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Single White Democrat, Seeking...

By Tommy Christopher (Political Machine)

Submitted at 3/29/2008 12:39:00 PM

Filed under: Democrats, Race Whileresearching yesterday's Obama/Clintonstory, I came across a Pew Research Studyentitled, Obama Weathers the WrightStorm, Clinton Faces Credibility Problem,which I used in that story. As is often thecase, the study "buries the lede," as theysay. Deep into the report, I found afascinating survey. I deliberately haven'tlinked it here. I will do so after the jump.The portion of the study that caught myeye was called Political Values, Traits andEmotions, and it was a survey of whiteDemocrats on a variety of issues, questionsI would never have thought to ask of anyDemocrat. I have always taken for grantedthat being a Democrat carried with it a setof automatic principles that transcendedpolitics.These were not traits that I ascribedsolely to Democrats, but that I assumed all,or most, Democrats shared. Theoverarching philosophy of the Democrats,as I saw it, was tolerance, empathy, andfairness. You know, the old Liberté,égalité, fraternité. Sure, there were non-Democrats who shared some or all of theseprinciples, like good people who were justa little too greedy. It's that smugsuperiority that people hate in us.Of course, I'm oversimplifying, but youget the idea. Even after the Ohio primary,when there was so much chatter in themedia about white Democrats voting forHillary based on race, I stuck to my theorythat demographics are secondary toregional considerations. After the jump,we'll put you all to the test and see howyou stack up against Pew's whiteDemocrats, and chew over the survey'sresults.OK, now, answer as honestly as you can.Results from the Pew Study after the poll.I am a White Democrat WhiteRepublican Non-white Democrat Non-white Republican White Independent Non-white Independent VoteWe have gone too far in pushing equalrights in this country Agree Disagree Notsure VoteI think it's all right for blacks and whitesto date each other. Agree Disagree Notsure VoteWomen should return to their traditionalroles in society. Agree Disagree Not sureVoteIn general, men are better leaders thanwomen. Agree Disagree Not sure VoteWe should be willing to fight for ourcountry, whether it it right or wrong. AgreeDisagree Not sure VoteThe growing number of newcomers fromother countries are a threat to traditionalAmerican customs and values. AgreeDisagree Not sure VoteWithout further ado, here are the resultsof the Pew Study.I was pretty shocked even by thesequestions, let alone the results. I call it aPew study because I have to hold my nosewhen I read it. From the Pew summary:Overall, 61% of white Democratic voterscompletely agree that it's "all right forwhites and blacks to date each other." Butfewer than half of non-college and olderwhite Democrats completely agree (44%for each group). Notably, about one-in-fivein each of these groups disagrees with theidea that interracial dating is acceptable.By contrast, just 6% of college-educatedDemocratic voters, and just 3% of youngerwhite Democrats (ages 18 to 44), findinterracial dating unacceptable. Then,there's this: Few Democrats believe thatwomen should return to their traditionalroles, or that men make better leaders thanwomen. However, younger and bettereducated white Democrats are even morelikely than others to disagree with thesenotions. About three-quarters of collegeeducated (76%) and younger Democrats(73%) completely disagree that womenshould return to traditional roles, comparedwith 48% of those who have not attendedcollege, and 56% of Democrats ages 45and older. Similarly, 57% of Democratswith college experience completelydisagree that men are better leaders,compared with 40% of Democrats whohave not attended college. Finally, there'sthe war question, which, while lessdisgusting than the other questions, was farmore disturbing in the outcome:Democrats are nearly equally divided overthe statement that "we should be willing tofight for our country whether it is right orwrong" (50% agree and 46% disagree).However, 52% of Democrats who haveattended college disagree with this view,compared with 37% of non-collegeDemocrats. There are no significant agedifferences on this question. Whatconclusions can be drawn from this? Well,without comparative data, I can only gleanfrom this is that a party is made up of people, and that some of them are deeplyflawed. I would love to see howRepublicans would do in a poll like this.Although the proportions might bedifferent, I would expect similarrelationships between these questions andthe age and education level of therespondent.I would also love to see numbers from 25years ago, to see if this is a messagingissue. In any case, this was an eye-openerfor me. Your thoughts?Permalink| Email this| Linking Blogs|Comments

Sunday Talk Line-Up!

