Sarah Palin Says She Has Authority Over Senate

And she said this as an answer to a question from a second grader. Its absolutely false. She may want to have authority over the senate if she was Vice President but it is not correct.

Really scary that she thinks the VP would have that type of power..

What Happened At Congress Today

Vote Them All Out In November

This November whether it is for new Democrats, or new Republicans, or even new Independents. The key is 'New' we need to vote them all out and get some new people in. An unarmed Revolution of sorts, I guarantee it would send a clear message to all politicians that we mean business. We have the power and we can make it happen.



In a way these problems are our own, we either voted these people in or didn't vote at all. In that respect I feel we are ultimately responsible for this mess. I also think it will be only us that can fix this mess. How? By doing our homework on the people we vote for, vote out the current and old politicians and vote in new people who will get the job done.



If we voted everyone out it would send shock waves throughout the Country. Politicians would actually have to start working for the people again out of fear of getting voted out if they didn't. We have the power to change everything, but will we use it?

The Good Guys In Today's F.I.S.A. Votes

Ok I'm working, So not alot of time so I gleaned this from DailyKos. The votes for F.I.S.A. today. I'm glad to see Obama at least tried and voted to have the immunity stripped. It will not pass without the immunity though. So the Republicans have succeeded in scaring the Democrats into supporting this. A very very sad day for our Country today.

Final FISA Fight: The Votes

by mcjoan
Wed Jul 09, 2008 at 09:22:00 AM PDT

It's the final FISA fight of this Congress.

The Senate just rejected Dodd's amendment to strip Title II--the immunity provisions--from the bill, 32-66. Now up is Sen. Specter's amendment that requires the cases be dismissed if the court determines that the warrantless wiretapping programming was legal.

Update I: Specter amendment fails, 37-61. Next up is Bingaman's amendment, the last hope that the Senate regains it's sanity. Given how the votes are going, I'm not holding my breath.

Update II: Bingaman fails 42-56. The Senate is in recess until 2:15, so that the Republicans can go have their weekly lunch and toast the capitulating Dems in celebration. Then they'll come back and finish it off.

The roll call vote on the Dodd amendment is now available, with a link and list of the good guys below the fold.

Roll Call vote on Dodd Amendment. Here's the good guys.

Akaka (D-HI)
Baucus (D-MT)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Boxer (D-CA)
Brown (D-OH)
Byrd (D-WV)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Casey (D-PA)
Clinton (D-NY)
Dodd (D-CT)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Harkin (D-IA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Murray (D-WA)
Obama (D-IL)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schumer (D-NY)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Tester (D-MT)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)

Yeas on Specter:

Akaka (D-HI)
Baucus (D-MT)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Boxer (D-CA)
Brown (D-OH)
Byrd (D-WV)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Casey (D-PA)
Clinton (D-NY)
Conrad (D-ND)
Dodd (D-CT)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Harkin (D-IA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Kohl (D-WI)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
McCaskill (D-MO)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Murray (D-WA)
Obama (D-IL)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schumer (D-NY)
Specter (R-PA)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Tester (D-MT)
Webb (D-VA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)

Yeas on Bingaman:

Akaka (D-HI)
Baucus (D-MT)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Boxer (D-CA)
Brown (D-OH)
Byrd (D-WV)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Casey (D-PA)
Clinton (D-NY)
Dodd (D-CT)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Harkin (D-IA)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kerry (D-MA)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Kohl (D-WI)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lincoln (D-AR)
McCaskill (D-MO)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murray (D-WA)
Nelson (D-FL)
Obama (D-IL)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schumer (D-NY)
Specter (R-PA)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Tester (D-MT)
Webb (D-VA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)

Who In The White House Said Go Break The Law

Ok one more, For those of you paying attention to the whole F.I.S.A debacle, Here is what happened in the Senate today. Pat Leahy has it right, It's not about the telcoms as much as it is, Who in the white house said break the law. We have to do something so it does not happen again...

Bush Congratulates Self & McCain For New G.I. Bill

I guess this shouldn't surprise me. You know the G.I. Bill that Jim Webb has been working on for years. The Bill that George Bush And John McCain both opposed. Well George Bush and John McCain took credit for it Monday. Yeah you heard that right, The Bill they BOTH opposed vehemently, They decided to take credit for. Anyone who thinks John McCain is honest or a Maverick or a Straight Talker, Think again. Here is some video...

Jim Webb gets a chance to respond to McCain taking credit...

Joe Lieberman Must Go

1. Watch the video 2. Sign the petition

This is from the guy's over at Brave New Films. I agree 100% Joe Lieberman must go. It's time for Harry Reid to take away his chairmanships and send him packing across the aisle. It is one thing to support someones policies but to openly attack your party's candidate, I just don't see the point of remaining in the party after that. It is time for Joe Lieberman to go.




