Clinton and McCain Win in New Hampshire

veracifier/TPM/ABC News/YouTube.com

It must've been the crocodile tears that bamboozled some of these voters, but Hillary Clinton managed to win the New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, as she narrowly beat out challenger Barack Obama, 39% to 36%. She wowed 46% of the female vote, while Obama took 40% of the male vote.

On the Republicqn side, Arizona senator John McCain gained second wind as he beat out challenger Mitt Romney, 37%- 32%.

This pretty much puts the presidential campaign in a tailspin.

Standings (states won- states lost, percentage, number of delegates):
DEMOCRATIC- Magic Number: 2,025 delegates
Clinton 1-1, .500, 183 delegates
Obama 1-1, .500, 78
Edwards, 0-2, .000, 52
Richardson 0-2, .000, 19
Kucinich, 0-2, .000, 1
Gravel, 0-2, .000, 0

REPUBLICAN- 1,191
Romney 1-2, .333, 30
Huckabee, 1-2, .333, 21
McCain 1-2, .333, 10
Thompson, 0-3, .000, 6
Paul 0-3, .000, 2
Guiliani 0-3, .000, 1
Hunter 0-3, .000, 1

It would be easy to say that Guiliani, Paul, and Hunter could be out of the race within 60 days. But, McCain's win tonight proves that anything can happen. The same goes for Clinton on the Democrat side. She was considered battered after her loss in the Iowa caucus, but after she talked with a voter who made her cry- and, who by the way, voted for Obama- she appeared to regain her footing. Going into next week's Michigan primaries, it's pretty much a three-way race with Romney, Huckabee, and McCain on the Republican side. Whoever wins Michigan will probably go on to win on Super Tuesday, February 5. For the Democrats, Clinton's win could be the start of a surge- but Obama won't make it easy for her as this race moves on.

(C)2008 by The DWA Organisation. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome to Notes From the Hardcore Edge (Formerly "The View From Planet Alex")

Hi, for those of you who were expecting The View From Planet Alex, well, you're still here.

Only, as promised, I did a title change- and that's not the only thing that will change. But I'll point those out in due time.

But first, I'll explain how this title came about. About 20 years ago (actually 19 this month), I decided to do this newsletter about "the most happening events and lives". In other words, kind of a light hearted, light news, if you will, journal. I was at the Newport Music Hall, on the south campus district of Columbus, Ohio- and right across from the Ohio Union (of the Ohio State University) on North High Street- that I came up with this title (and a pretty godawful cold the next day...ugh!).

So, Notes From the Hardcore Edge was born.

I talked about my relationships, news, and whatever else that happened. I would release this thing on Monday nights.

So, as I was in bed last night, I thought about the changes I would make for this blog, and thought about changing the title to The DWA Musings. Initially, I was going to phase out the newsier stuff and just focus on me. But then, I realized that I could change a hardly used sister blog to that title, so now you have three to choose from:

NOTES FROM THE HARDCORE EDGE (formerly The View From Planet Alex) will continue to deal with the news events, and my opinions on them.
THE TRASH BASH will continue to deal with the wacky world of Hollyweird...um, Hollywood, and entertainment in general (note: I'm, a little late in getting that 2007 review going, but I promise to take care of this this week).
THE DWA MUSINGS is a new blog that just focuses on one person- ME! ME! ME! My world and welcome to it. I'll talk about my relationships, what I do, and much more.

Now there is a blog called THE TWILIGHT that I contribute to from time to time. So, when I put in an entry there, I'll direct you to the link to it.

One of the features that will come to NFTHE will be THE WEEK IN BRIEF. This feature will take a look at the past weeks news and events. This will be published on Monday nights.

As you can see, I changed the design of the blog a bit. A more pleasing design, if you will. As video is already available- mostly courtesy of YouTube (soon I'll add my own as well)- I'll add in pictures as well. Everything I can to make this a much more exciting blog.

This is the second title change since I've moved to the Blogger.com site in November 2005 (entries prior to November 2005 are carry overs from a previous blog site is now defunct).

I hope you continue to enjoy this blog.

(C)2008 by The DWA Organisation. All Rights Reserved.

Huckabee and Obama First Out of the Gate in Iowa.

veracifier/YouTube

The endorsement from actor/martial arts legend Chuck Norris must be good to former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee. He won the Iowa Republican caucus yesterday. With this good news comes word that he appears to beating the ass out of fellow Republican Mitt Romney going into Tuesday's New Hampshire primary. (source: http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/01/huckabee_moves_1.html ).

According to the AP, however, John McCain- who came in fourth, behind winner Mike Huckabee; Mitt Romney, and Fred Thompson- is a prime target in New Hampshire, even as Huckabee leads there.


USPolitics/YouTube

Oprah Winfrey must be a good luck charm for US senator Barack Hussein Obama, the Democrat out of Illinois. He won the Democratic caucus.

dunkafelic/YouTube

However, going into the New Hampshire primary, he trails Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton by six percentage points- 32% to 26%. It still appears to be close, though, so anything can happen between now and Tuesday. Obama, according to the AP, is also a target, given his win last night. Clinton came in third in the Iowa caucus, with John Edwards in second.

