John McCain didn’t enlist a running mate, he hired himself an attack dog from Alaska leading a sled over a cliff. Tacky, surly, mean, nasty and strident and spewing cheap one-liners off a teleprompter, Sarah Palin pandered to the votes Republicans already have and did nothing to address concerns that she can ably serve as commander-in-chief in place of the oldest nominee in presidential history.
Republicans loved the speech. I’ll give her this, she looked confident in the most important speech of her life. Time will tell, as Palin hits the campaign trail for unrehearsed interviews with reporters, how she’ll do. I spoke to Congressman Christopher Shays this morning and he “loved” the speech. Shays is attending the Republican National Convention.
“She’s not a Washington insider,” Shays said. “Frankly, I love that part of her. She said I’m not trying to please you the media. That’s not my job…She is a change agent. No one can deny that. She took on the most powerful senator in Congress…She’s tough and she brings change…John McCain loves people like that. So do I.”
Musto’s Family Support
Democratic State Senate candidate Anthony Musto has received good news from the Working Families party. Marilyn Moore, whom Musto defeated in the August primary, has decided not to accept the line in November. The line will now be occupied by Musto. Any time a candidate’s name appears more than once is a plus, and in Musto’s case it could mean hundreds of additional votes, depending on the turnout. Working Families, a coalition of unions and progressives, has also endorsed Bridgeport state representatives Chris Caruso, Jack Hennessy, Andres Ayala and Bob Keeley, defeated by Auden Grogins in August. No word yet on whether Keeley will go for it. Third-party candidate lines generally receive a protest vote against the major parties. Musto is challenging Republican incumbent Rob Russo in the multi-community district.
The Fund Balance
Sometimes, City Council meetings feature the blind leading the blind. Tuesday night was no different. First: background.
When Joe Ganim was elected mayor in 1991, he inherited a city that was literally in bankruptcy court and a fund balance — the test of fiscal stability — in the crapper. In about 10 years, he built it up to more than $40 million. It is now below $10 million. Wall Street looks closely at fund balance as a measure of fiscal soundness and assigning bond rating to allow borrowing for city improvements.
When revaluation hit in the last years of the Ganim administration, the fund balance was raided to keep taxes down and it has only gotten worse. Mayor Bill Finch Tuesday night asked the City Council to ratify a policy — not an ordinance — that sets aside eight percent of the budget for fund balance. It’s impossible to achieve in the short term. What gives? Once or twice a year, city officials meet with Wall Street bond rating agencies to make their case to receive the best possible bond rating. An improved rate can save the city millions. The mayor can say to Wall Street, see, the City Council is totally behind me to rebuild the fund balance. Yes, until the next budget cycle when the city cannot deliver the promise without a major tax increase, and loses credibility with Wall Street. Keep in mind that all members of the City Council are up for reelection next year. The last thing they want is a tax increase.
The City Council voted to approve the policy the other night. Understand that the council voted on policy and not ordinance. It’s not binding. See Finch press release below:
Mayor Lauds Council Approval of Undesignated Fund Balance Policy
City’s fund balance will be built up to maintain fiscal stabilityBRIDGEPORT, CT (Sept. 3, 2008) – Mayor Bill Finch today lauded the City Council’s action in approving the Undesignated Fund Balance Policy plan for the city at Tuesday night’s City Council Meeting. The new policy was proposed in June and is meant to build up and maintain sufficient funds in the City’s fund balance at all times.
“As Mayor, I recognize the vital importance of maintaining the City’s Undesignated Fund Balance at an appropriate minimum level (8% of total operating budget) in order to ensure the City’s fiscal integrity and to guarantee the City’s access to the bond market at favorable rates,” said Mayor Finch.
A healthy fund balance is vital to a city’s economic wellbeing. The fund balance exists in case of a financial emergency and it increases the city’s bond rating. Without a healthy bond rating, Bridgeport will be unable to bond for significant funds for many important projects such as new schools and park revitalization.
