H/T: ThinkProgress

What could possibly be the rationale behind blocking this bill?  Other than sticking your chest out to prove you can, I don’t see what conservatives have to gain by this.  Shockingly sad–especially for the party that considers themselves patriots.

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Alvin Greene and his people suddenly realized that they can spit hot fire.  So why not take the next logical step, and do a little Alvin Greene rap for the campaign?  The video– complete with a family values theme, tea party anti-Obama hate signs, and a rusty sounding vocoder– might just be the thing to garner steam for the upstart democratic candidate.  Or Jim Demint might beat him by 40 percentage points.  Who knows?  All I know is this:  Greene is clearly a much more productive unemployed American than Sarah Palin–and a better possible presidential candidate .  Enjoy.

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Alvin Greene is not ready for prime time television.  This is one of the most bizarre situations I’ve seen in politics in quite some time.

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Here are the results of primary night in America:

• Rep. Joe Sestak wins the Senate Democratic primary in Pennsylvania against Republican-turned-Democrat incumbent Senator Arlen Specter.
• Democrats Sen. Blanche Lincoln (44%) & Lt. Gov. Bill Halter (43%) will go to primary runoff.
• Democrat Mark Critz wins race against Republican Tim Burns in a special election in Pennsylvania to fill the seat of the late Rep. John Murtha.
• Tea Party Candidate Rand Paul defeats Republican establishment opponent Secretary of State Trey Grayson (Mitch McConnell’s candidate) in Kentucky GOP Senate primary.

So, what do we know?  We know that activists may just have some clout to affect change in the fall, as tea party candidate Rand Paul charged to victory against Trey Grayson.  Similarly, Grayson–who was the darling favorite of minority leader Mitch McConnell and former vice president Dick Cheney–illustrates the relative fragility the republican establishment is under.

For democrats, Arlen Spector’s defeat may foreshadow the trouble some candidates may have touting the support of President Obama.  Not only did it not change the political compass of the electorate in Pennsylvania– it may have caused an unintentional backlash from those strongly rejecting some of his policies.  As a result, his more than 30 years of public service came to an end.

The most telling election last night was neither Spector’s loss or Paul’s victory–as both were practically forecast for weeks.  It was the special election in Pennsylvania for the late John Murtha’s congressional seat.  Republicans had hoped to use this seat as the barometer of the national mood–effectively dealing a blow to democrats in a district where Barack Obama’s approval rating is 35%.  This was the only contest last night that was head to head– democrat versus republican. 

The democrat prevailed comfortably, dealing a blow to republican hopes of a new republican revolution.  That wave of republican dominance narrative thrust down all of our throats for months, may not be as significant as first imagined.

Last night’s results are indicative of the anti-incumbent mania gripping the country.  No longer are incumbents safe hiding under their prodigious trappings of power.  Beware of the anti-establishment vote.

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Senator Jim Bunning, R-(KY):

Last week, Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., asked to pass a 30-day extensions bill for unemployment insurance and other federal programs. Earlier in February, those extensions were included in a broader bipartisan bill that was paid for but did not meet Sen. Reid’s approval, and he nixed the deal. When I saw the Democrats in Congress were going to vote on the extensions bill without paying for it and not following their own Pay-Go rules, I said enough is enough.

Many people asked me, “Why now?” My answer is, “Why not now?” Why can’t a non-controversial measure in the Senate that would help those in need be paid for? If the Senate cannot find $10 billion to pay for a measure we all support, we will never pay for anything.

Hmm.  Jim Bunning, after years of being fiscally irresponsible, has decided to push the restraint button.  Too bad it’s a toothless, arrogant, and disingenuous act.  Too bad his new position on fiscal responsibility wasn’t reached during our Iraq war years– where the cost is approaching 3 trillion dollars– and it still isn’t paid for.  Bunning is right.  Enough is enough.  Here is why Bunning and his ilk have no clue as to what Americans really want:

1)  Supporters of Bunning on the right actually believe he is sticking to his principles.  He has no principles.  He is a retiring senator, not beholden to anyone or anything.  The principled stand would have been him enacting this arcane senate procedural move when he had a skin in the game, so to speak.  Here’s the response from a conservative blogger on RedState:

“Last night, while most Americans were watching the Olympics, Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) was standing strong for the American people on the floor of the United States Senate. Oh, it won’t be portrayed as such — believe me.” The post further stated: “Bunning took to the floor to object to a unanimous consent request to call up and pass the House-passed extension of a number of expiring so-called ‘stimulus’ and other benefit programs, because Bunning dared to ask the simple question of how these extensions would be paid for.”

2) Do these people firmly believe that people would rather stay home and collect 297 dollars, rather than work?  Think about this:  would you be comfortable making so much money a week– knowing that you had a mortgage payment, a car payment, expensive cobra payments?  Nothing says security like expiring benefits.  I know of no one happy to accept unemployment insurance.  The fact of the matter is that have to accept it, or risk drowning in a sea of uncertain fiscal devastation.  If your idea of “motivation,” is to wean honest, hard-working Americans off of the one avenue enabling them to survive in this hellish economy– then you are intellectually lacking, and morally bankrupt.  Congratulations.

