Rightwingers Set to Mock Themselves

A valuable bequest from the Clinton administration is the revealing to a wide political audience of the American rightwing as hateful whack jobs.

Decent, hard-working people no doubt, but whack jobs nonetheless who pursued the Clintons relentlessly and shamelessly, casting every aspersion imaginable upon a cautious administration.

As a result of the Clintons' devastating rebuttal of the rightwing attacks [at the height of the impeachment, Bill Clinton's approval numbers rose to 69 percent], George W. Bush was forced to run as an anti-rightwing, centrist Republican, proclaiming non-divisive moderation in the 2000 election.

Progressive groups like Move On flowered as the attacks on Clinton became utterly untenable and the American people soured on the politics of the right.

Yet, there is every indication to believe that the rightwing is ready to launch another war on Obama led by many of the same characters.

Arguably, the war has already been declared in light of the vicious attacks that Obama has already repelled, and faces in the more doctrinaire Republican Party remaining in Congress.

But the vast majority of the American people have seen enough of negativity and hate as the results of the last two national elections clearly show.

During the 2008 presidential debates even an intellectual disagreement with McCain voiced and generalized by Obama as reflecting badly on McCain would result in focus groups effectively booing the statement because it came across as bordering on the mean-spirited side of the spectrum.

'Tell what you're for; not what the other guy is,' is the effective sentiment.

The GOP Southern Strategy is on its death bed though no complete victory is ever achieved. As the Clarance Darrow-inspired character in Inherit the Wind reminds us, "...fanaticism and ignorance (are) forever busy, and (need) feeding."

The attacks will still come, the vote suppression will continue [right here in Wisconsin as J.B. Van Hollen fights to cover his political behind in his losing quest], but in today's political culture here's a bet that those rightwingers still launching their hate-tipped cultural missiles will be perceived by the American people as merely making fun of themselves.

And that goes double for Milwaukee police detective Michael Sandvick; you blow-hard whack!

- via mal contends

Hillary Is the Abusive Boyfriend and the Psycho Ex-Girlfriend

Never did buy that argument that Hillary's appeals to racism are good for Obama because he'll face the same line of attack in the fall.

Hey, he'll get it out there, if he doesn't get it here.

Or the argument that Democrats need Hillary, cause she really knows what's best.

Ran across this at John Aravosis at AmericaBlog, in The real 3:00 AM call. The piece is from Madatoms.

Hillary Clinton: The Psycho Ex-Girlfriend of the Democratic Party

Despite all the math counting her out, Hillary Clinton fervently remains in the race to become the Democratic nominee for president in 2008. She has become the Democratic Party's psycho ex-girlfriend, and she's not going away without a restraining order.

It's 2:31 AM. The Democratic Party is sleeping peacefully when it hears its phone buzz on the night stand. It rolls over and sees "Hillary" on the caller ID. It pauses briefly, considering pushing "END" and not dealing with this shit tonight. The thought is appealing but the Democratic Party knows that if it doesn't take this call, another one is only minutes away.

DEMS: ...Hello?

Hillary: Hey baby.

DEMS: C'mon Hillary. Enough with this.

Hillary: Don't you get it? You NEED me.

DEMS: No, I don't. It was fun while it lasted but I'm with Barack now. I made my choice, it's done.

Hillary: You can't really mean that. How can you say that after all the good times we had?

DEMS: To be honest, I started hanging out with you because Bill's pretty awesome.

Hillary: But I'm just like Bill!

DEMS: No, you're not. Bill is charismatic, inspiring, and gets me really good weed.

Hillary: Fuck you. You're elitist!


DEMS: I'm going back to sleep.

Hillary: No, no, wait. I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. Listen... there's still got to be a chance. Remember when people told George W it was all over. When the numbers were against him?

DEMS: Yeah but...

Hillary: Remember?! And remember how everyone said America didn't really want to be with George W? But they stuck it out anyway?

DEMS: Yeah and they're really fucked up now, Hillary.

Hillary: But WE'LL make it work. Forget Barack, baby. Just take me back and we can forget this ever happened.

