Where Things Stand

By DemFromCT

[UPDATE]: A senior congressional aide [Kirk Fordham] said Wednesday that he alerted the House Speaker Dennis Hastert's office in 2004 about worrisome conduct by former Rep. Mark Foley with teenage pages -- the earliest known alert to the GOP leadership.

Hastert scrambles just to survive until January (win or lose).

Rep. Rodney Alexander, R-La., the congressman who sponsored the page at the heart of the recent Capitol Hill sex scandal furor and initially said Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., "knew about the e-mails that we knew about," including one in which Foley asked the page to send his picture, has now backed off that comment, saying he discussed the e-mails with Hastert's aides, not the speaker himself.

"I guess that's a poor choice of words that I made there," Alexander told AP.

Lower food chain staffer out.

A top congressional aide who counseled ex-Florida Rep. Mark Foley to resign last week submitted his own resignation Wednesday, saying in a statement, "I never attempted to prevent any inquiries or investigation".

And this, to sum up.

"The mood among conservative voters in America reminds me of the atmosphere among British Conservatives in 1997 shortly before Tony Blair became prime minister," said Frank Luntz, probably the most influential Republican political consultant. "The level of incompetence and mismanagement by the Republican leadership has been so bad it would take an act of God to regain their momentum."

Attempts by Republicans to draw a line under last week's revelations that the party's leadership had known for years that Mr Foley, a Republican representative from Florida, was conducting improper communications with under-age boys have so far failed.

It has also been exacerbated by in-fighting among Republican leaders with John Boehner, the Republican majority leader, suggesting that the scandal was the responsibility of Dennis Hastert, the Republican speaker of the house, and Mr Hastert implying his own staff were to blame.

People like Chuck Todd, whom I respect, suggest we shouldn't over play this to the voters. I would suggest the pundits and Rs are more guilty of under- than overestimating the scandal and what it means to voters.

Comments

[mainsailset]

"...it would take an act of God to gain their momentum" Please NO! This country can't take another Act of God under Bush's FEMA protection.

[Dismayed]

Now the AP has run a story listing Foley as a Democrat. The story hit google with the inappropriate designation listed on the link. AP has now issued a correction, but FOX who started this dirty trick has not. These are desperate acts by desperate men. And it makes me wonder how far corporate media will stoop to protect our fascist party. On the other hand, the repubs are showing their cards by making it obvious just how much dirty influence they have with media. I just looked at an MSN poll 68% say Hastern should step down. 18% say he's OK, and 14% say too early to tell. This is by far the highest margin I've ever seen on one of these MSN 'topic of the day instant vote' polls MSN posts. Tells me that all the dirty tricks in the book aren't going save them from this one.

[Jodi]

""The level of incompetence and mismanagement by the Republican leadership has been so bad it would take an act of God to regain their momentum."

That is an overstatement without a time frame. It is correct for 2006.

Power corrupted/made them stupid/spoiled the Republicans and that is nothing new for power.
The same will happen in the next cycle for the Democrats, and so on, and so on.

But being out of power, will give Republicans strength of purpose. It will steel their will. It will bring new leaders to the fore for the old ones have failed, and squandered their advantage. The Republicans will be back perhaps by 2008.

Do the Democrats have a plan? Other than to assume power for a while?

And here a bit of scarcasm- "Oh, yes, we will make everything all right, because -we care."

[DemFromCT]

Luntz is a R pollster, and yes it was 2006 only.

I think the "Dems will fail because I've been told for do long that they always do" argument is pretty weak. It would take a cosmic talent like Michael brown to do worse.

[Kagro X]

And there it is! "Child molestation is good for Republicans."

Time of death, 16:54.

[Jodi]

" think the "Dems will fail because I've been told for do long that they always do" argument is pretty weak. It would take a cosmic talent like Michael brown to do worse."

I didn't say that DemFromCT.

A further correction is that Bush, Cheney, Rumsfied (only a smart rubber stamp)have done worse in Iraq than Michael Brown did with Katrina.
We deal with and have studied some of the problems of Katrina and the aftermath.
Brown did not cause most the problems, he just was at the wheel of a leaky ship. He is the guy that went down with the ship. He did not make the levees break. He did not neglect to have school bus drivers for the buses for evacuation. He did not have control of the city and the State during the Hurricane, and not much later either. Afterwards he didn't do well, but he is like the Captain that was strapped to the main mast, set on fire and then cursed as the ship was sunk.

Iraq, the atermath, was the result of blind and foolish self serving cold calculation. (And my big wondeful foolishly romantic hero brother is about to go back, and it is killing my mom and me.)

:(

No, there are natural disasters and ill preparedness but the Dems will take power, and THEN THEY WILL HAVE A HAND IN IRAQ.

