Balta1701

So, something odd appears to have happened in Washington State. For some reason, the Washington Republicans seem to have declared McCain the winner there despite only 87% of the votes being tallied, and only 1.8% separating McCain and Huckabee in that state. Huckabee so far has not yet conceded the state. Full results are expected to be available on Monday, but it's interesting that the state party declared McCain the winner before the full results were actually available.

QUOTE(Athomeboy_2000 @ Feb 10, 2008 -> 03:27 PM) That's the problem and why some think this wont work. People are so far into debt that this money wont go to by products, it'll pay off bills. I understand why i SHOULD by products with this, but I also have to look out for my long term financial well-being and pay off parts of my college loans. $1500 would take a nice chunk out of the $11,000 i still have in my college loan. The quicker I pay off these loans, the sooner I can by that church in Iowa to turn it into a house (LONG story for another time ) At some level, there will be a percentage of people who will spend these, while another percentage will do as you say, pay down debt, or put the money in to savings, etc. For this reason, most of the economics types I read think that this stimulus package will have some effect, but will not be as effective as it could have been. There are other methods, like extension of unemployment benefits, expansion of energy/food benefits for the people truly in poverty, etc., which produce even stronger stimulus levels than what this package will provide. Most of those ideas were filibustered by 1 vote, 59-40, in the Senate, in the vote McCain skipped. So, the thinking basically seems to be...this is better than nothing.

Obama takes Maine also, by nearly 20 points. He may not lose for the next week. This was Clinton's best shot.

Nebraska goes big for Obama. 69-31 right now. With 30% in Washington reporting he's up 67-32 there.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Feb 9, 2008 -> 04:48 PM) How do you figure? Because the way I see it, it's clearly the opposite, and that Boston almost feels obliged to play Lugo due to the amount of money they gave him and based on his history. And the fact that Juan Uribe was one of the worst regulars in all of the majors last year and wouldn't be an upgrade for some AAA teams. Last year, Juan Uribe had a .678 OPS. Julio Lugo had a .643 OPS in more at bats. Juan Uribe's career OPS is .722. Lugo's is .728. Last year, Juan Uribe was #4 in MLB in Range Factor for shortstops (I know, I know, its not the best number but it's still useful). Julio Lugo was 20th. Uribe turned more DP's and had a couple fewer errors...and no one in their right mind will argue that Lugo is a quality fielding shortstop. Lugo has had better seasons in his career but so has Uribe. Taking defense into account, Uribe was better than Lugo last year. By quite a bit too.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer has endorsed Obama. Although, CA proved pretty conclusively to me that endorsements by newspapers don't matter much these days. The Clinton Campaign is saying that a temporary suspension for Shuster is not enough.

QUOTE(mr_genius @ Feb 9, 2008 -> 04:16 PM) If you think thats bad, just imagine if Obama wins the most delegates, but the super delegates go Hillary. cooontroverssyyyyyy You should be enthused. Right now there's like 3 or 4 ways this primary campaign could wind up becoming really messy really fast and simply destroy any chance the Dem nominee has at the general.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Feb 9, 2008 -> 03:34 PM) Speed never slumps. And Erstad relates to this phrase how?

QUOTE(Athomeboy_2000 @ Feb 9, 2008 -> 01:48 PM) Clinton - FL and MI Should Count... but my favorable results. I don't like that MI and Florida aren't currently getting counted, but man, her campaign is really starting to look bad in how they keep pushing this.

Mike Huckabee has won the Kansas caucuses in a blowout. Currently 62-22.

QUOTE(Athomeboy_2000 @ Feb 9, 2008 -> 10:01 AM) Anyone know the time table for today? When do the caucuses and primaries end? Nebraska: 7:15 CT Washington:8 p.m. CT Louisiana: 8 p.m. CT

QUOTE(Athomeboy_2000 @ Feb 8, 2008 -> 07:39 PM) I thought I head today they are not too sure about Maine. Apparently too much like Massachusetts or something like that. Dont know the logic, but they are saying he may not win there. Not that t wont be close, just that he wont win. Also, with no advertising and campaigning in WI, he is only trailing hillary 50-41. I wouldn't be sure about Maine either. Maine hasn't had a poll done there by anyone public in 2008, so the fact that it's in New England favors Hillary. But then again, Conn. went for Obama, so he's made inroads in the area...and the caucus format has strongly favored him so far, even in states where the demographics go against him (Iowa) in no small part due to the level of enthusiasm amongst his supporters. So as far as I could tell, he could lose 80-20 there, he could win 80-20 there, or anything in the middle, and i wouldn't be surprised.

