‘Compromise’ on the FISA Bill is Another Disaster for ‘Roll-Over-and-Play-Dead’ Democrats

You know, I wonder if the Republicans in the House or Senate have some scandalous photos of Nancy Pelosi having sex with a goat that they are threatening to reveal in order to end her career? Maybe they have tape of Steny Hoyer and Harry Reid sharing a ‘fuzzy navel’ at some gay bar somewhere.

I mean, it must be one of these things right?

Only this can explain why the Democrats in Congress are so willing to roll over and take continual kicks to the stomach and the ass from a lame-duck President, and a Republican minority in Congress, whom by all accounts, should get their head handed to them in the next election.

The so-called compromise on the FISA bill, which was finalized last Friday and can be viewed here…is nothing short of total capitulation, to borrow a phrase from Russ Feingold, by a Democratic majority that seems content on giving this administration any sort of nonsense legislation it wants. The FISA bill by all accounts, will have catastrophic effects on our civil liberties and economic well being, for years. The true depth of the damage is almost too colossal to comprehend.

I’d like to underscore the fact that in 2006, when the Congress was controlled by the likes of Bill Frist and Denny Hastert, the Bush administration tried to get a bill passed legalizing warrantless eavesdropping and amnesty for telecoms – that effort failed in a Republican controlled Congress. They had to wait until the Congress was controlled by Steny Hoyer, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and a slew of spineless Democrats of similar ilk, to accomplish that astounding feat.

I guess I’m a bit perplexed as to how this qualifies as a compromise at all? It seems odd how this “compromise,” smells just like all of the other ‘nod-nod-wink-wink’ passages of Iraq war funding, and the Military Commissions Act, and the Protect America Act, and every other “compromise” in which the Democrats engage. In the end, it seems more like forced anal rape of the constitution than anything else.

And the Democrats keep rolling along…

BREAKING NEWS – Obama and Clinton to Campaign Together

Barack Obama’s campaign announced 30 minutes ago that he will campaign with former rival Hillary Clinton next week. This is seen as a step toward unifying the Democratic Party after a brutal primary season.

But it may be more. 

Obama’s campaign said in a brief e-mail that the two former opponents will campaign together for the first time on Friday, June 27. 

 Could this be a ‘test-the-waters for a Hillary V.P. nod????

I’m thinking maybe. What do you think?

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Obama Did the Right by Letting Jim Johnson Go

If you are going to “talk the Talk” you must “walk the walk.” A bit cliche to be certain, but its the best way to explain why the Obama campaign parted ways with longtime Washington insider Jim Johnson.

Johnson was leading Obama’s VP search committee.

Officially, Johnson stepped down, but inside sources seem to believe he was asked to go.

Johnson has ties to troubled mortgage lender Countrywide Home Loans and it is being reported that he cut sweetheart deals for Countrywide CEO’s. Johnson also helped former Democratic presidential candidates Walter Mondale and Sen. John Kerry pick their running mates. He is also the former CEO of Fannie Mae. 

Of course the McCain Campaign wasted no time jumping on this.

 “It’s preposterous for Sen. Obama to claim that the leader of his VP selection committee isn’t working for him. Barack Obama has castigated Countrywide Financial, but now that Jim Johnson has been exposed for taking sweetheart deals from Countrywide’s CEO  – Obama is in a state of denial. It’s that brand of weak leadership and hypocrisy that shows why Barack Obama has no record of taking courageous stands or making change in Washington.”

Look, Obama has said repeatedly that he will not be part of Washington inside politics, and that he will not play ball with fat cat lobbyists. In what I believe is a move, consistent with this policy, Johnson is now a “former” member of Obama’s staff.

As for the McCain campaign, they should focus less on hammering Obama, and more on purging their own lobbyist baggage including Vicki Iseman, Rick Davis, and Charlie Black. They may want to consider offing the dozens of Bush campaign insiders that now occupy positions as top staffers for McCain.

Obama’s judgement is flawed because of Johnson. McCain’s entire staff is an exercise in Washington and big business corruption politics.

Read more on Jim Johnson here… 

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Mid – Day Discussion Thread – Hillary Clinton’s Future

Now that Hillary has thrown here full support behind Obama, what do you think her role should be in the next administration? We want to hear from you.

