Thought we'd do a little tour of the blogs and the news in a bit of a Saturday morning round-up:
– Bob Geiger has the Saturday funnies (or not so funny, as the case may be).
– Via Digby, I find that ALICUblog has a great translation of Peggy Noonan's latest CJL hacktastic rant. Wolcott has more.
– Digby also asks about the hypocrisy of the so-called religious leadership in the GOP-political realm, their recent call for a "purge" of homosexuals in the party hierarchy, and asks whether they are really a bunch of phonies? My vote: yes. Pam has more thoughts on this as well.
– Billmon has some interesting thoughts on Crazy Curt and very naughty caterpillars.
– Jamie at C&L highlights Mike DeWine's unsatisfactory non-explanation for being AWOL from his Congressional responsibilities.
– Wolcott has a few choice thoughts for Chris Shays. Also, don't miss Wolcott's thoughts on good liberalism.
– Maha has some chilling thoughts on Reagan youth, authoritarianism, and…well, just go read it.
– Josh TPM reader DK points to an article on Bush's use of "unacceptable." Telling.
– Taylor Marsh and the folks at the Patriot Project have been doing some digging on the Economic Freedom Fund…and now the FEC may be doing so as well.
What's catching your eye this morning? Do share a link…and if you can spare a moment, please give Howie's diary over at dKos a recommend, please.
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Christy!
Morning, MayDaze! What’s shakin’?
Morning Redd- Check out Charlie Cook’s political report- smokin- here’s a sample:
“That said, this is without question the worst political situation for the GOP since the Watergate disaster in 1974. I think a 30-seat gain today for Democrats is more likely to occur than a 15-seat gain, the minimum that would tip the majority. The chances of that number going higher are also strong, unless something occurs that fundamentally changes the dynamic of this election. This is what Republican strategists’ nightmares look like.
Whether one looks at national or district-level polling data, or a survey like the new Democracy Corps survey that covered the 49 most vulnerable GOP districts, the conclusion remains the same: it is very ugly for Republicans.
On a conference call today, James Carville suggested that the Democratic Party should expand beyond just the top targeted races. He believes the party should help fund previously ignored Democratic challengers in second- and third-tier districts–the next 30 to 50 Republican-held seats–to fully capitalize on this environment and help those candidates maximize their chances of winning. Carville went as far as to suggest Democrats go to the bank and borrow $5 million. If I were them, I’d make it $10 million and put $500,000 each of these 20 districts.
For Republicans, it is a time to defend every seat, no matter how secure those seats appear. If things don’t change, GOP incumbents, who never even contemplated having a difficult race, may well lose this year. And if I were a Republican, I’d start praying that something happens to take the spotlight away from Iraq and scandals, because this current issue mix is lethal. “
EPU’d last thread.
OK, here’s a test for FDLers.
It took me 5 minutes; my wife got it in 3.
Listen for subtle audio hints for help.
http://www.rumdesign.com/wrong/
Go Blue!
Christy Hardin Smith @ 1
Morning, Christy, hope you are staying warm. Just looking around for a post to share. As usual, Billmon is looking good…
A video to watch before election day:
Quiet Revolution
Links to Windows Media and YouTube versions from link above.
FITZ! LAESCH!
EPU’d-John Kerry calls the liars liars. ‘Bout time.
Go Big John!
Yep- bout time someone called the liars liars- but I don’t think Kerry specifically called out the liar in chief.
Bout time someone stood up and says “The president lies- he can’t tell the truth”.
Crawl walk run RW!
Neers-Cuse tied at 7.
rw at 3 — yeah, I know. Talk about your morning pick-me-up. The RNCC is pulling money out of some races they had been heavily funding to shore up some in-trouble incumbants, including a couple here in WV. It’s a lovely day, isn’t it?
But I’m trying very hard not to count any chickens. There is a lot of time between now and election day…and I never count the dirty tricks brigade out until the last ballot is in and properly counted. Will be making GOTV calls for my district tomorrow. :)
rwcole @
3
carville, begala, shrum etc . . . should give all the $ they earned in the last three election cycles to the Dems that need the money.
these ‘glad to be second’ power cocktail weenie eaters are part of the problem — not the solution.
hey carville: go fuck yourself — or the ’spawn of satan’ i mean your wife.
http://www.cookpolitical.com/overview/default.php
Link to Cook Report
heart– Sorry- I like Carville- he’s not always right but he’s interesting.
Congressman Gerry Studds of Massachusetts passes away at 69:
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/arti…..940D36.DTL
After all his good work, it’s a shame he was recently in the news again as a footnote to the Foley scandal, and at the end of his life as it turned out.
What caught my eye this morning is Howie’s Sneak Preview of our upcoming Blue America conversation.
A few Kossack recommendations might help fill the Blue America PAC coffers.
something I just heard about from the only state to go McGovern in ‘72…
http://72.14.209.104/search?q=…..andout.doc ma vote iraq&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=7&client=firefox-a
—-
Local rag coverage from yesterday:
http://www.masslive.com/metroe…..amp;coll=1
–
Boston Globe had a piece Thursday.
