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27 Apr 2010 23:31

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Politics: Deal or no deal, 60th vote for Senate financial reform debate in sight

  • If backdoor haggling goes on too long, Sen. George Voinovich will vote yes to get the ball moving. Many GOP senators might be ready to break ranks to make the financial reform bill happen, according to Voinovich. He says he knows how long it should take for a deal to go through, but if one doesn’t, he’ll play vote number 60. By the way, Senators Richard Shelby and Chris Dodd say they’re close to a deal, but Sen. Bob Corker (who knows the score) says they’re not as close as they say. source

27 Apr 2010 10:12

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Politics: Sen. Lindsey Graham an oddball ’cause he tries to compromise

  • I guess the word ‘maverick’ is out of vogue. But I would say he’s courageous. He’s willing to risk political capital in order to solve problems. Everybody scratches their head about it, because such a trait is unusual.
  • GOP consultant John Weaver • Regarding Sen. Lindsey Graham and his ability to put his political stature on the line to actually work with people. The climate change thing has him angry because he spent a lot of time putting himself on the line. It’s led to a tight relationship with the White House, even if it is a little biting at times. “Rahm has a good relationship with him,” said press secretary Robert Gibbs. “The president has a good relationship with him. Many folks here do.” source

26 Apr 2010 10:27

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Politics: The status of the financial reform bill: Look beyond today

  • today With both sides at an impasse, it’s unlikely that the bill will clear a key Senate procedural vote today.
  • later However, both sides are optimistic they’ll get the votes to make this thing actually happen. source

25 Apr 2010 11:51

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Politics: Chris Dodd and Richard Shelby seeing more of each other lately

  • I hope tomorrow we can get those votes; we may not, but I hope we do because we need to move forward.
  • Sen. Christopher Dodd • Regarding his push for a financial reform bill. He hopes to pull at least one Republican over with a bipartisan bill. Sen. Richard Shelby is currently working with him to make it happen. For what it’s worth, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell thinks it’s going to happen. “We don’t have a bipartisan compromise yet, but I think there’s a good chance we’re going to get it,” he says. source

25 Apr 2010 09:53

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Politics: Sean Duffy, Real World congressman? Hey, it could happen

  • Back in 1997, when Montana was letting after-school program kids drink alcohol and Syrus was hitting on their parents, The Real World (Season 6, Boston) featured a champion lumberjack amongst its cast members. Now, Sean Duffy‘s long been married to fellow conservative Rachel (Season 3, San Francisco), he’s a longstanding district attorney in his home state of Wisconsin, and he’s giving longstanding Democratic Congressman David Obey fits. Plus, he has bizarro hippie support. A Real World congressman? Hey, at least it wasn’t Puck (Season 3, San Francisco). source

24 Apr 2010 22:49

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Politics: Lindsey Graham angry over immigration bill push

  • Moving forward on immigration — in this hurried, panicked manner — is nothing more than a cynical political ploy. I know from my own personal experience the tremendous amounts of time, energy and effort that must be devoted to this issue to make even limited progress.
  • South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham • On why he’s pulling his support for the climate change bill. Simply put, with the new restrictive Arizona law fresh in people’s minds, Democrats seem to want to push immigration ahead of climate change, and it’s making Graham pretty angry. Just a note, though: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has not made a decision one way or the other.  He just hasn’t firmly said that climate change will go first, and that’s what has Graham so angry (understandably). source

21 Apr 2010 23:15

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Politics: The Supreme Court is over its head when it comes to sexting

  • Does it say: ‘Your call is important to us, and we will get back to you?’
  • Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy • Trying to wrap his head around the idea of sending a text message, as part of a case on sexting involving the . He’s not the only justice who doesn’t understand this newfangled technology. Fellow Justice Antonin Scalia showed off the fact that he’s old by saying this gem: “Could [the plaintiff, Sergeant Jeff] Quon print these spicy little conversations and send them to his buddies?” Because cell phones have printers. These people, by the way, are setting the law of the land, yet they don’t know what the heck they’re talking about. Should we be nervous? source
 

21 Apr 2010 09:56

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World: David Cameron has yolk on his face thanks to some hoodie dude

  • What the heck happened? David Cameron, the U.K. Conservative leader went to go visit a college somewhere, and during the visit, some kid draped in a hoodie egged him. People on Twitter have been taking joy in Cameron’s misery today. For his part, he’s having fun with the incident. “Now I know which came first, the chicken not the egg.” (The hoodie, by the way, is also funny: Critics have in the past attacked him for his stance on youth crime, which they derisively call the “hug a hoodie campaign.”) source

21 Apr 2010 00:05

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Politics: Gay rights advocates get wires crossed at Obama speech

  • Look, Obama may not be able to stop “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” immediately, but it’s still kind of surprising that he was heckled by gay rights supporters for it. It’s also bad because, well, Barbara Boxer is in the fight for her political life, and Obama, who’s stumping for her, is made to look bad by those on his own side. This is how Boxer will lose her re-election bid. source

20 Apr 2010 10:55

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Politics: Republicans trying to railroad Charlie Crist out of Florida race

  • If any of you have influence with Governor Crist, we hope you will call his campaign and encourage him to do the right thing.
  • National Republican Senatorial Committee Executive Director Rob Jesmer • In a note regarding the current Senate campaign in Florida. Gov. Charlie Crist, despite his strong name recognition and likeliness of winning the general election, is facing a tough fight from Marco Rubio, who’s supported by bizarro hippies. Crist is seriously considering running as an independent, and if he does, he’ll likely win – at great cost to the Republicans. Even longtime friends are pressuring Crist to drop out. “They need to tell him this race is over,” said Pasco County Republican Party Chairman Bill Bunting, “I like Charlie as a friend, but this is not his time.” Ouch. Where’s the love for the moderate Republicans, anyway? source