"Oh. You mean Jeremiah Wright? The "whitey is the devil" guy?—hates Jews? I can't stand him, myself. I thought you meant Jeb Wright, my old pastor, from the other black church in my neighborh . . . wow; would you look at the time!"

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There's a lot to recommend the McCain approach to healthcare, spelled out in some detail this morning in an address at the Lee Moffit Cancer Center—and fleshed out further in a media conference call between reporters/bloggers and two of the Senator's top advisors—Carly Fiorina and Doug Holtz-Eakin.

Free market/Federalist nuts like me are bound to have a few questions as we investigate this further, but McCain's plan certainly is more market-based/flexible than any other approach I've read about, and it doesn't create disincentives to continue research into pioneering treatments—nor forbid people from buying healthcare wherever they like (quite the opposite, in fact). Here's Johnny Mac's YouTube promo of the plan, and here's an article about the new approach that's highlighted on the McCain website.

There are a handful of important elements, here. McCain proposes:

1) Giving each family a $5000 tax credit, payable directly to the healthcare plan of their choice;

2) Creating the conditions so that people can buy healthcare across state lines, in the expectation that competition will lead to greater efficiency and lower costs;

3) Making it more difficult for the worst doctors to operate, by publishing doctor fee systems and patient ratings over the internet;

4) Leveling the playing field for the self-employed and the unemployed by making it truly feasible for individuals and families to "de-link" their healthcare from their employment, rather than, in effect, forcing people to change doctors every time they cahnge jobs;

5) Pushing forward on tort reform, to keep frivolous lawsuits from driving costs up for everyone else;

6) Encouraging healthcare providers to use individual case management, rather than fee-for-services programs, and to incentivize preventative care and healthful life choices for the patient; coaxing the industry into becoming more outcome-based (without—so Team McCain claims—creating mandates for those patients).

It's promising, and while I'd like to see minimal government involvement in healthcare, this is the lightest approach I've seen in some time, and it does address some of the perverse incentives in the existing system, while maing more care available at lower cost.

Thanks to Patrick Hynes, as always, for coordinating this, and the press office at McCain HQ for continuing the New Media outreach.

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Karl, having relentlessly researched Black Liberation Theology at Protein Wisdom remarks:

About ten weeks ago, it was becoming clear that Obama was running a campaign of winning caucuses in normally Republican states to overcome the “inevitable” establishment candidacy of Hillary Clinton, much as McGovern did to Muskie in 1972. Thus, it did not come as a shock when Obama’s campaign began to look more and more McGovernite in which voters it wins and loses.

And Robert Stacy McCain has a detailed analysis up at The American Spectator that's well worth reading. Money quote:

OBAMA'S PREDICAMENT now resembles nothing so much as that faced by George McGovern in July 1972, after the Democratic presidential nominee belatedly discovered that his vice-presidential choice, Missouri Sen. Thomas Eagleton, had previously been hospitalized for mental illness.

As with Obama's mishandling of the Wright controversy, the Eagleton disaster was an unforced error on McGovern's part. McGovern and his campaign team had dawdled over choosing a running mate, evidently in the mistaken belief that Ted Kennedy could be talked into taking the No. 2 spot.

When Kennedy finally gave a definitive "no," and other top possibilities also declined, the McGovern campaign scrambled and came up with Eagleton. There was no time for a background check and when Eagleton was asked if he had any skeletons in his closet, he said he didn't—even though he'd been hospitalized three times for severe depression and had twice undergone electroshock therapy.

It was only after he'd been nominated as vice president that journalists began reporting about Eagleton's history of mental illness. Rather than to take responsibilty for his deception and resign from the ticket, however, Eagleton tried to hang on. The Democratic campaign endured more than a week of agonizing limbo—at one point, McGovern famously declared he was behind Eagleton "1,000 percent"—before Eagleton was finally forced out.

Some say Richard Nixon would have been re-elected in 1972 no matter what, but McGovern's mishandling of the Eagleton affair destroyed whatever hope the Democrats had.

OBAMA'S MISHANDLING of the Wright controversy resembles the Eagleton affair in that it reveals a lack of foresight and preparation. Wright's sermons were available for sale on DVD, and Ronald Kessler of NewsMax.com had reported about Wright's controversial views as early as January. Yet when the ABC News story broke in March, the Obama campaign appeared to be caught flat-footed.

Much like McGovern's initial "1,000 percent" support of Eagleton—which only encouraged Eagleton's attempts to stay on the ticket—Obama's Philadelphia speech defending Wright has prolonged the crisis, with Wright now refusing to leave the spotlight.

