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Today's TRMS

By Vanessa Silverton-Peel

Welcome back to the work week, everyone. On this Monday we greet you with open arms and a Young Turk! Cenk Uygur from the Young Turks will be here live talking about the Netroots Nation conference and the Vice Presidential guessing game. Did you see that Bob Novak is reporting that McCain will announce his VP THIS week?! And then Cathy Zoi, the CEO of Alliance for Climate Change, will be talking about Al Gore's monumental challenge: for our nation to commit to producing 100 percent of our electricity from renewable energy and truly clean, carbon-free sources within 10 years. Learn more about Gore's challenge here.

David Bender is filling in for Rachel again today and he'll be taking your calls, (866) 303-2270

Comments

(48)

The point of blaming Obama for the gas crisis.

Isn't the Republican Party engaging in the old lawyering tactic of giving the jury an excuse for nullifying the evidence with thier decision? I think that they are counting on the American public to vote against Obama because they are secretly racists, and they are giving the public reasons (lame or not, doesn't matter) other than race to vote against him.

By mlesharp2July 21, 2008 - 5:50pm

Many political races have

Many political races have exaggerations, half truths, and outright lies. I doubt they'd be doing anything different against a white candidate.

By Jason M. BryantJuly 21, 2008 - 6:03pm

Bender again?

Is this now the David Bender show with occasional guest appearances by Rachel Maddow? Sheesh.

-- Andrew Rich
andrew.rich@gmail.com
http://www.project-insomnia.com/

By AndrewRichJuly 21, 2008 - 6:08pm

RACHEL, THIS IS YOUR SOUL SPEAKING, CAN YOU HEAR ME?

Rachel this is your soul speaking...can you hear me hon? I know that these times are kinda tough right now what with the financial uncertainty and all. I understand that it must be a "heady" experience to be filling in for an anchor on a national cable TV show and that it feels like your career is finally taking-off. But I just now saw you report in sequence on 1) the latest silly movie to set a record at the box office, followed by 2) a "little-person" celebrity sex tape, and 3) some dredged-up old drivel about a naked "booby" flashed on live TV several years ago.

Sweetheart you know I love you, right? I am here to remind you of that little spark inside of you that always wanted to make a difference in the world. Can you still feel it? Did you know that it is disappearing underneath the weight of justifications like, "I only need to do this for a little while, then I can get my OWN show and THEN be my real self." I am here to caution you that it almost never works that way...why? Because that time never comes...you only learn how to keep on silencing yourself as you chase that ever elusive carrot.

I can only point out the pitfalls to you, but it is up to you to make the right decisions. You know that celebrity sex tapes and "boobies" are not what the world needs more of right now. Good Luck...and I hope you don't forget about me.

Your one and only,
Soul.

By RachelsSoulJuly 21, 2008 - 8:32pm

So where is she?

I thought we'd convinced the TRMS staff that they need to tell us where to follow her when she takes these jaunts -- under penalty of excruciating whining.

**WHIIIIIIIIIIIINNNE**

By palepinkJuly 21, 2008 - 10:24pm

Hey...

Hey y'all (or yinses),

Everyone has the right to a day off, or retirement. Much as it pains me sometimes (deeply felt loss of Seattle's "Chubby & Tubby" hardware stores).

By Buxtehude_BarbarossaJuly 21, 2008 - 10:47pm

Never mind

I found her -- the last half of Countdown. Sheesh. Come on, guys, let us in on these secrets.

By palepinkJuly 21, 2008 - 11:19pm

soul calling

Good one but she won't hear it. It's too late.

