Campaign 2008

Make Me a Christian

2008-08-08T12:23:00.000-07:00

A new British reality show starts this weekend. It is called "Make Me a Christian."

According to the UK's Channel 4 website, it's a 3-part series in which a group of volunteers give up their normal lives and try to live like Christians for three weeks. Here are the list of volunteers:

-a biker who's a tattooist and a militant atheist
-a young man who was brought up Christian until he was 12, and now has a girlfriend who is 10 weeks' pregnant
-a lap-dancing manager who can't live without continually acquiring expensive designer shoes
-middle-class parents who are so professionally busy that they have hardly any time to spend with their children
-a man in his 20s who, unbeknown to his girlfriend, goes out every week drinking and womanising
-a man who found Christianity unfulfilling and has converted to Islam
-a lesbian who sometimes sleeps with men.

I really don't have much more to add. Talk amongst yourselves.

Fight Night

2008-08-06T17:54:00.000-07:00

Dear political nerds, campaign workers, wonks, lawyers, judges, gypsies, tramps and thieves and interested members of the electorate,

Next Thursday, August 14, I am moderating a debate in Jacksonville. Technically, it's three debates but all contained in one program. The main event will be between the candidates for state attorney, Angela Corey and Jay Plotkin. The lead-up bouts are Buttner vs. Norton and Hulsey vs. Soud.

It's at the Florida Coastal School of Law and will start at 6.

Watch it on the web if you can't attend. My understanding is firstcoastnews.com will stream it live.

Sincerely,

Shannon Ogden

2008-08-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

Finally Paris Hilton Enters Campaign '08

2008-08-05T17:28:00.000-07:00

Paris Hilton has responded to the John McCain ad in which Barack Obama is labeled a celebrity, like Paris and Britney, whose leadership is in question. For the record, Paris Hilton's leadership is not questioned in the McCain ad.

It's on the web site funny or die, which was started by Will Ferrell and his partner. Take a look.

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/64ad536a6d

Fla. Delegates, Happy Birthday & Tattoos

2008-08-04T18:00:00.000-07:00

Barack Obama urged Democratic party leaders to give the Florida and Michigan convention delegates full voting power at this month's convention. How hard to take must that be for Florida Dems like Congresswoman Corrine Brown? She has been yelling for just that from the get-go and whats more she was a Hillary Clinton supporter. Full Florida and Michigan delegations with full voting power could have changed the game. Ouch.

Happy birthday to Illinois Senator Barack Obama who turns 47 today (Aug. 4). He is in Boston where Harry Connick, Jr. sang "Happy Birthday" to him. For the senator's sake I hope it was from across the room and in front of many other people. Is there anything more awkward than being sung to?

Arizona Senator John McCain also has a birthday this month. Senator McCain turns 72 on August 29th. He spent part of his day today at the big motorcycle rally thing in Sturgis, SD. I know Def Leppard, Lynyrd Skynyrd and REO Speedwagon are performing there this week but have no knowledge if any of the bands sang an early "Happy Birthday" to him. If they did, I hope it was from across the room and in front of many other people.

McCain trolling for the tattoo and leather vote got me wondering: Would Americans vote for a president who had a tattoo? Has any US president ever had a tattoo?

The website vanishingtattoo.com claims Teddy Roosevelt had a tattoo of his family crest in an "unknown location."

The same page lists Portia De Rossi as having a small ring tattoo on her middle finger and Gavin Rossdale having the name of his dog "Winston" tattooed on the inside of his left wrist.

What would be the reaction if a sitting US president got his/her first tattoo while in office? For starters I guess it would technically be the "first tattoo". I think it might be kind of cool.

Thoughts of Joy, Manny and Schlitz

2008-08-01T19:42:00.001-07:00

For what it's worth I was also going to call my blog "Thoughts of Joy" but Joy Purdy beat me to it. Since she likely won't change hers to "Thoughts of Shan", I'll let her keep it.

It's been a busy week both in and out of news. And I'm still trying to process Manny Ramirez leaving the Red Sox. (Not a team player and apparently poison in the locker room but man can he hit a baseball). Manny's gone but Schlitz is coming back in its old formula. So let's call this week a wash.

busy

2008-07-31T13:56:00.000-07:00

Very busy day at FCN. Writing this from the set three minutes before the 5pm show.
Fatal crash in SJ Co. Omni Hotel evacuated bc of a small fire.
911 down in parts of Jax - those affected are asked to actually GO to the nearest fire station if they have an emergency. Seems like a lot to ask.

And it's only 4:58:30. Stay tuned.

