Owner: Nick's Notes URL:http://www.nicksnotesblog.blogspot.com Join Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2007 18:20:11 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: The Political World, commentary, and other news, seen through the eyes of a Liberal New York Twentysomething Site statistics:Click here
The Lighter Side: Titanic Redux? 2007-03-24 00:01:00 Starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio...no, not Titanic
not even Titanic Part IIJack and Rose are reuniting for a film version of the classic Robert Yates novel "Revolutionary Road" directed by Sam Mendes. Winslet and DiCaprio will play April and Frank Wheeler for those of you who know the novel Read more:Redux
Pork, Yuck 2007-03-23 20:04:00 I, for one, am not happy the emergency supplemental bill was loaded with pork by the Democratic majority. I understand why they did and I understand that's the way it's always done, but I don't like pork and the American people don't like pork.They may have scored a victory in passing this bill, but the fact that they couldn't do it without loading it with more pork than an Easter buffet causes them to lose points in my book.
Victory For The People 2007-03-23 19:31:00 The emergency supplemental bill pass the House 218-212. Pelosi got the votes she needed.Two Republicans voted for the bill, both staunchly anti-war;Walter Jones (R-North Carolina)Wayne Gilchrest (R-Maryland)14 Democrats voted against the bill, most because it doesn't go far enough. Members of the Out Of Iraq caucus, but some were more conservative hawkish Democrats.Those Democrats who voted NO because they want the war to end now;Maxine Waters (D-California)Diane Watson (D-California)Lynn Woolsey (D-California)Barbara Lee (D-California)Michael McNulty (D-New York)John Lewis (D-Georgia)Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio)The others;Jim Marshall (D-Georgia)Jim Matheson (D-Utah)Dan Boren (D-Oklahoma)John Barrow (D-Georgia)Gene Taylor (D-Mississippi)Lincoln Davis (D-Tennessee)Michael Michaud (D-Maine)Marshall, Matheson, Boren, Barrow, Taylor and Davis I can understand. They sit in districts where, even if the war is unpopular, so is cutting the funds...Michaud I don't understand, I haven't foud any Read more:Victory
CT-04 Richter Out, Meet Jim Himes 2007-03-23 05:42:00 Former New York Rangers goalie Mike Richter will not run agaist the only Republican in New England, Chris Shays.Richter was widely seen as a potential candidate in the district where the Rangers are a popular team...only one problem, he didn't live in the district. Enter this guy;Already running for the seat is Former Greenwich Town Democratic Committee chairman Jim Himes. Himes, a resident of Cos-Cob, is an activist for low-income housing and fighting poverty. While this is not an issue through most of the Connecticut 4th, it is an issue in Bridgeport, where high voter turnout could easily unseat Shays.In 2006, Shays survived largely because he won the entire district minus five towns; Stamford, Norwalk, Westport, Bridgeport and Weston, but he only won by a little over 2%...better turnout in Bridgeport and Stamford could very well swamp Shays, and Himes has a pretty good resume to connect with those voters.
The Road to 218 2007-03-23 04:04:00 If the Democrats manage to pull off a victory with the supplemental bill, it would be a HUGE victory, not only for them, but for voters in general who voted for change last November, even though it allocates more money for a war they want to end.It is no secret that a majority of Americans want the war in Iraq to end one way or another, and it's no secret that is also true of Congress. However, Congress, like the American people are divided on how to do it. Some say cut the funds, some say cut only some and some say find a way to force the President to bring the troops home without cutting their funds.I, for one, feel that nothing will coerce this President to bring the troops home and there is nothing Congress can do to force the President to end the war, so therefore Congress needs to take a stand and show the people they are, at the very least, trying to stop the war. They can cut the funds, but will that guarantee the President will bring the troops home? Or will it guarantee that
Strength and Bravery 2007-03-23 01:46:00 If there was ever any doubt that John Edwards was a strong, brave man, it was eliminated today.If you turn off the sound at today's news conference, you would never be able to tell that it was about bad news. The way John and Elizabeth Edwards conducted the press conference, it almost seemed as if they were talking to members of their own family or a group of friends. They made us feel confident and optimistic of Mrs. Edwards' condition. It was easy to picture a President Edwards speaking to a nervous nation in the event of natural disaster or national calamity, should there ever be one. I always thought John Edwards' leadership ability was underestimated, and I wasn't the least bit surprised by their actions at today's press conference.Some may argue that Edwards is being selfish or cares more about political ambition that his own family, but in the eyes of Elizabeth, John's campaign is just as if he was a construction worker going to the job site everyday or a store owner openi
God Bless You Mrs. Edwards 2007-03-22 18:01:00 Cancer is a pandemic that all of us know to well. We all have mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, wives, husbands, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and other people close to us who have survived or succumbed to cancer.Cancer is an equal opportunity infector. It can affect the rich and the poor, the black and the white, Republicans and Democrats.Elizabeth Edwards
is another face, joining the millions upon millions of others who have been affected by this disease. Read more:Bless
