Matt Lauer interviews Sarah Palin on The Today Show yesterday. Nothing unexpected, but I think it's notable that she appeared on The Today Show on the same day that John McCain appeared on The Tonight Show. For all that talk of in-fighting on the Republican side, this speaks to at least some coordination between the two camps. McCain on Leno below. (He was a lot funnier than Palin, although I suppose he can afford to be.) Via The Daily Beast.

Biden's new role: Good cop.

A post-election view of McCain

Terry McAuliffe to run for Virginia governor

Al Franken's odds of winning the Minnesota recount long -- and short

Howard Dean to step down as DNC chair. Who's going to replace him?

Join the Impact - Protest information for upcoming Prop 8 protests

Obama roasts Rahm Emanuel in 2005. Funny stuff. (Via Andrew Sullivan)

Via Gawker.

McCain finally played the Rev. Wright card. It's like a time-warp back to last summer! A weird, too-little, too-late, why-now time-warp.

In case you missed it, here's John McCain selling his campaign on QVC with Tina Fey as Sarah Palin. Special guest appearance by Cindy.

There was a lot of discussion last night online, on TV, everywhere, about the new McCain ad (you can check it out over in The Media Bar) aired in response to Obama's thirty-minute infomercial. McCain's ad ends by saying that Obama is "not ready . . . yet."

This seemed to stump a lot of the pundits. I'm not entirely sure why. I thought the "yet" was a direct appeal to independents and undecided voters -- the ones most likely to decide the outcome of the election. Most of the independents and undecideds like Obama and, push come to shove, might vote for him based on their like of him alone. The McCain ad is an acknowledgement of Obama's appeal and popularity, and McCain is attempting to reassure those who are swayable by telling them that during this scary time they don't have to feel bad or guilty for not voting for Obama this time around. Yes, he is a great guy, and he will get his turn. Just not yet. Vote for me because I'll make things safe, and then Obama can have his turn in eight years. Jason Zengerle, over at The New Republic blog "The Plank," voices a similar sentiment.

I think that little line tagged on the end of the ad (" . . . yet") is also an acknowledgement that the negative ads are often boomeranging right back to McCain. He has to attack Obama, but can't keep risking the votes he needs most. With one little word, McCain can simultaneously foment his base's fears (of the world, in general) and tap into the lingering doubts of those voters who like Obama but worry about his youth.

Click below to jump to the full size players or click here to launch them in a new window. Or just pull hang out and watch them in The Media Bar next door.

Daily Song:
Smashing Pumpkins "Disarm" (Randy Moyer Mix)

Television:
The Blood Work Vlog says, "In this very special episode, my better half Andy and I carve True Blood Jack-O-Lanterns and discuss the latest episode, in which all kinds of crazy crap went down. (If you'd like to make your own Vampire Bill-o-Lantern or Fangtasia Gourd, the templates are available over here.) Tacky gay vampires, dirty cemetery sex, ice cream sundaes and more ... check it all out, after the break!"

Movies:
The Haunting of Molly Hartley - "In this tale of spell binding suspense, something evil lurks just beneath the lush surfaces of teenaged girl’s private school world - and it holds the rights to her very soul. Now, on the eve of her 18th birthday, Molly Hartley is about to discover the truth of just who, or rather what, it is she is destined to become." Uh, yeah. That sounds like a lot going on. This is part of the pre-Halloween theme, and it's also a reason to check out the movie's co-star, Chace Crawford.

Politics:
McCain's ad: "Obama not ready . . . yet." What the hell does that mean? Read my take.

Music Video:
Stevie Nicks performs "Sara" live

Click below to jump to the full size players or click here to launch them in a new window. Or just pull hang out and watch them in The Media Bar next door.



Daily Song:

Smashing Pumpkins "Disarm" (Randy Moyer Mix)

Television:

In this very special episode, my better half Andy and I carve True Blood Jack-O-Lanterns and discuss the latest episode, in which all kinds of crazy crap went down. (If you'd like to make your own Vampire Bill-o-Lantern or Fangtasia Gourd, the templates are available over here.)Tacky gay vampires, dirty cemetery sex, ice cream sundaes and more ... check it all out, after the break!
http://www.afterelton.com/blog/brianjuergens/blood-work-true-blood-video-blog-vlog-8-pumpkin-guts-muddy-buttocks

Movies:
The Haunting of Molly Hartley
"In this tale of spell binding suspense, something evil lurks just beneath the lush surfaces of teenaged girl’s private school world - and it holds the rights to her very soul. Now, on the eve of her 18th birthday, Molly Hartley is about to discover the truth of just who, or rather what, it is she is destined to become." Uh, yeah. That sounds like a lot going on. This is part of the pre-Halloween theme, and it's also a reason to check out the movie's co-star, Chace Crawford.

