Bush's Base

Not you:

The Bush administration is hardening its opposition to the chorus of Democrats, bankers, economists and consumer advocates calling for a big-money government rescue program for struggling homeowners.

In an interview yesterday, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson branded many of the aid proposals circulating in Washington as "bailouts" for reckless lenders, investors and speculators, rather than measures that would provide meaningful relief to deserving, but cash-strapped, mortgage borrowers.

So the administration is taking a hands-off approach to the whole thing where everyone is treated equally, right? Well,

Since the onset of the subprime crisis last summer, the White House has repeatedly rejected the notion of a government bailout, either for homeowners facing foreclosure or for the banks and mortgage companies that made the now souring loans. "There's no bailout with government money, none whatsoever," Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson emphasized. But even as the administration has stuck to its laissez-faire stance in public, behind the scenes a covert bailout has been under way, with a number of public and quasi-public agencies quietly dispensing vast sums to financial institutions saddled with worthless or near worthless mortgage securities. All the while, homeowners at the heart of the problem have been left largely to their own woes. The rescue operation brings to mind John Kenneth Galbraith's dictum that in the United States, the only respectable form of socialism is socialism for the rich.

You've been Bush'd!

William Buckley Dies at 82

William F. Buckley Jr., who marshaled polysyllabic exuberance, famously arched eyebrows and a refined, perspicacious mind to elevate conservatism to the center of American political discourse, died Wednesday at his home in Stamford, Conn.

Goodbye, Bill.

Thoughts on the 20th Debate

Yes, last night's was the 20th, and by this time I was - and I can only imagine even the junkies were too - tired on rehashing small, wonky differences in each of their plans, which is where Clinton was trying to score points.

To point, Clinton turned the first question - about the change in her tone since the last debate - into a 16 minute discussion on healthcare. Even though I think that Hillary's plan is better than Obama's, her inability to land a blow in a single narrative and her insistence on coming back to minutiae didn't really work. Furthermore, unless you're a single issue voter - and your issue is healthcare - she wasn't scoring any points.

Hillary also had a complete 180 in attitude from the prior debate, which was expected considering her attacks over the weekend. In stead of the conciliatory candidate we saw last Thursday, yesterday she came out looking for a fight, echoing her rhetoric that she's a fighter. I don't think this worked for her for several reasons: Obama's too cool to be drawn into that tempo, it made her seem whiny and petulant - especially with her SNL reference - and it doesn't jibe with how people saw her in the last debate, so they ask themselves "who is this person?"

On the issues I think Obama scored a couple more points than Hillary; nothing crushing, but considering that she needed nothing less than to blow him out of the water in order to reverse his momentum, Obama wins again.

Tim Russert, however, is a complete jackass and should be treated accordingly as a joke. "If we leave Iraq, and then Al Qaeda comes back, would you, as President, put troops back in?" I think the more appropriate question is "If Frito-Lay products came to life and demanded they be granted the state of Nebraska as their fiefdom or they would destroy all the corn in the whole world forever, and that means for eternity, would you allow them to get guest worker visas?" "Yes or no, answer the question." Russert gets off so much on his gotcha style of politics, where he appears to be cross-examining the witness - something that completely lacks meaning in a debate - and so he can trot out the candidate's answer 6 years later when something changes and say "Candidate, you said A, but you did B. Can you please explain yourself?" Asshole.

Update: Digby concurs we should run Russert out of town.

Diplomacy

The Bush administration does not know what that word means:

The Turkish government briefed the Bush administration about its plans to strike northern Iraq well in advance of launching the controversial operation and the U.S. raised no objections, according to American and Turkish officials.

Turkish representatives told U.S. diplomatic and military officials that Ankara was planning to send ground troops into Iraq to strike targets belonging to the Kurdish Workers Party, or PKK, an anti-Turkish guerilla group, according to officials from both countries. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan personally told President Bush about the plans, the officials said. The White House confirmed the conversation occurred.

Hearts and minds, hearts and minds.

Huckabee Could Win This Yet

No, not really, but McCain is that appallingly bad.

Clinton Campaign Finds a Picture

It is not divisive.

