The best Congress lobbyists could buy
A lot of ink, paper and broadcast time has been consumed trying to trace the origins of the current economic collapse, with a lot of the blame being placed on government’s failure to regulate effectively.
Personally, I think that trail ends right here:
WASHINGTON (AP) — Here’s a peek at e-mails popping into lobbyists’ inboxes these days offering quality time with members of Congress:
—A weekend at the Clearwater, Fla., spring training home of the world champion Philadelphia Phillies with Rep. Allyson Schwartz, D-Pa., including a game, a meeting with players and a ballpark tour.
—Golf at a Montana course designed by Arnold Palmer and fly fishing on the state’s Madison, Gallatin and Yellowstone rivers with Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont.
—A “Saint Patrick’s Day on the Rio Grande” reception at a Tex-Mex restaurant near the Capitol with Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas.
There’s a catch: Be prepared to contribute plenty of money.
Though it’s early in a non-election year, politicians and special interests are blasting out daily e-mails by the truckload, beckoning lobbyists and other would-be donors to fundraisers ranging from the mundane to the exotic. A look at scores of them, provided by recipients, shows they share a straightforward message: Members of Congress would like your help getting in re-elected, and contributors can spend time with them….
A list (of fundraisers) compiled by the Democrats’ House campaign committee runs 22 pages and includes 190 events slated for 2009 for House Democrats alone, with some already planned for October.
With the stalled economy drying up contributions, Republican fundraiser Monica Notzon says she might send 500 to 5,000 e-mail invitations per event.
“I probably get 10 to 15 a day,” said lobbyist Butler Derrick, a former House member. “I’ve gotten so I can recognize them and I just kill most of them.”
Hosts compete to draw crowds. Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Ky., planned an event this week featuring Muhammad Ali, while Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga., is inviting donors to go skeet shooting. Others invite contributors to a Bruce Springsteen concert, a wine-tasting weekend in Oregon, baseball and NCAA basketball tournament games, and weekends in New York or Palm Springs, Calif…..Congressional re-election campaigns can cost millions of dollars. Defenders call fundraisers a harmless chance for contributors to exercise their rights to support and meet with legislators. They say the charges of undue influence are exaggerated.
“Put your money back in your pocket if you think it’s going to buy you something other than a club soda and a Swedish meatball,” said Michael Fraioli, a veteran fundraiser for some House Democrats.
The solicitations are effective. Lobbyists contributed $34 million to federal candidates in 2007 and 2008, ranking them 16th among more than 80 industries studied by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.
“You go there with a check in your hand and that’s your opportunity to meet with the member” of Congress, lobbyist John Meredith said of fundraisers. “That’s kind of how it works.”
Even so, some lobbyists are resentful.
“When you have both parties during election periods come up and bash lobbyists, and then you have the audacity to send me a fax asking me to attend your fundraiser, I think it’s hypocritical,” said lobbyist Paul Miller.
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227 comments Add your comment
Shawny
March 24th, 2009
3:54 pm
What did Chris Dodd get for this financial scandal?
Mrs. Godzilla
March 24th, 2009
4:00 pm
Here’s another interesting Lobbyist story – from the great orange Satan:
Highlights:
“Irate over the demonization of their profession, lobbyists say they will push back against a new White House directive aimed at limiting lobbyists’ influence on how the government doles out $787 billion in stimulus funds.
The Obama administration memo released Friday says lobbyists cannot meet or speak with executive branch officials regarding specific stimulus projects or applications.
Instead, lobbyists are relegated to submitting written comments about stimulus funding, which will be posted publicly within three business days…….
I am particularly struck how these lobbyists, like Wall Street bankers, think they are entitled to the trappings of privilege. But while Wall Street feels entitled to their wealth, these guys feel entitled to their access to power. What seems like common sense restrictions on their access to government — access no regular citizen enjoys — to them is a personal affront.
Read the whole piece here:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/3/24/712350/-Those-poor,-demonized-lobbyists
Davo
March 24th, 2009
4:03 pm
“A lot of ink, paper and broadcast time has been consumed trying to trace the origins of the current economic collapse” well thank God Bookmans not adding anything more to that; recycling is so much easier.
DB, Gwinnettian
March 24th, 2009
4:06 pm
“What did Chris Dodd get for this financial scandal?”
Yawn. The GOP’s current poutrage over Dodd is about 98.6% about clinging to their one (1) halfway decent opportunity to unseat an incumbent Democratic Senator in 2010, and maybe 1.4% legitimate. and that’s being generous.
Jay
March 24th, 2009
4:14 pm
Commie, Midori, et al:
Discuss the issues, not each other. We’re not going there again.
Pogo
March 24th, 2009
4:22 pm
There are very few, if any, members in our government that can take the high ground on this issue. Democrat or Republican. From the local, state and federal level’s all of our corrupt politicians have fed and continue to feed from this trough. This includes the anointed one, Obama. Our politicians use the fog created by the “us against them” mentality which is so readily used by both the Republicans and the Democrats (a mentality which is very apparent here on this blog) to keep us from really seeing what is going on and to keep our minds on everything except what is really happening. A Bait and switch scam if you will. It is high time for another political party in this country rather than the same tired two which continue to take so many of us for granted. It would at least take a couple of years before this third party would succomb to the pressure created by the money and the power. But hey, a couple of years is better than what we have now.
The Corporal
March 24th, 2009
4:24 pm
Jay:
You are correct on this one. It’s where 95% of Congress (Republican and Democrat) prostitute themselves. They should be ashamed but of course they are not. I see only one solution since Congress will NEVER regulate itself ………. term limits (which includes no close family member can fill your spot)!!!
Bosch
March 24th, 2009
4:29 pm
It’s a viscious cycle that will never be broken, until someone passes a law that makes it illegal – which, again, will never happen.
At least Obama made an effort to raise money from ordinary citizens. I gave him some money which I’ve never done before, but so far, I think it was a good investment.
Bosch
March 24th, 2009
4:30 pm
Corporal,
Good point – if they are calling for regulation in the private sector – then they should be practicing what they preach. No?
Bosch
March 24th, 2009
4:32 pm
Pogo,
I don’t think there are two political parties anymore – just one – the two parties are not defined by their principles anymore.
DB, Gwinnettian
March 24th, 2009
4:32 pm
I see only one solution since Congress will NEVER regulate itself …term limits
It sounds reasonable, but in practice, imposing term limits on Presidents and Governors (as some states have done) hasn’t really ushered in a golden age of selfless service for those offices, either.
Nobody likes to hear this, but I think publicly funded elections, and pretty serious bans on political advertising outside of a stringent election season, seems the only reform that could really be a game changer. But frankly I think it’s even less likely to happen in any significant way than term limits, so… grab some popcorn, enjoy the show, I guess.
DB, Gwinnettian
March 24th, 2009
4:33 pm
Meant to give that Corporal quote the teh slanties @ 4.32, my bad.
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
4:33 pm
Jay, I was on topic. Besides, you should have included Bosch in your comment.
Midori
March 24th, 2009
4:33 pm
off topic: those whacky, whacky Brits!!!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/newsbeat/newsid_7961000/7961224.stm
DB, Gwinnettian
March 24th, 2009
4:35 pm
Midori, looks more like a shuffleboard court than, well, you know.
Midori
March 24th, 2009
4:36 pm
OOps, Jay –
I didn’t see your comment before i posted the above off topic story.
If that were my kid, I’d make him scrub it off while listening to loud, VERY loud heavy metal.
Midori
March 24th, 2009
4:38 pm
This Modern World – ‘The Genius of Capitalism’
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i191/hissyspit/storyjpg-1.jpg
Taxpayer
March 24th, 2009
4:39 pm
I wonder how long they negotiated with that batch of Republicans in Congress. I’ll give you ten “No’s” for $10,000. No, that just won’t do. You can have one term plus $5,000 for ten “No’s” and 60 days of “Do Nothing”. SOLD! To the highest bidder!
Bosch
March 24th, 2009
4:40 pm
DB,
Oh yes, some very serious bans of political ads – say, only ones that tell the candidates take on the issues – can’t mention the other candidate at all.
