The Spencerian

Political Newsclippings, Issue 25, Vol. II: Econ 101, English 101 and 102, Evil Advertising 101 and More

The Miami Herald reminds us that, yes, it really is still the economy. 

The U.S. economy is taking hits from all directions, or that's how it seems to many Americans. President Bush says that the country is not moving toward recession. Tell that to South Floridians reeling from the rising cost of gas, food, insurance, education and healthcare.

Home foreclosures are multiplying. People with houses can't sell them. Home prices and sales dropped dramatically in January, and there's no sign of improvement soon. Banks no longer provide easy credit. Stock-market investments are on a roller-coaster ride. Pay checks don't buy as much today as yesterday.

Does anybody else have that snakey feeling like things might not be getting any better any time too soon?  November can't get here fast enough.

# # # #

Michael Gerson -- a former W speechwriter, it should be noted, who credits himself (as do others) of coining the phrase "Axis of Evil" -- has an intersting piece in the Washington Post about words.  As infuriating as Gerson is, it's a must-read.

Obama's rhetorical skill will present a problem for McCain. The Arizona senator's close adviser Mark Salter is among the best writers in American politics. But McCain's delivery is often rigid and old-fashioned -- sprinkled with "my friends" in the manner of Richard Nixon or Gerald Ford. And his use of the teleprompter is more awkward and obvious than Obama's.

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Interesting post on a blog of the Chicago Tribune. 

I guess it's not that big a deal in reality -- I mean, it's no tanking economy or war in Iraq -- but it is sort of a testament to the kinds of people working in the Bush White House.  And it goes to what I've discussed before about one of the awful legacies Bush will leave: Decades of politically well-connected Republicans in Washington who are ethically challenged and as rabid as they come.

# # # #

A must-read from Chris Cillizza at the Washington Post.

I feel pretty strongly that this ad from Senator Clinton is a tactical error.  Scaring people may or may not work, and it is certainly unethical.  She ought to know better, but she clearly doesn't. 

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And then you run across idiots like this, who love to hate the Clintons, and I say no justice would be sweeter than having them pull out their hair for another four to eight years (not really).  What is wrong with people like this?  I mean, aside from the chemical imbalances?

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Be sure to catch Progressive Florida's post at the Florida Progressive Coaltion on the House Map.

-- More soon --

Political Newsclippings, Issue 24, Vol. II: Experts and more

From Jeremy Wallace and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune: "It's over for Clinton, expert says."  The expert is Dr. Larry Sabato, the Director of the Center for Politics at UVA.  And it's hard to argue with his logic:

It is "nearly impossible" for Sen. Hillary Clinton to win the Democratic Party's nomination for president, one of the nation's best-known political scientists told an audience here Wednesday.

[snip]

Overall, Obama has 159 more pledged delegates than Clinton and leads the overall popular vote by 925,000 over Clinton, not counting Florida and Michigan, where candidates were banned from campaigning. Catching Obama in delegates would require Clinton to win more than 60 percent of the vote in all the states with primaries remaining, Sabato said.

Even when she was the clear favorite, Sabato said, he was convinced that Clinton would not win the nomination because of "Clinton fatigue."

Dr. Sabato is a highly regarded political scientist, maybe one of the best.  And I feel that the end of this extraordinary primary is quite near.  Keep watch on Tuesday.

# # # #

And in the midst of such a remarkable presidential campaign, we're reminded, via Wired, why we need so much change to begin with.  I warn you -- these new photos out of Abu Ghraib are quite difficult to look at, and certainly NSFW.

This should not be the face of America.

# # # #

Michael Bloomberg is not running for president, he says the New York Times.  I'm a little sad about this -- and not just because it's going to cause me to lose a bet pretty badly.

In the weeks and months ahead, I will continue to work to steer the national conversation away from partisanship and toward unity; away from ideology and toward common sense; away from sound bites and toward substance. And while I have always said I am not running for president, the race is too important to sit on the sidelines, and so I have changed my mind in one area. If a candidate takes an independent, nonpartisan approach — and embraces practical solutions that challenge party orthodoxy — I’ll join others in helping that candidate win the White House.

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John Brummett at the Arkansas Times has a seemingly cautionary tale for Barack Obama: Obama Shrugged.  Obama as a clueless Michael Dukakis?  As a careless, aloof John Kerry?  I don't think so.  But just in case, someone make sure somebody at the Obama campaign has a subscription to the Times.