“The adoption by the City Council last evening of our newly drafted Undesignated Fund Balance Policy is a major milestone in my Administration’s efforts to preserve and enhance the City’s financial condition. This policy will provide the structure necessary to compel City government to annually appropriate monies to replenish the fund balance to levels necessary to satisfy the 8% minimum level established by the policy. I commend Chief Financial Officer Michael Feeney and the City Council for their support in implementing this pro-active measure, which will be instrumental in securing for Bridgeport a truly sound and stable fiscal future,” he added.
Pelosi Please
In case you have a few bucks floating around you can schmooze with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi who’s coming to the area to support Jim Himes. I’ve decided to beg Himes’ Campaign Manager Maura Keaney for a press invite to the event. I want to do a Pol Pod with Pelosi if only to say Pelosi’s in the Pol Pod. I love the ring of that. C’Mon, Maura, please invite me. I promise to be nice to Jim and the rest of the campaign. I promise. I promise. And no more wisecracks about Greenwich. I like Greenwich. I’ll bring my own food. (I love to hear myself beg.) Himes press release below:
Special Event for Jim Himes with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi | August 13th, 2008
The Honorable William Finch – CT Democratic Party Chair Nancy DiNardo – The Honorable Dannel Malloy
John McClutchy – The Honorable Andrew McDonald – (Host committee in formation)cordially invite you to a special event with
Speaker of the House
Nancy Pelosi
To benefit
Jim Himes
Saturday, September 13th, 2008
Brunch with Speaker Nancy Pelosi – 11:00am*
Reception – following brunch(* approximate time)
Home of Rajat and Anita Gupta
Westport, ConnecticutContribution Levels:
Benefactor: Raise $10,000 (Brunch and Reception)
Sponsor: Raise $5,000 (Brunch and Reception)
Brunch Guest: Write or Raise $2300 (Brunch and Reception)
Guest: $250 per person (Reception only)To RSVP by phone or email, or for additional information: please contact Patrick Pavone at (203) 286-8916 or Patrick@himesforcongress.com
Lennie your view of Sarah Palin’s speech was off base. It was not supposed to address national security. If you are so worried about national security why are you supporting a presidential candidate with even less governing experience than Gov. Palin? Obama has been a senator for 100+ weeks with 52 of those weeks being on the campaign trail. Obama was a state senator whose voting record showed that 90% of his votes were to vote “Present” and before that he was a community organizer. Where in this resume does he qualify as commander-in-chief?
I am sure that Obama & McCain voted the same way 90% of the time remember most of what has been voted on in the senate were resolutions.
Lenny it time for new faces in politics not the same of good old boys. Your view of the speech is counter to all the talking heads on all of the cable networks.
When you go to mean and nasty look what has been on the liberal blogs about Palin and her family now that’s mean and nasty.
Lennie you know that she is a force to be dealt with. I found her refreshing and forthright.
You know what Hockey Moms and Pit Bulls have in common?
Neither are qualified to be Commander-in-Chief.
You know what yahooy and diplomats have in common ?
answer: NOTHING
If yahooy were our Secretary of State, the USA would be at war with the world.
Probably. But I have never aspired to be Secretary of State.
PS…You’re a jerk.
I guess Palin forgot her lipstick. She was barking up the wrong tree.
If we are strictly electing a Commander-in-Chief only, then we would have to drop Obama from consideration as he has less experience than Palin. If we are strictly electing a Commander-in-Chief then the only candidate with experience would be McCain.
While Palin is a new face on the political scene it is somewhat refreshing to have someone involved that is not a Washington Hack.
Just an aside and to plagiarize one of the taliking heads Palin got more votes for mayor than Biden got this time running for president.
It should be a really exciting campaign.
You’ll remember my impression of McCain’s decision to nominate Sarah Palin for the vice presidency. It may turn out to be a stroke of political genius. What did he have to lose?
