Too Many Cuts

Barack Obama is spending part of the week touring the country to drum up support for his stimulus bill. His problem however isn't across America, because frankly, the people support him. It is a certain section of the Senate that is truly hampering a decent stimulus that can start to rev the economic engine of this country again. In the aftermath of "bipartisanship," centrists and conservatives were able to lop off crucial parts of the bill that would have created by some estimates 600,000 jobs by themselves.

Programs like these:

Partially cut:

• $3.5 billion for energy-efficient federal buildings (original bill $7 billion)

• $75 million from Smithsonian (original bill $150 million)

• $200 million from Environmental Protection Agency Superfund (original bill $800 million)

• $100 million from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (original bill $427 million)

• $100 million from law enforcement wireless (original bill $200 million)

• $300 million from federal fleet of hybrid vehicles (original bill $600 million)

• $100 million from FBI construction (original bill $400 million)

Fully eliminated

• $55 million for historic preservation

• $122 million for Coast Guard polar icebreaker/cutters

• $100 million for Farm Service Agency modernization

• $50 million for Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service

• $65 million for watershed rehabilitation

• $100 million for distance learning

• $98 million for school nutrition

• $50 million for aquaculture

• $2 billion for broadband

• $100 million for National Institute of Standards and Technology

• $50 million for detention trustee

• $25 million for Marshalls Construction

• $300 million for federal prisons

• $300 million for BYRNE Formula grant program

• $140 million for BYRNE Competitive grant program

• $10 million state and local law enforcement

• $50 million for NASA

• $50 million for aeronautics

• $50 million for exploration

• $50 million for Cross Agency Support

• $200 million for National Science Foundation

• $100 million for science

• $1 billion for Energy Loan Guarantees

• $4.5 billion for General Services Administration

• $89 million General Services Administration operations

• $50 million from Department of Homeland Security

• $200 million Transportation Security Administration

• $122 million for Coast Guard Cutters, modifies use

• $25 million for Fish and Wildlife

• $55 million for historic preservation

• $20 million for working capital fund

• $165 million for Forest Service capital improvement

• $90 million for State and Private Wildlife Fire Management

• $1 billion for Head Start/Early Start

• $5.8 billion for Health Prevention Activity

• $2 billion for Health Information Technology Grants

• $600 million for Title I (No Child Left Behind)

• $16 billion for school construction

• $3.5 billion for higher education construction

• $1.25 billion for project based rental

• $2.25 billion for Neighborhood Stabilization

• $1.2 billion for retrofitting Project 8 housing

• $40 billion for state fiscal stabilization (includes $7.5 billion of state incentive grants)

Those were programs that states were counting on as a reinvestment in their communities. Those were jobs waiting to happen. That was a network of infrastructure ready to be built. Instead, much of that was replaced by more tax cuts, more of the same policies that have failed us in the last eight years (and up to 30 years back too).

There's nothing more spectacular than seeing Barack Obama in campaign mode, but I'd rather see him working over Congress and making sure that he gets the best possible stimulus out of our Legislative branch that he can.

The Senate Does Good For Lilly Ledbetter

The Democratic Senate is far from perfect, but when good deeds are done, they should be recognized. The latest happened last night, when the now-even-stronger Democratic majority was able to pass the Lilly Ledbetter Act. Ms. Ledbetter stood up for what was right when she found she was discriminated against because of her gender. Yet justice for her has been blocked by Republicans who claim that legislation to protect Lilly would bring "frivolous lawsuits." Where last year Democrats failed, this year they are succeeding.

From The Washington Post:

The measure, approved 61 to 36, would overturn a Supreme Court decision to make it easier for women to sue employers for pay inequity, regardless of when the discrepancies took place. It may become the first legislation signed by President Obama, who campaigned in favor of it.

The bill, dubbed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, was introduced after a Supreme Court ruling in 2007 rejected a $360,000 award in back pay to Lilly Ledbetter, an Alabama woman who worked for Goodyear Tire and Rubber. Ledbetter had discovered a large gap between her salary and that of her male colleagues, stretching back years.

