Thinking Right

By AJC/DNC Management

December 1, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this

Yes to Bruno?

I always thought of America as a serious nation, you know, like the lone superpower of the world and all that, and sending some klown out into the “sniper fire” somehow diminishes all of us.

With luck, although I doubt it, these two bozos won’t be dragging too much drama into their new “jobs.”

I don’t mind them making the democrats look foolish but who needs a thermonuclear holocaust?

By Churchill's MOM

December 1, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this

Mom’s in Augusta at the Palin rally, mom has a terrable hangover but it was Auburn’s last game this year. Hopefully Palin will be up first so she doesn’t have to watch Saxby the Idiot. Who is Dan Quayle?? Mom will post when she gets back from Augusta..

With his runoff race ending on Tuesday, Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss called in the party’s big guns—and Sarah Palin answered the call, stumping across the state today and tomorrow. It’s a clear sign of her stature within the party.

Palin’s flash emergence on the national stage has left her as well positioned as any Republican to make a serious run for the GOP nomination in 2012, yet waning support from the political center may threaten her presidential ambitions, according to a Politico analysis of public polling.

Palin is atop a field of ten Republicans in a hypothetical 2012 matchup, including 2008 primary candidates Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee, according to a recent Gallup poll of Republican voters.

Fully two thirds of Republicans, including Republican-leaning independents, want Palin to run for president in 2012, twice as many as back Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who has already made one post-election visit to Iowa, and about 20 points ahead of former Speaker Newt Gingrich.

But even as Palin exploded over a few weeks from relative obscurity to a bigger star within the party than its own presidential nominee, Democrats and independents quickly soured on her, she became one of the most divisive figures in politics.

In mid November, Gallup found that only 45 percent of Americans hoped Palin is “a major national political figure for many years to come.” About three-quarters of Republicans hoped so, three-quarters of Democrats hoped not, as did 53 percent of independents.

Exit polls also showed that 64 percent of independents viewed Palin as unqualified to be president, with nine of ten Democrats and one in four Republicans agreeing.

“Palin’s image, being the way it is for independents, puts her at a distinct disadvantage from a general election standpoint,” said Tony Fabrizio, a veteran GOP strategist. “But it wouldn’t be the first time the hard-core base ran off the cliff.”

Fight for the party’s future

The GOP intra-party debate over Palin has become a proxy for the larger question of her party’s future, and conservative chieftains like Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission President Richard Land fear that attacks on Palin are at times veiled swipes at the party base.

“It would be a mistake to say that social conservatives have all their hopes and dreams vested in Sarah Palin,” Land said, but he added Palin “does have the one thing you can’t coach, charisma,” and continues to have “star power” with conservatives.

She has less, though, among moderates even in her own party. Among moderate and liberal Republicans, Palin dropped about 20 points, falling behind Romney as the group’s preferred 2012 nominee.

Conservatives still dominate the GOP primary process, and in key primary states like Iowa and South Carolina about six in ten GOP voters are also white evangelicals, who overwhelmingly support Palin.

“She is the most popular speaker in the Republican Party,” said Katon Dawson, who heads the South Carolina GOP and is a candidate for the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee.

“The first impression of Sarah Palin is that she is a Republican warrior who took a pretty good licking, and a lot of it unfair,” Dawson said. “Sarah is going to be one of the leaders in the party like Bobby Jindal, like Mark Sanford, like Rick Perry.”

Ed Rollins, who ran presidential bids for Republicans including Ronald Reagan and Huckabee, argued that “independents are something she can focus on later.”

In the end, though, Rollins expects that Palin “will be very similar to [Dan] Quayle.”

“When he started to run, [Quayle] got nowhere,” Rollins said. “The potential is there [for Palin] but out of 10 weeks she had two good weeks.” For the 2012 race, “she’s now not starting at the top but starting at the bottom,” he said, adding that Palin would have to campaign for years in Iowa and New Hampshire to mount a viable campaign.

Fight over the party’s past

Of course, a potential 2012 bid for Palin depends in large part on how Republican insiders come to view her vice-presidential bid this year.

Public polling makes clear that Palin’s role in the ticket’s demise was much exaggerated.

While the economic crisis was the most important concern of a majority of voters, and undercut McCain, the one public figure who weighed down the Republican nominee was the Republican in the White House.

In the three of the most closely watched swing states—Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania—the Quinnipiac University Poll shortly before the election found that more than twice as many voters thought George W. Bush was detrimental to McCain than said the same of Palin .

Yet clearly Palin became a more polarizing figure as the campaign went on, in part because she took on the role of chief critic of the Democratic nominee.

Republican support for the Alaska governor never wavered in the campaign, as Gallup tracking shows that at least eight in ten Republicans viewed Palin favorably from early September on.

While most Democrats disapproved of Palin from the outset, her negatives among them climbed steadily as the campaign progressed. The trend was even more pronounced among independents, among whom her negatives went from 23 percent just after the convention to twice that by the days just before the election.

In Florida, Palin’s overall favorable rating held steady at 47 percent between mid September and mid November, according to Quinnipiac, while her negative rating rose from 23 to 42 percent. The same trend was seen in Ohio and Pennsylvania .

Demographics also influenced how voters viewed Palin, as the first women to hold a place on the Republican ticket proved a more divisive figure for women than for men.

Women were also split by where they lived, with those in the suburbs viewing her unfavorably by a 37-54 margin, mirroring the 54-37 favorable view of women living in small towns and rural areas, according to NBC News-Wall Street Journal polling taken only days before the election. Suburban men split about evenly in their views of Palin, while rural men saw her favorably by a 48-34 margin.

In the end though, it’s not clear how much impact Palin’s selection had on the 2008 race, as those who said her addition to the ticket was an “important factor” in their presidential vote leaned slightly to McCain, 51 to 48 percent.

Even that poll, though, shows Palin’s trouble with the center. While only one in four independents said Palin was an “important factor” in deciding whom to support, those voters backed Obama by a 74 to 20 percent margin.

Reagan or Quayle?

Palin is now reportedly fielding hundreds of media interview requests, including from Oprah Winfrey, as well as lucrative offers for everything from her own television show to book contracts—but to revive her national image, many Republican strategists believe Palin must now step off the national stage.

“Palin needs to demonstrate growth above all else, if she is capable. She needs to retire from the field, endure a period of introspection, and renew herself before she can attempt to return,” said Alex Castellanos, a GOP media consultant who most recently advised Mitt Romney during his 2008 presidential campaign. “Unless she retires from the field soon, the cement will set on the Sarah Palin we know now.”

That Palin has a reputation as an intellectual lightweight reinforced by Tiny Fey’s caricature of her on Saturday Night Live.

It’s this perception that has already led some Republicans to conclude her national political career will quickly fade.

“‘Never’ is a word you don’t use in politics. But having said that, it is difficult for me to imagine her as the Republican nominee in 2012 or 2016,” said John Weaver, McCain’s top strategist in his 2000 presidential bid. “You know, some of the negatives about her are now ingrained in the public lore. They are not the negatives that you accumulate in the rough-and-tumble campaign. These are negatives that go to the core of a person, whether she has the ability to serve in national office.”

Those views were reinforced by anonymous criticism from within McCain’s camp, most notably the charge that she did not know Africa was a continent.

Palin though has her defenders within the McCain campaign as well. “She’s plenty smart. She’s brilliant. She’s incredibly talented,” said Charlie Black, who was one of McCain’s top advisors.

Black conceded that the Alaska governor may have been “thrust on the national scene before she was fully capable.” But he added, “she’s got several years to build on her record. Understand, that the political environment when she came on the scene was the worst for Republicans in 34 years. She also took a pounding that was unfair.

“She can overcome that,” Black continued. “She is a charismatic person that has shown she has guts.”

Or as Land put it, “There is nothing said about Palin that wasn’t said about Ronald Reagan. Grade B movie Star. Amiable dunce. And it really hurt didn’t it,” he added, with a pang of sarcasm.

“Time will tell,” said Land, “whether she’s Ronald Reagan or Dan Quayle.”

By Snipers for Saxby

December 1, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this

What WERE They Thinking?

They’re everywhere, hawking anything from indoor grills to outdoor gear, looking you straight in the eye and assuring you that “whenever they go (your activity here), they’d never go without (product here).”

They are celebrity endorsers, and these days, it seems everyone has a “celebrity” attached to their products. The logic is simple: if someone identifies with a celebrity, they will buy the products that celebrity uses.

Joe Namath wore panty hose and sold aftershave.

Lebron James and Shaquille O’Neal star in their own mini-movies (but for the life of me I can’t remember what either are selling).

Julius (Dr. J) Erving and Chelsey Grammer tell us to drink our doctor -Dr. Pepper - slowly. “Trust me,” says Grammer, with the same sly smile that probably convinced Eve to try apples, “I’m a doctor.”

