Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

First...

True Craig

And,
I just saw a brief six minutes of BO on Meet the Press....
Please someone put this man out of his misery.
BO was hunched over, not there and totally out of it. This is the first time I have seen him really deflated...

On the other hand I see HRC really pumped and going for the triple attack (Bill, Chelsea and her) and making it happen.. Stayong really upbeat and positive
IF BO takes a blow tomorrow night, I think it is indeed over......Eventhough he will lead in delegates, states won and the popular vote.....

Regarding the "work my heart out" comment from Hillary--when Tim Russert asked Obama if he would work for Hillary if she wins the nomination he replied that he would "work for Democrats" in November. He said it twice. When Michelle Obama was asked the same question she said she would "have to think about that"--interesting.

Well ubns,
at least they [the obama´s] are honest on that front
MSM will not pick up those comments however....

Gee Crawford, it was about time for you to do your post....must have slept in...lol

"that fat face coward Howard Dean is nowehere equipped to lead..."

Isn't that the truth, Jason! God, he's been awful. Harold Ford should have been in that job. Damn I love him....even if he is too conservative for my usual tastes. At least he has a brain. And I'm not so sure about Dean.

From page one of the Journal:

"Obama Says Teamsters Need Less Oversight

Campaign Talks On Issue Preceded Union's Backing"

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120994756511766395.html?mod=todays_us_page_one

So much for the new politics. He'll say anything, do anything, to get elected. Gosh, does that sound familiar?

Jason, how has the campaigning been going??

Patsi, Harold's another good Democrat who fully understands Repug swift boating. That party has no shame.

Obama ,on Meet the Press looked stoned,mellowed out.....i also saw a picture of him on Meet the Press posted on the ABC News website....funny not many people commenting on this

This is nothing but a feel good story about humans doing the right thing for an injured bird

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=4785846

Good morning everyone!

Right on, Craig! Obama is acting defensive and sniping.

Obama's on MoJo right now. He's trying to use his THREE votes for the gas tax holiday in IL as some proof that he knows "it won't work." So if it didn't work to reduce gas prices the first time, Senator Obama, why did you vote for it two more times?

Doesn't Obama take highest percentage of donations from the energy sector?

Barry O tells Joe that he's "been talking a lot of trash." He's supposed to be making a joke but there's a edge to his voice that is testy. He needs to grow a thicker skin!

Jason, just read the _very_ early morning comments and saw your messages about Delta leaving you high and dry, and your parents' comments about the campaign.

Sorry that you weren't able to get back in time to join in!

Ford cost himself a valuable place to speak by not returning Imus' call back when........

maybe he doesnt need it, I guess.......

Hil'ry to "work her heart out" for BO + BO taking aim at Hil'ry = BO looking like the person who is tearing apart the Dem party. (She is soooo good at this; very impressive.)

Good thing that Stephahoopahoo's show starts 30 minutes after MTP. It gave George & Hil'ry the opp to directly address every point & misdirect that BO made.

Oh, and MoJo was wrong. One candidate did talk about reducing dependence on foreign energy sources: Hil'ry Clinton. She said she the gas tax holiday was only short-term to help folks a bit. (If the oil companies and retailers were crass enough to raise it by the same amount, or more, there would be boycotts of stations.) She said the long-term plan was on her website. Go read it; it's very detailed.

There are (at least the last time I checked--that was a long time ago) three flavors of economists. Those who deal, primarily with:
--Microeconomics dealing with things like pricing issues of commodities.
--Macroeconomics looking at long term economic trends.
--Normative economics which looks at the effect of the other two flavors on society.

Clearly, when Mrs Clinton speaks with less than enthusiasm about economists and their economic analysis of the federal gasoline tax, she is fighting with those who love microeconomics.

She is looking at the effect on society as a whole; clearly a normative view. And, I agree with her.

FWIW, I have too much personality to be an economist, but I was a participating member of the National Association of Business Economists, and as part of my civic duty, served on the board of one of the regional economics clubs.

Here it is.

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=7354

ps - I don't know if the producers of MoJo told Mika to amp it up, but it isn't working. Everyone should just calm down. It's one thing when AC360 emotes after a tsunami or a hurricane, it's quite another when it's a morning poli/news/sports/misc show. Assuming she wants to be taken seriously as a journalist some day, again, she might want to reign herself in a bit.

Hillary was just on MoJo -- she knocked it out of the park. She was relaxed, friendly, gracious -- and firmly put Mika in her place when Mika tried to interrupt her.

Yay Hillary!

Craig
Just heard Tim Russert will be on Imus this week.
Please use your enormous influence with them to pass along a suggestion for Imus to question Russert on his banishment of Arianna and to ask him to respond to her book's critique of him.
Should be worth a few chuckles since Imus seems to get off on gigging his guests.

Patsi -- Your boyfriend is on MoJo now. Harold is favorably talking up the gas tax holiday.

It will be so nice to have a president who is competent, detail-oriented & who can see the big picture, and, who can think on her feet.

Blue -- Mika plays the "coquette of the ruling class" a bit much, doesn't she?

BTW, I saw a great film this weekend on Sundance Channel:
http://www.theamericanrulingclass.org/

Hey everyone,

Yep....Couldn´t make it to the uS...
Want to switch some meetings I have and then I can hopefully leave on Thursday...

How is tyhe flavour. Donated another $100 this morning. I had to. OD matched me... Anyone else up for it?

How are things looking evryone....
Here in Holland this morning it was rather quiet, but durig lunch tme, some news broadcasters started with the sayning: "Hillary has an enormous tailwind and that could blast her passed Obama". Another headline was: "Obama is not for the people"

This election reminds me a lot of sports rivalries. When Ohio St. plays in bowl games , I root for them to lose. My Mom will ask , "Why don't you want them to win? They're in the Big Ten." My response is , "Mom.....if that was Michigan playing in this game , you can be damn sure that the Ohio St. fans would be rooting against them! If most of the hardcore Ohio St. fans weren't such jerks , I could root for their team!" Reading what's posted here sometimes has really turned me away from Obama. Not that I was ever a fan of his.

