First thoughts: Welcome to Washington

Posted: Friday, January 09, 2009 9:22 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Carrie Dann
*** Welcome to Washington: It's still very early, but we’re starting to have some flashbacks to '93 and '94, when congressional Democrats (Bob Kerrey jumps to mind) were a bigger problem for then-President Clinton than Republicans were. The first example this week was Dianne Feinstein, who criticized Obama’s pick of Leon Panetta to head the CIA, although she has since warmed up to the idea after Obama apparently called her to apologize for not consulting with her first about the selection. On Wednesday, Michigan Rep. John Conyers urged his colleagues to oppose Sanjay Gupta for Surgeon General, even though Conyers -- as a member of the House -- wouldn't have a say in any Gupta’s confirmation. And now we’re seeing Senate Democrats questioning various parts of Obama’s stimulus plan (the $1,000 tax cut for families, the tax credit for businesses, and the overall scope of the plan). Who is Obama more annoyed at this week -- Republicans or members of his own party? The only real trouble Republicans appear to be giving Obama right now is over Eric Holder’s nomination for attorney general.

*** Selling -- and polling! -- the stimulus: Bloomberg News has this nugget: The Obama team is polling the stimulus to sell it. "David Axelrod, Obama’s chief political adviser, along with campaign media adviser Jim Margolis, are encouraging lawmakers to use the word ‘recovery’ instead of recession and ‘investment’ instead of ‘infrastructure.’ Those recommendations came from focus-group research indicating that such framing would make the package more appealing to voters.” Of course, it's no surprise that a president polls. Clinton may have done it too much, while Bush went absurdly out of his way to claim he wasn't doing it....

*** Cornyn’s challenge, part II: Last month, we noted that if Democrats didn’t pick up a filibuster-proof 60 Senate seats in 2008 -- and they’ll be just short at 59 if Burris and Franken are seated -- they’ll have a chance at 60 during the 2010 midterms, given what looks like a pretty favorable map for the party. Well, that map is looking better and better for Dems now that 1) Jeb Bush opted not to run for the Senate in Florida and 2) that Missouri GOP Sen. Kit Bond has decided not to run for re-election. With Bond out of the picture, the Missouri Senate race could end up being one of the cycle’s marquee contests, with possibly Rep. Roy Blunt or ex-Sen. Jim Talent running on the Republican side against maybe Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan (D). Given that Republicans seem to have more vulnerable incumbents or potential retirees (Bunning, Grassley, Vitter, Voinovich) than Democrats do for 2010 (Reid), a simple split of the Florida and Missouri Senate contests could put Democrats one step closer to 60 seats. Then again, we need to wait and see who ends up becoming the Democratic nominees in Illinois (Burris?) and New York (Caroline Kennedy?).

*** Driving the day: At 10:30 am ET at his transition office in DC, Obama will unveil his top intelligence picks -- Dennis Blair to be director of national intelligence and Leon Panetta to head the CIA. But the driving news of the day will be today’s jobs report. Per the AP, the US lost more than 500,000 in December and the unemployment rate increased to 7.2%, from 6.7% in November. That's the highest unemployment rate since early 1993...

*** Impeachment in Illinois: In Illinois today, the state’s House of Representatives is expected to vote to impeach embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich, after a legislative panel unanimously recommended the action yesterday. As the Chicago Tribune writes, a simple majority vote in the House today (60 out of 118 members) would send Blagojevich’s impeachment to the state Senate for trial, where it would take a two-thirds (40 of 59) vote to expel the governor from office.

*** Dean’s friends aren’t too happy: Advancing the Dean-got-snubbed story, Politico’s Martin has a new piece quoting several Dean loyalists, who were upset by Dean’s absence at yesterday’s Obama-Kaine event at the Democratic National Committee. Said the chairman’s brother, Jim Dean: “If he had been asked to go to that event, he would have been there.” Noted another Dean ally in the story: "The snub today was no accident. I guarantee you he would have rescheduled his trip if asked to attend. It’s easy to [screw] over people when you are riding high in the polls, let's see how many people are singing his praises in six months." Added another ally: “If we can forgive Joe Lieberman for actively campaigning against Obama, this seems crazy to me. And Hillary Clinton did ok and lots of her people are getting plum assignments.”