Will they fund a completion of the effort, do it better than Bush when he had all the power, or will they beat a path out of what they hate so viruently and make a mess worse as Michael Brown did do?

I don't know. I am frankly disheartened. And totally disenchanted with our government and its inability to be rational as the treasury is being divided up among competing hordes of Mongols and Visigoths.

The Barbarians are in control DemFromCT. The horses they ride in this day are TV ads, and talk shows, and the Media. They are destroying us.

[Mimikatz]

It will get uglier before it is over. Already the GOP talking heads are out there raising Gerry Studds, as if anyone cares about something that happened in the early '80s. But the GOP is probably much more vulnerable than the Dems. Dems allow their elected officials to be openly gay, and their constituents are often aware that they are and/or don't care. Not so with the GOP, and that should give them considerable pause. Stones and glass houses and all that.

Gay men are very good at identifying each other in organizations and institutions, and on a social level, sexual orientation generally transcends party. So they all pretty much know each other around DC. David Cornsays there is a list of gay staffers and maybe members who are alleged to have "protected each other" and Foley that various members of the press also have. If the GOP attacks Dem members or staffers, these men will be outed too, and the GOP clearly has much more to lose from such a bloodbath than the more forgiving Dems, given the homophobia it has cultivated in its ranks.

[Dismayed]

I can't tell you how many people I talk to share Jodi's last sentiment. Citizens know it is time to take government back. I think the movement is there. It's just waiting on a leader who really and truly wants to take the corporate money out of the system, and what a fight it will be. Where is Lancelot when we need him?

[ab initio]

Interesting comment coming from Luntz.

And, even if the Dems gain a majority in both the House and Senate they cannot make any changes. Bush will still be Preznit!

What they can do is stop the rubber-stamp and have real oversight and hold the executive accountable. They can and should use subpoena power and investigate the decision making that gave us civil war in Iraq with the unnecessary loss of American and Iraqi life and investigate the decision making and extent of warantless spying on Americans and investigate war profiteering and investigate what the Prez did with the terrorist warnings. Every one who has broken our laws needs to be held accountable!

These investigations are very important for the American people to really understand what happened and to prevent such abuse of power in the future.

[DemFromCT]

But jodi speaks of governance. i do not credit the GOP with honesty. their entire government has been a K Street sell out, with politics first and everything secoind. Iraq, too, where things had to be cleared by that O'Beirne creature's husband..

Things can get worse, but Dems cannot do worse. To think otherwise is to be blinded by what's going on in DC.

[Dismayed]

I agree DemFromCT. They will be better. Acountability, oversight, back to making some progress on the critical matter of environment. I'm strongly for the Dems. Historically the Dems at their worst stand head and shoulders above the lot of criminals that have control of the nation at the moment. However, The fact remains that I have spoken to so so many people that share Jodi's last POV. And the truth is that when you vote for the lesser of two evils - you are still voting for an evil. Corporate money is already hedging its bets with the changing tide. Look at Hill's campain coffers. We have to get the big corp money out of this system. But how, good lord how?

[freepatriot]

Do the Democrats have a plan ???

yeah, it's called "HOLDING THE PRESNIT ACCOUNTABLE"

It's called "HOLDING THE CONGRESSPERSONS RESPONSIBILE FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS"

it's called "RESTORING OUR NATION TO A POSITION OF RESPECTABILITY"

sound familiar ???

I hope that scares the hell out of you

we don't have to give the repuglicans hell, we just tell the truth about them and they think they're in hell

sound familiar ???

[freepatriot]

somebody at DKOS has the world's greatest tag signature line:

Mr Conyers, you may call your first witness

[lizard]

A bombing raid on North Korea, in response to their "test" threat, would be JUST the thing to knock FoleyGate out of the headlines right about now.

-=shiver=-

[freepatriot]

off topic question

anybody see this at CommonDreams:

Pardon Me? Scooter Libby's Trial Strategy
by Elizabeth de la Vega

sorry, I don't do links, but this is an interesting article, and it promises a followup next week

where's emptywheel when we need her ???

I know, I know, in transit or something ...

[freepatriot]

yo Lizard, you think that pissing on China's doorstep wouldn't have repercussions ???

ever heard the term "Dig Up Stupid"

hopefully the repuglicans learned their lesson from their little "foley" distraction

China could yank the chain and send out economy down the toilet in a heartbeat

[p.lukasiak]

with all due respect to Chuck Todd, he's obviously clueless.

This is precisely the albatross that the democrats need to hand around the neck of every GOP congressional candidate. "A vote for XXXXXXXX is a vote for Hastert" needs to be an ad in every congressional district....

