You know that saying you can pick your friends but not your family? Well, what's true for us common folk is true for those folks running for the highest office in the land, too. You see, even presidential candidates like Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama can't escape the curse/blessing of unexpected relatives.

Earlier this week the New England Historic Genealogical Society uncovered distant relatives for all the major presidential contenders. Turns out if you're a Democrat, no matter how you vote, you're voting for the Brangelina Ticket. Those clever genealogists discovered that Obama is related to Brad Pitt and Clinton to Angelina Jolie. Talk about your dream ticket.

On the other side of the aisle, turns out Republican nominee John McCain is related to First Lady Laura Bush. But, yawn, enough about that old codger. Let's act like all the major media outlets and obsess about Hillary and Barack some more. As luck would have it, Brangelina isn't the two Democratic hopefuls' only interesting familial bonds.

Let's start with the senator from Illinois. It was discovered earlier in the campaign that he was cousins with Vice President Dick Cheney, but it appears his roots stretch even higher into the executive branch, or should we say shrub. You see, Obama is related to both Cheney and President George W. Bush.

Poor Barack, he does not seem to be taking this news well. But then, would you? Also on Obama's distant relative list are presidents George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford, Lyndon Johnson, Harry S. Truman and James Madison as well as British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill and Civil War General Robert E. Lee.

Over in Camp Clinton, they're singing a happier tune. Besides Angelina, Hillary is related to singers Madonna, Celine Dion and Alanis Morissette. You know, I can see the family resemblance -- these are all strong women who aren't afraid to speak their mind and know what to do with a microphone.

Heck, Hill and daughter Chelsea looks so tickled about this news, you'd think they just won the lottery or -- you know -- the presidency. But then, like I said, wouldn't you?

So, anyone you wish you were related to? Any surprises in your family tree? That is, other than your crazy uncle Wally. … continue reading

Kate sings show tunes about Ohio and Texas (and hey, she can sing!) and reports on fund-raisers and the ImageOut Film Festival. (She's the Ryan Seacrest of community dinners.)

Plus, how to reply when Senator Ted Kennedy asks you how you're doing; and does a TiBette reunion signal an Iran-Iraq solution?

Kate talks about Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and discrimination against transgender people in Maryland.

She also explains the mysterious strategy of "saging the White House."

VisibleVote08.com's Jay and John discuss the Hillary-Barack situation going into next Tuesday’s big Texas/Ohio/Vermont/Rhode Island primary. With Obama in the lead, and Hillary Clinton’s campaign put on some kind of death-watch by the mainstream press, should Hillary think about withdrawing?

And is it ultimately more radical to have a woman as President, or an African-American male?

… continue reading

Yesterday, two new wax figures were unveiled at Madame Tussauds in London. The next time they visit the U.K., Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz can look into the abyss that is themselves sculpted in wax:

Eeek! Waxworks have always creeped me out, even before I'd seen House of Wax (BTW, the 1953 version is sooo much better than the 2005 remake). But because I sort of like to be creeped out, I considered this an opportunity to peruse some other photos of waxy celebrities.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama:

Those could come in handy when you're just sick of campaigning. Also, doesn't that look like a winning ticket? … continue reading

Hanifah has gone on a mini tour overseas — Stockholm, Sweden, Tallinn, and Estonia — with the Brooklyn Funk Essentials. All this translates to Olive being far, far away.

In the meantime we have some U People stories from the Obama headquarters in Brooklyn on Super Tuesday of all days with our fearless comedian Gloria Bigelow.

We are also bringing a word or two from our screening on February 2nd at Solomon's Porch. Thank you so much to all of you folks that made it out to the event!

Stay tuned for more surprises with a Valentines Day special and a travel video blog called Black Girl In. All this and more at www.iLoveUPeople.com.

For those of us in 24 American states, it’s Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Tuesday (hey, that’s nearly half the country; I think it deserves an upgrade from just “super”). Whichever way you pull the lever, today will be a historic vote. Well, unless you’re voting for that other party. In which case, have fun choosing an old white guy.

In the first presidential election of the YouTube era, the campaigns have gone viral from the start. Who can forget the Obama Girl or Hot4Hill? But in the past week, two of arguably the best videos for each candidate have emerged. One is sincere and inspirational (not to mention packed with star power), and the other is lighthearted and fun (not to mention Hill-arious). Both are, interestingly, music-based. And both are a reminder that, as difficult as the decision between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama may be for Democratic primary voters, it’s also an embarrassment of riches to have two strong, smart and special candidates on the ballot.

  … continue reading

Hanifah and Olive sit and sip tea with the tea lady herself, Jennifer Jackson of NotJustTea.com. While sipping tea, they recall the time Olive almost stood Hanifah up on their second anniversary, the controversial art of Kara Walker, and the per usual lesbionic chitchat over astrology.

Plus, Gloria stumbles upon one U People story of a woman and her battle royal in a San Francisco ladies room.

Only a few more days to the U People Screening at Solomon’s Porch on Saturday, Feb. 2! Buy tickets at www.iloveupeople.com.

Back in 2004, Barack Obama was engaged in a heated battle in Illinios for a seat in the U.S. Senate. His opponent? A Rebuplican named Jack Ryan. The outcome of that race will never be known. Why? Because a certain Borg popped up and forever altered the political landscape.

OK, I might be overstating her actual influence. Jeri Ryan hasn't joined the list of celebrities endorsing the various candidates, but she is a factor in the three-ring circus we call politics. See, Jack Ryan, Obama's senate opponent in 2004, is her ex-husband. The same ex-husband she claimed had taken her to Paris sex clubs and tried to persuade her to perform various sex acts while others watched. The allegations were part of divorce papers unsealed by court order during the course of that 2004 campaign. The sex scandal resulted in Ryan withdrawing from the race. Obama went on to win in a landslide over Ryan's replacement, Alan Keyes. … continue reading