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Boston Legal: Suing Dems Over Pledged Delegates

Anyone see Boston Legal tonight? It was very funny, with the firm suing the Democratic party over pledged delegates. They had a guy named "Wolf Blitzkrieg" from the "best political news team on television" who kept making a fool of himself. It's still on here, so I can't tell you what happens yet, but it's a very good ribbing of the Dems.

And yes, Hillary rocked on O'Reilly. She did a great job on health care and oil and taxes and she didn't give an inch to O'Reilly who seemed pleased as punch to have her on. He was very cordidal. He'll be airing part two of the interview tomorrow -- in it they discuss torture and Iraq.

If you'd rather discuss something else, that's fine, we'll make this another open thread.

< Weds. Night Open Thread | Insider Advantage Poll: Hillary Takes Lead in N.C. >
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  • Display: Sort:
    Really? Who would want to watch. . . (5.00 / 4) (#1)
    by LarryInNYC on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 10:30:00 PM EST
    a bunch of lawyers sitting around arguing about Democratic Presidential primary politics?

    Just kidding!

    I just finished watching (5.00 / 2) (#22)
    by echinopsia on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:37:05 AM EST
    (on TiVo) and came here to see if anyone noticed. TalkLeft does not let me down.

    Shirley Schmidt for Hillary - of course. Who else would such a smart woman favor?

    And her nephew was the perfect and prototypical annoying slogan-mouthing Obamabot. I loved the collective eye-rolling when he was on the stand.

    Parent

    when they did the Dean Scream (5.00 / 2) (#23)
    by Jeralyn on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:54:31 AM EST
    while he was on the witness stand and he mouthed the words along with Dean, I started laughing out loud.

    Parent
    What was it "Mitchie" said (none / 0) (#24)
    by echinopsia on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:56:13 AM EST
    about Dean after watching the video?

    I have to go back and look.

    Parent

    Ah yes (none / 0) (#25)
    by echinopsia on Thu May 01, 2008 at 01:02:33 AM EST
    "He is a beacon."

    Parent
    Hilarious....or (none / 0) (#27)
    by oldpro on Thu May 01, 2008 at 01:13:39 AM EST
    Hillaryus.

    Hmmm....is that a sign, do you think?

    Parent

    I think it's a sign. (none / 0) (#28)
    by oldpro on Thu May 01, 2008 at 01:14:27 AM EST
    And don't forget (none / 0) (#35)
    by magisterludi on Thu May 01, 2008 at 06:33:09 AM EST
    We're "snidey-butts" if we disagree.

    I'm sure the mocking of some young Obama supporters will not go unchallenged. David E Kelley really spanked 'em.

    Parent

    I loved the way (none / 0) (#39)
    by echinopsia on Thu May 01, 2008 at 08:18:08 AM EST
    the show poked fun at both sides PLUS Wolfie. But yes, I think it's a good sign.

    I'll bet Alan Shore is a closet Hillary supporter.

    And in two weeks, DennyCrane for president!

    Parent

    Comment of the night. (none / 0) (#2)
    by andgarden on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 10:31:03 PM EST
    I would! Boston Legal... (none / 0) (#15)
    by oldpro on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:25:12 PM EST
    my favorite TV show.

    Best writing, most hilarious characters (when oh when will Betty White return?), most timely issues in story lines and most unbelievable situations played with an absolutely straight face by a great cast of characters.

    A riot in the same way that "All in the Family" was.  Thoroughly charming and entertaining and funny as all git out.

    Denny Crane.

    heheheheheheh

    Parent

    Betty White is still alive? She must (none / 0) (#17)
    by MarkL on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:35:32 PM EST
    be my mom's age.. which is old!

    Parent
    LOL.. i just looked it up. She 2 months older (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by MarkL on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:36:10 PM EST
    than my mom.

    Parent
    You whippersnapper... (none / 0) (#26)
    by oldpro on Thu May 01, 2008 at 01:10:47 AM EST
    that's only 14 years older than I am...a little respect, please!

    (Don't make me call your mom!)

