Category: National

ICYMI: Colbert Takes on Ford

I don't watch Colbert regularly. But I caught Harold Ford, Jr.'s appearance last night. In case you missed it, here it is. I'm not sure he did himself any favors by showing up. WordPress.com Political Blogger Alliance

Nye signs on as ENDA cosponsor

I'll admit it: I'm floored. Congressman Glenn Nye has signed on as a cosponsor of H.R.3017, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.  He joins Virginia Reps. Bobby Scott (3rd), Jim Moran (8th), and Gerry Connolly (11th)  as one of now 197 Congressmen who are co-sponsoring this bill. I mentioned this bill to Nye last summer. I never … Continue reading Nye signs on as ENDA cosponsor →

Corporations 1, citizens 0

In a ruling today (pdf), the Supreme Court of the United States said, essentially, that corporations are people, too, and no restrictions on spending should apply to them. Think we've had influence-peddling before now? Just wait. While corporations still cannot contribute directly to candidates, they will be able to spend freely on the candidates' behalf. … Continue reading Corporations 1, citizens 0 →

Crazy Uncle Pat

Time to hide him in the attic. The transcript (courtesy of Politico via PilotOnline): And you know, Christy, something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it, they were under the heel of the French, uh, you know, Napoleon the third and whatever, and they got together … Continue reading Crazy Uncle Pat →

Race: the conversation we haven’t had

The weekend provided more examples of the ongoing lack of conversation about race in this country. Michael Steele has been, by most accounts, an embarrassment to the Republican National Committee. The list of things he's done wrong got longer with the release of a book he wrote, a book he never bothered to tell anyone … Continue reading Race: the conversation we haven’t had →

What’s on my (and your) mind Wednesday: open thread

Lots of stuff going on out there. Looks like the Dems won't have 60 in the Senate after 2010 elections. Not that 60 got us anything, but Tuesday brought the news that Sen. Byron Dorgan (ND) and Sen. Chris Dodd (CT) will retire.  Dems will likely retain Dodd's seat but Dorgan's will probably go to … Continue reading What’s on my (and your) mind Wednesday: open thread →

Long term care included in health care reform

Until I saw this article reprinted in today's paper, I was unaware that long term care had been inserted into both the House and Senate versions of the health care reform bill. The program would create a voluntary long-term care insurance program to be run by the government.Voluntary, yes. But workers at participating companies would … Continue reading Long term care included in health care reform →

Senate passes healthcare reform bill

In an early morning session, the US Senate voted 60-39 in favor of healthcare reform. All 58 Democrats plus two Independents supported the measure while all of the Republicans voted against. Republican Senator Jim Bunning from Kentucky was absent from the vote. Upon its passage, Sen. Mark Warner issued the following statement: I voted in … Continue reading Senate passes healthcare reform bill →

Senate health care bill moves forward

Around 1:15am this morning, the Senate voted for cloture on the manager's amendment. All 58 Democrats along with the two Independents voted in favor, with all 40 Republicans voting against the measure. This allows the health care bill to move forward. It is anticipated that the vote on the final bill will take place Thursday, … Continue reading Senate health care bill moves forward →