Photo: www.whitehouse.gov -- President Obama holds news conference today to discuss yesterday's midterm election, November 3, 2010

Reflecting on the returns from yesterday’s mid-term election, President Barack Obama admitted today that he received a  ”shellacking” from the voters.

At a White House news conference, the president blamed the sluggish economy for voter dissatisfaction and frustration, which resulted in the Republicans gaining a majority in the House and whittling down the Democratic majority in the Senate.

Also, the president says he takes responsibility for Tuesday’s disappointing election results:

Photo: Pete Souza/White House -- President Obama spoke to reporters during a news conference at the White House November 3, 2010

“After what I’m sure was a long night for a lot of you — and needless to say it was for me — I can tell you that some election nights are more fun than others. Some are exhilarating; some are humbling. But every election, regardless of who wins and who loses, is a reminder that in our democracy, power rests not with those of us in elected office, but with the people we have the privilege to serve.

Over the last few months I’ve had the opportunity to travel around the country and meet people where they live and where they work, from backyards to factory floors. I did some talking, but mostly I did a lot of listening. And yesterday’s vote confirmed what I’ve heard from folks all across America: People are frustrated — they’re deeply frustrated — with the pace of our economic recovery and the opportunities that they hope for their children and their grandchildren. They want jobs to come back faster, they want paychecks to go further, and they want the ability to give their children the same chances and opportunities as they’ve had in life.

The men and women who sent us here don’t expect Washington to solve all their problems.  But they do expect Washington to work for them, not against them.  They want to know that their tax dollars are being spent wisely, not wasted, and that we’re not going to leave our children a legacy of debt.  They want to know that their voices aren’t being drowned out by a sea of lobbyists and special interests and partisan bickering.  They want business to be done here openly and honestly.

Now, I ran for this office to tackle these challenges and give voice to the concerns of everyday people.  Over the last two years, we’ve made progress.  But, clearly, too many Americans haven’t felt that progress yet, and they told us that yesterday. And as President, I take responsibility for that.

What yesterday also told us is that no one party will be able to dictate where we go from here, that we must find common ground in order to set — in order to make progress on some uncommonly difficult challenges.  And I told John Boehner and Mitch McConnell last night I am very eager to sit down with members of both parties and figure out how we can move forward together.

I’m not suggesting this will be easy.  I won’t pretend that we will be able to bridge every difference or solve every disagreement.  There’s a reason we have two parties in this country, and both Democrats and Republicans have certain beliefs and certain principles that each feels cannot be compromised.  But what I think the American people are expecting, and what we owe them, is to focus on those issues that affect their jobs, their security, and their future:  reducing our deficit, promoting a clean energy economy, making sure that our children are the best educated in the world, making sure that we’re making the investments in technology that will allow us to keep our competitive edge in the global economy.

Because the most important contest we face is not the contest between Democrats and Republicans.  In this century, the most important competition we face is between America and our economic competitors around the world.  To win that competition, and to continue our economic leadership, we’re going to need to be strong and we’re going to need to be united.

None of the challenges we face lend themselves to simple solutions or bumper-sticker slogans.  Nor are the answers found in any one particular philosophy or ideology.  As I’ve said before, no person, no party, has a monopoly on wisdom.  And that’s why I’m eager to hear good ideas wherever they come from, whoever proposes them. And that’s why I believe it’s important to have an honest and civil debate about the choices that we face.  That’s why I want to engage both Democrats and Republicans in serious conversations about where we’re going as a nation.”

More of President Obama’s comments and a Q&A with reporters on the White House website here.

White House photo: Pete Souza — President Obama delivers the State of the Union Address 01/27/10

More jobs and pumping up the weak economy were major themes in President Obama’s first State of the Union speech delivered before a joint session of Congress last night. And that’s the way it should be. The country, and especially the backbone of the our society — middle class folks — are still struggling under the weight of this recession. “ For these Americans and so many others, change has not come fast enough.  Some are frustrated; some are angry.  They don’t understand why it seems like bad behavior on Wall Street is rewarded, but hard work on Main Street isn’t; or why Washington has been unable or unwilling to solve any of our problems.  They’re tired of the partisanship and the shouting and the pettiness.  They know we can’t afford it.  Not now. ” President Obama said.

