I loved the 50 State Strategy rhetorically, strategically, politically. The SPP [State Partnership Project] was a godsend -- and electorally really effective (we retained a governorship, won a swing Congressional seat, and took over the majority in both houses of our legislative in the 4 years we had the SPP). I raised about $120,000 for the DNC on my good word that the SPP and the 50SS were crucial. It is a goddam shame that Tim Kaine, David Axelrod, and Rahm Emmanuel, three guys who probably don't agree upon much, were able to all but kill off the SPP and 50SS.
I loved the 50 State Strategy rhetorically, strategically, politically. The SPP [State Partnership Project] was a godsend -- and electorally really effective (we retained a governorship, won a swing Congressional seat, and took over the majority in both houses of our legislative in the 4 years we had the SPP). I raised about $120,000 for the DNC on my good word that the SPP and the 50SS were crucial.
It is a goddam shame that Tim Kaine, David Axelrod, and Rahm Emmanuel, three guys who probably don't agree upon much, were able to all but kill off the SPP and 50SS.
It's really an inexplicable transition from a bottom-up grassroots organizing model, to OFA's whatever-the-fuck-it-is-that-they're-doing model. And whatever it is, it clearly ain't working.
The other benefits of the 50 state strategy were the way it began building a "farm system" of future Party leaders and candidates. It forced Republicans to spend money all across the country and to defend every Congressional seat. In the past Republicans in safe seats freely spread their excess campaign cash to their friends in contested Districts. Abandoning this successful strategy will enable the GOP to, again, concentrate on the swing seats and battleground states. Last week former Virginia Governor Doug Wilder came out and called for changes at the DNC. Specifically he called for the replacement of Kaine as DNC Chair. I'd rather see the President authorize Kaine to change back to the 50 State Strategy which was so successful. This change would be good.
I like Mitt Romney, but I think he's risking his career over a guy, endorsing McCain, who is so out of step with what's going on right now. McCain's always conservative when he's running for reelection in Arizona. The tea parties have produced a wave of conservatism that have swept Republicans-in-name-only aside. I understand Palin endorsing McCain. She's got no choice. Loyalty, plus if she doesn't the media will cream her, "Oh, he's good enough to be president but you won't endorse him to be Senator?" And it's understandable Romney would endorse Brown, but I don't understand Romney endorsing McCain. I just don't think it's going to fly. These endorsements are unnecessary. What is there to gain by this? Look, it's unfortunate, but people are weeding themselves out of the process all the while engaging in this kind of behavior. So in one sense it has a cleansing aspect to it.
Prominent conservative voices don't mind Beck's deranged conspiracy theories, his humiliating ignorance, and his hatred for those who don't think as he does. But these conservative voices mind a great deal if Beck notes that Republicans have an embarrassing record when it comes to deficit reduction, the national debt, government spending, and increasing the size and scope of the federal government's powers -- an observation that happens to be true. What an odd movement.
Prominent conservative voices don't mind Beck's deranged conspiracy theories, his humiliating ignorance, and his hatred for those who don't think as he does. But these conservative voices mind a great deal if Beck notes that Republicans have an embarrassing record when it comes to deficit reduction, the national debt, government spending, and increasing the size and scope of the federal government's powers -- an observation that happens to be true.
What an odd movement.
A wealthy Tennessee Republican congressional challenger, George Flinn [...] attacks the Recovery Act on the "Jobs" section of his website, writing, "The so-called stimulus bill adopted by the Democrat Congress has done nothing to help the situation.” But in addition to being a radiologist and radio magnate, Flinn has a sideline as a self-help guru for aspiring entrepreneurs, and a website, YourAmericanDreams.com. And in one of the videos from the site, he teaches aspiring businessmen how to apply for government grants, including – explicitly – stimulus monies.
A wealthy Tennessee Republican congressional challenger, George Flinn [...] attacks the Recovery Act on the "Jobs" section of his website, writing, "The so-called stimulus bill adopted by the Democrat Congress has done nothing to help the situation.”
But in addition to being a radiologist and radio magnate, Flinn has a sideline as a self-help guru for aspiring entrepreneurs, and a website, YourAmericanDreams.com.
And in one of the videos from the site, he teaches aspiring businessmen how to apply for government grants, including – explicitly – stimulus monies.
Okay, you don't have to love them.
During his gubernatorial campaign, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R-VA) repeatedly criticized the Recovery Act, saying that although it was “massive,” he didn’t think it would “have a stimulus effect.” [...] However, now that he’s in office and facing real budget challenges, he’s singing a different tune. On Monday, McDonnell proudly “announced that Virginia will receive a total of $24 million in federal funding to advance health information technology” — money made possible by the stimulus, which McDonnell conveniently failed to mention. McDonnell’s spokesman insisted that the previous governor, Democrat Tim Kaine, applied for the funds, but that didn’t stop McDonnell from touting them. Yesterday, McDonnell went even further and asked for more stimulus dollars.
During his gubernatorial campaign, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R-VA) repeatedly criticized the Recovery Act, saying that although it was “massive,” he didn’t think it would “have a stimulus effect.” [...]
However, now that he’s in office and facing real budget challenges, he’s singing a different tune. On Monday, McDonnell proudly “announced that Virginia will receive a total of $24 million in federal funding to advance health information technology” — money made possible by the stimulus, which McDonnell conveniently failed to mention. McDonnell’s spokesman insisted that the previous governor, Democrat Tim Kaine, applied for the funds, but that didn’t stop McDonnell from touting them.
Yesterday, McDonnell went even further and asked for more stimulus dollars.
On the eve of President Obama’s health care reform summit, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) released data showing that since 2005, health care special interests have invested at least $28 million in the campaigns of House and Senate leaders, chairs and ranking members of committees with primary jurisdiction over health care legislation.