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Obama Gives Us the Nod To Go After Blanche

post from DownWithTyranny! on 04 July 2009 06:00:00 AM. © DownWithTyranny!

We asked our readers to take a look at the 3 TV spots we made for the Blue America Campaign for Heath Care Choice. So far we've raised around $23,000 and this is the ad that was chosen for us to run in all of Arkansas' media markets:

video details and more

But is it OK with Obama that we go after one of the worst of the conservative Democrats-- and one of only two (the other being quasi-Democrat Arlen Specter) facing re-election next year-- who is opposing his plan to reform the American health care system fundamentally? Well... we think so. According to today's Washington Post Obama urged groups like Blue America to lay off bad Democrats-- but he specifically left Blanche Lincoln off the list. He complained about groups that are going directly to the voters to expose corrupt Democrats Ben Nelson, Mary Landrieu, Arlen Specter, Ron Wyden (I don't understand why he stuck himself in this detestable camp) and Dianne Feinstein. But the silence over Blanche Lincoln was deafening. Obama must really hate her-- as he should, since she has opposed everything he's tried to accomplish, even after Joe Biden helped her raise a fortune from loyal Democrats for her re-election campaign.

She takes immense sums from all the worst special interests and makes a habit of skipping across the aisle and voting with the Republicans in support of CEOs and against her own constituents.

In a pre-holiday call with half a dozen top House and Senate Democrats, Obama expressed his concern over advertisements and online campaigns targeting moderate Democrats, whom they criticize for not being fully devoted to "true" health-care reform.

"We shouldn't be focusing resources on each other," Obama opined in the call, according to three sources who participated in or listened to the conversation. "We ought to be focused on winning this debate."

...For his part, the president vowed to use his strong approval rating with voters to continue making the case for sweeping reform, according to one congressional staffer with knowledge of the conversation. Obama also hinted that efforts are under way to discourage allies from future attacks on Democrats, according to the source, who did not have permission to speak on the record about the discussion.

A fundraising video produced by Democracy for America suggests Landrieu is a "sellout" because she has received $1.6 million in campaign contributions from the health-care industry and has yet to endorse the concept of a government-run health insurance plan to compete against the private companies. The public-option concept, which Obama supports, has become a litmus test for many pro-reform activists who accuse the insurance industry of failing to deliver affordable, accessible care.

"Tell Senator Landrieu to support the people of Louisiana, not insurance companies," the spot concludes.

Founded by former Vermont governor Howard Dean, Democracy for America argues that inclusion of a Medicare-style public option in health-care legislation is "non-negotiable."

MoveOn, a Web-based political action committee that works to elect "progressive" leaders, intended to run commercials over the Fourth of July holiday criticizing Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) for her silence on the public option. But after she endorsed legislation crafted by Democratic colleagues on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions that includes that provision, the group dropped its plans.

"This measure is the heart of health-care reform and is supported by MoveOn's 5 million members, as well as the majority of the American people," said MoveOn's executive director, Justin Ruben. "With the support of legislators like Senator Hagan, we can come closer to our goal of making quality health insurance accessible and affordable for everyone."

Health Care for American Now, a labor-based coalition of 1,000 groups, has organized a petition pressuring Feinstein to support legislation that includes a public option.

"We need a senator who is championing, not nay saying, the need for reform," the petition says. "We're hoping Sen. Feinstein becomes a 'champion' for the people of California and stands up for President Obama's health reform."

Over at Firedoglake, Jane is wondering if MoveOn will kowtow to Obama on Landrieu and Frankenstein monster twin of Lincoln's, though not one who is going to have to face the voters in 2010. Here at Blue America, we're glad MoveOn and other public interest groups are targeting shitheads like Landrieu, Lieberman, Feinstein, and Nelson but it's at the ballot box where the rubber meets the road and it is Blanche Lincoln who should be made to pay a real political price for her perfidy. A lot of this is theoretical; Lincoln is not. We're not fooling around. If she votes against the wishes and interests of working families, we want to make sure those working families know about it when they vote next year. If you agree with this admittedly harsh strategy, please consider making a contribution. We especially need help for the parts of Arkansas south of Pine Bluff. You can donate here. As Jane pointed out last night:

This is the moment when the liberal interest groups must decide: are they going to represent the interests of their members and keep going, or are they going to play the access game and bow to Obama's wishes?

These groups have acted as firewalls to shield Obama from liberal critique. As the traditional institutional liberal validators and stakeholders, their silence on a variety of issues-- from financial regulation to the escallation of the war in Afghanistan to energy and beyond -- have acted as insullation for the administration as it breaks one campaign promise after the other. We saw it last week with the hastily arranged cocktail party for LGBT leaders last week-- the way Obama mutes liberal criticism is by reaching out to those at the top and rewarding them personally with access.

