Strollerderby : charlie gibson

Morning News: Sarah P. Soothes Some, Induces Spit-Takes in Others

Madeline Holler — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:00:00 GMT

If you like Sarah Palin, then you think she nailed her first one-on-one interviews as a vice presidential candidate. Everybody else is doing spit-takes. Today in Morning News, we'll set you up with video links and transcripts and a fantastic essay on the sisters of the traveling Palin.

You know, it's almost the weekend and we need to lighten up a little, too. We have uncovered the most overpaid Hollywood actress -- she's a mom. We would also like to announce the birth of a new baby -- he IS the greatest. And, finally! Someone has determined where the most beautiful people live (settle down, Cleveland, you didn't win). Also, we hand you the one key to a happy marriage. (PS: Not a key to a happy marriage? Changing large animal diapers.)

OK, progressives, you've been warned. Finish your coffee before reading more.

In our Daily Palin, it's all about her interviews with Charlie Gibson, which they're sprinkling around the network -- last night on World News and Nightline. This morning Good Morning America and the later 20/20. You can watch short clips or read the transcripts all over the ABC site (reading makes her sound more steady than she actually appears in the clips.) Here's the clip [via CNN] that has the war weary apoplectic -- she says war with Russia might be necessary.

Now, if you're wondering about these droves of Palin supporters -- who are they? what's their deal ? -- we think this is one of the best pieces written so far trying to articulate it. Basically, these women don't care what wave of feminism we're in or really much about the history of the women and power or even history of really anything. They just know that Sarah's like them! And they're good people! Good people who are good to other people! Also, Palin does not wield a big brain around and smash others over the head with it. Palin works hard. Laughs easily. Cares about her hair. She doesn't put her kids above all else (you're surprised, but this is an important matter to many.). Charlie could press her on the Bush Doctrine (as he did), she could flail (as she did), and these supporters wouldn't care one bit. Why? Because they don't know what the Bush Doctrine is either! The upshot? Sarah Palin is the candidate you'd most want in your book club (just like W. was the candidate you'd most want to have a beer with).

Obama, this guy's got some tips for you. Sounds like you might try some.

Good God-planned-global-warming! That wasn't Morning News ... that was Morning Commentary! Pardon us, please. Dragging ... self ... from Palin ... vortex.

... Guess who the most overpaid celebrity is? Her movies earn $1 for every dollar she's paid. A few years ago, she brought in $8 for every dollar she took home. It's Nicole Kidman. How embarassing. But her new baby probably doesn't care. Jennifer Garner and Tom Cruise came in second and third.

Not embarrassing is this news: Laila Ali gave birth to a son in late August. His name is Curtis Muhammad Conway. Prediction: considering his DNA, "CJ" (for Curtis Junior) will be a bad-ass.

Do you look around and say, "Damn, the world has gotten ugly"? Then you clearly don't live in Miami. Travel + Leisure ranked the city No. 1 in most beautiful residents. Dead last? Philadelphia (again! Second year in a row ... the City of Brotherly Bags Over Their Heads?).

Is your marriage falling apart for reasons you can't explain? Maybe you should see a financial adviser rather than a marriage counselor. Financial soundness is apparently the key to a happy partnership.

Finally, we know you're sick of the diapers -- what parent isn't. But here's a little perspective. Some horses in the U.K. are now required to wear equine Depends and, well, at least you don't have to change those!

Morning News: The Daily Grind of Sex and Politics ... and Lipstick on Pigs

Morning News: Fully Caffeinated With a Hint of Sarah Palin

Photo: NY Times

Morning News: More Sex, Some Drugs, and Rockin' Oil

Madeline Holler — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:30:00 GMT

Today's Morning News is all about sex, drugs, short pipelines and big shortfalls. We've also got celebrity mom break-ups and sudden, sorrowful, long-distance political partnerships, meaning puh-lenty of Sarah Palin.

We'll also update you on the Austrian dungeon dad/grandfather, release you in a tank of PTA pirhanas and give you another reason to not take up golf.

Where to start? You shouldn't have to wait. Let's get right to our Daily Palin: Now that we're all up to speed on the false Bridge to Nowhere claims, the NY Times takes a closer look at another of her projects, the much-ballyhooed oil Palin Pipeline. She mentioned it in her RNC speech. We all felt good about gassing up the Chevy Tahoe again. But wait! That pipeline exists only on paper, is years away from being a reality if ... IF ... Alaska and investors move ahead with it.