The Corporal
March 24th, 2009
4:41 pm
Bosch:
I posted this on a previous thread but just in case you missed it, it’s a little sad but will help regarding your pet ………
http://www.indigo.org/rainbowbridge_ver2.html
Kamchak
March 24th, 2009
4:41 pm
The “us against them mentality” is a binary program developed by commercial talk-radio thirty five years ago, and now any media outlet not employing this digital mind-set is immediately accused having a liberal bias.
Lobbyist aren’t the problem-many in this country do not have access to their representatives, so they hire a voice. For those looking for a silver-bullet to solve our political problems, campaign finance reform is the direction. This is the purpose of Mr. Bookman’s thread.
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
4:42 pm
Bookman, I guess Midori can’t read after all. She obviously couldn’t interpret: Discuss the issues
Taxpayer, why are you worried about the Republicans? They have no power. Your party can pass any piece of legislation it wants.
The Corporal
March 24th, 2009
4:43 pm
DB G:
I hear you but I want term limits because I just get sick of seeing most of them year after year. Enough is enough. They all need to get a job and work the rest of their life. Part of what is wrong is that it was never intended to be a full-time deal. They lose touch with the public, most have never run a business or anything close to it. Fewer and fewer have served in the military and most of them have been born with that “silver spoon” in their mouth.
Hillbilly Deluxe
March 24th, 2009
4:49 pm
Like Bosch and Corporal, I think we might as well be peeing at the moon as thinking anything will be done about this. The Incumbents (D & R) have a vested interest in seeing that the game isn’t changed. About the only way to get rid of an entrenched Congressman now is to convict them of something. Only a few of them are stupid enough not to cover their tracks, although we do get to perp walk one every now and then.
The other day when Jay was on TV he made a comment about the “old culture” and the “new culture” when referring to Wall Street. While I wish he was right about that I don’t think he is. Wall Street and Washington as well as the lobbyists are all in this game together. It’s mutual back scratching. They all have an interest in protecting the status quo. So they’ll say the right things, make a few small changes, and repackage things. Then it’ll be right back to business as usual. Every person who can change the system is a beneficiary of the system.
Bosch
March 24th, 2009
4:50 pm
Thanks Corporal,
I’ll show that to my kids too.
Brad Steel
March 24th, 2009
4:51 pm
No wonder why the effective tax rate for rich guys is only 17%. They have to use theri money to create those lobbying jobs.
Midori
March 24th, 2009
4:52 pm
Commie,
I hear you knocking, but you can’t come in.
Try REreading my 4:46.
DB, Gwinnettian
March 24th, 2009
4:54 pm
“They all need to get a job and work the rest of their life. Part of what is wrong is that it was never intended to be a full-time deal. They lose touch with the public, most have never run a business or anything close to it. Fewer and fewer have served in the military and most of them have been born with that “silver spoon” in their mouth.”
I think that’s wrong on several levels.
I have no problem with someone deciding that they want to be an elected official for a living.
I also don’t get where people think this wasn’t intended to be a full time deal (I hear that a lot)–if a legislative body has enough work that they need to be in session most of the year, big whoop.
I also don’t see why it’s especially important to have “Background X”–you mentioned running a business or serving in the armed services, but those vocations don’t insulate people from later corruption as a politician.
I’m not trying to be a contrarian, I’m just challenging these conventional wisdoms, is all.
(As for those being born with a silver spoon in their mouths, I don’t know that that’s really the case–is there more inherited wealth involved in Congress than, say, that Top 25 CEOs list I’d linked before?)
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
4:55 pm
The Corporal, you mean like:
Robert Byrd (50 years, 2 months, 13 days)
Ted Kennedy (46 years, 4 months, 9 days)
Daniel K. Inouye ( 46 years, 2 months, 13 days)
Ted Stevens ( 40 years, 10 days)
Ernest F. Hollings ( 38 years, 1 month, 25 days)
Joseph R. Biden, Jr. ( 36 years, 13 days)
Joey
March 24th, 2009
4:59 pm
It is not the Lobbyist who are to blame. It is the Senators and Representatives who feed at the table Lobbyist set? Senators and Representatives build the tables and open their doors to these bribes.
Yes we need regulation, but Congress will never restrain itself. And this includes Dodd, Reid, Frank, Pelosi, etc. I am sure there are a few exceptions, but damn few.
Midori
March 24th, 2009
5:03 pm
excellent post, Joey.
I try not to be critical of congressional dems, but they sure make it mighty difficult.
however, I think it’s safe to say that lobbyists aren’t going anywhere. Why should they when the gettings so good.
Wer’e going to have another Jack Abramoff scandal – only this time it will include Democrats, as they are the party in power.
i hate vicious cycles.
The Corporal
March 24th, 2009
5:10 pm
Bosch:
10-4. Hope it helps.
Taxpayer
March 24th, 2009
5:10 pm
Jay,
You and I both know that there is much more to Congress than just the funding used to buy a season ticket on one side of the aisle. In fact, there are clearly many approaches used to accomplish a given ‘influence’ goal ranging from electing officials that have a greater liklihood to appoint persons with certain philosophies to publishing targeted research near election time that is intended to steer the vote, etc. The fact that politicians have to get out and beat the Bushes for campaign funds is just a sign of the economically depressing times. Anyway, it’s about time that they had to work for a little of their money. Here’s a little more on the subject:
…Interest groups generally do not explicitly sponsor their own members as candidates for elected public office (though they often do seek to put their own members into appointed public office, particularly where economic regulation is concerned). Interest groups generally do not embrace explicit party labels that voters use as cues to identify their political orientation. However, some groups of voters may associate specific interest groups with particular parties in a more general way. Also, recent years have witnessed an increasing number of ideologically driven and public interest groups (Citizens for Tax Justice, Christian Coalition, Moveon.org, and others), whose orientation is either explicitly spelled out, or otherwise widely known. Narrowly focused private interest groups, in contrast, tend to downplay ideological labels…
Then, there are the multitudes of activities that occur behind the scenes such as Newt being hired to write an opinion piece or even hookers used to blackmail, etc. Oh, what a tangled web.
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
5:12 pm
If anyone is interested in reading the entire list of longest serving senators.
http://www.senate.gov/senators/Biographical/longest_serving.htm
The Corporal
March 24th, 2009
5:14 pm
OFF TOPIC:
I’m reading an excellent book entitled “If Not Now When” about the life of Colonel Jack Jacobs (Medal of Honor). It’s about Vietnam but this quote is certainly applicable to 2003 and probably what is going on right now as I type this ………..
“The failure of the American adventure in Vietnam occurred mostly by omission, not by commission ………….. and the truly tragic aspect of the debacle was that many experienced military officers at the pinnacle of the chain of command failed this country because they didn’t offer their best advice. Oddly, many of them were browbeaten, letting themselves get overwhelmed by McNamara and his staff to the pont that they were too intimidated to speak frankly. This was nothing new. Even Napoleon despaired of such creatures: ‘The people to fear are not those who disagree with you,’ he said, ‘but those who disagree with you and are too cowardly to let you know.’ To our great sadness, we would see these officers again in 2003.”
I read another account where Commandant Greene (USMC) said his only regret was that the Joint Chiefs of Staff did not resign en masse during V.N. Their careers were already accomplished and they talked about it ….. but they did not have the courage of the very troops they were supposed to be commanding ………..
Ditto 2003 and today? …. well, the jury is still out.
Hillbilly Deluxe
March 24th, 2009
5:15 pm
George Washington –
- Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.
getalife
March 24th, 2009
5:26 pm
Yes lobbyists are legal bribery but look no further than the billions donated by these bailed out institutions to see the real corruption.
Both parties are corrupt yet they still get reelected and will continue to get reelected by using the billions these bailed out institutions give them.
Dusty
March 24th, 2009
5:29 pm
Could we picture a world without lobbyists? A world where a member of Congress makes up his/her mind on the facts and what the constiuents tell the elected one and with personal INTEGRITY?
I can’t tell whether the kidnappers for votes and money are the legislators or the lobbyists. But I know you can dump lobbyists by choice and legislators by vote.
The greatest governing bodies we have in our history had NO lobbyists. Need I mention Washington, Jefferson and the Adams? They pulled us forward with no help from the clutches of lobbyists.