Blue America doesn't want access. We're not an Inside-the-Beltway bunch of sycophants eating Rahm Emanuel's droppings. We don't care about any cults of personality. We expect real health care reform. That's it and we don't play games. No matter what the other groups do, Blue America won't be bamboozled. When Lincoln raises the white flag of surrender to the people who elected her, we'll stop trying to defeat her. Until then, she's no different from Mitch McConnell, Jon Kyl, Chuck Grassley, Jim DeMint, Richard Burr and other bought-out Republicans who have vowed to their paymasters at Big Insurance and the Medical-Industrial Complex to kill reform. Help us pry Blanche Lincoln loose from that camp. It's the American thing to do!

Read The Full Article:
http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2009/07/obama-gives-us-nod-to-go-after-blanch
e.html

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Happy July 4th

post from Pasadena New Progressive on 04 July 2009 05:37:00 AM. © Pasadena New Progressive

[Image: Washington Crossing the Delaware Oil on canvas by Emanuel Leutze]

Happy 4th of July to you and your families and friends.

I have dug up a few things to share. Julia Ward Howe was a prominent abolitionist, social activist and poet (can you imagine, a Liberal!). She wrote my favorite American anthem, written during the Civil War and very much an ode to social justice, here is an excerpt:

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free;
His truth is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is wisdom to the mighty, He is honor to the brave;
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave,
Our God is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.

The Battle of Trenton, was a critical battle for besieged and retreating George Washington during the American Revolution. Here is an eye-witness account of the pain and suffering (yet determination!) that was endured by those soliders (and fishermen) who lived (and died) during that time,

written by an officer on Washington's staff (read full text here):

At six o'clock on Christmas evening, the troops marched toward McKonkey's Ferry, nine miles north of Trenton.

Many of the ill-clad soldiers wrapped rags around their feet; others were shoeless.

Boats collected at this strategic crossing were manned by Colonel John Glover's Fourteenth Regiment of Continental Line, a unit largely composed of fishermen from Marblehead, Massachusetts.

The passage of 2,700 American soldiers commenced at twilight, but was impeded by snow fall that turned to sleet and by heavy ice floes in the river. Washington, wrapped in his cloak, watched silently from the shore. The artillery finally landed on the Jersey bank of the Delaware at about three o'clock in the morning of December 26, 1776, and the march got underway an hour later.

Two miles beyond the landing, at Bear's Tavern, Washington separated his army into two columns: General Greene a division of about 1,200 men and ten field pieces, accompanied by General Washington, down the Pennington Road while General Sullivan's division of about 1,500 men marched down the River Road.

Informed along the march by courier that the storm was making muskets unfit for firing, Washington responded: "Tell General Sullivan to use the bayonet. I am resolved to take Trenton."

1776

George Washington quote:

Labor to keep alive in your breast that little Spark of Celestial fire call Conscience.

-- George Washington (1732 - 1799)

-

Read The Full Article:
http://pasadenanewprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/07/happy-july-4th.html

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360 Tour: U2 asks fans to support Myanmar's Aung
San Suu Kyi

post from Ashin Mettacara on 04 July 2009 05:09:00 AM. © Ashin Mettacara

U2 and Fans tribute to Aung San Suu KyiAs U2 kicks off its world tour, the Irish rockers are turning a spotlight on Myanmar's jailed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.On its Web site and on stage, U2 is asking fans to wear a Suu Kyi mask in support of[...]

Read The Full Article:
http://www.ashinmettacara.org/2009/07/360-tour-u2-asks-fans-to-support.html

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Saturday Morning Open Thread

post from AMERICAblog News| A great nation deserves the truth on 04 July 2009 04:24:00 AM. © AMERICAblog News| A great nation deserves the truth

Happy Fourth of July.

So, it wasn't a slowish news weekend after all. How about that Sarah Palin? She's got us all talking about her -- again. That speech was bizarre. And, the rumors are swirling. While some pundits may think this was a brilliant move, well, it wasn't.

North Korea launched missiles today. Seven to be exact. Kim Jong-Il didn't count on Sarah Palin filling the weekend news hole and stealing all the attention.

KarenMrsLloydRichards captured the events of the week in her ongoing series, Haiku for the Obama administration, which appears regularly in the comments. I've said it before, but I love how much she says with so few words.

This one made me laugh out loud. Perfect:

"FABULOUS par-tay!"
"Yeah, Debbie Downer bloggers
Want me to stay home."

And, on Mark Sanford:

Torn between two loves,
Mark is feeling like a fool,
Breaking all the rules. . .

Enjoy the holiday.

Read The Full Article:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Americablog/~3/JSWXOJaORuw/saturday-morning-open-t
hread.html

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So Far Away From Home

post from Docudharma - Front Page on 04 July 2009 04:01:13 AM. © Docudharma - Front Page

Many's the time we've been mistaken, and many times confused.Yes, and we've often felt forsaken, and certainly misused.Obama says it's all right, it's all right, but I'm weary to my bones.On this Independence Day, on this 4th of July 2009,America's so[...]

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http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Docudharma/~3/ST8DIKGNm7Q/so-far-away-from-home

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Quitters

post from LeftWingConspiracy.com on 04 July 2009 04:01:07 AM. © LeftWingConspiracy.com

QuittersWhen The Going Gets ToughCowards Quit And Blame The Liberal MediaIn case you hadn’t heard, Sarah Palin quit on July 3rd.First I thought she was just incompetent, then I thought she was just a douchebag. Now she’s just lame.