QUOTE(Athomeboy_2000 @ Feb 8, 2008 -> 07:32 PM) WOW! Even if you concede Main to CLinton, it could be Washington, Louisiana, Nebraska, Virginia, Maryland, and DC all for Obama in the next 5 days. That is HUGE momentum going into Texas and Ohio. Wisconsin's still pretty big on the 19th, and bumps do tend to die out with some time. Maine is also a caucus, which has been a format Obama has performed very well in, which might give him a solid chance there also.

Popovich rips the Grizzlies, on record, over the Gasol deal.

QUOTE(Mplssoxfan @ Feb 8, 2008 -> 06:44 PM) I know I'm in the vast minority on this, but I don't think it's a great idea to borrow $200M from China to "stimulate" our economy. If you believe Keynes economics, having the government go in to debt during a time of economic slowdown by putting more money in the hands of people that will spend it is actually an effective way of pushing up the economy during a down turn. The problem is, in my eyes, we've been hanging out in the red for the last 30 years, so it's kind of like having the pedal to the medal on an engine and then pushing down harder on it.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Feb 8, 2008 -> 05:43 PM) How did they come up with that $75k number? Is that based on 2008 or 2007 earnings? I heard the checks might not come until June 2009 It is based on 2008 earnings, but it's complicated. According to CNN, if you earned less than that amount in 2007, you will receive the full amount. If you earned more than it, your refund will decrease by like 5% per $1000 you earned over it. If you earn more than that in 2007, but earn less than that in 2008, the government will give you back the remainder next year. If you earned less than that in 2007 but earn more than that in 2008, you will not have to pay back the difference. And now that a bill has been passed and signed by the President, barring anything horrendous happening in Washington, checks should be in the mail in May...as long as you file your tax return by April 15th. If you file late/ask for an extension, then it could be significantly delayed.

Survey USA also has Obama up large in Maryland, which also comes next Tuesday (along with Virginia and D.C., I believe)

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Feb 8, 2008 -> 04:50 PM) Isn't it pretty much just an advance on your tax refund? No. The government just cut your taxes by $600/person if you make under $75,000 a year, threw in a little bit for kids as well, and they're giving you that money as this check. This is an actual one time tax cut. Took me a while to understand that too...in 2001, the tax rebates were an advance on the Bush tax cuts so they counted when you filled out your returns. This is different, as it's a 1 time event, and so it's not just an advance.

In general, this a touchy subject for all sides, so please everyone try to avoid pushing the boundaries from this point.

Was planning a vacation/1 year anniversary this July. That about covers it.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Feb 8, 2008 -> 03:25 PM) I havent noticed that one bit. Gray is getting alot of playing time, Thabo is also getting tons of time, and for the first time I have actually seen TT get plays called for him specifically. I just dont see it. I would post the min increase but the injuries to the other players factors so much in them increase it wouldnt mean much of anything. I just know what i see, and I see Gray developing at a rapid pace with the increased minutes and actual post plays designed for him, I see Tyrus learning a midrange shooting touch, I see Noah becoming more effective than Big Ben. The issue with the increased playing time for the young guys is that it seems to have come about only when the Bulls were hit with a rash of injuries. Yes, Thabo is getting playing time, but Gordon and Hinrich and Duhon have all been banged up this month. Yes, Noah and TT have gotten more minutes, but Smith sat out a few games this month. When those guys come back, i.e. Joe Smith, they still wind up getting 35-40 minutes even in back to back games.

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Feb 8, 2008 -> 02:28 PM) Do you mean caucuses? Yes. D'Oh.

A former Edwards backer, Rep. Dave Obey of Wisconsin (Feb. 19th) endorsed Obama today. Survey USA has Obama up by 20 in Virginia (Now that we're passed super Tuesday, all that matters again is the state contests). This weekend, there are 3 caucuses (Washington, Nebraska, Maine) and a Primary in Louisiana. Obama's performed very well in primaries so far, in no small part thanks to his highly motivated supporters showing up for the full duration, and he has at least a tentative demographic advantage in Louisiana, although no one seems to really know who still lives in that state after the heck of a job done there. Virginia and a couple others (MD, DC) come up next week, so this is his biggest shot.

Shuster deservedly suspended for those remarks.