 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
... as some of us guessed it might:  Illinois Sen. Roland Burris admitted today that indicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's brother asked him for a campaign contribution before the governor appointed Burris to the Senate. The disclosure is "at odds" with Burris' testimony in January when an Illinois House impeachment committee specifically asked if he had ever spoken to Robert Blagojevich or other aides to the now-deposed governor about the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama. Another little detail that seems "at odds" (a decorous way of saying " he lied") with testimony Burris gave last month is this little nugget: The affidavit also discloses for the first time that Burris told former Blagojevich advisers Doug Scofield and John Wyma of his interest in the post at a fundraiser in June, and later with Blagojevich chief of staff John Harris, who was arrested with Blagojevich on Dec. 9th. Scofield, Wyma and Harris were among the Blagojevich associates Burris was asked about in his Jan. 8th testimony by state Rep. Jim Durkin, the impeachment committee's ranking Republican. In response, Burris said he had spoken only to Lon Monk, a former Blagojevich aide-turned-lobbyist, last summer about his willingness to take the seat. "This wasn't a couple of questions that I can understand someone may forget, it goes way beyond that," Durkin said today. "To say that he wasn't given the opportunity to explain himself is a load of B.S." So, our newly-minted Senator lied to an impeachment panel about being shaken down, yes. But he also suddenly remembered that he had, in fact, expressed interest in the seat to a couple of other people he previously forgot to mention, including a guy who was arrested. Hey Roland... can you say perjury?Tags: corruption, democrats, lies, loathsome people, politics
From: Land Of Lincoln
Mood:  Pyew
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tip o' the big, silver Aretha Hat to Greg Palast...  Republicans are right. President Barack Obama treated them like dirt, didn't give a damn what they thought about his stimulus package, loaded it with a bunch of programs that will last for years and will never leave the budget, is giving away money disguised as "tax refunds," and is sneaking in huge changes in policy, from schools to health care, using the pretext of an economic emergency. Way to go, Mr. O., Mr. Down-and-Dirty Chicago pol. Street-fightin' man. Covering over his break-you-face power play with a "we're all post-partisan friends" bullshit... ( And it's about time... )Tags: barack obama, democrats, politics, republicans
From: Chicago
Mood:  Making Popcorn
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Hat-tip Devilstower)If you stop to catalog the things that Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich has done wrong, expect to go through a couple of pencils in the effort. There's no doubt that Blago is more tangled than a Twister tournament, and with his "if I can stay one step ahead of the investigation, I could be president!" theories, more than a little bit crazy. But dim? No. In selecting Roland Burris, Blago made the best choice possible to hit the target he was aiming for: causing the maximum amount of heartburn among his critics. Burris was once a respected figure in Illinois politics. As state Comptroller back in '79, and later as state Attorney General, he was the first African-American to hold statewide office. The credentials alone make Burris a credible option and difficult to dismiss as a bad choice. However, we're also talking about the Roland Burris who was a failed candidate for Senate. A failed candidate for Governor. A failed candidate for Mayor of Chicago. When the Senate seat came open in Illinois, who first suggested Roland Burris for the post? That would be Roland Burris. In his persistent quixotic tilts at office, Burris has turned himself into the dotty old man of Illinois politics — Ralph Nader without any goal aside from holding office. Burris was the one guy that Blagojevich knew would jump at the opportunity, no matter the circumstances, while holding enough "oh yeah, I kinda remember him" name recognition to make his rejection more than perfunctory. You have to hand it to Blago. When it comes to be an absolute self-serving asshole, he's the best. And Burris isn't far behind. Tags: democrats, loathsome people, politics, scandal
From: Chicago
Mood:  Pyew
Now Playing: Hog Butcher For The World