# # # #

Hooray for the Veepstakes!  I know, I know -- we haven't event finished the Democratic primary yet.  Still, it's never too early to early to let the games begin, as the American Prospect has discovered.

Also in potential VP news, Robert Novak complains about Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty in the Washington Post.  He would not make a suitable VP because he, you know, worked with Democrats.

Actually, Pawlenty would make a terrible VP because he consistently ranks as one of the most conservative governors in the nation, a fact surely not overlooked by the McCain campaign.

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The Tampa Tribune gives us fair warning for the impending Florida/Georgia water war.  It'll be ugly.

Negotiations among Florida, Georgia and Alabama about water use have reportedly broken down because Georgia refuses to adequately restrict its draw from the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee and Flint rivers. Its diversions, primarily to supply Atlanta's drinking water, are damaging industries and ecosystems downstream.

[snip]

In any event, it appears Georgia is unwilling to change its water consumption or allow neighboring states an adequate flow. Georgia's water-conservation record is miserable. Despite the drought, it didn't even restrict lawn irrigation last summer.

Real ugly.

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Always nice to see a connection from my current state of residence to the old home state!  Thanks, former State Senator Mike Haridopolos, for enrolling at the University of Arkansas eight years ago!  And not even finishing!

Would you want to learn something from this man?

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If you've got some time, go monkey around with Slate's "Delegate Counter."

-- More soon --

Political Newsclippings, Issue 23, Vol. II: RIP William F. Buckley, Jr., Milbank from Mother-in-Law and More

William F. Buckley, Jr. died today.  He was 82.  I remember the Emmy Award-winning Firing Line.  I still find myself at the National Review every now that then, even though it's guaranteed to infuriate me.  No, in fact I'm quite sure I would have had very little in common politically with Mr. Buckley. 

Nonetheless, he was an intellectual in a party, and indeed a nation, that seems to have shunned intellectualism lately.  Dialogue takes two side, and his contribution to the national dialogue will be missed.

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From my politically astute mother-in-law, a great article from Dana Milbank at the Washington Post.  I can only ask: what is Harold Ickes thinking?

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And in more Clinton (ill)advisor news, from slinkerwink at DailyKos: How Mark Penn Drove the Clinton Buss Into the Ditch. 

Also at DailyKos is Kos himself on Texas.  Read the blog post from reporter Elise Hu.  I'm fairly certain that she's talking about my friend and old campaign combat buddy Adrienne Elrod, who is running a press desk for Senator Clinton.  I sure do hope she's okay.  I know Adrienne to be a quality top-notch press officer, and they're days away from probably the biggest primary fight of the campaign.  Elise may not give her a break, but I will.  Fight the good fight, Adrienne.  Good luck -- and get your resume ready.

# # # #

Big political news in Florida -- Democrat Tony Sasso won the House Seat previously held by Bob "Twenty Dollars" Allen in a special election.

This is great news, and a good sign for Democrats across Florida.  We're all happy for Mr. Sasso, but it's nowhere near Miller Time.  In fact, now more than ever we need to recruit great progressive candidates to run in Florida.

Why not start with one I've mentioned before?  David Shapiro would make an excellent House Member from District 70.  Please visit the site and urge him to run. 

# # # #

Seriously, I think this ought to be a bigger story than it's being played for: Some Missing Cheney Office E-Mails Found.  Yeah.  I bet they were.

You know, it's not hard to find those emails, Mr. Vice President.  Just check the "sent" folder in your Outlook.

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Great article in the New York Observer on just how sad Leon Panetta -- a fellow I respect a lot -- is over the whole Clinton mess.  It's a must-read.

-- More soon --          

Political Newsclippings, Issue 22, Vol. II: The Clinton/Obama Back and Forth and More

A couple of good items from the St. Petersburg Times must-read daily The Buzz.  One covers some good news for us Pinellas County Democrats, the other is on the non-story story about riffs between Obama Democrats and Clinton Democrats.  Color me skeptical on the Obama/Clinton thing. 

Now, it's true that there are some folks out there who have found Clinton's tactics, well, distasteful, and still others who find Obama to be only a vessel of hollow rhetoric.  I am neither of those people.  I think Clinton has run her campaign all wrong.  I think there is value in talking about hope and the future -- but you had also better make sure the talking heads and MSM has detailed papers on your plans.   

