edited by Jonathan Doyle

Cloverfield [BLU-RAY] (Paramount Home Entertainment, 6.3.2008) Disguised under deliberately goofy, yet deliciously edible-sounding, aliases such as Cheese and Slusho, Matt Reeves' Cloverfield was produced and rushed into theaters under an equally appetizing shroud of secrecy. From last year's incredibly elusive Super Bowl ad to the film's viral marketing campaign, Cloverfield had everybody scratching their heads and drooling in anticipation. Aside from the as-yet untitled title and the Blair Witch-ian visual style, the film's biggest appeal was the enigmatic creature who was last (un)seen hurling the decapitated head of the Statue of Liberty onto the crowded streets of New York City. All we knew about the mysterious beast was that it was big and angry. Now that the highy-anticipated project has come and gone, one question has fortunately been answered: Cloverfield was a major success. (continued)

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Second Thoughts

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After tapping out a link to last night's discord-in-Denver story by Politico's John F. Harris and Mike Allen, two HE talk-backers gave me pause -- "hepwa" and "dinther" by name -- and then two e-mails came in with a counter-balance effect.

One, from HE contributor Moises Chiullan, reminded me that "Politico and other outlets have to create stories and will selectively show Clinton-Obama acrimony and separatism when, according to Clinton supporters I know who are in Denver, there is a lot less PUMA-style division at work."

The other came from MSNBC's First Read, to wit: "With so many of Hillary Clinton's most ardent supporters in Denver, is the political press corps here in danger of over-hyping Obama's problem with Hillary backers? Yes, our most recent NBC/WSJ poll showed that Obama has yet to win some of them over, and that (in part) explains why he hasn't pulled away from McCain. But a brand-new Washington Post/ABC poll also had Obama getting more Clinton support than he's ever received since she dropped out of the race back in June.

"No doubt Obama still has some work to do, and he has two-plus months -- including this convention -- to make the sale. But the point we're trying to make is that perhaps the Democratic Party is more unified than PUMA-on-the-street interviews might suggest.

"Indeed, today's New York Times/CBS poll of Dem convention delegates probably has it right: 60% of Hillary's delegates enthusiastically support Obama, 31% support him with reservations or because he's the nominee, and 5% don't support him at all. But the Clinton folks will have an impact on the media narrative this week. In fact, they already they have -- see Ed Rendell at the media confab yesterday and today's Politico piece by Harris and Allen."

Rancid<< previous | next >>Perfect Nothing

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on August 25, 2008 at 8:06 AM

comment #1

Mgmax says ...

Yes, we wouldn't want media hype to play a part in the Democratic selection of a nominee.

Posted by Mgmax at August 25, 2008 8:30 AM

comment #2

Randy W says ...

For some reason, though I know what it means, every time I see "PUMA" I think of "cougar" instead and I wonder why wrinkled old bar sluts won't vote for Obama.

Posted by Randy W at August 25, 2008 9:03 AM

comment #3

Ogami Itto says ...

This web site does a good job of debunking the mainstream media's "narratives" regarding the PUMA wingnuts:

http://www.rumproast.com/

Posted by Ogami Itto at August 25, 2008 11:35 AM

comment #4

va says ...

To Jeff: You were right in the "Rancid" post when you blasted Bill and Hillary -- according to the Politico piece, it isn't so much Hillary as it is her pantload husband that is still fanning flames of discontent. He cannot handle the fact that he isn't the face of the Democratic party any more. He can't handle the fact that Al Gore is a rock star over him. He cannot handle the fact that he is so over, and that he is just unlikeable, petty, and just another whining pussy.

Posted by va at August 25, 2008 11:50 AM

comment #5

BurmaShave says ...

Remember what Napoleon (and Jackson Evans) said about absolute pettiness and absolute greatness. There is no greatness in Hillary Clinton, but there is much in Bill Clinton, and while his pettiness got in the way of him achieving his true potential, as the last Democratic Presidency (and really the only great Democratic era since Truman & JFK), his accomplishments are something to be celebrated and remembered. On both sides, more respect is due. And Obama people insisting he talk about national security is foolish. Let Bill Be Bill.

Posted by BurmaShave at August 25, 2008 2:12 PM

comment #6

hepwa says ...

Hey va, Bill Clinton is unlikeable and petty? Read your own comment for some perspective on those attributes. Clinton just campaigned his heart out for his wife and in the process, was treated like a turd in a punchbowl by the very party he rescued from oblivion just fifteen years ago. But, Americans, you know, they like to eat their heroes and its already happening to Obama (who I pray somehow wins this election).

Posted by hepwa at August 25, 2008 11:03 PM