First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Chicago Phil — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:28:34 GMT

Cold day today in Chicago. It's been a very cold fall. Maybe Obama and Gore, being that they can control the weather, can find a way to warm things up a bit around here.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

the Pajama Pundit — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:30:51 GMT

*** Sweet Caroline (Ba! Ba! Ba!)
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Nice guys! I almost felt like I was back in a sweaty, musty, beer-soaked basement in college. Ahhh, the memories...

http://thepajamapundit.com/

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Freezing Point — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:31:52 GMT

Obama and Gore. The two Gods finally meet! One can control feeble peoples minds by shouting "Hope and Change" over and over again. The other can control the weather. Two amazing men.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Sharon, Washington, DC — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:34:24 GMT

Conservationists for Obama is reporting that David Bancroft may be discussed by Obama and Gore today as a possible candidate to be named to a key environmental position in the Obama Admininstration. Along with being considered for Climate Czar, chair of the Council for Environmental Quality and Secretary of Energy, another option for Bancroft is as the new Car Czar specified in the draft legislation to oversee the retooling of the auto industry and leading them into the next generation of fuel efficient cars.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/conservationists

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Walt G., Houston Texas — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:34:26 GMT

The Democrats are so weak minded, even Bush in his final days can keep pushing them around. It's going to be entertaining, but really will just be some kind of a bad joke, watching Pelosi, Reid, and Obama stumble around trying to run the country. These three will be at each other throats by July.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Robert J. Heimidinger III , Adel,Ga. — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:37:31 GMT

Let's not play the "blame game". We don't have to we all know it was George W. Bush's and the Republican right wingers falt, that we are in the mess we are in today.No, no fingers need to be pointed, it's blatenly obvious !

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Walt, Rogersville, MO — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:39:36 GMT

Funny, soon as Obama is elected, here comes eveyone with their hands out - first the fatcat auto execs, unions, the banks, then the governors, now the mayors. Next up, city councilmen?

Guess they figure the new administration is just going to tax everyone to death to give them what they want. I suppose with my middle class income (less than 60K per year) I'll be in an 80% tax bracket shortly.

I voted for President-elect Obama, but he and Congress had better get a backbone, quick.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Anna Molly — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:40:08 GMT

Can you say "energy/climate czar"? That particular position seems to be conspicuously vacant.

By the way, I'm fine, C A, and hope you and your boys are, too. p.s. This is the real me. Accept no substitutes with smelly sores on their legs. LoL

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Eric, Salinas, CA — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:41:28 GMT

I hope that Gore has some good leads on liberals who should be tapped to head the EPA and the Department of the Interior. I doubt that he wants to be part of the government because he does so much on his own now that he's more effective outside than inside.

The bushwhacker is still the lamest duck around and no matter how much he whines about the auto industry bailout he still has to cave in to giving them money. Why does he and the repugnant ones hate union labor so much? They hate the blue collar worker and yet try to fool them into voting for them.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

BJ, CA — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:44:32 GMT

Has "Joe the Plumber" hooked up with Sarah yet?
They seemed made for each other...
Where has your in depth reporting gone FR?

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

C A, Tuscaloosa, Al — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:45:50 GMT

So many voters are foolish, especially many on the lft who may be somewhat upset with Obama because they feel he is working more from the center than from the left.

Let me tell you what change really means and how Obama defines it (not as you perceive it).

Change is "change in attitude". It is not something that one man (Obama) is going to be able to force or to do all on his own. So stop looking for Obama to make all the changes necessary in this country. He has to wind his way through the alleyways of federal government to bring about change. That means going left, going right, walking down the center, and then zig-zagging here and there. Obama can plead or incite or motivate or ask, but he cannot cause for change to occur unless it comes from the bottom up. That means that all of us have to change our attitudes and work together in a concerted effort to insist that our government take certain steps, that they cooperate with one another, that we do what we can to help take care of one another and our communities. It is an attitude that in some instances we have to insist we are not going to take it anymore and in other instances give Obama our full cooperation. We need to grab on to our principles and say no more killing and death unless we are attacked and have to defend ourselves. No more war unless attacked. No more starving children in our own country. No more kids or elderly in our country without health care. No more being ripped off by powerful special interests. No more ignoring what we can do to reduce our dependence on oil and to save our environment. We need not only to ask for tolerance in this country but to demand it. No person should go without the rights of all others.

