Political Roundtable: News, Opinion and Commentary

GOP Wants Crist For Senate Seat

admin — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:32:18 +0000

Since Martinez announced his plans to retire after the end of his term, in 2010, there has been rampant speculation about who would step into the race. Early hopes that Jeb Bush would run were dashed when the former Governor told supporters that it was not to be. So far, the only major candidate to declare is a Democrat - Congressman Kendrick Meek of Miami.

But now, it seems that national Republican leaders are apparently making an effort to convince Governor Charlie Crist to seek the seat.

From The Hill…

National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn (Texas) on Wednesday said efforts are ongoing to persuade Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) to run for his state’s open Senate seat.

We’re going to continue to visit. It’s very early in the game, but recruitment is important and the ability to be competitive on the financial front is very important too. We’re working on both of those fronts, Cornyn told The Hill.

Huckabee Slams Palin’s Allegations Of Media Bias

admin — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:45:45 +0000

The Republican presidential primary for 2012 is in full swing. Sarah Palin has embarked on a coast to coast whining tour, speaking to every reporter she can corral and making accusations of media bias and mean spirited bloggers. At least one of her potential rivals isn’t having any of it. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee had this to say about Palin’s performance in key interviews:

“Now I must say I did not think that either the Charlie Gibson interview or the Katie Couric interviews were unfair,” Huckabee said. “In fact, if anything, Katie Couric was extraordinarily gentle, even helpful. [Palin] just â€¦ I don’t know what happened. I can’t explain it. It was not a good interview. I’m being charitable.”

Huckabee is generally regarded as one of the smoothest talking Republicans to run for president in recent years. The contrast with Palin could not be more obvious. Palin’s fans are unlikely to take Huckabee’s comments well. Is it too early to get Huckabee some Secret Service

I Think The Prospect Of

admin — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:39:48 +0000

I think the prospect of losing 2 Congressional seats in the state will be a major factor in who decides to run.

With that in mind, a list of our Democratic Congressional leaders: Steve Driehaus (1), Charlie Wilson (6), Marcy Kaptur (9), Denis Kucinich (10), Marcia Fudge (11), Betty Sutton (13), Mary Jo Kilroy (15), John Boccieri (16), Tim Ryan (17), Zack Space (18)

begin with, I can't imagine any first term Congressmen running; good-bye Driehaus, Fudge, Kilroy, and Boccieri. That leaves you with Wilson, Kaptur, Kucinich, Sutton, Ryan, and Space.

Kaptur: Could run on a similar platform as Sherrod Brown, arguing against free trade. Her credentials/experience are unquestioned, as she's been in the House since the '82 election. She also has great appeal — a Catholic from a working class family who was a champion to honor WWII veterans with the Memorial. Her downside would be that she is perhaps in the safest of all seats, and is a high ranking member in a very important committee (Appropriations). If she has Senate ambitions, I think the time would be right for her to run. She's also 62, if she loses she could retire at the age of 64 and be happy — or she could be a U.S. Senator — not a bad gig. In the end, she might have too much to lose to run, but I think she would be an appealing figure. Verdict: I think she should, depends on her own ambitions (not necessarily a bad thing — she is a very powerful Congressional leader and may not want to give it up when she could serve the district as long as she'd like)

Kucinich: He certainly views himself worthy of the position. That said, no. No way, fairly or unfairly, he has consistently been seen as the left wing loonie in each of his past two presidential runs. I can't see himself connecting with the rest of Ohio the way that Brown and Strickland could. I'm not saying he doesn't run, but not a viable candidate. Verdict: No reason to say that he wouldn't do it, but barring a Jack Ryan-esque primary scandal by his opponent, I can not envision a Senator Kucinich.

Sutton: No. Too much to lose. Just 45 and with a good assignment. Also, the same district as Brown — which, somehow or someway, would be construed as being bad ("Don't let all them NEO liberals run our state!" ~ somewhere in Cincinnati, during a Portman for Senate rally in 2010 if he runs against Sutton). Verdict: no chance, not even a consideration.