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Caroline Kennedy has reportedly decided to pursue Hillary Clinton's vacated U.S. Senate seat. The decision came after a series of "deeply personal and political conversations," in which Kennedy, whom friends describe as "unflashy but determined," wrestled with whether to give up what has been a lifetime of avoiding the spotlight. Gov. David Paterson of New York confirmed that she was interested in being appointed. “She told me she was interested in the position,” Paterson said at a news conference. “She realized it was not a campaign, but she was talking to other people because she thought that a number of people, she felt, should know that she’s interested in the position. She’d like at some point to sit down and tell me what she thinks her qualifications are.” Senator Charles Schumer said that he had also spoken to Kennedy and that said she was “clearly interested... bottom line is that the Governor and I talk regularly on this,” he said in a television interview, “but we have decided to keep each other’s counsel, so that is all I am going to say right now.” If appointed, Ms. Kennedy would fill the seat once held by her uncle, Robert F. Kennedy... ( More )Just a hunch here, but give this woman two successful (i.e. productive) terms in the Senate, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see her get the #2 spot on the 2016 presidential ticket... or maybe more. ETA: Apparently, Jane Hamsher finds my optimism ignorantly misguided. ☺ Tags: democrats, politics
From: Chicago
Mood:  Yes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Well, we've certainly had our share of political skullduggery this year, that's for sure. That in mind, my question to you, dear reader, is... Poll #1312965 Political Scandal of the Year
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 59 Who's the Political Scumbag of the Year? Tags: cheating, corruption, democrats, lies, politics, reader poll, republicans, scandal
From: Chicago
Mood:  Inquiring Minds...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Hat-tip Jesse Berney)Let's face it, Republicans are never going to allow genuine bipartisanship to happen during an Obama presidency. They've portrayed him as a radical, a socialist who pals around with terrorists. They've called him Muslim, communist, anti-American and elitist. They've intimated that he's a dark-skinned foreigner... some sort of dangerous Other who threatens our way of life. Bipartisanship is not an option for them come January 20th. That may come as a disappointment to the American public, which longs for an end to the partisan bickering in Washington. But it doesn't have to. There's a third option, one that not only satisfies the need to end the constant back-and-forth and gridlock, but also guarantees Barack Obama's reelection in 2012 and progressive majorities for years to come. We should just ignore them. • Ignore the Republicans in Congress. Ignore their silly amendments, ignore their calls for hearings, ignore the speeches they give, and ignore them when they complain about being ignored. • Ignore their right-wing echo chamber. Ignore Limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter, Malkin, Drudge, FOX News and their newspapers and blogs. Ignore it when the mainstream media amplifies them. • Ignore the daily talking points and the noise. Ignore the inevitable anti-Obama conspiracy theories. Ignore the glue factory horse race as their contenders jockey for position in 2012. Ignore them all and just... govern. If things go well on Tuesday, we'll have a Democrat in the White House and Democratic majorities in both Houses of Congress. Even if we don't reach the magic number in the Senate, we can probably get 60 votes on major issues when we need them. That means President Obama can set a bold, progressive agenda and Congress can pass it with little or no fuss. Republicans can complain all they want. They can yell about raising taxes when we cut taxes for 95% of Americans. They can cry "socialism" as we guarantee every man, woman, and child in America health care coverage. They can warn that we're wrecking the economy as we build a new green economy with millions of new jobs, energy independence, and real action on global warming. They can try to rouse fears of a more dangerous world as we finally take our security seriously and rebuild America's reputation. Let them stomp and scream. We'll just govern, and govern well. And come election time — in 2010, 2012, and beyond — we'll be rewarded at the ballot box. You really think Americans are going to vote against the president and the Congress who finally gave them health care? You think if we fix our economy and create jobs that a few silly slogans from the far right will matter? Republicans will be left with nothing but the culture wars of the last century, trying to win on abortion and gay marriage when the rest of us have moved on. They'll be pushed further toward the role of a fringe, regional party, with their candidates vulnerable to third-party spoilers like libertarians and theocrats. Leave the partisan bickering to them. We may not usher in a new era of bipartisanship, but we can give Americans all they've ever really wanted: a government that stands up for them. Tags: '08 elections, democrats, politics, republicans
