Clinton WIns Easily

If history is anything to go by, Clinton wins this debate easily. Obama has been weakest at the debates. This is Clinton's to lose. She will either lose it by her double speak or by her losing her temper. Obama has to be incredible to beat Clinton!

Mitt Romney, Campaing Slogans , "Yes We Can"

I found it interesting that before the Iowa caucuses, Obama and to some extent John Edwards, stood alone on the change theme for their campaign message. When Sen. Obama and Gov. Huckabee won the Iowa caucuses, Mitt Romney and Hillary Clinton jumped on to the change bandwagon. The difference was even more stark with Romney, who seems to tool his message according to polls or election results.

You can therefore understand why, in his Nevada primary concession speech, Obama reclaimed one of his old campaign slogans(which he used to run he successful Illinois senate race): "Yes we can". I can't wait for Romney to grab on to this one!

A President Like My Father

The New York Times just posted up the story

Here are some quotes that struck me:

Most of us would prefer to base our voting decision on policy differences. However, the candidates’ goals are similar. They have all laid out detailed plans on everything from strengthening our middle class to investing in early childhood education. So qualities of leadership, character and judgment play a larger role than usual. ......

I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president — not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans.

Caroline Kennedy Endorses "A President Like My Father"

According to MSNBC, Caroline Kennedy, JFK's daughter is set to endorse Sen. Obama in an op-ed piece entitled, "A President Like My Father". Hmmm, with Obama's win in SC, and this endorsement, Super Tuesday suddenly got more interesting.

Are the Clintons and Obama Tearing Apart the Democratic Party?

Before the whole primary process began, Democrats boasted about the fact that they were spoilt for choice with 3 great leading candidates. Unfortunately they did not anticipate the animosity that would arise between the Clinton and Obama camps. Indeed many had said that a Clinton-Obama, Obama-Clinton(depending on who won the primary) ticket would prove unbeatable come November!

However the ongoing feud between the two makes me wonder if the Democratic candidate will even have a shot at the Republicans.

The Gloves Are Off

How will the media hype the Obama - Clinton rift?!!

Obama finds Himself in Romney's Sit

The South Carolina democratic debate reminded me of the Republican's New Hampshire debate when all candidates ganged up on Romney. Today, it was Obama's turn, which was expected since he is leading in all of the latest South Carolina primary. In all fairness, not all the fellow candidates hate Obama as was in Romney's case. But there is no doubt that there is a great deal of animosity between Obama and Clinton. This could end up tearing apart the Democratic party which suits the Republicans just fine!

Obama Needed This

Well, it is clear there is no love lost between Clinton and Obama. But Hillary may have actually done him a favor. She toughened him up. If Obama wins the nomination, he will face the Republican attack machine fully aware of the kind of attacks he should expect. This was a political hazing per excellence. Edwards and Clinton sent a barrage of criticisms Obama's way, but he barely managed to hold his own. I would be curious to see how he performs past the South Carolina primary. But Clinton once again established herself as the seasoned, experienced candidate who can give as good as she gets when it comes to attacks!

Democratic Nomination is Going to Come Down to Personalities Rather Than Issues

This is what it is going to come down to, going by the intense dislike between Obama and Clinton, do you like Clinton or Obama. But where does this hate stem from. Clinton's hate for Obama could be due to the fact that she had presumed to win this nomination handily. Yet here comes this upstart with absolutely no political experience, a neophyte who is challenging her for the presidency. For Obama, it has been some of the dirty tricks employed by the Clinton team as well as the legitimate criticisms on Obama's stances. As Clinton pointed out, Obama has a tough time taking responsibility for his positions. There is an element of, how dare you criticize my position with Obama. Frankly this is what turns me off from debates: the animosity!

There goes the Clinton-Obama Ticket

Clinton and Obama really hate each other, I cannot see them running together come November!

I cannot wait for Chris Matthews on This

Who will Chris Matthews declare as winner? Clinton perharps?!

Could this be the end of Obama's Challenge

One get's the feeling that Clinton is well on her way to the nomination. It is hard to see Obama rebounding from his performance. Clinton looks experienced and withstands attacks effectively. Obama get's flustered when attack and at times stumbles through his responses.

Obama Being Taken Through a Hazing

This has been by far, the toughest debate for Obama, Clinton and Edwards have in effect double-teamed him! On almost every question, Obama has been forced to defend himself.

Democratic Party Will Need Some Healing

Going by this heated exchange, looks like the DNC is going to need some major healing! Am I the only one here who thinks Obama is being pushed into the corner; he looks ready to blow up. I think this is a debate viewers will say exposed more of Obama's weaknesses. So far he has gotten testy when Clinton or Edwards attacks him, and even at times impatient. I am yet to see his trademark humor come up!

Edwards, Clinton Double Team Obama

One gets the feeling that is a turning point in the Democratic primary. This is has been a real debate and Obama is under intense microscope from both Edwards and Obama

Obama's Maverick Job Interview

After his latest perfomance at Rancho High School, once again, Obama reminds us of why he is such a likable character. During his final closing arguments for Nevada, he managed to rip into his opponents while managing to make fun of himself at the same time:

"Because I'm an ordinary person, I thought that they meant, 'What's your biggest weakness?'" Obama said to laughter from a packed house at Rancho High School. "If I had gone last I would have known what the game was. And then I could have said, 'Well, ya know, I like to help old ladies across the street. Sometimes they don't want to be helped. It's terrible.'"

