Bill Richardson a Single Example of Democratic Party Core Off the Beam
N.M. Governor Withdraws Name from Commerce Secretary Consideration
This is what happens when we finance all of our political activities the way that we do. Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico is under investigation for allegedly pressuring N.M. state authorities to steer financial services business to a firm which donated money to his political organizations.
Since the Clinton Administration - of which Richardson was a high-profile member - our Democratic Party has been owned by hedge funds, limousine liberals and other interests who make their money through market manipulation and investing rather than by adding to the economy in a manner which creates tangible value and employs people. When these big donors come calling, the doors to Congressional suites and governors’ offices come flying open.
Transcript: Sen. Harry Reid on Meet the Press | Israel, Roland Burris, The Economy | Sunday, January 4
Filed under: Barack Obama, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Obama Transition, Recession, State Governments, U.S. Congress, U.S. Economy
(Source: NBC’s Meet the Press)
MR. GREGORY: And here with us now, the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid.
Welcome back to MEET THE PRESS and happy New Year.
SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV): Thank you very much.
MR. GREGORY: Let me ask you about the ground invasion into Gaza. Do you think on the part of this Israeli–of the Israelis this was offensive or defensive?
SEN. REID: I spoke to Prime Minister Olmert a couple of days ago. He indicated that they would do the ground activities. Let’s understand the background. For eight years they’ve been firing rockets into Israel. They’ve become more intense the last few months. Israelis have been killed, maimed and injured. Sometimes more than 200 a day coming into Israel. If this were going on in the United States from Vancouver, Canada, into Seattle, would we react? Course we do. We would have to. I think what the Israelis are doing is very important. I think this terrorist organization, Hamas, has got to be put away. They’ve got to come to their senses. The Fatah group, which is–makes up part of Palestinian group, has a peace arrangement with Israel. Hamas should do the same.
Video: Hairy Reid’s Taint
Sen. Harry Reid on Meet the Press
Still Says Burris Appt Tainted
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Ohio Newsbreak | January 2, 2009
Filed under: Gov Strickland, Ohio Economy, Peak Oil, State Governments, State of Ohio Budget, ohio politics
- Weak economy means tough solutions says Strickland - Youngstown Vindicator
- Editorial: Tainted by Scandal - Toledo Blade
- Scenarios for gas prices in 2009 - The Plain Dealer
- State trims funding to municipalities - Columbus Dispatch
- Cleveland homicides down 25% in 2008 - The Plain Dealer
- Jackson pissed over Med Mart delays - The Plain Dealer
- Ohio Dems headed to Inauguration despite cost - The Plain Dealer
- Kaptur honored by The Nation - The Plain Dealer
- Editorial: Adieu, National City - The Plain Dealer
- Some officials forego all the pomp - Columbus Dispatch
- State anti-bias aide sent racist, sexist emails - Toledo Blade
- ODOT official golfed on the clock - Columbus Dispatch
- Gannon to leave Industrial Commission - Columbus Dispatch
- Editorial: Tighten laws on campaign funds - Columbus Dispatch
- Gasoline prices up 31¢ in Dayton over last week - Dayton Daily News
- Editorial: Ohio has made unemployment compensation problem worse - Dayton Daily News
- Op-Ed, Bertram DeSouza: What does Tony Gutierrez know? - Youngstown Vindicator
- PNC completes takeover of National City - Canton Repository
Maybe Super Prosecutor Fitzgerald Screwed Up
Lots of hand-wringing going on today about whether or not Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s senate appointment has “standing” or whether the Illinois Secretary of State or Senate Majority Leader will derail the appointment.
The only dispassionate view to be heard was former Illinois Gov. Jim Thompson on NPR’s All Things Considered. He points out that the Governor is still governor, he’s not been impeached and Illinois law states that he has the authority and duty to make the appointment. Thompson also points out that the Secretary of State’s duty to certify the governor’s appointment is only administrative under law - Jesse White, the official in question, doesn’t have discretionary authority. He’s just a pass through. Finally, Thompson - who is an attorney - said that the U.S. Supreme Court decided decades ago that senators may only contest the seating of a new senator under questions of age, citizenship or residency. Any attorneys or jailhouse lawyers out there can comment.
Thompson also made another point. This January will see the 111th Congress considering legislation of greater than usual importance. The country is in two wars and a recession. The financial system is still in intensive care and what’s left of our manufacturing sector is a ship dead in the water. Illinois deserves its full complement in Congress.
Unfortunately, the only way to get there is for the governor of Illinois to make the appointment.
This all got me thinking about what’s made Blago a household name outside of Oak Park and Evansville. Federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald has been investigating the governor by some accounts since 2003. Fitzgerald gets some juicy stuff on tape and makes the arrest, holds the press conference. My question is, did Fitzgerald move too soon?
