Jester Frazzle

"Exotic" code for "black"?

2008-06-14T10:56:00.006-05:00

Once again, the Obama campaign is picking through weeds to play the race card.

Choice Words

2008-06-13T21:54:00.004-05:00

How We Talk When We Talk About Politics
This from a poll taken from the Texas Observer by James W. Pennebaker:

The Big Picture:

Obama supporters tended to be cognitively abstract and complex, and upbeat.

Clinton supporters were engaged and personally involved with concrete political issues. The were living in the here-and-now and were positive in their thinking.

McCain supporters tended to be emotionally distant. Most striking was their negative mood and dearth of positive emotions. This grouchy orientation may reflect a risk-averse approach to the world, as opposed to an opportunity-oriented way of thinking.

This recent Observer poll of 2,500 Democratic Primary voters in Texas asked participants two open-ended questions about their preferences. First, "In a couple of sentences, could you tell me what you think about the presidential campaign so far?" The second: " Could you describe the Texas issues that are most important to you?"

The analysis of the words people used to answer the questions, they were able to see how supporters of the different candidates are psychologically different. There were also similarities between the rhetoric of the campaigns and the language used by their supporters.

These differences were : Personal language, thinking styles, emotional tone, whether they were inhibited or constrained and their time orientation which reflect what the participant was thinking of past, present or future.

The author of the study and article in the Texas Observer is chair of the department of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin.

For more information see

www.psy.utexas.edu/Pennebaker

The Perfect Ticket

2008-06-13T18:06:00.000-05:00

Here it is folks, yep. My idea for the perfect
ticket. Let's just for a second think about this:

The first Bipartisan ticket EVER in the history of the 2 party system.
Wow! What a concept, both candidates are awesome both could do the job effectively,
and both bring a resume' of experience that will knock your socks off.

This is the ticket I'd like to see.

How bout'them apples?

Statement of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Former President William Jefferson Clinton on the Death of Tim Russert

2008-06-13T17:27:00.000-05:00

"We were stunned and deeply saddened to hear of the passing today of Tim Russert. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Maureen, his son Luke, his father who we all have come to know as Big Russ, his extended family and all of his many friends and colleagues at NBC who have suffered a tremendous loss. Always true to his proud Buffalo roots, Tim had a love of public service and a dedication to journalism that rightfully earned him the respect and admiration of not only his colleagues but also those of us who had the privilege to go toe to toe with him. In seeking answers to tough questions, he helped inform the American people and make our democracy stronger. We join his friends, fans and loved ones in mourning his loss and celebrating his remarkable contribution to our nation."

Tim Russert Dead ?

2008-06-13T15:14:00.000-05:00

Wow. Can this get any more strange!?!

First, Kennedy gets diagnosed with a brain tumor, now Tim Russert dies suddenly!

I can't help but wonder, what the heck is going on!?!?!

Kennedy's tragic diagnosis, Russert's sudden death. Both men highly regarded in their chosen professions. Both men in the political circus of the Democratic Primary, Kennedy for endorsing Barak Obama, and Russert for covering the whole of the primary. Some have suggested that Russert is a supporter of Barak Obama as well. I personally don't know if that is true but if it is, there is great sorrow for Barak Obama's campaign.

Terrible loss no less for the network NBC. It apparently happened while he was doing
voice-overs for his show "Meet-The-Press". Wow, Can you imagine, the horror.?

Terrible loss.
There is no doubt he will be missed, and my condolences go to his family and colleagues.