A.: The audacity of honesty
2/20/2008
Life consists of a routine that is punctuated by moments which shape the destinies of people, cultures, and countries. In these moments, the future becomes clearer; the vast arc of the drama we are all performing in becomes visible for a little while. One of those moments has now arrived.
For the past eight years, America has suffered grave mismanagement. We've sunk deeper into debt. We've fought a war which should never have been waged. We're a little less free, and a lot hungrier for anything that will give us hope.
A democracy cannot survive without hope. A people without hope cannot dream of the potential that the future holds; they cannot reach out to it. Despair paralyzes us, it breeds inaction, and day by day, we grow a little older, a little more jaded. After a while, we begin to forget what we had hoped for in the first place. This is why we must go to great lengths to remain hopeful.
But in our hunger for hope, we cannot reach out to a falsehood. History has shown again and again that in trying times, there will always be someone who tempts us with the belief that it is not our fault; that we are the victims of someone or something else; that if we only trust completely in them, we will be saved. History has also shown that these people are charlatans.
There is one more thing history has shown. It has shown that in the most trying of times, we have only one chance for salvation: ourselves. In our darkest hour, when it is most difficult, we must look inside ourselves and confront our own shadows with humility and honesty. We must acknowledge our own part in the tribulations we face.
Now, like in all the trials that have come before, if we are to find the answers to our problems, we must look within. We must acknowledge that we have not been nearly as noble as we might have hoped; that we have perhaps not thought as carefully about the issues as we should have. In the wake of these realizations, we must resolve to change.
Did we fall into debt because of someone else? Or was it because we maxed out our own credit cards, while electing a Congress and a President who would max out the credit of the nation?Was it somebody else who waged an unjust war? Or were we so busy waging war against each other that we stood idly by and allowed blood to be shed on foreign sands in our name?I am pleased to see that so many people my age have taken an interest in politics this year. Welcome to the club. You've had a standing invitation.
But remember that a democracy elects leaders who are a reflection of its people, and it gets the outcome it deserves. Such are the consequences of freedom and self-determination.
Remember also that of the three remaining viable Presidential candidates, every one of them has proposed to "leave the military option on the table" in our dealings with Iran. And not one of them has presented a comprehensive plan for eliminating the entitlement programs that are the source of our debt. Hope is audacious indeed. But an even greater audacity is to demand honesty from those who promise to fix our problems, and embrace them only when they prove they can do it.
In November, we will get what we deserve. In a moment of humility, perhaps it is time to accept that for the past eight years, we already did. Let us find the best within ourselves so that history does not repeat.Post a new comment
PoliticsofMoney: Fred's Announcement this week
9/4/2007
For those who haven't been following the political race, the Republican field for President in 2008 will have another entry this week. It's U.S. Senator-turned-actor Fred Thompson. It all started as hype - "Hey you know, that guy on Law & Order seems preisdental." Now that hype will be put to the test as Fred formally becomes a candidate this week.
Fred has a big announcement tour this week throughout the primary states. He will be getting a lot of press coverage, and it will go great. However, September 30th will come around, which means he only has one month to raise money for the third quarter as formal candidate. If he can raise more than $10 million, the hype will be validated. If he does under $5, the viability of his campaign will be questioned.
Here are some links to the articles regarding Fred's announcement this week:
Thompson's Long Hello Comes to and End
Is Thompson Too Late to the Campaign Trail?
Centre-Right Said FredComment: Anonymous: What ever happens, all out nuke war, world piece, bringing evryone togeter with the mark of the beast, and/or comet hitting us. Its all signs of the end times. Trust...Jesus and his teachings he will be our only eternal salvation.Prepare hope for the best but expect the worst. Omar, Bin ladans leader I think is the real terror and possible anti crist. Ill be the first at the gilutin, with Jesus crists name comming out my mouth.Comment: Anonymous: Well,let me just say that I have been watching the debates with a lot of interest, and being a Canadian, I am really interested to know what my American neighbors think of the choices they have to make.
First off, I like the fact that you actually have someone that is a true American, who believes, and supports the American Constitution,and someone even I like.!
That man is Ron Paul! I don't believe that he has much of a chance as while watching the Republican Debate on CNN, I noticed that Ron Paul was afforded as little coverage as possible, a blatant case of Big Media ,and Big Money controlling the whole election.
As far as the other candidates are concerned, Romney and Mc Cain strike me as both a couple of empty windbags, with no substance.
Huckabee comes across as a decent enough guy, but , the best of the bunch , in my opinion, is Ron Paul.
BUT!!, I doubt that the American public will vote for him ,if the last Presidential Election is any indication. Let's face it, You folks voted for that Moron George W twice didn't you? That doesn't reflect a very intelligent voting public now, does it?Comment: Anonymous: sovereignty of our Nation. Plus the UN is about to take control of our Oceans and US Ports and waterways if we don't stop Bush. They don't let烟气余热蒸汽炉
刮板式薄膜蒸发器
蒸馏塔
除尘器
填料 that make headline news. Ron Paul is the only candidate who's sole support comes from individuals. ZERO CORRUPTION is refreshing! Watch the videos of him at theComment: neenee98rules: Hillary Clinton is going to loose because it seems like she just wants the fame of being the first female president and the same goes for Barack Obama it would be nice for one of black people to win but he just wants fame so i think president should either be Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, or John Edwards.Comment: Anonymous: Ron Paul is way better than any of the other folks running as Republicans, however, Dennis Kucinich is even better and is running as a Democrat. I would love to see a Kucinich/Obama ticket in '08 for the Dems to win. The only Repub that comes close to worthy as an opponent is Paul. I would love to see Dennis debate Ron, because these two guys are saying a lot of things that make sense. Some things about Ron bother me though, and I've been a Dennis Kucinich supporter since before 04, because he has solid plans on all the important issues, he's been through the fire, and he's not in the insurance business or the war profits business.Comment: Anonymous: WAKE UP AMERICA! If we don't vote Ron Paul in (by the way, I am a life-long Democrat...) it won't much matter who is in there... the puppeteer Bilderbergers will have their way with the destruction of our money, the further trampling of our beloved Constitution, and the destruction of the sovereignty of our Nation. Plus the UN is about to take control of our Oceans and US Ports and waterways if we don't stop Bush. They don't let that make headline news. Ron Paul is the only candidate who's sole support comes from individuals. ZERO CORRUPTION is refreshing! Watch the videos of him at the debates on YouTube and other web sites. We never hear how well he is doing in main stream media because Rupert Murcock owns most of the voice in America with Fox misinfo news and so much more, and he is supporting Hitlary with both voice and cash. Follow the money, folks! And do some research.... the North American Union exists....but like so many other times in the past, our media says it doesn't. Like the RFID chips which are already in our drivers licences. 1984 gang.... read it again and know that it wasn't written by a Sci-fi guy! How can Mitt sleep at night after fixing the Straw Poll by having his people vote as many as 20 times ( See the St. Petersburg Times). Ron Paul was winning about 2 to 1 before they brought in their cheating tactics. Note this: whenever Ron Paul is winning, it just goes unreported. Watch the YouTube videos of him on the debates and ask yourself this question, "Can I trust the future freedom and safety of all our children to this man?" I know I can...Comment: Scott: If lying, cheaten, and, stealing is what you want for a President then vote for Hillary. "I'm not a stand by your man woman,""What illegals?"Remember Whitewater. Remember having the go to get the White House furniture back? I have millions of ideas but America can't afford them all. Is she really YOUR IDOL?Comment: Scott: O.K> here goes, if you are looking for a Idol watch T.V. if you are looking for a Presedent look at what they stand for and have done in their past. Ron Paul obgyn never needed a pay raise but look at how much his bill has went up for women(Dr.Bills). Rudy is Great under pressure but gets his hand caught in the cookie jar. Mitt is a sell out for a vote. Duncan good man, Huckabee would never stand the presure unless he got Chuck to be Vice Pres. McCain time came and went (sorry). Tom needs more than one issue. Fred has experience, good head on shoulders to lead Congress back to center, no baggage, he is not Aurthor Branch, but he has the same convictions and that is what we need now is someone with a direction for America and the Backbone the carry it out.Comment: Anonymous: You know the simpsons episode were Bob Dole and Bill Clinton are aliens? Wells its like that, but we have an answer: RON PAUL!!!!! If he is not elected it will just stand as one big, I told you so.Comment: Wiliam: Wake up People, there is only one candidate who speaks with honesty, common sense directly toward the issues and can back up what he says with our own United States Constitution. Ron Paul is probably our last chance to save America. The other candidates avoid issues and are part of the elite that live and control us from their Ivory Towers, isn't 27 years of Bush and Clintons enough to show you their destructive ways. If you care for your family, your future and the generations of family after you, plus your country vote RON PAUL.Comment: Anonymous: www.prisonplanet.comComment: Anonymous: I'm 100% for Ron Paul. He's the only candidate who doesn't have controlling the universe on his agenda. I am so tired of only seeing 3 potential candidates on our T.V.'s. The media is controlled and so are we....hey, do you remember the holocaust?