Some marketing execs call it the “NASCAR effect” fans love a driver and buy the products on his car because they believe sponsor dollars will keep him racing. Pure marketing voodoo.

But bringing your celebrity and a product, by association, to the front-page, can be like the legendary Woody Hayes explaining his hatred of the forward pass. “One of three things happens every time you pass the football,” Hayes said, “two of them are bad.”

Sometimes, celebs crash and burn, turning from dubious asset to obvious liability. It can be anything from a thoughtless comment to a murder charge, but the impact is the same: the celeb commits the offense and their sponsors bear the consequences.

Sometimes the damage just a bump to the corporate pride (think John Daly being hauled out of Hooters recently). At others, however, it’s the stinging outrage of consumers who vow they will never, ever, under any circumstance, buy your products, then back that up by canceling orders worth millions of dollars.

That kind of offense can turn a name from a noun to a verb, and that verb into a synonym for “toxic”.

Yet the American fixation with celebrity continues, and many companies race headlong into endorsements.

That potential for disaster is always there - especially if you don’t consider why someone is known.

Just before the Thanksgiving holiday, I learned that yet another company might be headed for a marketing nightmare. This time, it seems the company didn’t recognize the distinction between “known” and “notorious”.

H-S Precision is a South Dakota company that manufacturers rifles and rifle components. They’re so confident in their products that they offer a 3-shot group that’s guaranteed 1/2 MOA at 100 yards (30 caliber or smaller). Their customers range from hunters who want light, accurate rifles to military and law enforcement snipers.

It seems, however, H-S Precision has missed the mark - badly - in their choice of endorsements.

On the back cover of their latest catalog is what appears to be a rather innocuous recommendation of H-S products by a mid-level FBI bureaucrat. But the letter is evoking strong responses by some outraged shooters.

Some watershed moments in American history evoke strong emotions. 9/11 can represent either the moment of perfect evil visited on America or the resiliency of the American spirit.

Others have no positive redeeming quality. One of those is Ruby Ridge.

That unfortunate event has become what then- FBI Director Louis Freeh described as “synonymous with the exaggerated application of federal law enforcement”.

For many hard-core shooters, anyone associated with the event is toxic.

The author of that seemingly innocuous letter on the H-S catalog may be the most toxic of them all.

Lon Horiuchi, the “FBI Program Manager and COTR” who wrote the H-S Precision endorsement was the sniper who fired the shot that killed Vicki Weaver during that 1992 standoff. Although charged with manslaughter, he was never prosecuted. A year later, Horiuchi was also involved in the Waco siege in 1993, sealing his linkage to two of the worst examples of excessive use of force by law enforcement in recent history.

The internet kicked off the controversy, with bloggers asking “what in the hell are they thinking” (H-S Precision).

From there, the story has spread with protests reaching companies that use H-S Precision components.

One senior executive told me his company had already received “dozens” of emails concerning the use of H-S Precision parts. As to the tone of the emails: “none of them were happy.”

Reading the blogs and message boards across the shooting community, it seems some readers are hoping that this is nothing more than an unfortunate gaffe.

One comment reminded readers Horiuchi never represented himself as anything other than the FBI official tasked in the selection of new precision rifle. And, another wrote, Horiuchi may be widely reviled, he was never convicted of wrongdoing. In fact, he retired from the FBI in October 2006.

But the ripples continue to spread.

As this new week begins, it’s doubtful that anyone at H-S Precision anticipated the kind of greetings awaiting them after a weekend set aside for thanksgiving.

It’s pretty safe to presume one of the questions they’ll be answering, repeatedly, will be: “what were you thinking?”

By DB, Gwinnettian

December 1, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this

“Nobody wants a two-fer. Nobody wants to hire her and get him.”

While in a strict sense this is pretty defensible—obviously if you hire an individual you are not hiring their spouse.

But I think you’re implying that “nobody” would like to see Bill Clinton as SoS, and that’s patently ridiculous.

By Saxby on FOX, Stupid or What...

December 1, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

Saxby Chambliss, the Republican incumbent in Tuesday’s runoff for U.S. Senate, appeared in a 10-minute segment this morning on “Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace.”

Democrat Jim Martin was invited but declined, Wallace said.

No major news was committed. YouTube segments are available, but we’re waiting on the sanctioned Fox clip before we embed any video.

Wallace noted that the enthusiasm of African-American voters seems to have cooled here, and posited that this could be an advantage for Chambliss, who finished first on Nov. 4.

The senator predicted that “if voters turn out again in the same ratios….then, obviously, we’ll win again.”

But the more interesting exchange came on the topic of economics, in which Wallace took up many of the Democratic arguments. Wallace showed a Martin TV ad in which Chambliss — quoted in July — disputes that the U.S. was in recession:

Wallace: Your opponent, Jim Martin, says that you voted for the Bush policies that got us into this mess and he notes that you voted for the $700 billion bailout in September. He voted against it.

Chambliss: Well, he says he would have voted against it. Of course, the guy that he’s joined at the hip with, President-elect Obama, voted for it. You know, that clip is interesting. That was about four seconds out of a 40-minute speech I gave that morning — and which, incidentally, when I made that statement, I was quoting Alan Greenspan, who I have a lot more confidence in than I do Mr. Martin’s judgment on the economy.

Wallace: Senator, may I just bring you up on that? Because that quote, when you said, “I don’t know if we’re in a recession, I don’t know what that means,” you said that in July of this year. And in fact, in April of this year, several months before, Alan Greenspan had said we’re headed into a recession.

Chambliss: Yes, well, you know, there was a real question about what is the definition of a recession. A recession, Chris, if you’ll remember, it was supposed to be two consecutive months of negative [Gross Domestic Product], and at that point in time we hadn’t seen that.

But you know, economists disagree on the technical definition of recession, and obviously that’s what I was talking about…

Wallace: But Senator Chambliss, the Martin camp says that you have been far too trusting of Treasury Secretary Paulson and the bailout, which you voted for. And they point out to what you said… a couple of weeks ago.

You said, “If the smart people in the financial community think this is the best way to go, I think we have to respect that. I do trust folks who deal with these issues on a daily basis like folks in the financial community.”

Senator, after everything we’ve seen in the last month or so, do you still trust Wall Street and would you still vote for the financial bailout?

Chambliss: Well, I didn’t say I trust Wall Street. I said people in the financial community. And I think Hank Paulson is a smart guy. And I listen to what he says. But he’s not the only one I listen to. Listen, I talk to dozens and dozens of bankers in Georgia, both from small community banks to big banks.

I talk to business people who were seeing their lines of credit pulled and were starting to have to — or having to lay people off. Those are the kinds people that I listen to, to make sure that we put policies in place that are going to free up this credit market, going to ease this crunch that we find ourselves in.

And you know, there comes a point in time from a military standpoint, you trust your military leadership. From a business standpoint, you have to trust business leaders. And, sure, I listen to those folks and, sure, I’ve based my opinions on what they’ve said….

By Redneck Convert

December 1, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

Well, I don’t care for this Hillary woman neither, but she better keep me safe from the Terrists.

Strip that old lady buck-nekkid at the airport and then run her thru the machine. Take away the tube of toothpaste that somebody might use as a weapon. Listen in on my phone calls all you want and ask me to repeat things if you don’t understand what I’m saying. Spy on my e-mail. Keep track of my bank account. Open my letters all you want. Arrest all the people you want and lock them up in Cuba without charges.

Just don’t let the Terrists get me and mine. I know there’s a few libruls on here that think we should have freedom when the Terrists are out to get us. They will point to stuff like we weren’t afraid when we went to war with 6 million German soldiers and about 20 million Japanese soldiers back in WWII.

But this is diffrent. Somewhere out in the desert there’s a Terrist wearing a towel on his head and a bathrobe and flip-flops. He’s learning to shoot guns and make bombs to kill us all. I reckon I might count on brave people like Sister Dusty to stand in front of me and take the bullet for me, but I kind of doubt it. For some reason I get the feeling she don’t like me none, I can’t say why.

So at the first sighting of a Terrist I’m hiding under my bed. And my advise is the rest of you should do the same.

If this Hillary can keep me safe from Terrists, I’m all for her. Even if her husband takes advantage of 20 interns at a time. I’ll even buy the knee pads.

Have a good day everybody. I’m awful glad old Wooten is back in business. He left us with a couple columns and didn’t give us no chance to comment on them. I reckon the AJC can’t afford to look over comments on weekends no more. It’s what they get for being librul in a state full of godly Conservatives.

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

December 1, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this

Good morning all. Any analysis of the Hillary nomination almost sounds like cold-war intra-Kremlin intrigue. Obama’s calculus is that he has co-opted his most dangerous rival for re-nomination in 2012. The greatest threat to the Obama administration is international and having Hillary in a position of blame is useful. Surely Obama calculates that Hillary will not have sufficient time to carve out a worthy record at State before his other policies collapse the economy (which is when any new rival would have to break with the administration.) Hillary’s calculus must be that somehow State is the route to the presidency, although I don’t think a secretary of state has been elected president in the past 175 years. Limbaugh wryly argues that Hillary can sabotage Obama from within. Where the Clintons are involved, we can always anticipate entertainment. 1990s redux.

