go away, little Joe

cost to nominally and temporarily save face with the caucus: $250k

seeing Joe railroaded out of the caucus on Nov.5: priceless

money buys EVERYTHING except a soul

Hey Peterr!

It’s the Comity Hour!

Hours not to reason ‘Why?’ …

“He gave $250,000 to the DSCC a week and a half ago,” said Dodd. “He’s been very helpful to Democrats.

Well that’s a downpayment on what he owes Dems for the millions in free ad time he has donated to McCain by bashing his former party at every MSM opportunity.

WHat part of Joe Lieberman is not a Democrat do these people not understand? CT Dems voted, hello?
If Joe is with them on everything but the war… then I suppose Habeas Corpus, torture, Alito and countless other appointments and no accountability whatsoever from the Senate Homeland Security Committee are part of a long list of issues/performance the Dems actually support.

Ho Lieberman.

Just leave the money on the nightstand.

-G

Good one.

Where did Short ride get the money to donate?
http://www.opensecrets.org/pol.....cycle=2006

There is NO other measure of sincerity, conscience or grace then big piles of da moola.

This is the Age of the Divine Right of Money.

And, ‘Club’ blood or mud is thicker than … any overriding concern with or for anything else.

Chris Dodd, I oft times respect you, but then, there are times that i wonder.

Congress, the best that money can bribe …

There is no reason to do or say anything about Lieberweasel until after the election….The senate is about through for the year anyway- and once dems know how many seats they take, they can deal effectively with him. There’s no downside in waiting that I can see.

OT, but I had to share:

But Rove has also been busy refashioning his public persona. A regular commentator for Fox News and an occasional columnist for the Wall Street Journal and Newsweek, Rove is the undisputed chairman of the Republican commentariat, delivering what his friend and former Clinton administration lawyer Lanny Davis calls “balanced, intelligent and sometimes even-handed” analysis from his lofty media perches.

I hear that if you look up “useful idiot” in the dictionary, Lanny Davis’ picture is featured prominently…

WHat part of Joe Lieberman is not a Democrat do these people not understand?

He’s a “post-partisan Democrat”.

He’s a “dumb-as-a-post partisan Democrat”.

fixed it

delivering what his friend and former Clinton administration lawyer Lanny Davis calls “balanced, intelligent and sometimes even-handed” analysis

So, even when it’s not “even-handed”, it’s still “balanced.” Hmmmmm.

Good one. Thanks.

Putin claims Georgian conflict orchestrated for domestic American political purposes.

Time to resurrect the term “Wag the Dog” in earnest.

Sheueneman was up to his armpits with Saakashloony.

-G

“He gave $250,000 to the DSCC a week and a half ago,” said Dodd. “He’s been very helpful to Democrats.

Dodd said Lieberman feels strongly about McCain’s policy on the Iraq war and otherwise agrees with Democrats on “95 percent” of issues.

Dodd also noted that he would not be the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee if Lieberman sided with the Senate Republicans; instead, Republican Sen. Richard Shelby (Ala.) would head the powerful panel.

A Lieberman aide said his boss gave only $100,000 to the committee earlier this month and another $100,000 to the committee last year. Public records show that Lieberman also gave $30,000 from his leadership political action committee, bringing his total contributions to $230,000 for this election cycle.

********

Dodd has inflated the numbers. Dodd cites 100K from last year and includes it in his calculation. Dodd also turned 30k into 50k. Dodd thinks Lieberat is ok b/c he would not have his committee chair w/o Libverat.

Then Dodd uses the old 95 percent with us sound bite. No one (Durbin) seems to be able to cite one instance where Liberliar voted with Dems where it mattered.

This stinks.

Luck Fanny.

-G

This appears to be an admission that $ can buy a committee chairmanship or place in the caucus. What does the same money from AT&T buy. from blackwater or Exxon

Simpler to ask, what CAN’T money buy? Much shorter list.