There is so much we need to do with attitude and as a powerful ground roots force to make sure our government works for us. We have to become the change agents. We have to insist on it. When workers fired from a Door and Window Manufacturer in Chicago do not get their promised benefits we have to back them and insist as a nation that they be treated fairly and equitably. On and on.

We are the change folks, not Obama. He is simply a vehicle that has to weave a crooked road to open up the doors for change. But without our help, without our insistence and without our concerted efforts Obama cannot bring about change on his own. That is what change is.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Eric, Salinas, CA — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:46:04 GMT

I'm glad that Uncle Ted is pushing for getting Caroline Kennedy selected to replace Hillary in the Senate. She will make a great Senator and if she wants to make her life more public then she should be encouraged to. She did a good job helping Obama select a great VP choice in Biden so she has shown she can play the political game well.

It's past time for this democracy destroying Freedom's Watch to bite the dust. They've done nothing but do everything possible to destroy our freedom and it's so much poetic justice that as the bushwhacker leaves office in total disgrace they should follow him into history's trashbin!

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Nashville_fan — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:47:08 GMT

I don't think the fact that President George Bush is getting many of the things he wanted in the auto bailout plan is a reflection of his strength.

I would say it is just the opposite - after 8 years of his "my way or the highway" policies, he is being indulged for the remainder of his term so SOMETHING can be done for the American people other then more meaningless debates about whose fault it all is.

The only power that George Bush and the Republican party really have left is obstrucionism. And the only people who pay the price for that is the American people.

We don't need our government officials arguing about who forgot to buy gas for the firetruck (or if the government should be in the business of buying gas for fire trucks) while all of our houses are burning down.

It's time to put out the da*n fire. Period. If we have to make George Bush feel like a big boy to get that done, then so be it.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

New Indi — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:47:53 GMT

Caroline Kennedy seems to have everything going for her except the courage to have actually run for any sort of office. Sorry. To my way of thinking you want a politician in your corner that will fight for you, not use her name to advocate for you.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Eric, Salinas, CA — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:50:56 GMT

Sure seems like shady timning that the Illinois Governor has been arrested before he can make the selection to replace Barack in the Senate. I can't wait for Obama to replace the current crowd of justice destroyers with real attorneys who will go after the repugnant one's politicans who have broken the law but escaped justice.

With the big lead in the House of Representatives the repugnant ones won't be taking back the House anytime soon. Nor the Senate. As Obama leads us wisely and clamly out of the mess the repugnant ones put us in the voters aren't going to be voting for them because they've finally seen what a bunch of self serving lawbreaking liars the repugnant ones truly are.

Fire US Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan!

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Tisha K, New Haven CT — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:58:03 GMT

I like the fact that our political leaders are now royality. With Kennedy getting the nod to replace Hillary, and Jackson coming in to replace Obama, we now have our own royality just like the British. And with Obama, we now have our very own Princess Di! What's he wearing, who is he with, what great words can we expect from him, isn't he cute . . , on and on. The guy is dumber then a bag of rocks, but he's our dumb guy I guess.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Houston — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:00:29 GMT

But Bush’s leverage here seems a lot greater than you’d expect from a lame duck.
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New flash: No matter how discredited Bush is, he still can veto any bill he doesn't like and the lame-duck Congress has enough robot Republicans who will sustain his vetos without question. It's that darn inconvenient Constitution thing, which Democrats and Independents respect even though Bush and his neocons do not. Hope that clears up the mystery for you.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Michael Furlong, Long Island, NY — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:07:48 GMT

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Disgusted, Iowa — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:08:04 GMT

I think something stinks in the woodpile on corruption story of the Govenor in Illinois. Here we go again. The govenor speaks against Bank of America and ends up in corruption case. Something stinks about this story.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

jesse St.Paul Minnesota — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:09:01 GMT

Just asking???Why is the Blackwater indictment not a story today.To hot for ya'll to touch?Well maybe Moron Joe is doing the talking for MSNBC.This morning he defended the 5 hired shooters saying that the rules of the war where constantly changing and the shooters were just doing there duty's that our Government had assigned to them.Would some at MSNBC please tell this moron that when people have there hands in the air they are trying to surrender.These shooters were told to shoot only when all else has failed.Not these cowboys they shot first according to one of the other gard's that has confirmed no one shot at the Blackwater shooters.It would be nice to see Old Joe off the tellie.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

CT Holmes, Sarasota FL — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:10:46 GMT

More Democrats, more corruption. Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich was just taken into custody by the FBI. Apparently he was selling Obama's senate seat to the highest bidder. The governor is on wiretap tape saying he "Wants to make money" on who he picks.