Those are only a few of the similarities, however. The main one—the one that is keeping the superdelegates awake at night these days—is the fact that Obama is clearly unelectable due to his fringey associations in the popular mind. Simply put, he's been outed for the stupidest beside-the-point reasons as being too far to the left. There's irony to spare, here, because from a libertarian perspective Obama's association with black supremacist Marxism (aka Black Liberation Theology) doesn't yield much policy fruit from the racism side, but produces plenty on the Marxism side. So if it weren't for the fact that Obama's Marxism is (1) associated with violence (see Ayers, Bill), and (2) linked with black racism (Wright, Jeremiah), he'd be getting a pass on precisely the most destructive—albeit an unspoken—part of his platform.

Obama's candidacy is dead. The only question left is whether he'll take the Democratic Party with him. If the Supers go with Clinton, they still have a shot at the White House, but they can kiss the blind loyalty of some segments of the black population goodbye. If they Supers pick Obama, they are taking a four- to-eight-year break from seeking executive power—which the healthcare socialists and anti-War lobby may well find inexcusable.

Me? I'm going to go smoke a cigar.

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Much as I despise identity politics, if I were a black Obama supporter right now I'd renew my commitment to him simply to spite Rev. Wright, who is clearly trying to sabotage the Obama candidacy so the superdelegates will have no choice but to make that U-Turn and give the nomination to Senator Clinton.

From Wright's perspective, there is no downside: (1) his name gets out there, and (2) vultures like him who feed off of the "victim perspective" will have more roadkill to savor after the nomination is "stolen" from Obama.

Sharpton, Jackson: he's coming after your market share, guys.

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Well, gee. I hope so. If not, his loyalties were a bit misplaced during the Vietnam War, weren't they?

How do the citizenship requirements differ for

(1) military service;
(2) becoming a U.S. Senator; and
(3) being elected President of the United States?

We know that there are differences between (1) and (2). What I do not know is whether there are differences between (2) and (3).

I'll investigate, and let y'all know what I come up with.

On a related note, I think Megan McArdle is mistaken when she suggests that "Hillary will have a much harder time keeping Obama's supporters from defecting to the other side than he will hers." I just don't see it: right now Obama's negatives are far, far higher than Senator Clinton's. And each of theirs is higher than McCain's.

In a normal election year, the Democrats would have the advantage, due to the troubled economy and our national ambivalence about the situation in Iraq. But it is not a normal year. At this moment the Democratic Party elders are having to decide whether to commit "particide," and nominate Clinton—at the cost of the blind allegiance of black voters that they've previously enjoyed—or write off the White House for the next 4-8 years in order to keep the more non-analytical/fiercely loyal black voters in the fold.

It isn't an enviable choice.

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found a cute regionalist "analysis" by Newsweek's Michael Hirsh (Stacy M's scare quotes—but they fit) that explains how Americans have been moving South and West, and this has been a Bad Thing. Because Southerners are bad. And Westerners are . . . well, Westerners don't really exist. Beyond the Continental Divide, there be monsters.

Because if one were to actually include the Southwest in extrapolating from these demographic trends, one might be forced to look at the ultimate Southwestern "state"—Southern California.

Which is not "red" at all, conservative Orange County and mixed/centrist San Diego notwithstanding. The three "Californias" are, top-to-bottom, blue, red (central California, where our agriculture is, along with a lot of our small towns), and blue.

Though those who maintain that California will never again get "into play" should look at the careers of our current governor, as well as Richard Riordan, L.A.'s mayor not too long ago. (Riordan was the first Republican I ever voted for.)

The entire Newsweek piece smacks of East Coast jingoism, and includes this choice bit of self-parody: "We have become an intolerant nation, and that's what gets you elected."

And Hirsh knows his intolerance. But he shouldn't be writing for Newsweek; he should be writing for The Onion.

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I wish these freakin' immigrants would assimilate, BTW.

The apparent front-runner has a lot of work to do before he can count on the support of the old-fashioned households who care about guns, values, churches and other keywords and code words that Mrs Clinton can exploit with more conviction than he can.

Continuing with my obsession with a favorite statistic, I note that 17 per cent of Obama voters say that they would prefer John McCain in the general election, and that 12 per cent of them say that they would remain at home rather than vote for Mrs Clinton. No doubt the equivalent figures on the other side are at least as venomous.

And I could not help but notice that Obama’s televised podium of supporters was exclusively white last night in Indiana, whereas his belief that he will win in North Carolina is based almost entirely on his anticipated command of the large “black” vote in that state.

And this will be—always assuming that other voters are predictable and unaffected—his revenge for Pennsylvania.

So really, what is all this about a “post-racial” election? The true venom—racial and social and personal and political—is still to come.

Yeah, well. I doubt that Senator Clinton will be asked to be Obama's VP. Or, should it come down to it, vice versa.