In the end most folks will get behind the eventual nominee.  Big picture, here, people.

# # # #

Kevin at Ghost in the Machine is one of those ardent Obama supporters who thinks Clinton has gone over the top and not in the good way (and note: I don't totally disagree with him).  That's cool -- I have a lot of respect for Kevin.  What caught my eye on his excellent blog (posted yesterday) was the roundup piece on Ralph Nader. 

Really.  What is Ralph Nader doing?  No, I mean it?  What does he think he's doing?  Can even he deny it's anything more than an ego trip at this point?

# # # #

Jonathan Alter has some tough love for Hillary Clinton at Newsweek.

If Hillary Clinton wanted a graceful exit, she'd drop out now—before the March 4 Texas and Ohio primaries—and endorse Barack Obama. This would be terrible for people like me who have been dreaming of a brokered convention for decades. For selfish reasons, I want the story to stay compelling for as long as possible, which means I'm hoping for a battle into June for every last delegate and a bloody floor fight in late August in Denver. But to withdraw this week would be the best thing imaginable for Hillary's political career. She won't, of course, and for reasons that help explain why she's in so much trouble in the first place.

This is pretty hard stuff to read if your a Hillary Clinton fan.  It's hard for me to read, and I voted for Obama.  But politics is about hard truth, and this is hard.  And it's the truth.

# # # #

In some contrast to Mr. Alter's piece, Leonard Pitts writes at the Miami Herald about Obama's eloquence.

We do not live -- yet -- in a dictatorship. Americans do not move because they are told to move; they move because they are inspired to. It is no accident that history's most successful presidents are the ones who were able to frame, with concision and grace, America's challenges and hopes, the ones who had greatest command over what Theodore Roosevelt famously called ``the bully pulpit.''

Think Ronald Reagan saying government is not the solution to the problem; government is the problem. Think Franklin Roosevelt declaring that the only thing we had to fear was fear itself. Think Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg vowing a new birth of freedom.

Now, try to remember anything Millard Fillmore ever uttered. A hundred years from now, will anyone still be saying, ``I'm the decider?''

# # # #

I read the first part of Robert Novak's column in the Washington Post, and I darn near felt sorry for him.  Or recognized him as having human emotions, I guess.  Is that... sympathy I detect, Mr. Novak?  Surely not.  Not for a Clinton.  Not for a Democrat.

Don't worry.  It's not sympathy. 

# # # #

You'll want to catch Hans Meyer and his radio show Situation Awareness.  Check out his interview with Florida Progressive Coalition's Kenneth Quinnell.   

-- More soon --

Obama the Nominee: Premature, or Spot-on?

A fantastic post from DHinMI over at DailyKos today:  Obama is the Nominee: Will Clinton Scortch the Earth or be a Leader? 

It's done.  Because of her severely flawed campaign strategy of inevitability and experience, in an election when people are hungry instead for change, Hillary Clinton needed to dispatch Barack Obama no later than Super Tuesday.  She didn't.

Hm.  I actually don't know how I feel about this.  And I'm an Obama supporter.  Is this analysis correct?  Or have I just -- gasp -- fallen in love with this campaign?

If he wins in November, Barack Obama will probably never be considered as great a president as Franklin Roosevelt.  For everyone's sake, let's hope he and the country don't face the challenges FDR and the country faced in 1933.  But Hillary Clinton has a chance to be as great a Senator as Lyndon Johnson or Robert Wagner.  Let's hope she ignores Mark Penn, runs a dignified and positive campaign for the next twelve days, and then becomes Barack Obama's greatest ally.

Yes, let's hope that, DHinMI. ts

Game Changers and Whispers of Monica

There are big moments in campaigns and politics. 

And then there are seismic blasts that rock the world.  This whole McCain lobbyist thing will be one of those blasts.  From the New York Times:

Early in Senator John McCain’s first run for the White House eight years ago, waves of anxiety swept through his small circle of advisers.

A female lobbyist had been turning up with him at fund-raisers, visiting his offices and accompanying him on a client’s corporate jet. Convinced the relationship had become romantic, some of his top advisers intervened to protect the candidate from himself — instructing staff members to block the woman’s access, privately warning her away and repeatedly confronting him, several people involved in the campaign said on the condition of anonymity.