Conservative Corruption

Rick Renzi:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A federal grand jury has indicted Republican U.S. Rep. Richard Renzi of Arizona on 35 criminal counts including conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and official extortion, according to court papers unsealed on Friday.

The indictment stems from plan by Renzi and an associate to benefit from a land-exchange plan in order to receive Renzi's support for necessary federal legislation, court documents said.

It also accuses Renzi of embezzling premiums from clients of an insurance business to fund his congressional campaign.

Wow. 35 counts. That ain't light.

Turkish Troops Enter Iraq

Nobody could have predicted:

Turkish troops have launched a ground incursion across the border into northern Iraq in pursuit of separatist Kurdish rebels, the military said Friday, an action that dramatically escalates Turkey's conflict with the militants.

"The Turkish Armed Forces, which values Iraq's territorial integrity and its stability, will return as soon as planned goals are achieved," the military said. "The executed operation will prevent the region from being a permanent and safe base for the terrorists and will contribute to Iraq's stability and internal peace."

That quote is pretty sweet. Right out of the Bush playbook.

Show Me the Money

John McCain's principles.

The Funny, the Sad and the Shoot Me in the Face

Bush.

Winding Down the Democratic Primary?

Now that Obama's won every contest since Super Tuesday, including states like Virginia and Wisconsin, I think he's got this thing won. Judging by his recent momentum and support in the polls, it's going to be impossible for Clinton to blow him out of the water in Texas and Ohio. If she can't win both of those states, or even if she wins, but by insignificant margins, she's done for.

Wisconsin wasn't even close.

Iraqis, Rejoice!

Freedom is on the march:

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq said on Tuesday it had agreed to buy 40 new aircraft from plane maker Boeing and six from Canada's Bombardier for state-run Iraqi Airways in a deal worth up to $5 billion.

"A ministerial committee was formed and has agreed to buy 40 planes from Boeing, and four other used ones from Boeing and six new planes from Bombardier," Bangeen Riqani, deputy minister of transport, told Reuters.

Soon they will be able to purchase Exxon-Mobil oil to use in their Chevy SUVs. Ah, the sweet taste of liberty.

Good for Democracy

Clinton:

Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign intends to go after delegates whom Barack Obama has already won in the caucuses and primaries if she needs them to win the nomination.

This strategy was confirmed to me by a high-ranking Clinton official on Monday. And I am not talking about superdelegates, those 795 party big shots who are not pledged to anybody. I am talking about getting pledged delegates to switch sides.

Have they no shame?

Digging in Deeper

Somebody hand this man a shovel:

Two days later, after Obama’s eighth straight victory, Penn told reporters: “Winning Democratic primaries is not a qualification or a sign of who can win the general election. If it were, every nominee would win because every nominee wins Democratic primaries.”

One of the reasons I'm hoping Clinton loses the primary is so Mark Penn will never be listened to again. The man is a complete assclown.

Bolten and Miers Held in Contempt

Congress does its job.

FISA Fight Aint Over

Go House Dems!

Restless and Anxious Consultants

Somebody please make sure this asshat never has anything to do with the Democratic party ever again.

I mean, it's not like he's tight with Mark Penn, Hillary's chief strategist, or nothing.

Little Dougie's stupid and ugly and nobody likes him.

Donna Edwards Wins!

We done one right.

Telcos Get Retroactive Immunity

69 Senators hate accountability:

Let there be no doubt: a majority of senators, and a large number of Democrats, think the telecoms should not suffer the hazard of accountability for cooperating with the administration's warrantless wiretapping program. Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) took to the floor last night to give a speech asking, "This is our defining question, the question that confronts every generation: The rule of law, or the rule of men?" The resounding answer: the rule of men.

Let's see if the final bill is filibustered. This is outrageous.

(note: Obama voted for the amendment. Kudos)

Sex, Materialism and Advertising

Saw this ad on CNN's website and couldn't refuse:

Women will sleep with me for $$$? Great success!!!!

Mittens!!! NOOOOO!!!!!

Woe to us!

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will suspend his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, GOP sources tell CNN.

A candidate may "suspend" his or her campaign rather than dropping out, and technically remain a candidate. In this case, he or she is entitled to keep any statewide pledged delegates as well as their district-level delegates.

I'll miss his hair.