[lizard]

The Republicans have already looted the economy. To KEEP it, they need to prevent the Dems from issueing subpoenas. People will do almost ANYTHING to stay out of jail. Hell, they are already cannabalizing their own members. Think they are too smart, moral or honest to roll the dice in North Korea? I don't. I think, again, that they know the next two years are going to be ONLY about staying out of jail.

[freepatriot]

I'd roll the dice in Iran, not Korea

but karl rove obviously ain't as smart as me

either way, the United States loses

all the bushco pr says Iran is the "magic bullet" to save repuglican hopes this year

anybody who understands military logistics knows that any attack, ANY WHERE, is an act of suicide for the US military

but that ain't gonna stop george from pressing his bets again

[robbie c.]

Hey folks,
Does anyone have any information being peddled on many of these rightwing blogs, like Right Wing Nuthouse, JOM, Clarice Feldman, and others, that Jason Leopold turned over these IM's to CREW? That's what these people are saying and even Salon wrote about it. But nobody says what the evidence is? Anyone know anything about this?

Also, I don't know about you but I think the RW blogs and what they are writing is deplorable. They are trying to find anything to excuse this Congressman's (or I should say former) behavior. It really is terrible and shows how divided this country is still.

[Mimikatz]

ABC News said they got the e-mails from someone who was a Republican.

[robbie c.]

thanks. Did you guys read this story? http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2006/10/the-bogus-blog-behind-foleys-fall.php It says the emails appeared here first.

[Peacerme]

Jodi,

Here's part of the dems plan. Warren Buffet and Bill Gates made the following proposal, they even worked out the math...and it was real math. (as opposed to fuzzy math) According to Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, a 1% increase in taxes for those people making over a 250,000$ a year would completely pay off the deficit. For the first time in a long time we have the elite rich speaking out on behalf of America. (I do not naively believe that these guys never broke any rules, never played dirty). However they, and many others have spoken truth to power. Bob Kerry (war vet and former governor of Nebraska, and U.S senator) said of taxes: "taxes are what we pay for the honor and privilege of making money in the U.S." It's what we give back to society for the privilege of being American. I pay my taxes and I am proud of it. While we always need balance when it comes to taxes...it is time that we all accept that taxes are NOT evil. The most effective civilized nations (and we are no longer number one in lots of areas!!), have some level of social programs. Social programs raise the standard of living for all americans. And when ALL americans have a little extra money in their pockets the stock markets open up to more people, entreprenuership increases, small businesses and big businesses flourish. It's a win for everyone...except for the very elite rich who do not think they should share the burdens of society.

It's about control. They want control over the money they give. So that's how we get pork. Then there are ties and conditions connected to the money, because these elite rich, cannot truly give like a christian. They must only give conditionally so as to maintain control of their money and hence their destiny. The God they worship is money. They use christianity and public good deeds and charities to cover this truth. Not all wealthy are like this...I am describing the sickness and how it runs the republican party right now. It's addiction, it's dysfunction. The relationship with money becomes more important that higher values like compassion and generosity.

Today I heard some of the Amish talking about forgiveness. I realized that this is the first time in a long time, that I have witnessed true christian behavior...the kind that makes a lump swell in your throat. The kind that makes your limbs go limp with serenity, because you know down to your gut that they are right.(living in accordance with the words of jesus) Republicans can be like this but right now that is not what is happening.

What will the dems do?? What is their plan?? There plan is to restore democracy where it has been replaced by capitalism. The dems will work to restore a balance between human services and taxes. Yes, they will raise taxes for the wealthiest americans. Yes, Yes, Yes and thank god we will raise taxes!!! Grow up and get over it.

The dems will study this war, this culture and this climate. They will work to understand what is happening in Iraq. Truth be told there is something really awful happening there that we will have to think hard and long about how to deal with. (the 40-50 Iraqis a day who are being tortured and killed by being drilled alive by power drills). There is pathology there and in large numbers. This is something that will require much thought, planning and caution.

The dems will invest in people so that we again regain our first place status in the world. America should be the ones solving the oil crises by developing alternatives...no country was better at that kind of discovery than us. It's just that now, 'not discovering' puts more money in the hands of the people who have power. They have no incentive to discover and so we fall behind. We don't explore, we don't develop, we don't solve problems. We hold still while they shake us down. They hold us still.

It will be just fine Jodi. I am certain that the democrats can resolve the problem that have been created by our swing that was way too far to the right. It's time for balance...and balance is good.