Ryan: Has the most to lose and gain. Regardless of redistricting, he should be safe in The Valley. He just entered his 4th term in the House and I am contractually obligated to refer to him as a "Rising Star in the Democratic Party". Now, he could be a rising star in the Senate, or continue his path to stardom in the Senate. Rumor had it he was going to run in '06, but didn't b/c of his divorce. I don't buy it, but I'm not sold that he'll run. I hope he does, but he could also be a very powerful Representative 10 years from now. Verdict: Out; hope he does.

Space/Wilson: Here's where things get interesting. My first instinct was nope, no way. But then again, the prospect of these seats being merged/modified is key. First, there is absolutely no way that these guys square off in a Democratic primary. Second, they are both conservative enough to win statewide like Strickland, which will probably be important because we already have a rather progressive Senator in Sherrod Brown. My original thoughts with Wilson were that he would serve out his seat in the House for a good long while (he's pretty safe), and eventually — in the Democratic spirit of America — pave the way for his son Jason to take over. Now factoring in the redistricting goes both ways because it's possible there districts could overlap significantly (this would be especially important if the Southern tip of Wilson's districts moves North, since he is in fact a resident of Space's district). The other side of that coin is that his son, the aforementioned Jason, is a State Senator and will no doubt have his father's interests in mind when it comes to redistricting. I'm not aware of either of their abilities when it comes to fund raising; and, although Wilson is a moderately wealthy man, he's by no means in a situation where he can bank roll a statewide election. It of course is important to point out that both men our both just starting their second term in the House. They by no means have the record that Katpur or Ryan (or Kucinich!) could run on, but I wouldn't rule one of them out. Now Space is young, but is no means in a safe district. In fact, he's in quite the Red District. It might not be a bad idea for the "Accidental Congressman" to get the hell out of that conservative area. If Democratic leadership/Obama falls out of favor with the national opinion, he could be one of the first to go. The question if your Zack Space is how comfortable do you feel tying your fortunes in with Democratic leadership? I would not feel very good. Given history, it's almost impossible to imagine him surviving in the House through the Election of 2014 (getting way ahead of myself, of course, but if Obama were to win reelection (I know, I know, he's still just President-Elect) history shows us that a President is likely to lose seats in his 6th year. If you're Zack Space wouldn't you rather run for the office with more prestige and at the same time get the hell out of a very unsafe seat? It'll take intestinal fortitude to pull the trigger and run for the Senate, but it might be in the best interest of his long-term career. Verdict: Space more likely than Wilson, but both are interesting cases.

Final Thoughts: I think Kaptur is electable, not sure if she has enough motivation to run. Don't rule out Space, I would put him as more likely to run than even Ryan.

….

Other thoughts… Well, I'll let others dissect our non-Congressmen.

Don't forget about Jerry Springer

For The Record, Jill…/

admin — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:39:48 +0000

I haven't been writing about who I thought had the best chance to win in some political fantasy league. Maybe Taylor would be better against Fisher than Portman. But I'm looking at the events of the day, and the past few months, and I say, "boy, Portman sure has cleared alot of brush to clear a path here."

It's interesting that you write Taylor off for Governor because of all the positions she'd have to declare when the same could more easily be said of a U.S. Senate race which is decidedly even more partisan than Governor.

I don't disagree that it could be a wasted promise. I think many in the GOP think that was Blackwell's downfall. By waiting until it was "his turn", Taft had so wrecked the State that Blackwell was a "sacrificial lamb." Perhaps it is. Maybe Taylor will go maverick and take on her party's coronating nominee. But I doubt it. And I seriously doubt it will be successful.

A Taylor-Portman primary could be interesting, but I think you underestimate the influence and excitement (for reasons that *I* don't understand) Republicans have for Portman.

