Today on This Week the collective CW of Cokie, Sam and the Two Georges (which is worth about a thimblefull of actual wisdom) was that Nancy Pelosi may be the official GOP fall boogeyman, but what they really fear are the ranking members of Government Reform (Waxman), Judiciary (Conyers), Financial Services (Frank), Ways and Means (Rangel), and Appropriations (Obey). They have all tenaciously sat there like vigilant dogs on the porches of their respective committees and are quite anxious to fulfill whatever public hunger for oversight might deliver the chairmanships into Democratic hands in November.
Meanwhile Barrons legitimizes the notion that the GOP will be winners in November because — well, they've got more money. Druge disseminates it, and I heard it make its way into the chattering class this morning (Peter King on CNN said the GOP had given up on 12 House seats, but they had the financial advantage). Well that certainly makes sense. Republicans are, after all, no stranger to buying elections.
Update: Per cbl in the comments, we find this at Booman:
The Democrats in the House have been out of power for 12 years. Many of their more moderate members have been beaten, as the GOP has come to dominate the south. As a result, many of the most liberal members of the House have risen to the position of Ranking Member.
Per the Progressive Punch system of ranking the most progressive members, Frank is #28, Conyers #21, Rangel #46, Waxman #35 and Obey #69.
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YAY!
Accountability!
Jane, could you put names to the faces above? Thanks.
If I were them, I’d be very afraid of Conyers. After the ‘04 debacle, he was willing to take them on from any room he could get his hands on…I do not see him stopping short of dragging some Publican arses onto the floor and under oath.
Balrog @ 2
Hoo boy. I bet they’re in the order listed.
Back to the gap with this inattentive burnout…
L->R Waxman, Conyers, Frank, Rangel, Obey.
Nancy Pelosi. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Thankyou Jane!
And Balrog, to put you out of your misery, across the top, it’s Waxman, Conyers, Frank.
2nd row: Rangel, Obey. Heroes all!
Beautiful graphic! Seriously!
Everyone’s always crying out, “Where are the heroes???”
Well, guys. Take a long look at those lovely lovely faces. At least in my book, they are heroes every one.
NOW. Let’s go put them in charge, eh?
oops, Angie, ya beat me…
Afternoon, Jane! or morning, whereever you are.
I’ve been tied up with family, could only note in passing yesterday your Late Nite post. It dawned on me that one of the biggest reasons that both right-wingers and the centrists Dems are either fearful of Pelosi or avoiding the concept of Pelosi as House Speaker has less to do with their staggering, continuing bad judgment.
It has everything to do with fear.
They are afraid for the first time that a woman will be the House Speaker.
They are afraid that a woman representing a majority of the majority will be a titular head.
They are afraid that this is the dam breaking, that perhaps the REAL majority in this country will wake up to the truth that Pelosi is not speaking as a LIBERAL, but as a woman with native, maternal common sense.
I’d like to blow this off and attribute it to something else, including Rahm’s and Hoyer’s corruption (they are both bought by power, if not by money — or both).
But it is this very issue, that women are less likely to be manipulated by the kinds of scams to which this administration and this current batch of senior male Congressmen fall prey.
Of course the Repugs will not mention their other bogeymen; we know they are scurrying in advance, buying their ranches in foreign countries as insurance. But some of these men do not mention Pelosi for reasons that are not dissimilar.
Fear. Naked fear. They fear us women waking up.
LOL Peteco…I’m shakkkkkkking while I type this…
Conyers bio highlights:
*Conyers served in the Michigan National Guard 1948-50; US Army 1950-54; and the US Army Reserves 1954-57. Conyers served for a year in Korea as an officer in the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and was awarded combat and merit citations.
*He has served longer in Congress than any other African-American. In 1971, he was one of the original members of Nixon’s Enemies List.
*Civil rights icon Rosa Parks served on Conyers’ staff between 1965 and 1988.
This is one hell of an American.
-GSD
If the goopers have given up on 12 gooper held house seats- then you’ve got a scoop- this sucker’s OVER- of course maybe they’ve given up on taking over DEM seats- they are currently not leading in one dem takeover opportunity. Pretty interesting.
cbl,
I left you a comment downthread.
PS. You should have given a spew warning ahead of time. Thank you for what you are doing.
So, the GOP fear-generators are, first, Osama, then a Grandma, a Jew, an African-American, a Gay, another African-American, and. lastly, a Badger.
Sorry, Karl, Dick Nixon called and he wants his Southern Strategy back. You broke it.
Adie @
7
I actually put this up because that graphic made me very happy. Cynical “centrists” (and I challenge that notion, but won’t go into it now) like Rahm, Chuck and Hoyer may fan and flatter themselves by taking credit for any Democratic win whether they deserve to or not, but these five have solid progressive credentials and have not been swayed by the “practical” notion that all values should be sold out in the pursuit of majority.
I feel pretty good about the fact that oversight is going to be vested in the hands of those willing to carry it out if given the chance to do so.
Is Nancy Pelosi a threat to Traditional American values? Newt Gingrich said yes, so Glenn Greenwald compared Nancy to Newt here.
