The Election
I know I’m gonna sound like a huge dork but what is going on with the election?
I really cannot stand CNN or CSpan to the point where once I watch them for 3 secs I have to turn.
I lost a lot of respect for those stations after I watched them report for 2 months straight on the Anna Nicole Smith stuff. I was like, Guys, for real, is this what’s important? So, there are no wars? No famine? No struggle? Nothing else in the entire world is going on other than who’s gonna have this lady’s baby? I mean, all due respect, that type of thing happens every 3.1 seconds - a mother dying and a baby having to either be put up for adoption or a custody battle between baby daddies.
So I’ve been boycotting those stations. But since I’ve been doing that it gives me a chance to ask you guys - the people that look at my blog or my website - to give your opinion. Who is winning, who should win, and what the heck is gonna happen when either a women or a black man wins the presidency if they even do?
Write me.
February 1st, 2008 - 18:56
Hah, you’re right on the money about the Nicole Smith coverage. My wife and I were vacationing in Honduras when all of that went down. We finally found a place that had an English-speaking channel (CNN), so we were hoping to get updates about US & World news… and all we got was Nicole Smith coverage. Since then, no respect.
Ok, about the election… Obama all the way. Since ‘88 we’ve had either a Bush or Clinton in office; time for new blood. I’m surprised to see McCain pick up momentum; Super Tuesday will be huge for determining the true front-runners.
February 4th, 2008 - 19:28
When people say Barack is too young I point to you guys.
February 6th, 2008 - 13:30
Channing,
Love the blog brother, good stuff. Your pictures are very cool. Love that youre repping Portland. We are proud to have you.
Barack is the real deal. Who are you supporting?
Take care man.
February 6th, 2008 - 13:34
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com
great coverage of the election
February 6th, 2008 - 14:17
I know it sounds pretty silly, but I end up watching Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert for most of my election information.
They cover it with a lighthearted and irreverent take on politics, which for my personality works just fine.
February 6th, 2008 - 14:35
If you want news coverage that centers on the rest of the world as well as the US then you sould check out the news on BBC America. If you are into reading check out BBC.co.uk and Reuters.com. I take it you have also found the news organizations in the US, as well as local, CRAP and biased
February 6th, 2008 - 14:35
got to go with Hillary man, just to get “slick willy” back in the white house! It took a Clinton to clean up after the first bush, it will take another to clean up after this one! whats your take Channing? Who do you like? McCane is from AZ is he your man or now that you live in a blue state you feel like you have to go for Barack or Hillary?
February 6th, 2008 - 14:53
Here, here… I am not one to care much about the news and whatnot, but I am getting frustrated that the news people are reporting stuff that should be on E! or access Hollywood. Seriously folks.
Thanks for taking time to blog…love that you like Portland… hope you are here for a long time. I hear you take pictures on the team plane and stuff, if it’s alright with your teammates, it’d be cool if we cold see some of those. But I totally understand if not.
February 6th, 2008 - 15:05
I watch CNN by default, but could do away with just about all the cable nes channels.
As for an election winner, I’m an Obama man all the way and after last nights results feel like eventualy he’ll win the democratic nomination. Anyone remember “Rock the Vote”? A large part of the reason Bill Clinton won the presidency in 92′ was his MTV campaign, targeting a younger generation that normally is overlooked at election time. 16 years later, Obama has the same feel to the campaign he’s running, and I think the 18-27 year olds will go along way to nominating Barack come November.
On a side note, it’s been 20 years since either a Bush or Clinton haven’t been in the White House, how about we actually change things up and elect Barack?
February 6th, 2008 - 15:21
I’m close to the ground on most of this stuff. Get in touch. Knowing people is the only real way to get good info. Buzz moves FAST. At least you don’t have to watch commercials.
February 6th, 2008 - 16:16
Election coverage in the US sucks, plain and simple. It is treated as if it was an athletic contenst, with most of the attention given to who’s ahead, what the projections are, what’s the latest soundbite. There is very little coverage of where each candidate stands. A voter has to go online and actually seek out that info……and that’s hugely disappointing in regards to the job the collective media does.
February 6th, 2008 - 16:27
I couldn’t agree more Channing, seems like the main stream media is more likely to cover tabloid stories than it is to report on things that actually matter. Just another reason to get your TV news from Public Broadcasting…
As for the presidency, hands down the man is Obama… Really for me, as a fan of playing pick-up scrub hoops and watching pros like you, there is no other choice than Obama. He’s the brother-in-law of Brown University’s basketball coach Robinson, he’s talked about how he likes to get a few pick-up games in each week, and has said that if elected he would have a basketball court at the White House. While I love his call for change and his inspiring HOPE speech, I would vote for him regardless. Number 1 reason: he’s a BALLER! It’s about time for the OWG to put away his golf clubs, a baller is coming to town, and it will be a new morning in America!
Check this NY Times video report of Obama and hoops… http://video.on.nytimes.com/?fr_story=ae07e83f2e95b2341594531e2fe6b25c5a3f9c1b
And this has made its way around the internet, but maybe you missed it … Cool stuff, inspiring times… http://www.dipdive.com/
Here’s an idea, win a Blazer championship and get invited to visit President Obama at the White House, then challenge him to some half court 3 on 3 on the upper lawn hoop
Love having you in PDX by the way. Do your part to Keep Portland Weird!
