Last night CNN reported that Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, recently cleared his schedule. Tim Pawlenty is one of the candidates John McCain is considering for Vice President. We should have some idea today of his choice.

The other serious candidates include Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut and Tom Ridge, the former governor of Pennsylvania. I think most conservatives would like to have Mitt Romney.

Last week I predicted that Joe Biden would get the Democrat VP nomination, this week I think that Mitt Romney will get the Republican VP nomination.

Mitt Romney is a great business person and would make the McCain ticket a very strong ticket. I think he would help McCain get the conservative vote.

Watch the Mitt Romney commercial talking about the "Big Dig" mess, when he was running for governor of Massachusetts in 2000. The Big Dig would be an issue during the last year of his term when part of the ceiling collapse in one of the tunnels killing a passenger in one of the cars.

So it looks like that Joe Biden might be the Democratic Nominee. If this case you might want to visit the above site and get on the Joe Biden mailing list to get the first email on his reaction to the being the VP.

I still remember how Mike Dukakis campaign took down Joe Biden's 1988 presidential run by disclosing the plagiarism in one of his speeches. Wikipedia has some coverage of it.

Here's some quotes on Offshore Drilling from Presidental Canidates in March, 2000:

George W. Bush: "I support the current moratorium banning any new leases for drilling off the coast of California. As governor of Texas, I understand the importance of listening to state concerns. I'll work with California state leaders and the local communities to determine on a case-by-case basis whether or not the drilling ought to go forward on the leases in place right now."

John McCain: "The leases for offshore oil drilling should never have been granted without allowing Californians a legitimate voice in the decision-making process. I believe it is up to the voters of California to determine the fate of these leases, and as president, I will respect the decision they make regarding the leases. The people of California deserve to be heard, without being forced to resort to legal action against their own government. As president, I will see to it that the interests of the people of California rise above the special interests of Washington, D.C."

Last night on WTTK, Jim Braude told his listeners what website he checks every day for the latest political news. Turns out that most of the Radio Talk Show hosts use the same site to get their latest political news.

Check out http://www.politico.com every morning for what's going on in the world of politics. Its a pretty good site that gets you all the news in a "headline" format. This is a great site that has all the latest information on everything going on in Politics.

This is a pretty important election year in the United States, and an educated voter can make all the difference. Don't just rely on Political Speeches, read the facts about all the candidates before election day.

Yesterday I was listening to Rush Limbaugh and his attempt to disrupt the Democratic primary in Pennsylvania by having Republicans to vote for Hillary Clinton. The Republicans have already selected their Presidential candidate, so their votes won’t matter for the Republican Ticket.

Rush Limbaugh's Pennsylvania Election War plan:
Get Republicans to switch to the Democratic Party for this one primary and vote for Hillary Clinton to prolong the results of the Democratic ticket. After the primary switch back to the Republican Party.

It’s a pretty tricky scheme that Rush attempting and certainly not illegal. Nobody is forcing voters to change their vote, and there’s no reward by voting for a different party. In fact, Rush is only encouraging voters to follow the rules set forth by the Pennsylvania election committee.

I think it’s a good idea that Rush is doing this, for two main reasons, it encourage people to vote on April 22, and it draws more attention to some of the loopholes in the election process.

Lets see what happens on April 22nd.

Its nice to see that the court is for the people, by the people, except if your stuck on an airline against your will:

A federal appeals court has rejected a law requiring airlines to provide food, water, clean toilets and fresh air to passengers trapped in a plane delayed on the ground.

Yesterday was Primary Tuesday in New Hampshire, here are the final results:

Democrats
Hillary Clinton - 39%
Barack Obama - 37%
John Edwards - 17%

Republicans
John McCain - 37%
Mitt Romney - 32%
Huckabee - 11%
Rudy Giuliani - 9%

I was surprise that Hillary was able to overcome the latest poll numbers and produce an upset win. There are some more primaries over the next few weeks, and it looks like Hillary Clinton has the momentum to keep moving forward.

