Dullard Mush

Harry Reid Postcards, L.A. Gang Tours and the Obama Look

noreply@blogger.com (The Anon Guy) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:16:00 +0000

I actually ended up taking an accidental gang tour trying to scalp some Metallica tickets back in the Summer of '94. And that was after being hit on the head with a beer can and having a ticket stolen. Not a good day.

L.A. Gang Tours promise to give tourists a bus-ride view of gang culture for $65 a pop. Got to love the quote from tour creator negotiating for safe passage in one area, "'I'm not saying you have to stop shooting each other,' (Alfred) Lomas said. 'Just allow me a certain time in the day. . . . Just let the bus go through.'" He succeeded, though.
Do you think Harry Reid or anyone on his staff actually read even one of these mass virtual postcards (and as of noon about 21,500 had been sent)? Still, the real reason for these "politics of outrage" mailings is, of course, to raise money. So maybe it will be a success after all.
I wonder how many Nevada candidates will mimic the Obama online look? It just worked for a Massachusett's Republican.

Finally Some Good News for Car Salesmen

noreply@blogger.com (The Anon Guy) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:21:00 +0000

No, car sales are still in the crapper, but the good news is the lowly used car salesman is no longer considered America's most sleazy profession.

Congressmen now hold that honor as a recent Gallup poll found 55% of respondents thought House members' honesty and ethical standards were low or very low. Car dealers, by contrast, were only thought to be crooks by 51% of the population. Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate dodged a major bullet when the final tally showed that they could still use the "Hey, at least we're not car salesmen" defense -- only 49% think Harry Reid and Co. suck.

CD-3 Polling News and Congressional Committee Websites

noreply@blogger.com (The Anon Guy) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:48:00 +0000

A couple stories to ponder as the snow piles up in Reno.

I love the lead the LVRJ's Benjamin Spillman uses in his story about Joe Heck being knotted with Dina Titus in the latest CD-3 poll. Good stuff.
But then he takes a beating from a candidate left out of the polling options.
More geeky website stuff. Ranking the Congressional committee sites. #1 was House Education and Labor. At the bottom, #36, was the Senate Armed Services.

Reid and Ensign Make Google's Zeitgeist 2009

noreply@blogger.com (The Anon Guy) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:39:00 +0000

Both of Nevada's U.S. Senators placed in Google's Zeitgeist 2009, a look at the most popular internet searches of the year, though one would probably prefer not to have made it.

In U.S. Senate queries, Harry Reid ranked, somewhat surprisingly, only fifth. Ted Kennedy, naturally, topped the list, but Nebraska's Ben Nelson was second.

John Ensign, though, was eighth in the "Their 15 Minutes" category, joining such luminaries as Bernie Madoff, John Edwards and Mark Sanford.

BarackObama.com Testing Different Looks

noreply@blogger.com (The Anon Guy) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:13:00 +0000

For those, like me, who have an odd fascination with political websites, this video on Organizing for America (BarackObama.com) testing different landing pages is pretty cool. For the rest, maybe not so much.

From the looks of it today, at least on my computer, the "Fired Up?" and "Ready to Go!" blue background was the winner.

Odd White House Flickr Choice and Nevada's Safe Deposit Box Auction

noreply@blogger.com (The Anon Guy) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:01:00 +0000

techPresident wonders why the only India state dinner photo on the White House's Flickr feed is the one with the reality-TV bimbo and stooge.

If you are interested in Saturday's Nevada Unclaimed Property auction in Vegas, it might help if you love coins, jewelry and, well, more coins. There are, though, some nice baseball cards up for auction, including a prized Nolan Ryan/Jerry Koosman rookie card. And, if that's too rich, you can always grab a couple Jose Canseco rookies. (Auction guide .pdf)

Is Dawn Gibbons Crashing RENO Mag's Servers?

noreply@blogger.com (The Anon Guy) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:58:00 +0000

Ever since the RGJ teased their RENO Magazine exclusive interview with Dawn Gibbons I have been checking the magazine's site for more details. Yet every single day this week clicking on the actual December issue takes you to a "We're having technical difficulties" page.

