Rep. Dingell Balances Interests to Avoid Dingleberry

This article describes representative and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair John Dingell’s (D-MI) decision to not force a fixed deadline for reducing emissions. Rather than follow Speaker Pelosi’s suggestion that a bill be passed calling for emissions to be halved by 2050, Dingell is continuing to hold hearings researching causal relationships specific to each type of emissions as well as deducing the logistics of what extent of reduction is feasible for each type of emission. Pelosi eventually agreed to not rush plans for emission reduction. The article also states that Dingell looks out for the interests of the auto industry despite having authored some of the most substantial environment sustainability legislation within the past thirty years. The median vote theorem finds Dingell’s moderation in calling for emissions reductions and his balancing of ecology interests with automobile industry interests to be effective in approximating the middle of the voters involved in his re-election, ensuring an overlap of electoral interests that wins him another plurality when his seat is up again.

karl rove rapping..for real at a fundraiser

this is a little off subject...but ties in with how the internet is affecting politics today. This is from youtube and personally I think HILARIOUS. if nothing else i thought the class might enjoy a good laugh.

Senate Sets Stage For Iraq Face-Off

President Bush invited the entire GOP Caucus to the White House to reaffirm his stance on the war in Iraq on the same day as the Senate approval on the 122 billion spending bill that calls for troop withdrawal of most forces by March 2008. The article suggested that the meeting is a message to Democrats that Bush will veto the bill. Because the bill only won by a few votes (51-49) and was split along party lines, the chances of a two-thirds majority to override the veto is unlikely. In addition, a final version of the bill must be agreed upon before the President even gets an opportunity to veto it. Because the decision for troop withdrawal is a major issue to many people, some Republican Senators may feel pressure to vote for it rather than stand with the President depending on the constituents in their respective states.

Odds, Ends, and Misc. Things

Okay, there are no real links to these things, but I would like to tie up some loose ends. As this blog deals with politics --and more specifically congressional politics.... Did anyone see South Park last night? It was one of the best I have ever seen, unless one happens to be a fan of Hillary Clinton's, rather, ummm, private parts shall we say. Also these days its seems that more nuttiness has come out of Iran, as if they could think up something worse. Maybe it is time that the U.K. got a backbone and declared war on the infidels....hmmmm....now thats a thought! If this had been Africa in 1907 you had better believe that an army would be there --in six months or less (guaranteed). But anyway , why should one of the major pillars of Western Civilization take this slap in the face from a two-bit third world nation that has no clue what the word "diplomacy" means. Like I said before, not really "congressional" so to speak, but the rantings of a mad conservative.

Comedian in Chief?

Who needs Colbert at a Correspondent dinner when you've got stuff this good? For anyone that may have missed the bizarre, yet hilarious and somewhat frighteningly real comments Bush made last night, I posted the story from CNN. This quote sort of sums up the evening:

"A year ago my approval rating was in the 30s, my nominee for the Supreme Court had just withdrawn, and my vice president had shot someone," President Bush said Wednesday night during the annual gathering.

"Ah," he said, "those were the good ol' days."

This is definitely worth the read. Also, PLEASE watch the improv rap song from the event with Karl Rove's wicked dance moves on full display (notice David Gregory from NBC news complementing Rove with his own unique dance style). There's a link at the bottom of the article. I guess when things are going this badly, you have to figure out some way to divert attention from the issues, even if it's ripping on your own administration.

Oh, and to tie this to Congressional politics in some way, Bush had these words:
"and I'd like to thank Senator Webb for providing security." Classic!

