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FixCam Week in Preview: Ohio-Texas Two-Step Time!

UPDATE, Noon: A number of people have complained that they can't possibly choose a Fix theme song without hearing each of them.

We are a service-oriented blog so links to each are below. Make sure to vote.

Coldplay "Fix You"
OK GO "The Fix Is In
Guns N Roses "November Rain"
Lyle Lovett "Election Day"

ORIGINAL POST

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Put on your dancing shoes because this week's Ohio-Texas Two-Step is probably the most important vote yet in the Democratic nomination contest.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's (D-N.Y.) campaign has sought to downplay expectations but that is an impossible task at this point. With Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) having claimed victory in the past 11 contests -- don't forget Democrats Abroad! -- Clinton must prove to voters, activists and super delegates that this is still a two-way race.

How she does that remains an open question. Her husband -- and many unaffiliated Democratic strategists -- believe that Clinton must win both Ohio and Texas in order to avoid an avalanche of support going to Obama and an increase in pressure on her to leave the contest. If she wins just one state (Ohio seems more likely at the moment), will it be enough?

We'll know in 48 hours or so. Looking to vote on something before then? We're searching for a theme song for The Fix. Let your voice be heard.

By Chris Cillizza |  March 3, 2008; 8:26 AM ET  | Category:  Eye on 2008
Previous: Wag the Blog: Clinton on Saturday Night Live (Special Sunday Edition) | Next: Penn Credits "3 AM" Ad With Momentum


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Posted by: Ethan sgybc | April 10, 2008 5:59 AM

The Fixx "One thing leads to another"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzymBKGV8rw

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Thing_Leads_to_Another

Retro, darkie and succinct!

Posted by: rfpiktor | March 4, 2008 6:00 PM

What...No Wilco?????

Posted by: FractalCones | March 4, 2008 2:40 PM

actually bismon I have bothered to read in detail both of their healthcare plans nd fully undestand the concept of anti-selection which apparently neither you or Seator Obama is willing to deal with in his Republican like healthcre plan. But no I am not a blind follower of B.O. that stands up and cheers whenever he opens his mouth. Actually most of the Hillary supporters I have spoken with are doctors, ccountants and lawyers who understand the intricacies of healthare,the stock maket energy policies,the falterig economy and the freclosure plan that Hillary pesented on CNBC 6 months agoto Charlie Gsperinoand Larry Kuow. It is this attention to the details of policies that has drawn me and my legal colleagues to suppoting and working for her. We are not just listeing to our teenage kids tell us who we MUST vote for, but we are insisting that our kids fully read and discuss their healtcare plans wih us before making their decision. We are actually pretty old fashion about reading the details of the candidate's policies before voting. That is what my parents taught me about poliics, sory if that doesn't fit your stereotype of Clinton supporters.

Posted by: leichtman | March 3, 2008 9:03 PM

Why we won't be seeing any substantive coverage of McCain... he let's the press eat out of his hand. And they wag their little tails!

'It's going to be a long campaign. The Washington Post is so in love with St John of Sedona that it features two different stories in the paper today about a bar-b-que he gave for the boyz on the bus at his "cabin" this week-end. Feel the love:

PAGE SPRINGS, Ariz., March 2 -- If he loses the presidency, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) will have a career as a barbecue chef to fall back on.

At his weekend cabin just outside Sedona on Sunday afternoon, McCain took a break from campaigning and grilled ribs and chicken for three dozen reporters, some staff members and a few Republican friends from the Senate.

Dressed in jeans, an L.L. Bean baseball cap, sunglasses and a sweat shirt featuring a picture of his family, McCain held court the way he does almost daily aboard his "Straight Talk Express" bus.

While the afternoon barbecue for the media was technically on the record, tape recorders were prohibited, as was taking pictures for publication, and McCain aides repeatedly urged reporters to put away the notebooks.

The idea, McCain said, was to allow reporters to get to know him and his staff under less stressful circumstances.'

Revolting.

Personally, I can't read enough about what an authentic all American fella John McCain is and I expect the papers will be dedicating at least three or four stories a day to exploring the full spectrum of McCain awesomeness. This is just the beginning.

And wait -- this was such an earthshaking event there were TWO stories in the WaPo about it!

