zenpotluck.com » An alternative to a Big 3 bailout

My friend Random Sparks in his Zenpotluck blog suggests an alternative to investing in the traditional auto industry to keep them afloat.  Instead he advocates investing in new companies that are trying to build the cars of tomorrow, rather than the cars of yesterday:

Upon reading about todays new $34 billion bailout plea by the Big 3 US auto makers, complete with pay-us-or-have-a-Great-Depression scare tactics, I felt compelled to send the following letter to my state representatives and the Obama transition team:

The potential bailout of the Big 3 US automakers raises an interesting question. What would small, emerging automakers do with the $34 billion bailout that the Big 3 are now requesting? Rather than simply giving the money to GM, Chrysler and Ford, I suggest opening a bid process to ALL US automakers, and granting investment capital to those who offer the best proposals, Big 3 or not. There are so many contenders. Here are just a few: Tesla Motors (www.teslamotors.com) Myers Motors (www.myersmotors.com) Aptera (www.aptera.com) American Electric (www.getkurrent.com) Tango (www.commutercars.com) I think that if the Big 3 needs to compete against innovative startups for their own survival, they will be more likely to develop greener transportation alternatives. Simply giving them the money would invite more of the same. I am confident that the Big 3 can compete in this marketplace if they summon the will to do so. But in any case, American auto workers and citizens will be much better served if the end result of this government investment process is a new industry - with new companies if necessary - building future-thinking vehicles. Thank you for your consideration and anything you can do to circulate my suggestion to governmental decision makers. We have a huge opportunity here if we just show the courage and determination to do it right.

zenpotluck.com » Request for Proposal

States I have visited

 States I have visited

A friend of mine turned me on to this website.  I've visited most of these states, a few I have spent time in airports in while connecting flights.

I had some fun spending a few moments and think about all the places in this country that I have visited.

Bush by the Numbers - ProPublica

The results of a failed presidency....

The final report card for George W. Bush wont be in the mail for another few years. (Nixons is still being revised -- and, for that matter, Lincolns.) But with just a few weeks to go before the 43rd president moves back to Texas, its not too early to measure the impact of his policies across American life.

Bush by the Numbers - ProPublica

They are all interesting, especially his fiasco policies regarding the environment, but this one is particularly telling:

Number of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests

2000--2.2 million

2007--21.8 million

Fiscal years. Source: Department of Justice

Number of personnel who process FOIA requests

2000--5,378

2007--5,367

Fiscal years. Source: Department of Justice

Government Cheese of a Different Kind « Margaret and Helen

I invite you to drop by and check out Margaret and Helen's Blog.  They have been friends for 60 years, and they always have something to say.  Here is "prime choice" from Helen:

OK. Now I am all worked up again. Republicans - each and every last one of you - need to reach for the nearest gas pump and then promptly stick it so far up your ass that only Sarah Palins Pipeline From Jesus can find it. How could you do this to us? An idiot. You put an idiot in charge of things and sat by for EIGHT years while the nation and the world fell apart. And if that wasnt enough, 58 million of you wanted to replace Laurel with Hardy as the next president. Sweet Jesus if I could jump through this computer screen and slap the crap out of 58 million of you I would. Everyday is precious. EVERYDAY. And we just pissed away 2,920. Never again.

Government Cheese of a Different Kind « Margaret and Helen

DL Presidential Pick Pool & the Electoral College

While the Presidential election is (almost) history, the final electoral college vote yet remains to be taken. On the Monday following the second Wednesday in December (December 6th, 2008), the electors of each state meet in their respective state capitals to cast their votes for president and vice president. These votes are then sealed and sent to the president of the Senate, who on January 6th opens and reads the votes in the presence of both houses of Congress.

However, the final electoral college tally will likely be:

Obama 365
McCain 173 

At our last DL meeting, attendees participated in our presidential pick pool, casting their best guesses on the number of electoral college votes the candidates would get.  Here are the results:

Place	Name	Obama	McCain
1	Kathy	364	174
2	Bruce	370	168
3	Brian	358	180
4	Angel	338	200
5	Nancy	331	207
6	Roger	315	223
7	Peter	312	216
8	Cynthia	300	238
9	Cynde	281	257

 

Congratulations to Kathy, who just about nailed the pick!  At the next DL meeting, we will all show proper respect for her predictive abilities!

