On Thursday, Rasmussen Reports came out with a poll on the Louisiana Senate race that is rather discouraging:
Candidate
Percentage (October 2009)
Sinning Senator (R)
57% (46%)
Charlie Melancon (D)
33% (36%)
One of the reasons for this surge of support for the Sinning Senator is that he has continually attacked Charlie by linking to him to President Obama. One such attack came recently in a fundraising appeal email:
Louisianans and Americans across the country are tightening their family budgets and reducing their spending. President Obama and the liberal friends of Charlie Melancon aren't following the example of families reducing spending, and are instead proposing to grow the government and spend more than at any time in American history.
While this greatly simplifies the President's budget, and fails to remind folks that the GOP-controlled Congress from 2001-2006 borrowed our way from a balanced budget inherited from Democratic President Bill Clinton to deficits as far as the eye can see, (and the Sinning Senator voted for every single budget), I find it curious that the Sinning Senator says one thing about the budget but does another when it comes time to vote on a bill that contains a simple idea that all Louisianans are currently doing - pay as you go.
That's right, Louisiana, while y'all are looking at your family budgets, and determining whether you can afford to get the car fixed, and if so, what you'll forego for the week or the month to be able to afford fixing the car, the Sinning Senator believes that the U.S. government should continue to borrow its way into debt. The proof is in this vote. And if you click on that link, you'll notice that the Sinning Senator was joined in voting NAY by every single one of his Republican colleagues in the Senate.
It is time for Charlie to fight the fight he's been given by the Sinning Senator, and that fight is defending the Democratic economic agenda. It is quite plain that the stimulus is actually working, and people are being put back to work: (hat tip to CenLamar)
It's time to expose the Sinning Senator for the liar that he is when it comes to, well, job creation, health care reform, the federal budget, the stimulus, and on and on by espousing an populist economic agenda, and showing that the Democratic economic agenda is producing positive results.
Nearly four and a half years ago this nation experienced the two worst disasters of this past decade: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans' federal flood. Today many consider them old news, if not history, but they still are present in the lives of those who survived them.
On this Veteran's Day, I'll let President Obama's words at the Fort Hood memorial service yesterday speak for me:
Tomorrow is Veterans Day. It's a chance to pause, and to pay tribute -- for students to learn the struggles that preceded them; for families to honor the service of parents and grandparents; for citizens to reflect upon the sacrifices that have been made in pursuit of a more perfect union.
For history is filled with heroes. You may remember the stories of a grandfather who marched across Europe; an uncle who fought in Vietnam; a sister who served in the Gulf. But as we honor the many generations who have served, all of us -- every single American -- must acknowledge that this generation has more than proved itself the equal of those who've come before.
We need not look to the past for greatness, because it is before our very eyes.
This generation of soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen have volunteered in the time of certain danger. They are part of the finest fighting force that the world has ever known. They have served tour after tour of duty in distant, different and difficult places. They have stood watch in blinding deserts and on snowy mountains. They have extended the opportunity of self-government to peoples that have suffered tyranny and war. They are man and woman; white, black, and brown; of all faiths and all stations -- all Americans, serving together to protect our people, while giving others half a world away the chance to lead a better life.
In today's wars, there's not always a simple ceremony that signals our troops' success -- no surrender papers to be signed, or capital to be claimed. But the measure of the impact of these young men and women is no less great -- in a world of threats that no know borders, their legacy will be marked in the safety of our cities and towns, and the security and opportunity that's extended abroad. It will serve as testimony to the character of those who served, and the example that all of you in uniform set for America and for the world.
Here, at Fort Hood, we pay tribute to 13 men and women who were not able to escape the horror of war, even in the comfort of home. Later today, at Fort Lewis, one community will gather to remember so many in one Stryker Brigade who have fallen in Afghanistan.
Long after they are laid to rest -- when the fighting has finished, and our nation has endured; when today's servicemen and women are veterans, and their children have grown -- it will be said that this generation believed under the most trying of tests; believed in perseverance -- not just when it was easy, but when it was hard; that they paid the price and bore the burden to secure this nation, and stood up for the values that live in the hearts of all free peoples.
To all our veterans and our current servicemembers, thank you for your service.
Today Obama will be making an extremely short stop in New Orleans. Or what my favorite NOLA blogger calls a "tinkle-stop tour." In New Orleans, he'll be visiting a charter school and participating in a town hall meeting in the Lower 9th Ward.