By videogrfxJuly 22, 2008 - 1:40am

calm down

who knew rachel's "soul" was so uptight. your cute little post is an insult to rachel. you're the type who give liberals the bad reputation as always-serious, unfunny, snobby elitists. the "degrading" (but popular) topics you referred to were in the keeping tabs , oddball, and #1 story segments. these are silly segments, meant to be light and funny and a little trashy. the #1 story is given the last few minutes of the show where the host often jokes around with a comedian. do you get the irony? during last night's countdown rachel discussed high gas prices and obama's trip overseas. she had a little fun discussing pop-culture and the audience had fun right along with her. well most of them. uptight curmudgeons like you were too busy being self-righteous and yelling at little kids to stay off their lawns. get over yourself.

btw, good job rachel. i've criticized you in the past, but i see what a good job you're doing on the tv-machine when you guest host and appear on countdown. i don't watch or listen to the horrible RttWH. you appear much more comfortable on tv, smart as always, witty (your jokes crack up the countdown staff, and you look great. you're a rising star!

travis sexton
http://myspace.com/travioli1976
It is only with the heart that one can see rightly;
what is essential is invisible to the eye.
--Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince

By travioliJuly 22, 2008 - 11:53am

Re: rachel's soul

Dear Rachel,
Your soul is taking the rest of your self way too seriously.

By NJSharonJuly 23, 2008 - 12:50am

Yeah that didn't take long.

Yeah that didn't take long. Celebration of Rachel's return was short-lived. *sigh*

By the_captainJuly 21, 2008 - 6:32pm

So what your saying is, the VP needs to be smarter than the Prez

I notice all the VP vetting is bringing to mind the ealy days of the primary, when all the names listed as presidential candidates, are now listed as Sen. Obama's short list.

My ask this most obvious question, "Who's elephant in the room ?"

One I hope Sen. Clinton turns the position down, why, because I think that for lack of a better phase, "throw 18mil voters under the bus". I think it's another good-olde by network's answer to try and appease the woman voters. Well, woman are not dumb, may I introduce you to www.together4us.com

Gen. W. Clark, would be good, but he's also better out side the circle, he can keep them honest.

Sen. Edwards, look North Carolina is not for sale, remember the primaries.

And this goes on, and on. I know it's supose to be a short list, but ....

I made my sugestions, but with more thought placed on the subject, I have thought better of it and would like to place Michelle Obama on the ticket, why, so when she is vetted through the media machine, we as voters will not only see and read about the real michelle obama, but also jknow Sen. Obama too.
"the hand that rocks cradle rules the world, ---- ask any african america son, his mother had the final word.

By finnperkinsJuly 21, 2008 - 6:36pm

When Sen. Obama picks a VP, I hope he will not be selfish...

...when choosing a VP, people wake up Mr. Al Gore does not want to be VP,

By finnperkinsJuly 21, 2008 - 6:45pm

I think it is an insult for people to ask Sen. Clinton & VP Gore

to ask them to do a job that they have already surpassed, both experience and also via senority, get real people.. wake up get your nose out of the 3.00 coffee and know that these people have a brain they are smarter than you and I collectively

By finnperkinsJuly 21, 2008 - 6:49pm

Don't ask Hillary?

AHEM, Hillary has "surpassed" being a Vice President? That's curious, because she seems kinda interested in the job...

By Polly Tics (not verified)July 22, 2008 - 3:30pm

Probably A Way Out There Pick...

What About Ted Kennedy???

He's GotThe Experience, He's WAY More Liberal That Obama, Making Obama's "Most Liberal Senator" Ranking Go Away, And He Has The Respect Of A Lot Of Americans. His Positions Are Known, And He Can Definitely Survive Any Vetting.

Ami I Out There?

By ErrorzeroJuly 21, 2008 - 6:50pm

Ted Kennedy is facing a life

Ted Kennedy is facing a life threatening illness right now. He may not make it to November.

By Jason M. BryantJuly 21, 2008 - 8:49pm

Bryant: Degrees of LIFE. YAY | NAY Even his wife can do it!

By SingSingJuly 22, 2008 - 8:28am

Crazy idea...

..... but what about Schwarzenegger? I know, I know, he is a Republican, but he is a rather liberal one. I think that it would be an intriguing ticket. And, since he is foreign born, he would not be able to run for president when Obama's term ends, so that moots the point of the VP running for prez at the end of the administration.

... My guess is that the Dem establishment would have a cow at this idea, but I still think it is intriguing.... says the one who favored Kucinich during the primaries. LOL

By cool_princessieJuly 22, 2008 - 11:38am

Schwarzenegger is

Schwarzenegger is ineligible. One of the requirements for being VP is that you have to qualify to be President.

