Centricity - The state or quality of being centric; centricalness.
Centrisity - The state or quality of not being bound to an ideology. Freedom of thought.
Goodling's refusal to testify illustrates the rising political and legal stakes surrounding the removal of the federal prosecutors, and underscores the fissures developing among Gonzales and his current and former senior aides as the attorney general struggles to keep his job.Open:
The decision means a senior aide to the nation's top law enforcement official is in the remarkable position of refusing to testify for fear of implicating herself in a crime. Her lawyer portrays the move as strategic and says she has done nothing wrong.
Goodling's refusal contrasts sharply with the approach of her onetime colleague D. Kyle Sampson, Gonzales's former chief of staff, who resigned March 12: He has agreed to testify before the same Senate committee. Sampson has also disputed allegations by Gonzales and others that he withheld information about White House participation in the firings, which were initially portrayed as a routine Justice Department personnel matter undertaken without significant White House involvement.
Sampson is expected to testify that "the fact that the White House and Justice Department had been discussing this subject for several years was well known" to many senior Justice officials, including Goodling and others who had briefed department witnesses, according to a statement issued by his attorney March 16.
Once Gonzales can no longer fulfill his role of protecting the president, he will be tossed overboard, Rich surmises in the column entitled "When Will Fredo Get Whacked?" Fredo is a reference to a character from the still-to-this-day bestselling Mario Puzo book, The Godfather, which was turned into a critically acclaimed film trilogy by director Francis Ford Coppola. In the cultural classic, Frederico "Fredo" Corleone ends up being killed by his own brother, new Godfather Michael, after betraying "the family."Ole Frank Rich didn't pull any punches on this one!
"In popular culture, Fredo has become representative of the 'weak link' of an organization," an entry at Wikipedia explains. "Referring to someone as 'Fredo' indicates that the person is not competent enough to be trusted with important tasks or knowledge. It is usually used to suggest not treachery, but weakness and stupidity."
Former senator John Edwards (D-N.C.) and his wife, Elizabeth, have scheduled a news conference for noon today in their home state of North Carolina, in what aides described as a major development in his 2008 presidential bid.What I had to share can wait another day or two. Sometimes it is best to put life into perspective and in times like this, politics just doesn't seem important.
Advisers declined to discuss the details of the hastily arranged announcement ahead of time. "He's talking tomorrow," said Jonathan Prince, Edwards's deputy campaign manager, last night. "Listen to what he says tomorrow."
The appearance comes on the heels of a last-minute decision by Edwards this week to cancel an event in Iowa to accompany his wife to a doctor's appointment on Wednesday. Elizabeth Edwards was diagnosed with breast cancer at the end of her husband's unsuccessful 2004 campaign as the Democratic vice presidential nominee. She subsequently underwent extensive treatment.
John Edwards is suspending his campaign for President, and may drop out completely, because his wife has suffered a recurrence of the cancer that sickened her in 2004, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, an Edwards friend told The Politico.UPDATE II: Not so fast:
"At a minimum he's going to suspend" the campaign, the source said. "Nobody knows precisely how serious her recurrence is. It’ll be another couple of days before there’s complete clarity."
CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina (CNN) -- Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards said Thursday his wife's cancer has returned but his bid for the White House will continue.
"The campaign goes on," the former senator from North Carolina said at a news conference, contradicting earlier media reports.
I may be in the minority, but I am willing to give President Bush till November, and then I expect a timetable for redeployment. Iraq needs to take ownership, and we will now give them a deadline, not open ended promises.- The safe return of National Guard troops so they can be home with their families and protecting the homeland here, on American soil.
Bill Richardson has offered a four-part plan for Iraq. He supports withdrawal of all troops by year-end 2007; transfer of security duties to the Iraqi government; accelerated reconstruction of Iraq’s infrastructure; U.S. facilitation of a national reconciliation effort between Iraqi religious and political factions; and diplomatic talks with Iraq’s neighbors, including Iran and Syria.This isn't really all that different from what the President is saying, but you can bet a President Richardson would stick to it, not waffle and squirm the moment things aren't going well.
My support doesn't come unconditionally, for I have a son who just may be a part of this process. But we must be aware of the consequences of an unstable Iraq in an already unstable region. Walking away now is not an option, presenting the Iraqi government with our ultimatum is.Cpl. Tom is still in Southern California and is currently training. The earliest he would redeploy is June.
Administration officials have portrayed the firings as a routine personnel matter, designed primarily to rid the department of a handful of poor performers.Good ole Harriet Miers. The base underestimated the loyalty of this crony. Do you think they regret not giving her the free pass to the Supreme Court.
