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Today's TRMS

By Vanessa Silverton-Peel

We hope you all enjoyed Rachel filling in for David Gregory on Race for the White House tonight. But have no fear, there are still two more live hours of the Rachel Maddow Show coming up. On today's show Rachel will be talking to Steve Benen from the Carpetbagger Report about whether or not Obama is actually hitting McCain hard enough to win a presidential contest. And then David Bender will be here talking about Obama's week long vacation and whether or not he thinks it's a good thing for the tired candidate. Finally, Rachel welcomes Juan Cole back to the program. We want to know if the reports of a final agreement on a time line-- yes, you heard me, a time line-- has been reached between the Iraqi government and the Bush Administration.

Comments

(33)

Aloha from Hawaii!!

It's nice that Obama is coming home to Hawaii, but I do think it is a mistake (and possible attack point) if he does not make one public (free) appearance. He will be doing a big, high priced fund raiser at the Kahala... Having him do that and no public appearance would make him look kind of bad.

Edit: Just heard on Hawaii Public Radio, that Obama will have a free public speech tomorrow at Keehi Lagoon around noon. Well that's good at least.

By the_captainAugust 7, 2008 - 10:17pm

Aloha! You just made me want to put on some tanner.

That's good "at least"? I don't understand why you are now sounding somewhat miffed about his "free' appearance after you had just suggested he make one.

What else has he NOT done to make you so reticent?

By Polly Tics (not verified)August 8, 2008 - 4:51am

Hawaiian Vacation

and NO windsurfing

By nmhankAugust 8, 2008 - 5:02pm

Rachel, I see a problem with your analysis on RftWH

I'm watching Race for the White House clips on MSNBC.com right now. I just got to the part where you're looking at McCain's numbers versus how Bush did. It's about 9:30 into this:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/26068618#26080252

Are you comparing the current McCain polling to Bush's exit polls? Exit polls don't have an "undecided" category. Some of the numbers you quoted seemed to have a much bigger undecided percentage than the difference between the McCain lead and the Bush lead.

If the Bush numbers against Kerry really were exit polls, then this is all wrong. That would mean there is no under-performing from McCain, he might actually be beating Bush's performance in some of those categories.

By Jason M. BryantAugust 7, 2008 - 8:06pm

Caging is alive and well

While listening to the Tom Hartman show today, I heard a caller explain a piece of mail that he received that looked like typical junk mail and almost threw it away. After looking it over, he realized that it was a message about voter eligability. Basically, it said something to the effect that if he didn't return it to the address on the letter, that his vote would not count. You can ask Tom Hartman about it if you like. I'm sure he could give you better info about that call.
One thing was mentioned for sure, that this caller was a minority voter and in an economically depressed area. The republicans don't want people to vote!!!!!!!!!

Bill Cody

By billcodyAugust 7, 2008 - 8:07pm

Test

Having a hard time posting

By cool_princessieAugust 7, 2008 - 8:09pm

DHL-gate (sorry i HAD to)

i live in southern ohio in a town about 20 miles from wilmington. a ton of people in this area work there. and sadly to say, it's bush country down here. i was surprised to hear rachel talk about DHL last night. PLEASE talk more about the DHL/mccain link. it was news to me, and more need to hear it. this could be obama's key to winning ohio.

http://myspace.com/travioli1976
It is only with the heart that one can see rightly;
what is essential is invisible to the eye.
--Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince

By travioliAugust 7, 2008 - 8:10pm

Yes, talk more about the DHL link

It seems that Mc Cain has his fingers in a number of different things that would cause anyone to question his motivation and his integrity.

By billcodyAugust 7, 2008 - 8:16pm

About yesterdays show

Thank you VERY much Rachel and Vanessa for sharing the list of whiskeys. I was honored you used my e-mail on the Ask Dr. Maddow segment. I was really NOT expecting it..... and I have something important to say.

I was disappointed by how you handled the DHL story. You constantly referred to DHL as a "foreign" company, as if that on its own accord were a bad thing. You accentuated this more than necessary. Then you said that the execs of DHL were sitting in Germany and they didn't care about the people of Elkhart.... as if being German and being in Germany were bad.

