Chelsea's Mom Ticked Off At MSNBC

Mrs. Clinton's threatening to pull out of a debate on MSNBC because of a comment made by a reporter about Chelsea. I think some of the problem might be language -- kids in high school and college use that turn of phrase with each other and it doesn't always have a negative take. MTV's even got a show called "Pimp My Ride."

The reporter was too hip for his own good, and he got suspended, reminding us that the press isn't really free when it comes to the candidates' kids. Trashing the daughters is totally verboten, although the Romney brothers got kicked around quite a bit, and no self-respecting journalist would put down a kid under eighteen.

People surfing the web, though, aren't as inhibited. Visitors to sparrowblog search for all kinds of phrases, some of which tick ME off. I don't want anybody ending up here after searching for disgusting adjectives or put-downs. You know who you are. Now scat.

Tired on the Trail

This long, exhausting campaign's getting stranger by the minute.

According to Peter Nicholas, Seema Mehta and Maeve Reston of the Los Angeles Times, Josh Romney's taken to surfing his dad's campaign signs down the aisles of jet planes.

Bridget McCain's Mom misses her, the dogs, and hiking so badly she's taking a day off and heading back to Arizona.

Hilary Clinton's addicted to big mugs of tea, Janet Huckabee's starting to rap, and Ann Romney's hugging Michelle Obama every time they see each other. 

And it's not just the candidates and their families who are getting loopy; the journalists covering them can't see straight either. Think of the money Starbucks is making on double-shot ventis sold to these sleep-deprived people, and it's only February.

Happy Super Tuesday, America!

Cosmo Girls Get Political

Folio Magazine reports that two teen bloggers are tracking the campaign for Cosmo Girl: 

Glenna Schubert, an 18-year-old Washington, D.C.-based college student, will write about the race from the nation’s capitol. Katie Glueck [left], 18, a Kansas high school senior, will serve as traveling correspondent ... Both young women are filing blog posts and video dispatches for CosmoGirl.com

Congrats, MTV Reporters!

MTV's Choose or Lose has hired 51 Street Team Journalists:

They are conservative and liberal, from big cities and small towns, but all are tied together through a passion for politics and a yearning to make the youth voice heard during this pivotal election. The correspondents will begin reporting early next month after an intensive MTV News orientation in New York, during which they'll be armed with laptops, video cameras and cell phones and challenged to uncover the untold political stories that matter most to young people in their respective states.

Cover The Election For MTV

Found this ad on Craigslist:

Attention journalists! Now more than ever before, the presidential candidates know that every vote counts, and that local campaign stops can be covered and spread instantly around the world. You have the power.

As part of our collaboration with The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Knight News Challenge, MTV News is looking for one aspiring reporter from every state and Washington, D.C., to be part of our Choose or Lose team. We know that you’re already hitting the streets and doing this work. Now we want to give you the chance to represent your state by joining a national team of journalists in covering this unprecedented election year from a youth perspective.

Ideal candidates will have their finger on the pulse of issues that are important to young people in their state and be passionate about politics and the possibilities of new technology. Strong writing and reporting skills are a must; distinct voice and authoritative point of view … even better.

We’ll load you up with some production gear and bring you to MTV’s headquarters in New York City for orientation. In return, you will be expected to work in a paid, part-time capacity to file video, written, or graphical stories weekly throughout the election year. Your pieces will be posted online and spread to mobile devices, and the top stories will be broadcast on MTV, MTV2, MTVU or MTV Tres each week.

Requirements: You must be at least 18 years old by December ‘07, reside in your state from January ‘08-November ‘08, have the time and ability to travel within your state and file at least one video, written, or graphical story per week.

Applications can be filled out and submitted here.

R U a Campaign Junkie?

To find out, take the Advanced Campaign Trail Aptitude Test at Salon, a 30-question quiz written by Michael Scherer. Number 17 is a good question for sparrowbloggers on MySpace:

Which of Mitt Romney's five sons says "Braveheart" is a favorite movie, says "my dad" is his hero, enjoys water-skiing, snow skiing and reading, and recently visited each of Iowa's 99 counties in an R.V.?

• A. Tagg
• B. Matt
• C. Ben
• D. Josh
• E. Craig

Here's how Mr. Scherer scores the test results:

• 0-5 correct. Cub. Give it a few years. You are not yet ready for the trail.
• 6-15 correct. Up-and-comer. Occasional campaign bus rides allowed.
• 16-25 correct. Trail ready. Head for the Iowa State Fair.
• 26-30 correct. Top-tier pencil. You are in a select group. Go scoop the New York Times.

Sparrowblog location: Las Vegas, Nevada, where people are steaming because (a) it's so incredibly hot and (b) John Edwards is pulling most of his campaign staff out of this state and focusing on New Hampshire, Iowa, and South Carolina.