East Bay Young Democrats » National

Good Deeds

Roobs — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 03:59:41 +0000

As the saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished. The recent passage of financial reform by Congress marks Obama’s fourth major legislative victory in only two years: Stimulus, Education Reform, Health Care, Financial Reform. President Obama, from a historical perspective, has presided over one of the most productive legislative periods in history. So why isn’t he getting any credit for them?

The Republican’s have called for a repeal of almost every piece of legislation passed by Democrats, which is, of course, no surprise. But what about the Democrats own Progressive base? As Chuck Todd says, why does each major legislative victory for Obama seem to push his poll numbers down and not create any political capital? Progressive leaders continue to speak out against many legislations, arguing that they usually don’t go far enough. Are Progressives expecting too much from Obama? Is Obama letting Progressives down? Is there a fight between the Democratic Party’s more moderate establishment wing against it’s left leaning base?

Chuck Todd fills in for Chris Matthews on today’s edition of Hardball and talks politics with Jonathon Alter from Politico and Katrina Vanden Heuvel from The Nation Magazine:

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As Chuck Todd says its never too early to talk about the 2012 presidential election and who will be the GOP nominee to run against Obama. Chuck Todd talks with Jonathon Martin of Politico and the always animated Chris Cillizza from The Washington Post on this topic next:

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November Preview and Jerry Brown

Roobs — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 22:59:41 +0000

It was a great first 30-minutes on today’s Hardball with Chris Matthews. In the first segment, Chris Matthews is joined by Howard Fineman and Richard Wolf to discuss how the environment is shaping for the November election. This was a great discussion on Obama’s possible campaign strategy going forward. In the second video, Chris Matthews interviews Jerry Brown. From the backdrop, it looks like Brown took the interview from here in the East Bay! Check out the videos below:

November Preview

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Interview with Jerry Brown

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A Republican Purge?

Roobs — Tue, 11 May 2010 22:49:06 +0000

Republicans would have you think that its the Democrats who are on the run this mid-term. And there is some truth to this. Democrats are facing a tough mid-term election this November. But this talking point attempts to overshadow something much more dark in the air of Washington, and that is a anti-incumbent attitude in general by the electorate. Additionally, not only are the Republicans sharing a tough incumbent atmosphere, they are also still engaged in their own internal civi-war between the GOP “institution” and the Tea-Party movement that is pushing out moderate Republicans in favor of more right-wing conservatives. In a recent NYT poll, 38% of Americans identify as conservative but only 25% identify as Republican.

POLITICO even put out an “Incumbent Watch List” that shows vulnerable incumbents on both sides of the isle.

In this clip from last night’s Hardball, Chris discusses how a long time, 2nd generation Utah senator didn’t even qualify for the Republican primary!

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Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous!

Roobs — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 21:19:01 +0000

There’s a lot of money being thrown around this election season. Not just by Mega-Bucks Whitman who has already thrown $59 million of her own money into her campaign for governor of our fair state, but by others across the country. In this little excerpt from MSNBC’s “Daily Rundown”, we get a brief look at both Connecticut (where they rank candidates by the size of their yachts) and California, where Meg Whitman is reported to spend $150 million of her own money by campaigns end!

Here in California, we can’t let someone like Meg Whitman try to buy us off. And thankfully, as mentioned in the clip below, we have a tradition of not being fooled by all that money. If Meg Whitman really cared, she could have run her campaign on donations and wrote a $59 million check to CalTrain, who is facing real problems and risking to close service entirely. I’m just saying…

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If you want to help stop Meg Whitman in her campaign to buy California, join EBYD and support Jerry Brown for Governor!

EBYD Endorsements!