*** Caroline in trouble? We’re sorry, but every day that goes by when David Paterson DOESN’T announce he’s picking Caroline Kennedy to fill Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat can’t be a good sign for her, right? And it certainly doesn’t help when Paterson mentions that she doesn’t have legislative experience, as he did in an interview yesterday.

*** Solis’ big day: Obama’s pick to head the Labor Department, Hilda Solis, today has her confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee at 9:30 am ET. Here’s our breakdown of Solis:

Age: 51 (b. Oct. 20, 1957, Los Angeles; Home: El Monte, Calif.)
Key Prior Jobs: U.S. Rep., 2000-present; California state Senate, 1994-2000; California state House, 1992-94; Mgmt Analyst, Office of Mgmt & Budget, 1981; Editor, White House Officer of Hispanic Affairs, 1980-81
Education: B.A. Cal State Polytechnic; M.P.A., University of Southern California
Family: Married (Sam H. Sayyad, a small-business owner)
Potential Hold ups: (1) Staunchly Pro-Union: Solis, “the daughter of a Mexican union shop steward and a Nicaraguan assembly line worker,” as the AP notes, she's the only member of Congress of Central American descent. She’s seen as far left on labor issues, and there will likely be some tough questioning from more pro-business Republicans. She is so pro-union, in fact, she is the only member of Congress to sit on the board of American Rights at Work. Unions “expect her to press for legislation that would force businesses to recognize union representation once more than 50% of a company's eligible work force signs union cards, instead of waiting for secret-ballot elections.” Card check is an explosive issue in the making. It stirs outrage among conservatives and several television and radio spots on the issue were aired during the presidential election. The one balancing factor, however, could be that Obama named the more pro-business Ron Kirk as his U.S. trade representative. Note: Solis would replace Elaine Chao, the only original member of Bush’s cabinet still serving in it.

*** Enter Colin Powell: Also today, around noon ET, Colin Powell and the Presidential Inaugural Committee will hold a press conference in DC regarding Obama’s call for national service. But, according to NBC’s Andrea Mitchell, people close to Powell say that despite his presence today, he is not joining the administration. At the news conference, Powell will speak on the importance of voluntarism.

Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 11 days
Countdown to RNC winter meeting: 19 days
Countdown to VA Dem primary: 151 days
Countdown to NJ GOP primary: 144 days
Countdown to Election Day 2009: 298 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 662 days

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Comments

Interesting: is the left-wing netroots as we know it dead?

http://strategyforprogress.wordpress.com/2009/01/07/is-the-left-wing-netroots-as-we-know-it-dead/

Dan, New York, NY (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:35 AM)

First Read --> encouraging lawmakers to use the word ‘recovery’ instead of recession and ‘investment’ instead of ‘infrastructure.’

And, use the words 'pay your fair share' instead of 'screw you over', and 'trust your leadership' rather then 'all politicians are corrupt' and 'Rick Warren' instead of 'Jeremiah Wright', and 'bail out' instead of 'boondoggle' or 'union payoff'.

Wordsmith (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:35 AM)

I cant wait to see what the Obama team has up their sleeves on selling this stimulus package. I think the public is already behind this stimulus package, thats what Obama ran on during the election.
Happy to see Blago will be impeached, about time. And Im sick of hearing about Caroline she was just as qualified as Hillary when she became senator of New York.

Video: Palin Interview…Keeps Whining About Couric and Media
http://sensico.wordpress.com/2009/01/08/video-palin-interviewkeeps-whining-about-couric-and-media/

camie (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:37 AM)

Colin Powell screwed himself over really well. The Republicans used to like him, until he jumped ship. The Democrats though don't trust him, so they also hate him too. Buy a dog Colin, then at least there's a chance the dog might like you.

TBA (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:37 AM)

Paterson is spelt with one 't'.