Those Horrible Bully Democrats 2007-03-25 06:21:00 President Bush's weekly radio address sounded more like a spoiled brat who was whining to his mommy and daddy that he is not getting his way.In a nutshell, he whined about how the Democrats
are picking on him, his poor defenseless Attorney General and his so-called mission to victory in Iraq. Those damn bullies in Congress won't stop picking on poor Georgie.Nobody feels bad for you Bush. You led us into a war under false circumstances, led us to believe you knew what you were doing when you didn't. Your allow your staff to set national policy and make decisions you should be making. You made us believe you were an great leader five and a half years ago, only to abuse the trust we gave you. Nobody feels bad for you. Karma is a bitch, ain't it.You know what's funny George? You think of yourself as a strong Texas cowboy, but you're being kicked around by a 65 year-old Italian-American Grandma from San Francisco. Read more:Bully
Dick's Weekly Sprewing Of Crap 2007-03-25 05:15:00 Yes, Dick Cheney is at it again...once again believing he is the most American, most Patriotic of all peopleThis time he's not attack people, or a party, or even a certain politician...he's attacking the entire legislative branch...the entire branch of government doesn't support the troops.According to him;Cheney called it a myth that "one can support the troops without giving them the tools and reinforcements they need to carry out their mission."And you can only do that by following HIS orders. What HE believes is the final say on what the troops need. Dick, in case you missed it, the bill does give the troops the tools and reinforcements they need to carry out...whatever it is you want them to carry out. All it does is tell the president he has a year or so to carry it outAnd quite frankly, they're being generous...you said in 2003, this would take "weeks, not months." Well now you got months, so get working. Read more:Weekly
A New Democratic Era: Importance of 2008 2007-03-24 23:23:00 I said earlier that we would probably have to wait until after 2008 to see if the Democratic
majority sticks and officially puts an end to the 26 year-old conservative era. I mean that more than just if a Democrat gets elected President in 2008, but the entire election in general.First, it's important to realize the Republicans have the upper hand in 2007 elections. Three gubernatorial races are to be held, all in red states. Only Kentucky looks to be really competitive. Republicans have a huge chance for a pickup in Louisiana and look safe to reelect Haley Barbour in Mississippi. Kentucky really depends on the GOP primary, and even then, it appears to be a tossup.In 2008, however, everything is up for grabs, the entire House, many of the most competitive Senate races, a slew of competitive gubernatorial races, and of course the crème de la crème, the White House.Democrats, barring any major mishap, will probably keep their House majority. They will likely lose a few seats and gain
A Bush Denied! 2007-03-24 19:40:00 This is so funnyTalk about getting punched in the gut...this has to be painful for Jeb Bush, assuming he even cares.At least we know, whether they turned him down for the right reasons or not, they do THINK about who they're handing honorary degrees to before they actually hand them out.
A New Democratic Era. 2007-03-24 05:55:00 It was only a few years ago when it seemed the Democratic
Party was on the brink of complete collapse. Former Senator Zell Miller (D-Georgia) said in 2004 he believed the Democrats were going the way of the Whigs.My, how times have changed.Pew research now says 50% of the country identifies itself as Democratic or leaning toward the Democratic Party, while only 35% say the same about the Republicans. That differs drastically from 2002 when the two parties were tied in voter identification.If this is in fact true, the Democratic Party has regain an absolute majority again, putting an end to the Conservative majority that has existed since before I was even born, going back to Ronald Reagan's 1980 election.Does this mean the beginning of a new Democratic majority that will itself last as long, maybe longer?We may have to wait until 2008 to find that out, but early signs look promising for Democrats. The population appears to be less socially conservative, fiscally conservative, and hawk
LIAR! 2007-03-24 05:00:00 Looks like Attorney General Gonzales has been caught with his pants down.Earlier, the Attorney General admitted that he did not know any of this was going on. Now, it appears he not only knew what was going on…he himself authorized it!No wonder the President doesn't want his staff to testify under oath, they lie like its part of the job description.I agree with Harry Reid; Gonzales' days are numbered
More Of This Is What Is Needed 2007-03-26 05:45:00 This is good.The reason the war in Iraq has been a bungling failure is not because the troops aren't fighting hard enough or the people aren't supportive enough...but because the leadership running the show did not and still does not understand the political situation in the Middle East and are clueless on what the culture there is like.Until prominent Islamic figures, like sheiks, endorse the idea of democracy, it will never happen there.Still, while I think it's a good sign to see popular religious figures trying to turn the populace against the insurgency and attempt to end the civil war, even if it succeeds, what is the likelihood these sheiks are going to decide to embrace a secular democracy supportive of Israel and western culture instead of a Saudi Arabia/Iran type state?My guess is slim, but it would be good to end the civil war so we can bring our troops home!