Roobs — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 01:39:24 +0000

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EBYD endorses the following candidates and issues for the June 2010 ballot:

Propositions

Prop 14 - OPPOSE

Prop 15 - SUPPORT

Prop 16 - OPPOSE

Prop 17 - OPPOSE

Local Candidates

(Read Completed Candidate Questionnaires Submitted Before Meeting)

Alameda County Supervisor, District 3 - No Position

Alameda County Superior Court Judge - Victoria Kolakowski

Alameda County Democratic Central Committee -

Andrew Kelley, Edie Irons, Elizabeth Echols, Carl Jamaillo, Beverly Greene

Alameda County Board of Education - Joaquin Rivera

Congressional Representative, 9th CD - Barbara Lee

CA State Senate, SD 10 - Ellen Corbett

CA State Assembly, AD 16 – Sandre Swanson

CA State Assembly, AD 14 - Nancy Skinner

Statewide Candidates

U.S. Senate – Barbara Boxer

Governor - Jerry Brown

Lt. Governor - No Position

Attorney General - Kamala Harris

Insurance Commissioner - Dave Jones

Secretary of State - Debra Bowen

Treasurer - Bill Lockyer

Superintendent of Public Instruction - No Position

Board of Equalization - Betty Yee

State Controller – John Chiang

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EBYD Endorses the following candidates for office in California Young Democrats to be voted upon a the 2010 CYD Convention in Los Angeles

President – Alissa Ko

VP of Membership – Jennifer Longley

VP of Finance – Eddie Kirby

Secretary – Jonathan Goetz

Political Director – Julie Lind

Parliamentarian - Gabe Kearney

National Committeeman – Christopher Guererro

National Committeewoman – Erin Carlstrom

CBAY Regional Director – Jason Overman

*EBYD By-Laws state that a candidate must recieve 60% of votes cast to recieve endorsement. If this threshold is not met, EBYD takes “No Position” on that race*

How Vulnerable are Dems in the Midterms?

Roobs — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:04:48 +0000

A lot of talk is, again, cirulating the political water coolers about the vulnerability of Democrats in the upcoming Midterm elections. With the recent announcement by Evan Bayh that he will not seek re-election in November, many are asking the big question… Just how vulnerable are Democrats this year?

Chris Matthews from Hardball gives us his big number: 29% of a chance Dems lose control of the Senate:

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Politico headlined its website today with a story on five different ways Democrats, for lack of a better phrase, can screw themselves over and lose control of the Senate:

The lesson of the tumultuous past 45 days is that the contours of the political landscape can change in an instant — and a death, a retirement or a top candidate’s decision not to run can wreak havoc on the best laid political plans.

Click Here for full Politico article. Video Below

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Additionally, bringing it a little closer to home, a recent Rassmussen Poll shows the race to re-elect CA Senator, Barbara Boxer, will be a close one:

Boxer leads former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina 46% to 42%, virtually unchanged from January. Another seven percent (7%) would vote for some other candidate, while five percent (5%) are undecided. Boxer led Fiorina by nine points in November and 10 points in September.

The incumbent also holds a four-point lead over former Congressman Tom Campbell, 45% to 41%. Four percent (4%) like another candidate, and 10% are undecided. Boxer held the same lead over Campbell, just after he joined the race in January.

Boxer leads still state Assemblyman Chuck Devore, 47% to 42%. Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate in that match-up, and five percent (5%) are undecided. In January, Boxer held a 46% to 40% advantage over Devore. In November, she led Devore by 10 points.

Colin Powell Says DADT Should Be Repealed!

Roobs — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:04:20 +0000

Colin Powell today joined Admiral Mullin to oppose Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and call for its repeal! Check out this video from tonight’s Hardball with Chris Matthews as he interviews a Republican and Democratic strategist on the issue.

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The State of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

Roobs — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:54:53 +0000

Yes, like a good political junkie / nerd, i excitedly and hurried my way home from work at 5:30 so i could arrive at my apartment in time to watch the State of the Union address from start to finish. Yes, i made it as well as made dinner in time to watch Obama speak.

I’m not here to write a article going over the entirety of the speech. Mostly what i can tell you is that it was a great speech of one liners and bumper stickers. It was brilliantly prepared to put the face of the blame game squarely (and rightfully) on the side of the Republicans. But the one thing i took from it was the one thing i knew was coming… Obama called for the repeal of military’s Don’t Ask Don”t Tell policy (the DODT section is short and the vid below covers other stuff as well):

I admit that i actually went in to wathing the address hoping that Obama would say something beyond “I will work with…” or mereley suggesting or calling for the repeal of Dont Ask Dont Tell. I have to say i am one of those gay political activists (and donors) who believes Obama could solve this problem with, literally, the flick of a pen on an executive order that simply tells the military to stop trying. Oh well. I will say that even that call for, suggesting or even promise to work with is a first step. But the repeal of this law is the final step that Obama should shoot for.