Ludacris Blows Chance of Being Secretary of State

2008-07-30T18:40:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of people all kinds of upset over the new Ludacris song called "Obama is Here."
The Obama campaign calls it "outrageously offensive." In the song Ludacris calls President Bush mentally handicapped and says John McCain doesn't belong in "any chair unless he's paralyzed."

The part about the chair I don't totally get. I guess the chair is the presidency? Nonetheless, I'm fairly certain it's not a nice thing to say about John McCain.

I've listened to the song. The only place I found the full lyrics was on hiphopmusic.com. I copied them from there:

I'm back on it like I just signed my record deal
Yeah the best is here, the Bentley Coup paint is dripping wet, it got sex appeal
Never should have hated, You never should've doubted him
With a slot in the president's iPod Obama shouted 'em
Said I handle my biz and I'm one of his favorite rappers
Well give Luda a special pardon if I'm ever in the slammer
Better yet put me in office, make me your vice president
Hillary hated on you, so that b*tch is irrelevant
Jesse talking slick and apologizing for what?
If you said it then you meant it how you want it head or gut?
And all you other politicians trying to hate on my man,watch us win majority vote in every state on my man
You can't stop what's bout to happen, we bout to make history
The first black president is destined and it's meant to be
The threats ain't fazing us, the nooses or the jokes
So get off your a**, black people, it's time to get out and vote!
Paint the White House black and I'm sure that's got 'em terrified
McCain don't belong in any chair unless he's paralyzed
Yeah I said it cause Bush is mentally handicapped
Ball up all of his speeches and just throw 'em like candy wrap'cause what you talking I hear nothing even relevantand you the worst of all 43 presidents
Get out and vote or the end'll be near
The world is ready for change because Obama is here'cause Obama is here
The world is ready for change because Obama is here, yeahcuz Obama is here

Send Me Your Questions

2008-07-23T12:55:00.000-07:00

As we plan our coverage for Florida's primary election (Aug. 26) I would like you to send me any questions or issues you would like addressed that night. We will have a couple of fantastic analysts who can talk local, statewide or presidential politics.
Fire away sogden@firstcoastnews.com

Blue Lobster and Skirt Magazine

2008-07-17T12:33:00.000-07:00

My thanks to the very patient, pleasant and understanding Sara Conrad, editor at Skirt magazine. She was interviewing me over the phone this afternoon while I was home and my dog thought interview time would be the perfect time to play.

I'm trying to give Sara thoughtful, interesting answers at the same time I'm dragging Ollie around the floor by his blue lobster. I must've sounded like a crazy person over the phone and God knows, what answers I gave.

The blue lobster replaced the beloved red lobster which was a gift for my dog we brought back from Boston, sort of. We returned from a trip home and forgot to bring the dog anything. I don't know if "forgot" is the right word because I can't think of a time we ever brought him anything back from a trip. Nonetheless, we didn't get him anything from Boston so my wife goes to Target and gets this lobster that we tell him came from Boston - not from next door to NAS Jax.

With any luck he'll never find out the truth. I know he won't read it here. He never reads blogs. He thinks they are trite and obligatory.

You Can Have Your Dark Knight

2008-07-16T17:46:00.000-07:00

While most of you will be standing in long ticket lines and sitting squished against a stranger for the other movie that's opening this weekend, my daughter and I will breeze right into the theater, stretch out and enjoy what will prove to be THE movie of '08 - Space Chimps.
Fandango's description:

Three NASA chimps are sent to a galaxy far, far away. Two chimps have 'The Right Stuff,' and the other, a good natured goofball, has 'The Wrong Stuff.' Together all three find themselves on a strange, uncharted planet, where they embark on a fantastical journey to save its inhabitants from a tyrannical leader.

And the top of the movie poster says, "July 18, Go Bananas!"
Sounds good, doesn't it?

I don't know a lot about this movie. Only that I'm fairly sure it's based on a true story. And though this is Kirk de Micco's first go-round as director he has a proven track record as writer on Racing Stripes, Here Comes Peter Cottontail: The Movie and Casper's Scare School. I assume everyone saw the first two. But don't feel silly if you're not familiar with Casper's Scare School. It didn't do nearly the business Hollywood expected. Of it, IMDB says:

Casper has a new assignment: get in touch with his spooky side and start scaring "fleshies" OR ELSE...

You can see right there by the "OR ELSE" being in capital letters that Casper is really going to be in a pickle if he doesn't start scaring fleshies. That's exactly the type of cinematic tension de Micco is capable of delivering. And with any luck (knock, knock on wood) he has delivered again with Space Chimps.