The Rangel highlights:
*He was born in New York City and served in the United States Army from 1948 to 1952, earning a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his service in the Korean War. He attended New York University and obtained a degree in Law from St. John’s University.
*His first committee assignment was on the House Judiciary Committee where he participated in the impeachment hearings against President Richard Nixon.
*In August 2006, Rangel stated he will resign his seat if the Democrats do not take the House in November.
-GSD
Funny how all of these “cut and run” folks served with distinction in the military.
Rayne @ 8
Hi Rayne — I’ll actually turn that on its head. She is easy to demonize because she is a woman. They’re capitalizing on that fear in others. As I mentioned in the post, I think she’s an easy target, a poster girl. I think what they actualy fear is something quite different, though having her as Speaker is certainly no comforting thought to them.
the kids over at booman had a similar post last week – and I just about fell over when I saw that graphic on the tee vee this am
and yes, yes, yes to Rayne & Jane – have been waiting for some time to see their sexism unmasked – that includes Steny & Rahm
http://www.boomantribune.com/user/BooMan
One argument I’ve seen lately is that the new Dem House majority, if there is one, will owe its swollen ranks to conservative and moderate Democrats elected in traditionally red districts. This CW is popping up all over, and is part of the “controversial” and “scary” Pelosi Posse meme. It will embolden Rahm, Steny and the GOP-lite House Democrats to challenge the Progressive Pelosi Posse’s gavel rights when the 110th Congress organizes.
BUT — if there are enough Blue Democrats, as opposed to Blue Dog Democrats, in the new majority, our progressive leaders will maintain their leadership roles. So, Go Blue America!
Nancy Pelosi is poised to be the highest ranking elected female in American history.
We never hear that angle.
-GSD
Recent Conyers highlights:
In recent years including ‘06, when the repugs refused to hold bipartisan hearings, Conyers didn’t wilt like yesterday’s posey, HE ORGANIZED AND HELD HIS OWN HEARINGS! Got C-Span coverage for ‘em too.
Those hearings are probably still in C-Span archives. Worth checking ‘em out. I remember watching some of them with my jaw hanging off my face in admiration for the guy.
Conyers is TOUGH, DEDICATED AND SMART!
The thot of having guys like these heading up committees suddenly makes the world seem way brighter. Let’s help it happen!
GSD @ 20
And thanks for reminding us! I do hope Barbara Boxer sees this post – she could learn a lot from Leader Pelosi. I like to think the old Clinton gang read FDL more carefully than they’d ever admit.
Adie @
21
Yep, Conyers is not a member of the crowd who says “the GOP hates the Pelosi Posse so let’s get rid of them.” He is a rather dogged fellow, I admire him absolutely and have pined for years for he and Waxman to get subpoena power.
It is just a beautiful, beautiful vision.
you mean this Peter King ?!?!? bwa haaaa haaaa!
http://kingwatch.blogspot.com/…..html#links
Bush faces political nightmare if Democrats win
forgot this . . .
Mejias Gets New York Times Endorsement -
http://kingwatch.blogspot.com/…..ement.html
Waxman highlights:
*According to his Web site, his legislative priorities are health and environmental issues. These include universal health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid coverage, tobacco, AIDS, air and water quality standards, pesticides, nursing home quality standards, women’s health research and reproductive rights, the availability and cost of prescription drugs, and the right of communities to know about pollution levels.
A more dedicated public servant than Henry Waxman is hard to find.
-GSD
Rayne and Jane,
Speaking from a male perspective, I welcome the chance that Nancy Pelosi will be the Speaker in the House re-alignment. We have three daughters and they always had my support to be the best that they can be in life. I am very proud of their accomplishments.
She can, and will provide the direction needed at this time. I have no doubt that the gentlemen pictured above strike terror into the hearts of the Repubs.
Thanks for this post Jane.
To the tune of Anticipation–
Investigations
Investigations
They’re making me wait
Keeping me waiting…
scarecrow @ 25
“Paraguay…On a jet plane
Don’t know if I’ll be back again…”
;>)
See, the Democrats oughta take that and run with it. “The Republicans think if they buy enought slickly-produced commercials, the voters will forget what’s happening in their own lives, to their own children, to their own jobs. Well, we think the voters are smarter than that.”
Here’s what’s wrong with Steny Hoyer (D-Corporatist), from scarecrow’s link.
Quotes like this one damage Democrats, Steny, because they make us sound simply power-mad. Talk instead about what you’ll do FOR America, like the Pelosi Posse does everytime they’re asked.
Since I’m a Badger, I thought I’d let you all know a bit about our David Obey…
From Wiki with a couple of edits:
David Ross Obey has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1969, representing the Seventh Congressional District of Wisconsin.
Obey was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma and grew up in Wausau, Wisconsin, where he graduated from Wausau High School. He received his Bachelors degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin. Before serving in Congress, Obey worked for his father’s flooring company, a paper mill, and as a real estate broker.
