Saturday, December 20, 2008

The President-Elect's Weekly Radio Address

Cenk Uygur dissects Rick Warren's arguments



More of Cenk here.

Friday, December 19, 2008

BREAKING: CA Attorney General Argues to Court to Overturn Prop H8

Jerry Brown just submitted his legal brief as California Attorney General to the state supreme court, and he now argues that Prop H8 is an illegal attempt to revise the constitution to deny equal rights to gay & lesbian couples. This is HUGE news, as he had previously declared that he'd defend Prop H8 in court. I guess Jerry Brown has woken up to smell the cyanide of this assault on people's constitutional rights.

Let's hope that the court comes to the same conclusion next spring.

More on the Auto Bailout

Can Obama "pre-undo" the damage that Bush intends to do?

Meanwhile, Detroit Escapes Extinction?

Bush says he'll give the "Big 3" automakers $13 billion now to help them avoid bankruptcy. Is this a good move? And is this really "help" from Bush? I hope so. We can't afford any more dirty tricks harming our economy.

Legitimized Bigotry?

Is Obama doing that by having Misogynist Christianist Homophobic Bigot Rick Warren give the invocation at the inauguration next month? Open Left examines this. And really, it's a tough question that we all must examine.

C4O Bigot's Corner

As we did throughout the entire general election campaign, C4O stands foursquare with Barack Obama and his vision for America. Barack Obama believes it's important that bigots be given a prominent platform to express their views; who are we at C4O to dispute him? Without further ado, we introduce to you today's bigot, Pastor Rick Warren:




Coming up tomorrow in the C4O Bigot's Corner, David Duke.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

MN-Sen: Coleman by 5? Franken by 89?

Here's today's summary of what happened in the Minnesota Senate Recount. Franken's so close to winning now, only 5 votes away. And if things go as the Minneapolis Star-Tribune projects, Franken should win by 89 votes.

I guess we'll just have to see what happens tomorrow to get a better idea of who will really win this race.

What to Do about Obama?

OpenLeft has some suggestions on how to hold him accountable.

Sock and awe

One thing we all share in common with the Iraqi journalist who gained his renown recently at the news conference with President Bush is the desire to toss at high-speed a shoe at the President. Well, now you can. Enjoy the vicarious thrill at Sock and Awe.

Labor Secretary Hilda Solis?

That's what it looks like. Finally, some good news today! Rep. Hilda Solis (D-CA) is a solid progressive who's always been pro-worker. She'll be awesome at the Department of Labor.

Take Action on "Warren-gate"

FYI...

Please sign the petition.

It is appalling that President-elect Barack Obama would invite California Pastor Rev. Rick Warren, an ardent supporter of Prop 8 and someone who is opposed to the equality of LGBT Americans, to give the invocation at his inauguration.

Demand President-elect Obama to immediately rescind this invitation.

Please sign the petition.

Would President-elect Obama invite someone to give the invocation who supported eliminating the civil rights of a minority other than the LGBT community? Of course he wouldnt!

This is a slap in the face to the millions of LGBT Americans who supported his historic candidacy.

TAKE ACTION: Sign EQCAs petition to President-elect Obama. Ask him to immediately rescind this despicable invitation. Please sign the petition.


In solidarity,

Geoff Kors
Executive Director
Equality California

Obama speaks about Warren



I was scanning the inauguration schedule for representatives of the American Nazi Party, but I couldn't find any. There are a diversity of views in the United States: I don't think we should carve out a special role for just anti-gay Americans. Surely, there is a place at the inauguration for Americans who hate Catholics, Jews, African Americans, Asians, and Latinos. I mean, ardent defenders of the rights of all Americans that we are, shall we fail to include racists, anti-Semites, and anti-Catholics?

Obama, step up to the plate and let the inauguration be an equal-opportunity platform for every sort of discrimination in America. Let hatred ring!

Ugh...

We still have work to do to keep Obama honest.

It's Not Too Late to Give the Gift!

OK, so we have one week left until Christmas & Kwanzaa. Have you bought your gifts yet? Let me help. I have a great idea on a gift that your friends & family will simply love.

And better yet, you don't even need gift wrap!

Now's the perfect time to give the gift of equality! Instead of attempting to scour the malls for the usual iPods or food processors or Nordstrom gift cards, why not give a gift that your loved ones will really cherish, especially your LGBT loved ones still fighting for their civil rights! I mean, what could be a better holiday gift than equal rights?

We are so close to making so much progress. The California Supreme Court will hear the lawsuit to overturn Prop H8 in March, and our side has a great case prepared to win marriage equality in court. And no matter what happens in court, our political allies are already preparing to win marriage equality in the 2010 election.

And better yet, we're on the verge of victory in additional states. A legal suit for marriage equality is being heard in Iowa. The New Jersey Civil Unions Commission has recommended that the state institute marriage equality. Legislative action for marriage equality is in limbo in New York. We're so close in so many states, and the extra push we make can make the difference.