Disgraceful 2007-03-26 04:55:00 How the HELL does this happen?You know, it just goes to show you how MESSED up this country is. You die in the worst attack on the American mainland since the War of 1812 and where do you end up? In the left lane of the Cross Bronx Expressway.Unfreakinbelievable!
Does Thou Speak The “I” Word? 2007-03-26 02:47:00 The left wing and the people who most despise George W. Bush have been saying it for almost four years or more now. It has been dismissed as a stupid idea with no reason to do it except that they just plain don't like the man, but with scandal after scandal erupting out of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and its offshoot offices, could that "I" word politicians dare not speak actually be something that may come to be in the near future?Impeachment; only the left wing of the Democratic party, politicians like Maxine Waters of California or Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, have spoken about it, but today one very important member of Congress talk about the "I" word…Republican Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska;"Any president who says, I don't care, or I will not respond to what the people of this country are saying about Iraq or anything else, or I don't care what the Congress does, I am going to proceed — if a president really believes that, then there are — what I was pointing out, there are
Gonzales Running Out Friends 2007-03-25 17:35:00 The Attorney General is coming closer to being alone in the political world.Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania) and Chuck Hagel (R-Nebraska) both joined the chorus of those who are quickly losing faith in Gonzales
;Specter;“We have to have an attorney general who is candid and truthful. And if we find out he’s not been candid and truthful, that’s a very compelling reason for him not to stay on."Hagel;"Gonzales does have a credibility problem. ... We govern with one currency, and that’s trust. And that trust is all important. And when you lose or debase that currency, then you can’t govern. And I think he’s going to have some difficulties." Meanwhile, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California) joined other Democrats in calling for Gonzales to resign. Two of the fired prosecutors came from CaliforniaFeinstein;“I believe he should step down, and I don’t like saying this. This is not my natural personality at all. But I think the nation is not well served by this. I think we Read more:Friends
Senate Backs Withdrawal Timetable 2007-03-28 02:05:00 The Senate
passed the emergency supplemental bill that included a withdrawal timetable to get the troops out of Iraq. President Bush will, of course, veto it, bringing himself and the Democrats to a face to face contest in which someone (the Democrats) will blink.Democrats got the key support of the most conservative Democrat in the Senate, Ben Nelson of Nebraska. Nelson voted for the bill saying benchmarks are good to judge progress. Two Republicans, Gordon Smith of Oregon and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska voted with the Democrats; Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) called them "two brave Republicans." Joe Lieberman of Connecticut of course did not vote for the bill, sticking to his pro-war stance. Senator Mark Pryor (D-Arkansas) also voted against the bill. Pryor is up for reelection next year, as is Smith in Oregon.Senator Thad Cochran (R-Mississippi) tried to get an amendment passed that would stricken the deadline language from the bill, it failed by the same margin the bill p Read more:Backs
, Timetable
Cancer Rears It's Ugly Head Again 2007-03-28 01:29:00 Last week it was Elizabeth Edwards, and this week cancer again rears it's ugly head in another prominent political figure...White House Press Secretary Tony Snow.Snow, a survivor of colon cancer, announced that his cancer has returned...in his liver.Like I said, Cancer
doesn't care who you are or what political party you belong to, or what religion you belong to, etc. Cancer affects everyone equally.Tony's situation is serious, but treatable. Good Luck Tony. I for one look forward to seeing him get well and get back to the podium so I can yell at the TV when I have it tuned to his daily press briefing. Read more:Again
OR-Sen: Poll Shows Smith Very Vulnerable * 2007-03-27 05:03:00 A internal DSCC poll shows Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon) four points ahead of Senator Gordon Smith