Our Congress must be led by the individuals we elect, not the paid individuals who offer endearments for voter acqusition. Is personal honesty now outdated?
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
5:30 pm
For Jay Bookmans political correctness circus: OFF TOPIC
More proof that President Teleprompter is socialist.
U.S. Seeks Expanded Power to Seize Firms
Goal Is to Limit Risk to Broader Economy
The Obama administration is considering asking Congress to give the Treasury secretary unprecedented powers to initiate the seizure of non-bank financial companies, such as large insurers, investment firms and hedge funds, whose collapse would damage the broader economy, according to an administration document.
The government at present has the authority to seize only banks.
Giving the Treasury secretary authority over a broader range of companies would mark a significant shift from the existing model of financial regulation, which relies on independent agencies that are shielded from the political process. The Treasury secretary, a member of the president’s Cabinet, would exercise the new powers in consultation with the White House, the Federal Reserve and other regulators, according to the document.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/23/AR2009032302830_pf.html
I Report/ You Whine
March 24th, 2009
5:36 pm
Oh yeah, now that Impeachment Boy has finished hiring his kabinet, it’s once again safe to whine about lobbyists.
Is there nothing about the Constitution that you libs like?
It calls it the right “to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Lobbyists are people hired to do that for you, so that you can actually stay home with the kids and remain gainfully employed rather than spend your life in the corridors of Washington.-Krauthammer
Although I will give you one point that you didn’t make clear in your screed, usually it’s the lobbyists that pass out the goodies, not the Congressman.
We are a pretty stupid country anymore, aren’t we?
getalife
March 24th, 2009
5:46 pm
“We are a pretty stupid country anymore, aren’t we?”
I think that line proves we are.
Taxpayer
March 24th, 2009
5:50 pm
I wonder how many lobbyists are out there looking for politicians that can help with reducing their client’s taxes. I mean, after all, these billions of dollars in bailouts must surely fall into the 30% tax category, don’t they. Then again, insurance payouts are considered as taxable income. But, what about credit default swaps. They are not REALLY insurance even though they appear to be. Such taxing issues. Whatever, the correct answer, I doubt that it favors we the people. We have got to become more effective lobbyists. Then again, maybe we have. We’ll just have to wait and see if Obama delivers. So far so good.
Taxpayer
March 24th, 2009
5:52 pm
Oops. That should have said that insurance payouts aren’t taxable at least up to the amount of losses.
@@
March 24th, 2009
5:54 pm
Now that’s what I call hob-knobbin’!!!!
…or as they say in Chicago — PAY TO PLAY.
Dusty:
I answered your question on Petreaus downstairs.
@@
March 24th, 2009
6:06 pm
As far as the term-limits go, there’s a lot that can be said for inexperience /BIG SNARK.
Taxpayer
March 24th, 2009
6:10 pm
@@, were you one of those that got re-hired.
Dusty
March 24th, 2009
6:15 pm
@@
I found it after I went back. That’s a problem here for me. I can’t stay too long and then when I come back, Bookman has started a new subject and there I go. Soo..It’s not my fault!!! Ah ha!! Nope!
Anyway, I could vote for Petraeus for President with ease. In fact, right now, if only….
@@
March 24th, 2009
6:18 pm
Actually, Taxpayer, when I was working in local politics, I was re-hired (at their request) three times. I’d get fed up with all the bs, tell ‘em so and quit. They’d call me to come back several months later.
Democrats into S&M….whodathunkit?
NRB
March 24th, 2009
6:18 pm
I noticed some Dems in that list. Say it ain’t so.
http://unearthlywisdom.com/
@@
March 24th, 2009
6:27 pm
Taxpayer:
And ‘ya know what straw broke the camel’s back? My boss made it his personal mission to fire one of the hardest workers in sight while giving the deadwoods a pass. THAT, I would not tolerate. I testified in her behalf before the Civil Service Board. She won.
Then my boss seeks retribution by telling me he’s MY boss?
Done…..finished…..finito!!!!
I don’t work for people for whom I have no respect.
PJ
March 24th, 2009
6:39 pm
Dusty said that Washington, Jefferson, and Adams weren’t influenced in their day but that’s not true. Why do you think Slavery was still allowed to exist even after something as perfect as our Constitution was written. The dollars and cents of the time (including their own except for Adams) had a great effect on the treatment of the Slave issue.
Money and the want of more has and always will be a direct consequence of political thinking. Public finance of elections will help but will never keep monetary funds from being a part of our system. We must hold them accountable with our votes. Also, I feel there is nothing wrong with re-electing the some individual to public office if they are doing their job and their constituents are happy with them. I thought the 22nd amendment was a big mistake on Congress’s part limiting a President to two terms (that is until GW Bush) as did Dwight D. Eisenhower (the first President this law effected).
Adams had his own problem with influence with his signing of the Alien & Sedition Acts of 1798. He did not want to sign this bill but was pressured by his fellow Federalist to do so and in doing so lost his bid for re-election. Therefore, history teaches us that if what an elected official does, does not please us, he can and will be ejected from office.
@@
March 24th, 2009
6:41 pm
I went into that unearthlywisdom.com link and read some of the comments about the AJC’s bias. There was this response from Julia Wallace, writer of the piece:
In homefinder, you’re right, we need to find a balance. Stories about beautiful homes remain popular. I suppose it’s a welcome break from these tough economic times. Those are some of most clicked-on photo galleries on ajc.com. However, there are many people facing much more serious home issues, and we need to provide that information as well.
A friend pointed out to me years ago, that those home gallery photos fed the class-envy crowd — essential to the AJC.
Makes sense.
Chad Harris
March 24th, 2009
6:44 pm
Thanks to then Senator Gramm, Greenspan, Paulson and Bush the House of Cards is down. The Congress until 2006 was totally Rethugnut dominated.
Last night Constitutional Law expert Johnathan Turley outlined the reasons for investigation into the war crimes of Numnut Bush and Draft Dodger Cheney.
Instead of debating crimes with Cheney he should be indicted and forced to defend them. It’s way overdue for a Special Prosecutor to investigate the war crimes.
Case for Prosecuting Cheney and Bush for Warcrimes
Chad Harris
March 24th, 2009
6:50 pm
Michelle Bachman the Sequel to Ann Coultergeist
Chad Harris
March 24th, 2009
7:04 pm
Dusty is still PO’d that Washington, Jefferson and Adams wouldn’t listen to him when they were in office.
david wayne osedach
March 24th, 2009
7:08 pm
Dodd is making out like a bandit. Even though he is from Connecticut he lobbied for the Big Three auto bailout. Between that and his kickbacks from AIG – he is making out big time.
G
March 24th, 2009
7:16 pm
I was watching Bill Moyers a while back, and his guest, I can’t recall the name, gave a very detailed account of how the lobbying industry began.
It started with universities wanting to secure money for themselves and then it spiraled out of control to become what we have today. Lobbyists are a fairly recent development in our two hundred and thirty three year history so I don’t see why people think that lobbyists are necessary.
If our cities and states need to petition for money that is what our representatives and senators are there for.
G
March 24th, 2009
7:22 pm
The GOP is a lobbyist group for the religious nut wing.
Dave R
March 24th, 2009
7:24 pm
And the Dems are lobbyists for all the other nuts out there.
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
7:28 pm
G gives us a whole new meaning to the word stupid.
remedy
March 24th, 2009
7:28 pm
Solution – term limits (snowball’s chance!!!)… Just wish the media and public outrage would focus on these boondoggles!!!
But wait, we get yet another opportunity tonight to listen to Mr. “cut taxes for a taxpayer who pays no taxes” or is it Mr. “limits deductions and increases tax rates for high-income earners” tonight.
Wonder what Mr. “most transparent president” is planning to pass in the dark of night this time….
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
7:28 pm
CHAD HARRIS IS NOT A REAL DOCTOR BUT HE PLAYS ONE ON AJC.
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
7:29 pm
The DNC are lobbyists for the satanist nut wing.
G
March 24th, 2009
7:30 pm
Lobbyists who campaign on behalf of defense contractors, high risk financial institutions, and greedy corporations who care less about the health and safety of consumers have helped to ruin our country, our economy and our security.
