Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Conservatives Murphy and Noonan discuss Palin Off the Record





John McCain's former campaign chief Mike Murphy and former Reagan speech-writer Peggy Noonan were caught on tape after an NBC interview Wednesday. They shared their real thoughts on McCain's judgment in selecting Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate.

Are these people really this stupid? Or is this a set up? If it's a set up, what is the purpose? I find it hard to believe people involved in national politics don't understand the chant every broadcasting student learns on Day 1 - "If you're around a mic, assume it's live." Do they really make these kinds of foolish mistakes? I'm doubtful. But, it's hard to figure out what the purpose of this would be.

Anyway, you can judge for yourself.

TRANSCRIPT:


Mike Murphy, former McCain advisor: You know, because I come out of the blue swing state governor work. Engler, Whitman, Thompson, Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush. And these guys, this is all like how you want to (inaudible) this race. You know, just run it up. And it's not gonna work.


Peggy Noonan, former Reagan speechwriter: It's over.


Murphy: Still, McCain can give a version of the Lieberman speech to do himself some good.


NBC's Chuck Todd: Don't you think the Palin pick was insulting to Kay Bailey Hutchinson, too (inaudible)


Noonan: I saw Kay this morning.


Murphy: They're all bummed out.


Todd: I mean, is she really the most qualified woman they could have turned to?


Noonan: The most qualified? No. I think they went for this, excuse me, political [B.S.] about narratives and (inaudible) the picture.


Murphy: I totally agree.


Noonan: Every time the Republicans do that because that's not where they live and it's not what they're good at and they blow it.


Murphy: You know what's really the worst thing about it? The greatness of McCain is no cynicism and this is cynical.


Todd: And as you called it, gimmicky.
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Life Bits

For the past week or so I've been trying to take care of my health checkups. This has been such a busy year for the MHA that I've gotten behind on life stuff. Fortunately, I have a few weeks now where things are a bit calmer so I'm taking advantage of those to catch up on life.

I went today for a mammogram, last week for blood work and next week for a physical. I know my blood work was all great, so that's good news. My cholesterol numbers are good. My sugar numbers are good. My thyroid is normal. I don't know what else they know about me after sucking my blood, other than that. I was supposed to go the doctor today but they called to reschedule it for next week. I expect everything to be normal, but I always like hearing that all is normal anyway.

I also want to take some time to work on things in my house. I haven't done anything for a couple of years, other than the essentials, because my focus has been elsewhere. There are some little projects I'd like to get completed. I have a couple of windows to replace before winter, too. The one in my home office is broken. I'm not sure what happened to it, but I discovered it when it was freezing cold and I couldn't get my office warm. No wonder - big hole in the glass! I patched it up because it was way too cold at the time to have a big hole in my house while it was replaced, not to mention the materials wouldn't have worked in the cold. Then it went to being so hot I didn't want to do it. So, the season is here. I need to get it dealt with. The question is do I want to try and do it myself, given my two hour window workshop during the preservation conference, or should I just hire someone to do it. Of course, hiring anyone to do anything is quite the trick. Well, it's no trick to hire them. It is, however, a struggle to get them to actually show up and do the work.

I keep trying to simplify my life and yet when I look at my calendar through the end of the year it's hard to find a couple of days next to a weekend when I can go to Kentucky. I haven't been since Jim's funeral in January. That's the longest I've ever gone without visiting and I'm really missing everyone. I just really felt like I owed my employer some extra hours this year. I was so thankful I could be with my family last year when I wanted to be. But, I've gone a bit overboard the other way this year and am really feeling exhausted mentally at the moment. But, a little time and getting my life in order will make me feel better I'm sure. I just need my life to be more organized than it is now. It's never completely tidy. I just need it better. Much better.

Well, it's time for some sleep. If I could figure out how to not need any sleep at all that would give me more time to get these things done.