Vicki Iseman.  They'll remember that name in GOP circles for a good long while. 

Take it from a guy who was working for the First Lady when the whole Monica Lewinsky thing hit the front page of the Times: the GOP operatives around McCain are hurting right now. 

Questions in my mind right now:

1.  Given the source -- the Times -- is this, in fact, some sort of retribution for the persecution of Bill Clinton during the Lewinsky affair? 

2.  Why the odd timing? 

3.  MSNBC played this like it was World War III.  I couldn't find it on CNN.  Is the MSM trying to figure out how to play this, how to measure it out?  If so, where does it end up?

If Obama was smart, he'd treat this whole thing like the most radioactive substance on the planet.  Play dumb, pretend like you don't know what anyone is talking about.  "Vicki who?"  Leave it alone.

If McCain were smart, he'd come clean, lay it all on the table and move on.  And if he were really smart -- and I think he is -- he'd figure out a way to paint it so that it appeared as the the crazy liberals at the Times were out to get him.

Whether either of those things happens is up to them and their campaigns.

Two things I can just about guarantee you: there is more to this story than you read in the Times, and you will know it all in the next several days and weeks. ts 

Political Newsclippings, Issue 21, Vol. II: Who Brought the Message, Grumpy Old Men, Bad Cop - Bad Cop and More

Eugene Robinson at the Washington Post has a nice take on McCain's message conundrum.

The war is only one issue on which McCain, as the all-but-certain Republican nominee, is out of step with voters. Health care is another: While Clinton and Obama have offered far-reaching proposals to make health insurance available to millions of uninsured Americans, Republicans aren't offering so much as a bandage.

Or take the economy, which at present is the biggest issue in the campaign (and which McCain famously said he doesn't really understand that well). The Democrats have tapped into the widespread discomfort and insecurity that polls indicate many Americans feel, while McCain and the Republicans can only talk about more tax cuts and the eternal glory of free and unfettered markets.

Message: We don't care.

No.  No, they don't.

# # # #

Speaking of the Washington Post and not caring, the St. Petersburg Times cross-posts a particularly surly Charles Krauthammer.

Democrats are worried that the Obama spell will break between the time of his nomination and the time of the election, and deny them the White House. My guess is that he can maintain the spell just past Inauguration Day. After which will come the awakening. It will be rude.

You're rude, Charles.  You're rude.

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Are we going to have to start re-training our police officers?  This, in Louisiana, is inexcusable.

Given our own problems right here in the Bay Area with this sort of thing, it's a cause for concern nationally, I'd say.

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Carl Hiaasen has a great piece in the Miami Herald on this whole "evolution" thing in Florida (which passed today, by the way... at least that's the "theory").

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Great photo essay in USA Today on Fidel Castro.  Well worth a look.

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This hardly counts as a "newsclipping," but I wanted to make you aware of one of my Bay Area neighbors.  I'll ask you to keep him in your thoughts.

This is brought to us by Tampa Bay Blue: turns out that State Representative Michael Scionti (D-58), who is over in Afghanistan right now.  He's coming home at the end of the month, which is great news. 

He'll be going to the Legislative Session pretty soon, I guess.  Wish him well, there, too.

-- More soon --

Political Newsclippings, Issue 20, Vol. II: Fair & Balanced, Me Like This Article, American Travesty #1, American Travesty #2, Maybe I'll Just Have a Salad and More

You know, I am fairly sure that the U.S. Department of Justice is supposed to do is "to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans."  Yes.  Yes, I seem to recall that is definitely one of their things, the whole fair and impartial thing. 

So why, do you think, are they busting their butts to fight the much needed reformation fo the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines?

# # # #

Susan Jacoby has a great piece in the Washington Post about the dumbing of America.  The epidemic anti-intellectualism in the country is a subject with which I've long been fascinated.  It is something that has troubled me for a long time, and I think it's all tied up with our crumbling national education system.  Not incidentally, it is emobdied in our current Commander-in-Chief, a guy who proudly cheered on "C" students at a college graduation.

Look, I'm no Einstein, I was one of those "C" students, but I still like to read and I like to learn things.  I like going to museums and I like finding out more about the world around me.  What's wrong with the rest of America?

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The Tallhassee Democrat has a shocking story on homeless children.  This is a must-read.