There’s a lot of unnecessary drama unfolding in Springfield and Chicago if the Illinois governor tried to sell a senate seat. Or, does the Illinois governor just have a big, foul mouth? Should Fitzgerald have waited for a deal to be made? If this was a better movie, the good guys would’ve had the money exchange hands on tape and then G-Men would’ve burst through doors and swung in through the windows on ropes.
But, instead, we’ve got f-bombs on tape and one big-mouth, preening politician being himself - a douche bag. If there was more to Fitzgerald’s case, perhaps the governor would’ve resigned by now or there would be more for the Illinois legislature to work with in impeachment proceedings.
If what they say about Roland Burris is true - that he’s an upstanding public servant not tainted by Chicago’s political cesspool - perhaps the wise thing to do is let the man take his seat unencumbered in the Senate. Just forget that Captain Hairbrush appointed him, put it out of your mind. The people of Illinois do deserve both of their votes in the Senate, don’t they?
State Governments Limp Into 2009
Filed under: Recession, State Governments, U.S. Economy
Governator Just Wants to Strangle Somebody
Ohio’s budget outlook is horrible, but in some states the road ahead is even more difficult. Here are some clips from around the country and what’s going on in other state capitals.
- IN Governor Daniels to state workers: Skip Raises - Indianapolis Star
- In budget crises, states reluctantly halt road projects - New York Times
- Union sues Schwarzenegger over mandatory days off - Los Angeles Times
- Rhode Island has lost jobs 11 months in a row - Hartford Courant
- Governor says MI will get through tough times - Associated Press
- Hawaii budget plan taps rainy day fund - Honolulu Advertiser
- Corzine: No easy fix for financial woes in 2009 - Philadelphia Inquirer
- Across the board cuts in Iowa - Des Moines Register
- Layoffs in store for some Alabama state workers - Business Week
Unfortunately, there’s lots more.
U.S. Sunday Papers | December 21
Filed under: Afghanistan, Bailout Bill, Barack Obama, Economic Stimuls, Energy Policy, Iraq, Obama Transition, Recession, State Governments, Terrorism, U.S. Economy
Los Angeles Times
- ‘Lethal Warriors’ in Iraq, linked to string of crimes back home
- Obama ups the ante on economic stimulus
- Op-Ed, Doyle McManus: Obama must spend wisely
New York Times
- Obama expands recovery plans
- Economy tests Obama’s vision of energy efficient auto industry
- White House philosophy stoked mortgage bonfire
- Russian push on treason raises fears
- Canada agrees to its own auto bailout
- Ambush raises unsettling questions in Afghanistan
- Op-Ed, Alan Blinder: Missing the Mark with $700 Billion
- Op-Ed, Tom Friedman: China to the Rescue? Not!
- Op-Ed, Olivier Roy & Justin Vaisse: Winning Islam Over
Washington Post
- Obama expands stimulus goals
- Extradition of terror suspects founders
- Tiny state, huge pain
- U.S. might double Afghanistan force
- Will executive pay packages get slashed?
- Op-Ed, Leonard Downie Jr.: Could we uncover Watergate today?
- Op-Ed, George Will: Executive powerplay makes Congress moot
Text: Rod Blagojevich Statement to the Media | December 19
(Source: Chicago Tribune)
“Thank you very much. I’m here to tell you right off the bat that I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing, that I intend to stay on the job and I will fight this thing every step of the way. I will fight, I will fight, I will fight. Until I take my last breath. I have done nothing wrong. “And I’m not going to quit a job the people hired me to do, because of false accusations and a political lynch mob. Now that’s what I’m going to do. Let me tell you what I’m not going to do. I’m not going to do what my accusers and political enemies have been doing. And that is talk about this case in 30 second sound bites on ‘Meet the Press’ or on the TV news. Now I’m dying to answer these charges, I am dying to show you how innocent I am. And I want to assure everyone who is here and everyone who’s listening that I intend to answer every allegation that comes my way. However, I intend to answer them in the appropriate forum, in a court of law, and when I do, I am absolutely certain that I will be vindicated.
“Rudyard Kipling wrote, if you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, and blaming it on you, if you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, and make allowance for their doubting too, if you can wait, and not be tired by waiting, or being lied about, don’t deal in lies, or being hated, don’t give way to hating. Now I know there are some powerful forces arrayed against me. It’s kind of lonely right now. But I have on my side the most powerful ally there is, and it’s the truth. And besides, I have the personal knowledge that I have not done anything wrong. To the people of Illinois, I ask that they wait and be patient. Sit back and take a deep breath. And please reserve judgment. Afford me the same rights that you and your children have. The presumption of innocence. The right to defend yourself. The right to your day in court. The same rights that you would expect for yourselves.
