McCain Moves Bushie Into Top Campaign Post

John McCain, after a few pathetic attempts at trying to look like something other than George Bush has seemingly given up. Not only are his policies remarkably similar (favoring the rich over the poor, staying in Iraq, machismo over diplomacy, etc) but his campaign organization is looking a lot like that of George Bush. The question is, will this be as successful a move as it was for Georgie?

From Politico:

Steve Schmidt is taking over the day-to-day operation of John McCain’s campaign, according to multiple campaign sources.[...]

McCain sources say Schmidt, who ran Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's reelection campaign and was a top communications aide in Bush-Cheney '04, will coordinate the campaign's daily pro-McCain and anti-Obama message but also will have an increased role in shaping most every facet of the organization including scheduling, policy, coalitions and surrogates.

Davis will focus more on big-picture issues such as general strategy, helping to plan the convention, picking a vice president and tending to the needs of major donors. [...]

Now, accounts diverge on the exact nature of the new chain of command. One top McCain source said that Schmidt "assumed full operational control of the campaign today" and described Davis as "a general manager."

But Charlie Black, another top adviser, said Davis was still in charge.

"Steve is going to function under Rick as a [chief operating officer]," Black said. "Rick still has authority over all things. Steve works for Rick."

But Black made sure to not diminish Schmidt's elevated role in the campaign.

"He'll be the maestro who conducts the symphony," Black said of Schmidt's position in driving McCain's message.

Wow, the chain of command sounds almost as confusing as the candidate's message. With all of these egos thinking they are in charge, the chaos that will blossom from it will truly be a spectacle to behold. Putting lobbyists and ex-Bushies together in a war room may have been good for corporate profits, but when the goal is to make a winning campaign out of losing material the outcome may not be what the players have been accustomed to in 2000 and 2004.

McCain's Lap Dog Express Press

The press (for the most part) gives lap dogs a bad name when trying to describe their sycophancy for John McCain. Seriously I wonder if they ever go behind stage after these ridiculous segments and cry for their lost objectivity and journalistic credibility...or does the money anesthetize all of those feelings?

You Know Gas Prices Are Bad When....

The title starts off like a bad joke, but the terrible thing is the reality of this situation, both for Angela Eversole....and everyone else that has to endure the cost of gas. Some people have already gone to the extraordinary lengths of stealing gas, either at the pump or siphoning from other people's cars. Now we have acquisitions of gas on a whole new level.

From The Cincinnati Enquirer:

FORT WRIGHT – Police set up a sex sting at the Days Inn on Dixie Highway last weekend, expecting to arrest women who came there to trade sex for money.

They also found something else: a woman accused of trading sex for gasoline.

While doing surveillance at the hotel, officers spotted a woman they knew because of her criminal history.

They discovered she was there for sex – and that she was allegedly paid with a $100 gas card.

“When people are selling their bodies for gas, that’s pretty sad,” said Ken Easterling, chief prosecutor in the Kenton County Attorney’s Office.

Angela R. Eversole, 34, of Fort Wright, is accused of prostitution and doing business without an occupational license.

"Pretty sad" doesn't even begin to describe this situation. People are suffering all over from the explosive rise in gas prices and some will do almost anything to keep their cars running. Angela Eversole certainly did.

Con Ed Works It Out With Local 1-2

After all the bluster and drama over the last week, Con Ed and their main union, the Local 1-2, worked out a deal to satisfy both sides. The workers were set to strike as of midnight but the deal got done after hours anyways. This is definitely a good thing for everyone that counts on Con Edison's power and from what we can tell so far, a great thing for the people that keep the utility humming.

From WCBS-TV:

Joe Flaherty, a spokesman for the Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2, said that the two sides negotiated a range of issues, including wages, safety and health care.

One of the major sticking points for the union—Con Edison's proposal to switch from traditional pensions to a 401(K)-style plan for new employees—was tabled by the utility "at the 11th hour," Flaherty said.

"I think they fully understood that this union and its members would not stand for a change in their long traditional pension," Flaherty said. The union represents about two-thirds of Con Edison's 14,000 employees.

Con Edison spokesman Michael Clendenin did not immediately respond to a request for comment early Wednesday.

So while we don't know the pay structure, the fact that Con Ed caved on trying to privatize the pension system was a huge boon for Union members that count on that for their retirement. While Wall Street may cry over a few lost dollars in transactions, it is comforting to know that the pension system will remain the same and stay as reliable as they have been for generations. Score a victory for the Local 1-2!

