Hillary Clinton may have said that “the tide is turning” but she’s quietly preparing a soft landing for herself in the shape of $2.3 BILLION in earmarks requested for 2009 for NY. That’s 2.3 billion dollars more than what Obama or McCain have asked for.

It may in fact help her be re-elected in New York, but I wonder what superdelegates will think about how 2.3 billion dollars for ONE YEAR will look next to a guy who is famous for never asking for earmarks.

Dennis Sanders: ‘While I wouldn’t say it as brash as RickMoran did, I have to agree somewhat with his statements. It does seem a bit elitist to say that Obama is being brought down by “simple-minded” folks. For one thing, it’s too early to say his campaign is toast. Politics can change and he still could turn this whole Wright affair around. Also, you seem to be implying when you say there is too much fear and bias, that this has to do with the fact the Obama is black. I’m not going to pretend that race and racism isn’t present, but again, I think it’s wrong to assume that any criticism of Obama or Wright for that matter, means one is a bigot.’ (more…)

Federal gas taxes help support America’s transportation system, one in which roadways all over the nation are being repaired and upgraded after a period of significant neglect.  It’s unpleasant to pay the $0.18 extra per gallon, yet there are worse things.

Thomas Friedman has this to say about the unholy alliance of McCain & Clinton that embraces the foolhardy notion of removing the federal excise tax on gasoline for this summer’s rush to the pumps:

It is great to see that we finally have some national unity on energy policy. Unfortunately, the unifying idea is so ridiculous, so unworthy of the people aspiring to lead our nation, it takes your breath away.

(more…)

‘Senator John McCain detailed his plan to solve the nation’s health care crisis in a speech here Tuesday, calling for the federal government to give some money to states to help them cover people with illnesses who have been denied health insurance,’ the NYT reports  (pay those poor guys and gals a visit; they need more advertisement money, and Lord knows what bloggers like I are going to do when the NYT is forced to fire journalists who actually do original reporting). (more…)

I’m getting ready to board the plane. I’ll go to Turkey today, where I will spend 3.5 or even 4 weeks together with my fiancée. I’m looking incredibly forward to it, but I’m afraid that I won’t be able to post much… if at all. However, you all do not have to worry; the co-bloggers here will be more active and I asked a couple of people to post here. The two people I asked to guest blog are Fausta Wertz and PatHMV. I’m thrilled that they agreed to guest blog at PoliGazette, please treat them kindly (I’m talking to you, Christine). Kevin Sullivan also agreed to cross post his posts from Independent Liberal and many co-bloggers have told me that they’ll post as much and as often as possible.

Have a great couple of weeks, I know I will!

The New York Times reports that Afghan President Hamid Karzai was warned ‘that an attack was being planned on a military parade on Sunday, when he escaped an assassination attempt.’ The country’s intelligence chief told Parliament on Tuesday that two ‘groups of attackers were thwarted the same day, though a third succeeded in opening fire on the ceremony.’ (more…)

Months ago we started publishing posts, critical of America’s economy. Immediately some readers accused us of overdoing it. There were some minor issues, but the economy was still quite healthy, and so forth. One problem for these individuals: George W. Bush disagrees with them. (more…)

Gov. David Paterson has until the end of today to decide whether or not he will sign a bill the New York state legislature passed - unanimously - that would give American citizens who are sued for libel abroad the right to obtain a declaration that their works are protected under American law.  Let’s hope he does the right thing.
(more…)

The German newspaper the Spiegel reports that ‘[t]wo short films have appeared on the Internet featuring the German Islamist Eric B. in which he calls his “brothers” to join the jihad. The authorities have been hunting him for weeks, fearful that he could be preparing a terrorist attack in Kabul. The video messages are fanning those fears.’ (more…)

Obama’s patience for his egomaniacal pastor has finally run out. Money quotes:

“His comments were not only divisive and destructive, but I believe that they end up giving comfort to those who prey on hate, and I believe that they do not portray accurately the perspective of the black church,”

when he states and then amplifies such ridiculous propositions as the U.S. government somehow being involved in AIDS, when he suggests that Minister Farrakhan somehow represents one of the greatest voices of the 20th and 21st centuries, when he equates the United States wartime efforts with terrorism, then there are no excuses.