Interestingly a  New York Times’  piece today, points out that even when the president rightly boasted of tax cuts generated by his administration, Republicans in the audience, who almost always cheer anything or anyone that produces tax cuts, well, last night, they refused to applaud. This demonstrated to the country why gridlock in congress is hampering a national health plan and other legislation that would benefit average Americans. That kind of attitude and partisanship by Republicans are responsible for much of the mess our country is in now. I don’t vote along a party line. I vote issues and candidates and therefore, I find the partisanship battles extremely frustrating.

During eight years of a Republican President, you didn’t hear Republicans screaming loudly about the rapidly growing deficit, the ill-conceived and expensive war in Iraq, or even the major financial melt-down and the much hated Bush Adminstration plan to bailout the rich cats at the banks and on Wall Street. Republicians were in charge of Congress during those eight years and it’s ridiculous to expect a Democratic President to clean-up that mess in one year. Republicans and Democrats need to work together to get the country and the economy back on track.

I must say, I thought new Republican Governor Robert. F. McDonnell, who gave the rebuttal to the State of the Union, showed more class than many of his more senior Republican leaders. Virginia Governor McDonnell complimented the president on some points and criticized him on others. Overall, McDonnell faulted the federal government for “trying to do too much.”

I gotta point out, President Obama was left with a full plate of problems to deal with and many demand urgent attention. The President realizes this and made it clear in his speech he plans to push forward on a health care plan, a bipartisan commission to work on reducing the federal debt, a jobs creation bill, $30 billion of the repaid bailout money to go to small businesses and so on.

I agree with the president when he wrapped up the spirit and goals of his speech by saying, “… a new year has come.  A new decade stretches before us.  We don’t quit.  I don’t quit.   Let’s seize this moment — to start anew, to carry the dream forward, and to strengthen our union once more. ”  

For the full text of President Obama’s State of the Union speech click here.

Over the weekend, Barack Obama and John McCain campaigns blitzed Nevada fighting for those undecided voters. Many of the political analysts have slotted Nevada in the column of swing states– those still up for grabs in this heated presidential race.

For weeks now the Obama camp has been targeting Nevada. Some of the recent Obama e-mails I have received included urgent requests for California supporters to volunteer to go to Nevada to help get out the vote. No one is saying how many Obama folks from the Golden State have made the dash to Nevada, however, some reports put the number in the thousands.

 Last Saturday, Obama spoke to a large crowd at a high school in Henderson, Nevada. Today, his wife, Michelle Obama, is scheduled to rally supporters at a college campus in North Las Vegas.

Also in Nevada today, Republican V.P. candidate Sarah Palin is scheduled to make two stops, one in Reno and the other in Elko. Tonight, John McCain will be in Henderson to speak at what is being touted as a “Road to Victory Rally.” Despite being down in most of the polls, McCain is still working his underdog status and pushing for what he hopes will be a come from behind win.

Meanwhile, Obama and his supporters are refusing to let up or slow down even during these last days and final hours of the campaign.

Illinois Senator Barack Obama is not only the front runner in the major political polls, but he’s also          outselling his opponent, Arizona Senator John McCain, in a local presidential cookie poll.

Super popular Porto’s Bakery & Cafe At Magnolia Boulevard and Hollywood Way in Burbank has been offering John McCain and Barack Obama cookies for several weeks. I dropped by the Cuban-style bakery on Thursday, October 23 and discovered the presidential cookie poll was well underway.

Friendly counter staff members “Robert” and “Jasmine ” told me they were delighted with the cookie poll and their customers’ reaction to it. On this day, Obama was leading with 1,771 Democratic donkey style cookies to 833 McCain Republican elephant style cookies. They are priced at $1.60 each. I returned to check out the latest count yesterday and, ahem, to pick up a few of the yummy bakery goods.

