Jack & Jill Politics

rikyrah: Keepin' an "eye" on this race:


Franken, If Up In Votes, Should Be Seated Before Legal Battles End: Klobuchar

With concern rising in Minnesota that the state could be without a Senator for the crucial early months of the next Congress, Sen. Amy Klobuchar weighed in with a significant proposal this weekend: seat the unofficial winner until all legal challenges are finalized.

"If the Canvassing Board declares a winner, that should be our senator," said the Minnesota Democrat. Even if a court challenge were to follow, she added, "[The Senate] could seat a senator pending the litigation."

Should Klobuchar's vision bear out, it would likely result in Al Franken taking over the Senate seat on a temporary basis. Democrats would get a 59th caucus member and a potentially important vote on key legislative matters.

The Minnesota canvassing board is set to certify the vote total from the election sometime in early January (a date is not yet official). As it stands know, Franken should emerge ahead in the count by a scant 47 votes. Sen. Norm Coleman would then have seven days to challenge the board's conclusion, a course of action his campaign has said it will almost certainly pursue.

The legal gridlock that would ensue could mean that there is no official Senate winner for weeks, if not much longer. Thirty-four years ago in New Hampshire, a similar situation took place, and the state was short a representative in the Senate for ten months.

At this point, there seems to be little political will from the Governor's office to resolve the problem. Republican Tim Pawlenty's office has said he only has the authority to appoint a replacement in the case of a permanent vacancy. So Klobuchar's statement, reported by the Minneapolis Star Tribune, carries particular weight.

There is, moreover, historical precedent for seating Franken on a temporary basis. In 1996, Mary Landrieu won the Louisiana Senate seat in a hotly contested race. But her opponent, State Representative Woody Jenkins, alleged that massive election fraud had contributed to his defeat. The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate agreed to look into the charges but allowed Landrieu to serve in the interim, pending investigation. The Rules Committee ultimately discovered that Jenkins had coached and paid witnesses to testify, thus discrediting his complaints of corruption and securing Landrieu's place in the Senate.

JANUARY is going to B a "loaded" MONTH! :>)

the best thing about this is that every trick Coleman has tried - backfired on his slimy ass. To be honest, I think this is more about the position of being a Senator - because some very hanky financial stuff was revealed about him in like the last 2 months of the campaign. And once this campaign is officially OVER - then someone in law enforcement is going to make those allegations their new pet project.

rikyrah: ABSOLUTELY!! I've been trying to follow this race & LEARN! :>) But, I have noticed this, since his last appeal was NOT accepted by the courts. :

Re: "new pet project": Let us HOPE SO!!! :>) :>)

GreenLady, Amy is da bomb! And our SoS Mark Ritchie is pretty cool too!

We Minnesotans are rooting for Al Franken!

spirit: Now this gives me perspective! Thank you! :>) :>)

EVENING THREAD IS UP

rikyrah what is the source for the Sunday Thread pic?

spirit,

I wander the Web and come across Obama stuff. I have no idea where I found it

The source seems to be this site http://www.crasscommerce.com which sells the design as a t-shirt and a sticker.

thanks lavender. :)

Thanks, Lavender.

Montel Williams is now hawking Obama coins!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_tmDNF6jJI

LMBAO!!! I was supposed to mention that here! I see you Montell! Obama does not like deadbeats Montell, ya daughter aired you out on Wendy Williams a couple of months back. Your daughter is probably too black for you right Montell

Really what did she say besides her dad only liking white women? These men I tell ya!

heartsandflowers: When I saw it, I was reminded of his "MAJOR ABSENCE" during the WHOLE ELECTION PROCESS!! Hmmmm!

Next he'll be hawking Obama turtlenecks. You know how Montel do.

Town, let's hope Montel doesn't name refer paper for medcinal marjuiana after Barack .

spirit: LOL!!

I saw that.

I saw that, too. I thought, what's up with that?

Oh, well. One must make money...

rikyrah: SONG writers BLAST RNC "parody?" - NO! "RACIST INSULT!":

My Response to the Mean-Spirited "Barack the Magic Negro"



The sending of a Christmas greeting by Chip Saltsman to the members of the Republican National Committee that includes a recording of the so-called parody, "Barack the Magic Negro" is not only offensive, it is shocking and saddening in the extreme. It flies in the face of America's deeply held hope for a new era in which common ground and mutual respect characterize the exchanges between our national leaders.