In contrast, his next stop will be San Francisco, where he'll be spending four times as much time--16 hours. This has caused Harry Shearer to say,
Total elapsed time in SF: sixteen hours. They must have experienced a hell of a federal disaster there. Four times worse, you figure?
Former President Jimmy Carter has earned a reputation of being brutally honest, particularly since he's left the White House.
He does nothing to diminish that reputation in this interview with NBC News:
That's right, white racism is at the core of much of the criticism of President Obama is racially motivated.
Let me put it another way, for many whites, President Obama is guilty of Presiding While Black (PWB). Clearly there is evidence that something is causing many of his opponents to become unhinged from reality. Think about all the claims believed about this president which have absolutely no basis in fact: Birthers. Tenthers. Socialized medicine. Hitler. Muslim (with the radical Christian minister). Death Panels.
It is no coincidence that older white people are the believers of these lies.
What could possibly be causing the people who believe these things to become so separated from reality? To be so willing to believe these lies?
While I am a mere citizen that posts my thoughts on the current state of Louisiana politics, I feel that it's time you heard from a member of the Democratic wing of the Democratic party here in Louisiana. God knows you ain't gonna hear this coming from Congressman Melancon nor Senator Landrieu, as they are afraid of the right wing attack machine that exists here in Louisiana.
"The very first promise I made on this campaign was that as president, I will sign a universal health care plan into law by the end of my first term in office."
It has been announced by the Congressional Budget Office that the health care bill passed by Senator Kennedy's Senate committee - the Affordable Health Choices Act - will cost $611 billion over 10 years, a significant reduction from earlier estimates cited by Republicans.
Mr. President, I know that up in Washington, it seems that the political reality is that health care reform that includes a public option without a trigger cannot pass the Senate. That may be ... as I'm not well versed in the daily happenings in that exclusive club.
But what I do know is that there is widespread support for a public option amongst your bosses, the American people:
The memo cited a CBS poll from September 1st, (pdf alert) saying it found strong support for action. What does it say on the public plan? Sixty percent support, 34% oppose.
The memo cited a CNN poll done through August 31st, (pdf alert)saying it found deep public dismay with the system. What does it say on the public plan? Fifty-five percent support, 41% oppose.
The memo cited a Kaiser poll from August 11th, saying it found overwhelming support for consumer protections. What does it say on the public plan? Fifty nine percent support, 38% oppose.
Guess what ... those polling numbers are higher than yours, Mr. President.
Your numbers are falling, because the public doesn't see you leading, sir. In that speech you give on Wednesday night, I hope and pray that you see the wisdom of calling on Congress to pass the Affordable Health Choices Act with the public option included. I bet if you do, you'll see your approval numbers rise again ... and you'll reward every one of your supporters from the campaign last year for their faith in you. Even here in Louisiana.
I should be feeling better--after all, Obama did commemorate Katrina and the flood in his radio address this morning. To his credit he also brought up levees and coastal restoration. But only time will tell if these words will be backed up by action or be mere empty words.
I have been upset and feel as if I'm almost physically ill. I cannot help but flash back, see the scenes of rescues and of the afflicted at the Superdome and the Convention Center and think of how so many suffered during Katrina and the federal flood and are still suffering. And I can't help but wonder if Obama really cares about New Orleans. Because when I remember what happened during the flood and Katrina which turned the lives of so many upside down and think about the fact that Obama won't be going there (which he wasn't going to do anyway even if Ted Kennedy hadn't passed) I'm depressed.
And others are also turned off by the fact that Obama has paid so little attention to Louisiana and her problems and those of her neighbors in the Gulf Region--a wound which Obama's absence from Katrina observances has rubbed salt into. More below the fold...
(I can't say it much better than this, folks ... - promoted by ryan)
Where is the hope and change in New Orleans? When Barack Obama was a presidential candidate, he promised that he would:
"keep the broken promises made by President Bush to rebuild New Orleans and the Gulf Coast" and take steps to prevent failures in emergency planning and response seen during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Specifically, Obama would ensure New Orleans has a levee and pumping system to protect the city against a 100-year storm by 2011, free up rebuilding funds that had been allocated but not released and to rebuild hospitals and schools.
Another issue with respect to health care reform is long term care. fake consultant has an informative diary over to the right. You can also click here for it.
There are quite a few major fights looming over the horizon in Congress over the next few months - EFCA, Health Care, Cap and Trade, Sotomayor, and others. President Obama's weeekly address this week focused on the health care battles:
President Barack Obama has nominated federal appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor to replace Justice David Souter on the Supreme Court:
Here's what our senior Senator Mary Landrieu had to say:
"Judge Sonia Sotomayor is a historic choice for the bench. Her credentials are stellar, and I look forward to getting to know her better through the confirmation process."