I’d be willing to legislate away campaign contributions from all interest groups and only allow individuals to donate to campaigns with a cap on how much they are allowed to give. That way their corporate lobbying efforts will be on equal footing with the lobbying efforts of groups who represent the average American i.e., community organizing groups.
Everyone’s voice is heard and everyone’s right to free speech is not violated.
AmVet
March 24th, 2009
7:30 pm
Just the facts ma’am:
Over four thousand, six hundred political action committees
Nearly 12,000 registered lobbyists.
$1.2Billion to influence politicians.
The worst government money can buy…
G
March 24th, 2009
7:31 pm
Communist loves gestation terminations.
@@
March 24th, 2009
7:31 pm
Environmental lobbyists.
Lobbyists in education.
Union lobbyists.
Down with lobbyists!!!!
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
7:33 pm
G, you may want to calm the name calling down a bit. Jay will ban you.
G
March 24th, 2009
7:35 pm
Communist, how many times do I have to flush to get rid of you?
G
March 24th, 2009
7:36 pm
Communist, Jesus just called. He hates you after all.
G
March 24th, 2009
7:38 pm
Communist, people come and people go, the sooner you’re gone, the better.
G
March 24th, 2009
7:40 pm
Communist, nature played a cruel trick on you – you lived.
G
March 24th, 2009
7:43 pm
The Rushpublicants are losing their pitiful minds over President Obama, he has enacted one of the most progressive agendas since LBJ.
Fact is, President Obama has a huge approval rating and most Americans want him to succeed except for the bitter Rushpublicants who spend more time trying to win elections than governing and leading.
This will come back to haunt them next year in the midterms, guaranteed.
Gotta go watch my President!
@@
March 24th, 2009
7:45 pm
“Bundling up” with lobbyists.
Just say you’ve got B.Ooooooooooo
@@
March 24th, 2009
7:46 pm
Gotta go watch my President!
and……..??????
I Report/ You Whine
March 24th, 2009
7:48 pm
So ask yourself, how come the Urinal, a “news”paper that would send a team of ten reporters out to cover two or three goony moonbats throwing their feces at some capitalist building, won’t mention even a peep of the 5000 people gathered at all of the Tea Parties going on around the country?
Hmmmmmmm?
Julia?
Taxpayer
March 24th, 2009
7:56 pm
My favorite tea is the peach-flavored iced tea. It tastes really good but I don’t think I’d throw a party over it. That would just be weird.
Joe Matarotz
March 24th, 2009
7:59 pm
Congressmen are hypocrites? Of all the nerve…
herbK
March 24th, 2009
8:01 pm
Congress and senate have been corrupt and virtually anti-American Citizen for decades. Nothing new to see here. We need more jails for the low-rents in DC who have no business having a job. The quicker we can sweep trash out, we’ll get new trash in. Keep the brooms handy.
BDAtlanta
March 24th, 2009
8:09 pm
Bring on Jindal!!
They are going to trot him out again? If he falls on his face again will you put him back on the shelf and grab another silly puppet for the next press conf? Please?
BDAtlanta
March 24th, 2009
8:11 pm
Hey, where is O’s teleprompter?
hehehehehehehehehehehehehe
Lucid, isn’t he?
RW-(the original)
March 24th, 2009
8:14 pm
I bet PresBO is going to go back to the two screen prompter. He had a really tough time reading that single screen straight in front of him. It’s kind of funny seeing him talk without his head on a left right swivel though.
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
8:14 pm
G, are you the next Lewinski? I just hope that President Teleprompter doesn’t misuse his crack pipe the way Clinton misused his cigar.
BDAtlanta
March 24th, 2009
8:15 pm
Wow, he used “sustainable” and “ingenuity” in the same sentence!
W to Laura: “What the hell is engine nudity?”
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
8:16 pm
G, how many baby daddies do you have? Is President Teleprompter one of your baby daddies?
Midori
March 24th, 2009
8:17 pm
lol
Obama makes more sense using a teleprompter than Bush ever did with someone using flip charts in front of him.
and you wingnuts can’t stand it.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Watch the man use subjects that agree with verbs!!
Listen to that syntax!!
Listen to his pronounciation!! Without someone having to spell words out for him phonetically!!!
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Y
Midori
March 24th, 2009
8:18 pm
BD,
Think he will put food on our families?
Midori
March 24th, 2009
8:19 pm
WOW!!
Telly Prompter sure is doing a great job!!
He will have to provide snacks at our next meet up.
*snicker*
BDAtlanta
March 24th, 2009
8:20 pm
Midori,
Our gynecologists can practice their love with women all across this land.
Midori
March 24th, 2009
8:21 pm
I’ve never noticed this before: Obama sure has big ears!!
maybe Telly Prompter can do something about that too.
after all, we all know that Telly Prompter is ALL POWERFUL!!!
Midori
March 24th, 2009
8:21 pm
Bad BD!!!
BAD!!!
BDAtlanta
March 24th, 2009
8:38 pm
Oh no, he called on Fox News?
I knew Obama was a fascist!!
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
8:39 pm
G, you so elegantly wrote: Communist, Jesus just called. He hates you after all.
Let me get this straight, someone, who you don’t believe existed and someone who spreads love, called you up to tell you that he hates me.
G, you have some serious issues. I suggest getting help soon before you hurt yourself or your parents. I mean, living in your mom’s basement has indeed taken its toll on you.
Midori
March 24th, 2009
8:39 pm
relax, BD — FOX is full of fish.
that’s why they and Obama can coexist peacefully.
Obambi's TelePrompter
March 24th, 2009
8:41 pm
I wanted to watch American Idol but no, my little tard wants to hog the camera some more.
ew
RW-(the original)
March 24th, 2009
8:46 pm
If Obama is so smart why is accepting this reporters absurd premise that 1 in 50 children in the US is sleeping under a bridge?
Obambi's TelePrompter
March 24th, 2009
8:50 pm
I did not say “uh” dammit, it is not me!
Stop it saying “uh” you cripple!
Somebody please help me!
RW-(the original)
March 24th, 2009
8:51 pm
This is the second answer where he’s talked about how hard his job is. Are you libs going to lampoon him for the rest of his term or reflect and realize GWB was right?
Obambi's TelePrompter
March 24th, 2009
8:54 pm
Enter your comments here
Obambi's TelePrompter
March 24th, 2009
8:56 pm
Enter what you want the president to say here.
Chad Harris
March 24th, 2009
8:59 pm
Obama has been more articulate with two sentences of his first answered question in a press conference than Bush was in 8 years. And from what I’ve seen of the Bookman wingnuts’ vocabulary, education, and lack of writing skills, he has your clock cleaned by a mile. And yep you hand your butts handed to you in the election so you’re on some newspaper’s blog whining about a teleprompter. LOL. Religion and guns cling to them bitter Bookman scripture quoting wingnutters.
RW-(the original)
March 24th, 2009
8:59 pm
BWAHAHAHA
Fox just showed the giant TelePrompter he had in the back of the room to read from during his opening.
BDAtlanta
March 24th, 2009
9:02 pm
Did Gibbs and Axelrod just high-five in the background there?
Chad Harris
March 24th, 2009
9:08 pm
I’d rather have Obama’s brain and a thousand teleprompters than being stuck in the snow or with your wife sleeping with a guy a third your age after the election.
Obama answers questions and they aren’t pre screened as with the Bush moron. It’s about time we had a president that can think on his feet.
Obama is having press conferences regularly–Bush the moron went for months without having them because he was scared.
A Major Difference Between Progressives and Conservatives aka Wingnutters
BDAtlanta
March 24th, 2009
9:12 pm
Bush had his first prime-time televised press conference 9 months after he took office. Obama’s already had two.
I believe Bush took a month vacation before he ever got around to a prime-time press conference.
I Report/ You Whine
March 24th, 2009
9:12 pm
Cardin’s Newspaper Revitalization Act would allow newspapers to operate as nonprofits for educational purposes under the U.S. tax code, giving them a similar status to public broadcasting companies.
Under this arrangement, newspapers would still be free to report on all issues, including political campaigns. But they would be prohibited from making political endorsements.
Welcome to Mr. Bookman’s Neighborhood, would you be mine, could you be mine?