——-
Sadly, it didn’t appear on my primary ballot, but three precincts of this city’s 64 will have a choice.
How Much Money?
Question, does anyone know how many more checks Rep Ney will collect before the House meets again and forces this convict out of office? What’s it worth to this bastard and the taxpayers for him to postpone resigning?
Is it the money?
An interesting article on voter turnout:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200…..NlYwM3MDM-
Heart– You raise an interesting question. What races would you name from 2004 that the dems should have won but didn’t and how could they have won em?
rwcole @ 16
i used to like him too . . . back when.
but . . . lately he he jsut seems too ‘married to the mob.’
FYI:did he tip off bush???
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/10/9/115151/442
Just got done talking to a poll person going door to door. After my third selection of a dem, he asked if that was the way we were leaning. I told him no more republicans! He said he’s hearing an awful lot of that this morning. I second carville fucking himself. What a pussy!
favorite new word, discovered today at DKos:
rwcole @
22
KE04 for one. link to the story at KOS i have posted above.
i just think that carville typifies the beltway insider. and talk about sleeping w/ the enemy. it’s just business to him. he is a lifer and these types are what is smothering our republic.
know what i mean?
Heart– Wow- that’s grim- wonder if
Carville responded to the charge.
Carville sleeps with the enemy, and is thus tainted and unworthy of our trust. I’m not aware of one instance of his spouse giving aid and comfort to the left, so that makes it an uneven match.
rwcole @
27
no: i bet not. he would however probably be glad to CHARGE TO RESPOND.
get it ;-)
i heart jane @ 29
would that be invoice or inwriting?
The rethugs are going to steal the 06 election. The question is are the dems going to let them.
Breaking news from ABC: U.S. AMBASSADOR JOHN BOLTON SAYS AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED ON A N. KOREA RESOLUTION AT THE U.N. AND THERE WILL BE A VOTE SHORTLY
Suppose the goopers are poised to steal the election. How could the dems prevent it. Screamin bloody murder might not be enough- and the mexican strategy does’t seem to be working either.
Bolton is goin to present himself as a hero saving mankind from the North Koreans- and Clusterfuck is goin to say that if it were’nt for his courage in appointing Bolton- we’d be nuked by Koreans by now. Puke- this is gunna make ya sick.
Gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides is not getting the word out, Democrats are believing Arnold’s lies:
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/arti…..LPK531.DTL
Maybe the Republicans have squeezed all they can out of the ‘value voter” lemon:
http://www.mydd.com/story/2006/10/14/3138/5050
The fact that progressive initiatives like the one championing stem cell research could help turn out moderate and drop off voters for the Democrats while reactive conservative measures like gay marriage bans appear not to be having the same effects upon the Republican base could have wideranging effects on November 7, potentially increasing the scope of any swing away from the GOP on election day. At the least, in an election that will still be decided by turnout (a handful of 51-49 races in one direction could bring significant change to the Congress), the disparity in voter enthusiasm evidenced by the differing levels of support for these ballot measures may be an omen that should be paid heed to just over three weeks before voters go to the polls.
This year some states have initiatives on a state minimum wage to get out the Dem vote.
rwcole @ 34
wonder when Bolton’s term ends? he wasn’t confirmed and he hasn’t been reappointed yet… end of the year, maybe?
TeddySanFran @ 35
Angelides has done a pretty crappy job all the way around. His ads aren’t good and he is pretty invisible, as far as I can tell. It’ll be an f’ing miracle if he should win…
on the other hand, Al Gore’s ad for Prop 87 (alternative fuels, for you out of staters), is just plain perfect…
A longtime friend was just mobilized into Iraq. He wasn’t supposed to go but the military claimed an error..but guess what, he still has to go in spite of the error.
Small consolation, a fairly relicable Republican voter was he said he will vote a full Democractic slate.
Also, don’t forget to grind your “small government, hate the nanny state” Republicans face in the fact that George W. Bush and his Christian conservatives just outlawed on-line betting.
Small government, hah!
-GSD
Teddy- Yeah Arnie’s spendin gooper money like there’s no tomorrow and Angelides is missin in action. The absentee vote is already rollin in I imagine- think he’s fucked.
OldCoastie @ 36
According to the WaPo article
http://www.washingtonpost.com/…..00436.html
Frustrated by the refusal of Senate Democrats to permit a final vote on Bolton’s nomination, Bush said he resorted to the 17-month recess appointment to circumvent “partisan delaying tactics” in Washington and to send a resounding message that the White House is serious about reforming the United Nations.
He was appointed Aug. 1, 2005.
goopers have to kill on line betting cause it’s hurting their new best buddies the indian tribes. Funny how this shit works.
Constitutionally, recess appointments end when the next Congress convenes, which I think is 1/3/07. Bolton can be appointed to another position, like Head of the UN Mission, or Acting Ambassador, or even (amazingly) to another recess appointment, but it’s unclear whether he can draw a salary.
