No more F-22s After getting added to a bill at the last minute a week ago, Obama threatened to veto the entire defense spending bill unless they were taken off the table. The jets, not only expensive but a product of a bygone era of war-fighting, were an iconic symbol of the administration’s fight to focus on insurgency-focused warfare. source
No more F-22s After getting added to a bill at the last minute a week ago, Obama threatened to veto the entire defense spending bill unless they were taken off the table. The jets, not only expensive but a product of a bygone era of war-fighting, were an iconic symbol of the administration’s fight to focus on insurgency-focused warfare.
McCain’s big help Former presidential race foe John McCain played a huge role for Obama. McCain said the victory, attributable to stands taken by both Obama and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, “really means there’s a chance of us changing the way we do business in Washington.” McCain’s support meant the vote was bipartisan. source
The GOP doesn’t have the votes for it anyway. Rather than force a political showdown over a Latina woman’s nomination to the Supreme Court, the Republicans were all over this morning’s talk shows saying that they’d probably be unable to filibuster her – although saying that she would be vetted really well. Barring any skeletons in her closet – literal or otherwise – she should have an easy time finding a comfortable seat between Stevens and Ginsburg. source
Dude won’t run for Senate in 2010. Whew. Roland Burris, who played an incredibly lame game of hokey pokey with Obama’s old Illinois Senate seat with the help of impeached governor Rod Blagojevich, finally gets the hint. Nobody wants him there. As a result, he plans to announce that he won’t run next year, according to party officials. (Not like he’d have a chance anyway, considering all the questions about how he got the seat.) We still think the guy’s a douche, but he’s at least going to be out of everyone’s hairs in a year and a half. source
The defector Sen. Pedro Espada, who sided in the Republicans in a coup a month ago, finally agreed to side with the Democrats once again – but not without perks. Espada, who was one of two drama-creating Democrats to defect, is now the party’s majority leader in the Senate. Nice deal, bro. source
The defector Sen. Pedro Espada, who sided in the Republicans in a coup a month ago, finally agreed to side with the Democrats once again – but not without perks. Espada, who was one of two drama-creating Democrats to defect, is now the party’s majority leader in the Senate. Nice deal, bro.
The defectees While the Republicans didn’t get control of the State Senate like they tried to, they did push some reforms through in June which are staying put, as part of the agreement to stop the gridlock. All this stuff happened a day after Richard Ravitch was appointed lieutenant governor. source
I told him it’s the best job he’ll ever have – representing Minnesota in the United States Senate. The Supreme Court has spoken, I will respect its decision, and abide by its results,
Former Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman • On losing a long, contested battle with former funnyman Al Franken. The Republican famously fought tooth and nail to keep his seat showing up on talk shows and having a constant perch in the courtroom where the election’s fate was being decided. But it wasn’t enough to save his seat. • source