I and my co-writer of "Puff," Lenny Lipton, have been eagerly awaiting an end to the mean-spiritedness, outright disrespect and bigotry that was commonplace prior to this last presidential election. What might have been wearily accepted as "the way it was" in the campaign, is now unacceptable. Obama is not a candidate. He is the President-Elect, and this song insults the office of the Presidency, the people who voted for him, as well as those who did not -- and taking a children's song and twisting it in such vulgar, mean-spirited way, is a slur to our entire country and our common agreement to move beyond racism.

It is almost unimaginable to me that Chip Saltzman who sent the CD, would seriously be considered for the top post of the Republican National Committee. Puff, himself, if asked, would certainly agree.

CHIP - - - AS IN "COW/BUFFALO CHIP!", YOU have done the UNTHINKABLE annnnnd UNIMAGINABLE!! AArrrrggg!

***Saaaaaa-lap!!***

WAY to SHOW "leadership?" in YOUR PARTY!!

The song writers ought ta "SUE" YOU & the Repugs for using their SONG in such a DEROGATORY MANNER!! I hope that they do!!!

Y'all betta recca-nize my Atlanta Falcons!!!

Michael Turner is da TRUTH - but if he has less than 150 yards next week, the Falcons are done.

done RonnieB

rikyrah: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2008 DAY -23; On His "JOURNEY TO JANUARY!

1. WORD(s) of the DAY: VACATION/MIDDLE EAST WATCH

2. HEADLINE(s):

a) Sunday Dec. 28, 2008
All Times Eastern7:00 AM
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
10:30 AM

David Axlerod appears on NBC's "Meet the Press" and CBS's "Face the Nation.

Robert Gibbs sits down with George Stephanopoulos on ABC's "This Week.
11:00 AM
12:00 PM
12:11 PM

Obama heads to the Semper Fit Center for his daily workout.
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
3:00 PM
3:33 PM

The Obama family leaves the vacation compound.

b) Israel strike may shift Obama plan

THESE ARE WORDS FROM P-E OBAMA:

Obama spoke on the phone with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Saturday about the air strikes in Gaza and the movement of Pakistani troops away from the Afghanistan and toward the Indian border. The conversation lasted about eight minutes, according to a transition aide who also said the president-elect will continue to closely monitor these events from his vacation home in Kailua, Hawaii.

"President-elect Obama is closely monitoring global events, including the situation in Gaza, but there is one president at a time,” said Obama spokeswoman Brooke Anderson.

SKIP

But Obama has signaled in the past that he backs retaliation against Hamas rocket fire, noted AIPAC spokesman Josh Block. Obama said during a visit to Israel last summer that he didn't "think any country would find it acceptable to have missiles raining down on the heads of their citizens.

"If somebody was sending rockets into my house where my two daughters sleep at night, I'm going to do everything in my power to stop that. And I would expect Israelis to do the same thing."

Within Obama’s transition, Democrats say there’s a subtle division between between advisers who hold out hope for a direclty negotiated peace, culminating with a signing ceremony on the South Lawn, and those who have argued for a more oblique approach aimed at a negotiated peace between Israel and Syria, and weakening Syria’s ties with Iran. The latter group of advisers — which include former Clinton aides Dennis Ross and Martin Indyk — see weakening the role of Iran, which is closely tied to Hezbollah, as central to establishing an Israeli-Palestinian peace.

c) Shave ice, Mele Kalikimaka, hang loose

The cataloging of President-elect Barack Obama's every Hawaiian vacation move highlights a slice of American culture those on the mainland don't really know much about.

The latest came Saturday morning as Obama left the gym and was met by roughly 30 fans in the parking lot.

His Chicago White Sox hat was turned backwards, the president-elect flashed them the Hawaiian hand gesture formally known as the "shaka," but more commonly called the "hang loose" sign. (Three fingers tucked in, pinky and thumb out).

