Spitzer in 2006, Vilsack backed by From, Bunning 2010

I've started to read more on this guy and the more I read about him, the more I think Eliot Spitzer has a great future.

Like Democratic Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, he served as Attorney General (well, currently serves). Both are in the Democratic Leadership Council which Kossacks tend to hate. Moderates that read this, please back up fellow moderates on Kos if you can! Spitzer went to Princeton '81 for undergrad and got his JD at Harvard in 1984. Senator Schumer and Atty. General Spitzer both ousted Republican incumbents in 1998. May they continue to get re-elected!

The Des Moines Register has some interesting stuff today. Apparently, it appears that Gov. Vilsack will most definitely be running in 2008. Not just that but it looks like he will be backed by DLC CEO Al From. Come on Al, be like Terry and stay neutral!

As Vilsack works to expand his national network for a possible future beyond Iowa, he is not alone as a Democrat positioning himself as a party leader with centrist credentials. Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh, leadership council chairman, is mentioned as a potential presidential candidate. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Virginia Gov. Mark Warner are also moderate Democrats considered possible presidential hopefuls.

But Vilsack is a favorite of Al From, founder and CEO of the centrist Democratic Leadership Council. From backed the Iowan when he was a vice presidential nominee finalist last summer before Kerry chose Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina.

And in a clear sign that Vilsack and From are of like mind, each said independently after the Nov. 2 election that Democrats were hurt by "trust gaps" over security, values and ideas.

The Denver Post ran an interesting article on Third Way which can be found here. Here's some of the things it mentions:

It's important that Democrats reassess their image and their strategy in the wake of the party's electoral-vote weakness in much of the nation's heartland. But they need to coalesce first as a party and establish their priorities. There are those who fear that the Democratic Party, by going centrist, will forget its populist roots and abandon core values that have championed the underprivileged and equal rights.

What the red-state Democrats seem to have in common is a willingness to reach across the political aisle and work with Republicans in an increasingly polarized and dysfunctional Congress. Indeed, the group derives its name from the notion that there should be an alternative to the conservative and liberal tenets of the two predominant political parties.

Bayh, one of the group's founders and often mentioned as a 2008 presidential contender, has said that Third Way wants to "break through the partisanship and the sterile ideology" and forge a consensus on economic growth, possible entitlement reform, health care and other basic but critical issues.

Here is something that is really interesting that the editorial mentions.

Moderates are relying for their new strategy on exit polls last month that said 34 percent of voters described themselves as conservatives, compared with 21 percent who said they were liberal. Forty-five percent described themselves as moderate. To quote Bayh: "Do the math."

"The answer to the ideological extremes of the right has to be more than rigid dogma from the left," Bayh has said.

Sen. Evan Bayh, I am in complete agreement with you.

Speaking of the DLC, check out this on Daily Kos!

Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky has filed with the FEC for his 2010 campaign bid for a third term. If he doesn't die or resign, Jim will be 79 in 2010. We all know Ernie Fletcher will resign the Governorship when Bunning resigns from the Senate! Even at that, Kentucky State Treasurer Jonathan Miller stands the best chance right now to defeat the Republican nominee for the US Senate in 2010.

"The 2004 election sent a clear message that the values I am fighting for in the United States Senate represent the values that Kentucky stands for," Bunning said in a statement released by his campaign, Citizens for Bunning.

He added that "there is still much more left to be done" and that "I am at the top of my game right now."

Jim, you were at the top of the game years ago while playing baseball. Can we trade you for Sandy Koufax?

News that occured on Shabbas

President Bush has asked Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, the former Illinois Republican Congressman, to stay on as Defense Secretary for the second term.

The Vent is reporting that Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta and Treasury Secretary John Snow are expected to be departing as well. The Vent thinks that Connecticut Senator Lieberman will go to the cabinet with this opportunity to mend the rift between the two parties.

I just don't see Joe Lieberman moving from the Senate. We need him there. Another loss would just be devastating for the Democratic Party. I supported Joe Lieberman in 2004 with all my heart and soul. I don't like it when he or anybody else in the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) is attacked as being Republican-lite or as a Democrat in Name Only.

I ran into an interesting blog after looking at a Daily Kos blog entry over the weekend. It's called Basie! and it's written by Jonathan Singer. He writes on Kos as well. I've included a link to one of the things that he's written on there. Here's his blog entry on the subject of Bayh in 2008. Basie reports on Evan Bayh in 2008 on Daily Kos.

I watched my Kentucky Wildcats fall to the University of North Carolina today. I'm sure retiring North Carolina Senator John Reid Edwards is happy. This is where it's freaky, I know someone with a similar name and they have the same initials.

West Virginia Senator Robert C. Byrd is in the news again. The Los Angeles Times reports that in a recent federal spending bill, he inserted a mandate to teach the United States Constitution in every school and in every grade for part of a day.

The provision would apply to all schools, elementary through college, that receive federal aid. Education groups worry that the provision could be the opening wedge in a campaign by Washington to influence what schools teach.

Byrd carries a copy of the Constitution in his breast pocket — over his heart — and often waves it on the Senate floor. He lamented in a recent speech that even some of his colleagues in Congress didn't know fully what it said. "An informed public is our best defense against tyranny," he said.

The provision he inserted in the spending bill, which is expected to clear Congress next week, would require schools that receive federal funding to teach about the Constitution on Sept. 17 — a day that Byrd has sought, in separate legislation, to declare a national holiday to mark the anniversary of the document's signing in 1787. The provision also would require federal agency heads to include information about the Constitution in every new federal employee's orientation.

I am Jewish and despite his former membership in one of the most evil organizations out there, I've grown to respect the Senator for the things he has said in recent years. This I can agree with. I took AP Government during my senior year. The day he retires from the Senate will be a sad day. As long as the Democrats own the Governor's mansion in West Virginia, we should be good with that seat until a special election.

KYGOP on politics1 buys into the Tom Delay crap that separation of religion and state is a myth from the looks of the 23-year old's latest rant in which I quote right here:

If I were governor of KY, I would place a ten commandments mmonument in the state capital just to spite the courts and the ACLU. Then when they ruled against it, I
would balk at the ruling and laugh in their faces. If they levied fines, I would order the state treasurer not to pay. If they sent troops to remove it, I would use the state police and KY National Guard to defend the capitol, not to mention the thousands of Kentuckians that would bring their hunting rifles to Frankfort to defend their religion. That seems to be the only way to deal with modern liberals.

I believe in the separation of religion and state. Even as a religious Jew, I would not older the Ten Commandments to be placed on public governmental property. I'm a religious Jew. You won't find me campaigning on Shabbas. You won't see me mixing meet and dairy. More importantly, you will never find me eating pork.

I don't see any wedge issue in the teaching of the Constitution. Everyone should know it. I have had my share of studies of the Constitution whether in a social studies class or in the figuring of when I plan to make my first run for public office.

The cost of implementing Byrd's provision has yet to be calculated, but an aide to the senator asked, "How much cost is there in bringing kids into the auditorium and having a presentation on the Constitution?"

Byrd said on the Senate floor in September that few Americans took note of the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution.

"The flag is a potent symbol of our nation, but this Constitution which I hold in my hand is the soul of the nation," he said. "Practically everything you do is made possible by or is guaranteed or is protected by this Constitution. It is the prism through which each act of our government should be examined and judged."

Why would there be an increase in the cost of running a school to teach the Constitution?

In other news, I missed this yesterday. In a survey given to the British citizens, nearly half of them were unaware of the tragedies that took place at Auschwitz and the name of the camp.

The survey found that 45 percent of those surveyed had not heard of Auschwitz. Historians estimate that anywhere from one million to three million people, about 90 percent of them Jews, were killed there.

Among women and people younger than 35, 60 percent had never heard of Auschwitz, despite the recent popularity of films such as "Schindler's List," "Life is Beautiful" and "The Pianist," which depict the atrocities of the Holocaust.

"The name Auschwitz is quite rightly a byword for horror, but the problem with thinking about horror is that we naturally turn away from it," Rees said.

The BBC surveyed 4,000 people aged 16 and over.

Reuters is reporting that CNBC has cancelled McEnroe. The tennis player's show has ocassionally recieved bad ratings. Time will only tell before they cancel the Dennis Miller show.

Marty, thanks for the best wishes. I had a restful Shabbas, a few things aside.

Interesting entry over at Kos on Eliot Spitzer. Attorney General Eliot Spitzer is a DLC member running for Governor of New York State in 2006. While I don't know if I would immediately support him in 2008 for the White House should he decide to run, I certainly think he'd make a fantastic VP to draw the liberal voters to the ticket with Evan Bayh as President in 2008. Like Kentucky's Jonathan Miller and Illinois' Barack Obama, this guy is going far. Either he, Jonathan, or me will be the first Jewish president in the United States but I don't know if Jonathan will run for President or Governor--at least not yet.

Here's a testimonial to the KY Democrat from The Vent's author:

The Kentucky Democrat - Very In Depth, Opinionated and picking up recognition by the state party leaders.

The Rumor Mill

Please go here

Based on emails I have receieved from Democrats in the state and my knowledge, I have made a list of potential candidates. I'm not saying that they have announced or issued press releases but it is purely speculation as of now.

2006 Midterms
KY1
Bob Jackson (former State Senator)

KY2
Billy Ray Smith (former Ag Commissioner)
Reid Haire (Daviess County Judge Exec)
Shannon Morgan (Warren County attorney and lawyer)
William S. Natcher (not related to the late Congressman William H. Natcher)
Steve Newberry (Barren County)

KY3
Jack Conway (2002 candidate)
Denise Harper Angel (PVA and State Senator-elect)

KY4
Heather French Henry (Lt. Gov Henry's wife)

KY5
Dr. Daniel Mongiardo (2004 US Senate Candidate)

KY6
Ben Chandler (incumbent)

2007 Statewide
Governor
Jonathan Miller (Treasurer)
Crit Luallen (Auditor)
Jody Richards (Speaker of the House)
Charlie Owen (Frequent Candidate)
Jerry Abramson (Louisville Mayor)
Greg Stumbo (Atty General)

Secretary of State
No idea

Atty. General
Greg Stumbo (incumbent)

If Stumbo runs for Gov:
Ed Hatchett (Former State Auditor)

Treasurer
Jean-Marie Lawson? (KYD President)

Auditor
Crit Luallen (incumbent)
If Crit is running for Gov or Lt. Gov:
Jean-Marie Lawson?

