MoveOn.org hits back at Rudy Giuliani.
** ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER AND BILL CLINTON LIVE WEBCAST TOMORROW MORNING FROM L.A. Now this going to be interesting. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and former President Bill Clinton will tomorrow morning announce their partnership as co-leaders of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The pair will do a live webcast together at 9:15 AM tomorrow morning.
The alliance they’ll head up is designed to inspire young people to lead healthier lifestyles. Clinton and Schwarzenegger will tour a middle school in El Monte — a small city in the San Gabriel Valley directly east of downtown Los Angeles — and hold their joint presss conference afterward.
** SCHWARZENEGGER ANNOUNCES $9 BILLION WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROPOSAL. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger this afternoon announced a $9 billion water infrastructure proposal to be carried in two bills by Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines of Fresno and Republican state Senator Dave Cogdill of Modesto. Most of the financing would come from new bonds, though some would come from existing bonds to swiftly relieve environmental problems in the Sacramento Delta, where the Sacramento River meets San Francisco Bay and which is a key backbone of the water supplies for both domestic consumers and for agriculture. A federal judge, citing endangered species concerns, threatens to block much of that water supply. The proposal does not provide for new conveyance, i.e., aqueducts, but may set the stage for them.
Said Assembly Republican Leader Villines in a statement: “I am confident we can reach bipartisan consensus in the special session to responsibly shape California’s water future, and this plan will be an important part of that effort.”
Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata has his own $5.4 billion proposal. Here are some of the details in the Schwarzenegger plan, carried by Villines and Cogdill.
>$600 million from Propositions 50, 84 and 1E to immediately relieve pressure on the Delta from environmental concerns
>$5.6 billion in above and below ground water storage
>$5.1 billion in surface storage
>$500 million in groundwater storage
>$1.9 billion for Delta Restoration and water supply reliability
>$1.4 billion for habitat restoration
>$500 million in early actions to address environmental concerns in the Delta
>$500 million in grants for specified watersheds throughout the state, including the San Joaquin River, Klamath River, Los Angeles River and others
** HILLARY CLINTON LIVE WEBCAST AT 5 PM ON HEALTH CARE. Senator Hillary Clinton will hold what is billed as an interactive live webcast at 5 PM today to discuss her health care plan.
** NEW RECORD OIL PRICE. Crude oil hit yet another new record closing price today of $81.51 per barrel. Analysts now believe oil is going to $85 per barrrel this year. Goldman Sachs sees $95 per barrel next year. And the former UK chairman of Royal Dutch Shell — saying we are running out of “cheap oil — told Bloomberg News today that he sees $150 a barrel oil in the future.
** AS PALESTINIAN PEACE PROCESS HEATS UP, ISRAEL TOUTS RENEWABLE ENERGY ROLE AS WAY TO COMBAT GREENHOUSE EFFECT. US Secretary of State Condi Rice is in the Middle East for two days this week in advance of a likely negotiation in America sometime in November between Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Mideast envoy Tony Blair, the former British prime minister, has just spent two weeks in the region and will report to the Mideast Quartet powers (US, Russia, EU, and UN) this weekend in New York.
As all this goes on, Israeli President Shimon Peres is touting a leadership role for Israel in the transition away from fossil fuels to combat climate change. Peres says that Israel is working with US, French, and Jordanian interests to create a new electric car industry in the embattled Jewish state. He also says the Israel aims to become a world leader in solar energy, which it no doubt has plenty of.
“Israel in my judgment can and should become a laboratory, or a pilot plant, for most of the solutions which are necessary in our time,” Peres said today in Jerusalem.
“We want to go from oil energy to solar energy. We feel that the sun is more reliable than the Saudis. The sun is more permanent, more democratic and… more objective,” said Peres, a Nobel Peace Prize winner for an earlier Mideast negotiation.