Others so far include:

Shave ice: It's similar to a snow cone, but the ice is more finely shaved and is served over scoop of vanilla ice cream. Obama, his daughters and some friends ordered a range of flavors on Friday - from pina colada to banana.

Spam Musubi: This classic Hawaiian lunch fare is a bed of rice topped with a slice of Spam and held together with a piece of dried seaweed. Obama ordered it for a friend while taking a break on the golf course last weekend.

Mele Kalikimaka: It means Merry Christmas in Hawaiian. On Christmas Eve, Obama wished those waiting for him outside the gym a "Mele Kalikimaka."

Perhaps up next: Hau'oli Makahiki Hou (Hawaiian for Happy New Year).

d) FROM POLITICO 44: Top Obama adviser David Axelrod strongly defended the selection of evangelical pastor Rick Warren to deliver the opening prayer at the inauguration on "Meet the Press" Sunday morning, telling moderator David Gregory that "a conservative evangelical pastor who’s coming to participate in the inauguration of a progressive president… is a healthy thing and a good thing for our country." Read full story.

e) Gibbs: Bush needed better bailout message

Incoming White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said on ABC’s “This Week” that the Bush administration “probably needed a stronger communications strategy” explain the financial bailouts to the American public.

Gibbs told substitute anchor Jake Tapper: “My guess is — if you can talk to the current administration, particularly as it relates to the economic recovery or the money that's been used to help, you know, banks and to relieve the stresses on our financial system — is [that] if they could do it all over again, I bet one of the things that they might tell you is, they … probably needed a stronger communications strategy for letting people know and understand how this was going to work and what this money was going to be used for.”

THERE IS MORE.

3. Aide: Obama "Committed To" Mideast Peace

David Axelrod Tells Face The Nation That President-Elect's Agenda Growing With Mideast Strife

(CBS) As if the downward spiraling economy, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and a host of domestic issues weren’t enough, the renewed conflict in the Mideast is now a major agenda item for President-elect Obama. Speaking on CBS News' Face the Nation, Obama senior White House advisor David Axelrod told guest host Chip Reid that Obama's conversations with Secretary of State Rice are "largely in the area of fact-finding for him. I would hardly describe him as passive."

Axelrod said that the president-elect "recognizes the special relationship between the United States and Israel" and that he wants to help bring about peace.

"Obviously, this situation has become even more complicated in the last couple of days and weeks, as Hamas began shelling, Israel responded. But it's something that he's committed to," Axelrod said.

Alexrod explained that regarding the Middle East the President-elect "wants to get a handle on the situation, so that, when he becomes president on January 20th, he has the advantage of all the facts and information leading up to that point.”

Yesterday Obama discussed the Mideast situation today with Secretary of State Rice. “They discussed the situations in Gaza and in South Asia. The president-elect appreciated the call and the information from Secretary Rice. He will continue to closely monitor these and other global events. The call lasted approximately eight minutes and was initiated by the president-elect," a transition aide said.

Obama foreign policy team, which would be led by Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State if her appointment is approved, would likely follow a similar policy to the current administration, which has supported Israel’s right to defend itself against rockets fired into southern Israel.
THERE IS MORE.

4. Have some fun: You Predict: Rahm's Code Name

Choose 1 of the 5 responses! VOTE! Then see results! :>) :>)

THAT'S ALL FOR NOW!

Mr. President-Elect Obama! EXERCISING LEADERSHIP!! [Even while on "VACATION"! ] :>)

"The latest came Saturday morning as Obama left the gym and was met by roughly 30 fans in the parking lot."


Fans? Oh, ok. Politico still on that "celebrity" tip.

Town: It's soooo hard for some people NOT ta B "HATAS!!" ***shakin' my head*** **sigh**

Merry Belated Christmas and Happy New Year all? Sorry I haven't been on but been busy the last couple weeks.

Thanks to those who gave advice on the gift baskets for the senior citizens as the nursing home. It went over well. We (my family) sang carols and we just shared the moment with folks in the facility.

Thanks again.

I have been deliberately avoiding the news for the last few weeks. The topics have become so ridiculous, I figured staying away until Jan 15 can only do wonders for my blood pressure.