So on October 30, the number of cookies sold for Obama had jumped considerably. The count stood at Obama 2,085 and McCain 943.  In terms of the presidential cookie poll, Porto’s suggests its customers “vote early eat often.”  A portion of the proceeds from this cookie sale goes to the American Red Cross and Ike Disaster Relief Operations.  

It will be interesting to see if the Porto’s presidential cookie poll predicts the winner of the presidential race on Election Day, November 4.        

FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove – Burbank

The closer it gets to Election Day the more political yard signs I see in my Burbank neighborhood. The most popular are those for the presidential candidates. Barack Obama signs started popping up first, more than a month ago. Lately, the folks backing the John McCain/Sarah Palin ticket have put out yard signs to show their support. Now, that’s all good.

Janet Reynolds speaks to a gathering on August 28, 2008; the night Senator Barack Obama accepted the Democratic nomination for president.

Janet Reynolds, President of the Burbank Democratic Club, says the group has filled requests for 50 Obama signs in Burbank. Reynolds volunteers 15 hours a week at the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley headquarters. When it comes to distributing yard signs, Reynolds says the “DPSFV has done in the 1000+ range.”

For some folks in the Southland it has become necessary to get replacement signs. Over the weekend, I heard reports of political signs being defaced in Whittier. Earlier this month, there were reports about Obama yard signs vandalized in Montrose. 

Reynolds says “…many many yard signs are being stolen in the San Fernando Valley.”  She says that while working at the DPSFV in Van Nuys,”…people come in to get more yard signs because they have had them stolen.” That’s the really bad part of all this.

 Sticking a political sign in your yard should not be that big of a deal. It should be considered a right, just like casting your ballot for the candidate of your choice. So it is really bad news when some small minds try to stop the free expression of others by vandalizing or stealing yard signs.

I have yet to hear of anyone changing a political view because their yard sign was stolen. Actually, most folks who have their signs defaced or ripped off become more determined to display a political sign and to vote for their favorite candidate. 

“I’m a plumber… just a plumber,” that’s how Joe Wurzelbacher described himself when he lashed out at the media for scrutinizing his opinions and personal life, last weekend. Yeah, Joe is that guy.  Joe the Plumber. The Joe that Republican presidential candidate John McCain mentioned repeatedly in the third and final presidential debate. In fact, McCain referred to Wurzelbacher as “my buddy, Joe.”

Wurzelbacher was thrust into the public arena after having a brief chat with Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama back on October 12. During the encounter, Wurzelbacher complained about Obama’s tax plan, which he says would keep him from purchasing the $250,000-plus small plumbing business where he works. McCain jumped on this and portrayed it as an example of how Obama’s tax plan hurts the small business owner.

McCain’s strategy for using Joe the Plumber to trash Obama’s tax plan is typical politics. The surprise in this drama is the Holland, Ohio plumber named Joe. Fast forward to reports that now show shy Joe is  loving his 15 minutes of fame so much he wants to extend it.

On Thursday, Keith Olbermann on Daily Kos reported rumblings in the publishing industry about Joe the Plumber putting out feelers that he’s looking for a book deal. Also in the last few days, a flurry of stories on the Internet about Joe the Plumber mulling over a run for Congress.

Then, there’s the interview chat Joe did Friday on the Washington Times website. Joe answered questions and spouted off freely about his views. He said Obama made him “scared for America.” Also, Joe says that when he met Obama, despite all he’d heard about the candidate’s ‘presence’, he came away thinking the Illinois senator was “very average.”  This from a guy who apparently doesn’t understand our tax system nor that he needs a plumber’s license to work in his own community.

In the glare of the spotlight and caught up in dreams of fame and major dollar signs, Joe the Plumber seems to have forgotten that he is really the one who is average and “just a plumber” by his own assessment.  

Sarah Palin shows off her fashion style at the Republican National Convention last month.

I’ve never been impressed with the political babble of Republican V.P. candidate, Sarah Palin. I don’t buy into the Alaska governor’s boast that one of her qualifications for the second most powerful position in the nation is that she’s ”a hockey mom.”  However, Palin gets the props and kudos from me for her campaign fashion style.