Last night’s performance, although short on substance, was nothing short of stunning and unexpected. We’ll have to see how her candidacy plays out over the next two months with her media encounters and debate. If she is anything like last night, she may be just what the doctor ordered for the Republican party. (Shades of Karl Rove strategy!)
I’m sure not many of you are old enough to remember Harry Truman but all I could think of while watching her was the political cry: “Give ’em hell Harry”. I believe that many of you will agree, he was one of our country’s most effective presidents.
I still have no idea how I’ll vote come Election Day, but I’m less worried about how the country will fare should the improbable become a reality.
Lennie, you were dead-on accurate concerning Palin’s speech. There was nothing but partisan platitudes in her speech and she will get hammered on the campaign trail. She is a fine public speaker, but isn’t that one of their complaints with Obama?
Ok so she is a Hockey Mom (a la I’ll come on the ice and kill the ref if I have to); does that translate into being a diplomat and leader in the world theater? OK so she was a “Mayor” of her hometown of 6,000 people, some PTO’s are bigger than that, does that qualify her to make tie-breaking decisions in the Senate that may affect 600 million people? She was the Governor of a State with the population of Boston, where she was for a Bridge to Nowhere before she was against it. She stands up to big oil although she wants us to go full steam ahead and drill in the Alaska reserve, polar bears be damned. How can we trust her with environmental concerns — She says alternate energy but all I heard was drill, drill, drill. In the year and 1/2 she has been Governor she is involved in a scandal involving trying to get her brother-law fired from the State Police. Her son is going to Iraq; so is Joe Bidden’s son. I am a mom and I can say this, maybe her life is a bit busy to oversee her children’s needs, which is a choice any working woman makes, but will she have a husband who is willing to give their special-needs baby the attention he deserves? This is just an observation by a mother – That baby looked like he had spoonfuls of benadryl to keep him sleeping. Even the best baby would wake in an auditorium with deafening noise, applause, his father using his leg to clap, and his sister continually putting spit on his head and putting his hair into a Mohawk. If you want to look at the model of parental concern look at Joe Biden who took the train 2 hours each way from Washington to Delaware to be home with his boys every night after their Mom and baby sister died. Ask yourself this question — Do you think Palin would have been picked for VP if she were a man? I think not, she was picked just because she was a woman and that alone is not enough. We have plenty of great women to choose, Kay Bailey Hutchinson is one.
I agree with wondering that Lennie was a bit off-base with his comments re Palin. AND, by the way Con, every pundit said she hit a home run…except Rove! He said she was weak!!!
Palin addressed many of the issues that the dem attack dogs (Carville, Begala) have been using on her. And, she’s right the issues of EXECUTIVE experience. Obama and Biden have been legislators; you know, like Keeley and Caruso.
Cut the woman some slack. Let’s wait until the debates before we start nitpicking because McCain pulled a rabbit out of his hat and the dems were caught with their pants down (not unusual) to scramble for dirt on her.
BTW, I’m still undecided except that Shays is still the best bet to serve us in Congress for 2 more years.
Palin is not the best choice for VP. McCain has a steep uphill battle to overcome the legacy left by “W”. No matter what McCain says or does he is still a Republican who has voted with Bush 90% of the time. The people in this country who have suffered over the past 8 years because the Republican administration has a fractured middle east policy, no concept of economic development, a fiscal policy that has never been known before in the history of this nation and a war entered into by fraud. (So was VietNam BTW…remember the Gulf of Tonkin incident where a US ship was allegedly attacked by the North Vietnamese?)
McCain needed a VP to complement his ticket that could offer a record of accomplishment in business or in government.
Our Hockey Mom is terrific. She’s easy to like. Probably oval office material someday. Not this day, however.
I wish he picked Romney…the Mormon. The rednecks wouldn’t go for it though.