DEMS: Look, I think you're a really good Senator... let's just keep it that way, OK?

Hillary: ...I'll see you at the convention.

DEMS: No! Hillary I told you...

CLICK

DEMS: Dammit. Crazy bitch.

Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert Blast Hillary

Great stuff from Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, via everywhere now:

Hillary Wins Three out of Four Running a General Election Negative Campaign

Obama e-mail statement to supporters:

...When the dust settles from today's contests, we will maintain our substantial lead in delegates. And thanks to millions of people standing for change, we will keep adding delegates and capture the Democratic nomination. ...
We knew that the closer we got to the change we seek, the more we'd see of the politics we're trying to end -- the attacks and distortions that try to distract us from the issues that matter to people's lives, the stunts and the tactics that ask us to fear instead of hope. ...

Clinton nets one, maybe two delegates

Texas win gives Clinton three out of four

Post: 'Clinton still faces daunting odds in her bid for the nomination'

NBC political analyst Charlie Cook writes in his CongressDaily column, “[W]inning by slight percentages in Texas and Ohio aren’t real wins for Clinton. A ‘win’ would be anything that significantly closes the gap in delegates. Symbolic victories mean nothing at this point, other than encouraging her to plow ahead in this campaign, amassing a greater campaign debt than already exists and delaying her ability to get on with the next phase of her life.” - AmericaBlog

Clinton doing well with whites; race-baiting worked to some extent, but piss on her, I'll never vote for her. Wonder if Clinton realizes what she did this last week. Clinton's lesson: Attacking Obama works

Hell, blacks, young people and progressives really are not that important, are they.

Democratic Primary News - Fall of Hillary Begins at 6:00 Central Time

**BREAKING ELECTION NEWS**
*Clinton wins Rhode Island by some five points.*

- The two races left will go way into the morning.
- See Ohio Buckeye State Blog for Ohio updates. [Prediction: ?]
- See Texas Burnt Orange Report for Texas updates. [Prediction: Obama]
- See Daily Kos for updates.
- See Political Wire for updates.
- See TPM for updates.
- See MyDD for updates.
- See MSNBC for updates.
- See CNN for updates.

- Texas - Live Texas Results, Obama out to a lead in early-voting results.

- Emergency injunctions so that polls remain open and immediate radio buys in Ohio exhorting voters out tells us Obama has his stuff so together that no amount of race-baiting by Clinton can overcome Obama's organization and appeal.

- Change Beats Experience - Voters pick 'change' over 'experience"' by big margins in Ohio and Texas, according to exit polls. (David Kurtz, TPM) That's good for Obama.

- Clinton doing well with whites; race-baiting worked to some extent, but piss on her, I'll never vote for her.

- Some Cuyahoga County and Sandusky County precincts, remain open until 9pm ET. The Obama campaign is making an apparent immediate radio buy to send people to the polls immediately.

- (7:26 pm CT ) African American Turnout 125% in Franklin County (turnout exceeded goals)

- Long night ahead. One fact to consider: Just two weeks ago, Hillary enjoyed a 15-plus percent lead in Ohio.

- * (6:44 pm CT ) Ohio Polls closed; heavy Democratic voting, too close to call. Cuyahoga County (Cleveland, heavy Obama) will be open late - 8:30 p.m. ET- and at least one other county, because of bad weather (ice).

- ***Obama takes Vermont.***
- See The Page - Mark Halperin for good exit poll data.

Early exit polls

Looks good for Obama. Electability is playing a big role; good bye Hillary-the Randy Moss of the Democratic Party.

