Archive for December, 2007

About FACE, forward MARCH!

Hat tip to brownsox over at Daily Kos

So Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, seeing rival John McCain slowly gain on him in New Hampshire (Romney’s back yard), is goin’ all Mike-Huckabee-with-a-shotgun on the Arizona Senator, per the AP via Yahoo news:

Romney fired away at McCain, repeatedly accusing the Arizona senator of failing “Reagan 101″ by voting twice against Bush administration tax cuts. Romney also said McCain’s past support for allowing illegal immigrants to stay in the United States and work toward legal status amounted to amnesty.

But here’s the problem with that, from Romney’s 1994 U.S. Senate campaign…

“I was an independent during Reagan-Bush…I’m not trying to return to Reagan-Bush.”

Maybe this is some sort of post-modern, uber-conservatism on Romney’s part, involving conservation of candidates: Now we need only one candidate at a debate, for he can effectively debate himself!

Posted on Friday, December 28th, 2007
Under: Elections, John McCain, Mitt Romney | No Comments »

`Close Tax Loopholes:’ Fighting Words

By Steve Geissinger, MediaNews Sacramento Bureau

They’re so politically sacred, there hasn’t even been a formal name for $50 billion annually in — TAX BREAKS. Now blandly dubbed “tax expenditures,” they total more than three times the current, persistent state deficit and nearly half the entire general-fund budget.

Half.

And ending tax breaks can be restated as hiking taxes — read as, “political death.” (Read sister paper Torrance Daily Breeze’s editorial.) But a nonpartisan government think tank says end some tax breaks to help fix the structural deficit. Some private experts agree.

A very unscientific reader poll in a sister paper, the Contra Costa Times, says — surprise! — 42 percent agree with closing loopholes. Reader comments and phone calls have been passionate on both sides of the issue. For a time, it was the most e-mailed story. Another sister paper, the Los Angeles Daily News posted the story on its Sausage Factory political web site for comments. The story can be read in sister paper San Jose Mercury News.

Former Democratic Treasurer Phil Angelides, running for governor in 2006 against no-tax-hikes Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, was the last one to make a big deal out of what liberals attack as tax loopholes and conservatives praise as economic incentives.

(By the way, whatever happened to Phil?)

When Angelides started talking about messing with tax breaks, Republicans warned they’d actually be tax hikes. Democrats dove for cover. But they “boldly” inserted language in the last budget telling independent, nonpartisan Legislative Analyst Liz Hill to study the tax-free cards the state’s been handing out for decades to certain interests.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle respect her, though may not agree with her suggestions for political or other reasons. Her office runs sort of like a computer program that crunches numbers and considers policy from a human but apolitical standpoint.

Hill dutifully provided a summary of recently enacted tax expenditures. Most were small and related to disaster losses. She assessed fuel-production tax loopholes but chose the state’s largest tax breaks to thoroughly analyze – mortgage interest deduction from personal income taxes. (At the same time, the governor’s Finance Department was required to add up tax breaks, including those for corporations, since nobody had dared to keep track before. The department found $50 billion-plus a year, and growing.)

In her report, Hill said what made sense to her: Time to drop the mortgage interest deduction, since it does the poor and middle-class little good, or remake it into a credit that helps the needy. The fat federal mortgage interest deduction would still be there, after all.

From Schwarzenegger’s office to the Legislature, nobody’s said tax breaks are off the table. Independent government, tax and housing experts have agreed Hill’s idea has some merit.

But nobody in power has really said it’s on the table for discussion, either.

At the same time, though, the deficit-plagued state has mostly run out of sensible but painful cuts, borrowing options and fiscal gimmicks.

The awful reality: The state is locked into spending more than it gets in revenue.

Everybody says something has to be done.

Are tax loophole closures less painful than tax hikes?

Posted on Thursday, December 27th, 2007
Under: General | 3 Comments »

Lynn Woolsey endorses Hillary Clinton

woolsey.jpgRep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Petaluma, today announced her endorsement of U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York, for president; in doing so, she has disagreed with her fellow Congressional Progressive Caucus co-chair, Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, who has cast her lot with U.S. Sen Barack Obama, D-Ill.

The eight-term congresswoman, in a news release, cited Clinton’s commitment to ending the war in Iraq as the top reason for her backing: “Hillary Clinton is the candidate with the strength and experience to bring about the change that California families need. I trust Hillary to end the war in Iraq, bring our troops home quickly and safely, and regain our nation’s standing around the world.”

