Channel 9 (Australia) to take US election coverage

Apparently Channel 9 will be covering the US election from 11am (EDST) Wednesday November 5. I am not sure whether they will be taking the feed from one of their affiliates (ABC or NBC) or if it will be their own panel. Whatever their forum, it will be biased in favour of the Messiah, of course. If it gets too tendentious I will mute the coverage and just watch the electoral college ticker.

At this stage I don't know if other Aussie free-to-air channels are taking the US election, although I would imagine SBS will, seeing as they took all the debates live.

UPDATE

I can confirm that from 11am on 5 November, Channel 9 will be covering the US elections.

I just saw Nine's news with their US reporter Robert Penfold reporting (from an Obama rally - naturally) and yet again dismissing McCain's chances of winning because of another "bad" poll. One poll. As I have said numerous times on this blog, polls are meaningless, except the one on election day.

While such biased reporting continues to burn my onion, I refuse to let my confidence in a McCain/Palin victory be assuaged or diminished by the bleatings of this country's left wing, guilt-ridden media.

We should be thankful for pro-life Gov Sarah Palin

This extract is the last paragraph of an article published in the San Francisco Chronicle, by Marjorie Dannenfelser - president of a nationwide network of pro-life Americans dedicated to advancing pro-life women in the political process, and co-founder of Team Sarah, a national grassroots effort in support of Sarah Palin's vice presidential candidacy.

The whole article is superb, but this paragraph is an excellent summary:

In the next few days, the women of America may have to work hard to hear Palin's voice. They will have to strain to focus on ignoring the media filter and intense anger and exclusionary politics of some on the left; persevere before it is too late. Palin's leadership brings with it great heart and profound respect for life and the ingenuity of every individual. She brings a fresh perspective that America needs.

Obama in his own words - thanks to Foxnews.com

The impact he will have on the world should, God forbid, he get elected, would be too chilling to contemplate.

US Electoral Votes '08 - Fearless Prediction

What's a US election without a bit of fun with the electoral college, huh?!

I mentioned on an earlier post that I would blog my prediction as to the outcome of the US elections. I am doing so now, a little earlier than I had planned, but, seeing as voting has already commenced, I might as well put my money where my mouth is.

I am having trouble uploading the image of my completed red and blue map of the USA, so I will give you the states' names, together with the number of electoral college votes for that state.

As previously mentioned, my predictions are not based on any polls, but on gut instinct from thousands of articles and blogs viewed in the past couple of months, and past voting patterns.

I believe strongly that in this election a far greater number of states are "in play" than polling would have us believe, which is why a couple of states that I predict will be in the red column will surprise a few people.

So, without further ado, here are The Hutch's fearless predictions for each camp, starting with the Blue corner:

Democrat states won (prediction):
Hawaii 4
Oregon 7
California 55
Minnesota 10
Iowa 7
Wisconsin 10
Illinois 21
Michigan 17
Pennsylvania 21
New York 31
Vermont 3
Massachusetts 12
Connecticut 7
Rhode Island 4
New Jersey 15
District of Columbia 3
Delaware 3
Maryland 10
for a total electoral college of 240.


And, in the Red corner
Republican states won (prediction):
Alaska 3
Washington 11
Idaho 4
Nevada 4
Arizona 10
Utah 5
Montana 3
Wyoming 3
Colorado 9
New Mexico 5
North Dakota 3
South Dakota 3
Nebraska 5
Kansas 6
Oklahoma 7
Texas 34
Missouri 11
Arkansas 6
Louisiana 9
Mississippi 6
Alabama 9
Georgia 15
Florida 27
South Carolina 8
North Carolina 15
Tennessee 11
Kentucky 8
Indiana 11
Ohio 20
West Virginia 5
Virginia 13
New Hampshire 4
Maine 4
for a total electoral college of 298.

So, my final prediction is Republican 298, Democrat 240.

Don't say you weren't told, now!