    Parent

    Jeralyn -- OT.. but,check out this Boehlert column (5.00 / 3) (#3)
    by Exeter on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 10:31:45 PM EST
    It's awesome!  Finally somebody writes about the ridiculous (and sexist) hounding of Hillary to "just quit"
    LINK

    JINX! Media literally creates new category for HRC (5.00 / 2) (#14)
    by Ellie on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:15:25 PM EST
    That Boehlert article was fascinating. In an unprecedented overstepping of their role, media have inexplicably taken it upon themselves to tell a candidate for office to quit.

    That arrogance has been appalling been to witness (combined with the lack of self-awareness and peer restraint one would expect, eg, the equivalent of having a sober, designated voice take away the keys, or a pal deliver a Moonstruck "Snap out of it!" slap.)

    It's even more surreal to see the "campaign" laid out.

    Parent

    So I saw the repeat to the O'Reilly interview (5.00 / 3) (#10)
    by kayla on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 10:48:15 PM EST
    a few minutes ago and is it just me, or is O'Reilly a better debator than Obama?

    Ouch n/t (none / 0) (#19)
    by MO Blue on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:39:29 PM EST
    wait a minute .... (5.00 / 3) (#11)
    by Klio on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 10:52:44 PM EST
    So, how was dinner?  Did you tear up during your toast?  [I know you toasted the newest defense lawyer in town!]

    My guy is 18 days away from the end of elementary school.  My memory of that first day of kindergarten is so vivid.  Here's to them all; may they prosper.

    dinner was great (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by Jeralyn on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:09:09 PM EST
    No tears, just lots of hugs and yes, a few toasts.

    I think I might tear up when he has his first court appearance in two weeks -- I wouldn't miss it for the world.

    Parent

    Now THAT is cute (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by andgarden on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:33:40 PM EST
    Congrats J.

    Parent
    Titlting at Waffles (5.00 / 4) (#20)
    by boredmpa on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:55:35 PM EST
    Soundbites and rhetoric can be wonderful nuggets of truthiness.

    From Gail Collins in the times:
    "We're down to a race between the candidate who claims he will make the political process better but has yet to demonstrate exactly how that works, and the woman who claims she's the only one who's powerful enough to take on the Republican forces of darkness. Don Quixote vs. Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

    If Don Quixote were more well known in popular culture, we'd probably already have a tilting at waffles meme going on.

    In case it isn't obvious, I vote Buffy.  

    gah (none / 0) (#21)
    by boredmpa on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 11:57:01 PM EST
    that should be Tilting not titlting. ruined my post. /fail

    Parent
    Don't let perfect (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by oldpro on Thu May 01, 2008 at 01:19:39 AM EST
    be the enemy of good.

    Relax.

    Parent

    Is this an open thread (none / 0) (#4)
    by magster on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 10:32:26 PM EST
    If so, this depressing news should lighten the night of most TalkLefters.

    Sure, lets make it one (none / 0) (#5)
    by Jeralyn on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 10:35:20 PM EST
    I'll add that to the post itself.

    Parent
    You might want to note (none / 0) (#9)
    by andgarden on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 10:43:47 PM EST
    that Obama isn't even winning 70% of the AA vote, which is only supposed to make up some 20% of the overall electorate.

    I consider the poll to not be credible.

    Parent

    yeah... they allude to that (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by Exeter on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 10:59:04 PM EST
    Our polling generally does not indicate the eventual compression of black voters that Obama usually enjoys just before Election Day. If that happens, my guess is that he will pull this out. However, this poll is clearly an indication of reaction to the latest statements by his former pastor; and it forces Sen. Obama to split resources between Indiana and North Carolina.


    But also says this:

    "If this white vote shift does not erode, given that North Carolina's white Democratic voters are primarily in the Research Triangle, where education and personal finances are in the top tier for the nation, then I would say this suggests a major shift in all future primaries towards Clinton," said Towery.


    Parent
    And check out this piece.... (none / 0) (#6)
    by PssttCmere08 on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 10:37:09 PM EST
    http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080501/pl_nm/usa_politics_pool_dc_

    And thanks for that other link, I can go to be happy!