** GIULIANI IN THE THICK OF IT. Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani is in London now to give the inaugural Margaret Thatcher Atlantic Bridge lecture at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Earlier in the day, he fielded questions on international affairs from Winston Churchill’s grand-daughter. Every Republican presidential candidate wants to be like Ronald Reagan these days, but Giuliani’s particular hero is Churchill. He hopes to return to the US, to Washington as it happens, tomorrow, with a bit of the Churchill/Thatcher cachet that Fred Thompson sought in London over the summer, but didn’t really come away with.
Meanwhile, his strategy of gaining further traction in the race for the Republican nomination by attacking Democrats has landed him in a real rhubarb with MoveOn.org, the big lefty lib online outfit who so scandalized the right by attacking President Bush’s handpicked Iraq commander. You saw his ad yesterday attacking Hillary Clinton and demanding that she denounce MoveOn. Today, above, you can see the ad the anti-Iraq War group is putting on the air in Iowa, the first in the nation contest next January. It’s a very tough attack on Giuliani for missing the meetings of the Iraq Study Group, of which he was an original member, then quitting altogether “so he could give speeches, for money.”
Today, Giuliani is hitting the liberal group again, and covering himself in Iowa, with this new radio ad going up in the Hawkeye State: Voiceover: MoveOn.org is the most powerful left wing group in the country. They spent millions electing anti-war liberals. And publicly brag how the Democratic Party is theirs – bought and paid for.
Why is MoveOn attacking Rudy Giuliani? Because he’s their worst nightmare. They know Rudy is a Republican who can beat the Democrats. And they know, no matter what they say, Rudy will never, ever back down.
** PETRAEUS WEEK FALLS SHORT FOR BUSH. Last week’s big Iraq extravaganza starring General David Petraeus, culminating in a presidential address to the nation, looks like it had very little impact on the country. A new CBS poll shows that 68% want US troops pulled out of Iraq faster than the general and president propose to do so. And only 31% think the surge strategy has made a positive impact on Iraq.
** AL QAEDA’S AMERICAN PRISONERS STILL NOT LOCATED. American troops are now in the midst of a 126th day of searching for the remaining two US soldiers captured by Al Qaeda in an ambush south of Baghdad. They have had no luck so far. A video put out by Al Qaeda forces in Iraq claims that all three men were executed after being captured. But, with the exception of the Californian found floating in the Euphrates River, that claim can’t be confirmed. The US high command in Baghdad has revealed that ID cards for the other two American prisoners were found in an Al Qaeda safehouse on June 9th.
** Track global and national energy prices in near real time via Bloomberg. Crude oil prices have hit a record again, over $81 per barrel.
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Didn’t you run Fred Thompson’s London speech? I thought he was terrible.
Didn’t you run Fred Thompson’s London speech? I thought he was terrible.
Moveon’s ad is better than Giuliani’s.
And its a stupid tactic. While everyone else is talking about things like health care and the war Rudy is picking a fight over an ad. Yeah, i’d say that’s Churchillian!
Re: Thompson.
Seems to be a lot of concern in some GOP corners about his, ahem, “relaxed” campaign style.
Not a new comment.
Not many Republican primary voters in the early states are talking about health care.
>richard locicero :
And its a stupid tactic. While everyone else is talking about things like health care and the war Rudy is picking a fight over an ad. Yeah, i’d say that’s Churchillian!
Sep 18, 2007 09:51 AM
It’s tighter and delivers its blows better.
>Ann :
Moveon’s ad is better than Giuliani’s.
Sep 18, 2007 09:43 AM
It’s tighter and delivers its blows better.
>Ann :
Moveon’s ad is better than Giuliani’s.
Sep 18, 2007 09:43 AM
The “so he could give speeches for money” is a devastating hit. Giuliani’s ad just rambles.
Too bad this ad wasn’t delivered by another means – said by families of WTC workers, paid for by the firefighters. Moveon weakens the hit just by the presence.
You know, if those of us in California think we saw a lot of firefighters in TV ads in 2005 …
Great point. How’s Rudy’s reputation with the cops, teachers and nurses? Any blowback from veteran groups in Gotham?
Not surprised that Petraeus and Bush didn’t convince the voters. There isn’t much success to point to over there.
The Moveon TV spot is good. Too bad they talk about themselves in the thing.