Senator Landrieu voted to confirm Ms. Sotomayor for the federal Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit back in 1998, and I suspect that she will be supporting Ms. Sotomayor for the Supreme Court this time around. While some Louisiana Democrats may be disappointed with Senator Landrieu's cautious statement today, she's just teasing the GOPers here in Louisiana. But it would be nice if she wasn't so damn cautious.
Now let's see what our Sinning Senator Vitter had to say:
"As the first Hispanic nominee for the Supreme Court and only the third woman, Judge Sotomayor is certainly making hopeful and positive history. Now we must study her record and philosophy carefully to ensure that she understands the proper role of the judge as impartial umpire - not pitcher or catcher."
Hmmm ... it seems that our Sinning Senator will be voting NAY on Sotomayor, since he didn't bother to mention that her qualifications were sterling - Valedictorian at Princeton, Yale Law, Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan, Federal District Court Judge, and then Federal Court of Appeals Court Judge - as he did when Chief Justice John Roberts was nominated:
"I think clearly John Roberts - President Bush's nominee - is highly qualified and if you look at his resume it's really sterling. He has a good educational background, is a really sharp person and has argued before the Supreme Court more than 30 times.
Perhaps even more importantly, I think he has a very good temperament for the Court. He gets high marks and praise from really everyone who's worked with him, Democrats and Republicans alike, which is very important.
Now, having said that, I still have homework to do. I'm going to look at all of his major decisions very carefully and I'm going to do a lot of reading before I'm prepared to cast my final vote. But certainly, this nominee seems highly qualified."
I expect nothing but opposition from Vitter with regard to Sonia Sotomayor, or any SCOTUS nominee made by President Obama, simply because it was made by a Democratic President.
I described in detail on Friday how Sinning Senator Vitter is playing politics with his hold on FEMA nominee Craig Fugate.
Well, this weekend, former Republican State Rep. Chris Tidmore appeared on the Rachel Maddow show to explain what exactly the Sinning Senator is doing placing the hold on Mr. Fugate a mere three weeks prior to hurricane season:
But we're not done yet ... that segment just hits Vitter's reputation nationally. The DSCC just put out a web video to raise cash on the audacity shown by the Sinning Senator in his attempt to raise campaign cash on his hold of FEMA nominee Craig Fugate ... potentially imperiling millions of Americans who live in hurricane-prone areas:
Sinning Senator Vitter, who resides in Metairie, and who supposedly witnessed what Louisiana went through in 2005, when not one, but two hurricanes wreaked their havoc on our beloved state, is apparently blocking President Obama's FEMA nominee:
"I have a hold on the FEMA nomination because I sent a list of hurricane recovery questions and projects to FEMA, many of which have not been adequately addressed," Vitter said in a statement. "I'm eager to get full responses and meet with the nominee immediately."
So ... Vitter's got some questions that he's awaiting answers. From FEMA. So his idiotic response is to put a hold on the President's nominee to that agency until he gets his answers?
Might he get those answers a tad quicker if there was a confirmed head of FEMA, rather than an acting head, who may or may not want to hamstring his successor with the answers he/she gives to the Sinning Senator?
In addition, had the Sinning Senator Vitter sent one of his staffers to the blocked nominee's - Craig Fugate - confirmation hearing, he would have received answers to his questions from the Mr. Fugate himself:
[Sen. Landrieu] noted that she shared Vitter's concerns, and at Fugate's confirmation hearing, she questioned him about changing the federal rules that ban new construction.
"One of the things I want to be able to do is look at V-Zones and make sure we are pragmatic in our decision making," Fugate said at the time. "Obviously, when a community is at risk and we can move that community and minimize that risk to their lives and property in the future, we should achieve that.
"But there are times when moving a community is not practical and we should look at what are the potential options through engineering or other types of mitigation techniques," he said.
So, Vitter's concerns were addressed by the nominee in an open confirmation hearing, yet the SINator still objects to not having received "adequate" answers? Sinning Senator, Mr. Fugate's response is the best you're gonna get until he gets all the information about the issue, and you're blocking him from getting that information!
For more on Mr. Fugate's record and qualifications, y'all might want to click on his name up top, as you will see that the pick of Fugate to head FEMA is being hailed by none other than former Governor Bush of Florida, in addition to other Republicans.
