John Fogerty and Rolling Stones - It's All Over Now

 

How to OWN Your Republican Congressperson at a Town Hall

Man Who Confronted Congressman Mike Rogers Speaks!

This clip from the Majority Report, live M-F at 12 noon EST and via daily podcast at http://Majority.FM

Nelson for FL Governor 2014?

Florida Democrat's want to defeat vulnerable Republican Florida Governor Rick Scott bad, so bad that they are encouraging Florida's senior US Senator Bill Nelson to return home to Florida and make a run for governor. So far the Senator is not rejecting the idea, he's not declaring for governor but he's not taking himself out of contention either. Democrat's worry that the leading presumptive candidate Republican turned Democrat Charlie Crist will be painted by the Scott campaign and there $100million war chest as a flip flopper, someone who was for John McCain before he was for Barack Obama, an opportunist with no principle. The only declared Democrat in the race is former state Senator Nan Rich, a liberal Broward County Democrat who was one of the most liberal voices in the state Senate during her tenure from 2004-12. You know I am supporting Rich and plan on voting for her in the Democratic primary. The only other potential Democratic candidate was Alex Sink, the 2010 nominee who narrrowly lost to Scott. With the death of her husband and political partner Bill McBride, its unlikely that Sink will mount a gubernatorial run in 2014. Not all Democrat's however are hot on a Nelson for Governor run. Some Democrat's say Nelson would give up seniority in the Dem controlled Senate where he is line to Chair the Senate Commerce Committee while other Democratic donors say Nelson is the party's best chance of defeating Rick Scott in 2014. If Nelson were to run, he would not have to resign from the Senate and if he were elected Governor, would have the opportunity to appoint a Democrat to his Senate seat who would run in 2016. Stay tuned, Nelson for Governor would change the dynamics of this race overnight!

Ed Koch

With the passing of Mayor Ed Koch, New York City has lost more then a former Mayor, the city has lost it's biggest advocate and a great friend. A man who lived, breathed and reflected everything about the City of New York. After serving on the New York City Council, Koch became the first Democrat in decades to represent New York's 18th dist in Congress, known as the silk stockings district due in large part to it's upper east side affluence. In 1977, Koch left Congress to run for the Democratic nomination for Mayor of New York City defeating incumbent Abe Beame, Mario Cuomo and ally and fellow member of Congress Bella Abzug. Koch ran to the right of the three liberal candidates portraying himself as the "law and order" candidate. The 1977 blackout and riots that took place propelled Koch to front runner status and defeated Cuomo in a runoff by about 76,000 votes. Koch easily went on to win the November general election and was re-elected in 1981 with 75% of the vote. In 1982 at the urging of his political advisors who believed that Koch could become the first Jewish President, he ran for the Democratic nomination for Governor of New York. Koch was the frontrunner and presumptive Democratic gubernatorial nominee until he bashed upstate New York in a playboy interview. Then Lt. Governor Mario Cuomo went on to defeat Koch in the Democratic primary. Koch returned to the city he loved and easily won re-election with 78% of the vote. A 1989 defeat for a fourth term at the hands of David Dinkins would see the end of Koch's political career and was perceived as a mandate on Koch and his long tenure in City Hall. In later years, Koch would write op-eds, serve as a Judge on TV and make political endorsements. His most controversial being his 2004 support of George W. Bush. Koch would always ask, "How am I doing?"? I said you did well Hizzoner!

Bush 2016?

News that former Florida Governor Jeb Bush will address Conservative Political Action Conference is sending signals that Bush is considering a 2016 bid for President. This comes on the heels of news that the former governor and first son/brother tried to buy the Florida Marlins baseball team, this bid however failed. Bush was in Washington last week to meet with former members of his brothers cabinet, a meeting Bush said was intended to discuss education policy. The interesting thing here is that the former governor has been invited to address CPAC more then a dozen times and is just now accepting the invitation to speak. Bush who education reforms in Florida have served as a model for 36 other states would receive mixed reviews in a Republican Presidential primary field. Would Bush be viewed as the brother of the former President who left the country in financial ruin or as the Florida Governor who pushed for education reform in Florida and led the state through natural disasters. Bush's son, George P. is running for Texas Land Commissioner in 2014, a move to set himself up for Governor in 2018 or the Senate when Coryn retires. It will be interesting to see if Jeb takes the plunge in 2016 and what this does to Marco Rubio.

