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Feb
28
WCPN Political Roundup time again w/WLST
Filed Under Politics | 5 Comments
I’m convinced that they are just waiting, I mean WAITING to make me look like an idiot. I know it’s coming. Of course, I could probably do it all by myself anyway. How self-effacing of me.
Regional Reporter Roundtable
The Ohio Supreme Court strikes down Cleveland’s residency rule, as locals anticipate the Mayor’s State of the City address. Four months after Ohio voters rejected casinos, 2,000 slot machines open 100 miles away in Erie. Many more are planned for Buffalo. Boosters of both hope to snag some of our money. An appearance by presidential hopeful Barack Obama kicks off the competition for votes in the Swing State. Case returns to the Western Reserve. It’s our regional roundtable on The Sound of Ideas, Thursday morning at nine on 90.3.
I expect the others to be Joe Frolik of the Plain Dealer and Jay Miller of Crains.
You can listen here live or as an MP3 later from a link they’ll post with the entry here. You can call in or email during the show too: 216-578-0903 or news@wcpn.org.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:03 pm February 28th, 2007 in Politics | 5 Comments
Print This Post
Feb
28
WCPN Political Roundup time again w/WLST
Filed Under Politics | Leave a Comment
I’m convinced that they are just waiting, I mean WAITING to make me look like an idiot. I know it’s coming. Of course, I could probably do it all by myself anyway. How self-effacing of me.
Regional Reporter Roundtable
The Ohio Supreme Court strikes down Cleveland’s residency rule, as locals anticipate the Mayor’s State of the City address. Four months after Ohio voters rejected casinos, 2,000 slot machines open 100 miles away in Erie. Many more are planned for Buffalo. Boosters of both hope to snag some of our money. An appearance by presidential hopeful Barack Obama kicks off the competition for votes in the Swing State. Case returns to the Western Reserve. It’s our regional roundtable on The Sound of Ideas, Thursday morning at nine on 90.3.
I expect the others to be Joe Frolik of the Plain Dealer and Jay Miller of Crains.
You can listen here live or as an MP3 later from a link they’ll post with the entry here. You can call in or email during the show too: 216-578-0903 or news@wcpn.org.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 7:03 pm February 28th, 2007 in Politics | Please comment
Print This Post
Feb
28
WLST Smorgasbord – something for everyone
Filed Under Politics | 3 Comments
It’s all good, I just can’t find the time to write about each one individually. I know some WLST readers hate when I do this, but if I didn’t, some of these pieces would get lost in the Save as Draft black hole that’s already increasing in density daily. I’m trying to figure out Google Reader or Bloglines’ blog clipping thing so I can do it there instead.
It’s a good sign that there’s that much to write about and that I’m getting to other responsibilities to the extent that I can’t blog about all this stuff. I wish I could do this all day, everyday and write, write, write. But what I love in life would probably leave me if I did that, and then what would I have to write about?
1. SCOTUS to hear challenge to Bush’s faith-based office.
2. Orthomom lawsuit update, links to profile of lawyer who has defended many bloggers.
3. Boomers are lifelong learners; I’m including this because my thought wasn’t, Oh! How nice! My thought was, well yeah – because they have time and money and there’s a lot of them who are living longer. Sounds like a capitalist’s dream audience.
4. Vouchers versus public schools – case in point
5. Bio mom of Marcus Feisel signs away settlement over his death. What’s going on with that? Several possibilities if you know this area of the law. Sounds right – but is it?
6. Associate Editor of Writer’s Digest starts a blog.
7. Exponential growth in use of email to the U.S. Congress (should cross-post at Progress Ohio)
8. From the ebag by subscription only (Brewed Fresh Daily-type post):
Busy Intersections Invite People to Walk More
By Richard C. Gross, Contributing Writer
Health Behavior News Service
People are more likely to go for a walk in areas with four-way intersections and a large number of shops and businesses as possible destinations, a large new study finds.
The study examined pedestrian trips in 10 major U.S. cities to determine to what extent urban design guidelines increase walking.
Only two of four smart growth criteria investigated held up as reasons for walking — the presence of four-way intersections and a diverse business environment.
The other two — housing density and the length of a city block — did not appear to have any impact on the probability of walking, the study found.
“I see our study as a step on the way to evidence-based guidelines for design of the built environment in order to make it more conducive to walking,” said Rob Boer, Ph.D., who led the RAND Corp. research team.