Obey was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1963 and served there until 1969, when he was elected to the House to replace Melvin R. Laird, who was appointed Secretary of Defense under President Richard Nixon. Obey, only thirty years old at the time of his appointment, became the youngest member of Congress upon taking his seat. He is now the third-longest serving Democrat in the House, after John Dingell and John Conyers.
In Congress, Obey chaired the commission to write the House’s Code of Ethics. Among the reforms he instituted was one requiring members of the House to disclose their personal financial dealings so that the public is made aware of any potential conflicts of interests. Obey is currently the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee.
In addition to serving in Congress, Obey is an avid musician and has played harmonica on three bluegrass albums recorded with his band, the Capitol Offenses. Obey is also remembered for being the Congressman who intervened when Harold Ford Jr. approached Jean Schmidt, who accused on the house floor Congressman (and Decorated former Marine) John Murtha of being a coward in 2005.
He’s one of the good guys…(and I love it that he succeeded Mel Laird, a great friend of Gaylord Nelson, founder of Earth Day and another Wisconsin treasure, now gone to a better life…)
Jane says Meanwhile Barrons legitimizes the notion that the GOP will be winners in November because — well, they’ve got more money.
To reiterate – in the recent October Borough elections in the very red Matanuska-Susitna Borough in Alaska, the far right heavily outspent progressives, but ALL progressives handily beat the GOP by bigger margins than any of the victors anticipated.
I have so much trouble seeing why Pelosi is seen as a demon to fear … I really don’t think that has traction with most folks who see a pretty sane woman
Waxman has been doing the most awesome work on oversight even without a chairmanship … I can’t wait for him to get that power!
darkblack @
30
OMG. Reminds me it’s time to make an appointment. Thanks.
TeddySanFran @ 32
Oh TeddySF – love your Pelosi Posse Steny smack-a-roo!
ET, Alaska gives us all hope!
GSD @ 20
Why is America so backward on this? I was mystified by all the hoopla about Katie Couric being the first primetime female newsreader a few weeks ago. The BBC broke that barrier over thirty years ago. Thatcher, party leader in 1975, Prime Minister in 1979. Most of Europe has had female heads of government or state (Ireland, anybody?) since then.
I don’t think I’ll ever understand the US, as long as I live here.
And yes, Laird was a Republican and Nelson a Democrat. Apparently, in the old days, they could argue and disagree on policy and still be good friends. Imagine that.
Siun @ 35
See the Greenwald link to Newt’s comments above. The Pelosi thing is a dog whistle to the evangelicals: Pelosi = SF = gays => the fall of Western civilization. It’s not subtle.
I’m seriously hoping that Steny’s shouting and glee turns into raging and rending of garments when Jack Murtha challenges him for Majority Leader, and Grandma throws her support to the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
Jane 23 & Firedawgs
Don’t forget the rest of that wonderful bunch pictured above, folks, but I found a link to just ONE of the many things Conyers has been up to recently.
http://www.house.gov/judiciary…..index.html
Feast yer eyes and, as Jane indicated, visualize a beeootieful future with these guys (& gals, ahem) in charge. Then go spread the word so others will vote with full knowledge that there CAN be a better future for all.
scarecrow @ 41
As someone who lived for many years in SF, then Atlanta, then the Upper Midwest, you are exactly right…
But, to Siun’s point (and others), I think we need some Swiftboat slap back real soon on this point. “The Rethugs are demonizing a woman–a mother and grandmother–who may become the most powerful leader in this country. So they don’t think women can or should lead????”
newspaperbrat @ 22
Hopefully, they are familiar with this Cenk Uyger piece in HuffPo, also.
Bill Clinton, and all the ‘Clintonistas’…Time to come to Connecticut for Ned Lamont.
Joe Lieberman must not prevail.
Newsweek article on Republicans losing their base
This is hitting the ‘nail on the Republican bean’ business. Let’s not kid ourselves. ‘These’ guys (Rove) fear ‘those’ guys (Conyers) more than anything in the world. Most of all, the Bush Constitutional and war criminal riders in the night marauders, fear incarceration. and well they should. There WILL be at minimum, an impeachment inquiry. And it will be sweet. For us.
scarecrow … nodding, I saw an ad last night that was the ” be afraid, Pelosi would be speaker” argument … they show the golden gate bridge and talk in ominous tones
I understand it may work with the base but sheesh! otherwise who cares?
Jane 14
picky little thing in your 14.
my fault.
You quoted me so fast, I didn’t get my typo changed in the copy you used (’corrected original’ at 7 is o.k.).
“our” should be “are” in middle of my quote.
Martha,
I think you are right about a pushback against the Swiftboating that is to come in the next two weeks. Do you have any suggestions?
Fear Pelosi all you good Republicans and get thee to the voting booth.
Nancy Pelosi, imho, can handle anything these Repub derelicts throw at her.
The beauty of Waxman is the man is methodical. Many of you have probably visited the “Iraq on the record” searchable database of Bush administration false statements leading up to the war. You can find 51 false and/or misleading statements by Dick Cheney with one simple search.
