howdy howie!

Woot! Hi Howie!

hey. I thought I was the only one not in Austin or Afghanistan today

Now why would we want to be in Austin with Michelle Malkin and the Novakula and Pelosi and all the other wing nutz?

Now why would we want to be in Austin with Michelle Malkin and the Novakula and Pelosi and all the other wing nutz?

Because here, we could do this.

It’s bad enough they invited Pelosi and Harold Ford, but Malkin is there too???? Is she chairing a panel?

Good morning Howie!

Digg this

Regina Thomas ‘10! Remember Donna Edwards didn’t win the first time either.

Thanks Howie - just made a modest donation. Burning question: is this the same Howard Leach Bush appointed as Ambassador to France?

Jim, that picture looks like the way someone would hold up a crucifix to a ravenous vampire

I love the picture on your site with your face in it, and I really, really, really love the picture in the Statesman…just the hand, the arm, and the Constitution. Outstanding!

BRAVO!!!

standing on my chair, shouting and clapping!

You’re right. It seems the real tools to stop this are not yet at our disposal. Thanks for your hard work to find more and better Democrats who will help us stop the madness.

Next weekend we have Jeff Merkley coming to talk with us and after that an incredible woman I met here in L.A., Annette Taddeo who is running against a real kook in Miami, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

Thanks. I’m taking a short break to rest since I seem to be fighting some sniffles. But later there is a smaller session with George Lakoff and then a session on Gitmo, habeas corpus and torture. Can’t wait for those. We get to finsh the evening with Donna Edwards. Can’t get any better than that! (Thanks again, Howie and Blue America!)

if you haven’t contributed to “The Money Bomb” be sure and do it! Just Do It!

I’d love to see Ileana gone, gone, gone.

Thanks Howie.

Regina wants to return some of the Act Blue money. She sounds like a wonderful person.

Darcy Burner gets my vote.

I met Annette yesterday, and like her a lot.

Hi Howie — Have we got any primary challengers left in Blue America this year? If we do, I vote to send our Regina Thomas Blue America money to any other status-quo-challengers within the Democratic Party. Otherwise, I’d like to see the money go to Darcy Burner, since she seems to be the Democrat who has the biggest hurdles to overcome, with the fire destroying her house.

And here’s my EPUd comment on the Netroots Nation sellout this morning:

It’s outrageous that the Netroots Nation organizers would let Nancy Pelosi get saved by Al Gore. Promising attendees a two-hour keynote/question session with the Speaker, and then *poof* producing the MOST popular netroots politician to save her ass from the DFHs.

If I were there (and I am glad I am not!) I would be at the office demanding my money back, and getting on a plane home right now.

Another capitulation to the powers-that-be by Gina Cooper. Hurray!

An appropriate analogy after what I just witnessed.

OT: Can you believe how irresponsible it is that McCain basically “leaked” Obama’s travel plans…WTF???:

http://rawstory.com//news/2008....._0718.html

On the other hand, I’m not sure I could have remained calm with another hour of Nancy. She blew off every question of substance and I’m sure my blood pressure did a steady rise the entire time.

Hi Pach — take a look at that series of Austin-American photos, if you have time. I think you’ll recognize the fellow in the cargo shorts taking a snapshot of Clean Energy and Dirty Coal, in picture 20. At least I thought I did.

Thanks for your writeup of the Speaker’s filibuster today. What a joke.

You mean you wouldn’t have flown back yesterday after you discovered Harold Ford being a featured speaker?

Howie, Will Regina run again? If so, shouldn’t she keep the BA money for that time?

21.00 per Barrow vote!! I need oxygen! If ever we needed to know just what the Blue Dogs (and Obamas endorsement) are willing to do in order to keep the corporate / rich in power, that ought to be proof enough.

Since there’s no guest today, hopefully this won’t get bounced but Teddy was all over this last night

You gots to move fast to be ahead of the folks at FDL, I’m tellin’ ya.

actually, reading the thread made me want to be there. not as a participant - as a protester.

Nobody I recognize.

I’ll pile on after Howie quoted Dylan last night and issue for the record, it ain’t me, babe.

Hear, hear! ((((((TeddySF))))))

Wow. Jim White, yours is one excellent site! Superb work, simple, clear and powerful.

I’m lurking this weekend, trying to keep up with NRN as I can. Reading and learning and in awe and appreciation of FDL pups and BIG DOGS commenting on and reporting the goings on in Austin.

Thanks to all who are involved, and Jim, that’s some truly astounding and heavy duty lifting you are doing on your site.

You truly speak for me!
Thank you.

the warm welcome glenn greenwald’s panel received (not) was an early warning of what to expect.

t’s outrageous that the Netroots Nation organizers would let Nancy Pelosi get saved by Al Gore. Promising attendees a two-hour keynote/question session with the Speaker, and then *poof* producing the MOST popular netroots politician to save her ass from the DFHs.

If I were there (and I am glad I am not!) I would be at the office demanding my money back, and getting on a plane home right now.

Another capitulation to the powers-that-be by Gina Cooper. Hurray!