So, I’m still looking at Obama. But the group I know that thinks he is pretty is getting smaller. I can’t figure out why. I’m pretty smart, yet I’m petrified that this country could fall into a depression worse than we experienced in the ’20s and ’30s if the current Republican administration’s policies are perpetuated. I am not yet convinced that McCain is truly independent of Bush, is mindful of just what Bush did to ruin this nation and will be his own man and implement a complete reversal to ensure our prosperity and security at a time when our strengths are diminishing as the economies of China and India flourish.
We need some deep thinkers to get us out of this quagmire. Regretfully, neither candidate impresses me with those skills.
60-something days to decision time.
Independent Soul:
I’m relieved to hear that Karl Rove thought it was a weak speech because there were commentators who swore that Karl wrote it. – Just to know that he wasn’t a part of it is a consolation.
My remark about Karl Rove (#7) was to indicate that her knock-’em-down rhetoric is reminiscent of Karl. Nothing more.
After voting for “w” 2x, I’d be the first to say I am so disappointed and upset at what he and the congress have done to us. If I need to take it up the … I want some pleasure. The last few years have hurt!!!
But congress (dem since 2006) hasn’t earned their pay either. Enough of McCain and the 90% vote. Let’s see how many times Hill and Joe voted his way in the last 8 yrs. And how many times did Barack even vote!
Because McCain is a repub he is not a bush-a-like. Sen. Joe L. was a dem and was he a Clinton clone? I hate labels and talk that mimics the cnn, msnbc, fox crowds. Let’s do our own research and vote for who’s best for the majority of americans…the rank and file, not the corporations.
POLITICAL ADDICT
How’s it going? I hear you’ll be signing for your mail these days.
Threaten anyone else’s job by intimidation lately?
I heard Shays on WICC at 6:50 a.m. and it was clearly a “listen to me” campaign ad/interview.
The radio host let it be known Shays was on a collect call, which means Shays is a big spender, or WICC is paying for a campaign ad.
I do not see WICC paying for Himes to advertise.
Isn’t this against some law?
Independent Soul:
I never did vote for George W Bush, I’m proud to say. He’s been a disaster for the country and the world.
As for the Democratic Congress, there isn’t too much you can say relative to its performance. They just have not had a sufficient majority to push through their agenda.
I do agree that McCain would be quite different from George W. and I believe that there would be a lot of compromise with the other side of the aisle. My biggest problem with McCain is his association with Lieberman, and I verily believe that he will appoint Lieberman to his cabinet as either the Sec. of State or Defense. Lieberman’s main concern is Israel and to me, that’s frightening. Giving much confidence to Israel can only serve to involve us in endless conflagrations in the Middle East region.
Boy Con, did you hit the nail on the head respecting Lieberman’s interests in Israel. I have been worrying about that since he ran for VP. I admire his commitment to his faith but he would certainly crank up mideast tensions to the brink of global disaster. No to McCain if Lieberman is going to be a goomba.
clichebpt: In reading your post I have to take exception to the following statement: “That baby looked like he had spoonfuls of benadryl to keep him sleeping”. That is a repulsive comment and I think it was uncalled for. Are we at the point where we make up nasty thing about a candidate when we can find nothing else to say?
Her husband has been a stay-at-home dad for awhile and you have no way of knowing what kind of stay-at-home dad he is or he will be. Let’s leave the families out of this.
Palin in her talk on energy also mentioned clean coal and nuclear power. She also mentioned that we still have to develop alternatives to the above.
clichebpt – I am a Democrat and will be voting for the Obama/Biden ticket in the fall. I also believe you are a Democrat from your other comments. I have to tell you that your commentary regarding the Palin family was outrageous and downright disgusting. Especially your attack on the husband and small baby. The benadryl snipe was just horrible. You say you too are a mom. Isn’t there something inside your home about your family that you would take offense to if it was publicly ridiculed? Or do you live in a glass house? As a Democrat, I was really ashamed of your remarks and I want to tell you to knock it off! Democrats do not talk that way about other folks’ families – even if they are Republicans. I hope you have the courage to apologize for these remarks and to see the pain you can cause.