Sinning Senator Vitter ought to get off his high horse, and let the hold lapse, particularly with hurricane season looming. If Louisiana gets hit, and FEMA fucks up the response yet again, the blame should lie squarely on the Sinning Senator.
In fact, we'd like to invite you to join Louisiana United for Change in recognizing both the President's 100 Days of Progress and "YES WE CAN" as well as Congressman Joseph Cao's 100 days of "No We Can't" this Wednesday, April 29th.
We will be gathering outside Congressman Cao's New Orleans office this Wednesday at 4pm to call on him to start representing the struggling Louisianan middle-class by supporting the President's efforts to turn the corner on the worst economic crisis in generations.
Representative Cao and the Republican Party of No overwhelmingly opposed transformational legislation signed into law by President Obama that is helping lay a solid foundation for economic growth by strengthening the middle class, including legislation to expand children's healthcare program for 4 million kids in need, legislation to help ensure women receive equal pay for equal work, and a jobs and economic recovery plan that is ahead of schedule and under budget towards creating or saving 3.5 million jobs and providing 95 percent of Americans with tax relief.
On the heels of Representative Cao's most recent opposition to President Obama's historic budget plan, local constituents will call on the Congressman to change course, abandon the failed policies of the past, and support the President's blueprint for long-term economic growth through transformational investments in healthcare, education, and clean energy when it comes back to floor of Congress for a final vote as soon as this week.
What: Rally to call on Rep. Cao's to stop saying "No We Can't" to his constituents. Where: Congressman Cao's District Office
If you haven't watched the ad, please take a moment to do so and then read what you can do RIGHT NOW to get involved with the efforts to deliver on healthcare, education, and energy reform both today and in the weeks and months ahead.
So how can you help today to help deliver REAL CHANGE?
First, you can commit to attending Wednesday's event by contacting LA United for Change by emailing:
morgan AT americansunitedforchange DOT org
Second, you can write a letter to the editor (LTE) to your local newspaper in support of the President's budget and the path it provides us to comprehensive health care, energy and education reform.
Third, you can call Congressman Cao to let him know you are tired of "No We Can't" and that it's time for "YES WE CAN" both at his local number and DC office:
Local - (504) 483-2325
DC - (202) 225-6636
We hope you'll take a moment to get involved and hope to see you this Wednesday or at future events!
Stay tuned for more....
Rebuild & Renew America NOW! on the web.
Americans United for Change on the web.
I was going to let the day pass without comment, and let all the GOPers agitatin' go the way of Code Pink ... into irrelevancy.
But seriously, they're protesting the outrageous spending of the Obama Administration because it means that our grandchildren will be paying off our debts. How convenient their short memories are ... they've already forgotten what the Bush Administration did over the last 8 years.
Let's take a look at the amount of public debt the U.S. Government has taken on over the last 8 fiscal years, courtesy of the Bureau of Public Debt: (hat tip to bonddad)
Date
$$ of Public Debt
9/30/2008
$10,024,724,896.912.49
9/30/2007
$9,007,653,372,262.48
9-30/2006
$8,506,973,899,215.23
9/30/2005
$7,932,709,661,723.50
9/30/2004
$7,379,052,696,330.32
9/30/2003
$6,783,231,062,743.62
9/30/2002
$6,228,235,965,597.16
9/30/2001
$5,807,463,412,200.06
9/30/2000
$5,674,178,209,886.86
Bush started his first year in office with a little more than $5.7 trillion in public debt. He left office with the public debt over $10 trillion, and the wingnuts are NOW noticing?
As bonddad states in his diary over at Kos, they are not protesting the spending ... they're protesting the fact that a Democratic Administration is doing the spending.
Jindal described the premise of the question -- "Do you want the president to fail?" -- as the "latest gotcha game" being perpetrated by Democrats against Republicans.
"Make no mistake: Anything other than an immediate and compliant, 'Why no sir, I don't want the president to fail,' is treated as some sort of act of treason, civil disobedience or political obstructionism," Jindal said at a political fundraiser attended by 1,200 people. "This is political correctness run amok."
"My answer to the question is very simple: 'Do you want the president to fail?' It depends on what he is trying to do."
We're facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, two wars, a worrisome race for oil with China, and playing catch-up with respect to green technology, and our erstwhile Governor wants certain things that Obama is doing to fail?
The text of the speech is below the jump for those of y'all who are on dial-up.
Can we now put the "Obama/Democrats believe government can solve everything" meme to rest? Or do I need to continue pointing out more statements where he/Democratic officeholder says that government is not the answer for everything?
The first one is highlighted in bold below the jump. More to come if necessary.
