|
I forgot to mention it last week, but DL just turned 5 years old, and we celebrated by reaching a milestone -- also last week, a new chapter in North Dakota means that there is now a group of fine folks drinking liberally in all 50 states of this great nation.
The good ol' New York Times even spared some ink for us:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/01/nyregion/01drinking.html
A bunch of cool and even important people (including Howard Dean) sent or recorded happy birthday messages for DL. They are all collected here:
http://www.happybirthdaylivingliberally.org
Woohoo!
So, I don't know if you've noticed, but I've been laying off the whole Democratic primary thing lately -- emotions (including my own) have been running high, and I didn't want to beat a dead horse every week.
Having said that, this particular beating may, in fact, be nearly over. There are signs and portents that point to a graceful conclusion to a hard-fought battle.
1. Hillary Clinton scheduled a speech for Tuesday night, after the last of the primaries take place in Montana and South Dakota. OK, she gives a speech after every primary, but here's the thing: this speech is in New York.
2. Bill Clinton said, in a campaign event in South Dakota, "this may be the last day I'm ever involved in a campaign of this kind. I thought I was out of politics, till Hillary decided to run. But it has been one of the greatest honors of my life to go around and campaign for her for president." Never one for subtlety, Bill pretty much just admitted that his (and by extension Hillary's) campaigning days are over (for now).
3. Many members of Clinton's "advance team" (the ones that go from state to state organizing events, etc.) are being sent home. A Clinton spokesman admitted that the campaign doesn't really have anything scheduled past Tuesday.
4. Remember that speech that Clinton is giving in New York tomorrow night? Well, she made a point of inviting "top donors and backers" -- a clear indication that an important announcement of some kind will be forthcoming.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/06/hillary-clint-3.html
Obama, to his credit, is keeping mostly quiet (other than the news over the weekend that he finally separated himself completely from his Chicago Church). He also has a speech scheduled for Tuesday, but his speeches have been focusing almost exclusively on McCain for weeks now, and whenever he does mention Clinton it is almost always to praise her as a candidate, a senator, and a person.
Rumors abound regarding Clinton's continuing role as a critical component in the Democratic Party's run for the White House in November, but of course they are just rumors. Personally, I hope that Clinton remains fully engaged in the process -- if not as part of "Dream Team" presidential ticket, then as a strong campaigner and powerful and influential party leader. I believe that a united front will quickly make everyone forget all the rancor and fighting of the past few months.
So, Tuesday, June 3, could go down as the day that the contest (unofficially) ended. Is it shameless of me to mention that it is also my birthday? Probably, but I'm OK with it. =^) In any event, that would be a heckuva present, let me tell you. It's time to focus on preventing McBush and their minions from winning a third term in office!
It's also time to celebrate the 5 year anniversary of Drinking Liberally!
What: Drinking Liberally
When: Tuesday, June 3, 7:15ish
Where: Publick House
2307 Devine Street
Columbia, SC 29205
(803)256-2207 for directions
--Rafi
|