Said Clinton: “I am honored to receive Lynn’s support. She has been a tireless fighter for working families and has led the effort to end the war in Iraq.”

Other local representatives supporting Clinton include Tom Lantos, D-San Mateo; Ellen Tauscher, D-Alamo; and Dennis Cardoza, D-Atwater — notably, perhaps the three greater Bay Area Democrat considered most centrist, while “Woolsey” and “centrist” are hardly ever spoken in the same sentence. Meanwhile, Lee is the only California member of Congress on Obama’s endorsement list; that choice also set her apart from her political mentor, longtime Congressman and current Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, who picked Clinton.

Posted on Thursday, December 27th, 2007
Under: Barack Obama, Barbara Lee, Dennis Cardoza, Elections, Ellen Tauscher, Hillary Clinton, Iraq, Lynn Woolsey, Ron Dellums, Tom Lantos, U.S. House | 4 Comments »

What they’re saying about Bhutto

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has been assassinated, and the news releases are flying…

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Lantos, D-San Mateo, who has known Bhutto for many years and met with her a few months ago during her last visit to Washington before her return to Pakistan:

lantos.jpg“Today, the world has witnessed a tragedy in Pakistan. This was a cowardly attack by extremist elements. Madam Bhutto was a stalwart of moderation, a force for democratic values, and a personal friend. I express my sincere condolences to her family, to her many friends, and to the people of Pakistan for the loss of one of their daughters.

“This atrocious attack should compel the United States to renew our commitment to the people of Pakistan and to the voices of moderation. Although one of those voices has been prematurely silenced today, it is up to all of us to make sure that those who have perpetrated this hideous act are brought to justice, and that those who continue to spew the venomous, hate-filled rhetoric of extremism are vanquished.”

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.:

feinstein.jpg“I met Benazir Bhutto when she was Prime Minister and came to this country, and the women of the Senate organized a breakfast with her. She was a brave woman who had the courage to return to Pakistan in the face of death threats, and she survived a previous attack on her life just two months ago. My heart and thoughts go out to her family and to the people of Pakistan, and I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms. This indeed is a very difficult and tragic moment. My hope and prayer is that the Pakistani people will pull together, and allow the country to proceed on its road to democracy.”

Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.:

obama.jpg“I am shocked and saddened by the death of Benazir Bhutto in this terrorist atrocity. She was a respected and resilient advocate for the democratic aspirations of the Pakistani people. We join with them in mourning her loss, and stand with them in their quest for democracy and against the terrorists who threaten the common security of the world.”

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney:

romney.jpg“We are still learning the details of today’s tragic events in Pakistan, but this is a stark reminder that America must not only stay on high alert, but remain actively engaged across the globe. Pakistan has long been a key part in the war against extremism and radical jihadists. For those who think Iraq is the sole front in the War on Terror, one must look no further than what has happened today. America must show its commitment to stand with all moderate forces across the Islamic world and together face the defining challenge of our generation – the struggle against violent, radical jihadists.

“At this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers go to the family of Benazir Bhutto, and to all the people of Pakistan who are fighting against extremist forces that would commit such heinous acts as the whole world has witnessed today.”

Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio:

kucinich.jpg“This is a very dangerous moment for the world. Prime Minister Bhutto represented the forces of reform and the hope for an end to repression in a troubled region, and her death is a major loss to those efforts.

“This terrible tragedy also underscores the need for the United States to adopt a new foreign policy toward the entire region because our current policy is all wrong. Our interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan has opened wide the doors of repression and violence. At this very moment, we should be working with leaders of the region to convene a meeting at the highest levels to begin a new effort towards stabilization and peace.

“The United States must take a new direction in Pakistan and throughout the region. I met her several times, both in Washington and New York. She was deeply and genuinely dedicated to Pakistan. This is a tragic loss.”

Posted on Thursday, December 27th, 2007
Under: Barack Obama, Dennis Kucinich, Dianne Feinstein, General, Mitt Romney, Tom Lantos, U.S. House, U.S. Senate | 1 Comment »

Report warns of race card in 2008 elections

History shows race-baiting — both implied and overt — may loom large over the 2008 elections, according to a new report by the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law and Goldman School of Public Policy.

Race-Bait ‘08: Lessons Learned from the Political Dirty Dozen” reviews 24 years of campaigning and examines 12 campaigns in which the use of race made the difference; candidates who played the race card to mobilize or drive away voters soundly defeated their opponents, often coming from behind to win.

