From the "Quitters never win" file.

Dave Johnson reminds the 'quit the Party' crowd...

...There is a problem with that thinking. Ralph Nader ran in 2000 to "send a message" to "the Democrats." It didn't send a message and got maybe half a million Iraqis killed. Maybe more.

The reason it did not "send a message" was that the Democratic Party is not a top-down organization. It is a bottom-up organization. IT IS US. You don't "send a message" to yourself, you ACT.

More here.

Truth.

A full Friedman unit's worth…

9/11 has made us stupid.

Yep.

And now...

What a progressive agenda looks like...

Universal Health Care
Ending Poverty in America
Global Warming
Ending the War in Iraq
Preventing War with Iran
Restoring Hope to Rural America
Standing with Organized Labor
Supporting Open Media
Quality Public Education
Ending the Washington Influence Game

John Edwards leads the field in promoting a progressive agenda. Financing, electability, experience, blah, blah, blah. Where the candidate stands on the issues I care about when the rubber hits the road, that's what matters most to me. That's where John Edwards is right and his primary opponents are, well, not quite as right. Not nearly, in some cases.

That's why he's my man John.

And that's why he's featured on the Upper Left ActBlue page.

Going public.

The decision by John Edwards to accept the benefits and restrictions of the public financing system for the primary election, holding open the option of continuing the policy through the general if his Republican opponent does likewise, has created a certain amount of furor around the blogosphere. It's enough for Kos to write him off, not on any substantive ground, but for fear of...

"...six months of darkness. Six months in which the Republicans will be beating
the crap out of him, because they won't do anything so foolish. Six months
to turn Edwards into the devil incarnate, with no money to hit back."

Edwards' campaign manager David Bonior offers assurance...

Rest assured, we are prepared for this campaign to go the distance. We have a comprehensive campaign spending plan is smart and targeted and based on a strategy to ensure that we not only have enough money on hand to clinch the nomination but also have a reserve to take the fight to the Republican nominee in the spring.

…and adds not only a critical part of the Edwards' strategy, but one of the principle reasons I support him.

"...part of this campaign is about restoring the power of the Democratic Party."

Neil the Ethical Werewolf is notably sanquine among the big bloggers…

I doubt that the spending caps that come with public funds will cripple Edwards in the general election, as Ezra and Markos think. We aren't talking about a congressional campaign here -- we're talking about a race for president, where free media and ads from 527 groups are going to be way more significant than anything the candidates themselves put on air.

…and he's right about this, too...

...Edwards has been able to maintain the media profile of a first-tier candidate, without the first-tier money.

Of course, that changes. With this decision, Edwards levels the financial playing field considerably...

"Before we did this," one adviser said, "there were only two campaigns [Obama's and Clinton's] who thought they'd be around before the primaries with about $20M or $30M on hand. Now, we're going to be right there with them. We're going to have between $18M and $21M on hand now. That'll give us a huge boost."

"The bigger implication here is that there are now three campaigns with major wherewithall going into the primaries," the aide said.

That's huge. Significant, too, is the chance to gain an inarguable advantage in debate about campaign finance and the pressures and influences that follow the money. Edwards advisor Joe Trippi puts it plainly…

"Iowa gets to choose between a Democrat who is taking the money of health care lobbyists and insurance lobbyists and corporate lobbyists and PACs who will almost certainly blow through the spending limits that they would have to abide by under public financing against a Democrat who has never taken a dime of PAC money and has never taken a dime of lobbyists money, and now, will stay within the public financing system in Iowa, which will give the people of Iowa the change to decide who will go to Washington and represent them on all these issues?"

I'm a biased observer, but the advantages for Edwards, and for people interested in seeing a progressive voice remain competetive in the field, seem obvious and, on balance, overwhelming.

Just when you thought it was safe…

…to hit the play button. Another random ten...

Shelby Lynne - Where Am I Now
Reckless Kelly - Wiggles & Ritalin
The Fendermen - Mule Skinner Blues
The Wood Brothers - Chocolate On My Tongue
Pink - Nobody Knows
Sam Roberts - The Gate
Nickel Creek - First And Last Waltz
Rickie Lee Jones - Up From The Skies
Tina Schlieske - Come On In
Bobby Bare Jr's Young Criminals Starvation League - Sticky Chemical

It’s not that he doesn't know better…

…it's just that John McCain doesn't care about the Constitution.

The hard truth?

Digby delivers.

The Republicans are the party of racists.

None of the front runners are able to use the usual racial codes of being Southern good old boys, or evangelicals or even reliable "pro-life" conservatives so they are reduced to blatantly proving to the racist base of the Republican party that they are one of them by publicly snubbing blacks and Hispanics to win the nomination from the racist GOP base.

Yep.

I support all the troops, regardless of their position on the war. The men and women of our armed forces and their families have sacrificed a lot, and done everything that was asked of them. It is time to bring them home.

Rep. Tom Allen (D-ME)

Future Senator Allen is featured on the Upper Left ActBlue page.

Patience.

It's hard, but it's necessary. John Dean's right...

"I do feel strongly that the Republicans have so abused the law and embedded so many people within the system, within the executive branch, that's it's going to take a couple of terms of Democratic presidents before you have people there who are representing the American people."

