Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

Just peachy. Spitzer is a cog.

Good timing by the government, no?

tt

Spitzer will resign after he cuts a deal.

tt

Is it ever NOT 'silly season' with politics and politicians?

This is a goods one for the women here in my humble male opinion. Here's the teaser 1st paragraph. i like Alter sometimes, other times not.

"My mother, now 80, should be in clover this political year. She met Hillary Clinton in the early 1990s, and the then First Lady championed a tutoring program in Chicago housing projects that Mom cofounded. She met Barack Obama a few years later and was so taken with him that she and my father hosted a fund-raiser for his 2004 Senate campaign. But what should have been a bounty of political riches has instead become an "excruciatingly painful" choice, as I learned when I interviewed her recently. My mother, facing the other pains of age, often finds herself favoring Clinton in the daytime and Obama in the middle of the night (even at 3 a.m.!), then vice versa."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/120063

Personally, never has a story has just broken gotten so cold and rotten and ugly so quickly.
Mrs. Silda Spitzer ...so sad , so hard a thing to go through, and I think they have 3 teenage daughters, also.
It seems most pundits don't believe they'll throw the entire Mann Act statutes at Gov. Eliot, that could end up with a 20 year prison term. But he's finished, the governor who was so popular he received , what? 80% of the voters' approval BEFORE the election and then immediately was hated by the same percentage! Scandal after scandal makes it that way.
Anybody know anything about the African American Lt. Gov. of NY?

Interesting quote From Governing Magazine: Spitzer's Morality Tale

...he has illustrated the old truth that there is no fortune in acting like you are smarter, better and morally superior to all those around you when in reality you have human failings that are only magnified by your own professed superiority".

This might apply to both Clinton & Obama in their campaigns. But I think that Obama has the edge because he makes more of his being an outsider that does not have the taint of Washington or Hillary's freight train of baggage.

But, any TSA inspector will tell you, you will learn more about a person by inspecting all their baggage as opposed to a light briefcase.

Good grief -- Spitzer's problem is not Hillary Clinton's -- it's his own problem. Also -- ALSO-- it's about a high-priced call girl in a hotel room -- not a 15 year old boy in a bus station bathroom.

People need to get a grip. He'll resign -- just to get the story off the front pages -- but he really shouldn't have to resign -- not while David Vitter and Larry Craig are still prowling the Senate.

Good Morning...

Well what do you? See how the surge is working as three more American Soldiers got killed yesterday.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2007-04-08-iraq_N.htm

Someone should ask Liar McCain if he will go visit the families of those who died in HIS and Der Fuhrer Bush's WAR for OIL.

Later, take care and ...

God Bless.

"People need to get a grip."

Exactly right, Diva. This is not Hillary's issue. The real question might be why the government was sniffing around him in the first place. I've always thought that all this wire tapping and eavesdropping supposedly used against terrorism would in the end be used against political enemies.

Also another 8 Soldiers died last night as well.

God Bless.

Interesting that the FEDS were looking into a bribery charge and instead found text messages and bank records suggesting prostitution. I guess with the new surveillance policies in place, they can just pick someone and investigate the hell out of them until they find something. I say start with the White House.

"The real question might be why the government was sniffing around him in the first place. I've always thought that all this wire tapping and eavesdropping supposedly used against terrorism would in the end be used against political enemies."

Patsi -- Yep, yep, yep. Like Letterman said last night, "Wire taps worked -- well we didn't get Bin Laden, but we sure as heck got Spitzer!"

Maybe it helps Hil'ry. In the past, the more trod-upon she seemed, the greater her success.

If people equate Spitzer's wife (Why do these women allow themselves to be trotted out for their husbands' pressers?) with Hil'ry, maybe it reminds them of how strong she had to be to deal with Bill. You just never know what will resonate with people.

North Texans - Be careful out there this morning; pea soup fog out there.

Barnicle talking on Mojo right now -- saying Spitzer's hooker hoopla is "not a tragedy -- losing 8 young Americans in Iraq last night is a tragedy, teenagers getting killed in car wrecks is a tragedy."

He's right.

A little Comedy Relief Thie Morning

A Match Made In Heaven: Ann Coulter Attends D.C. Event As Bob Novak's Date

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/10/a-match-made-in-heaven-a_n_90839.html

Sorry Craig!! ;0) I know you had a thing for her back in the day, BUT she's taken now!

Aren't you guys getting sick of the preacher's oratory yet? I can't stand it! Every morning when I wake up he's there. Every afternoon the FIRST thing out of Jack Cafferty mouth is Hillary Clinton this, that, and the other. We get it Jack-you hate her. Take the medicine.

