Submitted by rickeyre on
A great orator giving a great speech for a great occasion. It sent tingles down the spine watching Barack Obama give his victory speech on TV live from Chicago at 4.15pm this afternoon my time. The full transcript is worth repeating (source CNN):
"Hello, Chicago.
Submitted by rickeyre on
It's been a long time since I have been proud of the United States of America. (If ever.) But today I'm proud of the American electorate for coming up with the right answer, and one that is such an historic breakthrough.
Congratulations to Barack Obama, and congratulations to the United States of America!
Submitted by rickeyre on
According to Richard Sandomir in Tuesday's New York Times, only one man has gone to become US President after making an appearance in the Monday Night Football commentary box. That man was Ronald Reagan. According to Sandomir,
Submitted by rickeyre on
In a big week for the cast of Fawlty Towers, John Cleese made a delightful appearance with Keith Olbermann on MSNBC's Countdown on Friday night to discuss the Presidential election, even reciting some poetry.
Submitted by rickeyre on
SENATOR McCAIN: ...I'm very, very happy to know that five former secretaries of state who I admire enormously--Henry Kissinger, Jim Baker, Larry Eagleburger, Al Hague--Jim Baker, Henry Kissinger, Al Hague, Larry Eagleburger and one other, and over 200 retired flag general--generals and admirals are supporting my campaign. I'm very proud of their support.
TOM BROKAW: Senator, we opened today with a--how you're doing in Iowa. The Des Moines Register has endorsed...
SENATOR McCAIN: George Shultz. George Shultz is the other one.
Submitted by rickeyre on
If the President of the United States is the "leader of the free world", then why don't the constituents of the free world get a vote?
In a nation where the electoral system is a veritable dog's breakfast, the election of a POTUS is the result of a mish-mash of (to mix animal metaphors) "first-past-the-post" systems. Which means that, unlike Australia, you can't allocate votes for your local POTUS Electoral Collegians on a preferential basis. It's all or nothing for the candidate of your choice.