Who knows if one can actually read the entire interview online, and a cursory check of prior issues also faced technical difficulties, so maybe it's just the RGJ's way of telling folks to go out and actually buy the thing at Scolari's or somewhere.

What is currently available, though, is how the interview came about. From the sounds of it, it looks like Dawn wanted this story out for a while.

Update: Or they can just put it up on the RGJ site. Read the 12-page story here. Also, be sure to check out the "Dawn Gibbons through the years" photo gallery. Picture #36 shows the First Lady at her apartment's bathroom sink making a grilled cheese sandwich on a George Foreman.

Is "Real Jobs for Real People" Really Sue Lowden's New Campaign Slogan?

noreply@blogger.com (The Anon Guy) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:51:00 +0000

Of all the slogans to choose for your U.S. Senate campaign, one wouldn't think something like "Real Jobs for Real People" (in a feminine script font no less) would pass even a quick man-on-the-street survey let alone a Campaign Solutions focus group. But, apparently it did and that appears to be the tag Nevada Republican Sue Lowden is going with.

Now you figure it is a jab at all the phantom job numbers recently being touted by stimulus proponents, but wouldn't that be more fitting of a one-off and not a campaign-long one? After a very short while the whole "real people" part will beg the sarcastic "As opposed to fake people?" Let's face it, most campaign slogans are cliches to begin with but wouldn't a "Putting Nevadans Back to Work" or "Let's Bring Prosperity Back to Nevada" sound better. And, if you want a slightly tougher pose, you could always add the ubiquitous "Fighting to ..." to the above examples.

But even if you like the "Real" slogan, why would you place it on a banner that flashes outdoor Nevada scenes? Wouldn't this call for pictures of people working in, well, "real jobs" (cue the hardhat, teacher, cop, casino worker [it is Nevada after all], etc.)? Even worse, when a website visitor clicks on the banner it just takes them to the same homepage they were on, except with a new outdoor picture. You would think it would take a person to a page touting Lowden's job creation plans or one poking fun at the inflated job claims by the government. But it does neither.

Finally, maybe it's just me but the script font used on parts of Lowden's site just doesn't seem to work. If your main campaign thrust is "Real Jobs for Real People" it shouldn't look like a wedding invitation. I can't help but think this was the result of some consulting genius declaring, "Hey, let's go with a girlie look because, you know, Sue Lowden is a female."

Thinking like that isn't going to knock off a Harry Reid.

Journicide

noreply@blogger.com (The Anon Guy) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:13:00 +0000

Alan Mutter takes another look at the demise of the newspaper industry and coins a term. It does seem like the End Days for the daily paper.

Mad Mike Strikes Again, and Some Other Stuff

noreply@blogger.com (The Anon Guy) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:07:00 +0000

The Politico had a couple good stories pop up yesterday and, well, we have more foaming at the mouth from a certain U.S. Senate candidate.

Ron Paul might actually have a bill pass. He is gaining "mainstream steam" says Politico.
Politico also has the "7 Stories Barack Obama Doesn't Want Told"
And, for those who care (and, granted, that is a minuscule number), Nevada U.S. Senate candidate Mike Wiley goes off the rez again in a comments section.

Listen to the John Ensign Interview on KXNT

noreply@blogger.com (The Anon Guy) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:22:00 +0000

Senator John Ensign was on KXNT's Morning Source with Alan Stock today for his first interview since admitting his affair. The hour-long podcast of the show can be listened to here. The Las Vegas Sun also has a partial transcript.

Jon Ralson and Steve Sebelius covered it live on Twitter.

Is Mike Wiley Just Your Average Blowhard or Is He Actually Delusional?

noreply@blogger.com (The Anon Guy) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:16:00 +0000

I was leaning towards the whole "Mike Wiley is angry shtick" as just that -- an act to drum up some interest in a former talk-radio guy without a job and no prospect of remotely coming close to double digits in the GOP U.S. Senate primary. But I think he really may be so out of touch with reality he honestly believes he is a serious candidate.

