House Republicans today failed to pass the bailout bill that caused the Dow to plummet by over 700 points. Top republican leaders in the house said they didn’t vote for the bill because Nancy Pelosi made a partisan speech.

Really? A speech? That’s why you don’t vote for a bill? Not because of the terms of the agreement but because someone hurt your feelings? Give me a break.

My personal “conspiracy” theory on all this is that they let this bill fail today on purpose - knowing exactly what would happen. They knew the Dow would plummet and this will now allow all of their wealthy financial friends and backers to go on a massive shopping spree for the next few days at bargain basement prices. It’s like throwing a 70% off sale at Walmart or turning back the clock to early 2000 just after the dotcom crash.

Obviously the market will rebound eventually even if it’s likely to get worse before it gets better. Luckily I was smart enough to convert my 401K to cash back in January. But I think I’ll be snatching up some bargains myself tommorrow!

So in this case I guess I owe the republicans a big thanks!

Tags: Politics, President, WhiteHouse, Democrat, Congress, Republican,

I shed tears today for a man I never knew. Kinda strange since I’m not typically the emotional type.

But something about this man’s story…

Something about the way he was reveered today by all of his closest friends and colleagues…

Something about it all happening on the set of such a historic show…

Something about it being father’s day…

Something about all that managed to grab hold of me and shake me and allow some deeply bottled emotions that I didn’t even know I had emerge.

Tim Russert was clearly a beloved father, son, friend, mentor and colleague to those who knew him. He was tireless in his pursuit to hold our nations leaders accountable for their decisions. Yet he always remained fair and balanced and he put his family first. Something I think alot of us need to work more tirelessly at. Including myself.

I’m not a deeply religious person but I do have some faith. Although my faith is always questioned when perfectly good people, role models to so many, are taken from us abruptly for no logical reason.

Tim Russert was in the prime of his life. He was at the center of the most exciting political race in the last 50 years and he thrived on it. Maybe in the end that’s what did him in, and I guess he probably wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

The nation lost one of it’s best on Friday. A humble man from a modest upbringing who ascended to one of the most powerful positions in the world. A man whose job it was to call presidents and politicians out on all their bullshit, for our benefit. I can’t even fathom who might be up to the task of filling that role now. I’m sure anyone who aspired for it previously no longer feels like they could ever measure up to the tragic legacy. Although I certainly hope this is not the end of Meet the Press. I’m sure that would be the last thing Mr. Russert would ever want to happen.

To has son Luke and his Father Big Russ (and the rest of the Russert family), I offer my most sincere condolonces. It’s not fair that all of your future father’s days will contain the sorrow of losing such a great man who obviously meant so much to you and cared about you both so deeply. I only hope that I can be inspired by him and strive to not only be the best son and Father I can be, but to also aspire to reach the top of my profession thru honesty, integrity, preparation, perseverance and hard work.

I knda neglected this blog after my chosen candidate, John Edwards, failed to make the cut. But in honor of Tim Russert, I’m going to do my best to revive it. I’m not a journalist nor do I pretend to be. And I’m certainly not objective or un-biased when it comes to politics. But what’s great about this country and what’s great about the web is anyone can have a voice. And in a time of such critical importance for our nation’s future, it’s time I made my voice heard again for anyone willing to take the time to listen.

Tags: Politics, , President, WhiteHouse, Congress, Republican, Democrat

A new report scheduled to be release later this week will report that the Iraqi government has met absolutely none of the benchmarks that President Bush laid out 6 months ago during his address to the nation to support his surge policy.

That’s zero folks. They’ve accomplished nothing. And yet we’re staying the course.

Let’s face it… Bush simply wants to pass the mess on to the next president even if that means 100’s more soldiers will die. This man’s blind ignorance should really be criminal.

How is it that we continue to let him lead? Why is there no public outcry? Why don’t the families of these soldiers rush the White House and demand that the troops be brought home? We can’t wait until January 2009 for change…

Tags: white house, Congress, iraqi government, Democrat, benchmarks, Republican, WhiteHouse, bush, President,

Barack Obama’s campaign announced today that the Senator raised over $32.5 million in 2nd quarter fundraising efforts - signifgantly more than the $25.7 million he raised in the 1st quarter. Meanwhile, Hillary only managed to raise just over $27 million compared to the $26.1 million she raised in the 1st quarter.

