Centricity - The state or quality of being centric; centricalness.
Centrisity - The state or quality of not being bound to an ideology. Freedom of thought.
WASHINGTON - Comedian and radio talk show host Al Franken has begun calling Democratic members of Congress and prominent DFLers to tell them he will definitely challenge Republican Sen. Norm Coleman in 2008, the Star Tribune learned Wednesday.Franken is already prepared for the carpet bagger question:
"I'll be the only New York Jew in the race who actually grew up in Minnesota."If nothing else, it will be a fun campaign.
E-MAIL CONTROVERSY
Strib sinks to blog's level
The Star Tribune's Jan. 24 coverage of the e-mail seeking policy students from the Humphrey Institute to work with Al Franken was below the Star Tribune's standards. It was biased and misleading.
Its most outrageous claim is that Professor Sally Kenney was using "a taxpayer funded tool not available to competing campaigns. ... It crossed the line into clear advocacy." Not only are we, the students, tools available to competing campaigns, we welcome any relevant opportunities to do policy work regardless of partisan affiliation. If you have such an opportunity, contact Career Services in the Graduate Programs Office.
Additionally, the e-mail did not even approach "the line into clear advocacy."
From what I can tell, the Star Tribune essentially republished an existing story on a blog known for biased and shoddy reporting. If it attempted to gather actual facts related to the story, it failed.
As a blogger myself, I'm sorry to see the worst of print and online journalism combined in this manner.
CHRISTOPHER MITCHELL, ST. PAUL;
HUMPHREY INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
MONTREAL -- Gump Worsley looked a bit out of place in goal during his 21-year NHL career - until they dropped the puck. Then, the roly-poly maskless man in the net was at his nimble best. Worsley, who died Friday at 77 after suffering a heart attack last Monday, used his 5-foot-7, 180-pound frame to forge a Hall of Fame career and help the Montreal Canadiens win four Stanley Cups in a five-year span.Did you catch that, "Maskless Man". The guy was a goalie in the NHL and didn't wear a mask. I remember Gump, and watched him every chance I got. Hockey was relatively new to us, and he made it exciting.
St. Paul gives winter a polar-bear hug during the annual Winter Carnival chill fest, which starts today and runs through Feb. 4. Most events are on Harriet Island.Find the complete schedule of all events here.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. today and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Cost: Free entry; $5 button gives discounts on some activities.
Forecast: Mild and windy today; cloudy and cooler Saturday; downright cold Sunday.
Ice maze delayed: Might open Saturday.
Getting there: Free shuttle buses from four downtown stops.
Parking: Try a downtown ramp. Downtown meters enforced until 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Meters not enforced Sunday.
Grande Day Parade: 2 p.m. Saturday
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts , the Democratic presidential nominee in 2004, won't make a second bid for the White House, sources familiar with Kerry's thinking told CNN Wednesday.Maybe he read my shorter Jonah Goldberg; "Don't Do It!". I stated in that post last Friday:
A source close to Kerry and a Democratic operative who worked for him in 2004 said the four-term senator from Massachusetts has decided to sit out the 2008 race, which has already drawn more than a dozen contenders from both parties.
Kerry made that decision within the past day and was expected to announce it later Wednesday, the source said.
I'd start an 'Anyone But Kerry' committee, but frankly, his support has dwindled to the point that that isn't even necessary. So when Kerry announces, I think the crickets will out number the supporters. Unless of course, he wises up and recognizes that he had his chance.Kerry is wiser than I gave him credit for.
solve problems, not leave them to future generationsyet his borrow and spend policies have left us with a burgeoning deficit. He talked about
Our citizens don’t much care which side of the aisle we sit on — as long as we are willing to cross that aisle when there is work to be done.after championing the most partisan political period of our time. Funny how your attitude is tempered, and your politics moderated, when you are stripped of your political capital and find yourself in the minority.
A future of hope and opportunity requires that all our citizens have affordable and available health care.but fails in implementation. A tax deductions of health insurance is a noble idea, but with millions of uninsured Americans with pre-existing conditions, this deduction puts nothing in reach for them. We need a comprehensive plan, not a band aid that looks good on paper.
Our enemies are quite explicit about their intentions. They want to overthrow moderate governments and establish safe havens from which to plan and carry out new attacks on our country. By killing and terrorizing Americans, they want to force our country to retreat from the world and abandon the cause of liberty. They would then be free to impose their will and spread their totalitarian ideology. Listen to this warning from the late terrorist Zarqawi: "We will sacrifice our blood and bodies to put an end to your dreams, and what is coming is even worse." And Osama bin Laden declared: "Death is better than living on this Earth with the unbelievers among us.There was also an admittance, it seemed, on the administration's part that they are somewhat responsible for the Hornets nest in Iraq, as the power vacuum in Iraq created an opportunity for those whom we are trying to rid the world of:
"We did not drive al Qaeda out of their safe haven in Afghanistan only to let them set up a new safe haven in a free Iraq."See. Mr. President, that is exactly what you ended up doing.