But the documents and interviews indicate that the idea for the firings originated at least two years ago, when then-White House counsel Harriet E. Miers suggested to Sampson in February 2005 that all prosecutors be dismissed and replaced.
Gonzales rejected that idea as impractical and disruptive, Justice officials said, but over the next 22 months Sampson orchestrated more limited dismissals.
"I recommend that the Department of Justice and the Office of the Counsel to the President work together to seek the replacement of a limited number of U.S. Attorneys," Sampson wrote to Miers in January 2006. A "limited number of U.S. attorneys could be targeted for removal and replacement, mitigating the shock to the system that would result from an across the board firing."
In our junior year, Bill took it upon himself to recommend, plan, raise money for and implement a spring baseball trip to Mexico to ready the Tufts varsity team for the 1969 season. Bill's vision went far beyond a typical tourist trip of 10 days of baseball with a siesta thrown in here and there. Rather, he saw this as an opportunity for cultural immersion, long before such quaint ideas were popular. Between daily games with university teams in Mexico City, he planned trips to architectural ruins, museums, embassies and social gatherings.Richardson is the most experienced and career balanced of all the current candidates. He's got it in him to win, if the media will let him!!
-- Rich Giacchetti, Richardson's Tufts baseball teammate.
A friend suggested that I meet Bill, the foreign relations aide to Sen. Hubert Humphrey, when I made courtesy calls before my confirmation hearing. It snowed the day before my appointment with Humphrey and many people had not made it to the office that Friday morning, but Bill was waiting for me when I arrived. I saw a tall, imposing figure in a corduroy jacket and boots. He looked more like a Hispanic ranchero than a legislative aide. As we waited for Humphrey to arrive, I told Bill that I was unaware that there were any Mexican Americans in Minnesota and asked how he had come to work with Humphrey. He replied, "I am not from Minnesota, I am from New Mexico!" He said it with such assurance and conviction that I assumed he had been born and raised there. Sometime later, I learned that he had visited New Mexico only twice before. But already, he had committed to adopting it as the state where he would pursue his political destiny, not knowing quite how but confident that he would find a way to win.
-- Abelardo L. Valdez, former chief of protocol in the Carter administration
I worked for Bill Richardson on the Hill and at the Energy Department and am married to one of his college friends, so I know something about his demanding and inexhaustible style. During Bill's first campaign for Congress in 1980, my husband Steve's job one day was to hold the "clicker" to keep track of the record-breaking number of hands the candidate shook at the New Mexico State Fair. Bill did so with such vigor that en route to a campaign event that night after the marathon effort, they had to stop at a drugstore to get a sling for his arm. Bill works harder than anyone else and it's a challenge to keep up.
-- Melanie Kinderdine, aide to Richardson in Congress and the Energy Department
I can recall traveling in a car through the most desolate area of the state, listening to a radio station out of some tiny town. In a very short time, we had heard two or three radio commercials for Richardson. There wasn't a station we could turn to without hearing about him, in English or Spanish. He bought up every bit of radio advertising time. We had tried to respond, but it was like going up against an M1 Abrams tank with a small sword.
-- John Sanchez, 2002 Republican candidate for New Mexico governor
Then I got the call. My good friend 'The Doctor' told me that he had a couple freebies for the Boston Concert at the State Fair. His old high school chum was touring again, this times as a guitar tech for Boston. Buddy had set us up many times, from sitting on the tour bus with Great White, to back stage with Nine Inch Nails. This time he had lined up some cozy seats for Boston, one of my all time favorites. Afterwards, there was an outside shot we may be able to get behind the scenes. Gimpy or not, I wasn't going to pass up this opportunity.Former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby has been found guilty on four of five counts in his perjury and obstruction of justice trial. CNN senior legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin said, "He is virtually certain to go to prison if this conviction is upheld."The Right keeps saying this was a wtich hun since know 'laws' were broken. I just want them to explain to me WHY Scooter felt it necessary to lie than. There is still more to this and we may never know the real truth of how dirty the Veep and his boss's hands were in all this.
there's also the clock. And that's going to be very important -- the calendar. Because the time for presidential pardons of controversial people is in the lame duck period, after a president is leaving offfice. So the real issue here is, can Scooter Libby extend his time outside of prison long enough to get to that lame duck period when he might actually get a pardon?Flash
So let's do the math a little bit. He's apparently going to be sentenced in June. Post-trial motions will probably keep going through most of the summer. His appeal probably won't even begin until the fall. An appeal probably takes three or four months to be resolved. That would take us into January, February, March of 2008. If, like most defendants, he loses, he could then go for a [certiorari] petition. He could ask the Supreme Court to get involved in the case. That really might take him up to November 2008.