Ironically, this followed the big oil story where you said that US oil companies were not loyal to Americans, but to profit. Let me remind you, that German courier companies are loyal to the same god. Yet you phrased the story as if they were inherently eeeeviiiillll for being non-US-based. (pinky on corner of mouth)

I've been a foreigner my entire life.( Even in my "own" country I feel like an immigrant because I was not raised there.) As a result, I am VERY sensitive to language that fuels xenophobia, like yours was on Wednesday. As a person holding a microphone, please note that your words are extremely important on how people perceive the world.

This is particularly relevant when you take into account the history of Detroit and the brutal assassination of Vincent Chin, an Asian American originally from China.

In the 80s Japanese cars were selling better than American cars, and as a result Detroit had layoffs. One of the people laid off, Ronald Ebens, was angry and blamed the Japanese for the loss of his job. Ebens beat Chin to death with a baseball because he was the first Asian that crossed his path.

Here is the link to the Wikipedia entry on the murder of Vincent Chin: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_Chin

This is why it is imperative to keep in mind that people are people regardless of their country of origin. Likewise companies are companies regardless of where they are based. We cannot allow to allow geographical, religious, politics, racial, gender, sexuality, identity, disability, and similar differences to divide us. Let our actions and our characters speak for ourselves, not our human diversity.

I am a great fan, and I love what you do (I am typing this as you host Thursday's RFTWH), and this is why I am letting you know that I think that this time around you goofed on something that is important to me.

Thank you for reading.

By cool_princessieAugust 7, 2008 - 8:29pm

Leased Sites

I heard a caller to a local radio show make an interesting point about the drilling debate.

He noted that GOPers are in the House demanding that the Dems return so they can vote on granting new drilling sites. The caller called it a grandstand ploy and advocated that the Dems reply in kind/ He suggested that Dem leaders should go to many of the currently leased sites where the oil companies are not drilling. They should then post signs demanding that the oil companies drill on those sites first before being granted any new sites. He suggested doing this the day before McCain's acceptance speech.

He thought this would go a long way to educating the public about the attempted land grab and how the oil companies are surpressing supply to increase their prices. Interesting idea that could neutralize House GOPers and shed some light on oil company practices.

By JTGullsAugust 7, 2008 - 11:35pm

Response to DRILL NOW

I think the Democratic response to the DRILL NOW is:

PUMP NOW.

Propose legislation that will tax capped wells on federal leased land, that will, after a time, terminate those leases for disuse and make them available for releasing with a requirement that they be pumped. Prohibit export of oil from federally leased land.

This might be a relatively short term supply increase while we wait for Paris Hilton's plan to kick in....

And oh, yeah, make profits from those capped wells being put back into production exempt from the proposed windfall profits tax provided that at least 50% of the profit is put directly into development of alternative renewable energy.

Hank

By nmhankAugust 8, 2008 - 10:35am

Great Makeup Job

Rachel, I know the makeup thing is not your thing but I have to let you know, as someone who long ago worked as a makeup artist for TV, print, etc...they had it right last night! You looked fabulous and you looked like you... (you with makeup of course, but none the less...you.) At times they apply a foundation that is just too dark and they don't blend it far enough down. Your V-neck look is very flattering and seems to be comfortable for you and they need to blend the makeup further down into the V, otherwise you either look like you are wearing a crew neck under your jackets or a mask that ends at the base of your neck.

Anyway, last night the foundation was perfect, blended well and who ever applied your makeup last night had a light hand, which had you looking much more natural and handsome and much less painted and glam.

Thanks for all you do. It is so wonderful to have your voice out there speaking the truth. I'd watch and listen with the makeup or without.

Be well.

By AndreaJAugust 8, 2008 - 10:38am

Cheap Whiskey List

Old Overholt may be the cheapest rye available . . . and very good tasting. Under $15.
Take a break from Jack Daniels No. 7. Try Geo. Dickel No. 12, if you can find it. Also a Tennessee sour mash. Under $20.
And, speaking of sour mash, try Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond, a Kentucky sour mash (unusual). Under $15.
All the best.

By rhutnerAugust 8, 2008 - 11:06am

Too much media!

I enjoyed the "behind the scenes" of trying to get work done at MSNBC, with so many distracting media inputs. I had a job eight or so years ago where TVs were mounted on the walls and playing constantly. We were an online business site, and it made sense for some of our editors to monitor CNBC and other financial networks. But I found it difficult to do my job with a TV set blaring above my head. I got into a bit of a pissing match with a management person because I turned my set's volume down when I arrived in the morning. Oh yeah, did I mention how they never turned the damned TVs off, therefore eating up lots of electricity?