Thank you Marilyn Moore – you are truly a good Democrat and good things will happen to you. Your time in politics will come. We need leaders like you.
independent soul
You forgot to mention that Bill Finch was once a legislator.
How’s that been working out for Bridgeport?
Yahooy; Political Addict isn’t the one who has to worry it’s Larry Osborne, George Estrada, Fabrizi and all those involved in the Tony D coverup. FRIDAY afternoon at the annex the truth will be told to the Bpt citizens how being connected to these people can get you 3 mos. paid vac. plus all you can steal from Bpt. Larry has all the proof — daily reports he requested of PF people written statements that if he buried is a criminal offense. FEDERAL offense let’s see if George will testify now to Tony d’s impeccable rep. He says he is coming back MONDAY with a vengence, the whistleblower law applies here and all these men have nothing to hide only the rat pack has something to hide. All these men are hard-working men like all of us common Bpt citizens so let’s see who gets to sign for the mail!!! Yahooy stick to what you know best because even then you screw up. You don’t have a clue what’s happening here or do you maybe you have to worry too. Bill Finch this is your chance to stand up for people who care and stuck out their necks for no personal gain, they are happy with what little they have; they don’t need to lie and steal. Bill I’ve known you a long time contrary to the bloggers you are a good guy. Do the right thing they did, Larry O didn’t he knows.
Hey Badboy, while we are on the subject of the “WhistleBlower Law” let’s not forget about the woman at the health dept who was “let go” after “BLOWING THE WHISTLE” on a family member of Chris Reale. She blew the whistle on the fact that he was “falling asleep” at the wheel of the needle exchange bus! After telling on this man for obvious safety issues, she was told that she wouldn’t get union representation and then she was let go. This right here is definitely covered by the whistleblower act. I hope she fights for her rights!
KIM I mean OutreachWorker so this makes what Tony D and the rat pack did right because you are all having a cat fight.
Hey Badboy
What the hell does the Tony D debacle have to do with that shithead POLITICAL ADDICT anyhow?
“You don’t have a clue what’s happening here or do you maybe you have to worry too.” a la badboy.
Tell me this illiterate jerk doesn’t work for the city.
Shortest Book in the World:
WHAT SUCCESS MEANS TO ME
by YAHOOY
So, our blogger thinks Palin is tacky, surly, mean, nasty and strident?
Maybe he’d like her better if she were incompetent, crooked, dishonest, criminal and shameless, like so many of his employers and clients!
Only in Bridgeport!
“The council voted 13-6 Tuesday night to reject Finch’s recommendation that the National Development Council be hired at $70,000 to assist the city’s economic development department with a variety of functions.” a la Conn Post today.
I thought that was what Finch hired Harvard-trained Ethicist Keith Cougar Rodgerson for.
Local Eyes…What do you know about reading books?
Bob Fredericks:
I’m trying to quit!
Local Eyes “If yahooy were our Secretary of State, the USA would be at war with the world.”
Open your eyes, we are at war with the world!
This fund balance policy of Finch’s sounds like another $600 rebate. Makes for great press and then next year it will bite the taxpayers in the ass! No more gimmicks! No more gimmicks! No more gimmicks!
Wondering,
Remember McCain is older than the state of Alaska so a refreshing new face may be more frightening no matter how good-looking she may be.
And to paraphrase another talking head, there are more people in this convention center listening to her speech than there are in the entire city that she was mayor of.
We need a Commander-in-Chief and not just a Commander-with-Cheeks.
A LITTLE POLITICAL HUMOR
A teacher in Elmira, New York, who is a McCain supporter, asked her 4th grade class, ‘How many of you are McCain fans?’ Not really knowing what a McCain fan is, but wanting to be liked by the teacher, all the kids raised their hands, except for Little Johnny.