I never thought I’d have more faith in the words of a former KGB operative than I did the entire US government. That’s a sad fucking commentary.

AT&T bought FISA immunity for as little as 10k per senator.

Piss on Joe. I keep hearing that is on St Mcain’s short list. Here’s to hoping that John chooses him. He’ll kill the GOP campain just like he killed Gore’s.

Dan Abrams taunting that they’d interrupt Obama’s speech so Kelly O’Donnell could announce the McCain veepstakes winner…expect the day to be filled with painfully stretchy fill on this so the McCainstream Media can bow down to their Rethug overlords and say, see, we didn’t cover Obama’s selection too much.

Why don’t they just have their local affiliates check out whose house gets firewalled by Secret Service today?

Or the netroots could do it….

Well nearly twenty million bucks from the likes of Karl Rove and Mel Sembler and their clan sure bought Joe another term and a whole lot of complicity from the D party.

A Hillary delegate who didn’t give $250K to the DSCC who makes a commercial for McCain gets her credentials yanked and is tossed from the party. Short Ride Joe, on the other hand, just smiles and smiles and smiles . .

.
Sick. Daddy Warbucks thrives. Throw the little woman to the curb. Anger tends to sputter out when there’s nothing left to feed it. Perhaps she could have been brought around to support Obama. While Shortride pays his way out so he can wreak havoc on the party.

Glenzilla gets it:

[…]
More politically damaging still is the absence of any truly stinging attacks on John McCain. Even Joe Biden’s speech — billed as the “attack dog” event — almost completely avoided any criticisms of McCain the Person, who will emerge from the four days here as a Wonderful, Honorable, Courageous Man — a friend to Democrats and Republicans alike — who just happens to be wrong on some issues. The Republicans will spend the next four days mercilessly ripping Barack Obama’s character to shreds, as they did to John Kerry in 2004. Just recall a few of the highly effective and deeply personal assaults on Kerry from the featured GOP speakers in 2004:
[…]
The GOP’s attacks on Kerry in 2004 were mocking, scornful, derisive, demonizing and deeply personal — in speech after speech — and they were also highly effective. They weren’t the slightest bit deterred by the fact that Kerry was a war hero who was wounded multiple times in Vietnam while George Bush and Dick Cheney. . . . weren’t. Has there been anything remotely approaching those attacks on McCain by any of the prime-time Democratic speakers?

The GOP assaults on Barack Obama will be — have already been — even more vicious and personalized, which means by the end of their Convention next week, John McCain will be, by all accounts, an honor-bound, principled and courageous patriot (who, at worst, is wrong on some issues), while Barack Obama will be some vaguely foreign, weak, appeasing, super-ambitious, exotic, empty-headed, borderline un-American liberal extremist. Democrats seem to be banking on the fact that the agreement which most Americans have with their policy positions, along with widespread dissatisfaction with the current state of things, will outweigh the effects of this personality war — a war which they, yet again, have allowed to be one-sided.

attack. Attack. ATTACK.

who makes a commercial for McCain gets

On the other hand, maybe not.

I thought it was “under-handed.”

C-span

Then we’ll have to start referring to him as Albatross Joe.

Anybody think there’s a market for McCain voodoo dolls? Little bug-eyed rag-dolls with rumpled suits and Ferragamo loafers?

We’ve got another Sembler-annointed slimeball in St Petersburg. Rick Kriseman is currently a state rep but many of us think he’s got his sights set on running for Congress in 2010. Follows Rove’s playbook fairly well. He has absolutely no problem makin’ shit up.

To me the really smarmy part of this is that the Goopers now think of Liarman as a Paragon of BiPartisanship when he’s really nothing but a turncoat traitor! Wait till they figure out Joe’s all show, no go!

Nice guys finish last.

And speaking of sellouts, my new Albany blogger friend just gave me a heads up that Schumer is en route to this room.

Sic ‘im.

Good point.

Here’s a presentation of the problems associated with the Dems acting like it’s a debating society.