Taylor's biggest asset is she can claim to be the only Republican who could win statewide even against the strongest of Democratic tides. But I think too much of the Republican organization has signed onto Portman for Taylor to make the move. As I said in my initial post, I'm simply unconvinced that anyone other Portman will be their nominee. Is it because I think he was their best candidate? Heck, no. But the GOP picks people because it's their turn. Was Bob Dole the best pick to run against Clinton in 1996? Nope. Same thing.

Bush Jr. The Most Failed Republican President Of Our Lifetime

admin — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 06:48:45 +0000

Incompetence Killed the Economy and Retarded Small Enterprise

For those who may read this, some may say well this comes from a partisan democrat! Not true, full disclosure requires that I reveal a lifelong commitment to Republican ideology of self-reliance, fairness and small government. So, there you go.

Today, Bush Jr., stood before cameras and ignorant press corps to reveal that Bush knows that history will prove his value! One of the most self-serving, moronic, ludicrous press conferences in history. This arrogant, poorly advised, Bush stood before Americans and said, I did a good job.

Poop! Sure, as President he continued the national security but what a failure in regulations and in steering the economy. Bush Jr., next to Jimmy Carter, is truly the worst President of our lifetime.

Let’s visit Energy Policies…failed and hurt the American people while commodity future traders raped the nation. Let’s visit banking and the recession…failed and continues to strip Americans of their remaining assets. Let’s visit, taxes, how many trillion has his Secretary of Treasury and the Fed Chair dumped into the financial institutions and now newly named financial institutions? Failed.

That’s right. Bush Jr. put government to work and they work for the very entities that harm the citizens of America. Remember, Carter, failed in defense, enabled the PLO to grow, disgraced us with Iran…let’s not forget the incompetence in Carter and his economy and energy. Carter truly an incompetent but Bush Jr. truly a failed President.

Small Enterprises don’t rush to buy Bush Jr.’s book. We know Bush Jr.’s book may be named, “I Was Right, Just Give History a Century”. Bush Jr.’s book should be named, how I ruined the life’s of Americans, Republican Party and got away with it.

If you are a small enterprise, keep an eye on those Bush Jr. defenders, if they haven’t thrown up yet or if they haven’t changed their minds…don’t listen.

Goodbye, George Jr. and don’t let January 20th stop you from going to your new mansion in Texas.

I, like many lifelong Republicans, am switching to the Democratic Party. I have more ability to influence my life under the Democrat banner than under the influence of the Republican Party.

Farewell, Party of Lincoln and goodbye to Bush Jr., the most failed Republican President of our lifetime!Small Business and On-Line Marketing

Lee Iacocca Asks Where Have All The Leaders Gone?

admin — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:25:54 +0000

Logistics Monster introduced me to Lee Iacocca’s web site yesterday where I learned some things about Lee Iacocca. I felt it was important to introduce you, my readers, to his blog and his thoughts, you you might just learn a thing or too.

First of all I want to highlight his foundation, The Iacocca Foundation, their contributions make innovative diabetes research a possibility and allow new inroads towards a cure which I pray will happen in my lifetime. Lee Iacocca is more than just a man who pulled Chrysler out of certain disaster some years back, he cares about America and cares about where this country is headed.

First view Lee Iacocca’s words in this video:

Consider purchasing Lee Iacocca’s book Where Have All The Leaders Gone?. Maybe it can answer that question that is burning in many people’s mind. Ask yourself, Where have all the leaders gone?

Here are some excerpts from Mr. Iacocca’s Thoughts On Leadership:

People, look around. This country has some serious issues. Security. The economy. Global warming. Healthcare. Energy. Iraq. In most of these cases, the so-called leaders charged with confronting these problems are only compounding them with their lack of accountability and often questionable motives. Instead of looking for real solutions, they seem to be looking out for number one.