Wingnut contributor
March 24th, 2009
9:13 pm
“Fox just showed the giant TelePrompter he had in the back of the room to read from during his opening.”
Did they show the White House’s flush toilets and the horseless carriages as well?
G
March 24th, 2009
9:14 pm
This man is MY president.
And I can’t help but remember how Rushpublicants forever have ignored all domestic issues without fail.
They want to ignore the U.S. population at all costs. That time is over. President Obama is addressing the issues Rushpublicants have deliberately ignored. All of them.
He treats us like grownups.
Absolutely brilliant, my President. If you complain, first list your credentials to even judge and assess.
G
March 24th, 2009
9:17 pm
By the way, Jindal is on volcano watch tonight.
NRB
March 24th, 2009
9:18 pm
Pressed about why he waited three days to publicly speak out against AIG paying out the bonuses, Obama told reporters, “It took us a couple of days because I like to think about what I’m talking about before I speak.”
http://unearthlywisdom.com/politics/obama-quote-of-the-day/
ahahhahaha….good punchline in there..
G
March 24th, 2009
9:21 pm
President Obama smacked down Ed Henry.
“I like to know what I am talking about before I speak” .
Yes!
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
9:22 pm
G, you wrote: Absolutely brilliant, my President. If you complain, first list your credentials to even judge and assess.
What are your credentials besides being a high school drop out?
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
9:23 pm
G, also, no one has to list anything to you. You are a nothing. A nobody. A troglodyte in search of a reason for living.
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
9:24 pm
Chad Harris, don’t you have some imaginary patients to overdose?
G
March 24th, 2009
9:24 pm
I find it strangely appropriate that, right now, while all the serious news commentators are discussing the press conference, Elisabeth Hasselhag is selling capri pants on QVC.
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
9:24 pm
CHAD HARRIS ISN’T REALLY A DOCTOR BUT HE PLAYS ONE ON AJC.
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
9:25 pm
G, you should by some of Hasselbacks capris. Your trailer could use some new curtains.
G
March 24th, 2009
9:25 pm
Absolutely brilliant, my President. If you complain, first list your credentials to even judge and assess.
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
9:26 pm
G, Obama Hussein called. He hates your trailer park.
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
9:27 pm
G, no one has to list anything to you. You are not important.
Chad Harris
March 24th, 2009
9:27 pm
Commie AJC–I’ll clean you and your imaginary doc wife’s clock on any medical subject. Bring it on. Bring your imaginary wife as well.
After weeks you remain chicken to like all wingnutters who are losers.
Midori
March 24th, 2009
9:27 pm
he did not say that, NRB.
Jesus.
@@
March 24th, 2009
9:27 pm
The single screen, front and center, presented a problem for Obama. The few times that he attempted a right or left shift, he had to quickly return to center ’cause he couldn’t remember the next word. A gap between two words, for him, is a huge chasm.
Anyhoo! When some of you leftists visit his little townhall “get together” Thursday night, would one of you please tell him he’s no longer candidate Obama. He’s now President Obama.
Words are just that…….words. It’s the missing “grey” that matters.
Redundancy, thy name is Oblahzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
9:27 pm
G, what college did you graduate from? My guess is that you never made it past your junior year of high school. Where dem baby daddies now?
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
9:29 pm
Chad Harris, you have to actually pass your boards to become a doctor. Plus, you need to finish medical school. You’ve done neither. Instead, you make asinine comments about subjects in which you know nothing about.
CHAD HARRIS ISN’T REALLY A DOCTOR BUT HE PLAYS ONE ON AJC.
G
March 24th, 2009
9:30 pm
Absolutely magnificent, my President. If you complain, first list your credentials to even judge and assess.
Taxpayer
March 24th, 2009
9:31 pm
If we told Congress that there is no money to pay them, what would they do.
G
March 24th, 2009
9:32 pm
Absolutely splendid, my President. If you complain, first list your credentials to even judge and assess.
Taxpayer
March 24th, 2009
9:33 pm
Are campaign contributions considered taxable income.
G
March 24th, 2009
9:33 pm
Absolutely superb, my President. If you complain, first list your credentials to even judge and assess.
G
March 24th, 2009
9:34 pm
Absolutely excellent, my President. If you complain, first list your credentials to even judge and assess.
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
9:35 pm
President Teleprompter couldn’t answer simple questions from ABC reporters.
Here is what President Teleprompter says: Um…that’s uh, a ….um….good …..uh….question…..uh, …….global warming…….uh……..um……..
CHAINS WE CAN BELIEVE IN!
Taxpayer
March 24th, 2009
9:35 pm
Will the IRS audit all the executives at all the US companies that get bailout money whether it be directly or indirectly.
G
March 24th, 2009
9:36 pm
Absolutely glorious, my President. If you complain, first list your credentials to even judge and assess.
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
9:36 pm
G, there are a lot of people laughing at you right now. Including Barrack Hussein.
G
March 24th, 2009
9:36 pm
Such jealousy tonight.
I Report/ You Whine
March 24th, 2009
9:37 pm
Absolutely magnificent, my President. If you complain, first list your credentials to even judge and assess.
G- I think that a having a brain is the only requirement for an American citizen to comment on the performance of their president, therefore you should hush.
Really.
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
9:37 pm
Chad Harris, my wife wants to know what kind of medical doctor you are. We can discuss and debate medical issues after she knows. Thanks for playing, comrade.
Taxpayer
March 24th, 2009
9:37 pm
Why doesn’t Congress give up all its perks like so many Americans have to such as health insurance and a paycheck.
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
9:38 pm
G, we right wingers don’t get jealous of cult members like you.
BDAtlanta
March 24th, 2009
9:39 pm
Commie, are you 12?
All you can do is call everyone names or demean them. Is that all there is? Methinks you have yet to graduate Middle School.
G’Night all.
@@
March 24th, 2009
9:39 pm
G: You call this a smackdown?
“I like to know what I am talking about before I speak”
Did you not hear the press laughing? I think they were laughing at HIM.
The guy evaded answering every question but one on race.
I wish I could have phoned one in just to see if he could give a one word response.
“Mr. President, how are you doing this evening?”
O.K., I’ll allow him three
“Not so good.”
This is bad! This is sooooooo b-a-d.
This country is flying on auto-pilot.
G
March 24th, 2009
9:39 pm
The questions about the veterans and the homelessness of children were good.
Ann Compton was trying to be provocative with her question regarding race. However, President Obama’s answer was excellent.
President Obama just shut all those reporters up – they looked like fools.
I Report/ You Whine
March 24th, 2009
9:39 pm
Ahahahahahahaha, ha-
OBAMA DITCHES TELEPROMPTER FOR GIANT TV MONITOR…
Can you say dunce?
Somewhere, Dhimmi Carter breathes a sigh of relief……..
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
9:40 pm
BDAtlanta, if you think that I am the only one name calling you should really learn how to read before judging, comrade. Check out G’s idiotic remarks on the first page. Good night.
G
March 24th, 2009
9:41 pm
President Obama is pure class.
I liked what I heard tonight.
BDAtlanta
March 24th, 2009
9:41 pm
ohohoh,
Matt Taibbi is on Rachel Maddow tonight. He wrote the kick-arse article about the bailout in the current Rolling Stone.
Looks like another late night….
Taxpayer
March 24th, 2009
9:41 pm
We might have to pull out of Iraq even sooner than planned in order to start making those tough cuts in spending that are needed to really get the deficit under control. And, that’s just for starters. Congress is going to have to take a pay cut and start paying for their own health insurance.
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
9:41 pm
G, how did he make the reporters look like fools? You have some serious Obama cult issues.
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
9:42 pm
BDAtlanta, anyone who thinks an article on politics is kick-arse, as you put it, is naive and juvenile. Rachel Maddow still lags behind Larry King in ratings.
G
March 24th, 2009
9:44 pm
Who asked the stupid question about the tax rate on charitable contributions?
Oh yeah, Mike Allen-Politico-Reichwing Wonker.
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
9:44 pm
BDAtlanta, you wrote: Methinks you have yet to graduate Middle School.
This coming from someone who reads Rolling Stone. How many Vanilla Ice posters do you have hanging on your wall, BD?
