Let's see, what's on the recent diaries list: VP, we're doomed, VP, McCain, VP, "successful dump" by a VP possibility.

OK, we've got a little situation here.

The netroots is in an orgy of VP speculation, deconstruction, reconstruction and more speculation. While amusing (and I've done my part), I think part of this is due to the fact that there isn't much else to talk about in the middle to end of August. Unlike 2004, we don't have any Swiftboat ads, just McCain ones that are either really silly (Obama's popular! That's bad!) or depressing (Life sucks, reality's black and white and vote Republican.). We also don't have a lot of new Democratic coverage because Obama's on vacation.

I think, like kindergarteners without a teacher, there's a little bit too much nervous and creative energy bounding about the room. So, let's put it to good use in a thought exercise. Get out your crayons and construction paper, please!

Many of us felt that we couldn't possibly lose to Bush--he was just so obviously bad for our country. At that moment, many of us felt like this could be it. This could be the election when we beat the Right, ended the Bush nightmare, and put a (decently) progressive candidate in the White House. We were wrong.

As we've seen Obama's lead in the polls vanish over the past few weeks (the latest Zogby poll shows McCain with a 1 point lead), it's a fitting reminder: this year's fight will be at least as hard as '04. Get started here.

Sen. Obama just announced that Markos Moulitstas is to be his running mate? Well, no. He didn't. But with an impending running mate announcement most likely coming tomorrow, this will be my last chance to use that as a faux diary headline. And no, it was not meant purely to boil puma blood, although any anguish suffered by the pumas does warm my heart.

The democrats are currently in the midst of a crisis of confidence, and no matter who Sen. Obama chooses for a running mate, whether it be Sen. Hillary Clinton or Hillary supporter "nemesis" Markos Moulitsas, the choice will be sure to please no one and disappoint everyone.

McCain at a town hall meeting in NM said today that he agrees with bringing back the draft.

From Think Progress

A Questioner said:

If we don't reenact the draft, I don't think we'll have anyone to chase Bin Laden to the gates of hell.

To which McCain responded:

Ma'am, let me say that I don't disagree with anything you said.

As far as I know Chris Dodd has yet to be given a speaking spot at the Democratic National Convention, which makes me wonder if he is going to end up being the choice for VP.
He has been a supporter of Obama since February. Will bring the "experience" the media keeps saying Obama needs. The Obama people have put him through the vetting process. Can speak Spanish and was once in the peace corps. Was also part of the U.S. Army Reserves and Army National Guard. Has been quite of late.
I know there are some negatives. Questions about the loan he got being a big one.
He's not my first choice, but I'm starting to wonder if he is going to end up being the choice.

Sorry, guys, this was just too good to pass up:

As he left his house for the second time today, he had a load of wood in the back of his pickup and told the assembled reporters, "Don't get hit (by the traffic), guys, I'm just going to the dump."

Upon his return from disposing of the logs, Biden pulled up in his pickup, saying he had nothing to report, but "I had a successful dump."

"I had a successful dump. I dropped everything at the dump. It all worked out and by the way I got a second load, guys, coming and if anyone wants to help me unload let me know, those stumps weigh about 150 pounds."

Yes, I'm still laughing. No, my sense of humor has not progressed beyond that of your average 12-year-old boy.

Ohio Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones is either dead or in critical condition after suffering a brain hemorrhage (there are both reports out there).  Tubbs Jones is one of the leading black women in the US House and was a high-profile supporter of Hillary Clinton during the primaries.

Jones was also dedicated to electing African Americans to the Congress, helping early on make sure Andre Carson would succeed to his grandmother's Indianapolis seat.  She also was a prominent supporter of racist Democrat Nikki Tinker in her race against Tennessee congressman Steve Cohen.

My thoughts are with her and her family today.

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?do cID=news-000002939497

The following press release just hit my mailbox a few minutes ago.

Today the Obama Campaign and the Democratic National Committee announced a proposal to establish a special commission to recommend changes to the Democratic Party's rules for delegate selection and presidential primary timing for future presidential cycles. The proposal will be presented to the Convention Rules Committee on Saturday in Denver.

The 'Democratic Change Commission' will address three issues 1) changes to the opening of the window and pre-window, 2) reducing the number of superdelegates and 3) changes to the caucus system. The goal of the commission will be to ensure that no primary or caucus is held prior to the first Tuesday in March of 2012, with the exception of the approved pre-window states, whose contests would be held during February 2012.

"After the 56 contests in this historic primary season, our party is stronger and more energized than ever before -- with millions of new voters participating.  As we look to the future, we must continue to strengthen the process and ensure a fair process in which the diverse voices in our party and our nation have a chance to be heard.  That is the essential role that the Democratic Change Commission can and will play, and we look forward to their recommendations," said DNC Chairman Howard Dean.

"Senator Obama is committed to working towards growing our party, improving our nominating process and ensuring as many people as possible participate in the process. Obama believes the Democratic Change Commission is an important and necessary step to achieving these goals," said Obama Campaign Chairman David Plouffe.

The Democratic Change Commission will be appointed by the new DNC Chairman and will consist of 35 members and two co-chairs. Membership will be divided between men and women and will be geographically and demographically diverse. The Commission shall issue its report and recommendations to the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee no later than January 1, 2010. The Commission will be established no later than 60 days after the date of the next election of the DNC National Chair.