By Jason M. BryantJuly 22, 2008 - 1:38pm

Bummer!

Just when I was thinking about my OWN future as a VP. Oh well, maybe next lifetime.

By cool_princessieJuly 22, 2008 - 2:22pm

Maybe it's time for...

...a pirate VP.

Obama/Crusty, 08!

"Meet the new boss, same as the old boss."--Pete Townsend

By capn_crustyJuly 22, 2008 - 2:26pm

Re: Obama/Crusty '08

Cap'n as VP candidate could cause a voting crisis for said cap'n: he doesn't want to vote for Obama, but would he do so in order to vote for himself?

:puzzled:

By chemgirlJuly 22, 2008 - 3:24pm

Here's an original VP choice, Chelsea Clinton...

now chew on that. She has less experience than her predecessors, but more than Sen. Obama. She's a shoe in for the Clinton support and also she will beguile the GOP/RNC.
she'll leave Sen. McCain speechless.

By finnperkinsJuly 21, 2008 - 6:53pm

ummm ...

At what is this "shoo-in" experienced?

By palepinkJuly 22, 2008 - 1:32am

Actually Ted would be great,but..

being a cancer patient in remission my self, I know that stress is not good for a him. but otherwise if he was in a better state of health, remember the VP is to step in if the Pres should be incapacitated.

Howard Dean, is a JOKE JOKE a bad joke equal to the New Yorker's cover, although I am not against the cover, they should have shown a brush in hand... to complete the joke, unlike Howard Dean, he is a joke at the helm of the DNC, and he's needs to take a pill (hear that DR> Howard Dean, MD -not Phd).

By finnperkinsJuly 21, 2008 - 7:01pm

obama vp

to be completely pragmatic, choose Sam Nunn

1--his foreign policy credentials can't be questioned
2--he underscores obama wants to be "centrist"
3--he definitely helps obama compete in Georgia
4--he may helps in other southern states, particularly north carolina and virginia--certainly he
cannot hurt
5--he is a good choice for states where the election is close.
6--he is too old to consider his own presidential run, which will make him imminently
attractive (read "not a threat") to future presidential aspirants--thus good for unity.
7--most importantly, obama must pick a white, male washington heavyweight. He will
otherwise be attacked--either as the "no experience" ticket if he picks a governor, or the "too
exotic" ticket if he picks a woman,

I'm not a Nunn fan at all, but he's clearly the type of candidate to lengthen obama's coattails and to create a "mandate" election, and as far as I can see, the best of the field to get a big win in November.

By m haleyJuly 21, 2008 - 7:01pm

YIKES, Sam Nunn would pose

YIKES, Sam Nunn would pose an enormous problem for the Gay and Lesbian community as he wasn't exactly "good" on any issues of import. But then again, I don't suppose that would stop him from choosing him.

I almost don't care who he chooses as long as it isn't Hillary, Jim Webb (I love him but he has written some awful things about women in the past, thus bad for Obama's women issue) or a woman other than Hillary (now that might drive Hillary's supporters NUTS). I always did like Clark, but I think that "isn't gonna happen" at this point.

By Polly Tics (not verified)July 22, 2008 - 3:27pm

I can not stress this enough

why does it have to be another senator, I think a gov. will do greatly, because they are fresh of the farm so to speak, they are closer to the people who choose them than the senators of their given state, look at..hum Sen. Obama, when the last time he voted for something positive for his own senate district?

By finnperkinsJuly 21, 2008 - 7:46pm

the last thing Sen Obama Voted for...in favor (eek) wa FISA

his out of the country and we go out of our minds, FISA FISA FISA, enough said.

By finnperkinsJuly 21, 2008 - 7:48pm

Is Obama being tapped?

Just a question that has been rolling around my head the last week or so. Now that he, Obama, is over seas, George W. and the GOP can legally wire tap him and his campaign. Does this present a problem or just legalize a problem?