Obama Backs Up Wes Clark

Contrary to media reports that Barack Obama distanced himself from Wesley Clark's comments about McCain, just the opposite is true. When General Clark said that being a POW doesn't immediately qualify you to be President, he was exactly right. Yet the right tried to demonize him, because they know that McCain's illusion of POW=President is the only thing he has going for him.

Senator Reid Takes On Dirty Coal

No matter what someone tries to tell you about "clean" coal, it is a dirty, filthy and unhealthy material from deep under the ground that pollutes the environment when used as energy. You can't just scrub it in a bathtub, ask any scientist (that isn't paid by the coal industry) and they will tell you that no matter what you do, coal will still do environmental damage. The myth that it is safer than 150 years ago is blatantly misleading and our Majority Leader in the Senate stated the obvious on Fox Business News.

From Politico:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid isn't necessarily known as a multimedia sensation, but thanks to his "coal makes us sick" comment, Reid has rocketed to the top of YouTube.

This video of Reid on Fox Business Network now sits atop YouTube's "most viewed" list, with nearly 215,000 views, thanks in large part to a link on the Drudge Report.

Senate Republicans are sending around the video as part of an effort to make Democrats appear out of touch on the need to produce more energy and drill more oil wells. But Reid may get the last laugh, since he controls the Senate schedule and may force the GOP to take some difficult votes on energy policy in the coming weeks.

The only thing that Reid is out of touch on with this issue is the interests of the coal industry. Reid is right that coal is a sickening fuel source. Now you can laugh along with the Republicans who support "clean" coal or you can check out the facts on the matter. Personally, I'm going with the latter.

Clark Calls It Like It Is: McCain Is A Fake

Since McCain really has nothing good to campaign on, he has been trying to fling mud onto General Wesley Clark. If McCain thinks that it will stick to either the General or Barack Obama, he doesn't know what he's getting into. Clark and McCain served our country, but this type of verbal combat will not be won by desperately clinging to the bars that once imprisoned John McCain nearly 40 years ago. If McCain tries to continue to make this an issue that he thinks will win him votes, Clark will firmly put him in his place.

From RawStory:

McCain's rolled out a slew of surrogates to take to the phone lines and unleash varying degrees of "how dare he" on Gen. Wesley Clark, a supporter of Democratic candidate Barack Obama. Clark is not backing down from his observation, first aired Sunday morning, that McCain's honorable service as a Vietnam veteran and POW does not automatically mean he has the right judgment to be commander in chief.

Appearing on liberal radio host Ed Schultz's show Tuesday, Clark stuck to his guns, and he accused McCain and the GOP apparatus of drumming up a false controversy.

"The only orchestration was by Republicans," Clark said, referring to unsubstantiated accusations that his criticism was encouraged by Obama, who has repeatedly distanced himself from Clark's remark.

"I think that since John McCain's hired the Swift Boat team to protect his military record," Clark continued, "they just decided they would launch a preemptive strike."

Unfortunately for us, Obama has not stood by Clark's side, when he should be standing with him shoulder to shoulder. Wes Clark has said nothing wrong and he should continue to speak truthfully because he is a man with integrity and character. When Clark goes up against a man that doesn't (like McCain) there is no question who rises victorious.

Iraqi Oil News You Won't Hear In The Traditional Media

Amy Goodman boldly reports where no corporate media men and women will dare to go. As you can see, there is quite a difference between Democracy Now and the rest of the media out there:

In America, Guns Are Used More For Suicide Than Homicide

The majority in the Supreme Court might have thought they were protecting the Second Amendment last week with their controversial ruling, but the evidence across the country shows us something the NRA would rather keep hidden. Far from the myth that guns in the home protect citizens from mortal danger, the reality is that having a gun in the house increases the chance of a suicide or homicide in the home.

From RawStory:

ATLANTA - The Supreme Court's landmark ruling on gun ownership last week focused on citizens' ability to defend themselves from intruders in their homes. But research shows that surprisingly often, gun owners use the weapons on themselves.

Suicides accounted for 55 percent of the nation's nearly 31,000 firearm deaths in 2005, the most recent year for which statistics are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There was nothing unique about that year — gun-related suicides have outnumbered firearm homicides and accidents for 20 of the last 25 years. In 2005, homicides accounted for 40 percent of gun deaths. Accidents accounted for 3 percent. The remaining 2 percent included legal killings, such as when police do the shooting, and cases that involve undetermined intent.