The discrepancy cost her lost wages and also lowered her retirement earnings because her Social Security and 401(k) contributions were based on her salary. But the court ruled that Ledbetter's case was not allowed under the 1964 Civil Rights Act because the statute of limitations on claims was 180 days after the alleged discrimination took place.

All sixteen women Senators voted for it, including five Republicans as you can see in the breakdown of the vote. Now it is on to the House and quite possibly the first piece of legislation that President Obama signs into law.

There is so much damage to be cleaned up after Bush...making employers treat men and women equally is a damn good start.

As Expected, Burris Isn't So Clean After All

Yesterday we learned a little bit more about the man that could and/or will become the next Senator from Illinois. Roland Burris made a big ruckus in Washington on Tuesday when the Secretary of the Senate refused to seat him. Yet he was confident, supposedly because the lord had Blagojevich seat him, that he'd prevail in the end. Well, it might not have been a heavenly presence that got him into the Club of 100.

From The Huffington Post:

Appearing before an Illinois House impeachment committee, Burris acknowledged that he had reached out to a close friend and former chief of staff to embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich to discuss the Senate seat. That appears to contradict Burris' statement in a sworn affidavit that he had no contact with any of the governor's "representatives." The former chief of staff, Alonzo Monk, is named as "Lobbyist 1" in the criminal complaint, and ran Blagojevich's most recent reelection campaign.

Grilled by members of the Illinois House, Burris said he brought the idea of filling Obama's Senate seat to "Lon" Monk -- whose cell phone was tapped by federal agents investigating Blagojevich's pay-to-play scheme.

Moreover, Burris testified that the meeting with Monk was to drum up state business from the lobbyist -- the image of back channel dealing that Burris has sought to avoid during his Senate roll-out.

Not exactly the stuff that gets you past the pearly gates, is it? Mr. Burris though, I suspect, cares only about the big doors that lead to the Senate floor. If he were staying in Illinois, it would seem that he'd get nothing from the legislature that raked him through his own coals yesterday. Majority Leader Harry Reid however, can't seem to tie his own shoes, so herding the Democratic caucus or dealing with an ethically and legally tainted Governor is out of the question. Of course, if the Feds can nail him for being part of a pay to play scheme, things could change. His answer to whether he was is quite telling.

Towards the end, a representative put the whole inquiry in the bluntest terms possible: asking Burris whether he had promised Blagojevich anything in return for the Senate seat.

"I can before this committee state that there was nothing legal, personal, or political exchanged for my appointment to this seat," Burris replied.

Do you think he left out the word "financial" on purpose?

Burris Denied Entry By The Senate

Today is the first day of the 111th Congress and already we are seeing fireworks, unfortunately the unnecessary kind. Instead of getting and focusing on action that the American people deserve, we have the drama that is Roland Burris. The ethically tainted and disgraced Gov. Blagojevich appointed him, yet he is not officially certified by the Illinois Sec. of State. Burris also went there knowing that a majority of the Senate (the Dems that is) made it clear they wouldn't seat a Blagojevich choice, even before that choice was made. And now the drama begins.

From TPM:

Burris just made a brief statement to reporters, after his credentials were rejected by the Secretary of the Senate. "Members of the media, my name is Roland Burris, junior Senator from the state of Illinois," Burris said, in an effort to establish his legitimacy. "I presented my credentials to the Secretary of the Senate and was advised that my credentials are not in order, I will not be accepted, and I will not be seated, I will not be permitted on the floor."

He then added that he was not seeking any kind of confrontation -- but did not expressly rule out any lawsuit. Instead, he said he would be consulting with his attorneys on what his next step will be.

It is ridiculous that as a country have to be subjected to this nonsense. Now there'll be lawsuits, multiple press conferences and missing Senators from the chamber that will impede the business of the people. And this is just the beginning, already we have DiFi and Rockefeller protesting the Panetta pick for CIA head and Reid and Pelosi have already proven themselves as weak leaders in the previous Congress. Barack certainly has his work cut out for him if he is to have a successful start to his Presidency.