So it is possible that he will be out of prison pending sentencing during his appeal enough time for President Bush, then, to pardon him following the presidential election in 2008, before he leaves office in January 2009.
heir debate revealed that jurors had asked whether they could use Libby's grand jury testimony, which was played in court, as evidence that Libby lied during an earlier FBI interview.I have a sneaking suspicion that today may be the day, or tomorrow . . . or by the end of the week . . . . the perpetual deliberations.
Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald said the answer should be "yes" in the sense that all the evidence in the case helped establish Libby's state of mind. Libby's lawyers said the grand jury testimony could not be proof of the earlier statement. Walton agreed with both arguments, but said an instruction encompassing both would have to be crafted carefully.
Police have arrested a teen in connection with the New Year's Day rape of a woman in St. Paul's Payne-Phalen neighborhood.More details from a St. Paul Police Department press release:
The 16-year-old male was visiting Racine, Wis., when police arrested him there Thursday night. He is being held there.
DNA evidence linked the suspect to the rape, said Sgt. Paul Schnell, the case's lead investigator.
On Thursday March, first, Investigators received information from the BCA that a voluntary DNA sample given earlier matched the evidence obtained after the Assault at Payne and Lawson. Investigators acted quickly and were able to locate the suspect. He was taken into custody by the Racine Police Department. A petition has been forwarded to the Ramsey County attorney’s office and extradition proceedings will commence soon.Now lets get that other monster!
WEATHER ALERT: Saint Paul Public Schools has officially canceled all after-school and evening activities for Thursday, March 1st. In addition, schools will be closed and activities and events have been canceled for Friday, March 2nd due to inclement weather. Only emergency personnel are to report to buildings on Friday, March 2nd.Flash
In your article referring to the 'A plea for a bathroom break", you quoted Paid political operative and former MN GOP oppo Research Michael Brodkorb as sayingShe finally responded, but only to state that she does not discuss with anyone how she assembles a story. I followed up to that comment, merely pointing out I was not concerned with the assembly of the story, just the potential misrepresentation by this Republican operative and party official. I'll update as necessary.
""In my heart of hearts, I just don't believe that we need legislation that dictates that level of involvement in businesses,""
He claims there was no contact between you and him regarding this story. Specifically he stated to me ""I didn't "pressure" anyone, nor did I "push" this story with anyone. I posted it on my blog…that's all.""
However, when I do a search on his blog, the quote you used does not exisit anywhere on his site. So my questions are simple:
1) From where did you derive the quote from this paid republican operative.
2) Did you speak with him directly while researching this article.
and 3) Who contacted who first.
Thank you for your time.
Historian and intellectual icon Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., a Kennedy confidant and liberal standard-bearer who was a fixture in Washington political life for decades, died Wednesday night in Manhattan at the age of 89.Read the entire WaPo Obit, it is very informative. The generational transition continues.
Schlesinger suffered a heart attack while eating dinner in a New York restaurant with his family, his son Stephen told the Associated Press. He died at New York Downtown Hospital.
"Just imagine that you are a teenage girl. You are out shopping with your friends in the mall. And all of a sudden, you need to go to the bathroom, like now. You can't wait. You have to go. You are sitting there in absolutely excruciating pain and discomfort," Aldritt told a Senate committee. "You go up to an employee … and they say, 'No. Our bathroom is only for employees.' "There shouldn't have to be a law, but if you are inflicted with these kinds of conditions, and/or know someone who is, you already know the urgency involved.
Aldritt has ulcerative colitis, which causes rectal ulcers. Sufferers need to go to the bathroom urgently and frequently.
"In my heart of hearts, I just don't believe that we need legislation that dictates that level of involvement in businesses," he (Micheal 'MDE' Brodkorb') said. Simple human decency, he believes, would require that businesses make their restrooms available to those in need.That's a former MN GOP opposition researcher and a paid GOP party operative talking. What this collective refuses to understanding is if simple human decency were enough, there wouldn't need to be the law to begin with. Do they even listen to the pleas of the afflicted:
But Jim Fennell says people in need have been turned away from using nonpublic store restrooms.It's no wonder my slow move to the Right keeps running into brick walls that show the total lack of compassion and sympathy by the leaders and faces of the Republican party. Pathetic of them if you ask me.
"Many times, people are refused and embarrassing things happen," said Fennell, regional executive director of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Democrat Tom Vilsack is abandoning his bid for the presidency after struggling against better-known, better-financed rivals, a senior campaign official told The Associated Press on Friday.Vilsack would have contributed much to the debate. I wish he would have hung in there a bit longer.