That’s why i say that the continuation of the war can actually be good for Democrats.
I think he has some predictable problems with public employee unions. Though I gather he was quite popular with the cops.
New York actually did get cleaned up with Giuliani as mayor.
>Brasky :
Great point. How’s Rudy’s reputation with the cops, teachers and nurses? Any blowback from veteran groups in Gotham?
Sep 18, 2007 10:30 AM
I wasn’t sure how he left terms with the cops – one bad contract negotiation can kill a lot of goodwill. If he still has the cops, he should use them to counter the firefighters.
I’m familiar with Rudy’s “Broken Windows” campaign. I find it a more compelling story actually than this tired 9-11 crap.
The Giuliani ad makes him sound like a bellowing bully. “Fee Fi Fo Fum!”
Nevada is probably the one early primary state where urban issues are coming to the fore (Las Vegas and enviros are the fastest growing area in the U.S.). Maybe he should concentrate there to make the best use of his New York sucess story and hope to make it to the 2nd round of primaries (California, New York, et al) where his NY narrative will resonante more? Other than 9/11 what can he offer Iowa, New Hamphshire and South Carolina? And I don’t think that is enough to win those states.
It was sad to hear Tony Snow during his last day as Bush’s Spokesman on the CBS Early Show last Friday try to overcome Harry Smith’s point (often made here also) that the surge would inevitably end next year due to lack of troops to sustain it so the attempt to take credit for the drawdown is dishonest. Snow actually asserted as Commander in Chief Bush was well within his rights if he had wanted to to have extended the tours of the troops who would have been needed to extend the surge into 2009. Yeah, right. Sad!
“Snow actually asserted as Commander in Chief Bush was well within his rights if he had wanted to to have extended the tours of the troops who would have been needed to extend the surge into 2009.”
I’m sure there would be one or multiple reports leaked from the Pentagon showing U.S. military preparedness dramatically dropping and an increased probability of a foreign attack should tours be extended again. That would be the first ripple of an armed-forces tsunami Bush would deal with. Not to mention the fact that it would likely put a mortal lock on the White House for the Democrats.
“Snow actually asserted as Commander in Chief Bush was well within his rights if he had wanted to to have extended the tours of the troops who would have been needed to extend the surge into 2009.”
I’m sure there would be one or multiple reports leaked from the Pentagon showing U.S. military preparedness dramatically dropping and an increased probability of a foreign attack should tours be extended again. That would be the first ripple of an armed-forces tsunami Bush would deal with. Not to mention the fact that it would likely put a mortal lock on the White House for the Democrats.
“Snow actually asserted as Commander in Chief Bush was well within his rights if he had wanted to to have extended the tours of the troops who would have been needed to extend the surge into 2009.”
I’m sure there would be one or multiple reports leaked from the Pentagon showing U.S. military preparedness dramatically dropping and an increased probability of a foreign attack should tours be extended again. That would be the first ripple of an armed-forces tsunami Bush would deal with. Not to mention the fact that it would likely put a mortal lock on the White House for the Democrats.
Damn – can’t believe I double-posted! Must be the Dept of Homeland Security software silently running in the background…
The MoveOn ad actually helps Rudy with GOP voters in Iowa. Isn’t he already in 4th place there anyway?
Certainly is helping his fundraising.
“NEW RECORD OIL PRICE”
When you go to war over oil, shouldn’t your goal be oil prices NOT going to record highs? Bush can’t even get a fracking oil war right.
Who’s we?
It’s good for Giuliani to be attacked by MoveOn, just as it’s good for them to be attacked by him.
The substance of the attack is troublesome for him, however.
>Flap :
The MoveOn ad actually helps Rudy with GOP voters in Iowa. Isn’t he already in 4th place there anyway?
Certainly is helping his fundraising.
Sep 18, 2007 02:05 PM
That’s just absurd.
>Snow actually asserted as Commander in Chief Bush was well within his rights if he had wanted to to have extended the tours of the troops who would have been needed to extend the surge into 2009. Yeah, right. Sad!
Sep 18, 2007 01:12 PM
Fancy that a win-win.
