Category: Presidential Campaign

The First Serious Republican to Call for a Pullout Wins Iowa

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Strategic Vision Polled voters on a number of issues, including Iraq, and the results are interestting, particularly question 4.

4. Do you favor a withdrawal of all United States military from Iraq within the next six months? (Republicans Only)
Yes 51%
No 39%
Undecided 10%

Given those numbers, and given the number of candidates who are running, the highest in the polls gets barely 30%, the first credible* Republican candidate to call for a pullout wins Iraw.

*Credible means not a racist libertarian nutjob like Ron Paul.

Romney Repudiates Mormon Dogma for Political Gain

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Well, it appears that in order to appeal to Christian Evangelicals, Mitt Romney is repudiating Mormon Dogma. No surprise there from Mr. Flip Flop.

But for those trained to hear the subtleties, Mr. Romney was acknowledging something more. He implied an opposition to the birth control pill and a willingness to join in their efforts to scale back access to contraception. There are code phrases to listen for – and for those keeping score, Mr. Romney nailed each one.

One code phrase is: “I fought to define life as beginning at conception rather than at the time of implantation.” The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists defines pregnancy as starting at implantation, the first moment a pregnancy can be known. Anti-abortion advocates want pregnancy to start at the unknown moment sperm and egg meet: fertilization. They’d also like you to believe, despite evidence to the contrary, that the birth control pill prevents that fertilized egg from implanting in the womb.

This runs counter to Mormon doctrine, which says that a fertilized ovum does not have a soul until implantation, and hence it is not a human life.

It’s why the Church of Latter Day Saints supports stem cell research, and such anti-abortion stalwarts as Orin Hatch support embryonic stem cell research.

One more case of Romney pandering over what he claims to be deeply held beliefs.

On another note, this further indicates that the religious right wants to ban all forms of birth control, because otherwise, Romney would not have felt compelled to make this statement.

Hat tip to Talking Points Memo for finding this.

Awww…..Hell

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Well, it appears that Michigan will move up its primary to January 15.

That pushes New Hampshire to January 8, and Iowa likely to 2007. This is out of hand.

This is an artifact of the movement, which really got rolling in 1988, to create “super Tuesdays”. The original purpose was to nominate a Southerner (remember Good Ole Boy Michael “Scooter” Dukakkis nominated in 1988?), but it has served to render any primary outside of the first month following Iowa irrelevant.

Bush Without the Thinking

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Guiliani has been taking shots at Edwards ever since John criticized Rudy’s foreign policy ideas (which are truly insane).

Now Edwards’ spokesman Eric Schultz puts in his $0.02:

Poor Rudy, first he loses all touch with reality by bragging he spent more time at Ground Zero than our brave firefighters and first responders, and now he wants to brag about his foreign policy vision which can be best described as “George Bush without the thinking.

Republican Are For Rules for Everyone Else

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The New Yorker has an interesting comment on a little piece of Republithug rule gaming.

Two weeks ago, one of the most important Republican lawyers in Sacramento quietly filed a ballot initiative that would end the practice of granting all fifty-five of California’s electoral votes to the statewide winner. Instead, it would award two of them to the statewide winner and the rest, one by one, to the winner in each congressional district. Nineteen of the fifty-three districts are represented by Republicans, but Bush carried twenty-two districts in 2004. The bottom line is that the initiative, if passed, would spot the Republican ticket something in the neighborhood of twenty electoral votes—votes that it wouldn’t get under the rules prevailing in every other sizable state in the Union.

These were the same people who were screaming that a lost (stolen) election in 2000 had to be played under the rules that were there.

Hendrik Herzberg’s final words on this are definitive:

It’s the lotusland equivalent of Tom DeLay’s 2003 midterm redistricting in Texas, except with a sweeter smell, a better disguise, and larger stakes. And the only way Californians will reject it is if they have a chance to think about it first.

Equal Opportunity Bigots: Republican Evangelicals Hate BOTH Catholics and Mormons

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As much as I hate to agree with a group of bigots like Donohue’s Catholic league, and as much as I would like to feel a little bit of Schadenfreude about this as a Jew who has been routinely slandered by him and his little hate group, I have to agree with him here.

The Catholic bashing letter sent by the incredibly aptly named Huckabee Supporter Reverend Rude saying, “Huckabee is an evangelical. He has not learned how to speak to evangelicals; i.e. Bush 41 & 43. He is one of us. I know Senator Brownback converted to Roman Catholicism in 2002. Frankly, as a recovering Catholic myself, that is all I need to know about his discernment when compared to the Governor’s. I don’t if this fact is widely known among evangelicals who are supporting Brownback“.

It would appear that Tim Rude got his ordination from a cereal box, and his sense of right and wrong from either Father Coughlin or William Donohue himself.

It would be nice to dismiss him as just a crank supporter, but he is more than that. He is a campaign volunteer.