I Knew It All the Time

2008-07-10T13:12:00.001-07:00

Wayne Weaver insists he's not selling the team and that it will stay right here in Jax.

In light of that let me clarify my post from last night. What I was trying to say is that I do "Believe in Now." I think it's the perfect slogan because it sums up that not only should we believe in NOW but in all the NOWS to come.

Got it?

With Friends Like These

2008-07-10T12:53:00.000-07:00

To recap:
John McCain's economic adviser, former Senator Phil Gramm, dubbed the US "a nation of whiners" in a "mental recession."

And high-profile Democrat Jesse Jackson said he's going to cut Barack Obama's n*ts off.

Thanks for your help gentlemen. It's been fun.

Jaguars and Backyardigans

2008-07-09T19:08:00.000-07:00

On-air TV types aren't known for their ability to share. But right is right. And I want to share this spotlight with FCN Sports Director and Anchor Daniel Radcliffe Hicken (I have no idea if that's his middle name. Isn't that the Harry Potter kid's name?).
I encourage you to check out his latest weblog entry. It's a review of the Backyardigans show in Jax yesterday.

In the meantime, the newsroom is buzzing about the reported talks between Jags owner Wayne Weaver and another very rich man who might want to buy the team. If sold, will they go to LA?

How are we supposed to "Believe In Now" if Mr. Weaver if thinking of ditching the team? How about "Believe in No"? As in, I Believe the answer to whether the team should move to Los Angeles is NO!
Or maybe the "Believe in Now" slogan was chosen this year because of its deceptive accuracy. As in, "Believe in Now because the Jags won't be here for you to believe in in the future. "

Jacksonvillains

2008-07-07T12:55:00.001-07:00

I am going to suggest to my producers that we start calling those from Jacksonville who commit crimes, "Jacksonvillains."

What do you think?

My track record with such suggestions isn't good. You'll recall my labeling of the Florida Democratic delegation dilemma "deleGATE"? That never caught on.

Vacation at the Neighbor's

2008-07-07T12:37:00.000-07:00

Welcome back from your long weekend.

Several months ago, cable's chattering class was predicting a lot less flying and a lot more driving for summer vacations this year in America. As the price of gasoline continued to climb predictions became that Americans wouldn't drive too far for vacation. Now, however, with the price of gas bringing on elevation sickness people can't afford to drive anywhere that's not absolutely necessary. So I suggest a variation of the staycation: Swap houses with your neighbor.

Pick a house on your street or the next one over, no further, that you've always admired and pitch the swap to the owner. Nothing complicated. Just an even swap. You get his house, food and drink for a week and he/she gets yours. You will be surprised how different it feels and how far away from your regular routine it gets you.

The TV's in a different place. Different video games. Different food. Different and funny smells. More (or less) space. Different furniture. And the best part is, it doesn't cost a dime and the TV channels are all the same. What more could you want?

I have to get to my 5 o'clock newscast now. But think about it.

Old Dentist Joke

2008-06-27T13:43:00.000-07:00

Sitting in the dentist chair waiting for the novacaine to take hold I thought it was a good time to tell my dentist my favorite dentist joke:

What's the difference between a dentist and a sadist? The sadist has better magazines.

My dentist was wearing one of those surgical face mask things when I told it so it's possible he was laughing under there. But it sure didn't seem like it. It's also a lame and very old joke. My dentist is a patient patient man. I wouldn't put up with me, that's for sure.

Tim Toman is his name, if you are looking for a talented dentist. And a patient one.

Not Unity Everywhere

2008-06-27T13:36:00.000-07:00

There is no Unity among my jaw, teeth, lips, cheek and tongue today. My superdose of novacaine from the dentist is lingering longer than expected. I will not be broadcasting the 5 or 6pm news tonight. I expect to see you back here for the 11.

My daughter is enjoying it, however. She keeps giving me difficult sentences to say and then laughing at how they sound coming out of my mouth. There's no doubt she's my daughter.

The Bermuda Triangle

2008-06-26T13:42:00.000-07:00

Emailing with my brother today he brought up an interesting question: Whatever happened to the Bermuda Triangle? Is it still a thing? Do ships still go missing? When we were kids it felt like there was a Bermuda Triangle TV Movie of the Week every year or so. There was even a board game.

If you can shed any light, email me.

The Barack Obameter

2008-06-25T11:58:00.000-07:00

I will admit that my taste in music is much more in line with Obama than McCain. (You can refer to an old post when I interviewed McCain about his taste in music. I can't find that entry, FYI. But I know I wrote it.)

