July 12, 2004

Hey  

    Last week was a very interesting one to say the least. Yes, I was working the night the Post put out the
paper saying that Dick Gephardt was going to be John Kerry's running mate. When I woke up the next
morning and saw that he had picked John Edwards, I nearly tossed my cookies. As for the full story of
how it all went down, well for that, you'll have to wait for my book, when it comes out in 20 years.

     Saturday night I went out in Rockaway with Patti-Ann, Kerry, Ellen, Carl, John Hanna, Carolyn Baxter
and Kerry's friend Nancy. We went to Conolly's t celebrate Ellen's birthday. It was so good being back in
the Rock. Perfect weather, and drinks a flowin. It was just nice having a Saturday night off.
    I spent a good chunk of time chatting with Nancy, and I was actually in pretty good shape when Patti-
Ann and crew headed back to Long Beach, and Ellen and Carl headed home. "The party's over when I
say its over" I declared half kidding. Little did I know the party was just getting started.
    I went over to talk to Jenny, Jessie and Tricia Tubridy, and their friend Kathy Regan. A few drinks later,
in staggers Jamesy. Thankfully we were now both equally smashed. Didn't stop us from drinking some
more.
     I met a whole bunch of people through Jamesy all of them who wanted to know about the Kerry VP
fiasco. Drunk as I was, I managed to hold my tongue.
     Before I knew it, it was 4 AM. I split a cab with big J, and staggered into the bungalow. As of 9:45 PM
Sunday night, I was still feeling like crap. But it was well worth it. Another classic night in Rockaway.
                                       
                                                  PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2004

     Kerry picking Edwards made so much sense, it almost seemed like it wouldn't happen. You have a
North-South balance to the ticket. Plus assuming that Kerry wins the White House, you set up Edwards
as the heir apparent down the line. (That is unless the Democrats screw it up by running Hillary in 2008)
     I like Edwards a lot. I like his positive message and he seems like a genuinely nice man. My problems
with him were his inexperience, and his insistence that only a southerner could beat George W. Bush.
      None of that matters now. What matters is that by picking Edwards, Kerry did something even more
important. He united the party, and made it stronger. Bush and Cheney, with enough problems on their
hands as it is, will now have to face a rock solid Democratic machine most likely with a huge lead after
their convention is Boston, with their own convention now in enemy territory, here in NY. The Republicans
wanted the convention here so they would have 9/11 as a backdrop. Now, with all the struggles in Iraq,
and no sign of capturing Osama Bin-Laden, and millions of New Yorkers who can't stand him, it may be
another decision Bush regrets.

BASEBALL AT THE ALL STAR BREAK

       I'm not shocked that the Mets are playing . 500 ball, I figured they'd hover around there. What I'm
surprised at is how they have gotten there and that with that record, how close to 1st place they are.
      Mike Cameron and Kaz Matsui, the two big pickups in the off-season, have struggled. Both are
finally starting to hit, but both have been less than advertised in the field. Matsui is leading the NL in
errors by a shortstop, and Cameron has misplayed a few fly balls that I was promised would be caught.
      The good thing is that two big pickups from the 2002 off-season are paying dividends. Tom Glavine
is pitching like he did with the Braves, and Cliff Floyd, is having a solid year.
     Moving Mike Piazza to first base has led to some bad fielding plays, but he's hitting like an all star
again. He'll win more games with his bat than he'll lose with his glove, and did anyone expect him to be
Keith Hernandez out there anyway?
      Al Leiter has been almost lights out ever since Mad Dog Russo said he was "done done done" last
year. Steve Trachsel has been solid. They could use a 4th and 5th starter, but so could most teams.
      The Phillies and Marlins should be head and shoulders above the Mets, but have hung around long
enough to make it a race. I can still see the Phillies pulling away, and if the Marlins pitching gets healthy,
they should make another playoff run. The fact that Armando Benetiez has 29 saves does not diminish
the fact that he's a spineless p-ssy who will eventually implode.

    Meanwhile the Yankees appear to be running away with the division, despite the fact that their starting
pitching has been very inconsistent. Mike Mussina has been very up and down, as has Javier Vasquez.
Kevin Brown is making his annual trip to the disabled list and Jose Contreras has been a waste of
money. They're coasting because their hitting has been solid and the Red Sox are falling apart. Nomar
Garciparra has gone from a hero in Boston to a villain. I'm telling you those Boston fans are bru-TAL!

Actor Jeffery Jones got in trouble this week because he didn't register as a sex offender when he
moved. Jones played Principal Ed Rooney is the classic movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Apparently
Jones had been found with child pornography in his house, including pics of a 14 year old boy that he
took himself.
      All I could think of when I read that was the line Cameron Frye used on him in Ferris Bueller when he
was pretending to be Sloane Peterson's father. "Pardon my French sir, but you're an a$$hole"

Birthday's this week. Melissa and Ellen. Melissa's is Sunday and Ellen's I believe is Monday. Happy
Birthday to my good friends.

Everyone Else, Have a Great Week
Wild B.