'Wearing a pair of jeans and a sweat shirt with a family photo printed on it, McCain pointed out a hawk's nest on the property he's owned for 24 years, and explained how his bone-down slow-cook grilling technique virtually eliminates the fat from his ribs. McCain's springer spaniel, Sam, hovered near the tong-wielding senator, gnawing on a rib McCain had taken off the grill. McCain's friend Sen. Lindsay Graham also gnawed on a rib, albeit with more delicacy."

Posted by: claudialong | March 3, 2008 3:36 PM

Chris, Thank you for the enjoyable change-of-pace detour to YouTube to see videos of your proposed Fix theme songs. (Clearly The Fix is In is the way to go.)

As a Democrat, my theme video for the campaign has definitely been Matchbox Twenty's "(Let's See) How Far We've Come." If they don't have that playing in the halls at the Democratic Convention, they are truly out of touch. And it even ends with Hillary AND Barack! Take a look here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlqfpPf_EO0

I'm curious about what other pop videos and songs are tying into the campaigns at a grassroots level -- aside from the will.i.am pieces we already know about. Any others out there on the Republican or Democratic side? It's good to have a little positive energy as the campaigns wear on.

Posted by: eferington | March 3, 2008 2:57 PM

leichtman writes
"That pretty much summarizes why I won't be voting for him tomorrow."

Glad to see you're putting so much thought into your vote.

Posted by: bsimon | March 3, 2008 1:47 PM

Just heard a replay of a B.O. event where he told his crowd I need to blow my nose now and then heard the crowd errupt yelling and screaming with approval.

That pretty much summarizes why I won't be voting for him tomorrow.

Posted by: leichtman | March 3, 2008 1:21 PM

Just heard a replay of a B.O. event where he told his crowd I need to blow my nose now and then heard the crowd errupt yelling and screaming with approval.

That pretty much summarizes why I won't be voting for him tomorrow.

Posted by: leichtman | March 3, 2008 1:21 PM

Johny Cash revue

Hillary: Cry, Cry, Cry.
Barack: I Walk The line
McCain: The One on the Right Is on the Left
Huckabee: Personal Jesus
Bush: The Hurt

The Fix: What'd I Say

Posted by: wpost4112 | March 3, 2008 12:49 PM

I admit, bsimon, that would be excellent.

I know it is not exactly in context (but it would be fun), but how 'bout having the video of Howard Dean doing his famous scream over Roger Daltrey's famous scream near the end of the tune?

Posted by: AdrickHenry | March 3, 2008 12:48 PM

alan, I've long thought that song deserves a mash-up video of clinton & bush excerpts, culminating in the rousing creschendo of the line "Meet the New Boss - Same as the Old Boss" and the subsequent series of power chords flashing in conjunction with a series of images - Reagan-Bush, Bill, Junior & HRC.

Posted by: bsimon | March 3, 2008 12:31 PM

won't get folled again --The Who

Posted by: AlaninMissoula | March 3, 2008 12:27 PM

The only logical theme song: It All Depends on You. You might go for the Sinatra recording, but I think Tony Bennett does it best.

Posted by: skeffington | March 3, 2008 12:23 PM

Bsimon beat me to it, Electioneering is an inspired choice

Radiohead - Electioneering

I will stop
I will stop at nothing
Say the right things
When electioneering
I trust I can rely on your vote

When I go forwards you go backwards and somewhere we will meet

Riot shields
Voodoo economics
It's just business
Cattle prods and the IMF
I trust I can rely on your vote

When I go forwards you go backwards and somewhere we will meet

Posted by: j.krapek | March 3, 2008 12:22 PM

"Black Coffee" sung by KD Lang
"Cocaine" [JJ Cale] sung by EC
The Theme from "The Man With the Golden Arm"
---------------------------
"Whiskey River" Willie Nelson
"Shadows in the Rain" The Police

Posted by: mark_in_austin | March 3, 2008 12:19 PM

Hillary has been fighting back hard. But will it be a day late and a dollar short?

Barack vs Hillary Analysis
The Home Stretch- Hillary's Personal Alamo:

http://newsusa.myfeedportal.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=53

Posted by: davidmwe | March 3, 2008 12:17 PM

"shriek in pain and vote for McCain."

Posted by: novamatt | March 3, 2008 11:51 AM

That has a certain truthiness to it.

Posted by: jnoel002 | March 3, 2008 12:04 PM

Anyone watch 60 Minutes last night? Was she giving Kroft the old nudge-nudge-wink-wink when she said this.....
-------------------------

I physically recoiled at her response.
As calculating as it was hypocritical.

