What Stood Out This Week - 6/8-6/14

Ssshhh... We've got primary hangovers. So let's see What Stood Out This Week...

The Democratic Candidate

Obama's been visiting swing states and getting his general election organizing together. He's going to be the first Democratic presidential candidate to have paid staffers in all fifty states. That he's the first to do this (don't know if that means "ever" or "for decades") is mind-boggling to me. If the fundraising-deficient Republican Party has to put enough focus on states that have been "sure things" for them, that opens up the whole map to Obama's campaign.

One of Obama's VP vetting team had to resign because he got a sweet deal on a mortgage or something.

Obama's also centralizing the DNC operations in Chicago. We're getting Chicago-style on your asses now, motherfuckers!

The Republican Candidate

John McCain canceled a fundraiser this wee because the host, a former Texas gubernatorial candidate, had once made a completely unfunny joke about rape. So when those comments resurfaced, John McCain John-McCained the fundraiser.

I don't really know what else he's been up to.

This Week's Argument

Both sides are bitching at the other about the whole how-are-we-going-to-debate question. John McCain wants nothing but town halls. Barack Obama wants a town hall and some debates. Both sides are very disappointed in the other and accusing the other of being petty and inflexible.

Other Relevancies

Once again I saw a little something about a prominent congressman who thinks the Democratic fifty-state strategy is a waste of resources. Thanks, Rahm Emanuel (fellow alum), but you're really wrong about that.

Hillary's been out of sight this week, taking a much needed rest. I hope she gets out there soon. One of her elected delegates has endorsed John McCain. The delegate is going to vote for Hillary at the convention and vote for McCain in the general election. I'm not sure what's wrong with those people.

Rudy Giuliani's offering to help Republicans raise money. But only if you'll help him pay off his campaign debt. That guy's an asshole even when he's trying to help.

And finally, Tim Russert... His death is sad indeed. I'll always remember his whiteboard scrawls during the 2000 stolen election. NBC had all the graphics people at their disposal, and yet there was Tim writing illegibly on a whiteboard. It was brilliant. And Tim was a great interviewer, not afraid to use people's own words against them. He was knowledgeable and prepared. This year's election analysis will suffer without him. NBC must seriously be shitting bricks right now. And they're probably mourning a bit, too.