It’s not just elected leaders like George W. Bush and Dick Cheney either. It’s many of the executives who occupy the top rungs of this country’s corporate ladder. Your Kenneth Lays and Jeffrey Skillings and Dennis Kozlowskis - a few guys who took Michael Douglas’ line in the movie Wall Street a little too seriously. “Greed is good,” he said. These days, it seems more of our leaders believe that than ever before.

In my book and subsequent pages of this site, I talk about what we can do to take back our country and tackle these challenges. As you ponder what I’ve got to say, I’d ask you to pay special attention to my “Nine C’s” test for leadership, which is outlined in the book and in the Polling section of this site. Once you’ve read it, apply it to the people who will soon be asking for your vote (Emphasis and words are all mine2010 and beyond). I know I will be.

Lee Iacocca’s Leadership Scorecard can be seen here.

Here are Mr. Iacocca’s 9 Cs:

1. Curiosity
Ask questions. Listen. No one should
think they are such a big shot that
they can’t learn something. We have to
figure out what makes others tick.
2. Creativity
A leader has to be creative. Go out on
a limb, be willing to try something
different. You know, think outside the
boxâ€¦ and think ahead.
3. Communication
A leader has to communicate, talk to
people. Bill Clinton once said, It’s just
plain crazy to stop talking to people
you disagree with. As long as you keep
talking, there’s hope.
4. Character
It’s knowing the difference between
right and wrong and having the guts
to do the right thing. Abraham Lincoln
said, If you want to test a man’s
character, give him power.
5. Courage
Swagger isn’t courage. Tough talk isn’t
courage. Do they walk the walk or just
talk the talk? Step up to the plate and
accept personal responsibility.
6. Conviction
That’s a fire in your belly that shows
the desire to really get things done.
7. Charisma
It’s the ability to inspire people to stand
taller and motivate people to act by
appealing to the good in their hearts,
not the evil in the hearts of others. It’s
being more concerned that others feel
good about themselves than they feel
about you.
8. Competence
Getting results, talk is cheap, but what
about fixing problems? You’ve got to
show what’s working and be held
brutally accountable for your decisions.
9. Common Sense
As my business mentor, Charlie
Beacham use to say, The only thing
you’ve got going for yourself as a
human being is your ability to reason
and your common sense.

This is a very good tool. When the categories are applied to the resident evil select, he scores very poorly. His lack of leadership and boldness really reared its ugly head when he flinched, allowing the seating of Ronald Burris. Obama lost this round with Blagojevich. What do you think will happen when he meets other world leaders? He will fall woefully short. I am not the only one who holds this opinion, you must read the following post, “Obama Faces His First Crisis And Blinks”.

And it is appropriate to ask Lee Iacocca’s question once more, Where Have All The Leaders Gone?

Politics Is BULLSH1T

admin — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 12:20:55 +0000

I remember when I first started paying attention. Back when MTV played music videos, and Ren & Stimpy ruled Nickelodeon, and rock and roll on the radio actually rocked. I was only eleven or twelve years old, but I knew it even then: POLITICS IS BULLSH1T —

And I remember when I was first old enough to vote. I was a freshman in college, and I wanted to care, but then I had to choose between Sleepy and Stupid, and the Supreme Court decided the whole thing anyway. I knew it then too, and so did everyone I knew: POLITICS IS BULLSH1T —

Never in my young life had I listened to a politician speak and heard anything but bullshit. But then one day, a good friend of mine sent me a link to this speech.

It was Barack Obama speaking to a rally in South Carolina after his victory in the primary there.

Now, I am NOT a Democrat. I am NOT a Republican. I AM A YOUNG AMERICAN. And I know when I see some BULLSH1T. CNN is BULLSH1T. Red and Blue is BULLSH1T. Presidents are usually BULLSH1T. But, there’s something different about this guy.

I’ve never felt like this about anybody running for President. But I gotta say, I’m feeling pretty strongly on this one. Strong enough to sit here and make this video. Which is just about done now, I guess. So… are you gonna vote?

The Coolest News Story In Ages

admin — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:38:45 +0000

Charming!