Where are the Olympia area election parties?

There are no official DL election events on Tuesday this year, but I'm sure that many will take place on this very important event.  I personally will be out of town for work (big, big bummer).

I've had a few inquiries about events, but I am just not that connected.  Does anyone know of an election event that a fellow progressive would be welcome to attend?  If so, please post relevant information in the comments section.

If you are looking for an election event to attend, check out the comments section to this post.

Drinking Liberally Tomorrow Night, Monday Nov. 3rd

From the DL Olympia Email List:

Hello Drinking Liberally Olympia,

It's going to be a great week!  Tomorrow, we gather for a Drinking Liberally Pep Rally!  On Tuesday, I am confident that we will elect a Democratic tidal wave the likes of which I have not seen in my lifetime.

Drop by Bally Hoo's Irish Restaurant and Pub tomorrow night at 7 pm for our regular -- but always outstanding -- Drinking Liberally get together.  Look for us in the back of the restaurant. 

What's on tap?   Besides the always great beer, plan on participating in the Electoral College Sweepstakes!  We will note everybody's prediction for the number of electoral college votes cast for Obama (and McCain, too, I guess).  Whoever comes closest will get.....bragging rights!  By the way, 537 electoral college votes are up for grabs.

And I'm sure I don't need to remind you to vote, because most of you already have.  There are ballot drop boxes all around the Olympia area, so I recommend you use one of them!

If you are not all politicked out, check out a great music video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN_NNZyh43s&eurll

Hope to see you tomorrow night at Bally Hoo's!

Progressively and Liberally Yours,

Bruce

PS:  I had a few inquiries about a DL get-together on Tuesday night, but after checking with the "regulars," it appears other commitments and events have already been scheduled.

The Washington Monthly: It takes 10 hours to vote in Atlanta

In my earlier post, I questioned why someone would want to undertake an elected office when they view government as the problem. 

In this post,I encourage anyone and everyone who has the vision and energy to fix problems in Government--so it can do what it is meant to do--to be involved:

Besides that, the idea that anyone should have to wait for ten hours to vote is insane. And while I'd be happy to chalk up, say, 30 minute waits to unexpectedly high turnout, there's a point at which you just have to think: don't we pay people to estimate how high turnout will be, and to plan accordingly? And don't ten hour lines call their competence into question? We have to fix this. It's shameful.

The Washington Monthly

Palin: “Government Is The Problem, Doggone It!”

For the life of me, will someone explain to me why Republicans want to be a part of government if it is so evil and problem-prone? It would be like me wanting to join an evangelical church because I can't stand the thought of being told what to think, who to accept, and what my "family-values" are (not to mention having to talk in that Tongues thing).

This from Scott Conroy at CBS News:

(NEW PORT RICHEY, FLA.) - Sarah Palin pressed her argument that Barack Obama would move the country in a dramatically leftward direction.

“Our opponent’s plan is just for more bigger government, and doggone it, government is the problem, not the solution,” Palin said at a rally here.

Simulation Shows Obama Will Win -- Political Wire

It is looking good, but nothing is given.  I've volunteered to spend a couple of hours knocking on doors or making phone calls on Sunday.  If you are so inclined, contact your local Obama (or Gregoire) office and help out this weekend.

Brian Adams, a mathematics and computer science professor at Franklin & Marshall College, reports that there's a 99.98% chance that Sen. Barack Obama will win the presidential election on Tuesday. Adams has developed a simulation model that involves running 50 million simulated state-by-state races, using the late-October poll results for each state. He ran his simulation 50 million times to allow him to calculate all the different combinations of electoral votes that might result, even long shots. While the number of possible outcomes is very large, the result is always the same. Obama receives 270 or more electoral votes 99.98% of the time. Using intervals of electoral vote results, there is a 95 percent chance that the outcome will have Obama winning between 303 and 381 electoral votes

Simulation Shows Obama Will Win -- Political Wire

That Vision Thang.....