If Governor Huckabee is serious about disavowing this, he needs to take two steps:

  • Kick the person off the campaign immediately.
  • Get this person to publicly apologize.
  • State clearly that no speeches or political events will be held at the Walnut Creek Community Church in Windsor Heights.

And the Winner in the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Category………

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This is just whack. These guys are impersonating an officer because it’s convenient.

Your Republican morality at a glance: Laws for the but nor for me.

Romney aide’s bogus badges: Sources detail ‘illegal’ security tactic
By Casey Ross/ Exclusive
Boston Herald Reporter
Friday, July 20, 2007 – Updated: 12:21 PM EST

In an apparent violation of the law, a controversial aide to ex-Gov. Mitt Romney created phony law enforcement badges that he and other staffers used on the campaign trail to strong-arm reporters, avoid paying tolls and trick security guards into giving them immediate access to campaign venues, sources told the Herald.
The bogus badges were part of the bizarre security tactics allegedly employed by Jay Garrity, the director of operations for Romney who is under investigation for impersonating a law enforcement officer in two states. Garrity is on a leave of absence from the campaign while the probe is ongoing.

A campaign source said Garrity directed underlings on Romney’s presidential staff to use the badges at events nationwide to create an image of security and to ensure that the governor’s events went smoothly.

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Never Will You Find a More Retched Hive of Scum and Villany

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Here is an interesting story aboutMark Penn, Hillary Clinton’s main political strategist.

Penn is CEO of the global PR firm Burson-Marsteller, which has a union busting division.

It also turns out that he’s done extensive work for the Tobacco industry and the Nuclear Industry, among other unsavory characters, and his work for tobacco has continued since he has been advising Hillary on her senate campaigns.

You judge politicians by the company they keep, and this guy is bad news, perhaps as bad as the dope dealer and his racist father on the Guiliani campaign.

We Have Entered Bizarro World.

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The first serious Republican candidate to to say “Out of Iraq” sweeps the table in the primaries.

That is what the message is here.

Well, that, and the fact that McCain is a sick old man who has sold whatever integrity he ever had to the Bush white house.

Ron Paul Tops McCain in Cash on Hand

ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos Reports: Though often regarded as a longshot candidate for president, Republican Ron Paul tells ABC News that he has an impressive $2.4 million in cash on hand after raising an equal amount during the second quarter, putting him ahead of one-time Republican frontrunner John McCain, who reported this week he has only $2 million in the bank.

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“I think some of the candidates are on the down-slope, and we’re on the up-slope,” said Paul.

Paul’s cash on hand puts him in third place in the Republican field in that important metric, although he is well behind leader Rudy Giuliani, who has $18 million in the bank, and Mitt Romney, with $12 million.
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Coulter’s words help Edwards raise cash

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If I ever run for office, I’m going to need to call Ann Coulter a c*cks*ck*r.

Coulter’s words help Edwards raise cash

By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press WriterThu Jun 28, 1:33 AM ET

Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards on Wednesday encouraged his supporters to donate to his campaign in response to “hateful” comments from conservative author Ann Coulter.

Edwards made his first comments to The Associated Press in response to Coulter’s suggestion that she wished he would be “killed in a terrorist assassination plot.” His campaign cited her remarks in two e-mails and a telephone text message to supporters for donations, with the fundraising deadline on Saturday.

It’s not the first time Coulter has given the Edwards campaign a financial boost. In March, she called Edwards a “faggot” and the campaign used video of the comment to help raise $300,000 before the end of the first quarter.

In the e-mails, the campaign asked supporters to send donations to defy her remarks and help Edwards meet his goal of raising $9 million in the second quarter. The first e-mail from campaign adviser Joe Trippi showed a clip of Coulter on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” where she made the comments on Monday.

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Some Interesting News for Al Gore Watchers

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I’m just putting this out, that’s all.

My guess is that there were either translation errors, or that Tien is reading too much in between the lines.

This is not something that would leak out in Taiwan first.

My sign that Al Gore is running will be if he is literally running, you know, doing the treadmill, getting slimmed down for the campaign, etc.

Taiwan Quick Take

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ENVIRONMENT
Al Gore visit postponed
Former US vice president Al Gore will not be able to make it to Taiwan this September to address the issue of global warming, Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Tien Chiu-chin (田秋堇) said yesterday. Tien, who invited Gore to visit Taiwan to promote awareness on global warming, told reporters yesterday that she received an e-mail from the Harry Walker Agency, which has the exclusive right to arrange Gore’s speeches, saying that Gore had canceled all his scheduled events in the next six months. The visit to Taiwan had been postponed to next year, she added. Tien said the reason for the cancelation was that Gore was considering a presidential bid.

You Have to be F&@#ing Kidding Me.

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I just came across the following Guiliani press release, dated March 1, 2007:

Mayor Giuliani Announces Theodore Olson as Chair of Justice Advisory Committee

The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Exploratory Committee today announced that former Solicitor General Theodore Olson will chair the Mayor’s Justice Advisory Committee.