Vermont: Obama 67, Clinton 33
Ohio: Obama 51, Clinton 49
Texas: Obama 51, Clinton 49
Rhode Island: Clinton 49, Obama 49
- thanks to Jonathan Singer at MyDD

Delegates and Poll Closing Times (central time)

Vermont - 15 Dem. delegates; Polls close at 6 pm CT - Begin to witness the fall of Hillary Clinton.
Ohio - 141 Dem. delegates; Polls close at 6:30 pm CT
Texas - 193 Dem. delegates; Polls close at 7 pm CT (Caucuses begin after polls close)
Rhode Island - 21 Dem. delegates; Polls close at 8 pm CT

Breaking Election News

See Ohio Buckeye State Blog for Ohio updates. [FYI, Dennis Kucinich will win his primary BIG, say reports.]
See Texas Burnt Orange Report for Texas updates.
See Rhode Island News, Providence Journal for RI updates.
- AmericaBlog has some good stuff on Hillary's Rovian politics, including:

- Obama's skin blacker than normal in Hillary's new attack ad
- Limbaugh happy that Hillary more willing than GOP to "bloody up" Obama
- Hillary campaign call in Ohio reportedly calls Obama "Osama bin Laden"
- Hillary: John McCain has more experience than Obama

All Hillary and Obama Events Canceled Today - Updated

Updated: Hillary's people just said all events are postponed until tomorrow.

Update: Both candidates' events canceled. Hillary's campaign said all events aer canceled and postponed until tomorrow.

Madison, Wisconsin - There is water everywhere over Madison street intersections that have a crushed snow bottom layer, even as snowplows try to open storm drains.

It's began snowing at about 11:30 AM local time, with at least several inches expected today and tonight.

The water will freeze to ice.

Campaigns ought to cancel today's and tonight's events and stay Monday for a full day of campaigning. Safety first, politics second.

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Super Tuesday Tie Goes to Obama

One thing seems certain about Super Tuesday: No one will emerge with a crushing victory.

That means Obama's hopes will be kept alive.

And the failure of Hillary to cruise to the nomination on Feb. 5 gives democrats a longer period to get to know Obama, and to consider the implications of Hillary running against presumed GOP nominee McCain in a general election.

That’s a strategic victory for Obama, and a failure for Hillary.

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Sidney Blumenthal: Bush's Mess Requires Tenacious and Savvy Cleaner

Looks like one of my favorite writers is going to work for Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign.

Sidney Blumenthal writes today in his Salon column:

Readers know of my background in the Clinton White House.(See "The Clinton Wars.") They are familiar with my long friendship with Sen. Hillary Clinton. When she recently asked me to join her campaign as senior advisor I felt I must accept, though not out of obligation but, rather, wholeheartedly.

Too bad, Blumenthal's writing, like that of Frank Rich, Paul Krugman, among others, literally sustained me during the reign of Bush and his regime.

So deeply has this regime driven America into a depraved and dirty hole that any description of America as a shining light on a hill is simply cruel irony.

Writes Blumenthal:

Nov. 15, 2007 Under crisis conditions of an extraordinary magnitude political leadership of the highest level will be required in the next presidency. The damage is broad, deep and spreading, apparent not only in international disorder and violence, the unprecedented decline of U.S. prestige, and the flouting of our security and economic interests but also in the hollowing out of the federal government's departments and agencies, and their growing incapacity to fulfill their functions, from FEMA to the Department of Justice.

The more rigid the current president is in responding to the chaos he has fostered, the more the Republicans still supporting him rally around him as a pillar of strength. His flat learning curve, refusal to admit error and redoubling of mistakes are regarded as tests of his strong character. Whatever his low poll ratings of the moment, his stubborn adherence to failure is admired as evidence of his potency.

The patently perverse notion that weakness is strength is the basis of Bush's remaining credibility within his party. His abuse of presidential power is seen as his great asset rather than understood as his enduring weakness. But when the president assumes all the responsibility, he also receives all the blame, which becomes unitary and unilateral. Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson stated the constitutional principle in the 1952 Youngstown Steel case: "When the President takes measures incompatible with the expressed or implied will of Congress, his power is at its lowest ebb. Presidential claim to a power at once so conclusive and preclusive must be scrutinized with caution, for what is at stake is the equilibrium established by our constitutional system."

In his waning year, Bush is pointedly indifferent to the predictable consequences of his collapse. According to those who have met with him recently, he envisions himself as a noble idealist having made moral decisions that will vindicate him generations from now.