In an upcoming Rolling Stone article, Obama lists the following as favorites on his iPod:
Bob Dylan, Yo-Yo Ma, Sheryl Crow, Jay-Z, Rolling Stones, Elton John, Earth Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder.
Senator Obama's playlist also includes about 30 songs from Dylan's "Blood on the Tracks" along with Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Charlie Parker.
The AP quotes from the article:
"Actually, one of my favorites during the political season is 'Maggie's Farm,"' Obama said of one of Dylan's tracks. "It speaks to me as I listen to some of the political rhetoric."

For me, that scores quite high on the Barack Obameter. I've been looking for an opportunity to use that phrase.

I am also reminded of something my now 8-year-old daughter said when she was two. She was riding in the back seat of my Volvo, stuck in traffic south of Boston and blurted out, "Charlie Parker plays alto sax."
And while this was certainly true, how did she know? I hadn't told her. My child rearing plan didn't call for covering Charlie Parker until she was four.

Cool/Not Cool

2008-06-25T11:51:00.000-07:00

Letterman's Late Show started a great ongoing bit called "Cool/Not Cool." And save your comments about this being proof I support Obama. It's not. As I've told those of you who accuse me of supporting McCain and those of you who are convinced I'm a die-hard Obamaniac, none of you and no one in my newsroom has any hint of my political direction. I'm directing you to these clips simply because I think they are funny:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=o-fOdbB3ESU
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-P20ivRVIRs

Nothing's Afoot

2008-05-08T13:12:00.001-07:00

No Deal.

I just got off the phone with the FL Dem Party. Mark Brubriski said the AP story that has been circulating today about a deal reached to settle Florida's delegate problem is inaccurate. He said there is no deal. No plan. Period. Like most everyone else, they are all hoping all the delegates will be seated and are waiting until the DNC meeting at the end of the month which promises to find a solution.

Something's Afoot

2008-05-08T12:22:00.001-07:00

There is a buzz today about a deal in the works to settle the Florida delegate problem. I'm working the phones to Tallahassee and will let you know what I find out.

And this letter was just sent out:

Senator Barack Obama

Obama for America
P.O. Box 8102
Chicago, IL 60680

Dear Senator Obama,

This has been an historic and exciting campaign. Millions of new voters have been brought into the process and their enthusiasm for the Democratic Party and the principles for which you and I have fought and continue to fight is unprecedented.

One of the foremost principles of our party is that citizens be allowed to vote and that those votes be counted. That principle is not currently being applied to the nearly 2.5 million people who voted in primaries in Florida and Michigan. Whoever emerges as the Democratic nominee will be hamstrung in the general election if a fair and quick resolution is not reached that ensures that the voices of these voters are heard. Our commitment now to this goal could be the difference between winning and losing in November.

I have consistently said that the votes cast in Florida and Michigan in January should be counted. We cannot ignore the fact that the people in those states took the time to be a part of this process and to make their preferences known. When efforts were untaken by leaders in those states to hold revotes to ensure that they had a voice in selecting our nominee, I supported those efforts. In Michigan, I supported a legislative effort to hold a revote that the Democratic National Committee said was in complete compliance with the party's rules. You did not support those efforts and your supporters in Michigan publically opposed them. In Florida a number of revote options were proposed. I am not aware of any that you supported. In 2000, the Republicans won an election by successfully opposing a fair counting of votes in Florida. As Democrats, we must reject any proposals that would do the same.

Your commitment to the voters of these states must be clearly stated and your support for a fair and quick resolution must be clearly demonstrated.

I am asking you to join me in working with representatives from Florida and Michigan and the Democratic National Committee to arrive at a solution that honors the votes of the millions of people who went to the polls in Florida and Michigan. It is not enough to simply seat their representatives at the convention in Denver. The people of these great states, like the people who have voted and are to vote in other states, must have a voice in selecting our party's nominee.

Sincerely,

Hillary Rodham Clinton

###

NC 115, IN 72

2008-05-06T12:47:00.000-07:00

Indiana and NC today. 187 total delegates up for grabs. This is the last of the big vote states. Starting May 13 we have West Virginia and then Oregon and Kentucky the week after that followed by Puerto Rico June 1 and Montana and South Dakota June 3. None of those states (territory) has more than 55 delegates.

Both Obama and Clinton have said they will still be campaigning into June regardless what happens today.

Can you imagine?

2008-05-06T12:38:00.000-07:00

I am just getting back on my feet after an extended illness. One bout of high fever brought on hallucinations. I thought that we were already in May at didn't yet have a Democratic presidential nominee.