Today is Primary Tuesday in New Hampshire, and based on the latest poll numbers here's my projection on the outcome:

Democrats
Barack Obama - 44%
John Edwards - 28%
Hillary Clinton - 19%

Republicans
Mitt Romney - 34%
John McCain - 33%
Rudy Giuliani - 25%

Its not spelled Silveneer, Silvoneers, Sulvoneers, Souiverirs... or anything like that...

When you going shopping on vacation you purchase Souvenirs.

"We purchased lots of Souvenirs on our Disney Vacation"

George Bush's Wisdom

Two quotes from Tonight's Speech...

For many years, the government did not have enough space in our detention facilities to hold them while the legal process unfolded. So most were released back into our society and asked to return for a court date. When the date arrived, the vast majority did not show up. This practice, called "catch and release," is unacceptable - and we will end it.

....

Therefore, I support a temporary worker program that would create a legal path for foreign workers to enter our country in an orderly way, for a limited period of time. This program would match willing foreign workers with willing American employers for jobs Americans are not doing. Every worker who applies for the program would be required to pass criminal background checks. And temporary workers must return to their home country at the conclusion of their stay.

Ok, Picture this situation:

Every day when you were at work, someone would pick the lock in your home and then use your washer and dryer. No matter what you do, they always manage to get in the house and use the washer and dryer.

So you call the police.

The police decide not to do anything, since no harm is being done, and decide to pass a local ordinance allowing people to go into homes to use other people washer and dryers.

But by using your washer and dryer they are using your electric and water bill and wearing down the washer and dryer. - - - - - -

Ok, so maybe I have to work on the above example a little more. The fact remains, anyone that enters this country illegally is an Illegal citizen.

What does it say about a government that rewards people that enter the country illegally? How effective is that government? This isn't just a George W. Bush problem, Mr. Clinton also allowed Illegal Aliens to apply for citizenship.

Oh, and on the enforcement side: only 3 companies were punished by hiring illegal aliens in 2005?? While 400 were punished in 1998? Looks like someone isn't doing their job...

Tomorrow night President Bush will be giving the first State of the Union speech of his second term.

I'll be in the Washington DC area while he gives his speech. I don't know if there are any political bars around the DC area that will air the speech, but I will look around.

Key things that Bush will cover:

• Iraq Elections
• Social Security
• National Security (Post 9/11 Era)
• Economy

Hopefully he'll outline the Iraq exit strategy. Let's see how much of the speech is focus on International affairs and domestic affairs. Since this is a State of the Union, it should focus on mostly domestic issues.

Well looks like my predictions were correct, George W. Bush gets to keep the Whitehouse as his home address for 4 more years.

The good news is that the past two Presidents that served 2 terms, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, had very positive economic growth in their second term. So, expect some good times ahead!

Today I had the rare opportunity to be near the White House the day after a Presidential election. There were a few protesters at Lafayette Park, one even had a bull horn complaining about the election. Overall it was a quiet place. When I left a young couple was lighting candles, probably as a peace candle.

Well today is election day and I believe that George W. Bush will probably win this election. I don't think it will be a close race and a decision will probably happen around 11 pm tonight. I believe who ever wins Florida or Ohio will probably take the big prize.

I voted this morning at 8 am and there were 175 other people that voted before me. There were no long lines.

Expect the Drudge Report to have some "early returns" probably posted around 5pm tonight.

Real Clear Politics polling data has Bush out in front by about 2%. Bush has maintained a lead since early September.

At lunch today John Kerry will be at the Union Oyster House having:

"A plate of Littlenecks, which are smaller, cherrystone clams, plus a cup of clam chowder," - James Malinn, owner of the Union Oyster House

Tonight John Kerry will be at Copley Square hosting a party with friends and family. Also expected are Sheryl Crow, Carole King, James Taylor and Bon Jovi.

The latest polls show that the President Election looks to be a very close one, with some radio stations saying that it could be closer than last time.

John Kerry will be having a party in Copley Square tomorrow night. I was planning on going in, however, it appears that it will be raining most of the night. I'll decide some time tomorrow if its worth being there in person. The last person to have a presidential party in Boston was Michael Dukakis.

We'll have to wait and see what happens.

At the Debate last night you might have noticed an eagle behind the two presidential canidates.

This eagle was pointing in the wrong direction!

Has the Eagle always faced the olive branch?

