since we were Catholic and it was largely believed that America "wasn't ready for" a Catholic President, who (it was said) would be beholden to the Pope.

The first race I remember being really interested in was LBJ/Goldwater in '64. I hated Goldwater, mostly because he seemed so ready to use nukes.

[Deity Dude]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov
He doesn't make his living plumbing, he's unemployed and broke.

From wikipedia:

Wurzelbacher (Joe the Plumber) does not currently hold a plumbing license because he works for a plumbing corporation, which holds responsibility for licensing issues. A. W. Newell holds licenses with the State of Ohio and City of Toledo,[4][12] yet none for Lucas County. According to Ohio building regulations, Wurzelbacher must maintain his own license to do independent plumbing work,[4] but is not necessary if he works for a plumbing corporation.

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by -Jrabbit

Vaguely remember Kennedy in'60. I was just turning 7, but it was a big deal in my house, since we were Catholic and it was largely believed that America "wasn't ready for" a Catholic President, who (it was said) would be beholden to the Pope.

The first race I remember being really interested in was LBJ/Goldwater in '64. I hated Goldwater, mostly because he seemed so ready to use nukes.

I too remember Kennedy/Nixon.
And the race I first became interested in was also '64, but I loved Goldwater.

[Deity Dude]

The first I remember was Nixon/Humphrey/Wallace in 1968. That was the last time a 3rd party candidate got electoral votes. I remember being a little kid thinking 3rd parties were normal.

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Deity Dude


From wikipedia:

Wurzelbacher (Joe the Plumber) does not currently hold a plumbing license because he works for a plumbing corporation, which holds responsibility for licensing issues. A. W. Newell holds licenses with the State of Ohio and City of Toledo,[4][12] yet none for Lucas County. According to Ohio building regulations, Wurzelbacher must maintain his own license to do independent plumbing work,[4] but is not necessary if he works for a plumbing corporation.

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/11/03/joe-plumber-plans-life-election/

Joe the Plumber is short on cash and unemployed but that's not stopping him from opening a new charitable foundation and penning a book on American values.

"I got no financial offers. I am broke," Joe Wurzelbacher said Monday, explaining that he's got a few ideas on how to spread the wealth to himself and others following bogus reports of a professional management deal and potential country music career.

[Arrian]

I think that there is far too much concern in the US that a lack of aggressive tone means a lack of will.

Spot on.

I want our President to have a calm, cool, collected response to... well, pretty much everything. Instead of having a knee jerk response that results in a stupid decision (or possibly a correct decision implemented stupidly).

My worries about Obama (yes, I do have some), Don, are domestic. I think he will be fine (as US Presidents go) on foreign policy. As for Powell, He said that Powell would have "a role in his Administration" (IIRC) which is a pretty fuzzy thing. He may be offered some position, or he may simply be consulted from time to time. Powell's endorsement was good, though.

...

The first election I remember well was the 1992 Clinton/Perot/Bush election. I was too young to vote. First vote was in '96. I Voted Libertarian. While I look back at the Clinton years pretty fondly, on a personal level I cannot stand the smarmy some*****, and I think that had a real impact on my vote in '96.

-Arrian