Don't Doze Off Yet

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Well it’s the middle of August and for most people that means county fairs and long lazy days. But that doesn’t mean the things have ground to a complete halt, certainly not politically. We have the interminable presidential race with both Obama and McCain droning on about this or that. Wake me up September 26th when they have their first debate. What should be an Obama cakewalk has evolved into a tight race thanks to the real or perceived arrogance of the Obama campaign. The “Meet President Obama” world tour fell flat on its face and actually boosted the uninspiring McCain in some key states. People don’t like a show-off particularly a young one.
Speaking of presidential wannabees, it was heartwarming to see that former Sen. John Edwards finally fessed up to ABC News that he’s been having an affair with a 42 year-old woman he met in a New York bar in 2006. He pathetically says the affair began while his wife’s cancer was in remission. How thoughtful of you Senator. He’s also refusing to take a paternity test.
And former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura has mercifully declined to run for the Senate after hitting every chat show on TV. It might have been his new, striking resemblance to Bozo the Clown that did him in.
Speaking of clowns, how about my man Kwame Kilpatrick, the embattled Mayor of Detroit? Kwame is currently awaiting trial for perjury and violated his bail conditions by taking a little trip to Windsor, Ontario. He said it was important city business but if you’ve ever been to Windsor, you know the only business being conducted there involves sashaying from one strip joint to another. The judge was not amused or persuaded and tossed the Mayor in jail.
Closer to home you get the feeling Sandy Treadwell, who is running for the 20th congressional district seat currently occupied by democratic newcomer Kirsten Gillibrand is getting it done. He’s running a strong, well financed campaign and comes into the race with a 90,000 republican registration edge. Gillibrand has been an active but somewhat ineffective campaigner. She didn’t make any friends in Hyde Park when her oafish glad handing held up the Fourth of July parade by 40 minutes. (That I saw with my own two eyes). Treadwell could send Gillibrand back to New York City.
September 9th brings us to the primary where one of the better contests is the race for the 102nd Assembly seat currently held by republican Joel Miller. Two democrats are vying for the right to take on Miller. Hyde Park’s Jonathan Smith is running an excellent campaign against Poughkeepsie lawyer Gary Levine. It’s tough to tell but it feels like Smith will prevail and give Miller all he can handle.
In semi-political news, was it just me or were you embarrassed by our Olympic bicycle team wearing breathing masks on the plane and in the Beijing airport? Maybe Chinese athletes landing in the U.S. should deplane brandishing guns and tossing crack vials to the crowd. Get over yourselves.
In non-political news, what’s the deal with that creepy Clark Rockefeller? More to the point, what’s with his wife of twelve years? She’s a Harvard MBA and has a big consulting job and she married a ghost.
Then we had Elvis’s sequined peacock jumpsuit fetching $300,000 at auction. If Elvis knew what his duds would bring, he might have pulled back the throttle on those peanut butter and bacon sandwiches. Ah well, Lisa Marie’s on hubby number four and expecting twins. She can probably use the cash.