Posted by: wpost4112 | March 3, 2008 11:58 AM

Anyone watch 60 Minutes last night? Was she giving Kroft the old nudge-nudge-wink-wink when she said this? From First Read:

*** "As far as I know"? Speaking of CBS, we imagine a qualifier Clinton gave on 60 Minutes last night is going to generate plenty of discussion today. In response to a bizarre question by Steve Kroft -- "You don't believe that Sen. Obama is a Muslim," following a discussion about that photo of Obama in Somali garb -- Clinton gave a bizarre answer: "Of course not. I mean, that, you know, there is no basis for that. I take him on the basis of what he says. And, you know, there isn't any reason to doubt that." Kroft followed: "You said you'd take Senator Obama at his word that he's not...a Muslim. You don't believe that he's..." Clinton interjected: "No. No, there is nothing to base that on. As far as I know." As far as she knows? For a lawyer who has demanded precise language (example: the Farrakhan discussion at last week's debate), Clinton's dangling qualifier was a very odd statement. No doubt if she had that question to do over again, she would have said things clearer because this is how conspiracy theories start.

------

Ugh. I've tried my best to like her, or at least be neutral about her. Can't do it.

What a slimeball. I want her to lose and lose badly tomorrow, and I want her tearfully withdrawing from the race tomorrow night, knowing that her and her husband's national political careers are finished.

And I really don't care that my saying that will cause a hundred Hillaryites to shriek in pain and vote for McCain.

Posted by: novamatt | March 3, 2008 11:51 AM

"No way this happens, never, no how.

If HRC 'steals' it (interesting term, given the Dem's tendency to whine about stolen elections, voting machine conspiracy theories, etc....), then she'll get trounced by McCain in the general since Obama's Army will stay home out of disgust. Obama will go be gov of Illinois, then run again (and probably win) in 2012."
------------------------------

Never say never.

But I agree that would be the more likely scenario. Governorship would be excellent preparation for his 2012 run.

Posted by: wpost4112 | March 3, 2008 11:46 AM

I'm back from holiday, and what a week it was! Ralph Nader (God bless him) chose to jump into the race, and the skiing in Utah was fantastic! What more could I ask for? A Fix poll on a new theme song!

I suggest:
For Those About to Vote, We Salute You

(No self-respecting blogger would overlook an AC/DC rock anthem for their theme, now would they?)

Posted by: proudtobeGOP | March 3, 2008 11:39 AM

If Hillary "steals" the nomination at the convention, I can easily see Barack and Bloomberg forming an independent ticket and sweeping the general elections.

Posted by: wpost4112 | March 3, 2008 11:34 AM


No way this happens, never, no how.

If HRC 'steals' it (interesting term, given the Dem's tendency to whine about stolen elections, voting machine conspiracy theories, etc....), then she'll get trounced by McCain in the general since Obama's Army will stay home out of disgust. Obama will go be gov of Illinois, then run again (and probably win) in 2012.

Posted by: JD | March 3, 2008 11:38 AM

"Not being discussed in the MSM is the likelihood of a HRC independent run, a la Joe Lieberman. "

==============

It's not being discussed because it's literally preposterous. Her base support groups are middle-aged female democrats, senior citizens, and older Hispanics. That's it. Her entire life and future, as well as her husband's, is permanently bound to the Democrat party.

The only 3rd party run possibility is Barack's. He has a huge and varied voter base, huge fund-raising base, and an impassioned following. Revolutions require the youth and Barack has that as well.

If Hillary "steals" the nomination at the convention, I can easily see Barack and Bloomberg forming an independent ticket and sweeping the general elections.

Posted by: wpost4112 | March 3, 2008 11:34 AM

Not being discussed in the MSM is the likelihood of a HRC independent run, a la Joe Lieberman. Sources tell The Truth that just such an eventuality is being planned for...

Posted by: TheTruth March 3, 2008 10:35 AM

Truth, you need to check your sources. Lieberman was re-elected b/c he got support from Republicans - I think he actually lost the Democratic vote. Other than Ann Coulter (grin) I can't imagine any Republicans supporting HRC; the Dems would be so furious at her splitting the party that she'd be lucky if she wasn't hounded out of the Senate.

Posted by: -pamela | March 3, 2008 11:24 AM

The only person who can use November Rain as their personal theme song is Axl Rose.