No Big Deal (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:39 AM)

Paterson is just working the Kennedy's over to contribute a little more money to his 'special interests' before he appoints Caroline.

NYC Player (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:40 AM)

The best thing that could happen to our country is for the Democrats to pick up a couple more Senate seats in 2010 to ensure a fillibuster proof Senate. We can't allow the repugnant ones to screw up the progress our country needs.

Isn't it something how "Sinner" Sarah just keeps opening her ignorant mouth and spewing more filthy lies? The classless witch now accuses the media of pampering Caroline Kennedy, no doubt she didn't read the news stories about Caroline's "You Know" moment. She just doesn't understand that she would never have made it as a Democrat because her ideas are stupid and out of touch with reality. She doesn't understand the difference between her running for VP and Caroline being selected to replace Hillary.
She doesn't understand that she's an idiot and her national political misfortunes are her fault because she dared to open her ignorant mouth. Hopefully she will be the future of the repugnant one's party as that will ensure that decrepit party is thrown into the trashbin of history. She still hasn't bothered to explain how her arrested in-law got her arrest delayed during "Sinner" Sarah's VP run. Just more abuse of power.

Impeach Palin!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:40 AM)

Howard Fineman of Newsweek and an MSNBC analyst is spot-on. There is too much time until the inauguration. Too much time and air space for media pundits to fill. Polls are out there determining how Congress will vote. Huffington Post is headlining, "The Honeymoon is Over". For gods sake, Obama has not taken office yet.

Maybe there should be a shorter time from the election day until Inauguration. Maybe times have changed enough that the President does need his "Blackberry" Or maybe we just can't wait until Bush 43 gets out of the way.

Ron Indiana (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:42 AM)

'...She’s seen as far left on labor issues, and there will likely be some tough questioning from more pro-business Republicans...'

Does that make pro-business Republicans 'far right'?
Does 'pro business' really translate to 'anti union' ?
Does 'pro business' translate into 'anti worker'?

Sounds elitest to me

MSierra, SF (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:43 AM)

Hopefully Solis will breeze through her confirmation.

What a great job the buffoon decider did in keeping Americans employed. Now only 3 million jobs, and dropping fast, have been created the past 8 years totally repudiating the idiotic idea that tax cuts for the rich and greedy create jobs. Time to drop that idiotic outsourcing jobs tax credit and make one that gives employers a tax break for creating jobs here in the good old USA.

Impeach Palin!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:44 AM)

"Dean’s friends aren’t too happy"-
___________________
I don't blame them. I wouldn't be too happy either. It just doesn't seem right that Dean was not invited.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:45 AM)

The stimulus probably won’t move as fast as the Obama team would want. Even more roadblocks are evident with Kent Conrad voicing what is sure to be popular Dem oppo to the tax cuts in the plan. It’ll be a true test for Obama’s first major legislative effort.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

matt (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:46 AM)

It all happened on George Bush's watch
*Just like 9/11)

From WashingyonMonthly.com:

'...BLEAK EMPLOYMENT PICTURE.... The news isn't unexpected, but that's cold comfort given the results.

With a recession in full swing, the nation's employers shed 524,000 jobs in December, the government reported Friday, and a rapidly deteriorating economy promised more significant losses in the months ahead. December's job losses brought the total for 2008 to 2.4 million.

The unemployment rate jumped to 7.2 percent in December from 6.8 percent in November and 5 percent last April, when the recession was four months old and just beginning to bite. More than 10 million Americans are now unemployed, and their growing ranks seem likely to put pressure on President-elect Barack Obama and Congress to act quickly on a stimulus package that mixes tax cuts and public spending.

"Even with a stimulus package, the unemployment rate is going to keep rising and by December it is likely to be over 9 percent," said David A. Levy, chairman of the Jerome Levy Forecasting Center. In a speech on the economy, Mr. Obama said Thursday that the unemployment rate "could reach double digits."

The accelerating job loss -- more than one million jobs have disappeared in just two months -- suggests that the recession will last at least into early summer, making it the longest since the 1930s. The severe recessions of the mid-1970s and early 1980s each lasted 16 months, the current record...'