As I sit here watching the Obama - Clinton Rally, it strikes me that we finally are hearing what has been missing for eight long years...a vision for America that builds community, builds unity, and builds a promise for a chance of a better life. Together, not alone.

I'm a sucker for a moment that moves my heart and my soul.  And this is it.  Finally. 

Go out and vote.  It's the most important thing that you can do.

Obama has got identity politics on the run | Andrew Sullivan - Times Online

This is one of the most positive - and humbling -- descriptions that I have read during this election season.  If this doesn't illustrate another wonderful reason to vote -- I don't know what will.

So go vote!

The e-mail read: For me the most moving moment came when the family in front of me, comprising probably four generations of voters (including an 18-year-old girl voting for her first time and a ninetysomething hunched-over grandmother), got their turn to vote. When the old woman left the voting booth, she made it about halfway to the door before collapsing in a nearby chair, where she began weeping uncontrollably. When we rushed over to help, we realised that she wasnt in trouble at all, but she had not truly believed, until she left the booth, she would ever live long enough to cast a vote for an African American for president.

Obama has got identity politics on the run | Andrew Sullivan - Times Online

New Washington State Poll Numbers | Slog | The Stranger | Seattle's Only Newspaper

At Last Night's Drinking Liberally, there was much concern that the Governor's race could tip toward Rossi.  The latest poll numbers -- at least this lastest Elway Poll, seems to point otherwise:

Theres a new Elway Poll out today and it has good news for Gov. Christine Gregoire (with continuing good news for Barack Obama). Gregoire 51, Rossi 39 Obama 55, McCain 36

New Washington State Poll Numbers | Slog | The Stranger | Seattle's Only Newspaper

Beat the Press Archive | The American Prospect: Joe the Plumber would pay a max. $900/year in taxes

According to Dean Baker of the Center for Economic Policy and Research, if Joe the Plumber netted $250,000, he would pay an additional $900 in taxes per year.  If he makes more, he would pay more, if he makes less, he would pay less.

Seems to me that is fair.  $900 will not prevent Joe from hiring others, and it would not prevent Joe from conducting his business.

This is fair.  We need to start putting these soundbytes into perspective so people can make informed decisions.

Much of last night's presidential debate centered on "Joe the Plumber," Joe Wurzelbacher, a plumber who Barack Obama met while campaigning in Ohio. According to the New York Times, Mr. Wurzelbacher says that he is planning to buy a plumbing business that has profits of between $250,000 and $280,000 a year. While this income would put Mr. Wurzelbacher above the threshold where he could expect to pay higher taxes under Senator Obama's tax plan, the increase in his tax bill would be relatively modest. Under Senator Obama's plan, the tax on income above $250,000 would increase by 3 percentage points from 33 percent to 36 percent. This means that Mr. Wurzelbacher could expect to see his tax bill rise by between $0-$900, assuming that this plumbing business would be his entire taxable income. If he has additional taxable income, then he would see a larger increase in his taxes. It would have been useful for reporters to explain the extent to which Joe the Plumber would see his taxes increase under Senator Obama's tax proposal. It is unlikely that this tax increase will seriously impair his plans for his business as Senator McCain implied.

Beat the Press Archive | The American Prospect

Reporter attacked at Palin Rally: Automatic Writing

This reporter had a rough day at a Palin Rally held at Elon University yesterday.  I have the essentials below, but I recommend that you click on the link at the end of the post and read the whole article.

Emotions are definitely running high.  There is definitely going to be some ugliness over the next couple of weeks.