Burris Gives Himself An Out For Running In 2010

Burris must know that getting into the Senate next month has odds that are slim to none. Being picked by Blagojevich immediately tainted his chances for being admitted by his potential Democratic colleagues, who've already said that a Blagojevich appointee would be rejected. Now with that reality immediately in front of Burris, a face-saving actual race for the office in 2010 may be Roland's only chance to distance himself from Gov. Blagojevich and to utilize his experience as a dedicated public servant.

Senate Candidate No.5 Speaks, Proclaims His Sanctity And Innocence

Isn't it sad that when he mentions the text message from his sister that I instantly start laughing instead of empathizing?

Obama Refused Blagojevich's Dirty Politics

Barack Obama has only been in the swamp that is known as Washington for four years, but he was in the stink of Chicago politics for double that. Yet as corrupt as Chicago is known for, certainly proved again by Blagojevich today, it hasn't had an effect on Barack. While Blagojevich was consumed with his own personal power and greed, Obama wanted no part of it.

From TPM Muckraker:

From Fitzgerald's statement:

In a conversation with Harris on November 11, the charges state, Blagojevich said he knew that the President-elect wanted Senate Candidate 1 for the open seat but "they're not willing to give me anything except appreciation. [Expletive] them."

Looks like Obama wouldn't pay to play.

It may be one of the oldest games in Chicago (and definitely in New York) but our next President is having none of it. Senate seats may have financial value to scumbags like Blagojevich, but they're priceless to Obama. Change in the way we do government is more than just a campaign slogan, it is going to be the major component of the Obama Administration and help move every essential piece of legislation through in the next few years.

Update: And as the news keeps leaking out of this story, it turns out Obama's Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel had a role to play in getting Blagojevich arrested.

Another Senator Kennedy from New York?

There was a lot of talk yesterday surrounding Caroline Kennedy's interest in talking to Governor Paterson about that open position in the United States Senate. Paterson said he would not be making his decision until Senator Clinton is confirmed as Secretary of State early next year, but the speculation is in high gear here for a Kennedy in early December.

From Yahoo News:

WASHINGTON – Caroline Kennedy has spoken to New York's governor about the Senate seat that will come open when Hillary Rodham Clinton becomes secretary of state, and Kennedy and the governor are expected to meet as early as Saturday to discuss it further, according to people familiar with the conversation.

Kennedy reached out to Gov. David Paterson, who will pick someone to fill the seat for two years, according to a Democratic source who spoke on condition of anonymity because the conversation was private.

Two New York Democrats told The Associated Press that Kennedy and the governor are expected to meet privately to discuss the matter Saturday, when Paterson travels to Washington, D.C., for a dinner.

Kennedy is interested in the Senate appointment, said a person close to the Kennedy family.

She of course would be the second Kennedy to represent New York in the Senate, being that her Uncle Robert had the seat from 1965 until his death in 1968. Caroline isn't really that much of a politician, so that does make her interest a bit different from the host of New York politicians that have been thought of for the seat. And of course, she is a Kennedy, which presents both good and bad aspects.

The good thing about appointing her is that she is a big name that can fill a big seat. She has star power and used it for the incoming President nearly a year ago when his nomination was still far from being locked up. On the downside, it raises the legacy question and furthers that American dynasty we are all supposed to be wary of, or so said our founding fathers.

And then there's the issue of internal New York Democratic politics. Upstate vs. Downstate, the Governor's own competition in 2010 (e.g. Cuomo) and other considerations that make the choice of the Senate seat so vitally important. Now I like Caroline Kennedy and all, and she could probably do a lot of good but maybe the fact that the Governor is waiting until January is a good thing, so we can take a good, long look at everyone that is interested in the job.

Tweety Getting Serious About The Senate

Not the cartoon character, nor the combination of Tweety Bird and Chris Matthews, but the whole Chris Matthews. He's apparently set on running for Arlen Specter's seat in two years and buying a house on the other side of New Jersey to prove it. Of course real estate in Pennsylvania is intriguing, but giving up his soapbox on MSNBC would mean a whole lot more.