Retracting my support of Cuomo

Andrew Cuomo's speech in Albany last week was great, a truly progressive speech and a move to the left by what has been center-moderate gubernatorial tenure. I started thinking and blogged that he would have my tepid support in 2016 and I was very impressed with him. Last week, I began going thru emails I had exchanged over the years with people in my contact list including my co blogger as well as my file on Cuomo and was reminded of how Cuomo has totally fucked trial lawyers over the course of his tenure as governor with $250k cap on pain and suffering and the veto of the hit and run insurance bill. Cuomo talks like a progressive however is more interested in protecting the interests of insurance companies, then consumers. Cross him off the 2016 list.

Bullied to Death - the tragic story of web genius Aaron Swartz

Cuomo rocks Albany and earns my tepid support for 2016

A week before Barack Obama's raises his right hand and takes the oath for a second term as President, I had my candidate for 2016 already picked out, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley. After listening to Andrew Cuomo's fiery powerfulprogressive speech in Albany last week, I say I had my candidate picked out, I am going with Andrew Cuomo. The Cuomo that delivered the speech in Albany last week is a part of the Cuomo family I have long respected. Cuomo took the gun lobby head on. "I say to you forget the extremists. It's simple--no one hunts with an assault rife. No one needs 10 bullets to kill a deer and too many people have died already," said the New York Governor. The governor introduced a plan...to tighten the assault weapons ban, ban all large capacity gun clips, and increase penalties for those who illegally buy guns, use guns on school property, and who use guns in violence and drug related gan activity. The Governor has the support of Manhattan DA Cy Vance and Queens DA Richard Brown. Governor Cuomo also proposed raising the minimum wage to $8.75, require teachers to pass a "bar exam" to be certified and 10-point plan for achieving equality for women. This is a guy who no doubt is preparing to run for President in 2016 and is trying to win over the much needed liberal base. The first half of his term, he governed as a Clinton moderate, heading into the second half of his term, he's governing as a Cuomo liberal and I love it! This is the Governor's chance to lead on gun control and dominate this issue heading into the 2016 Presidential race. He has introduced and passed same sex marriage's in New York breaking ground on the biggest civil rights issue of the 21st century, he has a record as Attorney General of New York, as Housing and Urban Development Secretary, is positioning himself as a leader on gun control and womens rights and in 2016 will be the two term Governor of New York. He will be well positioned to run for the Democratic nomination and unlike O'Malley will have the star power and NYC fund raising base to be a very formidable candidate against Marco Rubio, Chris Christie or Rand Paul. He has my tepid support!

Disgraced former SC Governor to run for Congress

Former South Carolina Republican Governor Mark Sanford will run for the Dist. 1 US House seat vacated by newly appointed South Carolina Senator Tim Scott. Sanford who represented the district in Congress before his election as governor in 2002 left the governor's office amid an affair. Sanford was elected to Congress in 1994 as part of the Gingrich revolution and I have no doubt would be a disaster if returned to Congress. Sanford is said to be eyeing a 2014 bid for the Senate.

Hagel is the wrong choice to lead Pentagon

President Obama in the midst of reshuffling his second term cabinet is poised to name former Republican Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel his choice for Secretary of Defense. I credit Hagel for his criticism of the ill planned Iraq war however I strongly disagree with the President's choice of Hagel to lead the Pentagon. When considering Hagel the President should have looked at the fact that in 1998 Hagel aggressively opposed the nomination of James Hormel, an openly gay philanthropist who nominated by President Clinton and later confirmed by the Senate to be the Ambassador to Luxembourg. Hagel called Hormel an "openly aggressive gay" and said his homosexuality could interfere with his ability to do the job. Hagel has apologized for his past attacks on Hormel however Hagel's tenure in the Senate points to a strong anti gay voting record. Hagel's remarks regarding Israel and the Middle East are just as much cause for concern. In 2006, Hagel referred to the pro-Israel lobby in Washington as the "Jewish lobby". He said in a 2006 interview, "I'm a United States senator. I support Israel. But my first interest is I take an oath of office to the Constitution of the United States. Not to a president. Not to a party. Not to Israel. If I go run for Senate in Israel, I'll do that". Hagel's support of dialogue with Iran and Hamas, which are both sworn enemies of Israel will ignite Republican's in the Senate to strongly oppose his nomination. Four former national security advisors have come out against Hagel's potential nomination and John McCain, Hagel's one time ally in the Senate has come to question Hagel's appointment as the top man in the Pentagon. While I strongly support the nomination of John Kerry for Secretary of State, I strongly question the nomination of Chuck Hagel. While I believe that Kerry will sail through a Senate confirmation, Hagel will face serious questions. I would urge the President to consider Michigan Sen. Carl Levin or even Navy Secretary Richard Danzig. Hagel is the wrong choice to lead the Pentagon.