The Hutch endorses John McCain

It will come as no surprise to readers of The Hutch that this blog endorses John McCain to become the 44th President of the United States of America.

What groundswell of support there is for Senator Barack Obama to become the next President, appears to be based on three main tenets: 1) he is a fresh face; 2) he is charismatic; and 3) he is not George Bush. Correct though these points may be, they are by no means sufficient reason to entrust Senator Obama with the keys to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Indeed, should the American people appreciate these aforementioned attributes to such an extent that they are unable to see beyond them come the first Tuesday in November, then I truly fear for the future of that great country, and the consequences for the rest of the world. America, it is not too late to wake up!

Now, more than ever, the United States needs a President with a proven track record; an experienced and gutsy politician; a leader who will prove a master-mentor to his second-in-command.

John McCain is a safe pair of hands - a steady, knowledgable rock in these times of economic uncertainty. Oh, sure, I have no doubt he and Gov Palin will shake up the establishment where it's needed. I know Washington won't be looking forward to that, but I certainly am.

Elections are serious business. Contrary to what cynics might think, elections are not popularity contests. They are not American Idol for politicians. This is not the time for the most powerful country in the world to choose as its leader someone with zero executive experience - a populist politician, yet whose resume is thinner than rice paper.

Senator Obama's extreme left-wing, anti-capitalist, Marxist ideologies will, if supported by Congress, do incalculable harm to the USA, let alone the rest of the world.

Senator Obama wants to spread the wealth around. Yet the only way to spread the wealth around is to employ people - not what Senator Obama's tax policy will achieve, indeed, under the best traditions of socialism, rather than stimulating job growth, Obama's is a tax and spend welfare scheme. A scheme that will have the 30 to 40 percent of Americans who pay no tax rubbing their hands together while wondering where to put their second Plasma TV.

John McCain is a man of substance and ability. His opponent is a man of unproven potential. John McCain is a man of principle and courage. His opponent is a man of questionable associations, both in the US and abroad.

Senator John McCain is the man for the times. Governor Sarah Palin will one day be the future.

From this great south island nation, this humble blogger respectfully implores his friends 'across the pond' to endorse John McCain on November 4.

The United States of America, and rest of the free world, are not ready for the type of presidency Barack Hussein Obama would bring; and may it always be ever thus.

NSW By-election results

I managed to pick the result of three out of four by-elections. Which ain't bad. Lakemba and Cabramatta will be held by Labor but with swings against it of 12 and 23% respectively. Ryde has a new member - a Liberal - the first time in 20 years a Liberal has won a seat off the Labor party in NSW.

Unfortunately, I underestimated how un-politically savvy the voters of Port Macquarie are, where they exercised their democratic right and voted in an Independent. That result could have been mitigated if the NSW Liberals had the balls to pre-select a candidate, instead of cow-towing to the National Party - a party who are fast becoming irrelevant, both statewide and nationally.

With the exception of local government, where they can actually do some good by putting party politics to one side, I have absolutely no time for Independents and their obscurantist agendas.

ACT Election result

The pundits seem to think that the outcome of the ACT election held yesterday will be 7 Labor members, 7 Liberal and 3 Greens (compared to the old Assembly of 9 Labor, 6 Liberals, 1 Green and 1 Independent). I personally think that scenario is too neat, and, in the final wash-up, is more likely to be either one fewer Green plus one Independent, or one fewer Liberal and one extra Green. In other words, 7,7,2,1 or 7,6,4. Much will depend, of course, on the distribution of preferences as to who gets the final couple of spots.

UPDATE

Sunday 26 October, 2008

The final result of the ACT election is 7 Labor, 6 Liberal and 4 Greens, vindicating my thoughts that 7,7,3 was too glib a prediction. The leaders of the ALP and the Liberals parties are still in talks with the Greens as to which of the major parties will (with The Greens' support) form government.

