What have you read today?

Given all the prime material available, I've written relatively little about Sarah Palin. In part because she's such a joke, but also because I'm waiting to write one comprehensive post about the disservice her mockery of a campaign has done to all women (and, frankly, all intelligent people). Stay tuned for that.

Last night, I saw a new clip from her interview with Katie Couric that has me absolutely at the end of my rope with this nitwit.

In case you missed it:

Katie Couric asked Palin what newspapers and magazines she read regularly before becoming McCain’s running mate “to stay informed and to understand the world.”

Here is her response, according to a transcript provided by CBS:

Palin: I’ve read most of them, again with a great appreciation for the press, for the media.

Couric: What, specifically?

Palin: Um, all of them, any of them that have been in front of me all these years.

Couric: Can you name a few?

Palin: I have a vast variety of sources where we get our news, too. Alaska isn’t a foreign country, where it’s kind of suggested, “Wow, how could you keep in touch with what the rest of Washington, D.C., may be thinking when you live up there in Alaska?” Believe me, Alaska is like a microcosm of America.

Where do I even begin? Chris suggested that perhaps she's been over-coached to the point where she's afraid to answer even a simple question for which she has not been fed a canned response.

First, regarding her final paragraph. This nonsensical approach she's taking (here and elsewhere) that she's being unfairly maligned as a know-nothing hillbilly because she comes from a rural state is thoroughly offensive to anyone who has ever lived in a small town.

Palin has proven herself to be a know-little at the very least and has made some hillbilly choices, but speak for yourself, lady. No one I've met from an array of US and foreign cities has ever thought we don't get the news in rural America. I did encounter a cable installer in Rhode Island who was surprised to hear South Dakota had cable. But he did figure we still got the news somehow.

On to the larger issue of evading one of the easiest questions she's been asked, outside the Hannity interview. But I think given what we've seen from Palin in other instances - her frequent inability to string together a complete sentence, for example - it's plausible that she couldn't think of one newspaper or magazine she's read recently.

Or maybe all she could think of was Glamour, People, US Weekly and knew better than to say so. Hey, I'm not knocking these magazines. I read them too.

But within the past week alone I've read at least one article in: New York Times, Washington Post, Star Tribune, Financial Times, Detroit News, Salon and even the Ivanhoe Times. Not to mention hours of CNN and NPR.

I've been a news junkie (or, as some might say, nerd) since my dad introduced me to 60 Minutes when I was four. A love of news content and reporting is why I majored in journalism. I can't fathom that anyone would major in journalism if they weren't interested in news.

Certainly, Sarah Palin majored in something like Russian Studies, right? What? She majored in journalism? Journalism major who can't name a newspaper or magazine? That's like a political science major who can't name the three branches of government. Good grief, please don't ask her that question.

I also know that not everyone likes (or has time) to read about what's going on in the world. Or even to absorb it in small tv soundbites. To quote Palin on an unrelated topic* "that isn’t a choice I would have made. But I am not going to judge people."

What has our country come to, when the candidate for the second-highest office can't even name a single source from which she gets her news? Recent Pew Research Center data indicate that 81% of Americans report seeing, reading or hearing news on a daily basis.

Is anyone else shocked by this? I looked up that data expecting to find the number much lower and then concluding that Palin fits the "just like me" mold. While I've yet to actually meet anyone who votes for people they'd like to be friends/have a beer with, rumor has it they're out there. And that they love Palin for just that reason. She's just like them. They can relate to her.

Well, I can't relate to her for a hundred different reasons. Not the least of which is that she can't or won't name a newspaper or magazine she reads. I want - no, demand - the people I elect to be smarter than me. Keeping up with the world around you is a requirement so elemental in a national leader that it's ridiculous to have to even ask. It's like - to use a Palin-friendly metaphor - playing hockey with no puck. Without knowledge and information she's roaming aimlessly, carrying a big stick.

As you read, watch and listen to news today (since I know you're all part of the 81%), think about what it might be like for the country to be led by someone who doesn't read newspapers. Oh wait, we already know.