Anyway, Continuing to lift up prayers for the Obama family and blessings to you and yours.

Val: Heeeey!! :>) So happy about the NURSING HOME VISIT!! :>) :>)

YES WE WILL! - - -Re: Prayers for the OBAMA FAMILY!! THIS IS AN EASY TASK! :>)

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU & YOURS!! :>)

God Bless!! :>)

Sounds like a beautiful time at the nursing home!

Thanks Val!

Blessings to you & yours also!

lots of typos. (lol) have been offline for a while and it shows.

-Val

HOPE YOU ALL HAD A BLESSED AND SAFE HOLIDAY (and always, not just this time of the year!)

Justice,
The Cowboys MUST win, its them or Philly for the last playoff spot!

Dear Miranda,

The Cowboys Suck!

They don't deserve to go the play-offs with that kind of bull-shyt playing! Ughhhhh!

(My head hurts)

Justice, that was........pitiful......pathetic......I left to go to the grocery store and the score was 3-3....I come back at the beginnig of the 3rd quarter and its 27-3.....the Cowboys should all be flogged.

Justice58, hey! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas

Cowboys, sooooo sorry!.

Hey Spirit!

Welcome back!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope your Christmas was wonderful also!

I left the board with a terrible headache. The Cowboys gave it to me. They sucked today! They let the Eagles put up 40 something points on the board! Ughhhhhhh!

Miranda: Heeeeeey! :>) :>)

Hope your Christmas was Blessed!! :>) :>)

Hi GLH!! It was! Hope your's was too! Since the years are getting faster (yes, they are..I am not getting older) - the holidays will be here all over again real soon!

Miranda: Had a very nice visit with family annnnd "family-2-B" in Las Vegas! :>) I kinda reported on my "plane ride!" :>) :>) [with a little embellishments!] :>) :>)

Hey Miranda!

So glad you're back! I'm so nervous about the game. The Patriots won!):
Dang, I was hoping Buffalo would beat them. I'm tired of Tom Brady in the Super Bowl.

The Cowboys better do it today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is like a playof game itself!! Whoever wins is IN....so you know its intense! I love McNabb, but I'm pulling for the Cowboys, if they dont get in the playoffs its no telling WHAT Jerry Jones may do!

If the Cowboys don't get their shyt together, they'll be going home! The Eagles just dominating!

Whew!!!!!!!!!

Okay. They're on the board! 3-3

Oh noez.......that was a LOOOOOOONG run by that Eagle....dammit defense!

Yup!

He got in too! ):

Yeah! He's already nutty as hell! Just watch him...

If Romo does not play exceptionally well today, he'll be playing for Chicago next season.

I'm taking a break for a few. Romo is killing me!

Got McNabb! Big sack!

On a lighter note, a blast from the past.
Food Networks Semi-Homemade host Sandra Lee and her Kwanzaa cake.
A classic in its own right...and wrong on so many levels.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/videos/kwanzaa-cake/...

One more time; Poor people are not responsible for the mortgage crisis, unscrupulous mortgage banking companies and banks are:
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2008/12/if-you-wer...

Didn't you know Rakim, Shelika, Oscar and Marichuy are single handedly responsible for bringing down the American economy?

WorldTraveller noted : "Unfortunately, I do not envisage that Obama will stray away from the path of blanket support for Israel that has been the hallmark of the US government for decades." True, there is no indication that U.S./Israeli relations will change. Obama's desire to "reboot" America's image around the world (particularly in the Muslim world) is note going to come to fruition if we continue our unquestioning support for Israel. I'm certainly not saying that supporting that country is wrong, but it appears that other countries in the Middle East have a legitimate gripe that *all* of our support in the region goes to Israel (not technically true, but that is the appearance).

Posted this in last night's evening thread, since new thread is up, I'll post it here now:

You know what, I am a true believer that all people should have equal rights that includes the GLBT community. I think they should have the same rights as straight couples, but this Rick Warren argument is really pissing me off. It's not that I think GLBT should STFU about it, it just as a moderate individual who has other worries beside gay marriage, I'm getting really tired of hearing about how much of a mistake is was for Obama to chose Warren. I understand the frustration, and to some the frustration is definitely justified, but I would really like to hear what else the Obama team is thinking about, not just having to defend the Rick Warren decision (which is what I hear most of Meet The Press was about this morning), or being asked about the Blago corruption case.