    Parent

    messed up....sorry (none / 0) (#7)
    by PssttCmere08 on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 10:37:45 PM EST
    Guess I Am Too Happy...3rd X The Charm (5.00 / 2) (#8)
    by PssttCmere08 on Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 10:41:54 PM EST
    Obama hurt by furor over ex pastor polls By JoAnne Allen
    1 hour, 36 minutes ago

    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's loss in the Pennsylvania primary and the political firestorm over his former pastor have cut into his lead over rival Hillary Clinton among Democratic voters, according to polls released on Wednesday.

    According to a New York Times/CBS News poll, 51 percent of Democratic voters now say they expect Obama to win their party's nomination. That's an 18 point-slide from a month ago when 69 percent said they expected Obama to take on Republican John McCain in the November presidential election.

    The latest survey found that 48 percent of Democrats believe Obama, an Illinois senator, has a better chance of beating McCain than Clinton, a New York senator, versus 56 percent a month ago.

    The poll was conducted Friday through Tuesday, before Obama strongly denounced his former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, for making racially charged comments that roiled the Illinois senator's presidential campaign.

    Obama's campaign was engulfed by the Wright controversy after a nearly 10-point loss to Clinton in the Pennsylvania primary early this month.

    The Times/CBS poll also found that Democrats see no early end to the Obama-Clinton battle. About 70 percent of Democratic voters predict that their party's nominee will not be decided before the convention, the newspaper said.

    A majority of Democrats also said the protracted primary race will eventually hurt the Democratic Party's chances against McCain, the Republican senator from Arizona, in the general election.

    The nationwide telephone poll was conducted with 1,065 adults and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points over all, and plus or minus 5 percentage points among Democrats alone.

    A new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found that some voters feel McCain better reflects their values than the Democratic candidates.

    Fifty-four percent of respondents said that they identify with McCain's background and his set of values, compared with 35 percent who didn't feel that connection.

    In the survey, 45 percent said they identify with Obama's values, down 5 points from last month when 50 percent of voters said they identified with his background and values, versus 39 percent who did not.

    The decline seems to suggest that the cover over his former pastor his comment about "bitter" small-town America clinging to guns and religion have had a negative impact, NBC said.

    On the background/values question, Obama's score fell among small-town/rural voters from 46 percent support to 31 percent. Among elderly voters, Obama dropped from 52 percent identifying with his values to 36 percent.

    The poll of 1,006 registered voters was conducted from Friday through Monday and has an overall margin of error of plus-minus 3.1 percentage points.

    Parent

    Yes, but Michelle wants to move on.. (none / 0) (#41)
    by FlaDemFem on Thu May 01, 2008 at 08:31:10 AM EST
    Really. It is now time to move past the Wright issue she says. Oh, and she is proud of Barack for the way he handled it. Makes me wonder what Barack she has been watching. Oh yes, so proud her husband threw her pastor and church under the bus after using them for political gain!!
    "That wasn't the speech of a political opportunist," Michelle Obama said of her husband's widely praised speech on race relations, made when Wright's controversial sermons first came to light. "Barack has been trying to bridge gaps all his life."

    She said it's time for the campaign to move forward from the controversy and return the focus to issues like the economy and health care.

    And this quote is very telling..note who it is that has the need..

    And, yes, absolutely I think he's the person that needs to lead this country."
    Not the country needs him, which I don't agree with, but that HE NEEDS to lead. I know it's a little thing, but sometimes the little things are telling. They don't call them Freudian slips for nothing, you know!

    Parent
    Big Shift Coming (none / 0) (#30)
    by JavaCityPal on Thu May 01, 2008 at 01:24:04 AM EST
    I can feel it...she's going to win NC and Indiana!!  She still has some 5 good campaigning days left.

    Makes my heart flutter remembering when Obama said he thought Hillary should stay in the race for as long as she likes.  Not "I haven't won this thing, either, folks".

    Parent

    NC Lead (none / 0) (#37)
    by STLDeb on Thu May 01, 2008 at 08:04:19 AM EST
    Wow.  Barack Obama had an OVERWHELMING lead just like a week ago.  

    This Hillary offense (like football -- being on the offense instead of defense - I love football LOL) is working out great for her.