Hey thanks George !!
So much for 'trickle down' economics
So much for 'de-regulation'
So much for 'Supply Side' economics
So much for conservatism

MSierra, SF (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:48 AM)

A trio of just-released Senate polls finds competitive '10 races in California, New York and New Hampshire. Perhaps most interesting is the match-up between Senator Barbara Boxer and Arnold Schwarzenegger: http://campaigndiaries.com/2009/01/09/three-senate-polls

Dan, NY (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:49 AM)

I agree with Obama that we need a stimulus plan to give this economy a shot in the arm. A big one. But I think he needs to confer a bit more with economic experts and some congressional members (both Dem and Republican). I too am concerned that the $500/$1000 tax cuts via the payroll system will not encourage spending. It is too small and will be used by consumers for gas, groceries or to pay a little more on a current credit card balance. It is too meager for consumers to use to go out and boost the economy by purchasing medium and big size tickett items.

The small business tax credit may not work as well. The purpose of the credit is to create more jobs. But if consumers are not buying the product that small business owners produce they will continue to keep their overhead down by not employing additional workers or even reducing their current employment roles.

The purpose of a "stimulus" plan is to boost spending. The creation of jobs via investing in the country's infrastructure may help to increase spending as new workers (new wages) means more dollars being spent. But the way to ensure that spending begins immediately is to include a sizable and effective tax cut that is large enough to incite people to use the same for down payments on homes, the purchases of vehicles and other big tickett items.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:54 AM)

Of coarse the repuks don't want Holder to be head of justice,they know that there will be hearings held, and that some of there repub friends will be going to jail soon.We will see,the people will ask for justice,we will want those who were involved in the waterboarding that Chaney approved, charged. You see Chaney does not think he or Lil GB have done anything wrong,He said they will not apologize for any of it. So from know on when our troops are captured, they can expect to be water boarded since our VP and his understudy thinks it's ok.

jesse St.Paul Minnesota (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:55 AM)

What a great job the buffoon decider did in keeping Americans employed. Now only 3 million jobs, and dropping fast, have been created the past 8 years totally repudiating the idiotic idea that tax cuts for the rich and greedy create jobs.
---------------------------------------------------
And it's still far less than the inflation rate and unemployment rate that Jimmy Carter left Reagan with.

A C, Tuscaloosa AL (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:56 AM)

Why is Conyers against Gupta? I think he is a fine intelligent doctor. So what if he did a few stunts, (eating fire for one). That has nothing to do with the fact that the man is already well known and respected and will work well in the PE's cabinet.

MsRoman (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:56 AM)

Impeach Palin!

Eric, Salinas, CA

Nice to see Democrats remain stuck on stupid.

Gregson Lammers, NM (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:56 AM)

First Read --> encouraging lawmakers to use the word ‘recovery’ instead of recession and ‘investment’ instead of ‘infrastructure.’
Wordsmith (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:35 AM)
And, use the words 'pay your fair share' instead of 'screw you over', and 'trust your leadership' rather then 'all politicians are corrupt' and 'Rick Warren' instead of 'Jeremiah Wright', and 'bail out' instead of 'boondoggle' or 'union payoff'.
===========================================Wordsmith,
There is way too much blather about greater decision-making experience than what the Nay sayers have. If opposition persists what a dismal outlook for the economy with 200 million job losses now and 2.4 million are expected, not to mention job losses around the globe. The money is greatly needed ; no one can deny this failure is due to Bush and defacto President Cheney. Already expectations are set very low for Obama because of these attitudes and remarks.
Obama is being slandered just like Jesus Christ was. I expect all the opposers to respond that I'm calling PE Obama the “Messiah”. However, I'm not. My parallel shouldn't make anyone uncomfortable. Obama is being called names and betrayed the same as Jesus. Republicans, some Democratics, and some supporters are doing it now. This is an insult to to both Obama, people who are losing their assets and his supporters.