So buck up, America. Don't bitch. Organize.

Fooled twice?

Shame on you, Senator...

Edwards criticized Clinton for voting earlier in the day in Washington to approve a nonbinding motion calling on the State Department to designate Iran's Revolutionary Guard as "a foreign terrorist organization," which Edwards said was a potential first step toward war against Iran.

That was the infamous Lieberman-Kyl amendment, of course. Lieberman. Kyl. Does anyone doubt that it was designed, diluted or otherwise, as a first step toward war against Iran? Either Hillary wants, or is at least prepared to accept, a war with Iran or she's been fooled twice.

Shame on her for this, too...

…Long-shot candidate Mike Gravel jumped on Clinton as well, saying, "I am ashamed of you, Hillary, for voting for it."

After a loud laugh at the often-comical Gravel, Clinton defended her vote.

The laugh might have been an effective foil on FOX News, but it's getting old already. War is no laughing matter. As Melissa says...

...lots of the Democratic base feels exactly the same way Gravel does. And haughty disdain probably isn't the best way to respond to that.

Probably not.

Possibly foolish, even.

Maybe shameful.

From the "Oh, never mind…" file.

Via the LA Times…

Plagued by a lack of money, supporters of a statewide initiative drive to change the way California's 55 electoral votes are apportioned, first revealed here by Top of the Ticket in July, are pulling the plug on that effort.

Much ado, etc.

Credit where it's due - the Clinton camp, personified by Chris Lehane, played a significant role in fending off this GOP power grab. It's a significant service to the Democratic Party. Our candidate, whoever that may ultimately be, will need, and now, apparently, have the chance to get, all the California votes.

$10,400,000,000.

That's the Washington State share of Iraq war costs to date, and they're asking us for another 3.5 billion.

That 10 billion bucks is more than our state has budgeted for higher education, corrections, transportation, pensions, bond retirement, natural resources and government operations combined. Lots more.

There's only one more way more money for the war can be justified - if it's the money we need to end the war.

It's simple.

No timeline, no funding. No excuses.

Quote of the day.

"Instead of a coalition of the willing, what we really have is a coalition of contractors!"

Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV)

"Out of balance…"

…broken…whatever. I hate what they're doing to my Army.

In his first appearance as Army chief of staff, (General George) Casey told the House Armed Services Committee that the Army is “out of balance” and “the current demand for our forces exceeds the sustainable supply. We are consumed with meeting the demands of the current fight and are unable to provide ready forces as rapidly as necessary for other potential contingencies.”

You know, potential contingencies like, oh, actually defending the United States.

Article 1, Section 9

No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.

Inch by inch.

It's going to take years to reclaim our republic. After all, we're at the end of a couple of decades of counter-revolution by the political descendents of the colonial tories. There's progress being made, though…

AP - Two provisions of the USA Patriot Act are unconstitutional because they allow search warrants to be issued without a showing of probable cause, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.

There's still hope within our judiciary, and not always from the usual suspects.

Of course, there's only one real hope for our judiciary.

More and better Democrats.

Some examples.

From the "Things I should have grown out of" file.

Things like the compulsion to post "Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov."

Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov.

Heh™.

Hey, great!

We won!

Bring 'em home.

Favorite daughter?

Not so much, it seems. At least, Hillary Clinton's not the favorite candidate of some New York City unions. First the Transit Workers Union, representing 30,000 New York workers, endorsed John Edwards. Now another New York union, the 9,000 strong Correction Officers' Benevolent Association, is lining up behind Obama.

Her campaign has developed a mistake-free aura, but little slips like this on the home front might betray some chips in the seemingly impenetrable Clinton armor.

Or not. I don't know what the internal dynamics of the unions' internal processes were, or Clinton's history with them. It's something worth watching, though.

Quote of the day.

"It's our duty. It's the only power we have."

GM striker Eric Lehtonen

From the "We're right, they're wrong" file…

"The Republican Party has won two elections on the issue of fear and terrorism. It's going to try again."

Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE)

Fear and terrorism vs. hope and patriotism.

That's the choice.

Our way is better than theirs.

Proudly partisan, please.

Atrios has a draft of a proposed "Bipartisan Compact on Iraq Debate," and if the title alone doesn't say "sell out" loudly enough, the first clause should close the deal.

We agree that the U.S. Congress must end the political in-fighting over the conflict in Iraq and commit immediately to a truly bipartisan dialogue on the issues we are facing.

Who, exactly, is this "we," I wonder, and how do they propose to get around the diametrical opposition of the concerned parties on the subject of Iraq?

The Republican position, as stated by their leadership and demonstrated by their consistent pattern of votes, is in favor of a war that continues for something between a Friedman and forever.

The Democratic position, similarly established, is that it's time for the beginning of the end.

Every day we remain in Iraq, the Republicans prevail. That's not a bi-partisan solution. There's simply no such thing. The parties are opposed.

There is a way for Democrats to turn the tide, to restore majority rule in the Iraq debate. It's simple, stand as a proud, united partisan front and demand…

No timeline, no funding. No excuses.