The study appears in the April issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
The researchers used data from a 1995 transportation survey that included interviews of 42,033 households nationwide. Study cities were Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington.
The guidelines are part of a movement embraced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop sustainable communities. The criteria were spelled out in the New Urbanism Smart Scorecard, a tool for city planners and developers to determine whether a project fulfills smart-growth goals.
“The built environment is a powerful influence on walking,” said Chaya Gordon, senior research manager at the American Society on Aging. “RAND’s study of the association between Smart Scorecard factors and increased walking is a valuable contribution to understand the effect of particular neighborhood design features.” Gordon was not involved with the study.
Boer acknowledged that he didn’t know why four-way intersections had such a positive impact on walking but suggested “there may be more connectivity” within a neighborhood.
“But the number of businesses makes more sense,” he said. “Does it help to have destinations to make people walk more? The answer is yes.”
9. Phyllis Schlafly is INSANE. But don’t take my word for it. She doesn’t like McCain, Guiliani or Romney. Hmm – wait – maybe she’s not so crazy…
10. Politcio offers up a five point plan for Dems re: Iraq war. They posted one for the GOP yesterday too I believe.
11. Examples of school reform efforts and ideas on display already in Ohio: here and here.
Okay – that helped me clear some stuff out!
Enjoy – I wish I had time for each of those and might get back to them but please feel free to use as fodder for your blogs or comments here.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 2:53 pm February 28th, 2007 in Politics | 3 Comments
Print This Post
Feb
28
Here’s the basic description of the contest and here are the rules. And here’s one more take on the event.
What’s this got to do with Ohio? Well, a few things:
If an entry from Ohio wins (only four entries total will), it highlights female entrepreneurs and the ability for them to succeed in Ohio.
Ohio’s public libraries routinely rank in the top of the list. And not just one or two or three. Take a look at Hennen’s Top 100 list, which is actually the top 10 from each size grouping. I lost track after 70 – from Ohio. And not just this year. If you go back, year after year, Ohio’s libraries are working for us. So let’s work for a kudos for them by writing about them.
Finally, some folks may remember how, several years ago, state funding for public libraries was cut, locals cutback, tried to raise money themselves and eventually, much of the money was restored. Why? Because Ohioans spoke out about their love and need for libraries.
Let’s show our love for libraries, and why we have a love for our libraries, to a broader audience. I know I used the libraries extensively, and still do, to foster my freelance writing career, which was an enormous shift for me from law/social work. Come on. You can do it. Or pass this on to someone you know who might have a story to tell.
Cross-posted at Progress Ohio.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 2:32 pm February 28th, 2007 in Politics | 2 Comments
Print This Post
Feb
28
Hattip to RAB for informing us of a nonpartisan effort called Eye on the Statehouse to watch for waste in the Statehouse. I’m sure folks from all points on the political spectrum can make probably daily contributions to the page and the effort of examples. I would urge all of us to post comments there and email the effort each and every time we note something.
Great idea.
Here’s the “About” page:
Mission Statement
The Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions is a nonpartisan research and educational institute devoted to individual liberty, economic freedom, personal responsibility and limited government in Ohio.
About the Buckeye Institute
The Buckeye Institute assists policymakers, scholars, entrepreneurs, the media and the public by providing objective analysis and sound solutions to state and local policy questions, particularly in the areas of taxation, government spending, regulation and education.
Our work challenges government intervention as the default solution to Ohio’s needs. We offer a compelling vision of how policies that maximize the freedom and independence for our citizens also bring more prosperity to our state.
The Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions neither seeks nor accepts government funding. It enjoys the support of foundations, individuals and businesses sharing a concern for Ohio’s future.
No one is more concerned about Ohio’s future than me.
Again – thanks. Looking forward to contributing!
By Jill Miller Zimon at 12:18 pm February 28th, 2007 in Politics | 4 Comments
Print This Post
Feb
28
WLST Smorgasbord – something for everyone
Filed Under Politics | 3 Comments
It’s all good, I just can’t find the time to write about each one individually. I know some WLST readers hate when I do this, but if I didn’t, some of these pieces would get lost in the Save as Draft black hole that’s already increasing in density daily. I’m trying to figure out Google Reader or Bloglines’ blog clipping thing so I can do it there instead.
It’s a good sign that there’s that much to write about and that I’m getting to other responsibilities to the extent that I can’t blog about all this stuff. I wish I could do this all day, everyday and write, write, write. But what I love in life would probably leave me if I did that, and then what would I have to write about?