Politics:

McCain's ad: "Obama not ready . . . yet." What the hell does that mean? Read my take.

Music Video:

Stevie Nicks performs "Sara" live

Possible roles for David Axelrod in an Obama administration

A letter to the President-elect: "This is a sobering moment in American history. You begin with a good deal of popular support, but mandates must be replenished. I suggest you think of the Oval Office as a classroom, and explain to the American people what we need to accomplish and what it will require."

McCain out of ideas

McCain aides take a swipe at Palin: "She is a diva. She takes no advice from anyone," this McCain adviser said. "She does not have any relationships of trust with any of us, her family or anyone else. Also, she is playing for her own future and sees herself as the next leader of the party. Remember: Divas trust only unto themselves, as they see themselves as the beginning and end of all wisdom."

Obama responds to McCain's Meet The Press interview

The Washington Blade reports:

The Human Rights Campaign released its biennial scorecard assigning U.S. lawmakers ratings for their votes and sponsorship of gay-related legislation in the 110th Congress.

• Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), the Democratic presidential nominee, scored 94 on the scorecard. He lost points for not supporting HRC’s position on the Uniting American Families Act. Obama supports the bill but has not signed on as a co-sponsor. HRC's scoring criteria included points for co-sponsoring the measure.

• Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the Republican presidential nominee, scored 0.

• Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), a former contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, scored 95. She also did not support HRC’s position on the Uniting American Families Act. She also supports UAFA but has not signed on as a co-sponsor.

• Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.), Obama’s running mate, also scored 95. Like Obama and Clinton, he supports UAFA but has not signed on as a co-sponsor.

Click below to jump the the full size players, or click here to launch them in a new window. Or just pull up a chair, hang out, and watch them in The Media Bar.

Today's Buffet:

Daily Song:
Kanye West vs Radiohead - Reckoner Lockdown (DJ Earworm Remix)


Television:
Bill O'Reilly on The View (8:09)


Movies:
With all the political piling going on right now (motivated at least in part by sexism), I've been thinking of Blade Runner, Harrison Ford's Deckard, and Sean Young's Rachael. (7:57)

Politics:
After a 55-day wait, Brian Williams interviews McCain and Palin (10:20)

Music Video:
In honor of my blog's new name, kd lang's "Hallelujah" (5:15)

The players after the jump. Or click here to launch them in a new window. Or just pull up a chair, hang out, and watch them in The Media Bar.

Daily Song:
Kanye West vs Radiohead - Reckoner Lockdown (DJ Earworm Remix)

Television:

Bill O'Reilly on The View(8:09)

Movies:

With all the political piling going on right now (motivated at least in part by sexism), I've been thinking of
Blade Runner, Harrison Ford's Deckard, and Sean Young's Rachael.

Politics:

After a 55-day wait, Brian Williams interviews McCain and Palin (10:20)

Music Video:

In honor of my blog's new name, kd lang's "Hallelujah" (5:15)

Two new websites give voters a chance to see and hear the Republican candidates in an entirely new way.

Have some fun with Mccain, and then check out what Palin would say as President.

Steve Kelley, copyright 2008 Creators Syndicate

McCain is funny: “I’m the underdog, but there are signs of hope. I can’t shake the feeling that some people here are pulling for me. I am delighted to see you here tonight, Hillary.”

National Review Writer: Obama Likely Would Have Been Aborted, Had It Been Legal

The Temperament Factor: Who's Best Suited to the Job? Time's lengthy article navigates the places where personality meets challenge.

Interview with Treasury Secretary Paulson: "The steps we’ve taken are absolutely the right steps. They are bold steps. They are strong steps to stabilize the financial markets and inject confidence into the banking system along with capital."

Economists prescribe deeper deficit: Balanced government budget no recession cure. "The financial crisis has rocked the economy's foundations, but it also has opened a window of opportunity for the next president."


Great interview with Madeleine Albright on the candidates' foreign policy views, the mishandling of the Iraq war, and her time as Secretary of State. She says Obama reminds her of Bill Clinton.

Watch CBS Videos Online
About the hubbub surrounding his canceling on Letterman a few weeks ago, McCain said, "I haven't had so much fun since my last interrogation."

Sorry about the 10 second commmercial, but it's CBS so . . . .

EOnline is reporting that John McCain will be back on Letterman this Thursday, October 16, the day after the final presidential debate.

This comes just a few weeks after McCain canceled his previous appearance on Letterman because he had to "race back to Washington." Except he didn't so much race back to Washington as go hang out with Katie Couric.