“And one last thing. To all of those, to those of you who have expressed your support of Patti and me during this difficult time, I’d like to thank you for your thoughts, I’d like to thank you for your prayers and I’d like to thank you for your good wishes. Patti and I cannot express to you how grateful we are for your kindness. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays.”
Transcript: IL Atty General News Conference | Blago ‘Unfit to Serve’ | December 12
Lisa Madigan Newser on Blagojevich Court Filing
(Source: Chicago Sun-Times)
MS. MADIGAN: Good afternoon.
This morning, my office filed pleadings with the Illinois Supreme Court, requesting that Governor Blagojevich be temporarily removed from office. In the alternative, we have asked that the Illinois Supreme Court declare that he is prevented from filling the U.S. Senate vacancy, acting on legislation, directing contracts, directing the activities of the Illinois State Finance Authority, directing the activities of the Toll Highway Authority, and directing the disbursement of state funds. Read more
Saturday Morning Clips - Auto Industry, Blagojevich Dominates the News
Filed under: Big Three Automakers, Recession, State Governments, U.S. Economy
Automobile Industry Update
- Automakers, workers, Michigan pin hopes on White House - Detroit Free Press
- Chrysler’s supplier issues expand - Detroit Free Press
- GM to slash production - Detroit Free Press
- GM moves closer to bailout; Wagoner in talks with Bolten - Bloomberg
- White House ready to aid auto industry - New York Times
Blagojevich Not Bleeping Going Bleeping Anywhere
- Blago could decide future by Monday - Chicago Sun-Times
- Rahm Emanuel talked to Blago’s office about senate seat - Chicago Tribune
- IL AG: Blago unfit to serve, goes to court - Chicago Tribune
- IL AG: Petitions court to remove Blago - New York Times
Blagojevich News Roundup
- Blagojevich Arrested - Chicago Tribune
- Op-Ed, John Kass: Governor has one choice left: Sing? - Chicago Tribune
- Ill. Governor from reformer to defendant - Chicago Tribune
- Details of the arrest - Chicago Tribune
- Blago’s Lawyer: He’s sad, surprised and innocent - Chicago Tribune
- Obama says no discussions with Blagojevich - Chicago Sun-Times
- Blago calls Obama a ‘mother-fucker’ - Chicago Sun-Times
- Ill Governor in corruption scandal - New York Times
Full Text: Unsealed Blagojevich Criminal Complaint - United States District Court, Northern Illinois
Blago Affidavit Click Here
Illinois Governor Blagojevich Arrested
Illinois has got to be the new king of korrupt states. Three of the last four governors have had brushes with ethics laws with former Governor George Ryan in the federal pen.
Today, Governor Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff were taken into custody by the FBI. Those of us who have watched Blago over the years knew this was coming. I’m still most upset - because I was a “downstate” Illinoisan - that the prick never lived in Springfield, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to run the state from Chicago. This included his own personal, state-paid, air ferry service to and from the state capital when he needed to be there.
News
- Illinois Governor arrested - Chicago Tribune
- Blagojevich taken into custody - Chicago Sun-Times
Ohio Sunday Papers - December 7, 2008
Filed under: Big Three Automakers, Cuyahoga Corruption, Gov Strickland, Ohio Economy, State Governments, State of Ohio Govt, U.S. Congress, ohio politics
Columbus Dispatch
- Will 9/11 become Pearl Harbor for a generation?
- Stivers - Kilroy: Final Count Begins
- Op-Ed, Joe Hallett: Huckabee boldly delineates GOP’s social issues dilemma
- Op-Ed, Jonathan Riskind: Big 3 bailout faces double standard
- State smoking ban nets new fines, warnings
- Editorial: More Fiscal Recklessness
Cleveland Plain Dealer
What’s Wrong with the Browns?Dimora’s neighborhood attracts friends, powerful, some connected to probe
Feds seek info on those who gave gifts to Russo, Dimora
Parma mayor has a lobbyist in Columbus
Op-Ed, Thomas Suddes: Calculating the cost of Ohio’s budget news
Dayton Daily News
- Smoking ban enforcement uneven to nonexistent
- Some push for change in smoking ban
- Dayton lawyers sue Accenture on behalf of Ohio taxpayers
Toledo Blade
Cincinnati Enquirer
- Editorial: Governors face deep state deficits
- Editorial: Auto bailout driving public conversation
Prediction: Schwarzenegger Runs for Senate as Democrat in 2012
Filed under: Energy Policy, State Governments, U.S. Economy
I really found it hard to believe that the Governator came to Columbus, Ohio in the waning days of the presidential campaign to stump for John McCain. After all, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, R-CA, is often at odds with his own party and their wedge issues platform.