Lest I let the note go uncredited, I agree that Gates and Jones are superior appointments; credit Chauncey with judgment to obtain expertise where he seemingly needs it most. (Unrelated, I know I always threatened to use the same epithet for Obama that getalife used for President Bush – “Chimpy” – but the racial connotation makes that inappropriate. Not that PC matters to me, but “Chauncey” works just fine for my points.)

By Snipers for Chambliss

December 1, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this

Saxby = Big Spending, Big Government, Pro Amnesty SOCIALIST Martin = Moderate Democrat. Vote for what you want.

By Frost

December 1, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this

As for Obama, he’s always been the mystery man coming from a Gerogia red-neck,who is surprised? The rest of the country thinks,fortunately.

By Saxby The SOCIALIST

December 1, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this

See what the LOBBYIST got for the $2 million they gave me. I did not even read the bill, who needs to when you get that much money..

The great Number Crunching game The bailout numbers keeps getting better and better… (especially with the news announced today).

The bailout has cost more than all of these big budget government expenditures – combined:

Marshall Plan: Cost: $12.7 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $115.3 billion….. Louisiana Purchase: Cost: $15 million, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $217 billion….. Race to the Moon: Cost: $36.4 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $237 billion….. S&L Crisis: Cost: $153 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $256 billion….. Korean War: Cost: $54 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $454 billion …..The New Deal: Cost: $32 billion (Est), Inflation Adjusted Cost: $500 billion….. (Est) Invasion of Iraq: Cost: $551b, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $597 billion….. Vietnam War: Cost: $111 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $698 billion….. NASA: Cost: $416.7 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $851.2 billion TOTAL: $3.92 trillion

The bailout cost with the latest Citigroup addition is about $5 trillion.

By Frost

December 1, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

although I don’t think a secretary of state has been elected president in the past 175 years other than Wooten, u can always tell we have fossils among us.Their minds are so closed,rigid and tunnel visioned.U cannot change them.But why bother change them when they are looking str8 at the graveyard!

By F22 Guy

December 1, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this

This is from the Sunday Washington Post, OBAMA is going to kill the F22& the thousands of GEORGIA jobs that come with it. Chambliss can’t help save the F22 but Jim Martin can. Vote for Jim Martin, Vote to save Georgia JOBS

By Curious Observer

December 1, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Martin Van Buren, and James Buchanan were all secretaries of state.

By ron

December 1, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

Good Morning,I have no problem having Hillary as Secretary of State.She was a Goldwater Girl in her younger days.I don’t believe she’s as liberal as she’s painted.Hillary will do a fine job and Bill will be Bill.He’ll help Obama out if he can locate the right door.

Mr.Frost thinks that other than Georgia rednecks, the rest of the country voted for Obama.Wrong.

I’ve been closely following the events in Mumbai.Is this the shape of things to come or is this type of attack going to be reserved for easily reachable countries?

The real rason that Gates is staying is that there are no qualified libs to fill the position.

Will the Saxby sucks junk dry up after tomorrow?I certainly hope so.As wooten said earlier in life,”this ends the political season for now”.The 2010 election season starts on December 3rd.

By Matt Zencey

December 1, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

Alaska Notebook: Palin’s Georgia pal

This Alaska notebook will appear in Saturday’s print edition, on the editorial page:

by Matt Zencey

Gov. Sarah Palin is putting her conservative Republican fame to work in Georgia, stumping for Republican U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, who is in a tough runoff for re-election.

I wonder if she knows the true measure of the man she is eagerly helping.

Chambliss was elected to the Senate in 2002 by running one of the most reprehensible campaigns of modern times. He was up against incumbent Democrat Sen. Max Cleland, a Vietnam War veteran who lost both legs and his right arm to a grenade during that conflict.

Chambliss avoided serving in Vietnam. He got four student draft deferments, and when his number finally came up, he was medically disqualified with knee troubles.

By getalife

December 1, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

Due to w’s mess he will leave, Obama needs all the help he can get.

Don’t forget to fire suxby.

By Illegals for Saxby

December 1, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

Illegal Immigration: A Rich American’s Game

This is one of the best articles I have ever read about explaining the core issue behind illegal immigration and trade. Congress has formed an unholy alliance with the lobbyist money changers in Washington to sell out small business and the middle class. Please read this article and tell me what you think.

By Froma Harrop

RCP-There’s a popular game in America that goes, I’ll cut your wages, but you don’t cut mine. And the outsourcing of your factory job to China is a good thing, because it makes my paycheck go further at Wal-Mart. We hear this theme a lot in the debate over illegal immigration.

Consider the recent raids on Swift meat-processing plants. Federal agents arrested 1,187 illegal immigrants at facilities in six states. Mere hours later, economists warned that depriving the industry of illegal labor could raise hamburger prices.

http://controlcongress.com/uncategorized/illegal-immigration-a-rich-americans-game

By Bo Chambliss LOBBYIST

December 1, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

SAXBY ECONOMICS

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is widening its search for buyers of failed banks. The agency said Wednesday that it would allow qualified parties without bank charters make bids to acquire the deposits and assets of failing institutions.

By Bo Chambliss LOBBYIST

December 1, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this

Saxby Economics

Parkcentral Capital Management, which said Tuesday it was liquidating a fixed-income hedge fund because it was “no longer viable,” missed a margin call just days before the announcement, according to a lawsuit filed by JPMorgan Chase against the investment firm.

By Bo Chambliss LOBBYIST

December 1, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

SAXBY ECONOMICS

Tesla Motors, which makes an all-electric sports car, wants $400 million in low-interest federal loans. But, Randall Stross asks in The New York Times, why should taxpayers pay for a functioning concept car that sells for $109,000?

By Bo Chambliss LOBBYIST

December 1, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this

SAXBY ECONOMICS

Shares of General Motors and Ford Motor rose sharply Wednesday after an analyst at Deutsche Bank said the government appeared increasingly likely to bail out the struggling Big Three automakers.

By findog

December 1, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

The point of Hilary at State is that no one will refer to it as the Department of Nice anymore.

By norman ravitch

December 1, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this

You are right for a change: Bill Clinton should be removed somewhere where he cannot cause trouble.

By findog

December 1, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

Ron @9:36

The Mumbai attacks were harder to defend in India because the Muslim extremist’s are local. Kind of like Oklahoma City where no one questioned a clean-cut white guy parking a van in front of the Merrill Government building. Not so much easily reachable as harder to profile, then again you cannot defend against suicide minded fanatically deranged week willed cowards with insider knowledge/help.

As to Gates staying, Nunn certainly is qualified, along with several admirals and generals that have centrist democratic tendencies. Gates is staying for the same reason Rumsfeld was kept, to keep the continued war efforts out of the senate confirmation process. This is a no-brainer. He keeps the far left from raising a ruckus on defense while holding his bipartisan mantra intact.

By Ga Values

December 1, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

Good quick read on a world class bankrupcy lawyers solution on the auto mess. I did not vote for Obama but hope that in 4 years he will have earned my vote.

http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/26/another-view-how-to-save-the-us-auto-industry/

By jbm is a condescending...

December 1, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

You have points, ragweed?

By deegee

December 1, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

Illegals for Saxby thinks that red-blooded American high school dropouts are standing in line for the privilege of slaughtering and butchering pigs and cows. Enjoy your Eid-al-Fitr.

“Tensions at the plant began after a Federal government raid in December 2006 removed 200 undocumented workers. An equal number of employees quit shortly afterward. Altogether, six government immigration raids at meat packing plants of Brazilian-owned JBS Swift & Co. had removed 1,200 employees from the company’s work force, which caused substantial production problems. Management at the Nebraska plant responded by hiring approximately 400 Somali immigrants who resided in the United States legally as political refugees. Stricter Federal enforcement of immigration laws has had a significant impact on the meat packing industry because few native-born Americans are willing to work in its low-wage factories. Employers advertise to immigrant communities and after the immigration crackdowns the company turned to the Somali community, which was unlikely to be targeted for deportation.”

By Road Scholar

December 1, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

“As for Obama, he’s always been the mystery man — and that makes him the most frightening of the lot. Most frightening is that mystery men, especially those who project weakness in leadership and decision-making, invite testing.”

Paleeese! what a crock of…..

He is smarter than our current president, more organized than most, he does not fear listening to contrary views, and does not make “from the hip” decisions. He also kicked your candidates butt. He is not a cowboy who has to resort to a “shoot em up” mentality. He moves when he has the facts and has weighed the alternatives. He doesn’t invent the “truth”.

Wooten, instead of suppossing your distorted beliefs on us concerning what Obama will do, why don’t you give him a chance. Oh and by the way, he is not President until January 20th.

