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Shirt-Off for Obama
Since I began writing for TPM, one of the most popular subjects in the comment sections of my posts has been an issue of great national import: my shirt. When it made its monochrome debut at TPM last April, a fierce debate ensued as to the precise color of the collar. Unable to reach consensus, cafe member DF helped me to end the debate by pimping my shirt with technicolor. The animated colors served to further enrage the critics, and I am still asked on a regular basis to change my shirt. Last July, a cantankerous, wise-ass baby known as Allsburg, took the challenge a step further by publicly offering to bribe me into removing my shirt. He promised to donate $100 to the Obama campaign and another $100 to a Senate candidate of my choice if I would permanently change my avatar to a non-animated image. But some of the shirt's supporters came to its defense, offering to donate the same amount if I were to keep the shirt on, creating a stalemate.
Baby Allsburg hasn't been seen around the cafe lately, and I've recently heard a very disturbing rumor that he was eaten by dingos in the deserts outside Seattle. While I have become very attached to the shirt, I feel that I owe it to the memory of our dear be-dingoed ex-baby to fulfill his dream by sacrificing my shirt to help Barack Obama in this final, critical month of the campaign. But to be fair to the shirt's supporters, I would like to give them the opportunity to save the shirt. Therefore, I hereby announce the first ever SHIRT-OFF FOR OBAMA contest. Please donate to show your support for Obama and your love/hate for the shirt at my online fundraiser: http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/ShirtOff. If the sum of the anti-shirt donations is greater than that of the pro-shirt donations, I promise to permanently remove my groovy seizure-inducing avatar and replace it with something innocuous. Maybe a cat. Those seem to be popular.
If you donate, please indicate your vote by including in the message Save the Shirt or Lose the Shirt. The contest will last 24 hours, concluding at midnight tonight. I will publish updates on this thread throughout the day.
Please rec until this post makes the list, for Obama's sake if not that of the shirt.
Regards,
Genghis
This fundraiser is not supported or endorsed by Talking Points Memo. The shirt isn't either.
Comments (161)
the deserts outside seattle. that's funny.
October 6, 2008 12:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not if you're a baby pursued by dingos. Poor little Allsburg.
October 6, 2008 12:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
I saw him run by the other day - he looks older and not nearly as gullible. I mean sweet.
I mean I am less likely to fall for his tricks.
Something.
October 6, 2008 1:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Glass houses, baby 2. Stay out of the desert.
October 6, 2008 8:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Like Abe Vigoda, the rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated. Mark Twain, however, is definitely deceased.
I just donated $100.00 to kill the shirt. Anyone who wants to save it had better pony up now.
And bonus incentive: if this fundraiser tops $1000, I will donate $100 to the democratic candidate in the toss-up senate race of Genghis's choice.
October 6, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sweet, Allsburg!! You're alive!! Huzzah!!! Oh joyous day!!
You know, if I didn't know myself better, I would suspect that I had made up the whole dingo episode as a publicity stunt.
October 6, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
You should put it into Mississippi or Georgia, Baby.
And they did pop Abe Vigoda, right at the end of The Godfather.
October 6, 2008 4:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. I hope that Genghis doesn't wimp out and make me donate to Oregon or South Carolina. We should have our sights on 60 (not including Lieberman).
October 6, 2008 6:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I woulda thought you had already lost that shirt in the market meltdown.
October 6, 2008 12:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Your first link is broken.
I think you should leave the contest open for a week. It's the beginning of the month. Lots of bills.
Just saying.
October 6, 2008 1:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Damn spaces. Here's the link:
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/07/an-obama-fundraising-challenge.php
24 hours is the limit. After that, it's off the list, and no one will come back anyway. But if someone feels passionate about the shirt and needs some time to scrape the cash together, I will accept an IOU.
October 6, 2008 8:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
Shirts vs. Skins! (Although that might generate even bigger avatar controversy. Cats are not only a popular but also a safe choice.)
October 6, 2008 2:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
I use it to send me into seizure and then a soothing catatonic state at the end of a long day. Keep it on.