I had the misfortune of listening to Jon Stanhope's election night speech on the radio. Stanhope's pitiful attempt at self-mockery during his speech in relation to what he thinks is his so-called "perceived arrogance" by some voters, achieved nothing; except to confirm to me, and I suspect many others, that, on this issue, what he thinks some voters perceive and what actually is, are one and the same.

John Howard once famously said "Canberrans live like Double Bay, but vote like Cessnock." As evidenced by the outcome yesterday, Howard was spot on - again.

The fact that the ALP in Canberra received a swing against them of more than 9 percent is encouraging. That most of this vote spillage went to The Greens, is not.

I think Zed Seselja is a shining light in the ACT Liberal Party, and I have no doubt he will be Chief Minister one day. That the Liberals couldn't garner more votes is no fault of his.

The ALP produced some of the most inaccurate, vicious, carping and bilious advertisements during this campaign that I have ever heard. The Liberals were totally outspent in this regard. Where they could not respond in volume, the Liberals should have made up for in content. Specifically, marketing themselves better, and attacking the ALP more strategically, especially in relation to Stanhope's arrogance (real, not perceived), lack of community consultation, school and medical centre closures, to name a mere few.

Whilst Canberrans have registered a protest vote against the most left-wing government and Labor leader in the country, instead of using their protest vote wisely to vote for a fresh, vibrant alternative in the Liberals, they voted for The Greens - a loopy outfit - no doubt disciples of Al Gore and his Marxist-environmental cult. Will these over-educated, guilt-ridden, eco-fascist voters ever see the light? Is there any hope for the world?

Meanwhile however, if you are an aspiring Labor politician, there is no easier place in the country to get elected to government than in the ACT.

They say you get the government you deserve. Election after election, Canberrans prove that adage, beautifully.

SHOCK: Someone in the media reckons McCain won the 3rd debate!!

For those of you, like boring old me, who watched the final Presidential debate today (my time), you would also, no doubt, have taken an interest in who the media said won it. I'm not implying that you would have taken any notice of what the media said of course, merely that you took a passing interest!

It should come as no surprise to any of us that 95% of the fourth estate gave victory to Senator Government Obama. Reading some comments on the net today I have come to the conclusion that the MSM and the rest of the neanderthal left would have given the debate to Obama had he not even turned up!

Regarding the outcome of the debate, one surprising dissenting voice comes from Mark Halperin. I say surprising, because he is writing for Time magazine, no less.

Here is the article.

3rd and final Presidential Debate

Hofstra University, New York: John McCain finally found his mojo, came alive, and kicked serious arse tonight in the third and final Presidential Debate. About time. Will it be too little too late? I hope not.

Some great lines from McCain:

any mention of "Joe the Plumber"

"Senator Government" - a wonderful slip of the tongue when referring to Senator Obama.

"I'm not President Bush. If you wanted to run against Bush you should have run four years ago."

The blogosphere is telling me that the MSM (mainstream media) in America is calling Obama the winner. That is complete, unadulterated heifer dust, as my old GP used to say. McCain wiped the floor with Obama. It was McCain's best debate performance by far. He was punchy, aggressive, spoke TO the American people, and didn't take any of Obama's BS.

US writer, Paul Goodman - although a 60s lefty - got it correct when he said:

The organisation of American society is an ...snip... electorate notoriously unenlightened, misled by a mass media notoriously phoney.

It gives me shivers just thinking about what the hysterical mass media will do when McCain wins on November 4.

Elections in Canberra and NSW this weekend

Several elections are being held this Saturday across NSW and the ACT.

In the state of New South Wales, there are four by-elections being held concurrently in the electorates of Lakemba, Cabramatta, Ryde and Port Macquarie; and the Australian Capital Territory are holding elections on the same day. A veritable psephological smorgasbord.