The teacher asked Little Johnny why he has decided to be different? Little Johnny said, ‘Because I’m not a McCain fan.’ The teacher asked, ‘Why aren’t you a McCain fan?’
Johnny said, ‘Because I’m a Democrat.’
The teacher asked him why he’s a Democrat. Little Johnny answered, ‘Well, my Mom’s a Democrat and my Dad’s a Democrat, so I’m a Democrat.’
Annoyed by this answer, the teacher asked, ‘If your mom was a moron and your dad was an idiot, what would that make you?’
With a big smile, Little Johnny replied, ‘That would make me a McCain fan.’
Grin reaper. I can’t argue McCain is up there but 73 in today’s society is not that old. He is the only one of all of the candidates that has seen combat and probably the only POW to ever have run for president. I think he knows what war is. I know he knows what cruelty is and he sure knows the price of freedom.
I really have to hear the platform and what he would like to do. As far as I can tell Obama’s program is going to cost us a lot of tax revenue something he has not laid out in detail to date. It’s great to say you will do this and do that; the question is how are you going to do it and how are we going to pay for it? Time will tell.
The first thing he is going to do is get us out of that godforsaken war. That will start fixing the deficit fast and free up tax dollars to be spent at home. Bush agrees. Iraq agrees. Obama agrees. But listening to that rhetoric last night it still seems like the McCain-Palin team still doesn’t get it.
If all McCain is going to do is to make permanent his tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans and give tax cuts to major corporations and to ship more jobs overseas by signing more trade agreements, please explain to me how McCain’s presidency is going to be any different from Bush. Please explain what McCain’s economic recovery plan is going to be besides building nuclear reactors and drilling for offshore and Alaskan oil to bring down the inflationary impact of oil that will not change a damn thing about the price of oil for at least 10 years. McCain = More Bush except for the war which is more war. Once again, you leave me wondering.
Wondering,
I think everybody on here thinks you are a clown now! You and Joel are the only two to support McCain and that should tell us about the type of person you are. I’m tired of hearing about how I need to hear Obama’s platform ’cause he clearly stated it at the convention. Other thing, serving in military does not qualify you to be president, I appreciate his service though. You want to talk about platform tell me where does McCain stand, Palin made a speech last night that did not even address the economy or health care.
Thanks John from Black Rock for those numbers, it amazed me to see Shays won there my friend was correct after all. I heard Lennie saying he is going to get the complete numbers from ’04 and I can’t wait to see those I wonder if Bush won any precincts???
Curiosity got the better of me last night, so I watched Sarah Palin’s speech, well as much of it that I was able to tolerate. The “hockey moms” portion of it was unbearable, so at that point I shut it off. I enjoyed Grin’s comment that McCain is actually older than the state of Alaska itself, and he must have had a senior moment when he chose Ms. Palin for a running mate. She has absolutely nothing but a few frozen tundras to offer, not to mention her right-wing stance on crucial issues such as pro-choice and the NRA.
While I agree that 73 isn’t all that old by today’s standards, the stress of being President will take its toll on McCain, it’s part of the job. Should he take ill or die while in office, the mere thought of Palin being the president should be enough to frighten any logical-thinking American. She’s just not up to snuff in any capacity to take on that responsibility. She is indeed a very poor choice for VP. On a positive note, he basically handed the presidency to Obama/Biden.
Wow you guys need to go to myleftnutmeg.com and watch Shays on how he supports McCain and Palin and he bashes Obama. Bridgeport, this guy needs to go I can’t wait ’til Lennie posts those ’04 results so I can see where Himes needs to do better.
I know all of you OIB members are watching the RNC.