Agricultural Commissioner
Billy Ray Smith if the law allows for a 3rd term.
Steve Meredith if BRS doesn't run

2008 US Senate
Ben Chandler?
Jonathan Miller?

I repeat this is all purely speculative based on statistics of prior elections and emails receieved.

Ok, to any Jews that read this, have a good Shabbas and I'll be blogging again tomorrow night.

Another one bites the dust

It seems that the Bush Cabinet is dropping like flies. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson has resigned.

Mark McClellan, the government's Medicare chief and brother of White House press secretary Scott McClellan, is Thompson's likely successor, officials said.

Thompson's resignation brings to eight the number of members of Bush's 15-member Cabinet who have left.

Here is an interesting tidbit--that I learned from Corey at Politics1.com (I dug some dirt on the internet):

A difficult personal time for Thompson and his family came earlier this year when his daughter Tommi, then 33, underwent surgery for breast cancer, becoming the third generation in the family to battle the disease. While enlisting expert opinions on her case, Thompson lamented that even as HHS chief, "pretty much, your hands are tied to prevent this from happening to someone you love very much."

Tommi Thompson is finance director for the Wisconsin Women's Health Foundation, which Sue Ann Thompson, the secretary's wife, created in 1997 to highlight issues from heart disease to nutrition and disease prevention.

May she get well soon.

Do we really need two McClellans high up in the Administration? A better choice for this cabinet position is the carpetbagging Sen. Hilary Clinton of NY. She knows "a thing or two about healthcare" as she said during the Convention.

Speaking of New York Senators, Yahoo News is reporting that 60 year old Palestinian Immigrant Sirhan Sirhan's lawyer is suing to prevent the hotel where Senator Robert F. Kennedy was killed from getting demolished. Sirhan's lawyer, Lawrence Teeter, claims the walls will prove Sirhan is innocent. For other reasons, the Assassination Archives and Research Center and the newly-formed Committee to Preserve Assassination Sites have joined Teeter in his suit.

Kennedy's family is calling for a school to be built on the site in Bobby's memory. I have nothing but the greatest respect and admiration for the Kennedy family but calling for this site to be demolished would mean calling for the 6th Floor Museum in Dallas, Ford's Theatre in DC, and the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis to be demolished. They are all historical sites and I believe should remain intact. Turn it into a museum. I haven't made it out there to see the Ambassador Hotel quite yet but I have been to the others.

In the sports world, Yahoo News reports that Jason Giambi might be terminated by the New York Yankees for admitting to steroid use during his testimony to a grand jury.

How Young is Too Young?

This was recieved by a cousin today in my inbox. I was just talking about the high divorce rates the other day.

Little Johnny and Jenny are only 10 years old, but they just know that they are in love. One day they decide that they want to get married, so Johnny goes to Jenny's father to ask him for her hand.

Johnny bravely walks up to him and says "Mr. Smith, me and Jenny are in love and I want to ask you for her hand in marriage."

Thinking that this was just the cutest thing, Mr. Smith replies, "Well Johnny, you are only 10. Where will you two live?" Without even taking a moment to think about it, Johnny replies "In Jenny's room. It's bigger than mine and we can both fit there nicely."

Still thinking this is just adorable, Mr. Smith says with a huge grin, "Okay then how will you live? You're not old enough to get a job. You'll need to support Jenny." Again, Johnny instantly replies, "Our allowance.. Jenny makes 5 bucks a week and I make 10 bucks a week. That's about 60 bucks a month and that should do us just fine."

By this time Mr. Smith is a little shocked that Johnny has put so much thought into this. He thinks for a moment trying to come up with something that Johnny won't have an answer to. After a second, Mr. Smith says, "Well Johnny, it seems like you have got everything all figured out. I just have one more question for you. What will you do if the two of you should have little ones of your own?"

Johnny just shrugs his shoulders and says "Well, we've been lucky so far..."

Mr. Smith doesn't think the little s**t is adorable anymore

In other news, I offer my condolences to the family of Rabbi Irving Glickman. He was formerly of Louisville, KY.

Update on Danforth

Political Wire is reporting that Danforth resigned as US Ambassador to the United Nations, according to the Washington Times, a Moon-owned paper(not credible in my opinion), ""because he did not win the nomination to become secretary of state."

I would prefer Amb./Sen. Danforth over Condi Rice any day of the week. He's a moderate republican and was shafted by the neo-cons taking over the GOP. Danforth has international experience by being the Ambassador to the United Nations. He was respected by the Republican establishment but he got the shaft. Supposedly, his wife his ill so I offer my thoughts and prayers.

Political Wire is also reporting the following about Rudy Guiliani:

A Republican official told the Washington Times that former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) "was the first choice to replace" Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, "but that he declined the position and recommended Mr. Kerik."

Does anyone know how conservative Kerik is? I know he was a private guard in Saudi Arabia.

By Special Request: Another Quote of the Week

If there is no new political news tomorrow, er, today, I live you this with thoughts for the weekend...

Native Atlantan speaks of William Logan Crittenden:

"A Kentuckian never turns his back on an enemy, and kneels only to God."

WLC was a West Point alum, fought in the Mexican War then went to Cuba with the renegade Spanish Genl, Narciso Lopez. They hoped to overthrow the Spanish-colonial gov't, but things didn't work out and they were all sentenced to death. From jail, Crittenden wrote the US Atty Genl: "I will die like a man."

When the time came, the guards ordered the prisoners (shot in groups of 10) to turn face-away from the guns, & kneel to the ground. This was in keeping with Spanish protocol, but elicited from Crittenden the quote offered above. Whereupon the Spaniards struck his legs with their rifle butts, forcing him to the ground in their desired position. Yet at the very instant the firing squad was about to do its work, Crittenden stood up and spun round, and was thereby shot in the face.

suppose my post-above may strike some as a quaint picture of the "honor"-obsessed Southern man of yesterday-- or 153 years ago to be exact. But I think that if America is to survive for another 153 years, we will have to find some way to instill the spirit and values of William Logan Crittenden into the Southern men-- and Northern and Eastern and Western men-- of tomorrow.

In quiet moments I am skeptical of the outcome, even remembering that all things work to the good for them that trust in God...

Shoppers 101

A quick plug for my brother's cafe press store. Click on Shoppers 101!

Draft Martin Sheen for Governor of California

I was looking at a site I visit regularly and found a petition trying to get "West Wing" actor Martin Sheen to run for Governor of California.

my friend from California started a campaign to draft Martin Sheen for governor of California. as you all know, we need to get Governator Ahhhnold Swartzenegger out of office before the consitution gets amended and he is allowed to run for President! yikes! please e-mail me at AP5597@msn.com or leave your e-mail address if you're interested in signing the petition and helping to collect more signatures. it's good if you live in California, and it would be even better if you lived elsewhere besides California because it will show that Martin Sheen has nation-wide support.

thanks

I will support Martin Sheen, er, President Bartlett, for Governor.

Lieberman on Chairman

Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT) was talking about the DNC Chairmanship during CNN's Inside Politics with Judy Woodruff on Monday. The transcript follows.

WOODRUFF: Senator, a quick political question. The head of the Democratic National Committee. A lot of people have thrown their hats in the ring. Do you have a favorite?

LIEBERMAN: No, I don't have a favorite. Only thing I would say is that the head of the DNC should be at this point in our history, a bridge builder who can bring the party together, and look for a whole new generation of ideas that can help us win some elections again. That's what this is about. In the meantime, I'm going to work to try to get some things done here, and I think that's what Democrats everywhere should do, try to show that we can govern in a way that helps the public live better, safer lives.

WOODRUFF: Would it help the party to have a leader from a red state? A leader from, you know, let's face it, a less liberal leaning background?

LIEBERMAN: Sure, it couldn't hurt if the leader was otherwise capable of putting up a big tent, and bringing all factions of the party together. But clearly, we're not going to win elections unless we reach out to some people who didn't vote Democratic in the presidential or senatorial elections in this year's election day, and somebody from a red state might be in a good position to help us do that.

WOODRUFF: We're going to leave it there. It's very good to see you, Senator Joe Lieberman. We appreciate it.

LIEBERMAN: Thank you.

I wonder where Simon Rosenberg is from. His NDN bio does not list it.

Jerry Abramson for Governor?

There's been wide speculation that Jerry Abramson will run for Governor in 2007. I just don't see that happening at all. He's had all this time and he could have run. He could have run for Congress and beat Anne Northup this year but he didn't.

If my links or anything at the bottom of the page don't show up, please comment so I know if it is not just me.

The marriage amendment in KY

I thought this was worth posting here. If the GOP prefers the sanctity of marriage, then why not outlaw divorce.

This comes from the archives of the Louisville-Jefferson County Democratic Party:

The voters have spoken. In order to protect marriage in Kentucky they voted to amend the State's Constitution to ban same sex marriage. I really don't think we have gone far enough to protect marriage. Divorce is the instrument that is the biggest threat to Kentucky 's marriages. In my humble opinion we need to make it harder to get a divorce. Repeal the "no-fault divorce" law in Kentucky . "One Man + One Woman + Only One Marriage." Lets really get serious about marriage. Ask your Legislator, your Church leadership & the Political Leaders to push for the repeal of Kentucky 's No-Fault Divorce Law. See how serious they are about saving marriage, or was it just a wedge issue?

