Aaron Schock needs to come out of the closet

The stimulus closet. Aaron Schock voted against the stimulus. He regularly rails against the stimulus. But what did he do once the stimulus monies hit his district in Illinois? He held a press event taking credit for it.

Here's Rachel Maddow on Meet the Press destroying Schock on this very point - the relevant part of the video starts around 2:20 in the video below (the video isn't working for me, but give it a try).

Appearing alongside each other during a panel session, Maddow pivoted from a discussion on job creation to note that Schock had appeared at an event on Friday touting a grant program that he had voted against.

"You, in your district, I just read that you were at a community college touting a $350,000 green technology education program, talking about how great that was going to be for your district," she said. "You voted against the bill that created that grant. That's happening a lot with Republicans sort of taking credit for things that Democratic bills do and then Republicans simultaneously touting their votes against them and trashing them. That, I think, is a problem that needs to be resolved within your caucus. Because you seem like a very nice person but that is a very hypocritical stance to take."

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I'm liking Boehner's new moustache

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Second-ranking Taliban leader captured

A major player in the Taliban, who was also a close to bin Laden, is now in custody:

The Taliban’s top military commander was captured several days ago in Karachi, Pakistan, in a secret joint operation by Pakistani and American intelligence forces, according to American government officials.

The commander, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, is an Afghan described by American officials as the most significant Taliban figure to be detained since the American-led war in Afghanistan started more than eight years ago. He ranks second in influence only to Mullah Muhammad Omar, the Taliban’s founder, and was a close associate of Osama bin Laden before the Sept. 11 attacks.

Mullah Baradar has been in Pakistani custody for several days, with American and Pakistani intelligence officials both taking part in interrogations, according to the officials.

What's stunning is that this guy, like Bin Laden and Mullah Omar, have been on the loose since the U.S. invaded Afghanistan back in October of 2001. The war in Afghanistan will rate as one of the biggest failings of the failed presidency of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney.

The GOPers who have been bitching about the Christmas Day bombing suspect never challenged Bush to find the people who attacked the U.S. on September 11th. If Bush had followed through in the war against Al Qaeda (instead of getting distracted by the war in Iraq and furthering inciting anti-American feelings), one wonders if there even could have been an attempted bombing on Christmas Day. Read More......

With Bayh gone, it's time for Democrats to lead

From Sam Stein at Huffington Post:

Senator Evan Bayh's abrupt announcement on Monday that he will retire at the end of his term has further united disparate voices within the Democratic Party behind the idea that legislative action is the only remedy to avoid future political calamity.

In the wake of the Indiana Democrat's announcement, a host of figures -- from the progressive wing of the party to devout centrists -- have chimed in to warn that failure in jobs and health care legislation have sapped the party's momentum and fortunes.

Markos Moulitsas, the founder of the blog Daily Kos, said that the best way for Democrats to salvage the fate of the party before the 2010 elections is clear: "Deliver on their campaign promises."

"No one is asking them to go out on a limb and do something they didn't first run by the American people," Moulitsas said, in an email to the Huffington Post. "The Dems are where they are because they got elected promising to be a party able to govern, and then spent the last year proving themselves wrong."

"Republicans never doubt their agenda, and will use any tool at their disposal to ram it through," Moulitsas wrote. "Democrats have internalized the criticisms about their agenda... dilly and dally and beg Republicans to join them... instead of following the lead of their opponents."

Let's not forget, all those crazy zany socialist Democratic ideas like health care reform, climate change, immigration reform and repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell were all part of Obama's platform and campaign. The American people voted for it, or at the very least, they didn't care nearly enough about Obama's stance on those issue to vote no. It's time that the President and the Congress stopped being afraid to promote their agenda. The problem is that they let the Republicans define the spin, paint them as socialist extremists. Marketing is their problem, not substance. But it's a huge problem, and one that won't be fixed by simply changing the substance. Read More......

Why did Southwest apologize?