By leopardgrrl1August 8, 2008 - 11:43am

Mazda and what RX means

Your ponderings about where Mazda'a RX naming convention comes from made me really curious.

Apparently it stands for Rotary Experimental since the 1967 R100 featured a Wankle Engine, at the time a somewhat experimental rotary engine. The RX-7 etc. has carried the same engine type and therefore designation since then. Very sporty engine but not so good for your gas mileage.

Thanks for the google search itch... and thanks so, so much for the show. Always informative and thoughtful.

By hbw3August 8, 2008 - 1:09pm

obama's strategy

if obama gained hundreds of thousands of supporters and won the primary by basing his entire campaign on the premise that he's a 'washington outsider' and will change washington as we know it, then why is he not pointing out the fact that john mccain is the epitome of a washington insider? john mccain has beein in washington far longer than hillary (and bill) clinton has been.

he doesn't have to play dirty politics to play hard and hit back - he can simply and forcefully state the painfully obvious.

team obama - GET WITH IT!

By xtcfxtcAugust 8, 2008 - 1:29pm

Rachel Maddow: a ballsy gremlin of the left

http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/94036

By cool_princessieAugust 8, 2008 - 2:42pm

CP, this is a reprint of THE NATION Online article I didn't like

last week - the one where my wife and I both thought the writer was told to do a positive spin on Rachel, but must not have liked her much, and was more obsessed w/her using makeup and wearing nice clothes than anything substantive?

Not as bad as THE NEW YORKER hit job on Olbermann a few months back (then again, tone-deaf as that Obama cover was, I'm not surprised they didn't like KO much!), but the air of "Through Gritted Teeth" did waft past while reading....

By drdarkenyAugust 9, 2008 - 2:12am

Interesting point of view

Now I think I need to re-read the article. I actually found the writer witty, and able to catch and distill Rachel's idiosyncrasies VERY well. The author may have discussed Rachel's distaste for dressing up -- which I share -- but then ended up quoting Rachel saying that the reason she is getting booked is because people like the way she thinks. I agree.... But I will re-read it anyway.

By cool_princessieAugust 9, 2008 - 8:05pm

I thought the article was a

I thought the article was a little snarky, but I didn't get the "gritted teath" vibe at all. It seemed very complimentary to me.

By Jason M. BryantAugust 9, 2008 - 8:10pm

Maybe it's one of those "Your Mileage May Vary" Things?

We both clearly picked up on the snark and "Oh, she's not one of us 'safe liberals'" tone - but some of our friends who are also fans of Rachel's think we're off-base on this, too. I'd be interested if, after you reread it, you still feel it's mainly positive or not....

As for the DHL story that upset you earlier - globalization is one of those double-edged swords for progressives. In many ways it's useful as a means to shake America out of its provincialism, and remind us that we're far from the only nation sharing this planet - on the other hand, it's often used as an excuse by Big Corporations to outsource jobs to the cheapest, and least likely to make demands, workforces while in the process crushing the US workforce's will to fight for better wages and benefits. Of course, the same goes for any industrialized nation's workforce - and I'm sure German workers are as concerned about German corporation DHL's desire to outsource their jobs to someplace cheaper, too.

I don't think Rachel was being xenophobic when he brought up DHL, a non-US corporation, paying current McCain staffers and former lobbyists well to grease the skids in order to let them close down plants in the US. I think it was more that Mister Rah-Rah AMERICA! McCain's brain trust seems to behave in a manner awfully contrary to the needs of the very people they expect to vote for him.....

By drdarkenyAugust 10, 2008 - 3:48am

I haven't had a chance to

I haven't had a chance to re-read it. I succeeded at staying away from the computer this weekend. So I will read it later today.

But I did want to comment on the DHL thang. First, I do believe that Rachel was being xenophobic in the way she reported the story. That aside, I have mixed emotions about outsourcing. Maybe it comes from my immigrant rights work.

Think about it.

On the one hand, many people complain that immigrants come here and take jobs away from Americans. Regardless of whether that is true or not, immigrants DO come because there are no jobs and/or good jobs in their home country.

Outsourcing takes jobs away from Americans, and locates them in countries where there are no jobs, thus preventing a number of people from having to cross the border to come here in the first place.