What state is Obama from again?

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

jerry/corpus christi texas — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:20:02 GMT

I knew this was coming down the road......

Liberals are growing increasingly nervous – and some just flat-out angry – that President-elect Barack Obama seems to be stiffing them on Cabinet jobs and policy choices.

Obama has reversed pledges to immediately repeal tax cuts for the wealthy and take on Big Oil. He’s hedged his call for a quick drawdown in Iraq. And he’s stocking his White House with anything but stalwarts of the left.

Now some are shedding a reluctance to puncture the liberal euphoria at being rid of President George W. Bush to say, in effect, that the new boss looks like the old boss.

“He has confirmed what our suspicions were by surrounding himself with a centrist to right cabinet. But we do hope that before it's all over we can get at least one authentic progressive appointment,” said Tim Carpenter, national director of the Progressive Democrats of America.

OpenLeft blogger Chris Bowers went so far as to issue this plaintive plea: “Isn't there ever a point when we can get an actual Democratic administration?”

Even supporters make clear they’re on the lookout for backsliding. “There’s a concern that he keep his basic promises and people are going to watch him,” said Roger Hickey, a co-founder of Campaign for America’s Future.

Obama insists he hasn’t abandoned the goals that made him feel to some like a liberal savior. But the left’s bill of particulars against Obama is long, and growing.

Obama drew rousing applause at campaign events when he vowed to tax the windfall profits of oil companies. As president-elect, Obama says he won’t enact the tax.
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So he lied to get into the White House....
Deosn't suprise me a bit...

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Christian Nowak — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:20:45 GMT

I propose Obama appoints Gore for Secretary of Energy and allow him to change policy, create incentives for renewable energy, work with other nations to set carbon restrictions. None of these things take money or focus away from the economy.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

J. Ellis, Virginia — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:26:45 GMT

First Read, now, don't get it twisted about the lame duck thing. George Bush is still the lamest of lame ducks and has been for the past 8 yrs.

I would hope that since the incoming and the outgoing administrations have worked so well together during the transition, they should continue this strategy and choose the Car Czar by mutual consent. Then there would be no need for another Bushie that needs to be replaced after Inauguration Day.

Thank Goodness the Bush reign is almost over.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Chris — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:31:05 GMT

Does Caroline Kennedy have any political experience?

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Lee Harvey Oswald — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:31:42 GMT

Nepotism is alive and well in the very blue, very liberal northeast. What in the world qualifies Caroline Kennedy to serve in the U.S. Senate for the state of New York other than bloodlines? Geesshhhh!!! What a mockery of our governmental system.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

meg mckraken — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:33:15 GMT

Why should Gore have to "ratchet back" anything? Why should he suddenly shut up just because a Dem is now president? Gore must be the voice outside the administration that prods and reminds Obama of our climate challanges; he should NOT subordinate himself to Obama.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Diane from Illinois — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:36:30 GMT

The guy is dumber then a bag of rocks, but he's our dumb guy I guess.
Tisha K, New Haven CT
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Wrong President, dear. The dumb one is leaving Jan. 20th and not too soon for the country.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Rock,Janesvile,Wisconsin, — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:37:09 GMT

The "Gross Odd People" (GOP), and the "Really Not Competent" (RNC) are the master of political corruption. Their political record "spew" on the enviroment, energy, and pollution standards are a crime. Obama and Gore, have a lot to talk about, and much to correct concerning these major issues. The GOP/RNC still are the "Masters of Madness and Misinformation" on all levels. They are especially guilty of this when it comes to destroying our environment over the last 8 years. That is fact America!