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“Ted Olson is a renowned Constitutional expert, one of the very best lawyers in the United States and I am honored to have his support,” Mayor Giuliani said. “Judith and I are even more honored by his friendship.”
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Whiskey Tango Foxtrot???? Is this some sort of dog whistle to the right wing Clinton haters of the Republican party?

This guy makes Jack Abramhoff look clean.

Rudy’s SC Campaign Manager Busted for Dealing Coke

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Gee….This is not a good week for Rudy. I feel for him…..OK….I feel amusement about him.

South Carolina treasurer indicted on cocaine charges

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (AP) — South Carolina Treasurer Thomas Ravenel, a former real estate developer who became a rising political star after his election last year, was indicted Tuesday on federal cocaine charges.

Ravenel is also the state chairman for former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s presidential campaign.

Ravenel has stepped down from his volunteer responsibilities with the campaign, according to a statement released by Mark Campbell, Giuliani’s political director.

Campbell said the campaign has no information about the accusations pending against Ravenel.

The millionaire is accused of buying less than 500 grams of the drug to share with other people in late 2005, U.S. Attorney Reggie Lloyd said.

Ravenel, 44, is charged with distribution of cocaine, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

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My Email to the Edwards Campaign

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I meant what I said. I am leaning toward his candidacy, and I want an apology from Mr. Sanders. A real one, not a phony “I’m sorry if I offended anyone” apology.

The text (pasted into their web form):

I recently read Dave “Mudcat” Sanders’ blog on time, and I am profoundly concerned by what he wrote on Time’s Swampland Blog.
There are a number of reasons:

* It was anti-Jewish. Specifically his slam of “elitist wing of the Democratic Party, or what I refer to as the “Metropolitan Opera Wing”.” is specifically a call to Jew Baiting.

* It was homophobic.

* It was racist, or at least it used racist code words.

I’m not of any particular importance. I have a blog with (perhaps) 100 readers a day (no I did not drop a few 0s, we are talking Z-list blogger).

I was a precinct captain for Howard Dean in 2004, but obviously the campaign was suspended before the Maryland primary.

I am given to understand that he is an adviser to your campaign.

I have not yet made a decision on which candidate to endorse, but you are currently the candidate I favor.

I will be making an endorsement before the Iowa caucuses (that and $2.50 will get you a Starbucks).

I am not suggesting that you separate Mr Saunders from your campaign.

However, SOMEONE should tell him that he needs to think before he talks.

I understand that sometimes consultants are tempted to sell themselves too much, and I believe that this is what happened here.

This campaign needs to be about John Edwards, not Dave “Mudcat” Saunders.

I would suggest that he apologize. It should be heartfelt, not a phony “I’m sorry if I offended anyone” apology, and it should be made clear to him that he needs to give his advice in private in the future.

Hillary’s Closest Advisor is a Union buster

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Mark Penn is VERY bad news, even if not for the union busting.

He is a serious proponent of Dems running as Republicans (DLC politics).

It’s nice to see that this is getting mainstream coverage now.; I’ve been hearing this on the Blogosphere for months.

A Top Clinton Aide Draws Criticism From Unions – New York Times

By STEVEN GREENHOUSE

Published: June 5, 2007

The presidents of two large labor unions have written to Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton to complain that Mark Penn, her pollster and chief strategist, is chief executive of a public relations firm that is helping a company fight a unionization drive.

In the letter sent Friday, which a labor official released yesterday, James P. Hoffa, president of the Teamsters, and Bruce Raynor, president of Unite Here, wrote that they did not want to see Mrs. Clinton or the Democratic Party embarrassed by the anti-union activities of Mr. Penn’s firm, Burson-Marsteller, one of the nation’s leading public relations companies.

“If Hillary is pro-worker and pro-union, she will certainly take steps to rein in Mr. Penn,” Mr. Hoffa said in an interview. “He cannot serve two masters, working for a pro-union candidate and working for anti-union companies.”

In the letter, Mr. Hoffa and Mr. Raynor said, “It is with distress that we write you today,” adding that they valued Mrs. Clinton’s positions on many worker-related issues.

They said the public relations firm’s “activities in the effort to undermine workers’ right to organize at Cintas, a campaign our unions are involved in, is particularly disheartening.” Four years ago, the two unions began a major drive to unionize 17,000 workers at the Cintas Corporation, the nation’s largest uniform rental company. Cintas, helped by Burson-Marsteller, has responded with a vigorous — and thus far successful — effort to resist unionization.

Mr. Hoffa and Mr. Raynor, whose union represents apparel, hotel and restaurant workers, noted that they had learned of Burson-Marsteller’s anti-union activities in an article last week in The Nation magazine. Their action comes as Mrs. Clinton prepares to speak at an A.F.L.-C.I.O. forum on Saturday in Detroit.

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