1. SCOTUS to hear challenge to Bush’s faith-based office.
2. Orthomom lawsuit update, links to profile of lawyer who has defended many bloggers.
3. Boomers are lifelong learners; I’m including this because my thought wasn’t, Oh! How nice! My thought was, well yeah – because they have time and money and there’s a lot of them who are living longer. Sounds like a capitalist’s dream audience.
4. Vouchers versus public schools – case in point
5. Bio mom of Marcus Feisel signs away settlement over his death. What’s going on with that? Several possibilities if you know this area of the law. Sounds right – but is it?
6. Associate Editor of Writer’s Digest starts a blog.
7. Exponential growth in use of email to the U.S. Congress (should cross-post at Progress Ohio)
8. From the ebag by subscription only (Brewed Fresh Daily-type post):
Busy Intersections Invite People to Walk More
By Richard C. Gross, Contributing Writer
Health Behavior News Service
People are more likely to go for a walk in areas with four-way intersections and a large number of shops and businesses as possible destinations, a large new study finds.
The study examined pedestrian trips in 10 major U.S. cities to determine to what extent urban design guidelines increase walking.
Only two of four smart growth criteria investigated held up as reasons for walking — the presence of four-way intersections and a diverse business environment.
The other two — housing density and the length of a city block — did not appear to have any impact on the probability of walking, the study found.
“I see our study as a step on the way to evidence-based guidelines for design of the built environment in order to make it more conducive to walking,” said Rob Boer, Ph.D., who led the RAND Corp. research team.
The study appears in the April issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
The researchers used data from a 1995 transportation survey that included interviews of 42,033 households nationwide. Study cities were Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington.
The guidelines are part of a movement embraced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop sustainable communities. The criteria were spelled out in the New Urbanism Smart Scorecard, a tool for city planners and developers to determine whether a project fulfills smart-growth goals.
“The built environment is a powerful influence on walking,” said Chaya Gordon, senior research manager at the American Society on Aging. “RAND’s study of the association between Smart Scorecard factors and increased walking is a valuable contribution to understand the effect of particular neighborhood design features.” Gordon was not involved with the study.
Boer acknowledged that he didn’t know why four-way intersections had such a positive impact on walking but suggested “there may be more connectivity” within a neighborhood.
“But the number of businesses makes more sense,” he said. “Does it help to have destinations to make people walk more? The answer is yes.”
9. Phyllis Schlafly is INSANE. But don’t take my word for it. She doesn’t like McCain, Guiliani or Romney. Hmm – wait – maybe she’s not so crazy…
10. Politcio offers up a five point plan for Dems re: Iraq war. They posted one for the GOP yesterday too I believe.
11. Examples of school reform efforts and ideas on display already in Ohio: here and here.
Okay – that helped me clear some stuff out!
Enjoy – I wish I had time for each of those and might get back to them but please feel free to use as fodder for your blogs or comments here.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:53 am February 28th, 2007 in Politics | 3 Comments
Print This Post
Feb
28
Here’s the basic description of the contest and here are the rules. And here’s one more take on the event.
What’s this got to do with Ohio? Well, a few things:
If an entry from Ohio wins (only four entries total will), it highlights female entrepreneurs and the ability for them to succeed in Ohio.
Ohio’s public libraries routinely rank in the top of the list. And not just one or two or three. Take a look at Hennen’s Top 100 list, which is actually the top 10 from each size grouping. I lost track after 70 – from Ohio. And not just this year. If you go back, year after year, Ohio’s libraries are working for us. So let’s work for a kudos for them by writing about them.
Finally, some folks may remember how, several years ago, state funding for public libraries was cut, locals cutback, tried to raise money themselves and eventually, much of the money was restored. Why? Because Ohioans spoke out about their love and need for libraries.
Let’s show our love for libraries, and why we have a love for our libraries, to a broader audience. I know I used the libraries extensively, and still do, to foster my freelance writing career, which was an enormous shift for me from law/social work. Come on. You can do it. Or pass this on to someone you know who might have a story to tell.
Cross-posted at Progress Ohio.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:32 am February 28th, 2007 in Politics | 2 Comments
Print This Post
Feb
28
Hattip to RAB for informing us of a nonpartisan effort called Eye on the Statehouse to watch for waste in the Statehouse. I’m sure folks from all points on the political spectrum can make probably daily contributions to the page and the effort of examples. I would urge all of us to post comments there and email the effort each and every time we note something.
