"Delahunt says he might be the next to go" by Farah Stockman, Globe Staff | February 13, 2010
ORLEANS - In 2005, US Representative William Delahunt persuaded Hugo Chávez, president of Venezuela, to agree to give deep discounts on home heating oil for more than 30,000 low-income residents in Massachusetts annually.
Yeah, while U.S. OIL COMPANIES were GOUGING the CRAP OUT of us and letting us freeze!!!
Citgo, an oil company controlled by Chávez, already supplies about 13 percent of US crude oil imports.
Which is why we are always threatening him with coups and wars.
Delahunt’s deal opened the door for low-income households in Massachusetts to receive 100 gallons of free heating oil - enough to last several weeks or more - through a program run by Citizens Energy, a nonprofit arm company run by Joseph P. Kennedy II, the former Massachusetts congressman.
Joseph Malone, a Republican former state treasurer who is seen as Delahunt’s strongest potential challenger, has criticized the deal, calling Chávez “a dictator who has stripped his citizens of their rights.’’
Where were you when Bush was in charge? On the current potentate? Hello?
“Everywhere I go, that is one of the major issues that is developing during this campaign,’’ Malone said.
Pfffft!!
Yeah, you are trying to make it one -- and it's a loser!
“Whatever gains come from oil deals [Chávez] does with Bill Delahunt and his friends is far outweighed by the harm he does in the international community.’’
Umm, all people are thinking is THANK GOD SOMEONE got me some HEAT!
It could be the DEVIL HIMSELF -- which would be MORE HELP than THIS GOVERNMENT or the BILLIONS-in-PROFITS INDUSTRY it serves!!!!
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The strategy could prove risky for Republicans, since many voters have a positive view of the home heating oil program, which is advertised frequently by televised Citizens Energy commercials that tell needy families to “call Joe-4-oil,’’ a reference to Joseph Kennedy. Francis T. Manzelli, president of the Cape Cod Republican Club, acknowledges that the program itself is not the problem. “Obviously it is a good thing to give people in need assistance,’’ he said. But the tie between Delahunt and Chávez “does upset some people.’’
Not me, and not the people getting oil for heat!
Please keep sending it during this brutally cold winter, thank you.
Chávez, elected in 1999, has a 58 percent approval rating in Venezuela, recent polls say.
Better than our pukes!
He has opened clinics and schools for the poor, financed by oil sales from Citgo. But, in the United States, he has become a favorite target of conservatives since he launched scathing verbal attacks on former president George W. Bush, nationalized the oil industry, and shut down TV stations that failed to air his speeches. Chávez has also called President Obama an “ignoramus.’’
So what? WE have HEAT thanks to HIM!!!
Still, Jose Miguel Vivanco, a Human Rights Watch researcher who was expelled after criticizing Chávez’s human rights record, said “it’s a stretch to call him a brutal dictator.’’ Vivanco also said that Chávez’s actions were “hardly unique.’’
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Paul Fitzpatrick Jr., a 43-year-old consultant from Marshfield, said, “The Chávez issue is going to be a huge issue in this campaign,’’ he said. “If we let a guy like Chávez fester . . . it’s going to be another Iraq.’’
Translation: INVASION!!!!!!!
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Meanwhile, around the region:
Since the 2008 election, no Republicans represent the six New England states in the US House of Representatives. But a recent WMUR Granite State poll indicates that if the election were held now, the New Hampshire GOP would probably recapture both congressional seats lost to the Democrats four years ago and retain the Senate seat Judd Gregg is relinquishing.
In the First Congressional District in the eastern part of the state, the more conservative of the state’s two congressional districts, two-term Democratic in cumbent Carol Shea-Porter, whose favorability ratings have plunged since last fall, appears to be in the most peril.
Yeah, I remember her!
2006: "Shea-Porter won with a grass-roots, fiery message centered on opposition to the Iraq war and the president's agenda."
Now: "Shea-Porter also promised to continue fighting for new contracts at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and to draw the U.S. Air Force Cyberspace Command computer project to vacant property there."
"Shea-Porter also supports building more F-22s"
That's the ANTIWAR Shea-Porter, folks.
More: Meet Your Antiwar New England Liberals
Not very antiwar at all, are they?
Democrats and Republicans enjoy roughly equal party registration in New Hampshire, but independents are a plurality that holds the balance of political power in the state. Shea-Porter fares poorly with self-identified independents in the WMUR poll.
Goodbye, girl. That's what happens when you sell out.
