This isn't Chicago!

Though I must say I really like Graham Nash's song, "Chicago," about the 1968 Democratic National Convention. The wind is gusting around 20 miles here.

Senator Harry Reid asks that you sign this petition. If Libby is put in jail, make sure that the President does not pardon him.

Looks like a plant in Richmond, Kentucky, is able to destroy weapons.

"While the report accurately reflects challenges that remain, it is important to note that no new major hurdles or issues have been introduced by this study," said U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler, D-Lexington.

WKYT on Jack Conway's decision. The Herald-Leader article is the same as the C-J's.

A nice bio of Virginia Governor-elect Tim Kaine.

Both Senators Bayh and Lugar support oil alternatives.

Today, Lugar, who drives a hybrid car, will hold a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that he heads to draw attention to the problem of the nation's dependence on oil -- including foreign oil.

"In the long run, this dependence is pushing the United States toward an economic disaster," according to an opening statement Lugar plans to read at the hearing, "that could mean diminished living standards, increased risks of war, and accelerated environmental degradation."

While Congress has been hamstrung about whether to increase the supply of oil or reduce demand, Lugar asks "whether the political will now exists to commit to a comprehensive strategy."

Oil dependence is also on the mind of Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind.

During speeches to Democratic groups around the country this year while exploring a potential 2008 presidential bid, Bayh has faulted the Bush administration for not using memory of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to make the country more energy-independent through incentives for hybrid vehicles and other initiatives.
Bayh plans to join Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, and Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., in introducing legislation today to help do that.

"Achieving energy independence is one of the greatest challenges of our generation, one that will impact everything from our national security to our economy," Bayh said. "It will take an effort on par with the race to put a man on the moon, but we must find a way to reduce our dependence on foreign oil so that America is prepared for the future."

Evan Bayh voted for the Democratic amendment for a timetable.

David Hawpe has an op-ed on Conway leaving the race.

This year, unless someone like former Secretary of State John Y. Brown III, former state Finance secretary Pat Mulloy or County Attorney Irv Maze manfully steps up to the challenge, unafraid of the war chest that Northup always has at her disposal (thanks in part to the Appropriations Committee leverage she buys with loyalty to the leadership of Tom DeLay's reactionary and irresponsible GOP House), local voters will continue to be represented in Washington by a Bush-Cheney acolyte who seldom departs from the White House line.

Polling showed Conway was several points behind Northup in a prospective head-on confrontation, but that was before campaign ads could bring up such Northup embarrassments as her embrace of the Bush-Cheney war in Iraq, her support for changing the basic structure of Social Security, her enthusiasm for tax cuts that benefit the rich and her complicity in the creation of a national debt that threatens this country's position in the world.

William H. Leighty will remain the chief of staff after serving as Chief of Staff for outgoing Governor Mark Warner. Kaine has not announced the decision but with the reporting in the Post, he probably will.