As if believing in UFO cover-ups, making racist jokes and thinking Hillary Clinton was out to get him wasn't enough, we are now to believe his doctor and a congressional candidate are both telling him how he schooled Jon Ralston in their infamous debate (and by infamous, we mean because Wiley was so bad).

Here's Wiley's latest comment for us and his continued struggle with the rational:

Hey Richard Cranium, let me tell you what some real non bias people thought of my interview instead of you Lowden low lifes working for her victory while sucking on federal campaign funds you should not be collecting, but that is for another day.

So I am in my doctors office the other day and I tell him I am running for US Senate and he tells me "thats right I saw you on Ralston" "You were great". A man running for congress told me that he thought I did a great job as well. He does not remember seeing Ralston so flustered because he could not crack me. Well you and that misfit you work for won't crack me either. You guys should take a course in telling the truth even if it disqualifies you from blog sports.

Brian Sandoval Needs to Roll Up His Sleeves

noreply@blogger.com (The Anon Guy) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:25:00 +0000

If you are going to send out a fund-raiser invite with the following quote:

"These are trying times that require unique leadership, a roll up your sleeves and fight to get Nevada working again type mentality. That's why I'm running for Governor." - Brian Sandoval

Shouldn't Sandoval's picture be, well, one with his sleeves actually rolled up?

And you know his campaign has one, along with the requisite jacket over shoulder, walking while talking with volunteers, addressing a crowd (with the left hand extended and sideways to emphasize some point [the index finger is too forceful]) and the classic pretending to listen intently to a racially diverse group of actors ... errr voters.

The Muppets Do Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody

noreply@blogger.com (The Anon Guy) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:16:00 +0000

In Hi-Def no less. Yeah, it's not that Doug Hampton vs. Senator John Ensign Nightline interview (which can be seen here and here) but you'll probably enjoy this a lot more.

Nightline's Hampton vs. Ensign Story Set to Run Tonight

noreply@blogger.com (The Anon Guy) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:48:00 +0000

The much-awaited Nightline interview with Doug Hampton rolls tonight. If it's anything like ABC News' five-page "exclusive" today, it's going to be a rough night for Nevada's John Ensign. Although I will say since it is Cynthia McFadden doing the interview, and not Martin Bashir, there will probably be more reverse shots of her than actually footage of Hampton.

Here's a video preview.

Make that 11 GOP U.S. Senate Candidates

noreply@blogger.com (The Anon Guy) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:34:00 +0000

Add Terry Suominen to the growing list of Nevada Republicans hoping to unseat Harry Reid in the 2010 U.S. Senate race. The Las Vegas candidate plans an official announcement soon.

Sarah Palin Still Raising Money ... for Obama

noreply@blogger.com (The Anon Guy) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:12:00 +0000

One of the especially tiring aspects of the 2008 presidential election was the "politics of outrage" fundraising letter. If someone, somewhere said something even remotely bad about a candidate, whether true or not, that candidate would inevitably rush out an email to supporters asking them to show that person who badmouthed them a lesson or two. And by lesson, we mean a campaign contribution. John Edwards was the king of this but, well, he soon had other problems if you know what I mean.

Anyway, I kind of thought that, you know, with the election well over with I would see this tactic disappear. But no such luck. Instead of just ignoring Sarah Palin's recent jabs, Team Obama is using her to raise $500,000 this week

I guess it's true campaigns never end.

Friend --

Right now, Sarah Palin is on a highly publicized, nationwide book tour, attacking President Obama and his plan for health reform at every turn.

It's dangerous. Remember, this is the person who coined the term "Death Panels" -- and opened the flood gates for months of false attacks by special interests and partisan extremists.

Whatever lie comes next will be widely covered by the media, then constantly echoed by right-wing attack groups and others who are trying to defeat reform.

As we approach the final sprint on health reform, we can't afford more deception and delay. We need to be ready for anything -- and have the resources to respond with ads, events, and calls to Congress when the attacks come.

So we're setting a big goal: $500,000 in the next week to help push back against Sarah Palin and her allies. Please chip in $5 to help reach our goal.

Earlier this month, Palin publicly said that she hopes health reform will be "dead on arrival." And since then, she's been working fiercely toward that goal.