Now, the "What is your biggest weakness?" question you always expect going to any job interview. So I guess, the MSNBC guys thought, why not try it for the most important job in the world?! Now I am sure Obama debated on whether to approach it like any interviewee does, i.e. spinning your strength into a weakness. But Obama chose to gamble on connecting with the audience by being - gasp - truthful!

Ever since he started the campaign, you get the impression that Obama has the maverick streak in his blood. Who can forget his answer on whether he would meet any of the "axis of evil" leaders with no preconditions. But it is that honesty and likability that is bringing comparisons to the likes of Ronald Reagan and JFK. You also get the impression that, unlike some of his opponents, that if he loses the election, it will not be the end of the world. Truly a refreshing politician!

Tom Cruise's Mission Impossible

The internet is on fire with a newly leaked video of Tom Cruise rambling about his personal crusade to save the world:



Exhibit A in the harmful effects of a cult. Watching this video, you cannot help but feel that you are watching a delusional man. For a moment there, I thought Cruise was about to jump up on the couch as he extolled the greatness of Scientology. But this got me thinking about how cults get to prey on the insecurities of troubled adherents.

Tom Cruise is obviously a troubled man. By his own admission, he was abused by his father and suffered constant bullying during his youth that left him forever scarred. By and large, this is the general makeup of a cult follower. A victim of physical or mental abuse, who suffers from low self-esteem. Predictably, the victim looks for something that can explain away the injustices of the world and some affirmation that his life is worth something. Why do we have a world where an adult can prey upon a child with no mercy? Why do we have such a huge chasm between the rich and the poor: where the motto "survival of the fittest" reigns? Yes, with cynicism, poverty, war, disease and injustice controlling the world, you can understand why Cruise views it as his mission to save the world through Scientology. But I am afraid not even he, who is referred to as the most powerful man in Hollywood, can achieve this impossible task!

Who is Daniel Day-Lewis?

Last Friday, I got a chance to watch a movie that has received rave reviews. Going in, I had never heard of the lead actors. So I was a bit hesitant. Well, it did not dissapoint. Right from the opening scene, you are sucked into a compelling story of Daniel Plainview played by Daniel Day-Lewis. The sweeping shots are breath-taking, the soundtrack matches the tension, conflict and high drama note for note. The sets are exquisitely designed, you feel like you are in a time-traveling machine chronicling the life of the protagonist. But for me, Day-Lewis' performance was the most striking aspect of the film. His greed for power, his troubled relationship with his son, and his tango with Eli Sunday, ably portrayed by Paul Dano, all bring out a masterful performance. And his delivery made you hang on his every word.

As I said at the outset, I knew none of the actors going in. But as I mentally gushed over Day-Lewis' performance, I kept asking myself, who is this guy? He must have won some kind of an award in the past. I left the movie feeling that he deserved to win this year's Oscar for best actor.

Well sure enough, after referring to my trusty old Wikipedia, I found out that Daniel Michael Blake Day-Lewis is not only an acclaimed actor, but also won an Academy Award for best actor in 1989, for his performance as Christy Brown in Jim Sheridan's My Left Foot. Two decades later, he seems set to win another.

As for the movie, I will hazard to say that it is one of the best movies of our era. It has high drama, great photography, a compelling story and great humor to boot. It is one of those movies that people will use as a benchmark for years to come. Some have said it is the "Citizen Kane" of our time. However, I was disappointed by the ending. It felt rather abrupt. The antagonist gave up way too easily! But if Daniel Day-Lewis does not win the Oscar this year, well, there will be blood!

The Humiliation of Chris Matthews, Las Vegas DNC Debate and Other Ramblings

I have been struck by Chris Matthew's humiliation after last week's New Hampshire elections who, as Hilllary Clinton herself put it, "is obssessed with me". Chris made a fatal mistake as journalist and political commentator, he took sides. Leading up to the elections, it was clear that Matthews had this unbridled hatred for Clinton. It came as no surprise that he rejoiced when a young upstart from Illinois called Barack Obama came on to the scene. He practically annointed Obama as a messiah not only of America, but of the world. He jumped on to the Obama bandwagon and started a relentless attack against the Clinton machine. On the eve of the New Hampshire primary, he was so giddy with excitement. He like all of the main stream media, were deceived by the polls into believing that Obama was headed for a comfortable victory. This culminated with his confrontation - correction - serenade with Hillary at a campaign event. Well as everyone knows, Hillary won the elections, to the amazement of Chris Matthews.



Which brings me to the post-debate roundtable from Las Vegas tonight on MSNBC. Chris was falling over himself trying to praise Hillary for her DOMINATING performance on the debate. Like a puppy with it's tail between its legs, Chris was scrambling to make up for his error in judgement. How do you restore your credibility as an INDEPENDENT UNBIASED journalist? Suck up to the very target of your previous attacks! We are now, as a result, blessed with an endlesss supply of priceless TV moments, as Chris squirms at any roundtable discussing Hillary and the New Hampshire primary. Ooooh Christooopher.....baaby!