(Plus I'm frankly scared what's underneath)
October 6, 2008 2:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
If you require my shirt's calming services, it will cost you. The shirt is down by $35.
October 6, 2008 8:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's less than what the Dow's down. Seems almost like a bargain.
October 6, 2008 10:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
um, we've seen what's underneath. I found a grey hair on my virgin head that evening. So please, keep it on!!!
October 6, 2008 5:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think it would be a violation of the spirit of the contest to replace my avatar with one even more noxious to viewers (who don't appreciate a robust hairy chest).
October 6, 2008 8:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
You could always replace your avatar with an old baby picture.
October 6, 2008 3:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nooooo!!
We want a cat. We want a cat. We want a cat. We want a cat. We want a cat. We want a cat.
October 6, 2008 3:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Or something even better than a cat...
Two cats!
October 6, 2008 7:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Buck the trend. Make it a dog.
October 6, 2008 8:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
It was not robust and hairy. It was bony and hairless and sweaty. That's what I remember from that pict you flashed us with on the first Crankypants blogpost. It was so eeugly, my eyes bled for days. Seriously.
October 6, 2008 3:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
It most certainly was neither hairless nor bony. The trauma has affected your memory. Sorry about the eye-bleeding.
October 6, 2008 5:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I didn't see that. I thought he was taking the shirt off. And I voted, dang. I don't want another stupid cat!
October 6, 2008 6:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
We wants a cat. We wants a cat. We wants a cat. We wants a cat. We wants a cat. We wants a cat.!!!!!!!! Meeaaoowwwrrrrr!!!!
October 6, 2008 8:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
And yes, cats are very popular. Specially when we clatch and converse together on top of threads at EC. ;)
October 6, 2008 5:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
I cite "Genghis And The Amazing Technicolor Shirt":
Genghis' shirt was elegant, the cut was fine,
The tasteful style was the ultimate in good design,
But this is why,
We say bye-bye,
The shirt goes to the big Dry Cleaner's in the sky....
October 6, 2008 7:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
Current Score
Save the shirt: $65
Lose the shirt: $100
October 6, 2008 7:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
If I wasn't broke, I'd bring it up to a tie. I'm afraid if you lose your shirt, I might have to shave my head.
October 6, 2008 8:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Color-wheels of the world unite.
October 6, 2008 8:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is looking like the famous donation contests of the Dean campaign.
I love this post!
October 6, 2008 8:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm voting for shirt off. It's change we can believe in.
October 6, 2008 8:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
The shirt falls further behind. Will no one come to its aid?
Save the shirt: $65
Lose the shirt: $150
October 6, 2008 8:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
If you like this, I give you permission to use it on bumper stickers, T shirts, etc.
John McCain:
The Original Mav-Erratic.
October 6, 2008 12:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Um, that's very generous and on-topic of you liam. Thanks. I'll crank up my bumper sticker production facilities right away.
October 6, 2008 12:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
In the wake of Baby Allsburg's miraculous return, the anti-shirt forces have surged:
- Save the shirt: $65
- Lose the shirt: $250
The incredible fundraising capabilities of the Anti-Shirts has broken a new Shirt-Off record. The Pro-Shirts better put some cash behind their passions they're to have any shot.
October 6, 2008 12:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can't help but wonder what Thomas Jefferson would think of this direct pay-to-play form of democracy, whereby the political viewpoint with the most bucks wins. On the other hand - who gives a shit? Come on, NO SHIRTS! Daddy needs a new pair of... shirts.
October 6, 2008 1:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's not over yet. The Pro-Shirts have rallied, but they're still playing catch-up.
- Save the shirt: $115
- Lose the shirt: $250
$136 would but the pro-shirts in the lead and meet the fundraising goal of $500. And now, a word from my shirt:
"Help, me, please. I want to live!"
October 6, 2008 1:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Though leaning no-shirt, I am willing to entertain the idea of playing both sides of the clothing aisle...
Does your shirt have a 'lipstick' shade?
October 6, 2008 1:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Interesting. I like the twist. If you save the shirt, I'm willing to add whatever color you suggest or at least to beg a friend to add it for me. But you know, if you put lipstick on a shirt, it's still a shirt.