Read The Full Article:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/leftwingconspiracy/~3/udpk6tZossE/

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Speculation rife as Sarah Palin quits as Alaska
governor.

post from The Osterley Times on 04 July 2009 03:32:00 AM. © The Osterley Times

video details and more

It was a remarkably muddled speech, full of that combination of folksy charm - and embarrassing references to fridge magnets - which has marked her every public utterance.

And it says a lot about her astonishing ego that we are left wondering whether or not this is her preparing to run in 2012. Though, why someone throwing in the towel should show us that they are ready to lead the front world confuses me. I would think it shows the opposite.

But, her claims that, "America is now looking north to the future" makes me wonder whether or not she is actually insane enough to think that this is her time.

I note that even Republicans can't agree on what the Hell she is up to.

But coming during Independence Day, the move raised questions among some Republicans who accused her of attempting to escape falling poll numbers in Alaska as a series of economic problems and ethics investigations take their toll. A prominent Republican strategist, Ed Rollins, who directed Ronald Reagan's election campaign, said Palin had made a serious mistake. "She was a shooting star who dimmed in recent months and now she's crashed," he said.

Another Republican strategist, Tony Blankley, disagreed and said Palin appeared to have made a smart move to position herself for a run for president.

"It looks like she's moving down a path toward it," he said. "It frees her up. The normal rules don't seem to apply to her. She's a fascinating character who seems to do things her own way."

Some are writing this off as typical of the kind of behaviour which we have become used to from this most "maverick" of politicians:

But other Republicans were more critical, including John Weaver, a long time confidant of McCain.

"We've seen a lot of nutty behaviour from governors and Republican leaders in the last three months, but this one is at the top of that," Weaver told the Washington Post. Palin's resignation was swiftly criticised as "flaky" by her Democratic opponents who said it was part of a pattern of "bizarre" behaviour. The Democratic National Committee said she is "leaving the people of Alaska high and dry ... or she simply can't handle the job now".

I have no idea whether she is stepping away from the spotlight or preparing to challenge Obama in 2012. It actually matters not a jot. An insanely egotistical incompetent is standing down. Should she decide that her decision to walk away from the promises she made to the people of Alaska makes her best placed to challenge Obama for the presidency of the United States in 2012, is all fun for the future.

We are dealing with a delusional lunatic. Only another lunatic would pretend to know what goes on in that narcissistic head of hers.

Click title for full article.

Tags: Sarah Palin, resignation, Republicans, US election 2012

Read The Full Article:
http://the-osterley-times.blogspot.com/2009/07/speculation-rife-as-sarah-palin-qu
its.html

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Happy Fourth of July

I have one Fourth of July tradition. I listen to 1776, the musical with music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards. The performance by Howard da Silva as Benjamin Franklin is timeless. The 1969 Broadway production won three Tony Awards, including Best[...]

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http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mydd/~3/YlGOMJqilZs/13241

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So long, and thanks for all the moose

For those who haven't seen it; Sarah Palin's press conference[...]

Read The Full Article:
http://tbogg.firedoglake.com/2009/07/03/so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-moose/

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Palin: Media Martyr's Revenge

The self-styled victim of "the politics of personal destruction" has struck back at her tormenters by leaving Alaska's statehouse with trademark twinkly, crinkly aggression.

Sarah Palin dropped her bombshell on the eve of a holiday weekend, sending TV's talking heads scrambling back from vacation to studios or huffing over long-distance phone lines to parse her resignation.

Their puzzled but predictable responses ranged from William Kristol and Mary Matalin hailing the move as a masterstroke toward the 2012 presidential nomination to the consensus about it as bizarre and, in the words of Republican strategist Ed Rollins, "terribly inept."

In ten months on the national scene, Palin has tried to make ineptness an asset by equating competence with "politics as usual" and picturing herself as champion of the resentful and inarticulate from Joe the Plumber down

Palin's complaints about the media notwithstanding, her next logical move will be to follow the folk wisdom, "If you can't lick 'em, join 'em," and become a commentator for Fox News, where Rupert Murdoch will surely be happy to provide her with an income and national platform to ease the pain of her abuse by David Letterman and Vanity Fair.

In that role, and in lucrative lectures to right-wing Republican faithful, the former Governor will be free to exhibit her 21st century Animal Farm--from the pit bull with lipstick through yesterday's additions, the lame duck who milks a paycheck and dead fish who go with the flow.

In that ramble, Gov. Palin asserted that it would be "tempting and more comfortable to just kind of keep your head down and plod along and appease those who are demanding, hey, just sit down and shut up. But that?s a worthless, easy path out. That?s a quitter?s way out."

Then she quit.

Her future colleague, Mike Huckabee, was rushed onto Fox News to hail her "spunk." Unlike Mary Tyler Moore's old TV boss Ed Asner, Huckabee was both collegially and politically restrained from a more understandable reaction, "I hate spunk."

Read The Full Article:
http://ajliebling.blogspot.com/2009/07/palin-media-martyrs-revenge.html