My Two Cents on the Fletcher Scandal

If his administration were innocent, they WOULD NOT BE pleading the fifth amendment. They would tell the special grand jury exactly what happened and would not stay quiet. Basically, by not talking, they hurt themselves more than they think. Pleading the fifth amendment really means, "hey, I am guilty but I'd rather not tell you what happened." Guilty as charged. Ernie Fletcher should resign while he still has his pride and dignity with his poor approval ratings.

Gov. Bill Richardson made a visit to New Hampshire. The New Mexico governor just might be running for president. I know he has his disagreements with Howard Dean.

Officially Richardson is in the state because of his role as chairman of the Democratic Governor’s Association. In that position he is charge of recruiting Democratic gubernatorial candidates and meeting with incumbent, like Lynch, who face re-election in 2006.

But by the time Richardson leaves he will have also have participated in a statewide live radio call in program, visited the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and keynoted a Democratic fund-raising dinner.

"I want to be very clear to the media in the back of the room. No I will not run for president in 2008," Richardson said right before saying in Spanish to the Latino Summit audience: "But, yes I am."

Richardson is the third Democrat to visit New Hampshire since last fall’s election. Preceding him have been John Kerry and John Edwards.

Richardson appeared to be largely joking with his comment in Spanish. In English, earlier in the day he said he was focusing on his re-election in New Mexico next year and after that "we’ll see. I am not ruling out anything."

Is he or is he not?

Fletcher's office has missed minority goes. I might start referring to the Governor as Fletch but I think that insults Chevy Chase (Chase played a character called Fletch one time). I'm pleased to say that the State Treasurer's office appears to be unbiased and has hired minorities--something all state offices should be doing.

The constitutional office that came closest to meeting the minority employment goal _ and that also hit its female employment goal _ was state Treasurer Jonathan Miller's office. With 33 workers during the reporting period, the treasurer's office had three minority employees, or 9.09 percent. The treasurer's office had 22 women, or 66.67 percent of the work force.

"I'm not going to pat myself on the back for doing something that we all should be doing," Miller said.

Is Newt Gingrich running for president in 2008? Or does he just want to look at cows?

Gingrich mentioned that he was in Iowa recently, asking voters their opinions on the issues. Stewart pounced on that: "You were in Iowa because..." urging Gingrich to fill in the blank.

Gingrich stopped just short of saying that he would run, saying "the last person to announce his candidacy for president on your show came in fourth."

Disney now lets the fans decide what they want to watch. This week is the "Click It to Pick It" campaign to kick off the summer long "So hot Summer." Two of my friends will host it sometime between June 10 and August 27, 2005. The newest movie, Go Figure premieres on Friday evening.

Tonight is the last game of the Cardinals-Red Sox series...thank G-d! Chris Carpenter takes on David Wells. I have both pitchers on the same fantasy baseball team. Johnny Damon will probably not get his two runs he needs to make 1,000 career runs until this weekend. Manny Ramirez picked up his 900th walk. St. Louis did manage to draft a cousin of Albert Pujols, Wilfrido Pujols. They also drafted A.J. Van Slyke (Kansas), son of former ballplayer Andy Van Slyke. Overall, they picked up 12 pitchers, 6 outfielders, two infielders and two catchers. St. Louis has won 8 straight interleague games and has not lost one of those in Busch Stadium since June 22, 2003. Reggie Sanders has over 275 home runs/steals (283 Home runs, 292 steals). The Cardinals and the Cordish Company are partnering up for Ballpark Village.

For this weekend's convention in Wisconsin, here are some key speakers:
8:20pm - Senator Russ Feingold
8:38pm - Governor Jim Doyle (to introduce Senator Bayh)
8:44pm - Senator Evan Bayh

As usual, Bayh keeps options open. Not surprising.

"Am I doing the practical things that would allow me at some point to make that decision?" he replied. "Yes, I'm doing the practical things to keep that open as an option."

Bayh told reporters afterward he will be in Iowa in August, and while he said he has visited in the past, he also acknowledged this trip will be viewed in a different context as the race for the presidency slowly unfolds.

"It's only natural there's some significance attached to it and I think that's appropriate," he said.

First Day picks of the 2005 MLB Draft:
1. Colby Rasmus OF
1. Tyler Greene SS
1a. Mark McCormick RHP
1a. Tyler Herron RHP
2. Josh Wilson RHP
2. Nick Webber RHP
3. Daryl Jones OF
4. Bryan Anderson C
5. Mitchell Boggs RHP
6. Wilfrido Pujols OF
7. Nicholas Stavinoha OF
8. Jason Cairns RHP
9. Zachary Zuercher LHP
10. Randy Roth OF
11. Steve Gonzalez C
12. Daniel McCutchen RHP
13. Malcolm Owens OF
14. Michael Repole
15. Adam Daniels LHP
16. Matthew Lane RHP
17. Michael Cooper RHP
18. Brandon Garner SS

The thunder starts. The PC shuts down.