But this isn't the type of leak that gets the floors wet, but it is the type of leak that could sink ships! What am I talking about? Well, what's going on here is more along the lines of Deep Throat than the Titanic. Has this ever happened to you?

Surely, at some point in time we all have had to deal with someone working against us. Whether it's a jealous ex, family member or coworker, it is these intense rivalries that build between people can make our lives unjustifiably--or completely justifiably--miserable!

Believe it or not, it's worse than any thing you can image here in this compound! A coworker of mine has brilliantly turned my work against me. I work with the press. I am not a reporter or member of the press but I am a communications strategist and part of my job is to try to coherse the press to tell my story for the angle most beneficial to my client. It's PR stuff!

In a manor that would make Machiavelli giddy with mischievous delight, a coworker of mine is actively work to seek and destroy me for reasons that just don't add up! This gentleman--if you can call him that--has divulged false information about me to a number of different yet, semi-prominent bloggers. And all of y'all reading this know just how powerful the blogosphere can be.

With a blatant disregard for the truth, he maliciously is working to destroy my creditability and my relationship with the media. Mind you--I just got here! These are very young relationships that I am diligently working to build and this man is manipulating things so that I am doomed to fail!

He is working to take me down--fine. But in his efforts to tear me down he is shooting himself in the foot. He is dismantling all my efforts to do my job. Why? Am I doing to too well and so he is resentful? Doubtful. Did I do anything to him or to embarrass him? Not a chance! I would never work against myself that way.

I am a team player through and through. I was hired to do a job, which apparently I've done too well for this man. But his devious actions are bringing down the ship--not just on crewmen (me). He is biting the hand that feeds.   He's not just defaming my professionalism and ruining my ability to form working and respectful relationships with the press but he is hurting the image of the Captain of the ship; the man whose image I am striving to reshape!

It's crazy! It just doesn't make since! Plus, the Captain knows what's going on! Is it ego? Probably. Why? Not because someone more than half is age is calling all the PR shots! Well maybe that is it. The Captain no longer seeks his advice on everything, just his specialty. Of course, he doesn't ask my advice on matters that are this other guy’s specialty. But I would expect him to--absolutely not!

So what am I to do in this situation? The damage he has caused might have pasted the point of no return. It might be irreversible. He could have destroyed my ability to effectively work in this state. Right now the Captain is working to plug this leak before the ship sinks! Stay tuned! I will let you whether this crewman is thrown overboard, whether this leak sinks the ship and if the Captain goes down with the ship.

Let's hope the leak is plugged and this ship continues its voyage.

 

Yes, we’ve all heard this Cinderella song! What a romantic illusionary ideal that our hearts can speak to our heads as we sleep! Well if there is any truth to this then I must admit, my heart has some messed up wishes! Give me a second and I will elaborate.

Throughout the history or civilization, dreams have fascinated mankind. They are thought to prophesize, to predict the future or to explain the unexplainable. Now, I’m not going to get into a deep philosophically or theological debate about the significance of dreams, in fact I want to talk about the opposite—the practicality of dreams.

I am a vivid dreamer. My dreams are very real and often have a greater impact on my mood and outlook than the events that happen in real life. It is actually kind of sad to think I am more affected by my dreams and feel more alive because of my dreams than reality. But my dreams are not fantasies or illusions of grandeur that would put my on Cloud 9 all day. I am a practical and efficient dreamer.

In my work, I do a lot of writing. Often times, I will write the preliminary draft of documents as I sleep. I will organize things, plan events and just get things done. So what does this mean? Offer we some amateur psychological analysis and help me interpret these deep-seeded wishes my heart is longing to have granted.

But wait—there’s more! I also have a regular individual that frequents my dream world. This person is shows up in one of two behavioral states and in one of two appearances. This individual is someone that used to work at the same place I did years ago! He did not work in the same department as I did; he was at the top of the totem poll and I was like a weed in the basement. In all honesty, I knew his name, face and that he was a big shot but this person never looked at me much less said two words to me.

Now for some reason, this person appears in my dreams almost every night—whether it is his face or not, the person in my dream is supposed to be him. When he is there, he is either mean to me or drunk.

As a said regardless of the face, the character in my dream is him. He is either mean or condescending. I am unable to please him or do anything right no matter how hard I try! Everything I do is wrong! Or he is drunk, falling all over the place and I have to take care of him.

So what do this mean—that I am a glutton for punishment? Have a fear of failure or of disappointment? Maybe I am just unimaginative and that’s why I can’t break away from my work. Is my life so consumed with work that I have nothing else to think about?

Despite what deep dark desires my heart is trying to communicate to my head, I do like that I can get some of my work done as I sleep—it makes for much smoother and more productive days. The creepiest thing about this however, it that just about every night, I dream about someone that I have never had a conversation with! It’s not romantic or fantastical. Heck, I have no idea if the voice I hear is even close to the real thing because lord knows the face changes!