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

joe deleonardo — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:37:28 GMT

no one seems to understand economics 101 - if you raise the taxes on big companies ( which is the second highest in the world at 35% )they raise their prices to adjust then the middle and lower class who are supposingly getting a tax break ( which is really a tax credit ) get to pay the difference which cancels out everything the democrats are saying about taxes - wake-up people - READ THE FAIR TAX BOOK AND TAKE BACK THE POWER THAT BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE NOT THE POLOTICIANS!! there is over 3 trillion dollars in business over seas - of 500 big companies in europe would bring there business and factories over hear because of a fair taxb - READ THE BOOK!!!!!!!!!!! the embedded tax ( which is 23% ) would go away and the fair tax would go down to about 17% everyone WINS!! and if your family or you make less than 31,000 you get a check from the gov. for your living expenses so it doesn't hurt the lower class people -DON'T BELIEVE WHAT THE NEWS AND T.V. tell you they LIE - READ IT YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Bill Bockewitz, Ocala, FL — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:40:21 GMT

Global warming and this whole "green" thing is the biggest scam of the century ... look where the money is going ... what industries are being propped up ... I used to have a tremendous amount of respect for the Nobel Peace Prize ... now that Gore has it for Global Warming ... it's just another political award given to the highest bidder ... pathetic ...

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

John Doe, Buffalo, New York — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:47:36 GMT

Why do we listen to Al Gore about climate change? That’s the same logic as me having my auditor perform my open heart surgery. Why don’t we see what the scientists have to say? There is a reason why the scientific community had a huge outcry after his movie an inconvenient truth. Because the inconvenient truth is that’s not the truth. He neglects the fact that the sun's radiation has increased by 1.5 degrees every year since the 1970s since we have been able to read its temperature. The other planets in our solar system also have consistently warmed up. I'm NOT a scientist, but isn't this a logical reason for global warming? An interesting fact I found is that if we were to double CO2 this would only increase the temperature of the Earth by 1 degree and this would take thousands of years to do. I could go on all day basically please President Obama lets consult scientists on the topic not AL Gore who is in the top 5% of Americans who produce CO2 yet is against it. (research it if you don’t believe me).

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Rob, from Iowa — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:55:01 GMT

Al Gore. The man who politicized the weather.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Go USA! NE — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:56:51 GMT

On the Just Askin' section; Huge base or unverified, unknown sources? $150MM in Sept, when we're in tough economic times and from mainly small donations (those that are being hit the hardest), you all crack me up.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

H,Cleveland,Oh — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:58:37 GMT

A DIRTY CORRUPT DEMOCRAT NEVER YOU AINT SEEN NOTHING YET!!!!!

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

7754 — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:04:00 GMT

I'm Glad C. Kennedy is in the running to replace her as NY Senator after all she is the most qualified. Since she got her law degeree she's.....well she did....she's been able to.....Well she wrote those books right. Yea she's written some books, and picked Biden as VP for Obama. Gee why isn't this woman POTUS yet?

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Deb, Houston, Texas — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:11:49 GMT

Jesse Jackson Jr. better not hold his breath since the Governor of Illinois has been arrested! I thought they let all Dems go free no matter what the charges happen to be. I do not think he will be making any choices from a federal prison!

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:15:25 GMT

Michael Furlong, Long Island, NY (Sent Tuesday, December 09, 2008 10:07 AM)

Michael:

Obama may have been elected more than a month ago but he is not yet President. We are in a stretch (until Obama takes the oath), where the country does not have a President. We are supposed to have one but we do not). The transition team is in limbo until the new administration is sworn in. And please stop blaming Obama for the economic crises and the layoffs. That does not wash and you know it. Look for some serious butt kicking and major decisions after Obama takes office. And when they do occur don't bitch for at least Obama will be taking some kind of action rather than the do nothing President and Congress we have now.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Indie Woman in Denver — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:18:06 GMT

GWB is, after all the president, and he has been, over the past 8 years, the most stubborn SOB the WH has ever seen. Yes, it is his right to govern until Jan 20, but you notice he's only interested in DOING SOMETHING when that something is flies in everyone else's face. Waaaahh!

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

CA Luckett, Salem, In — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:20:54 GMT

It seems to me that if the government would simply give each American 200k and they had to pay taxes off the top, pay off their mortgages and to get out of debt it would address alot of what ails this country. Of course this would need to be monitored so that the monies are applied to direct debt and not to lavish spending. I think as an average tax paying citizen, trying to retain a job while putting kids through college and coming up with retirement that would restore a lot of faith in my government wanting to work for me. It would cost a lot less than the current bailouts that the country will continue to do since we have pushed the snowball down the hill!