Yeah- maybe- althought they may be doin all right without stinging attacks..

New Gallup daily out

On the 25th, Obama was down two points to McBush 46-44. The numbers released this morning show him up by six 48-42.

It’s a three day rolling average, and the numbers include very few calls made after yesterday’s prime time speeches..

So the eight point “bounce” is likely to get bigger.

If some of it sticks around after the network visit to gooperville, I’d say that the dems have done their job.

Amen. C-span (almost) gives you an in-the-forum perspective and participation. I don’t have to listen to others explain to me what I just heard, how I should feel about it, what the underlying meaning was, etc. etc.

I thought that Kerry’s approach had a lot of potential when he differentiated between McCain the senator and McShame the candidate. It could then become possible to attack McShame the candidate

These conventions are primarily for party members. Goopers will only watch the dem convention to guffaw- and vice versa…don’t know how many indies bother…

If the convention ends with an energized party ready to go kick ass, it was a success…the undecideds won’t be deciding for two months anyway.

The attacks on McBush ARE character attacks aren’t they….what is being said is that he is lying about what he cares about, misrepresenting himself totally for political reasons- so he’s the two faced express.

have to listen to others explain to me what I just heard, how I should feel about it, what the underlying meaning was

Says a lot about what the corporate media thinks of the critical thinking capabilities of the average American. Sadly, they’re more right than not.

Additionally the question of which McBush is the real McBush, and what would he stand for tomorrow Let alone next year.

On the 25th, Obama was down two points to McBush 46-44. The numbers released this morning show him up by six 48-42.

Sweet!

I don’t see why Biden felt it important to say that McScrewball is his friend. F**k that.

The Obama campaign really doesn’t care for the poll you cite:

The Gallup Daily tracking poll is apparently a particular sore point. When asked whether they were unhappy that the Biden announcement had not produced a bounce in national polls, Plouffe shot back: “How would we know . . . from the Gallup Daily?” The Gallup Daily is “something we don’t pay attention to,” he said again.

Communications director Dan Pfieffer later put it more bluntly, expressing unhappiness with the “inordinate focus on bad polling” by the media and also in the routine misinterpretation of sampling noise in the Gallup Daily poll. “The Gallup Daily is the worst thing that’s happened in journalism in 20 years,” he said.

Two Faces
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3esPN9gpg4

Attack dogs should be made of sterner stuff.

They have a plan. I don’t know what it is, but they must know what’s coming from the Goopers, and have made their plans accordingly.

But the itch to take the high road has doomed us before.

They’re both long time members of the country’s largest, most elite circle jerk. Never dis the guy who may be sittin’ next to ya tomorrow night.

Seems a number of groups are calling on healthcare action:
This one is from CCAG (Associated with Tom Swan)

Dear Friend,

Where does your member of Congress stand on health care? Are they with us for quality affordable health care for all? Or are they with the insurance industry, working to preserve our broken system?

Don’t know? Click here to call your member of Congress and find out!

Over the next few weeks, we are going to ask every member of Congress which side they are on. We’ve already sent a formal letter to every office asking them to get on our side. And over the next few weeks, members of Congress will be getting personal visits from Health Care for America Now supporters in every state asking them which side they’re on. But we need your help to get the message across.

Our goal is to make 100,000 calls to Congress, making sure every member is asked at least a few times which side they are on.

Can you help us reach that goal?

Questions Bloggers can also ask directly at a convention, perhaps?

Additionally the question of which McBush is the real McBush, and what would he stand for tomorrow

He can’t remember on Thursday what his position was on Tuesday. More positions than the Kama Sutra.

Hmm. I would have expected better from Dodd.

yeah, but that difference reveals the character of the man: somebody willing to cynically sell out everything he has ever believed in for a shot at supreme power. McShame the candidate reveals much about McCain the senator and forces us to reevaluate whatever it was any of us might ever have liked in that man.