I wonder if I am a visitor in anyone’s dreams. Do I effect someone’s day through their sub-conscience? I doubt it. But this person does effect my day, my life and has no idea! In the end maybe it all comes back to Cinderella, and I am just trying to my chores done so I don’t have to face the wrath of my evil step-sisters. Hmmm…

On Thursday, President Bush will be heading down to Alabama to do an event for Governor Bob Riley’s reelection effort. Governor Riley is pretty far ahead in the polls. Therefore, as a campaigner, I wouldn’t think it was the best use of President Bush’s time to run down to Alabama.

A few things: As someone who worked to get President Bush reelected there have been some difficult storms I’ve had to weather since ’04—particularly, as a conservative Republican. Needless to say, it’s been a tough two years. But the President’s approval ratings have crept up a bit in the past few weeks so things are looking up.

But I worked on a race in Virginia last year, when Bush tried to come in the day before the election and save the doomed gubernatorial campaign. That campaign made too many strategic mistakes that is was far past the point of no return.

But now Bush is campaigning in Alabama. Alabama is Bush Country. It’s still a bright red state and Riley is ahead in by like 10 points. Republican has done a beautiful job securing the crimson color of Alabama and sealed the deal when they took the Democrats out at the knees. How?

By connecting the Democrats golden child to Alabama’s biggest villain, Republicans where able to dismantle the Democratic Party. Former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman is a fundraising machine! It was calculated that on average the man could raise about $500,000 an hour! And he was going to make another run for governor. Richard Scrushy after being acquitted of charges regarding the $2.7 billion fraud that went on at HealthSouth is considered next to Satan by most Alabamians.

With no evidence, no testimony nor any proof, the US Attorneys were able to falsely convict Richard Scrushy, founding CEO of HealthSouth and former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman of bribery. (More on that is a later post)

Really it’s beautiful political strategy. Now no one will give Siegelman a dime without fear of being prosecuted and his name is mud.

So the Democrats have no money and no decent potential candidates so Lucy Baxley get to fight the losing battle to head the state of Alabama.

So why is Bush wasting his time in Alabama? Aren’t there several other races and states that are still Bush Country enough that Bush’s presence would be better utilized? And perhaps his time put to better use?
 
Bush cannot just sit at home.  The image of the President not campaign when send a message that he with will not work to help save his party or that if he does try to help he will do more harm than good.  Perhps in key races and battleground states - Bush's presents could destroy any possiblity that the seat could be won by a republican.  Maybe Bush isn't our last best hope - but only for the hopeless races, democrat or republican.  Could that be it? 

For those of you who still haven’t pick up a copy of Matthew Dowd’s book, Applebee’s America—do it! Do it now! Run—don’t walk. You will not be disappointed.

This cleverly written book opens a window into wit and wisdom of Bush-Cheney ‘04’s Chief Strategist; and the mastermind behind the microtargeting techniques, by blending of political polls and consumer data is the brilliance behind Dowd’s strategy to get Bush reelected and keep America red.

Applebee’s America is a fascinating read whether you are a Republican or a Democrat (after all, Doug Sosnik is co-author), or whether you are in to politics are not. Seeing the genius behind today’s most advance political strategy will ignite intrigue as this book captivates its reader. This book paints a clear and beautiful picture of Dowd’s ingenious political strategy.

Go pick up a copy – right now!

The blogosphere is the youngest member of the media family and like the youngest of any family it is the outlet froth with energy and personality!  While it is still relatively young, its booming growth is a force that can't be denied!  Individuals who read and comment on blogs are the opinion leaders in their respective communities.  Bloggers have an unprecedented power to influence and shape our society.  Blog topics range from politics, to religion, from sex to how get a red wine stain out your mouse pad--yes, it is a twisted world we live in when we can't go a few hours without being in front of a computer.  Thank god for "crackberries" or else people would never leave their computers!  But now I'm taking the time to embrace the blogosphere and create my own blog as my last best hope to becoming an active participant in shaping the community I live in.

Only problem is--I don't live in a community!  Now, I know that sounds crazy, but it's true.  I tend not to stay in one location for more than a few month at a time.  I'm like a gypsy!  My address changes.  My work project changes.  My car changes.  My friends change--but many stay the same.  But everything changes!  When people ask where I'm from, I have an answer. But when they ask where home is, I don't.  I am from somewhere yes, but it is no longer home.  In less than three years I've moved more than seven times.  Home are the friends that I've been able to maintain from place to place thanks to email, cell phones, and of course, text messaging.  So now I've decided to make this my home base to share ideas and intellectual conversation on the important issues of the day. 

During my life as gypsy, I've had some rather unique and interesting experiences; stories that I'msure I will share as time goes on.  I will look forward to sharing my new experiences, thoughts and ideas with you and I hope you do the same.  But as for now, I would just like to introduce myself on this Townhall-based platform. 

Hello, I'm Polita-Chick and welcome to my "Last Best Hope."