 

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Why Hillary Lost

Her nomination, that seemed so certain in the Summer and Fall of 2007, had everyone thinking the campaign would be over by February 2008.

Conservative pundits made a short career of debating which candidate was best suited to run against her. 

The Democrats were talking coronation and with her lengthy list of towering advantages she appeared unstoppable. There was Bill, the money, the name recognition, the inside party track, the media appeal – it went on and on.

But in the end, Hillary and her campaign were victims of fatal and decisive flaws, both in public and behind the scenes. I blogged about it on Shadow Democracy several times last year when it wasn’t fashionable. Once the race began, those fatal flaws were quickly exposed, and the aforementioned advantages rapidly devolved into chronic vulnerabilities.

One thing the Clinton campaign underestimated right from the start was the national mood. The idea of Bush followed by Clinton, then Clinton again, then another Bush, then another Clinton possibly – was wearing a bit thin with people. Turns out the electorate wanted a fresh face – in steps Obama.

Then there was the war.

At first, it seemed the war would win over moderates and even some conservatives to the Clinton camp, but as 2007 drew to a close, the sentiment of most of the public, driven by Democratic Party activists, had shifted overwhelmingly against the war in Iraq. In the background, Bill Clinton, who harbors a reputation as a great campaigner, maybe one of the best ever, also seemed out of step with the national mood, as his verbal gaffs began to take their toll on the trail. His confrontational comments on the trail alienated supporters, as he managed to steal media coverage from his wife. Many even wondered out loud if this would be a de-facto Bill Clinton third term.

BREAKING NEWS – Hillary to Stop Campaign on Friday

A top Clinton fundraiser said that Hillary will suspend her campaign on Friday.

Here’s the curious thing. Democrats are clamoring for Obama to add her to the ticket. She still has given no hint as to her plans, only that she would accept the VP if it was offered.

Why should she?

I say, give here some space, and let her absorb the defeat.

The primary season was long and hard…really hard. Hillary Clinton deserves to decompress for a few days, as does Barack Obama. She had a realistic shot at winning until about a month ago, yet people like Charlie Rangel are pressuring her to make a move yesterday. So we wait until Friday for the final word. Big deal. 

Everyone, especially Clinton supporters, needs to relax. The Democrats are in good shape for the first time in a very long time – too long.

Obama will do what is right, and if he has any sense, he’ll pick her as V.P.  

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Can Obama Deny Hillary Even if He Wanted To?

Increasing fears of a divided party have many Democrats, myself included, wondering if Obama can say no to a Hillary V.P. bid.

Obama and Clinton both have insisted the Democrats would unite once they have a nominee, but you can’t help but wonder. What if they don’t? 

Now that time has come, and while many analysts say Obama should put Clinton on his ticket, many Obama supporters say Obama needs to say no. To them it’s almost a personal thing. Actually, I believe it is a personal thing. 

Obama’s search for a running mate has begun. Former Deputy U.S. Attorney Eric Holder, Caroline Kennedy and Democratic insider Jim Johnson are on the vice presidential selection team, and their input will weigh heavily. Concern about possible division has surfaced because Clinton and Obama appeal to such different segments of the electorate. Clinton did well with working-class voters and the elderly. Obama was supported by affluent, well-educated voters, African-Americans and the younger generation.

Clinton won the big states like Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania, she says are necessary in order to win in the fall. Obama won everything else. 

Exit polls throughout the primary season have indicated that a significant portion of Clinton backers would not vote for Obama if he were to become the nominee. Obama supporters said the same thing.

So what to make of all this? Well, the answer is simple really. Winning is everything – especially this time around. The only way to unite this party is to create the dream ticket. By doing so, you almost ensure a resounding McCain defeat. Hillary will split the rural and elderly vote with him, and Obama will mop up the rest (at least in theory).

But there is something deeper here.

Mid-Day Discussion Thread – Obama vs. Hillary

With todays news that Nancy Pelosi threatens to step in, and try to end the standoff between Hillary and Obama, do you think someone from the DNC should compel Hillary to end her campaign now, for the greater good? Select the word ‘Comment’ above to leave your thoughts.

 

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Mid-Day Open Thread – Florida, Michigan and Obama

Do you think not seating Florida and Michigan delegates will hurt the Democrats in the Fall – particularly Barack Obama?

Post your thoughts by clicking the word ‘Comments’ above.