Regardless of the prospects, I am still concerned about election theft. Bush makes his confident statements, Drudge and Barron disseminate the propaganda. DieboldTS machines are all over the place this cycle just sitting there, ready to help. What if the election returns are contrary to the public opinion polls? How will we know it’s not been stolen?
scarecrow @ 46
I looked at this earlier. And if true, then this says to me the fundies are even more scarier than I envisioned.
All the polls I’ve seen show that nobody in Redville really knows who Grandma Pelosi is, and that when Republics use her in their speeches and their ads, the references fall flat. She’s done well keeping her profile low, simply because she’s recognized her own limitations. Her strength is not the Sunday talk show, it’s the Favor Bank she learned to maintain for her Baltimore-mayor Dad, practicing good penmanship in the process.
The idea that low-information voters, who struggle to name their own Congresscritter, are going to cast a vote based on who might become Speaker, is ludicrous.
Siun @ 48
Yep. I think the Foley matter, and all of the Republican “outtings” that have occurred since, are changing the discussion. And the difference between Pelosi’s indignant reaction to what the current speaker Hastert did/said will not be lost on the public.
I really liked Lamont’s response a couple weeks back, when he said (paraphrase) “there seem to be a lot of people running our Congress who have forgetten what it means to be a parent.”
Apple Canyon 2 @ 50
Pelosi will be the next speaker. Dammit, I love it!
TheGris @ 51
And what should we do? The State Capitol is less than two miles from my house. Should I go and protest on the steps? How effective will that be if I’m the only one? Is there a “oh my god they’ve blatantly stolen the election like in a banana republic” contingency plan?
Oklahoma kiddo @ 47
Yes, they should fear the House Chairs. I’m not sure an impeachement inquiry particularly serves the progressive causes well vs. being an expensive diversion until ‘08. What I am hoping for is a very well-prepared Pelosi, and hearings on torture, habeas, Iraq,net neutrality, and vote security issues.
darkblack @ 45
Woo Hoo Cenk Uyger & good on you darkblack!
TSF,
I hope you are right, but I still think Martha makes a good point on being ready when the Repubs try their BS in trying to keep their majority. And we all know that the fear is there for them right now of a Dem. takeover.
Their gravy train will be run off it’s tracks.
Congressman: “Election’s for sale! Erection’s for sale”
Man in the crowd: “Wait, you just said ‘erections!:”
“No, I didn’t. I said E-l-e-c-t-i-o-n-s!”
“Really? OK. Come over here, Son, This is the Republican Congressman running for office in our District. Congresman, he’s 16 and ready to vote in 2 years.”
“ERECTION!!!!!!!!! I mean ELCETION!!! Kid, here’s my card, call me…”
VOTE FOR ME!!!
“But we’ve never stayed the course – Honest!”
Welcome to Tell-A-Tale Town.
Oh and Karl, better pack your water-wings. Waterloo awaits.
Apple Canyon 2:
I think that we need several key men and women–Democratic and independent pols, pundits, and others–to throw these statements back in their faces…make them stutter that they’re not against women. And don’t wait until it comes up. Bring it up as a talking point. My gosh, the only way to “out” the subtext is to talk about it directly over and over again.
By this time next week Nancy Pelosi will be devil incarnate if we don’t stop this right now. Demonizing her is one of the few rhetorical tools they’ve got, BECAUSE much of the nation doesn’t know about her…except that she’s from “Baghdad By the Bay” ohhh, that’s ironic! (Herb Caen, the great SF Chronicle columnist whom only SF Bay Area folks older than about 35 will remember, dubbed SF B-By-Bay…hah!)
TeddySanFran @ 38
That’s a change. Don Young has been undergoing a crescendo of criticism from the Anchorage Daily News since Thursday. Today’s ADN features a cartoon lambasting Young for being at the other end of his “bridge to nowhere.”
http://www.adn.com/opinion/vie…..7764c.html
I’ll re-post my late night Alaska Update:
Races are tightening. Alaska is less in play than many red states, but the GOP controls everything short of our Supreme Court, so any gain will be notable.
Governor’s race: Sarah Palin the photogenic GOP rockstar in glasses is flip-flopping on how to deal with the North Slope natural gas conundrum. The oil companies have been burning off enough ng to fuel the states of Oregon and Idaho for the past thirty years. Everyone wants a solution, but the battle is between the oil giants’ preference for a convoluted contract to tie an ng line to one going down to Alberta from the mouth of the Mackenzie, and a route which would follow the Alaska pipeline to Valdez (with a spur to Anchorage) for conversion to LNG.
Palin’s Dem opponent, ex-Governor Tony Knowles wants to throw out all previous plans, or so it seems. Knowles is closing on Palin, but probably not enough to pull off a win. He’s down from 17 points behind to between 12 and 15 points.