“It’s not only Barack Obama who will have to combat race-based tactics,” said Berkeley Law School Dean Chris Edley, an Obama supporter who co-sponsored a Piedmont fundraiser for the candidate in June. “Any politician who backs positions that appeal to minorities is vulnerable.”

In coming to grips with this political tactic, Edley — who was among Obama’s teachers at Harvard Law School — says it is vital to understand how appeals to racial bigotry, both subtle and unsubtle, have been used in the past. And it’s critical to assess how—with new media, new messages and new messengers—the race card may be used in the 2008 campaign.

Posted on Wednesday, December 26th, 2007
Under: Barack Obama, Elections | No Comments »

Schwarzenegger video of the week

Disturbing, but seasonal, from the boys at JibJab.

Previous SVOTWs: December 18, December 11, December 4, November 27, November 20, November 13, November 6, October 30, October 23, October 16, October 9, October 2, September 25, September 18, September 11, September 4, August 28, August 21, August 7, July 31, July 24, July 17, July 10, July 3, June 26, June 19, June 12, June 5, May 29, May 22, May 15, May 8, May 1, April 24, April 17, April 10, April 3, March 27, March 20, March 13, March 6, February 27, February 20, February 13, February 6, January 30.

Posted on Tuesday, December 25th, 2007
Under: Arnold Schwarzenegger | No Comments »

Presidential campaign Christmas ad roundup

Republican Mike Huckabee:

Democrat John Edwards:

Two from Republican Rudy Giuliani:

Democrat Barack Obama:

Republican Ron Paul:

Democrat Hillary Clinton:

Republican John McCain:

Posted on Monday, December 24th, 2007
Under: Barack Obama, Elections, General, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Ron Paul, Rudy Giuliani | No Comments »

Bill Strauss: An appreciation

strauss.jpgBill Strauss, a Congressional lawyer who became one of America’s leading political satirists, died this past week at age 60; though born in Chicago, he grew up here in the Bay Area, in Burlingame.

He was working for a Senate subcommittee in 1981 when he co-founded the Capitol Steps, a political parody troupe which cleverly makes light of Presidents, lawmakers and justices; Democrats, Republicans and independents; and everyone in between with scathing wit and wild abandon.

Take for example a Capitol Steps performance in the late ’80s on the White House’s southern portico, for an audience of 300 including much of Congress, much of the Cabinet, and President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan. The President had instructed them to make fun not of Democrats, Senators, or Congressmen, only of him. And so the show opened the show with a parody of the Dolly Parton song “9 to 5,” featuring Bill Strauss as Reagan:

Nine a.m., my blood’s not pumpin’
Wonder which staffers Nancy’s been dumpin’
Check the watch, thank God I’m almost done

Workin’ 9 to 10, puttin’ total effort in it
That’s my regimen, sixty solid workin’ minutes
As your president, I won’t cut that any smaller
‘Cause I get free rent and two hundred thousand dollars…

The First Lady reportedly wan’t amused, but the President roared with laughter.

Strauss was a true renaissance man: a Harvard-educated lawyer; the co-author of ten books and three musicals; the co-founder of an international high-school theater program; the co-founder of a publishing, speaking, and consulting company; and a father of four.

When dealing with government, sometimes you don’t know whether to laugh or to cry. Strauss knew it’s always better to laugh.

Posted on Saturday, December 22nd, 2007
Under: General | No Comments »

What Gov. Schwarzenegger said in Union City

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was in the East Bay on Thursday afternoon, visiting a Union City company to discuss “how spiraling health care costs put California companies at a competitive disadvantage and the need for comprehensive health care reform.” Here’s what he said:

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Posted on Friday, December 21st, 2007
Under: Arnold Schwarzenegger | 1 Comment »

Berkeley doctor named to state air board

balmes.jpgGov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced today that Dr. John Balmes, 57, of Berkeley, has been appointed to the California Air Resources Board: the panel charged with maintaining the Golden State’s air quality, and now vowing to go to war with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over the latter’s refusal to issue a waiver letting California regulate greenhouse gas emissions from cars.

A hot-seat appointment, it would seem.

Balmes since 1986 he has been a University of California, San Franaicso professor of medicine; he also has been a professor of environmental health sciences at Cal Berkeley’s School of Public Health since 2002. Earlier, he was an assistant professor of medicine for the University of Southern California from 1982 to 1986. This part-time position requires Senate confirmation and pays $39,332 per year; Balmes is a Democrat.

Posted on Thursday, December 20th, 2007
Under: General | No Comments »