October 6, 2008 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
You can put lipstick on the shirt, but it's still a pig, errrrr, hideous shirt.
October 6, 2008 1:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
As the animator of the shirt, I feel that I must capitulate to the fierce urgency of now.
$136 to save the shirt. Take that, baby!
October 6, 2008 2:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Keep your shirt on.
October 6, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Save the shirt! I'd rather not see Genghis banished from the Isle of Manhattan for flouting our very strictly enforces manscaping laws.
October 6, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Elegant humor, that.
October 6, 2008 4:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
aaaaahhh manhattan. It's the manscaping that keeps me there.
October 6, 2008 5:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sometimes I think the manscaping may draw me back to NYC. ;)
October 6, 2008 6:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
You may want to stay where you are. There may not be enough scapedmen to go around.
October 6, 2008 7:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've renounced all men. I'm now a hermit living in a hut in the barren heartland. I escaped from NY and NJ. ;)
October 6, 2008 8:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
But... did men renounce you?
October 7, 2008 7:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
Perhaps the good baby's resurrection was an allegory for the fate of the shirt. Pro-Shirt forces surging but still behind:
- Save the shirt: $165
- Lose the shirt: $250
October 6, 2008 2:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Keep your shirts on folks, this competition has turned a corner. The results aren't in yet from my.barackobama.com, but early exit polls suggest that Pro-Shirt party may have pulled into the lead.
October 6, 2008 2:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Damned Diebold (a.k.a. PES) machines.
October 6, 2008 3:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dropping in from foreign country to check on the state of TPM and I see I am here just in time to weigh in on an important debate.
I am going to make a donation, on behalf of Genghis losing his shirt. When do we get to vote on his pants?
October 6, 2008 3:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey AM. See if you can shore up the financial markets out there. As for the pants, stripping isn't really Obama's thing:
http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2008/01/strippers-barack-obama-john-mccain.php
Apparently the feeling is mutual:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2TSYAjuekI
October 6, 2008 3:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I suppose if Obama doesn't like strippers then the rest of us will have to learn to behave ourselves. It's all for Obama!
Not sure I can shore up the financial markets enough to make it a good idea for me to donate $102 to lose the shirt.
Wait... is the shirt not changing colors anymore or is there something wrong with this computer?
October 6, 2008 3:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's still changing. For now.
October 6, 2008 3:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, it's working now... still blinking. I just had to try to explain to my cousin about the shirt situation. It makes so much more sense when you don't try to explain it out loud.
October 6, 2008 4:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ladies and gentlemen, it's official. Save the Shirt has now taken a commanding lead of $101.
- Save the shirt: $351
- Lose the shirt: $250
But with AM already committing to donate against the shirt, the tide could change quickly.
October 6, 2008 3:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hi Everybody!!!
What's all this talk about taking shirts off?
xoxoxo,
Sarah (2009-2010ish).
October 6, 2008 3:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
no, no, no!!!!! Not the pants too!
*eyes are tightly closed while keying*
SAVE THE SHIRT DONATION = $75
I like the shirt. Seriously. I've come to look forward to the flashing avatar and the skull and bones name. TPM would not be the same without Dr. ☠enghis being exactly who he does now - dark, handsome, flashing, charming and debonair. ;)
October 6, 2008 3:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Correction -
*exactly who he is now.
October 6, 2008 5:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Shucks, ma'am. Your infrequently displayed left eye is pretty too.
October 6, 2008 5:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
If you're maxed out, I think you can only participate verbally.
Genghis, you're way too much of a magnet for ladies with the silly flashing shirt on. Taking it off could overwhelm our nation's servers, and cripple our media-driven democracy. For the love of the Internet that Al Gore invented and that John McCain supported when he came up with the BlackBerry, keep it on.
October 6, 2008 4:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL!
You're not exactly a slouch on the chick pulse oximeter, articleman. But flasher has the extra characteristics of flashing. ;)
October 6, 2008 8:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
The economic seascape is tumultuous, the McCain campaign declares how low it is willing to go, polls are a twitter everywhere of the shifting electoral landscape...and you want to talk about your shirt. Countless of descent, hard working Americans across this nation are loosing their shirts involuntary and you want to make bets with yours...how callous can you be? This is distraction to the pressing issues at hand. I won't fall for it, no not this time.