Now excuse me while I catch up on the news I may have missed while writing this post.

*this quote is from Palin referring to a long-time friend who is gay. While homosexuality is not a choice, I'm pleasantly surprised by her realtive openmindedness.

Seven Years Ago

I can't bring myself to write about today's anniversary, so I will refer you to my post from last year for photos.

It's not so much that I'm feeling blue about the anniversary (I'm almost used to it now) as I am about the past seven years we've spent under this regime and the grim prospect of four more.

Sometimes I enjoy reading comments on sites like Women Against Sarah Palin. But then I just read the opinions of people who think like I do and I wonder even more about the previously undecided voters who say that Palin has swayed them to vote Republican.

I see them on television, hear them on the radio and want to know what could possibly compel them to make such an important decision based on gut instinct. Or a pretty face. Or a love of hunting and fishing. Or blatant lies.

A day like today should remind us just how critical it is that our leaders make measured, well thought out decisions. How can we expect this if we don't act carefully and logically in choosing them?

Think wrongly if you please, but in all cases think for yourself. -Doris Lessing

Who?

John McCain chose Sarah Palin as his running mate. Who? Alaska's governor, apparently. What a ridiculously transparent attempt to target women.

I've always found the concept of a woman Republican to be an oxymoron. Or any other minority. Or anyone whose income doesn't meet John McCain's definition of middle class (i.e., makes less than $5 million per year).

(Oxy)morons aside, this ploy to win over disgruntled Hillary supporters (whose strength and tenacity have been significantly exaggerated) is both laughable and doomed to failure.

He could not have made a better VP choice!

Couple this tragic mis-step with Obama's home run speech last night and, folks, this thing is in the bag.

Anyone who listened to Obama's words last night cannot help but feel motivated and hopeful for the future.

Anyone who was previously uncertain about Obama's plans for moving our nation forward cannot help but feel convinced.

More than ever, we need a Democrat. I vote along party lines. Always. Many people don't and I respect the idea of voting for the person rather than the party.

Barack Obama. Joe Biden. Different stories, same goals. Together, they are the people and the party we need.

Yes We Did!

Although it was dark when I left the house this morning, I swear the sky was filled with rainbows and lollipops lined the candy-paved streets. OK, everything looked exactly the same. But it does feel a bit like waking up in a grand technicolor Land of Oz after being knocked in the head (repeatedly for eight years).

While every American is better off today, whether they all recognize it or not, there is something larger than a Democrat winning the election. There is significance to the election of an African-American man in a country with a tragic history of racism that we all know exists to this day.

My dear friend Elaine's eldest son, who voted in his first election and youngest son who was born three months ago, will both remember 2008 as the year their president's face looked like theirs. Elaine told me that she's received calls and emails from family around the world - people who have never lived in the US and likely never will - who are inspired and overjoyed by what America has done. A quick look at newspapers around the world affirms their sentiments. It's almost as if we have repaired eight years of damage in one day, though it may not be quite that simple.

As much as I believe in this historic moment, I know we're not there. This is a step in what has been and will continue to be a long journey. A road that I hope will include more firsts. While I am thrilled with President-Elect Obama and was behind him 100 percent, I can't help but think about Hillary. About how seeing my own face reflected in our President's would make this amazing day twice as great. About how Sarah "all-style-no-substance" Palin did more to hurt women than help us.

Bygones. As a country, we made the right choice. I have no doubt about it.

Highlights:
- Although South Dakota went predictably red, Obama won where my favorite people live: Brown, Day, Marshall, Roberts, Brookings, Moody, Lake, plus a few others. You did what you could and your vote absolutely counts in Obama's Popular Vote win - the first Democrat to win a Popular Vote majority since 1964.

- Tim Johnson's blowout of Joel Dyktra in the SD Senate race. Everything I read indicated the race was tight. The first returns I saw were after the victory was called for Johnson. To say I freaked out may be an understatement. I think Chris and Jack were a little scared...

