Saturday, August 30, 2008
What was he thinking?
McCain proved his Maverick credentials with the Palin pick. But for a guy trying to say the other guy is not ready to lead, you've got to wonder: What the heck was he thinking?
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
McChanged
I suppose you have to clam up and stay on message to tame the media circus when running for president, but it sure seems John McCain has changed
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Slattery show
Jim Slattery wants a fight with Roberts. Here's my story from Monday on Slattery's campaign swing through Cowley. Here's a press release issued after the story by the Roberts campaign. They hit back fast ....
Slattery Says Missing Votes on Kansas Military, Education and Health Issues “Not Significant” to Kansans
TOPEKA, KS – Highlighting his own absenteeism as a congressman and his lack of commitment to the concerns of Kansans while seeking personal political gain, Jim Slattery said the votes he missed votes on military, agriculture, education and health issues are not significant to Kansans.
In Monday’s Winfield Daily Courier, Slattery acknowledged he missed more than half the votes in 1994 and said “none of those votes held major significance for Kansans.”(http://winfieldcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=25736&TM=47408.94)
Slattery’s attendance while he was campaigning for his gubernatorial race was so poor that he ranked 433 out of 435 members of Congress in attendance in the House of Representatives that year. As a result, he skipped votes on the military, school nutrition programs, farm programs and education programs.
“Slattery put his personal political ambitions ahead of his elected responsibilities,” Molly Haase, Communications Director said. “Kansans deserve a strong and steady voice in Washington, and Slattery’s disregard for doing the work he was elected – and paid to do – for Kansas is simply unacceptable.”
The following is a sample of votes Slattery missed in 1994:
HR 4301- FY 1995 Defense Authorization - passage
HR 4506 - FY 1995 Energy and Water Appropriations - passage
HR 4554 - FY 1995 Agriculture Appropriations - passage
HR 4568 - FY 1994 Housing Supplemental Appropriations - passage
HR 8 - Federal Nutrition Programs Reauthorization
S 2182 - FY 1995 Defense Authorization Conference Report
H.R. 4603 - CJS Appropriations Conference Report
H.R. 4624 - FY 1995 VA/HUD Appropriations Conference Report
H.R. 4604 - FY 1995 Labor, HHS Appropriations Conference Report
H.R. 4554 - FY 1995 Agriculture Appropriations Conference Report
H.R. 4650 - FY 1995 Defense Appropriations Conference Report
S. 349 - Lobbying Disclosure Conference Report
HR 6 - Elementary and Secondary School Reauthorization Conference Report
H.R. 1520 - Petroleum Marketing Practices - Motion to suspend the rules and pass
“In contrast, Pat Roberts has run for statewide office three times and has never shirked his responsibility to the people who elected him,” said Haase. “The choice in this election is clear: a senator who never stops working for Kansas or a millionaire Washington lobbyist who didn’t even bother to show up.”
For more information, please visit www.robertsforsenate.com .
Slattery Says Missing Votes on Kansas Military, Education and Health Issues “Not Significant” to Kansans
TOPEKA, KS – Highlighting his own absenteeism as a congressman and his lack of commitment to the concerns of Kansans while seeking personal political gain, Jim Slattery said the votes he missed votes on military, agriculture, education and health issues are not significant to Kansans.
In Monday’s Winfield Daily Courier, Slattery acknowledged he missed more than half the votes in 1994 and said “none of those votes held major significance for Kansans.”(http://winfieldcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=25736&TM=47408.94)
Slattery’s attendance while he was campaigning for his gubernatorial race was so poor that he ranked 433 out of 435 members of Congress in attendance in the House of Representatives that year. As a result, he skipped votes on the military, school nutrition programs, farm programs and education programs.
“Slattery put his personal political ambitions ahead of his elected responsibilities,” Molly Haase, Communications Director said. “Kansans deserve a strong and steady voice in Washington, and Slattery’s disregard for doing the work he was elected – and paid to do – for Kansas is simply unacceptable.”
