I’m afraid I’ve come up short on the Easter movie front.
SUNDAY REPORTS
** 4000 OFFICIAL U.S. COMBAT DEATHS IN IRAQ. Happy Easter. A bombing attack which killed at least four US service members in Baghad on Easter Sunday left the US combat death toll in Iraq at at least 4000. That does not include the many US contract personnel who have also given their lives in the service of the various US policies in Iraq after the invasion just over four years ago. Nevertheless, the situation in Iraq has improved. Yet, we are not out of the woods. A challenge to both sides in the conventional debate.
** INCIDENTALLY … There was a bunch of other junk-type political news thingies going on since Saturday morning — most of them, though not all — from the former first lady’s campaign. Out of respect for Easter weekend, I won’t even mention them. But I will say this. Folks in each of the Democratic presidential campaigns should retreat to kindergarten corners for times out. And most of them, though not all, work for the former president and first lady. And if they don’t like my assessment of their realities — which, given their hostile and toxic natures at this point, is quite likely — that is, as the saying goes, unfortunate. Which means, as I’m sure you can gather, it doesn’t matter to me.
SATURDAY REPORTS
** NEW PODCAST. My thoughts on The Speech, the race, and the road ahead.
** BILL CLINTON HEADLINES CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC PARTY CONVENTION NEXT WEEKEND. NWN has learned that former President Bill Clinton will address the California Democratic Party convention next Sunday, March 30th, in San Jose. A gaggle of uncommitted superdelegates will be participating in the convention. Wife Hillary, now a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, is not expected at the convention, though she will be in California for fundraisers a few days later. I don’t know if Democratic presidential frontrunner Barack Obama will be on hand for the annual state convention.
** WHERE THEY ARE TODAY.
Barack Obama has a rally today in Medford, Oregon. He may be heading to the Virgin Islands for an Easter holiday. He’s expected back on the trail Wednesday in North Carolina.
Hillary Clinton, down for the day on Friday in Chappaqua, New York, is down again for the weekend. It’s said that she will be in Chappaqua, although her campaign famously does not keep the press apprised of all her movements.
John McCain, returned from his tour of the Middle East and Europe, is down for the weekend, probably in Sedona, Arizona.
** CARVILLE TRASHES BILL RICHARDSON. The tightly-wrapped James Carville, showing the strain of the Hillary Clinton campaign’s situation — now that he’s no longer pretending to be a CNN political analyst discussing Clinton’s “masterful” debate performances — trashed Bill Richardson in today’s New York Times. It was an appropriately hyperbolic Easter theme.
“Mr. Richardson’s endorsement came right around the anniversary of the day when Judas sold out for 30 pieces of silver, so I think the timing is appropriate, if ironic.”
The article describes the two months of entreaties from the Clintons to gain Richardson’s endorsement after the New Mexico governor dropped out of the presidential race. Of course, Richardson — who served as UN ambassador and energy secretary in the Clinton Administration — endorsed Barack Obama yesterday.
My understanding is that Richardson, the first major Latino presidential candidate, did it, not “for 30 pieces of silver,” as the overwrought Carville would have it, but because he’s come to the conclusion that Obama is the superior political figure.
Since Super Tuesday, Obama has been endorsed by 62 superdelegates. (Or “automatic delegates,” as Clinton agent Harold Ickes preferred to call them in arguing that they would deliver the nomination to Hillary.) Clinton has been endorsed by four. She lost one in the form of former New York Governor Elliot Spitzer.
** F1 TONIGHT! At 11:30 PM Saturday night, live from Kuala Lumpur, it’s the Malaysian Grand Prix. After last week’s season opener in Australia, 23-year old Brit Lewis Hamilton, the first black driver in Formula One racing, leads the way following another victory. But the Ferrari team, including the man who beat Hamilton by a single point for last season’s F1 world championship, Kimi Raikonnen, qualified for the front row on the starting grid. You can watch it in the US on Speed TV.