On Tuesday, Palin went on Rush Limbaugh's radio show where she outrageously -- and falsely -- suggested that Americans could "face jail time as punishment" if they don't buy insurance.

Palin has many more interviews scheduled on Hannity and other conservative shows in the next few weeks, with more platforms to go after the President. As soon as she does, the rest of our opponents will likely parrot those attacks.

We need to be prepared. And we're counting on you help. Can you chip in $5?

https://donate.barackobama.com/SarahPalin

Thanks,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

Is the Tea Party Over?

noreply@blogger.com (The Anon Guy) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:59:00 +0000

The Politico takes a look at the in-fighting and squabbling that is creeping into the Tea Party movement.

Slew of AP Polls Show People Prefer Others To Do the Work

noreply@blogger.com (The Anon Guy) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:50:00 +0000

It must have been poll week for the AP as three made the news today. Each kind of proves the point that when it comes to actually doing something difficult or making a decision, people prefer others to do it.

People know what being green is, and think of themselves as such, but in practice -- not so much.
People are split on the current healthcare bills.
But they do agree that the rich should pay for it and not them.

Mark Amodei's Plaintive Tweet

noreply@blogger.com (The Anon Guy) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:29:00 +0000

Maybe taken by itself it's not so bad, but viewed on a page of tweets Mark Amodei's looked, well, sad.

Please visit my website to learn more about me. http://bit.ly/2R5PoU

Even sadder, the link Amodei used went to a Facebook post, not his actual website, Amodei4Nevada.com. Oh well.

I guess as long as we are giving people the correct address to the U.S. Senate candidate's campaign site we'll go ahead and point out for the third time or so the fact that Amodei needs to fix his "Learn More" page's Twitter badge (it links to an abandoned account) as well as offer a way for voters to email him.

And So It Goes

noreply@blogger.com (The Anon Guy) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:34:00 +0000

Parties cash in on hot issues.

Carrie Prejean Sex Tapes, Astroturf Letters and the Political Demise of MySpace

noreply@blogger.com (The Anon Guy) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:36:00 +0000

I always want to write "Clearing the Cache" with these type of posts because it sounds cool. But then I remember that's because TechPresident has been saying it forever. Oh well.

You would have thought the whole "I want breast implants to compete" story would have doomed former Miss California Carrie Prejean's attempted career as a conservative spokesperson. It didn't. But those self-shot sex tapes finally may have, especially if Vivid Entertainment releases them.
I always wondered if people mindlessly sent those pre-written letters special interest groups of all stripes are always urging their followers to sign their name beneath. I guess they do.
Huffpo blogger worries about ramifications of DC politicians abandoning MySpace. I just figured they were leaving because everyone else was too.
They don't really have a shot at the Republican nod for Nevada's U.S. Senate race, but both Sharron Angle and Mike Wiley scored stories in Silver State papers this past week.

Brian Sandoval's Veterans Day Ad

noreply@blogger.com (The Anon Guy) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:54:00 +0000

At least on the online front, Brian Sandoval is blowing away fellow Republican Jim Gibbons (and he's the incumbent!). Sandoval's latest below:

Gibbons Campaign Updates Site

noreply@blogger.com (The Anon Guy) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:22:00 +0000

Although it took a month and an RGJ story on webmaster (and deputy chief of staff) Stacy Woodbury, Jim Gibbons' campaign site has finally lurched forward with some corrections and actual content. Though, stylistically, one could argue it's still hopelessly stuck in the late '90s.

But, no longer was the campaign leading with the "Nevada economy" having gone to pot since Gibbons took office. Now it is the "national economy" that's headed south in the past three years.

We also now know Gibbons was named the "Outstanding Freshman Legislator" in 1989, not 1998. And he actually has a stance on some issues.

Of course, he's still missing a privacy policy and his Facebook link goes to, well, Facebook instead of his actual campaign account. But considering there are zero posts it probably doesn't matter.

One casualty, though, in the JimGibbons2010.com storyline apparently is Woodbury's side business of wedding announcements and website development. Appearances, LLC went dark this past week.