The U.S. House race is tightening fast, with Diane Benson closing on Don Young over the past two weeks from 30 points down to 16. And that was before this week’s series of three unconnected articles in Anchorage’s daily newspaper highly critical of Young.
http://www.adn.com/news/politics/electio ns/story/8320807p-8216972c.html
http://www.adn.com/news/politics/electio ns/story/8324178p-8220242c.html
http://www.adn.com/opinion/story/8326962 p-8222957c.html
Unless the cleft between believers in honesty and believers in power is deeper than I’ve perceived, the GOP will retain control of the state legislature.
Can’t thank the fdl doggies enough for helping with Diane Benson’s campaign. You’ve contributed over 5% of the funds her campaign has gotten!
http://www.actblue.com/page/egregious
and
http://bensonforcongress.com/
Nancy P. “I Left my Heart…in…San Francisco…. High on a Hill… it calls to me”
tfitznc @ 57
And if the conclusions reached by these hearings point (as they surely will) to outright criminal abuse of the constitution? I would hope Democrats would press for impeachment, and jail time. Anything less will mean they got away with it again (Watergate, Iran/Contra).
you want pushback ???
these big swingin’ dicks talk so tough about the evildoers, but pee their pants and crawl under their beds over a grandma ?
rinse and repeat
One of these crazy old days, the Bush boys and girls will be glad they failed. To thoroughly gut the Constitution.
PeteCo@56,
My original idea was that people should count their own vote by taking a picture of their vote with a cellphone camera and uploading it to the web. Building this sort of site would be possible. But probably not succesful, because of the tactics that’d need to be executed, the number of senior citizens who vote and don’t use cell phone cameras.
Another idea would be to do the same thing but with a phone line. Basically, think ‘American Idol’ style voting. Voters call a number, enter some info, and record their votes. “I voted for candidate x in zip code y”. The goal here would be to have a verifiable database with records of actual votes, in case of a dispute.
There are variations of these ideas we could play with if anyone is interested.
also these people don’t come across as boogeymen on the almighty TeeVee.
Barney Frank and Rangel are funny and quick witted, Obey oozes midwestern sincerity, Waxman comes across like a nerdy but decent vice-principal, and as much as they try to scare people by point out that he’s a Nee-gro Radical from the Evil Sixties (didn’t Joe Klein (?) tightrope-walk some real racism about Conyers and Rangel last year?), Conyers reminds me of a kindly old doctor.
darkblack @
30
“Is it safe?”
I see I screwed up the Booman link upthread -
http://www.boomantribune.com/s…../13141/325
irony fan that I am, this is my fave part:
TheGris @ 69
It’s a nice idea. Personally I’d like to get away from these “Astronaut Pen” voting machines and back to putting an “X” on a piece of paper and placing it in a locked box, which is then opened and counted under the scrutiny of all interested parties. Call me crazy….
cbl,
GREAT PUSHBACK idea. Man this thread is lively today!
Martha,
You are right that this week will be the week that the “fear” factor starts escalating.
Imho, the Repubs right now are like a boxer in the ring that has been hit in the head so many times the blood is blinding him, and he is just flailing about without being able to see his target anymore. The boxer (Repubs.) need to be finished off.
PeteCO @ 66
They will if the votes are there. My thinking is that it will take a so-called “super majority” to do the impeachment thing. Someone correct if I’m wrong on this, please.
TheGris 51
I agree. Related: Lou Dobbs, in all his grandeur F-I-N-A-L-L-Y got around to trumpeting about the possibility of election fraud, and how easy it apparently is to hack Diebold machines [-duh-], yahda yahda — oh, he kindly alerted the rest of us about this urgent problem JUST THIS PAST FRIDAY!?!
Dobbs always pretends to want feedback, which I have no doubt he filters through chainmail soaked in Tanglefoot. I fired off a nastygram anyway, blasting him for ignoring the subject until now, JUST on the eve of the election when it’s guaranteed not even to be worth the airtime to prattle on about it! [The Pompous Old Windbag!]
I couldn’t stand to listen to any more Dobbs, much less Cafferty’s latest pretend-expose , so I have no idea if he’ll ever dare read my rant on air or not – I’m betting surely not, since he’s only interested in self-promotion. Still, if I receive a copy of his new book on crocheting middle class truth, I guess it could fix our wobbly chair problem.
I’m not sure an impeachement inquiry particularly serves the progressive causes well vs. being an expensive diversion until ‘08. What I am hoping for is a very well-prepared Pelosi, and hearings on torture, habeas, Iraq,net neutrality, and vote security issues.
I think you raise an important political point for the nation. Wrt our moral standing in the World, the sooner the House impeaches Bush, the better, imho.
TheGris @
69
Drive by post back later, but
Check this link for a well thought out version of this idea
Oklahoma kiddo @ 74
Well, it’s sure going to take a super majority (two-thirds) to convict him in the Senate. And we won’t have the votes to do that.
The impeachment may not be the right move argument is a mistake … we need to stand, before anything else, for the rule of law … if W broke the law (and he has) then we must impeach. Until we start demanding at minimum simple civil order, we will not fix the disaster we become.
Twisted Martini @
71
‘And you knew what they were then,
Republicans were girly mennn…’
;>)
Hartford Courant starting to get it:
Hartford Courant: Joe Keeps Focus on Mud
martha @ 44
A lot of folks in their base don’t, or at least can be easily convinced that any particular woman who happens to gain power shouldn’t have it.