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:56 AM)

Isn't it something how "Sinner" Sarah just keeps opening her ignorant mouth and spewing more filthy lies? The classless witch now accuses the media of pampering Caroline Kennedy, no doubt she didn't read the news stories about Caroline's "You Know" moment
--------------------------------------------------
Right! After all, SNL had a skit about incest and Kennedy's husband and daughter, right? And SNL had a skit about the 'you know' interview, right? And when people went after Sarah Palin, it was all about her positions, it was never about her daughter or the maternity of her son, right? Sarah Palin wasn't ready for the national stage by any means, but to suggest the media treated her decently is a joke.

Erica (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:58 AM)

One final thought on the "Dean snub" story . . .

Is it possible than in their efforts to put together a cabinet . . . keep the economy from tanking . . . keep Israel and the Palestinains from starting World War 3 . . . hold the hand of each and every member of Congress and make them feel "special" . . . the the Obama team screwed up and forgot to invite Howard Dean to yesterday's event? It is possible.

Is it possible that if Howard Dean really wanted to come but had not been invited, he could have contacted the Obama admistration and made that desire known? It is possible.

Could all of these "hurt feelings" then have been assuaged behind the scenes, saving me, the typical American from believing that the members of the Democratic Party (and their families) are more concerned about their 15 minutes of fame than the future of our country? Once again, possible.

Folks, if this whole "Democratic majority" thing is ever gonna work, folks are going to have to find new ways of communicating that don't involve leaking every imagined slight to the media and then waiting by the phone for an apology.

There's ALOT going on right now, and now might be a good time for some good old fashioned UNDERSTANDING and TEAMWORK.

We don't have the luxury of this type of pettiness. How about working on a solution to the Guantanamo Bay quagmire instead of attacking Sanjay Gupta. How about figuring out a way to keep more mortgages from foreclosing instead of obsessing about Caroline Kennedy.

This. is. too. serious. to. screw. up.

Stop. Being. So. Petty.

Nashville_fan (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 10:04 AM)

Beverly in Chicago -- "Obama is being slandered just like Jesus Christ was."

It's really time Democrats get a collective grip on reality.

Heather H., Utah (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 10:05 AM)

Beverly in Chicago:

Your comments are well taken. The issue is that lawmakers continue to fail to realize that they are to represent the will of the people. Instead they feel it is their duty and right to insert their own personal opinions and political agendas into policy decisions. Of course they have the right to have input. But that input and those attempts to persuade support for their personal positions needs to be done with those people they represent before they become involved in the approval process in Washington. And after discussing with their constituency the advantrages and disadvantages of one positon over another, and the people make up their mind regarding a specific position or direction, they are to take that decision to Washington. On the contrary however, lawmakers often ignore the wishes of their constituencies and take positons or vote based on their personal opinions.

If the people support Obama's stimulus package then it should be supported and passed, regardless of the personal opinion of one or more lawmakers. They are there to study the issues, inform those they represent of the alternatives and then take to Washington the position taken by a majority of the people they represent.

Lawmakers have become separated from their constituencies and act like separate entities with the right to make decisions regardless of and outside of that desired by those they represent. In many places and in history this is called a caste system and lawmakers have taken on the role of Lords or Landowners who think they know what is always best for their serfs.

To close, what Obama needs to help him battle these attacks or lack of support from lawmakers is loud and clear support from the people. For we have elected him to represent us. Lawmakers are only one person in the many that make up a majority. They are not our Lords.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 10:17 AM)

Gov. Paterson is an incredibly smart and capable man. I trust he will make the right choice regarding the NY senate seat.

Caroline has been unfairly lambasted by everyone involved simply because she is a Kennedy. She loaned her sense of civic service to the Obama campaign and did a darn good job of spearheading the vetting of his VP nominee. It takes smarts and talents on many levels to have done such a great job.

Simply because Caroline wishes to continue serving her state and her country in the US Senate, should not preclude her from consideration because of her name that she has yet to try to exploit.

I don't think Hillary effectively could have made the same claim.