From Politico:

As speculation surrounding his potential candidacy heats up, Matthews has also been asking advisers whether to step down from his MSNBC post well before his contract expires in June. At one recent meeting, he was advised that if he truly intends to run, he should resign from the network as soon as possible.

“We talked about the value of doing this now and six months from now. I advocated that he do this as soon as possible,” the operative said. “It’s the MSNBC stuff that’s going to jam him up. I said, 'If you want to be a U.S. senator, step up and get into the race.'”

As you may recall, Al Franken resigned from his much more liberally-minded gig at Air America in mid-February of 2007. Of course Air America had nothing to lose, since it is a progressive talk network. MSNBC on the other hand is supposed to be neutral and is afraid of wingers calling them the Fox News of the left. The reality is those nuts on the right will say bad things about MSNBC either way, just as long as there are people at the network that call them out on their rabid rightwing shit.

Still, if Chris wants to put himself out there and join the club of 100, then he should resign from Hardball ASAP.

Senate Dems Shoot Themselves In The Foot By Keeping Lieberman

mWell the rumors starting yesterday were true, Joe Lieberman is keeping his Chairmanship of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The majority of the Democratic caucus failed to realize the reality of what Joe Lieberman did to his former party by campaigning for McCain and other GOP candidates down the ballot. Now most of them understand what the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee does and how it can hurt President Obama going forward, so what the hell were they thinking?

From RawStory:

"It's very clear that the vast majority of the Democratic caucus wants to keep Sen. Lieberman as the chairman of his committee, a member of the Armed Services Committee, and that was done, it's all over with," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told reporters after a Democratic caucus meeting Tuesday. "Joe Lieberman is a Democrat, he's a part of this caucus."

Lieberman maintained his spot as chairman on the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, despite calls for him to lose that post because of his campaigning for McCain.

Reid, addressing reporters in the US Capitol Tuesday morning, said the caucus was not interested in retribution and wanted to move beyond the campaign.

Before Tuesday's vote, observers expected that the Independent Connecticut senator would receive little more than a slap on the wrist for the myriad scurrilous attacks he unleashed on President-elect Barack Obama during the campaign.

Basically nothing happened to Lieberman for his treachery. It was about letting him hold onto power within the caucus and the Senate and nothing else. Reid was wrong to say that is merely about retribution however. Alongside the vicious attacks on Obama and praises for McCain, Lieberman completely abrogated his responsibilities as a United States Senator in charge of the committee in question.

Joe should have exercised oversight on President Bush's actions yet did absolutely nothing to keep George in check. Lieberman was a loyal lap dog for Dubya and violated his Constitutional duty to help the Legislative branch be a check and a balance to the Executive. His specific role has enabled the killings of hundreds of thousands if not millions in Iraq and was an able cheerleader of the illegal war, nothing else.

The majority of the caucus should be embarrassed for such a lame slap on the wrist. Lieberman should be a back bencher without seniority for his actions and now the Dems have shown that when it comes to principles, they have very little. As Chris Cillizza at the Washington Post points out, it is all about personal loyalties. What a shame it is that they don't see that gun behind Joe's back.

Senator Duckworth? It Could Happen By Xmas

Now that Barack Obama is going to be our next President, that leaves Illinois with a vacancy in the Senate (Delaware too) and Governor Blagojevich will have to appoint someone that can fill in until a special election can be held. Names being tossed around include Dan Seals, Jesse Jackson Jr., Danny Davis and Jan Schakowsky but there is another that is being looked at closely, Purple Heart recipient and Illinois Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth.

From Army Times:

Tammy Duckworth, who earned the Purple Heart for her service in Iraq, may be moving up with President-elect Barack Obama.

Duckworth, now the Illinois Veterans Affairs director, has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Obama in the U.S. Senate or as Veterans Affairs secretary in an Obama administration.

She accompanied Obama yesterday as the Illinois senator marked Veterans Day by placing a wreath at the bronze soldiers memorial between the Field Museum and Soldier Field in Chicago.