"the state of out Union is Strong"Maybe he was saving the best for last. I am hoping the best is yet to come!
WASHINGTON (AP) -- New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said Sunday he is taking the first step toward an expected White House run in 2008, offering extensive experience in Washington and the world stage as he seeks to become the first Hispanic president.I like Bill. He is my preferred candidate from either side of the aisle. But we have a long road to travel to make his Presidential hopes successful.
"I am taking this step because we have to repair the damage that's been done to our country over the last six years," said Richardson, a Democrat and former congressman, U.N. ambassador and Energy Department secretary.
"Our reputation in the world is diminished, our economy has languished, and civility and common decency in government has perished," he said in a statement.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Hillary Clinton jumped into the fray as a 2008 presidential candidate with the words "I'm in" posted on her Web site.Visit her official website for more details.
"And I'm in to win," she added in a statement, announcing she has set up an exploratory committee that can gauge opinions and raise money for a presidential campaign.
Clinton's announcement comes on the same day that the next president will be inaugurated two years down the road: January 20, 2009.
When he asked his closest backers whether to try again for the White House, the silence was deafening.The questions now is, if a dreamer asks his confidantes if he should run again, and they say no, will he listen. Something tells me, no.
As a conservative columnist, there is nothing I should want more than to see Kerry whack his forehead against the concrete wall of history one more time. Why? Because attacking Kerry is always good copy. And, if my North Star were the GOP's good fortune, I would light a candle every night at my Lee Atwater shrine in prayer that the Kerry baloney leap once more into the grinder.But he also understands the bandwagon effect:
Disliking Kerry isn't just for right-wingers anymore. It's as American as apple pie. Despite enormous name recognition; despite the kind of sympathetic coverage that only alleged victims of the "Republican attack machine" get; despite constant efforts to stay in the news, wads of cash from his wife and last campaign, and despite enormously impressive hair, he's near the bottom in all important rankings of serious candidates.I'd start an 'Anyone But Kerry' committee, but frankly, his support has dwindled to the point that that isn't even necessary. So when Kerry announces, I think the crickets will out number the supporters. Unless of course, he wises up and recognizes that he had his chance.
The states with the highest high school graduation rates were New Hampshire, Minnesota and Wyoming, all around 92 percent.I'm not sure who the governor is playing to, but I take offense, as an educator, the he is even implying that we are doing anything short of the very best with the limited tools being provided us by his administration. We will persevere, we will succeed, and it will be in spite of the continued bashing by GOP leaders and other out of touch politicos who are too busy trying to prevent the sterling results that those of us in the public school system continue to produce.
As Obama made the rounds of state party conventions, fundraising events and rallies during the 2006 Congressional election season, grassroots Democrats remembered his inspired speaking in Boston, rather than his uninspired votes in Washington. And they gave him a welcome that most politicians can only dream of.Which will lead to his official announcement in February.
The message from the party base was clear: Clinton had not closed the deal. There was an opening for another first-tier contender in the Democratic race, and Obama could take it.
Instantaneously, Obama was a contender and thus began the process that culminated with Tuesday's announcement of the exploratory committee.
Gov. Tim Governor Pawlenty says he's co-chairing a committee that will explore the possible presidential candidacy of U.S. Sen. John McCain.Reports that Gov. T Paw is "very happy being the governor of Minnesota" may be grossly exagerated.
a Republican Congressman reported "something fishy" in the bill: an exemption for American Samoa, where the Del Monte company, through its Starkist subsidiary, packs tuna for sale around the world.But wait, it's not true. Somebody tried to wish it true on the Wiki, but there are too many eyes to allow that to sit there. Besides, Joe states the Samoan exemption has been in the bill since 1999, Del Monte wasn't there till 2002.
What's the really fishy part? Supposedly, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband owns a good deal of stock in Del Monte, which is also based in Pelosi's California Congressional District.
This purported "story" isn't about spurring debate or getting real facts into the public domain, it's about establishing a media narrative that's favorable to leaders who want to keep the rich and the poor exactly where they are, who are pushing a war that has made us less, not more, secure, and who seem to care little for the common good to which they are committed by solemn oath.Take a visit to MNCR and read it all in its full context. I'm just sharing!
Gilmore said in interviews last month that he didn't see a true conservative running for president, and said he would assess his own chances for a presidential run.Just another Anti Giuliani/McCain candidacy
“I am not going to run again — this is not a warm-up,” Mr. Dodd said. “I realize I am not a household name, but in 12 months we’ll still be talking about primaries. It is a long way away, and there are plenty of chances to break through.”Maybe I should throw my hat in the ring?!? I'll update my sidebar later.
Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., on Wednesday called for "a rethinking of our strategy in Iraq" and said on the Senate floor that he will oppose President Bush's plan to add U.S. troops there.Sen. Coleman had an opportunity to show Minnesota he is a leader, and willing to recognize this final opportunity at victory in Iraq. But instead he is worried about electability, and would rather position himself for re-election and pander to the electorate.