Why does the government need to police us the way we do? Why do we need our phone conversations and our internet use watched? Your not free...no body is free.
why do we need to pay taxes to cover the war? what will be the boiling point people? when will you stop these mad power hunger monsters from running your lives. this is too scary of a situation for you all just to vote for whoever is popular on T.V.
INFORM YOURSELF on what's really going on.
please
Vote Ron PaulComment: Anonymous: Right, Ron Paul is promoted on the Internet---well, so is porn. He is about as likeable as the soup-Nazi on Seinfeld. Hillary is too deep into corruption--too many questions about her Asian campaign contributions, Vince Foster, Whitewater, and her shady activities with the Rose Law Firm,
Fred Thompson is just too old and tired, Obama--enough said...the only viable candidate for President is Giuliani, and its poetic justice because we are (in case everybody has forgotten) in a war on terror and it was his city that got hit first and it was Giuliani that got New York through it.Comment: supporter of the Constitution: Ron Paul, who is as unknown before the primary as Jimmy Carter, has been ignored by the media, but promoted by the internet. He is the only candidate who has never voted for a pay increase or a tax increase. That is the the Constituional politics of money.Comment: Anonymous: Somewhere around 75 percent of Americans think the country is going in the wrong direction. Yet Hillary Clinton and all the Republicans will keep the status quo. Why are Americans afraid to vote for real change? There's Edwards, Kucinich, and Richardson, all of whom would lead the U.S. in a better direction.Comment: Anonymous: Right now we need someone the world can respect and who can bring international community together.ONLY one person, Mrs. Clinton. That black man from illinois don't waste your time> I see nothing in this guy. His words are from notes without notes he talks to himself. American is smarter I hope. Elect Mrs. Clinton
From Republican voterComment: Anonymous: Why is choosing a president all about who raises the most money? What has happened to character, honestly, someone who cares about America? I watched Fox news this morning (Sun.)Mrs.Clinton laughed at every question. No direct yes/no answer, only whatever she thinks the people want to hear. One day for, the next day against. Is that who the American people want for the leader of our country?
Let's ask some serious questions and demand honest answers!Comment: Anonymous: The Truth be know the person that is going to win the Elextion.....and yes mispelled for a reason...the Election is Fixed... The One that got the Knod from the Bilderberger Group....
Crossing Paths....just a happen so?
Ms. Clinton to a Bilderberger conference has more substantiation, and can be found on the www.bilderberg.org website. The original source for the article is from the Charles Duncan article, "First Lady Exits Early; Bilderberg Begins," in The Gainsville, Georgia Times, dated Friday, June 13, 1997.
Good Luck America....
better Wake Up!Comment: Anonymous: Want to know more about the 2008 election and its candidates? Go to politicalderby.com. Post a new comment
PoliticsofMoney: Clinton Donor Under a Cloud in Fraud Case
8/30/2007
From the New York Times:
Senator Clinton's campaign said yesterday that it would give to charity $23,000 it had received from a prominent Democratic donor, and review thousands of dollars more that he had raised, after learning that the authorities in California had a warrant for his arrest stemming from a 1991 fraud case. The donor, Norman Hsu, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Democratic candidates since 2003, and was slated to be co-host next month for a Clinton gala featuring the entertainer Quincy Jones.
But what was not widely known was that Mr. Hsu, who is in the apparel business in New York, has been considered a fugitive since he failed to show up in a San Mateo County courtroom about 15 years ago to be sentenced for his role in a scheme to defraud investors, according to the California attorney general’s office.
------------------------------------------------------------
Without going into the specifics, a candidate hardly has the time to do background checks on their donor. They're usually too busy travelling to events, giving policy speeches, going on interviews, etc to even bother with this stuff. Now if the fundraiser was known to have some black spots in his or her history, a candidate can always look the other way. Remember, these are guys that can raise a ton of money, and that's what makes them more valuable due to the limits on contributions.
Hillary Clinton's campaign probably knew this, but chose to not mention it. After all, if nobody did, her war chest would just continue to grow!Comment: Anonymous: 电炉
电磁流量计
药化设备
填料
接近开关
除尘器
压力容器
恒温恒湿
袋式除尘器
螺旋板式换热器
反应釜
除尘器
化工机械Comment: Anonymous: 电加热器Comment: Anonymous: It's Hillary all the way!!! Because of Pres. Clinton's indiscretions, we tend to cancel out what a great president he was. Of course, he is not running. However, I am convinced that like husband, like wife. Our best shot at getting out of the mess this country is in, is to allow the Clinton's back in. They had to fix things after daddy Bush, and now they'll fix it after son Bush. However, after son Bush, they're work is truly cut out for them.Comment: Anonymous: If one wants to truly understand Hillary and her fat boy husband as well as all politicians for that matter one only needs to watch the last 15 to 20 minutes of the movie "The Devil's Advocate" wherein Al Pacino, as the devil, articulates the political manifesto of all current day US politicians regardless of their party affiliations. The US government is tragically broken and most probably beyond repair. The last action item on the government and it's elected official's agenda is the health, safety and well being of any American citizen.
Hillary being elected will be the last nail in the national coffin.Comment: Mcgleeze: Yeah the Clintons are known for shady dealings though...I mean historically their number one weakness is taking money from criminal sources (like the Chinese Army....)
Point is the Clinton campaign is sighing in relief and the GOP still looks like perverts and criminals thanks to the media excitement over Larry Craig.
Hillary Clinton- 1
Republicans- 0Comment: Anonymous: What would we expect? Her husband will be recorded in history as the least moral man ever elected to the office. The two of them added together equal a character rating of -10%. Who are these people ready to elect another Clinton to office? The bordello lobby or LSD test subjects from the 60's? Post a new comment
PoliticsofMoney: Freeloaders
8/23/2007
Having done events for over two years, there are always freeloaders trying to make their way in, without having to pay the $200, $500, $1.000, or $25,000 ticket fees to enter. If it's someone in their 20s, just looking to get a glimpse of the candidate, I understand.
The annoying freeloaders are those that are 40+, and know they should be writing a check to attend the event, but dont. Elected officials are notoriously known to be freeloaders, along with those that belong to the local Republican/Democrat party, or even at the state level. It is quite astonishing on how big the ego of freeloaders can be, thinking they are as important, if not more, than a donor raising $25K+.
Many times, we get phone calls like this.
Caller: "Hi, this is Joan calling from City Councilman John Smith's office. The councilman would like to RSVP to the event on May 5th, 2007."
Me: "OK great! Do you have all the information you need?"
Caller: "Yes, it's at the Ritz Carlton in Dana Point, etc..."
Me: "Great - will John be sending in a contribution by mail?"
Caller: "Um....let me check with him. Can I call you back?"
Me: *Chuckles* "Yes, sure - I'll be here until 6PM today."
The truth is, all that matters at a fundraiser is money, and if you can't bring the money, raise it, or get someone else to pay for you, you have no place at a fundraiser.Comment: Anonymous: 接近开关
光电开关Comment: Lue: What do you mean, those 40+? As though a person is only mature when they reach 40.
Excuse me, but a person is mature when they reach 25. So, therefore, a person 25 should be contributing to the campaign of their choice, just like those 40+!!!!! Post a new comment
Mcgleeze: Wikipedia's Political Editing (Developing)
8/15/2007
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2007/aug/15/wikipedia.corporateaccountability?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront
Developing....Post a new comment
Mcgleeze: Who is Your Candidate?
8/11/2007
Which candidates best match your political views? Found at at PolitiChoice.com, they have a pretty good 34 question survey that calculates the positions of candidates against your beliefs.
Here's how I came up...honestly it didn't surprise me at all. I probably got Tancredo so high because of my immigration views. What's also interested is that Joe Biden most fits me with the Democrats. I've liked Biden's outspokeness for a while now. Note how Kucinich is at the bottom? No shock there, that commie scares the hell out of me! Go ahead and comment with your results as well.
