The Very Latest on Congress

(click the TPM icon for full sized graph and data)Here's the very latest average and trend on the congressional generic ballot. As you can see, the Republican advantage has been blunted a bit in the last few days. But it's important to remember that[...]

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http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~3/IHSaax1mdAU/the_very_latest
_on_congress.php

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Today was a good day. (For some people.)

It was a good day for me here in A-merry-ca:Rush Limp-boy got "punked." I know my man is busy these days, but there is more to research than just Wiki. I hope all the Limp-boy faithful out there remembers this the next time they go quoting the drug addict with the golden mike.

It was also a good day for Sarah light. Girlfriend raised almost a million dollars since her big win last night. Nice. Watch your money folks; let's just say that Sara light doesn't have the greatest record when it comes to managing money.
It might have been a good day for moi and Sarah light, but I bet the last few days haven't been good for Andrew Collins. The poor brotha watched one too many Extreme Games and thought he could ride his bike on the sidewalk in the city of Dallas. Well, the po po in Big D wasn't having it, and, as po pos will do from time to time; they Rodney Kinged his ass. But, not to worry people, the police chief is black. He has the situation under control.....

It can't be a good day for the family of Irving Santana, either. Irving was shot 13 times by a man who saw him breaking into his car here in Philly. Damn! I mean I know that the wages of sin is death but this is ridiculous. Anyhooo, seems the shooter had a history of violence, and Philly's finest revoked his gun permit back in 2005. Well, thanks to the powerful gun lobby here in A-merry-ca, my man was able to apply online and get a permit from gator country.

"Hill allegedly caught Santana breaking into his car.

Police say Hill had his gun permit revoked in 2005 and lost an appeal to get it reinstated in 2008.

They say in 2009, Hill applied online and received a gun permit from Florida, despite having no ties to the state.

"His gun permit was revoked, he appealed it, and he was still able to acquire that gun permit," Deputy Police Commissioner William Blackburn said.

Hill is charged with murder and other related offenses."

Sorry Irving, I guess it's too late for you to learn that you don't mess with a black man's car.

Finally, it can't be a good day if you are one of the 43.6 million A-merry-cans living in poverty.
Poverty here in A-merry-ca is at its highest levels since 1994. That is not good. But don't worry folks, this won't last for long. When the republicans are back in power they will cut taxes for the rich so that they will start hiring poor people again. Wait...whoops, sorry, I take that back.



Read The Full Article:
http://field-negro.blogspot.com/2010/09/today-was-good-day-for-some-people.html

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What does it mean to have one of our major
parties the exclusive domain of loonies and scumbags

"[T]he larger question is whether the country is ready to deliver a majority to a Republican Party that now holds problem-solvers like [Delaware GOP Rep. Mike] Castle in contempt; is scared to death of a well-financed right wing that parades under a false populist banner; and, in primary after primary, has aligned itself with Sarah Palin, who anointed O'Donnell one of her Grizzlies."
-- E. J. Dionne Jr. in his Washington Post column today,"Mike Castle's defeat -- and the end of moderate Republicanism"

by Ken

As if the endless campaign seasons and the elections themselves weren't bad enough, am I the only one who dreads almost more all the post-election blather from our anointed professional natterers? With those elections, at least there's a chance that some good may have come out , whereas with the natterers, well . . . you know. And primaries can be even worse, since these are elections that are by definition part of the ongoing campaign-and-election cycle.

It's an alarming spectacle, all those Village oracles (in their own minds, at least) either spewing conventional wisdom, or trying to figure out what the conventional wisdom should be, or offering their "correctives" to the conventional wisdom, which is to say their versions of you-know-what. And when I take aim at Village oracles, I don't mean just people who hunker down inside that sleepy village on the Potomac. Just as you don't have to be physically in the Village to be of it (it's more a matter of state of mind, or often who signs your paycheck), it's actually possible to be a geographical villager without being, you know, a Villager. Obvious case in point: the Washington Post's tirelessly gentle and sane E. J. Dionne Jr.

In the column today from which I've already quoted, Dionne explains that he paid a visit Monday night, the evening before the election, to the campaign headquarters of Delaware Rep. Mike Castle for what had once seemed a shoe-in run to the Republican nomination for the special election to fill the Senate seat vacated by Vice President Biden. The next day, as we all know, Castle, now 71, would have his political career brought to an abrupt end by professional crazyperson Christine O'Donnell, one of this electoral season's beneficiaries of the right-wing media craziness that has taken hold in the land.