Russert's on Imus at 8:30 today. Is it too late to put a bug in their ear re Arianna?

Alicia, Blue .. we need to keep our voices down. Our lady did so well and the cheering could wake the other contingent and you know how noisy it gets in here then.

Mika is one big talking point. Does she ever say anything that someone hasn't transfused directly to her brain.

Good morning gang.....

Craig.... I hope MSNBC will have you on the teevee tomorrow.....

Blue.... "competent, detailed-oriented & can see the big picture"..... that's a pretty good description of most women I know.....

AKnight.... I'm gonna miss the "Divalicious" moniker..... but if this new one means you'll be posting more often..... it's worth it.....

a Red Sox game..... a Celtics game.... and primary night tomorrow..... I'm on overload already.....

Hi Alicia -- Yes! There he is. And of course, I do hold dear to my heart the time we were in a restaurant and Harold learned who my son was -- they know each other well -- and Harold rushed over, threw his arms around me and said, "Well, Hello -- Mama Cox!"

He had me from Hello!

Hi Alicia -- Yes! There he is. And of course, I do hold dear to my heart the time we were in a restaurant and Harold learned who my son was -- they know each other well -- and Harold rushed over, threw his arms around me and said, "Well, Hello -- Mama Cox!"

He had me from Hello!

Julie Young 73

"Hillary has said that she will support BO if he gets the reqd number of delegates & becomes nominee. He would not even say her name on russert show this morning. And gave vague answer. He did say he would at the Jefferson-Jackson dinner in NC Fri night. But I get the felling it is like Michelle said. No..
I think she will win Ind and I believe the Nascar people may bring her in if not for a win - a really low loss. One poll last week did show the Black vote less for Obama. Undecideds have been way up/ and they have been breaking for her.. We can only hope..."

You have said this twice now and did not state what was said. Here's the portion of the interview you must have missed.

"MR. RUSSERT: If the superdelegates got together, the undecided superdelegates and said, "You know, Senator Obama, we think that Hillary Clinton is a stronger candidate against John McCain. Here are the latest polls in the swing states, the overall national polls. You've run a wonderful race, but we're going to go with Senator Clinton as our nominee," what would you do?

SEN. OBAMA: I don't think that's going to happen. I--let, let me say at the outset, I want a Democrat to win in November, so even if Senator Clinton were the nominee instead of me, I would still be campaigning for Democrats because we haven't talked much about John McCain today, and the one thing I'm clear about is he wanted--wants to continue George Bush's foreign policy, he wants to continue George Bush's economic policies. He said George Bush had, had made great progress economically. And his proposals, which are essentially $300 billion worth of corporate tax cuts that aren't paid for that would add to our deficit and increase the imbalance in our tax code, I think is the exact wrong prescription for America. So, so, so..."

As you can see he did say if Hillary was the nominee he would be out there campaigning for Democrats. Why do the Clinton supporters always misspeak what was actually said?

God Bless.

Mr. Crawford has been a 'secret' Hillary fan for a long time; the comments on this blog verify that. I suggest to the CQ Politics that it make its bloggers indicate preferences in the race to allow the reader to comprehend their biases. It would make the content fall into context.

If voters do not move to take politics to a new place, they are destined to receive the same benefits that they have in past years. It is a vote of conscience, not of people.

She got so excited, she said it twice. lol

Oh, by the way....a family member of mine is an independent trucker and he is going down after twenty years in the business. He said some sort of break this summer might pull him through.

Obviously Hillary's not talking about long term. Mika is a fool. And her little eye rolls are getting on my last nerve.

Patsi,

Dean has a brain. He only doesn´t know how to use it effectively.
Dean is the kind of man that is exactly where the wind is...If the wind is coming from the east, he travels east; if not he travels west.
These two faced egotistical humans are ruining the democratic party and then blaming it on others, now it being HRC. On the other hand you have servants like the Nancy Pelosi´s of this world, who by God´s grace have gotten an opportunity to do something good and they just crunch it immediately...Backstabbing in the worst way........ Amazing

it is sad, but this and many other are the reasons we fail to take over the WhiteHouse time and time again.

People should really abandon the DNC, doesn´t matter if you are BO or HRC. Their leadership is appalling in crisis times and continues to hang like the sword of Damocles over our heads.

Pffffffff
I almost forgot I have the hooray feeling seen as HRC will win tomorrow....:))

How is the Guam recount going? We all know HRC wil win that.....

AP

Because he didn't say her name. She said "I would work my heart out for him". She either says his name or "him". He always uses the generic "Democrats". It may be just a matter of style and method of speech, but it comes across as petty and juvenile.

here was my reply to a comment on my blog yesterday, having to do with why, much as i like and admire sen. obama, i think sen. clinton is the better candidate: "i think that at this particular point in history, the office of u.s. president pretty much requires someone who is all business. i hope that in a decade, the world will have recovered enough from the bush years, and there will be enough good will in the world, that we can have a leader like obama, with great ideas and passion. but right now, we need someone go in there and start straightening out the pigs breakfast dubya has made of everything. and i think she can do it."

Harold Ford is speaking to the reality of the everyday person. As a widow living in reduced circumstances, raising two children, who also needs to drive as part of her job, the gas tax holiday sounds like a winner to me. A reduction of 20 cents per gallon will help my family. If I can pay $60 to fill up my mini-van instead of $75 and I have to fill up once a week -- that is saving me $60 per month. Having recently fallen from in the rarefied strata of the bourgeoisie, I can see how some would dismiss this as chump change in a "shell game." On my budget, however, $60 is found money.