Kinda leaves one wondering whether Nancy didn’t know - well ahead of time - that she was in for a rough time, and scheduled her own personal cavalry to come in to rescue her, huh?

As for serious primary races we have left this year:

Steve Cohen (TN) is being challenged by an anti-semitic Harold Ford hack who is being backed by Emily’s List and a gaggle of anti-choice preachers

Alan Grayson (FL) who has to contend with 3 or 4 candidates, including a Republican making believe he’s a Democrat and Democrat to the right of teh Republican!

Jon Powers (NY) who is running against a self-funding ex-Republican millionaire kook and an anti-environmental attorney

Howard Shanker (AZ), who is running against a DCCC lackey who they are trying to crown “nominee”

And then there are some interesting non-Blue America candidates like Steve Harrison and Kevin Powell in NYC

Actually, I knew Harold was going to be there, since Markos had issued the invite on one of the morning gasbag shows a while back. I think Ford invited Markos to his DLC meeting — probably just Markos and Harold sitting in a room with Lanny Davis, but still. It was planned and announced. The bait-and-switch this morning on the part of the conference organizers was outrageous. “Here’s two hours for you to ask questions of the Speaker, unless she doesn’t want to answer questions for two hours, in which case we are bringing out the one person in the universe we know the netroots LOVE, to shut you DFHs up.”

The pushback from organizers should have been, “We’d be delighted to make room elsewhere in the program for the former Vice President, but we promised our attendees two hours with the Speaker. If you’d rather not attend, Madame Speaker (just like you ducked out of your promised appearance at BOTH the previous conferences!) that’s fine. Your decision.”

Gina Cooper and her pals are toadies to power, and it showed this morning.

OOOO…thanks..I was out til late last night..*g*

Regina may run again. She’s considering her options and wants to see if Barrow mends his ways or keeps voting with the GOP. Right now she wants to help other worthy candidates fighting the Establishment

ditto.
EXACT same sentiment here!
Thank you selise.

Howie, I told a musician friend of mine (Willie Wisely) about what you do, and he was interested in potentially donating some music to the cause. Here’s a link to a video he did about the Neocons:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=t4N_GGYCjQY

Would it be okay for him to get in touch with you?

I have to say Teddy, I am chuckling at your disgust as it is perfectly in line with mine.
I’m glad I wasn’t there as I have a tendency to speak my mind, out loud.

Those are some tough primaries. I’ve had a Howard Shanker button on my canvas shopping bag since katymine passed it to me at a YearlyKos workshop last year, but the other three are equally deserving. Maybe there will be enough money to split between all four of them?

Although, I must say — Steve Cohen is in a position right now to make John Barrow’s life difficult. Maybe he should get the money….

Ya mean with the proper use of the people’s English :>) I would love be right next to you Busted watching your back especially when fancy Nancy was doing her dodging around the truth… I hope Cindy S. kicks her out of her seat this fall…

Yep.

sure, have him e-mail me

It’s sad that Regina Thomas lost, particularly by so much. I doubt this will have much effect on Barrow. The primary wasn’t even close. While he spent a lot of money, he clearly had it to spend. Harmon has been better lately, but I don’t see the shock value lasting for long. Until they start losing their jobs, folks like Hoyer and Barrow aren’t going to care all that much that they have primary challenges.

Regina asked for suggestions but she’ll make up her own mind based on what we offer up. I think it’s just a few thousand dollars and she seems to want to split it up between a few worthy candidates. She isn’t sure how much it will be yet because she has one more check coming from ActBlue.

Thanks Howie.

I second TSF’s thoughts at @40.

When Donna Edwards beat Al Wynn, it sent shock waves through the corrupt Democratic Establishment. We took on Hoyer, Emanuel and Pelosi and beat them– by a landslide. A few weeks after, Jane and I ran into Emanuel in a bar and I mentioned Al Wynn and I wasn’t sure if that bulging vein in her neck meant he was going to have a coronary or fight me. But the venom was astounding. Barrow is worried about being re-elected and he had no intention of spending $858,000 on a primary. He’s spitting mad. He’s also not a stupid man and will realize– whether he acts on it or not– that if he keeps voting like a Republican, he will have to watch his left flank forever.

One more thing. By challenging Barrow, Regina forced his hand in a way that is having repercussions. He accepted money from a viciously anti-union Republican PAC (BIPAC) and that led to some of the unions telling him off and declining to help him. These are consequences he is not happy about. It takes more than one under-funded race to knock off an incumbent. This was a first shot. And Barrow knows it. I bet he starts voting more like a Democrat from now on.

From what I can see, this fellow is a true progressive. I admire his energy:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=637877212

He’s running for the US Senate seat held by Thad Cochran in Mississippi. Just thought I’d throw his into the pool here. :)

Thanks for all you do, Howie.

JimWhite! Kudos! That’s awesome.

what regina did was to give of her time and effort - but without the winning payoff of even having a job. basically what looks from here like an act of altruism. bless her.

