Sad news today...

John Edwards has dropped out of the race for the presidency. It's a sad day for many Democrats because he has been a force even having been the underdog. I never really cared much for Democrats and now I feel I care even less. Who's the eye candy now? Clinton? I don't think so. But besides Edwards' boyish smile, he was a very good candidate and really thought about the 'underdogs' in the society. Whoever wins the Democratic nomination should pick Edwards to be their running mate.

MSNBC talked about Giuliani comparing himself to the NY Giants, coming back at the end. But, as Shuster said, he's more like the Miami Dolphins subtracting their one win. Giuliani is expected to drop out of the race today in California and endorsing John McCain. I never took Giuliani to be a McCain fan, I had hoped him to endorse Romney, but that's that.

Giuliani is dropping out due to his loss in Florida. The one state he put all his resources in and he only managed to get third. Since Florida is an all or nothing state, the winner, McCain, received all 57 delegates. He now has a hefty lead over Romney, but Super Tuesday has not arrived yet. I'm still rooting for Romney, but with McCain ahead of him and is becoming more and more like-able, things aren't looking good for Willard.

It's over for two candidates right before Super Tuesday. The race will now turn up in intensity; who isn't excited? 21 states for the Republicans and 22 states for the Democrats. Even though this day has over a thousands delegates, it may not decide the nominee. The real delegates come from the 'super-delegates' which is support from people such as congressmen and senators. I find that unfair, but apparently those in the government should have more say than the people.

Attorney General Michael Mukasey still will not say if waterboarding is torture or not. He claims instead that, 'waterboarding is not currently a technique used by the CIA.' Is he less competent than previous Attorney General Alberto Gonzales? So far, I think so.

Once again, it's a surprise that I posted. But I am so upset that Edwards has dropped out that I needed to update. My last exam is tomorrow so after that, things should go back to normal. Have a good day.

State of the Union [Remix?]

The 43rd President of the United States, George Walker Bush, gave his last State of the Union address tonight. The first real piece of American politics I digested was the State of the Union speech Bush gave a couple years back. I feel I'm reminiscing...wait, Bush appears to be as well. As I was taking notes about the speech, I felt a sense of deja vu. Many of the items he stated tonight has been mentioned in his previous speeches. It was like a mash up of his seven prior speeches. I was honestly going to go into deep discussion about it here, typing out all my pretty notes. But unfortunately, I'd feel repetitive and redundant. The stances that Bush has always taken? Yes, they're still the same.

I will quote some things I feel are worth quoting:

This is actually quite a good line

- "Republican and Democrats can compete for votes and cooperate at the same time."

Okay, well, how?

- "The IRS accepts both cheques and money orders."

Bush made a funny.

- "Those whose products say Made in the USA."

All I heard him say that to the tune of "Born in the USA"

- "The pursuit of happiness is the path of service."

So, Mr. President, you don't pursue happiness and never have, yes?

- "Nucular."

I couldn't see him, but I felt Obama twitch a little.

Some side notes:

- Vice-President Dick Cheney did not fall asleep! Not even a small shut-eye because I was watching closely

- Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi looked as usual...not satisfied

- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice looked as usual...angry over nothing

- Both she-Clinton and Obama looked bored, but clapped anyway

- I believe there is a cue for every clap and every standing ovation; very annoying

- Why are people asking for Bush's autograph? You people work in the government! Have some self-respect and mail him for an autograph! We can see you!

I only managed to catch some of the post-speech analysis on MSNBC, which is still going on now, but it's the usual. Keith is saying the speech is a 'Best Of' and the Chris is not satisfied with the repetition.

One thing I just caught with a random guest [random because I don't know who he is]: He claims Keith and Chris are cynical. Hmm, I wonder why Mr. biased-Bush-lover -- Andy Card [something like that]. He said Chris was down in the weeds...to which Chris replied: "I'm down there with the old Constitution." Owned!

IN OTHER NEWS:

Mosul, Iraq: 5 American soldiers were killed today by a roadside bomber. This is the deadliest attack in months. Mosul is an area that is said to be the last Al Qaeda stronghold.

There was a scare at the White House today. A man voiced threats against the President today and was arrested. The alarming thing was that he left a duffle-bag behind, but later on, it was cleared.

Onto the campaign trail. Poll leaders in Florida, Romney and McCain, are going on the strong attack and not holding back. Romney throws out 'Liberal-Democrat' while McCain goes for the typical 'Flip-Flopper' and 'Liberal Governor of Massachusetts.'

Latest Reuters polls has:

McCain 33 Romney 30 Giuliani 14 Huckabee 11 Paul 2

The Kennedys' announced today at American University that they are endorsing Barack Obama. They feel he will bring 'change' and 'hope' to the country as he will be able to win. Throughout the next few days, I expect more speculations and whatnot around this endorsement. There's always a scandal when a big named family endorses someone.

Chuck Norris somewhat retracted his comments about McCain today. He is regretful for saying that McCain's age will affect his competency [or ability to live] during his presidency. He expects McCain's 95 year old mother to be on his case soon.

I think that's enough news for today. I hope you enjoyed because I skipped studying for my History exam for this. Good night, and good luck [to me].

South Carolina Primaries

Democrat edition. I missed pretty much the whole process and the analysis, but I do know that Barack Obama won with 55%. Clinton came second with 27% followed by Edwards' 18%. it's unfortunate Edwards didn't get that much support even though he's from the state. Obama is now up to 63 delegates.

Florida will be coming up for the Republicans and Giuliani is not looking good. McCain and Romney are fighting for first and Giuliani is not even mentioned anywhere.