G
March 24th, 2009
9:45 pm
Vapid “gotcha journalism” was certainly smacked down tonight.
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
9:45 pm
G, actually, hack it was Jack Tapper from ABC. Get your facts straight cult follower.
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
9:47 pm
G, do you still believe in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny? Opps, I’m so sorry, G.
G
March 24th, 2009
9:48 pm
President Obama is so intelligent! I totally enjoyed tonight, TOTALLY! I’m so proud of this man and I know the world wishes he was their leader tonight. Oh, what a man!
G
March 24th, 2009
9:49 pm
Oops, not opps, dummy.
G
March 24th, 2009
9:51 pm
“I like to know what I’m talking about before I speak”.
THE line of the news conference. T-shirt, bumper-sticker, tattoo, you name it. This will be a slogan for the Democrats from here on out for a LONG time.
Almost Instant Replay
March 24th, 2009
9:52 pm
BDAtlanta March 24th, 2009 9:39 pm Commie, are you 12? All you can do is call everyone names or demean them. Is that all there is? Methinks you have yet to graduate Middle School. G’Night all.
CommunistAJC March 24th, 2009 9:40 pm BDAtlanta, if you think that I am the only one name calling you should really learn how to read before judging, comrade. Check out G’s idiotic remarks on the first page. Good night.
BDAtlanta March 24th, 2009 9:41 pm ohohoh, Matt Taibbi is on Rachel Maddow tonight. He wrote the kick-arse article about the bailout in the current Rolling Stone. Looks like another late night….
CommunistAJC March 24th, 2009 9:42 pm BDAtlanta, anyone who thinks an article on politics is kick-arse, as you put it, is naive and juvenile. Rachel Maddow still lags behind Larry King in ratings.
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
9:52 pm
G’s list of questions for President Teleprompter if she were a journalist:
1: Mr. Messiah Sir, what is your favorite pony?
2: Lord Hussein, how will you address the overpopulation of unicorns in the land of make believe?
3: Master Obama, can I have your autograph on my bong?
4: Oh Most Merciful Master, what are your thoughts on transgendered dolphins in the nether regions of space?
G
March 24th, 2009
9:54 pm
I find it odd how so-called Christians refer to President Obama as “Messiah”.
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
9:56 pm
G, oh boy. Please stop eating paint chips, G.
It’s you who worships at the feet of your Lord Messiah Obama. Oh what’s the point in explaining anything to you.
@@
March 24th, 2009
9:58 pm
5. Oooooo! Do you wear pajamas or sleep in the buff?
6. Oooooo! Do you go commando during the day?
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
9:58 pm
Let the democrap infighting and inbreeding continue.
Senate Democrats to scrap Obama’s $400 tax credit
WASHINGTON (AP) – A top Democrat in the Senate announced a budget blueprint Tuesday that would scrap Barack Obama’s signature tax cut after 2010 and blends sleight of hand with modest restraint on domestic programs to cut the deficit to sustainable levels.
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D974NJAO0&show_article=1
G
March 24th, 2009
9:58 pm
President Obama is the only man with a plan.
I laugh every time I hear the Rushpublicants say they’re going to present their own plan.
What’s taking so long?
President Obama burst through the shoot with several plans, like ‘em or not, and in 64 days he’s initiated so much – put his stones on the table with facts and figures – the GOP is dizzy and nauseous. The Rushpublicants love to talk about how President Obama is trying to do too much and indeed by their clock, he is amazing. They have yet to proffer ONE plan to do ANYTHING. They’ve had the same 64 days President Obama has.
Compare and contrast.
Their plan seems to be to say they’ll have a plan. Any minute now.
G
March 24th, 2009
10:01 pm
I’m still waiting on McCain to tell us how to capture bin Laden.
And waiting…
and waiting…
Truth
March 24th, 2009
10:01 pm
I am curious… What obligations do I have to others?
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
10:01 pm
G, the democrats control congress. Your democrap party doesn’t need one single republican vote. If President Teleprompters plans are so great then pass them all yourselves.
RW-(the original)
March 24th, 2009
10:01 pm
“I like to know what I’m talking about before I speak”.
That certainly puts a lot of pressure on him going forward because he just blew the hell out of his excuse for making fun of the disabled last Thursday.
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
10:02 pm
G, I’m still waiting on President Hussein Teleprompter to capture Bin Laden. He said he would.
NOW WHERE IS HE, G?
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
10:03 pm
I’m still waiting on G to tell us all where she went to college.
And waiting….
And waiting…..
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
10:04 pm
“I like to know what I’m talking about before I speak”.
Yeah, this is a man who claimed he’d been to all 57 states. What a joke.
CHAINS WE CAN BELIEVE IN!
CommunistAJC
March 24th, 2009
10:05 pm
Newest Obama appointee’s office raided by FBI.
Left finally comes to terms that Obama is not Jesus.
Jesus could actually build a cabinet .
G
March 24th, 2009
10:06 pm
I want to publicly applaud President Obama for his forthright and thoughtful responses to the questions and explanations that helped me to understand why he is doing what he is doing and making the choices he is making.
I am more confident than ever that he is fully intent on taking this country forward. And I challenge any Rushpublicant or anti-Democrat to provide at least one viable alternative to be considered, instead of the sniping, name calling and generally having nothing productive to contribute.
Get on board, because the train is leaving the station, with or without you.
G
March 24th, 2009
10:07 pm
Here’s a thought; why not learn to actually write coherently before attempting to insult anyone else; you only wind up displaying your appallingly voluminous ignorance.
Get bent.
Taxpayer
March 24th, 2009
10:10 pm
Wait a minute. Let me get this right. Republicans are complaining about ending tax breaks while simultaneously complaining about how to pay for the budget and reduce the debt and deficit while simultaneously complaining about not cutting their taxes enough while…well, the sane amongst you get the picture.
G
March 24th, 2009
10:11 pm
“I like to know what I’m talking about before I speak.”
Best retort yet; just goes to prove, you shouldn’t try to engage in a battle of wits when you come to the area unarmed.
G
March 24th, 2009
10:14 pm
Taxpayer @ 10:10, there are not enough facilities in the world to contain all the loony Rushpublicants.
Taxpayer
March 24th, 2009
10:15 pm
How much does it cost to buy a Congressman that just says No these days and how does that cost compare to a Japanese-built robot with many times the features and lower maintenance costs.
NRB
March 24th, 2009
10:18 pm
Midori, yes he did:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/24/obama.news.conference/index.html
Jesus.
Learn how to read.
Taxpayer
March 24th, 2009
10:18 pm
Wouldn’t we the people come out ahead if we just placed a loud speaker in each of those Congressional seats that currently just say No. After all, how much does a cheap loud speaker cost.
Taxpayer
March 24th, 2009
10:20 pm
Why don’t we just let the lobbyists bid directly with we the people for the Congressional seats and let’s just cut out the middle men. We’ll pass on the resulting tax savings to us.
rcs
March 24th, 2009
10:23 pm
“How much does it cost to buy a Congressman that just says No these days”
$410 billion.
G
March 24th, 2009
10:23 pm
I liked what a commentator said was a Rushpublicant’s answer to what did he think of President Obama’s honeymoon and the polls.
He said, “It isn’t a honeymoon, it’s a magic carpet ride.”
One truthful Rushpublicant is worth 1000 lying ones.
G
March 24th, 2009
10:27 pm
Oh wow, the flunkies at CNN are really mad that Ed Henry made a fool of himself, and are all desperately scrambling to get their two cents in and imply that President Obama’s answer was inappropriate. Of course, when they show that clip they immediately cut off the audio after his answer to avoid highlighting the laughter that erupted when he said that.
I thought it was a perfectly reasonable response to a childish question asked by a man who really had no interest in hearing an answer. And these corporate slaves know that, but they can’t stand that the President would embarrass one of their own so badly.
The brilliance of that response to what Henry thought was a “gotcha” question is that our President not only put Henry in his place but also could have been aimed at the former “president” and “vice president” as well.
williewonka
March 24th, 2009
10:33 pm
You all make an interesting point, why would a president want to be prepared and careful about what he says? The guy who had the job for the last eight years didn’t need no stinkin’ teleprompter!
