Political Nanny : John McCain

Political Nanny is Moving Out ... But Not Away

Madeline Holler — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:18:00 GMT

Political Nanny has packed up the candidates' clothes, toys and night-night blankets, loaded the moving van with their position papers, teleprompters and weighty political baggage, and sent change of address notices to their aides, managers, proxies and the press pool. In other words: Political Nanny has moved!

The good news is, she hasn't gone far. Just up and over to Strollerderby, where she'll still be keeping an eye on the last three candidates in her charge and everybody else around them. Political Nanny will still be there to give out cookies, put rule-breakers in the Naughty Chair and bulk up the babes with a little formula supplement on the issues.

The new digs won't change a thing! Political Nanny is still the one who stays awake to answer the phone at 3 a.m., she's fired up and ready to go, she wants change, too. It's too soon for nanny withdrawal, this surge into Strollerderby will work -- it's already working, my friends. She's staying in this race until November! Yes she can!

So reconfigure your RSS feeds and meet her upstairs at Strollerderby. See you there!

And a sidenote to all those who wrote her with concerns: smooch! Now wipe the lipstick off your cheek and go play.

Photo: sandiegohomeblog.com

Clinton and Obama Long Lost Cousins of the Jolie-Pitts

Madeline Holler — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 23:36:00 GMT

Just one big happy family, right? It turns out, Hillary Clinton is related to Angelina Jolie. And Barack Obama is Brad Pitt's distant cousin. Could this be why we're reading about fights between America's favorite global-adoption couple? (The Jolie-Pitts, not the Democratic candidates!)

Researchers at the New England Geneological Society hunted down family connections for all three of the presidential candidates. Let's see who else is in the family.

Clinton, who is French-Canadian on her mother's side, is also related to Madonna (score!), Celine Dion (oh.), and Alanis Morissette (huh. Ironic.) She also gets Jack Kerouac and Camilla Parker-Bowles.

Obama is related to at least six American presidents, including (ahem!) George W. Bush (gonna use that Hillary?). Also, George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford, Lyndon Johnson, Harry S. Truman and James Madison. Other Obama cousins include Vice President Dick Cheney, British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill and Civil War General Robert E. Lee.

John McCain is related to Laura Bush (booooring!). Researchers have a hard time filling out the family tree of McCain, but Political Nanny thinks it could shed some light on the whole nasty teeth thing.

On the Pitt and Jolie lineage, from the AP:

Pitt and Obama are ninth cousins, linked by Edwin Hickman, who died in Virginia in 1769. Ben LaBolt, a spokesman for the Obama campaign, declined to comment on the senator's ancestry.

Clinton and Jolie are ninth cousins, twice removed, both related to Jean Cusson who died in St. Sulpice, Quebec, in 1718.

The 1700s? Well, Political Nanny is probably related to all of them too!

Ugly Teeth on the Campaign Trail

Madeline Holler — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:13:00 GMT

The votes are in. Dentists are not impressed with the Republican nominee's smile.

A recent poll of 400 dentists found John McCain's smile the worst of all the candidates. Only six percent found McCain's smile the best of the lot (Mitt Romney got 45 percent of the vote.) Barack and the other John (Edwards) were nearly tied at 38 and 36 percent.

Mike Huckabee got 10 percent of the vote. While Political Nanny discourages her candidates from competing in the superficial, she can't help but feel that when your smile is judged worse than Mike Huckabee's, it's time to make an appointment with a Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist.

In fact, John McCain's yellowed, aging teeth are attracting attention (and comments) for what they are not: whitened, straight, youthful, lovely.

Alas, some kids, no matter how much their caregivers encourage brushing after meals and regular flossing, develop cavities and a surface patina. Still, we clearly have more work to do at the sink. John, sit please. Political Nanny's getting out a chisel and the Crest Whitestrips.

Thanks Buzzfeed for the tip!

Equality Now! McCain Gets a Music Video

Madeline Holler — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:05:00 GMT

Justice! Political Nanny has finally uncovered a music video for precious Johnny. Sure, he's a little uptight, but Obama shouldn't be the only one with a campaign set to catchy tunes.

Hallelujah, indeed! It's raining McCain.

Barack's Big Boy Speech

Madeline Holler — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:12:00 GMT

Barack should thank his controversial preacher.

The fiery sermons of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, which were widely played and criticized this past week, set the very stage in Philadelphia today for Obama to make this very important, very moving, very intelligent speech, "A More Perfect Union." Race is officially out on the table.

By now we all know Obama is a fabulous speaker, but this is the first time Political Nanny has heard him speak like the big boy he's getting to be. For emotional family background highlights, skip ahead to minutes 3:20. Around minute 6:00, he gets to his pastor. Minute 10:00, he's describing the church. And by 13:11, we get how Obama can reconcile the contradictions he says the Rev. Wright embodies. Obama has lived with and been loved by the embodiment of these contradictions his whole life.

"I can no more disown him than I can disown my white grandmother ... a woman who sacrificed again and again for me ... a woman who loves me as much as she loves anything in this world, but a woman who once confessed her fear of black men who passed by in the street. A woman who on more than one occasion uttered racial or ethnic stereotypes that made me cringe. These people are part of me and they are part of America, this country that I love."

