Obama Talks Policy, Family... and Football

President-elect and Mrs. Obama were on "60 Minutes" this past Sunday. Barack talked a lot of policy, mostly about the economy but a smidge about Iraq. He was then joined by his wife as they recounted their recent visit to the White House, how the Presidency has changed their family (Best quote ever: "I don't tell my mother-in-law what to do. I'm not stupid. That's why I got elected President, man"), and the important topic of what kind of dog will be terrorizing the White House Press Corps next. Oh, and for all those wondering, he is in favor of establishing a college football playoff system. The interview is a bit long at 40 minutes, but totally worth it:

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*UPDATE* This interview drew 24.5 million viewers... the highest ratings for "60 Minutes" since 1999. Damn.

Change.gov : The Office of the President Elect

Keeping with his tradition of awesome web sites and applications, the President Elect has launched a new website for his transition team: Change.gov. Enjoy!

You Can Vote However You Like

I don't think we've come across many Obama McCain raps... especially not from seventh graders. Enjoy a remake of TI's "Whatever You Like". Click the video to get the lyrics :

Can we please put this on the playlist for the election day party?

Electoral Map Pool (or Who Wants to Gamble?)

So this topic may have already been discussed, but seeing that we are less than two weeks from election, I figured I'd bring it up again. Anyone up for an electoral map pool? We could also do a popular vote contest. Prizes can be discussed... but seeing that we're college students, the prospect of bragging rights is incentive enough. Comment below if you want in... then we can figure out what method/website is best to use.

Terry Tate: Election Edition

Terry Tate, the focal point of one of the most hilarious ads ever, is now taking a swing at everyone's (least) favorite Alaskan. Enjoy below:

Oh the gems that I discover when procrastinating...

Thank You Paul Krugman

Paul's Friday column just made my weekend. Not only did he map out a good plan for fixing the economy, he also opened up a can of whoop ass on John McCain and his lack of economic knowledge. Here's an excerpt from the awesomeness:

Will the next administration do what’s needed to deal with the economic slump? Not if Mr. McCain pulls off an upset. What we need right now is more government spending — but when Mr. McCain was asked in one of the debates how he would deal with the economic crisis, he answered: “Well, the first thing we have to do is get spending under control.”

Paris Hilton: Our Next Fake President

Loves it!

Dreams (or rather Emails) From My Father

The VP debate last night got me thinking about Palin’s ability to reach out to the independent, middle of the road voters in America. While she obviously brings in the socially conservative base, I was trying to figure out how her name on the ticket helps McCain get those swing states.

Thankfully my dad was able to help me out with this. He’s your typical white, middle-aged male who is an independent but registers democrat to vote in the primary (got to love Pennsylvania). He voted Obama in the primary, but has always been a McCain fan. Before the VP announcement, he was still undecided whom to vote for in November. In last night’s debate, he was looking for Palin to prove to the undecided, socially liberal, fiscally conservative, semi-libertarians like him why she deserves to be on the ticket and not Lieberman or Romney. After what he saw last night, he’s set with Obama-Biden. I’ll leave you with some of his comments:

Here is how she lost me, somewhere in the first 5-10 minutes: "I'm talking to the soccer moms and Joe Six-Packs out there. " Real class act. Goldwater, Teddy R, and William F. Buckley must be spinning in their graves! McCain has a lot historically to offer; but instead, he has become a flip-flop, and sold his soul. […] My position begs for a credible argument, yet McCain and Palin have rejected my support, in lieu of a pathetic "aw, shucks, trust me" mind set.

My father surely studies the evidence in this election more than most, but I think he has a point. While Senator Biden spoke the facts, brought the numbers, and kept it classy, Governor Palin stroked the base and brought the small town tack that ultimately undermined any credibility she had. Winking might work in Wasilla, but when trying to woo the fiscal conservatives who liked McCain before the campaign, it just doesn’t cut it.

"Katie, I'd like to use one of my lifelines"

For those who missed it:

"I'll try and find you some and bring 'em to ya"

You'd think she would have learned after the Charlie Gibson debacle. While the entire interview can be ripped to shreds, my favorite gem (and the namesake for this post) comes about 20 seconds from the end.