I certainly wasn't looking forward to Castle taking his place in the Senate, which everyone seems pretty certain would have been the case if he had won the Republican nomination -- just as certain as most everyone is that the unspeakable O'Donnell person almost certainly doesn't have a ghost of a chance now of defeating the Democratic nominee, Chris Coons. Even the less crazed crazies of the Republican Far Right have recoiled in horror from the O'Donnell candidacy.

(Of course crazies are crazies, and Steve Benen tells the tragicomic tale of "news commentator" Karl Rove, after talking trash about O'Donnell on the air Tuesday night, now claiming that he not only supports her but in fact endorsed her Tuesday night. He's lying, of course, but Karl Rove lying isn't exactly breaking news. What's interesting is that he has chosen to tell this set of lies.)

At the same time, traditional corporatist Republican that Castle may be, tradition of Republicans to which he belongs is a different species from today's, and is now apparently more or less officially extinct. Castle was and is a serious political person, committed to actually making government work. And Monday night, as E. J. Dionne reports, he seemed to see the handwriting on the wall.

Representative Castle conceding defeat Tuesday night
He seemed calm and confident, yet almost everything he said sounded valedictory as he offered a prescient analysis that explained in advance a defeat that echoed across the nation.

A genial and courtly man in the manner of the elder President Bush (who held a fundraiser for him in Kennebunkport, Maine), the nine-term member of Congress was mourning the decline of both the conciliatory style of politics that animated his career and the moderate Republican disposition that the Tea Party is determined to destroy.

"There are issues on which, as Republicans and Democrats, we should sit down and work out our differences," Castle said Monday night as we sat outside at Kelly's Logan House, a watering hole where he has gathered his closest supporters the night before every election since his first victory, for the neighborhood's state legislative seat, in 1966.

Republicans who might be inclined toward the middle of the road, he said, are petrified of "quick attacks by columnists and the Sean Hannitys of the world. People are very afraid of crossing the line and being called Republicans in Name Only -- or worse." As a result, "not too many members are willing to stand up."

One of the things Republicans who don't wholly embrace the craziness fear is just the sort of primary challenge Castle found himself up against in his Senate bid. "This election," he told Dionne, "has shown the power of very conservative groups."

Castle's defeat at the hands of Christine O'Donnell, a perennial candidate who may be the least qualified Senate nominee anywhere in the country, does indeed mark the collapse of the Republican Party not only of Nelson Rockefeller and Tom Dewey but also of Bob Dole and Howard Baker.

After two decades in which moderates fled a party increasingly dominated by its right wing, the Republican primary electorate has been reduced to nothing but its right wing. O'Donnell, boosted by a last minute anti-Castle spending spree from the California-based Tea Party Express, pulled off her revolution with a little more than 30,000 votes. That's all it took to seize control of a once Grand Old Party in which the center no longer has the troops.

Dionne wants us to understand the significance of what happened Tuesday in Delaware.

Castle's defeat at the hands of Christine O'Donnell, a perennial candidate who may be the least qualified Senate nominee anywhere in the country, does indeed mark the collapse of the Republican Party not only of Nelson Rockefeller and Tom Dewey but also of Bob Dole and Howard Baker.

After two decades in which moderates fled a party increasingly dominated by its right wing, the Republican primary electorate has been reduced to nothing but its right wing. O'Donnell, boosted by a last minute anti-Castle spending spree from the California-based Tea Party Express, pulled off her revolution with a little more than 30,000 votes. That's all it took to seize control of a once Grand Old Party in which the center no longer has the troops. . . .

The conventional Washington talking point holds that as Republicans have moved right, the Democrats have moved left. But this is patently false -- just count the number of moderate Democratic House members. And one politician who sees no equivalence is Castle. The domination of a party by its most ideological wing, he said, "is a more extensive problem right now in the Republican Party than in the Democratic Party."

He also offered a prediction: "I'd be willing to bet dollars to doughnuts that my opponent could not win a general election in this state for this seat -- or any other seat."

