The Public Media Image & The 2012 Vote

The use of communications media is playing a decisive role in deciding the 2012 presidential election so far. President Obama skillfully used a Tuesday appearance on Jay Leno's THE TONIGHT SHOW to boost his sagging popularity numbers, which have now improved somewhat. But, while the televised Republican debates have been drawing good ratings( 5.5 million viewers for CNN last week), the debates have so far only led to a more confused race for the GOP. While Mitt Romney remains with a solid core of supporters who recognize him as perhaps the best Republican chance to wrest away the White House from the Democratic president, more conservative voters have supported candidates such as Barbara Bachmann then Rick Perry, and now Herman Cain, looking for a more conservative alternative to Romney. The debates could have acted to produce an early clear front-runner, instead they have only complicated the GOP race by illustrating real weaknesses with some of the candidates. Both Bachmann and Rick Perry's fortunes quickly rose and then quickly sagged due to their debate their performances. On the other hand, despite a terrible economy, President Obama's media handlers have made clever use of the media to reignite his weakening approval numbers which were in the high 30's only a few days ago.

As with all recent presidential elections, one state, Ohio, will likely decide the ultimate winner of the election. and now President Obama leads all GOP challengers in the latest polls from that critical state according to the latest polls published over at Real Clear Politics. Further, the President either leads the polls in other critical swing states like Nevada or nearly ties with Romney, although he could likely lose some states in New England such as tiny New Hampshire to Romney. Both Cain and Perry run far weaker races than Romney runs, who generally ties with the President or sometimes leads slightly. Voters in some critical states such as Ohio can expect to have to sit through massive TV ad wars since only a handful of states will decide a close election such as a Romney-Obama match-up.

So far, several important key trends of the public perception of the candidates from the media begin to be shaping up the race in this way: Mitt Romney hasn't been harmed by the debates, but really hasn't gained any new ground among voters. President Obama's handlers have proven the ability to improve his poll numbers through carefully selected media opportunities. Barbara Bachmann and Rick Perry have clear media problems. Herman Cain's engaging personality, impressive job resume, seem to have given him significant recent gains among GOP voters on one hand, but polls prove his difficulty as a general election candidate. The clear media winners here appear to be both Mitt Romney and the president. That's important, because all of the other candidates appear unlikely to be elected, at least based on their current mass media public perceptions and corresponding polling numbers.

The latest news is that Rick Perry may now skip some or all of the upcoming Republican debates to limit further damage to his sagging campaign. The perceived public media image is kinder to some candidates than others it appears.

Woman in G-String And See-Through Top Leads Police On Wild Chase

Thank God this isn't another shirtless moron story like you see on COPS. At least 28 year old Erin Holdsworth was dressed in a G-string and see through top while she led police on a high speed chase that only ended after her tires were punctured with spike strips. The Ohio woman even attempted to break the glass out of the police cruiser using her head after being arrested and was charged with a variety of vehicular violations and crimes including DUIL, reckless driving, criminal damaging of property, driving with a suspended license, etc. But not charged with any nudity violation for her revealing fishnet see-through top.

Some policemen sure earn their money when they have to deal with lovely persons like Ms. Holdsworth. I wouldn't want their job.

The woman was clocked at 128mph in her Mazda 626. Some bloggers claim that the car surprisingly can top 135mph, which is amazing for a car I'd never personally want to own myself. These must be better cars than I realized.

Lindsay Lohan Does PLAYBOY For Nearly $1 Million

Lindsay Lohan wrapped up a four day full frontal nude photo shoot for PLAYBOY yesterday. She reportedly agreed to do PLAYBOY after their $750,000 offer was increased to nearly $1 million dollars. It might be a sign that the troubled actress is beginning to hurt financially and could use the money. She also needed to wrap up the deal before her November 2, court hearing which will almost certainly put her in jail for up to a year and a half.

TMZ reported that PLAYBOY had some reason to be concerned that Lindsay Lohan might attempt some lame partially nude photo shoot, however a representative from PLAYBOY claims that a full frontal, "boobs, ass and vag", will all be visible in the photos, which Lohan insisted be "tasteful". However, don't hold your breath for miracles here kids. Lohan has flashed herself in public before, and the parts of her body that have seen the light of day haven't been very good. Some people look much better with their clothes on. That's partially why Hollywood uses body doubles in some films.