He argues Wright was wrong. But that doesn't mean America has put the issues of race behind it. Obama shows he understands what's behind the Rev. Wright's words, and also that he has a deep understanding of the white/sanctimonious America's reaction to it. Neither are off the hook; he lists the consequences of both. Obama relates Wright's anger to the anger of lower and middle class Americans (including whites), who have been called on exclusively to sacrifice for all the injustice without their problems also being heard. He calls out the media for how it as exploited all of it.

The final four minutes tie up his message of unity in a pretty bow -- a demonstration of how we're all in it together, we've all got the same goals. Those goals don't include mustard and relish sandwiches. No, not in America, not for anybody.

Political speeches, especially 30+-minute ones, are often something only a political nanny could love. But not this time. This speech is brilliant -- universally brilliant.

And if you're going to accuse Political Nanny of playing favorites, please note: Charles Murray (yes, the very conservative "some folks are genetically inferior" The Bell Curve guy), thinks it's brilliant too.

What did you think? Does Obama get it? Do McCain or Clinton have enough credibility to deal with race issues? Do you think they get it?

Video: Obama08/YouTube

St. Paddy's Day Formula: How Green is Your Candidate?

Madeline Holler — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 11:37:00 GMT

On St. Patrick's Day, everybody's Irish, right? That includes the candidates, two-thirds of whom have traceable Irish roots. (The other married Bill Clinton, who descends from the Irish, too.) But as Political Nanny likes to tell her charges, it doesn't matter where you came from as much as where you plan to take the rest of us. So on this day of shamrocks and parades and beer tinged with food-coloring, let's see which candidate's platform is the greenest of all.

The Grist distilled candidates' positions into a handy table. In summary:

As with most issues, it's difficult to differentiate the Democrats. They both would make polluters pay for the right to pollute, and aim to get nationwide carbon emissions down to 1990 levels by 2050. They both want to raise fuel emission standards to 35 mpg by 2020. They both have multi-billion dollar plans for investment in renewable energy -- Obama aiming to get 30 percent of the federal government's energy from renewable sources within the next two decades. The Dems both want to require 60 billion gallons of biofuels produced by 2030. Neither loves nuclear energy, considering the water and storage problems. But Obama said it should be a part of the energy mix. Clinton doesn't want it emphasized as an option until those problems are addressed.

On coal they differ a bit. They both support clean coal, but Obama says he'll keep new dirty coal facilities from being built. He had some making up to do to environmentalists when, a few years ago, he sang the praises of liquified coal, which he now supports only with the above-described qualifications. Greenies also cast a suspicious eye on Obama, fearing his reach across the aisle could mean watering down tough but necessary environmental action.

Like the Dems, McCain also supports selling off pollution rights, but calls for much less aggressive reduction in carbon emissions around the country. He supports better fuel efficiency for cars, but hasn't laid out a specfic number like the Dems. He did introduce legislation in the Senate that would require all cars to get 36 mpg by 2016. McCain has no specific targets on renewable energy. He likes biofuels but opposes subsidies for ethanol. He's fine with coal but wants to find cleaner ways to use it -- no mandates or plans, though. He supports nuclear energy and has submitted bills which contain significant support for the nuclear energy industry. Back when other Republicans were putting quote marks around global warming, McCain was calling for action.

Now, campaigning has got to be one of the most unenviromentally friendly endeavors around. All those plane trips, all those buses, disposable everything -- not just for the candidates but for their entire entourage (and the press!). Clinton's campaign purchased carbon offsets, among other "green" strategies. Neither of the other two candidates mentions greening their campaigns. But environmentalism starts at home, and here's what they've done:

Clinton says: we have switched not only lamps to compact fluorescent light bulbs, but also downlights, track lights, and vanity lights. We've installed motion-sensor light switches so lights automatically turn off when there is no one moving in the room, and switched to buying our power from ConEdison's green power program. We're also reducing our demand for energy by replacing windows and doors to keep more heat and cold in. This has taken our total [kilowatt-hour consumption per year] from about 14,000 to about 4,300. We're currently working with the Rocky Mountain Institute to determine how we can best incorporate solar energy into our home.

Obama says: We just bought a Ford Escape, so I traded in a non-hybrid for a hybrid. We are in the process of replacing our light bulbs in our house and trying to limit the use of our air conditioning, trying to make sure that we unplug and turn off all of our appliances when we're not using them. It's a fun project to work on with my 9-year-old and my 6-year-old.

McCain says: We just moved from a very large house with swimming pool and grounds into a condominium, so we made a dramatic change. My daughter has a Prius. And we have a place up north where we have solar panels in some of the buildings. But we haven't done enough, and we intend to do more.

Formula Supplement: Which Candidates are in a Family(-Friendly) Way?

Madeline Holler — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:37:00 GMT

In an effort to keep the campaign's thighs cute and chubby, Political Nanny is stirring some more substance into the election formula.

Today's supplement: Paid Family Leave

All three candidates support the Family Medical Leave Act. For John McCain, the law that allows workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for family medical emergencies, is working out just fine, as is. He also supports flex-time.

Democrats, on the other hand, appear to want more.

Hillary Clinton has set a goal for all 50 states to have a paid family leave plan by 2016. According to her website, she would propose spending $1 billion every year in grants to encourage states to develop their plans. She wants to expand FMLA to include 13 million more workers. And she would also like to see every American worker guaranteed seven paid sick days annually. She wants to start with federal employees, who now must use sick days and vacation days for paid maternity leave (they can have the 12 weeks of the FMLA, but it's unpaid for them too). Clinton also said she wants to promote businesses that have family-friendly work environments, including flex-time and tele-commuting.

