Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch is throwing his support behind Judge Leslie Crocker Snyder in the race for Manhattan DA. Koch called any of the three candidates for DA qualified but he has a history with Snyder. In 1983 then Mayor Koch appointed Snyder to the Criminal Court.
Former New York Comptroller and Ambassador Carl McCall is throwing his support behind Cyrus Vance. The Vance campaign in response to Koch's endorsement of Snyder said, "Cy Vance, like most Democratic primary voters, respects the former Mayor immensely. But this is after all someone who endorsed George W. Bush".
Vance has received the endorsements of McCall and former New York City Mayor David Dinkins as well as DA Robert Morgenthau and NYC Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum.
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I am with Vance and I think he would be a great DA. I also like Richard Aborn but Morgenthau is going with Vance so why wouldn't anyone else?
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Richard Ravitch appointed NY Lt. Governor
A 76 year old New York City attorney, business and civic leader is the new Lt. Governor of New York. July 8th in a legally disputed move, NY Governor David Paterson appointed Richard Ravitch Lt. Governor of New York. Ravitch has agreed to accept no salary for his position as Lt. Governor.
Ravitch was a 1989 Democratic candidate for Mayor of New York City losing the primary to then Manhattan Borough President David Dinkins. He was appointed head of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority by then New York Governor Hugh Carey in 1979. He was Chairman of the MTA during the 11 day 1980 NYC transit strike and led the agency until 1983.
Ravitch was a 1989 Democratic candidate for Mayor of New York City losing the primary to then Manhattan Borough President David Dinkins. He was appointed head of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority by then New York Governor Hugh Carey in 1979. He was Chairman of the MTA during the 11 day 1980 NYC transit strike and led the agency until 1983.
New York Democrats take back the NY Senate
New York Democrat's have regained control of the state Senate after Senator Pedro Espada of the Bronx rejoined the Democrats, breaking a 31-31 split between the two parties in the Senate.
Democratic Senator Malcolm Smith, at a broadcast Albany news conference, said he was now the Senate President.
Democratic Senator Malcolm Smith, at a broadcast Albany news conference, said he was now the Senate President.
New Hampshire Governor vetos Medical Marijuna Bill
Democratic New Hampshire Governor John Lynch got some really bad advice recently. The Governor recently vetoed legislation that would have made New Hampshire the 14th state to legalize marijuna use by severely ill people. The Governor cited concerns over distribution and cultivation. Lawmakers made changes to the bill in hopes of winning over Gov. Lynch who had been critical of the bill from the beginning.
The Governor cited too many defects in the bill. The bill's sponsor, Representative Evalyn S. Merrick said she will push for an override.
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Last month Lynch signed a bill to legalize same sex marriages in NH. It's a shame he did not take a bold progressive approach on the medical marijuna bill.
The Governor cited too many defects in the bill. The bill's sponsor, Representative Evalyn S. Merrick said she will push for an override.
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Last month Lynch signed a bill to legalize same sex marriages in NH. It's a shame he did not take a bold progressive approach on the medical marijuna bill.
Florida Democrats out raise Florida Republicans
For the first time since 1996 the Florida Democratic Party has raised more money then the Florida Republican Party. The state Dem Party raised $1.19 million to the FL GOP's $1.16 million. Democrat's counted 1,740 donations while the state Republicans counted 220 contributions.
Meanwhile Democratic governor contender Alex Sink far out raised Republican governor contender Bill McCollum.
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Two years ago Florida went with Obama and elected two Democrat's to Congress. I see Florida going blue in '10.
Meanwhile Democratic governor contender Alex Sink far out raised Republican governor contender Bill McCollum.
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Two years ago Florida went with Obama and elected two Democrat's to Congress. I see Florida going blue in '10.
Obama leads potential rival Pawlenty in Minnesota
The President leads potential Republican Presidential rival Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty in his home state of Minnesota. According to a Public Policy Survey Poll the President is ahead 51% to 40% in a potential 2012 match up.
Democrat's lead in party support
According to Gallup: "The Democratic Party continues to hold a solid advantage in party support over the Republican Party, as 49% of Americans interviewed in the second quarter of this year identified with or leaned to the Democratic Party, compared with 40% who did so for the Republican Party. However, that nine point Democratic advantage is smaller than the 13-point edge Gallup measured in the first quarter of the year."
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Voters are with the Democratic party but the party must pass a universal health care plan in order to maintain their edge. If the party fails in it's his promise to pass health care reform, they can be doomed for 2010.
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Voters are with the Democratic party but the party must pass a universal health care plan in order to maintain their edge. If the party fails in it's his promise to pass health care reform, they can be doomed for 2010.
Attorney General Eric Holder may probe Bush-era torture
From Newsweek;
Alone among cabinet officers, attorneys general are partisan appointees expected to rise above partisanship. All struggle to find a happy medium between loyalty and independence. Few succeed. At one extreme looms Alberto Gonzales, who allowed the Justice Department to be run like Tammany Hall. At the other is Janet Reno, whose righteousness and folksy eccentricities marginalized her within the Clinton administration. Lean too far one way and you corrupt the office, too far the other way and you render yourself impotent. Mindful of history, Holder is trying to get the balance right. "You have the responsibility of enforcing the nation's laws, and you have to be seen as neutral, detached, and nonpartisan in that effort," Holder says. "But the reality of being A.G. is that I'm also part of the president's team. I want the president to succeed; I campaigned for him. I share his world view and values."
