So like many of you I saw the lovely and talented Rachel Maddow on Keith Olbermann on Tuesday night broadcast talking about her new show and how specifics were still kind of up in the air. Well since things are still in the early stages of planning I thought I'd pitch some ideas I had.

Feel free to use any or all of them.

So there have been about 50 Billion Veepstakes Diaries lately. Even I have written one or two. Most of these diaries focus on who the author wants to be Obama's VP. What the latest rumors are on Obama's VP. Who is and isn't speaking on what nights of the Democratic National Convention and things of that nature. But what about that desolate land on the other end of the political spectrum? That dark place known as Republican land? Not a whole lot of attention has been paid to McCain's prospective VP choice.

Furthermore there has been virtually no discussion on who WE should be rooting for when it comes to McCain's VP selection. Who has the potential to turn off the most voters, who exposes a weakness in McCain or forces him to change positions? Lets find out together. Below the fold we'll take a look at who could be one (very old and decrepit) heart beat away from the Presidency come 2009.

"I only regret that I have but one life to give my country." - Nathan Hale (Patriot)

One of the greatest sacrifices one can give for their country is to serve it in uniform. Despite right wing claims to the contrary; those of us on the left understand, respect and honor the service of every man and woman who has served in the armed forces. It is a deadly job. The risks of which far out weigh the pay. Indeed not only did most of the Iraq war proponents not serve, but most of their Democratic counterparts actually did!

Furthermore it's worth pointing out here at the start that Democratic Senators like Cleland (D-GA), Kerry (D-MA), Kerrey (D-NE), Robb (D-VA) and Hagel (R-NE) actually defended John McCain when he was smeared in 2000 by George W. Bush. Couple that with the parties votes on Veterans issues and there should be no question about whether or not the Democratic Party supports the troops.

Move over, John Rich! When it comes to selling the American people on Conservative Principals self proclaimed Country Music Super Star and Legend Gentry Selby is the final word on Country Music Conservatism. Gentry Selby's music is like listening to a post-911 song written by Dick Cheney and Toby Keith on Steroids. And not the bad kind like they use in Baseball. But the good kind they use on Race Horses.

Gentry Selby was advocating an invasion/nuking of Iraq before the first gulf war and has not flip-flopped on that position since. Before his performance of his song "Bring It On" at the 2003 CMA's Gentry Selby caused a bit of confusion/controversy with his remarks.

"Hate is a WMD and Saddam Hates America. So this song goes out to all the troops in Iraq preventing 9/11!"

This is the e-mail I sent to all of my so-called "Pro-Life" friends....

Subject: Congratulations!!!

You're all about to have babies very soon! AND by your own standards you're already a murderer! You see according to The Bush Administration if you're on the pill or have used any form of Birth Control than you have already had an abortion.

YAY!!!!

Edit: Thanks everyone who recommended this diary. It's very important we remain diligent about our voting process. The only way to deter fraud is to let it be known that we are constantly watching and to be vocal when we find something fishy.

I understand this isn't a "Diary" per say, but it is incredibly important we get this out in front of as many people as possible and I am willing to sacrafice my daily diary to do that.

Basically the one and only Greg Palast has teamed up with Robert F. Kennedy to investigate several cases on voter purges taking place right now all over the United States but most notably in the West/Southwest area. He's asking all of us to donate whatever we can to get his documentary about this produced and on the air. You can read the details below I will be quoting extensively from Palast's article since he wants the word to be spread on this.

Let it be known, I am not in the habit of refuting the nonsense peddled by Anti-Obama websites. As far as I am concerned our candidate for President of the United States is quite capable of defending himself more vigorously and with more style and grace than I could ever muster. However, it is our duty as members of our party and as members of a just society to defend the truth when the subject of attack is not merely a man but a history, a legacy and a record of accomplishments by men and woman alike; who worked and died to achieve them.

It is these achievements that serve not only as the foundation of our ideology, but in many cases the very foundation of our society. Far too few know the truth and as such lay vulnerable to misinformation. As such any attempts to rewrite history with a partisan hand must be challenged and destroyed whenever they are waged. For it is not just our history we are defending. But our future.

After 8 years of near perfect political maneuvering by the Republican Party, many people (myself included) have been scratching our heads and laughing at the utterly perplexing disappointment that is John McCain's candidacy. On the front page yesterday BHinMI expressed a concern many of us have no doubt wondered about quietly.

"You probably know the concept of peaking too soon.  I'm afraid the McCain campaign may be bottoming out too soon.  I've been following politics since the mid-80's, and I can't think of any campaign that has been as bad as McCain's."

There is even a diary by Phil in Denver I just read about how Obama Is Beating McCain By Almost Every Conceivable Measure I myself have spent a great deal of time wondering about McCain and how he could possibly keep going at this rate until November and I think I have come up with the answer.

You are about to read a true story about a Republican. He is everything you would expect from a Republican. He is an asshole, a racist, ignorant and above all else a complete tool. To top it off he has one of the dullest, most predictable personalities I have ever encountered.

His name is Ed. And I think I hate him.