OT but if you don’t get mail from Moveon check this video ad out… I know you will like it: https://pol.moveon.org/donate/inyourhead.html?id=13273-8601977-8JhIREx&t=2

WARNING: Due to Presidential Executive Orders, WITH CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL, the National Security Agency may have read this email without warning, warrant, or notice. They may do this without any judicial or legislative oversight. You have no recourse nor protection save to call for the impeachment of the current President, 69 members of the Senate and 293 members of the House of Representatives.

Thanks for the info on Barrows and Rahm! I LOVE THIS! *G*

Here’s the Facebook page for Erik’s campaign…to make it easier to see:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/.....8302741845

Bonkers what a great video — hope to more from your musician friend. Tell him he’s got some fans at the Lake :)

For Regina’s consideration: there is a run-off on August 5th between Vernon Jones (who is using the Zell Miller playbook) and Jim Martin (a Georgia Democrat and war vet). The winner will be running against our very own Saxby Chambliss (no explanation required, right?).

Marion posted this article yesterday, here it is again: http://savannahnow.com/node/534382.

Please tell Regina that Martin needs help. The only way we hear about him is what Jones tells us.

I agree, Cohen.

He got a benjamin out of me with the “barnacle” statement.

On Donna Edwards - it was a great win, and the sort we need to repeat. Lightning, etc.

As for Barrow, it remains to be seen. If he loses in the general election, great. If it’s that’s not close, either, though, he might just figure he can do without all of us, and he might be right. That’s not a particularly liberal-looking district.

The point I’m trying to make here is that if we want to influence politics beyond electing a progressive or two to Congress each cycle, we need to be thinking strategically. Most of us, including me, tend to say to ourselves “This is a good person. I’ll support him (or her).” If you want to influence the likes of Steny Hoyer, you’ll either have to take away his job or some of his power. You can do the latter by making some of his prominent supporters lose their jobs. Until that happens, neither he nor his enablers are going to be impressed.

So when you’re thinking about what to do with big chunks of money, keep that in mind.

I know Howie already is. It’s Regina’s chunk to throw, though. I’m pretty sure Howie won’t have to tell her what the deal is. She’s pretty sharp herownself. :)

o/t

Hi guys. I’m still catching up….great info from NRN. Say what you will about some of the guests, it has the feel of America, all messy and people shouting out their opinions! The rowdier the better in my book.

Jim White, if you are still here, you’ve got a new blog fan. Can’t wait to hear what you report on those other sessions, too.

Howie, hopefully Regina Thomas will run again. Perhaps she will benefit from more name recognition/exposure and her persistence will be rewarded.

back to lurking/catching up.

Jim White, if you are still here,

Thanks!

I’m here, but fading fast from this stupid cold. I’ll do what I can. David Neiwert is up front now. I thought Lakoff was supposed to be here, but I don’t see him yet. The previous session went a bit long, so they are still getting organized.

A cold? that’s a pain. I’m just getting over a major cold that had me off my feet and in bed for two days. Worse cold in a long time.

Drink lots of fluids! :| And I’ll give Advil a plug for all your aches and pains (except Congress).

Dave Neiwert upstairs with a compare and contrast Netroots Nation Vs Wingnut Wanking

And speaking of Neiwert being up front…

Re Regina’s sending money; I’ll say it again, send money to Cindy Sheehan’s campaign. NO election of anybody else would send as strong a message to the Dem ‘leadership’ as to have Pelosi defeated by Sheehan. Yeah, she’s an ‘independent’ but ,as far as I’m concerned, that’s in her favor.

I’ll second ubetchaiam’s suggestion of Sheehan for Regina to send money to, few things would be as gratifying as seeing Pelosi lose, and add in a couple of our favorites like Darcy Bruner and Al Franken.

A little OT but I think it is vitally important that we start pressuring Blagojevich right now to appoint someone like Jan Schakowsky and NOT Rahm Emanuel to fill the hopefully soon to be vacant seat of Barack Obama in the Senate. I’ve been sending e-mails and making phone calls and urging others (especially here in Illinois) to do the same. Any suggestions on other tactics??

Bushco politicizing citizenship ceremonies:

It was a procedure that produced a bumper crop of new voters:

Just before Santa Clara County immigrants were sworn in as U.S. citizens, they got voter-registration cards and were shown how to fill them out. At the conclusion of the naturalization ceremony, most new citizens had signed the cards and handed them in to become registered voters.

But in March, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services declared that the county registrar of voters must not hand out those cards until the recipients are officially citizens. And now voter registration has plunged by 82 percent.

Just pisses me off how this administration has turned every thing the Government does into a partisan hack job to try and stay in power…

WARNING: Due to Presidential Executive Orders, WITH CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL, the National Security Agency may have read this email without warning, warrant, or notice. They may do this without any judicial or legislative oversight. You have no recourse nor protection save to call for the impeachment of the current President, 69 members of the Senate and 293 members of the House of Representatives.

And a Rep race in the Austin district: Larry Joe Doughty to replace mouth piece Repub. Mike McCaul who charitably voted against Chip. Not to worry: I hear his wife owns Clear Channel.