Barack Obama matches Clinton with proposing all workers have at least seven paid sick days per year. He wants to expand FMLA by covering employees of businesses with as few as 25 workers (currently, the act covers businesses with more than 50 workers). He also wants the act to cover workers taking care of old parents or sick members of their household. He wants the act to guarantee qualifying employees 24 hours of leave each year to attend kids' activities. He also wants leave guaranteed for employees to take care of matters involving sexual assault or domestic violence. Obama, too, wants the federal government to encourage states to adopt paid leave for all workers. He proposes $1.5 billion to help the states get started. He wants to see better enforcement of the law guaranteeing people with families will not be discriminated against in the workplace. Obama proposes doubling the spending on afterschool programs and reform the Child Care Tax Credit so that low-income families get as much as 50 percent of their childcare expenses credited. He wants to promote flextime and telecommuting and proposes the federal government act as a model for how other employers can make this work.

Which of these plans would be the best for your family? Remember, only the U.S., Papua New Guinea and Swaziland don't guarantee some type of maternity leave for all working women.

Supplemental reading on issues:

Candidates on Education

Hillary Clinton

John McCain

Barack Obama

Obama's Minister has a Potty Mouth

Madeline Holler — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 21:05:00 GMT

Let's see ... which candidate is at the front of the line to denounce and/or distance him/herself from a supporter/associate/campaign proxy? Yesterday was Hillary's turn. Today it must be Barack's.

Before we get to the daily outrageous Democrat gaffe and/or unearthed quote from a candidate's associate, a recap:

Last week after Little Super Tuesday, Hillary's communications director Howard Wolfson called Barack Obama a dirty name: Ken Starr. Later that day, a newspaper in the U.K. ran an interview with Samantha Power, Barack's foreign policy advisor, who called Clinton "monstrous." Power tried to retract the statement, set off a firestorm of indignance and resigned immediately the next day.

A few days later, Hillary's financial advisor, former VP candidate Geraldine Ferraro said (and didn't retract) that Barack would not be doing so well in the race were he not black. Hillary said she regretted Ferraro's statement. Her level of remorse was scrutinized. Ferraro announced her resignation (but never really said she was sorry).

Which brings us to today (pant, pant)! ABC has "uncovered" (actually, they orderered online) footage of Barack Obama's minister, The Rev. Jeremiah Wright of The Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. The outspoken and activist Reverend has all kinds of juicy turns of phrase, like, "God Bless America ... no, no, no, God damn America," and refers to the country in one clip the "U.S. of KKK."

Rev. Wright also says that the U.S. brought on 9-11 with "our own terrorism," and lists bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki, etc. "America's chickens are coming ... home ... to roost."

Obama didn't comment to ABC for the story, but they quote him from another time he had to answer for his association with Rev. Wright. "He's like an old uncle who sometimes says things I don't agree with." Amen!

Who started it? Who knows. This back-and-forth stuff is the consequence of too much free time for the press -- and, in Political Nanny's rigid opinion, too little supervision! All of which means Political Nanny will be watching Hillary's camp closely to ensure they're not working their way toward yet another controversy. It's comes as really surprising to Political Nanny that John McCain hasn't stepped up recently for a turn.

Photo: Trinity Church of Christ

Mitt to Campaign: Can Johnny Come Out to Play? With Me?

Madeline Holler — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:31:00 GMT

Oh, Mitt. You're such a fighter. Such an ambitious, clueless, big-spending fighter. You'll do just about anything to get into the White House. Like, offering, unbidden, to be McCain's VP!

"Hey, I have an idea," says Mitt to McCain, who's ignoring him. "How 'bout YOU be president and I'LL be vice president and we can take turns!"

Mitt's suggestion doesn't have a lot of traction, it seems. Neither is exactly loved by the all important Christian evangelical base. Plus, McCain doesn't even like Mitt. But dang it if that li'l bugger isn't persistent. That's gotta count for something.

So what do you think, John? Care to take back all those nasty things you said about Mr. Mitt? We didn't think so.

Readers Tell McCain's Daughter to Lose Weight

Madeline Holler — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 03:21:00 GMT

Let's take a break from the candidates this evening, and the fact that Barack Obama won Mississippi big, and talk about Political Nanny's little Republican charge, John McCain. Or, more specifically, we're going to talk about his daughter, Meghan.

She keeps a great blog of her daddy's campaign -- it has pictures, light insider gossip, song playlists, pictures of her mom in PJs, political cameos, everything. It's a fun campaign blog even if you're the deepest, darkest blue-state Republican-hating voter out there. Or very cynical like Political Nanny, who reads it in weak moments when she should be paying more substantial attention to her three candidates. The blog avoids crazy criticisms of her Dad's rivals. She sticks to BBQs, fun with the press, and mostly wants the public to know that her mother has a great sense of humor.

In a recent post, she strikes back (kindly) at readers who have sent in diet tips, or mentioned that she might consider shedding a few pounds. Seriously? People recommended she diet? A surgeon even looked to her as a potential client.

From McCainblogette.com

I've been surprised by critical comments regarding my weight and body shape. It recently reached a ridiculous level when someone handed me a business card for a plastic surgeon and suggested I needed liposuction.

First, she's a total looker, really Plus, she's smart, educated, goofy. She's not rail thin (refreshing). She says she likes her curves. Hell, she even puts those curves in horizontal stripes -- the daring! She says she wants to be a role model for her younger sister and wants to maintain a healthy weight.