A little boy teaches other Ethiopian children how to read.

And there’s a donkey-led bookmobile, too.

Cool!

“For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearances, as though they were realities, and are often more influenced by the things that seem than by those that are.”
-Niccolo Machiavelli />

: Delilah didn’t do it.
Judges 16:19– And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Governor Says New York Is In A Perilous Situation

admin — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:39:39 +0000

Gov. David A. Paterson delivered his first State of the State address to the Legislature on Wednesday, an often sobering message that came as thousands of union members gathered in freezing rain outside the Capitol to protest his proposed budget cuts.

The governor’s speech contained little in the way of new policy initiatives, partly because there is scant money available to pay for new programs and partly because Mr. Paterson already rolled out his budget plan in mid-December â€” more than a month early â€” in anticipation of a bitter budget battle this year.

He did announce several new proposals intended to fight obesity, including a ban on trans fats in restaurants and a requirement that restaurant chains post information on the calories in their offerings. The proposals, which would require legislative approval, follow similar programs in New York City and California. Mr. Paterson said he would seek to ban junk food sales in public schools and to lend state money to green markets willing to open in poor communities. The governor has already unveiled a plan to impose an 18 percent tax on sugary sodas.

We must aggressively address the most serious threat to the young people of New York State right now: the epidemic of childhood obesity, he said.

Those plans were praised by health advocates and medical groups, while a litany of other groups, from education advocates to public employees’ unions, continued to decry plans to make steep cuts to close a $15 billion deficit.

Mr. Paterson also announced a plan for the state to use renewable energy or to improve efficiency to meet 45 percent of its electricity demand within 15 years. And he reiterated plans to expand health care coverage and create a new higher education loan program.

Inside the Capitol, the mood was upbeat among Democrats, who have taken complete control of the Legislature. It is the first time since the early 1970s that one party has had control.

Shortly before the governor’s speech, Malcolm A. Smith, a Queens Democrat, was elected majority leader of the State Senate. Mr. Smith is the first Democrat to lead the chamber in 43 years and the first African-American to lead a majority party in the State Legislature.

Mr. Smith’s ascension will significantly change the recent power dynamic; Senate Republicans often thwarted the last two Democratic governors.

Mr. Smith pledged to overhaul the way the Senate is run, making it more open to scrutiny, and to work closely with the governor. But he has differed with Mr. Paterson in some areas, calling for far deeper cuts to the state work force and for more consolidation of state agencies and authorities than the governor has envisioned.

The governor, who is legally blind, spent 60 hours memorizing his speech, which lasted about an hour â€” longer than he usually speaks. The speech was interspersed with examples of his trademark buoyant humor and with poetry â€” he recited Opportunity by Edward Rowland Sill, which grandiosely muses about a wounded prince who makes the most of a broken sword he discovers on a battlefield.

Mr. Paterson also telegraphed the grim reality that he and other Democrats now face.

The state of the state is perilous, he said, adding that our economy is damaged and our confidence is shaken.

Sheldon Silver, the speaker of the Assembly and a Manhattan Democrat, said after the address that there is no way to sugarcoat the condition of the state.

Inevitably, there will be fewer resources for government programs that governors can count on, and some of our goals that we have been working for, and we have sponsored as individual legislators, as a house, and collectively as a state, will have to be delayed, he added.

As Mr. Paterson began his speech in the lofty chamber of the State Assembly just after 1 p.m., thousands of protesters from labor unions were gathered on the Capitol’s eastern steps, wearing union-issued yellow or blue ski caps against the cold. Speaker after speaker criticized Mr. Paterson for proposing to take back portions of raises that were granted to state workers last year, and for refusing to raise taxes on the wealthy to help balance the state budget.

They raised signs advising Cut the Waste, Not the Workers and, in one case, Sell the Rug â€” a reference to reports that in July the state bought several antique rugs for the Executive Mansion, at a cost of nearly $40,000.