Just wondering…

…how many GM assembly jobs could be secured for, say, the cost of the CEO's salary? Or a modest across the board cut in executive compensation?

GM and the UAW helped create the American middle class. With a little vision, they could be parters in leading its restoration.

Hey, a guy can dream...

Heh™

Matt Stoller:

I'm a little worried about upcoming fights over funding for Iraq, inasmuch as they might distract us from discussing the Moveon ad.

Sunday funnies

Fairly new to the northwest corner of blogtopia is DonkeyBytes, home to UL commenter Michael Caine and Mary, who offers a pile of bittersweet chuckles in the form of bumper sticker slogans. Some favorites…

Bush: End of an Error
That’s OK, I Wasn’t Using My Civil Liberties Anyway
If You Can Read This, You’re Not Our President
Of Course It Hurts: You’re Getting Screwed by an Elephant
They Call Him “W” So He Can Spell It
Is It Vietnam Yet?
At Least Nixon Resigned

More here.

And now...

What I learned today…

...from David Postman.

Heck then wanted to know about what part of the job she wishes she didn't have to do. Gregoire did not hesitate in saying that it has been following through with the pledge by her and her husband, Mike, to attend the funerals of every Washington state soldier killed in action.

I didn't know that, but I sure do respect and appreciate it.

And can't help contrast it with the shameful behavior of the Commander in Chief in that area.

The Guv is really growing on me.

Lest we forget...

3797
Damn.

Shiny things abound, I know, but this is a number every American should know, every day.

There's just no way…

…to get this list except randomly. No way at all. Ten for today…

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Let The Cool Goddess Rust Away
Jim Croce - Photographs And Memories
Crosby, Stills & Nash - 49 Bye-Byes
Handful Of Luvin - Pedastal
John Lennon - Working Class Hero
Lee Dorsey - Ya Ya
Frankie Avalon - Venus
Ani DiFranco - 78% H2O
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - I Like It
George Jones - Detroit City

Damn.

Sad news from Michael Hood…

Walt Crowley, 60, died Friday evening, Sept 21, after suffering a stroke following cancer surgery.

My memories of Walt stretch over several decades, but they all start with that guy, the artist, the editor, the guy I looked at with a certain amount of awe when I'd show up at the Helix office to pick up a bundle of papers for the 'boutique' I worked at before they coined the term 'head shop' and another to haul across the bridge to peddle to my suburban classmates.

He was always one of the good guys - a sparkling raconteur, solid Democrat and one of the driving forces in promoting the history and culture of the northwest, in recent years through the indispensible Historylink.org.

60.

Too damn young.

Rest in peace, Walt, and peace to all who knew and loved him.

More from the Iowa AARP event.

The Iowa Independent is just full of bloggity goodness today. There's Chris Dodd's advice to Hillary Clinton...

"...if you're going to talk about experience, I'd be reluctant to talk about one that failed, people would like to know your experiences that succeeded."

…and a sobering thought from Senator Biden...

"I don't question the integrity of a single person on this stage, but what's the record of being able to get folks in those red states to vote for this stuff? Folks, think about it. There is no possibility of getting any one of our plans unless you get 15 or 20 percent of the Republicans to join us."

Of course, Joe could be wrong. There could be another possibility. That would be replacing 15 or 20% of the Republicans with Democrats.

We could start here…

Susan Collins continued her support for the war in Iraq today with yet another vote against troop withdrawal. Her vote against Levin-Reed today shows that her support for this war is stronger than ever, said Carol Andrews, Communications Director for the Maine Democratic Party.

Collins' opponent, Rep. Tom Allen, is featured on the Upper Left ActBlue page. You know what to do.

The circular firing squad assembles.

Mike Stark at Dkos...

I've spoken with the netroots leaders Matt Stoller and Chris Bowers. They support this idea.

We are forming a donors' union and going on strike.

...each donor will promise to give NotOneRedCent to elected Democrats or organizations that give money to elected democrats.

I guess I'm not sure who or what the 'netroots' are, exactly. Heck, I'm not really sure what a 'progressive' is, for that matter.

I do know, though, that if these are the by-laws, I'm not a member of the club. If Matt and Chris are it's "leaders" (though I don't know that either of them would make that claim about themselves), well, I'm not about to follow them on this path to defeat and irrelevancy.

Let's get a grip people.

Glory days?

A dispatch from the Iowa AARP forum…

Biden likened Richardson's experience as New Mexico governor to playing football in "high school."

Ouch.

Yep.

Natch...

In MY world, "black water" is the tank where your toilet empties in the RV.

Mine too.

Well, not quite.

I'm loathe to debate health care policy with Ezra Klein, who's usually my go-to guy on the subject, but I'll tussle with anyone over Democratic vision. Ezra offers...

The Republican vision is for a world in which the sick and dying get to deduct some of the cost of health insurance that they don't have -- and can't get -- on their ,taxes. The Democratic vision is for every American to have health insurance. We clear?

Clear? Not quite. The Democratic vision is, I hope (certainly this Democrat's vision is) for every American to have health care. It is, I submit, a critical distinction.

Things to do…

Visit the John Edwards for President website
Join the campaign.
Learn more about One Corps.
Join John's social network.
Become a Citizen Journalist.
Join the e-Team.
Visit the blog.
Spread the word!