Vilsack left office in January and traveled through states holding early tests of strength. He had faced a tough challenge from rivals such as New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and John Edwards, who have had more success raising money and attracting attention -- even in Vilsack's home state of Iowa.
Vilsack was scheduled to make a formal announcement later in the day. The official spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to avoid pre-empting the Democrat's statement.
Vilsack was the first Democrat to formally enter the 2008 race when he announced his candidacy in November. He conceded at the time that he faced a difficult race.
Under the bill, drivers ages 15, 16 and 17 would not be able to talk, send text messages or snap photos with a phone while on Virginia roads. The ban would also apply to hands-free devices but would allow teens to use a phone during an emergency.The law has already passed their Senate, so now heads to the Governor's office for his expected signature.
Drivers under the age of 18 will be prohibited from talking on a cell phone while driving, except in emergencies. The law applies to those with learner’s permits and provisional licenses except in emergencies. The teenagers will not be allowed to use a wireless phone, handheld or hands free, when the vehicle is in motion, effective Jan. 1, 2006. (Art. 2, Secs. 64-65)The author of the current legislation doesn't think an all out ban would pass, so they are pushing for an increase in consequence after the fact, if a phone was being used at the time of the infraction:
Drivers can keep dialing -- but at their own risk. Police would be able to double the fine for speeding or another moving violation if a cell phone is being used at the time of the offense. That could raise the cost of some tickets to $250, the bill's backers said.The shame here is not that they are trying to pass a law, it is that there are people out there who think they actually need to be on the phone while driving to begin with. Let's not wait for legislation, when you are driving drive. The Phone call can wait till later.
Some lawmakers argue that the proposed law would be hard to enforce. Sen. Rod Skoe, DFL-Clearbrook, said drivers would have a simple defense mechanism: "If you have an accident, you just hang up."
LONDON -- Britain will withdraw around 1,600 troops from Iraq in the "coming months," aiming to cut its force to below 5,000 by late summer if Iraqi forces can secure the southern part of the country, Prime Minister Tony Blair said Wednesday.Like it or not, this year is the beginning of the end in Iraq. Soon we will be standing alone and it won't be the swell of Peacenicks pushing for withdrawal as much as it will be the sentiment of the international community.
British troops will stay in Iraq until at least 2008 and work to secure the Iran-Iraq border and maintain supply routes to U.S. and coalition troops in central Iraq, Blair told the House of Commons.
"The actual reduction in forces will be from the present 7,100 _ itself down from over 9,000 two years ago and 40,000 at the time of the conflict _ to roughly 5,500," Blair said.
Regardless of what you think of this President, there was one indisputable truth in his speech tonight: "defeat in Iraq would mean a sanctuary for extremists"Now is not the time for faux resolutions that will only hamper this final effort. I was embarrassed for those that pushed and supported the recent resolution. (Can you believe I am actually on the same side as Kline and Bachmann on this one) Now is the time to rally around our troops and support this effort. It is clear that the anatomy of this war will change over the course of the next 12 - 18 months. Some decisions will be based on Iraq's ability to govern and secure themselves, others will be based on politics, and the race for the White House. But one thing is clear, the American people will not allow us to stand alone in this fight, so let's work together to see the surge and purge succeed so that we can bring our troops home.
I may be in the minority, but I am willing to give President Bush till November, and then I expect a timetable for redeployment. Iraq needs to take ownership, and we will now give them a deadline, not open ended promises.
The proposal approved Monday would phase in the requirements for ventilation, depending on how much alcohol the bar sells as a percentage of its revenue.It was refreshing to have such a candid opportunity to visit with house leadership, especially on what was amounting to a very busy day, the Holiday not withstanding. This was even more evident, when Rep Aaron Peterson spent a half hour with us. Rep Peterson was gearing up for a major floor debate on his Renewable Energy Bill. He has been committed to this issue for some time, and now had a bill that was being recognized as having "the strongest renewable-energy standards in the nation" Peterson acknowledged that his communication with the Governor's office was positive, providing he could get a clean bill out of the house that would avoid a conference committee. Last night, he was successful:
Another amendment removes a provision that allows counties and municipalities to impose stronger ordinances than any state statute.
Supporters who had hoped for a streamlined process are witnessing their first major hurdle in what is considered the Senate's most business-friendly committee, the Business Industry and Jobs Committee. It rejected a proposal to give bars until 2009 to comply with a full ban.
he legislation, which passed 123-10, mandates more production of such things as wind, hydrogen and solar power and sets in motion a timetable to increase the state's use of renewable energy for the next 18 years.Thanks to Reps. Sertich and Peterson for taking the time out of their busy days to meet with us, and to Zack for the invitation.