And especially

And if Reverend Wright thinks that that’s political posturing, as he put it, then he doesn’t know me very well. And based on his remarks yesterday, well, I may not know him as well as I thought either

(more…)

In other news: Gods in India go hungry due to the food crisis. Although I feel bad for the country’s Gods, I feel even worse for the poor parents everywhere who can no longer buy food for their children.

Obama says Rev. Wright is a virus created by the government to destroy the black community. Ok, no. But close enough.

Rush Limbaugh suspends “Operation Chaos”, saying, “The Democrats are way better at it than I am.” Rush hastened to add that “Operation Get Me More Oxycontin” is still on.

Minnesota Senate candidate and former comedian Al Franken owes back taxes to over a dozen states. Ok, so its not funny. But neither was Franken. Maybe Air America is hiring again. Or not.

North Carolina governor says Hillary Clinton could beat up Rocky. Oh goody. Yet. Another. Sequel.

Exactly how bad are you sucking when Michael Dukakis criticizes your campaign?

U.S. found “clueless” on counterinsurgency. What, did it show?

McCain details health plan. America shrugs and returns to Googling “Miley Cyrus pics” just one…more…time… Really, John, it’s not that you’re boring, it’s…ok, yes, you’re boring.

Yeah, like anyone is going to fall for this: Barack Obama has - finally, my God - ‘denounced‘ (kinda) Reverend Jeremiah Wright. “They certainly don’t portray accurately my values and beliefs. And if Reverend Wright thinks that that’s political posturing, as he put it, then he doesn’t know me very well. And based on his remarks yesterday, well, I may not know him as well as I thought, either,” the Senator from Illinois said. (more…)

Take a look at this post. Look at the image used. Then at the credit. Now read the comment section. I believe we can call that being purposefully dishonest, while being able to deny one’s dishonesty nonetheless. (more…)

In what could be interpreted as yet another sign that the situation in Germany is deteriorating, police suspect that Antisemites have vandalized a Jewish cemetery in Berlin. ‘On Monday night, unknown perpetrators knocked over more than 20 headstones.’ (more…)

You know, this is something I appreciate. There’s a difference between European and American politicians; European politicians can be guided by their faith, but they don’t show it off. They’re guided by their religion, but they’re not using their faith in the hopes of winning elections. In America the situation is somewhat different. Well, entirely different.

So I respect Tony Blair and appreciate it that he decided to wait until he was out of office, before he would share with Brits (and others) what role his faith plays in his life, and in his politics: (more…)

Funny stuff: Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told the country’s Parliament yesterday that those who oppose the plan of a company, sponsored by millions from Qatar, to buy Turkish Sabah atv and newspaper are racists / are discriminating against, well, Arabs I think. He also said that he isn’t angry just because his son is the owner of the company that’s buying Sabah. (more…)

Obama to Wright: Just STFU! Now! Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease!

Obama to Sharpton: You too. No “please” on this one. Just shut up.

Democrats increasingly dominate the youth vote. Now if only the Democrats could dominate any group that, you know, actually votes.

Oh. They do. Unions. Government unions even. Talk about voting your pocketbook. Next shocker: KBR employees vote Republican.

John Edwards still refuses to endorse anyone. Some think he is holding out for a cabinet position. I think he is holding out for a salon gift certificate. If the salon is named “The Two Americas”, well, that’s just gravy.

Obama heads for superdelegate edge. Question: Is that edge as in advantage, or edge as in cliff?

New Clinton endorser is “powerful symbol” that no one has ever heard of.

President Bush spanks Congress with a newspaper. Bad Congress! Bad, bad Congress! No soup for you!

Via PR NewsWire comes the news that ‘Congressional Quarterly Inc., the nation’s premier provider of news and analysis on Congress, politics and public policy, today announced a new report on how the Democrats’ protracted fight for the presidential nomination has the potential to bolster the GOP’s efforts to regain congressional seats.’ (more…)

Shalom International - a Jewish / pro-Israel organization - held a protest yesterday against former vice president Jimmy Carter and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. As the organization writes in its e-mail sent to me, they were protesting when ‘was greeted at the front door by Bush who called Abbas a ‘man of peace’ while two more Israelis were killed on the West Bank.’ (more…)