BEN-TERTAINMENT ExPRESS

After the votes are in from Puerto Rico tomorrow and South Dakota and Montana on Tuesday, neither Barack Obama nor Hillary Clinton will be able to make a facts-based case that they represent a significant majority of grass-roots Democrats.

Chances are Sens. Obama and Clinton will virtually split the more than 4,400 delegates – including Florida and Michigan – elected by more than 34 million people over the past five months.

Sen. Clinton has already won the most votes, but there is controversy over including the over 300,000 votes from Michigan, since Sen. Obama was not on the ballot (by his own choice). But if Sen. Clinton wins a substantial victory in Puerto Rico tomorrow – with an expected record turnout exceeding two million voters – she could well end up with more popular votes than Sen. Obama, even if Michigan's primary votes are excluded.

Worst case, she could come out with a 2% deficit in elected pledged delegates. But that gap can be made up, if most of the remaining 200 or so unpledged superdelegates decide to support Sen. Clinton as the strongest candidate against John McCain – or if others committed to Sen. Obama decide to change their minds for the same reason. A number of superdelegates previously committed to Sen. Clinton later announced support for Sen. Obama, so it's certainly possible that, when confronted with growing evidence that Sen. Clinton is stronger than Sen. McCain, they might switch back.

The final argument for Hillary comes down to three points – with points one and two leading to the third.

First, Sen. Clinton is more experienced and qualified to be president than is Sen. Obama. This is not to say Sen. Obama cannot be a good, even great, president. I believe he can. But Sen. Clinton spent eight years in the White House. She was not a traditional first lady. She was involved in policy and debate on virtually every major domestic and foreign policy decision of the Clinton presidency, both "in" and "outside" the room with her husband. She has been a U.S. senator for eight years and has a record of legislative accomplishments, including as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

With no disrespect or criticism intended, Sen. Obama has been an Illinois state senator for eight years and a U.S. senator for just four years. He has, understandably, fewer legislative accomplishments than Sen. Clinton. That's just a fact. Therefore, it is reasonable to argue that Sen. Clinton would be less vulnerable to criticism from Sen. McCain on the "experience" issue.

Second, Sen. Clinton's position on health care gives her an advantage over Sen. McCain. Her proposal for universally mandated health care based primarily on private insurance and individual choices is a stark contrast to Sen. McCain's total reliance on private market insurance, HMOs or emergency rooms for the 45 million or more uninsured. Sen. Obama's position, while laudable in its objective, does not mandate universal care and, arguably, won't challenge Sen. McCain as effectively as will Sen. Clinton's plan.

Despite the fact that Sen. Obama's campaign made the Iraq war a crucial issue in the Iowa caucuses and early primaries, there has never been a significant difference between his position and Sen. Clinton's. Sen. Obama deserves credit for opposing military intervention in Iraq while he was running for the state senate in early 2002.

But in 2004, Sen. Obama said he "did not know" how he would have voted on the war resolution had he been a senator at the time. That summer he told the Chicago Tribune: "There's not much of a difference between my position and George Bush's position at this stage" of the Iraq War. (This is a statement that Sen. Clinton would not have made.) While he served in the Senate, he voted 84 out of 85 times the same as Sen. Clinton on Iraq-war related votes. The only exception is when he supported President Bush's position on the promotion of a general that Sen. Clinton opposed.

Third and finally, there is recent hard data showing that, at least at the present time, Sen. Clinton is a significantly stronger candidate against Sen. McCain among the general electorate (as distinguished from the more liberal Democratic primary and caucus electorate).

According to Gallup's May 12-25 tracking polling of 11,000 registered voters in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., Sen. Clinton is running stronger against Sen. McCain in the 20 states where she can claim popular-vote victory in the primaries and caucuses. In contrast, Sen. Obama runs no better against Sen. McCain than does Sen. Clinton in the 28 states plus D.C. where he has prevailed. "On this basis," Gallup concludes: "Clinton appears to have the stronger chance of capitalizing on her primary strengths in the general election."

The 20 states, Gallup points out, not only encompass more than 60% of the nation's voters, but "represent more than 300 Electoral College votes while Obama's 28 states and the District of Columbia represent only 224 Electoral College votes." Sen. Clinton leads Sen. McCain in these 20 states by seven points (50%-43%), while Sens. Obama and McCain are pretty much tied. But in the 26 states plus D.C. that Sen. Obama carried in the primaries/caucuses, he and Sen. Clinton are both statistically tied with Sen. McCain (Clinton 45%-McCain 47%; Obama 45%-McCain 46%).

Gallup's state-by-state polling in seven key battleground "purple" states also shows Sen. Clinton winning cumulatively in these states by a six-point margin (49%-43%) over Sen. McCain, while Sen. Obama loses to Sen. McCain by three points – a net advantage of 9% for Sen. Clinton. These key seven states – constituting 105 electoral votes – are Nevada, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Mexico, Arkansas, Florida and Michigan.

Meanwhile, Sen. Obama holds about an equal advantage over Sen. McCain in six important swing states that he carried in the primaries and caucuses – Colorado, Oregon, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Missouri. But these constitute less than half – 54 – of the electoral votes of the larger states in which Sen. Clinton is leading.