Posted by: butterfly1006 | March 3, 2008 11:14 AM

Hillary/Barack duet:

Things have come to a pretty pass,
Our parlance is growing flat,
For you like this and the other
While I go for this and that.

Goodness knows what the end will be;
Oh, I don't know where I'm at...
It looks as if we two will never be one,
Something must be done.

You say female and I say black male,
You say go war and I say no war;
female, black male, go war, no war,
Let's call the whole thing off!

You like Latino and I like Mulatto,
You like jalapeno and I like macchiato;
Latino, Mulatto, jalapeno, macchiato!
Let's call the whole thing off!

But oh! If we call the whole thing off,
Then we must part.
And oh! If we ever part,
Then that might break the party's heart!

So, if you like sugar donuts and I like salted peanuts,
I'll eat some donuts and you eat some peanuts.
For we know we need each other,
So we better call the calling off off.
Let's call the whole thing off!

You say NAFTA and I say NAHFTA,
You say healthcare and I say 'ealthcare;
NAFTA, NAHFTA, healthcare, 'ealthcare,
Let's call the whole thing off!

You look vanilla and I look carmella,
You have your 'ol Bill and I have my Michelle;
Vanilla, carmella, 'ol cracker, blackberry!

So, if you go for teachers and I go for teamsters
I'll share the teamsters and you share the teachers.
For we know we need each other,
So we better call the calling off off!

Posted by: wpost4112 | March 3, 2008 11:12 AM

Sources tell The Truth that just such an eventuality is being planned for...

Posted by: TheTruth | March 3, 2008 10:35 AM

LOL. So, who are your 'sources', Mr Woodward/Bernstein?


On another note, Barack and Biden should be afraid. Be very afraid:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23032838/

Posted by: JD | March 3, 2008 11:07 AM

How about "Just One Fix" from Ministry?

Somewhat less intense, Leonard Cohen's "Democracy."

Posted by: macdipietro | March 3, 2008 11:06 AM

Truth-please say that is baseless. It is really hard to imagine Hillary being that intent on political murder-suicide.

Posted by: cmsore | March 3, 2008 11:03 AM

Theme from Jaws.

Posted by: TomJx | March 3, 2008 10:57 AM

I listened to snippets from all of them on ITunes, and none of those songs are that good for a Fix Cam theme song. I agree with
Posted by: dyork | March 3, 2008 09:18 AM
with "Political World" by Bob Dylan. It's upbeat, and you really want it short, so the "We live in a political world" clip would be great, imho.

It could be that I didn't hear the relevant clips of the songs you chose, however. Love your column/blog!

Posted by: Vaughan1 | March 3, 2008 10:55 AM

Does fixy say 'cruella de vil' on 20-21 secs? I don't think Hillary's supporters will like that.

Posted by: rupertornelius | March 3, 2008 10:54 AM

I would like to say a big 'fix you' to all those who have voted for November Rain!

Posted by: rupertornelius | March 3, 2008 10:50 AM

Slate has an interesting new feature, the Delegate Calculator:
http://www.slate.com/features/delegatecounter/

It lets you see how the final delegate count will change based on the results of the remaining primaries. Right now, Hillary needs 58% of the vote to get a majority of pledged delegates. If she gets half the delegates tomorrow, she'll need 63% of all remaining delegates to have a majority. It's a fun tool.

Posted by: Blarg | March 3, 2008 10:49 AM

Not being discussed in the MSM is the likelihood of a HRC independent run, a la Joe Lieberman. Sources tell The Truth that just such an eventuality is being planned for, and that the results of 3/4 will dictate total withdrawal or a third party try.

Posted by: TheTruth | March 3, 2008 10:35 AM

anyone up for i am a real american by the immortal Hulj Hogan? nobody?

Posted by: candylane | March 3, 2008 10:34 AM

wpost4112 writes
"the real world problem for Hillary is that, given the way both Ohio and Texas are set up, she must win very big in both states to win enough delegates to keep her viable."

That's part of it. Part II is the requirement that she demonstrate some kind of viability outside her core supporters. The eventual Dem nominee will have to attract enough superdelegates to reach 2025, the candidate who can make the more effective argument about a wide base will be more likely to attract superdelegate support. If Clinton wins in OH & TX merely by turning out her 'base' but without making inroads into groups that have supported Obama, she won't attract superdelegate support.