The dog whistle here is, woman with power = heartless bitch = castration anxiety for all those good ol’ boy NASCAR dads.
Siun 80
AMEN!
I believe that the republicans will pour all the money into 1 or 2 red state house races to make sure they can hold the house by one seat. That is all they need. They do not care if they hold a majority of public opinion, as long as they hold the leadership their raping and pillaging our nation, our democracy, and our constitution will go on its merry way.
Ever since Pelosi’s imfamous letter to Dean on his ‘evenhanded’ statement, I have had little time for her blatherings.
John Casper @ 77
Exactly right. The damage that has been done the the US’s image overseas is incalculable, and I don’t think a lot of Americans fully appreciate the importance of that. I see impeachment and jail time as a way of demonstrating to the world community that this unfortunate episode was an abberation, and the US is able to identify and fix these problems when they occur.
The South African commission on truth and reconciliation was an important step in rehablitating that country’s standing, post-aphartheid. (No, I’m not comparing BushCO to aphartheid South Africa. Not yet, anyway.)
John Casper @ 76
I agree that the most important thing the United States needs to do to restore its damaged reputation is to have some very forceful, public repudiation of the entire Bush/Cheney/neocon policy. If not via impeachment (unlikely because 2/3 Senate needed for conviction, but who knows?) then something else. Maybe we can’t get something till 2008. In the meantime, much damage continues to be done.
GrandmaJ @ 84
I had the same idea, but just replace “House” in your comment with “Senate”. The House is beyond hope for them.
Swopa @ 82
I think that’s the dog whistle for Hillary. The Pelosi whistle always links to SF.
I am looking forward to Waxman and oversight of Department of Interior and the EPA. The giveaway of resources and the pollution of the environment, not mention global warming, will get the attention it needs. Waxman probably has so many reports filed away he will be busy from day one.
As for the disputes between the DCCC, DSCC, and the DNC, the sooner they can get their acts together to work coherently the better. 2008 is just around the corner. Dean’s 50 state strategy and the fund-raising abilities are contributing to winning these elections. And I strongly believe, the push from blogs like Firedoglake and the DailyKos, will influence the direction in the future both through financial support(I donated through Act Blue to six candidates on Friday cuz I was feeling like whumping Republicans) and progressive thinking(the reason I read this blog and enjoy it!).
FWIW, the overwhelming analysis, that I have read, is that the Dems will pick up 5 more seats than they need to win the House. Most experts say that it could easily be 40. I don’t know of anyone reputable, who expects the GOP to retain control of the House.
Five great Americans who never gave up the fight even while their colleagues sat on their hands and whimpered. “Dogged” is right. (Senator Dorgan deserves an atta boy, too.)
MayDaze says:
October 22nd, 2006 at 11:32 am
“Well, it’s sure going to take a super majority (two-thirds) to convict him in the Senate. And we won’t have the votes to do that.”
Yes. You are very correct.
I think, as may you, perhaps, that Siun has the GOOD take on this, right below your good comment. Perhaps it’s more important that the truth come out about the Bush outlaws, rather than actual impeachment. I do however think that any, and all, criminality MUST be answered for.
This is what desperation looks like….
FRIST: Well, what we need to do over the next two weeks — because it’s not going to happen. It’s not going to happen — is we’ve got to show the consequences under Democratic leadership what would happen if the terrorists win, if we actually admit defeat to the terrorists. What would happen if we do what Charlie Rangel wants to do, and that’s increase your taxes, or to the people listening to me, by 58 percent.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRA…..le.01.html
Swopa @ 83
I’m not sure what the best message is politically, but there does seem to be a fear among them of powerful women, at least when those women don’t agree with them. I could never understand their antipathy for Hillary Clinton. She doesn’t have the warmest or most extroverted personality, but as a politician she’s certainly no more frightening than most of the folks wandering the Capitol on either side of the aisle.
John Casper @ 91
I’m not reputable, but I certainly don’t think it’s a sure thing. The Republicans do have lots of money at their disposal, though apparently not as much as they claim, and they will certainly use it to fuel their GOTV efforts and to buy smear ads just before the election. I’m not sure how effective the latter will be, but some smart business person once observed that no one got poor underestimating the intelligence of the American public, and every election cycle seems to demonstrate just how right he was.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 92
I agree. Hearings and accountability are what will resonate with voters, not a meaningless exercise in impeachment. That would feed the Rethug meme of “do nothing Democrats” that they would love to have in 2008.
Cozumel @ 94
Oh, like this, you mean?
http://www.workingforchange.co…..emid=15592
Swopa @
83
Ding ding ding!!! We have a winner.
Ned Lamont introduced to a Ramadan dinner recently. This quote over at MyLeftNutmeg:
Stopping the injustice with our vote Nice article.
scarecrow 87
Exactly, and shooter continues plotting & planning, rummy ditto, both they & others getting more desperate to ensure whatever evil deeds they have in mind are accomplished while they still have the reins of power.