So far tonight, what the speakers that have spoken are trying to say is:
www .youtube.com/watch?v=VpoudLoc8sY
Hello Everyone – this is my first blog. I wanted to respond to Velvet Underground. I do agree that McCain just handed the election to Obama. Palin is likeable, but not VP material. Just not enough known about her. Also, I wanted to address Outreach Worker – If this is really true that someone was denied union representation in the city – something needs to be done! The city needs to look into the fact that someone fell asleep while they were behind the wheel of a city vehicle. I am sure the City Attorney’s Office would need to have this information – after all the city is responsible if anyone were to get hurt. I know of the union you speak of and if the members are smart, they will put an end to what is going on with the officers in charge of this union. Sounds like a real blood bath!
Yeah Joel I admit I’m watching. S.C. Senator Lindsey Graham is speaking. Man what a closet queen. Actually I’m waiting to see McCain. I hear he’s going to wrap himself in an American flag.
In response to earlier blogs, yes it is true that Tony D has friends in high places. He is buddies with Fabrizi’s brother who has a motorcycle shop. He also shared some occasional nose candy with Fabs back in the day. And yes when Fabs was mayor it’s true that instead of dealing with the problem, Fabs warned Tony D every time a complaint was filed against him.
Larry Osborne has enough evidence to fire 10 people. But Fabs and Barnum Festival buddy George Estrada intervened and pulled in a favor. Remember that Fabs gave L.O. the job of director of Labor Relations even though he is not an attorney and has no experience to run such an important dept. So Larry owed him and he caved on Tony D.
Larry was scared that Fabs and Boy George would testify on Tony’s behalf and say he had permission to lie and cheat and steal from the city. He had permission to call in sick yet put himself in for Saturday overtime. He had permission to let out-of-town haulers dump AT NO FEE. He had permission to go home to West Haven and get his motorcycle and ride around when he was supposed to be WORKING. Un-friggin-believeable.
Tony is lucky that his girlfriend is the workers comp chick. Because if he gets in an accident while riding his motorcyle on city time she’ll make sure he gets comp.
Are you watching the RNC? Now Tom Ridge is speaking. Where do they get these people? Worst speaker I ever heard.
Crystal Balls -funny comment, LOL! Maybe he’s a soccer mom underneath that suit. After catching a little of Sara Palin’s speech, now more than ever I would rather watch the weather channel.
Lennie do me a favor. Call your Pol Pod Pal Tom McCarthy and get the skinny on Tony D. Put this puppy to bed once and for all.
City Kitty are you watching Cindy McCain now? She is literally reading the prompter word-for-word.
Oh hell no Crystal. It’s so phony it would make me sick; especially knowing that McCain called her the “c” word. How disrespectul was that??? She should have kicked the old goat in his a**. He’d better not call Palin that, she’s tough enough to kick his a**. Those republicans are hopeless, and Palin was a really stupid choice.
Crystal Balls:
Your blogging sounds like the activity in the tropics. You are trying to stir up a lot of stuff. You must have some inside info to have details like how one is getting paid on Saturdays after they call in sick. Excuse me for being naive, but how does one call in sick on a Saturday? I’m really not trying to be funny, but I am trying to see the picture clearly. If what you are saying is true, why haven’t you reported this to the officials? Also, you claim that 10 people are involved or can be fired, are they all putting in for overtime? Is that why the city is having great difficulty in meeting the budget?
Crystal Balls – quick,change the channel before you get lulled into being comotose! City Kitty is right; at least you get some truth on the Weather Channel. I’ve been away on vacation and haven’t had much time to catch up on blog postings. So based on your posting, shall we assume that guy has been redeemed and going back to his job?
McCain=boring=same
Just a quick posting to donj–your enthusiasm for politics is refreshing to see in a young person. Keep it up and don’t let anyone break your stride! And just a point of information for you–New Haven will also be favoring Obama/Biden.
velvet underground
Thanks. As a 20-year-old North End resident I am pleased to say this will be my first time voting in a presidential election and many of my friends are voting too and I can’t wait.