The following is a sample of votes Slattery missed in 1994:
HR 4301- FY 1995 Defense Authorization - passage
HR 4506 - FY 1995 Energy and Water Appropriations - passage
HR 4554 - FY 1995 Agriculture Appropriations - passage
HR 4568 - FY 1994 Housing Supplemental Appropriations - passage
HR 8 - Federal Nutrition Programs Reauthorization
S 2182 - FY 1995 Defense Authorization Conference Report
H.R. 4603 - CJS Appropriations Conference Report
H.R. 4624 - FY 1995 VA/HUD Appropriations Conference Report
H.R. 4604 - FY 1995 Labor, HHS Appropriations Conference Report
H.R. 4554 - FY 1995 Agriculture Appropriations Conference Report
H.R. 4650 - FY 1995 Defense Appropriations Conference Report
S. 349 - Lobbying Disclosure Conference Report
HR 6 - Elementary and Secondary School Reauthorization Conference Report
H.R. 1520 - Petroleum Marketing Practices - Motion to suspend the rules and pass
“In contrast, Pat Roberts has run for statewide office three times and has never shirked his responsibility to the people who elected him,” said Haase. “The choice in this election is clear: a senator who never stops working for Kansas or a millionaire Washington lobbyist who didn’t even bother to show up.”
For more information, please visit www.robertsforsenate.com .
The lost
Comment from a viewer:
"I'd rather have a real black president like Alan Keyes or that general instead of a muslim."
Could someone please enlighten this poor soul ....
"I'd rather have a real black president like Alan Keyes or that general instead of a muslim."
Could someone please enlighten this poor soul ....
Friday, August 22, 2008
Cal Thomas is right
For once ....
Thomas is a good columnist because he writes and thinks well. I rarely agree with his opinions, but he is spot about how cooperative campaigning could restore people's faith in our system.
WHAT HAPPENED TO COMMON GROUND?
By Cal Thomas, Tribune Media Services
Thomas, Cal
Posted 08/20/2008 at 1:00 pm EST
For Release 08/21/2008
Last Monday at a trade show for people who are part of the Florida tourist industry, I asked the 750 assembled for lunch how many were happy with the tone of modern politics? Not a hand was raised.
Since my Democratic friend Bob Beckel and I wrote our book "Common Ground: How to Stop the Partisan War That Is Destroying America," among the public, I have found a growing discontent about a campaign that had promised to be different. Both John McCain and Barack Obama said they wanted to put to rest the divisive and incendiary politics of the past, but in their present campaigns both have now succumbed to politics as usual.
How did this happen when the public consistently says it is sick of it and hates the tearing down of the other candidate rather than the building up of the country?
In this campaign, part of the answer has to do with the massive media buildup of Obama, which has led the McCain campaign to do commercials mocking his "deity." It has been the only way McCain thought he could bring Obama down to earth. But a part of the reason also has to do with the veteran handlers, special-interest groups, fund-raisers and other unworthies who have made a lot of money and gained considerable power over the years with their slash-and-burn tactics. Candidates fear losing more than anything else and when confronted with the possibility of political death, they will cling to any lifeline thrown in their direction. If destroying one's opponent has worked before, maybe it will work again -- in spite of the public's distaste.
McCain signaled that maybe this time things would be different when he proposed that he and Obama participate in a series of meetings without a media panel. I called this "An American Conversation." I had hoped it could be modeled on the fascinating Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858, during which the Senate candidates eloquently battled over the big issues of their day. Lincoln and Douglas toured seven Illinois towns and drew thousands to their debates. The Lincoln-Douglas debates remain one of the great models for civil discourse in the less-than-stellar history of American politics.
The Obama campaign at first indicated it might agree to the meetings, but then someone decided such gatherings might put Obama at a disadvantage, which is hard to imagine given Obama's superior verbal firepower and quick mind. Maybe a consultant, fearful of losing control of the candidate, nixed it. We'll have to wait for the history of this campaign to be written to find out.
Beckel has a suggestion he thinks might yet redeem the time. He thinks that 10 days to two weeks before the campaign ends, one of the candidates should announce he is tired of the negativity and until Election Day will refuse to utter a negative word about his opponent, focusing instead on the positive aspects of his own campaign. Beckel thinks this would sway the large independent vote in the direction of whichever candidate does it and means it, thereby handing him the election.
