The Democratic Agenda

Posted: Friday, February 02, 2007 8:52 AM by Huma Zaidi
Filed Under: Congress, Democrats

The Senate voted 94-3 yesterday "to boost the federal minimum wage by $2.10 to $7.25 an hour over two years, but packaged the increase with small business tax cuts and limits on corporate pay that could complicate its path to become law." A hike "would be one of the first major legislative successes of the new Democratic-controlled Congress." Still: "The measure presents a challenge to Democrats who must navigate between the demands of labor and other interest groups and the realities of the Senate, where Republicans hold 49 of 100 votes."

The San Francisco Chronicle suggests the news that San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom had an affair with his campaign manager’s wife could possibly damage Speaker Nancy Pelosi because it’s an indictment of “San Francisco values.” “‘The only person who gets hurt more than Gavin Newsom is… Pelosi,’ says Dan Schnur, a GOP strategist… As Fox News and other national cable outlets seized on the scandal Thursday, Schnur said the story will resonate among conservative talk outlets precisely because Pelosi ‘spent the last 30 days surrounding herself with every child on the Eastern seaboard to put to rest the discussion of “San Francisco values.”

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Comments

Let me get this straight....Pelosi is responsible for the San Fran mayor's tryst?? Dirty politics are alive and well. What a bunch of lowlifes, Repubs must really feel they are in trouble, what a weak and cowardly attempt at slander....

The Edge, Macon GA (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 9:42 AM)

If Newsom's having an affair with his campaign manager's wife is an example of "San Francisco Values", at least that is not as bad as senators playing around with young boys or supporting churchmen who hire male prostitutes. Actually Newsom's affair is the same as Henry Hydes; it is not really an affair but a youthful indescretion. It seems that the Republicans have a double set of standards.

Charles, Evanston IL (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 9:58 AM)

I really get a kick from hearing people talk of their high morals, family values and even give the impression that their city/state/region has the high road for morals. I challenge these people to show me one community small/large that doesn't have crime,drugs,sex,gay people,cheating on spouse or what ever else these people look down on.

Seattle Sue (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 10:44 AM)

I don't understand why there is such a debate about "values." No one lifter a finger to stop Bush when he invaded Iraq, set up "warrentless" wiretapping and delved into people's personal lives, but people went ballistic when Janet Jackson showed a breast. Our values are twisted at best. To blame someone else for an affair they had nothing to do with is witchhunting at its best. Throw the moneychangers and those who would bear false witness out of the temple and lets begin to care about the things that really matter.

catwoman, Chico, CA (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 10:46 AM)

"Fox News reports that Nancy Pelosi has horns in her coiffure and "666" tatooed on the inside of her right thigh." - Independent Party News Service

Robert Catalano, Salem, OR (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 10:49 AM)

Yeah, and how about if the Evangelical church that bloc voted for Bush in '04 started having to pay taxes for meddling in politics? Their vote is equal to the Hispanic vote, and in this case turned the election.

JIrby, Colorado Springs, Co (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 11:00 AM)

Robert Catalno--I think you are joking, but on the other hand I could believe something like this coming out of Fox News.

Seattle Sue (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 11:19 AM)

And so it begins... You would think there would be more interesting and important things going on in the world of politics than the Mayor of San Fran's affair and its impact on Pelosi. It's not like he had the affair with Pelosi herself.

Carrie, NW Iowa (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 11:24 AM)

I want to check out that right thigh

Im not a gynacologist but i'll take a look (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 11:39 AM)

"Newt Gingrich has announced that he is shocked by the report of Mayor Newsom, cheating on his wife." -Independent Party News Service

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 11:41 AM)

Here is a moral values story.The Senate chaplain cancelled an appearance next month at an evangelical conference after he was pictured next to Ann Coulter in a brochure for the event. According to a spokeswoman, Meg Saunders,the chaplain, Barry Black has decided not to attend the event, titled "Reclaiming America for Christ Conference", because his appearance would not uphold the Senate chaplain's "historic tradition of being nonpolitical,nonpartisan,nonsectarian."