February 6th, 2008 - 16:59
Obama ‘08! If you want real change, you can’t keep electing the same two families to the White House. If you want the country to work together, you can’t nominate someone who half the country already hates.
As he said last night, “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. Now let’s get to work!”
February 6th, 2008 - 17:34
Channing,
I am glad you see right through CNN… it’s a joke of a news outfit. For me, I like Fox News for the most part. There’s a few guys there like Hannity that I can’t stand, but other than that they seem pretty fair.
News in general in this country is a big joke. Why are celebs the top story, and heroes in the war not even talked about? Even if you don’t like the war, you can admit that our guys are doing amazing things over there, and we never hear about it.
The presidential race is wide open at this point, though I think if Hillary gets the nomination, she’ll lose. It seems like people are sick of the Clintons. My guy, Huckabee, looks like he’s not going to make it, so I’m not sure where to go from here…
Go Blazers! You guys have been a great surprise this year!
February 6th, 2008 - 17:41
Channing ,
Love the name as my middle name is Channing. Glad you came here to Portland. Agree completely with the news channels. Seems as if they are trying to choose which candidate we vote for. Have to choose Obama. Has there been a man who can capture your attention and touch you heart as much as he can? No matter what you are doing , he seems to grab your attention and make you listen.
You would think that our soldiers were home and safe and not involved in two major wars the way the media covers them. Like I said im glad you are here in Portland and it’s awesome to cheer for a great guy who keeps it real.
February 6th, 2008 - 17:43
Hey Channing,
I stayed up all night for the election (”Super-Duper Tuesday” at least) for the third cycle in a row (04, 06, 08). I’m excited; Hillary had looked like the inevitability of the Democrats but now it full on looks like Barack can pull this one out. California results were a little disheartening but we didn’t do so bad. Apparently, you have to request a ballot to vote in the primary as an independent voter and people didn’t know that. So in reality, a whole giant amount of Barack’s people couldn’t vote for him as a lot of people didn’t know that. That could’ve been the difference in that state but overall things are looking great. CNN has okay coverage. MSNBC has solid coverage as well.
We actually met briefly before the season started at that event for Senator Wyden at the Rose Garden.
Glad you are here man, team looks great. You get some time off and get the urge to catch a Steelhead or Salmon (Salmon really about the time the season is up) you should hit me up.
Peace
February 7th, 2008 - 11:49
Hey Channing…I really like your website! Lots of interesting comments about who to vote for and where to get your news.
Where to get your news? I dont think that the internet is trustworthy at all! No oversight. Anyone can post anything and lie as much as they want. You have to have a pretty strong BS filter to rely on it for your news. Word of mouth? Pretty much the same as the internet. The “vibe on the street” is whatever the person wants to tell you. You cant rely on whether they are giving you truth or their version of the truth. TV? You all have pointed out TV’s major shortcoming…its just entertainment. So where do you get it. Maybe a little of all, with a healthy amount of skepticism sprinkled in. I think McCain will be the next pres., not because I think he’s great, but he’s the most centerist of all the candidates and I think people are really tired of the extremes.
Keep up the good work on your blog, and do us proud on the court!
February 12th, 2008 - 12:21
I was bummed when Edwards dropped out. I thought he was the only truly progressive candidate and the only one who wasn’t taking boatloads of corporate money. I really liked that Edwards was making poverty such a central theme in his campaign because it seems like so many candidates just pretend like there aren’t poor people in this country.
I’m definitely backing Obama now. Him and Hillary are both more institutional Democrats to me, but I have more faith in Obama to shake up stale American politics and hopefully get us out of Iraq soon.
Great blog, man. I just found it today!
February 12th, 2008 - 19:17
Hey Channing! Love the blog and the new website. As a NY girl, we’re going to miss having you on the East Coast and hoping for a chance encounter at UofA games at The Garden, but this is clearly a better move for you professionally, and a loss for us as fans.
I’m a McCain girl all the way. Supported him in 2000 and support him now. But until he gained the momentum, I was bordering on Obama.
February 17th, 2008 - 11:02
I’m surprised nobody has mentioned Ron Paul. If you forget about the mainstream media like Fox News and CNN, and really listen to this guy and find out what he’s all about, I think a lot more people would be on his bandwagon. He’s not motivated by lobbyists with deep pockets, and he has gotten more campaign contributions from people serving in the military than McCain, Obama, Clinton, Huckabee COMBINED!!! Just watching how big media treats this guy is disgusting. Everyone should do themselves a favor and just find out who Ron Paul is, I’m sure you’ll like him.
February 25th, 2008 - 16:52
I really don’t think it matters which democrat wins the nomination because they are both far and away better candidates than McCain. I prefer Obama, but I wouldn’t be dissapointed to see clinton win either.
and if your looking for some real news turn on the radio to 91.5 especially early in the morning when they carry the BBC world service.
February 25th, 2008 - 23:13
Hi Channing,
I have my own political views and I won’t inflict them on anyone here. I just wanted to say I browsed your blog and I am impressed that you’d voice this. No one who has any claim to fame (except perhaps Jack Cafferty) seems to mention the ludicrousness of the media coverage in the West.
Thanks.
I’m impressed.