Jamie...

What do you mean he never said her name?

"so even if Senator Clinton were the nominee instead of me, I would still be campaigning for Democrats.

I guess its all in how you interpret what is said.

Well back to work.

God Bless.

Patsi -- Nice Story about Harold.
Renee -- I'm still Divalicias as ever, LOL.
Jamie -- (whispering) I think they're already here -- but Brian must be sleeping in.
Jason -- Love your posts from Holland!

Time to get the kids off to school!

Alicia! Shhhh!!!!! LOL!

Patsi: If Harold Ford ever through his arms around me I would faint dead on the spot (but at least I would die happy.)

Alicia! Shhhh!!!!! LOL!

Indiana Pollster

http://www.pollster.com/08-IN-Dem-Pres-Primary.php

North Carolina Pollster

http://www.pollster.com/08-NC-Dem-Pres-Primary.php

Indiana Real Politics

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/in/indiana_democratic_primary-639.html

NC Real Politics

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/nc/north_carolina_democratic_primary-275.html

Why are all the women in here swooning over Harold?
he is just a normal looking average guy... LOL

Should I post my picture here, for all to die immediately?

Ally, I would love it if you would die for me also..... :))

Dying for someone? Now THAT'S REAL LOVE!

"a family member of mine is an independent trucker and he is going down after twenty years in the business. He said some sort of break this summer might pull him through.

Yes, I thought she handled this same question masterfully yesterday on This Week when the Obama supporter got up and said she only made $25,000 a year, and it definitely hurt when she filled up the tank and she thought a gas tax holiday would cause "over consumption" and she felt pandered to with regards to the gas tax (interesting how she used Obama Talking Points in her question...but that is beside the point).

Anyway, Hillary came back and said (in a nice way) it's not completely about you honey...it will give you a little relief but it will really help the people who make their living with their vehicles like truckers and people who have to commute to work (like myself). I know the girl wasn't convinced but I saw others shaking their heads in the audience - some of us never think about the people who earn their living with their vehicles and that a short term break might help.

She of course then launched into her long term plans for helping with dependency on foreign oil...

She's good.

Um...Jason...sorry but Harold is FAR from normal looking and average. Those lips! Those eyes! He is dreamy. And ALL of my friends think so. (BTW, I know these comments are vapid in the scheme of things...but I think a little light-hearted swooning is allowed occasionally.)

"People should really abandon the DNC,"

Does anyone think the DLC will truly split off at some point and become it's own more moderate party? I'd like to see that happen but I think it's going to take a Hillary win in November to make this happen.

Others? Would love to hear Heather's opinion on this as well.

Alicia- re your earlier post- I guess I do not identify as strongly as a woman as being a main source of identification as you do. I know thoughtful, caring, compassionate men, and aggressive, domineering, controlling woman- each person is different.

Jason: Oh, forgot to mention one more thing about Harold. He reminds me of a young Paul Newman. His voice is even similar to Paul's.

Wendy: She was great on George and I completely agree about the exchange you mention. Masterful. I also question Obama's contention that she is using the Windfall Profits Tax for something else. Isn't the gas tax holiday for THIS SUMMER? How is she going to use the Windfall Profits Tax for something else THIS SUMMER? Makes no sense.

Well I normally save my geriatric swooning for Hugh Jackman, but I have to give it to the Harold contingent ... that is one really good looking man with a great purr in your ear voice.

Listening to Harold Ford this am was so refreshing.

He succinctly & clearly stated the perception & reality for those persons who would get a short term break if the price of gas was reduced a bit. Here in CT most families maintain at least 2 cars & the cost of gas is now at or topping $4/gallon, & the person filling their tank is thinking "give me a break"! They are not thinking about long term goals, just trying to get through each week.

Contrast that with the pontificating of Robert Reich--a true elite.

Patsi--to you a big Welcome back .

Jamie: That subtle Southern drawl...I could listen to it all night long...

AP - the sentence, if he meant it would read:

so even if Senator Clinton were the nominee instead of me, I would still be campaigning for HER.

as she says, I will "work my heart out for Senator Obama"

This is the same ole Obama we've been seeing - the true colors poppin' out - arrogant and self centered and his entire political career is about how he can achieve his ambitions rather than do something for other people (including his party) but more importantly his constituents. That's why he voted present or on several occasions voted no and then said oh I really meant to vote yes so no once could pin him down to any one position on anything. It's why he gave the "Iraq war resolution bad speech" but then when he ran for Senate said his position wasn't any different than George Bush's. It's why he sat in Rev. Wright's church for 20 years and then after an evening of polling in IN and NC last Monday night, he came out on Tuesday and threw Wright under the bus.

Boy, he really is one to be pointing the finger about pandering...he's a master panderer.

" I suggest to the CQ Politics that it make its bloggers indicate preferences in the race to allow the reader to comprehend their biases. It would make the content fall into context."

Dr. D -- Mr. Corn should go first as an in-the-tank Obama guy.

Wendy! Hey...you know that he just pressed the wrong button!

what I don't get about any talk about oil profits, gas tax holidays, etc. is that the election in in Nov. and the new pres coming in next year- no one can do anything now-

The only real change will come from reducing our dependence on oil- by riding bikes or walking when one can, driving more fuel efficient cars. I mean, moms with two kids do not need SUv's and mini-vans. People are finally replacing light bulbs withs CF's that have been on the market for years, but how long till SUVs and minis are a thing of the past.

My car is 17 years old this year- and I am in no hurry to get a new one. I just bought a compost bin finally and got to buy fresh spinach at my farmer's market Saturday. I just paid a $670 oil bill last week- what will it take to have a real energy policy in this country? We looked into solar but it is too expensive for us.