Second, ugh. Sure, the blogging is for her own personal interests -- a designated bedroom in the White House and her own Secret Service detail. Bagging on Meghan McCain is fair game. She even expects that. But for her looks? Why is that always a risk women have to take when they put themselves out there in the public?

Political Nanny does not approve. Can't the daughter of an aged presidential hopeful take a shot at attracting the youth vote without worrying about the size of her ass?

Photo: McCainblogette.com

Formula Supplement: Adding Substance to Campaign Diet

Madeline Holler — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:07:00 GMT

Coverage of the presidential campaign is increasingly anemic, coming down to, as usual, thin descriptions of polls and attacks.

In areas of substance, where the Democrats are concerned, we only seem to hear about health care plans. Mix in the Republicans, and we're talking about Iraq. Both important issues for sure. But what about the other stuff important to parents -- education, college costs, the mortgage mess, the environment, taxes, Supreme Court judges, etc.

Political Nanny is supplementing the candidates' campaign messages with some iron-fortified formula supplements. Let's see if we can squeeze a bit more substance out of all this hope, change and honor to country.

Today's Formula Supplement: Education

All three candidates -- John McCain, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama -- plan to leave behind Bush's unfunded federal mandate, No Child Left Behind.

McCain wants to scrap the program, which emphasized testing and punished schools that didn't achieve certain benchmarks, and, according to McCain's website, set low standards. He doesn't say what standards he'll change. He wants schools and teachers to be more competitive and rewarded for good outcomes. He also wants federal money to fund school voucher programs, so parents can send their children to private schools. Vouchers wouldn't cover the entire cost of tuition and fees for some private schools. This free-market idea is that failing schools would have to close down, since enough parents would pull their kids out which would affect the amount of funding each school received. McCain isn't at all specific on funding, but in 2000, when he was running for president, he proposed spending $5.4 billion on a voucher experiment, and $1 billion on tax breaks for teachers who were rated "excellent" in their district. On science curriculum, McCain has said Darwin's theory of evolution is "valid" but that students should be exposed to "every point of view."

Clinton also wants to end NCLB, although she voted for it in 2001. Her plan calls for universal Pre-K for all four-year-olds. She also proposes parenting classes for new parents and wants to improve Head Start and childcare programs. She wants better special-needs and at-risk programs in public schools and has plans to create "green" schools, which would be model environmental facilities. She wants to simplify college financial aid applications, increase Pell Grant amounts and improve community colleges. Her plans include earmarking funds to help increase college graduation rates, double the college tax credit to $3,500 and increase AmeriCorps scholarships. Clinton opposes school vouchers, arguing they would tear apart communities. Daughter Chelsea attended public schools in Arkansas, but went to a private school while living at the White House.

Obama doesn't want to completely get rid of NCLB; rather, he wants to use the testing as a way to help schools guage their progress and improve -- without threats and punishment. He also wants to fund it. The candidate wants testing to also guage high-order thinking, data interpretation and logic. Obama has also proposed universal pre-K programs and looked for ways to meet the needs of all students in public schools. He wants to create the American Opportunity Tax Credit, which would grant the first $4,000 of college costs for low income students and cover two-thirds of the cost of tuition at the average public college or university. He wants to provide grants to high school students whose schools do not have AP courses, so that they can take college classes. Obama also wants to help fund teachers' educations and create mentoring programs for new recruits. His plans would also allow teachers to be rewarded for mentoring, and the time they spend in planning and collaboration. He, too, has been criticized for sending his daughters to a private school in Chicago. He also says he doesn't like vouchers, but if an experiment with them proved to be beneficial, he's willing to change his mind.

Which plan do you like best? Looks like the Democrats have really thought about this. McCain? Well, maybe now that he has some down time he can give it a little more thought.

Links to websites with more details:

Edin08.com

Education Week

The Pew Forum

Photos: FitPregnancy.com; ABC13.com

Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe: Sure S/He's Your Favorite?

Madeline Holler — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:32:00 GMT

Some kids you love, others you hate. Others you think you love but actually, you hate. Same goes for candidates.

So how do you know if your love for Obama is true? Do you really think John McCain is as moral and trustworthy as you say he is. What about Hillary? Evil? Are you sure?

If you want to be sure your head is where your heart is -- or is it your heart where your head is? -- take this test. It's not a quiz, there are no issues. It's a psychological test that requires rapid responses to pictures of the candidates and a series of negative and positive words.

Do you know your mind? Speak it! Who do you like best?

We All Scream for Baracky Road Ice Cream!

Madeline Holler — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 22:20:00 GMT

Vermont voters' overwhelming endorsement of Barack Obama inspired Slate's Trailhead blogger Chadwick Matlin to connect the Illinois senator with one of the (if not THE) northeastern state's great institutions: Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

What ensues is a naming contest extravaganza that has somehow imitated the campaigns themselves -- accusations of plagiarism, not to mention an outpouring of support and enthusiasm for the project.

Hillary Clinton couldn't possibly have this many ice-cream name possibilities (though some might argue she's cold and cranky enough to churn out some of the high-fat stuff on her own behalf). As for John McCain, he's nowhere close to getting his own ice-cream.

But Political Nanny tries to ensure her candidates will be treated fairly. So how about it? Let's work together on a plan for ice-cream naming that covers every candidate. The rich, delicious treat should be available, on Day 1, and maintain a certain sense of duty and honor. While also inspiring hope. And bringing ice-cream eaters together, no matter what flavor they identify with.

