Jay began writing politically themed commentary and founded his blog, Swimming Freestyle, in October 2007. Here he'll write about politics from a progressive perspective.

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Call It A Tie?

2 comments

June 4, 3:21 PM

by Jay McDonough, Progressive Politics Examiner

Hillary Clinton finished off the primary season with a claim that, while down in delegates, she won the popular vote for the primary season. There have been a number of analysts attempting to tally the popular vote, but ABC News has done a great and consistent job.

There are a couple complicating factors. First off, his was an unusual primary season as the Michigan and Florida primaries were to be considered void. The candidates had pledged not to campaign there and Obama withdrew his name from the ballot in Michigan. Second, those states conducting caucuses rather than primaries do not report voter turnout per se, offering instead estimates. Finally, three territories and the District of Columbia voted in primaries, but have no voting rights in the general election.

As it turns out, it was ridiculously close. Senator Clinton's argument she won the popular vote is predicated, in essence, on how the Michigan primary votes are counted. Mrs. Clinton contends she would receive all votes cast for her and Barack Obama should receive zero votes from that primary. In this case, Senator Clinton does indeed win the popular vote. If one argues that some percentage of the non-committed vote in Michigan were, in fact, Obama votes (the ruling the Democratic National Committee made this last weekend) or if you throw out the Michigan primary entirely, Obama wins the popular vote.

From ABC News:

           With FL vote and               With FL vote and
        MI uncommitted to Obama   MI zero to Obama
Obama       18,697,142                   18,458,974
Clinton       18,614,261                   18,614,261

                Ob +82,881                  Cl +155,287

                    Without                         With FL,
           MI and FL                      Without MI
Obama       17,882,760                   18,458,974
Clinton       17,414,966                   18,285,952

          Ob +467,794                 Ob +173,022
Topics: Clinton , Obama , Popular Vote

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The longer version, McCain and the Keating Five

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October 6, 9:34 AM

The just released 13 minute version of the documentary outlining John McCain's involvement in the infamous Keating Five scandal:... Read More
Topics: McCain , Keating Five

Obama/McCain. How ugly will it get?

4 comments

October 6, 8:59 AM

The last gasp McCain offensive began over the weekend. Unable to shift the focus from the economy (and good luck with that now - the Dow is below 10,000 as I write this), the McCain campaign made it clear it will work until election day portraying... Read More
Topics: Obama , McCain , Keating Five

A Picture for the Day

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October 5, 7:39 PM

Stuttgart, Germany, September 24: Cacau of VfB Stuttgart celebrates a goal during his team's German Cup victory over Arminia Bielefeld (Photograph: Alex Grimm/Reuters)... Read More
Topics: A Picture for the Day

Bin Laden's real strategy?

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October 5, 6:24 PM

Not the first time the argument has been made. But it's particularly timely given the economic meltdown of the last couple weeks. From a commenter over at the Daily Dish:On 9/11, Al Qaeda had no expectation of a traditional military victory... Read More

Palin lied about Sudan divestment too

2 comments

October 5, 3:28 PM

Some analysts are spending nearly full time chronicling Sarah Palin lies. Here's another to add to the long list. During last Thursday's vice presidential debate, Governor Palin claimed she successfully led Alaska's efforts to divest Sudanese... Read More
Topics: Sarah Palin , Sudan

The Economist article Sarah Palin probably won't read

5 comments

October 5, 11:40 AM

I can count the number of things Sarah Palin and I agree on with one hand. And I would have a bunch of fingers left over. But we are both fans of The Economist. I suspect, though, Ms. Palin may pass over The Economist's recent... Read More
Topics: Obama , McCain , Palin , The Economist

The SNL vice presidential debate

2 comments

October 5, 8:30 AM

The McCain campaign has a deliberate strategy of isolating Sarah Palin from the media. Limited interviews, no press conferences. In the absence of any real opportunity to hear Sarah Palin outside of warmed over stump speeches full of stale... Read More
Topics: Obama , Palin , SNL , Tina Fey

John and Sarah in High School Musical 3

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October 4, 10:15 PM

McCain cuts a rug. I had no idea Sarah Palin could sing.... Read More
Topics: McCain , Palin , JibJab

A Picture for the Day

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October 4, 5:06 PM

Kolkata, India: A man pours water from the river Ganges during a prayer ceremony on the holy day of Mahalaya(Photograph: Jayanta Shaw/Reuters) ... Read More
Topics: A Picture for the Day