Tom Tancredo 75.00 %
Mitt Romney 75.00 %
Fred Thompson 72.06 %
Sam Brownback 71.32 %
Duncan Hunter 71.32 %
Mike Huckabee 69.12 %
Rudy Guiliani 66.18 %
John McCain 65.44 %
Ron Paul 61.03 %
Joe Biden 50.00 %
Chris Dodd 44.85 %
Hillary Clinton 44.85 %
Barack Obama 43.38 %
John Edwards 36.03 %
Bill Richardson 35.29 %
Dennis Kucinich 27.21 %Comment: Anonymous: This country is in trouble. Ron Paul is the only one I would vot for. Put the minor issues like Abortion and Gay rights on the back burner, if we don't have a country these issues would not matter then would it? We NEED Ron Paul as President to restore this Country.
Comment: Anonymous: kucinich is the only decent human in the whole bunch. of course the last decent human we elected was carter and we see what that got us. maybe we should stick with scum.
Comment: goody: My God, we have enough polariztion in this country without having someone like Ron Paul at the helm. There is no give and take with this man, just check his voting record. Making all the changes he promotes involves compromise. That is not a Ron Paul attribute.
Comment: Anonymous: I have a question....why is it that on internet polls, ms. Clinton doesn't have all of the votes, but in the media, she's got the whole country rooting for her? doesn't make sense to me...
WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment: Anonymous: My political viewpoints are about as far left as they come, but to my surprise I am leaning toward Ron Paul. That's right, I am a liberal extremist leaning toward a REPUBLICAN candidate. The reason is simple: I am looking for a candidate whose primary concern is to fight to restore our constitution, our civil liberties, and our reputation, and to bring us back to our core values. This narrows the field down to Paul, Dodd, and Kucinich in my view. Now, since Paul is a Republican, I have more faith that he will stand his ground on this issue rather than flip-flopping like a fish out of water once the political climate changes, as I believe the mainstream Democratic candidates like Clinton would. So, Republican pollsters take note: as a Democrat, I would vote for Paul over Clinton or Obama!
Comment: Stan Transue: Ron Paul is the only candidate that does not see you and me as commodities (the property of the state) to be used to advance government ends (the expansion of power and protection of an invisible elite). It boggles my mind why any sane person would vote for anyone but the man who wants them to be free, prosperous and safe. Vote for Ron Paul or get measured for your shackles.
Comment: SowadaS: Ron Paul has my vote and I am telling everyone I know to Google Ron Paul and listen to his policies on Immigration, Federal Reserve, IRS, America's Foreign Policy, and Healthcare. The youth of this nation is rallying around Ron Paul and he will surprise many!!
Comment: Lue: It is very unlikely that Biden or Dodd can win. And, I for one say, THANK GOODNESS!
We don't need anymore Washington insiders that have been in there way too long, and is at least somewhat responsible for the horrible fix that this country is (and has been) in for a long time now.
We need someone like Barack Obama in there. My second choice would be John Edwars, as he is not a Washington insider either.
NO BIDEN OR DODD!
Comment: Lue: My favorite candidate is Barack Obama. I think that because he is younger, can relate to people of all colors, genders, religions, regions, ideologies, etc., that he would make the perfect candidate for America. I know that some people think that he cannot be elected because he hasn't been in Washington long (so-called lack of experience), and also because he is black. But, I think that Barack will be able to convince people that although he doesn't have a lot of Washington experience, he does have a lot of political experience, (years in the Illinois Legislature, being a political organizer, and he will have 4 years in the United States Senate)! As far as race, I think that almost anyone that would not vote for him for that reason, would probably not vote Democratic anyway, for any Democrat. So, where would the loss be?
Comment: Ronald Williams: I like Ron Paul for his stand to get rid of the Federal Reserve and in favor of real money of the U.S. instead of a private corporation that does not pay taxes, but instead is sucking America dry. Ron Paul is also in favor of abolishing the IRS and replacing it with the Fair Tax that would allow, not only corporations to flourish without having income, employment and social security taxs, but also we the people (no more income tax. Look CLOSELY at www.fairtax.org. You'll be supprised how simple this can be implimented and how our ecomony can flourish.
Comment: Anonymous: If we had a honest news media the
winner would be Ron Paul. He is the
only honest man that should lead
this country out of this mess.
Comment: Anonymous: My top favorite presidential candidate is "Average Joe" Schriner. It's no exaggeration to say that he is domestically the most widely traveled presidential contender in American history. My second favorite is Sam Brownback, my third choice is Ron Paul, and my fourth pick would be John McCain.
Comment: Anonymous: I completely agree. Biden is my favorite, I'm voting for him in the primaries. I would also support Senator Dodd if Biden drops out before the primaries. I think Biden and Dodd are the best men for the job. They may not have the kind of money that the big 3 have, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't make great presidents. Go Biden!!!!!!!
Comment: Anonymous: Nice find! I checked out the site and thought it was fantastic. I matched up with Thompson, which I expected, but second was Tancredo, which surprised me...
Post a new comment
Mcgleeze: Newsom's Grand Plan
8/8/2007
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has promised to work on getting free ad supported Wi-Fi for San Francisco residents for about three years now. The plan is to get Earthlink to build a $12 million Wi-Fi infastructure and had Google Ads support it.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors (made up of Democrats and Socialists/Greens) has been arguing over this project for all these years...these are the same guys that brought you the symbolic resolution to get rid of all military symbols in San Francisco County including the Blue Angels and banned plastic bags in grocery stores....
To offset the political wrangling Newsom wants a ballot initiative to approve the Wi-Fi. Let's see, the mayor promises people free Wi-Fi....yeah I get a feeling the already spending happy residents of San Francisco will vote an overwhelming YES.
But before Mr. Newsom decides to spend a ridiculous amount of money on pet projects like free Wi-Fi and new $100 million "homeless hotels" maybe he should look at the debt San Franciso has accumulated over the years....and banning plastic bags won't help this at all.
Taken from CityData.com:
"Long Term Debt Beginning Outstanding - Industrial Revenue: $861,600,000
Water Utilities: $514,370,000
Long Term Debt Beginning Outstanding, Education, NEC: $120,265,000
Long Term Debt Beginning Outstanding, NEC: $-1,787,167,592
Long Term Debt Issue - Full Faith & Credit - Elementary & Secondary Education: $29,480,000
Full Faith & Credit - Other NEC: $20,960,000
Long Term Debt Issue, Nonguaranteed - Other NEC: $450,890,000
Long Term Debt Offsets - Nonguaranteed: $1,283,261,000
Full Faith & Credit: $32,545,000
Long Term Debt Outstanding - Full Faith & Credit - Other, NEC: $995,460,000
Full Faith & Credit - Elementary & Secondary Education: $139,925,000
Long Term Debt Outstanding Nonguaranteed - Other, NEC: $1,388,604,704
Industrial Revenue: $833,500,000
Water Utilities: $501,025,000
Long Term Debt Retired - Full Faith & Credit - Other, NEC: $61,795,000
Full Faith & Credit - Elementary & Secondary Education: $9,820,000
Long Term Debt Retired Nonguaranteed - Other, NEC: $533,790,000
Industrial Revenue: $28,100,000
Water Utilities: $13,345,000"Post a new comment
Mcgleeze: The Trouble with Mrs. Edwards
8/7/2007
"We can't make John black, we can't make him a woman. Those things get you a lot of press, worth a certain amount of fundraising dollars. Now it's nice to get on the news, but not the be all and end all." -Elizabeth Edwards
I think that says it all. You have last election's Democratic VP candidate in third, and who is he behind? A 2nd term senator and a 1st term senator. Of course Edwards has no room to attack people on the experience front so his wife lashed out at the obvious:
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are media darlings because Clinton is a woman and Obama is black. It's a presidential first! Whoopie! Now of course I think the media fawning of Clinton isn't all about her being a woman....it's about her last name. Hillary Clinton is our last link to the Clinton administration, a Neo-Camelot of the liberal media. That's great news for Democrats, they have a candidate they can stand behind, unlike John Kerry.
Obamamania is a bit stranger. Obama represents three things: 1) He's black so he represents the diversity of America, only like 60% of Americans are white these days, 2) He's young and hip so he feels the pain of silly college students, this explains his groundswell of youth support but it won't translate into campaign cash, and 3) He's a Washington outsider who promises to unite America: Democrats and Republicans. Will he? Probably not but it's a nice gesture!
Now I've been taking shots at Barack Obama all season and I think most people think I've been pretty lopsided on the issue of Clinton vs. Obama. The reason I don't like Obama is because I feel he is untested, makes outrageous claims (He's made bizarre racial comments, and his foreign policy is totally out of whack), and when half of college students like a candidate you know he can't be that great (see: George McGovern, Howard Dean).
As for John Edwards? He's untested and says crazy things just like Obama....but he's trailing big time in the polls, so I don't have to go after him that much.