I love the tailored jackets and skirts with just the right amount of flair; and the cool eyewear. Now, it turns out that while Palin has been traveling the country telling the so-called Joe six-packs and Jane the hairdressers in the crowds that she’s one of them; she was wearing threads from some of the most upscale retailers in the country.

Several media reports have confirmed that the Republican National Committee paid 150 thousand dollars to outfit Palin and her family in just the month of September. On the campaign trial, the Palins have been decked out in clothes and accessories from stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Macy’s, Barneys New York. The revelation was found in recent campaign finance reports.

The McCain campaign has accused Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and his wife Michelle of being “elitists” and out of touch with small town America. It seems to me, McCain’s own V.P. running mate has been dressing pretty high class for someone who claims to be a down home hockey loving “gal” from Wasilla, Alaska.

Convicted Ex-GOP political consultant  Allen Raymond, with the help of co-writer Ian Spiegelman, described the dirty campaign tricks that caused his downfall in his memoir, “How to Rig an Election: Confessions of a Republican Operative.” Fox Searchlight reportedly has picked up a movie project based on Raymond’s story, which was back in the news this week.

Raymond was convicted of orchestrating a phone-jamming scheme that targeted the Democratic Party headquarters in New Hampshire during a tight 2002 Senate election. Republican Representative John Sununu won the senate seat over Democratic Governor Jeanne Shaheen. Right now, the candidates are battling it out in a rematch, which Shaheen is favored to win on November 4.

In 2002, the Feds got wind of the scheme and Raymond ended up pleading guilty to conspiracy and served three months behind bars. Raymond claims he was the fall guy and has pointed the finger at former GOP state official Jim Tobin as the instigator of the scheme.  

Tobin was convicted in connection with the case, but the verdict was thrown out on appeal. This week, Tobin was indicted on two counts for making false statements to the FBI during its investigation into that political scam.

Raymond’s book, “How to Rig an Election,” was released by Simon & Schuster last January. The movie script has been written by Billy Ray who will direct as well. Ray directed, “Shattered Glass,” the fall from grace of journalist Stephen Glass who got caught fabricating a number of his stories. 

The formal greetings were barely over at the third presidential debate, before Republican candidate Senator John McCain went on the attack, throwing verbal punches, jabs, and a few low blows at his front-running opponent, Democratic nominee Senator Barack Obama.

The final presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York had the most drama and the most clashes between the candidates. McCain was aggressive, sarcastic, and determined. Again, Obama remained calm, focused, and articulate to the finish.

Moderator Bob Schieffer asked questions about domestic issues and made a serious effort to keep the candidates on topic. McCain turned most of his responses into an assault on Obama. The Arizona senator brought up an Ohio plumber named Joe and used Joe’s doubts about Obama’s tax plan to beat up on the Illinois senator. McCain wove Joe the plumber into many of his responses. Surprisingly, Joe the Plumber was mentioned more than two dozen times during the debate.

 Also, McCain ignored the voters’ disdain for personal attacks and made several attempts to smear Obama’s character. When Obama linked McCain’s policies to those of President Bush, McCain shot back, “Sen. Obama, I am not President Bush. If you wanted to run against President Bush, you should have run four years ago. I’m going to give a new direction to this economy in this country.”

Obama defended his assertion, “… the fact of the matter is that if I occasionally have mistaken your policies for George Bush’s policies, it’s because on the core economic issues that matter to the American people, on tax policy, on energy policy, on spending priorities, you have been a vigorous supporter of President Bush.”

McCain was fiery and aggressive to the point of almost mauling Obama in the final debate. However, was his performance a game-changer? Top polls show Obama holding onto his lead over McCain. Still, McCain worked very hard in this debate and appears to have gained little ground with undecided voters, but it looks like he will get the vote of Joe the Plumber.

Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama has a sizable lead in two major polls over his Republican challenger Senator John McCain. The Obama camp is probably cheering that good news, but it would be unwise for them to throttle back on their efforts. Clearly Senator McCain is the underdog, but I’ve seen too many come from behind victories to count him out.