Did I mention that I finished god Is Not Great a few days ago? It was every bit as adorable as I expected it to be, and more seductive. I haven't read every athiest anthem out there, but this is a damn fine one.

Via Hot Air.

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I'm glad there's a major party out there that doesn't go around nominating muti-millionaires to the Presidency, or putting up candidates who have rich spouses.

Um. Wait.

Actually, I'm going to send a bunch of money to the Dem 527s, because it looks like they need some money; if only they could afford to hire someone to do the V.O. who sports a real English accent. Or a real American one. Anything but that drifting-back-and-forth trans-Atlantic hybrid.

Via Morrissey at Hot Air.

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Kudlow at The Corner heard Novak speak last night, and he's calling the general for McCain.

Yup. Unless Clinton gets the nomination, I really can't see things going any other way after all of Obama's recent gaffes. I don't even think they'll need footage of Michelle for this one.

Not that I'm encouraging the GOP to phone it in. But I think it'll be McCain; what choice do people have at this point? At least Johnny Mac is willing to talk to reporters, which is a plus in a presidential candidate.

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Bunch of Bossophobes:

Via Insty.

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I'm having trouble getting exercised about "fingergate." After all, isn't this something I'd get a kick out of if I liked Obama more, or had less grudging respect for Hillary?

But those who are disillusioned with Changey McHope already will find one more reason to be disappointed, and may want to tell him to "man up."

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"Duh. Give me a tough question, why doncha."

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as Cuffy points out.

"Elitist" means "that annoying guy whose wife makes more money than I ever will, but goes around talking like she's a big freakin' victim. Then he throws awful stereotypes around about small-town people, people of faith, and gun-owners." You know: elitist.

It's annoying when white people do it, too. See Kerry, John. And Gore, Albert, Jr.

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The definitive takedown.

It is understandable that young people are so strongly attracted to Obama. Youth is another name for inexperience — and experience is what is most needed when dealing with skillful and charismatic demagogues.
Those of us old enough to have seen the type again and again over the years can no longer find them exciting. Instead, they are as tedious as they are dangerous.

Via ConBelle, who remarks, "Obama sees those who are 'different' as pawns in his plan to achieve."

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They are discussing the McCain economic plan.

(For those of you who skim the financial pages, Carly Fiorina became the first female CEO of a Fortune 20 company when she assumed the helm of Hewlett-Packard, though her star rose much earlier, when she worked at AT&T and managed the Lucent spinoff. Controversy followed her throughout her tenure at H-P, due to differences with the Board of Directors regarding the Compaq merger. She released her memoir a few years back, and is now an advocate for free market economics—as well as a public supporter of John McCain. Her Wikipedia entry is here.)

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It's actually tricky for bloggers, but I don't see how one cannot simply say, "this is off the record," if it is—indeed—off the record. Though I generally ask permission before I quote something another blogger said in a "party" setting. The couple of times I didn't, I got into trouble.

I thought that the rule was, no Presidential candidate has privacy. Ever. Perhaps I'm wrong about that, but isn't that why Colin Powell decided he didn't want to join this circus? Isn't it the reason Condi Rice still may not?

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Juliette solves the conundrum of Obama linking religion (which he supposedly likes, and "has") to guns and racism (which he supposedly deplores, except when he's campaigning and has to pretend to support the Second Amendment).

In Obama’s mind, the religion clung to by the “average poor white Pennsylvanian” is BLT’s [Black Liberation Theology's] demonic “white” Church. The "white" Church is the tool of oppression for all—including poor whites—and should be shaken off just like other social maladies. Just like anti-immigration (sic) and racism. One will note that, in the defense of the earlier remarks, Obama still does not say anything objectively positive about the religion adhered to by the average rural white Pennsylvanian. What he actually says is that government should answer their prayers.

She concludes: "Never forget where this guy is coming from."

Yup.

See Karl's thoughts here, particularly on the fact that Andrew Sullivan and William Kristol are "talking past each other" on the Obama "bitterness" remarks.

Via . . . everyone, but I first saw Juliette linked today at Insty's place, where he's got an interesting little roundup going on his own, including this quotation from a Melissa Henneberger article in Slate:

When I went back there, and visited similar small towns in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, one thing I heard over and over—from registered Democrats!—was that their national party leaders were elitists who couldn't seem to relate to their struggles.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Now, if Obama is sticking by the essence of what he said out of stubbornness or arrogance, that's one kind of problem. But if he really doesn't see why this could be a game-changer, that's worse.

Hey: I like the audacity. "Vote for me, you provincial idiots!"

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1 Woah! I just had a déjè vu moment! When you eliminate the duplicate post, this will look silly.