MN GOP Party Chair Ron Carey held a Press Conference today letting everyone know that he doesn’t like politicians like Al Franken who have lived out of state.A commenter did the research:
Michelle BachmannCareful, Ron, your ingnorance is showing again.
born in Waterloo, Buchanan County, Iowa, April 6, 1956
John Kline
born September 6, 1947 in Allentown, Pennsylvania
Jim Ramsted
born in Jamestown, Stutsman County, N.D., May 6, 1946
Norm Coleman
born August 17, 1949 in Brooklyn, New York
"I'll be the only New York Jew in the race who actually grew up in Minnesota."Flash
At a farewell reception at Blair House for the retiring chief of protocol, Don Ensenat, who was President Bush's Yale roommate, the president shook hands with Washington Life Magazine's Soroush Shehabi. "I'm the grandson of one of the late Shah's ministers," said Soroush, "and I simply want to say one U.S. bomb on Iran and the regime we all despise will remain in power for another 20 or 30 years and 70 million Iranians will become radicalized."
"I know," President Bush answered.
"But does Vice President Cheney know?" asked Soroush.
President Bush chuckled and walked away.
(B)y talking about issues. I think it is entirely legitimate for Democrats to have a debate about the best way to achieve universal health care, what is the best way to bring our troops back home from Iraq, what is the right balance between security and civil liberties. Those are all, I think, legitimate topics to debate. I would hope that in a Democratic primary we make sure that we always assume good faith on the part of our opponents.A very refreshing look at what may lie ahead in his campaign.
We were received with great hospitality, offered coffee or water and invited to set up our posters and pictures, and given extra chairs for additional visitors. The first contingent at 9am met with Chief of Staff Lance Olson in the Congressman’s office to explain the purpose of our project and deliver the letter to the Congressman. We were assured that it would be faxed to D.C. immediately. Mr. Olson showed us the facilities and offered us copies of Congressional reports and other news releases. Every hour or two he stepped out into the reception area where we settled, to greet newcomers and urge them to sign the guest book.. . . and how NOT to:
Osskopp said Kline's Burnsville office deals only with constituent services. When it was pointed out that all of the people in the group were constituents of Rep. Kline, he clarified that the office is there for the "other" constituents of the district. Whether by that he meant only for those who had voted for the congressman or share the congressman's beliefs, is unclear.You may disagree with Congressman Ramstad's politics, but he knows how to be a part of representative government. Kline has much to learn.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Senate Republicans used a procedural maneuver Monday to keep Democratic leaders from moving forward with a nonbinding resolution opposing President Bush's plan to increase troop levels in Iraq.I would vote no on the measure, but I certainly wouldn't participate in stymieing the process. Reid is pissed:
Reid addressed his Republican colleagues harshly.And for those on the Lieberman watch, it looks like he sided with the GOP.
"We’ve seen politics in this war before. Politics gave us the 'Mission Accomplished' banner. Politics gave us a Vice President who said the insurgency was in its 'last throes.' Politics gave us a Defense Secretary who promised America the enemy was just a few 'dead-enders' who would be stamped out in days.
"We’ve had enough politics. Four years into this war, what we need is a strategy that will succeed in Iraq," he said.
Reid had earlier remarked, "The President must hear from Congress, so he knows he stands in the wrong place, alone. A loud, bipartisan message from this Body will give him another opportunity to listen… to listen and change course to a plan to gives our troops the best chance for success."
Democratic and Republican opponents of President Bush’s troop-buildup plan joined forces last night behind the nonbinding resolution with the broadest bipartisan backing: a Republican measure from Sen. John W. Warner of Virginia.I have made it pretty clear where I am on the 'Surge':
Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) announced the shift, hoping to unite a large majority of the Senate and thwart efforts by the White House and GOP leaders to derail any congressional resolution of disapproval of Bush’s decision to increase U.S. troop levels in Iraq by 21,500.
Although the original Democratic language was popular within the party, it had little appeal among Republicans. Warner’s proposal drew support from both sides, and it was retooled last night to maximize both Democratic and Republican votes.
I may be in the minority, but I am willing to give President Bush till November, and then I expect a timetable for redeployment. Iraq needs to take ownership, and we will now give them a deadline, not open ended promises.With that in mind, I would vote 'No' on this resolution. But Fecke begs the question:
will Norm support the Warner resolution, or will he oppose it?To which the answer is clear, BOTH! *laughing*
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!