Nevertheless, the poll numbers are impressive. In the latest Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll, Obama has increased his lead over McCain, 50 percent to 41 percent, among voters likely to cast ballots in the November 4 general election. Last month, those numbers gave Obama a slimmer lead with 49 percent to 45 percent.

Obama’s lead has grown to double digits in the latest New York Times/CBS News poll.  In that nationwide survey of more than a thousand adults, 53 percent said they favored Obama, while only 39 percent said they would vote for McCain. That’s a 14 point lead for the Illinois senator with only three weeks to the election. Another interesting finding in this poll is that the majority of those questioned said they were turned off by McCain’s negative attacks on his Democratic opponent. Hopefully, McCain gets the message, avoids character attacks, and spends his time during the third debate presenting his own agenda for dealing with the long list of problems facing the nation.

The final presidential debate is tonight, 6 p.m. Pacific Time, at Hofstra University in Hempstead New York. The moderator will be Bob Schieffer of CBS News.

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It is no secret that Republican presidential Senator John McCain needed to make a strong showing at last Tuesday’s debate in Nashville. During the town-hall style gathering, McCain worked hard to get his views across and to try to cast doubt on Senator Barack Obama’s ability to lead. In pursuit of those goals, did McCain trip himself up?

Yesterday, a reader left a comment on my post, “Who won the 2nd debate?” suggesting McCain did indeed make a blunder. The reader points to McCain’s response to a question from moderator Tom Brokaw about setting priorities in terms of health care, energy, and entitlement reform. In his answer McCain says, “My friends, some of this $700 billion ends up in the hands of terrorist organizations.”

I clicked over to the New York Times website and checked the transcript for the second debate. I found that strange comment about 20 minutes into the debate in the middle of McCain’s response about health care, energy, and entitlement reform. That strange comment comes out of nowhere and is never explained. However, it did sound familiar to me.  

Earlier in the second debate, about 17 minutes in, during one of his other responses McCain says,”… I know how to fix this economy, and eliminate our dependence on foreign oil, and stop sending $700 billion a year overseas.” 

Rewind to the first debate in Mississippi, about 30 minutes in McCain says, “Look, we are sending $700 billion a year overseas to countries that don’t like us very much. Some of that money ends up in the hands of terrorist organizations.”

So did McCain misspeak or have a memory lapse in the second debate? Only the Arizona senator can really answer that question, but it does make one wonder.

Looking back on the historic events of the past week, GOP vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s acceptance speech before the Republican National Convention stands out. The Alaskan governor was in full blown attack mode throughout the speech. The RNC loved it: the delegates broke out in applause and cheers numerous times during Palin’s speech. In the days since, Palin’s speech has been praised as one of the highlights of the convention.

Many of the zingers and jabs thrown at the Democrats by Palin are being repeated over and over again. One that the Republicans appear to relish was intended to be a put-down of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s service as a community organizer.

In touting her own experience Palin brought up her time as mayor of the small town of Wasilla, Alaska. Palin said “I guess — I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, except that you have actual responsibilities.” The convention thundered with applause, cheers, and hoots of approval.

For me that remark disparaged the hard work and achievements of all community organizers. One famous community organizer comes to mind, Martin Luther King, Jr. You might remember, Dr. King first gained national attention as one of the community activists who organized a historic boycott in Montgomery, Alabama. The boycott began in December of 1955, lasted 381 days, and ended discrimination against Black bus riders. 

The Montgomery bus boycott galvanized the civil rights movement and Dr. King became its passionate spokesman. Dr. King would go on to help organize many marches, demonstrations, and events. In a relatively short period, 13 years, King would touch the hearts and conscious of millions of Americans.

Also, Dr. King gained international fame as a civil rights leader, but he never forgot his roots as a community organizer and activist. On April 4, 1968, King was assassinated in Memphis where he had gone to support striking black sanitation workers. A life of community service and activism ended at 39. He never held a public office, but his activism changed our nation.