Posted by: bsimon | March 3, 2008 10:30 AM

"Electioneering" - Radiohead

Posted by: bsimon | March 3, 2008 10:23 AM

For a theme song, I'd look for something by Gilbert & Sullivan or, maybe, the Capital Steps.

Posted by: jimd52 | March 3, 2008 10:21 AM

Beyond all the spin, the real world problem for Hillary is that, given the way both Ohio and Texas are set up, she must win very big in both states to win enough delegates to keep her viable...and in the very areas where she is weakest. The highest number of delegates are in the areas where Obama is strongest.

A close victory in both states does little if anything to advance her in delegates or popular vote totals, even if Florida and Michigan were to be included.

This is unfortunately one race where any attempt to argue away the delegate/popular vote lead will split and seriously damage the party and assure Republican domination for years to come.

I have no doubt that Hillary and Barack will fight on until the convention.

The voters are divided: no possible way to forecast the political winds in the coming months.

Whether they bring storm or sunshine, what has been written on the winds is that the American citizenry has reclaimed ownership of the political process and that portends well for our future.

Posted by: wpost4112 | March 3, 2008 10:20 AM

I just read that between Hillary and Obama, they raised 7 times as much money last month as McCain.

Certainly seems to me that Dems are far more motivated this time..

Posted by: claudialong | March 3, 2008 10:13 AM

The punditry has been disappointing to watch since they got burned in NH. Now all we get is "It's too close to call" or "The voters will decide on Tuesday." Might I suggest they study the TV weather reporters. Would anyone watch the weather forecast if they failed to make a prediction? We know they'll make plenty of mistakes, but we still find net value in their predictions. Maybe the pundit class needs to learn to accept their fallibility and lay it out on the line. Playing it safe is boring.

I'll bet Chris has many interesting theories that he shares in private with fellow pundits, but is too insecure to share with the public, too afraid to be proven incorrect by the events. I wonder if it is difficult to walk that line between private conjecture and public dissemination. Chris rarely responds to comments, but I'd love to get a pundit's insight into the issue at some point.

Posted by: optimyst | March 3, 2008 9:20 AM

'Political World' by Bob Dylan

We live in a political world,
Love don't have any place.
We're living in times where men commit crimes
And crime don't have a face

We live in a political world,
Icicles hanging down,
Wedding bells ring and angels sing,
clouds cover up the ground.

We live in a political world,
Wisdom is thrown into jail,
It rots in a cell, is misguided as hell
Leaving no one to pick up a trail.

We live in a political world
Where mercy walks the plank,
Life is in mirrors, death disappears
Up the steps into the nearest bank.

We live in a political world
Where courage is a thing of the past
Houses are haunted, children are unwanted
The next day could be your last.

We live in a political world.
The one we can see and can feel
But there's no one to check, it's all a stacked deck,
We all know for sure that it's real.

We live in a political world
In the cities of lonesome fear,
Little by little you turn in the middle
But you're never why you're here.

We live in a political world
Under the microscope,
You can travel anywhere and hang yourself there
You always got more than enough rope.

We live in a political world
Turning and a'thrashing about,
As soon as you're awake, you're trained to take
What looks like the easy way out.

We live in a political world
Where peace is not welcome at all,
It's turned away from the door to wander some more
Or put up against the wall.

We live in apolitical world
Everything is hers or his,
Climb into the frame and shout God's name
But you're never sure what it is.


Copyright © 1989 Special Rider Music

Posted by: dyork | March 3, 2008 9:18 AM

Tomorrow might be important in terms of finally knocking Hillary out of the race and getting us to Obama vs. McCain, but the "most important vote yet" of the season was obviously Super Duper Tuesday a month ago. Hillary woke up the next morning to an Obama lead in pledged delegates and a calendar page of nothing but losses ahead for her, and she's been the walking dead ever since.

My campaign theme song is "The New World" by X: "Honest to goodness, the bars weren't open this morning/They must have been voting for a new president or something/"Do you have a quarter?", I said yes because I did/Honest to goodness, the tears have been falling all over this country's face//It was better before, before they voted for what's-his-name/This was supposed to be the new world." Hell yes.

Posted by: novamatt | March 3, 2008 9:16 AM

I'm thinkin' you're just a little too into yourself here, Chris.

Posted by: converse | March 3, 2008 9:12 AM

Did Chris just say I've got a poll down below? Pun!

Posted by: saschnei | March 3, 2008 9:00 AM

"Desperada"

Posted by: wpost4112 | March 3, 2008 8:46 AM

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