KHARTOUM, Sudan (Reuters) -- Sudan's government and Darfur rebels have agreed to a 60-day cease-fire and a peace summit sponsored by the African Union and United Nations as steps toward stopping the violence in west Sudan, a visiting U.S. official said Wednesday.Cheers to Gov. Bill!! Call it campaign posturing if you want, but this is the forgotten mess due to the distraction of Iraq. Now we hope that those currently in agreement are truly sincere in their desire to move forward in a civil and peaceful manner!
"President [Omar al-]Bashir agreed to the start of a peace process that includes a 60-day cessation of hostilities," said New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, while visiting Sudan.
Saying the temporary truce provides a "cooling-off period," Richardson told CNN that "I think it is a step in the right direction. ... I'm very excited about this breakthrough."
"What we were able to do is set up a political process that puts pressure on both sides to reach an agreement, not just on a cease-fire, but to have United Nations peacekeeping troops, to secure the borders, to stop some of the killing and the famine, " he said in the CNN interview.
Main Entry: 1surgeMany of us hope the White house is referring to "rise and fall actively" while the skeptics are thinking more along the lines of "to rise suddenly to an excessive or abnormal value"
Pronunciation: 's&rj
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): surged; surg·ing
Etymology: earlier, to ride (at anchor) probably in part from Middle French sourgir to cast anchor, land, from Catalan surgir to heave, cast anchor, from Latin surgere to rise, spring up; from sub- up + regere to lead straight; in part from Latin surgere -- more at SUB-, RIGHT
intransitive verb
1 : to rise and fall actively : TOSS <a ship surging in heavy seas>
2 : to rise and move in waves or billows : SWELL <the sea was surging>
3 : to slip around a windlass, capstan, or bitts -- used especially of a rope
4 : to rise suddenly to an excessive or abnormal value <the stock market surgeed to a record high>
5 : to move with a surge or in surges <felt the blood surging into his face -- Harry Hervey> <she surged past the other runners>
transitive verb : to let go or slacken gradually (as a rope)
Khartoum, Sudan — New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson on Monday pressed Sudan President Omar al-Bashir to open the wartorn Darfur region to U.N. troops, part of a global push for an elusive peace in the African nation.This isn't so much promoting my early preferences in the 2008 Presidential Sweepstakes as much as it is wondering why the current administration has just dropped the ball in this region. Sure, they have played lisp service to the genocide in the region, but it is clear they have different priorities. It is fortunate we have an experienced diplomat stepping up and away from their more domestic obligations to see if they can't make a difference. There even seems to be 'luke warm' support for the White House:
Richardson, a potential 2008 presidential candidate, met privately with al-Bashir for nearly an hour at his mint green residence and emerged talking progress. He provided no specifics, but the two plan to meet again Wednesday and will issue a joint statement.
“The meeting was good. We made some progress,” Richardson told local reporters, choosing to keep details private as negotiations continued.
McCormack shrugged off any suggestion that the administration resents the private diplomatic efforts of a potential Democratic presidential candidate.While Bush prepares to inject a bunch more troops into Iraq, lest not forget the tragedy in Darfur. Hopefully Governor Richardson will make some progress.
“I wouldn't call it freelancing,” he said.
McCormack said the administration's new special envoy for Sudan, Andrew Natsios, had met with Richardson before his trip. Natsios has experienced a number of frustrations in his initial dealings with the al-Bashir government and is now seeking Chinese help to apply economic pressure on its Sudanese trading partner.
Back at his hotel, Richardson told an Associated Press reporter traveling with him that he and al-Bashir discussed the U.N. peacekeeping force, a cease-fire, protection for humanitarian groups working in the region, increasing sexual violence against refugees and a potential conference with rebel leaders.
All three players, for instance, list health care reform. All three cite education spending and reform. The Senate and Pawlenty include "energy independence" and greater use of renewable and alternative energy sources on their must-have lists.The House will outline their goals later today. But the growth in their rolls from moderate to right leaning suburban districts will be represented by their vision:
Pawlenty and the House list fiscal restraint. The Senate does not. The House and the Senate list property tax relief. Pawlenty does not.
"We're a fiscally moderate caucus," Kelliher said of the sprawling 85-member majority that now includes significant numbers of moderates from the suburbs, exurbs and rural areas.So relax, Doctor, there is nothing to worry about. Now that the adults are in charge of the house, something will actually get done. And if the Senate gets too carried away, they have a 'check' to pass through it he house, and the balance that is a GOP Governor and his veto pen.
"After talking to my family, I have decided to take this initial step of forming an exploratory committee in order to raise the resources and build the campaign organization required to pursue the highest office in our country," Romney said in a statement.The article goes on to share who else will enter the crowded field:
Other Republican candidates include Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback and former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, who have established exploratory committees. California Rep. Duncan Hunter and former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore have said they intend to follow suit. Others said to be mulling a bid include Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, New York Gov. George Pataki, Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel, and former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating.Flash
Read the latest developments here!