I sidled up to one of the Obama supporters and asked why they were there, what they were trying to accomplish. As he was telling me a large, bearded man in full McCain-Palin campaign regalia got in his face to yell at him. Hey, hey, I said. Im trying to interview him. Just a minute, okay? The man began to say something about how of course I was interviewing the Obama people when suddenly, from behind us, the sound of a pro-Obama rap song came blaring out of the windows of a dorm building. We all turned our heads to see Obama signs in the windows. This was met with curses, screams and chants of U.S.A by McCain-Palin folks who crowded under the windows trying to drown it out and yell at the person playing the stereo. It was a moment of levity in an otherwise very tense situation and so I let out a gentle chuckle and shook my head. Oh, you think thats funny?! the large bearded man said. His face was turning red. Yeah, thats real funny& he said. And then he kicked the back of my leg, buckling my right knee and sending me sprawling onto the ground. From my position there I saw the bottoms of a number of feet almost accidentally stomping me to death as the two political camps screamed back and forth, the music continued to blare and some of the Obama crowd moved the large bearded man and his friends away. When I was helped to my feet the bearded man was walking away quickly. For a moment I considered running the bloated, twelve-sandwich eating prick down and beating the living hell out of him&and then I remembered that Im a reporter, how much I enjoy being gainfully employed and how hard it would be to keep my job if I got into a fistfight with a guy at a political rally. So instead I limped off to try to find a security guard or cop.

How I Became Joe Sixpack « AUTOMATIC WRITING

The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan (October 10, 2008) - The Dangerous Panic On The Far Right

Andrew Sullivan hit's the head on the nail. This is a dangerous time for Barack Obama. McCain is encouraging hatred at a time when we need to be united. Panic is ugly, and let's pray that it doesn't get any worse.

I wonder...what are acceptable morals and ethics these days? The ends most definitely do not justify the means. These are Machiavellian days.

...This is a moment of maximal physical danger for the young Democratic nominee. And McCain is playing with fire. If he really wants to put country first, he will attack Obama on his policies - not on these inflammatory, personal, creepy grounds. This is getting close to the atmosphere stoked by the Israeli far right before the assassination of Rabin. For God's sake, McCain, stop it. For once in this campaign, put your country first.

The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan (October 10, 2008) - The Dangerous Panic On The Far Right

A DL Member Angel Cruz on the bailout: You should be afraid

Angel presents a perspective on the bailout that you may or may not agree with, but the solution outlined below deals with the problem, and it's not a band-aid to cover the wound.

As I sat here watching the Bailout Bill debate on the House floor I was overwhelmed with fear.  The bill being considered was not drawn from a thoughtful game plan.  In fact the $700 billion is admitted as "picking a really big number", and the additional $150 billion added to the bill is not part of any plan but merely pork tossed out to grease the vote.  $850 billion tossed into the wind hoping something good will happen.

Paulson is correct that the signal lights of our economy are all flashing red but there is no reflection on how we got here and what it will take to undo the mess.  The Paulsen/Senate/House plan commits the VERY same mistakes that got us in trouble by placing most of its faith in financial alchemy.  The investment banks and ratings agencies thought you could reduce the risk by slicing up these mortgages even though the system had been working just fine.  Now we are told that by the government pulling all the slices back together real value will be recreated.  Yes, for the banks, because we will be overpaying!

The proposal shows little evidence of having learned the lessons of information asymmetry which played such a large role in getting us into this mess. The banks will pass on their lousiest mortgages. Paulson may assure us: we will hire the best and brightest of Wall Street to make sure that this doesn’t happen. (Wall Street firms are already licking their lips at the prospect of a new source of revenues: fees from the U.S. Treasury.) But even Wall Street’s best and brightest don’t exactly have a credible record in asset valuation; if they had done better, we wouldn’t be where we are. This also assumes that they are really working for the American people, not their long term employers in financial markets. Even if they do use some fancy mathematical model to value different mortgages, those in Wall Street have long made money by gaming against these models.  We will then wind up not with the absolutely lousiest mortgages, but with those which Treasury’s models most underpriced risk.  So what are the major flaws in proposal as passed?

There are three critical flaws in the proposal.  The first is that it relies—once again—on trickle down economics: somehow, throwing enough money at Wall Street will trickle down to the benefit of Main Street, helping ordinary workers and homeowners. (The irony is that Wall Street was itself destroyed in an act of trickle
up economics—in its rush to make sure that the money it had discovered at the bottom of the pyramid was moved to the top.) Trickle down economics almost never works, and it is no more likely to work at this time than at any other. Even if it “works,” it’s neither the most efficient nor the fairest way of addressing the problem.

