And the Oscar, Uh, Election Goes To....

By Jayar Jackson

Campaigning, shaking people's hands, kissing babies, and making inspirational speeches; all this to appeal to enough voters to get elected into office.

I've wracked my brain trying to figure out why no matter what our beloved politicians say or do, good or bad, once many of us have made up our minds made up on "our guy" there's little anyone can do to shake that support.

We think we see the person on stage that we know and love, but in reality, we don't truly know these guys, mostly because they don't want us to, and neither do we.

American politicians are much like our beloved Hollywood celebrities. Sure, many of them are drug addicts or drunks with horrible attitudes when fans happen to meet them, but damn we love that one character they played and the way they delivered that one line from our favorite movie!

They're surrounded by advisors, stylists, speech writers, image consultants, and publicists so much that we see what their crew creates for us. They even ask us in polls what we like and don't like, just so they can mold this perfect image before our very eyes, while we let out ooohs and aaahhs like it's the 4^th of July and we weren't expecting that grand finale we see every year.

Let me take a few of our favorite DC celebrities to see which image-driven, red carpet prima Donna, they embody the most.

Recently defeated Democratic primary candidate Hillary Clinton had an image of a tough, hard as nails candidate with the brains of a scholar, but the delicate touch only a woman could provide. Oh, she can go into battle with the fellas, but offered the sensibility and slight vulnerability no man could ever have…unless he's some kind of wuss.

Kind of remind you of Jodie Foster, doesn't it? She went face to face and matched wits with a flipped out, human flesh-snacking Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, but later showed a vulnerable, but still savvy under pressure side of her in Panic Room, battling three brutal home intruders while caring for her diabetic daughter.

Democratic nominee for President, Barack Obama is the candidate for change, as we've all heard and many have fallen in love with.

It doesn't hurt that many women declare that he's not too hard on the eyes, either.

All candidates seem to say the right things, but Obama has a way of making you "feel" the right things as he says them. Supporters and detractors alike admit that he's an amazing orator, picking up friends and admirers like a rockstar on the campaign trail.

Although people love him for this, those very same things make others dislike him, but the plan is to make EVERYONE adore him. This all-around, good looking, smooth talker makes you wonder when Denzel Washington will be stepping up to fill in when Barack has come down with the flu.

Denzel has been the rookie cop that was catapulted to fame and adoration in the movie Ricochet due to his intelligence, quick wit, and mass appeal to anyone that encountered him. As the consummate good guy, an elaborate plot to ruin his career, reputation, and family life didn't happen.

Although it was a lot of work, all he really had to do was talk and smile for everything to be alright.

President Bush is beginning to wrap up his 2^nd term as the tough guy that you'd love to have a beer with. Bush appealed to the "regular guy" that loves his country, hates it when others disparage it, and will do anything to make sure things go the way he thinks they should. His biggest defenders and supporters admit he's no Aristotle when telling you exactly what he's thinking or how his elaborate plan will work, but dammit, it's going to work b/c this is the United Freaking States!!!

Nobody can see us or be us!!

This never die attitude is what we see every time Sylvester Stallone takes another role. He mercilessly shot bastards in the head in Rambo, took beatings fight after fight in the Rocky movies, and even embarrassed himself in Stop! Or my Mom Will Shoot, but through all those roles and even more, his growling delivery and speech from the side of his mouth never changed, no matter what the public opinion polls said!

When compassion and funny didn't work he just went back to the well, picked up another huge gun in a new Rambo, 26 years later to shoot a few more bastards and beat a few more asses in Rocky Balboa (part 6), 30 years later. Being a tough guy always helps, even in Washington DC.

Now I'm just wondering when we'll find a candidate with enough nerve to move in with his rich uncle, take on two different kinds of aliens, beat up virtually indestructible robots, survive as the last man on earth, and then be a superhero! Maybe Will Smith should just start campaigning now as governor of Pennsylvania and get it over with.

BREAKING! Obama, Clinton & McCain Had Their Files Breached: Condi Has Some 'Esplaining To Do!!!

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has just told Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton that, like Barack Obama, her passport file was also breached. This incident is believed to have occured in 2007. What the hell is going on in over at this sistah's department?

In a statement from her Senate office, Clinton said she had been contacted by Rice. The State Department plans to brief Clinton's staff Friday about the unauthorized breach.

Now comes word that GOP Candidate John McCain's passport information was also breached

These new development came just hours after the State Department fired two contract employees and disciplined a third for inappropriately examining the passport file of Clinton's Democratic rival, Sen. Barack Obama.

This is a mess and clearly demonstrates security breakdowns at the highest levels of government. Will we see people going to jail for this? CNN has the latest news on this explosive controversy...

Barack Obama The Womanizer...Secrets Revealed!

No not these women ...

Womanizer, Yes. Isn't that what you call a married man who through his good looks, smooth talking and debonair ways has a bevy of beautiful woman who are anxious to get with him and prove their love and devotion. Ok some might also use the word p-i-m-p, but I'm trying to be nice. And obviously Barack Obama has been very nice to the ladies.

How else would you explain the love fest that ocurred when Michelle Obama, Oprah, Caroline Kennedy and 1st lady of California Maria Shriver showed up for a rally at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion this past Sunday?

These women came here to let Obama and the rest of the women voting on Super Tuesday's Primaries that it's alright to vote for Obama though logic may tell you to vote for a woman.