    Hillary was very charming in her part 1 interview with O'Reilly last night.  Loved the banter between her & Bill.  Let's see how she does in part 2.  

    Parent

    Ready to Throw Digby Under the Bus? (none / 0) (#31)
    by Dan the Man on Thu May 01, 2008 at 03:03:21 AM EST
    Via Corrente. As we all know, the Blogger Boiz have recently been complaining about Women's Voices Women's Vote attempt to reach out to women voters and register them with the claim WVWV was suppressing votes, suppressing minority, it was illegal, etc.  Of course these claims were false.  They weren't supressing votes - they raised the number of registered voters.  They weren't targeting minorites, they were targeting women - and successfully registering them.  And it wasn't illegal - the Virginia state police investigated them and they were cleared of any illegality.  I will ignore the argument that the organization was a front for the CLINTONS.

    It turns out blogger notable Digby was also part of the WVWV's voting registration (or as the Boiz would say, "suppression") efforts.  So are they now going to go after Digby for her part in the "suppression" scheme?  I predict they will.  Look at the comments to her post - we can already see the talking points that are being used against her.  I think it's safe to say no one is safe from the Boiz when they're on the warpath.

    As Lord Atrios puts it very clearly:
    Women's Voices
    Uh...this is pretty bad.

    Yep.  It's pretty bad to hear women's voices, right?

    The issue is that they are (none / 0) (#32)
    by JoeA on Thu May 01, 2008 at 03:50:30 AM EST
    calling and targetting Black women, AFTER their states primary registration deadlines have passed, and implying that they will not be able to vote in the upcoming election (i.e. Primary).  they are also breaking the law by not disclosing the source of the call.

    Sounds like an attempt at voter suppression to me.

    Parent

    You need to read OpenLeft (5.00 / 2) (#45)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Thu May 01, 2008 at 09:24:11 AM EST
    Mike Lux (an Obama supporter) who is also a board member of the organization in question here.  

    Link

    In addition, via Stoller, WVWV offered very good reasons why they were targeting voters after the primary deadline had passed.  Statistically, it's one of the best times to motivate people to register (probably because people have remorse that they didn't register for the primary?)

    Link

    Anyway, it can only be construed as an evil nefarious plot if you wish it were one so you can damage Hillary.

    Parent

    I should clarify that this would be a fringe (none / 0) (#33)
    by JoeA on Thu May 01, 2008 at 04:02:01 AM EST
    "benefit" to registering these people for the G.E.  The way the calls are setup, scripted, and timed does seem very suspicious in that they "seem" designed to suppress the primary vote of a pro Obama demographic.  Whether that it the intention I don't know.

    Obviously Digby has zero involvement with these WWVW apart from being asked to participate in an ad.

    Parent

    The WWVW is targeting (none / 0) (#38)
    by ding7777 on Thu May 01, 2008 at 08:08:06 AM EST
    unmarried women.  

    Does NC have a large portion of unmarried black women who were classified as not registered to vote but who subsequently did register for the primary? Probably.

    The other side of the "suppress the primary vote " is that some of these unregistered women who returned the GE registration will believe they can vote in the primary, go to the polls and be turned away.

    WWVW should have waited until after the primary itself to start the registration drive instead of just waiting until after the primary registration deadline to avoid confusion.

    Parent

    They should have waited?? (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by wasabi on Thu May 01, 2008 at 09:07:20 AM EST
    They have been sending their mailers to North Carolina for months now.  The deputy director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections praised the organization in early March for the number of new voters registered by their mailers.  

    Folks, it's not like they just arrived in the North Carolina area in the past week.  Yes, there is some confusion created by continuing the mailings when folks can still register during the early voting period.  The same day registration during early voting is a new law enacted in 2007.  I do not believe there is any malice given the facts.

    Parent

    Yes, they (none / 0) (#51)
    by ding7777 on Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:33:30 PM EST
    should have waited until after the primary to register voters for the general because

    A) there would not any confusion about which election they are registering voters for and

    B) their pre-primary data base would need to be updated to reflect the newly registered from the primary

    Parent

    Doesn't NC have one stop voting? (none / 0) (#49)
    by nycstray on Thu May 01, 2008 at 10:11:22 AM EST
    same day registration?