Sometimes the sun doesn't shine on some body parts for good reason. Otherwise, speaking, don't expect a lot, and you won't be disappointed. And, with sagging sales among men's magazines, and PLAYBOY the least explicit of them all, this won't be the best thing since sliced bread here. In, fact, this whole thing might actually set back all of the progress made against erectile dysfunction by years, rather than being all that erotic.Not many young women who abuse alcohol and drugs, who have run-ins with the law get paid almost $1 million to strut their ragged stuff. I sure hope that PLAYBOY realizes that fact.

Netflix Loses 800,000 Subscribers To Price Hikes, But Stockholders Are Much Worse Off

After a price restructure that raised Netflix prices by 60%, the company lost 800,000 subscribers, company CEO Reed Hastings admitted in a written statement. The backlash by consumers was apparently far worse than the company had ever expected. But, perhaps the biggest losers here are the stock holders for Netflix stock. According to an overnight trading report the stock is now trading under 100, when it peaked at 324 before the price hikes were announced. This also illustrates why investment in stocks is such a high risk. Investors paid 324 for the company stock, which has now lost value, yet the company still holds this higher valued investment. Further, while the number of subscribers has declined to 23.8 million, from 24. 6, some subscribers are buying both $7.99 a month services from the company, so it's certainly mathematically possible that the company actually has higher revenues than ever before. Yet the stock market value is way down.

While releasing the claimed bad news, the company is actually planning to expand their services to the UK and Ireland soon.

If anything this, entire story should make any person wary of the dangers of investing in Wall Street. Companies can use your money legally after a stock bottoms out, and you have no legal recourse, because it's considered a legal risk. If some guy on the street took your money for a claimed investment, used it for himself, it would likely be a crime. Wall Street rules allow companies essentially to do the same thing legally.

Not many stocks take a 74% discount in just over three months. Netflix is one of the best examples of problems with stock valuation. or over-valuation. Stock critics are now looking carefully at the problems over at Netflix. The company still appears healthy, yet the stock has lost so much value. It's problems like this that make investors wary to buy stocks.

Teen Bride Courtney Stodden Kicked Out Of Pumpkin Patch For Inappropriate Behavior

8th wonder of the world, 17 year old Courtney Stodden, got herself and her 51 year husband, Doug Hutchison, kicked out of a pumpkin patch because of sexually inappropriate behavior. The teen bride showed up dressed like a central casting member of THE DUKES OF HAZZARD with a sexy get-up of Daisy Dukes that barely covered her bottom as well as tied plaid shirt that showed plenty of cleavage and belly, struck sexy and suggestive poses, and even mounted her husband in sexually suggestive ways. Pumpkin patch security had enough of what they saw, and asked the couple to leave.

Everyone knows how tough those pumpkin patch security guys can be. You sure don't want to mess around with those guys.

Amy Winehouse's Death Report Sent To The Wrong Address

Gez, can't this woman ever get a break? Even in death, things are all screwed up for the screwed up late singer. Now, it appears that some error has sent her death report to the wrong address rather than her family. A spokesman for Scotland Yard, the British police agency is doing an investigation into how this could have happened. I dunno, maybe the obvious thing, clerical error, huh?

Rihanna's One Woman Sex Shop Sprees

Singer Rihanna likes sex shops. Really likes sex shops. Her latest shopping spree in Paris at a sex shop called The Lovestore left the shopkeeper with an extra $1500, after she bought up handcuffs, lingerie, sex toys and an erotic picture book. In Sydney, Australia, Rihanna was able to convince the owners of the business to close especially for her so that she could privately shop. Yeah, who wants to stand in that 10 customer deep line at some sex emporium just waiting to purchase that latest Doc Johnson sex device. Genitals shouldn't be forced to wait that long. That's not right.

BTW, the Australian store was named The Tool Shed. Yet, there's not a hammer in the house. Further, they don't sell screwdrivers either. Although, what they sell can be used for screws.

Rihanna's latest album is entitled S&M, so you can pretty well judge what sort of hobbies preoccupy her spare time. She made sure to flash photographer's a lusty little smile on her way out of The Tool Shed. Obviously, a very satisfied shopper, who will be very busy with some projects now that she has many new supplies. That ought to keep her busy for a while.