Residency
If you seek to file a divorce in Kentucky , it is important to be aware of the residency requirements prior to filing for your divorce. In order to file for divorce in Kentucky you must have be a resident of Kentucky for at least 180 days. The papers for dissolution of marriage must also be filed in a county where either of the spouses resides.

Grounds
As such, grounds for divorce in Kentucky are no longer applicable since the state legislature has converted Kentucky into a "no-fault" state. The only thing that the parties need to prove to have a judge grant a divorce under the no-fault system is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." The court is not allowed to grant a divorce until the parties have not lived together for over a 60-day period. However, living apart is defined to include living together without sexual cohabitation. If the court feels that the marriage still has a chance of survival it has the power to suggest that the parties seek counseling. The court also has the power to order a onciliation conference, where is can make a finding whether the marriage is irretrievably broken.

The only reason why we have such high divorce rates is because people marry at such a young age. Write your legislators now. Get rid of divorces to preserve marriage.

This is a touchy issue. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of gay marriage. It goes against the Tanakh. However, I will support civil unions. I've said that before. I am against discrimination but I'm for equal rights with regards to benefits.

I voted against the amendment because of the fact that it affected people that are not married but living together. I voted against the amendment because I am against discrimination but favor toleration. After all, isn't this the party of inclusion?

Even the Orthodox Union says to be tolerable of others.

As for me, I am waiting for the perfect young Jewish woman (Conservative to Orthodox) who is around my age and supports my going in to the public arena and my plans to seek office some day (as high as the Presidency?).

New Secretaries, Danforth Resigns

Yahoo News reported earlier that:

President Bush has chosen former New York police commissioner Bernard Kerik, who helped oversee the city's response to the Sept. 11 attacks, to run the Department of Homeland Security, a senior administration official said Thursday.

I don't know much about him. Yahoo says he worked most recently for Guiliani Partners in Iraq.

Bush chose Nebraksa Governor Mike Johanns, a Republican, to serve as the Agricultural Secretary. He was raised on a dairy farm but became a lawyer. He was elected the Mayor of Lincoln in 1991. He became governor in 1998, and was re-elected in 2002. He was set to challenge Sen. Ben Nelson in 2006. Did his plans change all of a sudden?

This is an interesting development:

Johanns was a Democrat when he was elected in 1982 to a county board of commissioners, which he left five years later and became a Republican in 1988. He became major of Lincoln, Neb., in 1991, won election as governor in 1988 and a second term in 2002. He was the first Republican to win re-election in more than four decades.

I'm interested in knowing why he switched parties. Is he a moderate or a member of the far right? Sources say that Tommy Thompson at the HHS appears to be the next to go.

Also, the AP and the good bloggers at Ron Gunzberger's Politics1.com reports that

U.S. ambassador to the United Nations John Danforth submitted his resignation Thursday, Dec. 2, 2004.

Kernan Meeting in Washington

The following was in a Google news alert. I thought I would share a paragraph from WTHR-13 in Indianapolis.

And although Kernan says there are good Democrats among them, he is hoping a senator from Indiana will be the nominee next time and that Evan Bayh's experience as a governor will be a plus. "It is that executive experience that goes a long way, and again it's so practical and much less philosophical and therefore less divisive, I think."

As to Gov. Joe Kernan's own political future:

Kernan says he's made no decisions about his own plans for the future, he's focusing on the transition of the governor's office to Mitch Daniels

Bill Frist PAC loses half a million

I encourage my readers to read NBC's First Read. It contains some interesting news daily.

Today's First Read talks about the next few elections. However, there were some interesting things to note.

In 2005, there is the New Jersey elections. I will gladly support Sen. Corzine.

First, we had Delay in Texas, now Arnold wants his turn.

Now the Los Angeles Times reports that in California, "Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his top advisors... may call a special election that could upend the state's political order, redrawing legislative and congressional district boundaries, curbing spending and revamping the bureaucracy."

For some 2006 news, there is an article about the next governor of New York, Eliot Spitzer. He should get elected since Sen. Chuck Schumer has decided to stay in the Senate after his landslide win.

USA Today runs a huge (huge!) profile of expected New York gubernatorial contender Eliot Spitzer (D) and notes, "How far Spitzer, a Democrat, goes in politics depends not only on intangible factors, such as whether voters will cotton to his prosecutorial personality, but on an issue of fundamental importance to the future of the Democratic Party: How adversarial should the government be toward big business?"

This is the big news right here. I think this is a real thing of interest. Bill Frist's PAC has lost almost half a million in the stock market since 2000. And the GOP believes privitization of Social Security is a good thing?

The Washington Post follows up on earlier AP and local Tennessee reports that a PAC "controlled by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) has lost almost $460,000 in stock market investments since 2000 and now does not have enough to cover a sizable bank loan, according to federal election records and the manager of the Frist account."

Which may prompt some to wonder, as outgoing Minority Leader Daschle just pointed out, whether Frist is at all concerned that average Americans might face similar problems if they invest their Social Security money in the stock market?

Time will only tell what the next few years bring.

In the Crossfire

This show will be an interesting one with Carville going head to head with none other than Jerry Falwell. So what are Novak and Tucker doing this afternoon? Who knows?

This is from the email sent out:

In the Crossfire… James Carville and Jerry Falwell square off on sex, lies, and abstinence. A new report says that America's youth may be getting misinformation in their sex education classes, and some are placing the blame squarely on abstinence-only education programs. The president may be a firm believer in abstinence education but others aren't so sure and believe that too little information is outright dangerous. But does a more comprehensive curriculum for America's teenagers really increase their likelihood of having sex? Would it help ensure that those who engage in sexual activity do it safely? Where should the line be drawn? And should schools be teaching about sex at all or should educators focus exclusively on reading, writing, arithmetic?

Join James Carville and special guest co-host Rev. Jerry Falwell for Crossfire, 4:30 p.m. Eastern, 1:30 p.m. Pacific - live from the George Washington University. Teamed up with Judy Woodruff’s Inside Politics, we promise to give you the best of politics anywhere.

Shaheen is Out!

Shaheen out of DNC chair contention...
CBS News's Political Unit reports that former NH Gov. Jeanne Shaheen says she is not interested in being the next chair of the Democratic National Committee.
(12/2/04)

Once again, I must put in my two cents. I endorse Simon Rosenberg for Chairman.

Meet Brian Williams

Brian Williams takes over tonight as the Nightly News anchor for NBC.

I took a Washington Post quiz on him about who he interned for:

Brian Williams worked for the Carter administration, beginning as a White House intern. He later worked as assistant administrator of the political action committee of the National Association of Broadcasters in Washington before beginning his broadcast television career. He joined NBC News in 1993.

Chris Matthews also worked for Jimmy Carter. Is that how they met?

Farewell to Tom Brokaw

Tonight close to 7 PM Eastern, NBC Nightly News Anchor Tom Brokaw signed off for the last time. You may not know it, but I have always been an NBC person preferring Hardball, The Tonight Show, Saturday Night Live, Seinfeld, and of course, Tom Brokaw.

Tom was the anchor and managing editor of "NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw,", a contributing anchor to "Dateline NBC", a program anchor on MSNBC. He can be found in the library and bookstores as an author of “The Greatest Generation,” “The Greatest Generation Speaks” and “An Album of Memories."

I'd be interested in getting a copy of tonight's show or finding a place where I can download it. You can bet that I will tune in tomorrow night for "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams."

Tom Brokaw's parting thoughts
A transcript of his last words on 'NBC Nightly News'

By Tom Brokaw
Anchor & Nightly News Managing Editor
NBC News
Updated: 7:01 p.m. ET Dec. 1, 2004

The time is here.

We've been through a lot together, through dark days and nights — and seasons of hope and joy.

Whatever the story, I had only one objective: to get it right. When I failed it was personally painful and there was no greater urgency than course correction. On those occasions I was grateful for your forbearance and always mindful that your patience and attention didn't come with a lifetime warranty.

I was not alone here, of course. I am simply the most conspicuous part of a large, thoroughly dedicated and professional staff that extends from just behind these cameras, across this country and around the world, in too many instances, in places of grave danger and personal hardship. They're family to me.

What have I learned here? More than we have time to recount this evening but the enduring lessons through the decades are these: it's not the questions that get us in trouble. It's the answers. And, just as important, no one person has all the answers. Just ask a member of the generation I came to know well, the men and women who came of age in the Great Depression, who at great personal sacrifice saved the world in World War II and returned home to dedicate their lives to improving the nation they had already served so nobly.

They weren't perfect. No generation is. But this one left a large and vital legacy of common effort to find common ground here and abroad on which to solve our most vexing problems. They did not give up their personal beliefs and greatest passions but they never stopped learning from each other. And, most of all, they did not give up on the idea we're all in this together.

We still are and it is in that spirit that I say thanks for all I have learned from you. It's been my richest reward.

That's "Nightly News" for this Wednesday night. I'm Tom Brokaw. You'll see Brian Williams tomorrow night; I'll see you along the way.

© 2004 MSNBC Interactive

Please vote in this poll on Daily Kos on a Tom Brokaw tribute!

We'll miss you, Tommy!

Corzine for Gov

Senator Jon Corzine of NJ will be running for Governor in 2005. A win means he would appoint his successor. I hope Bill Bradley decides to go back to the Senate if that's the case.

In other news, check out this link on Evan Bayh. It's a Kos diary:

Harvard Law School has barred military recruiters. I met a Harvard Law professor a few weeks ago: Alan Dershowitz.

Check out this discussion on Daily Kos

It deals with a Dean supporter commenting on Evan Bayh.

Greg's Opinion

A shoutout to Greg's Opinion for mentioning the Kentucky Democrat!

Also, he gave a shoutout to the New Democrat.