    Parent
    I looked at the comments at (none / 0) (#36)
    by Fabian on Thu May 01, 2008 at 07:39:35 AM EST
    Hullabaloo.  Nothing like unmoderated comments to get the talking point drones out in a frenzied swarm.  [shudder]  I think I'll stick to hanging out with the adults.

    Parent
    First time I've watched Boston Legal (none / 0) (#34)
    by Edgar08 on Thu May 01, 2008 at 04:12:05 AM EST
    And they can credit this site for increased viewership even if it only amounts to one wretched soul.

    Funny show.  I think it's farcical, and just based on this one episode, what it foregoes in terms of dramatic credibility it gains more in relevance.

    Put it this way.  Anyone here think The Daily Show is going to have a more insightful discussion of Democracy as we witnessed this evening?

    I don't think so.  This Boston Legal episode was a shot across the bow of the entire Daily Show demographic.

    And I approve.  Those people need to know how silly they look sometimes.

    Problem is, it's farcical.  It's a little too glib.

    I will keep watching it though, no doubt.

    The other thing I have to say is James Spader, who was a personal hero of mine in the movie "White Palace" just looks awful.

    Just a transient observation.

    Hit the gym dude.  You're not old (YET!!) like William.  Have some self-respect.

    Should have seen last week's show (none / 0) (#40)
    by echinopsia on Thu May 01, 2008 at 08:23:28 AM EST
    They skewered the Supreme Court. Deeelicious.

    Parent
    Check this out..... (none / 0) (#42)
    by kdog on Thu May 01, 2008 at 08:55:56 AM EST
    Saw this on Fark.com this morning, woman escapes from Michigan prison 34 years ago after serving a year of a 20 year drug rap.  Goes on to marry and raise 3 kids....till the man comes a knockin'.

    Drug war strikes again...another family washed down the tubes.  

    Hillary (none / 0) (#44)
    by AnninCA on Thu May 01, 2008 at 09:09:00 AM EST
    was super with O'Reilly.  Perfect pitch.

    Anti-Semitism (none / 0) (#46)
    by daryl herbert on Thu May 01, 2008 at 09:37:01 AM EST
    Wolf Blitzkrieg?

    Hey, I know, let's name a Jew after the Nazis!  Gosh that's funny.

    Next show: a black pol named "James Crossburn" (Clyburn) claims that Sen. Clinton knows she can't win, and is only staying in the race to hurt Obama.

    Blitzkrieg.... (none / 0) (#48)
    by kdog on Thu May 01, 2008 at 10:04:08 AM EST
    is also a basic starting stategy in chess.  Or a common American football term in its abbreviated form, blitz.

    I did some googling and there is controversy as to the origin of the term.

    But don't let me interrupt your anti-semitism party.

    Parent

    Blitzkrieg (none / 0) (#50)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Thu May 01, 2008 at 11:00:24 AM EST
    wasn't actually a name for the Nazi's.  It was a name for their war technique.

    I guess they could have called him "Wolf Shock and Awe".  It's the term we use now for pretty much the same technique.

    Parent

    Florida and Michigan (none / 0) (#47)
    by Step Beyond on Thu May 01, 2008 at 09:41:06 AM EST
    According to CQ Politics, Kucinich has a plan to seat the delegates from Florida and Michigan based off of a poll or rather 3 polls. I seriously doubt that the people who keep proposing "solutions" understand what disenfranchise means. Because it sure as hell doesn't enfranchise me to ignore my vote and use a poll or mathematical formula instead.

    The plan would base the distribution of delegates on polling conducted by three firms, one selected by each campaign and a third chosen by the other two companies. Delegates would be apportioned based on the composite findings of the three polls. None of the firms could have previously been employed by either campaign.

    "The Democratic Party faces the intolerable prospect of disenfranchising Florida and Michigan's voters from choosing our presidential nominee in this closely contested primary election," Kucinich, who represents a Cleveland-based district, wrote to his colleagues in a letter dated April 24. "This makes finding a remedy a political requirement and a democratic necessity."