Gayle,

THere is always one lover of the "Oratory" here in the morning and she is me.

I thought he make back to answer Clintons false claims about his placement very well!

Of course, I cuppa in my gullet would help my misquoting....

"THought he came back to answer Clinton's false claims......and so forth

Sheila, It doesn't matter. He'll be done by Labor Day.

'A Match Made In Heaven: Ann Coulter Attends D.C. Event As Bob Novak's Date"

From Bill Mahar to Bob Novak? So much for sublime to the rediculous.

Good Morning Flatus,

I may be the wrong person to start this out this morning. But here goes.

I don't see Hillary Clinton as the "Ultimate" role model.....LOL I see Oprah as more of one than Hillary Clinton. ;0)

You see? But what the heck.

Hillary CLinton may be seen by some as a positive in your face role model for little girls, but I have always followed Oprah Winfrey for her integrity and her abilities to show women how to over come life obsticals and life a more sucessful one. She has shown that time and again.

Clinton has shown me nothing but questions. these questions about her character and judgement over the years casts doubt about weather she can successfully execute the office of the presidency.

I would not cast her as a villain or a bad person or even a screwed up wife because we all know how hard it is to make those decisions.

But I would not put Hillary Clinton up as a role model for young girls. Because we women look at the whole enchillada with Husbands included.

My two cents.

Now ladies you can take me down. its a fair game.

Oprah has a husband?
What does Gayle say about that.

Which ever candidate makes it Gayle,

With an attutude like that, we WILL lose. You must be Republican

" thought he make back to answer Clintons false claims about his placement very well!"

Sheila, if you listen to the Hillary quote, she never says that he will necessarily be VP. What she said was a rather pleasant "Some people want to vote for us both. You may get the chance." It was the media and the orator that assumed that an offhand remark was a put down and meant him as VP,

I'm in the enough with the hope, change, page turning delivered with a dash of snark.. It might be nice if he presented an idea or two about how to actually solve problems.

Jamie!

Right after Craig started the blog, there was a tease from him that Ann Coulter was a crush of his....it was hilarious! After seeing this little tidbit this morning. It reminded me of the hours of fun we had, trying to fix the guy up.

Jamie,

I know very well how the connotation fell and it was executed brilliantly. I was holding my breath to see how Obama would come back. he did Brilliantly too.

Good Politics! Great horse race!

Sheila,

I don't have anything against Oprah except that her show is boring so I don't contribute to her income either by watching it or buying the magazine. Too much of what she does is pop psychology and don't get me started on the way to pompous Dr. Phil. :-)
The one thing I do respect is her starting the "Angel Network". How much of her own money is in there, I don't know, but the organization has done a lot of good.

I admire HIllary for the exact same qualities that I admire in Oprah ... both are intelligent women with the ability to get slapped down, pick yourself up, work hard, and deliver a product. Hillary seems warmer to me, but that is subjective.

Fair enough my friend.

Many of the previous commenters seem to think that morality has no place in public life or that there is a line between public and private morality.

Morality is our shared social values. If we agree that taking off the suit coat and tie ends our social obligations we are sociopaths.

We cannot live together without the trust and dependability that come from voluntary and constant adhesion to moral codes.

Cheating on one's wife, hiring prostitutes and hypocritically presenting an image of moral rectitude are not acceptable behavior.

Such behavior is intolerable in a public official.

To bring it home, what would you think about one of your kid's teachers engaging in the sort of behavior Spitzer has admitted?

One set of rules for the little man and another more lenient set for the high officials? That's liberatarianism all the way.

robert chapman,

If we were all the same and talking what you believe, we would not have this blog.

Having a community where you can come a voice differences and learn from others experiences is what creates a set ov values and or examples of real morality.

Coming here and displaying any kind of disgust as a stranger only encourages all of us to ignore you.

Just a warning. because ALL are welcome here.

"Exhaustive review finds no link between Saddam and al Qaida"

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/29959.html

Why do I get the feeling that this is not the outcome they were hoping for when they started sifting through that mountain of captured documents.

Jack

So I should have done a Lorena Bobbitt on Diaper Dave?

Isn't consenting sex between adults a private matter

You have written to the GOP demanding the resignation of Senator Vitter and Senator Craig.

Please post your list of acceptable sexual practices
I did not receive mine.

Is your hero Oliver Cromwell?