We can make the difference in organizing for equal rights in California by supporting Courage Campaign's Repeal Prop H8 Campaign. And to support efforts all over the nation to defend our civil rights, we can make the difference by supporting the ACLU's LGBT fund. And if you have a favorite LGBT civil rights group in your area, please go ahead & give to them as well!

Do something different this holiday season. Share some love with your friends & family. Give the gift of equality to the ones you love. Believe me, you won't regret it!

Santa Bush



Psssst. Do something.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Late Nite Open Thread

So what's happening?

Good News for Senate Democrats

It looks like at least some of the winning team from 2006 & 2008 will be staying aboard the DSCC. Good. I hope this means more Democratic wins in 2010. ;-)

Shoulda Coulda Woulda

I'm telling you, universal health care could have helped save us from the wreck we're in now...

MN-Sen: Franken by 224?

It may happen. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune now projects that Al Franken will win the recount by that many votes. Crazy, huh?

Well, it'll be nice to see Paul Wellstone's seat filled by another solid Minnesota prairie progressive. Let's hope it happens. :-)

Who Will Be Colorado's New Senator?

With all the recent attention on the Illinois debacle & the New York drama, I figured it would be nice for us to remember that Colorado will also soon have a Senate vacancy. So who would you like to see as Ken Salazar's successor?

The Pride of Orange County

Oh, my! Everyone's talking about the first shot in what should be a fascinating 2010 Senate campaign in California! It's just too bad for Orange County's favorite radical right legislator that people are laughing at the video, not along with the video.

Charles Lemos is having a good laugh about the Chuck DeVore for Senate campaign at MyDD. Sometimes, I still can't believe my original hometown is known for producing so many batsh*t crazy politicians.

Traitor Joe at 38% Approval

Haha. I guess this is what Loserman gets for stabbing his former Democratic base in the back by embracing Johnny Mac. If his support continues to drop like a rock, then it shouldn't be too hard to take him out in 2012.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Late Nite Strategy Session

OK, it's time to open up this week's strategy session. What should we discuss? Yes, I'm asking you tonight.

What are you concerned about? What do you think we need to work on? What should our goals be in the coming weeks?

It's time to open up the session. So please, come on in & let's get working.

It's Time to End the Occupation... Really!

When 70%+ want out of Iraq, it's high time for President-Elect Obama & his foreign policy team to finalize that exit strategy.

Progressive Power... Where Is It?

Open Left has some clues. You may be surprised.

The Rest of the West: Part 1

About 2 weeks ago, we talked about the rising Democratic tide in The Southwest. Now, I want for us to discuss what's happening in The Northwest. Believe it or not, we have plenty of opportunities up north as well.

Want to come along with me as we look at where we can win in 2010 and beyond?

Let's start in Wyoming. While John McCain beat Barack Obama by 32%, it was an improvement over Bush's 40% margin of victory in 2004. And believe it or not, Wyoming voters twice elected Democrat Dave Freudenthal as Governor while Democrat Gary Trauner twice lost the At-Large House seat by surprisingly narrow margins. We have an opportunity in 2010 to win both races, as Freudenthal is termed out and newly elected GOP Rep. Cynthia Lummis doesn't seem much more popular than outgoing GOP Rep. Barbara Cubin. I see both races as "Leans Republican" now, but that can change if we find good candidates.

Unlike Wyoming, Montana is rapidly trending Democratic. Bush won the state by 20% in 2004, but McCain could only muster a 3% win and Obama may be the first Democrat since Bill Clinton in 1992 to win here in 2012. And better yet, Montana now has 2 Democratic Senators, a Democratic Governor, and a split legislature. But for some reason, incumbent GOP Rep. Dennis Rehberg is still in office. If we find a strong Democrat to challenge Rehberg in 2010, I think we can make this "Likely Republican" seat more competitive.

Now Idaho may not be trending Democratic as quickly as Montana, but the state is moving our way. Bush's 39% win in 2004 was reduced to a 25% McCain win this year. And better yet, Democrat Walt Minnick scored a stunning upset win over incumbent GOP Rep. Bill Sali in ID-01. But even though Minnick won this year, we must remember that this House seat will be the top GOP target in 2010. This race looks like a "Toss-up" now, and we'll need to work hard to hold ID-01 while continuing to make electoral gains in Idaho.

While all the other Northwest states previously mentioned still tilt toward the GOP, Washington state is quite the different game. Barack Obama won here by 17%, a great improvement over Kerry's narrower 7% win in 2004. Meanwhile, Democratic Governor Chris Gregoire won reelection this year while Democratic majorities in both house of the legislature, both Democratic Senators, and all 6 Democratic House Reps. look pretty safe. However, we have a chance to pick up another House seat in the eastern suburban Seattle WA-08 district. Incumbent GOP Rep. Dave Reichert only narrowly won reelection in 2006 & 2008 in a district that both Kerry & Obama won. If we perhaps find a candidate with legislative experience to challenge Reichert in 2010, we can finally win this "Toss-up" race.