The latest state-by-state battleground polls (published May 21-23) by other respected polling organizations verify Gallup's findings that Sen. Clinton is significantly stronger against Sen. McCain in the key states that a Democrat must win to gain the presidency. According to various poll data within the last 10 days:

- Pennsylvania: Sen. Clinton leads McCain 50%-39%; Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain are effectively tied.

- Ohio: Sen. Clinton leads Sen. McCain 48%-41%, Sen. Obama is down 44%-40%.

- Florida: Sen. Clinton leads Sen. McCain 47%-41%; Sen. McCain leads Sen. Obama 50%-40%. (Sen. Clinton has a net advantage of 16 points!)

- North Carolina: Despite a substantial primary victory, Sen. Obama is down 8% vs. Sen. McCain, (51%-43%), while Sen. Clinton leads by 6% (49%-43%).

- Nevada: Sen. Clinton up 5%, Sen. Obama down 6%.

Even the theory that Sen. Obama can open up significant numbers of "red" states has not been borne out by recent polling. For example: in Virginia, which Sen. Obama won substantially in the Feb. 12 Democratic primary, he is currently down in at least one recent, respected poll by a significant 9% margin – one point greater than the 8% margin Sen. Clinton is behind Sen. McCain.

Finally, one unfortunate argument is making the rounds lately to convince superdelegates to go for Sen. Obama. That is the prediction that if Sen. Obama is not the nominee, African-American and other passionate Obama supporters will conclude that the nomination had been "stolen" and will walk out of the convention or stay at home. On the other side are the many women and others strongly committed to Sen. Clinton promising that if she is denied the nomination, they will refuse to vote for Sen. Obama.

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are progressive, pro-civil rights, pro-affirmative action, pro-choice Democrats. Neither Obama supporters nor Clinton supporters who care about the issues, the Supreme Court, and the need to begin withdrawing from Iraq can truly mean they will actively or passively help Sen. McCain get elected. Threats of walkouts or stay-at-homes by good Democrats are not the answer, nor should they be a factor in superdelegate decisions.

But there is one possible scenario that avoids disappointment and frustration by passionate supporters of both candidates, that combines the strengths of one with the strengths of the other, and that virtually guarantees the election of a Democratic president in 2008:

A Clinton-Obama or an Obama-Clinton ticket.

Stay tuned.

by LANNY J. DAVIS
from the WALL STREET JOURNAL.

Mr. Davis, former special counsel to President Clinton in 1996-98, is a longtime friend and supporter of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.

I will be leaving New York tomorrow morning at 11.35pm for Bangkok. Thereafter, I will leave Bangkok for Singapore this Saturday evening and attend my cousin's wedding on Sunday the 25 May. This is so exciting for me! Yippie! I can't wait. Asian Invasion!

This is my favorite Melanie C photo for the year. It's really funny! I wish Melanie would be in New York (in the fall) or Singapore (over the summer) to perform. She's just such a sight performing live. So good!

So I went to see Duffy perform at the Apollo last night and she was absolutely fabulous. The best voice I have heard ever. No kidding. And I have seen a lot of singers perform this year. She's really cute, funny and humble as well. Duffy is the kind of person you'd want to have a beer with and sit back and laugh with. She just has this amazing vibe about her. I can't quite place it.
And today, I went to see Duffy do an acoustic set at the Union Square Virgin Megastore and she was, once again, absolutely stunning. I love Duffy. She's my new favorite singer! Whoop. I hope she wins a Grammy next year! She totally deserves it. Really.

"Hillary is uniquely qualified to hit the ground running on her first day in office and begin tackling the challenges we face at home and abroad."
--Phoebe Crane, Democratic Party official, Ind.

"I am supporting Hillary Clinton because she has a passion for improving the lives of all Americans. She will be a president who stands up for people across North Carolina — and this country — every day in the White . I know she will get to work immediately making education and the economy her top priorities for our nation. She is ready to lead our country and has the ability to deliver."
--Michael F. Easley, Governor, N.C.

"Hillary Clinton is a seasoned, experienced leader who will be ready to lead this country on Day 1. She will run the kind of campaign and administration that will appeal to all corners of America, emphasizing national security and middle class economic progress."
--Evan Bayh, Senator, Ind.

"She has been tested and is ready to be the commander in chief on Day 1. I still think the senator will prevail even if it comes down to the convention in August."
--Theodore R. Kulongoski, Governor, Ore.

"Indiana is ready for change, and Hillary Clinton has the strength and experience to deliver it."
--Daniel Parker, Democratic Party official, Ind.

"Hillary's impressive record of working across the aisle to get things done is the kind of consensus-building leadership we need to provide quality, affordable health care for every American and move our nation towards energy independence."
--Robert Pastrick, Party official, Ind.

"She's still in the race, isn't she? So I'm still supporting her."
--Belinda Biafore, Democratic Party official, W.Va.

People of Indiana and North Carolina, West Virginia, Kentucky, Oregan, Puerto Rico, Montana and South Dakota - the choice is clear. HRC. Hillary Rodham Clinton. Why vote in someone who doesn't know how the system is run and wants to try to 'change' it?