Recess appointments are a holdover from horse-and-buggy days. They were devised to facilitate Federal action in an emergency when Congresscritters were home tending their fields or managing their property, and could not speedily get to the Capital in time to confirm an Executive subordinate. The Bolton appointment, in the face of Congressional rejection, remains the emblem of BushCo’s disdain for the legislative branch and the Constitution.
========
Had Enough?
========
There is clearly something wrong with Carville. Allowing that vulgar and crass political assassin to mother his children is as close to abuse as it gets.
I don’t trust him.
After hearing about the “tip-off” I am not only not trusting, but pretty well pissed off and want Democrats to keep that viper lover arms length.
-GSD
MayDaze – so if I’m counting correctly, Bolton’s got until the end of the year…
(sigh)
Christy or any lawyerly types care to comment on this post just up at Laura Rozen’s blog:
Link to Laura Rozen
GSD @ 44
me too…
why do both he and what’s her face look so bone thin? some sort of curse that only allows them to consume gravel?
Did anyone see this? Via Laura Rozen:
http://www.warandpiece.com/blogdirs/005023.html
….”Jeff Lomonaco reports in The American Prospect on Cheney’s centrality to the CIA leak investigation…..”
OldCoastie @ 44
Yeah, Teddy got it also at 10:46 – Early Jan.
OldCoastie @
47
I think they are runners….
Jacqrat @ 50
or ZOMBIES!!!!
i wish they both would RUN AWAY!
OldCoastie @ 47
Carville is consumed by grovel.
i heart jane @
51
Roiks! Rombies!
Off to the Punkin patch. Go ‘Neers, and Go BLue America!
OldCoastie @
47
speed?
meth?
About Ney being allowed to continue holding office, even after being pleading guilty to his crimes…
I recently sponsored/pushed successfully for legislation in California that prohibits college student-athletes from participating in sports activities after being convicted of certain felonies but before successfully completing the terms of their court-appointed sentence. Details at the links on this page.
I mention this only because I believe it’s even more important that we hold our elected officials to the same high standard. When proven guilty by a court of law or by the criminal’s own admission, law-breakers like Ney should be forced to step down. Like my own legislation, I don’t understand why is this even open for debate or delay. Except, oh yes, the need to win money, influence, and/or glory at all costs.
1,304 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND…
Citizen Harden Smith:
Thanx for the mornin’ “links” with my eggs and coffee…I jest finished the Mahablog piece on the Reagan youth and I recommend it to all those Firepups out there who do not yet understand that the Bush presidency represents the end of history for American pluralist democracy.
We don’t have the luxury of taking back only the House of Representatives, we need to capture the Senate also and take both Caligubush and Darth Cheney out with impeachment in order to get Al Gore appointed president before the end of ‘07.
The bankruptcy of the federal treasury, the anarchy in our political system, the collapse of our standing military and the rise of a taxpayer bought corporate mercenary army now training in Iraq, the escalation of a new nuclear arms race in the third world and the loss of our political-legal control over corporate power together signal the end of the American Enlightenment and the beginnin’ of a thermador that will make “1984″ and “Brave New World” look like utopian dreams.
There must be a complete purge of all the “neocon” radical Republican fascists root and branch…we must finish the Civil War which was paused by a truce in 1877. We have this election and the following 2 years to take back the American dream or our children are destined to relive the 12th century.
KEEP THE FAITH AND PASS THE AMMUNITION, GOD IS WATCHIN’!!!
Balrog at 4 – you bastard!!
– IM IN FORT WORTH TEXAS. FDL HAS GOT MY EYES BEFORE COFFEE HAS FINISHED COOKING — WE HAVE A VERY STRONG OIL LOBBY WORKING HERE — AND WORKING THE WORLDS ASSETS EVERY TIME WE CAN MAKE A STRIKE. WE HVE HERE THE FAMOUS DO NOTHING FIXED HAIR REPUBLICAN KAY BAILEY HITCHINSON — AND THERES A TOGER ON HER TAIL — WITH DAMMNED OUTSPOKEN ATTITUDES — A MOTH, GRANDMOTHER, LAWYER, AND EDUCATED BEYON ALL THE PUNDITS WHOSE SHOWS SHES BEEN INVITED TO. IM HOPING YOU WILL LOOK IN ON THE VERY VERY STRONG WOMAN. http://www.radnofsky.com /// YOU WILL SURELY ADMIRE WHAT YOU SEE AND HEAR OF HER. SHE CAN KICK ASS AND NOT GET OUT OF HER CHAIR.
I stumbled upon an interesting piece on Iraq discussing the exit strategy no one wants to talk about–a US-backed military coup. It’s at The Spy Who Billed Me.
GRANDDAD DELBERT @ 60
NAME A SUBJECT CURRENT AND TROUBLING AND SHE’S GOT AN OPINION SHES NOT SHY ABOUT DISCUSSING. SHE’S EQUALLY HARD ON THE SITTING DEMOCRATS — BUT HER RAW MEAT IS REPUBLICANS– ANY AND ALL OF THEM.
Ok,that article on the Reagan Youth is freaking DISTURBING.
One can only hope life body slams some sense into these young people,before they do some serious damage.