"— there were poor people in Chicago who did not get decent housing (as shown graphically in the video below), even though Rezko got millions in government monies for supposed rehabilitation. This infuriates me. So why didn’t it infuriate Obama? Why did he hang around Rezko, giving him a tour of his prospective new home and getting Rezko to buy the adjacent lot, knowing that this man misused millions and denied people decent housing – including heat in the winter? How could Barack Obama bear to be in the same room with such a man who’d put his OWN consituents through hell? Let alone cook up a cozy home purchase with him since he couldn’t afford the home and lot on his own — when there were surely other wealthy patrons and friends who might have helped instead? Why choose the man who’s under active federal investigation? Does such a man have any morals? In my book, such a man does not have morals and is only interested in the influences and monies that a “fixer” like Rezko can bring him."

(video from NBC news in Chicago - should watch this)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R-RBNxr73s

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/

"Just a warning. because ALL are welcome here."

They even let me post here.

I'm not sure my mother would let me hang out in a place that would do that.

Jack

Oh here we go again! Good Morning GORDO ;0)

OMG! Crack me up Jack

CB is that you?

"Cheating on one's wife, hiring prostitutes and hypocritically presenting an image of moral rectitude are not acceptable behavior."

If it weren't for the high handed morality image that he flaunted and used to punish others, I would consider this between him and his wife. It probably wouldn't have even made page 10 if at all elsewhere in the world. As long as it didn't involve his public trust or in a different position violations of security, I just file it under "who cares" ... strictly tabloid nonsense.

Let's face it, mistresses have often sat next to widows at the funeral and after shedding a few tears went out to gossip and laugh at the dearly departed's foibles.

kSpeaking of Spitzer. Found this on TPM. A taste of how the FBI found this.....I can't say foul because if they are actively investigatiing Political Corruption then I can't fault them. Politicians are public officials. This doesn't look like another Bill of Rights issue for now.

The Trigger
The latest from the New York Times on what triggered the investigation that ultimately led to Room 871 in the Mayflower Hotel in Washington:

[IRS] investigators conducting a routine examination of suspicious financial transactions reported to them by banks found several unusual movements of cash involving the governor of New York, several officials said. …
The money ended up in the bank accounts of what appeared to be shell companies, corporations that essentially had no real business.

The transactions, officials said, suggested possible financial crimes — maybe bribery, political corruption, or something inappropriate involving campaign finance. Prostitution, they said, was the furthest thing from the minds of the investigators. …

Because the focus was a high-ranking government official, prosecutors were required to seek the approval of the United States attorney general to proceed. Once they secured that permission, the investigation moved forward.

At the outset, one official said, it seemed like a bread-and-butter inquiry into political corruption, the kind of case the F.B.I. squad, known internally by the designation C14, frequently pursues.

But before long, the investigators learned that the money was being moved to pay for sex and that the transactions were being manipulated to conceal Mr. Spitzer’s connection to payments for meetings with prostitutes, the official said.

--David Kurtz

Sheila? RC - Stranger? Maybe not. If not, darn good news!! Otherwise really viscious joke.

Mornin' all,

Good grief - trying to somehow tie Spitzer to Hillary because he's governor and she's senator? What a bunch of sh*t. That is even more attenuated than the normal guilt by association that goes on in the political world. It's not like Hillary colluded with her to buy a house and part of a lot or anything. Frankly, I couldn't give a crap about Spitzer and his pecadillos. The only thing I see positive coming out of it is the realization that Fox got its resignation announcement for last night wrong. We're looking at an economy that if it's not in recession, it sure looks like it - thank god gasoline prices are so high or there would be no doubt. And just where is gas $3.23 for regular? I may just drive there to fill up - it's $3.27 - $3.31 here, depending on whether you want cheapo at Sam's or the good stuff at Chevron.

And I find the crocodile tears for Nita Lowey a bit disingenuous given the analogous respective positions of Hillary and Barack, but then again it is Hillary, so I guess any and all opportunities for criticism will be taken. Or is this just a set up for the "stole the nomination" screed we can expect if the superDs decide to vote for Hillary?

He'll probably resign during Obama's victory speech...who do you think the cable networks will cover?

[snickers]

"He'll resign -- just to get the story off the front pages -- but he really shouldn't have to resign -- not while David Vitter and Larry Craig are still prowling the Senate."

They should all resign.

So what is the federal crime?

I'm begining to think they are going to stretch the intent of some wire fraud law to get a political opponent..

Jack

Wendy,

He'll resign because no matter what we all think, Spitzer is thinking about His candidate and campaign season is hyper-sensitive and hyper-critical.