(apologies Craig for straying off topic)

Ally,

Harold is great, but when it comes to voices, how would you like this to sing you to sleep? It really is Jackman singing as well as doing "other"things : )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NwARY0VNzo

honesty and truly impartial reporting on the contest just seems to have a bias towards Hillary.......funny how that works, eh?

Mornin' all.

AP - that is exactly what the Hillary supporters have said he said - asked about supporting Hillary, he said he'd be out campaigning for Democrats. And yes, AP it is all in how you interpret what he said - makes reference to Clinton specifically as the candidate, then says he'll be voting for "Democrats". Maybe he means to include her, maybe he means to marginalize her - I suspect he meant to marginalize her, which is more consistent with his HIllary bashing weekend than the alternative interpretation.

Alicia, Mrs. P & I were talking this morning - we are in the bourgeoisie you refer to - until now, I've opposed the tax holiday and she's supported it - I think I've come around to support it despite my misgivings - and it's because of folks like you who have made real what I viewed as an abstract policy issue. Use taxes on basic commodities are almost always regressive, so supporting this one probably makes sense, so long as the fundamentals of gas pricing to provide relief in the long run are being addressed as well, and that was the part of Hillary's gas tax proposal that I did agree with.

"Should I post my picture here, for all to die immediately?"

Ha! Yes, definitely, Jason! But you also have to run up, give us big hugs and call us "Mama"!

Ally what is interesting is that Obama supports a win-fall profits tax too - if he no longer does then he flip flopped on it and should be called out.

And I agree using a win-fall profits tax to replenish the highway fund is a great idea so that there can be a break and the legislation most certainly can be written to keep the oil company from passing it onto the consumer.

I also agree, however, that Bush would never sign such a thing but that shouldn't stop her from proposing such measures because I believe it will be something she can point to and say - this is why we need Hillary in the WH because she's willing to take immediate action to give relief - see her gas tax holiday plan and her housing crisis plan - but that she is also thinking of long term solutions to keep us from getting back to this place. She also proposes ways to pay for both short term and long term plans.

Well said , Sturge. Although I'm sure your statement will have been contradicted about 27 times already by the time I wake up from my long nap today. LOL!

"On my budget, however, $60 is found money. "

Exactly, and that's what people like Mika sneer at....God it pisses me off. And to these indie truckers it makes a huge difference.

But Hillary is right, this price gouging at the top has to be investigated.

Jamie: Yes, Hugh is another (very) tall drink of water.

"what I don't get about any talk about oil profits, gas tax holidays, etc. is that the election in in Nov. and the new pres coming in next year- no one can do anything now-"

No - this is true but Democrats can step up and talk about the kinds of actions they would put in place to help people right away to draw contrasts between themselves and the Republicans. No matter if it can happen or not - it's smart for Hillary to say, I would take immediate action if i were President to give you relief and this is how I would pay for it (John McCain wouldn't pay for it - just as Bush had no way to pay for the war).

I think we all know realistically that these types of measures won't be taken by Bush because he doesn't give a rats ... you know what ... but I think it's important to know how THEY would handle the situation right now if they were sitting in the Oval Office.

Obama would say well ride your bike for right now until we can get some long term plans in place that I haven't completely thought through yet but will once I'm President and have a chance to read through all of Hillary's Web site more fully.

;-)

Last one. Since you are all feeling good....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCqVYPSQEhI

Craig,

Never heard the outcome, did you find the Macaca last night?
I heard your buddy Sean talk a little about it. But other than you two not much else. Rush and Johnson are mum.

Did Mika really say that about $60? Found money?

Kind of like Michelle Obama saying that they just recently got out of debt after paying off their student loans a few years ago. Would that be the college education they received from Columbia, Princeton and Harvard? The education that allowed Michelle to earn $350,000 a year (and more if you include her board compensation)? It's hard for me to feel sorry for them struggling to pay off that Ivy League education and I'm not sure it really resonates with working class voters.

Of course, she may just be outta whack cause they keep moving that darn bar around.

Understood Wendy- and believe me, I understand that people cannot just run out and buy a fuel efficient vehicle. But for years people have continued to buy these things- leasing at 500/month, accruing more debt in doing so. I think people need to take responsibility for their energy needs too- it is really, really tough. I cannot believe the price of bread- that is what floors me. What should the role of the govt be? I am wary that anyone can control or influence the oil industry- or any industry in this country- The bankruptcy bill being a prime example.

I think we need to drastically change our energy consumption in this country- should the change come from the top down or bottom up? I watched a NOVA last year about solar use in Germany vs. the US- it was frustrating how some states give huge tax breaks towards putting in solar panels others not. In Germany where it is hugely supported, it has taken off so as to allow individuals to sell energy themselves.

I disagree about not being able to do anything now. If there's legislation to be written and acted upon that will force repugs to join with dems in an issue that hits home with voters and pass it on veto proof margins or in the alternative, side with Shrub and oppose it, that legislation should be written and sent to the houses for action. Of course, with Pelosi in charge of the house, it won't go anywhere there (wouldn't look good for Obama). And I have my doubts about Reid as well. I could be wrong, but this seems like a perfect election year issue.

Wendy,

The other side of the coin is that Congress can pass the legislation right now. Bush might veto, but I bet it is one that the Congress could override simply because a lot of them will be up for re election in November.

When you add that the oil companies know that once a Dem gets in office, things could get really ugly with investigations, wind fall profits, failure to develop other energy streams (they need to take some of those profits to become energy companies not oil companies)

It will be a case of either work with us now or face all sorts of consequences later.

When Sen. Obama and others talk down that $30 - $60 savings in gas costs for a family and forget the haulers losing their businesses, not to mention the 15 - 30% raise in the cost of food, it really does sound like a put down (you're too dumb to know what's good for your family).

Pogo- how could the legislation be written that requires the oil companies to "give back" and not keep the reduced taxes in profits?