The third Monday in January is a federal holiday in honor of the birth and achievements of Dr. King.  Ironically, GOP presidential candidate Senator John McCain vigorously opposed the King holiday for years up until April 4, 2008, when he publicly admitted he was wrong to do so.

Meanwhile, there are community organizers and activists all across the country carrying on King’s legacy of service to others. Frequently they fight injustice, provide support and comfort in our communities to the needy, the young, the elderly, the homeless, the victimized, and oh yes, unwed teenaged mothers as well.

Palin should be more careful where she slings her ax of insults and contempt. Perhaps, the GOP vice-presidential candidate ‘s energy might be better spent speaking about the issues and concerns of the American people.

Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin has captured the interest of the country and it’s sending the book sales of her biography through the roof.

A little publisher in Washington state, Epicenter Press, has rushed to print more than 75, 000 copies of “Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska’s Political Establishment Upside Down.” And the publisher may need to go to press again because the orders for the book are nearing 100,000, according to Publishers Weekly.

The book, by Kaylene Johnson, first hit bookstore shelves last April.  

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GOP presidential candidate Senator John McCain gave a powerful and patriotic acceptance speech last night at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. Unlike his V.P. choice Sarah Palin, McCain’s speech was not riddled with sarcasm and mean-spirited attacks on the Democrats. 

 In fact, Senator McCain gave a nod of respect to the Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama for his achievements and then stated”… We’re going to win this election.”

McCain went on to present his policies and ideas to create real change in America. As he has in the past, McCain did not waver from his support of the war in Iraq. Also, after more than 25 years in Washington, McCain still considers himself a maverick, an outsider “… someone who marches to the beat of his own drum… I don’t work for  a party. I don’t work for special interest. I don’t work for myself. I work for you.”

McCain slammed “the constant partisan rancor” that he says is stalling progress in Washington. I wonder how he would really be able to change that with his V.P. ripping into the opposition like, dare I say, an attack dog. It is hard to forget Palin’s own comparison of a hockey mom, which she is, and a pit bull in her acceptance speech Wednesday night.

McCain took the high road. Sure he criticized the agenda of his Democratic opponent and borrowed liberally from Obama’s message of change. Yet, most of his time in the spotlight was spent making his own case to the American people. Make no mistake about it, McCain’s speech was designed to appeal to the masses not just the delegates at the RNC.

He was emotional when describing his captivity as a prisoner during the Vietnam War and how it sparked a real love for his country. At the end of his speech, McCain roused the crowd to its feet with his challenge to “ stand up”  and “fight for what’s right for our country.”   McCain was rewarded with a lengthy standing ovation from the 20,000 strong inside Xcel Energy Center.

Today, the candidates from both parties begin the last and most important leg of the campaign with less than two months to the November 4th election. 

photo by Mary Knox Merrill/Christian Science Monitor

A lot of discussion today about GOP V.P. candidate Sarah Palin’s speech last night before the Republican National Convention and a nationwide audience. I listened to the speech on KNX 1070 newsradio. Palin was plain spoken and direct. She spent little time talking about policy and issues. Nevertheless, she left an impression: positive for some, negative for others.

Most of Palin’s 40 minute speech was allocated to introducing herself and family members, praising GOP presidential candidate John McCain’s leadership and military record; while throwing verbal jabs at the media and the Democratic ticket, particularly Senator Barack Obama.

Palin gave every indication of being ready to rumble. We will have to see what happens when she goes up against Obama and the Democratic V.P. candidate Senator Joe Biden on the campaign trail and in the upcoming debates.

Oh yes, and there was that interesting off-color remark about hockey moms and pit bulls. Apparently, it was an ad-lib. Palin said, “I love those hockey moms. You know, they say the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick.” Hmm,  I can’t remember the last time I heard a woman compare herself to a canine as if it were a compliment.

