Despite the best efforts of Obama-bashers, he managed to receive more than 66 million votes, 8.5 million more than John McCain , winning 52.3% to 46.2%.  This is despite the efforts on the right to brand him a radical liberal, despite attempts to define him as “the most liberal” senator, despite attempts to tie him to radicals, Marxists, and communists.

For decades, conservatives used the “liberal” moniker as a bludgeon to demonize and marginalize its opponents.  It didn’t work this time. It didn’t work against Obama. It didn’t work against Mark Udall in his Colorado senate race even though they tried to label him “Boulder liberal Mark Udall.”

“I suspect that the heyday of using ‘liberal’ as an attack word is over,” said George P. Lakoff, a University of California, Berkeley cognitive linguistics professor. “It has pretty much gone out of use, except by conservatives that are attacking people.”

A recent Pew Study showed that liberal Democrats are engaging in activisim more than other partisan and ideological groups. Tod Lindberg of the Hoover Institute, and a McCain adviser, acknowedges that the “center-right” meme to which conservatives are clinging is a myth.  We are in “center-left times.”

A new generation of voters, coming of age on Facebook and Twitter, don’t care about these kinds of labels.  They communicate with global friends who they never meet or see. They don’t know or care about their skin color, their sexual orientation, and whether they are liberal or conservative.  Obama and his team knew how to use these new communication platforms to create not just an Internet donor base, but also a social network that he can now commicate with directly, bringing true democracy to a whole new level.

Welcome to the age of liberal cool.

It’s because the world only spins forward, as Anna Quindlen writes in Newsweek, quoting from Tony Kushner’s “Angels in America.”  Once, in 1967, there was a case called Loving v. Virginia.  Mildred Jeter and Richard Loving were rousted out of their bed by the police and charged with a felony.  They had just gotten married in DC, but with Mildred being black and Richard being white, they were charged with miscegenation.  The judge wrote that God didn’t intend for the races to mix. Thankfully, the Supreme Court saw it differently.

One day, the anti-Gay bigots will also be overruled, superseded by a Constitution and, if necessary, a Supreme Court which will be the real forces on God’s side. Mildred loving is now a mother and a grandmother.  No one is bursting into her bedroom to see what she’s doing.  But she doesn’t want anyone else to suffer what she did.  She says that all Americans, “no matter their race, no matter their sex, no matter their sexual orientation, should have that same freedom to marry.”

The world only spins forward, the best efforts of regressionists notwithstanding.

Malia Obama has allergies, and Barack Obama wants a shelter dog.  Both criteria can be met.

To his credit, Obama co-sponsored, with Dick Durbin, a bill to crack down on abusive puppy mills, and posed with “Baby” for the book A Rare Breed of Love by animal welfare advocate Jana Kohl.

The above photo (h/t Crooks and Liars) shows Obama with “Baby,” a three-legged dog that lost its fourth limb following years of mistreatment at a California puppy mill. The toy poodle spent much of its life locked in a small wire cage. The breeders cut out Baby’s vocal chords so that they would not have to hear her cries. In cages next to her, other dogs literally went insane, spinning repetitively with blank stares. Still others were gravely ill, maimed and had filthy, matted coats. A number was tattooed on the inside of Baby’s ear, marking her as just one of many dogs at the mill.

Given that you can find all kind of breeds and mutts at a variety of animal rescue operations, what kind of dog should the Obamas get?

The former New York Governor writes in Sunday’s Washington Post about how to deal with the economic crisis going forward, and how his own actions prevent him from participating as he did in the past. 

And, while he won’t be charged in connection with his use of prostitutes–

Justice Department guidelines disfavor indictments against clients of prostitution rings, even those who transport women across state lines to have sex in violation of the Mann Act. Spitzer acknowledged making payments to the service, which amounted to “acceptance of responsibility for his conduct,” said Michael J. Garcia, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.

 –women who service Spitzer and men like him are continually arrested.  Natalie McLennan was dating and working for the pimp who recruited Spitzer’s call-girl, Ashley Dupre.   When McLennan’s agency was busted she wound up in jail, but none of her clients faced the legal consequences she did.

Clearly, there is a double standard at work. Spitzer may have lost the governorship in a humiliating public scandal, but I can assure the former governor that that doesn’t compare to the private pain of having your mother visit you in jail, where you’re clad in a standard-issue uniform and not allowed to hug her.

Three years later, I still struggle with the fallout from my arrest.

Why is it that escorts, bookers and escort-agency owners are consistently punished and made examples of - and the same isn’t true for the clients of these agencies?

Clients who, like Spitzer, have full knowledge of the laws they’re breaking but don’t hesitate to do so over and over again?

It’s obvious that when Spitzer participated in his illegal activities, he was acting under the assumption the so-called “sheriff” was above the law.