** SCHWARZENEGGER PUSHES HIS BUDGET REFORM PLAN. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger continued his push this week for his version of state budget reform in Saturday’s weekly radio address. Opposition has yet to coalesce. The Democrats are in some disarray on the issue; some may recognize that the governorship is highly problematic otherwise, as former Governor Gray Davis learned.
Hi, this is Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger with another California Report.
There’s an old saying, that those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Maybe we should engrave these words on the front steps of the Capitol, because when it comes to our budget, we have been listening to the same broken record year after year after year.
In the good times, when the economy booms and revenues pour in, the state cannot shove money out the door fast enough. Then, when the economy slows and the big budget deficits develop, everyone looks around, wondering where all that money went. We spend nearly every dime in the good years and are forced to make painful cuts in the down years.
Governors as far back as Earl Warren have proposed reforming California’s feast-or-famine budget system. But nothing has changed. We haven’t learned from history.
Imagine a dangerous road winding through the mountains. Year after year, cars careen off the edge, yet nothing is done. No guardrails are installed. No warning signals or speed limits are posted. It would be madness not to correct that. The same is true with our budget.
When I came into office in 2003, I recognized the problem. I tried to reform our budget system, but the legislature was not ready to go along. I tried again in 2005, but that was defeated. So here we are again in 2008, another down year…a famine year.
All state programs are facing deep cuts. But while we can’t avoid the tough choices this year, there is something we can do about the future. We can make sure that we never put Californians on this rollercoaster ride again by finally reforming our broken budget system.
It is unfair to pump up programs so quickly one year, only to deflate them the next. Take education for instance. Over the last several years, during the good economic times we funded schools to historic highs, billions of dollars above Proposition 98. Now, we don’t have enough money for our schools. Thousands of teachers across the state are being handed pink slips. Think how crazy that is.
We need stability. We need a guardrail to protect our budget from flying off that cliff. Under my plan, we will create that guardrail, which is called a rainy-day fund. The legislature would be required to save money in the good years to cover shortfalls in the bad years.
We also need more warning signals, speed limit signs, something to tell us that there’s danger ahead, so we can slow the car down and stay on the road. So my plan will require the legislature to make immediate adjustments if a deficit begins developing in the middle of the year.
I am going up and down the state talking about budget reform, because nothing is more important to move California forward. So let’s fix the system, restore the public’s confidence in government and give California a stable budget and a bright future. Thank you for listening.
** 24/7 LIVE TV NEWS FEED FROM RUSSIA TODAY. Russia has re-emerged as one of the world’s great powers. Click here for a live TV news feed on your computer, bringing you English-language, jargon-free, fast-paced coverage of global and Russian news from the new Russia Today channel.
You probably already know about CNN International, BBC World, and Al Jazeera. Russia Today, which also features culture, entertainment, and sports, is based in Moscow and is owned and operated by the TV Novosti division of Russia’s state news agency, RIA Novosti.
While it’s quite foolish to expect to see, say, criticism of Vladimir Putin on Russia Today, the channel is very interesting nonetheless. The NWN live link to RT does not constitute an endorsement of the channel’s views. It’s presented as an otherwise unavailable new media window.
** TRACK GLOBAL AND U.S. ENERGY PRICES IN NEAR REAL TIME VIA BLOOMBERG ENERGY MARKET WATCH. Crude oil closed at $101.84 per barrel on Friday. The oil price has dropped dramatically in the past few days on expectations of a global economic slowdown and possible recession. Energy markets are closed on the weekend.
Your posts are welcome in the Forum.
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Love the “Easter” video.
Love the “Easter” video.
Love the “Easter” video.
Love the “Easter” video.
The Republicans for Hillary krewe is feeling dejected today, confronting the harsh reality that 62 Superdelegates have picked Obama and only 4 have picked Team Billary since February 5. The brutal irony that Hillary lost the vote of pants-down Spitzer is much better than any fiction.