Being a hockey mom must be the new “in” female occupation. The “Sarah” bio was published last April with the title, “Sarah: How a Small Town Girl Turned Alaska’s Political Establishment on Its Ear.”  Today, the bio by Kaylene Johnson is ranked number 5 in sales on the Barnes & Noble.com website under the title, “Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska’s Political Establishment Upside Down.” Apparently this paperback version is available. 

Over on Amazon, the highest ranking for the “Sarah” book is number 13, but it is temporarily out of stock. The title on this hardcover is “Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska’s Political Establishment on Its Ear.” There are a few of these books for sale by independent dealers from $39-$150 each plus shipping.

I may be out of step with some new trend, but I don’t think being a hockey mom qualifies a person to be Vice-President of the United States. I’m not being sexist. I would say the same thing about a male candidate who boasted of being a Little League baseball coach. That’s nice, if you’re running for a position on the local school board.

Governor of Alaska since 2006, Palin’s political career is thin on experience. Still, I believe it is Palin’s political savvy and knowledge of the country’s issues and problems that will sway voters; not how well she got along with the other hockey moms in her hometown of Wasilla, Alaska.

Whatever the outcome in November, Palin has a place in history. She is the first Republican female to be that party’s nominee for Vice-President and only the second woman ever to reach that level. Geraldine Ferraro was the first woman selected for V. P. by a major party when she ran on the Democratic ticket with Walter Mondale in 1984.

Tonight, Senator McCain wraps up the Republican Convention in Minnesota by accepting his party’s nomination.

While the GOP V.P. nominee’s public profile continues to change with every new revelation, you would think there would be some stability in her published book bio.  Nope, not the case.

When it was released in April of 2008, the book by Kaylene Johnson was called, “Sarah: How a Small Town Girl Turned Alaska’s Political Establishement on Its Ear.”  

Barnes & Noble.com is still advertising the hardcover, which was ranked at 15 last night, for sale under the old title. The paperback edition was at number 52 and it carries the new title, “Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska’s Political Establishment Upside Down.” Neither edition will be available until September 8 and 9.

Now over at Amazon they’ve been using the new title for while. The hardcover ranked 21 when I checked last night. There are 10 used and new copies available from $11.95 to $99.50. 

Epicenter Press, a small company up in Washington state, is having thousands of newly printed copies of the Sarah book shipped out to meet the demand. Apparently, somewhere along the line a title change occurred.

By the way, Sarah Palin gives her big speech before the Republican National Convention and a nationwide television audience tonight.

Big Buzz on Sarah Palin book

The new Republican V.P. nominee, Sarah Palin, has a book out and it’s a hot bestseller on Barnes & Noble.com and Amazon. ”Sarah: How a Small Town Girl Turned Alaska’s Political Establishment on Its Ear” has been out a while. The biography was first published in April of 2008, before Palin’s recent problems were disclosed in the national media.

Last Saturday, “Sarah” ranked number eight on the Barnes & Noble.com bestsellers list. By Sunday evening, it had jumped to number five. Then on Labor Day Monday, the highest ranking for the “Sarah” book was number 12. This morning, the “Sarah” hardcover was at 15.

 Written by Kaylene Johnson, the book is slim at around 160 pages. That might be expected since Palin’s political experience is somewhat limited. She was elected governor of Alaska in 2006.  Previously, the most significant job on Palin’s political resume was that of mayor of the small town of Wasilla, Alaska.

Then last Friday, Palin made the leap onto the national scene when presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain introduced her as his running mate. That probably gave the “Sarah” book a nice bump up in sales.

If you want a copy of the “Sarah” book don’t rush on to the Barnes & Noble website. A notice on the site says the book is temporarily out of stock and will not be available until September 8 or 9.

On Saturday, I checked Amazon.com  and found the “Sarah” book was ranked number eight on its list of top sellers, too. Oh, and it is out of stock here as well. Also, the title is slightly different here. It’s listed as “Sarah: How A Hockey Mom Turned Alaska’s Political Establishment on Its Ear.”

When I glanced through Amazon’s bestseller list on Sunday evening, the “Sarah” book had dropped to 19 in ranking, but had skyrocketed in price. Two booksellers on the site were offering new hardcover copies at $142.50 and $145.00 each plus shipping!  The list price is $19.95 for the hardcover and $15.95 for the paperback.