I see oil prices going up (based upon all the predictions I have seen) through the roof- no matter what happens- 20 cents savings or not-

Also, there was so much attention given after the Minneapolis bridge collapse about the coming crisis in our highways and infrastructure. I am troubled, that things like that continually are ignored till a tragedy occurs.

I feel very cynical about the energy future of this country no matter who is at 1600, unless there is a seismic shift in our country's outlook.

And the hits just keep coming!

Kalyn Free, an at-large member of the Democratic National Committee and Superdelegate, today announced that she supports Illinois Senator Barack Obama for the party’s presidential nomination.
Free is also founder and President of INDN’s List, an organization dedicated to recruiting and training American Indian candidates.

Jamie,

What I keep noticing is Obama's sighing and detachment from all these issues which devour lives and livelihoods: do they not interest his own personal interest in his candidacy?

What are his interests? Whose hopes? Whose change?

Patsi.... I have a friend who's an independent trucker also..... haven't talked to him recently..... but I know he must be hurting.....

Diane Rehm had the gas holiday as a subject last week..... the panel poo-pooed it...... then an independent cab driver called in and told them his savings would be substantial ..... they got kinda tongue-tied in a hurry.....

Kathy..... I agree that we are all responsible for the amount of energy we consume...... Rick and I built our passive solar house thirty years ago this summer..... we used a wood stove as back up for years until we bought a pellet stove 3 years ago..... we've never bought a drop of oil....
what's amazed us is how energy inefficient housing around here has been built in all these years...... and how huge these houses are..... we need to be thinking along the lines of energy sustainability when building housing as well as driving smaller cars, IMO....

There's a great article about "elitism" and Dems in general and Obama in particular on slate.com today.

Here's part of it, and it is what I meant yesterday when talking about the poorer classes of black voters who will probably be left behind yet again, even by -- or especially by-- Barack.

"Orwell also rails against the condescension many on the left display toward those they profess to care most about. Describing a gathering of leftists in London, he says, "every person there, male and female, bore the worst stigmata of sniffish middle-class superiority. If a real working man, a miner dirty from the pit, for instance, had suddenly walked into their midst, they would have been embarrassed, angry and disgusted; some, I should think, would have fled holding their noses.""

Kathy, Government should, IMHO, have a big role in regulating industries that supply basic commodities to its citizens. Supply and demand certainly drive prices for the most part, but government has the ability should it choose of capping prices for necessities - it does so at the state level for energy prices and home fuel prices (at least in WV) and at the local level for water and sewage service. The producers and suppliers must submit rate changes to the regulating authorities for relief if supply/demand forces make their profits diasppear. Even milk and (ironically) cigarette prices are regulated. Big oil has been exempted, as have big agra and big pharma, primarily because they have bought and paid for Congress and the WH. There is no reason, particularly in light of near record prices and profits in the oil industry and considering the ripple effects those prices have, that big oil should continue to enjoy its exemption.

No one can convince me that there has been a 12% increase in demand, decrease in supply, or some combination of the two in the past month to justify a similar increase in the price of gas at the pump. I rather believe we are seeing profiteering by both oil companies and market speculators, both of which influences can be moderated by sound energy policy backed by regulation. Windfall profits taxes are just one way to influence the oil company component, which in turn helps dampen the enthusiasm of the speculators, both of which moderate the ridiculous fluctuatiosn we have seen recently in fuel prices. Solid energy policy would include that and other mechanisms to moderate the price of fuel to the comsumer.

hi Renee- do you participate in the solar house tours that are ever offered?

I know of people who love their wood pellets-

there is so much potential for all of this- the start up costs are higher, but we need to get this stuff done-

Do you have water heating underfoot- forget what that is called.

oh help me Master Crawford, man of reason. Why has the media decided that BO has already won the nomination? Why all this talk of "taking it away" from him? Is there anyone out there that is willing to aknowledge that they are in a virtual tie? And that either way it goes half of us are going to be upset?
I would never vote for a republican, but for the first time since I was 18 I may not vote at all. I really don't think BO has made his positions clear, I don't know much about him. What I do know I don't like. ie, voting "present" in the state senate, saying the gas tax holiday is a gimmic, but voting for it in the state senate.
He strikes me like the old OUTER LIMITS show, where the aliens show up with a book titled "HOW TO SERVE MAN", and everybody jumps on their space ship. In the end you find out that it is a COOK BOOK!

Pogo- one thing I do not know in depth remotely, is the worldwide food shortage, as well as price hikes in the US, tied to the subsidies for farmers to grow food crops for bio fuel-

I need to understand more of how the interplay works, -paying farmers. not to grow, or heavily subsidizing, while family farmers are getting squeezed- the connection between importing food via Mexico and NAFTA, the fuel consumed for that- with the pesticides and such- bigger spider webs than I comprehend.

I have been looking for a super delegate chart- a friend forwarded it to me if you are interested. I am especially interested in governors like my own who remain undeclared.

http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/01/superdelegate-list.html

Kathy, the 30 cent reduction that should be reflected by 20 cents at the pump would be subject to a windfall profits tax. I'm a lukewarm supporter at best of true free markets - taxes on producers, importers and suppliers are pretty strong tools to help control both prices and consumption. The biggest problem that i've heard brought up with the gas tax holiday is that it encourages consumption while we are trying to promote contrpolling consumption. I don't really know the merits of that argument, but it does seem right as we head into the driving vacation season. Energy prices will indeed go up over time, but there are forces that can be brought to bear to control that. Certainly, big oil's desire for profits should not be the only thing driving those increases. And IMO tying infrastructure funding to use taxes on consumption that directly impacts only that segment of infrastructure is ridiculous - why should roads and bridges be required to depend on taxes raised at the gas pump when no other portion of the federal government's general welfare funding obligation be limited in that manner? It simply makes no sense to me.