Desmond (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 11:43 AM)

Was Hillary responsible for Bill's affairs? Is Lynne Cheney responsible for Dumbo Dick? Heck, SF has been a town of oddities, etc for years, so no big news of more immorality from the Bay area. Tagging Nancy for the mayor's stuff..long stretch folks!!

Me Oh My; USA (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 12:17 PM)

Carrie,NW Iowa--There you go again. You are using too much common sense. The right wing spin is that San Francisco is an evil city filled with evil gay people, whom are all liberal Democrats. Now anyone that wants to write me and proved to me that your community does not have the same problems of San Francisco, such as crime, drugs, affairs of a person with some one other than their spouse. And since about 10% of population is gay, I would say you have gay people in your community.

Seattle Sue (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 12:23 PM)

So...what I am gathering is that Pelosi is getting heat because a politician from San Fran had an affair. Does that mean that the politicians in Texas should be blamed for all of the things Bush has done wrong?

MM (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 12:38 PM)

I am totally amazed at American values. We have a President and Vice President who lied to congress and the American public so they could invade and occupy a soverign country for personal and financial gain and committed genocide worse than most dictators and have gone unpunished. While we condem politicians for personal sexual conduct for life, we allow corporate and political monsters to rape us blind.

Ray, Grass Valley, CA (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 12:40 PM)

Roberto that does not surprise me she is an evil woman

spunky munky (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 1:28 PM)

Please! Tell me this is a joke ..Pelos's values questioned because of what?!?! gosh, don't let this news spread, I could end up being responsible for my neighbor's 'questionable' proclivities...yikes! this is taking 'my brother's keeper' a little too far, donchathink!

STIX-ILLINOIS (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 1:49 PM)

Ray, Grass Valley, CA - couldn't have said it better myself

Dawn, somewhere in Kansas (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 1:54 PM)

Don't you know you only have to say you are a Christian, be against abortion, and abhor gay people to make it so! You don't have to walk the walk as long as you talk the talk.

Iowa Mom, western Iowa (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 2:26 PM)

You can end that right wing crap about San Francisco values by asking them, "Just exactly how many wives per candidate do the republican candidates for president have?" Shuts them up cold every time!

Rich Jones, Atlanta, GA (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 2:35 PM)

Yes MM, it's all Ann Richards' fault.

catwoman, Chico, CA (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 2:42 PM)

spunky, you'd believe anything Fox news told you.

Robert Catalano, Salem, OR (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 3:06 PM)

DESMOND, I think that's a great story about the chaplain. There is only one place I'd like to be next to Ann Colter and that's only if she had her mouth taped shut.

Robert Catalano, Salem, OR (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 3:12 PM)

Robert Catalono, it is a true story.I will have to do some research on why a chaplian does the opening "prayer", and who instituted that institution. Any help by fellow bloggers would be greatly appreciated.

Desmond (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 6:17 PM)

Roberto from Salem OR, it depends on what FOX tells me but yes they are fair and balanced I've never seen them try to influence an election like our old buddy "Dan I'd Rather not go there right now". Roberto, Roberto, Roberto, when will you learn all is fair game in politics both left and right will go after each other no matter how trivial. They went after the evil Nancy P and they go after our friend W. ALL the same. Yet another post graced with the presence that is Spunky! Remember "Bill made us Kill" I have spoken my poeples I have spoken.

Chunky the Spunky Munky (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 6:47 PM)

Robert and Desmond. The Chaplain probably thought he'd have to appear with a Witch.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 10:27 PM)

Pelosi didn't try to hide what the mayor of San Fransisco did, did she? She didn't put teens at risk of unwanted advances from a pedophile, did she? She didn't head a church and advise a president on "family values" and hook up with a prostitute, did she? I would ask why the GOP would stoop so low and why they just don't seem able to think logically, but I think there is no answer. The republican party is so hyprocritical and messed up. Maybe there was a mass dropping of babies on their heads and the result is the republican party.

Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 11:05 PM)

Deer spunk munkay u r rite - u n me weer smart n thay r stoopit fuls n FOX is gud news shoe becuz thay r smrt ;lik u n me r. Ihav spokin 2

tiN foil hatmaN (Sent Sunday, February 04, 2007 2:25 PM)

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