Dobson Has A New Office In DC

Focus On The Family is opening an office in Washington for the first time ever according to Washington Whispers. 

Advancing a right-wing social agenda from Colorado Springs is one thing.  Launching similar campaigns from within the beltway is another.  Liberals will tear these guys apart -- we hope. 

More Tea Party Video

H/T: R. Neal, KnoxViews

Precious Tea Party Video

Bless their hearts...

CONNECTICUT SENATE 2010: DODD REPORTS $1M IN FIRST QUARTER

Senator Dodd's poll numbers may be way down, but that hasn't stopped his supporters from digging deep from within their pockets. $1M in three months -- not too shabby.

Kentucky Senate 2010: Mongiardo Rakes It In - Bunning's Numbers 'Lousy'

While we wait on Kentucky Senator, Jim Bunning's numbers, potential Democratic challenger, Lt. Governor, Daniel Mongiardo, reports having already raised more than $400,000.  

Fair & Balanced Screenshot of the Day

The Counterrevolutionary Media just can't help themselves. The front page of their website this afternoon shows pictures of Rachel Maddow, Anderson Cooper and David Shuster with capital lettered words written across all of them reading, "TV TOILET HUMOR."

Promoting yesterday's freakshow event like a rock concert made a lot of us laugh. Now, Fox News ' feelings are hurt.  They're fighting back, exposing those left-wing media types and all of those supposed filthy jokes they've been broadcasting -- because the tea parties were such a family event. (see the Huffington Post's Top 10 most offensive tea party signs) 

Gimmick Alert! Tea Parties & The Tenth Amendment

The lunacy continues.   The shameless, right-wing fringe continue to teabag not only Democrats but each other.   And now, another cowboy Governor from Texas is making a fool of himself.

Texas Governor, Rick Perry, who plans to attend a tea party himself, just yesterday expressed his support for Texan sovereignty.  Uuhh boy...

Here we go again, yet this time, it's the tenth amendment.

Before now, as you may remember, it was all about the 2nd amendment, when the same tea-bag waving crowd of flakes claimed (and still do) that Obama was going to take away all of our guns.

Before that, no sooner than President Obama raised his right hand, a short-lived, anxiety-packed, petition the government now or else 1st amendment movement began when right-wingers persuaded Republican tea-baggers of a scary liberal conspiracy aimed at reviving the fairness doctrine. Those who got caught up in that hullabaloo had their jets calmed when Fox News broke the news (and even told the truth) of Obama's opposition to the idea.

Now, the most paranoid teabaggers among us have taken gimmickery to the next level in forming tenth amendment movements, as if any of them have ever read a book in their entire lives, let alone the Constitution.

Here's an interesting twist.  The same Governor Perry who now suddenly believes that tyrants in Washington are forcing their will by making him accept federal funds is also the the same Governor Perry who, in 2002 (see his own press release), gladly accepted hundreds of millions in No Child Left Behind funding.  All of a sudden, Perry and thousands of Republican tea-baggers just like him are wholly devoted to states rights.  

Perry's political posturing scheme mirrors the same kind of erratic behavior of John McCain's when he suspended his Presidential campaign. Since when has a state governor ever refused federal funding in the past?

Perry isn't alone in his political posturing.  South Carolina Governor, Mark Sanford, in an effort to appeal to his own tea party base, proudly claimed back in March that he was rejecting federal stimulus funds. Now, quite predictably, he's backtracking.  So much for that Free Republic interview when Sanford said he "loved the concept" of a tenth amendment movement.

What's next for these phonies? Secession? States printing their own money?  Negotiating treaties? Didn't we settle this argument in 1865 when southern states believed, before then, they were sovereign in their right to decide whether or not they were free or slave? What about that thirteenth amendment?

Where were these tea party people when George W. Bush was squandering away a budget surplus -- blowing up billions of dollars (and lives) in the desert sand -- and dolling out tax cuts for the wealthiest? Truth be told, not one of these teabaggers will pay higher taxes under Obama's plan.

Some would have you believe these protests are handwritings on the wall for a divided America.  But I couldn't disagree more.  You see, Americans in November proved they wanted more than just gimmicks.  They soundly rejected Drill Baby Drill, Joe the Plummer, suspended campaigns, lipstick on a pitbull, gas tax holidays and freezing federal spending. Americans rejected the notion that Obama was a radical Muslim from Kenya who wants to take away your guns, bibles and talk-radio.  Those who still believe it are out in full force today, waving their teabags, screaming "Impeach Obama" and claiming they know something about the tenth amendment.  

We'll keep tabs on how all that's working out for them. I'm looking forward to some of that juicy video tea party footage.  You know it's coming!

Meanwhile, for all of their hard work, President Obama's approval rating is still in the mid-sixties; and a recent Gallup poll shows that 71% of Americans trust the President in his handling of the economy.  Only 38% in the same poll said the same about Republicans.

Minnesota Court: Franken is the Winner!

It's only been 160 days since Minnesota residents last voted for who should become their U.S. Senator. Today, a Minnesota court ruled that Al Franken has won.  From the Minnespolis Star Tribune...

"The judges swept away Coleman’s argument that the election and its aftermath were fraught with systemic errors that made the results invalid."

"'The overwhelming weight of the evidence indicates that the Nov. 4, 2008, election was conducted fairly, impartially and accurately,” the panel said in its unanimous decision.'"

We wonder how much more money Coleman will waste in this appeals process.  He now has 10 days to make a decision as to whether or not he will appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Ford Not Running For TN Governor

He's leaving the door open to state Democrats, Kim McMillan, Roy Herron , Ward Cammack and Andy Berke (?).

Story here from hotline.

President Obama's Weekly Video Address

Equality In Vermont!