October 6, 2008 4:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Genghis:
Great idea, and a refreshing respite from. . .nevermind :). May I use your comment thread to announce that we union lawyers from several different firms in NYC have raised over 100,000 dollars for an Obama event tonight in which Caroline Kennedy is our special guest? And we're the lawyers who don't make any money! We were hoping to raise 50 thousand, and the result that we reached has far exceeded anyone's expectations. We have had to turn people away from the event because we've exceeded fire capacity. Even crotchety Clintonista dead-enders like yours truly can't help feeling proud about what we've done.
BTW, if I wasn't tapped out (not legally but as a matter of fact and circumstance hee), I would pay anything to make sure you keep your shirt on. :)
Bruce
October 6, 2008 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Congrats on the NYC fundraiser!!! You go lawyers!
October 6, 2008 5:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mazel tov, Bruce. Great work!!!! Sorry that I couldn't make it, but it sounds like you had no trouble getting guests.
October 6, 2008 5:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Most excellent! Congrats! Methinks there is more than meets the eye here, sounds to me like you're the cutting edge of new Manhattan society! The 50% over target in this NYC economy (what an amazing accomplishment) is what gives me the message: you are hot! Watch out, before you know it, Muffie and Whitney of Park Avenue will be fighting to attend soirees organized by union lawyers, your Tom Joad avatar a popular decor theme. I suspect it will be quite a few years, though, before it gets to the stage that Tom Wolfe writes a novel about it and you are once again not cool... :-)
October 6, 2008 8:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah AA, as long as you're around keeping me humble, I think the avatar and my sparse and simple social calendar is safe. ;)
October 6, 2008 9:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
er... that should read "are" safe.
October 6, 2008 9:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll donate a buck, Bruce, if it'll help.
October 6, 2008 9:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just visited and donated, and the total is up to $726! Wow!
October 6, 2008 5:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Folks, we have a very tight race. This one will go down to the wire. Lose the Shirt has rallied and jumped back into the lead.
- Save the shirt: $351
- Lose the shirt: $385
We do have a pro-shirt commitment from yvainne upthread which has yet to be realized and could turn the balance again. If you have a stack in the outcome, now is the time to donate.
October 6, 2008 5:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just a few questions, flasher. Can I donate directly to Obama's site? Or do I have to go through that link you've set up? Also, who has access to the information of names and addresses at that site? I have to know. It will determine where I donate. Now that we are past the fun, we deal with business, no? Yes. :)
Let me know.
October 6, 2008 6:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
The names and email addresses of donors have been sent to me. If you donate, I promise to avert my eyes from your name and immediately burn my computer after the contest as well as as the rest of my belongings for good measure. Except the shirt of course. But seriously, I don't do anything with anyone's contact info and don't share it with anyone. That's a promise. If you donate directly to Obama, it doesn't count towards the fundraiser, so it won't be reflected in the total, but if that would make you more comfortable, I'll take your word that you donated and would be happy to count your vote. Obama, I'm sure, will be just as happy with your donation either way.
October 6, 2008 6:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just donated $2,000 directly to Obama, for you to lose the shirt.
October 6, 2008 6:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Something smells funny here and I don't mean your diaper.
October 6, 2008 7:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Smells fine to me. Oh, wait, I just donated 2,300 to Obama directly to lose the shirt.
October 6, 2008 7:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
In that case, Genghis, please take my Oct contribution to Obama ($100) and put it down to "lose the shirt".
I actually put it into the Obama kitty this weekend and therefore is in the right timeframe.
For what it's worth, I think the baby should have a serious say in the next avatar -- after all, the baby is donating to a Senate race of *your* choice.
October 6, 2008 7:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry, CT. I'm drawing the line at retroactive donations. But good on you for donating.
October 6, 2008 8:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Donation was *not* retroactive!
It was made 10 pm on Sunday PDT.
It was made *after* you posted this blog.