House Democrats Tout Budget as Deficit-Reducing

This article describes House Democrats’ attempts on March 28th to convince other representatives that their $2.9 trillion budget will result in a $153 billion surplus in 2012 despite planned increases in spending on national security, defense, education, and veterans’ affairs. They must be referring to a peak surplus for that year alone because the national deficit currently exceeds $3.2 trillion. Even if Democrats prevent an extension of the tax cuts enacted by Congress in 2001 and 2003, real income will not rise enough to produce enough of a surplus unless there is a drastic tax increase against corporations and other wealthy elite, who in turn might retaliate by raising the prices of goods and services beyond the reach of working-class individuals and families, which could spark a series of congressionally enacted minimum wage increases, which would require the retention of a Democratic majority…All the while paving the way for the small business owner to rise from the ashes, offering cheaper prices for goods and services as the corporations attempt to out-price the average consumer as revenge for the proletariat-led congressional rebellion against tax havens for the rich.
I believe the key sentence in the article is, “Under Congress' budget process, the annual budget resolution is a nonbinding outline that guides future legislation.” By showcasing partisan ideals about the budget, the annual budget bill provides ample opportunity for members of Congress to demonstrate their show horse appeal. The median vote theorem predicts that the mean effect of all appropriations bills approved by this Congress will reduce the deficit by several million dollars, a small step towards halving the deficit by 2012 (I doubt a net surplus will result by then) and a sustainable reduction that Republicans are likely to continue or even build upon if fiscally moderate Democrats happen to lose the majority.

Edwards’s Cancer Has Spread Into One of Her Hips

I find it an interesting debate over what Edwards should do with his family situation: he's got one. Having a family is a priority to him and some think this is a virtue for a future president while others see it as a vice.

Question: Is is a good or bad thing that Congressmen and women have the darndest time having a family and a political career?

There are so many examples of failed marriage, supposed cheating, and the likes. Should politicians be expected to have a perfect family life and do a good job in office?

Democrats take another step forward in war legislation

Democrats in the Senate turned back the Republicans attempt to remove the call for removal of the United States involvement including all troops from Iraq. This only adds to the democrat's confidence about their moves when it comes to issues on the war.

McGee spends $10,185 to defend seat

Its nice to see that an alderman spending 10,000 dollars made the news. What a dramatic difference from members of Congress. My favorite part of the article was the last paragraph where it mentioned that others who were running did not intend to raise or spend more than 1000 dollars. Talk about fiscal responsibility.

McCain's MySpace Page Hacked

Yet another example of how the internet is going to play a role in the '08 election.


ABC News' Jennifer Parker Reports: In what is perhaps a new weapon in campaign digital media warfare, the MySpace page of presidential candidate Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., was hacked Tuesday.

The March Madness Loophole

Its march madness baby, and we got some P T P ers. Apparently division 1 schools have lobbyists in Washington who can give members of congress tickets to both final four games and the championship. The packages can also "legally" include airfare, hotel and limo rides to and from the game. Wow this is a perk. "These contacts can give lobbyists golden opportunities to solicit earmarks for their schools." The cost of this package to any regular joe would be over 6 Gs. A big chunk of change. The rules allow public universities to give gifts to congress. Apparently some people are pissed about this, saying that big money is bad in politics. However, I love college basketball, and it has continued to grow into this huge money making machine, and I think this is one exception that I am willing to deal with. Go State!

My Fellow Americans: Pls Post a Comment!

Here is yet another example of how the internet is really playing a huge role in the upcoming election. Now you can post comments on the myspace walls of Senator Joe Biden and Governor Bill Richardson! This is definately a new type of campaigning that I think has the potential to really have an impact on the younger generations. This could be a good way to start informing potential younger voters that have traditionally been uninvolved.

Congress Expands Scope of Inquiries Into Justice Department Practices and Politics

This week Congress heard accounts from members of the Justice Department that acknowledged mistakes were made in relation to the F.B.I.'s mishandling of national security letters that were used to gain important information without judicial oversight. This article itself is an example of congressional oversight as the legislative branch puts pressure on the Justice Department in addition to the questions they have already raised concerning Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' specific involvement in the firing of eight U.S attorneys. As the media alerted the public about the questionable firings of the eight attorneys, Congress utilized fire alarm oversight to investigate the matter and is taking a similar step in this incident concerning the national security letters. Congress's criticisms of Attorney General Gonzales are a part of their larger discontent with Bush administration.