2009 is becoming a landmark year for the rights of same-sex couples. Vermont, just moments ago, became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage, thanks to a Vermont Legislature that overrode a Republican Governor's veto. The measure easily passed the Vermont Senate, 23-5 and it received exactly 100 supporters (100 needed to override) in the House.

Take a look at the front page of the Burlington Free Press, where you'll find statements from both sides, video and a whole lot more. See video here  from today's House procedure.

Today's victory in Vermont is a first for same sex couples by way of a legislative process. Other states, including Iowa just four days ago, made their own history through the courts instead. Massachusetts and Connecticut also recognize same-sex marriage. Who's next?

**  UPDATE **  Here's a roll call from today's House vote in Vermont.

2010 US Senate Race: Connecticut

INCUMBENT: Christopher J. Dodd, Democrat

• First elected in 1980
• Defeated Jack Orchulli, 64-32, in 2004
• DOB - 05/27/1944

POTENTIAL CHALLENGERS (names being tossed around): State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, Fmr. Congressman Rob Simmons, Ned Lamont, Fmr. Ambassador Thomas Foley, State Senator Sam Caligiuri.

2008 PRESIDENTIAL STATE RESULTS: Obama 61%, McCain 38%.

The Connecticut Senate race is, very surprisingly, shaping up to perhaps be the toughest race for Democrats in 2010. Republicans are still reeling in New England, however this is not a competitive race due to some sort of Republican resurgence but rather because of the incumbent Democrat’s incessant stumbling.

Senator Chris Dodd is seeking his sixth term, and is the son of former Senator Thomas Dodd (who, ironically, lost in 1970 as a result of perceived unethical behavior) and a former Presidential candidate. That’s where the problems began, moving his family to Iowa (literally, they bought a house) with a poorly defined reason for running left his constituents with the distinct impression that he had long left Connecticut behind. Added to this is the widely reported favorable mortgage rate from Countrywide Financial, and his high profile dealing with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in his capacity as Senate Bank Committee Chair, has put him in the precarious position of being at the forefront of his constituent’s anger over the financial crisis. Finally, his purported role in the AIG bonus fiasco has further made things difficult for Senator Dodd.

Republicans scored a nice recruit in Fmr. Congressman Rob Simmons (who was defeated in a razor close race in 2006 by Democrat Joe Courtney), who has political experience, ability to raise money, and name recognition. Simmons’s major liability, however, is his close ties to the Republican Brand and President Bush as well as his continued close ties to lobbyists which will make it difficult for him to make an effective case that Dodd is the unethical one in the race. GOP State Senator Sam Caligiuri has also declared his candidacy, and former Irish Ambassador Tom Foley is considering a run in the GOP primary, but Simmons starts the race as the clear frontrunner for the nomination.

Dodd has shown no indication he’s willing to retire and the DSCC is standing firm behind him; and his close personal friendship with party heavyweights like John Kerry (who sent out a fundraising appeal for Dodd recently) and Ted Kennedy make it unlikely Senate Democrats will force Dodd into retirement. Likewise, with his pedigree and legendary name, no serious opposition appears likely for Dodd in the primary. But if Dodd steps down, look for State AG Richard Blumenthal to seriously consider the race.

The most recent polling has Simmons with a double-digit lead over Dodd at this juncture (though the immediate aftermath of the AIG fiasco likely artificially deflated his numbers). As Senate Banking chair, Dodd has the ability to fundraise easily; however considering his current issues raising a ton of money from Wall Street and Banking interests could end up being a liability to Dodd’s image.

Dodd has a few more months to turn his numbers around before his political grave begins to be dug. Connecticut’s strong blue tilt makes Simmons’s campaign an uphill battle, but Dodd’s sorrowful approval ratings makes this a true toss-up and a must-watch race.

Fox Newt Would've Used Ray Guns

Imagine this: a trigger-happy Republican, who also happens to be a Fox News contributer, telling a right-wing, Fox News audience that he would have taken out the North Korean missile. Newt's proposing a preemptive attack using ray guns this time.  Brilliant.

The wheels are seriously starting to fall off the Republican bus. 

Tennessee's Jim Cooper Supports Gates' Military Plan

From today's Washington Post.

"Defense Secretary Robert Gates unveiled a sweeping overhaul of the Pentagon's top weapons priorities that he said will orient the U.S. military toward winning unconventional conflicts like the one in Afghanistan rather than focusing on war with major powers like China and Russia."

"By curtailing some of the most expensive and complex weapons systems, Mr. Gates is making lasting changes that he believes are needed given the dual imperative of near-term fights against insurgent groups and increasing economic pressure."

Congressman Cooper on Gates' plan to reform:

“In taking these actions, Secretary Gates acts as a statesman, putting the country’s security over political expedience. I commend him for his straightforward, fact-based decision-making.

“Congress will surely debate these recommendations, but let us debate them on their merits. America is fighting two wars and a recession; we no longer have the luxury of running the Defense Department as a hometown jobs program. That’s why, in the words of Secretary Gates, we must rise above parochial interests and do what’s in the best interest of the nation as a whole. I hope my colleagues will join me in accepting his challenge.”

h/t: Post Politics

Bluedog Raises Green In New York

A Quinnipiac poll released just today shows that most New Yorkers barely know their new Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand.   The timing of the poll arrives on the same day when Gillibrand announced to the world that she's gearing up, in a big way, for 2010. 

It's true.  A fiscal-conservative Democrat is raking it in -- in New York of all places.

"I wanted to personally thank you for your support and let you be the first to know that thanks to an overwhelming show of support from voters all over New York, our campaign shattered our goals. The numbers will not be officially released until later this month, but you've helped me raise more than $2.3 million in the two months since I was sworn in to the Senate."