Come on, submit your ideas. You know you can!

PS: Chubby Hubby is already taken. And, anyway, Bill's not so chubby anymore.

Surprise! We Don't Say Bye-Bye to Hillary

Madeline Holler — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 05:53:00 GMT

Voters in Ohio and Texas didn't want to kick Hillary out of the Democrat's sandbox just yet. As of late Tuesday night, it appears she won primaries in both states. (She won clearly in Rhode Island and lost resoundingly in Vermont.)

Political Nanny, and likely the Clinton campaign, are somewhat surprised with the two big wins. It's true, Political Nanny had Hillary's bag half-packed, ready to see her off in a quick and quiet goodbye. How could she forget -- Hillary does nothing, not even exits, quietly. We're glad to still have her around. (Political Nanny loves all the record-breaking voter turnouts this tightly contested race is motivating.)

We'll all be back for more fun times and strong words (the negative seems to have worked) with the Democrats. And John McCain is officially King of the Mountain for Republicans.

So many elections. So few answers. So terribly exciting.

Sniff. We Wave Bye-Bye to Mikey

Madeline Holler — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 05:03:00 GMT

We knew this day would come and we always thought it would be even sooner. But finally, loveable Mike Huckabee has told us good-bye.

Political Nanny has made no secret of her affection for little Mikey, and she'll miss watching him out on the campaign trail. He'll fade quickly into a footnote of this historical campaign. But we hope he'll still pop up once in awhile on TV, the radio, online. No, not making policy for the country (God no!), but lightening the mood in the room, laughing at himself, twisting all the seriousness around into one self aggrandizing moment punctuated with a smile.

Your bag's all packed, Mike. Keep in touch.

What happened to Political Nanny's brood?

Dress Your Family in Campaign Swag and Marc Jacobs

Madeline Holler — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 22:36:00 GMT

Political statement or fashion statement? Who cares! Just order your high-end campaign T-shirts for one or both of the Democrats now (especially the Marc Jacobs Hillary tee, because, well, not being insensitive or anything, buuuut, will they be available much longer?).

Each T-shirt features the candidate, big-faced and beautiful, on the front. Obama's -- designed by grafitti artist Obey -- has street cred, style, and even screams "Hope" or "Progress," your choice. Hillary's, offered by Marc Jacobs, is more classic and features the New York senator with an American Flag lapel pin. You have to buy Hillary's in a Marc Jacobs store. Obama's you can order online. Hers is $35, his is $25. Hillary!

These T-shirts are hardly standard-issue Nannywear, but Political Nanny wants one of each anyway. She'd even take one with John McCain's face, especially if his daughter designed it and military-esque epaulettes weren't involved.

A confession: Political Nanny has already started half-packing her dear little Hillary's bag -- ready and willing to unpack it quickly if Texas and Ohio turn out for her. But Hillary's depature would leave yet another empty whole in Political Nanny's heart (she's still mourning Dennis, Fred and Mitt). Which is why she thinks she'll cherish her Hillary T-shirt for years to come. That is, if Political Nanny can ever get her hands on one. Not unlike the campaign, Obama's tee is easy to find, easy to buy, instantly rewarding. Hillary's is more of a challenge, requiring near manic dedication to see the process through to the end.

Was John McCain a Natural Birth?

Madeline Holler — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:05:00 GMT

John McCain's birth has some people questioning whether legally -- constitutionally -- he can become president of the United States. Political Nanny thinks that in John's case it's a ridiculous question, but it's fun to see one of the facts we all learn as first-graders (or is it third?) being brought to bear in real life.

The problem: the Constitution requires American presidents to be "natural born citizens." McCain was born on a U.S. naval base in the Panama Canal Zone, back when the Central American area was under U.S. control.

The Arizona senator -- and his legal counsel Ted Olson -- argue that the founding fathers did not envision barring children of military families from becoming presidents, simply because they were born outside the U.S. due to military service.

Don't worry, little John. You're very special and you're very American. Now go outside and rattle sabers.

Photo: friendsofmccain.com

10 Things You Don't Know About The Candidates ...

Madeline Holler — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 22:21:00 GMT

... and weren't necessarily afraid to ask, just not certain it would be relevant. Well, it's not! Still, Political Nanny knows them best and wants to share some of the unknown details of all three (fine, four -- she'll work in Huckabee) of the campaigning candidates.

With the help of NY Magazine's Electopedia:

1. Barack Obama is a lefty. No, Mr. Limbaugh, we don't mean THAT kind of lefty. Obama's left-handed. Cool! (Political Nanny is too, but enough about her ...)

2. John McCain is messy, really messy.

3. Hillary Clinton's first job was for the Chicago Parks and Rec. Three days a week, she pulled a wagon of “balls, bats, jump ropes, and other supplies” to a park a few miles away from her house. Obama's first job was at a Honolulu Baskin-Robbins.

4. McCain's hair started going gray in his twenties. It turned the white we see today while he was a POW.

5. McCain was known as "Punk" and "McNasty" at the Episcopal boarding school he attended for high school. Something tells us, he didn't mind.

6. In the olden days, pre-campaign, when the candidates had free time, what do you think they liked to do? Clinton played pinochle, Obama shot hoops, and McCain attended the fights.

7. As First Lady, Clinton used to carry a bottle of hot sauce with her to spice up the eats. In 2003, when the focus was on Bill's weight-loss, she became a celebrity adherent to the low-carb South Beach Diet. Also worth nothing, Obama hates beets and McCain would gladly eat nothing but donuts and Coke.