By rusty_scupperJuly 21, 2008 - 9:28pm

They can wire tap phone

They can wire tap phone conversations that are routed through the U.S. I don't think that's very common with calls within Germany. Even if they did get lucky and pick up a call, it would be a major scandal if anyone found out, legal or not. Considering how unlikely it is that they'd get anything useful, I doubt they'd spend time on it.

Would it even be legal? Spying on someone because you suspect them might be legal, but I'm not sure that means they can spy on someone just because they wanna.

By Jason M. BryantJuly 22, 2008 - 1:00am

Of course they can

Maybe the FBI isn't supposed to be meddling with calls that don't touch the U.S., but we have plenty of spies outside the FBI.

And when you think about what might be useful ... try random chatter about VP possibilities. Try health concerns. Try anybody griping about the little inconveniences of travel. Try to think like some bright-eyed young strategist who wants to outdo Rove (then wash your brain out with soap).

By palepinkJuly 22, 2008 - 1:30am

Assumptions of evil

"Maybe the FBI isn't supposed to be meddling with calls that don't touch the U.S., but we have plenty of spies outside the FBI."

With that kind of stuff, we're not even talking about FISA. If someone in the administration is using CIA or military resources to spy on a Presidetial candidate, that would be huge. I can't say for certain that it isn't happening, but there's no more reason to think that it is happening than there was before the FISA bill.

By Jason M. BryantJuly 22, 2008 - 8:18am

One thing I think we can all

One thing I think we can all agree on is that IF Bush wanted to tap Obama, he would and has done so without any worries about pesky ole FISA. I don't think Bush holds to the law all that much...

I'm also sure most of the major Dem's in Congress have been or are being tapped and they are "within the country"!

By Polly Tics (not verified)July 22, 2008 - 3:20pm

Obama VP Pick

I think this is a PERFECT opportunity for Obama to show he's not an old style politician. It wasn't so long ago thast the VP pick wasn't revelaed until the nomination was achieved at the convention. So here's what Bartack could do: Give abGREAT SPEECH about how you're not just electing a Pres, Vice-Pres but am entire administration plus Federal court judges. Announce the VP (my pick is Bill Richardsom - but hey! not that important) - most, if not all cabinet posts - Wes Clark Sec of Defense - Hillary HHS (for health care) - someone from the west for Sec Interior, etc - you can figure it all out. Some major ambassadors (especially UN) - Bill (or Hillary) as a Supreme Court Justice - some federal judgeships from important states. Use the opportunity to point out that we got sold a bill of goods by W - votes for him were votes for Mukasey, Roberts, Alito, Bolton, Gonzo - the while 9 yards. Tell the people what they're going to get for their vote. Either McSame responds (j which case there's plenty to attack - "my choice is better than yourts" or he doesn't and you Obama talks about what you DON'T know about a McSame admin.

Cheers!

Jerry

By jerryairJuly 21, 2008 - 8:31pm

The Rachel Maddow Show?

Could we have some more Rachel Maddow on the The Rachel Maddow Show?

By hvhJuly 21, 2008 - 9:29pm

Tell me I'm crazy

Have you ever had an idea in your head that was so out of your mind type of crazy that if you told someone they would say you were crazy? Well let me start by saying that back during the Viet Nam war Nixon knew that showing the flag draped coffins coming home swayed public opinion. After the first Gulf war it was said that if George Bush #1 (he wasn't called that then) had gone into Bag dad and the war was still going on during the elections he would have been reelected. Now this is the part that I'm troubled about. It was Richard Clark or one of those guys that said that George W. was making plans to invade Iraq during the first week of presidency. Seven years later a nation is in shambles, oil is $140 a barrel, the US as well as the rest of the worlds economy is out of control, democrats and republicans won't work together, we've lost our civil rights, over 4000 Americans are dead as well as hundreds of thousands of men women and children that lived in Iraq. We were lied from the beginning and are still being lied to today. The Iraqi's say they want us to leave. George W. and Sen. McCain say no they don't mean that and we're going to stay no matter what. Now please tell me that we did not go to war just so the republicans could keep control of the white house. Please tell me I'm crazy. Tell me that no president would ever do that. Please tell me I'm crazy and should seek medical help.

By rusty_scupperJuly 21, 2008 - 10:28pm

rusty_scupper - crusty_skipper Duh ....