Though Obama has won 27 states to Hillary's 17, note that its the states that will go Republican in the General Election that have gone in his favor. Will these states go in his favor come November? No. There simply aren't enough Democratic voters in these states for that to happen.
Voting Obama is a sure lose come November.

Be smart. Be wise. Be American. Vote Hillary today.

Jean Marie, Ben & Dana on her 21st Birthday. God I feel so old.


Jean Marie & Ben

During Management 3325 class, a student pissed the prof off and here's the conversation that transpired after:

Prof: "Go. Go get me a Chamomile and we'll be quits."
(She pronounced Chamomile as CA-MO-MEAL.)
Student (not me): "They don't sell no happy meals at the cafeteria."

O.M.G.

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In Statistics class,

Prof: "I know a Dr. Hong at the xxx hospital near my place."
Me: (rolls my eyes) "My dad's a doctor but it doesn't mean that every Dr. Hong is automatically my dad. He's in Singapore."

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On the subway last week,
Black guy no 1: "Did you read that? Bear Stearns (He pronounced it as BEER) is now going for $2 a pop. Can you fucking believe it?"
Black guy no 2: "Yeah man. We should go get some."

I just roll my eyes at the stupidest conversation for the whole day. Seriously. These people think they can use their spare $50 to buy some BS shares? Wow. They are so deluded. Worst investment ever (as of last week).

Guys, Ben Koh's Mumma appeared on Philippinoes Idol and this is her rare star studded performance. Enjoy guys! It's dead hilarious. One in a million.

Ok, so I was checking up sistic and the arts fest for stuff to attend when I am back in Singapore and I have to say that I am MAJORLY disappointed with how sparse the arts scene is in Singapore. Its really sad. I can safely say that there are more events going on today in New York than all that sistic has from now till end of June. That's seriously how pathetic the scene, or lack thereof, is in Shitgapore. Granted the tickets are cheap - so why arent people supporting the arts scene? This is tentamount to a plain and boring nation of people who only work and watch Fann Wong on Channel 8. I am SO not living in Singapore ever. Can die you know. Die of boredom.

Guys and gals...

If you all haven't heard of Duffy, go check her out. iTunes is now offering a free download of her current UK No 1 'Mercy' this week. Sorry for those in Singapore. Unless you all find a way to download it for free. Mercy is fantastic!

There is some consolation though. I found out this link where you can download a free Duffy song called 'Breaking My Own Heart'. It's really good. Not as good as Mercy but not bad. Click here http://www.u-download.co.uk/duffy/?artist=duffy or click the title above and when they ask for your Zip, just type in SE1NW3. Its a UK zip code. I tried an American zip code but they wouldn't let me download it. So just by typing in this UK zip, you'd get a Duffy song free.

Her enunciation is bad though. She doesn't pronounce the t in heart so it comes off as 'breaking my own harr' when she sings it. Like one of those aunties in the heartlands of Toa Payoh or something.

Cheerios.

Ok, so I heard of some JI guy Mas Selamat Kastari who escaped jail right? Anyway, why are the police searching forests? Poor NS men. Aiyoh, can you imagine all those mosquito bites?
Anyway, it's so easy for Mas Selamat Kastari to disguise himself. Just think about this. All he has to do is to wear a tudung and sunglasses and no one will be able to tell him apart from all the other Muslim women who wear tudungs. Like, who the hell would look at Malay women when they are ALL looking out for a Malay man on the run?
Seriously. Right?
OMG. Like, they better find him soon if not, no Hari Raya holiday for everyone in Singapore man. Ok, this is just meant to be funny. But seriously, I think they will cancel Christmas and Hari Raya as dis-incentives for all those Singaporeans who do not look out for a Malay man on the run.

Ok, I just realized that my professors this semester have names that can come off the wrong way.

For example, I have a prof named Waddel. And if you are careless and don't check, you could mis-spell it as Waddle. Which would be completely embarrassing and uncalled for.

Also, another prof (who does not like me) is called Pollack. And if mis-spelt, it could potentially turn out as Bollacks. Another potentially embarrassing situation.

Plus, a third prof is Dr Flowers. And if you type in an E instead or the R, which is right next to each other, it would turn up as De Flowers. OMG.

The 4th one is Prof Pilato, which could be mis-spelt as Pilates.

The 5th one is Lynch. Which could be horrendously mis-spelt as Pinch. Can you imagine writing an email and saying Dr Pinch instead of Dr Lynch? OMG.

And the last one is Fray. Which would be really different from Frey actually, but yet so closely spelt.

Empathize my situation now? Lol. Just joking. No offense with this post please!

Ok, I am like the lousiest Singaporean ever. I got Singapore's age wrong. I thought she was already 45. Fuck. I think it's just a calculation error. Cause I remember that she was born in 65. Oh well. I just am so withdrawn from S'pore.
But I wanna go home. I miss sliced fish bee hoon soup and char kway teow. Oh boy.

"I am in the solutions business. My opponent is in the promises business," Hillary Clinton said on the campaign trail this week.