In New South Wales the ruling Labor (ALP) government (left wing) has suffered a string of stuff-ups so long it would stretch from Sydney to Hawaii. Nevertheless, the ALP remains favourite to hold the seat of Lakemba, (which it currently holds with a 34% margin), and Cabramatta (29%). I am expecting the Liberal (right wing) party to do better in Cabramatta than Lakemba, but it would take a boilover bigger than you would find at the Southern Portugal Seafood Hotpot Festival for the Libs to take either seat. Kudos to the Liberal party for even fielding candidates in Lakemba and Cabramatta - the two safest ALP electorates in the state.

In Port Macquarie, the contest is between the Nationals (the Liberals' coalition partner) and Independents. Labor is not standing a candidate. Anything could happen here, but I expect the National candidate to scrape home, thanks mainly to the fact they are not (to be the best of my knowledge) exchanging preferences. Port Macquarie has an Independent-heavy field, and one candidate in particular has attracted support of some disaffected Liberal Party supporters, apparently because the Libs chose not to field a candidate of their own. I can understand why that would have pissed off some Liberals, but I can't quite fathom the logic of supporting an Independent over the Nationals for that reason alone. They need to ask themselves whose side they are actually on.

In the northwestern Sydney electorate of Ryde, currently held by Labor with a 10% margin, the government is in a worse position than New Orleans, with the tide of public opinion looking set to deluge the seat and deliver it quite comfortably to the Liberal party. I expect a swing to the Liberals of between 15 and 20 percent.

The election to be held in the ACT is a different kettle of fish entirely - different issues, different parties and a very different voting system to NSW - and too complicated for me to expatiate about here, besides, it's getting late! Suffice to say, the contest in the ACT is between Labor, the Liberals (the Nationals are a non-entity in the ACT, hence the Liberals are a stand-alone party) and The Greens. The ALP are the governing party in the ACT, led by Chief Minister Jon Stanhope, aka Jon Hopeless or (my favourite) Stan NoHope. The Liberals are led by Zed Seselja and I don't think The Greens have a leader, although a bloke called Rattenbury seems to be its chief spokesman. Living within an hour's drive of the ACT, I get all of Canberra's TV and radio stations, hence I am bombarded with the most trite and nauseating political advertising you will ever likely see or hear. Those of you who have not experienced these commercials and the incessant, vacuous bleating of overpaid clerks masquerading as political candidates, do not realise how blessed you are. I don't care who wins, as long as Stan NoHope does not. For those of you unfamiliar with him, he makes George W Bush look like the world president of Toastmasters. A man (Stanhope) for whom the saying '...whose whole purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others', seems very appropriate.

US Election - Prediction?

If you are wondering if I will be making a prediction re the US election, the answer is 'you betcha!' But you will have to wait a little while. Although I have a pretty fair idea in my own mind of what the outcome will be, some tweaking of the electoral map will be necessary up until early November. There are a couple of states that are not exactly on everyone's radar, and which I will be looking at rather closely.

I will not be basing my prediction on polls, as they are notoriously inaccurate and skewed on a variety of fronts. When you have a country as big and as disparate as America, and with the vote in many states being pretty evenly split between Democrat and Republican, relying on polling data is a nightmare.

This is why I - along with tens of thousands of others - will be basing my prediction on nothing more than a combination of gut instinct and past voting patterns, especially where those patterns appear to be cyclical.

Psephology is an inaccurate science. Psephologists might disagree with me on that, but show me one who is right 100% of the time. In any case, it is not a subject that someone as partisan as I can do much with, other than have a bit of fun.

So stay tuned for my prediction in the dying days of this campaign!

My friends, I don't know who won the 2nd Presidential debate

Unfortunately I didn't see the debate, as I was in the car. But thankfully (probably not the most apt choice of words) ABC News Radio took it live off the dish from Nashville.

I don't know who won, and I don't care - because I don't think it's relevant. I mean, no one (at least, no one with a brain) will be voting on November 4, and asking themselves prior to voting, 'now gosh darn it, who won the second debate, 'cos that's who I'm gonna vote for.' It just doesn't happen like that.