Earlier this month, the district released an annual Residence Survey in hopes of identifying unknown homeless students.

[snip]

Statewide, 30,883 public school students are reportedly homeless — nearly a quarter of the state's total homeless population.

[snip]

In the 2007 Homeless Survey Report by the coalition, the lead local agency coordinating resources for agencies serving the homeless, 218 families were determined to be homeless. That number was 150 in 2005.

[snip]

According to the National Center for Homeless Education, children who have changed schools three or more times since first grade are much more likely to have repeated a grade or to have low reading scores by the third grade.

Homeless children.  It's criminal, nothing less than criminal.  And you can bet with Florida's budget crisis, this situation gets worse, not better.

# # # #

On a similar note, Paul Krugman in the New York Times has a good article on just what poverty does to children.

In 2006, 17.4 percent of children in America lived below the poverty line, substantially more than in 1969. And even this measure probably understates the true depth of many children’s misery.

Living in or near poverty has always been a form of exile, of being cut off from the larger society. But the distance between the poor and the rest of us is much greater than it was 40 years ago, because most American incomes have risen in real terms while the official poverty line has not. To be poor in America today, even more than in the past, is to be an outcast in your own country. And that, the neuroscientists tell us, is what poisons a child’s brain.

America’s failure to make progress in reducing poverty, especially among children, should provoke a lot of soul-searching. Unfortunately, what it often seems to provoke instead is great creativity in making excuses.

We really need to figure out what this country is about.

At least we had John Edwards around to put this issue on the table.

# # # #

I've seen people roll their eyes when I explain why I don't eat red meat or pork.  Or chicken, unless it has been raised humanely, free-range and is hormone-free. 

I hope they see this on the largest beef recall in American history. 

Cows not healthy enough to walk?  Just plain unbelievable.

# # # #

Phil Gailey at the St. Petersburg Times has a real knack for summing things up.  Here, he lays out why Senator Clinton went from "inevitable" to, well, not so inevitable.

The Hillary Clinton we have seen in this campaign was created and packaged by her pollsters and strategists. She was cautious to a fault. When it came to addressing controversial issues, she was programmed to obfuscate, dodge and weave. The Clinton way was triangulation. It was hard to listen to her in a debate and not wonder what she really believes. At times she seemed to be trying to conceal the real Hillary Clinton from voters.

Meanwhile, let's hold off on writing Clinton's political obituary. This contest is not over, and I can't wait to see the next twist in the narrative of this extraordinary presidential campaign.

Wise words, Mr. Gailey.  Let's not write off the Senator from New York just yet.

-- More soon --

The Sylvia Endorsement

Well, I think the Senator from Illinois can rest easy now, as his road to the nomination is pretty well secured.

He has received the much-coveted endorsement of my good friend, Miss Sylvia Cohen.

"He's the best guy," said Miss Cohen in a recent interview, "Go Barack!"

Watch out, gang.  There's sure be a lanside in November, thanks to the whole Cohen gang.

Political Newsclippings, Issue 19, Vol. II: Foreclosures Hither and Yon, Back Home, What are we Doing?

Florida is not the only Foreclosures Capitol in America.  Apparently life is not very good in Boston, either.

More than 700 properties in Boston fell into foreclosure last year, mostly products of a subprime mortgage market that lured financially unstable buyers with low introductory rates. Unfortunately, the time has passed for debating whether venal mortgage brokers or gullible buyers are to blame. City officials expect about 2,000 homeowners to face sharp increases in the cost of their subprime mortgages between now and the end of next year.

# # # #

Some good stuff from my old hometown paper, the Arkansas Times.  First, John Brummett wonders about Senator Clinton's future. 

Might Hillary stand down instead for the good of the party? That's a good one.

First, she's still the better bet to end up with more delegates. Working-class whites and Latinos favor her as solidly as blacks and upscale whites favor him, and working-class whites ought to deliver Ohio and Pennsylvania to her while Latinos ought to deliver Texas.

Second, deferring to interests other than their own has never been a particular concern of the Clintons.

I remember the morning in 1988 after Bill Clinton gave that ponderous and ridiculed speech for Michael Dukakis at the Democratic convention. Hillary was already spinning. If the charge was that Bill made a boring speech, she said, then that was a charge that could be made tenfold against Dukakis. That is to say she threw the party's presidential nominee under the bus.

