OUT OF CURIOSITY I VISITED A FEW REPUBLICAN BLOGSITES....I NOW FEEL SO UNCLEAN AND TAINTED..

After the surprise announcement yesterday of Alaska governor Sarah Palin being selected as John McCain's running mate in the gubernational election (to be addressed in another posting), I decided to spend time on the internet reading the reaction of both sides to the announcement.

I visited my usual fare - Towleroad - and read the comments made by readers on the announcement. (Click here to indulge - they're actually funny as well as insightful.) The opinionated queens were out in full force spewing catty remarks by the ton. My overall impression (when you got past the name-calling; these queens crack me up) was that although they think it was a bold move by McCain, it will eventually backfire on him. The other most expressed emotion was....fear, fear that if McSame does win this election (God/Allah/Yahweh/Buddah/Krishna forbid!) it will set back the GLBT movement by 100 years - a feeling I also echo.

After an overdose of far-left Democratic views and commentary I decided to take a "fair and balanced" approach...and visit the far right-side of the political world. Taking a very, very, VERY deep breath I typed in the url www.foxnews.com and hit ENTER.

The first few minutes of browsing the website of the 'unofficial" mouthpiece of the Republican party was not as nauseating as I thought it would be; they even seem to have more stories about the DNC convention than on the selection of Palin as VP for the GOP ticket. (I still, however, have a fear that my short visit was noted and that somewhere on my lap top's hard-drive lurks spyware that was covertly added.)

"Hmmm," I thought to myself, "I wonder what the chatter is about in the blogs of Republicans..."

And with that thought I Googled 'republican blogs' and went a little sight-seeing.

Ten minutes later I was reeling from the hate and venom from a particular website that extolled the view of "Why I Won't Vote for a N**er", on top of the previous blog site that began with Bible-thumping reasons why Palin was a great choice.

I quickly closed my browser hoping to erase what I just experienced, and decided my brief foray in to Republicanland was the most time I'll ever want to spend in that depraved environment.

I felt as if I had taken a roll in the mud of prejudice and ignorance.

Then it hit me - if America could be duped into voting Bush in for a second term, what is stopping them from making a second terrible mistake and voting in an rich, hot-headed aging senator and a greenhorn former beauty queen/anti-feminist/anti- GLBT?

My nausea just returned...

STALEMATE OR STUBBORN? Clinton plans to hold on until June 3rd

The results of the May 20th primary are in and again the results are split - Clinton trumping Obama by over 30% in Kentucky - a state with over 4 million residents, versus Obama's 18% win over Clinton in Oregon - a state of 3.4 million. The delegate count (including super delegates) currently stands at Obama 1,962 versus Clinton's 1,777 with 2026 needed to clinch the DNC nomination. (Numbers courtesy of CNN's Election Center)

At this time Obama clearly has an unbeatable lead in delegate count but again the argument is beginning to surface with regards to his electability when pitted against John McCain. Some pundits suggest that disillusioned Clinton supporters may chose to either not vote in the November election, or switch support to John McCain rather than vote for Obama.

One can not forget what happened in the 2004 elections: John Kerry (another junior senator) won the DNC nomination, but could not deliver the presidency. Some registered Democrats did not feel he was a strong enough candidate on the issues and failed to convince the swing voters and independents – thereby giving a second win to G.W. Bush.

Clinton's argument is she CAN win the large states and has a strong following with the working class and the Hispanic vote (the largest minority) - a feat Obama has yet to master. His win in the delegate count has been on the backs of the less populous states - if he is sanctioned as the DNC candidate - will he still have the 'rock star' appeal to deliver them again? Also, will he alienate Clinton voters in large urban areas if he is declared the DNC presidential candidate?

Obama's wild card could be independents and swing voters - he appeals to them and they may be the group to court during the weeks leading up to Super Tuesday in November.

One area of uncertainty - we have yet to see how Obama performs in a debate against John McCain. Although Obama is a polished, confident and strong speaker when presenting a prepared speech, he has a tendency to come across as hesitant and struggling when put on the spot in live one-and-one debates. This is one area that Clinton has shined - during debates she regularly comes across decisive, articulate and very determined.

With all of these elements for both DNC candidate hopefuls we really have to ask ourselves – is Clinton’s determination to stick it out until June the act of one who feels she has a better chance at the general elections, or one who refuses to back down because everyone says she should?

Stalemate or stubborn – you decide.

CLINTON FOR TWO-THOUSAND AND......TWELVE?

Tomorrow, primaries will be held in the states of Kentucky and Oregon for both the Democrats and Republicans. While John McCain will be going through the motions (being the defacto candidate for the Republican party), this will be the turning point for both the Clinton and Obama campaigns. Tomorrow will either solidify the candidacy for Barack Obama, or it could possibly throw a floating straw to Hilary Clinton.

Although the press and pundits have already written off Ms Clinton one can shake a finger and say, "remember New Hampshire..."

Stranger things have happened and until the DNC convention convenes in late summer a presidental candidate can not declare themselves the winner. Just one incident can change the outcome, and it's still along way to August.

One could muse that Obama winning the candidacy could be a good thing for Hilary Clinton, and a bad thing for the DNC.

If Obama is selected as the candidate and goes on to win the presidency but fail to deliver on his prose and promises, he will be seen as a classic example of the DNC failing to deliver in a time of need - long on words, short on action. Clinton could, at that time, ratify herself as the one that should have been chosen because of her experience and 'pit bull' stance and go on as a strong candidate for the 2012 election.

Then again, Obama could live up to his rhetoric and actually live up to be the hope and change that many Americans are looking for.

As for John McCain's chances in the November general election I'll use an old saying (in Jamaican vernacular) "new broom sweep clean, but old broom know corner", be prepared for the old guard to bare teeth and growl at the young dawg.