2008 is shaping up to be a horrible year for candidate selection. The only tested and experienced Democrats are polling at the bottom of the pile (Richardson, Biden, Dodd). It's worse for Republicans where you have a bunch of guys on the top who might not really be conservatives all pretending to be Reagan in a year where the tag "Republican" after your name puts you in the discount bin. So far I like Mitt Romney and Ron Paul but we'll see how they fair.Comment: Mcgleeze: I do fear Obama. I fear him because he appears to be more incompetent than Bush. He is inexperienced, naive, and nothing but a vague-talking empty suit. He spends two years in the Senate and gets cocky enough to run for president because the media likes a young, articulate, black man and frankly those aren't checkmarks on the presidential job description.
Obama supporters are exactly what I hate about politics.
Comment: Lue: You said that you don't have to go after John Edwards because he is so far behind in the polls. But yet, you do go after Barack Obama.
Could it be because you FEAR that Barack can actually win? And, if he does, what would that say about those of you who think that someone like Hillary, Biden, and Dodd, (who have been in Washington way too long), are the best ones for the Presidency? Just because someone has been in Washinton, doesn't mean that they will execute good judgment. Just look at George Bush, Dick Cheney, and a lot of the other ultra-conservative Republicans that are running the country these days. Not to mention, that a lot of those so-called experienced Democrats that you mentioned (Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden), did not execute good, (experienced) judgment when they authorized this Administration to take us into this quagmire which is Iraq! Yet, Barack Obama was against this thing in the first place (and so was Howard Dean). And, they said that this war would go exactly the way that it has gone, which is HORRIBLY!
So, tell me again how Hillary and Biden are the experienced, good judgment people and Barack is the inexperienced, untested one????
Post a new comment
Mcgleeze: No Aaroncommand Convention Would Ever Be Like This...
8/4/2007
So I found this amazing video of anti-war activist John Stoltz intimidating a uniformed soldier for "expressing political views in uniform".
What's truly amazing is that I saw no political view but merely a presentation of facts. The soldier simply said "Hey you have no right to fudge the truth, Iraqi deaths decreased since the surge began."
Is this political speech? Maybe in Animal Farm but what I saw was a uniformed soldier presenting facts and towing the military line anyway. Don't you regularly hear uniformed soldiers expressing their belief in the Iraq War mission?
Another commenter on the Pajama site presented an interesting point: If one cannot be politically active in uniform while in the military how did DailyKos favorite John Kerry protest the Vietnam War and deal with the North Vietnamese in Paris WHILE STILL A SAILOR and IN UNIFORM? Truly one for the ages.
I can assure you, if Election2008Debate were ever as powerful as DailyKos and had a convention that drew Presidential Candidates you'd never see us shutting off cameras, censoring debate, and presenting a lopsided argument. We are not beholden to any viewpoint, our bloggers are all independent and from various parts of the political spectrum. We are joined together only by our interested in the American system and our patriotism. Again I thank our readers for choosing Election2008DebatePost a new comment
Mcgleeze: Rasmussen Reports: Republican Shake Up!
8/1/2007
The latest Rasmussen Reports show a Republican shake up....Giuliani might be creeping back into first place as voters grow wary of Fred Thompson's vague campaign of style over substance....
Giuliani- 24% (9/11 baby!)
Thompson- 23% (The REAL Real Conservative)
Romney- 14% (The "Real" Conservative)
McCain- 13% (Then we're gonna go to California, and New Mexico, and give amnesty to illegals, then my support staff will quit, and I'll never get to the White House Yeeeaaarggggghh!)
Mike Huckabee- 4% (Apparently weight isn't the only thing he's losing)
Everyone Else- Sucking
The Democrats are as follows....
Clinton- 42% (Madam President would you prefer to take the Airforce One or the broom?)
Obama- 21% (20 points behind? Thank God Junior can't be president!)
Edwards- 13% (Poverty Tour didn't work out eh? Sort of difficult to be taken seriously when your haircuts cost more than the average American's grocery bill)
Richardson- 6% (How typical...one of the least nutty Democrats polls under 10%)Comment: Anonymous: I love how Rudy G uses 9/11 for a pity vote.
Comment: Lue: I very seriously doubt that Hillary Clinton will win the nomination, because John Edwards will probably win Iowa, Barack Obama will probably win New Hampshire, and South Carolina. So, therefore, the only one of the first 4 states that Hillary will probaly win is Nevada. And, she probably realized that. Which is probably why Florida and Michigan has said that they would probably move up their primaries. She will probably be on top in those states, but not in the first 4 states.
Let's face it. If she really thought that she had most of the first 4 states in the bag, would she (if that is what the moving up of primaries in Florida and Michigan mean, and I suspect that it does) be involved in trying so desperately to move up the dates in those 2 states?
And, thank goodness that Howard Dean has said that if Florida and Michigan goes ahead with early primaries, that they will lose all of their delegates. Hillary is going to have to play the game fair just like everyone else. And, if she really is the so-called experienced one, and that is what the Democratic voters are looking for, then she should be able to win this thing on her own merits, and should not be trying to stoop to desperate measures!
Post a new comment
Mcgleeze: Obama Pretending he has balls....
8/1/2007
The Magic Negro Barack Obama (seen above getting magic super hero advice from Superman) with a whopping two years of foreign policy experience (and no manegerial experience), is pretending he has the fortitude to take on terrorists. It's pretty comedy really. Threatening to invade Pakistan? Democrats don't use military force! Unless it's against Serbian civilians...
P.S. look at this little nugget from the article: "Obama said he would be willing to meet leaders of rogue states like Cuba, North Korea and Iran without conditions, an idea that Clinton criticized as irresponsible and naive. Obama responded by using the same words to describe Clinton's vote to authorize the Iraq war and called her 'Bush-Cheney lite.'"
Okay Obama....so you're going to be a hardass on Pakistan but you're going to have unlimited dialogue with Fidel Castro, Kim Jong-Il, and Adolf Ahmadinejad? What are you going to do a little tap dance number to hypnotise them into seeing things your way?Comment: Lue: Here! Here! Whatliesbeneath!
I think that this McGleeze person is obviously a Hillary Clinton supporter, who fails to realize that she will more than likely not be elected (high negatives), and also that she is not as "experienced" as she tries to imply. After all, wasn't she one of the Democrats, who cowardly gave Bush the permission to invade Iraq, which is now a quagmire? I think so!
So, don't pay people like McGleeze any attention. The Hillary campaign must realize itself that she will have a harder time winning than they originally thought. After all, Edwards will probably win Iowa, Barack will probaly win New Hampshire and South Carolina. Which means that the only one of the 4 early states that she is likely to win is Nevada.
Could that be why Florida and Michigan are moving up their primaries? She is ahead in those 2 after all. But wait, low and behold, Howard Dean has said that if Florida and Michigan moves up their primaries, then they will lose all of their delegates to the convention. Good going Howard Dean!
Too bad, HILLARY!
Comment: Mcgleeze: A. makes a good point. Obama is a man of little substance. Like Fred Thompson, the man is more of a concept than an actual candidate. His naviety and inexperience has shown brightly throughout the campaign.
Unless you can provide evidence that Obama is not the empty suited state legislator I have portrayed in the past months then it is truly you sir, who has the doodoo on your face.
"Typical uneducated AMerican." I see a lot of scorn in that statement...are you not American or are you just a self-loathing American who hates the American people?
Comment: A.: So for an educated American the key issue of the campaign is how 'real' the candidates are? If I'm 'real' enough can I be President too? What does that even mean?
Obama has no substance. His record is paper-thin and he wants to take every position at the same time -- one day he's ready for a heart to heart with Ahmadinejad, and the next he wants to throw down with the Pakistanis. Do you really think there's a consistent rationale behind these statements? The guy's just mouthing whatever rhetoric contradicts the last bad thing the press said about him.
Comment: admcnm: McGleeze,
Typical of you to make comments, considering that OBAMA has more balls than you or I have to run for president. Even more balls to point out that Hillary along with her cronies who voted for the war that they were WRONG!!! C'mon man get you head out of your a--, wipe the doodoo off your face and realize he is more real than any of us put together. You just can't admit it. What a schmuck. Typical uneducated AMerican.
Comment: Mcgleeze: As does your spelling young man whatliesbeneath.
Comment: whatliesbenath: OK your article sucked balls might i say.
Post a new comment
Mcgleeze: Youtube: Threat to Democracy?
7/30/2007
I read an article in NewsMax magazine on my flight back to California from Florida the other day and they were going on about how low-brow political humor (Jon Stewart, Bill Maher) was bad news for the process and how they had wished guys like Johnny Carson were back with their non-partisan jabs.