From the "Credit where it's due" file…

Obama's exactly right. If you respect the sacrifice and service of the American military...

"...The way to honor that service is to give them a mission that is responsible, not to vote on amendments like the Cornyn amendment while we continue to pursue the wrong policy in Iraq.”

The most principled vote on the ridiculous measure was, perhaps, the one Senator Obama cast with his feet.

A reminder…

…from our friends at The Blue State.

At this point before the Iowa Caucus, dating all the way back to Jimmy Carter (with the exception of Al Gore), the eventual nominee was not in first place. In September of 1976, Carter had 4% of the vote. In 1988, Dukakis had 16%. In 1992, Clinton had 17%. In 2004, Kerry had 9%. It is anyone's game.

Truth.

From Steve Benen...

There is a patriotic party that’s still willing to stand up for American principles; they’re called Democrats.

Better…

Senate blocks Democrats' bid to give U.S. troops more time at home

…but why not the whole truth? Why not...

Republicans block bid to give U.S. troops more time at home.

And why not this, too...

Republicans void Constitution

They could ask me.

Senate hearing, 9/11/07:

Senator Warner: Are you able to say at this time if we continue what you have laid before the congress here, this strategy, do you feel that that is making America safer?

General Petraeus: Sir I don't know actually.

David Brooks today:

I asked [Defense Secretary Robert Gates] whether invading Iraq was a good idea, knowing what we know now. He looked at me for a bit and said, "I don't know."

Hat tip to Steve M.

From the "They write letters" file...

Dear AP:

Could you please change this:

Senate rejects expanding detainee rights

to this?

REPUBLICANS Filibuster

And while you're at it, how about changing this:

Senate blocks bill on combat tours

to this:

REPUBLICANS Filibuster

Thank you.

Erin Alecto

Birds do it…

…bees do it, hell, even Krugman's got a blog.

A good'un, too.

Oh yeah...

Arrr!

And this too…

…from Conn Carroll.

Those under the delusion that the tasering of that FL student is a "iconic turning point" "in the annals of a closing society" need to get a hold of themselves and study up on the incident. The kid involved has a long history of taping practical jokes and by eye-witness accounts only fought police when the cameras were on him. Taser Bro is not a free speech martyr: he is just the latest example of traditional media rewarding abject narcissism at the cost of public political discourse.

Yep.

Yep.

Rachel Maddow...

[Liberals] need to be more than critical. We need to be also proud and enthused by the potential of this country. I feel like Bush has made me more patriotic.

Hat tip to Blatherwatch, where there's more from the marvelous Ms. Maddow.

Harry's been listening.

The Democratic leader said he will call for a vote this month on several anti-war proposals, including one by Sen. Carl Levin that would insist President Bush end U.S. combat next summer. The proposals would be mandatory and not leave Bush wiggle room, said Reid, D-Nev.

"There (are) no goals. It's all definite timelines," he told reporters of the planned legislation.

Sounds good, but we're watching. Like I said, it's simple...

No timeline, no funding. No excuses.

I got plenty of nuthin'…

…and nuthin's happened at all. Yglesias…

· [in the murky past]: War in Iraq becomes unpopular.
· [November 2006] Republicans lose tons of congressional seats.
· [December 2006] Baker-Hamilton commission attempts to frame a proposal for gradual withdrawal in a way that would be politically possible for Bush to embrace.
· [January 2007] Bush rejects Baker-Hamilton out of hand, says unpopular war will continue indefinitely and be escalated via unpopular surge.
· [Spring 2007] Nervous Republicans back Bush in legislative showdown, but are afraid to endorse his proposal for endless war, say instead that nothing should be decided until Petraeus reports in September.
· [June 2007] War is unpopular.
· [July 2007] War is unpopular.
· [August 2007] war is unpopular.
· [Early September 2007] Petraeus and Crocker testify that despite the surge's failure to accomplish its stated goals, progress is being made, and the surge should continue for six more months.
· [Mid-September 2007] War is still unpopular.

…and the way it looks, the war drags on.

The solution is simple.

No timeline, no funding. No excuses.

From the "You can pick your friends…" file.

The Iowa Independent...

Like death itself, suicide is a nonpartisan issue, but Sen. Tom Coburn's, R-Okla., procedural hold on a bill that would help prevent suicide among veterans has thrown a partisan cog into the congressional machine. The Joshua Omvig Suicide Prevention bill (S. 479), introduced in the House by Iowa Rep. Leonard Boswell, D-3rd District, sailed through the House in March, passing by a vote of 423-0.

From the archives...

"I would also seek out people like Tom Coburn, who is probably the most conservative member of the U.S. Senate. He has become a friend of mine."

Could you do something about your friend, Senator Obama? Before more veterans die?

From the "Credit where it's due" file.

Chris Dodd is (no surprise) fighting the good fight. Keep track, join in.



The Honorable Ladies from the Upper Left are, of course, on the side of the Constitution.

Hat tip to jnfr.

Sounds like a no-brainer.

Via Facing South...