Now don't change the rules, just cause I voted against! ;-)
October 6, 2008 9:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
You may have donated after the contest started, but insofar as you did so without intending to cast a vote or requesting an alternative donation procedure beforehand, I can't count it. I'm willing to entertain objections from others on this one, but I think that I'm being fair here. Any impartial judges in the audience?
October 6, 2008 9:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
As much as it pains me to make an argument in favor of a "Lose the Shirt" vote, it seems that the offer of going on the honor system was extended to Evainne. As CT is a long-standing and respected member of the community, I fail to see why this same courtesy couldn't be extended here. That's just my two cents.
October 6, 2008 10:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
I didn't mean to imply that I would refuse the offer for CT. If CT would like to make another donation off-site, I would accept it without question. My point was that CT made the donation without intending it to be a vote and without asking if it could count but now would like to retroactively count it as a vote.
But in the spirit of this primary, I offer a compromise. Half-credit for CT's donation. What do you say CT?
October 6, 2008 10:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I read your post which is what reminded me to make a donation this month. I never intended on going to your site for privacy reasons... and note I didn't post until after you made your "honor" comment. I simply never thought to bring it up, but I'm glad Evianne did.
So the facts are:
a) I was intending to give this month, as I have every month.
b) Your post reminded me to give this month.
c) I thought, except for privacy, it would be fun to cast a vote for "lose the shirt" (sorry DF!) this month. But chose not to for privacy.
You can take these facts and parse them as you see fit. I only ask you post your wise decision here.
(You will note, much of this wouldn't have even been a question had I not said "my Oct contribution"... so obviously, I'm honorable. ;-))
October 6, 2008 10:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Your honor was never in question. Given the full facts--since my post actually caused you to donate--I will relent and grant you full credit.
Where are the superdelegates when you need them?
October 6, 2008 10:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jeez, DF, I donated right on Dr. Genghis's site there. So no, I called no exception to myself. I just found another name and cc to give the money from.
SAVE THE SHIRT!!!!!!
October 7, 2008 7:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Dr. ☠-Flasher, I hate it when people are honorable. Makes me crazy; 'cause now I have to be honorable. ugh. Anyway, I just made some familial arrangements and will be making a donation to your site. Thank Dieu for a wide flung family composed of uncles and cousins. Seriously. Next time don't be so damn honorable. Heh. I jest. :)
Thanks, sorta, I think.
October 6, 2008 9:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
So that's how it is in your family.
Well bless you and your uncles and cousins and anyone else involved in the donation.
PS The privacy is a moot point in any case, since I've already done a homeland security IP lookup (or whatever it is that workerbee claimed to be able to do when she got herself banned on your thread) and am currently hanging out in the nether regions of your hard drive. Curious, I didn't know that you were into bestiality.
October 6, 2008 9:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL!!!
Dr. ☠enghis, you is Da Bomb. Totally. ;)
October 7, 2008 7:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
4:43pm PDT Total $786.00 and 14 people. Is it shirt on or off ?
October 6, 2008 7:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's too close call, my friend, but Anti-Shirt is back in the lead:
- Save the shirt: $351
- Lose the shirt: $435
FYI, the baby Allsburg, who miraculously survived the dingo pursuit by pretending to be an earmark (which scare the bejeezus out of dingos), has offered an additional $100 to a Senate candidate TBD if the fundraiser breaks $1000. To that, I'll add an additional $100. So let's do it folks. $1000 is in reach.
October 6, 2008 7:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
A very rare post for a very frequent (addicted) reader.
Save the Shirt!
money already donated this paycheck.......
:(
October 6, 2008 8:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Though it doesn't count towards the total, I'm nonetheless honored for the rare post.
October 6, 2008 8:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
TPMers, thanks to a couple of very generous donations, we have crossed the $1000 threshold! The baby and I now each owe another $100 to a Senate race. Please make suggestions for worthy recipients.
And the Shirt-Off is closer than ever:
- Save the shirt: $551
- Lose the shirt: $585
Cast your votes, folks. The outcome could be determined by as little as $10.
October 6, 2008 8:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lose. Replace with curious yellow hair.
