Senator Specter just announced his switch to the Democratic Party. He was facing a tough primary challenge from a conservative and had been hewing to the right to stave it off (as he does everytime his primary comes around). But that was looking pretty hopeless, so now he's decided to leave the Republican party. He insists he will not be Obama's "60th" vote in the Senate. But hopefully he'll at least remember his moderate roots.
Check out TPM's analysis on why he made the switch:
H/T to Lydia for scooping Drudge on this one.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Hillary on Cheney: "I Don't Consider Him a Reliable Source"
From a hearing earlier today:
Go Hillary! I was strongly against her in the primaries, but I love having her on our side.
Go Hillary! I was strongly against her in the primaries, but I love having her on our side.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Maybe He Should Do a Carwash
Monday, April 6, 2009
Exceptional
From the Washington Monthly: In Europe, Barack was asked if he "subscribe[d]...to the school of American exceptionalism." His response:
I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism. I'm enormously proud of my country and its role and history in the world. If you think about the site of this summit and what it means, I don't think America should be embarrassed to see evidence of the sacrifices of our troops, the enormous amount of resources that were put into Europe postwar, and our leadership in crafting an Alliance that ultimately led to the unification of Europe. We should take great pride in that.
And if you think of our current situation, the United States remains the largest economy in the world. We have unmatched military capability. And I think that we have a core set of values that are enshrined in our Constitution, in our body of law, in our democratic practices, in our belief in free speech and equality, that, though imperfect, are exceptional.
Now, the fact that I am very proud of my country and I think that we've got a whole lot to offer the world does not lessen my interest in recognizing the value and wonderful qualities of other countries, or recognizing that we're not always going to be right, or that other people may have good ideas, or that in order for us to work collectively, all parties have to compromise and that includes us.
And so I see no contradiction between believing that America has a continued extraordinary role in leading the world towards peace and prosperity and recognizing that that leadership is incumbent, depends on, our ability to create partnerships because we create partnerships because we can't solve these problems alone.
I can't express how much I love that answer.
I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism. I'm enormously proud of my country and its role and history in the world. If you think about the site of this summit and what it means, I don't think America should be embarrassed to see evidence of the sacrifices of our troops, the enormous amount of resources that were put into Europe postwar, and our leadership in crafting an Alliance that ultimately led to the unification of Europe. We should take great pride in that.
And if you think of our current situation, the United States remains the largest economy in the world. We have unmatched military capability. And I think that we have a core set of values that are enshrined in our Constitution, in our body of law, in our democratic practices, in our belief in free speech and equality, that, though imperfect, are exceptional.
Now, the fact that I am very proud of my country and I think that we've got a whole lot to offer the world does not lessen my interest in recognizing the value and wonderful qualities of other countries, or recognizing that we're not always going to be right, or that other people may have good ideas, or that in order for us to work collectively, all parties have to compromise and that includes us.
And so I see no contradiction between believing that America has a continued extraordinary role in leading the world towards peace and prosperity and recognizing that that leadership is incumbent, depends on, our ability to create partnerships because we create partnerships because we can't solve these problems alone.
I can't express how much I love that answer.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
NOOOOO!
Our favorite numbers geek is moving to NYC. How could Chicago let this happen?
From Nate Silver:
This blog is now on the Eastern Time Zone. I'm moving to New York. My new Congresswoman is Yvette Clarke.I have a great deal of love for Chicago, where I've been for the past 13 years, and the Midwest, where I've been essentially my entire life. In the Internet era, one can cover American politics from almost anywhere: some extremely talented writers do it from places like Brazil and Mexico. Nevertheless, as I've watched the number of 212 and 646 area codes proliferate in my Blackberry (see incredibly dorky chart below), and become intimately familiar with the concession stands at LaGuardia Airport (avoid the Wendy's by Terminal D), I've realized that there's an if-you-can't-beat-'em, join-'em quality to New York City -- and I've decided to join 'em.
From Nate Silver:
This blog is now on the Eastern Time Zone. I'm moving to New York. My new Congresswoman is Yvette Clarke.I have a great deal of love for Chicago, where I've been for the past 13 years, and the Midwest, where I've been essentially my entire life. In the Internet era, one can cover American politics from almost anywhere: some extremely talented writers do it from places like Brazil and Mexico. Nevertheless, as I've watched the number of 212 and 646 area codes proliferate in my Blackberry (see incredibly dorky chart below), and become intimately familiar with the concession stands at LaGuardia Airport (avoid the Wendy's by Terminal D), I've realized that there's an if-you-can't-beat-'em, join-'em quality to New York City -- and I've decided to join 'em.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Don't Forget to Turn Off Your Lights!
Tomorrow is Earth Hour.
Turn off your lights between 8:30-9:30pm.
www.earthhour.org
Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.
In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.
Turn off your lights between 8:30-9:30pm.
www.earthhour.org
VOTE EARTH
YOUR LIGHT SWITCH IS YOUR VOTE
This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.
For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.
This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.
In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Presser No. 2
Yeah, yeah, I know. Everyone's gonna be talking about the big Ef YOU that the Prez gave to Ed Henry at the end of the press conference. And it did rock, and proves that Rahm is rubbing off on Cool Hand Luke. But, mostly, I continue to be impressed that Barack gives multi-part answers to questions and then ties in reporter comments from earlier in the presser to make his point. It's like he's really smart or somethin'. And I love his point at the end about being how persistence will be a hallmark of administration, that we shouldn't expect him to solve massive, decades long problems in the first 60 days, and that all the haters and doubters should just chill the f*** out.
Nate has a good point too: "But there's a seed of something else too: he's motivated to prove his doubters wrong. One needs to remember that Obama was always more of a counter-puncher than a brawler during the campaign."
This is a negativity-free zone. Nice, supportive, loving comments only.
(and how cool is it that the Obama took questions from Politico, Ebony and Stars and Stripes!)
Nate has a good point too: "But there's a seed of something else too: he's motivated to prove his doubters wrong. One needs to remember that Obama was always more of a counter-puncher than a brawler during the campaign."
This is a negativity-free zone. Nice, supportive, loving comments only.
(and how cool is it that the Obama took questions from Politico, Ebony and Stars and Stripes!)
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
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