By Greg McNeilly (Political Machine)

Submitted at 3/29/2008 7:15:00 AM

Filed under: 2008 President, MediaThe Sunday talking heads schedule:ABC - This Week( GeorgeStephanopoulos): with Governor EdRendell(D-PA), U.S. Senators JohnKerry(D-MA) and Joe Liberman(I-CT).CBS - Face the Nation( Bob Schieffer):with Governor Bill Richardson(D-NM),Philadelphia Mayor Mike Nutter, andDemocrat strategist Joe Trippi.CNN - Late Edition( Wolf Blitzer): withChilean Ambassador Heraldo Munoz andU.S. Senator Bill Nelson(D-FL).Fox - News Sunday( Chris Wallace):withU.S. Senators Lindsey Graham(R-SC) andJack Reed(D-RI).NBC - Meet the Press( Tim Russert) withCIA Director Michael Hayden.Permalink| Email this| Linking Blogs|Comments

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Democrats, Bush Squabble overHousing

By Mark Impomeni (Political Machine)

Submitted at 3/29/2008 2:45:00 AM

Filed under: President Bush, BushAdministration, Democrats, EconomyDemocratic heavyweights in the Senateclashed with President Bush yesterdayover the Administration's actions to helpease the housing market. The Senatorsthink that the White House has not gonefar enough in its efforts to put the brakeson foreclosures. Their comments came asthe president traveled to suburban NewJersey to visit a debt-counseling center thatis participating in the Administration'sinitiative to get struggling homeownershelp with refinancing options. Sen. CharlesSchumer (D-NY) said that theAdministration's moves thus far amountedto nothing more than fiddling while Romeburns."The administration refuses to step up tothe plate and do what's needed. Theadministration joined by [congressionalRepublicans] in their Herbert Hoover-likeattitude of do nothing, twiddle yourthumbs while the economy gets worse,especially in the housing area, is not goingto sit well with the American public."Senate Democrats, led by Schumer andSen. Chris Dodd, chairman of the SenateBanking Committee, want Congress topass a series of mortgage reforms thatwould allow governments at all levels tobuy up foreclosed properties or providefinancial backing for loans in danger of foreclosure. The plan would also allowbankruptcy judges to change the terms of mortgages in trouble, lowering paymentsand adjusting interest rates. TheDemocrats' plans, however, would havethe opposite impact on the housing marketfrom what they intend. They would likelyraise interest rates and artificially prop uphome prices. Both need to be allowed tocome down to market levels in order toavoid a worse housing crisis.At his stop in New Jersey, PresidentBush countered the Democrats by stressingthat the Federal government's role is tohelp "responsible" homeowners andwarning that too much governmentintrusion in the market would make thingsworse."There are some homeowners who havemade responsible buying decisions andwho could keep their homes with just alittle help.We have a role to play at the governmentlevel, and that is to help lenders andborrowers work together to avoidforeclosure. The housing market problemsare complicated and there's no easysolutions. But ... we will help responsiblehomeowners weather a difficult period."The president's dwelling on the wordresponsible underlines the key differencebetween the Administration's and theDemocrats' plans for the housing market.The White House is taking personalresponsibility into consideration indeciding how and whom to help.Speculators, for example, who boughthomes on bad terms hoping to turn themaround for a quick profit, would not comein for assistance in the Administration'sview. Neither would homeowners whobought bigger homes than they couldafford by utilizing creative mortgagesoffered by unscrupulous lenders. Thosecategories of homeowners, and the lenderswho financed their purchases, would haveto bear the consequences of their decisions.That is a policy that would allow for a softlanding in the housing market, as justenough downward pressure on priceswould result from eliminating poorlyfinanced mortgages from the market, butnot so much as to affect the values of themajority of home loans that were taken outunder traditional terms.Democrats, on the other hand, see theissue in terms of rescuing unwittinghomeowners from the underhandedpractices of mortgage lenders. Theybelieve that predatory lending has played apart in helping to create the mortgage messand want the government to step in to helpregardless of the circumstances behindindividual loans. This view is shortsightedat best. It would probably help to reducethe number of foreclosures in theimmediate future, but would alsoessentially validate the poor decisions of some borrowers and lenders. The danger isthat without some pain in the short term,similar bad decisions will be made in thefuture, and the problem will only repeatitself at a later date and in a bigger way.With their focus squarely on the short runconsequences of the mortgage crisis,Democrats seem to be proposing a solutiontailored to assist their electoral chances asmuch as the housing market.Permalink| Email this| Linking Blogs|Comments

McCain Ad Controversy?