Dear Guy,

Joe Lieberman is a war hawk, plain and simple. He staunchly supports George Bush's War in Iraq and John McCain's plan to stay in Iraq for 100 years. But Lieberman's new alliance with the Republican Party runs even deeper. He has endorsed and stumped for McCain, wants to be the star of the Republican National Convention, and has even served on a 527 group that smeared Barack Obama with a nasty attack ad.

And yet Lieberman still holds a top rank within the Senate Democratic Caucus as chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The Senate Democratic Steering Committee needs to know just how much of a conflict of interest this is. That's why we created Lieberman Must Go.

Watch the video: http://bravenewfilms.org/watch/19614283/43061?utm_source=rgemail

Here's what you can do: Sign our petition today and tell the Senate Democratic Steering Committee to strip Lieberman of his leadership role in Congress. Then, e-mail this video to everyone you know and spread it on sites like Digg and elsewhere.

Recently in Talking Points Memo, Josh Marshall suggested that the best way to limit Lieberman is by encouraging the Steering Committee to render him powerless in 2009. Lieberman must go, and you can make that happen by donating to Brave New Films today.

Yours,
Robert Greenwald
and the Brave New Team

---
Brave New Films is supported by members like you, please consider making a donation. You can get our latest videos on email, iTunes, RSS, Facebook, and YouTube here. To stop receiving the latest videos from us, click here. We are located at 10510 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232.

Bush Democrats : The Complete List

Just because these people are Democrats does not mean that they deserve their positions. If they can't live up to their Oath, they do not belong in office. Unlike the Republicans who almost always stand by their members regardless of what they have done, Democrats must not follow the Republican standard. If our members are not pulling their weight, they must go, Plain and simple. Our elected officials work for us and regardless of their party affiliation, if they are not voting in our best interests, they must be voted out. No one should be safe because of his or her party affiliation. You work for us or you don't have a seat in Congress. That is how it should be. That is how we can make it. In summary "Don't Vote Democrat, Just Because They Are A Democrat". Research them find out how they voted and how they intend to vote. Not all Democrats are created equal, don't make the mistake of voting the wrong one in.

I know I posted the site that has this, but for those who don't have the time to "click on stuff" here it is. The whole list of Democrats that need to go. Actual page is Here

1. Incumbent Bush Democrats who deserve primary challenges

Below is a list of Democrats who voted wrong on one or more crucial votes. Some are hard-core "Bush Democrats" while others simply join them from time to time.

By publishing this list, we hope to accomplish several goals:

1. Persuade these Democrats to stop voting with Bush so we don't have to challenge them in a primary. Democrats who reverse their bad votes and genuinely embrace progressive positions will be crossed off our list
2. Encourage progressive Democrats to run primaries against those who keep voting with Bush

This list began after 59 Bush Democrats voted against the McGovern Amendment on 5/10/2007 on the first key vote to end the war. Those 59 Bush Democrats voted for an endless occupation of Iraq despite overwhelming opposition from Democrats, Independents, and even many Republicans. The list has been modified since then to take account of other key votes since the original Iraq War vote on 10/10/02.

Key to Column Headings:

"B/R" ranks each district on a "Blue/Red" scale where 1=Strong Blue, 2=Leans Blue, 3=Tossup, 4=Leans Red, 5=Solid Red. In theory there is less "risk" in challenging an incumbent in a Blue district than a Red one, because the seat should stay Democratic regardless of who wins the primary. But each district and each race is unique, so that general theory may or may not apply.

"Incumbent" links to a page for each incumbent where you can discuss progressive Democrats who could challenge them in a primary, and other topics related to local political organizing.

"B/N" identifies Members who join the "Bluedog" (B) or "New Democrat/DLC" (N) caucuses. "Bluedogs" claim to support "fiscal responsibility," but these Bluedogs support a war that has already wasted an incredible $434 billion and driven budget deficits to record levels. "New Democrats/DLC" claim to support "national security" but the Iraq War has severely damaged our armed forces, undermined military recruitment, increased global terrorism, and alienated our allies. Those who play a leadership role with either group earn an asterisk (*).

"BDI" is the "Bush Democrat Index" which ranks all Democrats on their overall voting support for George Bush and the Republicans. It is the reverse of the Progressive Punch Index.