Quote of the Week

Besides, you want to talk about crazy, I suggest you read those nutcases that write op-ed for the Courier-Urinal and the Herald-Misleader. They have truly lost their minds.

You know, if KY GOP reads this, learn to respect others. I respect the Voice-Tribune even if I disagree politically as well as the Post and Enquirer. Anne Northup would have ran statewide last year or this year if she wanted to. She'll be too old in 2007 and she'll lose to Jonathan if he runs.

Daily Kos

This Democrat is fed up with the members of the "far left" attacking those in the middle (DLC) so I will no longer post comments or diaries at daily kos. When Evan Bayh is President, they will surely regret it.

President Bill Clinton on Evan Bayh

I was doing a yahoo search a minute or so ago for "Evan Bayh for
President and ran across this link.

In that, President Clinton remarks the following:
And I want to thank, in his absence, Senator Bayh. Evan met me at the door and he said Susan was out of town and he had two choices -- he could stay and here me give this speech, or he could go home and tuck his kids in bed. And I said, you've heard the speech -- (laughter) -- and you'll never regret a minute you stay with your children. My daughter is about to be a senior in college and I can still remember all the nights I tucked her in bed, and she can remember anything she ever did that I missed. (Laughter.) Even though she can count them on one hand and have fingers left over, at 20 years old she can still remember.

So he went home, as he should have. And since he's not here, I won't be embarrassing him when I tell you that I hope and expect some day I'll be voting for Evan Bayh for President of the United States. (Applause.)

He'll be voting for Bayh in 2008!

I also discovered an unofficial Bayh 2008 site.

Tom Ridge Steps Down

The pro-choice Tom Ridge has resigned his post as Secretary of Homeland Security.

Ridge, who has spent most of his adult life in public service, came home from Vietnam, earned a law degree and went into private practice in Pennsylvania. He later served as an assistant district attorney and ran for Congress in 1982.

Ridge was re-elected five times. He became the Pennsylvania governor in 1995, leaving the state capital in October 2001 after the White House called.

Ridge, the former Governor of Pennsylvania, appears to be too stressed of running the Lieberman-initiated Department. Cabinet members are dropping like flies, it seems.

Ridge joins the coontinually-growing list that includes Attorney General John Ashcroft, Commerce Secretary Donald Evans, Education Secretary Rod Paige, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman; Secretary of State Colin Powell and Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham.

President Bush has chosen as replacements:
National security adviser Condoleezza Rice for the State Department
White House counsel Alberto Gonzales for the Justice Department
Kellogg's CEO Carlos Guitierrez for Commerce
Margaret Spellings for Education

Record Number and 2008 GOP predictions

Yesterday, 147 visitors set a record to this blog and it is going to 1000 hits almost.

In 2008, I predict Bill Frist or Chuck Hagel to get the GOP nomination. Pataki and Guiliani are too liberal. The Arnold amendment will fail--the GOP will mostly be afraid of a Mid-easterner running. Arnold is too liberal for the GOP.

Bill Frist is conservative enough. Hagel is conservative but he spoke out in recent months against the war.

Politics1

It's gotten to complicated to debunk all these negative comments towards Jonathan. I have better things to do than to stoop down to her level.

The GOP forgets that RESPECTING others is a moral value!

Now for something completely different

Recieved in my inbox from a cousin:

Don't know why everyone is being so tough on the French.
They are much better allies than realized.
The Israeli's tried to kill Arafat for decades...
No luck .
The Jordanians tried to kill him in the 1970's...
No luck .
Lebanese factions tried to kill him in the 1980's...
No luck.
Two weeks of loving care in Paris... DEAD.
Hey Osama, want to see the Eiffel Tower?

Bush picks Kellogg head to head Commerce Dept.

President Bush on Monday chose Carlos Gutierrez, a native of Cuba who rose from truck driver to chief executive officer of Kellogg Co., to be secretary of Commerce.

Is it just me or is he choosing all minorities now? He has no Jew in his cabinet. Wolfowitz doesn't count as he is an undersecretary. Even Mehlman would have been a better choice.

All his nominees are either female or Hispanic. It's good to show diversity but he needs to appoint a Jew.

Gutierrez made $10,500 in campaign donations at the federal level in the 2003-04 election cycle, including $4,000 to the U.S.-Cuba Democracy PAC and $6,500 to Republican congressional candidates, data compiled by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics shows.

Money doesn't grow on trees you know. He wasn't even a Bush pioneer. He's from Cuba so he'll never be able to be President.

Gov. Rendell rules out the Presidency in 2008

As for whether he's interested in running for president in 2008, Rendell said, "Not really. The timing is wrong for me."

He is up for re-election in 2006, and presidential candidates would need to start visiting key states as early as next spring and summer.

Right now, he believes Hillary Clinton would be tough to beat in a Democratic primary, but isn't certain she'll run because of her good standing in New York and all of the history that would be dredged up.

Gov. Rendell is the first known Governor to rule out a run in 2008. The campaign has already begun as based on the Americans for Bayh website, the material for sale at Demstore.com, and all the various yahoo groups out there.

Rendell is up for re-election in 2006 and I think he will win. People say we need a governor to win but we have a former governor already with Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana.

Follow up to "A Bigot on Politics1.com"

Since KY Republican replied to my comments, I replied to hers with the following.

She said:

You really think that being Gore's campaign chair is something to be proud of Kentucky? You don't think that Mitch McConnell will hang that around his neck if he ever runs for statwide office again? Jonathon Miller is nothing but a spoiled rich kid that got lucky in the 1999 Treasurer primary and faced no opposition in the fall that year. He also got lucky that a weak Republican opponent ran against him in 2003. He's Jewish. He's Liberal. He's history in Kentucky.

It's Republicans like these that say things without thinking. Not just that but her spelling shows that she can't spell elected officials.

Evan the Awesome Liberal said:

Kentucky Dem, is that your personal site? Those are pretty strong endoresments of Bayh... state parties don't usually endorse candidates like that do they?

I personally would have a tough time supporting Bayh at the top of a ticket, as Veep I guess...

I personally am flattered by these remarks. I mean, why would I give a strong endorsement of Sen. Evan Bayh if I represented the KDP?

I replied to them both with:

Evan,
Yes, that is my personal blog and not that of the Kentucky Democratic Party. Forgive me for not replying sooner as I was observing Shabbat.

KY GOP:
I'm going to be as civil as I possibly can with you. He was Gore's Vice-Chair in KY as Charlie Owen was the KY Chairman. Look up the facts before you attack someone. Do you see me attacking you? No, I am debunking everything you say. Jonathan is not a spoiled rich kid. Your out-of-nowhere attack on his mother was uncalled for.

You know you did not read what I said. Jonathan is in the DLC. The DLC tend to be in the center. So does that make Rudy Guiliani (cheated on his wife), George Pataki (too liberal in the GOP) and Arnold (too liberal) liberal enough to win in KY?

Jonathan is not history. My gut says that he will be the next Governor in KY and maybe a Senator by 2010.

Before you attack someone as well as their family (for all I know, you could be Alan Keyes), you say you are in the GOP and claim that to be the party of family and religious values. Guess what? Attacking someone's integrity and their family is not a family value. Exploiting the poor is social injustice and that is not a religious value (per the Tanakh).

I can go on and on but a good friend of mine says "one of the prerequisites of being a public servant these days is developing a thick skin to withstand silly attacks like this."

For the love of G-d, I hope I don't have to debunk another statement of hers.

Thanksgiving was good. I'll be back to a regular blogging schedule on Sunday.

What You Missed During the Campaign

A slow political day so I think I'll share some news that I was too busy to place some news that happened while I was busy during the campaign.

I'll start with the day of the 1st Presidential Debate, ironically, it was the same day I met State Treasurer Jonathan Miller.

September 30, 2004
I met Jonathan Miller finally and he is such a nice guy. I even took a picture with him as well. He will be a future Governor or Senator. He actually did run for Congress in 1998. He did like my speech, too. I mentioned my father is a CPA if he needs a treasurer in his next campaign. He is off to bigger and better things.

I'm now known as the guy that gets places even though I have no car. I got a ride to the Debate Party as well as to HQ for tomorrow.

That debate was excellent. We clearly whooped George W. Bush.

The following occured on the day of the 2004 VP Debate.

October 5, 2004
Today ranks up there in my top ten.

I got out of my newswriting class 15 minutes early, which was good so I headed over to the Welcome Center to meet the Senators. Senator McGovern arrived around ten after. I got my autograph first and then got a picture with him (I may have gotten it later though with Sen. Dole). I mentioned how he was indirectly responsible for me entering politics (He hired Clinton who chose Gore who chose Joe who inspired me). Hilary chaired the Women for Goldwater around that time, I believe. I told him I planned to run for the Presidency someday.

Sen. Bob Dole came about five minutes later and I got his autograph on the same printout. He requested that I be in the middle between him and McGovern when we had the student photos. I had a single photo with them.

I went back to my room to put my backpack away as well as the printout that I had signed. I almost forgot my tickets and had to go back to my room to get them. I proceeded back to the opposite side of campus to the auditorium in the business building and walked right on in to the front row. I was sitting on the moderator's right side. I should have sat on his left but I was right in front of Sen. Dole.

I asked what factors one should decide when if they plan to run for president someday. Dole started, "I'd start with something else first." I was impressed by the Q & A session.

It's ironic to note this: Dole's parents were Democrats and McGovern's were Republicans.

I waited around until the meet and greet finished and walked over with everyone else to the photo ops for the sponsors. I'm a CD so we had a picture with the two. The reception started early and I felt like I was at a highprofile fundraiser. Talked with Jeff Groob some. His wife, Kathy, is running for the State Senate. She was out going door to door tonight.

I walked over to to the location for the lecture/debate with fellow College Democrats. Our president was shadowing McGovern so he stayed back. Since we were sponsors, we had nice seats. Some wanted pictures with Dole, but he had to leave as his flight left at 9 PM. While mentioning about the debate watch to some of the Dems, I was asked by the paper some questions about what I thought of the lecture.

