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 Wednesday, November 29, 2007
"YouTube Debate Gallery"
Wednesday, November 29, 2007
"YouTube Debate - St. Petersburg, FL" It’s official: political participation has been forever altered by YouTube and Google. The result is the modernization of grassroot politics. Pre-debate, there was a sea of enthusiasts dressed in symbolic political garb; one gentleman even stood on the street corner clad as Abraham Lincoln. It was clear that this crowd was engaged from the start. Much of the post-debate criticism has been filled with comments about the bickering of the candidates, but I must report that it was not only certain candidates that were in engaged in heated discussions but members of the audience as well. I can’t help but speculate that the format and medium (and possibly the high humidity in Florida) were determining factors in the excessively contentious nature of last night’s debate. After it ended, we headed into the “Spin Room”. It was yet another media tornado, filled with reporters’ microphones ready to capture some inconsistency or record a new finding. Meghan and I couldn’t help but notice that Chuck Norris was present; we all felt safe. Next, we joined our fellow bloggers in the Google Blogger area, where journalists feverishly hammered away at their laptops. “Spin Room” stories were being traded and cell phones buzzed as the reporters decided how to convey the event to the public. For the grand finale, we decided to pay a visit to America’s favorite late-night eatery, Waffle House. We would like to send our gratitude to Waffle Houses around the country for “smothering and covering” us with love.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
"YouTube Debate Teaser" OK, we're back at the hotel after the run-through at the auditorium where tonight's YouTube debate is going to be held. I've attended what seems like a hundred debates so far and this one is definitely going to stand out among the rest. The debate organizers showed just a few of the videos people submitted with questions that were provocative and to the point. I can already tell this debate is going to be unique; I hope everyone tunes in to CNN tonight at 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT. I have a feeling that this could be the most interesting debate of the season.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Here is a message from my Mom regarding her recent knee surgery because everyone has been asking. We miss you Mom! It's not the same without you! On November 14th I had a total knee replacement on my right knee. I am back home now and presently involved in intensive therapy 4 times a week to regain the strength and mobility on my knee. It is a painful procedure, but the outcome will be wonderful when my recovery is complete. I miss everyone on the campaign trail and give everyone my best.
Cindy
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
We have an "in house" winner of our McCain Blogette Show Us Your Ink contest. Mark McKinnon, a dear friend and media advisor to the campaign, has great ink in honor of the late Pat Tillman, whose football number was 40. We love this tattoo, and I personally like having an ally on the campaign who has ink as well.
Thank you to everyone who submitted tattoos, we appreciate it!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
We’d like to wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Check in with us next week when we’re back on the trail.
Love,
Monday, November 19, 2007
"Behind the Scenes in New Hampshire: Independent Films & Independent Voters" We must take a moment to pay homage to all of those bold citizens who take the time to articulate their vision, regardless of the vehicle and medium they may use. There is a certain symmetry to be found in the sorts of venues, the message conveyed by the Senator, as well as the attendees from this day’s events. The underlying theme was that of freedom and independence; freedom to compete in a free market. Beginning with the Senator's comments at a town hall where he was introduced by Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, no stranger to the danger of protectionism, Senator McCain said, "I am for open markets." It was appropriate for Governor Huntsman to introduce the Senator, having served as Deputy U.S. Trade Representative. Next, among the media frenzy in Hillsboro, appeared three innovative young film makers from the IFC Independent Film Channel (www.ifc.com). Their objective: A behind the scenes look at a presidential campaign (this sounds a bit familiar). We must applaud the crew: Sarah Scully, William Rabbe, and Scott Wagner. The crew filmed Meghan under a magnificent hand-carved sign that was no doubt the product of a local master of the art of whittling. This all took place outside of the site of the previous event of that day, Morse Sporting Goods. The proprietor, a retired Sheriff, shall never surrender his duty to protect and to serve. We also had the pleasure of learning further about the nature of the New Hampshire voter from the most industrious Merrimack County Attorney Daniel I. St. Hilairie. His hospitality and state pride are enough on which to base a New Hampshire Board of Tourism ad. Thank you, Daniel! Upon exiting this event, we had the great pleasure of meeting Robin F. Marra, Ph. D., professor of political science and political polling expert that was the first and only person to predict that Senator McCain would be victorious in the New Hampshire primaries with 17% in 2000. Unparalled precision! Throughout the day we also were accompanied by a fellow blogger and Georgetown alum from Red State.com. We appreciate his insight as a blogger, student of the law, and loyal husband. Thank you New Hampshire for another fine day. Please be on the lookout for follow-up interviews with the aforementioned independent personas.
Monday, November 19, 2007
"More New Hampshire Gallery"
Sunday, November 18, 2007
"Snow, Snickers, and Shenanigans" We left The Basalms early this morning and drove down the mountains (sans cell or Blackberry service) through a snowy area that reminded me of the other side of the closet in “The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe”. We stopped at a ‘meet and greet’ at Howard's Restaurant in Colebrook, the first of many other stops throughout the day, including a pizza restaurant, a random snowy post off the side of the road (where we stopped for a press gaggle), a senior center and a few diners. There’s a ton of press traveling on the bus right now; my favorite journalists are the ones that are always with us -- Brett from ABC, Dante from CBS, Molly from Fox, and Marc from The New York Times. There's something familiar about the journalists that travel with us every day and in a strange sense they have become an extended, albeit dysfunctional, family to me, La-Toria and Heather. We want to thank you guys for putting up with our shenanigans and antics which hopefully bring some levity to the process along the way.
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"A Message From Mom Concerning her Knee Surgery"
"Winner of the Tattoo Contest"
"Happy Thanksgiving!"