J. Ellis, Virginia (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 10:27 AM)

"We’re sorry, but every day that goes by when David Paterson DOESN’T announce he’s picking Caroline Kennedy to fill Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat can’t be a good sign for her, right?"

Don't be sorry for Christ's sake - be thankful that Paterson has enough intelligence to send her packing to her penthouse apartment. If she can't even bother to have voted in the past 20 years, how can ANYONE even suggest that she be annointed Senator???

If he's that stupid, this Democrat will be voting Republican in NY in 2010! And btw, her last name is SCHLOSSBERG!! Stop perpetuating this Kennedy myth! If it wasn't for her maiden name she'd the press would roll over her faster than Teddy's car did off the bridge.....

Paul, Syracuse, NY (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 10:33 AM)

Impeach Palin!

Eric, Salinas, CA

Nice to see Democrats remain stuck on stupid.
Gregson Lammers, NM (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:56 AM)
_____________

Right, just like the republicans that have posted in here saying Obama should be impeached because of what is going on in Chicago. Funny how you never call out your own for that. But, that is just another example of the Republican hypocracy: "When a Republican does it, it is ok. When a Democrat does it, point out how stupid it is."

Jackson, Seattle (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 10:38 AM)

Howard Dean is still my first choice for president. I fear we will be in Afghanistan and Iraq for years and he would have gotten us out. He would have also brought universal health care which is still going to be out of reach for years. He is truly the change and anti-establishment candidate which is why he doesn't get respect in Washington. I am not naive; I know they would never let him get nominated and elected.

nuanced (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 10:39 AM)

Sarah Palin wasn't ready for the national stage by any means, but to suggest the media treated her decently is a joke.
Erica (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:58 AM)
__________

However, in the middle of all of it, there was Sarah loving the comparison to Tina Fey, talking about having dressed up as Tina once for Halloween, even saying everyone needed to relax over the impersation, as she herself thought it was funny. Now, all of a sudden, she is changing her tune from "relax, it is funny" to "they used me!"....Just more excuses and double talk.

Jackson, Seattle (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 10:41 AM)

Right! After all, SNL had a skit about incest and Kennedy's husband and daughter, right? And SNL had a skit about the 'you know' interview, right? And when people went after Sarah Palin, it was all about her positions, it was never about her daughter or the maternity of her son, right? Sarah Palin wasn't ready for the national stage by any means, but to suggest the media treated her decently is a joke.

Erica (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 9:58 AM)

Uh, SNL is on vacation. But don't you worry, they're equal opportunity insulters. They'll go after Caroline soon enough. And frankly, as a New York democrat, I'm not particularly impressed with her. I'd rather have Cuomo and I originally was open to Caroline, but have since changed my position. The media has not been particularly nice to her, so there is no reason to believe in classism here. If your incompetent, the media is going to go after you the instant you make yourself the fool.

Bentley in NY (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 10:56 AM)

Obama is getting the same crap from the Democratic establishment that Jimmy Carter got. I hope he won't be stabbed in the back and undermined throughout his administration the same way. Frankly the Democratic party needs to do some house cleaning. I hope to see many of the DLC dinosaurs replaced by progressives.

nuanced (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 10:57 AM)

It's still very early, but we’re starting to have some flashbacks to '93 and '94 . . .

lsd will do that.

Tommy Chung, LA Ca (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 10:57 AM)

Eric of salinas, can turn anything into Palin bashing. Why not sign off as, redundent!!

free American Tehachapi Ca. (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 11:00 AM)

Heather from Utah (!) suggests we get a grip on reality. Irony lives!

Joe Don, Topeka, KS (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 11:05 AM)

And secondly, Caroline will one of 100 senators, and one of the most junior. Her influence in Washington will be minuscule compared to the impact that Palin would have had as VP. Second, Palin can't keep her story straight, if you can't take the fault for your own mistakes, at least keep blaming the same cause, rather than shift your focus to suit the situation. First it's the elite media, then it's the campaign, then it's the elite media, and then her campaign handlers, and now it's the media again....get it straight!!!!