Sen. McGovern came back to sign some more books and joined us in watching the VP Debate at the student center. Some GOP members came in and I found them to be rude. A lady from a local Jewish institution was there and said that Sen. McGovern would be there in April. I told her that I was interested in attending.

I thought Sen. Edwards did extremely well tonight. I said so on a local TV station(I need to get a copy of that tape). I'll ask one of the college dems here and then give it to my uncle during Fall Break). He stayed on target and attacked Cheney's comments on everything. I was impressed by his reponse on the Israeli conflict. I remember that bombing all too well.

I was impressed with Sen. McGovern and look forward to meeting him sometime soon.


Nothing exciting happened on the day of the 2nd and 3rd presidential debates up here. I was at a Clooney/Davis debate and the College GOP booed the heck out of Nick during the closing statements.

A Bigot on Politics1.com

This is directly from the Kentucky Republican on the Thanksgiving Thread on Politics1 (look in links):

I always said that the worst Republican is better than a Democrat with very few exceptions. I'm a Republican, I'm partisan, and I will defend my party and tear down the Democrats as much as I possibly can.

As for Jon Miller, he has several problems. Unlike most KY Dems, despite how they are portrayed by Republicans, he is actually a LIBERAL. He is also Jewish, and if you are not a protestant in this state, you don't really get far. Mitch and Co. will have people saying "Oh, Jon Miller, the Liberal Jew" if he ever even thought about running for another office. Yes, he did win two terms as Treasurer (woohoo....state Treasurer, BFD), because he did not have a general election opponent in 1999 and he faced a weak and underfunded Republican in 2003. He's history. He needs to move on back to California where he came from and take his bitch ass mom with him.

I am pasting my response here. Being a Jew and the fact that I consider Kentucky State Treasurer Jonathan Miller to be a friend and political mentor, I was very defensive:

I replied too soon before I read those anti-Semitic and bigotted comments from KY Republican.

Jonathan is a friend of mine. I have 4 email addresses for him. He is a KY native and his dad walked with Dr. King.

Jonathan is in the DLC, that's called in the center.

Remind you, Ron is Jewish. I am a Jew from Louisville. Jerry Abramson is Jewish but Louisvillians can't get elected statewide for what, I have no idea. Rep. Kathy Stein is Jewish as well. I have roots in Western KY--where my immigrant ancestors first moved in order to escape pograms.

Jewish law even says that abortion is mandatory in some cases. KY has conservative Democrats that would vote for Jonathan and Evan Bayh, you biggoted daughter of a female dog.

A wake-up call that should not go unnoticed

I was sent this email in reply to a happy Thanksgiving email:

I fully share your sentiments and will forever be a Democrat. There is an alarming piece of information I received today, from students in my PSC 103 International Politics, and PSC 366 Government/Politics in Africa classs, that I think all of you should know about. I was made to understand That the College Republicans is telling students not to take my classes, that I am "liberal", "far left", "anti- American", and "very hard". The last of the classifications "too Hard", I proudly embrace because it means that my classes are not the ones that students can sit and do nothing and get a grade. The classifications, I strongly object to strongly, in that I do not believe any professor should be targeted based on lies and a refusal on the part of any group to think critically.

I deleted all the names to remove those that are affected. The College Dems faculty advisor is being targeted.

I am proud to be a Democrat. I've never been more thankful to be one in my life. I don't like being labeled any of those as much as you. The College Republicans are being unfair and going to far with this.

The Bible (at least the Torah) teaches social justice. It tells us not to exploit the poor. The golden rule: Treat others the way you wish to be treated.

The Kentucky Democrat

Dan Rather to step down

The AP is reporting, and CBS confirms that Dan Rather will step down as CBS News Anchor on March 24th.

Dan Rather's statement on stepping down:

I have been lucky and blessed over these years to have what is, to me, the best job in the world and to have it at CBS News. Along the way, I've had the honor of working with some of the most talented, dedicated professionals in the world, and I'm appreciative of the opportunity to continue doing so in the years ahead.

Rather will still continue work with CBS News as a correspondent for both editions of 60 Minutes,not to mention some other assignments for the news division.

With Tommy Brokaw stepping down on December 1st or 2nd, you can bet that Peter Jennings is the next to go within the year. I've always been a Brokaw fan myself though I'll never forget seeing Dan Rather break down on Letterman following those horrible attacks on the WTC and Pentagon.

I will be on a short hiatus with the Thanksgiving holiday.

haloscan

as you can see i added halo scan and guess what, my source code got messed up again.

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Sen. Mark Warner?

A anonymous source from the Virginia Democratic Party is saying that he doesn't see Gov. Warner running for Senate in 2006 as Sen. Allen is very popular and cannot be beat.

The current word on the street is that Elizabeth Taylor's ex-husband, Senator John Warner, will not be seeking re-election in 2008, Gov. Warner will most do like Governor-turned-Senator Chuck Robb did back in 1988 and run for an open Senate seat.

If Warner seeks the Senate seat in 2008, he will not be a threat to Sen. Bayh in terms of southern vote during the primaries.

The Kentucky Democrat

Merger?

The Vent and the Kentucky Democrat will be in talks this weekend to discuss a possible merger.

Stay tuned for details.

Bush almost died

I know we all are angry at this particular family but I had to share the breaking news.

Ex-President Bush was to board jet that crashed
Elder Bush cancels Ecuador trip after accident in Houston kills 3
The Associated Press
Updated: 2:10 p.m. ET Nov. 22, 2004

HOUSTON - A private jet that was en route to Houston to pick up former President Bush clipped a light pole and crashed Monday as it approached Hobby Airport in thick fog, killing all three people aboard.

The Gulfstream G-1159A jet, coming into Houston, went down about 6:15 a.m. in an undeveloped area 1½ miles south of the airport, officials said. The former president had been scheduled to travel to Ecuador for a conference.

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the plane crash this morning,” Bush said through spokesman Tom Freschette. “I’d flown with this group before and know them well. I join in sending heartfelt condolences to each and every member of their families.”

The names of the three crew members were not immediately released.

Bush, who lives in Houston, was going to give a lecture for the Guayaquil, Ecuador, Chamber of Commerce, Freschette said, adding, “It’s very sad.” He said he was to have accompanied Bush, as was a Secret Service agent.

Earlier, Jack Williams, a district chief with the Houston Fire Department, confirmed three people had died.

The jet, en route from Love Field in Dallas, was approaching the runway when it clipped the light pole, losing part of a wing, authorities said. Wreckage extended about 100 yards from there, Williams said.

The crash site is a field near the Beltway 8 tollway. No one on the ground was injured, but one car was hit with debris while another was hit with jet fuel, Williams said.

Roger Smith, a spokesman for the Houston Airport System, said the pilot didn’t indicate any problem, and the landing was routine until communications abruptly stopped. Dense fog blanketed most of the area.

Robert Randall, operations manager with the plane’s owner, Jet Place Inc. of Tulsa, Okla., said it had two male pilots and a female flight attendant aboard. The company has a fleet of 18 jets and employs about 150 people, he said.

Flight operations at Hobby Airport were not affected by the crash, officials said, but a portion of the heavily traveled tollway was closed.

Eduardo Maruri, president of the Guayaquil Chamber of Commerce, said that Bush suspended his visit until next month.

URL

This is pretty scary. I mean, just think about how much the press would be on it. No normal television for a week.

Dean for Senate

Thoughts? I like the idea of Howard Dean running for Senate in 2006 against Jeffords. Sanders is building seniority so it's not good to run for the House.

I'm calling that seat in Dean's favor right now.

Herman pulls out of DNC Chair bid

Alexis Herman, who served as Labor secretary in the Clinton administration, also said Monday that she will not seek the chairmanship. Some Democrats had urged her to pursue the post....

Former presidential candidate Howard Dean has called party regulars, expressing his interest in the DNC job. Other Democrats interested in the job or being asked to pursue it include Harold Ickes, adviser to former President Clinton; Leo Hindery, former chairman of the Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network LLC, a New York-based sports cable channel that televises New York Yankees' baseball games; former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb and former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk.

It will be Simon Rosenberg, who is a friend of my friend and political mentor, Jonathan Miller, the Kentucky State Treasurer.

I may be a progressive centrist. Politopia put me in centerville. Issues2000 puts me as a liberal-leaning populist.

And Vilsack is out

Tom Vilsack has taken his name out of the running for the DNC Chairmanship. Is he harboring presidential ambitions? Maybe. His only weakness of what I saw during the Veepstakes is English was named the official language in Iowa under his reign. That hurts the Dems. Simon Rosenberg slammed Kerry for not wooing the Hispanic vote. Vilsack would be even worse.

To Clarify Some Things

Describe your stance on:
Abortion: I am personally Pro-life but I am pro-choice on rape, incest, and life in danger. I would never vote to overturn Roe v Wade as it regards to the constitutionally implied right of privacy. Abortion should be safe, legal, and rare.

Affirmative Action: I believe people should be hired based on merits rather than class, race or gender. I am not racist though, never have been, and never will be.

Age of Consent: 18

Animal Testing: I am against the idea of comestic testing on animals. It's inhumane. Medical research is understanding.

Death Penalty: I am against the death penalty because too much gov't money is spent on it during the appeals process. It's an economic reason as to why I am against this.

Downloading Music/Movies: I am against this, and yes, I am a college student that is broke.

Drug Decriminalization: Garrett pointed out somethings on this. Do the crime, pay the time.

Factory Farming: I favor any viable alternative.

Free Trade: I favor this but I am against outsourcing.

Funding of Arts: I favor the funding of the arts as I am a musician myself.

Gay Marriage: I'm against discrimination and I'm a religious Jew. I will never be a fan of gay marriage but I'll support civil unions.