Terrifying concept to me; I don’t think the danger is overblown at all. Dems must not only take power but take control in a hurry. Those guys may not be insane, but their pretend-patriot-games are too realistic for my antacids to handle, & I’m not that easy to scare.
“worse than watergate?” !ABSOLUTELY! no contest.
MayDaze @ 97
Accountability through the exposure of committee hearings are needed. The Democrats will need to focus on provding leadership on issues voters care about if the party wants the White House in 2008. The next two years have to show positive accomplishments in education, health, the environment, and international issues, including Iraq and Afghanistan, and many other issues. Also, no more idiots on the Supreme Court.
I don’t want to get distracted by impeachment discussions right now (though there is definite support in the electorate for impeachment if we were lied into war)
the task at hand is turnout on Nov 7
That said, no one in the early days of Watergate would have assumed that impeachment would have the votes … it is the investigatory process (which is what Conyers stresses) that is critical … where it goes, we see when we get there but first, we gotta win those 11/7 races!
Thanks Siun, the voice of reason. ;->
From U.S News & World Report 10-22-06
Another reason for Bush to be afraid:
Chatty Abramoff Gets an FBI Desk
Jack Abramoff, the lobbying scandal figure, has become such a chatty rat that probe insiders say he’s been given a desk to work at in the FBI. We’re told he spends up to four hours a day detailing his shady business to agents eager to nail more congressmen in the scandal. And when cooperative witnesses spend that much time inside, they get a desk. As a result of his help in the ever expanding investigation, we hear that the Feds hope to keep him in a nearby prison after he’s sentenced on his conspiracy admission.
scarecrow @
87
IMHO, there must be impeachment hearings, regardless of the outcome. Some offenses demand accountability, and trying to suspend habeas corpus, illegally classifying information, and torturing people certainly count as the sort of serious offenses the framers of the Constitution had in mind when they included an impeachment process.
In fact, I wouldn’t want the Senate to convict a President of anything without quite a few of his own party joining in. So I don’t see having a slim majority in the Senate as a bad thing here. It has to be clear that what Bush did was seen as wrong by most Americans, not just Democrats.
GrandmaJ @ 84
Hmmm Grandma J – could you refresh my memory on this infamous letter to Dean?
Newsweek has polling on impeachment- 28% of voters want to see it- including 47% of dems.
That makes it a huge loser issue at the moment- dems would have to build up to it with several series of hearings that create a firestorm- but Clusterfuck has only two years left anyway- and if dems were in power- he won’t be able to do anything.
I’d say that the odds are this issue will never come up (but I could be wrong).
scarecrow @ 82
Scarecrow – as I’ve driven around Danbury today, doing various errands, I keep looking at presumably normal people and thinking to myself – Are you really going to vote for Joe Lieberman? Don’t you see what a slimey crook he is? Don’t you get it that the night he lost the election he called Karl Rove for help and the next thing we know, Cheney’s on air calling Lamont and his followers terrorist lovers – and then, just coincidentally, a premature terror alert is triggered? Why do fear Joey’s losing the election so much?
Can’t people put two & two together? Can’t they look at the timeline and then look at the filthy money pouring into Joey’s campaign from out of state? Do they get it that the swiftboaters are in town putting their disgusting ads on air?
Just how much in denial are the folks in CT?
(And speaking of perhaps being in denial, I still think Lamont is going to win for a variety of reasons. And I am very much a pragmatist. I think the reality is Ned is probably about 7 down and we have two weeks to go. Either way, we’ll see on November 7th.)
John Casper @ 90
I think that is a reasonable estimate. My estimate is that we win the House by no more than 10; if we gain Senate – only by 1 (odds dont favor).
BTW, I’m all for BushCo in the docket, public humiliation, etc. He’ll never go to jail (higher odds on detox, corporate boards). I think we can restrore the world’s confidence in us via ethical congressional productivity. Let’s get out of Iraq and Afghanistan, utilize the UN more for other conflicts, engage in Darfur, etc.
We have a do-nothing Congress; let’s show the world by our common, constructive legislative action. This requires that our House leaders be focused and exhibit leadership, not recrimination. We can do better!
In leiu of inpeachment hearings might I suggest:
silver bullets
garlic
wooden stakes
crosses of all sizes
Foley: the gift that keeps on giving!
rwcole @ 107
On point (as usual)
shooogarp @ 110
Now you’re talking.
From Cook’s political report.
A little more movement toward the dems in latest analysis of the house.
Dems are now favored in four gooper seats
27 gooper seat are now toss ups
17 gooper seats are down to “lean republican”
Assuming that these numbers are about right- then one would expect dems to win the four that they lead in- split the 27 and take a few of the 17
That gives them about a twenty seat swing and a five seat majority or so.
New thread upstairs: Face the snark: watertiger
John Casper @ 90
Charlie Cook was predicting a 20-seat pickup this morning on Russert’s show.
dab from CT: yeah. I assume most folks don’t care, or take the time, to pay as much attention to this as you do. The Mass regiment will be down next week to help you spread word.