DWT readers are only too familiar with the O'Donnell-equivalent candidates all over the country who have won Republican nominations through similar electoral processes. Delaware would seem less fertile ground for the ultra-crazies than many of the other states staring at similar contests in the general election, but the question with which Dionne concludes applies to all of them:

Will moderate voters take a chance on the preposterous proposition that this Republican Party will turn around and work in a calm, bipartisan way with President Obama? Or will they use their ballots to wake up the Republicans and tell them that they need more Mike Castles, and fewer extremists?

#

Read The Full Article:
http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-does-it-mean-to-have-one-of-our.
html

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DeMint: ‘The Best Thing That Could Happen
For Business Is Complete Gridlock’

Last summer, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) offered a quote that symbolized the GOP’s strategy of reflexive opposition to the President. “If we?re able to stop Obama on this [health reform], it will be his Waterloo. It will break him,” he said. DeMint was clear that his strategy was purely political. “If we stop him on health care,” he said, “then I think we have the opportunity to maybe realign the whole political system in our country.” Fortunately, DeMint didn’t get his way and 32 million more Americans will soon have health care.

But due to his successful efforts to help drive tea party senatorial candidates like Christine O’Donnell, Pat Toomey, and Marco Rubio to victory over establishment candidates, DeMint is emboldened. He told Bloomberg that he hopes his new contingent of “DeMint disciples” will help him produce his goal of “complete gridlock”:

DeMint, 59, doesn’t care. He tells Bloomberg Businessweek “the best thing that could happen for business is complete gridlock” and that he wants to stop programs that violate his anti-Big Government ideology.

“What happens in the Senate is the Republicans sink to the lowest common denominator,” he says, taking a quick break between TV appearances. “People want an alternative to some kind of watered-down Republican philosophy.”

DeMint told reporters yesterday that so-called moderates are the scourge of his party. ?I think what happens is when we have a few that vote with the Obama agenda, it defines the whole Republican Party,? DeMint said. ?I don?t want the majority back if we don?t believe anything,” DeMint said on Fox News this week.

DeMint’s potentially powerful new bloc of supporters may pose a leadership challenge for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Tellingly, this morning on the Today Show, DeMint couldn’t even remember his leader’s name. “Well, I like our current leadership,” he said. “Mitch ? um, um [pause]. Um ? Mitch is doing a great job.” Watch it:

video details and more

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http://thinkprogress.org/2010/09/16/demint-complete-gridlock/

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Late afternoon/early evening open thread

Elon James White, Average Black Person^TM, brings you TWIB:

video details and more

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http://feeds.dailykos.com/~r/dailykos/index/~3/sFjG8G-hG9g/-Late-afternoon-early-
evening-open-thread

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Why Prince Poppycock is Important for America

Prince Poppycock is important for America because he makes a statement just by being himself and performing in full outrageous historical drag. On September 7 Poppycock showcased a message, singing a medley of "The Star Bangled Banner," "Yankey Doodle[...]

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http://lafiga.firedoglake.com/2010/09/16/why-prince-poppycock-is-important-for-am
erica/

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Boehner vows to do everything he can to "prevent
Obamacare from being implemented"

Evidently John Boehner is so incensed over that tanning tax in the Affordable Care Act that he's vowed to do everything within his power to stop the implementation of "Obamacare". His remarks came in the context of his reassurance that he really, really doesn't want to shut down the government, but then, there's that pesky health care law...

Of course, in a divided government, the likelihood of a government shutdown depends almost entirely on how flexible Republicans and Democrats are during negotiations over the budget and federal spending. So if Boehner's pursuit of "smaller, less costly, and more accountable government" is dramatically out of sync with President Obama's priorities (like implementing his health care law), a temporary shutdown may just be inevitable.

"I am committed to doing everything that I can do and our team can do to prevent Obamacare from being implemented," Boehner said. "When I say everything, I mean everything."

So that we're clear here, Boehner is prepared to shut down the entire federal government to prevent the following:

• Non-discriminatory coverage for all Americans (e.g., no more pre-existing conditions exclusions)
• Government assistance to make insurance costs affordable for individuals
• Coverage of children until they reach age 26
• Preventive care and wellness
• Elimination of lifetime and annual limits on coverage
• Expanded Medicaid coverage for the poor

These are just a few benefits under the Affordable Care Act. Whether or not you believe there was a better way to go with this, these are still very real, very important benefits, especially elimination of pre-existing conditions exclusions.