Kathy....
no we don't participate in the tours...... they are usually for active solar houses....
we don't have panels or store energy that way.....

we simply built our house facing true south...... put lots of energy efficient windows on that side...... and have only several small windows on the north side...... it works wonderfully when the sun is out..... you can sit in my living room on a sub-zero, but sunny day in February, and sweat your socks off.... but you do need back up heat for at night and when it's raining....

we did explore the possibility of solar panels..... but the cost made it prohibitive for what we could afford 30 yrs ago..... as we also built our house in stages (spent 5 yrs living in the basement) and did it without ever obtaining a mortgage.....

oh yeah....
I forgot to mention that our house is insulated up the wazoo..... you can't use too much insulation....

gotta get back to work....

I hope you come see me again at the Sunapee Fair, Kathy..... it is the 75th year..... and the League is planning a huge celebration..... including a concert with Tom Rush and fire works by Atlas on Thursday night....

Renee - I have to applaud you and yours - if that isn't the Yankee way, I don't know what is. Sounds just like how my good friend Bill Brown built his house, and how I planned to do so had I remained there. :-)

Kathy, it's a very complex system, indeed. Trading off basic food commodities by incentivizing corn farmers to grow product for an energy source that is not likely to be viable long term makes damned little sense - unless you factor in big agra's role in that market and process. (Yet another reason Iowa should not enjoy such a prominent role in the early nomination contests).

Ally -- I said that $60 savings due to a gas tax holiday is "found money." Mika doesn't think so.

Alicia
aka Divalicias

Kathy -- I have found that men who are balanced with the feminine side of their spirits are thoughtful compassionate, caring, etc. I have also found that women who, for whatever reason, are not grounded with their essential femininity tend to be domineering, manipulative, aggressive. I do not mean feminine in terms of Barbie-doll girly, but in rather terms of the goddess. Perhaps one day you will see the truth of this and like yourself more. Namaste.

~Alicia

I heard the Right-Wing debate this morning over the "gas tax" on MoJo. And here is my problem with the "gas tax holiday":

If you want to pass a law that helps out working class people - than do it!! But this "gas tax holiday" is not that.

Like most Right-Wing ideas - this is a tax cut that applies to everyone - whether they need it or not. The fact is - if this thing was ever to get passed through Congress (and it seems like HRC's plan would have trouble) it will give the SAME break to people making under $50K as it would provide to people making millions. So in that respect - it is not much different than the Bush tax cuts.

I think given the state of the economy, the deficit, etc. - we do not need to forgoe millions of dollars in taxes - in order to make it cheaper for rich people to fill up their Hummers and limos.

If you want to help out lower middle class people - then do it. Like Obama's plan to provide a tax cut for such people - which DOES NOT include the upper class who are having no problem paying their taxes.

The problem is with politicians trying to have it both ways. We have a long-term problem with rising oil prices and our dependence on foreign oil - and we need a long-term comprehensive sollution. Both HRC and Obama have plans for this. This "quick fix" runs contrary to these long-term plans.

We also have a separate problem of lower middle class people finding it harder to make ends meet due to lower wages and rising costs, etc. We need to address this problem specifically and use sollutions that provide relief for such people - that does not also give a break to the rich people that are doing just fine.

Alicia:

"I have also found that women who, for whatever reason, are not grounded with their essential femininity tend to be domineering, manipulative, aggressive."

This is my problem with Hillary's campaign (and most of her political career). She has risen to the top by excelling at so-called "masculine" traits. She is agressive, she can be a bully and she often plays fast and loose with the facts to manipulate situations.

And if she succeeds in the "old boys club" of politics by playing all of the usual games that the "old boys" play - than I don't think that is such a great success for the feminist movement.

I think it tells girls that if you want to succeed - you need to act more like a man.

(And this is coming from a man who thinks most men are jackasses ; )

I am a mom with two kids and I drive a mini-van. I am always driving someone else's kids to and from school, soccer practice, swim lessons. Someitmes it's for friends of my children, but mostly it's part of my job -- I run an after school child care program that includes transportation.

Trust me, my preferred vehicle would be a peri-menopausal Miata convertible.

Warren, you get back at the 'rich' people by raising marginal tax rates on 'rich' people, and by increasing tax rates on capital gains.

People need the break now. And it will help even those who do little driving by working to reduce cost rises in the supermarket.

It's wrong being a naysayer because of one element that isn't perfect when the rest are quite helpful.

(And this is coming from a man who thinks most men are jackasses ; )

Posted by: warren | May 5, 2008 10:55 AM

something you prove on a regular basis

Flatus:

"People need the break now."

Then give it to the people that need a break!! My point is that the "gas tax holiday" takes away needed tax dollars in order to provide a benefit to people who need a break AND people who don't.

If you want to help people struggling - do it. But don't start adopting a Right-Wing tax break plan that lumps poor people and rich people together.

Fine, Warren, we can do it your way--sometime after 2010.

Gotta go. Stinky's taking me out for my birthday lunch at Olive Garden. Soup and salad. Sounds good to me!

Warren -- I don't see the bullying behavior in Hillary. She is a strong, intelligent, assertive and effective woman. Maybe you find that difficult to deal with?

OK Flatus - and we can also discuss the probability of getting a plan like HRC's including the "wind fall profits" tax passed through Congress and signed by George W. Bush.

I just see several issues with all these "pie in the sky" promises Hillary is making on the campaign trail in an effort to get elected.

Happy B-Day!! I love all the bread and salad I can eat!!

Obama's faux outrage at the gas tax holiday
sounds like this article from the NYTimes on chain restaurant dining

http://events.nytimes.com/2008/05/04/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/04Rintro.html?scp=1&sq=chain+dining&st=nyt

Elitists?

Alicia:

I don't have a problem with such women - in fact - I have an affinity for them.