Chad Harris
March 24th, 2009
10:52 pm
The newest Obama appointee who is IT and CIO and not a cabinet member whose name is Vivek Kundra is not the target of the FBI at all and as usual some superficial wingnut is reading challenged. Vivek Kundra who worked for him are the FBI targes.
As usual, this has zero to do with Obama’[s new CIO, but the wingnut blogs are too stupid to understand this and the wingnutter here who calls itself commie is equally too stupid.
And he’s remaking the primitive and stupid IT setup that the Bush idiots functioned with for 8 years as well as bringing the government’s computer systems into this century.
Chad Harris
March 24th, 2009
10:55 pm
The targets who worked for Obama’s new CIO who is not a cabinet member but will have IT responsibility for revamping the stupid Bush IT setup is Vivek Kundra. Yusuf Acar and Sushil Bansal who were in charge of contracts were arrested.
The effect on Obama’s appointee is zero. The orgasmic fervor on Wingnut blogs is of course off the wall, but you gotta remember they make no decisions now so this is what they do with their energy.
Chad Harris
March 24th, 2009
10:57 pm
CNN is consumately stupid. Jon Stewart does a much better job at real analysis of the news on a comedy show.
RW-(the original)
March 24th, 2009
11:02 pm
Jay B.,
I’m sure it wasn’t the ttournament you were hoping for, but congrats on PSU making the NIT Final Four.
RW-(the original)
March 24th, 2009
11:18 pm
Chadly,
While you’re right that Kundra isn’t the target of the probe and may never be he does have that pesky little shoplifting conviction on his record.
Corporal
March 24th, 2009
11:29 pm
Well Jay, do you think you guys will ever have to go the “no endorsements” route ??
NEWSPAPER REVITALIZATION ACT: CONGRESS MOVES TO SAVE PRINT; OUTLAW POLITICAL ENDORSEMENTS…
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE52N67F20090324
Corporal
March 24th, 2009
11:30 pm
This Administration is becoming truly dangerous ……………
HEADLINE: Pentagon to drop ‘Global War on Terror’ for ‘Overseas Contingency Operation’…
Chad Harris
March 24th, 2009
11:45 pm
RW–
I’m going to bet that if in fact he has a shoplifting conviction–you have the pesky little habit that I don’t have of not being able to document the things you say–that it was many years ago. Do you mind documenting this? That it doesn’t mean linking a wingnut blog that orgasmically exclaimed it was so–it means real evidence.
As an IT aficianado how do you expect (if it exists) a teenage shoplifting (accusation that was not a conviction or conviction–you didn’t say) to impact h is makeover of an antiquated cyber platform this country uses and the White House used under the Bush IT neanderthals?
It doesn’t seem too relevant to me. Will it figure in the server setup/the Hyper V adaptations/or software that gets written?
Corporal
March 24th, 2009
11:51 pm
Vents to the AJC:
The Pentagon has been ordered to drop the “Global War on Terror” for “Overseas Contingency Operation”. I always wondered what side Obama was truly on and now I know.
So if the “Global War on Terror” is now the “Overseas Contingency Operation” what do we call fighting Islamic terrorists in this country -a “Domestic Contingency Operation”? God save us from this Administration!
Chad Harris
March 24th, 2009
11:54 pm
Kundra was caught with 4 cheap shirts from J.C. Penny valued at $134 (I could have helped him find much better). He was convicted in 1997 at age 22. He’s 34 now. I can come up with over 200 Republicans who were connected to the Bush administration who are doing federal time or about to including House Majority Leader Tom Delay. Nearly all of them pled via Rule 11 and were snitches squealing like pigs and flipping for bigger fish to get a reduction in their time.
If he makes significant improvements that are needed to the vulnerable cybersecurity in this country, and the WH (I read he’s moving a lot of the cyber security HQ into the WH away from “Homeland” LOL Security–I wouldn’t trust those jokers as far as I could spit them, then I won’t lose sleep over the 4 Penny’s shirts. Hopefully he knows he can get Ralph Lauren at Costco with the little Horsie that is so popular with Yupsters.
RW-(the original)
March 24th, 2009
11:54 pm
Chadly,
He got convicted of stealing some shirts from JC Penny as a 21 year old. It was a misdemeanor conviction, but he was an adult at the time.
It doesn’t mean that much to me either, but I’m just trying to get a handle on what level of criminality the Obama administration allows. It was them, not I , that said said they would have the most transparent and ethical administration evah. So right about now I guess it’s cool with them to have a tax cheat in charge of the IRS and someone with a criminal record in charge of handling putting records online.
RW-(the original)
March 25th, 2009
12:01 am
How cute Chadly! Polite protocol would dictate that somewhere in your 11:54 you would have apologized for those false accusations you made about me in your 11:45, but it’ll be obvious to anybody reading what really happened in those nine minutes.
Carry on without me, Chadly, I’ve got places to be in the morning. Goodnight!
Chad Harris
March 25th, 2009
12:02 am
You have a handle on the level of criminality Obama’s administration allows. I have given you a handle on the level of criminality that the Bush administration allowed to thrive. It was federal and it translated into significant time for those who got caught. The Abramoff connections yield a few convictions per month.
Delay will do Texas state time–and the only reason he and Ralph the dead in the political water Reed aren’t doing federal time is because Bush DOJ dropped the ball.
Reed also could have been convicted in Texas, but through a stupid slipup, they let the statute of limitations run on Reed who also plaguerized and was kicked off the UGA newspaper for doing it.
As to Geithner’s tax cheating, I’m far more concerned with how cozy he has been and his conduct at the NY Fed and lately which has been a lot more sympathetic to Wall Street than Main Street. The bonuses while symbolic at AIG and Merell via Citibank are a spit in the ocean compared to the billions they gave to the banks I listed above at 100% remuneration on the dollar.
I thought Dashel’s bowing out because of his tax arrogance was an opportunity for Dean who would have done the best job for this country and is infinitely more knowledgable about healthcare than Kathy Sibelius who has no clinical medical experience but there is bad blood between Emanuel and Dean and I blame Emanuel for that so they lost far and away the best person for HHS.
Country Boy
March 25th, 2009
12:21 am
our congress is not a congress–they are greedy hucksters.
Chad Harris
March 25th, 2009
1:41 am
Could someone direct me to where I can read the Republican Budget plan because I seem to have missed that so far?
Since the majority of Bookman commenters are Wingnutters, I’m sure you’ll have no trouble finding me a link.
Bud Wiser
March 25th, 2009
5:50 am
1. Obama lied again, all night long, as he usually does. Once more he proclaimed he’d go through the budget “line by line” and get rid of programs “that don’t work”,just as he said about the earmarks in the stimulus package, which he said the same, and signed it with over 9000 earmarks included. He’s nothing more than a lying bass-turd.
2. Helen Thomas didn’t ask any questions because; a. Obama flapped his ears and the windstorm blew the papers out of her hands, b. She was heavily sedated, or c. she was drunk and heavily sedated.
Maybe doctor Chad flew in especially for the conference, because I see he’s baaaaaack. Doesn’t anyone stay on topic any more? Go play with your rats some more Lady Chadderly, and leave the normal people alone.
Anyone else notice how Obama danced all around the question of the middle class tax cuts, never saying definitely that it would remain, but adding most positively that “revenues will have to be increased” somehow to meet this plunge he’s taking us all toward national bankruptcy?
The only ones who buy this bag of crap from Obama are the morons that supported him in November. Remember this day when he comes back later for all of your money because he has killed the economy, wrecked the financial sector, and plunged the entire planet into a global depression.
Dave R
March 25th, 2009
5:56 am
G, you need some serious, and I mean serious help. You also need some schooling on certain Constitutional issues. Your comment from above:
G- “He treats us like grownups.
Absolutely brilliant, my President. If you complain, first list your credentials to even judge and assess.”
First, he’s treating you like CHILDREN, not adults. He’s making all the hard choices for you (which gives you an orgasm, I know), and trying to take away all your personal responsibility. You’re back to that little girl who can do no wrong and gets pulled out of jams by the mommy or daddy because you didn’t know any better. Congratulations, you’re just regressed to childhood, G.
