Edwards is financially doomed

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

Monday December 31, 2007 · 11:30 AM PST

2007/12/31 · 11:30

Of course not personally, but Edwards does have a substantial financial problem if he continues to compete against Obama and Clinton. Edwards' personal fortune cannot help him out because of his acceptance of the $50 million spending cap during the primaries (through to the Democratic National Convention in late August).

tomcat

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

Saturday January 27, 2007 · 7:28 PM PST

2007/01/27 · 19:28

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s biggest challenge in Iowa may be the Iraq war and her reputation as a hawk. She tries to dodge the single most important issue in the 2008 race; she knows it is her Achilles heel. When asked at the Iowa Democratic Party Central Committee meeting this morning (Saturday), she almost apologized for her 2002 vote authorizing Bush to use force against Iraq. Almost. She said she takes "responsibility" for the vote and said she would not have voted that way had she’d known what she does now. But she added that there are no "do-overs" in life, and we need to discuss what to do now.

It was just dumb luck that I got to have a personal, 5-minute conversation with Hillary. I just happened to be grabbing a cup of coffee as she was exiting the building, and I struck up a conversation over her hawkish reputation as she shook my hand. To tell you the truth, I was surprised at how personable she is in conversation, unhurried and very at ease. I think her new Iowa Director, JoDee Winterhof, is not yet confident enough with Hillary to pull her away from worthless conversations with party activists like me.

tomcat

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

Saturday October 28, 2006 · 9:03 AM PDT

2006/10/28 · 09:03

This diary is not so much about Kosovo and Iraq as it is about two up-and-coming politicians from almost opposite backgrounds. Retired General Wesley Clark was Supreme Allied Commander of NATO forces during the Kosovo Crisis, where an estimated 1.5 million Albanians were saved.

Dr. Selden Spencer, a neurologist and humanitarian from Huxley, Iowa, is running in Iowa's 4th Congressional District because of the 650,000 estimated Iraqis that have died because of our invasion and occupation.
http://www.spencerforcongress.com/...

So what do the hard-nosed general and mild-mannered physician have in common? They both are intelligent men who love their country and love peace. Both General Clark and Dr. Spencer have learned that we need more diplomacy and economic development to address our problems in the Middle East. Read More

Wes Clark radio ad - Spencer in IA-04

tomcat

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

Friday October 27, 2006 · 9:23 AM PDT

2006/10/27 · 09:23

General Wesley Clark has made a great radio ad for Dr. Selden Spencer, our Democratic candidate for Iowa's Fourth Congressional District. General Clark's 60 sec spot addresses the need for a new direction for national security:

http://files.spencerforcongress.com/...

As we head into the final days of the campaign, we need to gather sufficient funds to run the ad on local radio stations, particularly in the rural areas of the 4th District (most of it), where many people get their local news from their local radio stations. Compared to broadcast TV, radio ads are a bargain and an effective tool to reach voters.

Contribute to airing the ad on local radio stations by going to the special ActBlue page set up by WesPAC:

http://www.actblue.com/... Read More

Wish list for Dem Positions

tomcat

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

Tuesday November 09, 2004 · 7:07 PM PST

2004/11/09 · 19:07

In this order:

I would like to see Dean as Chair of DNC, with Donna Brazile as Co-Chair.
I would like to see John Kerry as Senate Minority Leader.
I would like to have all of our best candidates run for Senate in 2006 if they are going after an open seat or have a chance of upsetting a sitting Republican.
For House seats, as above.
For Governorships, as above.
Then, only then, should we be thinking about Presidential and VP candidates for 2008. Let's work on the next 2 years and then see who we have after 2006.

Actually, right now I think only individuals for the Senate Minority Leader and DNC Chair positions are worth talking about. We really need to be rethinking our message, not picking personalities. And let's not worry about what happens to people like Kerry, Dean and Edwards if they take some role this year. The 2008 Presidential campaign is still way off. Let's play out our best hands now!

At least that is what I think.

Religious Radio in Iowa

tomcat

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

Thursday November 04, 2004 · 9:46 AM PST

2004/11/04 · 09:46

There is an article in the Des Moines Register about the Bush campaign here in Iowa that I think hits the nail on the head. Bush is up 13,600 in the current count, and it is very likely that it will hold up when the provisional ballots (about 15,000) and straggling absentee ballots (about 50,000 are outstanding) are added up. This is incredibly discouraging for all of us here that worked so hard, and there was an amazing number of volunteers (for this, I am really proud of Iowa). We could have been more organized and more efficient, but that was not why we lost.

How did Bush win when we had such a huge and successful GOTV campaign in central and eastern Iowa, where most of the votes are? The Democrats made substantial gains in the state legislature, increasing the number of House Democrats, and we tied it up in the state Senate for the first time in many years. But we lost the most important race this year, apparently because we ignored the reddest part of our state. Read More

Attn: TIAA-CREF Members

tomcat

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

Tuesday October 19, 2004 · 11:59 AM PDT

2004/10/19 · 11:59

As was pointed out last week, TIAA-CREF holds Sinclair Broadcasting stocks in their Equity Index and CREF Stock funds. They have been asked my many to sell these shares, but I just spoke with a representative that said they are not going to sell the Sinclair stock because they want to be "apolitical." I am moving my investments in the Equity Index and CREF Stock Funds to other funds, and I strongly encourage others to do the same. Luckily, we have plenty of alternatives within TIAA-CREF, and if TIAA-CREF will not budge, then at least we can force them to adjust their portfolios.

If you want to call TIAA-CREF and complain, their number is 1-800-842-2776.