Women of the Storm -- a nonprofit, nonpartisan alliance of Louisiana women whose lives were affected by Hurricane Katrina and/or Rita -- is working with Dillard, Loyola, Tulane and Xavier universities to encourage the Commission on Presidential Debates to hold one of their 2008 debates at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

Seems like the Democratic campaigns, at least, should join in and demand a debate in New Orleans.

Hell, Americans everywhere should join in and demand a debate in New Orleans.

It's the right thing to do. The American thing.

Obama's aboard…

…with my man John - I think.

"We are going to bring an end to this war and I will fight hard in the United States Senate to make sure we don't pass any funding bill that does not have a deadline," Obama told the crowd.

Fighting hard is good. Voting against any funding measure without enforceable timelines, though, could be something else. We're watching, Senator, and we're insisting...

"No timeline, no funding. No excuses."

Pretty cool, huh?

Via AMERICAblog...

Democratic response beat Bush Iraq speech in TV ratings on FOX and CNN

What we're seeing is more Americans turning to the Democratic Party for leadership on Iraq.

What we need is more Democrats leading on Iraq.

No timeline, no funding. No excuses.

Dangerous words?

If you believe the Fox censors, I suppose. From Sally Fields' Emmy acceptance speech…

“If mothers ruled the world, there would be no god-damned wars in the first place.”

The TV audience didn't hear the highlighted words. Think Progress has the video.

What he said.

Matt Yglesias...

This is already dull conventional wisdom, but it seems to me that the rumored new guy at the Justice Department, Michael Mukasey, stands a good chance of rescuing the DOJ from its Gonzalez-era status as a cesspool of depravity and incompetence and bringing us back to the glory days of John Ashcroft when one primarily worried about the Attorney-General's ludicrously wrongheaded ideology.

There's bound, I suppose, to be an Attorney General, and it's certain that any Bush nominee will be unacceptable to patriots for any number of reasons. The promise of competent mechanical administration of DOJ for a year or so seems to be the most we can realistically hope for.

Funny thing. Four years ago, one of John Kerry's most consistent crowd pleasers was the promise to appoint an Attorney General who's name wasn't John Ashcroft. Now the Ashcroft era has morphed into the "glory days."

Only 490 days, folks.

And now...

I think the ad was dumb…

… and that it not only failed to move the meter an inch toward withdrawal, but simply fed the beast we're battling.

Just the same, Darryl's right.

From the "That's entertainment" file…

…via Kos.

On Friday, Sept. 14, Alan Keyes filed a Statement of Candidacy (Form 2) with the Federal Election Commission–thus officially announcing as a Republican candidate for President of the United States.

Update: Oliver's on board.

Just a few before I go.

A quick random ten as the perfect tavern beckons...

The Dell Vikings - Come Go With Me
Handful of Luvin - Graffiti
John Lennon - Love
The Fendermen - Mule Skinner Blues
Bobby Darin - Moon River
Jim Croce - I Got A Name
Dusty Springfield - Wishin' And Hopin'
Crosby, Stills & Nash - Just A Song Before I Go
Johnny Cash - It Ain't Me, Babe
Amy Milan - Baby I

And off to work.

Hey, cold beer, hot food and the Huskies on the big screen. C'mon down! I'll be back to blog later.

More time, more troops, and more war?

No.

No. No. No.

Analogy of the day.

The Rude One scores...

The Terri Schiavo War in Iraq

Quote of the day.

RFK, Jr....

"Eighty percent of Republicans are just Democrats who don't know what's going on."

From the "Why majorities matter" file…

Majority Leader Reid...

“Ted Olson will not be confirmed.”

We're counting on that, Harry.

We're counting on you.

Way back when…

…Dick Gregory quipped that if John Dean wasn't telling the truth, "…he sure does lie pretty."

But it was the truth, and it helped bring down a Republican presidency.

John Dean's telling the truth again…

People should not vote for any Republican, because they're dangerous, dishonest and self-serving.

That's "any Republican," including the "good" ones.

There aren't any good ones. Not any more.

Madame Speaker…

…speaks.

”Please. It’s an insult to the intelligence of the American people that that is a new direction in Iraq.”

Yep.

Hat tip to The Gavel.

Damn.

NEW YORK The Op-Ed by seven active duty U.S. soldiers in Iraq questioning the war drew international attention just three weeks ago. Now two of the seven are dead.

Sgt. Omar Mora and Sgt. Yance Gray died Monday in a vehicle accident in western Baghdad…

I'm sure the circumstances surrounding their accident will be thoroughly investigated.

I'm sure.

Largely irrelevant, perhaps…

…but occasionally infuriating nonetheless. Senator Warner asked Gen. Petraeus, point blank and repeatedly, if the war in Iraq was making America safer, and after a futile duck and dodge, Petraeus confessed that he couldn't answer the question.

He doesn't know.

He sends men and women into battle, with the certain knowledge that some will die, some will be maimed, all will be forever changed, and he can't tell them that their mission makes their country safer.

He doesn't know.

Damn.

I hate what they're doing to my Army.

Worth repeating.

Dr. Ron…

Just Because You Screwed Up Health Care Reform Once Doesn’t Make You An Expert

Me too.