Anything even looking the tiniest bit corrupt tends to stick to even the most innocent of political candidates.

"And I find the crocodile tears for Nita Lowey a bit disingenuous given the analogous respective positions of Hillary and Barack,"

Especially in light of Obama's run against Bobby Rush .

Jack, the federal crimes are Mann Act violations and money laundering. Spitzer is not a defendant, and I think a jury would chuckle at trying to pin money laundering on him. The federal crime that could be charged is the Mann Act violation for arranging for her to come from NY to DC for sex, and paying for her transportation and expenses. It's a bit attenuated, but DoJ has never been known to let that stop it.

I think Spitzer should stay in office.
He can just pretend he is a gooper.

Sheila, love ya, but he'll resign because he's thinking about his ass. It will be part of the deal with the DoJ to testify in the trial agains the pro ring and a reduced charge against him and recommendation for favorable sentencing and placement.

One set of rules for the little man and another more lenient set for the high officials? That's liberatarianism all the way.

Posted by: robert Chapman | March 11, 2008 8:39 AM

I'm with Jamie.....if that's you CBOB, I wish you all the joy you life can give you. We miss you so much!!

Pogo, Luv ya,

You understand me. You know that I am sincerely an original Kumbiaya, I'm OK Your OK girl.

Can't help it. So you remind me of the nasy people out there ok? ;0)

Robert Chapman has posted before and this is pretty consistent with prior posts.

"I'm curious about how others see her role in the scheme of things."

I put the cheating husband issue aside. I thought she should have left him too. But, people stay together for all kinds of reasons. They probably did stay together because they're a political force and understand each other intellectually. Because of this,perhaps they thought they were better off together than apart. Who knows...and it's their personal business and I don't care.

In the end, I look at her record. The things she's done her entire career to really make a difference in people's lives. I posted some things yesterday where she's used her position as Senator to help save people's lives when they couldn't get the care they needed for themselves or their children. She did go to Beijing and speak out against euthanizing female children.

I have seen a ton of little girls (little girls that don't know about the Bill cheating years) and women making personal videos and posting them to Hillary Speaks 4 Me site...and clearly she is a role model for many women and young girls.

For those who can't get past the Bill cheating days and somehow blame Hillary - it's their right to do so...but she has a lifetime of work that has made a real difference in people's lives and that is worth admiration.

Here is a little more from George Mitchell on the role she played in the Northern Ireland peace process. Katie Courac tried to push him and minimize Hillary's role...in the end...Mitchell was having none of it.

http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=3923276n

Ya know the Rezko problem is not going away.

Sometime, somewhere, Obama needs to give an explanation of his obvious relationship with the man.

Just pretending there is no problem only makes it worse.
His obvious lowballing the problem by saying he only had a minor connection with the man looks as if there is a major problem waiting to come out.

With the democrats deadlocked, now is the time to address the issue. He is not going to pick up any more support anyway and his supporters aren't going to leave him.
So now is the time
Deal with it, get it out on the table.
By the time the general election comes along it will be old news.

Jack

She, nasy people? What are dem?

prior chapman post
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2007/12/ankle-report.html#comment-4208

BTW - before I go get ready for work

The Sinclair stuff is pure crap and I do wish we could stop seeing posts about that

I think the connections to the weather underground is a bit of a stretch and also not worth bringing up.

That said, I think the Rezko issue is fair game to discuss - there are still issues there that need some digging.

IMO

First Gloria Steinem. Now Geraldine Ferraro. Still think race isn't being used by the Clinton side? Wonder if ole Hillary will reject and denounce this?

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/03/clinton-backer.html

A Rezko primer but it only raised more questions.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OBAMA_REZKO_QA?SITE=DCUSN&SECTION=POLITICS&TEMPLATE=DEF"AULT

Q: Has Obama refused to answer "basic inquiries"?

A: No, but he hasn't been completely open either. For instance, he did not disclose until last month that Rezko actually toured the home with him before the purchase. He also has released the e-mail from the home's seller to only one news organization.

Obama hasn't provided details of the fundraisers Rezko held for him, nor has he released documents related to the property, such as the appraisal of the strip of land he bought from Rezko."

Jack, as one who may very well be having discussions about Obama as dem nominee and Rezko with my all too numerous Rep. colleagues, I think your advice is sound. Considering the state of teh nominating process, however, I doubt it will be taken.

Pogo
Thanks for the info

There is just something about it that bothers me.