Not to worry, Palin has loads of fuel in her tank of busy. Namely, saving John McCain's campaign. He fizzled in his first post-convention appearance without her. She's back in Alaska (1) getting ready for her first big unscripted TV interview tonight and (2) possibly to chew out her former ethics adviser who is singing like a choir boy on the whole Troopergate thing. He told her to say "sorry." Instead of listening ... she's putting him on eBay.

We're not sure whether John McCain's just going to sit on the Straight Talk bus and await Palin's return or go solo some more. In any case, Palin WILL return and the two will never part again. Aides say the two will campaign together ... a lot. (Carrying on the GOP tradition of co-presidencies?)

But seriously, who would want to be president with this crap to deal with? Or maybe Ike to clean up after?

More sex! We promised more sex! Nice and oily, just like you like it! The Interior Department has been caught in a "culture of ethical failure," meaning they were having some really great parties funded by Big Oil, which ultimately means they were funded by your neighbor who drives a Nissan Armada. All of it on the Bush administration's watch. Much of it involving cocaine and sexy good times. Niiiice.

Wait, Sarah's not the only mom -- or the only Sarah -- out there. Singer Sarah McLachlan, who is splitting from her husband of 11 years, sings candidly about their break- up in two new songs which are on a new album, "Closer."

Oh, get the Bactine shower started. The cellar incest mom in Austria has started talking about the ordeal. Ick. New topic.

Has this year's class mom already got you feeling like an incompetent underperformer? Read this rant and, while it won't make you competent, you'll no longer feel so alone.

Finally, we're not saying it's an epidemic, but golf-related eye injuries in kids are serious, serious stuff. Know where kids and their eyeballs are safest from such devastation? The golf course. Weird.

Know where you're safest from golf-related eye injuries? In front of the TV, where we know you and millions of Americans -- some swooning, some fuming -- will be watching Charlie Gibson interview Palin on World News. Tomorrow (Friday), he'll have more with her on 20/20. Think he'll ask these 10 questions from Midwesterners themselves? Couldn't hurt.

Photo: boingboing.net

Political Nanny Cam: McCain Asked Whether He Called Cindy the 'C-Word'

Madeline Holler — Tue, 06 May 2008 18:28:00 GMT

Awhile back, Political Nanny scolded John McCain for calling his wife a "trollope" and the c-word (yes, THAT c-word) in front of a group of reporters back in 1992. The press didn't pick up on it back when it happened, and McCain still hasn't had to answer for it. In fact, McCain has had to answer for very, very little, but let's focus on his temper and language.

So at a townhall meeting in Iowa last week, one guy thought he'd confront the issue: he asked whether it was true. Watch the results. Feel the disappointment.

What do you think? Should Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos tag-team McCain and demand answers?

If you're the kind of person who takes Freudian slips (and Howard Stern) seriously, you may enjoy this little clip from the Howard Stern Show on YouTube, wherein you can hear McCain say the c-word, albeit NOT aimed at his wife.

[via HuffPo]

Political Nanny: Moms Asked, Obama Answered

Madeline Holler — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:02:00 GMT

So it's true then? It's going to take a pack of moms -- not the likes of Charlie Gibson -- to get down to business in this campaign? Political Nanny kind of suspected this. Luckily, so did the group blog MOMocrats.

Just posted are answers to five questions these bloggers -- who launched MOMocrats in an effort to get John Edwards elected -- submitted to the Obama campaign after the disastrous April Philadelphia "debate," in which Gibson and sidekick George Stephanopoulos tackled such hard-hitting, end-of-the-world scenarios as lapel accessories and guilt by association (in this case with a member of the Weather Underground).

Here's a peek at what they asked. Go here to read more about the mortgage crisis, affordable housing, family leave, torture and the economy.

MOMOCRATS: What do (Obama and Clinton) plan to do about the horrifically family unfriendly policies of corporate America? How can we better support working moms and working families with paid maternity leave, affordable childcare, etc. Does s/he see these issues as a priority for his/her administration?

... OBAMA: We also need to change a system that is stacked against women. Forty percent of working women do not have a single paid sick day. More and more women are denied jobs or promotions because they've got kids at home. As the son of a single mother, that is not the America that I believe in. I'll be a President who stands up for working parents. We'll require employers to provide seven paid sick days each year. We'll enforce laws that prohibit caregiver discrimination. And we'll encourage flexible work schedules to better balance work and parenting for mothers and fathers. That's the change that working families need.

Oh, and since the moms are getting the job done with respect to asking substantive questions, how about Babble readers (moms, dads, nannies, mannies, grannies -- whoever our readers are!) pipe up with THEIR questions for any of the candidates. Political Nanny see if we can't get a few more answers to questions our reps in the media don't think to ask.

Photo: daylife.com