[mainsailset]

Anybody feeling a little proactive, it probably wouldn't hurt to toss a few coins the way of John Laesch (D) running against dear Denny Hastert. http://www.john06.com/ He's on Act Blue as well. Hopefully some of the blogs (hint) will find the time to do a little post on John. Last poll cycle he was down about 20 points from Hastert, but this week people might be ready to listen. Just sayin'

[Jodi]

Thanks Peacerme, and others. Any modicum of reassurance always feels good.

[Brian Boru]

After a certain point on Saturday afternoon, 27 August, Louisiana was a federal problem with FEMA in charge: for about 40 hours before Katrina hit, and after, it was Brownie's and Chertoff's problem. Stop picking on the city and state officials without knowing the timeline:http://thinkprogress.org/katrina-timeline

[Jodi]

Brian Boru,

I don't think you are correct. It may be you are referring to Fema being present there, and sure they had ice trucks on the way, water, etc. They even had done their automatic setup of contracts for certain service.

But the mayor and the governor were in control of the situation on the ground (or on the water).

FEMA can't tell people to evaucate. FEMA wasn't in charge of the levees. FEMA can't evaucate people. FEMA doesn't have police, and highway patrolemen, and the National Guard and Soldiers, and Sailors.

FEMA had been decimated by the new Department of Homeland Security reorganization. They have only a few thousand people.
AND I am not a Bush apologist. But you might remember that he didn't want a Dept of Homeland Security. The Dems jumped on that when the 911 Commission report came out and reccommeded it.
Bush delayed and dragged his feet and the Dems held his feet to the fire.

Once the hurricane is there, and the levees fail, there isn't a lot to do but get the people out that should have been already out.
Some like to say, well that just shows [[--fill in whatever injustice, disparity, political leaning, pet peeve you have ---]] but the problem was the City and the State didn't get the people out of there. One might say well the Federal Government should have done it. The truth is that with the "politics as usual" the Governor has to ask for Federal troops and give over control of the National Guard, unless there is some kind of war/invasion/uprising etc. She wouldn't, didn't.
The mayor was negligent with the city.
AGAIN -- HOW MANY BUSSES WERE SITTING THERE NOT MOVING BECAUSE THE CITY DIDN'T HAVE DRIVERS???!! Do you remember the picture of all those busses?

New Orelans had a plan. Very detailed! It had been worked on for years over and over, by all sorts of planners, Uiversities, Businesses, Forums. [[[[[ They just didn't follow it. ]]]]]

Again. New Oreleans didn't follow their own plan!!

[Sara]

Jodi -- I just finished reading Doug Brinkley's "The Great Deluge" and your statement does not really comport with Brinkley's history -- particularly his tracking of no plans for removing the 40 some percent of the population that did not have transport, and who also lacked resources to purchase shelter. Are you really so dim as to think that a black family of ten, headed by grandma, without a credit card could check into a motel in E. Texas? Yes there was a plan -- but it was class based. (How many poor folk in NOLA, even if they had a car, knew how to read a roadmap to a place they would find safety? Very few.) The plan didn't match the demographics. Also read Brinkley on the officials and plan's attitude toward the elderly, particularly those in either nursing homes or specialized section 8 elderly housing. Read about the people he discovered who could only move in electric wheel chairs or scooters, and were not allowed to take them on the busses. And yes, read about those who would not leave their dogs and cats (and I would not leave my Siberian Husky to sink or swim).

[Jodi]

Sara,
You have me at an advantage on the book. I haven't read it.

But what I do know is that the buses DIDNT MOVE. The buses in the plan.
Do you remember all those buses? Would you like me to send you a picture of ALL THE BUSES.

I agree with you on problems of where the people (once they were out) were to go. They are still all over the place. And I agree that some people are frail in mind or body, or both.

Now what you don't know is that when FEMA could do something later, like put trailers in, the local people and politicos were saying not in my back yard. A good friend of mine involved in that said "how can you avoid 30 or 50 or a lot more trailiers not looking like a FEMA trailer park?" There is no way. The mayor at first said ok, but then politics go to him and he backed off.

FEMA, remember what I said, and I speak of the professionals not the titular heads had been decimated by the change in structure. But the problem is simply that even if the people could have been moved no matter where, everything would have been better. Resources were spent on maintaining and removing them after the Hurricane when it was a lot harder. Helicopters were diverted to pick up people instead of shoring the levees up. (I know about that, but won't go into details.) The mayor was really upset too that those helicopters weren't helping at the levees. He was overruled.

As for your pet, I understand. And like the skipper of one boat said "if I have to choose between 1 person and a large pet, or two people, there is no choice." I understand both of you. If I was boss of the world, I would say the skipper is right, and he will come back later for you and your Husky.

BUSES SARA. LOOK AT ALL THOSE BUSES. NOT MOVING. NO DRIVERS. NO MANDATORY EVAUCATION UNTIL TOO LATE.