"Votes" identifies key votes where these Members voted wrong:

• ?: (Not in office when vote occurred)
• A: Authorization for Use of Military Force in Iraq on 10/10/02 (bad=support)
• B: Bankruptcy Bill on 5/14/05 (bad=support)
• M: Military Commissions Act on 9/27/06 (bad=support)
• I: Iraq Supplemental McGovern Amendment to end the war by 4/08 on 5/10/07 (bad=oppose)
• R: Andrews Amendment to block Iraq/Afghan funds for military strike on Iran on 5/16/07 (bad=oppose)
• X: Iraq Supplemental with unenforceable timetable on 7/12/07 (bad=oppose any timetable)
• W: Warantless Wiretapping on 8/4/07 (bad=support)
• C: Bi-Partisan Compact on Iraq to oppose any funding cuts 9/26/07 (bad=support)
• P: "Protect America Act" letter co-signer 2/08 (P voted against Democratic alternative 3/14/08)

"Primary Nominees" lists people whose names have been mentioned. If they are running and have a web site we link to their site. If we consider them priority candidates (whether or not they are running) we make them bold.

Dist	B/R	Incumbent	B/N	BDI	Votes	Primary Nominees
AL-5	4	Bud Cramer [retiring in 08]	B	2	ABMIRWCP
AR-2	1	Vic Snyder	N	49	IXW
AR-4	1	Mike Ross	B*	26	ABMIWCP
AZ-5	4	Harry Mitchell	b	59	?IRW
AZ-8	3	Gabrielle Giffords	B	79	?I	Jeff Latas
CA-18	3	Dennis Cardoza	B	46	?BI
CA-20	2	Jim Costa	B	50	?BIWC
CA-28	1	Howard Berman		117	AI	Rep. Cindy Montanez Rep. Lloyd Levine Mike Stettler
CO-2	1	Mark Udall [running for US Senate]		109	I
CO-3	4	John Salazar	B	56	?BMIRW
FL-2	4	Allen Boyd	B*	6	ABMIRWCP	Rep. Al Lawson
FL-16	4	Tim Mahoney	B	63	?IR
GA-2	1	Sanford Bishop	B	27	ABMIR
GA-8	5	Jim Marshall	B	9	?MIRXW	Robert Nowak Jack Ellis George Carswell
GA-12	1	John Barrow	BN	12	?MIRXWP	Regina Thomas 7/15
GA-13	1	David Scott	BN	52	?BMIR
IA-3	3	Leonard Boswell [Likely to retire after IA loses seat in 2010]	B	20	ABMIWP	Ed Fallon
IL-3	1	Daniel Lipinski		76	IW	Mark Pera
IL-8	4	Melissa Bean	BN	37	?BMIRWP	Randi Scheuer
IN-2	3	Joe Donnelly	B	29	?IRW
IN-8	4	Brad Ellsworth	B	30	?IXWP
IN-9	4	Baron Hill	B	32	A?IW	Gretchen Clearwater 5/6
KS-2	4	Nancy Boyda	b	88	?I
KS-3	3	Dennis Moore	BN*	47	ABMICP
KY-6	3	Ben Chandler	BN	55	?BMIW	Sen. Ernesto Scorsone
LA-3	3	Charlie Melancon	BN	15	?BMIRWP
MD-2	1	Dutch Ruppersberger		68	?BI
MD-4	1	Al Wynn		94	AB	Donna Edwards
MD-5	1	Steny Hoyer	*	83	ABI	Paul Pinsky
MN-7	4	Collin Peterson	B	3	ABMIW
MO-4	5	Ike Skelton		5	ABI
MS-4	5	Gene Taylor	B	1	ABMIXWC
NC-2	2	Bob Etheridge	N	48	ABMIW
NC-7	3	Mike McIntyre	BN	7	ABMIW
NC-11	3	Heath Shuler	B	23	?IRWP	Sen. Martin Luther Nesbitt Rep. Susan C Fisher Rep. Ray Rapp
ND-0	4	Earl Pomeroy	B	33	ABMIWP
NV-1	1	Shelley Berkley	N	67	AIR
OH-6	3	Charles Wilson	B	140	?IW
OH-18	4	Zack Space	B	57	?IRWP
OK-2	4	Dan Boren	B	4	?BMIRXWCP
PA-4	3	Jason Altmire		25	?IRW
PA-10	5	Chris Carney	B	43	?IRXWP
PA-13	1	Allyson Schwartz	N	145	?BIR	Chuck Pennacchio
PA-17	5	Tim Holden	B	11	ABMIRXP	Sen. Michael O'Pake
SD-0	4	Stephanie Herseth Sandlin	BN*	36	?BMIRWC
TN-4	3	Lincoln Davis	B	13	?BMIWCP
TN-5	1	Jim Cooper	B	24	?BIWP
TN-6	4	Bart Gordon	B	18	ABMIW
TN-8	1	John Tanner	B	8	ABMIRWCP
TX-9	1	Al Green		167	?BI	Rep. Alma Allen Rep. Hubert Vo
TX-17	5	Chet Edwards		17	ABMIW
TX-22	5	Nick Lampson	B	34	A?IRWC
TX-23	3	Ciro Rodriguez		75	?IW
TX-27	2	Solomon Ortiz		14	BI	Juan Garcia
TX-28	1	Henry Cuellar	bN	19	?BMIRW
TX-29	1	Gene Green		43	AI	Sen. Mario V. Gallegos
UT-2	5	Jim Matheson	B	10	ABMIXWCP	Mayor Rocky Anderson
VA-9	5	Rick Boucher		38	ABI
WI-3	2	Ron Kind	N*	66	ABI