But I am not surprised you do not see Hillary as a bully since you are supporting her.

But what about her tactics trying to get Healthcare passed in the 90's - when she attempted to do it behind closed doors and rejected the input from members of Congress (input that might have actually helped get the bill passed).

And I don't think the many well-respected members of Congress and the DNC are drinking the "Obama kool aid" when they say that one of the reasons they decided to support Obama was due to the negative tone of Hillary's campaign.

warren - the only problem I see with you analysis of and opposition to the gas tax holiday (and understand that I have only now come to support it - and ambivalently at that) is that the gas tax is a regressive tax in that it affects lower income folks, whether they drive or not, more than it affects upper income folks. Removing a regressive tax benefits everyone who pays it (or is affected by it), but proportionately benefits more those whose income is affected most by the tax. I do agree that it is the long term influences on gas prices through reliance on foreign oil for energy.production, e.g., that need to be addressed more than the current high cost of fuel.

And I sure don't mind a few "male' traits in women - or female traits in men, so long as the basic nature of each is preserved.

pogo

I don't think we need to help poor people "proportionately" more than rich people.

Like I said, given the state of the economy, I don't think a "one size fits all" tax break is a good idea.

Especially when there are a ton of ways that you can create specific tax relief that only benefits lower income people.

Moreover, given how this "gas tax holiday" runs contrary to all long-term plans to reduce our dependence on foreign oil - I think it is a bad idea on the whole.

(And I suspect your "ambivalent" support for this idea is based more on your support for Hillary Clinton - than it is based on the merits of the "gas tax holiday....)

I would be very curious to see the debate on this issue if only McCain proposed the idea. I bet it would be very different....

http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=777e9395-9b22-44ec-a525-981fcb9029e9

clinton by 12 in indiana

Hillary went negative after she lost Iowa. She whined that "the guys" were ganging up on her which worked with older women in NH. But since then, the voters have rejected her.

Her biggest mistake was to play the race card. Now she's backing the McCain gas tax "holiday," which anyone with a half a brain can see is a silly scam.

The entire GOP is trying to help Hillary steal the nomination, and Hillary supporters don't see what's wrong with that.

warren, I really don't believe you want to rely on what either candidate did 15 years ago to define them. Referring back to Hillarycare to show she can be a bully? Please - that's lame, and the tit for tat won't cast either of them in a favorable light. And I daresay that your candidate of hope and change has seen, if not raised her in the negative campaigning venue. I hope both of them have learned a bit about politics and how to conduct themselves in that world since then.

The ties that bind — and cost

One-third of likely voters say Obama's ties to Wright make them less likely to vote for him. But Obama isn't the only candidate with divisive connections: One-third of likely voters say Clinton's association with Bill Clinton, her husband and the former president, makes them less likely to support her.

Meanwhile, 38% say McCain's link to President Bush makes them less likely to vote for him.

However, there's also an upside to the question for Clinton and McCain. Hillary Clinton's ties to her husband make 18% of Americans more likely to support her, and McCain's ties to Bush make 7% more likely to vote for the Arizona senator. Just 1% of likely voters say Obama's links to Wright make them more likely to support him.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-05-04-obama_N.htm

Pogo:

"I really don't believe you want to rely on what either candidate did 15 years ago to define them."

I am quite comfortable at people looking back on Obama's days as a community organizer to get a sense of what kind of man he is.

You know just as well as I do - that being the editor of the Harvard Law Review - he could have punched his ticket to anywhere he wanted after law school.

Instead of taking the big bucks - he was a civil rights attorney and a community organizer. Which I think is pretty damn admirable.

CHICAGO, IL -- Kalyn Free, an at-large member of the Democratic National Committee, today announced that she supports Illinois Senator Barack Obama for the party’s presidential nomination. As a DNC member, Free will serve as a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention. Free is also founder and President of INDN’s List, an organization dedicated to recruiting and training American Indian candidates.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/gGChv9

ok guys. it is six in the evening here... Going to tennis practice now

Tomorrow morning I will have my predictions here

and the photo of me, for all the ladies to die for....

Njoy everyone.....

Clinton will keep within 3 points of Obama in NC

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mayhill-fowler/clintons-tagteam-north-ca_b_100097.html

I am off to do some work. I am sure this place will be hot and heavy through tomorrow. It should be fun...

The North Carolina polls have the undecided vote for the Tuesday Democratic primary at ten to twelve percent.

Late deciders have broken for Clinton in the last few elections and most of the big states.

warren, I originally opposed the gas tax holiday despite my support for Clinton, and was pretty clear about that and posted the same here last week. My current support for it is based more on arguments I've heard from people like Alicia and Mrs. Pogo than anything, and my ambivalence is because I am not wholly convinced I was wrong to oppose it - for many of the same reasons as yourself. I take some slight offense at your suggestion that I support it because of my support for Hillary (I opposed it before I supported it (LOL) and I supported Hillary both when I opposed and supported it), although I do suspect that part of the reason you oppose it is because Obama opposes it. And most taxes affect people in proportion to their incomes - and a regressive tax that is lifted benefits those whom it burdens most more than those for whom it's a trifling expense. As I said - most use taxes do that, and they are the type taxes that appeal to conservatives, for obvious reasons. I agree that more comprehensive, wide ranging tax reform that benefits lower income taxpayers and burdens higher income taxpayers is what is needed, but that is not something that will happen between now and November in any significant measure. I would support anything that benefits lower income taxpayers now, and I couldn't care less that it reduces in some small amount the amount of tax revenue the federal government receives.

Hillary is a strong woman. But she's also greedy, dishonest, and far too friendly with corporate lobbyists to ever effect real change.

It's the good with the bad. I don't disagree that going to Chicago to work with the type firm he chose isn't admirable. But it also led him to be working for Rezko in that time period - which has caused him some grief.