(R-Oregon) in a hypothetical race for Smith's Senate seat;DeFazio (Dem)- 42%Smith (Rep)- 38%It's a partisan poll, so it's not really trustworthy, but partisan polls can show weakness (as this does with Smith.) DeFazio may not be the best candidate to run against Smith, but if he leads in a partisan poll, then it's probably really a dead heat.DeFazio's district, the Oregon 4th, is the traditional swing part of the state. Located down in the Southwest part of the state, bordering California and the Pacific Ocean, it includes Eugene, Springfield, Coos Bay and Albany. Cook gives it a PVI of D+1, DeFazio has held the seat since 1987 and it's been in Democratic hands for three decades. It's no surprise that DeFazio does well against Smith. He can easily win a Senate race by winning the state's traditionally Democratic area; Portland and it's northwestern suburbs to Astoria ,and Read more:Vulnerable
The Fifth 2007-03-27 04:16:00 You know, for an administration that has so much animosity for the first ten amendments to the Constitution, they sure have a sudden love affair with the fifth.It's not a good thing for them that an aid to the Attorney General is pleading the Fifth
Amendment. Let's read, verbatim, what the Fifth Amendment says;"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."Yeah, so, pretty much she's guilty of something and admitting the truth would force her to con
GOP Will Not Block Funding Bill 2007-03-27 01:49:00 Stating that they know the President will veto it, Democrats will not be able to override the veto, and will likely have to give in and give the President a bill that doesn't include what they refer to as a "surrender date," the Senate GOP will not filibuster the House emergency supplemental bill.The bill is facing a tight vote in the Senate, but most Democrats are expected to support the bill. Senator Ben Nelson (D-Nebraska) probably the most conservative Democrat in the Senate announced he was supporting the bill. Senator Mark Pryor (D-Arkansas) is on the fence. Both earlier opposed a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq along with Senator Joe Lieberman (Whatever-Connecticut). Senator Gordon Smith (R-Oregon) supported the timetable and, with one or two other moderate endangered Republican Senators, may have to support this bill in order for it to pass. It sounds like the Democrats have the 51 votes needed to pass the bill.With the president's veto imminent, Democrats will have to pre Read more:Funding
Clinton, Giuliani Lead In New York 2007-03-26 21:08:00 Is this REALLY shocking news?This is the main reason why I vehemently opposed moving the state's primary to February 5th. It's a foregone conclusion who will win the primaries in New York
, even if their leads nationally do falter.An interesting note is that America's Mayor is trailing the Carpetbagger by 12 points statewide in the general election. What's amazing is that in 2000 Giuliani
was seen as the only Republican who can easily beat Clinton
for Danny Moynihan's Senate seat...now, he can't even beat her in a national election in New York.Just an indication of how blue the Empire State has become.Also interesting; Governor Spitzer's popularity appears to be tumbling. That's what happens when you put elderly women in TV commercials blaming the governor for their endless suffering and lost will to live.
Special Election News 2007-03-26 18:52:00 There are a slew of special elections tomorrow on Long Island and Staten Island for three open State Assembly seats and a Nassau County Legislature seat.on Long Island;North Hempstead Town Clerk Michelle Schmiel, a Democrat from Great Neck, will face Republican Ryan DeCicco for the State Assembly seat of Tom DiNapoli, who resigned to become State Comptroller last month.North Hempstead Town Board member Wayne Wink of Roslyn will face Louis Chisari of New Hyde Park for the Nassau County Legislature seat of Craig Johnson, who won election to the State Senate last month.on Staten Island;In the race to succeed the late John Lavelle in the State Assembly, Democrat Matthew Titone, the Democratic candidate for the 24th State Senate seat against Andrew Lanza last year is running against Republican Rose Margarella and the Independence Party nominee Kelvin AlexanderIn the heavily Republican state assembly seat of now NYC Councilman Vincent Ignizio, Democrats have nominated John Mulia, who also re Read more:Special
, Election
, Special Election
They’re NOT Political Pawns 2007-03-29 05:02:00 An aide to Alberto Gonzales is about to inform Congress that the eight federal prosecutors who were controversially fired were let go because they weren't lock step behind the President's priorities, but rather their own. That is EXACTLY why the Attorney General is in hot water right now. For once they are admitting the truth. The problem is, the truth isn't an issue for them. They think it is perfectly fine to fire prosecutors because they aren't lining up behind the President's politics. This administration honestly believed that federal prosecutors ARE political pawns to be used in the game of political chess by the President. I don't know what is scarier, the people who believe this or the American peoples for electing the man who put these people in positions of power.They serve at the pleasure of the President…I've heard that phrase over a hundred times this week alone. Sure, the President has a right to fire them because they don't agree with everything he wants. That