(C)2008 by The DWA Organisation. All Rights Reserved.

Don't Support Huckabee- OR ELSE!: Ministers Warned

Today ,the first presidential primary election in Iowa takes place. Already, there's a sign that the 2008 presidential campaign is going to be very, very, VERY nasty!

Pastors in several Iowa churches received letters warning that supporting former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, one of the Republican hopefuls- and a Southern Baptist- could cause the churches to lose their tax-exempt status. One such church received a second, alleging that the Internal Revenue Service is looking for churches that back candidates in "violation of tax rules".

The Huckabee campaign is considering a criminal investigation.

You can get the story from KCCI-TV, Des Moines. Just click on the title.

Also, you've probably already seen this ad from the McCain campaign


JohnMcCaindotcom/YouTube

Get ready, folks. It's gonna be a bumpy ride.

As this campaign season wears on, there will be plenty more mud slinging, fisticuffs- verbal anyway- and definitely backstabbing. In other words, the real life soap opera has just premiered, and we're all a part of it.

Better wear the rain coats and bring the shovels. The shit's starting to pile up.

Here's a explanation of the Iowa caucus, courtesy of Slate.com: (just click below)
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid988327350/bclid1037705321/bctid1361620126

Enjoy the chaos.

(C)2008 The DWA Organisation. All Rights Reserved.

New Year. New Opportunities (Old Problems Creating New Tricks)

Welcome to 2008.

I went to the (Labor Ready) office downtown this morning. A few folks went out to a furniture store, but otherwise, it was slow. Still, I won't give up.

In the news, the CIA is on the wrong side of a criminal investigation. This over the reported burning of tapes where interogations went, well, awry. And here in Portland, Oregon, Eric Sten, one of the city commissioners- is calling it quits after over 15 years in public office.

But the thing I talk about the changes I'm about to go through in 2008. Now, 2007 wasn't completely a washout. After all, I've managed to get published twice in two local anthologies ("Pierced Body Parts" in See the Water Rise, and "Venice on the Scioto in Unexpected Metaphors). And 40 hasn't been too cruel, despite the occasional pain in the knees and back. In other words, 2007's been real nice over all.

But now that we're in 2008- and the rain has returned to the Northwest (it's driving me nuts! Must hang in there, though. After all, we have 364 days of this year left, and before you know it, it'll be sunny and even warmer here)- this means that changes are afoot. In 2008, I've made a lot pf plans. I'll run a few by you:

• GET IN SHAPE!: Sure, I've been skinny throughout my nearly 41 years on the planet. But I'm started to get a bit of a beer gut. Not that anything's wrong with that, but I'd love to get a sculpted body. Which isn't going to happen anytime soon, right?
• WRONG!
• 
  
  PrfctPushup/YouTube
  
  In the coming weeks, I'll get the Perfect Pushup system. What will result- with regular workouts- is a more defined body. Chiseled abs, larger and ripped chest and arms. And definitely more looks. Not long after I get the Perfect Pushup set, I'll add in the Bowflex select Tech 1090 dumbbell set. Before long, I'll look like the hottie that I am.
  
  I'll provide the 'before' and 'after' pictures, with progress reports along the way.
• TAKE FILMMAKING AND ACTING CLASSES: For years, I've wanted to do this film production gig. About three years ago, I operated an Aaton A-Minima motion picture camera (in an impromptu class). This July, I'll head off to New York to take an eight-week class. Create 4 short films, and help produce about two dozen others. I'll show the fruits of my labors here as well.
• NEW TITLE FOR THIS BLOG: I kind of like the current title (I just may keep it). But the only constant, as we know, is change. Yes, change is a bitch at times, but if we don't change, likely, we won't grow, right? So look for a new title sometime this winter or spring.
• PAY OFF DEBTS: Those monkeys called bills. I want them off my back. Get my credit rating back to 600 or better. So, this year, at some point, every bill and debt I've accrued will be kaputski! Gone like a freight train/Gone like yesterday/Gone like a soldier in a Civil War bang bang!...my innner Montgomery Gentry takes over.
• GET LAID MUCH MORE OFTEN: I know, it's not about quantity, but...um...I'll touch more on that later. Thing is, though, as I work out, and do some major wardrobe changes as well (and get more 'cocky and funny'), I'll get more women. More women means I get more ass than a toilet seat. I get to be a lot of womens' underwear.

That's just a few things on tap for '08.

Oh, by the way. You've probably noticed at the Copyright notice the name The DWA Organisation. This is because I've created a media production entity, so I'm in the process of making this a legally recognized corporation (probably a LLC- limited liability company, or perhaps a C or S corporation. I'll learn more on the types as I go along).

Have a fun, great, sexy, wild, wonderful- and safe!- 2008

(C)2008 by The DWA Organisation (Darren W. Alexander) All Rights Reserved.