But I will say this: John McCain's people need to have a very loud word in whichever ear he hears best out of, and tell him to can the expression 'my friends'. The first couple of times during the debate it was endearing and folksy, but, by the twenty-eighth time he used it, it just got grating, condescending, and left me thinking that he couldn't think of anything else to say.

At this point that's all I have to say!

Yes, take the gloves off - and where Palin should go next

Gov. Sarah Palin wants to take the gloves off. She wants John McCain to take the gloves off.

Good idea!

But, with such a left-wing, inexperienced, rhetorical opponent, with extremely questionable past associations, why were the gloves ever on in the first place?

McCain has withdrawn campaign resources from Michigan, i.e. he's conceded the state to BHO. Big mistake! But Palin wants to go there with her first dude and talk to the people in the factories.

She should do just that.

And after Michigan, Palin should do rallies in Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Colorado, Missouri, Minnesota & North Carolina. And throw in some left-fielders (pun intended) like Washington (state), Maine, Massachusets and New Mexico. I have always been a firm believer in candidates putting in appearances in (what appears to be) their opponents' territory. The benefits are twofold: It keeps your opponents guessing, and helps firm up your own support base in that state. It can also, believe it or not, sway some swinging voters. That's why I think Palin's appearance in California this week was a good thing. I actually hope she gets back there before the election.

In short, Palin needs to visit as many teetering states as possible before November 4. Memo to her campaign managers: if she wants to, let her!!

Palin clinches debate

I watched the debate. At the end, for me (and I know we're a tad biased here - but rightly so!) it was 60/40 Palin.

She was sensational. Poised, calm, folksy and, more importantly, made sure Biden didn't hit any homers.

Poor old Joe looked like he aged ten years in 90 minutes!

Many commentators have said that Palin is the new Reagan.

On April 13, 1998, Time magazine ran a special edition entitled: 'Leaders and Revolutionaries'. Reagan, appropriately, was featured in the 20 profiles in that edition.

Peggy Noonan, Reagan's special assistant and speechwriter, wrote the article, including the following:

Reagan didn't become President to preach some
ego-centric sense of personal destiny...he wanted the presidency so that he could do big things.

John McCain, in deciding to 'tap' Sarah Palin, clearly thought the Alaskan Governor was destined to do big things too. From tonight's debate performance, we should all be glad for McCain's genius and foresight.

The McCain team now must use Sarah a whole lot more on the campaign.

The fight is not over yet, folks.

Ronny is smiling down, I'm sure. Let's hope and pray he can celebrate with the angels - and the rest of us - on November 4.

First-year uni students to be taught basic grammar

This story from news.com.au made me weep.

Australia's Monash University is about to begin teaching its first-year students basic grammar - grammar they should have been taught in school, but weren't. How could they have learnt it in school, when their teachers were just as clueless on the difference between a noun and a verb?

Monash lecturer Caron Dann said the majority of her 500 students in communication were strangers to English grammar.

Marking essays, I discovered the majority had no
idea how to use apostrophes, or any other punctuation for that matter; that
random spelling was in and sentence construction out.

Argh!!!! I could see this coming.......

About half thought plurals were formed
by adding an apostrophe-s, as in apple's and banana's.

Canberra Airport - Up, up and aw......wait a minute!

I am a big fan of Canberra Airport - and airports generally (long story.)

The Canberra Times reports that plans for the AUD$250M airport terminal redevelopment at Canberra are on hold indefinitely (I hate the word 'indefinitely'.)

UPDATE

I have just seen the local Canberra news on TV, and apparently the story isn't as doomsday-ish as reported in the Canberra Times (now, why doesn't that surprise me?)

It seems that the airport's plan is to delay the start of the new terminal building - for the time being - but hope to commence building before Christmas. Excellent news! Canberra desperately needs a new airport terminal.

In the same news report, airport general manager, Stephen Byron, clarifies the reason for the delay:

...now is not the time to be starting a project
when you're not sure that the debt market is going to let you finish it.