I thought about it and realized one of the many threats our democracy faces is the marginalization and mockery of our system. Just look at the Youtube debates! You had people dressing up like hicks, a fake snowman, and angry angry liberals demanding answers from Hillary Clinton in accusatory tones (which thankfully made them look more ridiculous than even her).
So is taking a solemn tradition, such as our election process, and turning into a circus show a bad thing for America? Take for example this disgusting display:
I'd say yes....we're Daily Showing our political culture down the drain with mockery and cynicism unparalleled in modern American history.
More on this coming soon....Comment: A.: Yeah I agree with the point you're making here. The good thing about the Youtube debates is that all kinds of ordinary people had the opportunity to participate in the democratic process. The bad thing is that a bunch of them squandered by turning the whole thing into a circus act.
Democracy has been one of the greatest liberating forces in history. Now have the technology to build a truer, stronger democracy than anything the world has ever seen. Will we do it? Or will we make a mockery of the process and pass up our generation's opportunity to make a real difference in the world?
BTW, for those who missed the debate does anyone have some links to the questions and answers that were asked?
Post a new comment
PoliticsofMoney: Fred Thompson's 'trophy wife' runs the show
7/30/2007
"Mr Thompson, 64, a former senator and actor who is running second in most polls of Republican nominees even before he has officially declared his candidacy, last week replaced his campaign manager in a shake-up of his top team - which, it has emerged, was initiated by his wife.
Another senior aide quit after clashes with Mrs Thompson, a youthful-looking 40, who is in effect managing her husband's White House bid and has hiring and firing authority over staff, according to campaign insiders.
A campaign aide, also speaking anonymously, told The Washington Post that Mrs Thompson decided everything from the content of direct mailings to the date for her husband to make his official declaration, now expected at the end of the summer. "You name it - anything," said the aide." Source
It's great that the wife is involved, but does she even have the experience from running a presidential campaign? Probably not. I'm willing to bet those staffers quit because she had no idea what she was doing and micromanaging. You better hire someone who has done one, because the heat only goes higher and higher.Post a new comment
PoliticsofMoney: How to attend your local Presidential candidate event...
7/26/2007
You hear about it on the news, only to realize that your candidate stopped by a location only a few miles from your house! No worry, I will give you a small insider's guide on how to attend a fundraising event with your favorite Presidential candidate! You only need a couple of things - computer, telephone, and a business attire.
1) Check with your local county Democrat/Republican Party. Invites are usually sent to the county chairman, and their office will have an idea, even if nobody is attending from the local party. If not, ask for any referrals who may know about an upcoming event.
2) Call the campaign, and ask for the finance department, then ask for the contact information on the fundraiser responsible for your area. All the top tier candidates have fundraisiers assigned to each area in a state. They are a seperate entity from the campaign, bound by contract and fees.
3) Once you've identified the fundraiser, put a call in to see when the next event is, and ask if you can get any information sent your way. Better yet, ask to be put on the distribution list. Candidates plan events 2-3 months well ahead, so it is never too early!
4) Yikes! $2,000 per person??! How can I afford that! Rest assured - there are other ways! A great method is to offer to volunteer at the event. Give your contact information, and let them know you can work the registration table, or help with any other function of the event. If you are VERY lucky, you may be the pusher/puller at the photo-op line. Be steadfast about it! If they don't need you, ask them to keep you in mind for the next event.
You can also try negotiating. Make it known that you want to contribute, but only to an event when the candidate will be around town. Sometimes if they are falling behind pledges, it will slide!
If you absolutely have to contribute to attend an event, it also pays to wait around. Early fundraising events target major donors who can max-out at the limit of $2,300/person. Once a campaign has tapped out a majority of the big contribuers, it has to move on to "smaller fish." Ticket prices can go down to $200 or $100.Post a new comment
PoliticsofMoney: "Candidates shell out for booze, baseball"
7/19/2007
I stumbled by this article on Politico.com called "Candidates shell out for booze, baseball." You can read more about it here. There are some quirky expenditures on random stuff, but I'll be spending a few minutes talking about booze here.
Alcohol usually comes in two forms at fundraising events.
The first case, is a simple reception event, where guests get to mingle a bit and hear the candidate speak for a few minutes. Wine is usually the staple drink of major donors, with some getting an occasional cocktail. The truth is, most speeches that Congressmen, Senators, even the wannabes give are boring.
Secondly, alcohol can be a supplement to a lunch or dinner. The "standard" fundraising meal for lunch is usually chicken with some vegetables, and dinners are filet mignon steaks with guess what? More vegetables! Gotta love the red and white wine!
I don't mind it - because when I'm at those events, I'll pick up a nice cold drink once in a while!Comment: Monica: Receptions can be a bit dry, eh? I vote for hard liquor and circus acts. Juggling, perhaps, or fire breathing? Maybe some trapeze acts, right at the climax of the speech (this will be a good cue for the audience to applaud). A good break down, though- thanks!
Monica
Post a new comment
PoliticsofMoney: Giuliani Girl vs Obama Girl
7/17/2007
For the longest time, sex and politics never mixed well together -until this election cycle. About a month or two ago there was a "Obama Girl" video, which featured a pretty smoking brunette in an MTV-like video obsessing about Barack Obama and his Presidential bid.
This week, a new "Giuliani Girl vs Obama Girl" clip surfaced the internet this week. Perhaps both authors of the videos made this for fun, but it brings an interesting perspective on selling politics via sex appeal. Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekSxxlj6rGE
I'll be waiting on the "Romney Girl" video, featuring super hot Mormon girls....Post a new comment
Monica: Fire Up Those WebCams! CNN/YouTube Debates to Air July 23
7/16/2007
YouTube and CNN have partnered to bring you live presidential debates:
Democratic Candidates-Monday, July 23rd from Charleston, South Carolina
Republican Candidates-Monday, September 17 from Florida
Click to submit questions to YouTube. Questions for the Democratic debate need to be submitted by July 22, and will be reviewed by a CNN team for selection. Selected entrants will fly to Charleston to watch the debates live.
YouTube Submission Guidelines:
- Be original -- choose your own approach.
- Be personal -- your perspective is important.
- Choose your focus -- you can address one or all of the candidates.
- Keep it quick -- your question should be less than 30 seconds (and, in the language of your choice).
- Make it look good -- speak loudly and keep that camera steady.
- Provide context -- in your question or video description, include your name & home town.
- Please note -- all videos are subject to the YouTube Terms of Use.
Post a new comment
Monica: Federal Election Commission (a quick background)
7/16/2007
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) was created by congress in 1975 to enforce and adminsiter the Federal Election Campaign Act, which is the statute that governs the financing of federal elections.
There are six members that sit on the commission, each appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Members serve six-year terms, and two seats are subject to appointment every two years. To encourage nonpartisan decisions, no political party can hold more than three seats on the commission, and four or more votes are needed for any official Commission action. Chairmanship rotates among the members anually, and no member can serve as chairman more than once during his or her term.
To find out how much your state is contributing to the 2008 election, click here.Post a new comment
Mcgleeze: Same Nutjob Ideas, New Day
7/13/2007
So one of my least favorite Senators....MY Senator....Barbara Boxer says Impeachment is still on the table.
Orly?!
What is wrong with the Left? You defend a perjuror to the death because it was "about sex" and you nail Bush for punishing terrorists down in Cuba and because he commutes the sentence of a Witchhunt victim?
1) You think the average American cares if some Taliban footsoldier didn't have his Quran handled properly and was forced to listen to Barney music? I don't! As long as we're not pulling their nails out and breaking their bones *cough cough North Vietnam cough cough* I don't care what they do! And I'm fairly certain there are plenty of Americans that are with me on this.
As for Libby....
2) Don't get me started on this. Libby was busted because he opened his dumb mouth and incorrectly tried to remember events he should have said he couldn't remember. They bust him because they couldn't prove anything of substance (see. Clinton Scandals when Republicans busted Clinton for perjury when they really wanted him for Campaign Donation Scams and Whitewater). So now, the same Democrats who defended Clinton's pardoning of tax cheats and real criminals (who donated to the DNC....*cough cough Marc Rich*) and up in arms because Bush commuted the sentence of Lewis Libby. Yeah they want to impeach him for doing something he's legally allowed to do.
3) Wiretaps. The government is listening in on calls made FROM terrorist countries TO foreigners on watch lists. The government isn't listening into domestic calls made by Americans gossiping about their neighbors. Do foreigners in on Visas have the right to privacy when talking to people on the phone in Pakistan? Probably not. There is case law determining that international communication isn't unpryable (see U.S. Customs).
