January 04, 2007

1/4: Cindy Who?

At the height of Cindy Sheehan's 8/05 camping expedition leftyblogscouldn't get enough of her. Now that she's interrupting Dem press conferences it's as if she doesn't exist. While righty bloggers were all over the story, only The Plank (hardly a friend of the netroots) noted the event on the left. Now that Dems have the power to affect Iraq policy (the purse is blunt but effective), does Sheehan still exist in lefty blogger circles?

DEMS: Foreplay Wanted

Still celebrating their contribution to Dem victory 11/7, netrooters are also turning their attention to the Dems' first "100 hours" and beyond. Buoyed by CNNpolling showing "nine out of eleven" Dem agenda items have "more than 2:1 public support," MyDD's Matt Stoller writes: "In other words, the arguments about bipartisanship put out by Bush, business lobbyists, insiders, and the pundits are just an excuse to ignore the public."

Also at MyDD, Chris Bowers "worries" the 100-hour agenda is just "a laundry list of Dubai ports deals" that cuts "around the edges of the most important issue of our time." Bowers warns, Dems "cannot hope to govern like this indefinitely. Eventually, we will run out of Dubai port deals." Bowers advises: "At some point very soon, we need to move beyond small, popular legislation and into a direct confrontational mode with Bush and congressional Republicans on the most important issue of the day: Iraq. Failure to do so will quickly result in our current 60% approval ratings falling into the same toilet Republicans found themselves in during the past two years."

The Huffington Post's Bill Scher lauds the 100-hour agenda as "the right initial step" but also concentrates on what comes next: "After that, the need to articulate a clear vision will become increasingly urgent. Without a vision that explains where Democrats want to take our country, conservatives will be able to distort the underlying motivation behind Democratic proposals, and promising ideas to tackle big problems will never get debated on their merits."

Also at The Huffington Post, Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) promises readers "extensive hearings starting" 1/17 "that will address accountability, military readiness, intelligence oversight and the activities of private contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan." But at TPMmuckrakerJustin Rood quotes a Dem Hill insider: "People shouldn't expect oversight hearings right out of the gate." Rood cites budgeting and staff decisions as sources of delay but also includes the "D.C. watchdogger" nugget on the pace of investigations: "You need a little foreplay."

At TAPPED, Mark Schmitt is in a celebrating mood and plans to offer this toast at a Senate swearing in party: "Here's to the first Democratic majority -- ever -- that is not dependent on support from southern racists."

DEMS II: The Socialists Are Coming! The Socialists Are Coming!

Righty bloggers are more than eager to rain on the Dem swearing in parade, mostly focussing on alleged hypocrisy. RedState welcomes Dems to DC under the header "Democrats + Socialist = Majority" and goes on to hope: "It should benefit Republicans that Democrats, though they say they have learned their lessons, have so far acted as if they haven't. ... Democrats have failed to censure William Jefferson of Louisiana and have seen their own Speaker push corrupt Democrats like John Murtha to the forefront of leadership. They have talked a tough game on earmarks, but are already out demanding $1000 contributions from lobbyists to "welcome" Nancy Pelosi to the Speaker's chair."

In a similar vein The Right Angle's Robert Bluey picks up on a GovExec article on Dems and earmarks and notes strong similarities between House Maj. Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) defense of the practice and ex-Maj. Leader Tom DeLay's (R) recent thoughts on the subject.

On a lighter note, the Influence Peddlar pokes fun at the elasticity of the Dems interpretation of 100 hours: "And isn't it a little ironic that the Democrats do not intend to count this stuff toward the first 100 hours - but include in it a measure to prevent leadership from stopping the House clock in order to hold votes open? This is different how, exactly? Do you suppose I could promise fidelity in my marriage, but 'not count' the hours between 9:00pm and 3:00am?"