Yes, since the first die was cast, the eagle has always faced right and has held the olive branch in its right talon.

Presidential flags, seals (and coats of arms) showed the eagle facing left, towards the arrows, until 1945 when President Truman changed a number of items in the presidential flag and seal [Executive Order 9646].One of the changes was to have the eagle face right, towards the olive branch "This new flag faces the eagle toward the staff," Truman explained, "which is looking to the front all the time when you are on the march, and also has him looking at the olive branch for peace, instead of the arrows for war ...” President Truman meant the shift in the eagle's gaze to be seen as symbolic of a nation both on the march and dedicated to peace. It has remained that way ever since.

Contrary to a popular myth, the eagle in the Presidential seal does not flip his gaze during times of war. Although when Truman and Churchill were looking at the new symbol on a train car, Churchill remarked that he thought the eagle's head should be on a swivel. That may be the origin of the myth. In any case, it is incorrect. The arrows and olive branches are always held in the same claws.

John Kerry was on the David Letterman show last night.

Here is his Top 10 List:

Kerry's "Top 10 Bush Tax Proposals" are:

1. No estate tax for families with at least two U.S. presidents.
2. W-2 Form is now Dubya-2 Form.
3. Under the simplified tax code, your refund check goes directly to Halliburton.
4. The reduced earned income tax credit is so unfair, it just makes me want to tear out my lustrous, finely groomed hair.
5. Attorney General (John) Ashcroft gets to write off the entire U.S. Constitution.
6. Texas Rangers can take a business loss for trading Sammy Sosa.
7. Eliminate all income taxes; just ask Teresa (Heinz Kerry) to cover the whole damn thing.
8. Cheney can claim Bush as a dependent.
9. Hundred-dollar penalty if you pronounce it "nuclear" instead of "nucular."
10. George W. Bush gets a deduction for mortgaging our entire future.

You can download the memorable phrase Hope is on the Way from John Edward's Convention speech:

So when you return home, you might pass a mother on her way to work the late-shift — you tell her... hope is on the way.

When your brother calls and says that he's working all the time at the office and still can't get ahead — you tell him... hope is on the way.

When your parents call and tell you their medical bills are through the roof — you tell them ...hope is on the way.

When your neighbor calls you and says that her daughter has worked hard and wants to go to college — you tell her... hope is on the way.

When you talk to your son or daughter who is serving this country and protecting our freedoms in Iraq — you tell them...hope is on the way.

There will be a special funeral services at the Washington National Cathedral beginning at 11:30 am (EST) for Ronald Wilson Reagan.

Many businesses in Washington DC are closed today in remembrance of Ronald Reagan, or because they are along the procession route.

ABC news mentioned something interesting on Wednesday during the ceremony at the Capitol Building, most people are paying tribute for things that Ronald Reagan did after 70.

Just something to think about as you watch the funeral services this morning.

Today is John Kerry day in Massachusetts. At least that what Howie Carr of WRKO said this past Friday. Today is the first day that gay couples can legally can get a marriage license. However, state law requires three days between the license and the ceremony. Many couples are seeking an exception from the waiting perioid from a judge, which is fairly common.

What happens today and over the next few weeks in Massachusetts could have a big play on John Kerry in certain key states. I would expect that John Kerry would have a low profile.

Gas Update: I drove by the same station where I filled up my gas last week and regular Unleaded is now $2 a gallon!

While in Washington DC last week I had an interesting discussion with a person manning the Vietnam POW booth at the base of the Lincoln Memorial.

It turns out that not a lot of Vietnam Veterans like John Kerry because of his Military record. I argued that if you are against John Kerry then you would have to be in favor with George Bush, who's military record is currently being scrutinized.

The guy was selling a bumper sticker that pointed to this website:
http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnkerry.com/

Tomorrow is Super Tuesday, and John Kerry is expected to wrap up the nomination and mathematically eliminating John Edward's Presidential campaign.

Did you know that George Bush thinks outsourcing US Jobs to foreign countries like India is good for the economy? Well its true!

"This week, Americans learned something important. Exporting jobs isn't an accident — it's administration policy," Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, chief author of the Jobs for America Act, told reporters on Capitol Hill. 