Dykstra ran possibly the most negative campaign in the state's history, yet he claimed to have "run a race we could be proud of." If he takes pride in exploiting a physical disability I truly fear the tactics he would consider shameful. The people of South Dakota are better than that and you proved it last night! This doesn't quite make up for the Daschle-debacle of four years ago, but it's a good start.

- In other excellent news from the Great State, Measure 11 went down in flames. Ten points is frankly too close on an issue like this and I fear that the extremists will never let up. But I think that voters are tired of dealing with this and maybe it will go away for awhile. A similar measure was defeated even more decisively in Colorado. Obama will likely select from one to three new US Supreme Court justices during his first term. It is nearly guaranteed that he wouldn't appoint someone with an agenda that includes overturning Roe v. Wade.

- Kay Hagan's defeat of Elizabeth Dole in North Carolina. Not only was this somewhat of a surprise victory for a Democrat in a conservative state, but it was a defeat of perhaps the most vile campaign tactics our country has ever seen. If you haven't seen the ad Dole ran in the final days of the race, watch it here. Dole accuses Hagan, a Presbyterian Sunday School teacher, of consorting with "Godless Americans" and ends the spot with an image of Hagan and a voiceover pretending to be Hagan saying "there is no God." This is so low even Joel Dykstra might consider it shameful.

- By the narrowest of margins, Indiana went for Obama, the first time a Democrat won the state since 1964. Indianapolis is one of four cities I cover as part of my job. When I was there three weeks ago I was shocked to see four or five Obama yard signs for every McCain yard sign. This was in the conservative suburbs, not the more liberal urban core. Maybe the pollsters should skip the phone calls and drive around instead. That approach would be similarly unscientific and possibly equally accurate!

- Katie Couric, CBS' accurate early calls, CNN's graphics and OMG was that a hologram of the US Capitol???

Lowlights
- It appears Al Franken lost his MN Senate bid to Norm Coleman by (at most recent count) 477 votes. Coleman has claimed victory, but an automatic recount looms. As Bonnie mentioned this morning, every vote really does matter. There are worse people than Coleman to send to Washington as representatives of the interests of Minnesotans (see: Michelle Bachmann) and this one could change, but it could be weeks before we know.

- Michelle Bachmann's Sixth District victory over El Tinklenberg. He was initially a long shot, but after Bachmann's Anti-American accusations, his chances skyrocketed. Unfortunately, there were enough voters who want Bachmann to continue speaking for them.

- California passed Proposition 8, effectively rescinding the right of all people to marry granted earlier this year by the state Supreme Court. Opponents have already filed a lawsuit challenging the vote. I'm not gay, I'm already married and I don't live in California. I do, however, strongly favor people's right to marry whomever they choose. We haven't heard the end of this issue, in California or nationwide.

- Alaskans appear to be as discerning in selecting their Senator as they were their governor. While the race remains undecided, convicted felon Ted Stevens maintains a slim lead over his Democratic challenger. I know they like to do things differently in Alaska and, frankly, who's to say that a governor has to read the newspaper or know more than one Supreme Court decision? Being a dimwit is one thing; being a criminal is quite another.

- Even Tom Brokaw couldn't convince me to watch NBC. Election night will never be the same without Tim Russert and his whiteboard. As much as I was in awe of CNN's holo-graphic-mania, Russert's no-frills election coverage was second to none.

***

President-elect Obama used the phrase "We are the ones we've been waiting for" in his Super Tuesday speech last February. While not original and criticized as over-the-top cheesy, it is these words that have been going through my head for the past day.

I would have voted in this election no matter what. I've voted in every presidential election since 1980, even if I no one actually counted my vote in the first three. What amazed me and encouraged me were all the people I know who voted for the first time. Who told me they weren't interested until now.

Perhaps it takes a situation so dire and a past so unpleasant for all of us to understand that the future really is in our hands. And collectively, it is our right, our responsibility to affect the change we seek. For it is the will of the individual, multiplied 133 million times (and counting), that defines Democracy.

We are the ones we've been waiting for.