Great idea.
Here’s the “About” page:
Mission Statement
The Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions is a nonpartisan research and educational institute devoted to individual liberty, economic freedom, personal responsibility and limited government in Ohio.
About the Buckeye Institute
The Buckeye Institute assists policymakers, scholars, entrepreneurs, the media and the public by providing objective analysis and sound solutions to state and local policy questions, particularly in the areas of taxation, government spending, regulation and education.
Our work challenges government intervention as the default solution to Ohio’s needs. We offer a compelling vision of how policies that maximize the freedom and independence for our citizens also bring more prosperity to our state.
The Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions neither seeks nor accepts government funding. It enjoys the support of foundations, individuals and businesses sharing a concern for Ohio’s future.
No one is more concerned about Ohio’s future than me.
Again – thanks. Looking forward to contributing!
By Jill Miller Zimon at 8:18 am February 28th, 2007 in Politics | 4 Comments
Print This Post
Feb
28
WLST Smorgasbord – something for everyone
Filed Under Politics | Leave a Comment
It’s all good, I just can’t find the time to write about each one individually. I know some WLST readers hate when I do this, but if I didn’t, some of these pieces would get lost in the Save as Draft black hole that’s already increasing in density daily. I’m trying to figure out Google Reader or Bloglines’ blog clipping thing so I can do it there instead.
It’s a good sign that there’s that much to write about and that I’m getting to other responsibilities to the extent that I can’t blog about all this stuff. I wish I could do this all day, everyday and write, write, write. But what I love in life would probably leave me if I did that, and then what would I have to write about?
1. SCOTUS to hear challenge to Bush’s faith-based office.
2. Orthomom lawsuit update, links to profile of lawyer who has defended many bloggers.
3. Boomers are lifelong learners; I’m including this because my thought wasn’t, Oh! How nice! My thought was, well yeah – because they have time and money and there’s a lot of them who are living longer. Sounds like a capitalist’s dream audience.
4. Vouchers versus public schools – case in point
5. Bio mom of Marcus Feisel signs away settlement over his death. What’s going on with that? Several possibilities if you know this area of the law. Sounds right – but is it?
6. Associate Editor of Writer’s Digest starts a blog.
7. Exponential growth in use of email to the U.S. Congress (should cross-post at Progress Ohio)
8. From the ebag by subscription only (Brewed Fresh Daily-type post):
Busy Intersections Invite People to Walk More
By Richard C. Gross, Contributing Writer
Health Behavior News Service
People are more likely to go for a walk in areas with four-way intersections and a large number of shops and businesses as possible destinations, a large new study finds.
The study examined pedestrian trips in 10 major U.S. cities to determine to what extent urban design guidelines increase walking.
Only two of four smart growth criteria investigated held up as reasons for walking — the presence of four-way intersections and a diverse business environment.
The other two — housing density and the length of a city block — did not appear to have any impact on the probability of walking, the study found.
“I see our study as a step on the way to evidence-based guidelines for design of the built environment in order to make it more conducive to walking,” said Rob Boer, Ph.D., who led the RAND Corp. research team.
The study appears in the April issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
The researchers used data from a 1995 transportation survey that included interviews of 42,033 households nationwide. Study cities were Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington.
The guidelines are part of a movement embraced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop sustainable communities. The criteria were spelled out in the New Urbanism Smart Scorecard, a tool for city planners and developers to determine whether a project fulfills smart-growth goals.
“The built environment is a powerful influence on walking,” said Chaya Gordon, senior research manager at the American Society on Aging. “RAND’s study of the association between Smart Scorecard factors and increased walking is a valuable contribution to understand the effect of particular neighborhood design features.” Gordon was not involved with the study.
Boer acknowledged that he didn’t know why four-way intersections had such a positive impact on walking but suggested “there may be more connectivity” within a neighborhood.
“But the number of businesses makes more sense,” he said. “Does it help to have destinations to make people walk more? The answer is yes.”
9. Phyllis Schlafly is INSANE. But don’t take my word for it. She doesn’t like McCain, Guiliani or Romney. Hmm – wait – maybe she’s not so crazy…
10. Politcio offers up a five point plan for Dems re: Iraq war. They posted one for the GOP yesterday too I believe.
11. Examples of school reform efforts and ideas on display already in Ohio: here and here.
Okay – that helped me clear some stuff out!