It could be a reaction to my disgust over the morning news. All of the reporters were expressing concern for the family all the while slobbering over the issue. I turned the TV off.

Jack

Here's the direct article.

http://www.dailybreeze.com/lifeandculture/ci_8489268

Is it possible that the Rezko trial could end up with a gag-order, restricting information or comments from being made public?

Millions of people are reading this "stuff" about Obama - he is being defined. These links have the entire "Globe" and "National Enquirer" articles.

OK - Start screaming now (I am just providing info.)

http://rense.com/general81/globe.htm

http://rense.com/general81/enq.htm

Still think Obama isn't using the race card

The New Republic

Race Man
by Sean Wilentz
How Barack Obama played the race card and blamed Hillary Clinton.
Post Date Wednesday, February 27, 2008
http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=aa0cd21b-0ff2-4329-88a1-69c6c268b304

there know I am fixed (11)

march

glad to see your up with the times

Jack

Alpha, as you know, I support Hillary, but to say Obama is where he is only because he is black is simply ridiculous. It's a factor - he's getting about 90% of the black vote - but he's getting a lot of the white vote as well. Steinem and Ferraro may be right about Clinton's treatment in the press, but I really don't know whether gender is why the press has been harsh on her, or whether race is why the press has not been as harsh about Obama - I figure there's a little truth in what they're saying, but frankly, I don't think it matters one wit. Those are issues no one can do a thing about, and aren't going to change or change anyone's mind at this point.

uh oh...even Postsecret is becoming political.

BHO is the topic of two secrets, this week, in Sunday Secrets.

http://www.postsecretcommunity.com/

Because I always like to bring everything back to film, this Spitzer thing reminds me of the scene in Heartburn where Rachel confronts Mark on his philandering:

"You couldn't even pay cash, like a normal philanderer."

Wiring money into shell companies? I would say this says as much about his judgment than calling the hooker in the first place. Of course moving her across state lines and taking it to a federal level makes you wonder if Spitzer is REALLY brilliant or if he simply has had a lot of really sharp people working for him over the years. OR, do you simply get so corrupted by power that you lose control of your mental faculties. Honestly, I just do not get it.

Personally, I believe prostitution should be legal. The fact that it is illegal is simply another example of men's desire to control women's bodies.

Ally.....

It just comes back to one fact in men.

That little head overrules the big head at times like these.....sigh.....

"Personally, I believe prostitution should be legal. The fact that it is illegal is simply another example of men's desire to control women's bodies."

I agree with that. If men could get paid for sex it would be a billion dollar corporation and listed on the Dow.

LOL March 11!

March 11

Men do get paid for prostitiution.

Jamie:

"Sheila, if you listen to the Hillary quote, she never says that he will necessarily be VP. What she said was a rather pleasant "Some people want to vote for us both. You may get the chance." It was the media and the orator that assumed that an offhand remark was a put down and meant him as VP."

Given the Clintons' history of political calculations - and the fact this comment was said with her back against the wall - forgive us (and the media) for not giving Hill the benefit of the doubt that she was just being sweet.

Senator Clinton did not bring up the idea of both of them on the ticket. It is has been a news story for quite a while and this attempt of Obama to spin the stpry is typical of his poo flinging

Senator Clinton responds to a reporters question and Obama acts like she asked him to drop out.

Oh right the the calls for dropping out have all come from old white men talking to Sentor Clinton.

Pogo....

Nasy people......lol Just pull it down where it belongs....in my long varied career on this blog of funny mispells.

I would try to defend myself by saying its some Florida slang I picked up down here, but I don't think Lardass would appreciate that. ;0)

Sheila, I'm not sure aI got the meaning of your "Can't help it. So you remind me of the nasy people out there ok? ;0)" comment. In my comment to you I was talking about the political/legal realities of Spitzer's situation and not addressing the political issue re: its effect on the Clinton campaign, although I certainly do find trying to tie Spitzer to Hillary ridiculous, as I noted above. I am willing to bet that any support he has for Clinton and the effect his resignation might have on her campaign is in the back of his mind now if at all compared to his own very real personal legal problems and his own, very real personal family problems. If he resigns before he cuts a deal, it takes his office out of the equation, which would only be to his detriment. That's all I meant - certainly nothing "nasy". ;-{)

Senator Clinton did not bring up the idea of both of them on the ticket. It is has been a news story for quite a while and this attempt of Obama to spin the stpry is typical of his poo flinging

Senator Clinton responds to a reporters question and Obama acts like she asked him to drop out.

Oh right the the calls for dropping out have all come from old white men talking to Sentor Clinton.