Which begs the question, who is more deserving of a job? An American or an Indian? Which one of these two people is more deserving of providing for his or her family? I find the outsourcing phenomenon fascinating because of the philosophical implications it entices.

I honestly think that the root of the problem lies in the SIZE of the corporations involved.

For example, the problem with NAFTA was not the free trade per-se, but that multinationals benefited at the expense of small business. And this is what fueled the increase of desperate people crossing the borders to the US. They could no longer make a living at home.

The other factor is Wall Street. When companies need to report a profit every 3 months, there is no room for sanity. I am always flabbergasted when a company's stock gets punished for not growing enough. Heck, it freagging GREW!!! This is what makes companies layoff people, and relocate. Having enough to live comfortably and well is not good enough. Strong stock performance, wealth and world domination are the real corporate goals.

Things like NAFTA, tax cuts, outsourcing, etc are the tools to achieve these goals. People like you and I get stuck in the middle and pseudo nationalism (OUR jobs v. THEIR jobs) only feed the monster.

Finally, addressing your issue of provincialism.... I am not opposed at all at having foreign interests invest in American elections. It is a tricky matter indeed because these foreign interests are not really the benefactors of humankind..... just like Wal-Mart isn't either. But the U.S. has such a powerful impact on the world that makes sense to me that the whole world have a stake on U.S. presidential elections and want to take part in it.

I guess that in my mind this is another side effect of globalization. The world HAS gotten smaller, and we are all part of the same community. I do believe that the concept of "country" is passe, and that we need to think and act globally. One of my main philosophies is that as long as humans cling to regionalism (which is nothing more than a collective ego), we won't be able to move forward as a species to our next level of evolution.

Hmmm.... getting too deep for 8:30 am when I have a job interview to go to. So let's leave it at that for right now. ;)

Love,

-CP

By cool_princessieAugust 11, 2008 - 12:16pm

I re-read it

And I still like it a lot. I think that the writer wrote in a colorful language that captured how I perceive Rachel to be: colorful!.... as much as a self-described prude who blushes when she says the word "naked" can be :)~..... (Rachel...... don't think about nekid people... don't think about nekid people.....)

In my view, the article is about Rachel the human being, and what makes her tick. Not so much about Dr. Maddow the Oxford scholar. Por ejemplo, the author used a lot of expressions that Rachel would use herself. I loved it when she referred to Rachel's holy-mackarelness!

The wardrobe thang was used to illustrate how Rachel is as a person. But she was defined as being a person who is climbing into stardom thanks to her wits, and not because she is a bully. The writer does emphasize that in several places.

I think that there is a lot to be said about a manly woman representing "the voice of the woman." Is that a statement from the media that girly women are still too dumb to cut it? If so why is it OK to have 4 male panelists on RFTWH, and not 4 female panelists? Or is it because the "guys" feel like Rachel is one of them? Or is it because manly women are being more accepted in work environments (at least when they doll-up to be in front of the camera)? Eeekk.. here I go again philosophizing about stuff..... Someone please stop me! :) ).

I guess you and I have different perspectives on this.

By cool_princessieAugust 11, 2008 - 3:23pm

A manly woman?

I have trouble thinking of Rachel as "manly." I find her very pretty, more-so in jeans and a t-shirt than in the school principal outfit. But that's not it, mainly it's that I don't see any particular "manly" traits.

Maybe what others think of as "manly" is what I think of as "normal." She defends her opinions aggressively, but I think everyone should do that. Her hair isn't long, but lots of women have shorter hair at some point.

She's certainly not "girly," with lots of stylish clothes and elaborate hair and make-up. Maybe that's more the main point.

By Jason M. BryantAugust 11, 2008 - 5:31pm

I think they were talking

I think they were talking about her looks, and so was I. There are certain stereotypes associated with women based on how they dress.... Remember Legally Blonde? :) If I remember it correctly, Rachel made a note of her appearance when this was brought up on the article.

Having said that... living in the SF area where the butch culture is HUGE... I don't think Rachel is manly at all, but rather normal. LOL

By cool_princessieAugust 11, 2008 - 8:19pm

A Neighbor!

Who knew! I am about 20 miles south of you.

By Polly Tics (not verified)August 11, 2008 - 9:36pm

Kwel

I'm in the SJ area. You?