IRAQ: It's Like Deja Vu All Over Again

Cindy Sheehan's disruption of Caucus Chair Rahm Emanuel's (D-IL) ethics press conference with shouts of "chanted "De-escalate, investigate, troops home now" (video) 1/3 drew wide righty blogger reaction including:

• Power Line's John Hinderaker: "I think you had to be there in the 60s and early 70s to fully appreciate the damage the antiwar movement did to the Democratic Party. ... Recalling that history, Democrats who watch Emanuel Rahm in this video can only shudder. Rather than deal forcefully with the protestors, Rahm yielded the field to them and retreated inside the building.
• Instapundit: "The antiwar crowd destroyed the Democrats once; they're set to do it again."
• RedState's Mason Conservative: "Being in the majority isn't so easy, is it?"
• Townhall's Mary Katharine Ham: "Presumably, Sheehan would like a little more "truth to power" in the discussion of accountability and transparency in earmarks. So, she brought it, baby. And, Democratic leadership was forced to, err, redeploy in the face of her vicious, barely-rhyming chants."
• Ankle Biting PunditsB.T. noted House Judiciary chair John Conyers (D-MI) hugged Sheehan before the disruption and comments: "Boy, wouldn't it be grand to see the kook moonbat fringe of the democrat party stir up some infighting with the party leaders who are trying to put a more moderate face on their policies. But Cindy Sheehan is a creation of their own making, so they will have to find some way to keep her and her fellow whackjobs quiet, lest they find a way to embarrass Madam Speaker."

IRAQ II: Heckuva Job, Ellen?

Picking up on Steve Benenworries that Asst Sec/State Ellen Sauerbrey's lack of experience could lead to another "Brownie/FEMA story" while dealing with Iraq's refugee crisis, TAPPED's Garance Franke-Ruta writes: "Unsurprisingly, Sauerbrey has failed to prevent the refugee crisis that's developing in and around Iraq, despite her understanding of democracy, and has yet to take a leadership role with the international community to come up with a more hands-on, first-responder type of plan."

Also at TAPPED, Greg Sargent argues he has caught Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) in a lie over his claim that commanders in Iraq are asking for more troops in private discussions. Sargent points to a advance copy of a Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) column that Sargent summarizes as follows: "Okay, so the British commanders told Collins that their presence was "less and less tolerated." One American commander said outright that a "surge" wouldn't do any good. And only one American commander said an increase might help -- a small increase that could be solved by a reallocation. According to Collins' account, then, not a single commander came anywhere near saying anything that could be construed as desiring -- or even supporting -- any kind of large scale increase."

DailyKos' founder Markos Moulitsas adds: "Collins is no saint, and she'll get the Lincoln Chafee treatment in 2008. ... But on the bigger picture, of whether generals are really asking to escalate the conflict, the evidence is firmly with the "hell no!" side. And Lieberman's assertions to the contrary are more of the what we've come to expect from a man who will say and do anything to promote himself and his pet causes, no matter who else must be hurt or die in the process."

Also on a Lieberman watch, Talking Points Memo's Josh Marshall invites readers in DC to join MoveOn.org protests of a joint Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) Lieberman appearance at American Enterprise Institute 1/5: "So if you're going to be in DC, stop by. It's right near the corner of 17th & M."

IRAQ III: Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Off To War She Goes

Michelle Malkin announced 1/4 she will be going to Iraq to embed with US troops. Malkin had first been invited to Iraq by ex-CNN newsman Eason Jordan to investigate the AP's use of suspected fictitious source Jamil Hussein. Since Malkin is now travelling with the US Armed Services, she suggested Jordan offer the resources he had planned for Malkin to AP's Kathleen Carroll "who derided bloggers for sitting at home instead of traveling abroad to do their own reporting during the fauxtography debacle last summer."

Besides embarrassing the AP, Malkin describes her trip's purpose as two-fold: "1) to report on how the troops perceive mainstream media coverage of the war (with a particular focus on the wire services relying on local stringers); and 2) to report on progress and interaction between U.S. troops and Iraqi Army trainees."