Posted by: Katherine Graham Cracker | March 11, 2008 9:55 AM

Kate, Then take it for what it is worth.

Whether or not she was just answering a question, which she was,

Its still a sound bite and has to be addressed or pay the consequences.

You are out of line by stating that Obama is being unfair or smearing her. FALSE

Pogo and just to whip our private white eliphant....

I was just trying to state that you trumped me. I don't look at the world through a lawyers eyes and I admit to my virtual Kumbiya. ;0) so don't worry, I was giving you the lead.

"Wonder if ole Hillary will reject and denounce this?"

Already did.

"Andrew Sullivan compared the revival of Sen. Hillary Clinton's political fortunes to a "horror movie" and described former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton as having "a touch of the zombies about them: unkillable, they move relentlessly forward." Sullivan wrote that the Clintons "are like the new 28 Days Later zombies. They come at you really quickly, like bats out of hell. Or Ohio, anyway."

http://mediamatters.org/items/200803100008?f=h_latest

One of the problems with the revotes is the DNC's
not being honest about their own process.

Senator Nelson said the Florida Democratic Party is ready to go forward with the mail in ballot but there is a 30 day comment period and he used the word
"shennigan" to discribe what he thinks is going on.

It sounds like more Obama blocking the revote
He does not want to count Florida or Michigan.

"You couldn't even pay cash, like a normal philanderer.""

Ally, Or the lines in "All That Jazz"

"I hate that you go out with other women!"

"Yes, but I stay in with you."

Ally

"Personally, I believe prostitution should be legal."

Off the street, Into regulated, inspected, and taxed houses.

You aren't going to get rid of it, so keep it away from the kids, stop the disease, and rake in the cash.

Sheila, whew! I thought for a moment there you took my meaning to something it most assuredly was not meant to be. And I've had my share of interesting typos in my days here as well.

Sheila,

"Its still a sound bite and has to be addressed or pay the consequences. You are out of line by stating that Obama is being unfair or smearing her. FALSE"

Gotta disagree, The media asked the question and then turned a pleasant answer into a soundbite. He was the one who turned that soundbite into a 10 minuite portion of his speech with a slap at her with the overused harrangue about her bad judgement.

Sorry. He's even more of an opportunist than the Clintons.

As to Spitzer -- Arrogance , hubris, foolishness. As AG he made many enemies likes of Dick Grosso NYSE to Joe Bruno, so you have to wonder shouldn't he have known that there was no way he could get away with this behavior?

The NYT article stating that IRS started its inquiry as a result of routine inquiry of suspicious financial transactions reported by banks over a year
ago makes me wonder whether this was really a routine inquiry or something else. Enemies always find your weak point as long as you provide them with
one.

Schadenfreude reigned supreme on Wall Street yesterday.

Pogo - Here in CT gas is inching over $3.60/gal. Paid $3.569 yesterday for 91 octane.

Obama's Rezko ties to house purchase--Does anyone know if the purchase of the $1.3 million home involved Obamas getting a loan/mortgage., since the Rezko time line being reported suggests that Rezko was provided with $3+ million just prior to the purchase suggesting a cash deal funded by his benefactor. Just another unexplained/unexplored issue.

Jamie: I wholeheartedly agree with both of your posts (All That Jazz is one of my all-time favorites.)

Not only would you gain dollars by taxing income you would save dollars by eliminating the resources directed toward the investigation and prosecution of prostitution. Some of that money would instead be infused into the health care industry by way of the regulatory requirements. It's a win-win from a dollars and cents perspective.

Jamie: I wholeheartedly agree with both of your posts (All That Jazz is one of my all-time favorites.)

Not only would you gain dollars by taxing income you would save dollars by eliminating the resources directed toward the investigation and prosecution of prostitution. Some of that money would instead be infused into the health care industry by way of the regulatory requirements. It's a win-win from a dollars and cents perspective.

Sorry for the double post...I had granola in one hand, a latte in the other and my attempt to hit the mouse once failed miserably.

Jamie,

Have to disagree with you too.

The bottom line is Obama had to answer that sound bit.

He wasn't attacking her, he was answering to the Media's blitzing of her sound bite. If he didn't he would be portrayed as a wimp and light weight....

That's politics and you guys take this stuff too much to heart.

BHO/Rezko real estate

Usually county recording records are public. Same with auditor records. Some counties allow a person to access this information via the web. I do not know if that is possible in Chicago (cook county ?). I think that it may not -or all this information would be out there already.