Professor Cole…

Despite what the pundits will say, I fear the testimony of Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker on the Hill Monday and Tuesday is not a turning point, does not give Bush breathing room, and is largely irrelevant.

Yep.

Me too.

Does anybody believe…

…that the Move On ad, or the boorish behavior of the Code Pink crowd or the serial self-martyrdom of St. Cindy will bring the war to an end one day sooner, one death sooner?

What a waste of time, cash and talent.

Good questions…

…from Steve Soto.

1. General, since the surge hasn't delivered what it promised, where's the Plan B? For that matter, where the hell is any plan at all?
2. Why is General Petraeus giving an exclusive interview to Fox tonight?
3. Why do the Iraqis feel the surge has been a failure?
4. Why are you manipulating statistics to make your case?
5. What pressure was brought upon the Prime Minister to follow the script one more time, after he said just last week that he could find other friends? Why is al-Maliki making the same discredited claims about violence reduction, if he isn’t reading from the same script?
6. Why are we taking steps that appear to be aimed at a long-term provocative presence in Iraq?

I wish I thought the General read The Left Coaster. I wish he would, just this once.

Because somebody should ask him.

Free stuff...

...from the DSCC. They had a bumpersticker contest and they're giving away the winner...



Get yours here.

Quote of the day.

The NYT...

Mr. Bush cannot once again subcontract his responsibility. This is his war.

And the war drags on…

3761

Damn.

Tell' em.

No timeline, no funding. No excuses.

And now...

From the "Why Majorities Matter" file...

Congress on Friday approved the largest overhaul of education funding in more than 60 years, a $20.9-billion program that would boost financial aid to students and reduce interest payments on their loans.

Make that "The Democratic Congress…," please.

Sir Jim

His Majesty Letsie III, by the Grace of God, Sovereign of the Kingdom of Lesotho, is pleased by these presents to appoint Jim McDermott Knight Commander of The Most Dignified Order of Moshoeshoe.

Pretty cool, huh? A cheer for my own personal Congressman.

Duh question of the day.

PI sportswriter JIM MOORE wonders...

Are you still fans of Matt Hasselbeck and Mack Strong after they visited President Bush last week in Bellevue?

Duh. Of course I am.

So these young millionaires turn out to be Republicans? Talk about gambling in Casablanca. What's that got to do with X's and O's?

In defense of the embattled Seahawks, I heard Hasselbeck interviewed on a sports talk show before the brouhaha began, and while he sounded perfectly pleased to be invited to meet the President of the United States - and however the incumbent has damaged the institution, it really should be a pleasant occasion for a citizen to meet the President - but befuddled by the fuss made on his arrival.

Hasselbeck and Strong went, apparently, with no expectation that they'd be part of the program. The jersey presentation was, apparently, a surprise to them. Still, I imagine they were pleased to do it. After all, a citizen should be pleased to be invited to make a special presentation to the President.

Of course, I'm biased. I happen to know Mack Strong, and I know some of the impressive and virtually anonymous good work he does in the community. He's a fervent evangelical Christian, and that doubtless colors his politics, but he's a Christian who walks the talk.

Hasselbeck? He's on my fantasy roster, and he's starting tomorrow. Enough said.

Well, not quite enough...

Random tunes…

…to drown out the buffoon.

Bobby Darin - Rainin'
Dixie Chicks - Voices Inside My Head
Big Bill Broonzy - All I Got Belongs To You
Jennifer Batten - Whammy Damage
Bruce Springsteen - John Henry
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - The Boogie Bumper
Jewel Akens - Love Potion No. 9
Johnny Cash - I Still Miss Someone
Beth Orton - Sweetest Decline
Dixie Cups - Chapel Of Love

Quote for any every day.

Snagged from Natch…

“We travel together, passengers on a little spaceship, dependent on its vulnerable supplies of air and soil; preserved from annihilation only by the care, the work, and I will say, the love we give our fragile craft.”

Adlai Stevenson, Democrat

Amen.

Heh™

It's better than I thought. My emphasis...

Call it a bit of country-mouse payback -- a few days after Hillary Clinton worked the phones trying to get the steelworkers to back off of their planned endorsement of John Edwards, the former North Carolina senator today invaded the big city to claim a victory on Clinton's New York turf: the endorsement of the Transport Workers Union, which includes New York's transit employees.

The union represents about 200,000 workers and retirees, with the largest contingent about 30,000 workers at New York's MTA, plus employees of Philadelphia's SEPTA and Amtrak, ground workers at American Airlines and ground workers and flight attendants at Southwest Airlines.

Those that have looked at Hillary the closest - her constituents? Well...

Here's the deal...

Add 200,000…

…to the ranks of John Edwards' labor support.

The Democratic competition for union endorsements continued today, as presidential candidate John Edwards picked up support from the Transport Workers Union of America.

That brings the tally to over 2 million members of unions backing my man John.

The folks that have taken the closest look at the field are finding that when you look close, Edwards looks best.

Speaking of polls…

…a private poll commissioned by the 21st Century Democrats in WA-8 was taken on the heels of the Preznit's visit to Sheriff Dave (and the landmark on-line fundraiser the netroots held for Darcy Burner)...

Reichert (R) 39
Burner (D) 44

When people say we need more Democrats and better Democrats, they mean Darcy.