Public-health researchers have concluded that in homes where guns are present, the likelihood that someone in the home will die from suicide or homicide is much greater.

In fact, as the article states, crime was reduced after the D.C. ban was instated over 30 years ago. Unfortunately the strength of groups like the NRA have cut into gun control largely thanks to the conservative ideology that has run rampant in our country. Now that the courts have more and more "thinkers" like Antonio Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, we can expect more decisions like this in the future...regardless of the facts in each case.

Sudan, Somalia, Whats The Difference

Both countries are in Africa, both countries start with the letter "S" and both countries have some degree of problems beleaguering them...so what is the big difference if John McCain can't tell them apart? This isn't a geography bee competition that the Maverick has going with Barack Obama. And as this is America, why should we have respect for other countries across the globe. George Bush certainly didn't care and now the world hates us more than ever, so having McCain in the Presidential chair shouldn't change the status quo much at all.

From ThinkProgress:

John McCain misspoke and confused his African countries while talking to reporters on the Straight Talk Express today. This time, he was bailed out not by Joe Lieberman, but by his close aide Mark Salter. “How can we bring pressure on the government of Somalia?” McCain asked, which prompted Mark Salter to correct him. “Sudan,” Salter said. “Sudan,” McCain repeated. “There’s a realpolitik side of my view of the conduct of American foreign policy.”

Somalia might have been shocked to hear that the U.S. government was looking to put pressure on them, especially after the interventionist blunder we created back in the 90s under Clinton. Sudan on the other hand needs more than just tough talk from the State Department. Real action must be undertaken, whether by NATO or a push on the African Union to engage the genocide that has been occurring over there.

So when McCain talks about something concerning foreign policy (his self-described strength), you better watch out if you are in a city or country that could possibly sound like one that has been up to no good. I hope the army would know what to do when a potential President McCain would give orders to take out one nation instead of the other.

It is just all so darn confusing! Get off my lawn ya damn kids!!!!

McCain Protested By PA Workers

I wonder what type of voters John McCain was trying to sway in the swing state of Pennsylvania when he visited a company that grossly neglects their workers:

Golisano Intends To Knock GOP From NY Senate Perch

New York State Dems have gotten much closer over the last couple years to taking all three "rooms" in Albany, having a lock on the Assembly and a Democratic Governor for the past two years. The State Senate has been in Republican hands for quite some time, but now we are only two seats away from obtaining a majority there. Thanks to the generosity of Tom Golisano, campaigning against Republicans in several key races is looking fantastic from here on out.

From The Capitol:

The maverick billionaire and three-time gubernatorial candidate will next week travel to Albany to announce a plan to form a 527 political action committee to support candidates in State Senate races across New York.

A source familiar with Golisano’s thinking said the former gubernatorial candidate plans to spend $1 million of his own money on behalf of each candidate he supports. This includes targeting several incumbents, including at least one who was not previously in danger. Golisano could also potentially involve himself in contested Assembly primaries.

The source said Golisano plans on supporting candidates who share his agenda of reforming Albany, reforming the state budget and promoting economic development upstate, particularly in the region around Buffalo which he calls home.[...]

Golisano will be supporting Erie County Legislator Kathy Konst (D) in her bid to unseat State Sen. Dale Volker (R-Erie), former boxer Joe Mesi (D) in his primary bid to succeed retiring Sen. Mary Lou Rath (R-Erie) and former State Sen. Rick Dollinger (D-Monroe) in his bid to unseat Sen. Joe Robach (R-Monroe), though Golisano is unlikely to announce these specific candidates at his press conference next week.

This is certainly an interesting development with a huge infusion of cash into the State Senate races this year. Although the source says Golisano is going to be bipartisan about it, the Democratic party is highly favored here. Despite his emphasis on upstate, even downstate Dems like Dan Squadron could become privy to Golisano's efforts. The article hints at a possible boost to the campaigns of Henry and Newell who are challenging Speaker Silver.

All of this comes from what seems to be a quest to introduce "good" into our state government. Reform is crucial to opening up Albany and if Golisano is sincere about this, then more power to him. His history with the GOP was brief in 2006, but by and large he has been more associated with the Reform and Independence parties. The only way we can really tell is where he puts his money in this cycle.....and that could be happening soon.