Al Gore is scheduled before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday morning to once again testify on the 'urgent need' to combat global warming.
But Mother Nature seems ready to freeze the proceedings. A 'Winter Storm Watch' has been posted for the nation's capitol and there is a potential for significant snow... sleet... or ice accumulations. "I can't imagine the Democrats would want to showcase Mr. Gore and his new findings on global warming as a winter storm rages outside," a Republican lawmaker emailed the DRUDGE REPORT. "And if the ice really piles up, it will not be safe to travel."
A spokesman for Sen. John Kerry, who chairs the committee, was not immediately available to comment on contingency plans. Global warming advocates have suggested this year's wild winter spells are proof of climate change.
Republican lawmakers are raising concerns that ACORN, the low-income advocacy group under investigation for voter registration fraud, could be eligible for billions in aid from the economic stimulus proposal working its way through the House.
House Republican Leader John Boehner issued a statement over the weekend noting that the stimulus bill wending its way through Congress provides $4.19 billion for "neighborhood stabilization activities."
He said the money was previously limited to state and local governments, but that Democrats now want part of it to be available to non-profit entities. That means groups like ACORN would be eligible for a portion of the funds.
Sen. David Vitter, R-La., told FOX News Tuesday that the money could be seen as "payoff" for groups' political activities in the last election. ACORN generally supports Democratic candidates and actively backed President Obama last year.
But he said the funding is just one example of frivolous spending items in the $825 billion package.
"It's just a long list of spending items. Not a real economic stimulus job creation bill," Vitter said. "It's line after line after line of favorite liberal spending programs, and it amounts to a big government bill -- not a job creation bill."
Democratic leaders in the House have already dropped federal funding from the bill for new contraceptive services and ongoing programs to stop sexually transmitted diseases after Obama told them that it did not fit in with the job-creating objectives of the package.
Obama plans to meet with Republican leaders on Capitol Hill Tuesday to hear some their input on the package. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama is open to suggestions.
"If there are good ideas -- and I think he assumes there will be -- we will look at those ideas," he said Monday.
Money Quote:
Kirstin Brost, a spokeswoman for Rep. Dave Obey, (D-Wis.), House Appropriations Committee Chairman, defended the proposed funding to the NEA. "Artists need jobs just like everyone else," Brost said. "Fifty million out of $825 billion doesn't seem like an extreme amount to support our artists."
#6
Billions to one step closer to taking away your franchise. There will be zero fair elections. That leaves one final option for the right if you ask me.
#7
Beck reported tonight that the package contains an Illinois exclusion clause as long as Blago is in office. It will be interesting to follow up on that one. If it is true, I wonder how that type of typical Cook County quid pro quo might effect Blago's criminal trial?
#8
That leaves one final option for the right if you ask me.
Yep. Been that way for a while actually, just ain't that many folks realize it yet. Or, they're in denial and don't want to see what is in front of them.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Financial documents filed by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton show that her husband earned nearly $6 million in speaking fees last year, nearly all of it from foreign companies.
The documents obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press indicate that $5 million of the former president's reported $5.7 million in 2008 honoraria came from foreign sources. They included Kuwait's National Bank, a Hong Kong-based company, and other firms and groups in Canada, Germany, India, Malaysia, Mexico and Portugal.
All senior officials in the Obama administration are required to complete a detailed disclosure of their personal finances, including spouse and children, which is updated yearly.
#1
So the spouse of the Secretary of State is pocketing millions from foreign countries and the Secretary of Treasury cheats on his taxes. Now that's change I can believe in!
WASHINGTON -- Democratic leaders in the House have dropped federal funding for new contraceptive services and ongoing programs to stop sexually transmitted diseases from the $825 billion economic stimulus bill due to hit the floor Tuesday.
The decision came after President Obama called Democratic leaders to tell them that the $200 million set-aside does not comport with the objectives of the job creation package.