By ron

December 1, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

findog @ 10:14—- I understand that India has a large Muslim population that would just as soon see India fall into their hands as have the status remain quo. The countries I’m thinking about are Great Britain and France.Both countries have a large militant Muslim population.An attack such as the one in Mumbai could very well take place in London.In France it could be any number of smaller cities.

By PinkoNeoConLibertarian

December 1, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

“The nation is, we all hope, past that missiles-to-mud-huts era of national security that he represents.”

What the hell do you think the current president’s era of national security represents? I guess in your mind it’s ok if you replace the “missiles” with “boots on the ground, american blood in the dirt”?

By Glenn

December 1, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

“To Obama’s credit, he is assembling a national security team that sends all the right messages to friends and enemies.”

Whew! What a relief. My major sticking point with Candidate Obama, a cool dude and a sharp blade, was his reluctance to accept that “some folks just need killin’”, as Josie Wales put it. Consider, for example, the terrorists in Mumbai, and their sponsors in Kurachi.

During the second and third weeks of August last, Ivan was repositioning, following a police action and feint in the Republic of Georgia, to go against the NATO border. Russian short-range missiles were being hauled back out of Georgia and moved breakneck toward e.g. Poland, nuclear weaponry unknown to NATO was appearing out of nowhere, and old Soviet systems were being reactivated and retargeted at NATO allies including the U.S. Every nuclear power on the planet was placed on highest alert status.

The scariest period was August 17-21. At that time, nobody was at home in DC. Every one of the “Top Five” in constitutional succession was either vacationing (Bush, Cheney), in Recess (Pelosi, Reid), or else partying abroad (Rice, in Warsaw and Paris). Yet, as the late Dr. Thompson would say, the hog definitely was out of the tunnel. The President refused our 44+ intelligence services (military & civilian) so little as his certification of a “threat window” within which to bound the timeframe of the emergency. Neither he nor the Vice President was observed leaving their respective ranches, nor even re-boarding their aircraft for use of the command-and-control centers onboard.

During that period it fell to Secretary of Defense and former CIA Director Robert Gates to guide us safely out of the mess. How he did it I’ve no idea. But we’re here. What I do know is that the Democratic leadership is well aware of the nation’s debt to Mr. Gates, and that his proposed reappointment by the new President will represent much more than a sinecure, or mere interim gesture.

With hardasses such as Gates and Jones covering our back, we’ll be well covered.

And did I mention the Chinese?

By ron

December 1, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

Another prediction for today.——-The stories that will come out of the Plaxico Burress alledged self-shooting in a Manhattan night club will rival the best fiction ever written.

By Glenn

December 1, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

Do tell, ron. Say.

By Chad Harris

December 1, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

As usual, Jimmy the Woo Woo’s childish Wingnut take is dead wrong. Clinton should never have been appointed, and if the Wingnuts who kept sucking up to her during their failed campaign were so enamoured with her they should have nominated her for President or VP.

The Clintons who to this date have refused to disclose contributors both to the Foundation and the Library, basically because they portend criminal liability for both of them.

Someone should inform Jimmy the Woo Woo that the election is over and hisparty of poorly educated non-readers lost while the Nation won.

So the tired mantra that Obama who was vetted for two years with constant media attention on him is pure stupidity as usual.

By findog

December 1, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

ron, yes but they have less squirmish internal services available

By Glenn

December 1, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

Jim Webb’s ego indeed has been eating at his Cerebrum and Left Big Toe for many years, but let’s just get his G.I. Bill passed in January, and save the hashers at Salvation Army the work of feeding quite so many military families during the holiday season. OK?

By AF

December 1, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

Well, Hillary is in. Now there is some speculation that the Governor of New York will appoint Bill to Hillary’s Senate seat. Good idea! We get a two-fer but Bill has his own job.

By Glenn

December 1, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

AF,

In my opinion Bill Clinton would make a miserable John Quincy Adams or Howard Taft. Besides, the gravy train he’d make of his Senate service would stretch for two miles, double-stacked…

By Glenn

December 1, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

…he’s not even from Hope, after all, but from upscale Hot Springs. The Man from Hope is, help me, Mike Huckabee…

By Thinking About It

December 1, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this

These are all quotes from the Muslim that the people of United States just put into the highest office in the land::

From Dreams of My Father: “I ceased to advertise my mother’s race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites.”

From Dreams of My Father: “I found a solace in nursing a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity against my mother’s race.”

From Dreams of My Father: “There was something about him that made me wary, a little too sure of himself, maybe. And white.”

From Dreams of My Father: “It remained necessary to prove which side you were on, to show your loyalty to the black masses, to strike out and name names.”

From Dreams of My Father: “I never emulate white men and brown men whose fates didn’t speak to my own. It was into my father’s image, the black man, son of Africa, that I’d packed all the attributes I sought in myself, the attributes of Martin and Malcolm, DuBois and Mandela.”

And the most damning one of all, from Audacity of Hope: “I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.”

God help us all now that the radical racist Marxist is elected.

By hotlanta

December 1, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

Hiliary would not have offered Barak a job had she been elected President. Barak would have been sitting by the phone waiting on that 3:00 phone call.

By findog

December 1, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

TAI @12:11, Is he a Muslim or a Marxist? They are by definition mutually exclusive. When you make up your mind get back to us…

By Glenn

December 1, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

hotlanta, sorry, but…

If wishes were horses beggars would ride.

By Disgusted

December 1, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this

TAI @12:11: I suppose bitter thoughts inevitably accompany the approaching end of the practice of using the federal budget, through huge tax breaks, as a personal piggy bank.

By Irony Maiden

December 1, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

“UN climate talks to create 13,000 tonnes of carbon staging a global forum on climate change is a dilemma, as it adds to the very problem it is trying to solve. Around 13,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) will be added to the Earth’s greenhouse effect from the December 1-12 meeting of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UNFCCC said.”

Now, keep that hypocrisy in mind when remembering the Algore and other left wing liberal junk science moonbats who are contimplating this:

“Lawyers call for international court for the environment. A former chairman of the Bar Council is calling for an international court for the environment to punish states that fail to prevent climate change.”

The environmental fascism born out of emotion-driven junk science is coming. Watch how those same Kyoto hypocrites continue to ignore China and India as polluters and just pick on America and punish America as stated above with US taxpayer dollars. The thought alone is sickening enough. The Democrats actually want this to happen - their howling alone over Bush rejecting Kyoto says it all. One of the few good things the Bush administration has done is stand up to this global initiative of punishing the US and capitalism and economic freedom. America, it was a good run for 232 years……………

By rarringt

December 1, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

Actually, as a member of the “looney left,” I’m quite happy with the Gates and Jones appointments.

They are both good men with excellent credentials and experience.

As far as the mystery man comments, Jim, probably high time to move past it. As you liked to point out, you can judge a person by the company they keep - and Gen. Jones seems like a pretty good guy to have in your inner circle.

By Glenn

December 1, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

Iron Maiden,

If it’s any consolation to you, my guess is that Barack played the enviro-metaphysicists just for sport. And fun. And profit.

You may be right, that we’ll hear more from them during this ensuing Admin., but I think that’s all that will be: that he, we, will hear them.

They’re dust to dust anyway, ashes to ashes. Fools.

Not to worry, now.

By hotlanta

December 1, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

Why does the Obama team have to raise money to pay off their debt. Someone explain this madness to me.

By AF

December 1, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

Glenn, Yep. Bill would not be a JQAdams or HTaft. He would just be Bill. As long as he stays away from young,female Senate pages (they have those in the Senate, don’t they?) he could be a good senator.

Bill knows politics, how to get things done. He knows how to work with both sides. He doesn’t have anything much to lose - he has already been President. I think he could be a practical, get-it-done, policy-wonk kind of Senator.

Coming from Georgia, can you imagine having a Senator who actually understood legislation he was voting on???????

By artjazz

December 1, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

As I stated in a previous post: Now what? It appears that we blacks have been hoodwinked again, bamboozled, by Obama and his entourage. Am I the only black and/or liberal who has noticed that practically his entire inner circle is white or near white. Why are all the black commentators keeping their mouths shut? Could it be that all of the elitist blacks around the country are only interested in getting a ticket to the inaugural Ball, and being seem. But then remember, Obama never mentioned poor people once in his campaign or speeches, it was “middle-class,” a catch phrase for white people. Do the math. You see, Obama has chosen all whites, and/or people that looks just like he does, or similar backgrounds. Susan Rice, General Jones, Gates, and Holder, give me a break, change to what, from what?

By Saxby is a CROOK

December 1, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this

Saxby the SOCIALIST makes Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington NOVEMBER news release. Right there wit William Jefferson and Rick Renzi. All Citizens of Georgia should be happy.