Toss her a celebratory buck or two here.

Well, they would know.

Via The Blue State…

About 90 percent of Iraqis feel that the situation in the country was better ahead of the US-led invasion than it is today, according to a poll conducted by the Iraq Centre for Research and Strategic Studies (ICRSS).

In case you haven't noticed…

GI fatalities in Iraq are higher every month this year than last.

Higher. Every month.

Damn.

Quote of the day.

“Our troops face death every day; the least the president can do is face the truth.”

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright

Hat tip to Christy Hardin at Firedoglake.

See, I find it puzzling…

…that Matt Stoller would be puzzled. Writing about Clinton and Obama's failure to provide leadership on Iraq, he observes…

I find this puzzling for Obama since he's younger and presumably not affected by Vietnam...

Actually, I'm puzzled on a couple of counts. The first is that Barack Obama gets away with posing as some kind of Gen X wonder child. He was born in 1961, well within the WWII baby boom, which extended into 1963. Were he elected, he would be 47 when inaugurated, youngish, perhaps, for a president, but not exceptionally so. Eight US Presidents have been under 50 at the time of their first inauguration, and four of those, Grant, T. Roosevelt, Kennedy and Clinton, were all younger than a President Obama would be. What's with all this "new generation" business, anyway?

I'm puzzled, too, by the idea that someone who grew up with Vietnam's continuous presence in the news media and popular culture of his time, would be "not affected" by Vietnam. Every high school social studies class, every university history and political science class he ever too was taken in the shadow of the established record and continuing revelations about the decisions that led us into and out of Vietnam. In some ways, you might argue that Obama was affected as much, if differently, as those of us who actually went to Vietnam. We, at least, had a notion of a pre-Vietnam paradigm to compare our experience with.

I'm puzzled, in fact, by the idea that anyone in this country, anyone with a glimmer of political consciousness, at least, could be unaffected, or believe they are unaffected, by Vietnam. We're still affected by the Civil War, by World War II, by each of our wars, or should be (sadly, the war with the least contemporary affect is probably the Revolutionary War, which should have heightened relevance during the reign of the current King George. Forget that one, and we might lose it all.) The debate which has revolved around how Iraq might be analogous to Vietnam should be instructive. We're all affected by our history, even if the urge for way-newness makes us despise the notion.

Bowing to the inevitable?

A note from Darcy…

Senator Tom called me this morning to let me know that he is pulling out of the 8th district congressional race and is formally and enthusiastically endorsing my candidacy. We will be working together in the future to bring real change to the district.

I'm still puzzled about where Rodney Tom thought he'd find the support to offset Darcy Burner's established following, both in the district and accross the net, but credit him with recognizing that the smart move was the right move.

You can congratulate Darcy here.

Hat tip to Eli Sanders.

My man John...

"No timeline, no funding. No excuses."

Worth repeating…

…over and over again. BarbinMD...

Troops reductions in April will have nothing to do with improved conditions in Iraq, it will be simply because they won't have the troops to sustain the current levels.

…and they don't have the troops because they broke the Army.

From the mouths of babes…

"I came here looking to see a good leader," 16-year-old William Sleaster told McCain, earning himself boos from his classmates. "I don't."

Hammer. Nail. Coffin lid. BANG!

Welcome aboard!

David Mizner signs up with my man John...

Why Edwards? Because he rejects neoliberalism. Because he preaches enlightened populism. Because he's running to the left. Because he would fight the amorality of the Market with the morality of progressivism. Because he opposes the Global War on Terror. Because he's getting better and bolder. Because he's capable of outrage. Because he's proud to be a progressive. Because he would win.

But one reason rises above all others: the stated and demonstrated rationale of his campaign is to fight inequality.

Yep.

I think you said it all, Sarge.

“Personally, I think it’s a false representation. But what can I say? I’m just doing my job and don’t ask questions.”

SSG Josh Campbell, US Army, on "General Petraeus’s baby," the showcase market at Dora.

A "false representation" is, of course, a lie. SSG Campbell leads men into harm's way on a mission to sustain a lie, and he knows it.

That's as profound a breach of command's responsibility to the troops as I can imagine. If it's not criminal, it there oughta be a law.

I hate what they're doing to my Army.

Hat tip to The Carpetbagger Report.

Good Lord.

"Iowa, for good reason, for constitutional reasons, for reasons related to the Lord should be the first."

And Bill Richardson for obvious reasons, should remain Governor of New Mexico.

Ezra…

…who knows what he's talking about on healthcare issues, seems to know what Edwards is talking about on preventative care. It may not be so scary after all.

Yep.

Jesse Wendel…

One of the reasons we are failing today in Iraq is because the Army still depends on civilian logistics. Till we go back to old-school Army control of our own combat support, we remain vulnerable in the worst way, not just to civilian casualties but to failure of mission.

Why yes…

In the Age of Terror, Isn't Busting Toe-Tappers an Insane Use of Our Law Enforcement Resources?

…as a matter of fact. Arianna contributes to the "me too" file.