What, exactly, are Senate Democrats planning to legislate between now and adjournment that requires being nice to Lieberman? Are they content to have him barnstorming around America, correcting John McCain’s utterances, throughout the fall campaign — whether as Veep candidate or simply minder? American voters who don’t pay attention will see a statesmanlike bipartisanship, which could be very easily dispelled by a quick “here’s-the-door-Joe” from his caucus next week.

It’s not like the Senate has accomplished anything with his vote; Pach’s interview with Dick Durbin proved that pretty conclusively.

There is a lot of attention being paid to the gridlock issue and that they can’t work together. I see this as a not me

See my 52.

Nice assessment. I agree.

From the ACLU:

Subject: 25 days to protect women’s health

George W. Bush has launched a new assault on birth control and reproductive freedom.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently proposed regulations that could seriously undermine access to basic reproductive health services — including birth control and abortion.

Instead of striking a careful balance between individual religious liberty and patients’ access to reproductive health care, the Bush administration has taken patients’ rights and their health care needs out of the equation.

This far-reaching proposal doesn’t need congressional approval. But, it can’t go forward without allowing for public comment. That’s where you come in.

The deadline for public comments is fast approaching — September 20 — and we have to generate intense opposition to these dangerous regulations.

I just sent HHS my comment urging them to stop efforts to block women’s access to basic reproductive health services. You can do the same here:

http://action.aclu.org/hhs_comment

Hey Joe:

Did you know that Israel sanctions torture? What’s up with that? Why did the Pentagon take instruction and advice from Israeli Generals about the handling of Arab prisoners prior to invading Iraq (as witnessed by Karen Kwiatkowski)?

http://www.globalresearch.ca/i.....cleId=9969

Don’t you think the McCain/Lieberman ticket should come out against Israel’s official torture policy Joe?

Joe?

What was McCain’s role in the coverup of the US Liberty incident, Joe? Don’t you think the McCain/Liebarman ticket should stand behind the survivors of the Israeli attack on the USS Liberty, Joe?

http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig/margolis12.html

Joe?

maybe I’m being naive, but right now I’m proceeding under the assumption that McThing has settled on either Pawlenty or Romney and that Benedict Joe himself is behind all of these rumors about a Joe VP candidacy. I do not think McThing will throw away the entire rethug jihadii base just to gamble that Joe will hold for him a few disgruntled Hillary candidates and an undefined corral of moderate New Jersey catholics.

That is a conclusion that the target audience should be able to reach

I can’t help but smell a rat. Is it money? Is it corruption in the ranks?

you think? ;-P

McCain attack ad coming during/after speech. I wonder if they’ve actually bought air time or if they’re counting on it airing over and over and over again by their buddies in the McCainstream Media.

Actually, I have a little different take on Biden referring to McCain as his friend. Who better to point out when the rattacks begin in earnest that he doesn’t recognize this McCain, this is not the friend he knew, this is a guy who is being manipulated by his Rovian handlers just as he was manipulated to speak out against his own country by his prison guards.

Poor john, he can’t help it…he’s not in control of himself. We must save him…and the country…from himself.

Are Senate Democrats gonna let RGJoe spy on their caucus strategy meetings all fall?

We are talking about every committee chair as well McConnel replacing Reid.
Are there hearings, is Dorgan going to release info - would his replacement

Janet on MSNBC

Blue Texan is upstairs!
Peggy Noonan On Obama’s Acceptance Speech: “Every Possibility Of Looking Like A Nuremberg Rally”

maybe I’m being naive, but right now I’m proceeding under the assumption that McThing has settled on either Pawlenty or Romney

based upon my usual systematic, thorough, double-checked, and multi-sourced research - it’s Pawlenty.