The senate, I think, comes down to two seats, Missouri and Tennessee. Both are even money bets and the dems need to win both- that puts the odds at one in four. That’s about right in my book.
MayDaze @ 110
…and giving…
Put it another way- assuming that the goopers lose the four races in which they are already getting clobbered- then they can only afford to lose 10 more seats- that means that in order to hold the house- they would have to win 17 out of the 27 toss up races and not lose any of the “leans gooper” seats. That’s a pretty tall order.
Bloomberg will hold a fund-raiser for the Connecticut senator at his townhouse on November 1, and he’ll appear at a Chicago event with Lieberman’s wife, Hadassah, on October 25. http://nymag.com/daily/politic…..duced.html
One of Lieberman’s more generous enablers is Robert Belfer , energy executive, who lives in New York. He and his wife Renee look to have given about 8 large to the diminutive power-mad son of a liquor-store-owner.
http://mondoweiss.observer.com…..ation.html
National Review ,Chris Dodd would rather campaign for President than campaign for Ned Lamont or the three contested House races in Connecticut. If Ned were up by 17 points rather than down 17, does anyone think this would be the case? As all three House candidates have endorsed Lamont over Lieberman, again, does anyone think that maybe a Joe Lieberman with an 80 point lead in the polls over his Republican challenger might have been just a little helpful for Dems. hoping to take over the House this election?
http://sixers.nationalreview.c…..k2NGMwN2E=
Let’s just hope the Great Decider doesn’t think to declare those guys unlawful enemy combatants.
Jane: You might want to add Louise Slaughter, who will chair the House Rules Committee.
If it has gone unmentioned, Nancy Pelosi would be President if we happened to impeach and remove from office a certian George and his Dick.
Let’s see,
5 are men
4 have mustaches
3 wear glasses
3 are white
3 have gray hair
2 black
1 is gay
therefore the Republicans are afraid of
1 grandmother from SF (Pelosi)!
Maybe Dubya and the Congressional Republicans will learn the meaning of the word ‘oversight’.
I watched some more debates recently. The one (slightly humorous) joke which comes to mind is that in Rhode Island a candidate is refusing to do the usual by using a Whitehouse as a stepping stone to the Senate, instead of the the way around.
I live in Henry Waxman’s (CA-30) District. He is brilliant and the voters here love him. I had to look in my Official Voter Guide to see who’s running against him, some Republican “businessman” nobody named David Jones, because Waxman doesn’t need to spend a dime to get re-elected here. You don’t even see a yard sign. If you’re curious what he’s up to, go to his website, http://www.house.gov/waxman and check out the letter he sent to Ken Mehlman on October 16. Oh my.
“The Democrats in the House have been out of power for 12 years. Many of their more moderate members have been beaten, as the GOP has come to dominate the south. As a result, many of the most liberal members of the House have risen to the position of Ranking Member.”
I never thought I’d see anything positive in the GOP’s racist southern strategy but it looks like it’s going to give us a Democratic majority without all those leadership positions in the hands of conservative white southern men. It’s something I never considered. If the threat of liberals, women, gays, and people of color taking control of the House doesn’t fire up the gooper base, and it doesn’t seem to be firing them up, the goopers are really in deep shit.
Adie @51, Lou Dobbs can be exasperatingly ingenuous on trying to cover up his basic Republican roots, but I find it interesting that he openly talks about class warfare (his book, The War on the Middle Class) while Clinton in his last “great speech” was warning against class warfare a la Old Man Bush. When it comes to impeachment, I think going for the jugular means going after Cheney first. Spiro Agnew set a precedent, and Cheney is light years ahead of him in financial corruption. Going after Bush may be more difficult because they’ve portrayed him as the village idiot who knows nothing. This post and thread have been music to my ears. Nancy Pelosi deserves to be the the woman first elected to highest office because she has paid her dues. Is there a committee that Maxine would be slated to head?
If the Repubs try to demonize the Democrats pictured here, a similar Post Office Roundup of Repubs would be appropriate. How many of the following Repub leadership belong in jail? Hastert – Delay – Foley – Bush – Cheney? Several other Repubs deserve consideration for Post Office Roundup Pictural – Abramoff -Rove – Libby – Frist – Boehner; as well as all the rest of Repub. leadership who were complicitous in criminality.
Maybe they’re just afraid of moustaches (and gays, obv).
Just sayin…
Republicans have evidently been pouring money into NJ attacking Menendez, but it is not working as Bob is pulling away from Junior in new polls.
OK, you Repugs, look at the faces of the guys you will be answering to. I love it. I don’t know anything about Frank or Obey, but Conyers, Waxman, and Rangel are liberal, smart, principled and don’t pull any punches.
DeanOr from the United States of Amnesia
The Repugs cannot afford to give up power. They have no ethics or morality and will not all of a sudden get them. They will not roll over and wait to be prosecuted. They have Diebold and will usethe machineswith precision to maintain power. They will steal the election again. I hope I am wrong but they don’t play by the same rules the rest of us do.