It worked for Jim Webb. In 2006, Webb was running against incumbent Senator George Allen, and the race was close. In the closing weeks of the campaign, Webb emphasized positive themes while Allen attacked Webb for racy passages in the novels he had written. Webb narrowly won. Beckel thinks the positive commercials sealed the deal, especially with independent voters.
Beckel also believes -- and I agree -- that Obama and McCain should tell the Commission on Presidential Debates that they are rejecting the tired format of journalists questioning them and they should come up with their own format, modeled after Lincoln-Douglas. The interest level would be sky-high and be reflected in the TV ratings.
Obama and McCain could change politics for a generation if they did this, but if they continue along their current path of mutual destruction, there will be no common ground, only scorched earth that will enhance the bitterness and cynicism most people already have toward politics and politicians.
(Direct all MAIL for Cal Thomas to: Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, N.Y. 14207. Readers may also e-mail Cal Thomas at tmseditors@tribune.com.
Thomas is a good columnist because he writes and thinks well. I rarely agree with his opinions, but he is spot about how cooperative campaigning could restore people's faith in our system.
WHAT HAPPENED TO COMMON GROUND?
By Cal Thomas, Tribune Media Services
Thomas, Cal
Posted 08/20/2008 at 1:00 pm EST
For Release 08/21/2008
Last Monday at a trade show for people who are part of the Florida tourist industry, I asked the 750 assembled for lunch how many were happy with the tone of modern politics? Not a hand was raised.
Since my Democratic friend Bob Beckel and I wrote our book "Common Ground: How to Stop the Partisan War That Is Destroying America," among the public, I have found a growing discontent about a campaign that had promised to be different. Both John McCain and Barack Obama said they wanted to put to rest the divisive and incendiary politics of the past, but in their present campaigns both have now succumbed to politics as usual.
How did this happen when the public consistently says it is sick of it and hates the tearing down of the other candidate rather than the building up of the country?
In this campaign, part of the answer has to do with the massive media buildup of Obama, which has led the McCain campaign to do commercials mocking his "deity." It has been the only way McCain thought he could bring Obama down to earth. But a part of the reason also has to do with the veteran handlers, special-interest groups, fund-raisers and other unworthies who have made a lot of money and gained considerable power over the years with their slash-and-burn tactics. Candidates fear losing more than anything else and when confronted with the possibility of political death, they will cling to any lifeline thrown in their direction. If destroying one's opponent has worked before, maybe it will work again -- in spite of the public's distaste.
McCain signaled that maybe this time things would be different when he proposed that he and Obama participate in a series of meetings without a media panel. I called this "An American Conversation." I had hoped it could be modeled on the fascinating Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858, during which the Senate candidates eloquently battled over the big issues of their day. Lincoln and Douglas toured seven Illinois towns and drew thousands to their debates. The Lincoln-Douglas debates remain one of the great models for civil discourse in the less-than-stellar history of American politics.
The Obama campaign at first indicated it might agree to the meetings, but then someone decided such gatherings might put Obama at a disadvantage, which is hard to imagine given Obama's superior verbal firepower and quick mind. Maybe a consultant, fearful of losing control of the candidate, nixed it. We'll have to wait for the history of this campaign to be written to find out.
Beckel has a suggestion he thinks might yet redeem the time. He thinks that 10 days to two weeks before the campaign ends, one of the candidates should announce he is tired of the negativity and until Election Day will refuse to utter a negative word about his opponent, focusing instead on the positive aspects of his own campaign. Beckel thinks this would sway the large independent vote in the direction of whichever candidate does it and means it, thereby handing him the election.
It worked for Jim Webb. In 2006, Webb was running against incumbent Senator George Allen, and the race was close. In the closing weeks of the campaign, Webb emphasized positive themes while Allen attacked Webb for racy passages in the novels he had written. Webb narrowly won. Beckel thinks the positive commercials sealed the deal, especially with independent voters.
Beckel also believes -- and I agree -- that Obama and McCain should tell the Commission on Presidential Debates that they are rejecting the tired format of journalists questioning them and they should come up with their own format, modeled after Lincoln-Douglas. The interest level would be sky-high and be reflected in the TV ratings.
Obama and McCain could change politics for a generation if they did this, but if they continue along their current path of mutual destruction, there will be no common ground, only scorched earth that will enhance the bitterness and cynicism most people already have toward politics and politicians.