Why the urgency? Well A Field Poll out Sunday had the race a tossup, with Clinton at 36 percent and Obama at 34 percent among likely voters in Tuesday's Democratic primary. But there was a marked gender gap, with women favoring Clinton by 13 points and men favoring Obama by the same margin.

Also, check these Women’s Voting Facts:

* Women vote in higher numbers than men, and have done so in every election since 1964. In 2000, 7.8 million more women voted than men did. Because of unprecedented voter registration efforts, women may vote in even larger numbers in 2004.

* Women have voted at higher rates than men since 1980. In 2000, 56.2% of registered women voters went to the polls, compared to 53.1% of men voters. More women register to vote than men. Some 68.7 million women were registered to vote in 2000 compared to 59.4 million men. Initial reports show the trend will continue in 2004.

* Women are late deciders, and make up a higher number of undecided and swing voters than men. Women are 60% of undecided likely voters in the latest Battleground Tracking Poll conducted by Lake Snell Perry & Associates and the Tarrance Group.

So the long of it is, that smooth talking Obama eeds all the women he can get!

Contact: Center Director Debbie Walsh at (732) 932-9384 x227, or Senior Scholar Susan Carroll at (732) 932-9384 x235, for more on the gender gap and women’s voting. NOTE: Women’s registration and turnout numbers are from the 2004 U.S. Census Bureau.

OBAMA PULLS EVEN WITH HILLARY IN CALIFORNIA POLLS AS OPRAH & CAROLINE KENNEDY JOIN HIM SUNDAY ON THE COAST

BREAKING: LARGEST SPANISH PAPER IN LA ENDORSES BARACK

Two months ago Hillary Clinton held what seemed like an insurmountable lead in the state of California Democratic primary. Today, Saturday February 2, with two days to go before the "Super Tuesday" Democratic primaries, Barack Obama has erased that lead and received the endorsement of La Opinion, the bible of Spanish-speaking Angelenos.

With a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points, numbers from a recent Gallop poll show a dead heat for the nomination in the entire state of California.

On Sunday, appearing together for the first time will be Barack, Oprah and Caroline Kennedy. West Angelus Church in South Central and Poly Pavillion at UCLA are just two of the venues they will try to fit in. Our 3BAAS Los Angeles Bureau will keep you updated and bring you exciting information on this big visit.

Ted Kennedy Proclaims "I've Found My Candidate In Barack Obama!"

Extraordinary Gifts of Leadership and Talent Matches "The Fierce Urgency of Now!"

After his spectacular showing in South Carolina Saturday against Hillary Rodham Clinton, Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy flanked by his brother's only surviving heir, Caroline Kennedy and others who make up the famous Kennedy clan, today endorsed Barack Obama for President of the United States.

There's something about momentum and right now, Obama has it in spades. Much to the chagrin of Bill Clinton and his woman, Ted and other Kennedy family members gave brotha Barack credibility in terms of Latinos, labor, the gay community, and independents as soon as he ascended the stage.

Citing Barack as a voice for justice and a new national leader, Kennedy was clear to note that although the phenom could have gone the corporate route as a distinguished Harvard Law grad, this black man took a different route. Giving him credit for his youth and an ability to move America forward, Kennedy insisted that he's looking toward the future. "I see the audacity and hope for the America that is yet to be."

"With Barack Obama," Kennedy exclaimed, "we will close the book on race against race, gender against gender and straight against gay." He sees the freshman Illinois senator as being able to get healthcare for the poor, and end a war he never supported that, "America should not have fought." With his hoarse voice sometimes straining, the thunderous applause Kennedy proclaimed that Barack will be ready to lead, "On day one!"

Clearly comparing Harry Truman criticism of his brother, former President John F. Kennedy, to Bill Clinton's sucker-punches of Barack Obama, Kennedy called on the nation to choose change and a new direction. While praising both Hill and Bill, as well as John Edwards, Kennedy left no doubt that he's betting it all on black.

To the cheers "OBAMA, OBAMA!" today was another homerun for team Barack. The senator has found his voice, clearly taking on the New York Senator by referring to Hillary as the past, while he personifies the future. Partly because of the Kennedy administration's assistance in bringing Kenyan students to America for educational opportunites, this is reason, Barack proudly noted, is the reason why his father came to the United States and ultimately met his mother.

The announcement, again with Stevie Wonder's upbeat "Signed, Sealed, and Delivered" oldies tune blaring in the background, comes as February 5th is looking more and more like a political tsunami with high stakes in California, New York, New Jersey and Arizona. With a particular need to tap into the Latino vote, labor, and women, this is exactly what Obama needs as he begins airing Spanish ads in Los Angeles, and courts New Mexico Governor and former presidential candidate Bill Richardson for support.

While Kennedy has "enormous respect and admiration of Sen. Clinton," he also believes Sen. Obama has "a unique message and a unique opportunity." Kennedy's niece and John F Kennedy's daughter Caroline, endorsed Obama yesterday in a New York Times op-ed entitled, "A President Like My Father."

In my post Saturday, I told you about how this campaign is being marketed to tap into a 1960's era of change, hope and inspiration. Barack noted all this and more by establishing today that he is the closest link to the John and Robert Kennedy era than any other candidate, and is the proud product of a "dream that has never died."

Obama was masterful in his directive to the local crowd and the national audience to find common ground. As MSNBC's Chris Matthews noted, "For all those kids who wanted to know what it was like in the 60's, this is it." This historic campaign just keeps getting better. CNN has additional details.