Obama is holding high-profile meetings with House and Senate Republicans to build bipartisan support for his massive economic stimulus bill. The bill contains $87 billion in emergency Medicaid funding to help states crushed by deficits.
More than 40 states find themselves facing huge deficits brought on by the deteriorating economy and subsequent loss of tax revenue and rise in social service spending.
As originally written, the House Democratic bill included more than $300 million in funds to slow the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. It also included a provision -- the one that's drawn the most GOP fire -- that provides a 9-to-1 match of federal funds to state funds to provide contraceptives to poor women who qualified under Medicaid. It also would have provided the same contraceptives to women whose income was 200 percent of the federal poverty level, a significant increase in funding.
Told about the removal of the provision, House Minority Leader John Boehner called it a start. "That's clearly a step in the right direction but it's not enough," he said.
The contraceptive funding is an effort to expand federal efforts to prevent unwanted births. Currently, Medicaid provides family planning services after women become pregnant. It focuses all federal funds on contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancies, not other family planning services Medicaid provides.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi initially defended the policy initiative on Sunday on ABC's "This Week."
"Well, the family planning services reduce cost. They reduce cost. The states are in terrible fiscal budget crises now and part of what we do for children's health, education and some of those elements are to help the states meet their financial needs. One of those -- one of the initiatives you mentioned, the contraception, will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government."
#3
I can't stand Pelosi but I understand her point on this one. Condoms and bc pills are far less expensive than paying hospital delivery and maternity care, medicaid for the infants, WIC, food stamps and in the long term, the costs of raising a poor child, with extra tutoring and special ed, child care credits, and even the liklihood that single parented kids end up incarcerated. Check the stats.
#5
I think Obama will have more problems with Pelosi and Reid than he will with most of the Republicans.
He realizes he has to govern from the center to win reelection and he also knows the country can't finacially absorb a bunch of crazy crap pork and give aways that do nothing for the economy.
How come no one has come up with the idea of giving every family that's upside down on a house $200K? Without confiscating any equity gain over the next four years? That would do wonders for the economy, get people out buying stuff and it would clean up a lot of balance sheets at banks.
Posted by: James Carville ||
01/27/2009 18:53 Comments ||
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#6
Tag team battle of the Insatiable Egos.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
01/27/2009 21:29 Comments ||
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Hmm, wonder what party?
HARTFORD, Conn. -- The mayor of Connecticut's capital city says he will surrender to state police on bribery and other charges but won't resign. Doesn't say here!
Mayor Eddie A. Perez says state officials have a warrant for his arrest in connection with home renovations done by a city contractor. His attorney, Hubert Santos, tells The Hartford Courant that Perez will be charged Tuesday. Other accusations include fabricating evidence and conspiracy to fabricate evidence.
The mayor says that "there is no excuse" but that "a lapse in judgment is not a crime." You'd think the AP would tell you by now
A state grand jury looked at $20,000 in renovations at Perez's home done by city contractor Carlos Costa, who has been arrested. State officials had no comment as of early Tuesday. Must be 'Bull Moose'. Oh, wait ... he's a Democrat
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia ||
01/27/2009 20:25 Comments ||
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#6
Let's see how the Courant coverage of this stacks up against the coverage of ex-governor Rowland (R), who essentially got nailed for the same thing.
ST. PAUL (AP) — The mishandling of some court exhibits has set back Republican Norm Coleman's lawsuit challenging the Minnesota Senate recount. Coleman's attorneys planned to begin introducing copies of thousands of rejected absentee ballots Tuesday, examining them individually over about six days. They want a three-judge panel to add the rejected absentees to the recount, and say the ballots could be key to Coleman overtaking Democrat Al Franken.
But Coleman's representatives had written notes on some of the copies, and Franken's attorneys objected. The judges agreed. They said the Coleman team must subpoena the original envelopes. That process could be lengthy.
Judge Denise Reilly warned them to "have some backup witnesses" ready Tuesday.