Duckworth, then a pilot with the Illinois Army National Guard, lost both her legs in Iraq in 2004 when her Black Hawk helicopter was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade.

She has said she would be interested in either the Senate seat or a post in Obama’s administration.

The chance of her directing the VA at the national level is a real possibility and a great thing for Veterans, especially being served by one of their own. Anyone who knows the VA knows it needs a lot of help and Duckworth can definitely head there and make a difference. On the other hand, Senator Duckworth can also do an incredible amount in the Senate, as Jim Webb (D-VA) has already shown with his incredible new GI bill passed earlier this year.

So wherever she goes, Tammy Duckworth will do great things and as Governor Blagojevich said, she's a "superstar."

Norm Coleman Talks Nervously About A Recount

On the day after, there are plenty of races still unsettled. One is up in Minnesota between Senator Norm Coleman and his challenger Al Franken. The vote at the moment is within 0.04 percent. Norm says he thinks a recount prevents the healing process from starting, but if I were a betting man, I'd stake a lot of chips on the fact that Norm would be whining his ass off for a recount if the margin was ten times the amount it is now.

Sen. Chambliss Shows His Racist Side

Senator Saxby Chambliss certainly thinks he knows his supporters, specifically by skin color. In these waning days of the election, what was thought of by the GOP as a safe seat to hold on to has become a battleground thanks to the hardworking campaign of Jim Martin. There is an atmosphere of change in this country and Georgia is certainly a part of it, even if Obama is a few points down here in this "red state." Well Chambliss doesn't like that change and a potential loss of power, so he is going negative in ways we haven't seen since the turbulent times of the 1960s.

From ThinkProgress:

On Wednesday, the chairman of the Hillsborough County, Florida Republican party forwarded an e-mail to several hundred party members that warned of “‘the threat’ of ‘carloads of black Obama supporters coming from the inner city to cast their votes.’” While the McCain campaign condemned the email, the sentiment does not appear to be isolated. As Tapped notes, earlier this week, Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) proclaimed that the the “rush” of African-Americans to the polls has “got our side energized“:

“There has always been a rush to the polls by African-Americans early,” he said at the square in Covington, a quick stop on a bus tour as the campaign entered its final week. He predicted the crowds of early voters would motivate Republicans to turn out. “It has also got our side energized, they see what is happening,” he said.

Similarly, Chambliss has been warning his “predominantly white base” in North Georgia, “The other folks are voting.”

Chambliss' outright racism is energizing like-minded Republicans in his area, inciting the worst parts of people. It isn't just Chambliss, but he certainly is a big part of the problem in this Southern state. The man came to power by attacking the patriotism of a triple-amputee war hero, so I guess we really shouldn't expect much from this scumbag of a Senator.

Obama's Collegiality Scared McCain Last Night

John McCain's campaign relies on fear and manipulation, lies and tearing down his opponent with any baseless attack his hacks can think of. Generally beneath the facade of that type of snarling dog is a fearful and vulnerable little boy. We got to see that little McCain on the Senate floor last night, when Obama came up to him to say hello while the bailout bill was on its way to be passed. No attacks, no sniping, nothing rude, just a simple hello.

From CQ Politics:

As the two shared the Senate floor tonight for the first time since they won their party nominations, Obama stood chatting with Democrats on his side of the aisle, and McCain stood on the Republican side of the aisle.

So Obama crossed over into enemy territory.

He walked over to where McCain was chatting with Republican Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida and Independent Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut. And he stretched out his arm and offered his hand to McCain.

McCain shook it, but with a “go away” look that no one could miss. He tried his best not to even look at Obama.

Finally, with a tight smile, McCain managed a greeting: “Good to see you.”

Of course he didn't mean it, McCain probably despises Obama at this point, especially with the whooping he's taking in the polls. Like an immature child out of his comfort zone, McCain had trouble talking to another Senator because of a fragile ego. He could hardly act Senatorial, let alone Presidential. Everyone in the room knew who actually possessed those qualities last night as he walked back to the Democratic side of the floor.