Rejoice in Iowa!

tomcat

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

Friday October 15, 2004 · 9:59 AM PDT

2004/10/15 · 09:59

There was a great outdoor rally at the state Fairgrounds in Des Moines last night, with the big four together again: both Johns, Teresa, and Elizabeth. This was the kick-off for the final stretch. Gates were to open at 6 pm, but my wife, 3 kids and I got there at 6:30 to find a huge, serpentine line. It took us nearly 3 hours to get through security, but we slowly shuffled through the line, and everyone patiently stuck with it. I did not see anyone give up and leave. We got in just in time and saw an invigorating event. The Dems were hoping for 10,000 people, but NBC news stated this morning that the Kerry campaign said there were 60,000 there. That was an ex-ag-ger-at-ion, but the Des Moines Register (Republican paper) conservatively said there were 15,000, and it looked much bigger to me. Kerry gave an exhilarating 25 minute speech, much of it recapping the success of the debates, especially the last one in Arizona. Kerry said it was the biggest political gathering in the history of Iowa. The night was cold, but the crowd was warm and enthusiastic. I was so pumped!

Then there is this wave of defeat running through our diaries this morning because of what appears to me to be random static in the polls and the phony issue of Mary Cheney. Get a grip, people! Things are moving our way in Iowa, and elsewhere. Quit whining and GOTV!

New Iowa Poll

tomcat

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

Sunday July 25, 2004 · 8:35 AM PDT

2004/07/25 · 08:35

The Des Moines Register (definite Republican slant) released a new poll in their Sunday edition http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040725/NEWS09/407250348/1001&lead=1

Bush 46%
Kerry 45%
Nader 2%
Undecided 7%

It's likely voters, perhaps explaining some of the discrepancies with earlier competing polls. A February Register poll had Kerry up by 7 points. Other more recent polls show Kerry up slightly (2-4% in some). A Strategic Vision survey released yesterday showed Kerry 48%/Bush 46% in Iowa: http://www.kcrg.com/article.aspx?art_id=86144&cat_id=123

Aside from the horserace numbers, the survey relaeased today seems consistent with earlier Iowa survey results and national polls, e.g., Bush's 47% approval/49% disapproval. Also, Kerry has a 7 point lead with independents. So, I am not overly concerned and I think Kerry should ultimately win here. Still, I wish we had a comfortable lead.

Motive for roadless area logging

tomcat

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

Monday July 12, 2004 · 7:11 PM PDT

2004/07/12 · 19:11

I understand why the Republicans want to eliminate Clinton's ban on logging in US Forest Service roadless lands, but why is the White House lifting the ban now? Clearly a few businesses benefit by access to timber in roadless areas, and the issue is important for select rural areas in which logging is economically important. Of the battleground states, I would think this issue might help Bush in only Oregon. Is that the motivation? Or is the White House seeing that they are in the final year of their authority, and they want to start overthrowing what is left of Clinton's accomplishments?

As a forest biologist that teaches courses on forest health issues, I am not against logging forests, and I don't want logging banned as a management tool. And I generally support the forest industry (though I think plantation forestry is a better, more environmentally sound supplier of timber). But there is little scientific nor economic justification for opening roadless areas to logging. It costs the government much more to put in the roads than they get from timber sales.

So what is the motivation here?

From for Vilsack

tomcat

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

Saturday June 12, 2004 · 9:08 AM PDT

2004/06/12 · 09:08

http://dmregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040612/NEWS09/406120362/1001&lead=1

The Des Moines Register has a story on how the moderate Democratic Leadership Council (or at least Al From, its leader) likes Vilsack as the VP pick. From does not clearly make an endorsement, but he says " . . . I would be very, very excited if Tom Vilsack were the nominee. I just don't think you find (sic) a more solid, more innovative, more forward-looking person."

Maybe solid, but innovative and forward-looking? As a loyal Iowa Democrat, I don't think you could get a more lackluster and ineffective VP candidate, except perhaps Gephardt. In my opinion, neither of these individuals on the ticket would help Kerry win Iowa, which will only vote Bush if most of the rest of the swing states vote Bush. I am still for either Edwards or Clark, depending on how crucial an issue that national security appears to be. Edwards does not get discussion in the article, apparently because the moderates are not interested in him. Why not?

I am starting to get very worried that my Governor will be the VP nominee. He is being thoroughly vetted, even going back to looking at insignificant letters Vilsack wrote as the mayor of a small Iowa town, called, believe it or not, Mount Pleasant. Vilsack could just have well been the mayor in the movie Pleasantville, living his career in black and white.

It seems to me that the DLC got us into this mess, by screwing up Al Gore's campaign and then kowtowing to the Bush agenda. Does Al From have Kerry's ear and a major influence on the VP selection?

America, France and Texas

tomcat

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

Saturday June 05, 2004 · 5:22 PM PDT

2004/06/05 · 17:22

At the end of an AP article on Bush's day with Jacques Chirac, which was not great but not a complete disaster, there was this tidbit:

"At the news conference, Bush turned curt when a French reporter asked him why his policies were "pushing your country and France to divorce," noting that former President John F. Kennedy had suggested that everyone has two countries - his own and France.

"To paraphrase President Kennedy, there's America and then there's Texas," Bush retorted. He did not elaborate. The purported Kennedy comment was actually originally uttered by President Thomas Jefferson.

Aides later said Bush was just trying to suggest there was another side to matters."

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20040606/D8315TGG0.html

What an idiot! And what an embarrassment. Kinda like calling the Pope "Sir." Who knows what he will say at the D-Day ceremonies.

Newer
Older

RSS

Edwards is financially doomed

Talking to Hillary the Hawk

1.5 M Albanians and 650 K Iraqis

Wes Clark radio ad - Spencer in IA-04

Wish list for Dem Positions

Religious Radio in Iowa

Attn: TIAA-CREF Members

Rejoice in Iowa!

New Iowa Poll

Motive for roadless area logging

From for Vilsack

America, France and Texas