Intelligence Overhaul Bill Fails

JP2

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday November 20, 2004 · 3:32 PM PST

2004/11/20 · 15:32

because of.... Republicans??!! While the Senate goes crazy apprently, this is what is going on in the other house. President Bush supported the bill and he and Darth apparently were calling reps urging them to vote for it. Lieberman and Susan Collins pointed out it is odd an surprising that Republicans would block such a bill supported by a Republican president who just won re-election. Dont know what that means.
We need to hit those Republicans with this. Rep Jim Sensenbrenner had an issue with immigration. Duncan Hunter had an issue dealing with military chain of command and endangerment of troops in the field. Sound familiar? Wasnt it stuff like this that they hit Jean Carnahan and Max Cleland with(I think the HS Depatrment bill had a provision that would let go some workers). I want to do something now, but I dont know what. Pelosi is already on this, pointing out this is wholely the Republicans fault, because, well, it is. This should definitely be something we run against them in two years, whether we can win their seats or not. Read More

Did White House mis-play Nelson appointment?

JP2

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday November 19, 2004 · 4:41 PM PST

2004/11/19 · 16:41

Sorry if this has been diaried, I couldnt immediately see it. Ben Nelson is staying in the Senate.

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=54&u_sid=1262868

Now, it is mentioned that the WH said they never formally offered the job, but Im sure there was some consideration given to Nelson else this wouldnt have been a story. But, now as mentioned in the article, isnt this a feather in the cap of Nelson so to speak? I can imagine an ad in two years, "I've worked across the aisle, supporting the Iraq war and the tax cuts, so much so the president considered me for a post in his cabinet...Im Ben Nelson and I approve this message." The White House should have squashed the idea immediately, but they didnt really do that. Seems like it was poorly handled. And if they can run "First Choice" ads with McCain when that was patently false, then we can run an ad like this which is actually true.

Why Mark Warner in 2008

JP2

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Sunday November 14, 2004 · 7:38 PM PST

2004/11/14 · 19:38

Ok, so I saw another diary promoting a presidential candidate. So I thought, "alright, why not, it's not hurting anybody."

Several Reasons for why Mark Warner should be prez(first somewhat superficial, but important things):

a young, good-looking self-made man, first in his family to go to college, very successful business guy(so hopefully Wall Street wont go ape).
A nice family, three daughters, and a wife who appeals to the soccer mom crowd apparently. More like Mrs. Edwards and not like THK(her comments made even me cringe a bit).

-Ok, now to substantive stuff. Helped clean-up Virginia after 8 years of GOP control. very popular in more Republican southern Virginia. With increasingly favorable demographics in the North, he could flip it in 08.

- Handles the social issues well from what I can tell. Pro-choice, pro-death penalty(hopefully not too much of a problem with the base). neutral on gun issues I believe, appeals to rural voters.

-great on base issues like education, jobs, healthcare and the economy. I think he has set scholarships and different charitable groups for needy students.
Read More

Why Harry Reid isnt a bad choice for minority leader

JP2

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Sunday November 14, 2004 · 9:07 AM PST

2004/11/14 · 09:07

So a lot of people in the blogosphere dont like the guy. He doesnt seem to fit with the progressive view at all. However, I think we should at least give him a chance. NYtimes details some of his assets:

Allies and admirers say Mr. Reid's tenacity might come as a surprise to President Bush.

"I think that George Bush and the Senate Republicans are in for a big surprise," said Jenny Backus, a Democratic consultant who used to work for Mr. Reid. "Harry Reid is one of the toughest people that you'll ever meet and he's also one of the most determined people I've ever met."

He has pushed the administration hard on Yucca mountain, and in a state that Bush won by just 2%, hopefully we can make this an issue to win in 08 there. The Southwest will be a key area in the coming years, and it isnt so bad to have our leader from there.

JP2

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday November 13, 2004 · 3:27 PM PST

2004/11/13 · 15:27

They are important because many will be our future presidents.

Currently under Dem control:
Napolitano-AZ
Vilsack(self-term limited)- IA
Blagojevich-IL
Sebelius-KS
Baldacci- ME
Granholm-MI
Lynch-NH
Richardson-NM
Kulgonski-OR
Henry- OK
Rendell- PA
Bredesen- TN
Doyle-WI
Freudenthal-WY

Currently under GOP control:
Riley-AL
Murkowski(AKA Lisa's Daddy)-AK
Huckabee(term limited)- AR
Ahnuld-CA
Owens(term limited)- CO
Rell-CT
Jeb(term limited)-FLA
Perdue-GA
Lingle-HI
Kempthrone-ID
Ehrlich-MD
Romney- MA
Pawlenty-MN
Johanns(term limited)- NE
Pataki-NY
Taft(term limited)-OH
Carcieri-RI
Sanford-SC
Perry-TX
Douglas-VT
Rounds-SD

Safe Dems:
AZ
IL
KS
ME(if Collins doesnt run)
MI
NM
OR
OK
PA
TN
WY

At Risk:
WI(Jim Doyle)
IA(open seat, Vilsack leaving, although Im not sure, could be safe, but the fact the state tilted ever so slightly red worries me).

Note: John Lynch just won, so cant really tell with him. Read More

Important Races in 2005(with Poll)

JP2

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday November 13, 2004 · 8:05 AM PST

2004/11/13 · 08:05

Ok, so we are tired of the '08 handicapping. There are however some important races next year that deserve some attention:

NYC Mayor: I get mixed reactions on this one. Some say Bloomberg is ok, he is essentially a Democrat and they dont mind him. But some he is beatable. IIRC, he squeaked by last time, despite the fact that Giuliani endorsed him and the election was two months after 9/11. Any good challengers?