4) The War in Iraq. You can't impeach a president for being incompetent (see Jimmy Carter).
off to bed.
happy birthday to me.Post a new comment
PoliticsofMoney: Snowball Effect
7/10/2007
Snowballing in fundraising can work for you, and against you. It's natural for people to bet their money on a winner. When you are doing great in fundraising, donors are more inclined to give more, and get their friends to contribute also.
If you're doing bad like McCain, you fall into a downwards spiral that is tough to get out of. If you look at the news today, it's not so pretty. His Campaign Manager and Chief Strategist just resigned, probably having to take responsibility for driving the campaign into the ground.
The Press Release:
Campaign Manager, Chief Strategist for McCain resignTue Jul 10 2007 11:23:10
ET ARLINGTON, VA - Terry Nelson, Campaign Manager and John Weaver, Chief Strategist for John McCain 2008 issued the following statements: "This morning I informed Senator McCain that I would be resigning from his presidential campaign, effective immediately. It has been a tremendous honor to serve Senator McCain and work on his campaign. I believe John McCain is the most experienced and prepared candidate to represent the Republican Party and defeat the Democratic nominee next year." - Terry Nelson, Campaign Manager
"As of today, I have resigned my position as chief strategist to John McCain's presidential campaign. It has been my honor and a distinct privilege to serve someone who has always put our country first. I believe that most Americans will come to the conclusion that I have long known there is only one person equipped to serve as our nation's chief executive and deal with the challenges we face, and that person is John McCain." - John Weaver, Chief StrategistPost a new comment
Mcgleeze: Sideshow Cindy for Congress?
7/8/2007
Yeah so apparently perrenial nutcase Cindy Sheehan is threatening to run against Nancy Pelosi in 2008 unless Pelosi begins to impeach Bush. On what grounds you might ask?
1) The War in Iraq
2) "Torturing" terrorists in Gitmo
3) Doing a poor job in the Katrina aftermath
4) "Unconstitutional" wiretaps on foreign nationals receiving international phone calls
Being a crappy president isn't grounds for impeachment Cindy-poo, just look at your hero Jimmy Carter. He was a God-awful president and nobody impeached him, they just defeated his re-election hopes.
Bush's approval rating is in the 30s
Congress' approval rating is in the 20s
I'm guessing Sideshow Cindy would pull under 10%?
If this actually goes down it'd be the first time ever you'd see me endorsing Nancy Pelosi!Post a new comment
Mcgleeze: Clinton-Obama pursue Nationalist Policy vs. China
7/5/2007
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama want to co-sponsor legislation in order to pressure China into revaluing its currency.
Very interesting indeed. This sounds like a move a paleo-conservative would like. Let's see if the Bush-bots respond in kind. I wonder what McCain, Hunter, and Tancredo think of this move. Will the Republicans take a tougher stand on the rising Red Dragon or will they puff cigars and talk about free trade?
Let's hope both parties realize the coming Red threat.Comment: Mcgleeze: What do you both suggest is our best course of action on China?
I think we can all agree that the Bush Administration sees China as nothing more than a monkey making opportunity and doesn't see the real danger of a powerful China on the world stage.
Secondly are you suprised to see Democrats making a move against China? Is it not enough action too late in the game?
Is China an enemey power?
Comment: A.: The point I agree on is that if we are going to take action, we should do it now; as China's trade with other nations grows our position at the bargaining table is likely to grow weaker, not stronger.
The question however is what are the full consequences of forcing a yuan revaluation? This will not stop the migration of jobs out of the US -- jobs will just get moved to other low-cost countries like India or Vietnam. And Chinese purchasing power will increase -- are we going to start seeing Chinese investors buying up US land and businesses?
Comment: finprof: The Bush Administration has been complacent to the creativity of the Chinese, i.e., its currency manipulation is a form of protectionism which short-circuits the economic theory of “Comparative Advantage” . Common sense dictates a U. S. retaliation to this and other forms of negative competition by China.
Our retaliations should be a flexible import assessment (percentages rising/falling with our trade gap) which will deter retaliation by China. The revenue from the import assessment can be used to incentivize exports, e. g. credits for shipping finished goods and select agricultural products over water. Since the Chinese have not been negotiating in good-faith regarding trade, Congress must replace complacency with action.
Post a new comment
Mcgleeze: AND OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE!
7/4/2007
Comment: Anonymous: Looking at what each of the candidates would do, we find only one stands out with an eye on the countries bigest problems. One problem is finances and the other is losing our way from the original constitution. Only Ron Paul has the knowledge, proven record of uncompromizing dedication and focus to address the abandanment of the constiution. Ron Paul is the only one who recognizes the proplem of the enormous national dept and has the knowedge, courage and dedication to have a chance of getting the country through the mess. The other candidats don't even mention the big problems but are playing around with minutia like abortion, sexuality, abortion and other problems that should never been elevated to the federal level. Those are states rights issues and jurisdiction. Is Ron Paul the only one the reads the constitution and comes out as a dedicated candidaate for the American people and not just trying to get elected for an ego trip?
Post a new comment
Mcgleeze: Michael Chertoff: Bush's Lapdog
7/2/2007
Micahel Chertoff whined to the Senate today about how because the Senate didn't pass Bush's "Let's Change America's Demographics" Immigration Amnesty Package the Dept. of Homeland Security won't be able to crack down on illegal workers. WHAT? The AP: "We're going to continue to enforce the law. It's going to be tough," Michael Chertoff said. "We don't really have the ability to enforce the law with respect to illegal work in this country in a way that's truly effective." Mr. Chertoff if you aren't sure of your ability to properly manage Homeland Security then maybe you should resign. Of course this is simply a White House ploy to pull a "Shame on you" on Conservatives who refused to go along with the McKennedy Immigration Amnesty plan. What's next Labor Secretary Elaine Chao shaming the Conservatives for being "racist" against poor migrant workers? This is ridiculous. Republicans: Want to win in '08? Get as far away from Chertoff as possible. Photo Caption: The Losing Team- Republicans Who Backed Amnesty at a Post-Vote Loss Press Conference. Comment: A.: What a weasel. Throw the bum out, along with everyone in Congress who almost passed that bill. If he can't do his job, then instead of pointing his finger at another group of do-nothings, he should step aside. It's amazing how everything these guys say and do seems to be designed to make their jobs easier. Thousands of people living and working in this country illegally? No problem! Change the law! Make private enterprise police the problem!
The best part of it all is that now Congress is threatening to take its ball and go home: "America doesn't like our bill? Fine! We won't do another ounce of work on this issue until after the elections!"
THROW THE BUMS OUT!
Post a new comment
Mcgleeze: Amusing Joke
7/2/2007
What happens when a fly falls into a coffee cup ?
*The Englishman*: Throws away the cup of coffee and walks away .
*The American*: Takes out the fly and drinks the coffee .
*The Chinese*: Eats the fly and throws away the coffee .
* The Japanese*: Drinks the coffee with the fly, since it was extra .
*The Israeli*: Sells the coffee to the American, the fly to the Chinese , and buys himself a new cup of coffee .
*The Palestinian*: Blames the Israeli for the violent act of putting the fly in his coffee ; asks the UN for aid, takes a loan from the European Union to buy a new cup of coffee; uses the money to purchase explosives, then blows up the coffee house, where : The Englishman, the American, the Chinese, and the Japanese are all trying to explain to the Israeli that he was too aggressive .Comment: Anonymous: So the original store owner came back and kicked out the squater? sounds about right. "palestinian" what a joke
Comment: Anonymous: the Israeli originally walked into the Palestinian coffee house, and claim it as there own.
Comment: Mcgleeze: oh, the Irish just added booze to their cup of coffee.
Comment: PoliticsofMoney: What about the Irish?
Post a new comment
PoliticsofMoney: Come on John...
7/2/2007
If you have been following the news, John McCain reported his Q2 Fundraising at an abysmal $11 million. What is even more shocking is his remaining cash-on-hand - $2 million. His campaign manager is not taking a salary anymore, and his staff is being downsized by ~30%.
Here is what I beleive McCain's camp had in mind going into 2007:
1) He is the current "frontrunner" if the election were held in late 2006.
2) Hire all the political talent to deter other potential candidates.
3) Maintaining the status quo is more important that fundraising.
McCain had his campaign geared for a general election. The money simply wasn't there to support it. Poised as the frontrunner, it was assumed that the money would flow in.
Had he exceeded his Q1 fundraising, it would have been a much prettier picture. For Q3, it won't get any better, as Fred Thompson will soon be joining the race.