“It’s the same sort of thing you saw in Massachusetts, Virginia, and New Jersey,’’ Andrew E. Smith, who conducted the poll, said, referring to the Brown election and the GOP taking away governorships in the other states last fall. “The bad economy is being seen as the responsibility or fault of the Democrats, and when the economy is this bad it pushes everything else off the political map.’’
No, we are SICK of BOTH PARTIES and think we are getting change.
Not getting it, but 'murkns think they are effecting it!
Smith, director of the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, also polls for the Globe.
State Representative James R. Splaine, Democrat of Portsmouth, is a 30-year veteran of the Legislature and has a track record of accurately predicting New Hampshire election results. He sees 2010 as the inverse of 2006, when Granite State Democrats swept major offices and gained control of the Legislature....
Yeah, like I have been saying, Democrats f***ed up!
They BLEW IT!
We gave them the KEYS to the COUNTRY and they DIDN'T DO WHAT WE WANTED!
Didn't even come close!
Though he cited personal reasons for dropping out, US Representative Patrick J. Kennedy’s poll numbers have been dismal, and state Representative John J. Loughlin II, Republican of Tiverton, is an Ocean State version of Scott Brown - retired lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve, business owner, espousing conservative positions on fiscal issues and health care. His chief strategists helped guide Brown to his stunning victory.
Related: Slow Saturday Special: The End of a Political Dynasty
Democrats outnumber Republicans 4 to 1 in Rhode Island, but independents account for 48 percent of registered voters. Kennedy’s First District, the more liberal of the two in the state, includes lopsidedly Democratic Woonsocket, Pawtucket, and about 40 percent of Providence.
Kennedy’s popularity in the Ocean State has been sagging for some time. A January WPRI-TV poll found that 56 percent of voters surveyed in his congressional district rated him unfavorably. In semiannual surveys done for Brown University’s Taubman Center for Public Policy, Kennedy’s job rating has not been in positive territory since September 2007.
That's why he and other Democrats are tossing in the towel.
Rhode Island’s other US representative, James Langevin, has consistently logged better poll numbers. But Marion Orr, director of the Taubman Center, said the political environment in the state is treacherous for incumbents....
Just like EVERY STATE!
As with Kennedy’s decision not to seek reelection, of Rhode Island, Senator Christopher J. Dodd’s announcement in Connecticut actually strengthened Democratic chances to hold a seat, allowing popular Democratic Attorney General Richard Blumenthal to leap in.
See: Democrats' Despair
Republicans, meanwhile, feature an increasingly rugged primary contest in the Senate race between former US representative Rob Simmons, who was defeated in 2006, and Linda McMahon, the wealthy former CEO of
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Need to ask why I no longer care after seeing that list of candidates?
WASHINGTON - Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana announced yesterday that he will not seek a third term in November, a decision that, combined with other Democratic departures, could imperil the party’s prospects of retaining control of the Senate....
Reading the writing on the wall.
His announcement in Indianapolis came amid Democrats’ rising anxiety about the party’s national standing, especially among independent voters....
A growing anti-incumbent mood fueled Republican Scott Brown’s victory last month in a special election for the Senate seat held by the late Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, one of the chamber’s longtime liberals. Democrats were also defeated in the 2009 gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey. And senior Democratic Senators Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and Christopher Dodd of Connecticut announced recently that they would not run for reelection.
National polls underscore the American public’s disenchantment with government: Just 36 percent of those surveyed said they planned to vote to reelect their representative in Congress, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll this month....
That is because THEY TAKE OUR MONEY, LINE THEIR POCKETS, and GIVE US NOTHING in return!!!
Bayh’s decision surprised the political world, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid....
Who is going to get beaten this November!
Bayh was also facing the likelihood of a serious race this fall in a difficult national political environment for Democrats. Former senator Dan Coats, a Republican whose seat Bayh claimed in 1998, announced this month that he would challenge the Democratic incumbent this fall.
That's not really change, is it -- unless you consider a revolving door change.
Republicans said privately that Bayh’s support for Obama’s health care bill made him vulnerable, and they made clear that they would make a campaign issue of his wife, Susan, holding membership on several corporate boards.
For Bayh, the decision marks the close - at least for now - of a promising career that had been expected by many to have included a run for the presidency. The son of Indiana Senator Birch Bayh, Evan was regarded as a political wunderkind....
Even kid wunderkinds are not immune to political kryptonite.