By Mark Impomeni (Political Machine)

Submitted at 3/29/2008 7:30:00 AM

Filed under: Republicans, Ads, JohnMcCain, 2008 President Sen. John McCainis set to release his the first television ad of the general election campaign on Monday.The ad, titled " 624787," will air statewidein New Mexico, neighbor to McCain'shome state of Arizona and which PresidentBush carried by a small margin in 2004.Now the Washington Post reports thatthe ad's last line is causing an onlinecontroversy. Some commentators find it tobe an indirect shot at Sen. Barack Obama.The script of the ad follows.JOHN MCCAIN: Keep that faith. Keepyour courage. Stick together. Stay strong.Do not yield. Stand up. We're Americans.And we'll never surrender.ANNOUNCER: What must a presidentbelieve about us? About America? Thatshe is worth protecting? That liberty ispriceless? Our people, honorable? Ourfuture, prosperous, remarkable and free?And, what must we believe about thatpresident? What does he think? Where hashe been? Has he walked the walk?INTERVIEWER: What is your rank?JOHN MCCAIN: Lt. Commander in theNavy.INTERVIEWER: And your officialnumber?JOHN MCCAIN: 624787.ANNCR: John McCain. The Americanpresident Americans have been waitingfor.JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and Iapprove this message. The Post reports thatthe phrase "American president" is beinginterpreted by some as an obliquereference to the various controversiessurrounding Obama: from his Kenyanancestry; to the false allegations that he isMuslim; to the incendiary and anti-American remarks of his pastor, Rev.Jeremiah Wright. The whole line seemsdesigned to counter Obama's, "We are theones we've been waiting for." message.But does a candidate referring to himself as an "American" necessarily mean that hisopponent isn't?McCain's campaign has not commented,yet. But the campaign may welcomequestions about the ad should they come.As the Democratic nomination battle dragson through the summer, the McCaincampaign increasingly finds itself in aposition where it has to generate freemedia coverage in order to breakthroughthe media's focus on the Democrats. Acontroversy about an advertisement istailor made for that effort. It wouldincrease the ad's visibility, therebyhighlighting McCain's military servicerecord, as the ad intends. If the ad's lastline wasn't a planned swipe at Sen. Obama,it could prove to be a very fortuitouscoincidence for Sen. McCain.Permalink| Email this| Linking Blogs|Comments

Nader to Hillary: Hang In There!

By Christopher Weber (Political Machine)

Submitted at 3/28/2008 11:30:00 AM

Filed under: Hillary Clinton, Primaries,2008 President, Media, Ralph NaderPolitico had it first: On his web site today,Ralph Nader has a little advice for HillaryClinton. Senator Clinton: Just read whereSenator Patrick Leahy is calling on you todrop out of the Presidential race. Believeme. I know something about this.Here's my advice: Don't listen to peoplewhen they tell you not to run anymore.That's just political bigotry. Listen to yourown inner citizen First Amendment voice.This is America. Just like every othercitizen, you have a right to run. Wheneveryou like. For as long as you like.It's up to you, Hillary. Just tell them - It'sdemocracy. Get used to it. Yours truly,Ralph Nader More evidence that politicsmakes strange bedfellows. If Hillary'slucky, maybe Nader will consider her for acabinet position.Permalink| Email this| Linking Blogs|Comments

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U.S., British Troops BackIraqis in Basra

By Mark Impomeni (Political Machine)

Submitted at 3/29/2008 5:00:00 PM

Filed under: Bush Administration,Breaking News, Iraq As the standoff between the Iraqi Army and police andfirebrand Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr'sMahdi Army continues in the strategicsouthern Iraqi port of Basra, U.S. andBritish troops have engaged in supportinggovernment forces. U.S. jets weredropping precision-guided bombs onMahdi Army strongholds inside the city,while British ground troops, which hadpatrolled Basra until withdrawing to basesoutside the city, handing over control of Iraq's second largest city to the Iraqis, firedartillery in support of Iraqi Army units.Al-Sadr, who is backed by Iran, told hisfollowers to defy the government's order toturn in their weapons. Iraqi Prime MinisterNouri al-Maliki, who is in Basra and hasunwisely vowed to stay there until theunrest is quelled, originally set a deadlineof Saturday for militia members tosurrender their arms. That deadline hassince been extended to April 8th. Sadrsupporters accuse the Maliki governmentof attempting to eliminate the rival Shiitegroup ahead of provincial elections thisfall. Sadr's decision to call his army to thestreets now may be the opening salvo inwhat is a sad grab for political legitimacy.Maliki has staked his government'sreputation on its ability to bring Sadr toheel in Basra. If government troops areseen as backing down, it will onlyencourage more trouble making by Sadrand various other ethnic factions. Further,it could cause the Kurds in northern Iraq todepend much more heavily on their ownforces, known as the Peshmerga, forsecurity, threatening to split the alreadysemi-autonomous north from the rest of thecountry. The United States and Britain,perhaps fearing the political consequencesof seeming to take the lead in the clashes,initially stood by while Iraqi forces beganthe planned offensive. The entrance of coalition air and ground power signals thatIraqi forces are not quite ready to take on achallenge the size of the Basra operationon their own.But the fact the Maliki was willing tomake the move to rout the Mahdi Armyout of Basra does indicate that hisgovernment is feeling more secure in itsposition. President Bush called thedecision "bold" earlier this week. Malikihas been lobbying Washington for greaterfreedom to control security operations inIraq for some time. Although he may havebitten off more than he can chew in Basra,the fact that Iraq is moving to solve its ownsecurity problems will eventually prove tobe a positive step.Permalink| Email this| Linking Blogs|Comments