And igI'm getting tired of it (and I'm a gay rights supporter), then I can just imagine what a non-supporter feels right about now, they are probably more pissed than I. I think that this is a problem for the gay rights movement. I mean,they have my support, but with all this calling Obama a bigot, saying that gays have been "thrown under the bus" or comparing discrimination against gays to slavery, they are slowly but surely losing me. I'm not saying that I don't still believe in gay rights, I'm just getting to the point that I am going to no longer talk about it at all, I'm tired of the accusations, tired of the drama, I'm just so over this.

If there had been this much heat and noise before the Prop 8 vote, it never would have passed. I wonder if all of these people are going to show up when Obama starts to tackle DOMA or Don't Ask Don't Tell, or if they like easy outrage over the hard work of getting people to come together and change policy.

A Co-Signing Amen!

When you have folks like Frank Rich getting into the mix too, it starts making me feel like, "Can we get to the Inauguration already???" and just move on.

BUT THAT's WHAT PISSES ME OFF...I feel like i'm being rushed to the inauguration. I'm no longer being allowed to savor the sweet victory and anticipate the future. I'm being forced to deal with trivial minutiae such as who is giving the ***king invocation at my inauguration. I have to adjust the whole dayum programme everytime some interest group is offended. We're not talking policy. We're talking about a ***king programme!

I've got to be worried about our economy, Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, India and Pakistan...and you come at me with some trivial shyt about who's on my inauguration programme....GET THE F*CK OUT OF MY FACE!

Preach

Say it, Webb!

Webb: Major co-sign!!!

I see Israel is once again getting its gun off and once again with weapons made in America and with America's consent. Unfortunately, I do not envisage that Obama will stray away from the path of blanket support for Israel that has been the hallmark of the US government for decades. For how long will the Palestinians have to pay for the atrocities committed against the Jews during the Holocaust?

Forever.

If You Are A Black Transwoman your life is in danger: Yet another transwoman of color has been shot and there is nothing but silence about this. They are our sisters and something needs to be done about the violence aimed at them.

Testimony: A woman speaks about disability and sexuality.

You always have something great! It's always so touching!

Thanks!

She's not overdue, pj.

They just lied about her due date.

That baby ain't coming till January.

Lemme guess...January 20th, right?

Then the media attention won't be on the inauguration, no it will be on the blessed birth of baby boy Bristol Palin.

Town: -ummmmm. I'd like to suggest that I don't think so.

Jan. 20th is exclusively reserved for "BILLARY" to make some announcement - maybe an "IMMACULATE CONCEPTION?! :>)

Bristol cain't have HER DAY!!! :>)

In the words of Father Pflieger - - - - "IT'S MiiiiiiiiNE!!!" :>) :>)

By the way, will you be placing your WAGER?? :>) :>)

lol

Bristol Baby Boy Watch...

Still no baby, so she is 8 to 10 days overdue.

GreenLady, have you heard anything?

Well....first they have to fly one in from Russia or Romania...gotta be patient!!

pjamma: Nothing - - - YET!! :>) :>)

Town made a response and suggested NEW YEAR'S EVE/DAY!! :>) :>)

I "axed" IFFF those were "BETTIN' WORDS!" :>) :>)

Sooooooo, Do WE WANT TO MAKE SOME GUESSES complete with "WAGERS"??? We can use VIRTUAL $$$! :>) :>) :>)

Ima "PUT DOWN" $100 VIRTUAL DOLLA'S on JANUARY 4, and/or 18!! Is that called "HEDGING??" :>) :>)

IFFF so, I'll "PUT DOWN" ANOTHER $100.00 on JANUARY 18!

This ECONOMY is NOT going to deter me from "important issues!" BWAHAHAHA!

O.K. Anybody else want IN?? :>) :>) :>)

GLH, heyyyyyy! Ima put down $100 VD on January 15; It's MLK official Birthday. Now, wouldn't that just be poetic Justice

spirit: GOOD ONE!!!