I still remain skeptical of Obama’s promises. His promise to work with both Congress and the military is familiar from campaign rhetoric (Disclosure: I worked for and voted for Hillary). But in the face of a troubled economy and suffering health care system, i can sit back and say, “Fine. Work on the other stuff.” But how long can you use the excuse of more pressing national matters before the matter of honorable and patriatic Americans being forced out of the military, who desperately needs many of their skills, is tackled and repealed?

It’s not all Obama, i agree. Repealing DODT is a political hot potatoe. Conservatives and the down Right (typo intentional) anti-gay groups will come out and try to keep things as they are. Take John McCain’s statement immediately following the State of the Union:

“At a time when our armed forces are fighting and sacrificing on the battlefield, now is not the time to abandon the policy,” said McCain, R-Ariz.

Read full MSNBC article here

I have to say i’m actually really offended by John McCain’s statement. To me, it feels as if he’s implying that the sacrifices by gay servicemen and women are somehow less than those by their straight brothers and sisters in arms. As if allowing patriotic men and women who have voluntarily given up their civilian lives to fight and die in two wars; for people who don’t even want to acknowledge their rights as individuals; that to allow them to serve openly will somehow be harmful to everyone else. Screw you John McCain. Would you have turned away a gay servicemember had one come to rescue you from your Viatnamese prison because it would somehow discredit the sacrifices you made in war?

The point here is that there will probably never be a “good time” to tackle Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. It will be a political hot button issue until it is finally repealed. Gay activists are not wrong, nor selfish, nor impatient in their pursuit of equality and it should never be said that we do not act. We should continue to press Obama and other politicians to face the fact that tackling DODT is going to be tough. But in the recent words of President Obama: “It is the right thing to do” and ”we don’t quit. I don’t quit. Let’s seize this moment” Let us repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell!

State of the Union – Tonight at 6PM!

Roobs — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:14:44 +0000

Don’t forget! Obama’s 1st State of the Union address will take place TONIGHT at 6:00PM PST. Don’t be afraid to tell the bartender to change the channel! Every major news network will be broadcasting the speech.

Here are some fun links:

State of the Union Drinking Game! by Huffington Post

State of the Union Talking Points! by Politico

“Game Change” – The book with all the buzz

Roobs — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:47:15 +0000

There is a new book out that has garnered all the buzz from political junkies since its release: Game Change, by verteran political insiders, Mark Halperin and John Heilemann. Unlike The Battle for America 2008 by Haynes Johnson and Dan Balz, which is more of a reporter’s insider view of the 2008 campaign season, Game Change is a book of all the small detailed dirty gossip. Its the book that gives you the water cooler stuff: John and Elizabeth Edwards, Sarah Palin and John McCain, Bill & Hillary Clinton, The Clintons vs. The Obamas, what the GOP really thought about Obama, and many others not so rosey stories.

I have not had a chance to read the book so i will limit what i critique the book for. Nevertheless, the book has come under fire from liberals and conservatives alike. Not surprising since it doesnt paint a flattering picture of anyone in its pages, including my beloved Hillary. The book relies heavily on anonymous sources leading some to question the accuracy and fairness of the book.

Below is a clip from my show that you will come to realize is my favorite political talk show: Hardball with Chris Matthews on MSNBC. In this 10+ minute segment, Chris Matthews discusses the book with NBC’s Chuck Todd and NEWSWEEKS’ Howard Fineman.

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[Full Disclaimer: I have not read the book. Unlike Chris Matthews who in the segment proudly states he recieved an advanced copy, i am not as loved. I have to rely on excerpts from the internet, what others say about it and what i can get away with reading for free at Barnes & Nobel before someone asks me if im going to read it or buy it. So if you want to give me a copy, feel free. I would enjoy an early birthday present.]