John Boehner has vowed to shut down the government to stop this from happening. The entire government. He justifies it this way:

"Our goal is to have a smaller, less costly, and more accountable government here in Washington, DC," Boehner told reporters. "Our goal is not to shut down the government."

A less costly government? Pretty laughable coming from the man who wants to make the Bush tax cuts permanent at a greater cost than the entire 10-year bill for "Obamacare".

Democrats have to stop running from the Affordable Care Act and own it, straight up. On September 23rd -- 7 days from now-- insurers will no longer be able to terminate policies when people get sick. They'll have to cover emergency services without prior authorizations that leave patients in ER hallways. Women will have access to OB/GYN care without a referral from a primary doctor. Children under the age of 19 may not be excluded for pre-existing conditions. Lifetime dollar limits are a thing of the past, policies cannot be rescinded, and preventive health coverage is included at no additional cost.

These are meaningful to many, many people. Democrats need to start taking ownership of this instead of letting John Boehner re-prioritize tax cuts for the rich as a more important agenda item.

Read The Full Article:
http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/boehner-vows-do-everything-he-can-prevent-o

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Meet and greet Rob Groce at the ILA Hall
September 23

From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 23^rd, we're having a "Meet & Greet" at the local ILA Hall (1142 Morrison Drive Charleston, SC 29403).  Please feel free to attend and enjoy some of our refreshments, too. (We'll have some signs and bumper stickers there, too!)
On Sunday, October 3^rd, we have another "Meet & Greet" still in the works. (This one will function as a fundraiser, too.) It will likely be in the downtown Charleston area that late afternoon or early evening.  As soon as we have more information and get the details confirmed, we'll send you word (and we hope that you will send word out about it, too!). 
And if you'd like to plan a Meet & Greet event that can be used to further the word about our campaign, just let us know. It would be greatly appreciated! Contact rob@groceforcongress.com

Read The Full Article:
http://thepoliticsofjamiesanderson.blogspot.com/2010/09/meet-and-greet-rob-groce-
at-ila-hall.html

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Can we send you a free sticker Dems new logo

When we elected President Obama, Democrats made a choice to embrace the fight for change that matters.

We renewed our focus on organizing alongside everyday Americans, growing more inclusive than ever before.

We took on the special interests, opposed their agenda -- and we are delivering results for the people of this country.

We are working to move America forward.

That's why we are introducing a new look for Democrats to match this message -- a change that amplifies our focus on renewing the foundations that make this country great.

We're launching an updated website, filled with innovations that will better connect our supporters with candidates, state parties, and one another.

We want all this work to be a visible reminder of our commitment to build a better America for everyone.

To show that this commitment is one shared by Americans across the country, we're sending out thousands of free bumper stickers -- to help people put their support on display.

Can we send one to you?

Change is the inescapable driver of history in the United States. Being a Democrat means meeting the challenges of changing times so that all Americans can prosper.

From suffrage to Social Security, civil rights to the minimum wage, rural electrification to health reform, Democrats have renewed the foundations of this country again and again to help Americans from all walks of life get ahead.

We're continuing to work for change that matters today.

We have brought the American economy back from the brink of collapse and reformed a health care system that was broken. We won fights for fair pay and credit card reform. We reined in a financial system that was out of control and delivered the toughest consumer protections ever enacted.

We've launched an unprecedented effort to win the fall elections so we can continue this work, and we're using every tool we have to win this fight -- including a website that empowers supporters like never before.

Spreading our message is a major part of this effort, and we need your help.

The more of us who put these stickers in visible places, the stronger message we'll send about our support for Democrats this November. Get your sticker, then tell your friends:

http://my.democrats.org/Sticker

Thanks,

Governor Tim Kaine
Chairman

Read The Full Article:
http://thepoliticsofjamiesanderson.blogspot.com/2010/09/can-we-send-you-free-stic
ker-dems-new.html

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The Importance of Elizabeth Warrens Assistant to
the President Position

This is what many of us have been calling for since the beginning of the Presidency, for someone to break the Geithner/Summers stranglehold on marcoeconomic policy. Warren will at least have a chance to take her concerns right to the President, and not[...]

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http://news.firedoglake.com/2010/09/16/the-importance-of-elizabeth-warrens-assist
ant-to-the-president-position/

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