Republicans for Hillary fear the intra-party blood bath ends too soon, but so long as Team Billary keeps moving their firewall, the press will continue to cover the race. We hope their final firewall is the first Denver convention ballot.
The Republicans for Hillary krewe is feeling dejected today, confronting the harsh reality that 62 Superdelegates have picked Obama and only 4 have picked Team Billary since February 5. The brutal irony that Hillary lost the vote of pants-down Spitzer is much better than any fiction.
Republicans for Hillary fear the intra-party blood bath ends too soon, but so long as Team Billary keeps moving their firewall, the press will continue to cover the race. We hope their final firewall is the first Denver convention ballot.
Even the press isn’t that gullible.
Is Gray Davis for Schwarzeneger’s proposal?
I believe so.
I believe so.
It’s a sort of learned credulousness.
>Capitol Boy :
Even the press isn’t that gullible.
Mar 22, 2008 08:59 AM
It’s Dandy Don time.
What’s that reference?
>Kandy Kid :
The Republicans for Hillary krewe is feeling dejected today, confronting the harsh reality that 62 Superdelegates have picked Obama and only 4 have picked Team Billary since February 5. The brutal irony that Hillary lost the vote of pants-down Spitzer is much better than any fiction.
Republicans for Hillary fear the intra-party blood bath ends too soon, but so long as Team Billary keeps moving their firewall, the press will continue to cover the race. We hope their final firewall is the first Denver convention ballot.
Mar 22, 2008 08:45 AM
It’s Dandy Don time.
What’s that reference?
>Kandy Kid :
The Republicans for Hillary krewe is feeling dejected today, confronting the harsh reality that 62 Superdelegates have picked Obama and only 4 have picked Team Billary since February 5. The brutal irony that Hillary lost the vote of pants-down Spitzer is much better than any fiction.
Republicans for Hillary fear the intra-party blood bath ends too soon, but so long as Team Billary keeps moving their firewall, the press will continue to cover the race. We hope their final firewall is the first Denver convention ballot.
Mar 22, 2008 08:45 AM
It’s a fluffy bunny movie.
>Jonas Blane :
Love the “Easter” video.
Mar 22, 2008 08:44 AM
Bill Bradley :
It’s Dandy Don time.
What’s that reference?
KK,
Check out the menu I posted last evening and present me with a wine selection.
Also, thanks very much for the bottle of vino you’re giving to Brasky. I’m sure he will enjoy it!!!
Do you have enough hard stuff for your krewe?
KK,
Check out the menu I posted last evening and present me with a wine selection.
Also, thanks very much for the bottle of vino you’re giving to Brasky. I’m sure he will enjoy it!!!
Do you have enough hard stuff for your krewe?
Exactly!
And it’s from … ?
I’m referring to the line, not the alcohol …
I’m referring to the line, not the alcohol …
Monday Night Football, back when it was worth watching without the sound turned off. Don Meredith apparently didn’t like Howard Cosell much, but they were entertaining and actually knew something about football.
Bill Bradley :
Exactly!
And it’s from … ?
—-
Monday Night Football…Howard Cosell & Company.
Bill Bradley :
Exactly!
And it’s from … ?
—-
Monday Night Football…Howard Cosell & Company.
Indeed.
Though it must be said that Don Meredith was a much better Dallas Cowboy quarterback and MNF commentator than a singer …
Indeed.
Though it must be said that Don Meredith was a much better Dallas Cowboy quarterback and MNF commentator than a singer …
The hell you say…you think????
Bye-bye, must get back to my “ripping” and “synchronizing”…
Is there a VP slot motivation in the Bill Richardson endorsement?
Is there a VP slot motivation in the Bill Richardson endorsement?
Richardson’s a better veep for Hillary than Barack.
Ripping and synchronizing. Sounds very Easter-y.
>Sacramento Solon :
The hell you say…you think????
