Video from the debate

It's all here, broken down by question, etc.

UPDATE: Instant poll shows Hillary won. I do think this debate was actually quite interesting. Far too long, but quite interesting. The video thing worked, and Anderson did a good job, especially at going after the candidates for not answering the questions. It's one thing to simply say "you didn't answer the question," and quite another to do it in a way that's actually forceful and might just get them to say something more. Cooper did the latter. I also give Anderson major kudos for addressing the gay issues well. He really let the candidates have it, especially when confronting Obama with the question as to why it wasn't okay to stop blacks from marrying whites but it is okay to stop gays from marrying each other (Obama didn't answer the question). As for the candidates, as always I found myself wincing because I was enjoying Gravel. I'm sorry, folks, but he's kind of crazy. I like what he says, but he's not quite all there. Edwards was good, Obama was fine, but Hillary was damn good. She's perfected the art of looking presidential. I think they all did well tonight, but I'm not sure anyone shook things up enough to change the rankings. Read the rest of this post...

Religious group praises Edwards' response to gay marriage question

More on the gay marriage question at the debate:

HICKORY, NC - Faith In America Executive Director Rev. Jimmy Creech issued the following statement in support of Rev. Reggie Longcrier's question that was aired today during the Democratic Presidential Candidate debate sponsored by CNN and YouTube.

"Tonight, Rev. Longcrier asked the right question and one that is on the minds of many Americans," said Rev. Creech.

The text of Rev. Longcrier's question is as follows: "I'm Rev. Reggie Longcrier, I'm the Pastor of Exodus Missionary Outreach Church in Hickory, North Carolina. Senator Edwards says his opposition to gay marriage is influenced by his Southern Baptist background. Most Americans agree it was wrong and unconstitutional to use religion to justify slavery and segregation and deny women the right to vote. So, why is it still acceptable to use religion to deny gay Americans their full and equal rights?"

"In answering Rev. Longcrier's question, Senator Edwards made an important commitment to not allow his personal religious beliefs to restrict the rights of any American," added Rev. Creech. "We congratulate him and encourage all leaders and candidates to give serious consideration to this issue and how they will represent the interests of this nation."

"Millions of gay Americans struggle every-day against the misuse of religion to perpetuate prejudice and inequality," said Creech. "These individuals don't just fight bigotry when they're denied the right to marry their partners, they combat it on the street, in the workplace, in their children's schools, and in every other aspect of their lives. Religion-based prejudices pervade and profoundly shape the daily experiences of these people and I'd like to commend my friend Rev. Longcrier for furthering the national dialogue for those and all Americas on this critically important subject."

Faith in America Inc. launched its "Five City Campaign" in May to educate Americans in early primary states about the misuse of religious teachings to discriminate and isolate gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people. Like Rev. Longcrier's question to the candidates, the campaign highlights the parallels between the historical precedents of religion-based bigotry and today's struggle for full and equal rights for gay individuals.

Rev. Longcrier has been a long-time supporter of Faith in America and has worked together with the organization on projects to end religion-based bigotry in North Carolina and throughout the country. To view Rev. Longcrier's submission on YouTube...

Faith in America seeks to end legal discrimination against GLBT people in America and to gain full and equal rights for those individuals. More information can be found at www.FaithInAmerica.com

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Edwards' video is brilliant

CNN is doing a bad job actually showing us the candidates' YouTube videos. I had no idea the "Hair" video was from Edwards, or what it actually showed. Looking at it now, it's brilliant. See if you "get it."

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Democratic Debate Open Thread

Hmmm... this YouTube angle is kind of interesting actually. I had doubts, but so far CNN has me intrigued. Though, I'm not convinced the format will elicit any different, or more substantive, answers. Read the rest of this post...

Injured Iraq war veterans sue VA head

Good.

Frustrated by delays in health care, injured Iraq war veterans accused VA Secretary Jim Nicholson in a lawsuit of breaking the law by denying them disability pay and mental health treatment.

The lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, filed Monday in federal court in San Francisco, seeks broad changes in the agency as it struggles to meet growing demands from veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan.

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White House refusing to share "continuity of government after disaster" plans with the Congress

Okay, that's creepy as hell. The White House has come up with a plan for how the government will survive after a catastrophic attack - say, a nuke hits the Congress during the State of the Union - but the White House is refusing to share the attack plan with members of Congress. That means that Bush and Cheney could have come up with a plan to put Pinocchio, or Harriet Miers, in charge of the government and there's nothing we can do about it. It doesn't even matter if the plan is unconstitutional. There is NOTHING we can do about it because the White House is above the law. The real question is what will the Congress do about it. Hold more hearings? Read the rest of this post...

Obama foreign policy advisor called up by Naval Reserve

National Journal reports, via Marc Ambinder, that Mark Lippert, Obama's principal foreign policy advisor and member of the Naval Reserves, has been called up for active duty. According to the report, he does not know where or how long he’ll deploy, but he's currently training (and Denis McDonough, a former Daschle advisor, will apparently increase his profile within the campaign in Mark's absence).

Yet another Democrat proving -- and not just talking about -- national security seriousness. Also worth noting that Mark signed up for the Reserves three years ago, right in the midst of two ongoing wars.

From a policy perspective, it's definitely a loss for Obama; virtually everyone I know in the foreign policy world has nothing but good things to say about Lippert, who is apparently extraordinarily bright and well-versed in a variety of subjects. Further, whereas some of the other candidates have a group of foreign policy confidants, Lippert apparently had singular influence, reportedly having earned the trust and faith of Obama.

Here's hoping he has a successful deployment, wherever it may lead. Read the rest of this post...