By cool_princessieAugust 12, 2008 - 1:45pm

Oh my!

SM here, just about 20 miles NORTH of you. We should consume food sometime!

By Polly Tics (not verified)August 12, 2008 - 3:20pm

Oops

Oops - I guess its good that my guy didn't win. Go Obama (apparently pron. Gobama)
http://www.wral.com/news/local/politics/page/3353194/

By zoomAugust 8, 2008 - 5:47pm

I'm Sorry, Zoom - I Was an Edwards Supporter Originally, Too

Of course, my opinion is that private affairs among consenting adults should remain private, and only reflect on a person's "character" when the person in question publicly espouses a stance condemning the very thing s/he engages in (Larry Craig's public anti-gay stance while being in the closet, or Elliott Spitzer's making his prosecutorial reputation going after escort services for prostitution while hiring call girls). It is the hypocrisy of our system that forces otherwise good people like John Edwards to publicly lie about their extramarital relationships - when how it's dealt with should really be between John Edwards, Elizabeth Edwards and Rielle Hunter, rather than Some! Big! Bogus! News! Story!

Anyway, I'm sorry this has ruined John Edwards's chances at actually doing some good against the Fascist NeoCon Religious Right Wing that has done its level best to destroy our great pluralistic civil liberty-guaranteeing society - and Elizabeth Edwards's chances at using her own situation to help seriously reform health care.

By drdarkenyAugust 8, 2008 - 9:09pm

Buck up drdarkeny,

I don't think that this has "done in" Edwards, but it does look as if he will have to lay low for awhile now. However, let's bear in mind that his efforts in politics (rallying against poverty) IS an important and viable point to advance IF Obama does win the election.

Yes, the news media (or should I call them the gossip media) have taken this issue and run with it far too much, it will eventually dissipate in a week or so and perhaps make his points possible to address come the next administration.

By Polly Tics (not verified)August 10, 2008 - 7:48pm

RftWH

I've lost even more respect for the editorial judgement of David Gregory today as I watch the show. Yes, I agree that the Edwards admission is a story that deserves time but today you had Russia and Georgia differences explode into warfare (where at least 100 have died).

This could be a time to study the McCain v Obama campaigns approach to NATO, Europe, and Russia. This could be a time to talk about the Olympics in China, how China is dealing with dissidents, and what McCain or Obama would do differently from the current administration.

Gregory even had the audacity to talk about the boldness of Edwards hiding the truth while running for President, even as we just had the latest trickle of what happened in the buildup to the Iraq invasion (Suskind book). I guess Gregory is more interested in where Edwards was getting busy and then hiding it than he is in pursuing the story of whether/how we were led into a war in Iraq and for what purpose.

Gregory really disappoints.

By JTGullsAugust 8, 2008 - 6:54pm

THANK YOU RACHEL...

Thanks for pointing out the bit about McCain having nine houses (one BTW has a private manmade pond on it). I'm so miffed that the media continues to treat McCain as if we know him inside and out, and yet digs into every smear against Obama. I've been following politics for decades and never knew about the McCain houses until Moveon printed it about a month ago. And, unfortunantly or not, it is a game changing fact in terms of branding that needs to be expressed more often.

Case in point on the media bias that is supposedly so "pro-Obama": Why is the question now in the media whether the Edwards affair will hurt Obama? They aren't connected at all, especially in their personal lives. However, JOHN MCCAIN IS. Why isn't the question, "Will the Edwards affair remind people that McCain also cheated on his wife during her illness"? I'll tell you if Obama had cheated on his wife during her illness, and this Edwards story came up, the "liberal media" would 24/7 be reviving the Obama story (no matter how long ago it happened) and discussing how it will affect "white, working class voters" who vote on "moral issues."

The trap that many Democrats fall into is that all of the above should matter not. Houses, affairs, etc... who cares? But, the game is the game. And that's how Republicans fight, so it's how Democrats must. I just wish the media would stop only echoing Obama smears without visiting those against McCain. I'd venture to say 85% of voters have no idea McCain cheated on his first wife (while she was ill) to go for a woman who was younger and richer. How many older women know that factoid? How many older women would call him honorable after discovering it?

It is such a pleasure seeing you fill-in on all of these MSNBC shows. Thank God they understand we want to see more Rachel.

By barelyawakenowAugust 8, 2008 - 10:50pm

Comments

(33)