Charlie Crist the next Democratic governor?

Charlie Crist the longtime conservative Reagan Republican who was elected Florida Governor in 2006 turned 2010 Independent candidate for the US Senate is now officially an Obama Democrat. Crist signed his Florida change of party registration form at a White House Christmas party Friday evening followed by a fist to fist bump with the President. Speculation has been rampant that Crist who now works for Morgan and Morgan and supported the President for re-election as well as Bill Nelson and newly elected Democratic Congressman Patrick Murphy will run for governor in 2014 as a Democrat. Polls show that Crist leads the Democratic field followed by 2010 Democratic nominee Alex Sink. I have already pledged my support to liberal former Broward County state Senator Nan Rich who has declared her candidacy for governor. Crist is the 800 pound gorilla in the Dem field however I remember Crist supporting John McCain, George W Bush, opposing abortion rights, and calling himself a Jeb Bush conservative. Nan Rich has always been an advocate for abortion rights, children, seniors and health care. While Crist was backing McCain in 2008 and was on the short list for VP. Rich was one of Hillary Clinton's most ardent Florida supporters and later at Hillary's request supported the Obama-Biden ticket. I welcome Crist to the church but that doesn't mean I want him at the pulpit.

The next Secretary of State

With the election over and the President looking forward to a second term, speculation is centered on who will replace outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Clinton who has served our nation admirably and unselfishlessly since 1992, has indicated that she will leave the administration and return to New York. While a host of names are in the mix to be the President's top diplomat, two names are making the rounds as serious contenders. UN Ambassador Susan Rice and Massachusetts Senator John Kerry. In my opinion, Kerry is the logical and right choice. Kerry, the 2004 Democratic nominee for President, a 28 year veteran of the U.S. Senate, and current Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is well respected and known around the globe. Russian government officials have already indicated they would like to see Kerry replace Clinton as Secretary of State. Russian officials have sent reports that Rice is too aggressive and ambitious and Moscow would have a better working relationship with Sec. of State Kerry. Here at home, Republican Senator's have made it known they prefer Kerry over his chief rival Rice. Several Republican Senator's have indicated that Kerry would have a far more smoother confirmation then Rice who is seen as the President's leading choice. The biggest concern facing the Obama White House regarding Kerry is the special election that will occur for his open Massachusett's Senate seat. Democrat's fear a rehash of what happend when the late Senator Ted Kennedy's seat became open and was won by Republican Scott Brown. I disagree. Martha Coakley was a terrible candidate who took Massachuetts voters for granted by leaving the state for an overseas holiday vacation while Brown aggressively worked the state. This special election was right after the passage of the Obama Health Care plan when tea party activists were fired up, organized and financed. The election for an open Massachusetts Senate seat in 2013 would be far different. Ed Markey would be a great candidate who could sail into the Senate seat against potential Republican candidate Scott Brown. Brown cannot match Markey's long legislative record and work on behalf of Massachusetts. Steve Lynch is a strong candidate and Gov. Patrick is even a strong contender and Senator Patrick would be a more formidable candidate for President in 2016 as a former governor and incumbent Senator. Democrat's have a strong bench in Massachusetts and Barack Obama has a strong contender for Sec of State in John Kerry.