3) I think one of the roles of government that most people can can agree upon is that in times of crisis; war, natural disasters, economic downturns– the government can and should provide the blanket protection the country needs.  In these times, responsive leadership is not only necessary, but essential.  While the politics of a jobs bill, or expansion of unemployment insurance can be debated, they should not be.  The objective is to provide the people with the services necessary to survive when they need them most.

The example of unemployment is just anpther illustration of what ails the party in its attempts to connect with the American people.

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HT: Media Matters

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“Now I’ve taken a 45-day unpaid leave of absence from my job at Merrill Lynch. It’s not right to draw a salary when I’m out every day campaigning. Fortunately, I’ve still got a little NYU teaching job and some MSNBC, so for a while I think I can put food on the table.

Okay look.  I used to believe that Harold Ford was a man on the rise.  A smart, effective young legislator who had the political acumen to cut through the bullshit and invective paralyzing Washington.  I realize he isn’t the first to carpet-bag, but it’s hearing shit like this that makes me want to punch him in the throat.

I don’t begrudge Ford for getting paid.  In fact, I think that’s great.  But please don’t expect to drop from your golden parachute to portray the role of the everyman New Yorker. Don’t expect to relate to New Yorkers who’ve been bludgeoned by the shitty economy, and political posturing.  The everyman can’t afford to take an “unpaid” leave from his job.

Good luck in your race Mr. Ford  If it doesn’t work out, I suppose you’ve always got the gig at Merrill Lynch.  You can continue raping and pillaging your fellow Americans from your lofty perch in the financial district.

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Congratulations to Massachusetts State Senator Scott Brown, for winning the special senate election in Massachusetts. The seat was held by Edward Kennedy for almost 50 years before his passing last year. The win for the GOP complicates Democrats attempts at not only passing health care reform, but other policy issues as well. Is this a referendum on President Obama’s agenda? Or is it just the electorate waking up to the possibility that politicians assume compliance, and deny accountability? I think it’s a little of both. 

The president would be wise to press on. But he also must know that a new strategy needs to be employed. One that seeks to regain the public’s trust in him again. Won’t be easy. Welcome to the bully pulpit.
I’ll have more on the election results, and the indirect causes and effects in a later post.

For now, to the victors, go the spoils.

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Senator Chris Dodd

Christopher J. Dodd’s been a senator from the state of Connecticut for over 30 years.  Growing up in Southeastern Connecticut,  I recall Senator Dodd  as an affable, yet towering figure.  He was admired, and often emulated by those aspiring to replicate his success.  A son of the nutmeg state, Dodd grew up in Willimantic, probably a good 30 minute drive from my own humble place of birth in New London.  During Dodd’s senate career, he made several trips into my little town– and on some occasions my parents would drag me along– hoping to catch a glimpse of the local celebrity.  Of course I was too young to appreciate the visits at the time, but my parents relished the chances they had to meet him.

It wasn’t until I reached an age of my own self-awareness, that I realized Senator Dodd’s importance to the millions of other Connecticut residents.  Dodd’s empirical approach to real problems suffered by real people was a joy to watch.  His ability to meld his own empathy and sensibilities to those of his constituents made him a figure that was respected and appreciated– traits that were hard to come by in politicians in those days.  They still are today.

I was honored and proud to have shaken his hand when I was a very young man.  And while I’m positive he has no recollection of our meeting, he should know that his affect on me has been distinct and profound.  I was proud to have looked into his eyes, to see the man.  The man who literally enjoyed speaking to groups of children about the need to broaden their horizons, and believe that they could be the best in whatever they chose to do.  I was proud to see the senator shape a legacy in my home state. It is a legacy full of tremendous legislative achievements, and bold, innovative leadership.  Connecticut has been proud of his representation for a very long time.

As his political career fades into the azure-blue Willimantic  sky, Senator Dodd should reflect on the real impact he’s made on people like me.  People who’ve become emboldened to serve their nation and their community– in any capacity,  and at any cost.  That, my friends, is a legacy.  And legacies don’t die; they live on in those lucky enough to witness them.

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I suppose the conundrum as been solved.

Dodd’s done:

With poll after poll showing Dodd trailing, it became increasingly clear that his candidacy was not salvageable. A senior Democratic official said Dodd’s long-rumored, and always-denied, retirement plans were “inevitable – like gravity.”

Still, a source familiar with Dodd’s plans insisted late Tuesday that there was no pressure exerted on Dodd from the White House to back down.

It’s hard for me to get a grasp on this one.  I grew up in Connecticut with Christopher J. Dodd as my senator.  I wrote a post a few months back about meeting him in grade school– and about the upcoming fight to retain his seat in Connecticut.  He’s been a good senator for a long time.  Sadly, sometimes it’s best to know when it’s time to give up the fight.  Senator Dodd decided his time was now.  Losing Ted Kennedy and Chris Dodd is a blow to the New England Democratic establishment, as well as the democratic party as a whole.  We’ll see how they bounce back.

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