In Brief - July 12th, 2006
Here is today's quick news digest:
Oh, and one last thing.
Why is unSoundPolitics writer Eric Earling stupidly jeering at the State Democratic Party for asking party activists to donate office supplies?
Earling writes:
Apparently it did not occurr to Eric that party members can't donate television advertisements. On the other hand, office supplies certainly can be donated. And some people would prefer to donate supplies rather than money.
Why not craft a wish list of needed supplies and ask Democrats to contribute? Later, whatever is not donated can be purchased, if necessary. That's what the party is doing. It saves money and it gives people another way to contribute besides just being asked to write checks or swipe plastic.
- Rahm Emanuel, the Chairman of the DCCC, smacks down the Bush administration for its weak attempts to make itself look accountable and responsible. Rahm asks why taxpayers are paying over $100,000 for a 'White House Director of Lessons Learned'? Good question.
- Team Cantwell reported on its 2nd Quarter fundraising success earlier today. More than $2 million was raised in the best quarter yet. The campaign now has over $6.4 million cash on hand. Total receipts top $11 million, and over half of Cantwell's more than 100,000 contributions are from Washington state donors. McGavick, meanwhile, announced that his campaign had raised $1.7 million. The ex-Safeco CEO has just over a million cash on hand.
- David Postman also reported earlier today that disgraced former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich will be in Washington to stump for Dave Reichert and Doug Roulstone. In fact, Gingrich was actually invited to the Evergreen State by the Reichert campaign. Apparently, Reichert's handlers figure that the gloves are off now that Reichert has been photographed and videotaped next to Dubya and Karl Rove on the steps of Air Force One.
- In other Reichert news, (his replacement and future Congresswoman) Darcy Burner blasted the ex-sheriff for voting against an increase in the federal minimum wage. Recently, a group of 25 House Republicans who consider themselves "moderate" sent a letter to their leader, John Boehner, requesting a vote to increase the federal minimum wage. Many of them are facing competitive challenges and wanted a symbolic vote that would provide them with cover - a yes vote they could tout to voters in their districts. Sixty-four Republicans voted yes and the measure passed 260-159. But Congressman Dave Reichert joined with other conservative Republicans and
voted against the measure - even when he had nothing to lose and was free to "vote his consience." - Also, if you haven't seen the recent episode of Upfront with Robert Mak where Reichert admits on camera that he doesn't know what's in the franked mail sent out by his office, go watch it now.
- The Seattle Times today printed an excellent guest column from the NO on I-933 campaign, whose authors go to great lengths to describe why Initiative 933 is such a threat to our sustainable future. Definitely worth a read.
Oh, and one last thing.
Why is unSoundPolitics writer Eric Earling stupidly jeering at the State Democratic Party for asking party activists to donate office supplies?
Earling writes:
It's funny how the state party can pay for TV ads but it can't pay for simple office supplies.That has got to be one of the lamest posts I've ever read. What a dumb conclusion.
Apparently it did not occurr to Eric that party members can't donate television advertisements. On the other hand, office supplies certainly can be donated. And some people would prefer to donate supplies rather than money.
Why not craft a wish list of needed supplies and ask Democrats to contribute? Later, whatever is not donated can be purchased, if necessary. That's what the party is doing. It saves money and it gives people another way to contribute besides just being asked to write checks or swipe plastic.