Apparently, he was correct.

There’s no question that Spitzer is a hypocrite.   As a prosecutor, he went after the the kinds of enterprises he utilized.  If government didn’t worry so much about adults who choose to engage in mutual pleasure with or without the exchange of money, then both those who offer adult services and their clients could go about life in peace.   How about we stop this charade of chasing after pleasure-givers and pleasure-seekers.  In fact, in such a bad economy, there’s a wonderful tax base that legalization could provide.

Ken Germana of Bonner County, Idaho, believes he is exercising his free speech rights with the sign on his property that reads “Free Public Hanging”, something he’d like to offer not just to Barack Obama but also to Al Sharpton,  Nancy Pelosi and John Kerry.  Generous.

Germana said he poses absolutely no threat to Obama, but admits he would not lose any sleep if harm did come the president-elect’s way. He said he made the sign to protest hypocrisy in two high-profile incidents involving effigies of Republican vice president nominee Sarah Palin and Obama.

The Palin effigy was erected in Los Angeles and the Obama effigy was put up at the University of Kentucky campus in Lexington. Both incidents made headlines in the run-up to the general election, but Germana maintains they were treated differently by authorities and the press.

In Germana’s view, nothing was done to the creators of the Palin effigy, while those who were involved with the Obama effigy were arrested.

“If other people can make political statements, so can I. Just because I don’t live in California doesn’t mean I don’t have my rights, too,” he said.

But is this First Amendment-protected speech?

The Bonner County Human Rights Task Force said it is outraged by the display.

“Everyone has the right of free speech, unless it advocates the killing or hurting of someone or incites violence, which violates the doctrine of human rights,” Christine Holbert, president of the task force, said in a statement.

Holbert called the sign “hateful” and said its content is not protected under the First Amendment.

World leaders in DC to discuss the economic crisis dined like kings.  And they washed it down with Shafer Carbernet Hillside Select 2003, which goes for up to $400 a bottle. (h/t Americablog)

Other bargain basement dishes included:

• Fruitwood-smoked Quail

• Thyme-roasted Rack of Lamb

• Tomato, Fennel and Eggplant Fondue Chanterelle Jus.

We are truly blessed to have leaders with such advanced culinary taste.

From: Patty
Sent: Monday, November 10, 2008 9:50 PM
To: Alan
Subject: Re: GITMO Detainees

I wonder Alan when the next terrorist attack happens on our soil, and I believe it will be right after Obama takes office, will you still be sitting there with the sarcastic smart ass grin on your face?

From: Rich
Sent: Monday, November 10, 2008 9:37 PM
To: Alan
Subject: YOUR EYEBROW

You’ve got to get your eyebrow under control. When you put on your prosecutor face….you look like a MAD MAN.

From: SU
Sent: Monday, November 10, 2008 9:36 PM
To: Alan
Subject: when

the camera is on you, I make my dog stand in front of me and look at your face on tv: his ass is better looking than you are and the words you say make more sense coming out of a dogs ass than a human’s mouth.

From: Jim
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 12:19 PM
To: Show -Colmes
Subject: Left Wing Puke

You are a discrace to America and a real puke. People like you make me sick and your kind are going to destroy America.

I wish you the worst.

From: Lacy
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2008 9:52 PM
To: Alan
Subject: Are Yoy Really Stupid?

I figure you got the Fox job because they needed a cartoon of a liberal. Otherwise, they would have hired someone who offers intellectual insight as opposed to simply yelling at guests. Most people want to make a difference with their life. That said, I hope you are making a difference somehow off the air — because on the air, you’re just a waste of space.

From: Thomas
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2008 10:26 PM
To: Alan
Subject: Why must I endure you?

Alan Colmes: Your presence on FOX is very painful to me as a conservative who really, personnally, HATES you communists! I have been driven to ‘MUTING” my TV whenever you are speaking, and UNmuting it when others are speaking. Don’t you get it? I REALLY DO HATE YOU!! I WILL NOT LISTEN TO YOU!! I am beyond any possibility of tolerating you people.  I cannot tune another channel to get rid of you and your kind since the others of the MSM are worse in their support of the Communist Party of the U.S.A. Even worse than you — if that is possible!!

[...]

I am sure that I waste my time and yours too, in trying to educate you. You are too far gone in your Communist Indoctrination. Too bad!

From: Alan
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2008 10:31 PM
To: Thomas
Subject: RE: Why must I endure you?

It must be very difficult for you to live in a country where tens of millions of people agree with me

From: Thomas
Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2008 11:02 AM
To: Alan
Subject: RE: Why must I endure you?