October 6, 2008 8:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
A donation gets you a vote on the shirt. Not on the replacement avatar. Unless it's very big donation.
October 6, 2008 8:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
With regard to the Senate donations, I'm thinking Alaska. It doesn't get any worse than corrupt porkbarreling Republicans. What do you think, baby?
October 6, 2008 8:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe one of the tighter races from fivethirtyeight's latest Senate polling update?
October 6, 2008 8:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Out of those, I'd have to say Franken. Looks like the donation would be spent there. Plus, there's the added hilarity of sending Al Franken to the Senate. It's win-win!
October 6, 2008 8:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes Franken and Musgrove, give a tickle to Mississippi. Let them know no where is safe.
October 6, 2008 9:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
D'oh. I meant to write that the donation would be well spent there. Hope that was apparent.
October 6, 2008 9:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Frankly, I have misgivings about Franken. It's just another move to having media people get an advantage in office.
Yes, his policies are more in agreement with mine -- but why couldn't he get behind a person who has some real expertise in something besides "media". Say, a scientist, doctor, farmer... ANYTHING!
Sonny Bono was one of the few media people who did something useful with his background -- and much of the royalty/copyright laws come from his experience.
October 6, 2008 9:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have to agree. I like Franken as a comedian and pundit, but I'm a bit uncomfortable with the whole senatorial thing. I want him to win of course, but I'm not sure that he would be my first choice as a recipient.
October 6, 2008 9:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
I share your reservations about the privilege of media figures, but this is a more general concern that I tend to see as systemic. Aside from this, I think Franken is the superior choice in this race.
October 6, 2008 9:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
No surprise, you are from CA! ;-)
October 6, 2008 10:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
What about Georgia? Latest polls show a statistical tie.
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/10/a_night_at_the_congressional_r_16.php
October 6, 2008 9:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Georgia is a good choice
October 6, 2008 11:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Genghis, the total is now up over $1000! I think you should give serious consideration to a new avatar "au naturale" if it reaches $2,000 before midnight. You seem to have quite a few female fans. I think it's within reach.
October 6, 2008 9:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
ok..............might have to charge a donation for Save the Shirt if that's the choice, Orlando.
October 6, 2008 9:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ha. That would be a good tactic. Commit to au naturale if the shirt loses and see record donations to save the shirt. But I promised an inoffensive avatar.
Speaking of which, Pro-Shirt is back in the lead:
- Save the shirt: $601
- Lose the shirt: $585
2.5 hours left. Get your votes in.
PS Having connectivity problems, but I'll try to keep updating regularly.
October 6, 2008 9:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just want you to see my reply above. ;-)
The donation was *not* retroactive. It was made in your 24 hour window.
October 6, 2008 9:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Responded up thread. DF took your side. The Rules and Bylaws Committee has met and granted you half-credit. $50 for Lose the Shirt.
October 6, 2008 10:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Genghis
I pledge another $20 to save the shirt. It might not be much, but it's all I got.
You rock!
October 6, 2008 9:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's my precious beer money
;)
October 6, 2008 9:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
A noble sacrifice
October 6, 2008 10:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
After much debate, CT was given full credit for his offsite donation. That gives the Anti-Shirt party a slight lead:
- Save the shirt: $601
- Lose the shirt: $685
There is at least one outstanding donation. Not sure why mybo is so slow to record the donations, but it's doggone annoying.
1.5 hours left to vote. This one is going down to the wire
October 6, 2008 10:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
If the split is with .5%, will there be an automatic recount?
October 6, 2008 10:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
You mean:
"...but it's doggone annoyin'."
October 6, 2008 10:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
We need more G's, not fewer.
October 6, 2008 10:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just gave $10 because it's all I can give. The shirt is THAT important to me.
SAVE THE SHIRT!!! SAVE THE SHIRT!!! SAVE THE SHIRT!!!
October 6, 2008 10:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
50 minutes left. Anti-Shirt holding on to a narrow $54 lead. If you donate, please comment on the site b/c the Obama site offers delayed update.
- Save the shirt: $631
- Lose the shirt: $685
October 6, 2008 11:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
15 minutes until polls close. Lose-the-Shirt still up $54.
