Let's just remember my argument for Hillary staying in the race

A few weeks ago, I had an interesting discussion with some friends over whether or not Hillary should withdraw from the primary race. Everyone (that could be a stretch) I discussed this with claimed that Hillary should leave the race because a few weeks ago, she was not winning the popular election or the delegate count, and had no way to reach the necessary total.

I positioned that the DNC had firm guidelines for its party's systems and elections, and that she is not breaking any of the rules to stay in the race. This is a good thing for the US to have these debates (maybe not for the DNC itself) and if the voters in each state can't sort it out, who wants the DNC to weigh in and change the voting now that 'the going has gotten tough'?

I just want to explain what I think will happen, which is different than what I want to happen. I'm not mad about what I think will happen; it's all following the rules of the private organization (the DNC). I think Hillary will stay around until Denver. I think Hillary will chip away at Obama's front-runner status, thought possibly not his lead. I think Hillary could win the nomination with a brokered convention. I think Obama is not closing this campaign out in the same manner with which he rode to the front-runner status. I am not claiming I know what he should be doing differently, but regardless, Hillary is here. It's a problem for me, an Obama supporter in the Democrats race, but it's the reality.

Clinton and Obama need to revisit the DNC by-laws to figure out how to best incorporate Florida and Michigan. Clearly, they pay people enough money to work their campaigns, so I'm sure they're doing this. Personally, I think they'll be seated in Round 2 of the convention, and I think it'll be a blood-bath watching them fall in line with each of the campaigns. Regardless, we have rules, this isn't Nam. Follow them to victory, they will be your savior. Fair is not the issue, because private groups don't have to be fair. This is why there are superdelegates in the first place.

While I bring up supers - I'm glad that a lot are undecided. I'm also glad a lot are decided. This sparks debate from credible politicians that people know and are in-line with politically (as opposed to, say, me and you uninformed public debating ad naseum with no experience in the matters at hand). That being said, if status-quo (ie Hillary) is that hard to change, I think you'll find more and more superdelegates leaning towards Hillary if she continues this positive swing in upcoming states.

I think Howard Dean mentioned today that these upcoming races will be the deciding factors for the Supers to make their decisions because these upcoming races are becoming more about "Who can beat McCain", and less about "Hillary vs. Obama". On some level, that's a good thing. I personally think any of the three could win at this point, with Obama being the favorite out of all three. I think I heard a pole yesterday actually putting it in this order: Hillary - McCain - Obama finishing last.

Silly Sunglasses

Gone are the days of the aviator. Oh. Wait. No... Aviators are back. Is Top Gun still on the billboard hits?

I have noticed many more silly sunglasses on people since, I don't know, 2002. Something about the 21st century has given people the necessary eye-balls to wear whatever they want on the bridge of their nose. I just don't get it. Maybe I'm not hip enough, or maybe because I'm not emo, because I just don't get it.

I recent (just now) search on google images for "sunglasses" leads me to some of these ridiculous frames and four-eyed monstrosities:






Why do people buy these things? My amazement is that not all of our sunglasses are polarized at this point. Ugh. One way the market is not working in sunglasses because too many people buy cheap sunglasses - not knowing that they do nothing to protect your eyes from UV etc.

I bet a lot of people will look back on this decade with disdain over what could have been in eyewear. I wonder what is next in eyewear? As they say, hindsight 20/20, but foresight is much more important.

Brokered Convention

Rash prediction. Is it possible that in Denver, with no clear winner, the party will turn to Al Gore, offer him the presidency in exchange he has to take Barack Obama as VP?

No chance? probably not, but Al Gore is the only other person possibly vetted enough for this position. Also, he is going to be big on McCain on environment (where McCain is strong for a Republican) and also Al Gore would go well with Obambi in his VP.

probably no chance... but that would be terrific karmic justice on the Clintons