These are not just the philosophical musings of a new attorney general. Holder, 58, may be on the verge of asserting his independence in a profound way. Four knowledgeable sources tell NEWSWEEK that he is now leaning toward appointing a prosecutor to investigate the Bush administration's brutal interrogation practices, something the president has been reluctant to do. While no final decision has been made, an announcement could come in a matter of weeks, say these sources, who decline to be identified discussing a sensitive law-enforcement matter. Such a decision would roil the country, would likely plunge Washington into a new round of partisan warfare, and could even imperil Obama's domestic priorities, including health care and energy reform. Holder knows all this, and he has been wrestling with the question for months. "I hope that whatever decision I make would not have a negative impact on the president's agenda," he says. "But that can't be a part of my decision." Read More.
Alone among cabinet officers, attorneys general are partisan appointees expected to rise above partisanship. All struggle to find a happy medium between loyalty and independence. Few succeed. At one extreme looms Alberto Gonzales, who allowed the Justice Department to be run like Tammany Hall. At the other is Janet Reno, whose righteousness and folksy eccentricities marginalized her within the Clinton administration. Lean too far one way and you corrupt the office, too far the other way and you render yourself impotent. Mindful of history, Holder is trying to get the balance right. "You have the responsibility of enforcing the nation's laws, and you have to be seen as neutral, detached, and nonpartisan in that effort," Holder says. "But the reality of being A.G. is that I'm also part of the president's team. I want the president to succeed; I campaigned for him. I share his world view and values."
These are not just the philosophical musings of a new attorney general. Holder, 58, may be on the verge of asserting his independence in a profound way. Four knowledgeable sources tell NEWSWEEK that he is now leaning toward appointing a prosecutor to investigate the Bush administration's brutal interrogation practices, something the president has been reluctant to do. While no final decision has been made, an announcement could come in a matter of weeks, say these sources, who decline to be identified discussing a sensitive law-enforcement matter. Such a decision would roil the country, would likely plunge Washington into a new round of partisan warfare, and could even imperil Obama's domestic priorities, including health care and energy reform. Holder knows all this, and he has been wrestling with the question for months. "I hope that whatever decision I make would not have a negative impact on the president's agenda," he says. "But that can't be a part of my decision." Read More.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Cheney told CIA not to discuss program
From The A.P.;
Former Vice President Dick Cheney directed the CIA eight years ago not to inform Congress about a nascent counterterrorism program that CIA Director Leon Panetta terminated in June, officials with direct knowledge of the matter said Saturday
Subsequent CIA directors did not inform Congress because the intelligence-gathering effort had not developed to the point that they believed merited a congressional briefing, said a former intelligence official and another government official familiar with Panetta's June 24 briefing to the House and Senate Intelligence committees.
Panetta did not agree.
Upon learning of the program June 23 from within the CIA, Panetta terminated it and the next day called an emergency meeting with the House and Senate Intelligence committees to inform them of the program and that it was canceled. More
Former Vice President Dick Cheney directed the CIA eight years ago not to inform Congress about a nascent counterterrorism program that CIA Director Leon Panetta terminated in June, officials with direct knowledge of the matter said Saturday
Subsequent CIA directors did not inform Congress because the intelligence-gathering effort had not developed to the point that they believed merited a congressional briefing, said a former intelligence official and another government official familiar with Panetta's June 24 briefing to the House and Senate Intelligence committees.
Panetta did not agree.
Upon learning of the program June 23 from within the CIA, Panetta terminated it and the next day called an emergency meeting with the House and Senate Intelligence committees to inform them of the program and that it was canceled. More
GOP support for Ensign dwindles as new details of affair emerge
From The Las Vegas Sun;
Sen. John Ensign appeared to be losing support among his Republican base Thursday as the lawmaker disclosed that his parents, who made millions in the casino industry, paid the family of his affair partner $96,000 around the time she and her husband stopped working for him.
Ensign’s parents made the gifts to Doug Hampton and his wife, Cynthia, “out of concern of the well-being of the longtime family friends during a difficult time,” said a statement issued by Ensign’s attorney. The gifts “are consistent with a pattern of generosity by the Ensign family to the Hamptons and others,” the statement said. More
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Ensign is toast.
Sen. John Ensign appeared to be losing support among his Republican base Thursday as the lawmaker disclosed that his parents, who made millions in the casino industry, paid the family of his affair partner $96,000 around the time she and her husband stopped working for him.
Ensign’s parents made the gifts to Doug Hampton and his wife, Cynthia, “out of concern of the well-being of the longtime family friends during a difficult time,” said a statement issued by Ensign’s attorney. The gifts “are consistent with a pattern of generosity by the Ensign family to the Hamptons and others,” the statement said. More
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Ensign is toast.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
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