The Uh Oh, No He Didn't Awards!

This post is part of the Global World-Wide Virtual post Election Party. Please visit the bloggers at the sidebar for tributes, thoughts, videos, and more.

Campaign 2008 produced some of the most jaw-dropping moments of any in U.S. history. The election might be over and the winner pronounced, but there are many people, who earned a little notoriety during the longest campaign in history.

For this reason, "Uh Oh No He (She) Didn't Awards" were created to highlight the bests and worsts of the political season. If you think I made a glaring omission, feel free to leave me a comment.

1. Worst Low-Down and Dirty Political Ad

Winner: Libby Dole Godless Ad

Runner-up: McCain Sex Education Ad


2. Worst Fifteen Minutes of Election Fame (That Seemed More Like 15 Years)

Winner: Sam Wurzelbacher (a.k.a. Joe The Plumber)

Runner-up: Paris Hilton

3. Best Roasting on Late Night Television

Winner: David Letterman on why McCain jilted him on Late Night.


4. Best Impersonation of Annie Oakley

Winner: Sarah Palin

Runner up: Hillary Clinton


5. Worst Political Gaffe

Winner: Sarah Palin (Reader's choice. Take your pick.)

Runner up: Barack Obama's "Clinging to Guns and Religion" Comment


6. Political Ad that DIDN'T Make Viewers Change Their Channels

Winner: Wuz up ?!?!



6. Worst Flip Flop

Winner: Barack Obama Flop on Campaign Financing

Runner-up: John McCain Flop of the Bush Tax Cuts


7. Best Moment of Redemption on the Campaign Trail

Winner: McCain Correcting the Crazy Lady


8. Best Impersonation of Sarah Palin

Winner: Tina Fay

Runner-up: Sarah Palin


9. The Most Likely to Start Another Communist "Black List"

Winner: Michelle Bachmann




10. Worst Non-Apology

Winner: Michelle Bachmann




11. Best Speech of Campaign 2008

Winner: Obama in South Carolina, "Yes We Can"




12. Senator Dems are Least Looking Forward to Returning

Winner: Joe Lieberman

13.Senator Dems are Most Looking Forward to Returning

Winner: Edward Kennedy


14. News Network with the WORST Chyron Operators

Winner Fox News for Obama Baby Mama and repeated referencec to Osama Obama. (You don't think Fox did these on purpose do you?")


15. Slowest Political Thaw

Winner: Bill Clinton




16. Least Likely to Win the Katie Couric Award of "Gotcha Journalism"

Winner: Sean Hannity


17. The Just Shut Up Already Award

Winner: Elisabeth Hasselbeck

And then there was one

Anybody in Europe still up watching with me?

Election party for two

Just me and Charlie watching MSNBC election coverage over the Internet at 1am GMT +1.

Election night drinking game and party tips!

For those of you planning to spend election night's nail-biting action with friends, I wish to share a few helpful tips to ensure your festivities run smoother than the voting machines in Florida.

Of course, election-night party etiquette will differ depending on whether your guests are Democrats or Republicans. Here, I will attempt to provide a few suggestions for both audiences.


Choice Cocktails for Election 2008

* Democrats will most certainly want to feature the Blue Hawaiian on their cocktail menu for two reasons. First, obviously, because of the color. Second, it's named after Barack Obama's home state.


* Republican party enthusiasts, on the other hand, may want to consider the colorful Bloody Mary as a drink of choice. But if you are afraid the name and color might evoke thoughts of hunted-down moose instead of the the Grand Old Party's official color, try a strawberry margarita instead.



Party Music

* Because so many songsters and musicians lean blue, a Democrat election party can most certainly feature of wide-array of music. This year's favorites include Bruce Springstein, Cheryl Crow, Billy Joel, will.i.am.,and John Legend. If things are going well for Dems on election night, feel free to play the Yes I Can song as many times as you wish.



* Republican parties must feature a more limited, mostly country, selection and should include this years favorite's Lee Greenwood and Charlie Daniels. By all means, do not play the Dixie Chicks if you hope keep your guests happy.


Plates, Napkins, and Party Favors

Regardless of political affiliation or whether you have been deemed a "real" or "fake" American, the colors red, white, and blue should dominate when choosing party favors, decorations, plates, and napkins. In addition, please note the following:

* Democratic parties should NEVER feature plastic plates. Choose recycled paper products only or guests will complain you are not green enough.

* Republican parties should also include a flag-motiff on just about everything or guests might question your patriotism.

Food

* Democratic parties should not forget to offer vegetarian and vegan choices. A late night latte bar will also be greatly appreciated.

* Republican parties can and should feel free to feature red and game meats, especially this year. Ya'll don't cling to your guns for nothing, eh?

Televised Election Coverage Choice

* Democrats - MSNBC

* Republicans - FOX


The 2008 Election Night Drinking Game

The rules: Guests should down one drink (unless otherwise noted) every time the following occurs:

* Ever time the camera pans to the interactive electoral map
* If a small, white board and eraser is dare used, two shots required.

* Every time the names Obama or McCain are mentioned
* Every time the names Biden or Palin are mentioned, 2 shots are required.

* When a toss-up state called
* When a previously called state is moved back to the "too close to call" category, 2 shots are required.

* Every time the 2004 election is referenced
* Every time the 2000 election is referenced, 2 shots are required.

* Every time Democratic analyst James Carville says Bill or Hllary Clinton
* Ever times Democratic analyst James Carville says Bill Richardson, 2 shots are required.

* When Sarah Palin and Katie Couric are used in the same sentence
* When Sarah Palin and 2012 are used in the same sentence, two shots are required.