Biden, Cuomo, O'Malley, and a host of others look ahead

With the 2012 Presidential campaign coming to an end, a new crop of Democrats are looking ahead to 2016, well Biden isn't so new. Among the names that will soon be making there way to Manhattan, New Hampshire, Iowa, Florida and South Carolina courting Democratic donors if they haven't already, Vice-President Joe Biden, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, Virginia Senator Mark Warner, Massachusetts Senator-elect Elizabeth Warren, maybe even ex Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold. Biden is certain to run but is the sitting VP the automatic front runner. He's not really known as a big fund raiser, hes an expert on foreign policy, hes been loyal to Obama but is the Democratic party searching for a new leader? Biden is the top tier but certainly not the presumptive nominee. Cuomo is an interesting candidate. The New York Governor and former HUD Secretary should be formidable with his New York fund raising base and Cuomo, New York, Mario's son, big liberal, well not so much. Cuomo did support a same sex marriage bill in New York but has pretty much governed as a centrist, once that comes out, he is sure to lose the critical liberal base. Also, how will a New York Governor fare in Iowa? Will New York and California be enough to give him the nomination? Also if Warren runs, is New Hampshire out of play? O'Malley is running. He's one of my favorites, a true progressive who has invested in education, health care and introduced and passed a same sex marriage bill in Maryland. An attack dog for Obama on the campaign trail. His fund raising base is in tact having served as Chairman of Democratic Governor's Association. O'Malley leaves office in 2014, this guy is a Howard Dean, watch him! Warner is a centrist. He's going to run for Virginia Governor in '13 most likely to position himself for a '16 Presidential run. A two term Virginia Governor and ex US Senator, he will use his legislative and executive experience and point out that hes from Virginia. He will win over the DLC crowd and might appeal to the business community but wait, hes running in a Dem primary, he needs progressives and he won't tap into that base. Warren is a very interesting candidate. Massachusett's Senator-elect is already being touted for 2016 just as then freshman Sen. Barack Obama was back in 2005. The Massachusett's progressive could do well in NH. Russ Feingold can not be discounted in Iowa or among progressives. He passed on an opportunity to run for Wisconsin Governor in the recall election and has been mentioned as a possible contender in 2016. A favorite among progressives, he could do well. 2012 is over and 2016 is just beginning!

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"LET'S DO IT!" with Nancy Gair at The Duplex in New York on December 1st

If you are in New York on Saturday December 1st, 4:30pm come to see "LET'S DO IT!" a musical invitation to passion and romance, from the quaint to the ain't. Brought to you from London via Boston, by celebrated chanteuse and comedienne, Nancy Gair --with Alex Rybeck on piano. Please use the following reservation link to book your tickets

Nancy Gair hails from Arlington, Mass. She graduated from Yale before heading to the
Central School of Speech & Drama in London England, where she then lived for the next 26 years! She spent the first year out of drama school in a company called Bedside Manners which toured musical revues to hospital wards across Greater London. Nancy particularly enjoyed seasons at the Liverpool Playhouse, as Claudia in "Nuts", Elaine in "Arsenic & Old Lace", Lady Macduff in "Macbeth". She also toured the regional premiere of the one woman show "Second Lady", directed by Julian Webber, for which she won the Liverpool drama critics Best Actress Award. Other regional theatres have included Southwold Summer Theatre for Jill Freud, the Wolsey Theatre Ipswich & the Library Theatre in Manchester, followed by an exciting tour of India, Singapore & Malaysia in "Barefoot in the Park". Nancy has made fleeting appearances in a few films and played the first wife of the first of Barbara Huttons seven husbands in the TV biopic "Poor Little Rich Girl" with Farrah Fawcett. She has been in several radio plays, most notably the World Service's Globe Theatre production of "Glass Menagerie" as Laura, with Liz Bell and Colin Stinton. West End plays include "The Normal Heart" as Dr Emma Brookner opposite John Shea, "Marvin's Room" and "900 Oneonta". Nancy is proud to have taken part in several revues as part of the Swell Party Company, with her great friend and mentor, George Hall, including stints at the Covent Garden Arts Festival, the Theatre Museum, the Henley Arts Festival, and the festive though short-lived cabaret season at the Connaught Rooms in London. More recently, having returned to the Boston area with her sons William & Jonathan, Nancy has established her cabaret career on this side of the Atlantic. Following 2010 International Cabaret Conference at Yale, she began with fundraisers at her sons schools. This past July she and George Hall, with Michael Chance, performed her revue Do It... Or Not! as part of the Monday Music Nights series in The Mahogany Bar at Wilton's Music Hall in London - the world's oldest surviving Grand Music Hall. It has been reprised as part of the Swell Party Company's Sunday Series at Cafe L'Aroma in West Newton. She is currently compiling a new revue with Wayne Fritsche as well as working with Doug Hammer on her first CD. Nancy is delighted to be appearing at the Duplex in Manhattan!

Claire McCaskill legitimately shuts down Todd Akin in Missouri Senate race

Another Political Truth's favorite candidate...

From the Washington Post

KANSAS CITY — It didn’t turn out to be the nail-biter that I thought it would be. Less than three hours after the polls closed in Missouri, incumbent Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) beat Republican challenger Rep. Todd Akin by a healthy margin after what she called “an extraordinary campaign.”

Or, as the tweets went, the voters in Missouri had a legitimate election to shut down Todd Akin. Those six seconds in August, when Akin made his infamous “legitimate rape”comment during a St. Louis television interview, may have cost him his bid for the Senate as Republicans from presidential candidate Mitt Romney to local Missourians abandoned him. Read More