“Speech or Debate Clause Takes Center Stage in Congressional Corruption Cases

In the past year, a much overlooked and under-discussed interpretation of the Speech or Debate Clause of the Constitution has had a significant impact on congressional corruption investigations. Probes into the illegal conduct of Reps. William Jefferson (D-LA) and Rick Renzi (R-AZ) have been impeded by claims that this constitutional privilege prevents their prosecution.

The Speech or Debate Clause was intended to free legislators from executive and judicial oversight that realistically would threaten to control their conduct as legislators. Historically, the Clause has been interpreted narrowly to prevent members from being immunized from prosecution for crimes. All traditional investigative techniques were available to law enforcement agents probing congressional corruption, but legislative material could not be used as evidence against a member in a judicial proceeding.

After Rep. Jefferson claimed the search of his Rayburn House Office Building violated the Speech or Debate Clause, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals held that if any legislative information is viewed by investigators during a search, the admissibility of even non-legislative material is in doubt. In a decision strongly criticized by prosecutors, the Court reinterpreted the Clause to find that in addition to preventing the use of legislative material against a member of Congress, it also now prevents the disclosure of information.

Despite this decision, a panel of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals refused to dismiss Rep. Jefferson’s indictment on Speech or Debate Clause grounds, allowing the case against him to proceed. Rep. Jefferson has asked the full court to reconsider that decision.

Rep. Renzi has asked an Arizona district court to dismiss the indictment against him, also claiming it was obtained in violation of the Clause. Because the Speech or Debate Clause should not allow members to avoid being held accountable for their criminal acts, CREW has filed friend-of-the-court briefs on behalf of the United States in both the Jefferson and Renzi cases. See CREW briefs here

In contrast, on behalf of the House leadership, the House Counsel also filed a brief in the Renzi case, arguing that the indictment against Rep. Renzi should be dismissed because government agents improperly heard legislative material in violation of the Clause while conducting the investigation of Rep. Renzi.

By arguing for an interpretation of the Speech or Debate Clause that would immunize members of Congress from searches and seizures, Congress is attempting to protect members from criminal prosecution, rather than ensuring they comply with the law. If other courts adopt the position advanced by the House Counsel, members of Congress may never be held to account for their illegal actions.

A Speech or Debate Clause issue has also developed in the Senate. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) is currently resisting a subpoena from lawyers requesting information about the senator’s contacts with the Imperial Sugar Corporation and why he tried to dissuade victims’ families from suing the company following a deadly explosion and fire at a Georgia refinery earlier this year. The Senate Counsel has filed a motion to quash the subpoena, claiming the Clause prevents him from responding. On November 18th, CREW publicly refuted Sen. Chambliss’s argument and explained the Clause does not protect the senator from answering questions about meetings with victims’ families.

In an era when misconduct among members of Congress is at an all-time high - 12 members are currently under federal investigation - Congress cannot be permitted to, on the one hand, tell the public that it has no tolerance for corruption, while on the other, use the Speech or Debate Clause to prevent prosecution of wrongdoing by members.”

By What SAXBY doesn't know can hurt YOU

December 1, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

**Congratulations. It’s a recession Monday, December 1, 2008, 01:44 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The National Bureau of Economic Research just pronounced the United States economy to be in recession, and has been for about a year.

Read the bureau’s entire statement here. But this is the gist:

The committee identified December 2007 as the peak month, after determining that the subsequent decline in economic activity was large enough to qualify as a recession.

Payroll employment, the number of filled jobs in the economy based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ large survey of employers, reached a peak in December 2007 and has declined in every month since then.

An alternative measure of employment, measured by the BLS’s household survey, reached a peak in November 2007, declined early in 2008, expanded temporarily in April to a level below its November 2007 peak, and has declined in every month since April 2008.**

By Democrats for Palin

December 1, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

Q: What do you call a guy with a “Palin 2012″ bumper sticker on his car? A: A Democrat.

I don’t really care whether people like Palin or not. But I’m really concerned that people really think that she’s material for national public office. The only thing I can think of is that her supporters are all Democrats who want to see the GOP fall on its face again in the future. That would include Saxby “RINO” Chambliss.

By @@

December 1, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

Like you, Jim, Hillary is fine with me although I must take this opportunity to remind the uber-left that she was not fine with them or PrezEOBlahMa during the campaign.

Nope! She represented everything that was wrong in our foreign policy over the last eight years.

Not to worry! When fielding the angst from the uber-left over his selections, he……”The Big O”, took a brief moment to assure them that “the change” would come from him however “loose” and “scattered” they may find it.

Jest words?

DON’T WORRY…….BE HAPPY!!!!

And Jim, thanks for acknowledging those six plus two who have served with honor, courage and integrity in protecting that which we hold most dear.

Wisely, you did not open the thread for comment but chose to let them stand untouched in their valor. Always the Gentleman Jim, you are.

To these men and women and to others in uniform who remained scrupulously above politics and focused on the job of preserving our freedoms, thanks.

By Disgusted

December 1, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

Yes, the Obama team definitely needs to use race and ethnicity, and not qualifications, as the measure of the suitability of a candidate for a cabinet appointment. That’s the way it has always been done, and there’s no reason to change it now—other than a few minor matters, such as the ability to obtain desirable outcomes and to perform the work superbly. If Obama continues this creeping toward competency of public officials, government might actually get something done—a very undesirable outcome. Hasn’t this guy ever heard of paying off/back those who got him into office? If he isn’t careful, we might not have any more Monica Goodlings, much to the chagrin of the voting public.

By Boy Reporter

December 1, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

I saw Palin’s “speech” in Augusta, and there was a lot of empty space(referring to space in the big hall, not space between the ears, as it is not necessary to point out the latter). She strung together enough empty platitudes to supply an entire campaign, throwing in the word “Georgia” every few seconds just to remind herself, I guess, where she was.

By rarringt

December 1, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

Artjazz @ 1:43:

In the off chance you aren’t a troll, I’ll attempt to address your issue.

First, both Eric Holder and Susan Rice are extraordinary candidates who are well qualified for their respective positions. And, they both happen to be black people.

Second, Obama should find the best people for the job and staff them accordingly. I would have liked to have seen Colin Powell get SecDef or NSA, but Obama’s choices are beyond reproach.

Last, I’d say I’m more interested in a person’s agenda (and how it positively impacts all Americans) rather than their skin color. Learned that valuable lesson from the Clarence Thomases and Armstrong Williamses of the world. I’d encourage you do do the same.

By rarringt

December 1, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

Artjazz @ 1:43:

In the off chance you aren’t a troll, I’ll attempt to address your issue.

First, both Eric Holder and Susan Rice are extraordinary candidates who are well qualified for their respective positions. And, they both happen to be black people.

Second, Obama should find the best people for the job and staff them accordingly. I would have liked to have seen Colin Powell get SecDef or NSA, but Obama’s choices are beyond reproach.

Last, I’d say I’m more interested in a person’s agenda (and how it positively impacts all Americans) rather than their skin color. Learned that valuable lesson from the Clarence Thomases and Armstrong Williamses of the world. I’d encourage you do do the same.

By Eli Jones

December 1, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

Hillary is one more reason why I will be at the polling station tomorrow to vote for Saxby Chambliss. There is no threat that our nation is facing that is as grave as losing the balance of power. The Democrats will have their way with us if they gain a complete monopoly on our government. It doesn’t matter if you are a Democrat or Republican, this monopoly of power would hurt you. Our government needs a balance and the election of Saxby will insure that balance. With the Democrat/Socialist/Marxist party promising sky high taxes, wealth redistribution, defense cutbacks in these dangerous times, the 845 Billion in additional taxes for Obama’s “US Senate bill S2433” promised for the UN Global Poverty Act with your hard earned money to be redistributed to third world dictators there is a lot at stake. This election is as important as the presidential election was and I will vote for Saxby to help stop this reckless nonsense of the Democrats.

By ron

December 1, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

Dear Disgusted @ 2:19 PM——-How many black votes cast in the South actually helped Obama get elected to office?

By t prescott

December 1, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

hillary clinton is obama’s white rice.

By Curious Observer

December 1, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

The Democrats will have their way with us if they gain a complete monopoly on our government.

Atta boy, Eli. Let’s keep those filibusters going so that nothing gets done in Congress for the next four years. And Saxby will never be the best golfer in Congress, instead of the mere second-best, if we don’t give him another six years to improve. It’s tough to be a better golfer with the knees that kept him out of the draft, but I’m certain he’ll give it his best shot.

By Bo Chambliss LOBBYIST

December 1, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this

Saxby had his choice between the GEORGIA Chicken Industry and The Iowa Ethanol Industry.. Saxby Picked the Iowa, Why??? Saxby’s Son Bo is a LOBBYIST for the ETHANOL Industry..

UPDATE: Pilgrim’s Pride Lines Up $450 Million For Chapter 11 Exit

December 01, 2008: 01:42 PM EST

(Updates throughout with background and more details)

By Doug Cameron

Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. (PPC) said Monday that it had lined up $450 million in new funding after the largest U.S. chicken producer by revenue filed for bankruptcy protection.