Democrats Pass Iraq Appropriations Bill

This article summarizes the House’s 218-212 vote to approve an appropriations bill that not only allocates $128 million to American forces in Iraq and Afghanistan but also requires American forces to withdraw from Iraq no later than September 2008, possibly sooner depending on the extent to which the Iraqi government complies with or violates specific terms not elaborated upon in the article. I used THOMAS to search for the bill, but there were so many similar-sounding bills that have received recent floor action that I decided to just use the information from the article. Such articles really should include the short title of the bill and/or the bill number. Anyway, Bush was right in more ways than one when he opined, “Political theater…These Democrats believe that the longer they can delay funding for our troops, the more likely they are to force me to accept restrictions on our commanders, an artificial timetable for withdrawal and their pet spending projects.” The Dems are likely to continue their battle against Bush’s war well into the summer due to their electoral mandate, and the sheer number of bills about what to do with the Iraq war (over a hundred on both houses) taxes the limit of how many of the roll call votes any given representative or senator can be in attendance for. As stated on page 118 of Steve Smith’s [u]The American Congress[u], it is very difficult for any member of Congress to be present for all roll call votes. The availability of Congressional members interacts with the large number of Iraq-related bills to produce a chaotic effect that is tempered primarily by W the veto actor. Meanwhile, domestic bills that Bush is less likely to veto fall by the wayside.

A Brave New World of Political Skulduggery?

This article greatly coincides with our lecture on campaign advertisements and the growing influence of internet advertisements. Here is a scenario in which a person made amd anti-Clinton video and posted it on YouTube. He flashed Obama's campaign website at the end, suggesting that Obama was in some way connected with the video. This ad has now been viewed more than 2 million times. I think this is just one of many situations in which the internet is going to play a huge role in informing people and influencing them in regards to the upcoming elections.

need a partner

If anyone does not have a partner for the HW next week and is in town, let me know! I was kinda sick last week and did not want to deal with this! Email me at wcwalker.edu. Thanks!

2008: March Money Madness

Hillary and Bill held a fundraising campaign in which attendees had to pay 1000$ to attend. She netted 2.7 million for her campaign. This amount blows me away, I guess I never really thought about how much money they actually spend to get elected. Even more astonishing is that the washington post is predicting that "the collective field could match in a single quarter the nearly $100 million that George W. Bush raised during his record-breaking primary effort two presidential cycles ago.” It doesnt seem like the thing the candidates hate the most is raising money since they are doing more than ever. Also, the article said that only finger foods were served, if I am paying a thousand dollars to hear somebody speak I had better be getting a steak.

White House issues veto threat on Iraq pullout bill

It seems that everyone has posted something on this site about the war; however, it seems like many of us, including myself, may have been missing a very key elements to the stopping of the war...the things that go along with the bills that they may be passing. In the Presidents speech yesterday he spoke of having "clean" bills. Up until then it had never crossed my mind as to what may be thrown on some of these bills, which may be very realistic ones, but made unpassable by the things that may be attached to them. Maybe if we cut some of the pork we could have a way, that many people may agree on, to get out of Iraq.

"No" votes and not showing up to vote doesn't make Reps look good.

As far as the vote to withdrawal troops and to cut spending, President Bush's strongest allies for the war in Iraq, Sen. John McCain didn't even show up to vote, because he was too busy campaigning in Iowa at the time. What kind of message is this sending to the Senators constituencies in Arizona?? Is he too concerned with his own campaign and his own career to be apart of a vote that affects millions of dollars and thousands of American troops in Iraq. Also can someone explain to me why Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee of California would not vote when support for the Democrats is so crucial?

Just like a Broadway play, congressional hearings have many acts.

We all know agenda's are abound and seemingly important things are discussed in congressional hearings, but this article shows just how monotonous and sometimes trivial they can be. The whole process of a congressional hearing appears to be organized chaos, with all committee members rarely present at the same time and some senators attending multiple hearings at once.