I'm all for impeachment. I think if there has ever been a case where it is warranted it is at this time with this President. Especially if mere PERJURY is the bar we've set for high crimes and misdemeanors. However, it would appear that outside of Dennis Kucinich few support the idea of impeachment in Washington D.C.

The reasons for opposing impeachment generally fall somewhere between "It's a waste of time and resources" and "By the time he's impeached he will be out of office anyway." and while I understand that opinion I think everyone can agree that the rule of law and the authority of our constitution/separation of powers needs to be defended and protected. I cannot imagine anyone here would argue with the idea that President Bush needs to be held accountable for his crimes.

Salt in an open wound seems to be the Republican campaign strategy. The only thing is I cannot tell if they know what they're doing, what the logic is, or what they hope to achieve. It has been said that Karl Rove believes in attacking your enemies strengths. But from where does the strategy of holding up the most troubling, embarrassing and often times the most painful symbols of Republican failure come from?

Why do they insist on holding these failures up as their greatest achievements? Why do they insist on reminding Americans of these failures in the most symbolic and offensive ways possible?

What is the point of pouring salt in an open wound?

I want to start by saying I gave this info to another DKos User who has been doing some excellent VP Profiles over the last few weeks. Really excellent work and he was going to post it but so far he hasn't so I figured I would. He still can if he wants too that's fine by me. But here is the diary I wrote about Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and why I think she would be a good Obama VP choice.

Note: Those of you who see a young woman being considered for a powerful, influential position and automatically think physical attraction must be involved should know that I don't even like blondes (no offense anyone) I actually tend to date Mexican girls. Something about the big brown eyes. I dunno.

Anyway my point is while I disagree with some of Representative Herseth Sandlin's views on several issues, I happen to think she has a lot to offer. Not only in the executive branch but as a member of the Democratic Ticket as well.

Note: In the hopes of encouraging party unity I have edited this diary to be more kinder and gentler than it was when I wrote it.

Theres been a lot of bullshit talk coming from the Clinton campaign about the popular vote. Mainly the claim that it matters. It doesn't. But perhaps more importantly they claim they've won it. Now we've all heard the talking point that if you want every vote counted as Mrs. Clinton has been chanting like a madwoman saying lately, you cannot crap all over exclude Caucus States who don't generally record a "popular vote."  

THIS IS A DELEGATE RACE. Popular vote doesn't matter. But that being said if you were moronically hypothetically going to use the popular vote you cannot screw over exclude caucus states simply because there was no paper ballot to count toward a popular vote total. Having no ballots does not mean those millions of people didn't participate in our process. Are their voices any less important? Should they not be counted Mrs. Clinton?

For this diary I am relying on the numbers available at Demcon Watch who have done an amazing job at keeping track of this information. A few months ago I wrote a similar diary to this one. Basically this is an updated version. Back then there was still just under 300 Undeclared Super Delegates and this race could have gone either way. There was a lot of concern the Super Delegates might give the nomination to Clinton. Now there are just over 200 Super Delegates who have yet to endorse a candidate. The vast majority of which really have no reason not too.

I am somewhat torn on this.

On one hand I cannot believe Hillary Clinton would make a reference to Robert Kennedy with ill intentions such as hinting or dare I say hoping that Senator Obama would be assassinated in June. My opinion of Mrs. Clinton has sunk to dangerous lows since January but it is not yet so low as to honestly believe this is the message she was hoping to convey, or the sentiment she was expressing. Even in a dog whistle fashion this simply cannot be her intention.

Thank you Rescue Rangers!

Today my band performed at the County Fair here in California. The show went great, got a lot of new fans. But the coolest part was afterwards when I decided to stroll the fair looking at the exhibits and stuff.

I went into Building 1 and right by the doorway was the booth for the Republican National Committee. The booth consisted of a table, a old grumpy looking white man with glasses and a bunch of campaign signs from now defunct GOP Candidates for President spread out like a collage on the back wall. All of the "greats" were there. Rudy (911) Gulliani, Fred (Lazy Boy) Thompson, Mike (Subliminal Cross) Huckabee, Ron (Snakes on a Plane) Paul, etc.

It was a picture perfect scene. If old grumpy white men with a hard on for expired campaigns doesn't describe the GOP I dunno what does.

Like many of you here I fancy myself an amateur political strategist. I think its kind of impossible for anyone who reads/watches the news as religiously as we do not to fancy ourselves political strategists. But because of the fact that I really like and trust myself I tend to give my opinion more weight than it probably deserves.

For instance here is what I said 6 days before Pennsylvania.

Obama has to survive Pennsylvania and wipe the floor with Hillary in North Carolina. For Hillary the task is to win or tie both. Doing so will mean she remains formidable, as well as create the kind of narrative she needs to sweep the later contests, diminish Obama's electability and make a case for Super Delegates to endorse her.

http://www.dailykos.com/...

It looks as though I was right. That being said my favorite political strategist (me) has a few ideas about Obama's strategy from here on out that should help lock this thing up. But first a short recap of where we are is in order.

Obama restored my faith in his political skill tonight. Not because he won North Carolina and cut into Hillary's win in Indiana. That was great but I'm talking about the expectations and the timing of Obama's statements and speech tonight he played it very very well.