The Texas-based company had fought to avoid a voluntary filing after being exposed to the combination of weakening consumer demand and poultry prices, which left it unable to pass on soaring feed costs in the first half of the year. Its board opted for a filing at a meeting Sunday.

While feed costs have eased, analysts remain concerned about capacity discipline in the sector, despite company pledges to cut production. Shares in rival poultry producers including Tyson Foods Inc. (TSN), Sanderson Farms Inc. ( SAFM) and Smithfield Foods Inc. (SFD) fell in the wake of the filing, reflecting concern that the domestic market would remain oversupplied.

Pilgrim’s Pride vaulted over Tyson to become the market leader with its unsolicited $1.1 billion acquisition of rival Gold Kist Inc., only to be squeezed by overproduction at home and abroad and rising commodity costs.

The company, like ethanol producer Verasun Energy, was also left exposed by loss-making corn-futures contracts purchased when feed costs were spiraling. VeraSun filed for bankruptcy protection last month.

Pilgrim’s Pride had secured one extension from lenders as it examined restructuring options - hiring Lazard Freres as an adviser. Bank of America has lined up to provide $450 million in debtor-in-possession funding, subject to approval by the bankruptcy court in the northern district of Texas.

The company’s Mexican operation - ranked number two in poultry sales - wasn’t included in the filing, and could emerge as a potential target for Tyson or Sanderson Farms, though analysts estimate it would generate net proceeds of just $100 million.

Pilgrim’s Pride said in its Chapter 11 petition that it had net assets of $ 3.75 billion compared with total debt of $2.72 billion. Holders of its 2013 notes are listed as the largest single creditor, owed some $326 million.

The company said late Friday that it expects to report a fiscal fourth-quarter loss of $802 million, or $10.83 a share as it takes a $501.4 million write-down of Gold Kist.

Shares of Pilgrim’s Pride were halted at 62 cents, down 46%, before the bankruptcy filing was disclosed. The stock is down 98% this year.

By This may be the MARTA board...

December 1, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this

Feds arrest Birmingham mayor on bribery charges By JAY REEVES

Associated Press Writer

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The mayor of Alabama’s largest city, Larry Langford, was arrested Monday on charges of steering millions of dollars of bond work to a friend in exchange for more than $230,000 in bribes that paid his debts for flashy clothes, jewelry and Rolex watches.

The bond deals — which funded years of work on a substandard county sewer system — went sour and have helped push surrounding Jefferson County to the brink of filing the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.

Federal prosecutors said Langford, Montgomery investment banker Bill Blount and lobbyist Al LaPierre were charged in a 101-count indictment. The charges also include conspiracy, money laundering and filing false tax returns.

The charges stem from Langford’s time on the Jefferson County Commission, which he left after being elected mayor in a landslide last year.

Langford, arrested by FBI agents at a beer distributor where he also has a public relations job, appeared in federal court in leg irons and pleaded not guilty through his lawyer.

“I’m going to work today,” Langford told reporters outside the courthouse after being freed on $50,000 bond. A Democrat, Langford has said for months that he expected to be indicted in what he referred to as a witchhunt by Republican prosecutors.

U.S. Attorney Alice Martin said the charges were about public corruption, not partisanship.

“It was a classic pay-to-play scheme,” said Martin.

She said Langford, 62, needed money because of a “crushing personal debt” stemming from lavish purchases of jewelry, high-priced watches and a wardrobe of clothes from exclusive men’s stores.

The indictment said Blount paid Langford $235,000 in bribes, sometimes with the money routed through LaPierre, to influence the bond deals that earned Blount’s firm $7.1 million in fees. Some money went straight to Langford, while thousands went to pay off Langford’s debts, prosecutors charged.

The indictment also says Blount paid $219,500 to LaPierre for his help.

LaPierre also pleaded not guilty and was released on bond. Blount was due in court for an afternoon hearing.

The three men have already denied similar allegations contained in a lawsuit earlier this year by the Securities and Exchange Commission, which accused Langford of taking more than $156,000 from Blount and routed through LaPierre.

Jefferson County is trying to avoid filing bankruptcy over $3.2 billion in bond debt, which would nearly double the record for a municipal bankruptcy of $1.7 billion set in 1994 by Orange County, Calif.

The sewer bonds went sour as the mortgage crisis hit and banks tightened up on lending, sending credit costs for the bonds skyrocketing.

The mayor’s chief of staff said city business would go on as usual. In a statement, Deborah Vance-Bowie also said the indictment of Langford was “certainly no surprise to us” and that they had expected some action from Martin, a Republican appointee, as she nears a possible end of her appointment with the swearing in of Democratic President-elect Barack Obama in January.

“We are glad the mayor will finally have his day in court,” the chief of staff’s statement said.

Langford, who was elected mayor in a nonpartisan vote, was a Democrat when he served on the commission and identifies himself as a Democrat. Blount, 55, is a former state Democratic Party chairman and LaPierre, 58, is a former state Democratic Party executive director.

Martin has denied any political motivation behind her office’s investigations and prosecutions. An attorney for LaPierre, Tommy Spina, said he did not anticipate politics becoming a major part of his defense.

“We think it’s a case we can try on the merits,” said Spina.

Langford has drawn attention for a series of colorful stunts since taking office last year, many of which are aimed at trying to turn around an old steel city-turned-medical hub.

He walked into a business meeting with two police officers carrying submachine guns, props meant to generate interest in his “top secret” finance plans. He also announced a longshot bid to bring the 2020 Olympics to Birmingham, and his critics have even gone as far as to call him “Mayor LaLa.”

The former promoter and television reporter has been unapologetic about his conduct, saying it’s his job to sell the city. Just last week he gave a $10,000 city consulting contract to a 13-year-old girl who appeared before council members to discuss improving parks.

By Dumbness Again

December 1, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

How many jobs has Saxby brought to Georgia. How much money have we gotten from Washingto under Saxby? What alternative energy policy has Saxby sponsored or authored while in Washington. Saxby Chambliss has done one thing well. Lined his pockets with lobbyists and special interest groups. He is a friend to big corporations that take out bailout money and than drink champagne and eat caviar. If the hillbillys and rednecks want Chambliss rather than a job..We will be the laughing stock of the entire country if we let this happen.

By John

December 1, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

Palin plays well to around 70% of the base and or a red state like Georgia. And in a run off I am sure she is helping Saxby with core base turnout being the key. Yet her ability to reach outside of her core support does not look good. I would bet Dem leadership would love her to be a hero in Georgia and become the face of the party on a national level for the next few election cycles.

By Bo Chambliss LOBBYIST

December 1, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

Dear Georgia voters,

You deserve a United States Senator who cares deeply about the challenges you face on a daily basis: paying the mortgage or the rent, receiving quality health care, educating your children, making sure you have clean water to drink and clean air to breathe, protecting our neighborhood and our nation. You deserve a United States Senator who understands the difficulties you face as you work to achieve the American Dream.

Unfortunately, Saxby Chambliss does not care about the challenges you face. Saxby Chambliss does not understand or, frankly, give a damn about the difficulties you face. Saxby Chambliss doesn’t care about you.

I recognize that that’s a pretty tall claim to present, but it is the truth. What does Saxby Chambliss care about? Saxby Chambliss cares about Saxby Chambliss. He cares about keeping his job rather than doing his job. He cares about whatever is politically expedient to keep him in power.

Because Saxby Chambliss doesn’t care about you, you should not vote for Saxby Chambliss. You shouldn’t reward with your vote a man who lacks compassion, integrity, or basic decency.

Saxby Chambliss, regarded as one of the best golfers in Washington D.C. (you probably have to have pretty good knees to be one of the best golfers in D.C.), sought deferment after deferment to avoid military service, claiming “bad knees” amongst other things. Chambliss then went on to compare a war hero who lost three limbs on the battlefield to a terrorist, and further went on to rack up terrible ratings from veterans groups as Chambliss opposed benefits for veterans. Saxby Chambliss cowardly ducked service and then, in a most disgusting fashion, attacked those who did serve and did sacrifice. When he votes on veterans issues, he opposes benefits for veterans. And when it was time for the Senate to discuss intelligence regarding the Iraq War, Saxby literally skipped work to go out golfing. Chambliss isn’t willing to sacrifice himself for our national security - he isn’t even willing to skip a round of golf for our national security. Saxby Chambliss doesn’t care about you.

After an explosion at an Imperial Sugar refinery, an executive came forward to testify about the dangers at the refinery and how he had tried to get the powers that be at Imperial to make the plant safer before the explosion. This man wanted to make the workplace safer for Georgian workers. However, when he came to testify, Saxby Chambliss used it as an opportunity to attack the man who was only trying to make Georgian workplaces safer. You see, Imperial Sugar and the sugar industry in general are big donors to Saxby Chambliss. And Saxby Chambliss cares about Saxby Chambliss, so Chambliss sided with his political benefactors instead of Georgia’s workers. Saxby Chambliss doesn’t care about you.