Hey hey, ho ho, Paterson’s budget has got to go, shouted Kenneth Brynien, the president of the Public Employees Federation and one of the rally’s speakers.

With that, someone cued up the Twisted Sister anthem We’re Not Gonna Take It, which blasted over the loudspeakers and echoed around the plaza.

The day was a turning point for Republicans, who have now been almost entirely marginalized â€” almost, because they will probably hold 30 of the 62 seats in the Senate, pending the outcome of a closely contested race in Queens, and will still be needed on a great number of contentious votes.

Dean G. Skelos, a Long Island Republican and the outgoing majority leader, opened his remarks during a press conference with praise for Mr. Paterson’s ability to deliver a speech from memory, a skill that the governor has used before to wow audiences.

He makes us reflect on the incredible ability that he has had to overcome his challenges to deliver a speech, without a teleprompter, for close to an hour, from memory, Mr. Skelos said.

But he seemed less satisfied with the speech’s contents.

Asked if there was anything in the address that concerned him, Mr. Skelos replied, somewhat archly, I learned an awful lot about child obesity in the governor’s speech.

He also said that Mr. Paterson â€” who has devoted a majority of his public statements in recent months to the state’s fiscal crisis â€” had missed an opportunity to maybe rally the Legislature a little bit more, as well as the public at large, about the state’s budget problems.

Still, there was some praise for the governor’s anti-obesity initiatives.

Dr. Michael H. Rosenberg, president of The Medical Society of the State of New York, said, The epidemic of childhood obesity must be contained. David Kirchhoff, the president and chief executive of Weight Watchers International, said he applauded the governor’s recognition of the importance of creating a healthy environment for children in the home, in restaurants and in schools.

Source: NY Times

Conservative Bloggers Respond To Krishna

admin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:24:30 +0000

It should come as no surprise that Iowa’s conservative bloggers didn’t take kindly to their portrayal as disseminators of lies and character assassination by Republican Party of Iowa Treasurer Gopal Krishna in an interview Tuesday with the Iowa Independent.

After weeks of taking shots from the blogosphere, Krishna decided enough was enough, saying not only do they spew hatred and spread lies, but Iowa’s anonymous bloggers also discourage good people from getting involved in politics.

The response from anonymous blogger Krusty Konservative was more laid back than one might expect, but every bit as unforgiving.

Gopal, I have not lied about your past; I have simply made sure people knew about it. Sorry you if you cannot accept the truth. You might be glad to know that I held back at times, because I wanted to keep the debate about your candidacy for chairman about the facts.

Another anonymous blogger at In Flyover Country took a more direct approach, saying the bloggers are more loyal to the state party than someone who would criticize it publicly.

Yes, we’re the ones going out and blasting the entire central committee. We’re the ones name-calling in public of those people who would NEVER vote for us, and we’re bitter about it. We’re the ones who got kicked off the SCC in 2000. How could we be so blind. You’re right, almighty Gopal. We’re the big, bad BLOGGER PEOPLE!!! Ooooooh….we’re so scary.

“In Flyover Country” also told it’s readers that Krishna announcing he was not a candidate is proof that…

… there is a God, er…holy cow, Buddha, or
Yikes.

Not surprisingly, those bloggers who put their names next to their words took a more measured approach to the news that Krishna was not a candidate for chair.

At his blog HawkeyeGOP, Republican State Central Committee member David Chung called the race for RPI chair silly season, saying he’ll be glad when it’s all over with.

And the call for Krishna’s ouster as party treasurer is hitting a fever pitch in each of the blogs’ comment sections, with most hoping he will get thrown off the State Central Committee altogether.

All this should make for an interesting meeting on Saturday. Unfortunately, the vote for chair and other leadership positions is not open to the public or the media. The party plans to unveil its new leader shortly after the meeting concludes at 12:30 p.m. in the RPI Headquarters, 621 E 9th St., Des Moines.