Gun Control: I am in the middle of this and see it both ways. I support gun control because my cousin went to Heath HS in Paducah and there was a bad shooting. The wording of the second amendment is up to interpretation. However, people should be able to own such guns for memorabilia and for self-defense. They should rarely be used though and I support all background checks.

Immigration: I was all for it until 9/11. However, we need to make sure that immigrants learn English and should get the government subsidies to learn English. Also, there is no reason for people to get a full shopping cart of junk food with food stamps. Eat Healthy!

Hardcore Pornography: All against it--and I'm just an average 20 year old--except I'm very political.

Human Cloning: I'm pro stem-cell research and against cloning a full human being.

Miltary Draft: AGAINST AGAINST AGAINST! I did want to enlist after 9/11 though.

Minimum Wage: I gladly support raising the minimum wage even if it means raising the cost of living.

Prostitution: They may be hot girls but they are tramps and I am against selling the body for sex.

School Vouchers: I am against such ideas.

Taxes: If it pays down the national debt that was raised after Clinton left, we don't much of a choice. I'd roll back the Bush cuts though.

United Nations: I wish they were more pro-Israel.

Universal Health Care: We need to help the families w/o insurance.

War on Terrorism: I am all for it but I don't think that we handled Iraq that well. I applauded Lieberman when he first called on Hussein to be removed. However, this administration did not use diplomacy and they needed too. We should have never gone into Iraq without a plan to win the peace.

Welfare: I support welfare but it needs to be reformed. Why should we give money to those that are unemployed and don't bother even finding a job? Clinton came up with welfare-to-work. If they can find a job, great, but if they are too lazy, no.

I read Paul Wellstone's book, "The Conscience of a Liberal," and I admire Senator Wellstone. The day he died was a sad day. I had tried getting his autograph for years but was unsuccessful. I couldn't get a bumper sticker either. I used to consider myself a progressive and a New Democrat at the same time.

I have since realized that if I want to get elected president in 2024 that I would need to run as a moderate-to-liberal Democrat in order to win nationwide and most especially in this red state that can be turned blue only with a strong centrist that can appeal to members on both sides.

This just in from Politics1.com:

Democratic Party (DNC) - After the 2002 elections, Democrats control several key governorships (including PA, MI, IL, VA, NJ, NC and WA) and many state legislatures -- but lost control of the US House in 1994, narrowly lost control of the US Senate again in 2002 (but they still hold enough seats to block much legislation), and lost control of the White House in the 2000 elections. While prominent Democrats run the wide gamut from the near democratic-socialist left (Barbara Lee, Dennis Kucinich and the Congressional Progressive Caucus) and traditional liberals (Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and John Kerry) to the center-right (Joe Lieberman, the Congressional Blue Dog Coalition and the New Democrat Network) to the GOP-style conservative right (Charlie Stenholm and Gene Taylor), most fall somewhere into the pragmatic Democratic Leadership Council's "centrist" moderate-to-liberal style (Howard Dean, Dick Gephardt, Tom Daschle). The official DNC web site offers party news, hearing information, platform positions, links and more.

See, I told you I had nothing against Dean except the way he was labeled and that could hurt the image.

Simon Rosenberg: The Dark Horse favorite

Thehill.com is reporting (from a article i was unable to find):

Simon Rosenberg, who currently heads the New Democrat Network, is becoming the favorite to become the next chairman of the DNC. But the former Clintonite also has a strong following among “outside” Democrats—activists who came to the party via former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean and other Internet voters who read the blogs. Rosenberg’s straight talk about what the party needs to do has been remarkably consistent and his 527’s effort to win Hispanic voters was more successful than expected. Also in his favor: He’s a tireless fundraiser.

Did I not forsee this a few days ago? Simon is my choice. He's Jonathan's choice. He's the guy we need.

Draft Bayh 2008

Sunday Morning Shows

I was up in time to watch Late Edition with Blitzer on CNN.

Here's the transcript:
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0411/21/le.01.html

Dean only Democrats

I am sick and tired of people who claim to be "Dean only Democrats" and will leave the party in a mass exodus if he's not the new chairman.

My friend said something along these lines: "We have to build the party back with true Democrats, and not Dean only democrats. Personality politics is not the way to build this party."

I completely concur with him.

Cats whoop Coppin State

Basketball season has officially began today with the first official home game in Rupp Arena where my Cats blew out Coppin State 77-46.

Harkin has cancerous skin removed

Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa had a cancerous piece of skin removed on Monday. He says "It's nothing."

Regardless, please keep Senator Harkin in your prayers.

Reform Legislation has failed

Congress has failed to implement the Lieberman-Collins legislation.

This is the same legislation that was recommended by the 9/11 Commission.

"The commander in chief in the middle of a war says he needs this bill to protect the American people," said Sen. Joseph Lieberman (news, bio, voting record), D-Conn., who led Democratic negotiators.

"Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House, and the blame for this failure is theirs alone," said House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California.

If lawmakers fail to pass legislation this year, they will render moot three months of hearings and negotiations that started with the commission's July release of its report studying the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Lawmakers would have to start from scratch next year — if they even pick up the issue again. With a new Congress taking office in January, unapproved bills expire and new lawmakers and committee leaders would have to consider any new legislation.

Hear that GOP! You can't blame us if we have another attack. You can only blame yourself. The current Vice President says the United States could be attacked if Senator Kerry was elected as president. Well, guess what, his own party failed to pass legislation that the 9/11 Commission recommended. What do you have to say for yourself?

Tributes to the Retiring Democrats

Today, I pay tribute to the retiring Democrats in the United States Senate.

I start with Senator Tom Daschle of South Dakota. Tom Daschle was a Majority and Minority leader. He represented his state in the House and in the Senate. He lossed because the GOP spent too much money in trying to upset the minority leader. Senatorial courtesy shows that it is wrong to unseat the leader of the opposition party. Tom Daschle will move on but he will continue to fight the good fight and when the Democrats when in 2006 and 2008, I expect to see him in the cabinet as a Secretary.

Senator John Breaux of Louisiana was a strong force in the Centrist coalition of the Senate. For the first time that I can remember, there will be a Republican from Louisiana in the Senate. Breaux believes in bipartisanship and can work with both parties. He believes in energy legislation. He was the youngest congressman when he was first elected in 1972. As conservative as his voting record may be, he is a moderate liberal populist and I wish he wasn't retiring.

Senator John Edwards of North Carolina was a virtual unknown when he won election in 1998. With the retirement of Jesse Helms in 2002, Edwards became the Senior Senator of his home state. He decided in 2002 to seek the presidency. He put up a good fight but decided not to seek re-election. He's now a household name after being named the VP Candidate of the Democratic party. If he doesn't run in 2008 for president, I can see him making a return to public service whether as Atty General or an election official. Regardless of fact, the fight must go on.

Senator Bob Graham of Florida was one of the most popular governors in Florida. He ran for president this year, and if he was on the ticket, he would have won Florida for us. Sadly, he decided not to seek re-election and his leadership will be missed. A moderate liberal, he will be missed in the Centrist coalition. He moves on to teach at Harvard this year.

Senator Ernest Hollings of South Carolina has been in public service since 1948 and was the Junior Senator until 2 years ago. He may come off as a conservative, but he is a moderate liberal populist and former Governor of SC. Hollings penned a controversial editorial in the May 6, 2004 in the Charleston Post and Courier, where he argued that Bush invaded Iraq because "spreading democracy in the Mideast to secure Israel would take the Jewish vote from the Democrats." Bush didn't quite get all that but Hollings is a good man. He has one of the best pro-public education records as ranked by the NEA. As conservative as SC is, I'm surprised that he kept getting re-elected. He should have stayed for 6 more years. He supports moving the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He sponsored legislation to bring back the draft but would vote against his own bill because you just can't do that.

I know that Zell Miller is highly controversial but he's a self-declared Democrat--a Conservative Democrat, but a Democrat nonetheless. Zell Miller started out as a progressive Governor before Roy Barnes suceeded him and appointed Zell to the Senate. He lost his way since then. He gave the keynote in 1992. If there is anything I agree with him, it's that he supports DARE and drunk drivers should be punished. Zell is a guy that believes that soft money from special interests is bribery and civil service must be reformed. He supported Max Cleland even though Zell has lost his ways since then.

Hardcore-Liberals, this is for you

This is for the members of the far-left that read this. You may not like what I have to say but a liberal agenda just ain't gonna cut it in the south and midwest.

Dean is a hardcore-liberal and I'm skeptical of the image he sends.

I'm a moderate Democrat and a member of the DLC.

To all my readers, please comment on how you found the link. I do track page visits by the past five days.

Cam Kerry

Clinton library opened today. President Ford was a no show--may he be blessed with good health.

Cam Kerry wrote me a personal letter that I recieved in the mail today. It was a very nice gesture of him to do.

Paul Begala

"We have to change our party and figure out ways to win"--Paul Begala on CNN's Crossfire, 11/17/04

That's the quote of the day. Got an email from a fellow Kentucky Young Dem with the following:

Also, I wanted to say it appears that you and I are the one of the few in the KY YD's that have their head on straight. How can anyone think a liberal agenda can work in Kentucky?
You and I could end up working on a lot of things together.

I endorse Jonathan Miller for Governor if he decides to run in 2007.

Joe Lieberman

I swear the next person that says Joe is a Republican, I'll ********!

Joseph Lieberman is a Moderate Liberal Populist

source: http://www.issues2002.org/Joseph_Lieberman.htm

The Promised Follow Up

I said I'd follow up that with how I feel.

Hilary Clinton--Too polarizing and I've made my case before.

Al Gore--AG couldn't deliver us the south last time and I didn't see him campaign in KY for JK this year. I don't see him doing as well in the primaries.

Bill Richardson--He is a moderate but he's Hispanic as well, which works against him as we still have racists in the south in OUR party. Fortunately, I'm not one of them.