Subsequently, Saxby Chambliss was recently subpoenaed to testify in the Imperial Sugar trial. But Saxby’s lawyers are trying to convince us that the rules don’t apply to Saxby because he’s currently a U.S. Senator. Saxby is trying to weasel out of testifying in a case against his donors. Saxby Chambliss doesn’t care about the rule of law, and he doesn’t care about you.

When PeachCare (Georgia’s version of the federal SCHIP program that provides health care for poor children) ran out of money and the Senate voted on whether or not to fund and expand the program so that sick children could have health care, Saxby Chambliss voted against health care for sick children. Saxby then spent quite some time generating cockamamie stories about how voting against health care for Georgia’s sick children was somehow good for Georgia’s families. Saxby Chambliss doesn’t care about you.

Georgia’s senior citizens should be very concerned about their retirement income. They should be very concerned because Saxby Chambliss isn’t concerned. Saxby wanted to privatize social security and put seniors’ retirement funds into the stock market. If Saxby had gotten his way, Georgia’s seniors would have seen their social security disappear amid the current financial crisis. Saxby Chambliss doesn’t care about you.

Saxby Chambliss has a history of, at best, “racially insensitive” comments and actions. He calls non-minority voters (i.e. white voters) “our folks,” and he refers to voters outside of his white base (i.e. minority voters) “the other folks.” It doesn’t help Chambliss’ credibility that he has hosted golf outings for lobbyists at a whites-only country club. Saxby Chambliss doesn’t care about you.

A recent column in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution summarizes Saxby Chambliss quite succinctly:

Saxby Chambliss has spent the last six years as a loyal servant of Big Business. He has worked to deliver whatever corporate executives wanted, no matter how greedy, selfish or dangerous their wish list. He has bent the rules to accommodate the captains of commerce. Now that the Republican senator finds himself facing an unexpected challenge from Democrat Jim Martin, he’s trying to persuade Georgians that he’s spent his tenure working hard for the little guy. Don’t be fooled. Chambliss is the lap dog of corporate interests.

Saxby Chambliss doesn’t care about you. He should, but he doesn’t. However, you should care about you, your family, your community and your country; and, when you vote, you should vote with your interest in mind. Which is precisely why you shouldn’t vote for Saxby Chambliss - he won’t be able to do anything for you, even if he wanted to (which he doesn’t):

When you look at Saxby and Johnny, you have to wonder how Georgia could have ended up with these two guys in Washington to represent them in these dire times. They’ll be lucky to get appointments to the window-washing and elevator-maintenance committees. Saxby Chambliss doesn’t care about the challenges you face. Saxby Chambliss doesn’t care about you.

Fortunately, Jim Martin does care about you. Jim Martin wants to fight for tax cuts for Georgia’s working families. Jim Martin wants to make sure that Georgia’s families have access to health care. Jim Martin wants to make sure that our senior citizens retire with dignity, that our soldiers receive the equipment they need, and that our veterans receive the benefits they deserve.

In Tuesday’s run-off election, the bottom line - the only thing that truly matters - is this: Saxby Chambliss doesn’t care about you, your family, or your well-being. Jim Martin does care about you. Jim Martin does understand the challenges you face. And Jim Martin would be a far superior Senator to look out for the interests of Georgia’s families rather than the special interests of Big Business.

Please vote for the candidate who actually cares about you. Vote for Jim Martin on Tuesday.

By Chad Harris

December 1, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

Bill Clinton is lucky he hasn’t been indicted over the law breaking from the Foundation and the Library which Buhbuh has yet to divulge and dispite his “promises” never will.

Hillruh with a combined fortune of nearly $200 million banked from the illegal Foundation and Library contributions, is stiffing small business owners over $8 million she refuses to pay them—due to GREED.

Meanwhile back at the Wingnut Ranch the Jimmy Woo Woos continue to entertain, self pardying themselves and making fools of themselves.

Sarah Moron was in Augusta this morning campaigning for Big Daddy, and unveiled some really groundbreaking, out-of-the-box ideas about how to resurrect the Republican party.

“It takes rebuilding, and I say, let that begin here in Georgia tomorrow,” Palin said.

She said Chambliss is needed to provide a check on the Democratic majority. She stressed Chambliss’s support for gun rights, opposition to abortion and opposition to tax hikes.

Yeah, if only the Republicans would start running on guns, tax cuts and criminalizing abortion, they wouldn’t be in this mess.

But at any rate, is Saxby Chambliss really a guy you want to rebuild your party around?

“We need Saxby because we need checks and balances in Washington, and we will not have that if Saxby is not re-elected,” said Palin. “With one party in control of the House and the Senate and the White House we need a conservative who will speak for themselves.”

Wuh…?

And I love this:

The Palin rally in Augusta drew a crowd of 3,000 to 4,000 people, many holding aloft campaign signs and shouting their adoration of the GOP vice presidential candidate.

“Sarah! Sarah! Sarah!,” they chanted. One woman stood behind Palin with a huge red sign that read: “Save My Gun.”

By Chad Harris

December 1, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

Top 10 Moronic Palin Quotes from the Home Office in Bumbfckia Alaska and its BBranch in Suxby Chumpass is a Chickensht Jaw Jaw

Congrats to the Badass Bulldogs who got their a**s handed to them. Back to the kegs morons.

**1. “As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where– where do they go? It’s Alaska. It’s just right over the border.” —Sarah Palin, explaining why Alaska’s proximity to Russia gives her foreign policy experience, interview with CBS’s Katie Couric, Sept. 24, 20

. “We believe that the best of America is not all in Washington, D.C. … We believe that the best of America is in these small towns that we get to visit, and in these wonderful little pockets of what I call the real America, being here with all of you hard working very patriotic, um, very, um, pro-America areas of this great nation.” —Sarah Palin, speaking at a fundraiser in Greensoboro, N.C., Oct. 16, 2008

. “I told the Congress, ‘Thanks, but no thanks,’ on that Bridge to Nowhere.” –Sarah Palin, who was for the Bridge to Nowhere before she was against it.

By SOUTHERN ATL

December 1, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

There comes a time when the people of this “GREAT STATE” will say ‘ENOUGH ALREADY”!!

We are speaking loud and clear at the polls and on the AJC blogs….No matter how many Republicans stump for SAXBY, he is not OUR CHOICE Jim Martin is!!!

Rudy Giuliani, Sara Palin, John McCain, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee you are invited to join Congress on December 2, 2008 in Washington D.C………….

The congress will come to order….. They will ask “SENATOR SAXBY CHAMBLISS” to stand…..speeches will be made…followed by applauses…and a song will be dedicated… here is it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3YSHwJ_SAA&feature=related

Thanks to all of you for a hard fought race!!!

By Chad Harris

December 1, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this

More self-parodying from Moron Palin:YOU BETCHA BETCHA

Doggonit/Goshdarnit!

**Like every American I’m speakin’ with we are ill…

But ultimately what the bailout does is help those who are concerned about the health care reform that is needed to help shore up our economy—helping ulp it’s gotta be all about job creation ummm too shoring up our economy and putting Fannie and Freddie on the right track…so health care reform and reducing taxes..and reinin’ in spendin’

I’ll try to find you some and I’ll bring them to you.” —Sarah Palin, asked by Katie Couric to cite specific examples of how John McCain has pushed for more regulation in his 26 years in the Senate, CBS News interview, Sept. 24, 2008**

By Dusty

December 1, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

Oh…Jim’s back..he’s back…or so it seems. The blog has settled down and a smaller number of libs are acting like Demo jackasses for jerks. So welcome back to our boldly brave Jim Wooten whose presence clears the air.

HILLARY!! Well, I’m trying to forget a lot of memories about baking cookies, failed healthcare plans and the great conspiracy she said got her husband in trouble…oh yeah. But she made fine professional speeches during her run for higher office (better than Obama’s but not as much “empathy”). There is no doubt that she is a veteran politician with a good and devious mind. Let us hope the “good” prevails.

Still fun to read our patriot..@@..who always get’s that right. Glenn..who wheels and deals words like a veteran gambler. (Do you secretly work for the CIA?) RedNeck Convert who is undercover and underbed but not underfed who is still trying to “pull the wool”. Yep, RedNeck aka Chubby Cheeky Lib Convert.

AND…in response to Bo the Liberal Loon and Liar..don’t forget! Get out and vote tomorrow for SAXBY CHAMBLISS or you will have Martin, yet another Democrat, on your hands.

By Copyleft

December 1, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

Eli Jones:

There is no threat that our nation is facing that is as grave as losing the balance of power. The Democrats will have their way with us if they gain a complete monopoly on our government.

Riiight… and that’s why you voted for Democrats in 2004 and 2006, right? Once you can prove that, you’ll have a smidgen of credibility.

