Year: 2009

Blogger: Democrats Should Learn to Pick Battles

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From the “Man, I wish I’d said that” file on the subject of Sen. Harry Reid’s opposition to Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris assuming the Illinois Senate seat:

My party’s biggest shortcoming is its epic incompetence at picking battles. It passed on the most important battle it could have waged, the legitimate and necessary impeachment of the President and the Vice-President; but it’s willing to wheel out the slingshot for this happy horseshit, to oppose the seating of one of its own to the Senate.

From Brady Bonk at Ketchup is a Vegetable

Richardson Steps Down Sooner Rather than Later

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It’s not Gov. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.) we are concerned about. It’s the possible taint on the incoming president that worries us. Already, according to a recent Gallup poll, one-quarter of the public believes someone on the Obama staff did something funny with Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The exact question asked was:

On a different topic, as you may know. Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been charged with conspiracy in trying to profit from naming Barack Obama’s replacement in the U.S. Senate. Just your best guess, do you think any member of Barack Obama’s staff has done anything illegal in connection with this matter, or not?

The answers were:

  • 26 percent — Yes, has done something illegal
  • 60 percent — No, has not done anything illegal
  • 13 percent — No opinion

Richardson took himself out of the confirmation process for Secretary of Commerce after it became clear he would be embroiled in controversy for the foreseeable future.

Richardson took himself out of the confirmation process after it became clear he would be embroiled in controversy for the foreseeable future

Richardson, in a statement also released by Obama’s team, gave no details on the probe except to say that it “promises to extend for several weeks or, perhaps, even months” and “would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process.”

…The grand jury in Albuquerque is looking into Beverly Hills, California-based CDR Financial Products Inc., which received almost $1.5 million in fees from the New Mexico Finance Authority in 2004 after donating $100,000 to Richardson’s efforts to register Hispanic and American Indian voters and pay for expenses at the Democratic National Convention in 2004…

Obama is known for selecting only squeaky clean people, or failing that, for proactively controlling future damage, as with the overseas ties of Secretary of State nominee Hillary Clinton’s husband, former Pres. Bill Clinton.

I am in the 60 percent of people who think Obama’s team will be found to have done nothing more with Blagojevich than piss him off by refusing to pay him off. I had my qualms about Bill Richardson from the get-go but I couldn’t really say why. We’ll give the governor the benefit of the doubt but I hope no one else will cast any compromising shadows over the incoming administration.

Hallmark Warns Public About Killer Snow Globe

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Frosty! How could you?

We are not making this up. Hallmark has issued a recall for this dangerous snowman snow globe. As a public service (and because we think it’s funny), we are passing it along.

We have learned that under certain conditions, Hallmark’s Jumbo Snowman Snow Globe (Stock #1XAG5093, measuring 11 by 12 by 17 inches) for a suggested retail price of $99.95, may pose a risk of fire.

When sunlight passes through the globe, sufficient light may be concentrated to ignite nearby combustible materials. Upon obtaining this information Hallmark immediately decided to recall this product and reported the matter to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

If you purchased this product, please remove the snow globe from exposure to any sunlight by covering it up or moving it to an area without access to sunlight. Then, at your earliest convenience, please return the Jumbo Snowman Snow Globe to a Hallmark Gold Crown® store for a full refund.

The recall pertains only to the large, $99.95 snow globe. A smaller snow globe of similar snowman design is not affected by the recall.

The safety of our consumers is always the priority at Hallmark. We apologize for any inconvenience this recall action may cause you. Your cooperation and assistance with this matter is greatly appreciated.

Harry Reid’s Racist Mormon Beliefs Exposed in Illinois Senate Contest

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Reid’s Rejects: From left, Jackson, Davis, and Jones

I knew eventually that the Democratic party’s leadership being infiltrated by Mormons would hurt us. I have made clear I believe Mormonism to be a racist, sexist, homophobic, fraudulent, and bizarre cult so if you’re coming in late and are astounded that I make no apology for my views, well…you’re coming in late.