Sorry, I won’t apologize. Men don’t get it. There was no reason for that baby to be there last night other than to be a pawn to get votes. Politicians all try to use the cute kid factor. But any mom watching and I talked to a lot of them made similar comments. I realize it was very “precious” to see the little girl paste her brother’s hair down and watch the dad use his leg to clap, however this was not in the best interests of a 4-month-old baby. If people are going to use her experience as a Mother as reason to vote for her, then examining her judgment as to how she takes care of her children is fair game. I thought it showed very bad judgment to bring that baby there. And McCain just used her Mother status as a plus. Well if she wants to use that experience then it is open to criticism. So Wondering I have to guess you don’t have any children or at least it has been years since you worried about a 4 month old, especially with special needs, and junkyard if I was running for office and I tried to use my motherhood as experience then I would have to expect people will talk about what kind of mother I am. Republicans introduced this country to the concept of “moral values,” too bad they didn’t tell their peers that morality applied to them too. They made personal lives and choices fair game. You reap what you sow.
Is is me or when you listen to McCain speak and close your eyes, doesn’t it sound like George
Bush?
clichebpt – your point is well taken. But you know the old saga about politicians kissing babies and so on. All that hoopla and clamor is no place for any 4-month-old infant, special needs or otherwise.
The baby is there again!!!
Delegates to the Republican Party convention – 93% white, 5% hispanic, 2% black.
I have no comment.
The numbers speak for themselves.
John from Black Rock // Sep 4, 2008 #57
wrote:
“Delegates to the Republican Party convention – 93% white, 5% hispanic, 2% black.
I have no comment.”
John, the Republican Party’s open arms and big tent policy is shown with those numbers. The Republican Party could not even find a few token blacks to put on display.
As a black man I heard nothing from McCain and the Republicans that would make me feel welcome.
The numbers speak for themselves.
John from Black Rock, I agree. Lennie, I’m still waiting for those numbers lol.
Most cities have heavy democratic registration just look at Connecticut. Thus most urban areas will vote democratic. Most cities are made of heavy minority concentrations just look at Bridgeport.
The truth of the matter is this election will be decided by the small-town voters and the independent voter; they are the swing vote in this election. It is not surprising that the cities go with the democrats as they dangle the carrot of getting something for nothing. Perfect example is Obama’s claims of inexpensive college for all, free health care for all, tax breaks for the poor and lower middle class, easing the Bankruptcy laws. etc, etc, etc.
So John when you look at the republican convention and see few minorities you act surprised.
This election will be decided by the independent voter and the small-town voter.
clichebpt: I responded to your post because of your statement that the baby had to be medicated. Just because you birthed a child does not make you an expert on raising a child.
Just so you know I have 3 children and 9 grandchildren does that make me a child expert? NO.
I respect your right and partially agree with you but the medicating statement by you was over the top.
So John when you look at the republican convention and see few minorities you act surprised.
Wondering – Surprised is not the word I would use – disgusted would probably be closer to how this total lack of minority representation makes me feel.
John the democrats are heavily entrenched in all or most of the large cities in the USA. Most of the cities are heavily populated with minorities & the poor because cities are the only place the poor and the lower middle class can afford to live.
Times are changing and the minority population in the suburbs is increasing. I do think you will see an increase in minority representation in the Republican Party. Will it ever approach the numbers that are in the democratic party? I don’t think so.
The poor and minorities have been sold a bill of goods by the democratic party. Just look at our inner cities in Connecticut all that are run and have been run by the democratic party for years. Are the minorities and the poor better off in these cities? I don’t think so. Just look at the dropout rate for Bridgeport 68% most of whom are minorities. Do these kids stand a chance? I don’t think so. The democrats are offering inexpensive college educations for all. What the hell does that mean when you can’t even get the majority of our kids to graduate from high school? Yet we keep voting for the party rather than voting for the candidate.
The majority of the people in the urban areas are going to vote for the party rather than the candidate.