The advantage McCain has now is that any improvement he gets will be enormously positive since he has sinked so low.Post a new comment
PoliticsofMoney: ROMNEY DMFB
6/26/2007
Mitt Romney Gives Money to His Presidential Campaign Again
BOSTON — Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said Monday he has given money to his campaign for a second time and may do so again before Saturday's fundraising deadline.
"My message is important and critical to get out in this country, and I recognized that there are a lot of people making big contributions," Romney said. "It would be nice not to have to loan or contribute to your campaign. But the reality is if you want to have a strong campaign that gets out there and can talk across the nation, your going to have to do what's necessary."
I think he is doing this to also send a message towards those thinking of joining the race. "I'm Mitt Romney, and I will make this a slogfest for you if you choose to join after this reporting deadline."
See my poker analogy below.
Mitt Romney just raised everyone after the flop, but it's the right thing to do with three-of-a-kinds in Holdem: Play 'em quick, and Play 'em and hard.
Can't let anyone catch a straight or higher, and make sure that if they do try to fish for the card, they pay dearly for it.Comment: PoliticsofMoney: Yeah, It's a double edged sword to use your own money, but in the end it depends on how you "spin" it.
Comment: A.: I like Romney but how is this a good thing? Didn't he originally say he didn't want to donate much to his campaign? Could this be a sign that he's not bringing in as much money as he'd hoped?
Post a new comment
PoliticsofMoney: Poker and Fundraising
6/25/2007
If fundraising were a round of Texas Hold-em, the current situation is like this:
ROMNEY: 8 Spades, 8 Clover
MCCAIN: A Hearts, 2 Clover
GIULIANI: J Spades, 10 Hearts
FLOP: 9 Spades, 8 Hearts, A spades,
Pre Flop:
- Romney: Has a pocket pair, but it'll need some good cards to hold up.
- McCain: Big Blind, has an Ace as a strong hand start, but weak kicker
- Giuliani: Mediocre hand starting hand, small blind.
Flop:
- Giuliani doesn't hit anything, but he has an open ended straight.
- Romney his a three of the kind, current frontrunner.
- McCain hits a high pair Ace, but his kicker is weak.
Here's a great article about this quarter's reporting, link to article here.Post a new comment
PoliticsofMoney: Bloomberg Camp Looking Into '08 Ticket
6/22/2007
Surprisingly, the buzz aroud Bloomberg has really picked up the past couple of days.
I've only been in this business for about two years, but since the 2005 days before anyone announced their Presidential aspirations, there was a general script you followed which was a fine line in hinting about a presidential run, and Bloomberg is definitely taking those steps.
This typically involved making a Political Action Committee, giving lots of speeches around the country about generic things. For example: how we need change things, make them work, and approach the challeneges facing our nation. (Basically, a speech that entails what the next president needs to fix, but not mentioning that you want to be the man to do the job!)
Some examples from Bloomberg:
A) "I believe we can turn around the county's wrong-headed course, but only if we base actions on ideas, shared values, and a commitment to solve problems without regard to party," he said on Tuesday.
B) One telling sign that Bloomberg is gearing for a campaign is the fact that he's taken 26 trips in the last year outside of New York to push issues that were important to the city, but also to the country. That's eight more trips than he took during his entire first term as mayor.
C) Unity08, a site that supports Bloomberg, recently tried to reform into a Political Action Committee from a non-profit organization. They intended to do this after all the candidates were announced for '08. By transforming into a PAC, they can easily serve as a platform for Bloomberg to start his campaign, eventually transforming into a full presidential vehicle.Post a new comment
Mcgleeze: Out Until Wednesday
6/22/2007
Well I'll be out of town until Wednesday visiting Sigma Nu's headquarters in Lexington, Virginia. In the mean time let's hope you all don't get bored to death. Hopefully The Politics of Money will update regularly or Command Core gets some new bloggers! Maybe I'll bump into Congressmen Wicker and Dicks or Senator Trent Lott and hassle them about Immigration, eh? Comment: A.: Enjoying the South?
Post a new comment
Mcgleeze: Americans to Gallup: Congress Sucks!
6/20/2007
"According to the June 11-14, 2007, survey, 24% of Americans approve and 71% disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job." -Gallup USA This ain't new either! The new Democratic Congress has not cracked under the 50% Disapprove zone yet. Not once! The approval ratings are consistent with the Pre-2007 Republican Congress! Democrats better start proving their worth or it might be an incumbent turn over year in 2008, which of course leads to slight Republicans gains. With corrupt clowns like Rep. Richard Pombo gone the Republicans are poised to malaise their way back to a majority. My advice: Democrats
1) Stop listening to the fruitcakes at CodePink! and 9/11 Truth, they're your version of the Michigan Militia, and start listening to Joe Average voter. 2) Listen to the normal Democrats who want tax hikes for social services and want a STRONG War on Terror (just not in neo-Islamic hotbeds like Iraq). 3) Shut Jimmy Carter up. Seriously. Backing Hamas over Fatah in Palestine? This guy's lost his f%$*ing mind. Republicans
1) Stop listening to Bush, he's destroyed the party and your credibility. On Immigration, Iraq, and pretty much everything else these days he's wrong! We got tricked into Iraq on crappy intel and instead of finishing the job the clown prince wants to waffle with this one hand tied behind the back no-air power policy that's getting our boys killed. DO NOT STAND WITH THAT! Declare the need to level the Sunni triangle or just give up on the Iraqis already. 2) Grip the Immigration issue like a junkyard dog and don't give up until our current laws are enforced, no nation in history has allowed a 12 million strong invasion by a people of another language and culture happen peacefully! 3) Re-Org your leadership. Nobody trusts you guys because the current leadership were the junior executives of the Pre-2006 Congress with the "Culture of Corruption". Argue all day that this Culture doesn't exist but as far as the American people are concerned it exists! Nancy won that battle, deal with it and don't let your stubbornness keep you from greatness. Post a new comment
PoliticsofMoney: +2 to the Race...
6/20/2007
Bloomberg: Quit the GOP this week, and I'm betting he will announce after June 30th. But will he win? Probably not. Fundraising won't be his problem too. He will definitely self-fund. Self-funding saves enormous amounts of time, but it doesnt look good on the books when trying to win an election.
Fred Thompson is scheduled to announce on July 4th. The 9/30 filing deadline for Q3 will be a big test for Fred's campaign - it will make or break him. If he does great in fundraising and stays high in the polls, people will look at him even closer. If he raises more than John McCain in Q3, it will be a huge deal.
Now, if he doesn't come close to Giuliani or McCain, his ability to run the campaign through the long haul will be put into question.
What will be interesting is when all the gloves come off and the attacks start happening to everyone that is in this race.....Post a new comment
Mcgleeze: Hillary Clinton booed by Whack Jobs
6/20/2007
Pulled from Byron York's article in the National Review:
"'We're going to end the war in Iraq and finally bring home the troops,' she said as a number of Code Pink protesters stood up in the audience. When she declared, 'The American military has done its job,' boos began to be heard around the room. As the boos increased, Sen. Clinton raised her voice. 'The American military has succeeded,' she said, to more boos. 'It is the Iraqi government that has failed to make the tough decisions.' Still more boos."
1) I haven't seen a "mainstream" Democrat this right in thirty years. Our boys did their job, the Iraqi government sucks, the Iraqi people aren't civilized enough to handle democracy.
2) Code Pink, apparently a new constituent of the Democrats, is f&$%ing bonkers! These insane witches even protest our righteous battle against al-Qaeda and the Taliban.
The Democrat Party now has a simple choice: Does your heart and soul belong to Patriotic American Liberals or Communist Witches from Hell? I hope you guys go with the Susan Estriches and Mike Barnicles and not the Emma Goldmans and Howard Zinns.Comment: Anonymous: HRC would be awful, and this Democrat does NOT support her.
Comment: R.J.B: Sorry First Lady
Comment: R.J.B: Comment: R.J.B: Sen. Hilary Clinton will be by far the best person to be the next President. She already knows how the system works and as Frist lady she did more then all the Frist Ladys combined. From my point of view as a man, she has my vote!!!
Post a new comment
Mcgleeze: Fred Takes the Lead!