Enjoy – I wish I had time for each of those and might get back to them but please feel free to use as fodder for your blogs or comments here.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 7:53 am February 28th, 2007 in Politics | Please comment
Print This Post
Feb
28
Ohio female enterpreneurs: tell how libraries have helped you
Filed Under Politics | Leave a Comment
Here’s the basic description of the contest and here are the rules. And here’s one more take on the event.
What’s this got to do with Ohio? Well, a few things:
If an entry from Ohio wins (only four entries total will), it highlights female entrepreneurs and the ability for them to succeed in Ohio.
Ohio’s public libraries routinely rank in the top of the list. And not just one or two or three. Take a look at Hennen’s Top 100 list, which is actually the top 10 from each size grouping. I lost track after 70 – from Ohio. And not just this year. If you go back, year after year, Ohio’s libraries are working for us. So let’s work for a kudos for them by writing about them.
Finally, some folks may remember how, several years ago, state funding for public libraries was cut, locals cutback, tried to raise money themselves and eventually, much of the money was restored. Why? Because Ohioans spoke out about their love and need for libraries.
Let’s show our love for libraries, and why we have a love for our libraries, to a broader audience. I know I used the libraries extensively, and still do, to foster my freelance writing career, which was an enormous shift for me from law/social work. Come on. You can do it. Or pass this on to someone you know who might have a story to tell.
Cross-posted at Progress Ohio.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 7:32 am February 28th, 2007 in Politics | Please comment
Print This Post
Feb
28
Hattip to RAB for informing us of a nonpartisan effort called Eye on the Statehouse to watch for waste in the Statehouse. I’m sure folks from all points on the political spectrum can make probably daily contributions to the page and the effort of examples. I would urge all of us to post comments there and email the effort each and every time we note something.
Great idea.
Here’s the “About” page:
Mission Statement
The Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions is a nonpartisan research and educational institute devoted to individual liberty, economic freedom, personal responsibility and limited government in Ohio.
About the Buckeye Institute
The Buckeye Institute assists policymakers, scholars, entrepreneurs, the media and the public by providing objective analysis and sound solutions to state and local policy questions, particularly in the areas of taxation, government spending, regulation and education.
Our work challenges government intervention as the default solution to Ohio’s needs. We offer a compelling vision of how policies that maximize the freedom and independence for our citizens also bring more prosperity to our state.
The Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions neither seeks nor accepts government funding. It enjoys the support of foundations, individuals and businesses sharing a concern for Ohio’s future.
No one is more concerned about Ohio’s future than me.
Again – thanks. Looking forward to contributing!
By Jill Miller Zimon at 5:18 am February 28th, 2007 in Politics | Please comment
Print This Post
Feb
28
From the Told You So department: Bush needs a loan, capital he gloated over in 2005 all used up
Filed Under Politics | 2 Comments
Everyone remember President Bush’s first press conference after the 11/04 elections, when he talked about how he had earned capital to spend?
Q Do you feel more free, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, in terms of feeling free, well, I don’t think you’ll let me be too free. There’s accountability and there are constraints on the presidency, as there should be in any system. I feel — I feel it is necessary to move an agenda that I told the American people I would move. Something refreshing about coming off an election, even more refreshing since we all got some sleep last night, but there’s — you go out and you make your case, and you tell the people this is what I intend to do. And after hundreds of speeches and three debates and interviews and the whole process, where you keep basically saying the same thing over and over again, that when you win, there is a feeling that the people have spoken and embraced your point of view, and that’s what I intend to tell the Congress, that I made it clear what I intend to do as the President, now let’s work to — and the people made it clear what they wanted, now let’s work together.
And it’s one of the wonderful — it’s like earning capital. You asked, do I feel free. Let me put it to you this way: I earned capital in the campaign, political capital, and now I intend to spend it. It is my style. That’s what happened in the — after the 2000 election, I earned some capital. I’ve earned capital in this election — and I’m going to spend it for what I told the people I’d spend it on, which is — you’ve heard the agenda: Social Security and tax reform, moving this economy forward, education, fighting and winning the war on terror.
We have an obligation in this country to continue to work with nations to help alleve poverty and disease. We will continue to press forward on the HIV/AIDS initiative, the Millennium Challenge Account. We will continue to do our duty to help feed the hungry. And I’m looking forward to it, I really am.
