And What About Mrs. Clinton?

The Political Wire Reports:

On Fox News last night, the chairman of Iowa's Democratic party said that Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) is not laying the adequate groundwork for a presidenial campaign in the first caucus state and that many are starting to speculate she may not run if Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) enters the race.

Said Iowa Democratic Chair Rob Tully: "She's been quiet and, you know, there's a question that we all hear is that she may not get in this if Barack Obama gets in. I have never seen a reaction other than Bill Clinton in terms of the excitement that people have to meet Barack Obama. Some people just wanted to touch him."

One other possible reason: According to the Quad City Times, former Democratic state party chairman Dave Nagle said he is concerned candidates might eventually choose not to come to Iowa with Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack (D) in the race.

Very Interesting!

The Hot line Says Obama Is In.

I called it first!

See?

This is the giveaway.

Webb V. Bush

By now, you have probably heard or read about the testy exchange between the Senator-Elect from Virginia and the POTUS. (I actually linked to George Will!)

First of all, shouldn't we be thinking about something less trivial?

But I do have to admit, the incident left me thinking. On one hand, Webb's sincerity and candor is refreshing. On the other hand, he is a Senator- elect and it was the President of the United States he was talking to. There are certain responsibilities one has as a Senator, Webb wasn't just representing himself, he was representing the people of Virginia. And of course Bush is the President of the United States, the Office itself does deserve a modicum of respect.

But does a President deserve respect no-matter-what? Hasn't Bush himself failed to respect the office?

An Interesting Read On the State of American Journalism.

Warning, the post contains some cursing.

How Many More People will Die?

Because the Supreme Court let Bush steal the election in 2000?

Court Orders FEMA to Do its Job

Too bad they can't do the same for the President.

Sadly, just one more example of how low our nation has fallen.

The Bush administration unconstitutionally denied aid to tens of thousands of Gulf Coast residents displaced by hurricanes Katrina and Rita and must resume payments immediately, a federal judge ordered yesterday.

U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon said the Federal Emergency Management Agency created a "Kafkaesque" process that began cutting off rental aid in February to victims of the 2005 storms, did not provide clear reasons for the denials, and hindered applicants' due-process rights to fix errors or appeal government mistakes.

(From the Post).

Letters To the Editor

Dear Editors:

Hell sucks, they force us to read fineline.

Sincerely,

R.M. Nixon.

Dear Editors:

If you think that's bad, I share a bunk with Idi Amin.

Sincerely,

S. Thurmond

Dear Editors:

The worst part of hell: Barbra Streisand muzak 24/7. B.T.W. I hear my next bunkmate will be Jack Abramoff.

Sincerely,

A. Hitler

Vilsack to Run for President.

I'm underwhelmed.

Fair Share Gets its Day in Federal Court

I support the Fair Share Bill. However, its a stopgap measure. The health care crisis needs a comprehensive solution: universal health care.

Will Sen. Kasemeyer Be the Next President of Maryland's Senate?

Miller's elevation of him to Majority leader might make him the front runner.

That would be good, he's a sharp guy.

We Need Campaign Finance Reform

At best, the current situation erodes trust, at worst that distrust is justified.

The O'Malley Administration Begins to Take Shape

From the Sun.

Open Thread

Who do you want to get the Democratic Nomination for '08?

Who do you think will get it?

Uncle Dick (Durbin) Wants You

To urge Senator Obama to run for President.

And the Newest Member of the Mitt Romney Club is

From Americablog:

Rep. William Jefferson (D-Louis.), who is in a run-off against Democrat Karen Carter on December 9. Jefferson is a hypocritical pig who voted pro-gay and pro-choice, but now is claiming he's anti-gay and anti-choice and is attacking Carter for being pro-gay and pro-choice. The man is a pig. Please contribute to the campaign of his opponent, Karen Carter. More on Carter v. Jefferson here.

Who Knew?

Backpacks: the new tobacco.

From the Examiner's website. "A charter outlining the goals of a task force to study the weight of students’ backpacks recently was presented to the Howard County School Board."

Senator Kasemeyer Is Moving On Up

Ken has an interesting post at Howard County Blog on Sen. Kasemeyer's appointment to an important leadership position in the Maryland Senate. This is going to increase the HoCo delegation's clout in Annapolis.

An Idea for Our New County Executive and Council to Ponder

Hayduke has a post on two nearby jurisdictions' consideration of "Green Building Standards.

It's something I would like to see HoCo consider. Along with a tax cut for bloggers.

And the Economy?

Not-so-good. It seems growth is slowing and inflation is rearing its ugly-head.

This isn't so good either.

I have really got to stop being such a PollyAnna.

Not to be Outdone By Sir Gasbaq

Representative Tom Tancredo R-4th Reich explains whats really wrong with immigration. From the extreme right-wing point of view. Here's another guy who's considered a contender for the Republican Nomination for President.

Basically, he says Miami is part of the third world!