Let me be clear: I'm no fan of Larry Craig. Indeed, I disagree with almost everything he stands for. And I'd much rather he not be in the United States Senate. But I'd also rather have had his exit be the result of his constituents voting on his ideas and policies, instead of a ridiculous sting operation in an airport bathroom.

Yep.

Me too.

A data point.

Or three. Chris Bowers has some numbers.

· Edwards: United Steel Workers, United Mine Workers of America, International Brotherhood of Carpenters. 2.3 million combined members.

· Clinton: United Transportation Union, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. 800,000 combined members.

· Dodd: International Association of Firefighters. 271,000 members

Of course, membership numbers aren't everything, but they aren't nothing, either.

Good questions.

A wee bit rhetorical, perhaps, but good. Senator Sanders...

How can the president claim that the economy is "robust" when nearly five million Americans have slipped into poverty since 2000, including over one million children? How can the president say the economy is "vibrant" when median income for working-age families has declined by about $2,400 since 2000? How can Bush claim that the economy is "strong and getting stronger" when the personal savings rate has been below zero for eight consecutive quarters, something that hasn't happened since the Great Depression? How can he claim that the economy is "healthy" when 8.6 million Americans have lost their health insurance since 2000, and a record-breaking 47 million Americans are uninsured with millions more under-insured?

Of course, we all know how he can make such claims.

He's a...

Even good candidates…

…can have bad ideas. Even smart people can say dumb things.

TIPTON, Iowa - Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards said on Sunday that his universal health care proposal would require that Americans go to the doctor for preventive care.

Drop this one, John. It's intrusive, expensive, unenforceable and undoubtedly unconstitutional as well.

Yep, preventative care should be available to everyone, and everyone should be made aware of the availability and advantages of preventive care.

Mandatory check-ups, though? With the results reported to who?

Nope.

"Doomsday scenario…"

…or likely outcome? Goldy on the prospects for Richard Pope, erstwhile GOP gadfly, who captured the Democratic line on the November ballot because Democratic candidate recruiting fell short through.

...Pope not only wins, he turns out to be no worse than your average councilmember. Now that would be an embarrassment to both parties, and to the many journalists, editorialists and bloggers who have had so much fun poking fun at Pope over the years.

Might be just the embarrassment some of 'em need.

Speaking of endorsements…

…this caught my eye over at the Seattle For Obama blog…

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Rep. Adam Smith has been named chairman of Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign in Washington state, Obama's campaign announced Thursday.

Interesting in a couple of respects. I remember when the Kerry campaign in the upper left consisted of Rep. Smith and whatever staff resources he could spare from his campaign office. Adam's typically a Democrat of moderate persuasion and I always thought his enthusiasm for that Kerry fella, a far more progressive figure, was significantly inspired by fear of Howard Dean and particularly of the Deaniacs, who were rampant in Seattle and generally far more progressive than their candidate.

Few Dean supporters were more visible and effective than Howard "Howie in Seattle for Dean" Martin, who's now running the Seattle for Obama blog, and who posted the news of Smith's campaign appointment.

Meanwhile, I've gone from a candidate represented locally by Adam Smith to one for whom the head Deaniac in charge, Joe Trippi, plays a prominent role.

As I mentioned regarding the loss of Karen Marchioro, over the years, Karen and I were both allies and adversaries on various campaigns and questions, but always friendly nonetheless. The wheel turns, and in the heat of a campaign it's often worth remembering that in a short time, often just weeks or months, we'll be making common cause with folks who momentarily seem like our mortal adversaries.

Quote of the day.

“It’s always darkest right before you get clobbered over the head with a pipe wrench. But then it actually does get darker.”

Anonymous GOP pollster, on Republican prospects in '08.

Hat tip to The Carpetbagger Report.

And now...

The biggest for the best.

With over 1.2 million members in the US and Canada, the United Steelworkers is the largest industrial union in North America, and the USW is for John Edwards.

Former Sen. John Edwards will start his Labor Day in Pittsburgh to accept a presidential endorsement from the United Steelworkers.

Mr. Edwards is expected to appear with United Steelworkers president Leo Gerard at a 9 a.m. rally at the Mellon Arena, the kickoff site for the city's annual Labor Day Parade.

Hat tip to philgoblue at Michigan for Edwards (and sorry 'bout your Wolverines).

Timely truth…

…from Ian Welsh.

Where unions are strong, Democrats win.

Lots more here.

What if you had a primary…

…and nobody came?

Good on 'em.

And again...

...a random ten.

Dee Clark - Raindrops
Nickel Creek - Stumptown
Reckless Kelly - Motel Cowboy Show
Johnny Cash - Orange Blossom Special
Frankie Avalon - Venus
Bruce Springsteen - Old Dan Tucker
Ian Tyson - Moisture
The Clarks - Butterflies And Airplanes
Dixie Chicks - Lubbock Or Leave It
Del Rey & The Devils - Luche Libre

Good question…

…from my man John.

"Ask Middle Americans: You've got three Democratic candidates. One's from New York, one's from Chicago and one's from rural North Carolina. Who do you think is most like you?"

The corollary, too - which candidate would be more help on the stump to more Democratic candidates in more localities?

Impolitic? Perhaps. Good questions nonetheless.

Hat tip to Ezra Klein.