By Dusty

December 1, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

Oh dear..3:50

HARRIS THE HANGING CHAD is till here sqawking about Palin. He and Churchill’s GrandMa are a bit behind in the news.

SHOULD WE TELL THEM or just let them rant?

OK. All they know is to bore us to tears. Poor babies. Still in the dark.

Please turn on the lights at the Democratic Propaganda Office. Thank you.

By Chad Harris

December 1, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

Send Suxby Chumpass back to ignorant South JawJaw where he belongs with his fake knee injuries, his lying, and his cowardice and draft dodgin’ You Betcha.

Bush continues to curl up in fetal position as the Dow continues to plunge. You Betcha.

Clusterf*cks R Us—Right Wingnuts?

By Chad Harris

December 1, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this

The Dow is goin’ down faster than Sarah Moron’s daughter in the back seat with a 16 year old.

By Rockerbabe

December 1, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

I will remind the writer of this piece, that we had 8 years of relative peace and prosperity with President Bill Clinton; I repeat, 8 years of relative peace and prosperity! When he left office, he had managed the budget and the Congress well enough to get a 15 trillion surplus! It has been almost 8 long years since we had that good a management in the White House. Granted, person mistakes and GOP hatred caused more grief than imaginable, but, still it was a time of peace, hope and prosperity [low unemployment rates also]. One could do an aweful lot worse than to have Bill Clinton on the team or backing a prominent member of the team.
President Clinton is very busy with his foundation’s work and is well respected and admired most places in the world. Can you say that about either one of the Bush boys to occupy the White House? I doubt it. Stop denigrading the Clinton years; most of us and I bet you too, did well financially.
Good going for Hillary Clinton; she will make a great SoS, with or without Bill!

By Glenn

December 1, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

Chad Harris,

Sarah Palin may save my gun anytime she likes.

Dusty,

No I’m not CIA, though @@ once were under cover as husband & wife. The things one does for love of country, I tell you…

By Chad Harris

December 1, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

Hillary Clinton is the least qualified individual on the planet earth to be Secretary of State or hold any other federal Office with the exception of Moron Palin. Her lying about Bosnia was quintissential forher. She is one of the few Yale Law grads in its history to take the DC Bar within the year after she graduated after a prep course and flunk it.

The Clintons face criminal liability which is the reason they continue to hide the contributors to the Foundation and Library funds.

By Chad Harris

December 1, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this

Clinton is very busy with his Foundation work because he has comingled it with his insipidly illegal deals in Asia and Russia and bordering countries like the $31 million contribution from the Canadian scum bag.

By Dusty

December 1, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

Chad Harris, 4:13

Today is NOT garbage pickup day. Please hold your comments until the truck comes. Thank you.

By Bo Chambliss LOBBYIST

December 1, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

SAXBY ECONOMICS

The markets had been down significantly this morning, but they took an even steeper decline after the announcement. The Dow Jones industrial average fell more than 7 percent, or more than 650 points, while the Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index dropped nearly 9 percent, or 80 points. The tech-heavy Nasdaq was down nearly 9 percent, or 137 points.

The losses were broad based, but the financial sector took some of the deepest losses. Citigroup was down 12 percent after rallying last week when a government bailout of the firm was announced. Bank of America and J.P. Morgan were down 11 percent and 9 percent respectively.

General Electric was down 8 percent after Citigroup analyst Jeffrey T. Sprague said in a research note that he expects the company to lower its profit expectations for next year.

By Dusty

December 1, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

Dear Glenn 4:19

It is written that you are smitten so stop your kiddin’ ‘cause it aint fittin’and you should be quitting not admitting that the love bug has bitten.

Je ne sais quoi?

By Jim Jr

December 1, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this

Things to look forward to
1st – Democratic President
2nd - Democratic Senate
3rd - Democratic House
4th - Republican Bush tried for war crimes before World Court 5th - Republican Bush convicted of war crimes by World Court 6h - Getting better and better

By off the fence

December 1, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

Palin’s the reason I have decided to vote for Martin. Doesn’t she remind you of a mindless, ranting, gushing “barbie”?

By AmVet

December 1, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

One moment he’s a card carrying Marxist intent on destroying the USA and the entire free world. The next he’s just another warmongering GOP-lite.

No wonder you neo-con buffoons can’t win an election anymore.

And don’t expect that to change for at least a decade…

By AARP--- Against Saxby

December 1, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

Saxby proposes an additional 23% sales tax in this troubled economy. Please don’t vote for Saxby and his no taxes left behind.

By Glenn

December 1, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

Dusty,

I meant it, of course, as a tribute to the lengths SHE will go to for God & Country. Puh-LEASE!

By Chip Shirley

December 1, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

**Please Don’t Vote for Sexby Chambliss,

He’s not very Sexby at all

Give Jim martin a chance**

By ......NO GREED LEFT BEHIND

December 1, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

Republicans For Jim Martin

By AmVet

December 1, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this

No matter the outcome tomorrow, Six Deferment Saxby The Socialist is an absolute disgrace and an embarrassment, even by Georgia standards.

But the “faithful” here in the Moron Belt will not doubt send the Bush boot-licker right back to Washington for more Republican “conservatism”.

The man should be tarred and feathered and run out of town on a rail…

By Politcal Foreskin

December 1, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this

Hillary is to SOS as Rushannity is to POS.

(Summing up the transition).

By Dusty

December 1, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this

4:59

Sure, Glenn. If you say so. OK..

*My love is like a red red flag that flutters in the breeze,

If my tribute doesn’t stir a special one I’ll start to cry and sneeze.*

I think that was written by Robert Burns.(Maybe!)

Good night one and all….

By Political Foreskin

December 1, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this

Iraq is still a puzzle we cant solve.

By Political Foreskin

December 1, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this

I just got a auto-call from Pat Boome for Chambliss. Pat said that if we dont elect Chambliss, we’ll be singing, “Aint that a shame”. That song is an example of early rock and roll songs that radio stations wouldn’t play because the singer was black, so the music industry hired hacks like Pat Boone to rip off the song completely cutting off the black artists from the money.

Chambliss represent that kind of injustice and bigotry.

Life has come full circle, weirdly.

By The Forgotten Messiah

December 2, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this

A man who was taking part in a terror attack on a hotel found himself needing a bathroom. He found a door marked “mens” and went inside. The one stall was already occupied by another terrorist, yet he knocked on it anyway. “I’m sorry, this stall is taken” came the polite half sung reply. “It’s okay, I’ll wait”.

Moments passed. Outside, the sounds of a massacre encroached over the vent fans and courtesy flushes. The terrorist, becoming impatient, knocked again, “Hey, can you hurry up? There’s a jihad, hello.”

“I’m almost done. You want the sports page while you wait?”

“The sports page? Are you in their reading? Come on. Lets go.” Not once did the terrorist wield his weapon. It just hung there from the straps around his neck and shoulders..

“Almost done”. The terrorist began to look around the room and noticed a vending machine selling Spanish Flies. He studied the marketing pitch about fail-safe sex and observed the cartoon figure of a woman in heat. Isolated and deprived his entire life, (born and bred for the jihad), he had never imagined such a product was available, and soon decided to buy one of the pills.

He knocked on the stall again. “Hey, do you have a quarter?”

“A quarter? What for? I’m almost done. Just wait.” The terrorist returned to the vending machine and indulged his imagination with the fantasy of freakazoids for the first time.

More time passed and suddenly a woman entered, obviously trying to escape the carnage just outside the restroom doors. She stood face to face with the terrorist.

“Do you have a quarter?” The woman took the situation in. She saw the vending machine and knew exactly what it was. She read the face of the terrorist perfectly and realized she could buy some time. She raised her purse and pretended to rifled through it for change. She noticed the AK47 inside the stall, and the boots.

Stay tuned for part two of, “I’m gonna git you suckah”.

By Democrat

December 2, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!! DEMOCRAT!!

By Tony

December 2, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

Hillary as Secretary of State. What a joke. Hillary will be soon be saying that she had to duck sniper fire in some country. I think Obama should have chosen Rev Wright, Louis Farakan, or Al Sharpton for the job. However, I believe there are some cabinet positions that have not been filled they can take. I wonder if Obama as commander-in-chief will ever salute the American flag. Probably not. But I bet Washington or Jefferson would have knocked into the next world.

By zeke

December 2, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

10-4 good buddy!

By 1911A1

December 2, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

Good Lord, people! Does Soros pay by the word or something?

I’m talking to you, Churchill (and your various alter egos.)

By Ed Thomasson

December 5, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

I have held Jim Wooten in ‘?’ for some time.However if he truly believes that our current president BUSH “did what was right for the Country”< I now have him pegged. Ed Thomasson.

By Ed Thomasson

December 5, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

I have held Jim Wooten in ‘?’ for some time.However if he truly believes that our current president BUSH “did what was right for the Country”< I now have him pegged. Ed Thomasson.