 Yesterday, the hardcover version was listed at number 37 on Amazon’s top seller list. Again, there were some copies from other booksellers being offered for sale on this site. A used copy for $65.  A few new copies from $27.95 to $142.50 each and a signed new copy for $100.

This morning, the “Sarah” hardcover was ranked 47. There are several used and new copies from independent booksellers from $29.95 to $142.50.

Dorchester Publishing editor launches new website

Editor Leah Hultenschmidt is the voice behind “Romantic Reads.”  Hultenschmidt handles romance and western for Dorchester, which calls itself the oldest independent publisher of mass-market books in America. Hultenschmidt’s site covers current/new projects and book releases in both categories as well as providing writing,  publishing tips and news for authors.

Hultenschmidt moderated a terrific workshop at the recent 28th Annual National Conference of Romance Writers of America. I got quite a bit of information and inspiration from her workshop, ”The Hybrid Hype: Genre-defying Blends that Hit the Mark.” 

I’m getting a good vibe from her website,  ”Romantic Reads” as well,  so I’ve added it to my list of favorites.

Boys Night Out — A Walk on the Noir Side

Authors Bill Fitzhugh, Gary Phillips, Darrell James, and Michael Mallory will be getting together for a panel discussion at the Buena Vista Branch Library in Burbank.  James will moderate. The event is set for Saturday, September 6 from 2-4 p.m.  It is presented by a local mystery group, Sisters in Crime Los Angeles. 

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain made a bold move that demonstrated the changing times. Today, Senator McCain announced the selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his vice-presidential pick.

At a rally in Dayton, Ohio, McCain introduced Palin, a relatively unknown politician, as the running mate who will “… help me shake up Washington.”

Before becoming governor of Alaska in 2006, Palin served as a mayor and council member of a small town in that state. She is 44, married, the mother of five children — one, a son, is serving in the army.

Palin will be the first woman to be nominated for vice-president by the Republicans and only the second female to run for the number two spot on a major party ticket. Democrat Geraldine Ferraro was the first in 1984.  

On the negative side, Palin is under investigation in a scandal involving the firing of a state official, Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan.  

Thousands of Democrats are in Denver today for the opening of their four day convention at the downtown Pepsi Center. Closer to home, another political drama is set to play out in Beverly Hills this evening. 

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Senator John McCain and his wife Cindy will be special guests at a star-studded fundraiser at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Wilshire Boulevard.

 According to  The Washington Times and Variety, show biz conservatives like Angie Harmon, David Zucker, Jon Cryer, Craig T. Nelson, Jon Voight, and Robert Duvall are among those planning to fete the McCains.

Tickets reportedly started at $500 for the 35 and younger set and a thousand bucks for all others. While the Republicans are partying inside, the Democrats will be protesting at a march and rally in the streets outside.

I got an e-mail over the weekend from the Burbank Democratic Club announcing a “Rally Against McCain” in order “… to expose his big oil and corporate connections!”

Sounds like the stage is set for a lot of excitement in Beverly Hills as well as Denver. 

Days before the Democratic and Republican Conventions kick-off, the presumed presidential candidate for each party is headed to Southern California.

Senators Barack Obama and John McCain will make their first joint appearance of the 2008 campaign at the Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, located about 50 miles south of Burbank in Orange County.

The moderator for the event and friend of both candidates is pastor, philanthropist, and author, Dr. Rick Warren. His book, “The Purpose Driven Life” has sold 30 million copies. The follow-up “The Purpose Driven Church” is a best seller as well.

Dr. Warren is on the August 18, 2008 cover of Time magazine where he is described as America’s most powerful religious leader.

All the general admission tickets have been handed out for the Saddleback Civil Forum on Leadership and Compassion on Saturday, August 16, from 5 -7 p.m.  The candidates will be talking about faith and the common good.  The event is expected to get extensive coverage by the media.

For more information go to the Saddleback Civil Forum .