It will be particularly interesting to see whether/how the campaign gets this out at Harley Fest (in Milwaukee, home of Harley, later this month), which 100,000 or more bikers are expected to attend . . .

Posted at August 11, 2008 3:54 PM in response to Obama Wisconsin Radio Ad Attacks McCain Over Harley Quip

What really needs to be investigated is what can be done to remove these pervasive, apparently often unqualified, partisan appointees from their positions. The amount of discretion that an Immigration Judge has in deciding the fate of an individual is enormous. Ditto many other bureaucrats.

I believe in civil service protections. But if these folks were illegally appointed, what can be done to deal with the damage to the system?

Posted at July 29, 2008 9:03 AM in response to For Sampson, Hiring At DOJ Was All Republicans All The Times

Given DOJ's clear willingness to criminally prosecute individuals with actual or perceived Democratic ties - like a Wisconsin state employee - for alleged politicization in gov't - where are they in filing the criminal charges in these cases? If they don't do it, and soon, it makes the double standard even more clear.

Posted at July 28, 2008 1:22 PM in response to Inspector General Releases Report on Monica Goodling Hirings

Think the deal is wrong? check out:

http://thestrangebedfellows.com/index.php
Strange Bedfellows Unite to Fight FISA Deal

(a diverse group of liberals & Ron Paul supporters, opposed to Telcom immunity!)

Posted at June 19, 2008 12:39 PM in response to Lawmakers Reach Deal Over Government Surveillance Powers

Just too bad Jack Abramoff doesn't appear on the list!

Posted at June 18, 2008 10:23 PM in response to Don Young Intern Initiation Memo Calls for Special Treatment of Lobbyist 'A-Team'

The web headlines, at least, seem increasingly to be getting the point (perhaps the content of his speech has shamed them just a bit into looking beyond the soundbites . . .)

WaPo
In Speech, Obama Aims to Unite
Address on race targets diverse audiences, draws some comparisons to JFK's speech on Catholicism.

NYT
Obama Urges U.S. to Grapple With Race Issue

Philly Enquirer)
Obama, in Philly, asks all to help in healing racial scars

ChicTribune
Obama calls for racial healing

MiamiHerald
Obama tackles race head-on in speech

DetroitNews
Obama airs race debate
It was an extraordinary moment -- the first black candidate with a good chance at becoming a presidential nominee, in a country in which racial distrust runs deep and is often unspoken, embarking at a critical juncture in his campaign upon what may be the most significant public discussion of race in decades.

also the edits in the MSM seem leaning towards support for Obama - this will of course not put off the wingnuts, but hopefully will help in the broader national discussion.

WaPo
It was extraordinary.

LATimes
Moving a nation

DetriotFreePress
Race card: Kilpatrick plays it, Obama deals with it

BostonGlobe
Obama's history, and America's

HoustonChronicle
Family, with flaws: Obama seizes controversial moment to deepen the nation's conversation on race

Posted at March 19, 2008 10:59 AM in response to Headline Writers At The Major Networks Slow To Get Obama's Message

I am so often jaded and cynical.

I read this speech and it sent chills down my spine. It very much reminded me of how I felt standing at the Lincoln Memorial and ready the Gettysburg Address. Or hearing tapes of Dr King's speeches in his church in Montgomery Alabama.

It is a transcendent speech. It is so true and honest and real about the state of race relations in this country. About the back room attacks on people of color, and the brooding resentment by whites who have been shattered by the loss of economic security. We know - HE knows - of the historical efforts to set those groups against each other, to keep them busy fighting each other so that they cannot see the true forces oppressing them.

Will it work? I don't know that I can say. Perhaps from a purely political, utilitarian view, there are clips the wingnuts can use to attack him. But really - how many of those people would vote for him (or any Democrat) anyway? Remember, these are the people who think John McCain is a liberal.

I voted for Obama. But now, whatever happens, I feel even stronger in my support, more sure that this is precisely the kind of leadership our country needs to move forward.

Posted at March 18, 2008 11:58 AM in response to Full Text Of Obama's Big Race Speech: A Big Break With Political Precedent

Has anyone checked the records of the Emperor's Club?! :)

Posted at March 13, 2008 3:18 PM in response to NRCC Audit: Aide May Have Stolen "Hundreds of Thousands"

I'm more and more inclined to believe this, based on a mailing I just got from Mitch McConnell with the "New Republican Agenda Survey." (I can't even begin to guess why I'm on this list, but anyway).

And here's what it says:

"But let me be perfectly frank . . . if we fail to get our Grand Old Party back on track, if we fail to unite Senate Republicans behind a new conservative agenda . . . WE WILL HAND CONTROL OF THE U.S. SENATE AND THE HOUSE AND EVEN THE WHITE HOUSE TO HILLARY CLINTON, NANCY PELOSI, TED KEENDY AND THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS FOR A GENERATION OR MORE!"

Notice any name missing that they're NOT raising as the Great Satan? Strikes me that they really, really want to go against Clinton - that's who they think will energize their base (to oppose her, obviously). Obama - is not even mentioned.

Posted at March 12, 2008 9:45 PM in response to Republicans ARE causing mischief in Democratic primaries

So interestingly, speaking of fundraising. I just got a mailing from Mitch McConnell with the "New Republican Agenda Survey." (I can't even begin to guess why I'm on this list, but anyway).

And here's what it says:

"But let me be perfectly frank . . . if we fail to get our Grand Old Party back on track, if we fail to unite Senate Republicans behind a new conservative agenda . . . WE WILL HAND CONTROL OF THE U.S. SENATE AND THE HOUSE AND EVEN THE WHITE HOUSE TO HILLARY CLINTON, NANCY PELOSI, TED KEENDY AND THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS FOR A GENERATION OR MORE!"

Notice any name missing that they're NOT raising as the Great Satan?

Posted at March 12, 2008 9:41 PM in response to In Private Pep-Talk To Top Donors, Hillary Predicts: "We're Gonna Win This"