Posted by: Steve White ||
01/27/2009 00:00 ||
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#1
This is becoming quite a little high level conspiracy in Minn.
#2
Let's see. State judges in California, Missouri, New Jersey, etc throw out their own laws and their own written Constitutions so that Donks or their special interest groups get what they want on elections regardless. And you're surprised by events in Minnesota? They want enough appearance of democracy to keep the usual smucks appeased so that they can keep the game going. It's not that they expect the smucks to rise up when they defraud the process, but rather that someone will rise and the smucks will sit it out that forces them to even play this game.
Even though it's a good idea he's still a seedy politician ...
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold intends to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to end the practice of governors filling vacant Senate seats.
With the Illinois governor charged with having tried to sell President Barack Obama’s old Senate seat — and New York’s governor accused by critics of having held a circus-like review to fill the one formerly held by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Feingold says voters — not governors — should make the call in special elections.
“The controversies surrounding some of the recent gubernatorial appointments to vacant Senate seats make it painfully clear that such appointments are an anachronism that must end,” Feingold said.
Feingold said he will introduce this week what would be just the 28th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the framework for American democracy that has been in effect since 1789. His proposed amendment would require that all senators, just like all members of the House of Representatives, be elected.
Initially, senators were elected by state legislatures. But the 17th amendment, adopted in 1913, made them elected instead by voters. A third of the Senate is routinely elected ever two years. But in case of a death or a resignation, governors in most states are empowered to appoint a replacement.
Feingold, a Wisconsin Democrat, said that as chairman of the Senate JudiciaryÂ’s subcommittee on the Constitution, he plans to soon hold a hearing on his proposed amendment.
Posted by: Steve White ||
01/27/2009 00:00 ||
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#1
...You know, an interesting compromise on this would be that a Governor could appoint a temporary Senator to attend to the state's business, but that he would have to face an election within 90 days.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
01/27/2009 6:11 Comments ||
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#2
Actually, Sen. Feingold (Socialist-Wisconsin)is a pretty honest guy, based on his socialist belief system. He truly believes in the "Progressive Way" and is not afraid to tell you.
Compared to a lot of politicians who obfuscate their personal beliefs, this is refreshing. Sen. Paul Wellstone of Minnesota was like this, too. Didn't agree with 99% of what he stood for, but respected him for being honest about it.
Posted by: Mullah Richard ||
01/27/2009 9:37 Comments ||
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#3
Yeah, who really needs fifty redundent administrative units that reduce efficiency and consolidation of power for the good of the women and childrenstate people? And while you're at it Senator put a name change into that amendment to the Federal Republic of America, cause we don't need no stinking 'States' in the name anymore.
#4
I like Mike's solution only I would changed it in this little way...
The temp Senator couldn't run!
That would mean they were actually likely to be near Washington or on a Junket.
#5
I like the suggestion, but instead of 90 days, make it till the next scheduled statewide election. That way the state doesn't have the expense of running a special election.
While we're at it, how 'bout a run-off (next scheduled) election for any congressional election that's within say 0.5% (i.e. Democrat margin of fraud).
#7
Another option would be to have the State Legislatures elect the replacement. Imagine the monkey wrench that could get thrown into the mix if the State House majority and the resigning/dead senator are from differnet parties
#8
Mullah Richard, you must live down the road a piece.
Feingold is the only politician I have ever dealt with who does not send boilerplate letters in response to voter input. He sent me about 15 pages of information and explanation on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac last fall, in response to a question.
I disagree with 90% of his positions, but at least he's straightforward.
#4
The local paper had a headline above a story about Blago the said roughly "Blago claims he is a victim of a plot to raise taxes" This from the moron that proposed a 10% gross revenues sales tax on business in ILL. Personally I think he's been hitting the Slivovitz
(Xinhua) -- The Illinois Senate in Springfield, the state capital city, opened on Monday its historic impeachment trial of an absent Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was accused of corruption but insisted that the impeachment is unfair.