As you can see, The Northwest is undergoing many of the same changes being seen Southwest. Wyoming and Idaho may still look strongly Republican, but Montana has rapidly become a swing state as Oregon and Washington have gone from simply leaning Democratic to strongly Democratic. As the population grows, diversifies, and changes from rural to suburban & urban, Democrats are rising to victory.

As long as demographics change and voters continue to care less about "the culture wars" and more about issues like energy, environmental preservation, and economic development, Democrats will win. That's why our party must continue to invest in winning The West. So are you ready to win?

GOP Still in Blago-Rezko-Ayers Fantasyland

Even though President-Elect Obama had nothing to do with IL Gov. Blagojevich's "pay to play" scandals, that isn't stopping the Republican Party from insinuating that he was involved. Are they that desperate? They really have nothing else to say?

I guess not. And if this is a sign of what's to come in 2010 & 2012, then Democrats are in good shape for the next coming elections.

Keynes Is the New Black?

Perhaps so? Let's hope so.

IL House Begins Impeachment Proceedings

The vote to impeach Gov. Blagojevich was unanimous. The only point of contention was over the ability of the Governor to appoint a new US Senator to fill President-Elect Obama's vacant seat. Republicans want a special election, but there was no vote on it, possibly because the state is already cash-strapped & may not afford another election.

The first step has begun in Illinois ridding itself of Blago, and just about everyone wants him gone.

Our Idiot President Goes Out the Same Way He Came In

As dumb as a rock.

Martha Raddatz interviewed The Disaster President, George W. Bush, the obtuse cartoon character who has occupied the Oval Office during the last eight long and disastrous years. Of course, one of Mr. Magoo's worst disasters was his expensive incursion into Iraq which has poured out a steady stream of our national treasure and completely hemorrhaged international good will for the United States. The Prince Buffoon had this exchange with Raddatz:

Chimp: One of the major theaters against al Qaeda turns out to have been Iraq. This is where al Qaeda said they were going to take their stand. This is where al Qaeda was hoping to take ...

Raddatz
: But not until after the U.S. invaded.

Chimp: Yeah, that's right. So what?

So, there you have it, one by one, the weapons of mass destruction defense, the we've gotta fight where they are defense, one prevarication after another, the Prince Buffoon admits he just lied his way through the whole eight years.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Secretary Salazar?

Will Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) be our next Interior Secretary? Jeralyn at TalkLeft has been scouring the Denver media, and she says it's happening. Good, I guess.

Well, Salazar is quite centrist. However, he's pretty good on environmental issues. And hey, this may mean Colorado will get a better Democrat for Senator. ;-)

Where the Votes Are

What's the potential of "Blue State Republicans" & "Red State Democrats" altering the dynamics of the incoming Senate? 538.com looks into it. I guess we'll see whether or not this benefits the future President Obama.

An Idea for Filling Hillary's Vacant Senate Seat

Louise Slaughter for Senate?

Today is election day

Yep, that's right. Today is the official election day. The electors have been meeting today in the several states to cast their electoral votes for president and vice president of the United States. Whoever wins today in the Electoral College will be elected. I am going to throw the dice on this and take a wild-eyed guess that the outcome will be:

Obama 365
McCain 173

Yeah, I know I am going out on a limb here, but my money is on Obama to pull out a comfortable win.

The Case of the Tossed Shoe

How fitting.

The R Word

Can we say it now? Really? Well, perhaps we should wait until 2012 before celebrating it. In the mean time, we can work hard to make it happen!

An Unexpected Climate Crisis Solution

Who knew we could sequester carbon by farming organically! Wow! I'll remember that when I'm buying my organic groceries at Trader Joe's. ;-)

It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this



Acting on behalf of billions of people, people who live inside the United States and outside of it, an Iraqi journalist sums up, by his actions, our assessment of the Bush presidency.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Sick at Home Sunday

I can hardly wait to feel well again! Yes, I'm still sick at home. No, I don't like it. And yes, it's so frustrating to be quarantined!

So what's happening with you today?

Why do Republicans hate America?

You doubtless remember George Bush's testimonial that he and his administration never stop thinking about ways they, like the terrorists, could hurt America:



Republicans, committed to perpetuating George W. Bush's legacy, are now trying to make a mountain out of a molehill by attenuating the links between the senator from Illinois to the governor of Illinois into something quite sinister:



The United States is deep trouble, directly as the result of the policy and behavior of Republicans. The only way the country will save itself is for Barack Obama to succeed as president, but here come the Republicans, the same as they ever were, trying to destroy America by trying to destroy her new president.

Pathetic.