Governor:
New Jersey: Corzine is running and will probably win. Possible opponent Christine Todd Whitman has grown less and less popular in the state. Corzine is popular and has lots of $$$, so he can self-finance. Great! Apparently, he will appoint Bob Menendez to his senate seat, which is up in 2006. Now, Im really stretching, but if Menendez(or whoever it is) does a decent job for a year + the power of incumbency, we should hold the seat in 06. Read More

A NEW list of 08 candidates and a NEW poll

JP2

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday November 12, 2004 · 6:45 PM PST

2004/11/12 · 18:45

Ok, so my last diary on this sucked. I forgot some candidates unintentionally. The following is my analysis of some who could be candidates. If I missed someone, it was accidental, so plz dont get angry.

Wes Clark: a guy I forgot last time and shouldnt have.
Pros: remarkable record, rhodes scholar, several military achievements. used to be a republican which hurt him in the primaries I think, but could be an asset in the general election. great speaker and comes off very well. Strong, but still friendly like a grandpa.
Cons: hasnt served in elected office. To me that is a bit of detriment. To others, it is not. Would love it if he ran for governor in 06 in AR. Read More

2008 Dem Prez Candidates(with poll!)

JP2

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday November 12, 2004 · 4:36 PM PST

2004/11/12 · 16:36

And the nominees are:
Bill Richardson
Vilsack
Dean
Hilary
Kerry
Kathleen Seblius
Janet Napolitano
Mark Warner
Phil Bredesen
Mike Easley
Ed Rendell
Obama
Edwards

My .02 cents:
Obama hasnt even set foot in the senate and has said he wont be on ticket. I say wait till '12. He would have had just over 1 term by then which seems like a decent amount. Dont know if Seblius or Napolitano could bring their states, and I worry the only focus in the media will be that they are women. Read More

New target for anti-abortion groups

JP2

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday November 11, 2004 · 2:30 PM PST

2004/11/11 · 14:30

Nope, not Arlen Specter. apparently it is new AG Alberto Gonzales.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/11/11/bush.cabinet/index.html

Apparently, other groups are still mulling over how to react.

A comment from the leader of this group:

"Why is President Bush betraying the babies? Justice begins with protecting the most vulnerable in our midst. Please, Mr. President -- just say no to the unjust views of Alberto Gonzales."

The GOP is slowly killing itself.

2008 prez candidates

JP2

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday November 10, 2004 · 9:36 PM PST

2004/11/10 · 21:36

Ok, so maybe we are annoyed by these diaries by now, but still, they drop off the page quickly and it is interesting to toss ideas around. Got a lot of these names and analysis from this week's TIME.

Republicans:
McCain
Giuliani
Pataki
Sam Brownback
George Allen
Frist
Bill Owens
Chuck Hagel
Jeb

Democrats:
Bill Richardson
Vilsack
Dean
Hilary
Kerry
Kathleen Seblius
Janet Napolitano
Mark Warner
Phil Bredesen
Mike Easley
Ed Rendell
Read More

2008 Senate Races

JP2

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday November 08, 2004 · 5:27 PM PST

2004/11/08 · 17:27

Ok, I know, I know, we need to concentrate on 2006 first, but what is the harm in taking peek.
Here we go:

Democrats
Mark Pryor(AR)
Jack Reed(RI)
Joseph Biden (DE)
Richard Durbin (D-IL)
Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Tim Johnson (SD)
John Kerry(MA)- oh, yeah, him :)
Mary Landrieu(LA)
Frank Lautenberg(NJ)
Carl Levin(MI)
Max Baucus(MT)
John Rockefeller(WV)

Republicans
Lamar Alexander(TN)
Wayne Allard(CO)
Saxby Chambliss(GA)
Thad Cochran(MS)
Norm Coleman(MN)
Susan Collins(ME)
John Cornyn (TX)
Larry Craig (ID)
Elizabeth Dole(NC)
Pete Domenici(NM)
Michael Enzi(WY)
Lindsey Graham(SC)
Chuck Hagel(NE)
James Inhofe(OK)
Mitch McConnell(KY)
Pat Roberts(KS)
Jeff Sessions (AL)
Gordon Smith (OR)
Ted Stevens (AK)
John Sununu (NH)
John Warner (VA)

Yep, a lot of Republicans out there. 21 Republicans and 12 Democrats I think. That has to be good news for us. And looking at some of our guys: Carl Levin, Joe Biden, Jack Reed, John Kerry, all pretty safe.

Possible GOP pick-ups:
-Mary Landreiu
-Tim Johnson
-Mark Pryor Read More

Brownstein gets it so right

JP2

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday November 08, 2004 · 1:19 PM PST

2004/11/08 · 13:19

Ron Brownstein had a great column with constructive advice for Democrats in the LaTimes today.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/la-na-outlook8nov08,1,3777375.column?coll=la-news-p olitics-national

Some highlights:
But the answer, and the lesson, appears about as clear as these things ever get: The Democrats need to widen the electoral battlefield.

A nominee with more appeal in the red states might also create a climate that enables the party to seriously contest more House and Senate seats.

That imperative seems certain to raise the 2008 profile of Democrats who have won elections in regions the party needs to put back into play -- such as governors Tom Vilsack of Iowa (the rural Midwest), Bill Richardson of New Mexico (the desert Southwest) and especially Mark R. Warner of Virginia (the South).

He also notes that Bush doesnt have a broad majority. Th 29 states Bush won the past two times equal 274 EVs. The 18 Gore states that Kerry won equals 248.

Newer
Older

RSS