The second is that it sees the fundamental problem as a crisis of confidence. That no doubt is part of the problem; but the failure of confidence is because the financial markets made some very bad loans. That’s not just a matter of imagination or perception. It’s reality. There was a housing bubble, which supercharged our economy, and that has now burst. Best estimates are that house prices have a ways to fall before they are back to normal. We might be able to stop overshooting; but that is perhaps the best we can hope for. And if prices do continue to fall, there will be more foreclosures.  The bad loans have created a hole in banks’ balance sheets. That has to be repaired. If the government pays fair value for these assets, it will do nothing to repair that hole.

The third is that real contractionary dynamics are already in play, and this proposal does nothing about that. Even if the proposal were implemented quickly, there would be some credit contraction. But beyond that, states and localities are hurting, and are cutting back expenditures.  Household balance sheets are weaker, and we can expect consumers to contract expenditure—or at least not expand it at a pace to sustain growth. The U.S. economy has been sustained by a consumption boom fueled by excessive borrowing, and that will be curtailed. But an economic slowdown will exacerbate all our financial problems. The President has made it clear that he will veto any effective stimulus bill, including an extension of unemployment benefits.

Of course this bill downplays foreclosures.  Large amounts of foreclosures may accelerate the downturn, and may result in overshooting, and so it is important to address the foreclosure problem. Let’s be clear about one thing: the Administration’s view that the $700 billion bail-out will ensure that the mortgages the market views as bad aren’t really so bad is a fantasy. The fact is that loans were made on the basis of inflated prices, and real estate prices are falling.  No amount of talking up the market is going to change that. But direct aid to homeowners can make a difference.

That is why it is also absolutely essential that we deal directly with the foreclosure problem and Joseph Stiglitz provides a map.  Joseph Stiglitz states the Paulson plan is like providing massive blood transfusions to an ailing patient while vast internal hemorrhaging is occurring. Unless we deal with the underlying source of the problem, the bleeding of our financial system will continue.  Stiglitz says there are three things we could do easily and quickly, and for a fraction of the price of the Wall Street bail-out. "First, we can make housing more affordable for poor and middle income Americans, by converting our mortgage deduction into a cashable tax credit.  The government pays in effect 50% of mortgage interest and real estate taxes for upper income Americans, yet for poor Americans it does nothing. This reform is, in any case, long overdue. Secondly, we need bankruptcy reform allowing for homeowners to write down the value of their homes and stay in their houses, in addition to the help that the current legislation proposes. Thirdly, government could assume part of the mortgage, taking advantage of the lower interest rate at which it has access to funds and its greater ability to demand repayment. In return for the lower interest rate—which would make housing more affordable— it could demand from the homeowner the conversion of the loan into a recourse loan (reducing the likelihood of default), and from the original holders of the mortgage, a write down of the value of the mortgage to say 90% of the current market price."

Sounds good to me.

Angel

We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.

Abraham Lincoln

I would add that in addition to directly helping those in danger of foreclosure, there is in addition another crisis that no one is talking about:  We are a nation of financial illiterates.  There is an expectation that we should "just know" how to manage our money.  As some of us know, that is not the case.  And since our economy is based on consumerism, our nation has turned into a nation of debtors.

We should immediately start a national educational effort that will help people to obtain a basic level of financial literacy.  Start with schools, but reach out to everyone and anyone that is in need.  That is the real way to keep our country on an even financial keel.

Tina Fey As Sarah Palin In VP Debate On SNL (VIDEO)

Tina Fey nails it again!  Check out the VP debate satire.  It's satire, but it's so real, it's scary (but funny as hell!).....

Saturday Night Live's sketch about the vice presidential debate starred Queen Latifah as debate moderator Gwen Ifill, as well as Tina Fey, reprising her role as Governor Sarah Palin.

Tina Fey As Sarah Palin In VP Debate On SNL (VIDEO)

Palin says Obama 'palling around' with terrorists

OK--Here we go.  It's going to get ugly.  Screw civility...I hope Obama's got a gameplan to respond.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) - Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin on Saturday accused Democrat Barack Obama of "palling around with terrorists" because of his association with a former 1960s radical, stepping up the campaign's effort to portray Obama as unacceptable to American voters.