Zell'd!

You're stupid and ugly and nobody likes you:

Thanks to Zell Miller, there is a rule to deal with Joe Lieberman.

Lieberman's endorsement of Republican John McCain disqualifies him as a super-delegate to the Democratic National Convention under what is informally known as the Zell Miller rule, according to Democratic State Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo.

Miller, then a Democratic senator from Georgia, not only endorsed Republican George Bush four years ago, but he delivered a vitriolic attack on Democrat John Kerry at the Republican National Convention.

The Democrats responded with a rule disqualifying any Democrat who crosses the aisle from being a super delegate. Lieberman will not be replaced, DiNardo said.

Joe should go home. He's stupid and ugly and nobody likes him.

Hating America

Republicans:

Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked a Democratic-backed $157 billion economic stimulus plan that would have provided benefits for the long-term unemployed and expanded proposed tax rebates to include retirees and disabled veterans.

The legislation, aimed at averting a U.S. recession and offered as an alternative to a bill backed by President George W. Bush that passed the House of Representatives last week, fell short of the 60 votes needed to advance in the 100-member Senate.

All Bush man-love, all the time!

Super Duper Tuesday

So it's primary election day for half the states - including NY - in the country. I'm wound up something awful - couldn't sleep, been up since 2:30 in the morning, though the weather may have something to do with that - and probably will be until tomorrow morning when the dust has settled.

I voted for Obama this morning, and although I have numerous reasons for doing so, it boils down to these two:

1. Obama sees the role of the president as an inspirational one, not a hands-on one like Clinton, which I think is important to help restore the balance of power between the branches of the government. The Executive branch needs to take a back seat to Congress in crafting laws and some policy, which brings me to my second point,
2. I believe Obama will have positive coattails around the country and will help elect more Democrats to Congress, while Clinton will have mixed results at best

I predict that the end of Super Tuesday will see Clinton with a small, but not insurmountable, advantage in delegates, and that's good news for the Obama campaign.

GObama!

Fiscal Conservatives

I say this gets an up-or-down vote without earmarks and freedom to choose:

President Bush on Monday sent Congress a $3.11 trillion budget request that sees a worsening deficit over the next two years but projects a balanced federal budget by 2012.

The budget request seeks a 6% rise in total government spending for fiscal 2009, which begins Oct. 1. The deficit would total $407 billion.

The White House expects the government to end the current fiscal year with a deficit of $410 billion. This is a sharp increase from a deficit of $162 billion last year.

Nothing like going out in style.

Good Enough for the NYT

Because she's the gray lady, not the white one.

Surprise!

Because we never said "told you so:"

American combat troops will be needed in Iraq at least into 2009 to battle a resilient al-Qaida and still vibrant insurgency, the top U.S. diplomat to Iraq told The Associated Press on Friday.

Ambassador Ryan Crocker said he would lead Washington's negotiations with Baghdad on an agreement that will govern the U.S. presence there with that in mind, although the next president may "reset the conditions" for troop withdrawals.

The "need for combat operations" in Iraq will be there "certainly into next year, but how far I couldn't say," he said in an interview at the State Department.

Except we did. Again and again and again until our heads hurt and our faces turned blue.

Note the most excellent use of al-qaeda to refer to anyone and everyone we're fighting. Beautiful.

FISA

Our leadership done alright for change. McJoan has the details.

Now we need to win these votes! Call, write, or bake a cake for your congresscritter!

War? What war?

Oh yeah, that war:

A female suicide bomber blew herself up at the main pet market in central Baghdad, killing at least 46 people and wounding dozens, police said, the deadliest bombing to strike the capital since 30,000 more American forces flooded into central Iraq last spring.

About 20 minutes later, a second female suicide bomber struck another bird market in a predominantly Shiite area in southeastern Baghdad. That blast killed at least 18 people and wounded 25, police said.

The attacks shortly before the weekly Islamic call to prayer resounded across the capital were the latest in a series of violent incidents that have been chipping away at Iraqi confidence in the permanence of recent security gains.

Sounds like more al-qaeda to me. We'll have to stay for a bajillion years to beat them. Maybe even a bajillion plus one. Otherwise we're not serious like John McCain and Joe Lieberman.