With congressional approval poll numbers in freefall (it’s now 22%, down from 33% just one month ago), Senate Republicans have come up with a way to eke out a victory in upcoming elections: buying your vote.
Uh, Come Again?
Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) writes a response letter to one of her constituents. Take a close look (click graphic to enlarge): Via Wonkette.
How To Fail In Politics
Hey, I’m no politician, but it seems to me that if you want your political career to thrive: (1) You shouldn’t speak at events sponsored by the Moonies ("Unification Church"). (2) Assuming you are stupid and do #1, you shouldn’t call Rev. Moon "humanity’s Savior, Messiah, Returning Lord and True Parent". (3) Assuming you are really stupid and do both … Read More
Hammer’s Time…
… is up. Read his legacy.
Lying To SCOTUS — Not A Good Idea
The full story is here; I’ll just give the funny bits. Today, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case of Rumsfled v. Hamdan. At issue in the case is whether a provision in last year’s Detainee Treatment Act ("DTA") effectively strips the Court of jurisdiction to hear Hamdan’s case. The Government contends that it does. In support of … Read More
Fraud
There’s no doubt in my mind that the GOP’s new fundraising letter is designed to confuse members of the public, particularly the elderly. It looks like an official IRS form, complete with instructions not to destroy the form. It admonishes the recipient to complete the form and return it (and of course, the document contains a place to donate money … Read More
How Bad Are Things For Bush?
This bad Bet you thought you never see those numbers, eh?
Whose Government?: The Politics of “Portgate”
Bluememe, via Glenn Greenwald, deconstructs Bush’s language: Bush took the rare step of calling reporters to his conference room on Air Force One after returning from a speech in Colorado. He also stopped to talk before television cameras after he returned to the White House."I can understand why some in Congress have raised questions about whether or not our country … Read More
Dems Roll Out Their Congressional Reform Package
WaPo: Congressional Democrats yesterday laid out a plan to change what they called a GOP "culture of corruption" in Washington, even as Republicans pointed to ethics lapses on their antagonists’ side of the aisle. Democratic leaders from the House and Senate endorsed proposals that closely mirror Republican plans unveiled this week to tighten regulations on lobbyists since the Jack Abramoff … Read More
Fallout
In the first major poll conducted since the Abramoff plea, we learn: In an ominous election-year sign for Republicans, Americans are leaning sharply toward wanting Democrats to take control of Congress, an AP-Ipsos poll finds. Democrats are favored 49 percent to 36 percent. 49 to 36 is a HUGE margin. And it’s only going to get worse, as more and … Read More
The Duke Was Wired
Congressional Republicans, already scrambling due to Abramoff’s plea agreement and cooperation with the DOJ, are not going to like this news. Backgrounder on Cunningham here.
SCOTUS Update: Rumsfeld v FAIR
This is arguably one of the most important cases of this term, and I simply didn’t have time to summarize it before oral arguments today. Below is a summary from the folks at SCOTUSblog. Before I begin, I want to make a prediction that the Solomon Amendment will survive this case. The Court is simply too conservative to let it … Read More
The Duke Is Done
Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham pleads guilty to tax evasion, and taking bribes from defense contractors in order to secure lucrative defense contracts. Josh Marshall, who kept on this story from Day One, is happy, but notes that Cunningham is still on the Appropriations Committee. Not for long, I’m guessing.