Lores Rizkalla Live

Check out this video...it could make a great commercial for...somebody! A female African-American delegate, emotional after last night's Clinton speech, tells Obama that he's got two months to win her over because EXPERIENCE MATTERS! She makes a great point about whether a company would hire a Harvard grad, right out of school, to be CEO. (That could be an entirely separate blog about the way we--as a culture--often place a prestigious name above proven experience. I'll save that rant for later!) As far as politics and this election goes, if this woman is represents even a fraction of Hillary supporters, Obama has his work cut out for him....cuz you can't gain a whole lotta experience to be President in two months!

Just as I predicted yesterday, we saw a "softer" more "patriotic" Michelle Obama in her speech last night. We didn't see a red or blue suit; we saw a  teal V-neck blouse, a glitery brooch and soft make up. We didn't hear about how bad the Republicans are; we heard the "I love this country" proclamation.

It might have been inspiring if it weren't so predictable!

Mrs. Obama is due to give the keynote speech on the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Denver tonight. I'm listening to some of the commentary regarding her appearance tonight. One CNN commentator suggested she come off "soft" tonight...Hmmmm...My guess is that she has taken a crash course in how to come off patriotic and not-so-angry...I'm not sure if that'll be enough.

The American people may have a short term memory and may be easily swayed but they're not completely stupid. Michelle Obama has already made it clear exactly how she views America; she is a disciple of Jeremiah Wright. America seems to be the source of problems in the world. America hasn't given her any reason to be proud until about 18 months ago, when her husband began his campaign for the highest office in the land.

I'm sure that Mrs. Obama will sound patriotic and "soft." I'm sure she will be wearing colors to communicate both of those themes. But, in the same way, Hillary's people dressed her up, changed her clothes, make up, hair and wrote "softer" speeches, they could not change the inside toughness, anger and viciousness that crept out in the heat of the moment when there was no script. The thought of Barack Obama in the White House is scary enough (because of his leftist policies); but, the concept of a Michelle Obama First Lady reminds me of the Theresa Heinz Kerry possibility. No thanks!

“People of Berlin, people of the world, this is our moment. This is our time,” he declared, offering himself “not as a candidate for president, but as a citizen, a proud citizen of the United States and a fellow citizen of the world.”

This is scary!

The more he speaks, the more dangerous he sounds. I'd like a president who is an American citizen who submits to the Constitution of the United States. I'm not sure what laws a "citizen of the world" is supposed to respect, much less enforce as the First Citizen.

I fear for our nation if this man becomes president.

I'm so very happy to report on this story. Not because McDonald's continues to be of the biggest beneficiaries of America's addiction to junk food. No. One of the franchises has pleaded guilty to hiring 58 illegal aliens. I'd like to see many more of these raids. Not to bring down any particular business and not to hurt people who want a better life. Simply to enforce and respect the laws of our land and to reward those who want a better life and are respecting our laws at the same time....because the two are not mutually exclusive.

I'd like to see both McCain and Obama comment on the benefits of law enforcement relative to the crisis we face with illegal immigration. I won't hold my breath! 

Have a seat before you read this piece of news...Can you believe that Hillary is actually THINKING about running in 2012?!

Ok. Ok. So, it's really not news at all. But, it's worth noting that someone eyeing the White House in 4 years is not going to be the biggest cheerleader for her own party's current nominee. 

Have you seen the cover of the New Yorker?

 The New Yorker is hardly a bastion of radical right wing fanatics. It might be a bit over the top to depict the senator and his wife this way. But, the image of radical Michelle and turbin-headed Barack must be making headway nationally.

My husband says this picture is compliments of Hillary Clinton! 

Heads up: neither of these stories is really "news." It had become increasingly obvious over the last few weeks that this day would come for Hillary. Her '08 bid for the nomination is over. The question now is: where she goes and how she poises herself from here...because it's never really over for the Clintons.

What I find continually entertaining is the way the mainstream media--nationally and internationally--is reporting this. Check out these headlines:

"Clinton Backers Face Up to Defeat" (Washington Post) 

"Clinton Surrenders, Endorses Obama" (National Post, Canada) 

"Loser Clinton Slow to Go" (Sydney Morning Herald, Australia) 

"Clinton Made History. Now She's History" (Dallas Morning News) 

I have never wanted Hillary as President. I don't even like that she's a senator! But, give me a break. How vicious can the media be. She is bowing out. She gave Barack a serious run for his money and, yes, she is the first woman to be considered seriously for the Presidency. You don't have to agree (or even like) a candidate in order to acknowledge what they accomplished and perhaps, just perhaps, take a remotely gracious tone.

Here I go again...defending Hillary. Do I see cows flying??? 

Maureen Dowd has written yet another scathing piece. While she's not my favorite commentator, it's fun to see how the other side continues to mock itself. AND, this is one of the few times--if not the ONLY time--that I actually agree with Dowd.

The only difference is that because the Clintons are always thinking ahead, I'm sure that this phenomenon is much more than denial. Her decision to stay in--which makes Mike Huckabee's stay pale in comparison--must be intricately tied in to a longer-term strategy that will somehow benefit Senator Clinton. 

Nancy Pelosi is making it clear that she is going to put her foot down, if necessary, to make sure the Democrats have a presidential nominee before the convention.

Am I the only one who gets a kick out of the the thought that Nancy Pelosi thinks ANYONE is listening to her?! LOL!