Palin says Obama 'palling around' with terrorists

The Twelve Lies of Sarah Palin: The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan

Andrew Sullivan pegs it in this post:

The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan

Tina Fey as Sarah Palin

McCain on banking and health - Paul Krugman - Op-Ed Columnist - New York Times Blog

Krugman quotes the latest McCainism:

Opening up the health insurance market to more vigorous nationwide competition, as we have done over the last decade in banking, would provide more choices of innovative products less burdened by the worst excesses of state-based regulation.

McCain on banking and health - Paul Krugman - Op-Ed Columnist - New York Times Blog

Drinking Liberally Olympia has a new home!

Hello Drinking Liberally Olympia!

There is lots going on with DL Olympia, so please read the entire message!

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT
Please plan on joining Barry and me tomorrow night, September 15th, at 7 pm for a fun evening of political discussion and fellowship! Lots has happened over the past few weeks and months, and it's an exciting time to gather with fellow liberals to toast the season!

NEW MEETING LOCATION
We are pleased to announce that our Drinking Liberally Olympia meetings will now be held at the BallyHoo Irish Pub and Restaurant. The pub is located in Tumwater, right across the street from the Olympia Brewery location, and next door to the Schmidt Mansion.

Ballyhoo offers a wide variety of beer and wine, and other libations if desired. Your official food tasters found the menu items quite appealing as well!

We will be meeting in the back room. The area is more conducive to conversation.

The address is:
316 Schmidt Place
Tumwater, WA, 98501-3343

DL OLYMPIA IS BACK TO MEETING TWICE A MONTH
Starting with September 15th, we will once again be hosting meetings twice a month, on the first and the third of each month, starting at 7:00.

Barack Obama : : Change We Can Believe In | Obama HQ Blogger: Largest Crowd Yet: 75,000 Rally in Portland

 

For hours now, we've been seeing stories about the huge lines for today's outdoor rally at Waterfront Park in Portland, Oregon. It's now been confirmed that the actual crowd on hand topped 75,000 people (60,000 inside the gates of Waterfront Park, with another 15,000 outside). Here is what the largest crowd yet of this Presidential campaign looks like:

The sea of heads stretches for half a mile along the grassy embankment, while others watch from kayaks and power boats bobbing on the Willamette River. More hug the rails of the steel bridge that stretches across the water and crowds are even watching from jetties on the opposite shore.

All I can say is wow!.....I wish I was there!

Barack Obama : : Change We Can Believe In | Obama HQ Blogger: Largest Crowd Yet: 75,000 Rally in Portland

The Washington Note--Creation of a National Infrastructure Bank

Your humble blogger makes his living helping communities to invest in public works infrastructure.  Obama has come out  supporting the need for the Federal Government to once again invest our nation's infrastructure.  And by the way, Washington state has a great model that stands out as one of the best:  The Public Works Trust Fund.

This from Steve Clemons at the Washington Note:

Barack Obama has just announced support for a national infrastructure bank -- similar to the one that Senators Chris Dodd and Chuck Hagel have been pushing for in Congress.

This is really important for the nation -- and helps to get back to sensible thinking about rebuilding the foundation on which this country's commerce, jobs base, social networks, just about everything that requires connectivity is based. Dems -- particularly budget hawks -- are in a bind because the stress on the discretionary part of the national budget is going to preempt any 'politics of optimism' if we can't distinguish between capital investments in national infrastructure that will help drive forward growth and gains for the economy -- and other kinds of disbursements that have less of an impact on economic growth.

The Washington Note

John Edwards To Drop Out Of Race - Politics on The Huffington Post

What ticks me off about this is that the vast majority of Democrats in this country has had no say in who our  nominee will be.  The system is broken -- and it needs fixin'.

DENVER — Democrat John Edwards is exiting the presidential race Wednesday, ending a scrappy underdog bid in which he steered his rivals toward progressive ideals while grappling with family hardship that roused voters' sympathies but never diverted his campaign, The Associated Press has learned.