Malkin received many well wishes and praise from righty bloggers and decidedly the opposite from her lefty counterparts. Firedoglake's TRex writes: " Expect dangerous levels of "Truth" to start emanating from that troubled nation forthwith with an intrepid Citizen Journo like Michelle on the job. Now, maybe we'll find out what's really going on over there, outside the America-hating, censored and sanitized world of the Liberal Media. We know all those Righty bloggers are tireless crusaders for the truth and will put their infinite expertise in combat reporting to work as soon as they land."

ROMNEY: "Something Positive To Talk About"

Mitt Romney-blog-fan-in-chief Kathryn Jean Lopez announced it was official 12/3: "The former Massachusetts governor (he just left the statehouse for the last time as chief exec) is exploring a presidential run - www.mittromney.com."

The Right Angle's Rob Bluey reports his inbox was instantly under assault after the announcement including this message from Romney aide Spencer Zwick: "Because these papers have been filed, we may now begin accepting donations. Should you like to make a contribution today, the fastest and easiest way is to contribute online at www.mittromney.com."

Bluey adds: "Meanwhile, as Romney leaves office, he finds himself the beneficiary of some good news. Yesterday, Massachusetts lawmakers took the first step to put before voters the question of gay marriage. Given the tone of the e-mails that flooded my inbox after I interviewed Romney last week, it's doubtful he'll ever completely recover from his 1994 letter to the Log Cabin Republicans. However, Tuesday's vote at least gives Romney something positive to talk about."

Reacting to the announcement Power Line's John Hinderaker reminds readers he prefers Romney to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and ex-NY Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) but still sees "space in the race for a well known candidate with a longer and deeper conservative track record."

Meanwhile, Damon Linker's New Republic Mormon article drew harsher reviews from all quarters. At TNR Columbia U. scholar Richard Bushman writes to Linker: "You are caught in the dilemma that ensnares everyone preoccupied with fanaticism. You describe Mormonism in a way that makes perfect sense to non-Mormons and no sense to Mormons themselves. This means, to me, that you are describing the inside of your own mind as much as the reality of Mormonism. Mormons will hear a lot of this so long as Romney is in the race, and it will baffle them every time." Linker responds here.

The Corner's Rich Lowry adds: "Just read that Linker piece in The New Republic. How shabby. If this is the best they can come up with, liberals are truly going to disgrace themselves over the Mormon question and do Romney a favor by making him seem the subject of unfair, "below the belt" (David Gergen's words last night) attacks. ... Anyway, the more hit pieces like this, and the earlier they come, the better off Romney will be in the long run."

GOP FIELD: Causes For Concern

Romney's 12/3 announcement got RedState's AcademicElephant critiquing the while GOP field: "I'm not dead set against any of them, but none of them have given me a compelling reason to support them and they all have given me cause for concern. ... I don't think [Romney]'s done a particularly good job at being governor of Massachusetts and I'm not sure running the Olympics is the best preparation for taking on Islamo-facism. ... Giuliani is compelling ... but let's face it, his personal life is a mess and he's pretty far to the left on social issues. McCain has the strongest track record on my hot-button issue ... but I don't agree with all of his strategic recommendations, McCain-Feingold is an abomination and personally he makes me nervous. In the second tier, I'm not finding anything amongst the Gingrichs, Brownbacks, Huckabees, etc. to excite me."

Pollster.com's Charles Franklin compiles results from 12/06 American Research Group polling in IA, NH, NV, and SC and notes:

• Giuliani and McCain each lead in two states. Giuliani leads in Iowa (28-26) and Nevada (31-25) while McCain leads in New Hampshire (29-25) and South Carolina (35-28).
• While Gingrich trails the top two by a substantial margin, he has significant support (14%-22%) in all four states.
• Romney is far back, above the "zeros" but well short of even Gingrich's status. But Romney has the advantage of being a new face who may yet mobilize support among those Republicans who distrust McCain and may come to weigh Giuliani's more liberal social issue positions.
• The strikingly obvious result is that none of the candidates outside the top four have any traction at this point. While there is time yet to "emerge", Brownback, Gilmore, Hagel, Huckabee, Hunter, Pataki and Thompson have a long way to go.