It's easy to sympathize with many people who struggle with their weight. But in this specific case, this actor has no business slamming Southwest when he knew he was too large for one seat. He purchased two seats for another flight but wanted to jump on a different flight that only had one seat available.

In accordance with Southwest's "customers of size" policy, Smith had purchased two tickets but then stood by for an earlier flight, which had one seat remaining. That is when the airline forced him off the plane.

This isn't discrimination at all. The only person being discriminated here would have been the passenger sitting next to Smith who paid full fair but had less space. It's true that most airlines have reduced the available space for passengers and at the same time, the size of Americans has increased.

If he already knew he needed to buy a second seat, his tantrum makes no sense. His twitpic attempt at humor noticeably avoids showing how he fit into his seat. For his neighbor on the flight, I doubt they would receive a discount due to the over sized passenger spilling into their already cramped space. Average sized people or small people don't receive any special benefits for taking up less space, do they? Even after Southwest apologized, Smith still blasted them. They'd be better off without this guy as a customer.

So what do you guys think?

NOTE FROM JOHN: I fly a good deal, and have sat next to someone obese before. I had to pull my left arm over to the right, with my elbow half way to my navel, the entire flight, so as not to be playing snugly with the guy to my left. It was very disconcerting, and physically uncomfortable, having someone else basically sharing your seat. I appreciate that we should not judge people by their weight. But I'm also not so sure that treating obesity as if it's a minority status is correct either. If your metabolism is screwed up, fine. If you eat too much crap, then I have less sympathy for you. Read More......

IN-Sen: Did Bayh's timing limit GOP's options?

An interesting take from Jed Lewison at DailyKos on Democratic Senator Evan Bayh's announcement that he isn't running for re-election:

Unlike Democrats, Republicans already have candidates vying for their party's nomination, including former Rep. John Hostetler and Senator-turned-lobbyist Dan Coats. Because the signature deadline is tomorrow, that pretty much sets the GOP field. Unless both Hostetler and Coats were to withdraw, Republicans won't be in a position to choose a nominee as will Democrats. The implication of that: Bayh's timing appears to make it nearly impossible for candidates like Rep. Mike Pence (who says he will not run despite Bayh's retirement) or Gov. Mitch Daniels to get on the ballot.

So while Bayh was a sure thing versus Coats and Hostetler, given his retirement, Bayh's timing here may actually give Democrats the best chance at holding onto the seat.

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GOP demands White House publish health care proposal online, then attacks WH for doing exactly that

The Party of No strikes again. If Obama says it or does it, they're against it. Even if they asked him to do it. Read More......

Advocate mini-documentary: What Happened to 'Yes We Can?'

The Advocate's Washington reporter, Kerry Eleveld, produced a 12 minute documentary about the Human Rights Campaign and the Obama administration. Here is Kerry's description of the video:

Gay rights issues are languishing in Congress, even with President Obama in the White House and Democrats in control of Congress. And, as Washington correspondent Kerry Eleveld reports, many gay people are turning to the Human Rights Campaign and asking, “What gives?”

The video includes interviews with HRC President Joe Solmonese, Rep. Tammy Baldwin, HRC Foundation's Hilary Rosen, Act-UP founder Larry Kramer, and me. It's quite well done, and interesting. I recommend everyone watch this, and share it. It's really one of the best pieces I've seen to effectively crystallize where we stand vis-a-vis the White House, and vis-a-vis HRC, one year into Obama's term. Read More......

Sarah Palin's speechwriter on how he got thrown under the bus by Sarah Palin

"It does teach you something about people when they forget how they got where they are." - Glen Biegel, former Palin speechwriter

Part 1:


Part 2:

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Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) not running for reelection

Cillizza has the scoop:

Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh will not seek re-election this year, a decision that hands Republicans a prime pickup opportunity in the middle of the country.

"After all these years, my passion for service to my fellow citizens is undiminished, but my desire to do so by serving in Congress has waned," Bayh will say.

This was unexpected. Bayh has almost $13 million in his campaign account according to the FEC.