8. Once, in 2002, Obama had to be restrained in the Illinois Senate after debate over whether to close a child-welfare office got heated and personal. (Obama voted to close it, the other guy got heated and personal.)

9. There's a flip for every flop, but each of the candidates has a core position which they have never altered. For Clinton it's that kids have certain rights and should grow up with certain benefits; for Obama it's his belief in pragmatic, bipartisan politics; and for McCain it comes down to three words -- duty, honor, country.

10. Ooops, we're forgetting Mike, poor Mike, funny, entertaining, disarming Mike. Well, here's something you might not know about him: he's still running for the Republican nomination!

Extra Cookie: John McCain Tells DJ to Shut Up

Madeline Holler — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:32:00 GMT

It's not easy telling a supporter to shut up. But that's essentially what John McCain did at a rally in Ohio.

Radio talk show host Bill Cunningham, who was warming up the crowd at a campaign event, repeatedly referred to the Democratic front-runner as Barack Hussein Obama. Sure it's Obama's full name, but we all know the intended effect. The DJ also called Obama a "hack, Chicago-style" politician.

Instead of laughing at the comment (like he did waaaaaay back in the olden days when an audience member referred to Clinton as "the bitch") or even just ignoring the disparaging remarks, McCain addressed them directly -- to the confusion of the comment maker.

From ABCnews:

"I did not know about these remarks, but I take responsibility for them. I repudiate them," McCain said. "My entire campaign I have treated Sen. Obama and Sen. (Hillary Rodham) Clinton with respect. I will continue to do that throughout this campaign." ... McCain called both Democrats "honorable Americans" and said, "I want to dissociate myself with any disparaging remarks that may have been said about them."

Asked whether the use of Obama's middle name -- the same as former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein -- is proper, McCain said: "No, it is not. Any comment that is disparaging of either Sen. Clinton or Sen. Obama is totally inappropriate."

For such quick, direct words spoken without regard to the risk of alienating potential voters, Political Nanny is rewarding John two extra cookies at snacktime.

And because it's so fun to watch toddler tantrums, here's what Cunningham said after learned that McCain repudiated his comments:

... [H]e attacked the Republican front-runner as "John Juan Pablo McCain." THen: "I’m gonna follow the lead of Ann Coulter," Cunningham said on Fox News. "I’m going to endorse Hillary Rodham Clinton for president because she would do a better job in the Oval Office, I think, than the liberal John McCain. I’m done with him."

Big baby.

Photo: beloblog.com

Patriot Games

Madeline Holler — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 19:09:00 GMT

Hillary Clinton -- and really, everybody -- has found it difficult to criticize her "friend" Barack Obama. But rabid Republican bullies have (finally!) found a little something negative they can pile into the Swift Boat, docked as it is, waiting to be called to serve.

Just how might they attack the adored and gifted orator with an alarming amount of political party cross-over appeal?

They're questioning his patriotism.

Now, examining Obama's love for the U.S. isn't new. Over the summer, a picture of him without his hand over his heart started rumors (detractors claimed it was during the Pledge of Allegiance; in actuality, it was during the National Anthem wear hand/heart coverage is optional). Then it was noted that during the run-up to the Iraq war, Obama stopped wearing American flag label pins ("a substitute for, I think, true patriotism," he said.). There was also a brief detour into calling the avowed Christian a Muslim (which, for religious conservatives, IS like calling someone un-American). But that was finally settled at a debate in January.

Then, oops!, his wife Michelle went and said something about being proud of the U.S. for the first time in her life, a statement that was plucked from its context and plunked down into a small but growing collection of negative material against Obama -- for use this fall if/when he is the Democratic nominee.

Obama will be running against a former POW and decorated war veteran, a fact that we'll no doubt hear endlessly. But Political Nanny would not be surprised to see this gifted orator turn any patriot games into a heartfelt, emotionally inspiring call for all of us to love not just America, but Americans!, a little more and a lot less conditionally. There will be swooning and donations and an opponent who will look older, meaner, petty and perhaps seriously out of touch.

McCain, Political Nanny doesn't mind the squabbling, but you might not want to go exactly there.

Mama Obama On American Life and Luck

Madeline Holler — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 00:14:00 GMT

Michelle Obama, whose "proud for the first time" gaffe was mercifully buried by McCain's possible blonde lobbyist indiscretion later in the week, explains how, if things have been so bad in this country, she and her husband seem to be doing just fine.

Luck. She's says it's all due to good luck.

From the LA Times:

Michelle Obama often says the fact that she and her husband are out of debt is due to sheer luck, because they could not have predicted that his two books would become bestsellers. "It was like, 'Let's put all our money on red!' " she told a crowd at Ohio State University on Friday. "It wasn't a financial plan! We were lucky! And it shouldn't have been based on luck, because we worked hard."

But it shouldn't have to ride on luck, she argues. Nor should we have a country full of hedge-fund managers and corporate attorneys.

People can't raise a family on one salary anymore, she says. They can't afford to get sick even if they have insurance because of deductibles, premiums and the high cost of medication. They can't confidently send their kids to neighborhood public schools because so many of them are so bad. Young people can't afford to attend college to become teachers or nurses or journalists because those jobs don't pay enough to repay college loans.

Political Nanny doubts it's only luck -- the couple seemed already well set before he published his first book. But still, the Obama's do seem rather lucky. Didn't he launch his national political career running against Alan Keyes?