WOW, I just read the posts yesterday and today and I found a large number of them disgusting. So much hate and attack. I think Harborwoman is right. Those of you who have split over candidates may never be able to be friends again. But that's not my decision to make, but the venom I read was seriously poisonous. A couple of the "usual suspects" of course, but it's like Voldemort himself has invaded some posters.

I'm outta here for a while... The down and dirty fighting is just not where I want to invest more of my time.

See ya,

And to my many friends here, you know where I am...

Hillary 2008 xoxoxxoxo :-)

here is factcheck.org

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/does_obama_have_a_real_estate_problem.html

Does Obama have a real estate problem?
Was Obama’s real estate deal in Illinois really an issue?
A: A political patron from whom he bought a strip of land is under federal indictment, but there's no evidence Obama did anything improper

I think the press is right about one thing, when BHO is playing politic "as usual ", he loses some of his appeal. Even though he has to, it just isn't what people are used to seeing out of him, and he appears more "just like everyone else", just another politician.

ET - over look the bad posts, it's actually be pretty good here as of late.

be=been

Morning economic news - apparently the market is happy about Spitzer (and the Fed pumping $200 B into financial markets probably didn't hurt, either)- it is up 254 pts. right now.

Q: Has Obama refused to answer "basic inquiries"?

A: No, but he hasn't been completely open either. For instance, he did not disclose until last month that Rezko actually toured the home with him before the purchase. He also has released the e-mail from the home's seller to only one news organization.

Obama hasn't provided details of the fundraisers Rezko held for him, nor has he released documents related to the property, such as the appraisal of the strip of land he bought from Rezko.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iaahglVeebGS50zOJitmuc8dG-kAD8VAET3O3

more information since the original fact check story

it's the drip drip drip

If anything was really untoward, The prosecution would have come up with something and there would be some serious rumbling by now.

Keep dripping, but when you finally find something substantial, I'll listen.

Just as I will not let all the coloring of the CLinton's shady charactors in their financial background color me until they come up with something.....

really Kathrine, let it go until the Right Wing Media Sharks dig something up. they haven't so far.

THEY are not going to keep it under wraps. Too many hungry for the spot light of who broke it first.

Coreen, sorry, but I won't be driving to CT to fill up.

ET, have a good one - we all make decisions about where to hang, and I for one will miss yor comments. Do you have my e-mail? I think so, but can't find yours in my mailbox.

Weellll,

time for work....see ya'll later.

No. 1 on Letterman's Top 10 list of Spitzer excuses Monday night:

"I thought Bill Clinton legalized this years ago."

"Deadliest Day For American Troops in Six Months"

I don't think this is an especially important metric, but that's what CNN just told me about yesterday and it isn't true.

9 US troops were killed on January 9th, just 3 2 months ago.
http://www.atrios.blogspot.com/

ps Tony while you are here. Why not tell us what you and Barak discussed during the house tour.

Letterman/Spitzer Top 10 excuses
(ohhhyeahhhh @ #3)

http://tv.popcrunch.com/march-10-david-letterman-top-10-eliot-spitzer-excuses-video/

Speaking of Andrew_Hillary-Hating Sullivan, here's Vanity Fair's JamesWolcott's take on Sully's screed:

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/blogs/wolcott/2008/03/look-i-understa.html

"If only the womb were a viable escape option from Hillary's taloned deathgrip! Probably such posts are indicative of the low morale pervading Sullivan's side pocket of the universe, his readers mirroring and amplifying his own downcast, defeated mood in a dispersed pity party.

Hillary Clinton's bounce-back on March 4th had Sullivan drowning his sorrows ("I just had a Jager shot, and hope to get drunk very soon"), and staggering like a ghost through the stricken ruins of his dashed hopes, lashing out at Hillary like Sebastian blaming everything on "mummy" in Brideshead Revisited.

Or perhaps Sullivan is closer in the depth of his despair to Sebastian's lover Kurt, sadly, bitterly contemplating his wounded, pus-ridden foot. For Sullivan, Hillary is the psychic pus that torments him so (she's not just any old "monster,"she's a "fratricidal maniac"), Obama the healing, uplifting ointment.

Roll that around in your head awhile.

Kate @ 10:55 a.m.
ps to tony whle your here----

Here's the time line of the Obama house & subsequent
lot purchase courtesy of times on line

timehttp://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article3433363.ecesonline

Morning KC,

As I recall, Cattle futures. ;)

Coreen
thanks the Brits are way ahead of the associated press

Rezdog

Now that was funny.