Lunch.

Obama should never have called the people of NH racists or lied about taking money from the oil companies.

Words matter

Gas Tax holiday? The senate GOP will bock any attempt at a windfall profits tax for the oil companies. The oil companies will also raise gas prices and their profits will go up even more.

In order to maintain highways, we'll have to increase the budget deficit and borrow the money from the Chinese. In September, when the tax is supposed to go up again, the GOP will say, "make it permanent" and the Dems will cave.

Oh yeah. This is a GREAT idea.

Flatus....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I hope you're having a margarita on this fine cinco de Mayo....

Still talking about the gas tax and Rev Wright...
just makes Obama look like an elitist whack job

Obama should stick with the war in Iraq and its impact on the economy. He is whining about a break for the "little guy" but silent on the new war budget.

Well said Wendy. I saw Obama's calculated and stuttering comments with Russert on Sunday. Quite a difference to tougher questions Hillary got on Fox. And her asnwers rang truer to character.

Since Obama lies most of the time, I find it hard to comment on his daily takes.

Since he has said that Hillary doesn't have standing to discuss Iraq because she voted for the resolution of force, Obama has no standing to discuss a gas holiday he voted for three times.

He has no standing to discuss Iran which he promised AIPAC he would vote for more sanctions, told the Press in 2004 he would use nukes on Iran and then a short while back missed the Kyl Bill vote while denouncing Hillary.

Since he tried to sabatoge the Amnesty Bill with his own bill, he has no standing to discuss immigration reform.

Since he failed to denounce anti-Zionist connections at his own church which he gave money to, he has no standing to discuss the Middle East.

Since he still worked with Rezko after he knew he had been indicted, Obama has no standing to discuss ethics reform.

That pretty much limits what Obama can discuss.......

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FLATUS!!!!

I don't know who will win in November, but I don't expect that things will get better. The USA is entering into a long period of economic decline which will bring out all the worst aspects of our culture. I don't think the situation will self-correct.

Since politics is a black hole, it is time to turn my attention to other things.

Like spring.

Hillary is a strong woman. But she's also greedy, dishonest, and far too friendly with corporate lobbyists to ever effect real change.

Posted by: nash | May 5, 2008 12:09 PM

Nash you forgot to call her and her supporters RACIST.

EuroRacistTom

Does anybody know if any of the states had any rules for this primary season when the election results were under a certain amount an automatic recount would take place? 7 votes sounds like one of those conditions.

pogo...

Where did you go to law school? Just discovered that an old friend is a law professor at the University of Richmond.

Happy bday Flatus

vadaryl you're fretting Guam? Guam?

Latest PPP polls shows Obama with a 10% lead in NC

http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_050608.pdf

Amazing the number of undecideds in the down ticket races for Gov and Senate.

Although both senate candidates have endorsed Obama, if Hagan mounts a strong get out the vote drive it could be a plus factor for Clinton and get her into the single digits.

No I am not fretting over Guam, just wondering if there is any rules out there for primaries that were as close as that one was.

oh yeah..... I forgot to mention.....

on NH public radio it was mentioned this morning that Jeanne Shaheen.... the presumptive Democratic nominee for the Senate seat now presided by John Sununu...... she's up by 12 points in the polls over him........ YES!

The gas tax holiday issue shows Obama at his worst.

1. By omitting acknowledgement ofHillary's total program, he creates a false impression about what she is proposing.

2. His supporters appear on television laughing heartily as he mocks the savings which he distorts.

3. Assuming Obama knows who Franklin Roosevelt was, he rejects FDR's concept of providing short term relief and long term reform as Hillary proposes.

We need to win this November election. Barack Obama is not the person to acieve this essential victory.

Barack Obama has a 5 percentage point edge over Hillary Clinton for the nomination among national Democrats, 50% to 45%,

http://gallup.com/

Pogo -- Thank you for reconsidering your position the gas tax holiday. I am glad that I could provide a real person's perspective on the matter.

Nash -- I don't support the gas tax just because I support Hillary Clinton -- though I am very pleased that she saw the practical and political wisdom in it. And doubly glad that she went much further in the concept than McCain, who is now defending how his gas tax proposal does affect spending on infrastructure improvements as if all of that is just pork barrel spending.

Warren -- What do you know about Mrs. Clinton's behavior in the 1990's when she tried to get health care legislation through the Congress? Were you there? I was. I can tell you that a certain Health and Education Committee Chairman, who is now supporting her opponent, took it upon himself to kill that legislation because he didn't like a First Lady (not a government employee) chairing a 600 person working group on health care that he felt threatened his jurisdiction. So he persuaded some cronies in the health care industry to sue the administration challenging Mrs Clinton's legal status leading the effort for health care reform. Work into that the fact that the Chairman in question is always frustrated by the fact that health care financing issues do not go through his committee by the Senate Finance Committee.

When Senate Chairmen have a pissing match, we all get sprayed.

SurveyUsa just came out with a new survey in IND.

Hillary 54% Obama 42% Undecided 1%

http://surveyusa.com/

Happy Birthday, flatus!
Hope you and stinky had a lovely time at Olive Garden!

this is interesting:

http://www.pollster.com/blogs/the_demographics_of_the_north.php

Dear EuroRacist Tom,

I don't think Nash called anyone a racist. You elected to call yourself that. So be it.

yo soy Horsedooty!

Yes Happy Birthday! I love the bread sticks at The Olive Garden and the big salads!

USA Today/Gallup

Hillary leads Obama by 7 points with Democrats and Independent Leaning Democrats..

Very interesting story included. Could someone who knows how,please post link. Thank you!

1

Paul Kirk is on MSNBC right now talking about why he supports Obama. His last presidential favorite was Michael Dukakis.

Nash, Brian, Rezdog, and other Obama fans -- be careful what you wish for!