Posted by: Darrell at April 14, 2008 07:21 PM (ODkYj)

2 What duplicate post, pray tell?

Posted by: Attila Girl at April 14, 2008 09:31 PM (Hgnbj)

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I don't think Hillary's form was so bad. You don't want to knock back an entire shot of an unfamiliar drink the first time. Heck; I've been known to take a sip from a tequila shot that showed up in front of me, and pass the rest of it along to a deserving person. (Jeez; if you're going to buy me a drink, at least ask what I want.)

'Course, I'm not much of a shots person, though I do dimly remember a night of Kamakazis when I was in my mid-20s. Chicks need to be careful; the appropriate level is usually 1-2 drinks fewer than what the guys are doing.

Hill sure looked better doing this than Kerry did applying for that hunting permit during the 2004 campaign, IIRC.

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1 If you're going to hang around Purdue and drink Boilermakers, you better be prepared to drop that shot in your beer. I would have been impressed if she tied that shot glass in a knot with her tongue, you know. I think I saw a woman do that once, but maybe it was the fine Tennessee sippin' whiskey I was drinking. I'm suprised she went with the Canadian whisky, Crown Royal, after she took a stand on foreign trade. Couldn't her handlers ask for the Jack? Or Wild Turkey in deference to her rifle skills during her duck hunting days?

Posted by: Darrell at April 14, 2008 02:00 PM (6J4jG)

2 Shotgun, D. Those there are, in fact, eccentrics who hunt turkeys with rifles. (And, of course, plenty of people hunt deer with shotguns, though they aren't using conventional shells.) Never heard of anyone using it on ducks or geese, though. I hate to admit it, but I still loooovve Canadian Club, and I tend to go for that (or sometimes Dewar's) when the budget won't permit a single-malt.

Posted by: Attila Girl at April 14, 2008 02:21 PM (Hgnbj)

3 Hillary specifically said 'rifle' in her story a few months back! I wrote a comment to your posting on the subject saying why that is never wise. And I own the modern version of Annie Oakley's rifle...the Marlin Golden 39-A.

Posted by: Darrell at April 14, 2008 02:48 PM (6J4jG)

4 It's so funny, because when non-hunters think of longarms, they often say "rifle," even when they know better on some level. Somehow I thought she'd gotten that part right--at least, in one version of her "duck-hunting" fable. Of course, there are hunters who take game--even up to the size of small deer--with handguns. Naturally, these are specially designed handguns, just as modern blackpowder hunting is nothing like the muzzle-loaders of yesteryear.

Posted by: Attila Girl at April 14, 2008 02:53 PM (Hgnbj)

5 I never confuse the two. My Remington 12-gauge is my retirement plan.

Posted by: Darrell at April 14, 2008 02:58 PM (6J4jG)

6 (CBS)From CBS News' Fernando Suarez: WAUSAU, WIS. -- At a campaign stop this afternoon, Hillary ClintonÂ’s focus was on the economy and health care but some in the crowd had other things on their minds. Clinton was asked to discuss gun control which prompted Clinton to talk about her days holding a rifle in the cold, shallow waters in backwoods Arkansas. http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/02/18/politics/fromtheroad/entry3842857.shtml I reviewed the tape and Hillary never said "rifle". The MSM however, is another story. I stand corrected. I will never trust the MSM again!

Posted by: Darrell at April 14, 2008 03:18 PM (6J4jG)

7 You fucked up, D . . . /Animal House

Posted by: Attila Girl at April 14, 2008 05:14 PM (Hgnbj)

8 Like that's the first time I heard that!

Posted by: Darrell at April 14, 2008 07:14 PM (ODkYj)

9 Look, I'm sorry I ordered you a tequila instead of something else. It was late, we were all pissed, and I am a tequila girl. RG

Posted by: RightGirl at April 15, 2008 05:51 PM (qV7wg)

10 Oh, I'll always drink tequila for you, Baby. Just not for a stupid guy.

Posted by: Attila Girl at April 15, 2008 06:53 PM (Hgnbj)

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Karl at Protein Wisdom:

In this cycle, voters have seen Obama as a more strongly religious person than every other major presidential hopeful but Mitt Romney — and presumably Mike Huckabee, but neither of thse Republicans remain in the race. Obama has made a series of faith-based appeals in the course of his campaign. He has been campaigning as a “regular guy.” But his relationship with the noxious Rev. Jeremiah Wright, followed by his condescending remarks to limousine liberals in San Francisco about “small town” people in the heartland, present an image that looks increasingly more like the McGovern-Dukakis-Kerry model than the JFK-Carter-Clinton model. Can a more charismatic version of Dukakis narrowly win a “change” election? We may be about to find out.

RTWT.

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. . . who hasn't seen Hillary's response to the Obama gaffe, here you go:

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