Bentley in NY (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 11:06 AM)

Eric:

I'll have to agree with you about Palin. I had almost forgotten about her until here she comes again giving interviews and making the most idiotic and ludicrous statements. If she wants to be left alone (by press and public) she just needs to shut up. Everyhting has a cause and effect. Palin believes she has been made out to look stupid because of the press. The fact is that Palin looks and most likely is stupid because that is how she defines and promotes herself each and everytime she opens her mouth. Cause and effect. The press is just on board for the ride.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 11:16 AM)

nuanced, good points. And while I agree we can't get too worked up about Howard Dean because of all the other major major problems Barack Obama is going to face, I can't help but wonder how many times we're going to be asked to look the other way and concentrate on the more important things. Rick Warren, Hillary Clinton, Joe Lieberman, Howard Dean, FISA, neo-cons being part of the State Dept.

I'm reading now that Obama's foreign policy may not be much different from the Bush Administration. And while I don't believe anyone knows this for sure, I can't help wondering.....

Having said that, I'm happy he won the election. He was the best candidate I still believe.

Time for the weekend and more snow here. Will try and watch a few movies - comedies - need a break.

Looking forward to the inaugeration. I'll be there. Just worried about the crowd as I'll have two children with me.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 11:19 AM)

------------>> The most important thing that Panetta will bring to the CIA is a moral compass, << Maybe if Panetta also brings a tent, a coleman stove, and a hatchet, he can take us camping! Smokey T. Bear (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 10:00 AM) (from another thread)

What a great idea, Smokey T. Republicans can bring the hot dogs and democrats can bring the marshmallows. But tell me one thing … if you’re such a great bear, why would you need a compass?

~ Ursa Minor (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 11:21 AM)

Eric of salinas, can turn anything into Palin bashing. Why not sign off as, redundent!!

free American Tehachapi Ca. (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 11:00 AM)

I KNOW!!!! Isn't he just the greatest?! Don't give me any crap. we take all your Obama hating, Pelosi hating, Ried hating and in turn you get to listen to us Bush hating, Cheney hating, Palin hating...even the occasional McCain hating. so get over it.

Bentley in NY (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 11:21 AM)

It's not like Obama doesn't know how Congress works for heaven's sake. Also, let's not forget that his VP choice said "this man has a spine of steel." I'm confident he'll get passed the things he wants passed. He's a whole lot smarter than all of them put together.

Diane from Illinois (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 11:25 AM)

Heather H., Utah (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 10:05 AM)
Beverly in Chicago -- "Obama is being slandered just like Jesus Christ was."

It's really time Democrats get a collective grip on reality.
===========================================
Heather H in Utah,
It seems like you're calling me, a Democatic, delusion and unrealistic. That is a slander.
===========================================
C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 10:17 AM)
what Obama needs to help him battle these attacks or lack of support from lawmakers is loud and clear support from the people. For we have elected him to represent us. Lawmakers are only one person in the many that make up a majority. They are not our Lords.
===========================================
C A in Tuscaloosa, AL
Thank you very much
I hope most supporters will realize this and not be swayed by those politicians interested in the own selfish gains.

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 11:31 AM)

Well, I am late getting on the board.
But, today it's my own fault.
It's interesting to note that the Obama-LACKEYS in the media kept right on saying the transition was going "smooth," even when it wasn't/isn't.

Obama's inexperience is starting to show, and apparently some Democrats have FINALLY caught on. Too bad they didn't "get it" before the election.

Now, I see where Sarah Palin shot back at the media for the extremely unfair, biased, and totaly irresponsible way in which it treated her during the campaign....she went as far as to say it is a "class" thing (because of the disparity between how she and say, Caroline Kennedy, are covered in the press), and she also said its SEXISM!
Guess what?......SHE'S RIGHT!

The media wouldn't dare say the things about Barack Obama that got said about her (and Hillary for that matter), the media wouldn't dare TREAT Obama they way it treated her, and it wouldn't disparage his family the way that it has hers for fear of being accused of racism.