So obviously if this race were just about money, Barack would have it in the bag. Now if he can manage to get all of these donors to actually go to the polls as well, then you’re likely looking at the Democratic nominee.

But is he ready?

Sure he’s charming, well-spoken, attractive, and is the only candidate that can claim to have been against the war from the beginning. I have no doubt he’d make a great leader… Much more so than Hillary.. but that experience issue still looms in the background. Not to mention the unspoken issue about whether America is really ready to elect it’s first Black president, although I hope we’re mature enough now to accept that reality.

My real question is, who’s gonna be his wingman? Could we see the likes of a Jesse Jackson as Vice President or will he try to lure in the hispanic voters by taking Richardson? What do you think?

Tags: Democrats, Politics, Barack Obama, Republican, Democrat, WhiteHouse, President, Fundraising, Congress,

Although the vote was much closer than anyone expected, the immigration bill is still DEAD. Providing amnesty is simply not the answer. But rounding up 12 million illegals and shipping them home is also impossible. If we could round them up, we would have already. The only real solution is to place stiff and severe penalties on the employers of illegal immigrants. Without the prospect of a job, they won’t be as anxious to break the law to come here. It’s simple supply and demand.

A fence isn’t going to stop them.  More advanced intrusion detection technology might. But what about our northern border? Granted the Canadians don’t have nearly as much desire to come here illegally but it seems to me that any terrorist who wanted to walk into this country could do so in a heartbeat thru the canadian border. Why is this never discussed? Why don’t we have a plan to protect all of our borders? The foolishness just never ends…

Tags: Bush, Congress, politics, Politics, Democrat, President, congress, , immigration, WhiteHouse

Who the hell does this guy think he is? Why aren’t we all outraged at the disgrace this man has brought to the office of the Vice President? The list of things this man has gotten away with the past seven years is completely absurd. And now he wants to claim that he’s not even part of the executive branch? That congressional subponeas mean nothing to him?

C’mon people…Get Pissed already!

This man took us into war so Halliburton could earn billions of dollars in re-construction contracts, he tampered with the justice system and now is flatly ignoring them, he hung Scooter Libby out to dry with no remorse, he conducted illegal wire-taps against YOU and ME, he even ignored Bush’s wishes and did an end around with congress to get legislation he wanted passed. Impeachment won’t cut it folks. This guy makes Nixon look like Dan Quayle.  He needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law that he thinks doesn’t apply to him. And with any luck he’ll end up right next to Scooter… who by then, will surely have made a few friends just itchin’ to kick Cheney’s ass…

Tags: Congress, Republican, Politics, , President, Democrat, WhiteHouse

Ann Coulter appeared on Hardball with Chris Matthews last night and got a “surprise” phone call from Elizabeth Edwards. Mrs. Edwards expressed her disgrace Mrs. Coulters’s countless personal attacks against her husband John Edwards and other Democratic candidates. She was trying to plead with Coulter to stick to the issues using her best southern charm. But Coulter just whined like an 8 year old about how the Edwards campaign was capitalizing on her comments by using the attacks as the basis for their fundraising.

Frankly I feel it was a brilliant move. Coulter was put on the spot to defend her idiotic comments and the Edwards campaign got some much needed prime time publicity and a good portion of the next day’s news cycle as well, including another appearence on Hardball the next night by John Edwards himself. Whether Elizabeth did it because she was truly sick of this wench spitting off at the mouth or whether it was a planned tactic to create a controversy guaranteed to generate buzz… it worked. Given that Coulter was informed before the show that Mrs. Edwards would be calling in and agreed, almost makes you wish the campaign would put her on the payroll. Her attacks have certainly helped the Edwards campaign raise millions! Keep up the good work Ann!

Tags: Republicans, Elizabeth Edwards, Hardball, Politics, Chris Matthews,  Ann Coulter, Democrats

Since I live in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area, I decided to attend the John Edwards Birthday party fundraiser in Chapel Hill today. I’ve never met a Presedential candidate before and it was only $15 and a 20 minute drive so what the hell…

There was about 300 people there and I got a plate full of some good BBQ for my $15. Edwards was introduced by former UNC basketball coach, Dean Smith, in a very rare public appearance. Speech was brief since it was hot as hell but he did stick around afterwards to meet almost all of the supporters for pictures and autographs. I got my handshake and picture and was actually on the evening news that night.

Here’s the Videos of the Speech:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Tags: Democtat, John Edwards, Chapel Hill, 2008 Presidential Race, Politics