Reid is clearly letting his Mormon beliefs override good sense, assuming he has any

Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is making my worst fears a reality. How this man got to be Senate Majority Leader is a mystery to me but he needs to go. Reid is clearly letting his Mormon beliefs override good sense, assuming he has any. By calling on Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich not to appoint an African-American to succeed Barack Obama in the Senate, he is taking the Democratic party into the wacko zone with him.

From Mormonism’s earliest years, its leaders believed Africans were cursed descendants of Cain. As such, they were unfit for full participation.

Under the racial restrictions that lasted from the presidency of Brigham Young until 1978, persons with any black African ancestry could not hold the priesthood in the LDS Church and could not participate in some temple ordinances, such as the Endowment and celestial marriage…

The priesthood restriction was particularly limiting, because the LDS Church has a lay priesthood and all worthy male members may receive the priesthood. Young men are generally admitted to the Aaronic priesthood at age 12, and it is a significant rite of passage…Holders of the priesthood officiate at church meetings, perform blessings of healing, and manage church affairs. Excluding blacks from the priesthood meant that blacks could not hold significant church leadership roles or participate in certain spiritual events.

[…]

Expect Great Things From Colorado’s Next Senator

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Colorado’s newest — and the country’s youngest — senator, Michael Bennet

Michael Bennet will be the youngest senator when he steps up to replace Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar, chosen to be Pres.-Elect Obama’s secretary of the interior. At 44, Bennet, a former lawyer and businessman, was passed over as Obama’s education secretary despite legendary success as superintendent of the Denver school system.

From 2005 to 2008, Denver students made strong improvements in reading, math, writing and science. In reading, the district posted a 6.2% increase over the three years, more than four times the growth of the state. In math, Denver saw a 6% gain, more than twice the growth of the state. In the middle grades, Denver saw gains of 10% in reading and 9% in math…

Full day kindergarten slots were also increased by 25% which means that over 90% of the children in Denver Public Schools, as five year olds, currently have access to full day kindergarten.

After five years and $83 million in budget cuts equaling almost 20% of the operating budget, Denver has balanced its budget without cuts for two consecutive years and is investing additional funds into its schools and departments.

Gosh, is there anything this guy can’t do? Wait, there’s more. Bennet looks like he has a good chance at maintaining the seat when he eventually stands for election.

Bennet was able to convincingly sell [Colorado Gov. Bill] Ritter on his experience and strengths in business, education and as a former lawyer at the U.S. Department of Justice. And his numerous contacts to high-profile and powerful people indicated he had impressive fundraising potential, according to a source close to the governor.

If he does win in 2010, it will be the whiz kid’s first election victory. Bennet has never run for office before, a detail some Colorado Democrats consider important.

Still, if pedigrees and past performance mean anything, Bennet looks pretty good.

Bennet, educated in private schools, graduated from Wesleyan University in Connecticut before attending law school at Yale. His brother James is editor of Atlantic Monthly and his father, Douglas, was president of Wesleyan University, former president of National Public Radio and assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs in the Clinton administration.

Bennet is married to environmental attorney Susan Daggett. They have three daughters and live in Denver.

Quote du Jour

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“A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go but ought to be.”

— Rosalynn Carter (1927- ), former First Lady, author, and mental health advocate

Stampede! Elephants Flee D.C. Ahead of Inauguration

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Politico:

“What better way to mark the Obama Inauguration (and his millions of adoring fans that will be in DC) than to get out of town to fabulous Las Vegas!” wrote Charlie Spies, a Republican lawyer and former CFO to Mitt Romney’s campaign in a blast email to GOP friends. “We hope you can join us for dinner and a fun evening on Monday, January 19th to celebrate the last few hours of our Republican president in the White House.”

Spies and his wife Lisa, a Republican fund-raiser, have gotten about 15 takers so far for this last supper or, as they billed it in the e-mail, their own “Inaugural in Exile.”

They’re far from alone. Other [Republicans] will usher in the new era from the slopes, the islands, the NFL playoffs and even on a serendipitously-timed honeymoon. Full Democratic control of Washington may be a bitter pill, but it’s easier to get down from a lodge, beach, 50-yard-line or, especially, honeymoon suite.

If only they would just stay gone.