But, it has absolutely no qualms whatsoevere when it comes to attacking females (in particular WHITE females) who are at the highest level of the political playing field.

For whatever the reasons this condition exists, it's something that needs to be dealt with and corrected. It shows the total hypocrisy, and bias within the media, and completely negates any thoughts one might have of truthfulness within the main stream media.

Shame, shame, shame on ALL of you!

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 11:33 AM)

If your incompetent, the media is going to go after you the instant you make yourself the fool.
--------------------------------------------------
Really, Bentley in NY? Like the SNL joke about Biden talking about FDR on TV in 1929? The media doesn't talk about anything that would cast liberals in a bad light

Erica (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 11:45 AM)

Jackson:

Her criticism for the media isn't related to SNL appearances. Those involved only her. Her issues are with how the media went after her family. She has valid points. Sorry you don't seem to be able to see that, but I just don't think you want to.

It's apparently more fun to imitate the media and wallow in your own arrogance when it comes to Sarah Palin, or anyone you don't agree with for that matter.

And Erica, you are 100% right on.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 11:48 AM)

Re: Caroline Kennedy.

Patterson said from day one that her would not announce anyone until Hillary was confirmed and resigned. Patterson having made that statement, it would be very atypical of MO to change course and announce sooner. In fact, the pressure by the press to name someone sooner would only make him dig in his heels. His personal history also suggests that he is unlikely even to make the final decision in his own mind too far ahead of the event.

So the assumption that Kennedy's chances are diminishing seem totally baseless. She was never the "done deal," "slam dunk" you reported in the first place and isn't now. (But she is clearly still in the running, per the interview, at this time.) Kennedy has been treated to a barrage of sympathetic press and supportive comments from key NYS political players in the last week, which has helped to tamp down the bad press of the previous week.

Bottom line: Nobody really knows what her chances are, but it is pure voodoo to believe that they are diminishing because the Governor is deliberating. Patterson will deliberate until it is time to decide. It is his way.

Cormac, NYC (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 11:50 AM)

The blind leading the blind in NY...

Blinded by Princess Caroline (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 11:51 AM)

Bring on Colin into the fray!! We need someone disciplined who can remain cool headed under fire. When you've been in combat with people trying to kill you everything in Congress is just silly drama. Military people are good at cutting out the bullcrap and getting to the core of a problem. Come to think of it, if we cut out the bullcrap in Washington there'll be nobody left.

Joe Sepeda,Early,Texas (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 11:56 AM)

i am an obama supporter that thinks most of these minor hiccups will be overcome. others are so minor that they aren't worth considering. however, i think the howard dean mistreatment is wrong and makes obama look small and goes against his philosophy of a new type of politic. granted we don't know al that howard may have done wrong, but we know he did a lot right to allow the dem's to be successful more so than they have been in decades. howard dean is the author of the 50 state strategy. he deserved to be recognized and rewarded.

ace-independent (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 11:58 AM)

I think Caroline would be at least as good a senator as Al Franken. She's even funnier. She would be far better than Harry Reid.

Remember, they only need to know a few concepts: "R" = no, D= yes, "present", "I abstain", "no comment" and "you'll have to ask Chuckie or Harry".

Yeah, yeah, I know there are counterparts on the Republican side, too.

Happy to see Democrats acting predictably. Kind of obscures the change thing, but maybe it will emerge sometime.

Today's trivia questions:

What was the unemployment rate in 1931, just prior the 1932 elections and Roosevelt taking office?

17.4%

What was the unemployment rate in 1938, well into Roosevelt's second term and after the infusion of record government spending?

17.4%

What was the unemployment rate when World War II started?

14.4%

What was the unemployment rate just after World War II?

9.9%

What was the lowest unemployment rate in the history of the United States?

2.9% under the Eisenhower administration.

What was the stock market at just before the 1929 crash?

383

What was the stock market at when Hoover left office?

250

What was the stock market after 6 years of Roosevelt?

151

When did the stock market get out of the 100's?

During the Eisenhower administration.

We have nothing to fear but a new deal itself.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 12:00 PM)

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