Florida Senator: 'ReformElections'

By Jay Allbritton (Political Machine)

Submitted at 3/28/2008 11:32:00 AM

Filed under: Senate, 2008 PresidentDemocracy has had its ups and downs inFlorida. From the butterfly ballots, hangingchads and Brooks Brothers riot of the wild2000 presidential election to the currentcontroversy over the state's Democraticdelegates, if there's a problem with anelection and you're not in Ohio, you'reprobably in Florida.Florida Democratic Senator Bill Nelsonhas had enough. He wants an entirely newsystem--a new primary system for thedemocrats and a new system for thegeneral election.What would Nelson's system look like?Nelson proposes six, rotatinginterregional primaries. Nelson'slegislation would bring early voting toevery state, provide a paper trail and makevoting absentee an option for all voters.The bill also proposes funds to researchmail-in and internet voting.Nelson also called for the elimination of the electoral college. As unpopular as theelectoral college is now, it's actually muchmore popular since the 2000 election thanit was before it. Having said that, it's anundemocratic recipe for disaster--as wesaw in 2000.The only part of the plan I'm wary of isthe early voting. It depends on how long of a period we're talking about. A few dayswill allow more voters to make it out to thepolls. If the window is extended intoweeks, then voters are in danger of makinga decision they may regret becauseconditions may change. For example, a lotof early voters in California voted for JohnEdwards before he dropped out of the race.What if the kind of scandal that took downEliot Spitzer hit the news a day or twobefore the election after millions of peoplealready voted?A far better idea would be to makeelection day a national holiday.Permalink| Email this| Linking Blogs|Comments

Rush Limbaugh Safe

By Dave (Political Machine)

Submitted at 3/28/2008 2:17:00 PM

Filed under: Republicans, Primaries, 2008PresidentI never doubted it, but now I have a littlemore backup, via the Columbus Dispatch:"We have no intention of prosecutingRush Limbaugh because lying throughyour teeth and being stupid isn't a crime,"said Leo Jennings, a spokesman forDemocratic Attorney General Marc Dann.When asked whether she has concernsabout what Limbaugh did, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, a Democrat,replied, "I think it's very bad form, but Ithink most voters are intelligent enough tomake their own decisions."I wonder what Mr. Jennings thinks aboutlefty blogger Markos of DailyKos, whowas running his own little Operation Chaosback in January.Now here's the thing -- without a realDemocratic contest on the ballot, and alack of party registration in Michigan, thisis an open primary. Anyone can pick up aRepublican ballot. So Michigan Democratsand independents who want to see theRepublican battle royale continue should just take a few minutes on Tuesday,January 15th to cast a ballot for MittRomney in the Republican primary.If you know someone in Michigan, sendthem the email I've included below thefold. If you don't know someone inMichigan, send the email to your liberalfriends and see if THEY have friends inMichigan. Get the word out, whether byblog, mailing list, MySpace or Facebook page, or whatever.If this is a crime, Rush would be far fromthe only one in trouble.Permalink| Email this| Linking Blogs|Comments

Bad Penney

(Portfolio.com: News and Markets)

Submitted at 3/28/2008 6:00:00 AM

In a stark illustration of the weakness inconsumer spending, J.C. Penney has cut itsforecasts for the first quarter, saying thatsales through Easter were "well belowexpectations."The company says it now expects toreport earnings of 50 cents per share,below last month's forecast of 70 cents to80 cents per share.The bleak outlook will heighten fearsthat the economy is in a recession and thatconsumers are cutting back their spendingas a result despite a $186 billiongovernment stimulus package."Consumer confidence is at a multi-yearlow," said Myron Ullman, III, Penney'schief executive. "J.C. Penney counts half of American families as its customers, andthey are feeling macro-economic pressuresfrom many areas, including higher energycosts, deteriorating employment trends,and significant issues in the housing andcredit markets."Related LinksA Bad PenneyStocks: We Have Liftoff Shop Til the Deals Drop