Now, to your second comment.
My credentials to judge and assess are simply this:
I am a citizen of the United States of America. NO OTHER CREDENTIALS ARE NEEDED.
And don’t you DARE imply otherwise, G. As long as there is a breath in my body, I will reserve the RIGHT to speak about anything I darned well please, madam, and the day you and your minions try to take THAT right away from me, there will be revolution.
Bank on it.
Taxpayer
March 25th, 2009
6:23 am
These revolutionaries of the radically wrong right need a rallying rant — The Bachman Bums or The Teatime Tools.
The REAL GodHatesTrash, Superstar
March 25th, 2009
6:26 am
Unfortunately, morons and imbeciles are not barred from citizenship in the United States.
Taxpayer
March 25th, 2009
6:30 am
Just trying to read through what some of these right wing fringe have to post is painful. Their monotonous broken record parroting is beyond predictable. There is not a single thing of value in their posts. They just get on here and hike their little legs and dump on anything that others say that they don’t like. Then again, that is what their masters instructed them to do and these Republican tools are most assuredly loyal to their masters. That must make Limbaugh and Boortz and Bachman and Cheney, etc., real happy.
Bud Wiser
March 25th, 2009
6:39 am
Taxpayer, you fail to address my comment about O avoiding talking about the middle class tax cuts. Is it that you think it “,…is not a single thing of value…, or that you haven’t even the brainpower of your own to “…hike (your) little legs and dump on anything that others say that (you) don’t like.?
The REAL GodHatesTrash, Superstar
March 25th, 2009
6:51 am
It’s cold in Vermont this morning. A few days ago it was pretty warm.
Unlike a RightWingnutterbutter, my dog knows better than to defecate near where he eats, so my dog goes out to do his business every morning and evening, rain or shine, cold or warm.
He’s an environmentalist, I guess. And he could never work in a Georgia peanut plant, as fastidious as he is.
Dave R
March 25th, 2009
7:03 am
GHT, neither are morons nor imbeciles barred from membership in the Democrat party. Of course, as someone from a state that elects a Socialist to Congress and the Senate, you’d know that, wouldn’t you?
I Report/ You Whine
March 25th, 2009
7:04 am
Police said a man wearing a ski mask walked into the store at Biscayne Boulevard and 54th Street and demanded money from a clerk.
A customer, who has a concealed weapons permit, pulled a gun, said Officer Jeff Giordano, a Miami police spokesman.
The customer and robber exchanged fire.
The robber was shot dead at the scene.
bwa
Dave R
March 25th, 2009
7:05 am
Taxpayer: “There is not a single thing of value in their posts.”
Pot calling kettle . . . – pot calling kettle . . .
Hello, kettle . . .
Taxpayer
March 25th, 2009
7:06 am
What is there to say about middle class tax cuts that the Republicans have not already said. When Obama proposed them, Republicans complained that they were too small. When they got implemented, Republicans complained that they were too small. When Republicans discovered that they have a limited life span, they complained that they will end. When Republicans found that some Democrats are against extending the life of the tax cut, they complain again. Republicans have become too predictable and just outright boring.
Taxpayer
March 25th, 2009
7:15 am
Changes are being made to deal with this country’s problems and more change is on the way. Obama learned quickly that the right wing fringe is just going to complain and offer nothing of value so he’s just leaving them in his dust, where they belong. Good bye, right wing fringe. Don’t let the screen door hit you.
Levin said, “MDA programs have suffered from extensive schedule delays, and from billions of dollars of added costs.” This is because a Bush-era exemption allowed the agency to skip firm cost and schedule estimates — the metrics of performance. Not worried about performance or efficiency, the missileers racked up a $3 billion cost overrun in 2008 alone. That is twenty times the cost of the AIG bonuses, and such overruns happen annually! In Levin’s short words, “This is going to have to change.”
I Report/ You Whine
March 25th, 2009
7:17 am
Because those who control most major newspapers and TV are immature dreamers still stuck on their vision of a socialist utopia; the stuff of teenaged vows to “change the world.” And their hero epitomizes all they hold dear; a hip, youthful knight who champions activism — whatever that means — and looks good doing it.
And so we have managed to elect a man whose brief time in office has reeked of political immaturity. It’s as if like a child, he is constantly trying on his father’s shoes by purporting to accept responsibility, while seconds later claiming, “It wasn’t me…I didn’t do it!”
bwa
BDAtlanta
March 25th, 2009
7:24 am
It sounds like the Right wingnuts aren’t getting their proper dose of “This is what you are to say today” from Fox news and Limbaugh.
You guys need to tune in and soak it up cause it is already Wednesday and the week is almost over.
BDAtlanta
March 25th, 2009
7:28 am
Taxpayer:
Give them righties a tax cut, pronto, before they wig out and blow a gasket!
“me me me me me me me me me” = the Conservative rant.
Aghast
March 25th, 2009
7:37 am
AJC — I am appalled that ajc.com would (or could) ever post an article crtical or to question our President and his administation — see “FACT CHECK: Obama having it both ways on economy?”
PLEASE CANCEL MY E-SUBSCRIPTION IMMEDIATELY!!!!!
DB, Gwinnettian
March 25th, 2009
7:42 am
Mornin’ all. Looks like Jay’s pulling a Wooten today.
I noticed in today’s print edition that the AJC has done as some in here had suggested (me included) and covered the rash of “Git Yer E-Z Stimulus Money Here!” scams. Worth a look.
Anyway, I learned something–the state of GA has set up its own site “as a public service so Georgia citizens can understand where the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 dollars are allocated and how the funds are utilized to benefit the state.”
DB, Gwinnettian
March 25th, 2009
7:43 am
Sorry, second link in my post @ 7.42, to the GA site, is fubar… I’ll try again.
G
March 25th, 2009
7:56 am
I’m still waiting on the Rushpublicant budget plan.
Could it be hiding with the WMD?
Copyleft
March 25th, 2009
7:58 am
To get control of our economy, we need to regulate corporations and the market–which is anathema to free-market fundamentalists, libertarians, and similar far-right cheerleaders.
To get control over Congressional corruption and influence-buying, we need to outlaw lobbying and require public funding of political campaigns… and again, the free-marketeers and libertardians cry about such a “gross violation of free speech [i.e., influence-buying].”
Gee. I wonder what our major obstacle is to having a legislature and a market that actually serve the public interest?
DB, Gwinnettian
March 25th, 2009
7:58 am
“Could it be hiding with the WMD?”
Check under the “voter fraud.”
G
March 25th, 2009
7:59 am
Oh Rushpublicant budget plan, come out, come out, wherever you are…
ESR
March 25th, 2009
8:01 am
I can’t believe there’s as many of you all as there is that doesn’t have expanded cable by now and you were forced to watch only what you can afford and that’s the lower channels and you were forced to see The Pretender read his teleprompter. Wow, this economy must be bad to have to sit and watch that mess. Surely you all have some old VHS tapes you can pop in the recorder?
Taxpayer
March 25th, 2009
8:01 am
It’s not like these do nothing but say no Republicans have not given themselves, on the taxpayer’s dime, more than ample time to at least formulate a question that can be translated into some form of language:
But the exchange at Tuesday’s House Financial Services Committee hearing between Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and Rep. Don Manzullo (R-Ill.) is of a different sort. The most generous interpretation is that Manzullo is hoping to create footage for a future campaign commercial. Bernanke and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, captive extras in his campaign spot, are at a loss as to how to respond — with Bernanke going so far as to break with the traditional comity that suffocates the hearing structure to tell Manzullo that his question is “poorly posed.”
Taxpayer
March 25th, 2009
8:07 am
Rush Limbaugh was at it again on Tuesday, “confusing” Barack Obama with Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe, and referring to the president as “one angry guy — his wife is angry as well.”
Wow, Rush must have gotten a new non-prescribed prescription with some kick to it. His bleats are all blurred.
dbm
March 25th, 2009
5:24 pm
If government weren’t such a threat to business, businesses wouldn’t have to put so much money and effort into talking to politicians and buying them off.
There are many, many ways in which government interferes with business and the economy. This contributes both to business’s need for lobbying and to distortions and inefficiencies that can cause economic problems and disasters, including the current one.