"As I recall, Cattle futures. ;)"

ROFL, Rez -- One more cow....

Just a thought - so we are going to have a "mail in" vote in 2 states that have never done that before and one of those states is FLORIDA...

Can you say recipe for disaster. How long will the legal battle last after the votes are "counted" and how bad will it make BOTH sides look before the general.

The only thing people hate worse than politicians sniping at each other - are lawyers...

Thanks again Hillary - way to think about the Party. There is no "I" in team - but there sure is one in Clinton...

And who is going to pay for this again. Clinton supporters immediately ponied up - because of course they care about having the voters vote. I am sure that is their only motive.

What is your solution Warren
that Michigan and Florida have no vote

(because that is the only way Obama wins)

What is your solution. Are you just hoping something will happen or do you have a proposal.

lol... I enjoy this blog most of the time..:)

warren,

"The only thing people hate worse than politicians sniping at each other - are lawyers..."

Hey, we resemble that remark - right, Coreen? Kathy? Warren? lol

And listen ladies - HRC has already made the case that she is qualified to be President (and so has Obama, McCain, Edwards, Richarson, Biden, etc.).

Now you just have to find a female candidate that is also likable enough to win. And I suspect going forward, we will see more female candidates on both sides of the aisle.

Pogo

not all lawyers
My lawyer is an upstanding person ablely defending me.
It is my exwife's lawyer who is the scum sucking lowlife, Out to get every dollar by any crooked means he can.
;-)

Jack

My solution - Obama wins in PA - HRC drops out and we seat the delegates from MI and FL based on the votes that already took place.

Re: McCain democrats

“It has 20 percent of white Clinton voters saying that if their candidate does not get the Democratic nomination, they might vote for McCain.”

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/political_commentary/commentary_by_froma_harrop/the_specter_of_mccain_democrats

Warren
That's the solution based on your wish
What about one based on facts,. Plus cannot wait until April 22 to make a decision about a revote
unless of course you are trying to stop it.

Clinton continues to be very strong in Pa.

March
look at the internal numbers for a surveyusa poll in pennsylvania.
the poll was done in the last week of Feb.

If the matchup is Obama-McCain 29% of the blacks say they will vote for McCain.

unbelievable

Jack

warren, I don't understand your solution, or how it could be conditioned on an Obama win in PA and Hillary dropping out. If Hillary wins PA and/or does not drop out, do you still suggest seating the FL & MI delegates based on the votes taken?

oops
The surveyusa poll link
http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=491de2e4-9b1b-4369-82af-badf383b6d7e%20

Jack

NEW THREAD

Jack:

"unbelievable" - exactly - those numbers won't hold.

Pogo:

If Obama does not win PA - then we need a revote.

But I don't seen any way Hillary can continue to make her case without winning in PA. The super D's will go for Obama and we can still seat the MI and FL delegates based on the prior vote.

And I know all you Hillary supporters are skeptical of my ideas because I support Obama - but are you just as skeptical of Carville's or Corzine's ideas?

Well it appears that no one has jumped all over me for my comment on the courts dismissing the lawsuit filed over the DNC's sanctions against the seating of Florida Delegates.

Below is the link on the Florida lawsuit brought by Senator Bill Nelson in December 2007 after the DNC sanctioned both Florida and Michigan.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2007-12-05-florida-primary_N.htm

And another link.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1678

Bill Nelson voted for the Military Commissions Act of 2006 which stripped Habeas Corpus out of the Constitution, immunity from prosecution for authorizing War Crimes {Torture} and giving Der Fuhrer Adolph Bush the right to label anyone {Including American Citizens} Enemy Combatants.

Go read Chief U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle decision.

Also the second link has a link on Terry McAuliffe worth reading. Here's some of it below.

Nobody sued Terry McAuliffe when he said Michigan's delegates would not get near Boston.
Posted by madfloridian in Election Reform
Fri Nov 30th 2007, 02:13 PM
And other posts about the fiasco of the Florida primary vote. It is going to hurt all of us in the long run, but it was deliberately thought out, planned, and cultivated with the GOP in Florida. The Florida Democrats did it to themselves.

The most telling thing was that McAuliffe was going to take Michigan's delegates in 04. But no one heard a word much about it, and he was not condemned, he was not sued. He was lauded. How odd that when Dean does the same thing...he IS condemned and sued.

Enjoy the links and than you all can complain more about how unfair Dean is.

God Bless.

So, he slept with a prostitute. Big deal. Boring. He prosecuted folks who do much worse.