Evan Bayh--DARK HORSE to get the nomination and my vote. I'm on the Bayh bandwagon in case my readers haven't noticed. I plan to intern this summer if things go my way.

Tom Vilsack--He is governor and is actively seeking the DNC Chair. I'd rather see him than Howard Dean. He couldn't deliver Iowa to the blue column this year but things will change in 4 years.

Howard Dean--Too liberal for me and I'm a moderate Democrat.

John Edwards--Even as VP, he was not enough to give us NC or anywhere in the south. He faces an uphill climb in 2008 should he run. Elizabeth's illness is a priority right now.

Barak Obama--I know I have his email address but anyway, he said he wouldn't run in 2008 as president or VP according to articles online. See the latter about Richardson.

Harry Reid--I don't anticipate him running. We'd have to get a new leader in the Senate as he would be campaigning.

Mark Warner--A Dem in a Red State but he'll run for Senate in 2006. Possible VP.

I like the sound of BAYH/WARNER 2008.

Op-Ed that I read

November 17, 2004
A Look Ahead to 2008 (Part II)
Terry Mitchell

Last week, I began my look ahead to the 2008 presidential campaign with the potential Republican candidates. Today, I will continue by taking a look at the potential Democratic candidates. Among them are New York Senator and former First Lady Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, Indiana Senator Evan Bayh, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, former Vermont Governor Howard Dean, North Carolina Senator John Edwards, Illinois Senator-elect Barack Obama, Nevada Senator Harry Reid, and Virginia Governor Mark Warner.

Hillary Clinton would seem to have the inside track to the Democratic nomination for 2008. However, she could be seen as a far too polarizing figure whose candidacy in the general election could bring out the evangelicals in droves for the Republicans as John Kerry's did this year. She will probably have to moderate a bit over the next three years in order to prove that she could win a general election. If she can't do this, the Democrats may seek a candidate with broader appeal. Right now, though, the nomination appears to be hers to lose.

After losing such a close election to George W. Bush in 2000, I believe Al Gore will make another run for the presidency. Those who would summarily dismiss him as no longer being a viable future presidential candidate are ignoring history. Richard Nixon was written off by almost everyone after losing to JFK in 1960 and then losing his California gubernatorial bid to Pat Brown in 1962. He came back six years later to win the presidency and then win re-election four years after that. However, Democrats are apparently less tolerant of their former losers than Republicans are. Democrats seem to be constantly looking for a fresh face. Gore would have to convince Democratic primary voters that he's more “electable” than their up and coming stars. That could ultimately prove to be a difficult task.

Bill Richardson served 15 years in the House of Representatives before becoming U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and subsequently Energy Secretary under Bill Clinton. Richardson is known as a moderate Democrat and is a member of that wing's Democratic Leadership Council (DLC). Being the governor of western state could work to his advantage, although New Mexico switched from "blue" to "red" in the recent presidential election. He may take a hit politically because of that. Due to his previous ties to the Clinton Administration, he might be viewed as an acceptable alternative to Hillary, should her candidacy not catch on.

Many Democrats may see Evan Bayh as just the candidate they need in the wake of Kerry's recent loss. He is a strong Democrat from a solidly "red" state, i.e., he was overwhelmingly elected to a second term as senator even as George W. Bush overwhelmingly carried his state in the presidential election (as all Republican candidates have in recent presidential elections). Bayh had previously served two terms as governor of Indiana. He is one of the leaders of the moderate Democrat movement. His father, Birch Bayh, was also a U.S. Senator and ran in the Democratic primaries for president in 1976, but was defeated by Jimmy Carter. Bayh is my dark horse pick to take the nomination. The only negative about him is that he seems to have a smirk on his face all the time and looks like he belongs on a TV show like Saturday Night Live!

In 1998, Tom Vilsack was elected Iowa's first Democratic governor in over 30 years and was re-elected in 2002. He is one of the most well respected and influential governors in the U.S. He is one of the established, but relatively unknown, players in the Democratic Party. Vilsack may be one of the people whom Democrats will look to following Kerry's loss. He refused to take sides prior to January's Iowa Democratic Caucuses, although his endorsement was sought by all the leading candidates. His wife endorsed Kerry and that seemed to help propel him to victory there. As is the case with Bill Richardson in New Mexico, Vilsack might have to explain why Iowa went from "blue" to "red" in the last presidential election. Vilsack's candidacy would render the 2008 Iowa Democratic Caucuses meaningless and place all the early emphasis on New Hampshire. A similar thing happened in 1992 when Iowa Senator Tom Harkin ran for president.

Howard Dean will likely make another run for the presidency. However, with a much stronger field, he will find the going tougher this time. Money will be even tighter as the big names will be pulling in most of it. His collections in small amounts might still work, to a certain extent. He will not be able to sneak up on anyone this time and the war in Iraq may no longer be an issue by the time 2008 rolls around. His best chance for the nomination is to play the "liberal" card while most everyone else will undoubtedly be playing the "moderate" card this time. At least that strategy might garner him enough delegates to allow him to cut a deal for the vice presidential nomination. Rumors have it that Dean is interested in taking the chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee. If he does, that would preclude him from running for president or vice president in 2008.

John Edwards will face an uphill climb for the Democratic nomination. Within a couple of months, he will just be a former one-term senator, as he didn't seek re-election this year. However, the biggest obstacle for him will be his status as a vice presidential nominee on a losing ticket. Candidates in both parties who lose in their bid for vice president, without having first won, have great difficulty getting a presidential nomination. Sargent Shriver (in 1976) and Edmund Muskie (in 1972) were the last failed vice presidential nominees to even seek the Democratic presidential nomination and they were both rejected. On the Republican side, Bob Dole was finally able to capture his party's nomination in 1996 after a failed bid for vice president in 1976. However, even he was turned away in his first two attempts (1980 and 1988). On the positive side for Edwards, he will have more time to campaign than most of his opponents. Only Gore, Dean, and Mark Warner might have similar amounts of free time to campaign.

Barack Obama is seen as a very promising young future star for the Democratic Party. He is a state senator who was just elected in a landslide (and that's an understatement) to the U.S. Senate from Illinois. He was featured as the keynote speaker at the Democratic convention in Boston this summer. However, Obama is still a relatively unknown quantity and he'll have to prove himself in the Senate. He has, by far, the least political experience of all the candidates on this list. There have been many politicians from the past with similar potentials whose careers have fizzled out before they ever really got started. Even if Obama can live up to all the hype surrounding him, he still might not be viewed as presidential timber until 2012. A vice presidential nomination in 2008 might be a better bet for him.

Harry Reid has just been elected to his fourth term in the U.S. Senate and will likely take over as Minority Leader from Tom Daschle, who was recently defeated. Before coming to the Senate, Reid served as Nevada's Lieutenant Governor and served two terms in the House of Representatives. Since 1999, he has been the Assistant Democratic Leader in the Senate. Should Reid decide to run, the one advantage he'll have over his opponents is that he'll be acting as the official spokesman for the party on many issues and will therefore get plenty of free media exposure.

Mark Warner was elected governor of Virginia in 2001 after losing a closer than expected Senate race to John Warner five years earlier. Virginia law does not permit its governor to succeed himself, so Warner will not be allowed to run for re-election next year. Therefore, he will be able to devote himself to full-time campaigning for president, beginning in January 2006, if he so chooses. The fact that Warner is a Democratic governor in a strong "red" state will be a positive for him. However, even though the Republican presidential candidate has carried Virginia every time since 1968, a Democratic governor in the state is not unusual. In fact, since 1977, Virginia has elected a Democratic governor every time a Republican is in the White House. The opposite has been true when a Democrat is in the White House. If Warner is nominated by the Democrats and George Allen is nominated by the Republicans, the Mother of Presidents will be guaranteed to have produced our next Chief Executive.

Obviously, not all the candidates on the Republican list I discussed last or this week's Democratic list will actually run for president in 2008. Chances are, only about half on each list will run. At this point, however, no one can really say with a great deal of certainty which ones they will be. In addition, some candidates whom no one is predicting right now will decide to run. At this time in 2000, who would have predicted that Howard Dean would run in 2004? Who outside of Vermont even knew who he was back then? In politics, the only thing you know for sure is that you don't really know anything for sure. Uncertainty and unpredictability are what make politics interesting to me, but it's still fun to try to guess things and match wits with other pundits once in a while.
source

I'll post my opinions on the candidates in a few minutes.

Powell vs Hilary

Yahoo News reports here that Colin Powell is being asked to run in 2006 so that the GOP will hope to gain one seat in the Senate. A Powell win means a Clinton loss--which would be saddening that we lose a seat in the Senate--but would ruin all chances of her running in 2008. I'm not against Hilary running for re-election (I was against her running there in the first place) but I'm firmly against her running for President.

Moderates need not apply

Kos reports that moderates are no longer welcome in in the GOP. I guess it's true because Bill Frist doesn't like Sen. Specter (R-PA).

Some liberals hate us centrists in the Democratic party and some conservatives hate the centrists in the GOP so what do we centrists do now?

"If they can't agree and support the president and the platform, then they ought to go over to the Democrats," said Jan LaRue, chief counsel for the conservative group Concerned Women for America.[...]
The to-do list includes defending traditional marriage, banning human cloning, reforming Social Security, passing more-restrictive abortion laws and stepping up enforcement of obscenity laws, said Ms. LaRue of Concerned Women for America.
And if moderates don't agree with those objectives, perhaps they don't belong in the GOP, she said.
Ms. LaRue calls Mr. Specter a RINO - Republican In Name Only - and questions why politicians such as Sen. Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island remain in the Republican Party when they didn't even vote for Mr. Bush.
"Get real," she said. "These are Democrats in Republican clothing."

That quote is taken from the Dallas News. So Sen. Rudman, Bill Cohen, Eric Cantor, Arlen Specter, Norm Coleman, Rudy Guiliani, Lincoln Chafee, Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, etc., are no longer welcome in the GOP?