UPDATE @ 11:47 a.m.: Via Ben Smith, if no candidate can file the required paperwork by this week, looks like the Indiana Democratic State Committee can name a replacement. But, I still think Bayh screwed the Democrats. He really is a putz.
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Bayh may have really screwed the Democrats here. I just looked up the filing requirements for Senate primary candidates in Indiana. The CAN-4 form, which can be located here, titled, INDIANA PETITION FOR PRIMARY BALLOT PLACEMENT AS A CANDIDATE FOR UNITED STATES SENATOR, states:

INSTRUCTIONS: This petition is used to nominate candidates for placement on the May 4, 2010 Democratic or Republican Primary Election Ballot for the office of United States Senator. Petitioners are not required to provide precinct and congressional district information. The county voter registration office will complete this information after the petition is filed. Each candidate must also complete a Declaration of Candidacy for Primary Nomination form (CAN-2). This petition must be filed with the appropriate county voter registration office for processing beginning January 4, 2010, and no later than NOON, February 16, 2010.

That means Democrats might only have until tomorrow at noon to get a candidate on the ballot. I'm going to check further on this.

UPDATE: Another form, CAN-2, DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY FOR PRIMARY NOMINATION, the states:

This form is used by an individual who is seeking the Democratic or Republican party nomination to an elected office in a primary election. A declaration of candidacy must be filed no later than NOON, February 19, 2010, and no earlier than January 20, 2010.

Based on the 2010 Indiana Candidate Guide, it looks like the petitions must be completed and filed with the Declaration:

1. Declaration of Candidacy

A candidate for the nomination of United States Senator by the Democratic or Republican Party must file a declaration of candidacy with the Election Division. (IC 3-8-2-5)
The declaration of candidacy form (CAN-2) is available from the Election Division’s office, on the Division’s website and is in this Guide under the Candidate Forms tab.

2. Petition of Nomination

The declaration of candidacy must be accompanied by a petition of nomination signed by at least 4,500 registered voters of the state, including at least 500 registered voters from each of Indiana’s 9 congressional districts. (IC 3-8-2-8 and IC 3-8-2-9)

Each petition must request that the candidate’s name be placed on the ballot at the primary election and must contain the following: (a) signature of each petitioner, (b) name of each petitioner printed legibly, and (c) residence mailing address of each petitioner. (IC 3-8-2-8 and IC 3-8-2-9)

The petition of nomination form (CAN-4) is available from the Election Division’s office, on the Division’s website, or in included in this Guide under the Candidate Forms tab.

For the Election Division to consider a petition valid, the county voter registration office in each county where a petitioner is registered must certify whether each petitioner is a registered voter in that county. This certification must accompany and be a part of the petition. If a county is a part of more than one congressional district, the certificate must indicate the number of petitioners from that county who reside in each congressional district. (IC 3-8-2-9)

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The policy and the reality of the battle for Marja

There's a major offensive underway in Afghanistan.

U.S. forces, working with Afghan troops, are trying to secure Marja, which has been Taliban stronghold. Today's Washington Post has two front-page articles about the battle. The first looks at the policy and the strategy, as this is a key test of Obama's escalation strategy:

In an acknowledgment of past mistakes, administration officials have emphasized that for the first time, U.S. and NATO forces are outnumbered by thousands of Afghan soldiers fighting alongside them. Unlike previous offensives, in which territory won from insurgents was later abandoned, the troops plan to clear the Taliban stronghold of Marja and hold it for as long as it takes to install a functioning local security system and government.

Large numbers of Afghan and international civilians have been marshaled to move into the district once the fighting is over, and development projects are funded and ready for implementation.

Bush and Cheney never ever managed the war in Afghanistan. That we're just now launching what the Post says is "the largest military offensive of the eight-year war" is just stunning. Dick Cheney should be ashamed to show his face on the t.v. shows because of this debacle. But, then again, no one, including the traditional media, ever held the Bush team accountable for Afghanistan.