It’s been a — it’s been a fantastic experience campaigning the country. You’ve seen it from one — perspective, I’ve seen it from another. I saw you standing there at the last, final rally in Texas, to my right over there. I was observing you observe, and you saw the energy. And there was just something uplifting about people showing up at 11:00 p.m. at night, expressing their support and their prayers and their friendship. It’s a marvelous experience to campaign across the country.
[emphasis mine]
I cannot be the only one who thought, just like I think no one should call someone a “rising star,” “He is going to be so sorry he said that.”
Well, the way I read this story in Politico about shifts in the White House lobbyist, I’d say he’s looking to take out some loans for more capital. Doesn’t it seem counterintuitive, even if practically necessary, that the person elected as president of the United States would need to amp up the White House lobby efforts? I know, I know – it’s politics.
Still – I’m just saying – it’s fubar. The president is supposed to be the person the country wants, not the person who needs to convince everyone that he or she knows what to do and we better listen.
Sigh.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 3:05 am February 28th, 2007 in Politics | 2 Comments
Print This Post
Feb
28
I’ve been saying it for days to my loved ones, then I heard it on NPR yesterday, as a fear from GOP strategist, Ed Rogers, and now, here’s more, this time, from Dick Morris:
What is McCain’s problem?
Why did he go from the most exciting candidate in the race a year ago to the verge of oblivion today?
Fundamentally, he failed to heed the Shakespeare’s admonition “to thine own self be true.” The John McCain of the 2000 campaign is nowhere in evidence in 2007.
Instead of challenging the party establishment, he pathetically waits at its door, hoping to be invited. Where he used to challenge the religious right, he now panders to them. Once he led the battle against big tobacco, for corporate governance reform, in favor of campaign financing changes, and in support of action against global warming.
Now he has been identified with two issues, neither popular in the Republican Party: The Iraqi troop surge and amnesty for illegal aliens.
Rather than stake out an independent voice apart from the Bush administration, he has become the last survivor at Custer’s Last Stand in its support of its policies.
And, less objectively:
He looks small, shrunken, weak, cowed, and timid. He shows all of his 70 years of age including the roughly lived period at the hands of the tender mercies of the North Vietnamese. It is hard to imagine him as a strong leader as he meekly answers questions from the likes of Tim Russert and George Stephanopoulos.
As for Guiliani, Morris thinks he may have peaked too soon also, but won’t commit.
What I don’t get is, if I could see this, months ago, why didn’t others, as in, the people giving him money and/or encouragement? Ditto Guiliaini. I have news for the GOP: he will not be its ‘08 nominee. I don’t know who will be, but it’s not going to be McCain or Guiliani.
And if it is one of those two, say hello to a Democratic president, way more easily than people may say just yet.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 2:39 am February 28th, 2007 in Politics | 8 Comments
Print This Post
Feb
27
From the Told You So department: Bush needs a loan, capital he gloated over in 2005 all used up
Filed Under Politics | 2 Comments
Everyone remember President Bush’s first press conference after the 11/04 elections, when he talked about how he had earned capital to spend?
Q Do you feel more free, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, in terms of feeling free, well, I don’t think you’ll let me be too free. There’s accountability and there are constraints on the presidency, as there should be in any system. I feel — I feel it is necessary to move an agenda that I told the American people I would move. Something refreshing about coming off an election, even more refreshing since we all got some sleep last night, but there’s — you go out and you make your case, and you tell the people this is what I intend to do. And after hundreds of speeches and three debates and interviews and the whole process, where you keep basically saying the same thing over and over again, that when you win, there is a feeling that the people have spoken and embraced your point of view, and that’s what I intend to tell the Congress, that I made it clear what I intend to do as the President, now let’s work to — and the people made it clear what they wanted, now let’s work together.
And it’s one of the wonderful — it’s like earning capital. You asked, do I feel free. Let me put it to you this way: I earned capital in the campaign, political capital, and now I intend to spend it. It is my style. That’s what happened in the — after the 2000 election, I earned some capital. I’ve earned capital in this election — and I’m going to spend it for what I told the people I’d spend it on, which is — you’ve heard the agenda: Social Security and tax reform, moving this economy forward, education, fighting and winning the war on terror.
We have an obligation in this country to continue to work with nations to help alleve poverty and disease. We will continue to press forward on the HIV/AIDS initiative, the Millennium Challenge Account. We will continue to do our duty to help feed the hungry. And I’m looking forward to it, I really am.