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Here is why I no longer care:
"Lobbyists didn’t suffer a slowdown in 2009; Health industry spent $544m" by Jonathan D. Salant, Bloomberg News | February 13, 2010
WASHINGTON - The recession did little to slow lobbyists in the nation’s capital last year, the Center for Responsive Politics reported yesterday as it detailed a 5 percent growth in expenses to a record $3.47 billion.
All the problems and needs of this nation and look at the money wasted on politics.
The US Chamber of Commerce led the way, spending a record $144 million. No group had eclipsed the $100 million threshold.
In 2008, the Chamber of Commerce spent $91.7 million.
“Lobbying appears recession-proof,’’ Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics research group, said in a statement. “Even when companies are scaling back other operations, many view lobbying as a critical tool in protecting their future interests.’’
Meaning THERE ACCESS to YOUR TAX LOOT -- if you STILL HAVE WORK, that is!!!!
The health industry spent $544 million, up 12 percent over 2008, as Congress debated legislation to overhaul health care....
Yeah, but the health bill is for you and your good health, 'murka.
Is the pile of MSM and government s*** on a plate for your healthy consumption, America.
The drug industry’s trade group, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, spent $26.2 million, 30 percent higher than 2008 and third-most among individual concerns hiring lobbyists in 2009.
Four other health care groups were among the top 10 spenders last year: New York-based
The US Chamber of Commerce also spent heavily on the health care overhaul. Some of the chamber’s overall spending included “grass-roots’’ lobbying efforts, which most other organizations don’t disclose, the center noted.
A nonprofit, independent group, the Center for Responsive Politics tracks money in US politics and its effect on elections and public policy.
It reported that the finance, insurance, and real estate industry, facing congressional proposals for stronger regulation, spent $465 million, up 1 percent from 2008. Some large financial institutions, including
Other previous lobbying stalwarts had a more precipitous decline.
So I'm being told. I'm not buying it.
The number of companies or entities that reported lobbying the federal government in 2009 increased to 15,712, from 15,049. But the number of registered federal lobbyists decreased, falling to 13,742 from 14,442 in 2008. That did not keep the overall expenditures from accelerating. Spending, fueled by intensifying efforts to overhaul health care and financial regulations in the fall, reached $955.1 million in the last quarter, the first quarter in history that expenditures cracked the $900 million mark.
Yeah, they set a new record, yaayyy!
“Despite the odds, last year was a record year for lobbying,’’ Krumholz said. “However, it’s entirely possible that even more lobbying dollars will be spent in 2010.’’
Where is your bailout, America?
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One puke who still has a job:
"Lantigua resigns as state representative; Vows to do his best as Lawrence mayor" by Andrea Estes and Travis Andersen, Globe Staff | February 13, 2010
LAWRENCE - Changing course after a rising tide of criticism, Mayor William Lantigua resigned yesterday from his second job as a state lawmaker....
Oh, no more DOUBLE-DIPPING and RIPPING-OFF of taxpayers?
Lantigua was elected in November and took office early last month. Since then, he has held both the mayor’s job, which pays $100,000 a year, and the lawmaker’s job, from which he earns about $70,000....
Yup, while taxes are being raised and services slashed, this guy collects more goodies from state government -- and his guy is a rising star according to the Glob.
Asked by a reporter at the press conference if he stepped down in part to quell criticism for drawing two taxpayer-funded salaries in a down economy, Lantigua said, “Not at all.’’
The issue of Lantigua’s two jobs recently drew attention because of the city’s fiscal troubles. Lawrence faces a $24.5 million deficit this year and a shortfall estimated at nearly $15 million next year.
Lantigua stressed at the press conference that he inherited the deficit from the previous administration and chided reporters for downplaying that fact as the controversy swirled over his so-called double dipping.
Oh, I'll bet that went over well, the finger-pointing f***.
What the LAST GUY DID doesn't excuse YOUR LOOT-GRABBING SLEAZE, s***ter?
“I think the media has been very, very irresponsible,’’ he said.
They always are.
Beacon Hill leaders are considering a measure to allow the city to borrow up to $35 million over the next two years from private investors.
Action on the bailout, slated for earlier this week, was postponed after lawmakers were angered because Lantigua did not appear at a hearing on the measure. He explained later that his appearance may have represented a conflict, as mayor seeking a bailout and a lawmaker considering whether to approve the measure. “I couldn’t be judge and jury at the same time,’’ he said. “They know that.’’
Last night, Lantigua denied cutting a deal with Beacon Hill leaders to push the bailout through if he left his State House post....
Which means that is exactly what happened. They put the pressure on him; this is the way things are done in Massachusetts.
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Let's hope so, huh?