Illinois senators were summoned to their seats to serve as judge and jury in determining whether Blagojevich, the two-term Democratic governor, had violated his oath of office for allegedly trying to profit from his office and abusing his powers.
The impeached governor is hundreds of miles away from Springfield, doing the New York circuit of TV news and talk shows to win public sympathy and make the case that he is the victim of a political hanging. Major U.S. televisions including NBC, ABC and CNN have all touted Blagojevich appearances.
"This is a solemn and serious business we are about to engage in," Illinois Chief Justice Thomas Fitzgerald told the senators in opening the trial.
The trial will determine whether Blagojevich shall be removed as governor and barred from ever again holding office in Illinois. A two thirds majority of the Senate could convict him at trial and throw him out of office. No Illinois governor has ever been impeached or ousted.
Blagojevich was arrested on Dec. 9, accused of scheming to benefit from his power to name President Barack Obama's replacement in the U.S. Senate. The Illinois senate declared impeachment of Blagojevich on Jan. 9 on additional charges of circumventing hiring laws and defying decisions by the General Assembly.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/27/2009 00:00 ||
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Gov. David Paterson on Monday tried to distance himself from critical remarks about Caroline Kennedy that were leaked to the media by a person close to the governor after Kennedy abruptly withdrew from Senate consideration.
Paterson denied any role in the leak over unproven allegations that Kennedy had problems with taxes, payment of a nanny, and in her marriage. The leak, provided on the condition of anonymity, came Friday morning, hours after Kennedy suddenly pulled her name out of consideration for the appointment to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton.
The daughter of slain President John F. Kennedy had been poised to take the Senate seat once held by her uncle, Robert F. Kennedy. Paterson selected Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand instead.
On Monday, Paterson called the leaked information gossip and said there was no proof of the accusations in an extensive questionnaire he required of all candidates that included questions about their taxes, any criminal background and personal finances. He has refused to release the blank or completed questionnaires.
On Friday, The Associated Press reported that the state tax department found no problem with Kennedy's taxes. There was no evidence to support the possible "nannygate" problem or rumors that her marriage had problems. In interviews in December, Kennedy denied any problems.
The leak was "cheap, dirty politics," New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Monday. The mayor supported Kennedy's effort and is an important ally for Paterson. "I have no idea about her personal life. But that should not have been," Bloomberg said. "It is as good as an example of cheap dirty politics as you could ever find. And I thought it was reprehensible. I have no idea where it came from."
"I mean my goodness, she was treated like a Republican!"
At a news conference Monday, Paterson condemned the leak. "I'm denying it, but there have been leaks coming from my administration during this entire process of choosing a senator," Paterson said to reporters. "As you said, this is a pretty serious thing and one that I would condemn for whoever was gossiping about the reason that Ms. Kennedy would have withdrawn from the race."
Asked if he would investigate the leak, Paterson seemed to misunderstand the question and responded: "I don't think there's any public interest that's served in finding out why someone chose to take a different course in life."
Posted by: Fred ||
01/27/2009 00:00 ||
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WHAT promised to be a timely endorsement of her controversial replacement ended looking like a snub when the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, failed to appear at an afternoon news conference with Kirsten Gillibrand, the senator-designate for New York.
Mrs Clinton was to be the star attraction for television crews and reporters herded into a roped-off section of the Waldorf Astoria's lobby after she had lunch with Ms Gillibrand and the man who chose her, the New York Governor, David Paterson.
Instead, Ms Gillibrand and Mr Paterson - who is being assailed for choosing a little-known, conservative, pro-gun congresswoman from rural New York to represent the ethnically diverse, mainly liberal state - were left to face the media alone.
