Iowa Watching Party

[rapunzel]

Rapunzel and Skunky

Thank you so much for a great evening. The company was funn and the food was fantastic. Rapunzy....you are a grayt cook !! Lets plan on an election nite party ( I'll bring the wine ). Everyone can bring a dish or something. You have a very comfortable home and 2 cute and well behaved dogs.

Thank you very much, Goofer. BTW -- are you missing a pretty great little hat?

You are definitely on for election night!

I learned a few important truths last night--

• I am a uniter, not a divider. I'm glad we had people with different points of view -- and even a few with no point of view. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. No doubt Goofer's commentary made the night.
• Posting an open invitation online is not totally crazy. We only had one person that we didn't already know show up, and he was a really great guy, new to the area, and we can't wait to meet his wife and twins!
• Too many shrimp will die in vain if you try to cook when you've lost your sense of taste. Some may have noticed I was a little behind on the food prep. That's because I went back to the market for shrimp twice, convinced that something was wrong with the shrimp I'd just made because they had no flavor except a faint metallic taste. All in all, I prepared six pounds of boiled shrimp last night.

Thanks to everyone who showed last night. I enjoyed it so much!

 

[John R]

btw, the chocolate chip pie was a great 'last thing to eat'.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I have a feeling that Obama won't look as shiny when his policies actually come out. Currently, the idea of Sen Obama sounds good because he is a change, a huge change -- a (1/2)black man with the opportunity to be elected president. I think there are many white people who would love to vote for him just to make a bit of history, and rid those guilty feelings for so much oppression of black people in our history. I certainly understand those feelings. We've got a 20 year history of Sen Clinton, maybe more than we need, but with Obama, there are many unknowns, hence his upfront shine. When the real questions regarding policies come out of Sen Obama, I think SOME of that shine will look more dull.

Sorry I missed the party, but the last thing we need are more sick SoWallers. Count me in for the next one.

 

[tistheseason]

May I ask what was on the menu?

Since I'm not much of a politic-er, I studied the food while everyone else studied the results. So, I'll be happy to fill you in.

For appetizers we had manchego cheese paired with Membrillo, Prosciutto and melon, marcona almonds, assorted fresh breads with rosemary butter and pickled shrimp. She could have stopped there. . . but not punzy.

She then served us the most amazing salad topped with roasted peppers and freshly grated cheese and homemade dijon vinaigrette salad dressing and the best jambalaya I have ever had. And for sure she could have stopped there. . . .but not punzy.

She then served warm freshly baked chocolate chip pies a la mode. (which John R threatened to make into milkshakes That could have been the death of me -- or my waist) AND assorted cheese cakes and pastries. And she even sent me home with leftovers that I can't wait to attack today!!

 

[Mango]

I have a feeling that Obama won't look as shiny when his policies actually come out.

When his actual policies come out? His stance on issues is firmly laid out on his web site. Matter of fact, I find his web site to be the most imformative and detailed as far as his stance is concerned. There are pdf documents as well with even more details at the bottom of each page.

How he answers the hard questions to these stances is a different issue.
I am sure more than ever now since Iowa, questions are going to be much more targeted and difficult for the tough issues.

 

[TooFarTampa]

Since I'm not much of a politic-er, I studied the food while everyone else studied the results. So, I'll be happy to fill you in.

For appetizers we had manchego cheese paired with Membrillo, Prosciutto and melon, marcona almonds, assorted fresh breads with rosemary butter and pickled shrimp. She could have stopped there. . . but not punzy.

She then served us the most amazing salad topped with roasted peppers and freshly grated cheese and homemade dijon vinaigrette salad dressing and the best jambalaya I have ever had. And for sure she could have stopped there. . . .but not punzy.

She then served warm freshly baked chocolate chip pies a la mode. (which John R threatened to make into milkshakes That could have been the death of me -- or my waist) AND assorted cheese cakes and pastries. And she even sent me home with leftovers that I can't wait to attack today!!

Forget politics ... I want to know when punzy and Allifunn will host a SoWal cooking class, maybe in BB's new kitchen!

 

[Smiling JOe]

When his actual policies come out? His stance on issues is firmly laid out on his web site. Matter of fact, I find his web site to be the most imformative and detailed as far as his stance is concerned. There are pdf documents as well with even more details at the bottom of each page.

How he answers the hard questions to these stances is a different issue.
I am sure more than ever now since Iowa, questions are going to be much more targeted and difficult for the tough issues.

Stance on issues/questions regarding policies? I think of them as the same, but do note that others may differ. I hear enough about the candidates' "beliefs," but know they are only trying to score points with the press and voters. Yes, let's get the candidates to address HOW they will implement change. I think we will see a bunch of fish flapping around on dry land if they don't avoid the questions all together.

Who else is tired of hearing John Edwards "stance?" He's for the middle class and against big business. I cannot tell you how many times he has stated that, but is that just because he thinks there are more middle class voters than others? That "stance" tells us nothing more than he doesn't have a game plan which he is willing to share. His top political adviser was even saying that last night (probably the puppet master feeding it to him).

 

[TooFarTampa]

When his actual policies come out? His stance on issues is firmly laid out on his web site. Matter of fact, I find his web site to be the most imformative and detailed as far as his stance is concerned. There are pdf documents as well with even more details at the bottom of each page.

How he answers the hard questions to these stances is a different issue.
I am sure more than ever now since Iowa, questions are going to be much more targeted and difficult for the tough issues.

One great thing about Obama is he has been very consistent and fairly clear about what he stands for. He definitely knows who he is and has some great leadership qualities. I do hope that unlike W, he demonstrates an ability to adjust when necessary.

What's happening in Iraq right now -- or not happening -- may be the litmus test for his campaign. The recent security gains in Iraq can be attributed to the job Petraeus is doing, according to my former Marine husband, who has been following it closely. I am not and have never been "for" this war but I think stabilization is what everybody is looking for, and Obama's plan to pull out troops may not be the best thing for this. A lot can happen in a year, but I hope Obama is willing to adjust his position. To do so would not be spin, just smarts IMO. Someone is going to have to handle a conflict we never should have started in the first place.

 

[Mango]

One great thing about Obama is he has been very consistent and fairly clear about what he stands for. He definitely knows who he is and has some great leadership qualities. I do hope that unlike W, he demonstrates an ability to adjust when necessary.

What's happening in Iraq right now -- or not happening -- may be the litmus test for his campaign.

I agree. But I think that besides his policies, what may be attracting people to him is his age in the respect that he might be flexible. at holiday parties obviously politics came up, and people in their 60's who supported Obama felt he could be tough enough to stick to his guns, but yet open to new ideas. Sometimes people in that age group (60's) can be stuck in their opinions so I found that refreshing.

Forget politics ... I want to know when punzy and Allifunn will host a SoWal cooking class, maybe in BB's new kitchen!

Now we are talking! TFT for President!

 

[Smiling JOe]

Did anyone catch Sen Clinton's reply last night? After Sen Obama "won" last night, Sen Clinton said that it was a great day, and that America was ready for a change -- putting a Democrat in the White House. I think most people would be fine with a non-Bush in the White House. This statement by Sen Clinton, shows me that Sen Hillary isn't really about actually changing the gov't, just changing the person in charge of the gov't. Any thoughts on this?