McCain Made More Than Median Family By Not Showing Up For Work

Thanks to pro-corporate and anti-working class policies, the median income for today's American family is under $50,000. Most people work hard for that money, putting in well over 40 hours a week and then some. However, if you are John McCain, with gobs of money from his wife's beer fortune, pulling in more than $50 grand is a breeze, especially since he didn't show up for work since totaling that number.

From DailyKos:

• $51,345.08 - Senate salary John McCain has 'earned' since he last showed up in the Senate to perform his job on April 9, 2008.
• $48,201.00 - The median household income in the US in 2006.

So do you want to tell me how exactly that makes him in touch with the average American? He has collected that money from the taxpayers in less than four months yet didn't even bother showing up to vote on anything in the Senate. Though you never know, he may try to lie about this in the same way he tells whoppers about other things.

For Shame On The Senate

I guess we shouldn't be too shocked at the United States Senate choosing corporate interests (and George Bush's) over the rights of the American people. I'm sad to say that I almost expect it. There are a few brave souls that try to stand up for the rest of us, people like Chris Dodd and Russ Feingold, but for the most part, the Senate is filled with too many Washingtonians that don't give a damn about the Constitution.

From RawStory:

After failing to strip immunity from the Senate bill, Sen. Chris Dodd announced he would abandon his effort to block the bill with a filibuster, arguing that the House, which has passed an immunity-free bill, would be a better place to try to strip immunity from Congress's final piece of legislation.

"We lost every single battle we had on this bill," Dodd said on a conference call Tuesday with reporters and bloggers. "And the question is now, Can we do better with the House carrying the ball on this bill?"

In an effort to move along the legislative process prior to a Friday deadline on the temporary measure, Dodd said he wanted the Senate to pass something so that both chambers can begin a conference committee. If the two chambers produce a bill containing immunity, Dodd said he would filibuster that conference report.

So now the battle moves to the House and the Conference Committee that will ultimately decide on a bill that the House and Senate can agree on. Remember to call your Senators and either thank them or ostracize them for their vote today.

Al Franken For Senate, Because His Teacher Says So!

Cute commercial:

Now This Is A Campaign Stunt

When I think of what to do to run a statewide campaign, things like direct-mail, walking door to door and running television ads come to mind. Now I know Dale Cardwell is running for the U.S. Senate in Georgia, but that doesn't mean you need to lower yourself to cheap stunts to gain attention.

From the AP:

ATLANTA (AP) — A television reporter turned political candidate said he plans to remain on a small scaffold near the top of a tower to focus attention on his long-shot bid to unseat a U.S. senator.

Dale Cardwell was hoisted more than 300 feet up the Corey Tower near downtown Atlanta on Tuesday morning. He said he expects to remain there "for days," sleeping in an insulated sleeping bag and eating military rations. A Webcam tracks his limited movements. Overnight temperatures are expected to drop into the 20s.

Cardwell, who hopes to unseat Republican Saxby Chambliss, said he thinks the publicity stunt won't hurt his credibility, but will make people curious about his message: that politicians should pay more attention to the concerns of working people and less to those of wealthy corporate interests.

Well his message is a good one and he is taking on two establishment candidates, one in his own party and hopefully for his sake the bastardly Saxby Chambliss. Speaking up about that message is what can win this race and take back that Senate seat down south. This publicity stunt however, is more becoming of Dale in his old job working for the local news, not as a Senatorial candidate.

A Thank You From Chris Dodd

Chris sends a personal thank you out to everyone that cares about holding the tele-communications companies accountable for wiretapping Americans' phone calls:

NRSC....Still Dreaming

With the NRSC's funds at the bottom of the toilet, ads like these could become more common, they'll do anything to try and muster at least a shred of credibility in the 2008 cycle. Too bad for them they do not stand a chance at winning two seats, let alone any. Right now across the board, four of their seats are in dire jeopardy (though it could be six or more), and the only shot they have at picking up anything is in Louisiana against Landrieu. Yet even down there, their hopes are slim to none.



The pretend-patriotism just oozes all over the screen as a backdrop against all those lies.