6/19/2007
Sorry to disappoint Mitt Romney supporters but it appears that Rasmussen Reports polling has found that Fred Thompson has now taken the lead putting the conservative a point ahead of Rudy Guiliani. Romney, who has centered his campaign about being the "real conservative" in the top tier of the Republican race is now standing at 10% tied with John McCain and far behind Thompson (28%) and Giuliani (27%). What this means for the campaign in the long run is anybody's guess but it certainly signals the growing discontent amongst the GOP base regarding Giuliani's worn out 9/11 image and John McCain's unexplainable love for the Kennedy Immigration bill. Romney, who McCain has been swatting at lately on key issues like abortion, can't seem to pull enough steam to break into the 20 percentile. It's possible his fundraising is doing better and more research regarding the latest Campaign Cash news can be found at http://politicsofmoney.blogspot.com/ Photos: Left- Fred Thompson's Official Senate Photo, Right- One of many Rudy Giuiliani drag appearances Post a new comment
PoliticsofMoney: Presidential Fundraising 101
6/19/2007
1) Corporate contributions are not allowed.
Federal Officeholders such as Congressmen/Senators cannot accept money from corporations.
2) The personal limit per election is $2,300.
Primary/General elections are treated as separate elections. So one can potentially give up to $4,600 for both elections.
3) There are four campaign contribution reporting deadlines per year.
March 30th, June 30th, September 30th, December 31st. These are critical days for each campaign, as everyone wants to project strength from numbers.
4) Contributors that can get their friends/family to donate are exponentially more valuable that one that can just "max-out."
The donors that can pull this off are more valuable because of the contribution limits.
5) Small donations add up quickly.
Not only that, but with a lot of small money spread across the country, it shows that the candidate has widespread support and a strong backing.Post a new comment
Mcgleeze: The Angriest Horde since that Warcraft one...
6/19/2007
To quote the Times of London (6/19):
"The Organisation to Commemorate Martyrs of the Muslim World, a fringe hardline group, offered a reward of $150,000 (£75,000) to any successful assassin. Forouz Rajaefar, the group’s secretary general, said: 'The British and the supporters of the anti-Islam Salman Rushdie could rest assured that the writer’s nightmare will not end until the moment of his death and we will bestow kisses on the hands of whomsoever is able to execute this apostate.' " Amazing that in this day and age the words of one man (or the Cartoons of one Dane) are enough to declare a man open for assasination. But the Radical Islamic Beast does not use reason or civility to solve the problems of his angry heart, he uses his Russian/Chinese bought gun and his homemade grenades on civilian Jews or American soldiers to take our his aggression. If you have an infestation of parasitic roaches you call an exterminator, if you have an infestation of parasitic Islamic Jihadists you consult the EU, UN, and dilly-dally in the White House with no plans other than to debate or placate the radicals and/or occupy a backward desert hellhole and patrol the streets on foot while walking into booby traps for four years straight. Oh and if by chance the Israelis use their magical Zionist powers to bomb a country who houses Hamas go ahead and lambast the Israelis rather than the Islamic Horde....since Israel won't declare a holy contract on your head for badmouthing them.
Post a new comment
Mcgleeze: The Great Thompson Tidal Wave
6/18/2007
Tidals waves hit hard but they tend not to last. Let us examine the latest activities of everybody's favorite conservative who's "maybe" running for president.
1) Thompson is going to the UK to kiss the ring of Maraget Thatcher where he'll give a speech on the Trans-Atlantic alliance. One can little doubt the Reagan imagery the Senator plans on rolling around in.
2) Thompson is rumored to be setting up not one, but two sets of campaign headquarters in Virginia and Tennesee....that's if you believe The Politico's Mike Allen that is.
3) Thompson now officially leads Giuiliani, Romney, and McCain in South Carolina...if you believe the Mason-Dixon Poll. Last week Rasmussen Reports had Thompson tied for first with Giuliani at 24% in a NATIONAL poll. Rasmussen also shows Thompson in a statistical dead heat with both Clinton AND Obama.
So what's the deal with Fred Thompson mania? You tell me. Maybe the Conservative base feels that by pushing this guy onto the media they have a bit more say in the process. Who could doubt that Guiliani, McCain, and Romney were foisted upon the American people as the anointed three: 9/11, 2000 Rerun, and the Generic Conservative.
After seen the past couple Republican debates it's no wonder the base rallies behind a down home talking southerner like Fred Thompson who enjoys speaking with no-nonsense language and without vageries.
Dark Horse Superstars have a tendency to collapse, remember Howie Dean? Thompson ought to be careful or the Youth Base will send Dr. Ronald Paul chasing after his tail big time. With Paul's internet and youth support maybe HE should be considereed the new Dean. Let's just hope nobody implodes the way the Deaniacs did or we'll get an empty suited charmer like Barack "Less Than One Term In the Senate" Obama.Post a new comment
PoliticsofMoney: Report Cards of Quarter 2
6/18/2007
On June 30th, all the presidential candidates - Democrat, Republican, Independent, Green, Etc... will be filing the Q2 Fundraising and Expenditure reports to the FEC.
In Q1, Gov. Mitt Romney came out first on the Republican side, with Mayor Giuliani in second, then Senator John McCain as third. I remain confident that Governor Romney will come out on top again in fundraising in the second quarter.
Here are my bold predictions on total RAISED for Q2:
Republicans
Governor Mitt Romney: $16-$19 Million
Mayor Rudy Giuliani: $14-$17 Million
Senator John McCain: $9-$12 Million
Some candidates may be reporting both Primary/General contributions, as raising money for both elections can significantly boost your "totals." However, the money raised for the General Election cannot be used - your candidate has to make it through the Primaries in order for that to be possible.
Then why do it? The advantage is twofold.
1) As I mentioned earlier, it boosts your numbers. Why only shoot for $15 million, when you can raise $20 - but can only legally use $15 ?
2) Assume you win the Primary Election, the General money can be used immediately the day after. Should you lose, it must be returned to the respective donors.Comment: Anonymous: America NEEDS to wake up and realise that they did NOT WIN any wars they have fought in. They have won battles. If a report card is based on "LIVES" lost- then the deception continues in horrific extent. The cold war was a battle "won" based on economy that lost first [ the "enemy" is re-thinking ]. The war on drugs [ no one knows how that is, but North America is still demanding better quality drugs ]. The war on terror is just one more smoke screen for the usual business that Washington comes up with. A woman as president?- you already had one- she was Hilary Clinton- [ while her husband was screwing an intern- somebody must have been running the country = bedtime stories seem to take on a new meaning ] The presidential candidate that can win the REAL vote is one who can answer the the statement that Hannibal made- [ the 2007 version ]- He/She who controls the middle east- rules the world.
Comment: Anonymous: right on eaglejane! you said it perfectly.
screw the media. they have the world blinded and only let's us see what they want us to see. The new world order is coming soon if nothing is done.
Clinton and especially Gulliani will only carry out and continue what Bush has started. Hitler on the rise again.
VOTE RON PAUL!!!!!!!
Comment: eaglejane: I agree with anonymous. Also America better wake and smell the coffee because it is stale and so are our candidates. My man is Ron Paul for President he answers the questions head on and is shut out by the mainstream media. Why are they so afraid of him and why do they label him a radical isolationist??? All he wants is to run the government by the United States Constitution the way the founding fathers intended the government to be run.
Pay close attention to this man; he wants the federal government out of our personal business and he wants the individual states to run their states. That means smaller federal government and also it means less jobs for all those gutless wonders and those on the payroll of the federal government.
Lets clean house in Washington. All the democrats stated in their July debate that they would have men and women register for selective service.
Hillary stated she would not take off the table going into Iran. That would unite the Arab world in a way we do not want to see because we could not handle that short of a nuclear strike---the beginning of WW111 and the beginning of the end.
So for those of you who think she would make a great Pres. think about your daughters and granddaughters having to register for selective service and then getting drafted in case we need them to fight in the Middle East. Ask Jessica Lynch what happened to her???????? Wake up America---Hillary is for the one world order just like most of those candidates and most of the Republicans aren't any better. The Republicans cannot win on a pro-war platform. You cannot win a war of occupation and that is what we have going on now. We have learned nothing from Korea and Viet Nam. We have another politician's war going on. It is about protecting the obscene oil profits for the elite and those of the one world order. Let us take these puppet politicians out at the polls. Lets clean house and put in honorable people starting with Ron Paul for President. Go to his web site and see what he says on the issues. He is not backstabbing the other party nor those in his own party. He is speaking on the issues like no other politician I have known. Go to you tube.com and check out what the young people are saying about him and then make up your own mind.
Remember this "08" election vote is critical for the survival of our nation as we know it.
Comment: R.J.B: Sen. Hilary Clinton will be by far the best person to be the next President. She already knows how the system works and as Frist lady she did more then all the Frist Ladys combined. From my point of view as a man, she has my vote!!!
Comment: Anonymous: I strongly fear having a mormon president. DOWN WITH ROMNEY!! We need a president like Ron Paul to pull this country around.
Comment: Mcgleeze: What are the DNC numbers?
Post a new comment
|