In the meantime, Max Brantley asks who might be able to beat McCain.

I don't think much of electability as a voting guide. See John Kerry. The best measures of electability are opinion polls. But the polling is done before the Swift Boating begins. Someone who seems very electable during the nominating process can look very different once general election mud starts flying.

Mostly, though, if you find yourself in central Arkansas, you just ignore what they say -- don't you dare go to Dixie Cafe for home cookin'.  You make your way to Homer's right away.  Tell 'em I sent you, and say hi to my dad if you see him.

# # # #

In light of the tragedy at NIU, the Chicago Tribune begs the question, what's going on in America?

It's a worthy question.  I doubt you'll find the answer on a blog.  Wherever the answer is, whatever the answer is, I hope we find it soon.

# # # #

Some would tell you that after the NIU shooting, now is not the time to talk about stricter gun control measures, or easier ways for law enforcement to track weapons. 

I think now is the perfect time to talk about it.

# # # #

E.J. Dionne explains something I've been thinking about a lot lately: how Hillary Clinton lost the edge of inevitability.

The major flaw in the early story line is that there never was a Clinton machine in the sense of a well-populated organization skilled at turning out votes. Clinton campaigns have always been top-down operations focused on message and media. The Clintons have never lived in a world of precinct captains.

Obama, by contrast, was shaped by his early work as an organizer for the Industrial Areas Foundation and his political life in Chicago, a place where people still talk about ward committeemen and harbor memories of something that was called "The Organization."

While the Clintonites dispensed large amounts of cash on polling, media and the other accoutrements of a modern campaign, Obama combined postmodern online savvy with old-fashioned organizing.

# # # #

Eugene Robinson seems like such a nice guy.  It's kind of funny to read him when he seems like he might be a little angry.

# # # #

Every American should read about Lt. Whiteside's and her terribly sad story.  This is how we treat soldiers now.

It is a national travesty, a horrific shame, and something that we should all be rightfully embarrassed about.

-- More soon --

Happy Valentine's Day

Draft David Shapiro

I came across a really great site today: Draft David Shapiro.  David ran a great campaign in District 70, just south of Keith in District 69.  This is a winnable District for Democrats.  From the site:

In 2006, Florida State House District 70 was narrowly taken by Republican Doug Holder (51% to 49%).

The numbers really bear it out: Doug Holder is quite vulnerable.  If we can get behind David, he can win.

David Shapiro is a great candidate who came very close to winning a tough race during a time of change. His positions were great for Sarasota, and great for Florida.

David is a great guy, would make the people of District 70 proud, and would be good for Florida.  I strongly encourage you to sign the petition and urge him to run!

cross-posted at the florida progressive coalition

Political Newsclippings, Issue 18, Vol. II: Inside Hillaryland, Outside Everywhere, Old School and More

A good lead from my friend Jason: check out The Atlantic piece on the Hillaryland shakeup.  Pretty inside baseball, it's true -- but worth a read.

# # # #

Raise your hand if you don't get out enough.  I'm raising mine.  And since I live in Florida, this should be a crime.  Do I have nature deficit disorder?  Well, add it to the list.

Attendance has been falling at America's National Parks since 1987.

Sometimes it might not be such a bad idea to set politics aside for a minute and get outside awhile.  Unless, of course, you live here.  Then by all means stay inside.

# # # #

Wonkette has live-blogged the Bill Clinton event from my beloved alma mater, George Mason University.

Fantastic stuff.  I used to study in that place all the time.  And by "study" I mean east junk food from the food court and daydream.

# # # #

Eugene Robinson at the Washington Post does it again: The Dr. Evil Dilemma.

# # # #

Who says the economy is doing fine (nobody I know).  And certainly not GM.

General Motors reported a $722 million fourth-quarter loss on Tuesday and offered more buyouts to all 74,000 of its unionized employees in another bid to keep its turnaround from stalling.

The loss translated into $1.28 a share, compared with a profit of $950 million, or $1.68 a share, in the period a year earlier. The swing was attributed to a drastically slowing vehicle market and big losses at its finance arm, the General Motors Acceptance Corporation.

-- More soon --

Political Newsclippings, Issue 17, Vol. II: Michelle My Belle, Legacy Leavings, Legacy Leavings Part Dos, Working Together and More

Great article today from the Wall Street Journal on Michelle Obama.