Obama Hates on Gamers

Madeline Holler — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 04:31:00 GMT

There's one group of constituents that won't be swept up in the Obama craze. Of course, these potential voters smell like toe jam and barely leave the house, so no big loss, right?

Political Nanny is talking about gamers. They and their passion are Barack Obama's go-to metaphor for underachievement, and that's got them feeling not so All Your Base on the Illinois senator's behalf.

From GamePolitics.com:

...frontrunner Barack Obama does not have a significant track record with regard to video game content issues. His speeches, however, often contain a reference to parents making their children “put away the video games.”

In making change, Obama has said we'll have to include our attitudes. "We're going to have to parent better, and turn off the television set, and put the video games away, and instill a sense of excellence in our children, and that's going to take some time."

But Obama's no griefer (unless we're talking about Hillary), argues Fordham professor and gamer Paul Levinson, who just wants him to be careful when he's dissing the group. After all, he argues, Obama's success -- in no small part due to young voters raised on TV and video games -- is proof that gaming does not necessarily breed apathy. And judging from the comments on these blogs, the gamers still like Obama best.

McCain, though, he doesn't stand a chance.

John to Tattletales: Did Not!

Madeline Holler — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:58:00 GMT

Just when you think an afternoon nap might be more exciting than following the rest of these primaries, we get enough juice to fill an industrial pallet of Capri Sun sport packs: John McCain's been a bad, bad boy. Maybe.

Here's his response when confronted in Ohio:

"Nuh uh," McCain told reporters at a press conference, who asked if he had done favors for Vicki Iseman, a young blonde lobbyist seen frequently in his company eight years ago.

"Did so!" said anonymous sources to the New York Times, who published the story based on reports from former aides. The sources in the Times article also alluded to a possible romantic link between the fine young(er) thing and the aging, married senator. Both the lobbyist and the senator have denied involvement.

"You guys are liars," McCain sputtered. "And I'm not gonna be your friend anymore." Also, he's disappointed in the New York Times.

"Ha, ha," said Mike Huckabee, skipping happily in a circle with his wife of a billion years, Janet.

"Hmmmm," said Hillary, rubbing her chin. Then: "Find me a blonde lobbyist for Barack!" she screamed at her new group of best friends.

Or something like that.

McCain's daughter Meghan wrote about her father's integrity on her campaign blog. It posted a couple of hours after the story of the lobbyist went live online. From McCainBlogette she writes:

Life is all about perspective. Having grown up in politics, I know it's an industry that, for all intents and purposes, is known for being dirty and cruel. And yet, despite it all (and I really mean it all) I feel so grateful and blessed for every single day and for the opportunities I've been given. ... Why do I choose to be involved in politics right now? Because my father is different. He's compassionate, full of life, hilarious and is a beacon of integrity to myself and to so many others. Politics is rough, but I absolutely adore my Dad and this campaign and have never, ever stopped believing in him. It's just that simple.

Political Nanny is going to chase this tale as old as time. Will voters abandon the GOP front-runner and give their support to a Dem -- or Mike Huckabee? Will Cindy stand by her man (will Hillary be reaching out to another sister scorned?) Will McCain and the New York Times kiss and make up? Maybe just a handshake. People will talk.

Photo: Red Carlisle's public pics on Flickr allegedly of Iseman at a February McCain rally. [via Buzzfeed]

Supervisor, Champion, Promoter: Next President's Personality

Madeline Holler — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:17:00 GMT

Forget the policy. Forget the promises. Forget the speeches, ads, videos, rallies. Forget black, white, man, woman, Oprah, Bill, Iraq, Iran. Instead, let's consider the final three candidates' psychological inventory and put a little pseudo-science into our understanding of the Supervisor, the Champion and the Promoter out there on the campaign trail.

Emily Yoffe at Slate magazine administered to herself three Myers-Briggs personality tests -- the same one you likely took at a job interview or in a college psychology class. Only she took each of the tests on behalf of the three front-running candidates, divining answers from their various biographies, interviews, etc. Lest you think she's full of it, check this out -- a description of the resulting personality type revealed for then future president George W. Bush:

"They are decisive and little bothered by second thoughts and self-doubt." "Since [they] do not reflect very much on their errors or analyze their mistakes to any great extent, it is difficult for them to learn from their errors, and so they can become caught in a loop, repeating their mistakes."

Such accuracy is encouraging. Let's start with Hillary.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (channeld through Yoffe) finds Clinton a Guardian. Specifically, in M-B-speak, an ESTJ or Supervisor. (Read here for more details on the whole Myers-Briggs enterprise).

Supervisors are ... steadfast, cautious, methodical. They are the reliable, detail-oriented people without whom organizations and society fall apart—which is something ESTJs won't hesitate to point out. ... self-esteem is greatest when they present themselves as dependable, trustworthy or accountable in shouldering their responsibilities." In other words, an ESTJ wants everyone to know she's "ready to be president on Day 1."

ESTJs prefer sensible talk grounded in facts. Anything else is "fanciful." Hmmm, suddenly we can pinpoint the differences in the two Democratic candidates. ESTJs also don't deal well when things don't go as planned (losing Iowa anybody? Post-Super Tuesday?). They don't have the chops to win over others with their personality, only hard work. They see the world in terms of good people and bad people (or vast right-wing conspiracies? We get the picture).