From: Chicago
Mood:  Screw 'Em
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hats off to Biden, Clinton, Kerry and Duckworth
for (IMHO) a very solid performance tonight.So, if you watched it... Poll #1249386 Convention Night Three
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 29 What did you think? Tags: '08 elections, bill clinton, democrats, joe biden, john kerry, reader poll
From: Chicago
Mood:  Jacked
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y'know, Bill...  I really don't have too many beefs with you overall. Aside from Lewinsky, NAFTA and a couple of other (relatively minor) sticking points, I actually think you were a pretty decent president. In fact, I was one of the people who voted for Hillary in the primaries, based in part on the fact that you'd be at her (and our) service if she won the White House. But now, you're really starting to twist my nipples. Only a complete and utter fool couldn't recognize that you're doing this shit on purpose, i.e. a thinly-veiled attempt to sabotage the Obama team and get McCain voted into office so Hillary can make another run in 2012. It would be on thing if McCain actually had a viable energy plan (or a halfway-sane voting record on energy policy overall), but your "bipartisan praise" of ol' Straight Talk is as transparently phony as it is selfish, underhanded and despicable. You, sir, need to STFU... and get off my god-damned lawn.Tags: '08 elections, asshole, bill clinton, democrats, hillary clinton
From: Chicago
Mood: Irked
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y'know, Senator, you're really starting to piss me off.I mean, what kind of gaping asshole not only tosses a loyal friend and major asset like Wes Clark from the bus, but then has the nerve to run him over by choosing "Securing America" (the name of Clark's PAC, not-so coincidentally) as the "theme" of the upcoming convention? You'll still get my vote (if only to keep The Cryptkeeper out of the White House), but I must say, you've lost a great deal of my respect. General Clark is not only wildly popular with the progressive base (you know, the millions of schleps like me working to get you elected), his 34 years of service to this country was just about the only antidote to McCain’s military experience that you had... Ready for your Kerry Moment, chump?Tags: '08 elections, barack obama, democrats, dumb americans, politics
From: Chicago
Mood:  Betrayed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Looks like this thing is rearing its ugly head again... Man, I sure hope it turns out to be just another cheap, right-wing smear, especially with his wife dying of cancer. Edwards was my number one pick for POTUS, and I pictured him playing a major role in the new Obama administration (e.g. AG, perhaps?).  From Wonkette (edited): Here’s some weird news about the already-weird John Edwards baby-mama alleged scandal: The “love child” in question has no daddy listed on the birth certificate.
And we can’t even dismiss this latest tiny bit of scandal as “tabloid trash” because it comes from Edwards’ hometown mainstream media, McClatchy Newspapers’ News & Observer.
Rielle Hunter (who has vehemently denied an affair with Edwards) is the gal who met him in a New York bar, then earned $114,000 from his PAC making “webisodes” which all mysteriously vanished from his website when she quit working for him. When she became up pregnant shortly thereafter, Edwards' aide, Andy Young (who himself is married with kids) gallantly claimed he was the father, then installed Hunter in lodgings adjoining his own home in a gated North Carolina neighborhood.
Yet, Edwards is acting so guilty — hiding in hotel bathrooms, escaping through the service entrance after a speech in Washington — that even the Liberal Media is slowly being forced to find out what’s going on.
Here’s what the paper has to say about the baby girl with no known daddy:"The girl was born at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, Calif., to Rielle Jaya James Druck, also known as Rielle Hunter. Hunter, 44, was a videographer on Edwards’ presidential campaign last year.