GIULIANI: Connect The Dots ...

IA's Caucus Cooler notes WaPoreports that Mitt Romney hired ex-Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN) staffer Carolyn Weyforth and remembers that it was rumored a likely candidate for the job was former Rep. Jim Nussle (R-IA) aide Maria Comella. CC speculates that Comella might just follow fellow former Nussle aide Andrew Dorr to Rudy Giuliani.

MCCAIN: "Just Some Old Guy Running For President"

Todd Purdam's Vanity Fairprofile of John McCain is not winning McCain any friends in the blogosphere. Hot Air's Allahpundit writes: "What doth it profit a man to gain the Oval Office, asks author Todd Purdum, if he should lose his soul to Bush's theocrat war machine? You know what, Todd? You can have him."

Right Wing News picks out an offensive McCain quote: "By the way, I think the fence is least effective. But I'll build the godd*mned fence if they want it." RWN comments: "Every time you think it's almost impossible to like the guy any less, he steps up and surprises you with something new." Earlier, RWN topped his "The Most Annoying People On The Right In 2006" with McCain.

IA's Krusty Konservative digs into his archives and pulls out a 8/15/1999 McCain slam on the IA straw poll. KK comments: "So I have to wonder if Senator McCain still feels the same way about the Straw Poll. ... Am I the only one who thinks the McCain of 2000 and the McCain of 2008 wouldn't know each other if they ran into each other on the street? I think the New McCain is going to find it difficult to excite Iowans about his campaign, because the New McCain is just some old guy running for president.

DEM FIELD: ARG's Frontrunner

Looking at the same ARG numbers from IA, NV, NH, and SC mentioned above, Pollster.com observes the following about the Dem field:

• Clinton continues to lead the field in each state, so the question remains who will become her primary challenger. In these data, John Edwards and Barack Obama each finish second in two states. Edwards leads Obama in Iowa (20-10) and South Carolina (31-10). Obama leads in New Hampshire (21-18) and Nevada (12-8).
• Vilsack does pretty well in his home state of Iowa, but has yet to gain any support elsewhere. And Kerry does poorly for a past winner in Iowa and New Hampshire.
• Biden, Clark, Dodd, Gravel and Richardson are all under 5% everywhere. Kucinich is slightly stronger, hitting 5% in Iowa, but below that in the other states.

OBAMA: The End, Or Just The Beginning Of These Kind Of Errors?

TPM Cafe's Greg Sargent continues to track media confusion of Barack Obama and Osama Bin Laden noting that Yahoo News as now just as guilty as CNN for mix ups. Sargent reports: "On their photo page, the caption on their photo of Obama reads, "Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida." ... The subject heading above the photo of Obama is still "Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida" -- which is pretty funny, especially considering that off to the right, you can see a link to a story about CNN making the same mistake. But hey, at least on this one they got the caption right."

THOUGHT OF THE DAY: Understatement Of The Century

Commenting on Defense Tech musings on nuclear winter TAPPED's Robert Farley writes:

A large nuclear exchange between the U.S. and Russia would almost certainly have significant and long-lasting global cooling effects, while a regional conflict could result in a drop of 1-4 degrees Fahrenheit over time. Unfortunately, the cooling effects only work if the nukes are used on cities, as cities are the only targets that will burn long enough to release enough smoke particles into the air to precipitate the cooling. The policy of destroying cities carries a set of negative externalities that make nuclear war an impractical solution to the problem of global warming...

LEST WE FORGET: Somebody Has To Make Katie Look Good

The Corner's Tim Graham wants to strap any liberal claiming FNC is a publicity arm of the RNC into a chair and force them to watch CNN's 1/3 piece on Senate Maj. Leader Harry Reid (D-NV): "His nickname was Pinky? And he loves People magazine? And he has the Cowboy Junkies on his iPod? Dana Bash's story makes Katie Couric look like Christiane Amanpour."

Posted by Conn Carroll at January 4, 2007 12:36 PM