John Edwards To Drop Out Of Race - Politics on The Huffington Post

Drinking Liberally Presidential Caucus Survey Results

Thanks to all that participated in the Survey this past week. The results are presented below, along with supplemental information presented during the survey. After the online survey results are presented, then the January 7th Drinking Liberally question results are presented.

There are some differences between the two, which may or may not be surprising to you. I will leave the analysis up to you.

Introduction to Survey

Who is your ideal liberal candidate for president? Choose your favorite person even if that person is no longer running for president.All responses are anonymous. Please be sure to read the introduction at the beginning of each page. It will give you the context on how to answer the questions.
These questions replicate a DL Olympia Caucus that we conducted at the first January Drinking Liberally meeting in which 16 people participated.

After you vote on each page, the following page will provide a description of how people voted at the January DL Meeting. Please make your selection first and then proceed to the next page -- No looking at the results first and then voting, and no changing your vote after you look!

Now on to the survey...

Favorite Candidate

On this page, you will identify your favorite candidate for president independent on whether he/she is still running or no longer running.

Which candidate would you most likely support for President?

	Percent	Count
Hillary Clinton	15.40%	4
Barack Obama	19.20%	5
John Edwards	23.10%	6
Dennis Kucinich	23.10%	6
Joe Biden	7.70%	2
Chris Dodd	0.00%	0
Bill Richardson	0.00%	0
None of these choices	11.50%	3

2. If you selected "None of these choices" above, please write in your favorite candidate.

Percent

Count

Ralph Nader	7.70%	2
Russ Feingold	3.80%	1

At the first January DL Olympia Meeting, here are the results of the poll of the 16 people who participated during the meeting:
5 Barack Obama
5 John Edwards
4 Hillary Clinton
2 Dennis Kucinich

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Your preference for "viable candidates"

These questions will identify your preference for candidates who are currently running for President, and who have gathered significant support in the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries

Which candidate would you most likely support for President?

Percent

Count

Hillary Clinton	18.20%	4
Barack Obama	22.70%	5
John Edwards	54.50%	12
Do not wish to respond	4.50%	1

	answered question	22
	skipped question	4

At the first January DL Olympia Meeting, here are the results of the poll of the 16 people who participated during the meeting:
6 Barack Obama
6 John Edwards
4 Hillary Clinton

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Now for an interesting twist....

Let's assume that no Candidate can garner enough electoral votes to win the nomination. After much arm twisting by Democratic party leaders, Al Gore decides to be considered as the party's nominee.

Which candidate would you most likely support for President?

Percent

Count

Hillary Clinton	4.50%	1
Barack Obama	22.70%	5
John Edwards	40.90%	9
Al Gore	31.80%	7
	answered question	22
	skipped question	4

At the first January DL Olympia Meeting, here are the results of the poll of the 16 people who participated during the meeting:

Of the 16 people who voted, 14 changed their votes to Al Gore.

Sorry, I lost the notes that contained the records for the other two votes who didn't change their votes....

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Clinton accuses Obama of flip-flops - Decision '08- msnbc.com

You know--I kind of like flip-floppers.  They show the maturity to change their position if wrong, if they get new information, or they found out how to do something better.  Look at where our country is today because Bush refused to take a second look at failed policies.

Flip-flopping is NOT a sin......the sin is changing your position, or refusing to take a position for political gain.

MANCHESTER, N.H. - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Democratic presidential front-runner no longer, accused campaign rival Barack Obama of changing his positions on health care and "a number of issues" in a debate three days before the crucial New Hampshire primary.

Clinton accuses Obama of flip-flops - Decision '08- msnbc.com

The Obama Phenomenon | MetaFilter

Metafilter has an extensive community dialogue on the rise of Obama.  Tonight, it's reported he is favored by 10% over Clinton in New Hampshire.

One who follows the link below will find that they can spend hours--and I mean literally hours--following the links about the ascendency of Barack Obama.

It is quite amazing to witness what he appears to have unleashed--an energy and an excitement that calls for all of us to work together to rebuild a country that we can all be proud of.

It's going to be interesting!

The Obama Phenomenon

The Obama Phenomenon | MetaFilter