Michigan's Kirsten Haglund, a 19-year old, won today's Miss America pageant. The aspiring Broadway star studying at the University of Cincinnati beat out Miss Indiana and Miss Washington by singing "Over the Rainbow." Apparently all you win is $50,000 scholarship and the chance to travel. I want eternal youth, is that too much to ask?

The former dictator of Indonesia, Suharto, died today. His legacy includes killing millions of people and controlling the country with an 'iron fist' -- no, understatement, fist made out of deadly spikes.

Shocking news today. Spider-Man and Mary Jane has broken up! I don't want to go into details, but this is a tragic event for everyone. I hope they somehow work things out.

It's quite a surprise that I updated today, but I had some time.  Franny says night. Good night.

Almost a week...

Yes, it's been almost a week since I last posted and I do apologize [seems I've been doing a lot of that lately]. I still have to get back to studying so I'll make this post quick.

Let's start with some old-ish news:

The one piece of news I can't stop hearing about is the death of Heath Ledger. The 28 year-old actor died in his apartment in Manhattan on Tuesday, January 22 around noon. He was found naked with bottles of pills nearby. An autopsy has been conducted since then but it has turned out no results. It will be another few days before the result from the tox test will show anything. His body has been moved from the funeral home in Manhattan back to Australia where he will be buried.

Onto the campaign trail:

Fred Thompson has dropped out of the race on the 22nd as well as Dennis Kucinich who dropped out just recently.

Let's start off with the Democratic debate on CNN which occurred early last week. The only thing I left with after watching it was a sense of maturity. Obama and Clinton were at each other's throats the whole time while Edwards took over Richardson's post of trying to keep things calm. I was simply disgusted therefore I looked forward to the Republican debate.

This one was not any better. There was NO fighting. It felt like the world flipped around. The left had gone right and the right had taken a swift left. Everyone played it so safe that I can't even use a 'safety pin' as a metaphor. They were like....q-tips! I was disgusted with their calm behavior even when they asked each other questions. I zoned out after awhile but I swear Giuliani was about to ask Romney how he gets his hair so pristine-looking. Needless to say I had a pretty disappointing week watching these weak debates -- even my wit factor has dulled.

The South Carolina Primaries are today for the Democrats and judging by the ever-so fluctuating polls, a clear winner has not been decided. I'm tired of betting on Democrats but I'll take Obama's side because Clinton cannot win anymore and Edwards isn't rising in the polls fast enough -- even in his home state.

An update for the delegate count:

Obama 38

Clinton 36

Edwards 18

Romney 67

McCain 38

Huckabee 26

Next week is full of exams for me so I doubt I'll be posting until late next week. After that, I should fall back into the steady pattern of posting everyday. I shall leave with a quote I enjoyed: "Appoint Mitt Romney Secretary of Lookin' Good" - Obama on Letterman.

And a reminder! The State of the Union Speech [the last one for Bush] is Monday. I'll be doing my exam, but don't miss it if you aren't forced to!

Good day.

Champs all around!

My two teams won tonight! AFC Champs are the New England Patriots and NFC Champs are the New York Giants!! They're going to the Bowl!! Brady v. Manning! I am so excited that this is the only news tonight from me. I had made my avatar awhile ago and it's still relevant! =D The avatar is on my msn, but it's the Pats logo and the Giants logo in one.

The scores:

Patriots 21

over

Chargers 12

Giants 23

over

Packers 20

By the way, the Patriots are still perfect in their season and post season so far so it's 18-0. I love both teams going to the Super Bowl, but I would love to see the Patriots achieve perfection.

Good night and good luck.

Nevada/South Carolina

The Nevada Caucuses occurred today for both the Democrats and the Republicans and the South Carolina Primaries happened for the Republicans.

Mitt Romney won by a mile [51%] in Nevada with Ron Paul coming in at second place [14%], which is quite surprising. Hillary Clinton won Nevada with 51% and Obama came second with 45%. Edwards came in a distant third with a disappointing 4%.

In South Carolina, John McCain won with 33%. Huckabee followed with 30%, then Thompson with 16%, and Romney, the Nevada winner, came fourth with 15%.

The delegate count shows:

Republicans:

Romney 66

McCain 38

Huckabee 26

Thompson 8

Paul 6

Giuliani 1

Hunter 1

Democrats:

Obama 38

Clinton 36

Edwards 18

Gravel 0

Kucinich 0

Remember during all last year, the very clear front runners were Giuliani and Clinton? Who's leading now?

South Carolina Primaries are next for the Democrats which will be on January 26. This state should show a clear winner and widen the tight race between Obama and Clinton [in favour of Obama].

Florida Primaries are next for the Republicans [and Democrats have it on the same day, but no delegates] and this is where Giuliani 'hopes' to win big. January 29th is the date that will make or break the once front runner and may even show a clear winner elsewhere.

'Super Tuesday' is coming up quick. Mark your calendars: February 5th.

That's all for Franny for today [and maybe the next few days]. Good night, and good luck. [By the way, my delayed order for 'Truth and Consequences' came in today =D Should I study or read?]

Apologies once again

Yes, I blame it on school [again]. I just wanted to update so I can keep my new years resolution, which is no longer to post everyday but to post as much as possible =).

Romney and Clinton won Michigan, but it only counts for Romney because the Democrats were stripped of their delegates for moving their date up. The debate in Nevada between Clinton, Obama, and Edwards went well and in my opinion, Brian Williams won because he was so funny.

Nevada is coming up and I'm going for Romney [SC for the Pubs too] and Obama. C'mon boys, lucky snake eye! =P

I promise I will update more often after my exams, but at this moment, I can only do a bit. On a personal note, I have an interview Social Code tomorrow and I'm pretty excited.

I'm Franny, good night.