Asked Thursday why no father was listed on the birth certificate, Hunter’s attorney, Robert Gordon of New York, said, 'A lot of women do that.' Reminded that he and Hunter had publicly revealed the father’s identity two months earlier to the National Enquirer, Gordon said, 'That’s a personal matter between them.' Gordon declined to comment further." *sigh*Anybody want a 30-minute, prime-time TV spot at the Democratic Convention? 'Cause I have a feeling that — unless Edwards sinks as low as to submit a DNA sample — Wingnutistan is going on parade this thing down Main Street for the next three months, and there's going to be an opening. Look at the mileage they got from his fuckin' hair, ferchrissakes. Oh, and if anybody wants to be President Obama's poverty czar, get your resumes in before the rush next week, when the New York Times is finally forced to do a story. Let’s hope it’s a bit better sourced than that fleeting “John McCain screwed his young, Cindy-lookalike lobbyist” tip, because that story looked pretty solid, yet somehow got swept under the MSM's rug. Tags: democrats, john edwards, scandal, swiftboat
From: Chicago
Mood:  Oy Veh
Now Playing: 'You're Gonna Lose That Girl' - The Beatles
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Olbermann has some mighty choice words for Senator Clinton... Frankly, I've got a serious case of campaign battle fatigue at this point. I like both candidates (albeit for decidedly different reasons), but at this — the terico de muerte stage of the fight — I'm afraid it's time for Hillary to face La Estocada. (I s'pose one could argue that seppuku is the more appropriate term.) For better or for worse, it's time to give Obama the reins to the wagon train and turn our torches, pitchforks and horsewhips on John Sidney McCain. Tags: '08 elections, barack obama, democrats, hillary clinton, keith olbermann, youtube
From: Chicago
Mood: Impatient
Now Playing: 'Danny Boy' - Conway Twitty
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Kucinich is dropping out, and will make it official at a press conference tomorrow. "I've been able to represent the aspirations of people in this community, and communities like it across the country on health care, peace, for jobs... (but) there is a point at which you just realize that you, look, you accept it, that it isn't going to happen, and you move on." While he never stood a snowball's chance to begin with, I remain hopeful that he's still got a shot at a cabinet post. No doubt a good man who cares very deeply for his country. Tags: '08 elections, democrats, dennis kucinich
From: Chicago
Mood:  Optimistic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From the "What The Fuck Were You Thinking?" file: 
(Hat-tip AmericaBlog)As religious conservatives gather in Washington this weekend for the “ Values Voters Summit,” Senator Barack Obama’s campaign announced its latest effort to attract people of faith to the campaign: a gospel concert tour. All three of the dates of the “Embrace the Change” tour are in South Carolina, where Obama is locked in a head-to-head battle with Hillary Clinton for black voters. Pretty savvy move by Obama, you say - right? Er, not so much. Among the gospel acts scheduled to appear is singer Donnie McClurkin, a Bush supporter who has detailed his struggle with "gay tendencies" and vowed to battle " the curse of homosexuality." "I can't let off. I didn't call myself - God called me to do what I do," McClurkin told the Washington Post when asked about his view that sexuality can (and should) be changed by religious intervention. "If this is a war, we are willing to fight. Not a war of violence, but a war of purpose." "This is another example of how Barack Obama is defying conventional wisdom about how politics is done and giving new meaning to meeting people at the grassroots level,” Joshua DuBois, the campaign’s religious affairs director, said in a release. Yeah sure, Josh - sucking up to anti-gay bigots and joining them on stage - no, giving them a stage - is certainly defying conventional wisdom as to how a Democrat becomes president. Yeesh. Tags: '08 elections, barack obama, christian lunatics, democrats, gays, right-wing lunatics
From: Chicago
Mood:  Dumbfounded
Now Playing: 'Chain of Fools' - Aretha Franklin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 While the right-wing howler monkeys are busy hooting and snarling about Hillary Clinton's "illegal campaign contributions," defense attorney Jeralyn Merritt has an interesting take on the Norman Hsu "scandal": The New York Times and Washington Post have long articles today in which the reporters try to trace Norman Hsu's fund-raising contributions to Democrats. The articles practically take it as a given that Hsu's fund-raising was illegitimate because he was a a fugitive from California and they've managed to track down unhappy investors in his business deals that were unrelated to politics.
Despite new interviews reported in the articles both with people that knew Hsu and those whom he asked to contribute to various candidates, one critical allegation is missing: None of the contributors so far have said Hsu reimbursed them for their donations. Without reimbursement, there's no campaign finance crime. Bundling donations is legal and all the candidates have bundlers.
It's been my impression since the story first appeared in the Wall St. Journal that Hsu did nothing illegal in his fund-raising activities. The media keeps looking for and coming up short in discerning Hsu's motives in becoming a bundler for various campaigns.