Despite the obvious shortcomings of his policies, he has startlingly succeeded in reshaping the executive into an unaccountable imperial presidency. And Bush's presidency is now accepted as the only acceptable version for major Republican candidates who aspire to succeed him. All of them have pledged to extend its arbitrary powers. Their embrace of the imperial presidency makes the 2008 election a turning point in constitutional government.

This campaign pits two parties running on diametrically opposite ideas of the presidency and the Constitution. There has not been such a sharp divergence on the foundation of the federal system since perhaps the election of 1860.
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Scott Horton: DoJ Schemed Against John Edwards and Hilary Clinton

Via Harper's Political Prosecutions.

You may have caught Rory Kennedy's Ghosts of Abu Ghraib on HBO.

Prominently featured is Scott Horton, a human rights attorney, of Harper's magazine. Horton never got the memo that human rights no longer matter in America.

Horton has been all over the DoJ scandals the last year or so.

Today's post, Political Prosecutions, is killer:

In the last two weeks, two sources, one of them inside of the Justice Department, have told me that a scheme was hatched in the upper echelons of the Bush Administration shortly after it took office in 2001 or early in 2002.

The project identified John Edwards and Hilary Clinton as likely Democratic challengers to President Bush, and identified prominent trial lawyers around the United States as the likely financial vehicle for his rise. It directed that their campaign finance records be fly-specked, and that offenses not be treated as administrative matters but rather as serious criminal offenses.

The scheme contemplated among other things that raids be staged on the law offices involved, and that the records seized not be limited to campaign finance—there was an acute interest in all politically oriented documents, in order to seize valuable intelligence on strategic planning from the enemy camp.

This all sounds rather fantastic—even more insidious than the enemies list days of the Nixon era. It is precisely the sort of crude harassment that a primitive dictatorship would use against its enemies—like Alexander Lukashenko in today’s Belarus, for instance. But as the descriptions were passed to me, I instantly recognized the pattern described recently in a case which has made the headlines in Michigan involving a prominent lawyer there, and a second case in Los Angeles. According to one source, the number of these cases is at least five and they are scattered about the country. One case, described to me in some detail, closely matches the pattern in Michigan and Los Angeles and occurred in the south on the Gulf of Mexico.

Why, I wondered, would the attorneys involved not scream bloody murder about this? Then it struck me. The threat of criminal investigation and prosecution is devastating to their law practices. Of course, they would keep it completely secret. And that silence has made the entire scheme possible. I am told that these cases involved the attorneys general personally—both John Ashcroft and Alberto Gonzales—that their go-ahead was needed to stage the raids. And that in each case, the greatest concern within the political pirates commanding the operation has been that the public would get wind of the bigger picture. It was essential to pull it off that each case be viewed as something standing all on its own, and that the fact that there was a politically motivated project be obscured.

The key factor here is that all the cases involve campaign finance violations which are of a rather mundane nature. And in each case the FEC violations have been hyped into something quite preposterous. The political angle, I am told, is simple: make trial attorney’s money radioactive. Dry up the source. Take out a key element of the Democrats’ campaign finance strategy.

This looks very suspiciously like a Rove strategy.

And this bring us back to the key unanswered questions about Rove’s involvement in the process of directing political prosecutions. His fingerprints are all over the prosecution of Governor Siegelman in Alabama, and further substantial evidence of that will shortly be public, linking him both to federal and state prosecutors and to the principal figures in the Alabama G.O.P. in connection with the scheme to “get Siegelman.” It strikes me as probably that the plot to take out the trial lawyers and to use the Justice Department as the vehicle was also hatched by Rove. All of this helps explain why the documents that the Judiciary Committee is seeking are so vital to get to the bottom of the cloud now hanging over the Justice Department. It is essential to find out what conspiracies were involved driving prosecutions, to correct what was done, discipline those involved, and exonerate the victims. This in fact is the essence of what justice demands. For five years Washington has had a Department of Political Persecutions where the Department of Justice used to stand. That needs to be cleaned up.

More at Harper's Political Prosecutions.
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