How do the moderate republicans reply?

"There is no future for moderate and progressive Republicans in the Republican Party," said Jim Scarantino, president of the centrist GOP group Mainstream 2004. "The far right wing and the fanatics have seized control."
Mr. Scarantino isn't sure where his brand of Republican politics fits into the GOP. Some Christian conservatives say it doesn't.[...]

While big-name moderates such as John McCain, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Rudolph Giuliani took the stage in New York, conservatives controlled the party platform.

"The party has ruthlessly exploited moderate Republicans," Mr. Scarantino said. "I think they're deluding themselves thinking they're ever going to get anything more than the opportunity to be on the stage."

Folks, the moderates support Bayh. Why can't the liberal faction see that without centrists we cannot win?

I had the chance to interview Jonathan Miller, the State Treasurer, the other day and asked him if KY will go blue again. His reply:

Of course. We voted for Clinton in 92 and 96. Unfortunately, Gore and Kerry abandoned KY. With a strong centrist candidate (Bayh, Edwards), we can win Kentucky in 2008.

As to the favorites? Jonathan remarks:

Hillary and Edwards have to be the favorites, but Bayh is my dark horse.

If I do get elected as CDA President in 2007, I get a speaking role at the convention. If Evan Bayh gets the nomination, Jonathan would speak at the convention if he gets the option to do so.

source code

can someone give me some help here? the links are at the bottom and on the side, not at the top and on the side.

The Case against Hilary

We are ready for a female president and I could see a friend of mine being a good candidate in the future. However, the general concensus is that Sen. Hilary Clinton would be trounced in the general election. She will be seen as too liberal. Not just that, but I can never forgive her for carpetbagging. Carpetbagging is moving from one state to another just to run for office--and that's why I'm staying in KY except for when I intern or run for the Presidency--which I have said time and time again that I will.
We really need a governor or a former governor like Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana. He has the executive experience and has shown he can work in Washington with members from both parties. His dad wrote Title 9, the amendments that lowered the voting age and set the line in case the president dies. We cannot afford to be labeled as liberal any more. There is no shame in being a liberal--I'm a centrist Democrat myself but we didn't when with a "Massachusetts Liberal" this year.
It's early and no one has announced but I believe that Sen. Bayh is the man we need in the White House--and that's why I endorse him and hope to intern for him this summer (well, out of the three I am applying for, he's my top choice).

DNC Chairman

Evidently someone with CFK reads this and took it out of context. all the comments above the ------------------- were daily kos, everything below was what i wrote. i had to clear that up right now.

support evan bayh in 2008. my gut says he'll run. if and when is up to evan. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/evanbayhin2008/

nap time til 3 when inside politics is on.

Evan Bayh

Here is a link for the new Evan Bayh in 2008 yahoo group. It's as grassroots as it gets. The link is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/evanbayhin2008/. Of any candidates that may run in 2008, I believe that Sen. Bayh is the most electable. He chairs the DLC and has won a red state (Indiana) for at least 5 terms now, and many of those terms, he was elected by a large margin.
While we may have 60 members so far on the yahoo group, this is the beginning of something big. I know Deaniacs that are backing Senator Evan Bayh in 2008 and one is a co-moderator. I myself am all for Sen. Bayh in 2008 now that I have seen the light (I was for Edwards after the concession).Thank you for your time.

Veteran's Day Statement

Today, we observe Veteran's Day. It is a time to thank all those who have served our country in the armed forces. My grandfathers both served this fine country we call America during World War 2.

Regardless of whether one supports this war for oil or not, we should all support the troops. I support the troops even though I am against the war.

I went to the NKU Veteran's Day celebration today in which members of the Sons of the American Legion#275 were in attendence. Congressman Ken Lucas delivered the keynote address. I spoke with him and mentioned speaking to the College Dems after his term expires. I mentioned that I have seen him more times than I have seen my own representative in Congress.

Good news academically. I might be able to recieve credit for interning in DC even if I do not go through the Washington Center program. How cool is that?

Kentucky does not start the official basketball season until the 20th when they take on Coppin State. Should be an easy victory next week

Tikkun Olam

"You are not required to complete the work, yet you are not allowed to desist from it."
- Pirkei Avot, 2:21

Tikkun Olam can explain why many of us Jews are in politics. Social action is a fold of BBYO. The Torah calls for social justice. We need social betterment in our society. I once got into an argument with a friend from BBYO as to which was why BBYO leads alumni to politics: leadership or social action. Jonathan Miller says it is the biblical mandate to make the world a better place.

While I may be a fiscal conservative, I am a social liberal. One could call me a libertarian but I am a Democrat. I believe in healthcare for all. I believe in a fully funded education plan and not one where you leave almost everyone behind. I believe that every one deserves the same equal protection under the law.

Everyone deserves the same healthcare that our Senators and Congressmen have. John Kerry used Blue Cross Blue Shield. We should have cheaper prescription drugs and should allow for the re-importation of prescription drugs from Canada.

No child left behind leaves every child behind. This unelected President proposed this legislation that he refused to fund. He'd rather fund his war on Iraq, that over half the country was against.

You can't get rid of someone's rights because of who they are. My best friend is gay. It took me a long time to accept the fact that he is, but he is. I have said many times before, I am against gay marriage. However, I would support civil unions. I support civil unions because the idea of that is not religious but civil unions take place in court. When it all comes down to it, the right-wingers are afraid of two people of the same sex kissing. I guess none of them ever visit the pictures at www.collegehumor.com (caution to those that don't like looking at pictures of nude females or two females kissing). If the GOP supports moral values, then why do their supporters submit their pictures of themselves nude. I don't get that at all.

Thank you for your time and G-d Bless America. I welcome your comments at this time.

The battle for DNC Chairman

The latest from the Daily Kos

The battles for the DNC and RNC
Tue Nov 9th, 2004 at 17:30:05 PST

The RNC will be free of drama. Bush gets to pick, and his campaign manager, the wierdly robotic Ken Mehlman, looks the likely choice.

The AP lists the following names as possible Dem contenders, with my quick impressions. Note that this new DNC chair needs to be an innovative, think outside the box sort of guy. We can't have much of
the same old establishment crap that has failed us miserably the last three election cycles.

Howard Dean
My tentative pick. Would take him out of the '08 running, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I see him as a great DNC head. I don't see him as a viable presidential candidate. (Bring on the flames.)

Simon Rosenberg
An incredible visionary who would be a tremendous leader of the party. While a "centrist", he transcends ideology into that space I like to operate in -- partisanship. If there's a fault, it's that he's really, really nice. We might want more of a pit bull.

Tom Vilsack
The Iowa governor puts me to sleep. And I'm predisposed against him for failing to help deliver Iowa (which might be unfair).

Mark Warner
The Virginia governor has his sites set either on the Senate in 2006, or the White House 2008. A stint as DNC chair would preclude both of those.

Roy Barnes
Former governor of Georgia. You want a good Diebold-fueled conspiracy theory? His electoral loss in 2002 qualifies. Seems like an okay choice, unless he's being considered for geographic purposes. I refuse to play the, "We must appease the South to have any chance of winning" game.

Harold Ickes
Well liked former Clinton aide, he's supposed to wield a mean message. Could be a good choice, though he would be seen as laying the groundwork for a Hillary '08 bid. That perception, true or not, could be a deal breaker.

Inez Tenenbaum
Losing Democratic candidate for Senate in South Carolina. Not sure why she's made this list...

Donna Brazile
Few of us around here appreciate her public appearances, but she's supposedly a killer organizer. Perhaps the DNC chair should be split in two -- a fundraiser/public face and an organizer?

Ron Kirk
The former African-American mayor of Dallas got trounced in his Senate race in 2002. But he was a popular figure in Republican Dallas and has had some crossover appeal. A good public speaker. An intriguing possibility.

Dennis Archer
I know very little about this former Detroit mayor.

Wellington Webb
I know even less about this former Denver mayor.

Antonio Villaraigosa
Villaraigosa is a former speaker of the California Assembly and failed Los Angeles mayoral candidate. He's an old school political machine type of politico. I want someone more innovative.

John Edwards
I don't know why, but I just don't see this one. In any case, he's clearly running again in '08 so that would preclude the DNC gig.

-------------------------------------------------
Ok, my personal pick is Rosenberg. Why? He's a centrist and a friend of someone I know. Dean is energetic but though he is a centrist, he ran a campaign as a leftist. We don't need to go further to the left but stay in the center.

Fletcher for President

http://www.chronwatch.com/content/contentDisplay.asp?aid=11003

This just makes me disgusted. The guy cannot even lead the state.

Fiscal policy

I'm a fiscal conservative and according to that website:
Fiscal conservatism is the stance that the government must "live within its means". Above all, fiscal conservatives oppose excessive government debt; this belief in balanced budgets tends to be coupled with a belief that government welfare programs should be narrowly tailored and that tax rates should be low, which implies relatively small government institutions.

In other news, all signs are pointing to this election being stolen. Sure, it's not good news and I know that. I'm in contact daily with former Congressman Levine and some contact with Cam Kerry as well.

Hoping to intern in DC this summer. Wish me luck

Lack of updates

I apologize for the lack of updates but I was busy on the campaign trail.

Kerry Selects Edwards

The AP has reported this morning that Senator John Kerry offered the VP spot to Senator John Edwards of NC this morning. The NC Senior Senator accepted Kerry's offer.

Richardson no longer on list

Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM) no longer wishes to be on the VP list. This may be some good news as he promises to fulfill his pledge to serve the people of New Mexico.

This Moon stuff is beginning to get out of hand. I've contacted Jewish Organizations to find out who Rabbi Mordechai Waldman is. He's not affiliated with the Orthodox Union though.

Hal Rodgers to have a fundraiser on 9/11? I don't think so at all.