Special Election Results 2007-03-29 04:31:00 Yesterday's SpecialElection
s yielded no surprises;In Nassau County;Democrat Michelle Schmiel won a landslide victory for the 16th State Assembly seat in Northwestern Nassau County, replacing State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, also a Democrat.Democrat Wayne Wink also won a landslide victory for a seat in the Nassau County Legislature, replacing Democrat Craig Johnson, who was elected to the state senate.In Staten Island;Democrat Matthew Titone won the special election for the 61st State Assembly district, replacing the late John Lavelle, also a DemocratRepublican Lou Tobacco won the 62nd State Assembly district special election to replace Vincent Ignizio, another Republican who was elected to the New York City Council. Tobacco, like his predecesor, will be the only GOP member of the state assembly from New York City.No, that doesn't end the Special Election
s in the state Assembly. Rockland County Democrat Kenneth Zebrowski passed away earlier this month, so another Special Election will
Been Busy 2007-03-29 02:11:00 Today is quite a busy day. I was out in New Jersey and tonight I'm on my way to Brooklyn for a hockey gameBlogging will resume tonight @ 10pm
Revenge For Daschle? 2007-03-28 04:54:00 An attempt to knock off the Senate Minority Leader two years after winning back the majority? Where have I seen this before?Oh right, the Republicans did that with Tom Daschle. In 2002 they made him Minority Leader, it 2004, they made him unemployed.It's happening again.Mitch McConnell may not be on the top of the list of potential Democratic pickups in 2008, but perhaps it should be, and perhaps it will be. This ad may be the first of many we see in an attempt to achieve revenge for Daschle.Kentucky is not an overwhelmingly Republican state. State Senator Daniel Mongiardo nearly knocked off Jim Bunning in 2004 despite Bush winning the state by 20%. Bunning won 51%-49%.If Democrats win this year's gubernatorial race, currently seen as a tossup, look for McConnell to shoot to the top of the list of Republicans the Democrats will look to knock off. If the Democratic primary for Governor proves anything, it proves there isn't a shortage of Democrats who can run against McConnell. Dan M Read more:Revenge
Half Don't Like Hillary 2007-03-28 04:24:00 In today's edition of my banter; Why Hillary
Clinton SHOULD NOT Be the Democratic Nominee for President, I present to you the latest Harris Poll.50%, that's right 50% say they won't vote for Hillary in 2008. While I'm not sure I believe that the number is true, it does prove that a huge number of Americans don't want to vote her.The number includes 21%...again 21% of Democrats. She is not liked by married women (voters she needs to win) and elderly voters.I said it before...and I'll say it again, Hillary Clinton IS NOT the best candidate for President. Just because she's a Clinton does not make her Bill...it makes her Bill's wife.Fortunately, this poll came out today, and this one. If John Edwards manages to win Iowa, it may put him on the road to sweeping the nation a la Kerry, allowing Democrats to breathe a sigh of relief that we did not nominate someone whom half the country won't vote for at a time when the Democrats are on a roll.I can dream can I? As the old saying goes
AL-Sen, MS-Sen: Making Races In The South 2007-03-30 05:47:00 Quite possibly...at least in the blogsphere. Alabama Democrats are ready to oust Republican Jeff Sessions and bring a little of that South
ern populism back to the Senate.The Deep South is the last major stronghold of the Republican party at the moment. It's the only place they don't seem to be losing any ground. Alabama is the heart of Republican country. Democrats would normally just seek a pass here to move on to the more competitive states, but the blogsphere doesn't seem to want to let that happen.I give you, SackSessions.com, a new blog "created to to assist in the electoral defeat of Sen. Jefferson Beauregard Sessions, III (R-Alabama.)"Alabama Democrats are looking into the possibility of nominating the state's Alabama Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Ron Sparks, a Democrat who won a landslide reelection victory last year. Sparks are seriously considering a run against Sessions, which could sent the race into top or second tier, right where the Republicans wouldn't wa Read more:Races
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