Now I'm REALLY Closing the Book on Campaign 2008

I think CNN proved an old concept: just because you have the technology to do something doesn't mean you have to use it.

Actually, I think that's what Jeff Goldblum's character said during the opening reel of Jurassic Park.

CNN says they used 35 high-definition cameras to transport reporter Jessica Yellin from Chicago to the studio with Wolf Blitzer in New York via a hologram.

I wish I had thought of the killer line from Maureen Ryan of The Chicago Tribune who wrote:

"She looks like that hologram of Princess Leia that Luke Skywalker finds in "Star Wars." I keep thinking that the grainy hologram of Yellin should be wearing the Leia-style white bedsheet and cinnamon-bun headgear. "Wolf Blitzer, you're my only hope!"

While some bean counter at CNN must be horrified to see the expense report on that technology, I still prefer the low-tech varity employed by the late, great Tim Russert of NBC News. Give me a white marker board and some pens and let's cover the election.

And now another Chicago Tribune writer says it wasn't even a hologram. Read more by clicking here.

Here We Go!

President-elect Barack Obama has vowed to combat the power of "lobbyists who kill good ideas and good plans with secret meetings and campaign checks," according to The New York Times.

So consider this report from the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics (opensecrets.org) on Obama's choice of Rahm Emanuel to serve as his White House Chief of Staff:

"A day after being elected president and acknowledging "the worst financial crisis in a century," Barack Obama asked one of the biggest recipients of Wall Street campaign contributions to be his chief of staff. Rep. Rahm Emanuel, the Illinois congressman who was an aide in the Clinton White House, was the top House recipient in the 2008 election cycle of contributions from hedge funds, private equity firms and the larger securities/investment industry."

"Since being elected to the House six years ago, he (Emanuel) has collected $1.5 million from the investment industry , with lawyers and law firms and the entertainment industry coming in at a distant second and third place ($682,900 and $376,100)."

Read the entire report by clicking here

Here We Go! (Part Two)

Success has many fathers, but defeat is usually an orphan.

There has been a bunch of reporting in the past few days about battles between Republican John McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin - or their "people" - as the campaign wound down to Election Day.

The New York Times goes into great detail - with few names on the record - about the defeated GOP ticket. Among the story's claims:

"As late as Tuesday night, a McCain adviser said, Ms. Palin was pushing to deliver her own speech just before Mr. McCain's concession speech, even though vice-presidential nominees do not traditionally speak on election night. But Ms. Palin met up with Mr. McCain with text in hand. She was told no by Mark Salter, one of Mr. McCain's closest advisers, and Steve Schmidt, Mr. McCain's top strategist."

Instead, in a public relations debacle undermining Ms. Palin's image as an everywoman "hockey mom," bills came in to the Republican National Committee for about $150,000, including charges of $75,062 at Neiman Marcus and $49,425 at Saks Fifth Avenue. The bills included clothing for Ms. Palin's family and purchases of shoes, luggage and jewelry, the advisers said."

Read the entire report by clicking here