Democrats will be in trouble again if more Republicans talk - and act - like Schwarzenegger. During a week where the dominant political story seemed to be all about how Republicans will climb back to relevance, Schwarzenegger spoke some truth to his party’s powerbrokers on ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopolous:
SCHWARZENEGGER: (…) Remember that so many times there’s dialogue about, you know, we have to go back to our core values.
What is that? What is core? How far does core go back in history in America, the word core? Does it go back 30 years? Does it go back 50 years? Because we know that Teddy Roosevelt talked about universal health care. So they’re off the core for a long time ago already. He has talked about protecting our environment. So they’ve been off for a long time on that.
I mean, let’s be honest. Ronald Reagan — let’s go to Eisenhower, for instance. Eisenhower has built the highway system in America and he’s poured billions of dollars into infrastructure. Where Republicans today say, well, that’s spending. We shouldn’t spend. That’s not spending. That’s investing in the future of America.
So there’s a lot of things that they have been off on, if they want to go and talk about the core values. But maybe their definition of core values is maybe different.
But I mean, so I think it’s all nonsense talk. I think if they just talk about one thing, what do we need now?
Now, America needs to be rebuilt, because we haven’t really rebuilt America for decades. So we need to rebuild America, fix the bridges, fix the highways, fix the buildings, tunnels and all of those kind of things we need to do. And then we have to go and create great relationships with our partners overseas, with the world, and to build those relationships again. And we have to take care of health care. We have to take care of our environment. And we have to build an energy future. Those are the things that people want right now.
Schwarzenegger also discussed his proposal for a 1 1/2 percent state sales tax in California to deal with the state’s projected $11 billion budget shortfall. California, like Ohio, is dealing with the ill effects of the soon to be official U.S. recession – shortfalls in state revenue. Rather than take the stance of the idealogue, Schwarzenegger is pragmatic about taxes:
STEPHANOPOULOS: You don’t want to do it.
SCHWARZENEGGER: I don’t want to do it. I hate taxes. I hate the word “taxes” and all of those things. But there’s certain times when you have to forget about the ideology, and, you know, all of this, and fix problems…
STEPHANOPOULOS: That is…
SCHWARZENEGGER: Because people want their fixed problems.
A look at just a few of the issues Schwarzenegger has taken the lead on in California over the past year shows a fairly progressive agenda: tearing down dams on the Klamath River, numerous alternative energy projects, school-based health centers, reform of the emergency medical care system and state infrastructure improvements. Although far from being an endorsement, in the quote above, Schwarzenegger is the first Republican I’ve heard to evoke the memory of Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Rider’s ruminations on universal healthcare for Americans. Usually when contemporary Republicans speak of TR it’s bombastic and centered on their one-dimensional understanding of history and Roosevelt - “Bully” and “Gunboat Diplomacy” come to mind. Schwarzenegger seems to understand that TR was a reformer and a progressive.
So, I am predicting today that the GOP has created a monster that will drive some of its stars to become Independents or Democrats. Their party’s base has been given over to the social conservatives, culture warriors and theocrats. Finally, most of the country seems to be rejecting this brand of conservatism and beginning to understand that every breath wasted on wedge issues while we’re mired in two wars and in a state of economic decline is foolishness. The country which has set the standard and created the future is now getting left behind.
I’ll further refine the prediction by saying that in 2012 the Governator will be running for the U.S. Senate from California as an Independent or a Democrat.
I think that Arnold’s water carrying for whichever Republican is running for president will be coming to an end. He’s eventually got to realize that the dinosaur party needs him and his star power much more than he needs them.
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Reuters Business Wire- Wall Street falls as Wal-Mart eclipses Obama
- Wal-Mart and other retailers warn after weak December
- U.S. says Madoff had checks ready, seeks jail
- Treasury sees signs financial rescues working
- Jobless rolls at 26-year high
- Companies face $409 billion pension deficit: study
- Citi mulls endorsing bankruptcy reform: sources
- Satyam in crisis as India vows to end company fraud
- SEC accuses man of $50 million Ponzi scheme
- LyondellBasell says all reorganization options open
- Washington Post - World Headlines
- U.N. Suspends Aid Deliveries to Gaza Strip
- Pakistan Rejects Indian Accusations, Plays Down Tension
- Regulators Begin Probe of Indian Tech Giant
- Sarkozy Seeks Changes That Would Reinforce Presumed Innocence of Suspects
- Gunmen Attack TV Offices in Mexico
- Hamas Pulling Back Into Crowded Cities, Beckoning Israelis
- White House Voices Concern On North Korea and Uranium
- Khmer Rouge Leader May Be Tried in March
- Indian Outsourcing Giant Admits Fraud
- Red Cross Reports Grisly Find in Gaza