Before we get to the personality of Barack Obama, Political Nanny will leave you with this little Guardian/ESTJ tidbit:

The Guardians' steadfast posture also applies to their marriages. ... [T]hey are "extremely loyal to their mates and feel obliged to stand by them in times of trouble and help them straighten up and fly right. As a result, Guardians more easily than any other temperament can be hooked into becoming the rescuer of troubled mates."

Ooof. Loud and clear, Myers-Briggs, loud and clear.

Big surprise, Obama is an Idealist. More specifically, he's an ENFP or Champion, a type that is "filled with conviction that they can easily motivate those around them." Champions work to "kindle, to rouse, to encourage, even to inspire those close to them with their enthusiasm." Idealists "usually have a tongue of silver" and are "gifted in seeing the possibilities" of institutions and people.

Champions believe in "word magic," the ancient idea that words have the ability to make things happen—saying makes it so." This is the basis of the critique of Obama by his less-soaring opponents. Hillary complains that people ask her to "give us one of those great rhetorical flourishes and then, you know, get everybody all whooped up." (As if she could.) Says John McCain, "To encourage a country with only rhetoric is not a promise of hope. It is a platitude."

ENFPs tend to be leaders of movements (MLK, Ghandi, Thomas Paine), not presidents (there's never been an ENFP U.S. president) and not even leaders of large corporations (only 1 percent, according to people who look into this stuff are ENFPs). Note that 30 percent of corporate leaders are Hillary Clinton's type.

John McCain is an Artisan (get out!), specifically, a Promoter or ESTP, which are "practical, optimistic, cynical, and focused on the here and now." Before you get too excited, please note: Bush is an ESTP too.

"Artisans need to be potent, to be felt as a strong presence and they want to affect the course of events" ... They hunger to "have a piece of the action," "to make something happen" whether "on the battlefield" or "in the political arena." So many politicians are Artisans because "politics allows not only for maneuvering, excitement, and risk—but for powerful social impact."

They also have strong survival skills and the instincts to make it happen (POW? Dead campaign?).

Artisans "are not threatened by the possibility of failure in themselves or others, so they are likely to take risks and encourage others to do the same. ... They delight in putting themselves in jeopardy, taking chances, facing hazards." (Does this sound familiar? See: Iraq.) When times call for careful planning, or consistent, long-term management, you don't call on the ESTP.

So forget party affiliation. Forget liberal and conservative. Instead, think about which four-letter combination you want running the country. Too many downsides to all of them? Quick, Slate, work up an inventory on Huckabee!

Scrapbooking the Election: Candidates in Love

Madeline Holler — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 19:02:00 GMT

Warning: this might be a little like walking in on your parents. So if you've got some unresolved issues, you'll want to move on to the next blog. Because today, the loviest day of the year, we're going to take a peek at how the final four candidates fell in love (and how they show it now).

GOP Love: John and Cindy McCain

Now, the McCains' love is never on full display. We have to search for the subtle clues. But here's how he describes the night that they met:

From AZ Central.com: She was lovely, intelligent and charming, 17 years my junior but poised and confident. I monopolized her attention the entire time, taking care to prevent anyone else from intruding on our conversation. When it came time to leave the party, I persuaded her to join me for drinks at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. By the evening's end, I was in love."

Flashforward 28 years ... Here they are as his campaign surge begins after New Hampshire.

On her blog, the McCain's daughter describes this photo as her mom and dad "having a moment."

John and Cindy McCain in a hotel room (no, not like that. Bummer.)

Southern Love: Janet and Mike Huckabee

From The Knot: It was young love for Mike and Janet, who met during junior high school. The two started dating their senior year of high school. Before Mike proposed, he asked permission from Janet's mother and stepfather. "I didn't have money for a ring yet, so I used a pull-tab from a soda can and proposed to her in her living room," Mike says.

Mike and Janet Huckabee's wedding day, May 25, 1974.

Must be inauguration day. Huckabee's in his fat phase. More of him for Janet to love?

Puppy love. Or not. Janet and a slimmed down Mike are in the Arkansas governor's mansion. Looky in the background! Governors' names are tiled into the steps. Fancy!

The Most Examined Marriage in National History: Bill and Hillary Clinton

From The Knot: It all began in the library for Hillary and Bill. "I noticed that he kept looking over at me," Hillary says. "He had been doing a lot of that." After exchanging several looks back and forth, Hillary stood up and walked over to Bill. "I said 'If you're going to keep looking at me, and I'm going to keep looking back, we might as well be introduced -- I'm Hillary Rodham," she says. "The way Bill tells the story, he couldn't remember his own name."

Wedding Day, Oct. 11, 1975

A kiss in Little Rock, Ark., 1992 (From the Telegraph)

He's a former president, she's a new senator. Bill and Hillary in 2001.

Now she's a presidential candidate. And he's, well, sometimes her advocate, sometimes locked away in a closet and told to be quiet. A kiss in the rain, November 2007.

America's Newest Political Sweethearts: Michelle and Barack Obama

It took a month of asking before Michelle would agree to go out with Barack. They went to "Do the Right Thing" on their first date. Then it was love. He swept her off her feet.

Wedding Day, October 18, 1992, at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.

A snuggle in Illinois (love the camera ... that must feel so private!) For more on Michelle and the Obama marriage, go here and here.

A post 2004 monumental, much talked about, life-changing Democratic National convention speech. (Needless to say, well done, Barack!)

And in 2008 conceding New Hampshire (hey, don't look so sad. Like a good marriage, you're campaign is about to get better ... much, much better)