October 6, 2008 11:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
5 minutes. $55 to save the shirt.
October 6, 2008 11:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
1 minute
October 6, 2008 11:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
This shirt is no more! It has ceased to be! It's expired and gone to meet it's maker! It's a stiff! Bereft of life, it rests in peace! It's metabolic processes are now history! It's kicked the bucket, It's shuffled off its mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisibile!! THIS IS AN EX-SHIRT!!
Form of: a cat. (New pic may not load immediately. Be patient)
And thanks everyone for all your generous donations. Obama '08!!!!
October 7, 2008 12:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh my God. Now I have to lose my flashing hair.
For this, I DEMAND to see you barechested, Genghis.
A cat avatar just won't do.
October 7, 2008 12:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wait a minute....
Wasn't it me who started your flashing shirt in the first place? Remember all those months ago when you and I argued over the color of your shirt, back when it was one static color?
I opined that it was "burgundy", like mine. You countered with "orange". I then argued that it was "coral". Someone else said that it was "magenta". I met you in person in DUMBO and you were wearing said shirt and I was aghast to see that it IS indeed a brilliant shade of "orange".
Isn't that what started this whole thing? And if so, shouldn't I have the last word?
My last word: SHIRT!!!!
Unless, of course, you really want to go barechested into the annals of history via TPM.
The choice is yours.
October 7, 2008 12:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, LisB, you started the whole thing, but alas, the people have spoken. I am now a cat. But the avatar doesn't seem to be taking. Do you see the shirt or the cat? I saw the cat, but then I uploaded a different version, and now I see the shirt again. The shirt refuses to die.
October 7, 2008 12:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
The shirt refuses to die for good reason. It simply should be dyed a nice shade of blue.
No cat avatar, Genghis. If you can't flash the shirt, I want to see you shirtless.
You can, for modesty's sake, dye the entire upper half of your body blue if you can't show us your chest. You'll have an uprising from the female quarters, of course, but I for one know how to play around with Paint and will be glad to do so, as long as you aren't a blue cat.
;-)
Keep the shirt!! Screw the populace!! Take it to the Supreme Court (or Florida) if need be!!
How will I now be able to explain my flashing hair???
October 7, 2008 12:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
You and your hair are on your own, my friend. I promised no shirtlessness. We must accept. For now, I'm a cat. If it ever comes back.
October 7, 2008 1:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
Bury the shirt at Yucca Mountain.
October 7, 2008 1:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
Holy shit. I don't see the cat.
Damn it. I hate to ask, but... is it alive or dead?
October 7, 2008 1:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
No more cats! Didn't you see the message? TPM has limited the number of cat avatars and has reached the max allowed at any one Blog site. Some obscure FCC ruling passed just before Clinton left office. Seems there was a problem with "catfights" in the white house or something. Regardless, bottom line - NO more cats.
October 7, 2008 12:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
The committee has made an emergency exception b/c of the financial crisis. Besides, it's not just any cat.
October 7, 2008 1:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
Go with this one:
http://amygrant.files.wordpress.com/2006/08/top-cat.jpg
October 7, 2008 1:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, cats are a nec. component of any writers life and Dr ☠enghis is a writer. He needs a cat.
What he does not need is a loser with a clatch of ceramic owls telling him cats are bad.
October 7, 2008 7:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Damn I knew I should have stayed up until voting was over. Take it to the Rules and Bylaws Committee! I blame TPM Chairman Josh for not stepping in to prevent the caucus friendly No Shirt forces from dominating the vote.
Flashing shirt forever!!! Or a cuddly kitten. Either will do.
October 7, 2008 7:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
FLASHING SHIRT FOREVER!!!!!
'Cause he is Da Bomb!!
October 7, 2008 7:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hang on just one minute folks. There is a last minute challenge. I received a $75 donation from someone with the initials D.D. at 7:30am this morning. That is of course too late for the deadline, but I suspect that this may be the uncle/cousin of which evainne wrote. If so, the funds will be considered pledged before the midnight deadline and push the Pro-Shirt forces to victory. Evainne?