Turkish elections solidify Islamist control

When it comes to U.S. foreign policy, Turkey is perhaps the most overlooked country in the world. Every time I get into an argument with some crazy who says Democracy is incompatible with Islam, I'm forced to sigh and tell them all about a lovely Islamic nation bridging Asia and Europe, modernity and traditionalism, and yes, elected government with a vast-majority Muslim population. In addition to its strategically valuable location and endless amounts of history and culture, Turkey is also a staunch U.S. ally -- a member of NATO for 55 years and a critical part of our Cold War resistance against the Soviet Union.

Yesterday, as the Times reports, the Islamic-based governing party (AKP) of Prime Minister Erdogan won a "larger-than-expected victory" in nationwide parliamentary elections, taking close to half the overall vote in a rebuke to Turkey’s old secularist guard. Now, I don't know whose expectations the Times is referring to, but I certainly expected AKP to win, and win decisively. Turkey is really a fantastic example of what happens when an established democracy elects Islamists: they have to govern! Turkish secularists reportedly expected voters to punish AKP for increased religious influence in a determinedly secular nation, but the secularists, who ruled before AKP came to power in 2002, were so corrupt and ineffective that they poisoned themselves. AKP stepped in and did a surprisingly good job, represented the people who elected them and worked to gain additional support, and the secularists have done little besides whining about the religious aspect of AKP rather than presenting better policies or a more attractive vision.

I was in Turkey for the 2002 elections, and most of the people I knew were staunch secularists, mostly upper-middle class professionals and students, and they were horrified by those results. Many of them now grudgingly recognize that AKP has done better than they expected, working for EU membership, balancing the difficulties of Iraq and the Kurdish situation, and revitalizing the economy.

The Times reports, with some editorial flourish,

Turkey is a NATO member and a strong American ally, positions Mr. Erdogan has emphatically affirmed, and its stability is crucial in a troubled region. Its current political soul searching tries to find answers to the questions that Americans have been asking since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001: Can an Islamic-oriented government that is popularly elected be democratic and aligned with the West?

I think, though, that this query, rather than being an open question, has been determined, and the answer is . . . yes. Despite differences with our current leadership (Turkey refused Bush administration entreaties to open a northern front into Iraq from Turkey, for example) and vast disapproval of Bush himself, Turks remain pro-U.S., pro-democracy, and pro-West. AKP policies include, for example, economic modernization, increased ties with Israel, and honest assessments of the Kurdish problem.

Yes, the ruling party is based in Islamism. No, some of their policies are not what I'd choose for the people of Turkey. But *the people of Turkey* are choosing them, and for a second time. Overall, hard to see this as anything but a validation of electoral government, especially in the context of a Muslim, Middle Eastern nation yielding the kind of results many of us hope for when we favor democracy promotion. Read the rest of this post...

jetBlows

As you may know, jetBlue airline recently decided that it didn't want to be associated with people like you. You know, people who don't watch FOX News. My brilliant friend Andy Cobb in LA and his equally brilliant friends came up with a little video they call "jetBlows."


corporatecommunications@jetblue.com Read the rest of this post...

Harry Reid on calling liars, like Bush, what they are: Liars

The Washington press corps just can't believe that Harry Reid called Bush a "liar." Reid is still getting questioned about it. Yesterday, on Face the Nation, Reid explained his rationale:

"When I have dealings with people, and they tell me one thing and do something else, they're not telling the truth, what else do you have to call them? I am a person who calls things the way I see them," Reid said Sunday.

Now, that's not very complicated, but the media can't grasp it. Bush lies to them regularly -- and they report what he says anyway. The Bush team knows the media won't call them liars. It's just not done. So, Bush and his crew have lied without repercussions for years.

Fortunately, Harry Reid doesn't hold back. A lie is a lie -- especially if it comes from George Bush. Most of the media doesn't get that, but more and more Americans do. Read the rest of this post...

Monday Morning Open Thread

All right. Let's just start.

What's going on? Read the rest of this post...

States stepping in on climate change

While we wait for Congress to round up enough support from the GOP obstructionists, at least a number of states are trying out new programs on a local and regional level. GOP governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota is able to recognize the importance of the issue among voters who want change. While Pawlenty may have disqualified himself from any national support inside the GOP with such support, he also understands that fighting against climate change can bring both economic benefit and quality of life. Too many in the GOP think that it is one or the other, which is shortsighted and just another reaction of fear of change.

Climate change is an international issue, Johnson said, but states can help by promoting energy-efficient versions of products such as light bulbs and building materials, along with clean energy technology.

"Technology is the key to addressing global climate change," he said in an interview. "Without advances in technology that are cost-effective, then we all have a serious problem."

Pawlenty, a Republican beginning a yearlong term Monday as chairman of the governors association, said states should redouble efforts to limit carbon emissions and develop renewable energy sources.

Such initiatives would benefit the environment while creating jobs and making the nation more competitive, he said.

"The false premise of some of the critics is that you'll wreck the economy," Pawlenty told The Associated Press. "I suggest if you do this correctly, it will be a boost to the economy."

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Canned meat recall for humans and dogs

The initial recall for canned meat tainted with botulism has expanded well beyond hot dog sauce (whatever that is) and now includes corned beef hash, beef stew and chili, not to mention dog food. According to Castleberry’s Food, the food processing company at the center of the problem, the troubles have been limited to only one production line in the factory so hopefully this means they can track down all of the products and fix the problem. What is also interesting to note is that both human and pet food is being produced on the same line. Maybe I am just naive about factory food but that possibility was not known to me though it provides good reason for continuing to avoid tinned prepared foods. Read the rest of this post...