* Every time an anchor uses the word "historic" when describing the campaign
* Every time an anchor complains he or she will be up all night, 2 shots are required.

* Every time you hear the words "race," "age", "moose," "Muslim," "POW," "socialist," "celebrity," "clothing budget," "maverick," "gaff"
* Every time you hear "Joe The Plumber" or "Hussein," two shots are required.


Good luck, and may the last party standing win!

It's not to late to join the Virtual Post Election Bash. If you are planning to do a day-after election post, I'd love to link to you. Leave me a comment and let me know!

Calling all Bloggers! Virtual Post Election Bash

Seven days and counting...

Regardless of political ideology, there is one fact that every American citizen can agree upon:

Enough already! After two years, dozens of candidates, thousands of advertisements, and millions upon millions of dollars, this election cycle seems to have gone on forever. Finally, a mere week from today, Americans will go to the polls to make one of the most historic decisions in U.S. history.

I think this is cause for celebration, don't you?

It's in this spirt, and in conjunction with Dianne of Forks Off the Moment, that we'd like to invite bloggers, near and far, to participate in a Virtual Post Election Bash. The idea is simple: The morning after the last state is called and the electoral collage counter hits 270, bloggers will find their own way to commemorate this historic occasion.

I'm already planning my small contribution to the party, but this event is sort of like a progressive dinner-- everyone needs to bring a little something.

If you are willing to use your blog as virtual post-election party hotspot on November 5th, please feel free to leave me or Dianne a comment. Election day and the day after, I'll provide a link to your site so other bloggers know you are participating! And, please, help spread the word because we'd like to see as many virtual celebrations as possible. It's been a hard fought, and often divisive, election campaign. It's time to lighten the mood and celebrate democracy!

His first time

Maybe the photo is a little too personal for general blog consumption. It was Max's first time, you know. After 14 years, he got the chance to vote in a U.S. election. Ordinarily, voting is a very private matter, but Max's first ballot, a mail-in, required two witnesses sign the return envelope. And so, it was.

Current Addictions

It's been a while since I've done a meme. Since I was quickly running out of ideas for posts, this one, courtesy of Cowgirl, couldn't come at a better time.

Current Addictions, The Rules:
* Write a post about five current addictions (with details)
* Mention the person who started this meme (Being Brazen) and also the person who just tagged you
* Title your post "Current Addictions"
* Tag at least two people and pass on the above rules

Diane's Current Addictions:

Mad Men - One of the best things about having so many guests from the United States has been picking their brains to find out what new television shows might be worth watching. The top recommendations? Mad Men and John Adams. The latter isn't yet available for iTunes download, so I took a chance and purchased the first season of Showtime's Mad Men. Set at an advertising agency in 1960s New York city, the stylish Emmy-award winning show features an imperfect cast-of-characters that are both smart and complicated. What can I say? Max and I finished 13 episodes in a week! We're hooked!


Election 2008 - I've written about my love of politics before, but my interest in all things election-related have reached a new high. Part of the reason is that my husband will be able to vote for the first time, having just been sworn in as a U.S. citizen last year. Max felt it important that he keep an open mind and make an informed decision. As a result, we've watched, read, and listened, with intense interest. Let me just say , I wish that politicians (on all sides) were held accountable for false and misleading ads because maybe the negativity would be minimized. After all, businesses are held accountable, why shouldn't politicians be?


Sushi - I've eaten much more German cuisine the last several weeks because I wanted to introduce our American guests to some of this region's specialities like flammkuchen and zweibelkuchen. But to be honest, my taste buds have had their fill of German food and have turned their attention to other ethnic cuisines, especially sushi. My rolls of choice? Philadelphia roll (cucumber, cream cheese, salmon), Shrimp Tempura roll, and the Tuna-avocado roll.


iMovie - Recently, I learned how to edit my own video using iLife software that comes with my Macbook. (Click here if you missed the Oktoberfest video, my very first creation.) Now I am spending hours reviewing old digital video footage in the hopes of putting more segments together. Be warned!


Bailey's Irish Cream - With the temperature quickly dropping, Max and I like to warm up with Baileys Irish cream as an after-dinner treat. I like that with Baileys, at least for me, a little goes a long way.

I can't figure out who to tag. It's always the toughest part of memes. So, if you are reading these words and want to participate, consider yourself tagged.

Exclusive!!! Sarah Palin Debate Preparations

It isn't any secret (and shouldn't come off as partisan to say) the expectations for Sarah Palin's upcoming debate performance are about as low as stock shares in Wachovia these days.

After the Alaskan governor performed poorly in nationally televised interviews with both Charlie Gibson and Katie Couric, she has been panned by both liberal and conservative media outlets as "unqualified" and "out of her league." In fact, the only people who haven't been alarmed or disheartened by Palin's grasp of the issues work at Saturday Night Live, which has seen a ratings boost since Tina Fey electrified audience with her dead-on impersonation of the governor.

Some in the GOP claim Palin's problems are a result of being over-prepared, like a weary student who has crammed for a final exam of a course she never actually completed. They have urged the McCain camp to "let Palin be Palin", so that her charm and charisma shine through, bewitching American television audiences once again. In a CBS appearance, McCain, himself, insisted that Palin is qualified, with a clear grip of the issues, and has merely been the victim of "gotcha journalism."

Oh, gotcha!

On the eve of Palin's longest, and most important, unscripted event, the message is clear: Don't count the governor out just yet. Tuesday, Palin headed to John McCain's ranch near Sedona, Arizona, for what a top aide calls "debate camp." As you can imagine, security is tight and the press has been kept off limits.

But in this, a Martini exclusive, secret video footage shows the governor hunkered down with top advisor and making great progress in her debate preparation.



Joe Biden had better beware.