Agree with you that more Iraq War = more trouble for GOP and they have trouble enough.
Oh, I thought we were all against the evildoers here. Maybe I should say, “when ONE goes to war…”
Oh yes, the “they are attacking me because I am the (political party affiliation) the (opposing political party group name) fear most” line worked so well for Riordan.
Plus, why is Rudy airing radio ads to counter TV? That’s the winning strategy that worked so well for Davis in 2001. Don’t remember the radio ads? That because they were on the radio, not TV.
However, in Rudy case, his audience likely listens to talk radio more than the general public, so maybe it has a shot at working.
But, the true point of the MoveOn.org ads is not to kill Rudy, but to leave him wounded for the general. If he bleeds out before then, consider it a lucky shot.
Right, right, so what did you think of the season premier of Prison Break?
Right, right, so what did you think of the season premier of Prison Break?
No, what I was getting at is that some people are benefiting from record high oil prices.
>Brasky :
Oh, I thought we were all against the evildoers here. Maybe I should say, “when ONE goes to war…”
Sep 18, 2007 02:36 PM
Ah. Would those be the same people that the Pentagon runs threat analyses of?
Seems like when oil prices take a jump, defense stocks are a good bet too.
“$5.1 billion in surface storage”
Would that be Temperance Flat?
That’s in the mix.
Schwarzeneger and Bill Clinton together! The Flush Report wingnuts will go nuts! MORE nuts! lol
That bond package won’t pass…not even close.
Arnold is no dummy – he would rather stand with a popular president. I assume Hillary won’t be in the state.
Well, of course Hillary will be in the state to accept Schwarzeneggger’s endorsement for president.
I recorded the premiere, but havent; had the chance to watch it yet. I’ll let you know later on tonight.
Under the wrapper of laws like the one Arnold embraced and Debra Ortiz passed a year or so ago banning junk food from schools is the reality that it did nothing to reduce consumption by students. What it did do is breed a new generation of candy bar and soda peddlers within the schools, kids who stop at the convenience store on the way to school to stock up on junk food items, and then peddle the now contraband goods as if in a war zone or a prison. Brilliant public policy.
I’m afraid that if we want kids to grow up healthier we will have to establish and enforce some basic physical fitness standards.
Failure to pass them would lead to additional regular exercise sessions during the school day.
I’m afraid that if we want kids to grow up healthier we will have to establish and enforce some basic physical fitness standards.
Failure to pass them would lead to additional regular exercise sessions during the school day.
… I’m actually looking forward to next year’s “Year of Education.”
More child labor and less pie – that’ll fix those fatties. Ever see a fat 7-year-old coal miner?
Nah, just good, healthy exercise. It’s great for kids. Gives them a foundation for life. They’ll be more alert in class, too.
totally agree that physical fitness standards are key, which is really old school anyway as many know. It is a place where the education system could actually do some good (for a change) without getting bogged down in politically correct phony solutions that the students regard as additional adult hypocrisy.
Physical fitness requirements make sense on a basic level to students of all ages. In my experience, students expect to be challenged in this area just as they expect to be challenged in their mental capacities. I am for including the fitness standards in the API testing battery.
Well, NCLB doesn’t test physical fitness and schools are dropping PE to get in more test prep time. We’ve lost any sense of the big picture.
A national focus on science/mathematics curriculum, the national school lunch program, the national highway system, the Internet, the rebuilding of a democratic Europe – all things we did in the name of national security.
Bush’s legacy as a wartime president? Three dollar a gallon gas? Government sanctioned torture? Wartime tax cut dividend?
Check your mirrors and hands at 10 and 2; Carol Midgen’s back on the road.
http://tinyurl.com/yrsgpt (SFGATE)
If students were getting a basic foundation of academic skills they wouldn’t need to spend extra time prepping for a test.
On the PE stuff, I’m not talking about boot camp. Simply a baseline fitness program.
If kids want to eat five ice cream bars a day, well, it’s a free country. So long as their parents let them.
But if they eat all those ice cream bars all the time, most of them will have to work harder to pass the test.
It’s a blend of basic standards with individual choice.