Members of Congress put together the 'Jobs for America Act' in response to President Bush's annual economic report, released Monday, in which he highlighted the benefits of sending jobs to other countries.

Last Tuesday, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry launched his attack against the president's call for outsourcing. 

“In their economic report, the Bush administration said that sending American jobs overseas is good for America and good for the economy. They've delivered a double blow to America's workers — 3 million jobs destroyed on their watch, and now they want to export more of our jobs overseas. What in the world are they thinking?"

Today George W. Bush went on the offensive and appeared on "Meet the Press." However it was a pretty bad interview as it appeared that he didn't prepare. Most of his answers appeared to be vague and he almost seem surprise by some of the questions Tim Russet was asking.

Currently Bush's approval rating is below 50%, which isn't good for a sitting President in an election year.

John Kerry took Iowa by storm last night by winning the primary over Howard Dean, the early favorite. In the past few days, John Kerry, was doing well in the polls and it looked like he was going to win. However, members of the media were quick to point out that it was all based on the turn outs and that Howard Dean and Dick Gephardt had a large team on the ground. In the end, most analysis said that John Kerry and second place finisher Sen. John Edwards look more presidential.

New Hampshire is next week, and all the candidates are already hitting the state this morning, keeping the momentum going. The weird thing is Dick Gephardt has TV ads running right now, even thou he is expected to formally announce that he is no longer a presidential candidate. I guess this is why TV stations ask for money up front before running the ads.

On WRKO in Boston this morning were picking theme songs for the canidates:

In an effort to give the candidates more character, and possibly a more appealing campaign, Blute and Scotto began searching and soliciting phone calls for Candidate theme music. So far, we came up with: The Doors "The End" for John Kerry, "Andy Griffith theme" for John Edwards, Canned Heat "Goin' up the Country" for Howard Dean, and Beck "Loser" for Dick Gephardt.

Boston media market was one of the many cities that didn't get to see Al Sharpton on Saturday Night Live.

Most of the AP wire reports are focusing on the NBC affiliate in Iowa. Since WHDH, the local Boston NBC affiliate, TV signal reaches into New Hampshire they decided to show a rerun of the Best of Steve Martin.

AP: Several NBC affiliates refused to carry "Saturday Night Live" with Sharpton as host for fear it would activate federal "equal time provisions" and compel them to offer air time to the eight other Democrats running for president.

So I guess it's ok to show John Kerry at a political rally at Fanuel Hall during a News broadcast (Because its news related). However, its a federal offense to show Al Sharpton on Saturday Night Live.

Right now the Senate is in the middle of a 30 hour filibuster with a demand for an "up or down" vote on four of George Bush's appellate court nominees blocked by Democrats. . This is schedule to end at midnight.

I agree with what most of the Democrats are saying, there are more importaint issues to talk about than the job of four nominees, who are all cuurently working. However, its the Democrats that push the Republicans to this position. This should have been voted in committee months ago.

In any case it makes for interesting commercial free background noise. Some of the arguments are pretty funny.

Today President George W. Bush signed the historic Fallen Patriots Tax Relief Act. Which doubles the tax-free death gratuity payment given to the families of fallen soldiers from $6,000 to $12,000; and the National Cemetery Expansion Act to help establish new national cemeteries for deceased veterans.

"This nation has always gone to war reluctantly," Bush said in a speech at a coliseum draped in flags at Arlington National Cemetery.

Congratulations to Arnold Schwarzenegger on winning the California Governor's seat! I wasn't surprise that he won because Gray Davis shouldn't have won last November. I think Gray Davis downfall was his handling of the power crisis.

I did think that Davis would have stepped down in late September and hand the powers over to Bustamante to keep Sacramento in Democratic control. Maybe in the end he didn't want Bustamante to have the position.

One of my California friends was hoping Georgy Russell was going to win, while I was hoping for a more serious canidate, Brian Tracy.

The Red Sox play the Yankees tonight. Meanwhile the streets around Fenway Park will be off limits to parking to prevent any riots. Personally I think the place to be is Canal St in Boston, which is near the Fleet Center. Check out the The Fours. If the series goes to seven games, I'll be watching the game at The Fours.