Alan Colmes: It would be more difficult for me to live in a country where tens of millions of people agree with you, were it not for the tens of millions of people who DISAGREE with you! My half of the country already HAS their weapons!

From: Jason 
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2008 9:32 PM
To: Alan
Subject: Some thoughts

Colmes,

After listening to you for about 1 month I think you need to read the book of Revelation and in fact the whole Bible to realize how off base, how miss-directed, and how ridiculous your thoughts are. I would not hire you to even sell coffee. Do you actually believe the things you say? or are you just that out of wack with reality? Please explain or just quit your job and go cut some grass in Antartica.

From: Sherrie
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2008 9:21 PM
To: Alan
Subject: Misguided Loyalty

You know there is a lot that scares me in this country, but you know what scares me the most is people like you. Why don’t Liberals think for themselves and instead let the far left liberals dictate to them. I dare to say you haven’t thought for yourself in years. You are not a patriot. You would stand by and let people like Bill Ayers and others like him take over this country if it meant the Democrat Liberals said it is ok if he has to set a bomb to do it and kill innocent people. For years have watched Hannity & Colmes, but it is getting harder and harder to do so. You are so far over the edge with Obama that you think he is some kind of Messiah. He is not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He is going to take this country to a level that it has never seen before. He has an agenda and will be taking orders from the people who put him there, not the people of this country, but those who he made back room deals with.

Wake up Colmes. If it were not for Hannity no one would watch your show.

Shame on you and others like you. God help us in this country and save us from people like you.

From: Dawn
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2008 9:19 PM
To: Alan
Subject: Ayers

How much is Obama paying you to smear good people, you are disgusting, do you know how many people hate you, you were trying to tear people down that are innocent, they were the victims, why don’t you ask Obama about these things, you know he is not experienced, has bad character choices, bad judgement, God is going to get you one of these days. Your going to see what Obama is about very soon, I know that he will be a one term president, and a bad one at that, another Carter.

From: Alan
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2008 11:03 PM
To: Dawn
Subject: RE: Ayers

But it’s okay to smear Obama? It’s okay to smear me and tell me what God is going to do to me?
Just who did I smear, exactly?

From: Harry
Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2008 12:30 AM
To: Alan
Subject: RE: Bill Ayers

Alan, you are nothing but a terrorist mouthpiece,
and, I’m sure, a proud member of the socialist
movement in the US. If I remember correctly, you
are a card carrying member of the ACLU - why any
media would give you air time to carry out your
offensive attacks on traditional American values
is a mystery to me - all you want to do is tear
down and destroy the values America was founded
on - you make me sick…

From: IL
Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2008 12:30 AM
To: Alan
Subject: You really are stupid!

AS usual all liberals are just rude and YOU are one of them. YOU ARE DISGUSTING! What are you going to say when Obama comes after the Jews???? You will probably still defend him.

From: Alan
Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2008 12:33 AM
To: IL
Subject: RE: You really are stupid!

Well, if Obama comes after this Jew I’ll offer him some brisket.

From: Val
Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2008 12:45 AM
To: Alan
Subject:

You should be deported as soon as possible. You are stupid …You look just like the crypt keeper. I do not know why my great country allows an idiot like you to live here. Why do you not move to russia? Are you really as stupid as you seem on fox?

Normally, this kind of stuff spikes after an election, but it’s spiked more for Barack Obama than for any other president-elect.

…since the Nov. 4 election, law enforcement officials have seen more potentially threatening writings, Internet postings and other activity directed at Obama than has been seen with any past president-elect, said officials aware of the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity because the issue of a president’s security is so sensitive.

The Secret Service warns not to assume any threats have to do with racism.  Nevertheless:

One of the most popular white supremacist Web sites got more than 2,000 new members the day after the election, compared with 91 new members on Election Day, according to an AP count.

Other already-publicized examples indicate a race-based objection to his forthcoming presidency.

Earlier this week, the Secret Service looked into the case of a sign posted on a tree in Vay, Idaho, with Obama’s name and the offer of a “free public hanging.” In North Carolina, civil rights officials complained of threatening racist graffiti targeting Obama found in a tunnel near the North Carolina State University campus.

And in a Maine convenience store, an Associated Press reporter saw a sign inviting customers to join a betting pool on when Obama might fall victim to an assassin. The sign solicited $1 entries into “The Osama Obama Shotgun Pool,” saying the money would go to the person picking the date closest to when Obama was attacked. “Let’s hope we have a winner,” said the sign, since taken down.

Who in their right minds would do such things? Answer: Nobody.

• William Ayers speaks! Alan responds to the radical activist’s first public statements since the election.

• Former Army Infantryman Colby Buzzell, whose blog entries formed his book My War: Killing Time In Iraq, shares his gripping first-hand account of the war.

• It’s the Friday Night Free-For-All!