It’s been a — it’s been a fantastic experience campaigning the country. You’ve seen it from one — perspective, I’ve seen it from another. I saw you standing there at the last, final rally in Texas, to my right over there. I was observing you observe, and you saw the energy. And there was just something uplifting about people showing up at 11:00 p.m. at night, expressing their support and their prayers and their friendship. It’s a marvelous experience to campaign across the country.
[emphasis mine]
I cannot be the only one who thought, just like I think no one should call someone a “rising star,” “He is going to be so sorry he said that.”
Well, the way I read this story in Politico about shifts in the White House lobbyist, I’d say he’s looking to take out some loans for more capital. Doesn’t it seem counterintuitive, even if practically necessary, that the person elected as president of the United States would need to amp up the White House lobby efforts? I know, I know – it’s politics.
Still – I’m just saying – it’s fubar. The president is supposed to be the person the country wants, not the person who needs to convince everyone that he or she knows what to do and we better listen.
Sigh.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 11:05 pm February 27th, 2007 in Politics | 2 Comments
Print This Post
Feb
27
I’ve been saying it for days to my loved ones, then I heard it on NPR yesterday, as a fear from GOP strategist, Ed Rogers, and now, here’s more, this time, from Dick Morris:
What is McCain’s problem?
Why did he go from the most exciting candidate in the race a year ago to the verge of oblivion today?
Fundamentally, he failed to heed the Shakespeare’s admonition “to thine own self be true.” The John McCain of the 2000 campaign is nowhere in evidence in 2007.
Instead of challenging the party establishment, he pathetically waits at its door, hoping to be invited. Where he used to challenge the religious right, he now panders to them. Once he led the battle against big tobacco, for corporate governance reform, in favor of campaign financing changes, and in support of action against global warming.
Now he has been identified with two issues, neither popular in the Republican Party: The Iraqi troop surge and amnesty for illegal aliens.
Rather than stake out an independent voice apart from the Bush administration, he has become the last survivor at Custer’s Last Stand in its support of its policies.
And, less objectively:
He looks small, shrunken, weak, cowed, and timid. He shows all of his 70 years of age including the roughly lived period at the hands of the tender mercies of the North Vietnamese. It is hard to imagine him as a strong leader as he meekly answers questions from the likes of Tim Russert and George Stephanopoulos.
As for Guiliani, Morris thinks he may have peaked too soon also, but won’t commit.
What I don’t get is, if I could see this, months ago, why didn’t others, as in, the people giving him money and/or encouragement? Ditto Guiliaini. I have news for the GOP: he will not be its ‘08 nominee. I don’t know who will be, but it’s not going to be McCain or Guiliani.
And if it is one of those two, say hello to a Democratic president, way more easily than people may say just yet.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:39 pm February 27th, 2007 in Politics | 8 Comments
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Feb
27
Conflict of laws involving Parma parents who want to represent child in court heard in SCOTUS
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Thanks to the Plain Dealer’s Elizabeth Auster for providing this mid-afternoon update on how the oral argument proceeded in this case.
Here is the SCOTUS Blog’s argument preview.
You can also read the transcript of the oral argument from today here.
Remember, the Bush administration is siding with the parents re: they can represent their kids in a courtroom without a lawyer (the parents’ side is being argued by Jean-Claude Andre). Pierre Bergeron of Squire Sanders is representing the Parma schools. Auster’s article says that Justice Kennedy seemed to show some empathy for the parents, while Scalia was showing it for the school district.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 8:39 pm February 27th, 2007 in Politics | Please comment
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Feb
27
From the Told You So department: Bush needs a loan, capital he gloated over in 2005 all used up
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Everyone remember President Bush’s first press conference after the 11/04 elections, when he talked about how he had earned capital to spend?
Q Do you feel more free, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, in terms of feeling free, well, I don’t think you’ll let me be too free. There’s accountability and there are constraints on the presidency, as there should be in any system. I feel — I feel it is necessary to move an agenda that I told the American people I would move. Something refreshing about coming off an election, even more refreshing since we all got some sleep last night, but there’s — you go out and you make your case, and you tell the people this is what I intend to do. And after hundreds of speeches and three debates and interviews and the whole process, where you keep basically saying the same thing over and over again, that when you win, there is a feeling that the people have spoken and embraced your point of view, and that’s what I intend to tell the Congress, that I made it clear what I intend to do as the President, now let’s work to — and the people made it clear what they wanted, now let’s work together.
