Pelosi Taking Tortue to the Next Level

I am not quite sure what House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is doing. She has raised the stakes on the torture problem but I am not sure if it was on purpose. On Wednesday, she said the CIA had lied to congress about whether or not waterboarding/torture was being used back in 2002. She says that the CIA did not inform her about torture when the CIA says they told her directly.

I don't know who is right but for Pelosi, a veteran politician, to say that the CIA "lied" is big. Politicians who get to this level generally do not make eronious statements. They are always calculating for a goal they have in mind. The only goal this brings about is an investigation and she called for one.

The problem is that Obama has already said he doesn't support this. So what is she doing? Is she defending herself and her word by calling the CIA liars or does she really want a truth commission. Who knows.

The Post has an article on the subject:

"Pelosi's performance in the Capitol was either a calculated escalation of a long-running feud with the Bush administration or a reckless act by a politician whose word had been called into question. Perhaps it was both."

There is another question. Why is the GOP attacking her? The GOP is viciously attacking Pelosi only increasing the call for a truth commission. The last thing the GOP needs is a commission investigating the Bush's toture policy and who was complicit.

Overall, this is all very confusing.

It Just Keeps Getting Better

Texas is now in the "possibility" column. Senior Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas will likely resign her senate seat to run for governor.

"Cornyn, who also chairs the Senate Republicans' campaign committee, has pleaded with her (Hutchison) not to resign early. After all, if there's a special election to replace Hutchison, Democrats would have a golden opportunity to pick up the seat, with a strong field including Houston Mayor Bill White and ex-Comptroller John Sharp. Cornyn would rather be safe than have to spend millions playing defense."

Could this bring Dems up to possible 65 seats? Wow!

GOP Recruiting is Taking a Beating

It looks like Harry Reid is going to get an easy reelection this year. Is appears that no one is going to challenge him. From Politico

"It’s a remarkable turn of events for a polarizing partisan leader with lackluster poll ratings and a history of razor-thin winning margins. But despite the widespread belief that his seat is vulnerable, and despite his status as the GOP’s Senate Public Enemy No. 1, Reid still has no opponent. "

Wow, the GOP's enemy number one will get a free pass. While there is still time for a candidate to materialize, the GOP is missing out on precious fundraising time. 

Missouri Senate Race Looks Good For Dems

A new poll coming out by Democracy Corps looks good for Secretary of State (D) Robin Carnahan.

"A new Democracy Corps survey by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research shows Secretary of State Robin Carnahan leading Republican Congressman Roy Blunt 53 to 44 percent and leading former Treasurer Sarah Steelman 54 to 42 percent."

The election is a bit of a ways away but having solid numbers starting out is a good sign. 

FBI Turns Up the Heat On Coleman

The FBI is digging deeper into Norm Coleman and Nasser Kazeminy. The FBI is looking into whether Kazeminy has been bribing Coleman with suits and other kooshy stuff. This came out back in October and Norm saying he's done nothing wrong but this just doesn't seem to go away. 

Doesn't look good for Norm. 

Crist Annouces Candidacy for Florida Senate

Popular Florida Gov Charlie Crist has announced his intention to run for opening senate seat. The seat became vacant with Repub Mel Martinez noticed his party's future eternal minority status in the senate so he decided to get out. 

This is good news for repubs considering their horrible ability to recruit good candidates for the past 2 election cycles. He's popular and has got money. It is also bad. It opens up the governor just before the next census. 

Crist does not have an easy nomination. He angered the repub conservatives by supporting Obama's stimulus package and they are out to get him. 

I think this is not a good move for Crist. The repub part in washington, especially in the senate, has not reached rock bottom. The national repubs are not a popular bunch right now and especially in the senate. They are seen as obstructionists and the party of "No". He will be subjected to that type of politics where you has to tow the party line.

If he were to stay as governor for another 4 years, he can do a lot more from Florida. He has more control and say over an agenda. In the senate, he will be the Freshman senator with no power or seniority. He loses his independence in DC and will get dragged down as the repubs still squabble over where their party goes. 

Dick Cheney Really is a Dick

Cheney, as the mouth piece for the repub party, still doesn't get it. Colin Powell was the only moderate/sane voice in President Bush's admin. Now that the repub party has been reduced to a regional party, Cheney wants to stick with the "No tolerance for moderates" attitude. The same attitude that lost them 15 senate seats, over 50 house seats and 1 president. 

Check out Cheney's view of Rush over Colin. 

 

 

Now, I realize that Cheney's love for Rush trumps all but to go ahead and throw out insults at a decorated veteran/former sec of state just blows my mind.

This megalomaniac is so wrapped up and protecting his legacy he is further buring the repub party. I am all for having Darth Vader represent the head of the repub party but what a sad state of affairs when no one will stand up to Lord Vader. Where is Luke, Hans and Laya when you need them.

Sean Hannity Really is a Sad Case

Hannity has gone a little loco since his partner, Alan Colmes, retired. He's still in the repub mindset of taking anything a dem does and saying how it is bad for the United States.

Now, after Obama having a highly publicized burger, the right is going crazy over the fact that Obama ordered a cheeseburger with "spicy mustard."

Really? Is this all the right has left are these type of attacks. Not only have they scraped the bottom of the barrel for these type of attacks, they're wearing a hole out the bottom. 

Check it out from Media Matters.

Obama at the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Obama did an amazing job in his speech at the Correspondents Dinner. This is the same dinner that Colbert ripped Pres Bush 3 years ago.

He was funny and very sharp in his jokes. Highlights

Watch it at C-Span here.

"Now Sasha and Malia aren't here tonight because they're grounded.  You can't just take Air Force One on a joy ride to Manhattan.  I don't care whose kids you are.  We've been setting some ground rules here.  They're starting to get a little carried away. "

"Dick Cheney was supposed to be here but he is very busy working on his memoirs, tentatively titled, 'How to Shoot Friends and Interrogate People.'"

"Which brings me to another thing that's changed in this new, warmer, fuzzier White House, and that's my relationship with Hillary.  You know, we had been rivals during the campaign, but these days we could not be closer.  In fact, the second she got back from Mexico she pulled into a hug and gave me a big kiss.  Told me I'd better get down there myself.   Which I really appreciated.  I mean, it was -- it was nice."