It was the climax of a weekend Manhattan charm offensive Ms Gillibrand began with a visit to Harlem and suburban Queens, which included securing the backing of the African-American community leader the Reverend Al Sharpton. Ms Gillibrand, who has been a member of the House of Representatives for two years, comes from an avid hunting family and yesterday was still trying to deflect queries about her views on gun ownership, which are seen as out of step with those of most New Yorkers.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/27/2009 00:00 ||
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#1
Hillary peered into the abyss of what will soon be known as the Obamanation and wants her seat back.
#2
Instead, Ms Gillibrand and Mr Paterson - who is being assailed by the liberal press for choosing a little-known, conservative, pro-gun congresswoman from rural New York to represent the ethnically diverse, mainly liberal state...
#4
"comes from an avid hunting family and yesterday was still trying to deflect queries about her views on gun ownership, which are seen as out of step with those of most New Yorkers."
-is she representing the state or just the city? Typical retarded journalism. I'd venture this one has never went up near Cortland, Chetnango or syracuse for deer season. I wonder if the reporter ever bothered to ascertain how much $$ the state brings in via hunting permits a yr or the crime reduction via ccw's and home firearms achieve.
#6
Instead, Ms Gillibrand and Mr Paterson - who is being assailed for choosing a little-known, conservative, pro-gun congresswoman from rural New York to represent the ethnically diverse, mainly liberal state - were left to face the media alone.
Ever wonder why Democrats generally win NY by a blowout margin? 49% of New Yorkers are either black (17%), Hispanic (16%), Jewish (9%) or Asian (7%).
#8
Ever wonder why Democrats generally win NY by a blowout margin?
You forgot union members, Zhang Fe. And party machines. When Mr. Wife registered to vote for the first time, his father insisted not only that he register as a Democrat, but that he vote straight party line as long as he was registered in Lackawanna. Bottom line, were he to register or vote with any independence whatsoever, his parents' lives would be made unbearable.
Mr. Wife left the party as soon as he moved to Cincinnati.
The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee has subpoenaed former White House adviser Karl Rove to testify about the Bush administration's firing of U.S. attorneys.
The subpoena Monday by Michigan Democratic Rep. John Conyers continues a long-running legal battle. Rove previously refused to appear before the panel, contending that former presidential advisers cannot be compelled to testify before Congress.
Rove was asked to appear for a deposition on Feb. 2. Conyers also wants him to testify on whether politics played a role in the prosecution of former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, a Democrat.
Rove's former boss, ex-President George W. Bush, upheld Rove's legal position but it has been rejected by a federal judge.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/27/2009 00:00 ||
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#1
Conyers is about to get a slap in the head, Chicago Way.
If he keep this charade going, O is going to have a harder time getting rid of Fitz. One might think Rove would love to help Conyers drag this out.
Posted by: Be responsible ||
01/27/2009 10:07 Comments ||
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#3
I hope Conyers continues his efforts and I hope the Dems publicly investigate other Bush White House actions. Voters are going to be pissed off enough as millions lose jobs and then realize the "stimulus" package was a fraud.
To also have congress settling political scores while the economy burns will cost the Democrats even more seats.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Al Gore is scheduled before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday morning to once again testify on the 'urgent need' to combat global warming.
Republican lawmakers are raising concerns that ACORN, the low-income advocacy group under investigation for voter registration fraud, could be eligible for billions in aid from the economic stimulus proposal working its way through the House. 
WASHINGTON (AP) - Financial documents filed by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton show that her husband earned nearly $6 million in speaking fees last year, nearly all of it from foreign companies.
Gov. David Paterson on Monday tried to distance himself from critical remarks about Caroline Kennedy that were leaked to the media by a person close to the governor after Kennedy abruptly withdrew from Senate consideration.
WHAT promised to be a timely endorsement of her controversial replacement ended looking like a snub when the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, failed to appear at an afternoon news conference with Kirsten Gillibrand, the senator-designate for New York.
The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee has subpoenaed former White House adviser Karl Rove to testify about the Bush administration's firing of U.S. attorneys.