With the Democratic presidential race wide open, Mrs. Obama, a 44-year-old Princeton- and Harvard Law-educated hospital executive, is assuming the same dominant role in Sen. Obama's public life that she has in his private life. At home, she expects a lot of every family member, from having her 6- and 9-year-old daughters set their own alarm clocks to insisting her husband pick up his dirty socks. Her most recent directive to him: Stop smoking.

On the campaign trail, she has emerged as an influential adviser whom aides watch as a barometer for how both they and the candidate are doing. They watch for "the look" between her and Mr. Obama, on stage or in private moments, as an indication of his mood.

I'm usually the guy who says "let's focus on the candidates," but the role of First Lady (First Spouse, I should say, in this day and age), matters.  Michelle Obama only seems to make the case for Barack even stronger.

# # # #

A fantastic piece in the New York Times on the crap's ass nominees that W still apparently feels the need to try to slide by: Unworthy Nominees. 

To hear Mr. Bush tell it, he has been the nation’s meritocrat in chief. The man who brought us Alberto Gonzales to head the Justice Department and Michael Brown to run the Federal Emergency Management Agency said at the Thursday gathering that he had “nominated skilled and faithful public servants to lead federal agencies and sit on the federal bench.”

One of the most prominent people Mr. Bush is stomping his foot over is Steven Bradbury, his choice to head the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel. Mr. Bradbury is best known for signing legal opinions that cleared the way for harsh interrogation techniques, and perhaps torture. He has also defended the administration’s lawless domestic surveillance programs.

I truly believe that one of the many, many horrible legacies that Bush will leave is the slimy trail of sub-par, hyper-partisan appointees oozing around Washington for decades to come.  What a shame

# # # #

The Chicago Tribune has a piece on their hometown girl, Patti Solis Doyle, who had a very bad week.  Patti was the Clinton campaign manager who got the boot for Maggie Williams.

Maggie was HRC's chief of staff in the White House, and went on to work as former President Clinton's chief of staff in his Harlem offices.  I was in New York City in early 2002 and went to see Maggie to ask for their help in electing Jan Schneider to Congress in the 13th Congressional District.  You'll remember the 13th Congressional District -- the very one represented by Katherine Harris.  I was Jan's campaign manager and I figured since she and the Clinton's were law school chums that the Clintons would be more than glad to help her out, bring some attention to a race of national significance.  I told Maggie the whole story -- the story of Katherine Harris' improbable and unfair rise to power, the story of how Jan was the best qualified candidate to not just run against Harris, but to represent the people of District 13.  The people, as usual, were too often forgotten when talking about that whole mess. 

Maggie said one sentence to me: "Honey, you're doing the Lord's work."  She walked off.

The Republican registration in the district was pretty high at the time, and I guess the Clinton's couldn't spare the political risk.  Even for a friend. 

And that's the story of Maggie Williams and campaign "targeting."  Who knows if she's lost any measure of ruthlessness in the last six years.   

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I think if Alex Sink and Marco Rubio are working together on an issue as big as this, it bodes well for bipartisan discourse in the upcoming legislative session.  Will it last?

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Don't Blame Subprimes -- wait a minute.  Do I actually agree with a guy who builds luxury homes?     

I am sick of everyone blaming the breakdown in the credit and housing markets on subprime loans. Subprime loans were certainly part of the problem, but they are a symptom of a deeper issue. What's happening in the market today is not the bursting of a five-year bubble but the bursting of a 40-year bubble and the failure of the mortgage loan system to meet the needs of the marketplace.

[snip]

Forty years ago, the median national price of a house was about twice the median household income. In some parts of the country, this ratio was closer to 1 to 1. Twenty years ago, the median home price was about three times income. In the past 10 years, it jumped to four times income.

[snip]

The solution is not to be found in a short-term stimulus nor in waiting things out. What is needed is a new standard mortgage product, something as revolutionary today as the 30-year fixed-rate loan was when it was introduced.

God.  Who am I?

-- More soon --

R.I.P.: Congressman Tom Lantos

Congressman Tom Lantos, a Democrat serving the 12th District of California has died.  He was battling cancer of the esophagus.  The only survivor of the Holocaust to serve in Congress was 80 years old.

This is a great loss to California, to the U.S. Congress and to America.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Congressman Lantos.  ts