It’s all over: Ralph Stanley endorses Obama

Chances are you don’t know who Ralph Stanley is. That’s because you’re an effete Eastern liberal who wouldn’t know the real thing if it whacked you upside the head with a banjo. Well, when the real thing does whack you upside the head with a banjo, if you are blessed that banjo will be held by Ralph Stanley.

Ralph Stanley is it. He is THE man of bluegrass and real country music.

Although he needs no introduction, we’ll go ahead and give him one anyway. Ralph was born in Dickenson County, Virginia, where he still resides when he’s not on the road. After 55 years in the business, he’s still the best banjo picker and tenor singer in bluegrass music. As a recording artist, he has performed on more than 170 albums, tapes, and CDs. He’s also written many songs himself and with his brother, the late Carter Stanley.

The one place you liberal punks might have seen him is in O Brother Where Art Thou? He sings O Death and if that isn’t the voice of fate, it’s as close as I want to get.

Well, Dr. Stanley (seen below with an unnamed fan) has endorsed Obama.

One of these people is a genius.

Not just endorsed but cut a radio ad: “Howdy, friends. This is Ralph Stanley, and I think I know a little something about the families around here. … Barack’ll cut taxes for everyday folks — not big business — so you’ll have a little more money in your pocket at the end of the year … I also know Barack is a good man. A father and devoted husband, he values personal responsibility and family first.” (click on link to hear entire ad)

Among your true Rednecks (a phrase used here with admiration), this is a huge endorsement. This will have ripples as people who revere Dr. Stanley — many of whom are as red state as you can possibly be — will give Obama some extra thought. These people are key influencers. (Not counting effete Easterners like myself.)

This ad may only get aired in Virginia, but it will get heard around the nation.

With Hillary out, what now?

The AP is reporting something a lot of people weren’t sure would come to pass:

WASHINGTON – Hillary Rodham Clinton will concede Tuesday night that Barack Obama has the delegates to secure the Democratic nomination, campaign officials said, effectively ending her bid to be the nation’s first female president.

I find it amazing that both parties managed to pick the one candidate who could actually make a race of it. That’s good news for the GOP and bad news for the Democrats.

The economy is in the tank, we’re in a war no one (any longer) wants to be in and the current president is about as popular as a nudist at an Amish church dinner. Obama should be 20 points up right now.

But NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

There’s the melanin issue, there’s the youth issue, there’s the class issues, there’s the war hero issue, there’s the bitterness issue. Thus John McCain — who I think rode with Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders in Cuba — has an arguable chance to be the oldest president since Ronald Reagan’s brain.

Let me be clear about one thing: I have voted in every election since Reagan/Carter and I think this is the best choice I’ve ever been offered. I have issues with both Obama and McCain and I like both of them as well. I have never been able to say that before in a presidential election. One of the two men I agree with less than the other but even the one I don’t agree with I wouldn’t be totally miserable to have in office. I think it is an excellent sign that both candidates have not only been guests on Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me but both have been really, really funny. Huzzah for humor!

Bumper sticker courtesy of the most excellent Agatha & Louise in Portland, ME.

Fully loaded car comes complete with pistol

Mark Mulder, owner of Max Motors in Butler, Missouri, reports that sales have soared since launching a promotion this week that promises buyers a free handgun or a $250 gas card with every purchase.

“This thing has taken off. Sales have quadrupled,” said Muller. The store sells both used and new vehicles including General Motors and Ford products. Every buyer so far “except one guy from Canada* and one old guy” has elected to take the gun, Muller said. Muller recommends his customers select a Kel-Tec .380 pistol. “It’s a nice little handgun that fits in your pocket.”

“We did it because of Barack Obama. He said all those people in the Midwest, you’ve got to have compassion for them because they’re clinging to their guns and their Bibles. I found that quite offensive. … We all go to church on Sunday and we all carry guns,” said Muller. “I’ve got a gun in my pocket right now. I have a rifle in my truck. We’ve got to shoot the coyotes out here, they’re attacking our cows, our chickens. We’re not clinging to nothing. We’re just damn glad to live in a free country where you can have a gun if you want. This is the way it ought to be.”

See, the Democrats are already helping the economy.

*Damn Canadians.

Heather points out the shoes to wear while driving your car from Max’s. They were designed by Karl Lagerfeld and will be put out by Chanel.

Via Shoeblogs

If you like to drink and drive — that is get loaded while driving fully loaded — here’s the drink for you:

More examples of weaponized alcohol containers can be found here.

Breaking news! “McCain Leads Both Democrats in Arizona”

Apparently he will carry his home state. Next up an 8-part investigative look at “Water: Is It Wet?”

Taking a break…

I am fleeing the cold weather and the blogosphere for a week, so you’ll have to get your snarky commentary elsewhere for a while.

A few thoughts for the road:

1. Is Hillary copying the Giuliani playbook? Hil’s attitude of we’ll win one of these days seems very reminiscent of Rudy’s.
2. Greenspan says we’re on the edge of a recession. Sorry Alan but we passed that a while ago. An attitude only a rich man could have.
3. Condi & Zinni for Veeps? Collateral Damage Sr. says McCain will opt for the best piano player on either side while Obama picks the General to strengthen his flank. Both picks make sense which is why I doubt they will come to pass.
4. Anybody can have a bad century: Pitchers and catchers reported to spring training meaning this is officially the centennial season of Cub ineptitude. (CD Sr. also said the Cubs have a chance this year. Whaddya expect from a Senators fan?)

Image via TheRevC.com

President Idol goes to New Hampshire

Doesn’t this picture make it look like Hillary & The Pips?

(via CNN’s Political Tracker)

Unfortunately for Hill, one of the back-up singers is showing her up.

I saw my first Hillary ad last night and it struck me as exactly the wrong tone. She was all gushy and friendly and CARING. Hillary should be campaigning as tough and protective. The underlying message should be, “Nobody messes with me and I won’t let them mess with you. I’ll protect you the way I protected Chelsea from the media.” Let the guys be sensitive, be butch Hillary!

BTW, I somehow missed this — further proof that it’s WorldofWarcraft’s world and we just live near it…

Political rallies and marches are nothing new, and online campaigning is a well known trend, but when the two come together with a bunch of gnomes, it’s hard not to take notice.

Grassroots supporters of Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul have invited supporters that play online game “World of Warcraft” to join them in a rally and march on New Years Day. Organizers of the virtual event have scheduled the event to start in the snowbound city of Ironforge, so it’s sure to involve lots of gnomes and dwarves, before they march to Stormwind.

No word at this point if “Horde for Hillary” or “Orcs for Obama” counter events have also been scheduled.