(Direct all MAIL for Cal Thomas to: Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, N.Y. 14207. Readers may also e-mail Cal Thomas at tmseditors@tribune.com.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Been waiting for this ...
Obama's trying out the hhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifwhackjob McCain attack. This could really stick, but it would sure get dirty with McCain framing Obama as a shallow waffler and Obama framing McCain as an unstable warmonger
McCain's liberal VP
Doubt this will happen, but McCain is testing the idea of choosing Joe Liberman for VP. He's with McCain on foreign policy, but downright liberal on most everything else
You all know my preference for Obama, but wouldn't that shake up the political world in good way if a Republican and Democrat were on the same ticket? It might be a way out of the cynicism and downright disgust many people have with our elected officials.
You all know my preference for Obama, but wouldn't that shake up the political world in good way if a Republican and Democrat were on the same ticket? It might be a way out of the cynicism and downright disgust many people have with our elected officials.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Guess not
From Politicalwire.com
Update: A Political Wire reader emails to say he owns the domain name obamasebelius.com and that he's not affiliated with the Obama campaign in any way.
Update: A Political Wire reader emails to say he owns the domain name obamasebelius.com and that he's not affiliated with the Obama campaign in any way.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Burr's pull
Thursday, August 14, 2008
If you see this book, run...
The man who helped bring you Swiftvote Veterans for Truth is now trying the same tactic on Obama with a new book, ObamaNation. He doesn't have a lineup of veterans to testify for this one, though, and his credibility is weak due to some internet ravings and oddball conspiracies
Troublesome things is that people are buying this book. Hope that doesn't mean they are "buying into" it.
Troublesome things is that people are buying this book. Hope that doesn't mean they are "buying into" it.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Life Sciences Fund
Stay tuned to the Traveler and Courier for a story on Kasha and Gene's fundraising so far. Burr raised a fair chunk but Kelley had lots in the bank.
A reader said one of Burr's donors was a fringe group, Kansans for Life Sciences. (They gave him $500) Not sure that's accurate. They seem no more fringe than say, the pro-gambling lobby or the anti-gambling lobby. They are on one side of a controversial issue, (stem cell research) as this storty tells.
A reader said one of Burr's donors was a fringe group, Kansans for Life Sciences. (They gave him $500) Not sure that's accurate. They seem no more fringe than say, the pro-gambling lobby or the anti-gambling lobby. They are on one side of a controversial issue, (stem cell research) as this storty tells.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Confederate flag
Friday, August 8, 2008
Burr Kelley preview
Here's my story, finally, on the Burr letter attacking Kelley's record
By the way, the opening line should have said "playing offense" not "playing offensive" Bad grammer and bad proofing ....
-da
By the way, the opening line should have said "playing offense" not "playing offensive" Bad grammer and bad proofing ....
-da
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Holy blowout!
COUNTY SHERIFF
Vote for 1
RANDY EMERSON . . . . . . . . . 353 11.98
DON READ. . . . . . . . . . . 2,593 88.02
Vote for 1
RANDY EMERSON . . . . . . . . . 353 11.98
DON READ. . . . . . . . . . . 2,593 88.02
Obama "uppity?"
Anybody agree with this judgment? I think it's nearly impossible to know true motives on this, but its understandable why some would be suspicious
Monday, August 4, 2008
The case for Sebelius
Eve Fairbanks on the New Republic blog makes a strong case for the Kansas Governor as Obama's veep, better than Tom Kaine of Virginia. Best argument I've heard so far.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Donor info
Here's my story on campaign finance reports. Read really raked it in. If fundraising reflects support, he's on top.
Someone earlier asked whether his sign on the US 77 billboard was a conflict because it might be publicly owned. His report indicates that Hays Sign Co. owns the billboard and gave him free use of it for two months. He did spent lots of money with Hays. Wonder whether they do much biz with the county/sheriff department?
Someone earlier asked whether his sign on the US 77 billboard was a conflict because it might be publicly owned. His report indicates that Hays Sign Co. owns the billboard and gave him free use of it for two months. He did spent lots of money with Hays. Wonder whether they do much biz with the county/sheriff department?
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