National Politics
Sweet Spot in the Middle
In his “On the Trail” column, NationalJournal.com’s Chuck Todd outlines the lessons he sees in Election 2006 and argues that the Republicans will only isolate themselves even more if they take a turn to the right. … Meanwhile, in his “Off to the Races” column Charlie Cook says if Democrats take a moderate course, “and they have the discipline to resist temptation to take the hard left, they have a chance to do very well. But if they give in to their hearts as opposed to their heads, this majority will last exactly 24 months, as there are a heck of a lot more Democratic members in red districts than Republicans in blue.”
Blog Watch
At the Senate Site, Sen. Curt Bramble says of the Legislature's plans to draw up a map dividing the state into four congressional districts: "In this [post] we started grappling with concerns about staging an immediate special session to redraw congressional district boundaries with almost no prep work. [Yesterday] we met with the governor and it appears that Congress' deadline has been extended to early December. That's better. But is it enough extra time to do the job right? Does the fact that a different party will soon control the U.S. Congress make a difference in the equation? The House and Senate will be evaluating this in caucus [today]. I'd love to have your thoughtful input" (see also here, here, and here).... Rep. Craig Frank discusses last week's House and Senate leadership elections.... At Out of Context, Robert Gehrke says: "Sometimes digs are so obvious you can't let them go by. For example, a New York Magazine profile of presidential hopeful Rudy Guiliani this month opens with the former mayor in a swank hotel room: 'The television is tuned to CNN. Giuliani laughs at senators Orrin Hatch and Chris Dodd. "Look at Hatch's tie!" he says, pointing at a particularly garish combination of orange, gold, and blue. The aides in the shadows laugh, too.' (See the story here.) I mean, it's a little cruel, isn't it? Obviously, the Utah senator sometimes wears bad ties. OK, horrendous ties. But we didn't make fun of Hizzonah when he was still sporting that ridiculous hairpiece ... at least not in anything that ever appeared in print. Um. Until now".... The Warren says: "Here's another sign of the Apocalypse from National Review's The Corner. It's a positive profile of LDS Church member, Mitt Romney, by the Christian Broadcasting Network's The 700 Club. It's a YouTube video, so if you can't watch YouTube, the gist of the story is that although he is a Mormon, he supports the same social values that watchers of The 700 Club support and the un-mentioned idea is that he could make a good president. The next thing you will know, dogs and cats will be seen out running around together and Nancy Pelosi will admit that she has no clue about what to do in Iraq and tell the President that she supports him 100%. Don't laugh, it could happen. I never expected The 700 Club run a positive 'puff piece' about any active member of the LDS Church in my lifetime. Maybe this is sign or something" (see also here, here, and here).
Wise Words
Mark Twain on Government
- “Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.”
- “No man’s life, liberty or property are safe while the legislature is in session.”
- “The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin.”
- “There is no distinctly native American criminal class save Congress.”
Washington Watch
Friendlier Congress for Cannon?
Article: "Rep. Chris Cannon ... says he thinks some bills he's been pushing, on immigration changes and intellectual-property protection, have a better chance of passage in a Democrat-controlled Congress" (USA Today).
CPPA Conference Change
Tomorrow's Ethics Conference sponsored by the U.’s Center for Public Policy & Administration, originally scheduled for Nov. 16-17, has been moved to Thursday evening only. The Friday conference will not be held. For more info, click here.
Sierra Club Newsletter
The Utah Chapter of the Sierra Club has posted its Winter Newsletter. This edition features articles on climate change, peak oil, and the Bush Administration's environmental record. To read it, click here. |