Bye-bye, must get back to my “ripping” and “synchronizing”…
Mar 22, 2008 11:30 AM
Ripping and synchronizing. Sounds very Easter-y.
>Sacramento Solon :
The hell you say…you think????
Bye-bye, must get back to my “ripping” and “synchronizing”…
Mar 22, 2008 11:30 AM
Bill Bradley :
Ripping and synchronizing. Sounds very Easter-y.
—-
Close…getting my MP3 player ready for a long stroll in the morning. In other words, loading music for the old and feeble one to listen to in the morning and he strolls six or seven miles.
Now, back to that…cooking this evening’s meal…watching golf and college basketball.
Bill Richardson’s beard looked good, although a little Sebastian Cabot-like, given his present girth. Hope he doesn’t shave it running as veep. (Remember the story why Lincoln grew his beard?) From your photo, you have the chin for it too.
Bill Richardson’s beard looked good, although a little Sebastian Cabot-like, given his present girth. Hope he doesn’t shave it running as veep. (Remember the story why Lincoln grew his beard?) From your photo, you have the chin for it too.
Is that prospect still on the table if Clinton is the nominee given the Obama endorsement?
>”Richardson’s a better veep for Hillary than Barack.”
Is that prospect still on the table if Clinton is the nominee given the Obama endorsement?
>”Richardson’s a better veep for Hillary than Barack.”
Richardson is not the running mate for either candidate, for obvious reasons.
Richardson is not the running mate for either candidate, for obvious reasons.
Mr. Bradley,
Once again, very good stuff. Thanks.
Know you will be thrilled to know that whatever problem existed in me hearing your podcasts has been resloved. Okay, so maybe you will be less than thrilled.
Looking forward to your report on the F1 race. I shall be catching the NCAA tourney and Sacramento Kings.
Solon, I checked out your menu and would serve a zinfandel or a shiraz. They should go well with the spice and marinade.
I picked up a special bottle of barrel strength (122 proof) bourbon today at Costco. The Republicans for Hillary krewe is going to need a strong sedative at their next meeting.
Happy Easter all. Spend some quality time with your families or at least call…
Sorry for the anonymous post. I forgot to add my nome de net to the new computer.
Sorry for the anonymous post. I forgot to add my nome de net to the new computer.
KK,
Thanks.
I’ve got both a Bogle Old Vine Zin and a pinot recommended from Taylor’s. My hunch is it’s more zin than pinot, but who am I not to accept a taste test!
You, my friend, have a great Easter. Enjoy your family.
Wild Turkey, anyone?
Most certainly…perhaps a double on the rocks. Yourself?
Most certainly…perhaps a double on the rocks. Yourself?
Thanks.
Incidentally, I have video of Hillary Clinton’s death-defying arrival in Bosnia.
Which looks about as dangerous as flying into Burbank.
>Sacramento Solon :
Mr. Bradley,
Once again, very good stuff. Thanks.
Know you will be thrilled to know that whatever problem existed in me hearing your podcasts has been resloved. Okay, so maybe you will be less than thrilled.
Looking forward to your report on the F1 race. I shall be catching the NCAA tourney and Sacramento Kings.
Mar 22, 2008 03:00 PM
So, when you going to show the video. The one you got up above makes me sure I don’t want to see that movie. While I’m sure it probably deserves all the awards it recieved, just not the type flick I enjoy.
By the way, the meal I described last evening turned out even better than I thought it would. Think I’m finally beginnng to realize why I have a slight problem with my weight. Okay, you’re right, more than slight!
So, when you going to show the video. The one you got up above makes me sure I don’t want to see that movie. While I’m sure it probably deserves all the awards it recieved, just not the type flick I enjoy.
By the way, the meal I described last evening turned out even better than I thought it would. Think I’m finally beginnng to realize why I have a slight problem with my weight. Okay, you’re right, more than slight!
Not on Easter weekend.
Btw, the weekend clip is meant to be ironic.