(ok, so I saw him on JoeScar this morning, saying that he couldn’t comment - with a great big smile on his face - sue me) *g*

for your comfort and safety

p.s. - I blame the Reverend :D

Is Joe going to be there or sniffing McBushes butt. There are other opportunities to share info or plans

Every single one of the Senate Democrats knows there is a self-funding millionaire in his or her own home state. The netroots might find themselves another Ned Lamont, and they might then be thrown out of the party, too. Then the Lieberman precedent will apply.

So far, not one of them has anything to fear but being welcomed back with a standing ovation and a powerful committee chairmanship. What’s not to like?

I think that the media underestimated the strength of the attack on McBush last night. They went after him (Rovian fashion) in his two areas of perceieved strenght:

1) He’s not a straight shooter- he has changed his position on EVERY important issue for the purposes of this campaign- he’s a fuckin LIAR with no principle he won’t abandon for partisan political purposes.

2) His judgement about foreign policy is TERRIBLE his assessment of Iraq and Afghanistan has been wrong nearly 100% –just plain fuckin wrong.

These are the two themes we should expect to see built upon in the next two months.

Take these two perceieved strengths away and all you have is an old fucker who makes hamburgers.

If Gustav hits NOLA, this information might come in handy…since Lieberman is in charge of the Katrina committee and has done nothing…now the pumps don’t work right…worth keeping in the file somewhere just in case:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/.....458/577208

For the forty-seven millionth time, the committee chairs and the majority are set in the organizing resolution. Nothing will change if RGJoe is kicked out now.

Except his well-deserved humiliation.

Why is it so hard for people to understand this when we have been saying it since February 2007? Nothing will change. The committee chairs are named in the organizing resolution. Even RGJoe will keep his committee chair, but he won’t be a Democratic caucus member any more.

LBJ ran the Senate “majority” in the fifties with only about 44 Democrats. It’s happened before; it can work this time, especially since there are only about twenty legislative days remaining in the 110th Congress.

Good for the Obama camp for disparaging the polls. The media obsession with polls is absurd. The only (semi)good poll is an exit poll.

I agree with those two theme and that they are the right themes. But I don’t recall a strong attack on McBush last night, on those themes. IMHO, they have to hit them much harder.

There’s plenty of time to deal with Lieberweasel AFTER the election. Give him enough rope to hang himself with. The dumb fuck got on a train goin the wrong fuckin direction. Like changing to the french side in the middle of the battle of Waterloo.

When you say “strong” are you talking about shouting it in an angry voice?

The most withering attacks are delivered in deadly calm.

He’s not disparaging the polls in general- only the national polls…they are following STATE polls in their 18 target states…

Any political campaign who says they ignore polls is lyin or stupid..It’s the scoreboard- you HAVE to know if you are moving backwards or forwards so that you can do more of what’s working and less of what’s not..

Imperfect as they are, the polls are the only effective measure we have- and election after election- taken as a whole, they are usually very close to correct.

oooooooooooh, good!

Dems are going to paint McBush as a bumbling old fool who left his principles somewhere in the trunk of a car he rode in with Clusterfuck…An old war hero who can’t speak about anything but they day he attacked those pillboxes singlehandedly when he was twenty years old..

he.. I just watched the movie Recount. I think we probably need to add 5% or so to whatever the rethugs are polling in FL and OH… and just assume that that’s what they’ll end up stealing through gratuitous election fraud :P

I agree with the idea of adding 5%

When you are ahead- PLAY AS IF YOU ARE BEHIND.

A lead is very dangerous- particularly EARLY in the game..

After playin in hundreds of games- some of the worst experiences involved taking an early lead and tryin to coast to victory- you try to “play safe” set yourself up as a target for aggression.

epu’d, darn it.

foothills–his pac money is where it came from–
amounts he gave were 65% to dems, 35% to repubs.

http://www.opensecrets.org/pac.....=C00365262

and lanny davis runs the pac. and was not a supporter of georgia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanny_Davis

i just added that davis runs lieberman’s pac to his/davis’ wiki page…..

1st one i’ve ever done….proud that it had to do with lieberman. heh.