October 7, 2008 9:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
When I was a child, I thought elections were simple. Count the votes, and the one with the highest votes wins.
After seeing debacles at the national level (2000) and the primary level (2008) my confidence in that simple picture was shaken.
Given we can't even have a simple vote on TPM, my confidence now has been shattered.
October 7, 2008 12:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
After consulting the DNC charter, we will require that Genghis change his avatar back to the flashing shirt AND hold a cuddly kitten, satisfying the shirt, non-shirt, and cat-vatar contingents. The Rules and Bylaws Committee has spoken. Make it so.
October 7, 2008 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, Dr. ☠Flasher, that is indeed my cousin. I'm supposed to stop by and see him and his wife in
a few weeks when it is Fall Break, just to repay his kindness, so you'd better be counting that donation as rec'vd on time. Really.
I though he made that donation last night. Anyway, sorry it got in past your deadline but I'm glad you are counting it.
IS THE SHIRT SAVED?
I hope so. 'Cause that cat looks more than scary. Is it carrying out autoerotic activities under that hat...? ;)
Seriously looks like it. Anyway, I have to go. I'm on the run from one friking thing to another. Will check back later to see what you've decided regards the shirt.
October 7, 2008 4:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, there you go, it's not dead, just stunned. Evainne's $75 put the pro-shirts over the top:
- Save the shirt: $696
- Lose the shirt: $685
You couldn't plan this stuff. OK, I think that the pro-shirts have it, but I'll give the anti-shirts until midnight tonight to appeal.
Also, there was a $20 pro-shirt pledge from bwakfat that must be fulfilled by midnight tonight. Otherwise, clearthinker will pledge his november donation, and we'll have a floor fight on our hands.
October 7, 2008 4:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Do not go ascribing my motives, please. That's the type of tactic we reserve for our GOP friends.
Indeed, my monthly donations should be the object of inspiration not sarcasm, as I'm sure you'll agree.
October 7, 2008 5:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was meant to be read as a good-natured jibe, not a criticism. Yes, your donations are most excellent.
What are you're thoughts on Evainne's cousin's late delivery? I don't want to play dictator here.
October 7, 2008 5:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Floor fight! Floor fight! Floor fight! Foodfight! Foodfight! Yessss! The shirt lives another day!!!
October 7, 2008 5:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Catfoodfight
October 7, 2008 6:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I believe you to be an honest and honorable man.
As when adjudicating my situation (above), I believe you are the best person to parse the facts together and do the right thing. This is your blog, after all.
I would only suggest not talking to parties on either side of the issues. Just go into yourself and find the answer there.
October 7, 2008 6:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Stinks to high heaven.
Wait...I think there's one more donation sneaking in under the wire.
What do you think about a tie? You keep the collar, and maybe rotate colors on a weekly basis, but stop the animation? Or you could revert to your old, pre-vermillion-collared shirt photo.
October 7, 2008 6:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is Baby sneaking another donation under the wire? Damn. For a cute little hat-wearing tyke, you sure are a stodgy thing. What is your complaint against the flashing nature of the shirt?
October 7, 2008 6:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Come on. Instead of blowing spit bubbles, just tell us in Simple Baby - what's your problemo with the flashing quality of the Shirt? Hmm?
October 7, 2008 6:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gives me epileptic seizures. That's why I haven't been around much lately.
October 7, 2008 7:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hope to see more of you, Baby. Peace.
October 7, 2008 7:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I like the idea of a tie.
Just a tie.
That would also get at LisB's suggestions.
October 7, 2008 6:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Done. I'll keep the shirt, dump the animation. Unless I choose a new avatar of my own accord. Not a cat.
Baby, let's coordinate later by email about the senate donations.
October 7, 2008 7:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
And by the way, great concept. I have to say, it completely surpassed my expectations, both in the amount raised and the closeness of the competition.
October 7, 2008 7:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, it was fun. ;)
Wear your new shirt well, Dr. ☠enghis. I'm going to take a hiatus for a while.
Bye.
October 7, 2008 7:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
It was awesome. $1381 in 24 hours!
October 9, 2008 12:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
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