And it’s one of the wonderful — it’s like earning capital. You asked, do I feel free. Let me put it to you this way: I earned capital in the campaign, political capital, and now I intend to spend it. It is my style. That’s what happened in the — after the 2000 election, I earned some capital. I’ve earned capital in this election — and I’m going to spend it for what I told the people I’d spend it on, which is — you’ve heard the agenda: Social Security and tax reform, moving this economy forward, education, fighting and winning the war on terror.
We have an obligation in this country to continue to work with nations to help alleve poverty and disease. We will continue to press forward on the HIV/AIDS initiative, the Millennium Challenge Account. We will continue to do our duty to help feed the hungry. And I’m looking forward to it, I really am.
It’s been a — it’s been a fantastic experience campaigning the country. You’ve seen it from one — perspective, I’ve seen it from another. I saw you standing there at the last, final rally in Texas, to my right over there. I was observing you observe, and you saw the energy. And there was just something uplifting about people showing up at 11:00 p.m. at night, expressing their support and their prayers and their friendship. It’s a marvelous experience to campaign across the country.
[emphasis mine]
I cannot be the only one who thought, just like I think no one should call someone a “rising star,” “He is going to be so sorry he said that.”
Well, the way I read this story in Politico about shifts in the White House lobbyist, I’d say he’s looking to take out some loans for more capital. Doesn’t it seem counterintuitive, even if practically necessary, that the person elected as president of the United States would need to amp up the White House lobby efforts? I know, I know – it’s politics.
Still – I’m just saying – it’s fubar. The president is supposed to be the person the country wants, not the person who needs to convince everyone that he or she knows what to do and we better listen.
Sigh.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 8:05 pm February 27th, 2007 in Politics | Please comment
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Feb
27
I’ve been saying it for days to my loved ones, then I heard it on NPR yesterday, as a fear from GOP strategist, Ed Rogers, and now, here’s more, this time, from Dick Morris:
What is McCain’s problem?
Why did he go from the most exciting candidate in the race a year ago to the verge of oblivion today?
Fundamentally, he failed to heed the Shakespeare’s admonition “to thine own self be true.” The John McCain of the 2000 campaign is nowhere in evidence in 2007.
Instead of challenging the party establishment, he pathetically waits at its door, hoping to be invited. Where he used to challenge the religious right, he now panders to them. Once he led the battle against big tobacco, for corporate governance reform, in favor of campaign financing changes, and in support of action against global warming.
Now he has been identified with two issues, neither popular in the Republican Party: The Iraqi troop surge and amnesty for illegal aliens.
Rather than stake out an independent voice apart from the Bush administration, he has become the last survivor at Custer’s Last Stand in its support of its policies.
And, less objectively:
He looks small, shrunken, weak, cowed, and timid. He shows all of his 70 years of age including the roughly lived period at the hands of the tender mercies of the North Vietnamese. It is hard to imagine him as a strong leader as he meekly answers questions from the likes of Tim Russert and George Stephanopoulos.
As for Guiliani, Morris thinks he may have peaked too soon also, but won’t commit.
What I don’t get is, if I could see this, months ago, why didn’t others, as in, the people giving him money and/or encouragement? Ditto Guiliaini. I have news for the GOP: he will not be its ‘08 nominee. I don’t know who will be, but it’s not going to be McCain or Guiliani.
And if it is one of those two, say hello to a Democratic president, way more easily than people may say just yet.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 7:39 pm February 27th, 2007 in Politics | Please comment
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Feb
27
360 degree review of Obama: all live blog posts in one narrative entry
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This is a must-read. Wow. Thanks for the work, Wendell.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 5:42 pm February 27th, 2007 in Politics | Please comment
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Feb
27
Conflict of laws involving Parma parents who want to represent child in court heard in SCOTUS
Filed Under Politics | Leave a Comment
Thanks to the Plain Dealer’s Elizabeth Auster for providing this mid-afternoon update on how the oral argument proceeded in this case.
Here is the SCOTUS Blog’s argument preview.
You can also read the transcript of the oral argument from today here.
Remember, the Bush administration is siding with the parents re: they can represent their kids in a courtroom without a lawyer (the parents’ side is being argued by Jean-Claude Andre). Pierre Bergeron of Squire Sanders is representing the Parma schools. Auster’s article says that Justice Kennedy seemed to show some empathy for the parents, while Scalia was showing it for the school district.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 4:39 pm February 27th, 2007 in Politics | Please comment
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