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Hamilton Brock — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:23:12 GMT

Caroline Kennedy will be your first woman President. Sorry Hillary, but the Kennedy legacy is much stronger than the Clinton power-play.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Larry S, Wartburg Tennessee — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:24:02 GMT

Obama isn't President yet, no need to blame the man for anything yet.Remember obama did say it would get worser befor it gets better. Give the man a chance let him get in office first befor you blame him for anything.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Christine, Hadley, NY — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:24:19 GMT

Obama has done a horrible job with his transition. The stock market tumbles, job layoffs all over...is this the change you Obamamorons voted for? He was elected more than a month ago, and things are getting worse!
Michael Furlong, Long Island, NY (Sent Tuesday, December 09, 2008 10:07 AM)
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You ARE being sarcastic, I hope? You can't possibly be that ignorant....
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First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Josei Avanello — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:24:23 GMT

when you are a stupid, a no brainer or an empty casserole the best ou can do is to push, disturb, and annoy great thinkers and problem-solvers. Gosh! How can you entertain the thought of a "leader" being a distraction ...? Times are difficult, but by reading some lines here,I feel good at laughing at some idiots.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Di Somerset Ma. — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:24:41 GMT

Hey don't blame obama for things getting worse. He's not even officially in charge yet. Bush is STILL President.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:27:19 GMT

So let me get this straight; Now Al gore is going to prostitute himeself for Obama too.(?)
Ya' know, for someone who promised so much "change"...Mr. Obama is back-peddling and working as hard as he can to reduce everyone's expectations.
Oh, and sorry Caroline.
But, since you knifed Hillary in the back during the primaries, New York Democrats won't be backing you to replace her in the senate.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

ChevsMark Columbiaville, MI — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:32:33 GMT

Nashville_fan
Republicans obstructing? Where have you been for the last 8 years? (not is spelling class, that's for sure) That has been the tool that the dems have used to regain control of the government along with their repeated use of the threat of the filibuster.
Then for the others out there on the left, Al Gore should keep his gross self enriching self away from government. First he and his family got rich from their oil company investments. Next when it became politically correct to bash oil companies he jumped on the green bandwagon, why? Because he owns a company that sells "carbon credits" to the fools who think they can use all the energy they want as long as they get "offsets". Along with his numerous homes, he has a 25,000 sq. ft. "home" that uses $30k worth of energy per year.
Obama and change? Fat chance. When you elected him you foolishly re-elected the people who got us into trouble in the first place. The only way to get real change in Washington is to get rid of all the fat cats who have been there and get new people in there who realize who put them there.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Shaking my head in Happy Valley — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:33:35 GMT

"Obama has done a horrible job with his transition. The stock market tumbles, job layoffs all over...is this the change you Obamamorons voted for? He was elected more than a month ago, and things are getting worse!"
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Excuse me, I do not remember Obama being sworn in as President. How could I have missed it? It seems that the term "moron" could be applied to certain FR posters.
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"The guy is dumber then a bag of rocks, but he's our dumb guy I guess. "
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Again--are you talking about Obama?? or Bush--that's it, must be Bush. Many things have been said about Obama, but "dumb" isn't one of them--until now. I think many posters need a time out--a long time out!

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

Lisa, Buffalo NY — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:37:13 GMT

This message may not exactly be related to the main topic of Gore and Obama meeting. However, this must be said. It was the Bush Admin with the insistance of Hank Paulson to bail everybody out in the first place. I dont think the auto execs should be so hammered. Yeah, they may need to be replaced. But if you give AIG $140B with no watch dog covering what they do with the money, then mine as well help the auto industry. At least the auto industry asked for a loan. AIG got a huge govt grant and they went and spent some of on parties, vaca's, bonuses, and other un-meritables. Yeah, I would have my hand out too. We all need to learn how to by American and keep the money here.

First thoughts: Obama meets Gore

SweetHomeAlabama — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:42:24 GMT

I can't wait to see what Olberman has to say about the Illinois governor. Better get his magic spin machine ready.