By SingSingJuly 22, 2008 - 8:20am

Yahoo!

http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,567201,00.html

!!: That ... was a psychiatrist?!

By Buxtehude_BarbarossaJuly 21, 2008 - 11:16pm

Speaking of Serbia

I will always, always mourn, barring new information, the assassination of Zoran Djindjic.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoran_Djindjic

“If someone believes they can stop the implementation of the law by eliminating me, they are seriously deluding themselves, because I am not the system. The system will continue to function, and no-one will receive amnesty for their crimes by eliminating one or two government officials.”

By Buxtehude_BarbarossaJuly 21, 2008 - 11:49pm

Money, what else?

Why is the Rachel Maddow show still being called the Rachel Maddow show?!! It should be called the guest host of the day show. If and when Rachel finally gets her full time tv show gig, please give this time slot to Sam Seder and not this Bender boob. Sammy has some bite and isn't the total party hack Bender seems to be, but then if Rachel "is" selling out to the boob tube, it seems appropriate her fill in has already sold out as well.. AAR is really going down hill...next thing you know, Lionel will be in this time slot.

By videogrfxJuly 22, 2008 - 1:35am

Why the.....secrecy?

Is it somehow no longer possible to post the status of the nominal host for that day?
IIRC, such info used to be clearly & regularly posted on this so-called show blog.....?

Is there some sort of blackout agreement on when our dear Dr. will be subbing on Countdown? That seems counterproductive, IMPO.

Does show staff simply assume people will guess what's going on - or is Vanessa just too busy to edit her blog posts?

The only way I find out anymore is from reading subsequent comments = S

I mean, I like Bender very much, but I confess to growing a bit tired of ALWAYS hearing him in Rachel's place - perhaps she needs to line up some alt. subs, instead of relying so heavily on 1 person (w/ the habit of consistently interrupting people on-air). Is there some reason Sam Seder might not pinch-hit once in a while? Or what about some of those other folks who filled in on the 'American Afternoons' not so long ago?

& how the heck do we email the show? I'm not the only 1 who would like this info - & so far have detected no response. (& already tried the AAR helpdesk - 2x)

Please???

Or were the on-air 'contact us ' comments like the bogus phone numbers the Bush admin. gives out?

Feh! Feeling rather frustrated these days = P

By pinellasJuly 22, 2008 - 7:02am

clues....

A huge red flag is when she is not on RTTWH. When she hosts Countdown she never does RTTWH. I took that clue last night, and I hoped Bender would tell me where she would be. When he didn't I just switched to my local NPR affiliate. Later in the evening I caught her on Countdown (which I assumed she'll be hosting) talking about the very important news pointed out by Rachel's Soul above.

By cool_princessieJuly 22, 2008 - 10:28am

Last nights "Countdown" was

Last nights "Countdown" was opened by Keith himself, but he gave up the mantle to Rachel after about 20 minutes. He has me worried a bit, he was on a long vaca, but the first day when he's back in the saddle, he leaves after about 20 minutes. Odd in any event.

OR perhaps MSNBC is planning on giving her his show and putting Keith elsewhere on the night's lineup? I dunno, but my bet is they will be employing Rachel sooner rather than later, but what that means to her show on Air America show is anyone's guess.

By Polly Tics (not verified)July 22, 2008 - 3:16pm

Thanks c_p, but I'm a

Thanks c_p, but I'm a podcaster - I'm not around TV or computer (no broadcasts in my area) during TRMS show times.

By pinellasJuly 22, 2008 - 11:36am

FINNPERKINS

YOU ARE RIGHT ON, CHELSEA CLINTON IS MORE QUALIFIED FOR V.P. SPOT THAN OBAMA IS FOR PREZ ... LET IT RAIN MCCAIN !!!!!

By MIKE IN VA.July 24, 2008 - 12:11pm

is it me or

Is it me or does McSenile remind you of your great grand father just before he went away some where in his mind and never really came back and your family never talked about him again except late at night when all the kids were asleep?

By rusty_scupperJuly 25, 2008 - 7:04am

Comments

(48)