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16 Dec 2010 11:01

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Politics: Jim DeMint pulls the “it’s Christmas” card to block legislation

  • We shouldn’t be jamming a major arms control treaty up against Christmas; it’s sacrilegious and disrespectful. What’s going on here is just wrong. This is the most sacred holiday for Christians. They did the same thing last year – they kept everybody here until [Christmas Eve] to force something down everybody’s throat. I think Americans are sick of this.
  • Sen. Jim DeMint • Saying a pretty douchey thing about doing his freaking job. So, to clarify … the GOP stonewalls the Democrats in the Senate the entire year, forcing legislation and judicial nominees from getting passed or even debated, and Jim here is all upset because they’re trying to actually get stuff passed while they still have some control of Congress? Yeah, you’re not a jerk. Perhaps you would enjoy your Christmas holiday more if YOU DIDN’T ACT LIKE A JERK THE REST OF THE YEAR. Don’t like it? Deal with it. Seriously, this is the most pathetic reasoning we’ve seen for any political ploy this year. Mind you, it’s December. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

15 Dec 2010 21:43

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Politics: Tom Coburn making big deal out of relatively small earmark issue

  • $2.2
    billion     the amount Senator Tom Coburn – the guy who held up the food safety bill – says Senate leaders are putting aside in earmarks; Politico dug these numbers out of his database
  • $1.1 
    trillion     the size of the total omnibus spending bill the Democrats are trying to push through; just pointing out for comparison’s sake, because it’s good to note source
  • » OK, Tom, you’ve made your point: Democratic and Republican leaders alike in the Senate are taking a lot of federal money and giving it to the states. But you’re trying to deceive us. Here’s why; see, a trillion dollars is a thousand billion by our last count. And Tom, who’s anti-earmark, is pointing out how wrong it is for Senate leaders to throw roughly two-thousandths of the entire spending bill back to the states, $2.2 billion which would get spent by the federal government otherwise. (The total amount, $8.3 billion, is still absurdly tiny in comparison to the entire spending bill.) To put it another way, Tommy Boy’s trying to make hay out of an issue that’s actually needle-sized. You know what the real problem is? The hay. Not the needle. (And in case you’re wondering, these earmarks were made earlier this year, before the current anti-earmark vibe hit.)
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

15 Dec 2010 21:21

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Politics: Rahm Emanuel leads mayoral race – if he’s eligible to even run

  • If Rahm Emanuel still lives in Chicago, he’ll probably be its next mayor. See, Emanuel is facing lots of questions over his residency, due to the fact that he lived in D.C. while he was Obama’s Chief of Staff. He never changed over his license, though, and owns a home in the city. Thing is, though, he had a guy renting his apartment while he lived elsewhere, and while he paid the bills, he wasn’t living in the home full-time (for obvious reasons). Around 30 residents are challenging his eligibility to run for mayor; the court has been hearing his case all week. Thing is, if Rahm can get through this roadbump, he’ll be the guy most likely to win. With two months to go, here’s how he’s doing in the polls:
  • 32% of those polled would vote for Rahm “I still live here!” Emanuel
  • 30% the share of undecideds in the Chicago mayoral race (understandable)
  • 34% the combined polling of five non-Rahm mayoral candidates source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

14 Dec 2010 23:46

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Politics, U.S.: GOP donors not thrilled about Michael Steele’s reelection bid

  • The long and short of it is I have a hard time finding any major donor who would trust [Michael Steele] to straighten out the RNC and run a principled and ethical fundraising operation…My own slogan is now, Anybody But Steele.
  • Former RNC Finance Chair Al Hoffman • On Michael “Drill, Baby, Drill” Steele’s announcement that he will run for a second term as RNC chair. Lots of big-money GOP donors have pledged stop giving to the RNC if Steele wins his reelection bid. Some worry that, should Steele win, the RNC might not even be able to raise enough money to fund the 2012 GOP Convention in Florida. source
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink

14 Dec 2010 21:21

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Politics: Senate getting slower and slower at confirming judicial appointees

  • 39.8% confirmation rate of Barack Obama’s judicial nominees (lowest in history)
  • 76% George W. Bush’s judicial confirmation rate at this point in his presidency
  • 89% Bill Clinton’s judicial confirmation rate at the same point (more than twice Obama’s) source
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink

14 Dec 2010 20:40

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Politics: Marine commandant stands behind harsh words about “don’t ask”

  • I don’t want to lose any Marines to a distraction. I don’t want to have any Marines I’m visiting at Bethesda (Naval Hospital) with no legs as a result of any type of distraction. So that’s where I come down on this.
  • Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos • Expressing his staunch opinion about allowing gays in his service. He says he based his feelings on the recent report done on the matter, which suggested Marines were most uncomfortable with the change. “This is what I call the real deal,” he said, “and the forces that wear this uniform that are in the middle of what I call the real deal came back and told their commandant of the Marine Corps they have concerns. That’s all I needed.” Just think – if a court decision forces your hand, James, you’re not going to be able to do anything about the matter. Think about that. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

14 Dec 2010 20:37

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Politics: Let the fiddling begin: Democrats want to modify tax compromise

  • left While Democrats have come to grips with most portions of the Obama tax compromise, some are staunchly against a measure that significantly lowers the estate tax (which has been on pause this year) and raises the exemption rate to a rate much higher than it was.
  • right In case you’re wondering if the GOP likes the idea of any measures in the plan changing, Mitch McConnell puts it like this: “This agreement is not subject to being reopened. In other words, we have an understanding.” Our boy Mitch is still sort of a jerk. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

14 Dec 2010 10:56

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Politics: Richard Holbrooke made this speech just last week. Now he’s gone.

  • Last week, Foreign Policy Magazine held an event in honor of its 40th anniversary. The guest of honor was Richard Holbrooke, the Obama administration’s top diplomat in Afghanistan and Pakistan who was an early contributor and editor at the paper. A week later, he’s gone. This is how quickly life works sometimes, but the heartfelt remembrance of Holbrooke by the magazine is worth the read. And above is his final speech. (thanks thepoliticalnotebook) source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

13 Dec 2010 20:48

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Politics: Will Michael “stripper tab” Steele run for reelection as RNC chair?

  • YES even though he sucks and is totally gonna lose source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

13 Dec 2010 20:23

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Politics: Ron Paul finally getting some respect in Congress, guys

And the best part for the libertarians out there? He didn’t come to the majority; the majority slowly came to him. He has a subcommittee chair to show for it. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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