The policy discussion is important. But, the other article provides an intense first-hand account of company of Marines on their way to Marja. The Taliban are putting up fierce resistance along the way. But, these Marines are on a mission and this is the reality:

The operation to secure the area, which began with an airlift of hundreds of Marines and Afghan soldiers on Saturday and continued with the incursion of additional forces on Sunday, is proceeding more slowly than some U.S. military officials had anticipated because of stiff Taliban resistance and a profusion of roadside bombs.

In perhaps the most audacious Taliban attack since the operation commenced, a group of insurgents firing rocket-propelled grenades attempted to storm a temporary base used by Bravo Company of the 1st Battalion of the 6th Marine Regiment on Sunday evening. The grenade launch was followed by three men attempting to rush into the compound. The Marines presumed the men to be suicide bombers and threw grenades at them, killing all three.

The attack on the Bravo patrol base was one of several attempts to overrun Marine positions Sunday. All were repelled.

"The enemy is trying last-ditch efforts," said the battalion commander, Lt. Col. Cal Worth.

The intensity of Taliban opposition is forcing the Marines to move cautiously, which sometimes means spending hours to advance only a few hundred yards, as Charlie Company's 3rd Platoon discovered Sunday.

The Marines are not only fighting the Taliban and avoiding IEDs, they're conducting diplomacy along the way. Read More......

Monday Morning Open Thread

Good morning.

It's Presidents Day. When I was a little kid, we didn't have Presidents Day. In New England, this was usually a school vacation week anyway. We honored Lincoln's birthday on Feb. 12 and Washington's birthday on Feb. 22. In 1971, the holiday was established as the third Monday in February and named Presidents Day. I'm against including some of the duds in the holiday. For example, there's no way George W. Bush should ever be honored with a holiday, even 1/44th of a holiday.

The current President has a low key schedule on the holiday. He was supposed to be at Camp David with the family. But, they came back last night because we're getting a little snow in DC later today.

Congress is in recess all week. Obama could and should make some recess appointments, including the nominees for the National Labor Relations Board: Craig Becker and Mark Pearce. Last week, the AFL-CIO did an action alert to its members, asking them to call the White House to urge recess appointment of those positions. It's a sad state of affairs when one of the biggest supporters of the Democratic Party has to resort to that type of action. Good for the AFL-CIO for doing it. Most D.C.-based organizations still won't publicly challenge this White House even when they're getting screwed. They might not get invited to meetings and parties. That's putting personal interests ahead of organizational missions. Happens all the time.

Anyway, let's get it started... Read More......

EU forcing Greece to make deeper cuts

Sure, because we all know how easy it is - especially in Europe - to make radical financial changes to bureaucracies. For those pointing fingers now, it would be interesting to see how many substantial changes they have made themselves at home. Lots of talk and cosmetic changes, yes, but substantial? Ha! Somehow it's hard to recall such a rigorous exchange and demands for reform when it was the bankers holding their hands out. This only reinforces who owns all of the western governments and it's not "the people." What's Greek for "go to hell?" Reuters:

Greece must take all appropriate measures to fix its budget deficit and scrutiny of its economic indicators must be heightened, European Central Bank President said on Sunday.

"All of Greece must realize that it must correct a trajectory which has been aberrant," Jean-Claude Trichet said on French TV channel LCI referring to Greece's past mistakes.

"European countries are asking that Greece takes... necessary extra measures to make its recovery plan credible."

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British far right party to allow non-whites

They're surely lining up already to join a party that exists because of racism. The Guardian:

The British National partytoday voted to scrap its whites-only membership ­policy in a move dismissed by anti-racist campaigners as "cosmetic".

At an extraordinary general meeting held in Essex, members of the far-right party voted in favour of changes to its constitution that would theoretically allow black and Asian people to join.

Following the result, the BNP leader, Nick Griffin, said he expected a "trickle, rather than a flood" of applications. "Anyone can be a member of this party. We are happy to accept anyone as a member providing they agree with us that this country should remain fundamentally British," Griffin told Sky News.

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