( Read the rest... )
Now, I think most rational people would agree that accepting campaign contributions from unsavory characters is probably not the wisest thing to do from a political standpoint, but as long as no regulations are broken, it's still perfectly legal. Just ask George Bush.
I'm sure we'll know more about exactly what Hsu did in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, let the monkeys howl. Tags: '08 elections, democrats, hillary clinton, norman hsu
From: Chicago
Mood: Intrigued
Now Playing: Half-Time
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Looks like we're making a little headway in taking care of our own for a change. With a 273-149 vote, the House passed the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007. The bill, which provide the single largest increase in college aid since the 1944 GI bill, invests about $18 billion dollars over the next five years in reducing college costs, potentially assisting millions of American students and families. The legislation includes items such as: • Guaranteeing that borrowers will not have to pay more than 15% of their discretionary income in loan repayments • Increasing federal loan limits • Providing upfront tuition assistance to undergraduates who commit to teaching in public schools in high-poverty communities or high-need subject areas • Providing loan forgiveness for first responders • Allowing public servants to have their loans forgiven after 10 years • Investing in minority institutions, guaranteeing $500 million over five years The bill comes at no new cost to taxpayers. Instead, it takes away a portion of federal subsidies from the private lenders — the big money players in the education-finance game — which isn't making the fat cats very happy. American Student Loan Services, a company that finances private loans, has already released a exemplary industry statement arguing the bill would "limit choices students and families have for lenders and, therefore, lead to higher costs and fewer services." Not so, says Education and Labor Committee Chair George Miller (D-CA): "What we did is took subsidies away from the lenders and recycled them for the students. The vast majority of the 3,000 lenders won't make as much money, but they'll still be there... and hopefully, we'll also be able to solve some of the ethical problems these private loan companies have." Miller - in response to the Republicans' effort to kill the bill with a "motion to recommit" - provided some fitting fireworks on the floor: "You could have written a motion another way, you deliberately wrote it this way so you could kill this bill. What is it you don’t like about this bill? You don’t like the fact that while you were in power after years of flat lining the Pell Grant, we we’ve finally given them the biggest increase in decades for the poorest kids in this country. You don’t like that so you want to kill the bill. You don’t like the fact that were going to take 5 million middle class kids and extend to them a loan thats interest rate is cut in half? While their families are struggling to get them through college? They’re making sacrifices every year? You’re going to do this? You’re going to kill this bill? Are you proud? Are you proud of this amendment, that you are going to try to kill this bill? Say it louder." So while the Senate GOP succeeded in scuttling the Webb Amendment today, the House GOP failed to bury this education bill, to the benefit of American families. Predictably, Bush has threatened to veto the bill, proving once again that he covets his core far more than his constituents. The College Democrats of America has this to say: "Considering how important the youth vote will be in 2008, Republicans who stand in the way of college opportunity for young people should expect to pay a heavy price in 2008. Instead of threatening to veto this bill, President Bush should join Democrats in expanding educational opportunities for millions of aspiring, hard-working students.” Watch Miller tell 'em where to go: P.S. Rest in peace, Lady Bird Johnson... ...and how the fuck does Chertoff still have a job? Tags: democrats, education
From: Chicago
Mood:  Ask Again Later
Now Playing: 'Teach Your Children' - CSNY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Olbermann turns the flamethrower on the Dems and burns Bush to a crisp in the process: "You, the men and women elected with the simplest of directions — Stop The War — have traded your strength, your bargaining position, and the uniform support of those who elected you... for a handful of magic beans... But how horrifying it is... to watch a President hold his breath and threaten to continue to do so, until innocent and patriotic Americans in harm’s way, are bled white. You lead this country, sir? You claim to defend it?... How transcendentally, how historically, pathetic."Damned right. Tags: bush, democrats, disgrace, iraq, keith olbermann
From: Chicago
Mood:  Defiant
Now Playing: 'Ballroom Blitz' - The Sweet
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
jblaque's journal
GTFO
Chipper
Tough Road Ahead
Up Yours, Boehner
Satisfied
1 (1.7%)
Confident
Meh
Impressed
