by Carl on September 9, 2008
If there is ANY way that David Axelrod can dump Biden and grab Hillary, he would do it in a heartbeat. The loyalty there is zero and the upside thus far has been nill. With ballots going to press, and an election less than 60 days away however, it would be a true Hail Mary pass, but one he would clearly make if he could.
Biden has delivered ZERO to the ticket thus far, and their chemistry, at least from what we can see on video, is not good. McCain on the other hand has hit the proverbial Jack Pot. Sarah Palin is a HUGE hit and Republican Rock Star – something we never see. An Obama switch to Hillary would enliven the race and absolutely guarantee a Democratic win…but that’s where it gets complicated.
The problem would be ‘how’ to accomplish this. If a piano fell on Biden or he slid under the proverbial bus, it would be easy enough. Hillary could come to the aid of her party in its hour of need. Barring such a calamity, it would take a voluntary withdrawl on Biden’s part (with something approaching a sincere excuse) to make such an entrance possible. Cleary the odds are against it.
However, two months from now, as we are counting the votes in another 50/50 squeeker – and likely swearing in John McCain and Sarah Palin, the Axelrod team will be conteplating what might have been.
I lived most of my life in Chicago and have seen the bare-knuckle politics of that city up close and personal. Obama’s team, led by David Axelrod is cut from this cloth. They are smart. They are ruthless. They are in this to win. If they can pull this off, they will. Here’s hoping they do not.
– Carl Melville / Blogvious
by Carl on September 9, 2008
There were two historic milestones in 1908. The world saw the Ford Model-T for the very first time, and the Chicago Cubs won the World Series for the very last time. Even my beloved Wrigley Field was not built until six years later, 1914. Could this be the year? Could this be the end of the curse? Was the 20th century simply a rebuilding century? As many diehard cub fans know, we’ve been down this road before.
The last time that I was this excited about the prospect of the Chicago Cubs entering the World Series was 1969. I was eight years old, and with childlike curiosity and glee I watched as the season unfolded and the Cubs continue to rack up victories. Ron Santo. Billy Williams. Don Kessinger. And of course the beloved Mr. Cub himself, Ernie Banks. George Will said that the golden age of baseball was whenever you are 10 years old. In my case he was off by two years but I certainly understand his point of view.
Those of you that follow baseball may remember that 1969 was also the year of the so-called Miracle Mets. What seemed like a miracle to the rest of the world seemed like a nightmare to me as my first place cubbies continue to lose game after game after game, all the while the Mets — who had been in the cellar all season long continue to rack up late-summer victories. My Grandfather, one of the greatest Cubs fans that’s ever lived, tried to warn me that fading in the fall was something the Cubs were known for. You can guess – or remember how the story ended. The Cubs didn’t go to the World Series, they didn’t win the National League pennant, they didn’t even win their division. It was also when I became familar with the Cubs mantra “There’s always next year”.
It’s now almost 40 years later and the Cubs are once again poised to go all the way. This could be the year, and what a way to end a century of losses. As I write this, the Milwaukee Brewers are four games behind the Cubs and have a better won / loss record in the last 10 games. The only thing worse than losing to the Mets again would be losing to the Cheeseheads from Wisconsin. The fact that the Milwaukee Brewers are even in the National League (vs. American) is surely a sign of the coming apocalypse. If you see a Packers fan of horse, run for cover.
I’m over 2000 miles away from the friendly confines of Wrigley Field now, but if the Cubs managed to make it, I will find a way to get back home and see at least one game. This is one that simply can’t be missed. However, if they fade, I will do what all true Cub fans do; I look forward to next year. Being a Cub fan from an early age has taught me to both deal with adversity and have faith in the future. Eamus Catuli. Go Cubbies!
– Carl Melville / Blogvious