2. Republican districts and open seats where progressive Democrats are running against Bush Democrats

Dist	B/R	Incumbent	Progressive	Bush Democrat	Notes
CO-04	4	Marilyn Musgrave (R)	Angie Paccione	Betsy Markey	Musgrave is an outspoken GOP homophobe and Paccione nearly beat her in 2006. Markey is a former Republican backed by Bush Democrat Ken Salazar.
IL-14	4	Dennis Hastert (R) - retiring	John Laesch	Bill Foster
OH-02	4	Jean Schmidt (R)	Victoria Wulsin	Steve Black	"Mean Jean" Schmidt is infamous for her vicious attack on the patriotism of former Marine John Murtha (D-PA). Wulsin nearly beat Schmidt in 2006. Black is a Republican running as a Democrat.
WA-08	3	Dave Reichert (R)	Darcy Burner	Rodney Tom	Burner lost to Reichert by only 3% in 2006 after running an outstanding netroots campaign. Tom served two terms as a Republican state representative before switching parties and winning a State Senate seat. Despite his switch, Tom "brags about his Republican past and has a considerable record of financially supporting Republicans and voting for their issues in Olympia."

3. Progressive Democratic incumbents who are being challenged by Bush Democrats

Dist	B/R	Progressive	Bush Democrat	Notes
OH-10	1	Dennis Kucinich	Rosemary Palmer	Kucinich has led the battle against the Iraq War since Bush rolled out his "marketing plan" of pre-war lies in September 2002. Now Palmer is attacking Kucinich because he doesn't support her incoherent "floating timetable for withdrawal."
TN-09	1	Steve Cohen	Nikki Tinker	Cohen is an outstanding progressive Freshman who won Harold Ford Jr.'s open seat in 2006 by beating cousin Joe Ford Jr. in the Democratic primary and brother Jake Ford in the general election. Religious right ministers want to defeat Cohen because he supported the Hate Crimes Bill H.R. 1592 and they are likely to support Nikki Tinker, Harold Ford Jr.'s former campaign manager, who came in 2nd to Cohen in the 2006 Democratic primary.

Obama "Talks" With Lieberman

It is about time someone showed some leadership and talked to Joe about his Republican ways...

"Returning to the Senate after his securing the Democratic presidential nomination, Obama and Lieberman greeted each on the Senate floor in the Well as they were voting on the budget resolution.

They shook hands. But Obama didn’t let go, leading Lieberman - cordially - by the hand across the room into a corner on the Democratic side, where Democratic sources tell ABC News he delivered some tough words for the junior senator from Connecticut, who had just minutes before hammered Obama's speech before the pro-Israel group AIPAC in a conference call arranged by the McCain campaign."

And what Dick Durbin had to say...

“Its a difficult situation,” Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, the Senate Democrats' Assistant Majority Leader and a major Obama backer, told reporters Wednesday, according to Roll Call. “Joe is my friend ... but I hope he doesn’t become the lead attack dog. Of course it’s a concern when someone in your Caucus is supporting the other party’s candidate. Let’s not try and sugarcoat it."

Lieberman agreed to caucus with the Democrats, who need his vote in the narrowly-divided Senate, in order to maintain power. But the Nutmeg stater is testing the patience of Democratic leaders by endorsing McCain and agreeing to speak at the Republican National Convention in September. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., told MSNBC they would "watch very closely" how far Lieberman takes his advocacy.

Joe you need to go. Give up your committee chair's and go caucus with your Republican buddies.
Like you have been...

In Honor Of A Legend

I would like to just say that my sympathies are with Senator Kennedy and his family right now. This man is a legend in politics and has done so much for this country. I was very saddened at the news of his current condition. I know he is a fighter and will get through this like it was a Republican standing in his way. But I just wanted to take the time to give him the appreciation he deserves.

Senator Kennedy I wish you and your family the best and I hope to see your face back in the Senate soon!