THE NOTE - PART TWO
LIEBERMAN
Yesterday, Senator Lieberman delivered his energy policy speech, "A Real Declaration of Energy Independence," at a forum hosted by Resources for the Future, a 50-year-old environmental policy think-tank.
Before a packed room of about 200 campaign supporters, environmentalists, journalists, and tanker thinkers, Lieberman outlined what would be the "four key principles" of an energy plan in a Lieberman presidency:
1) create fuel efficiency standards "that will save 2 million barrels of oil a day within 10 years"
2) launch "an urgent, national program" to find new ways to use coal
3) give consumers and businesses that purchase "highly efficient vehicles" (e.g. hybrids and natural gas vehicles) tax credits ranging from $1000 to $5000 depending on the fuel efficiency of the vehicle
4) ensure environmental safety and absolutely not drill "right off our precious coastlines" or in the Arctic Refuge
Lieberman also pledged to re-engage America in an international debate on the Kyoto treaty on emissions standards.
The Washington Times calls it "tough." LINK
Ed Walsh briefs the speech in the Washington Post . LINK
The Boston Globe 's Robert Gavin covers it in full. LINK
The Note was intrigued by all of Lieberman's references to Senator McCain during questions from audience members and the media. Lieberman made reference to working with or agreeing with Senator McCain at least 6 separate times, including a public dialogue with one of his staffers about whether a pending emissions bill is called McCain-Lieberman or Lieberman-McCain.
Top three reasons why we missed Senator Lieberman on Letterman last night
3. Too busy polishing shrine to Jonathan Sallet 2. Note regimen requires early-to-bed Wednesday nights. 1. Nightline was on.
Here's the funny stuff: LINK
DEAN
The Note went to its first Meet-up event yesterday.
Well, technically, it was our first political Meet-up event; we go to Dungeons and Dragons ones pretty regularly.
In any event, on the second floor of a Nashua restaurant, we watched Howard Dean give his passionate, energetic stump speech to a nice sized crowd, which the Nashua Democratic regulars there told us was made up of a lot of "new" people, brought into politics this time by some combination of the power of the web and their passion for Dr. Dean.
Dean entered the room to the strains of a techno pop mix that a supporter has done, that samples Dean's DNC speech; while the concept is awesome, the execution isn't great, and somebody with more editing skills should steal the idea and re-do it. It has a great beat AND you can dance to it.
SHARPTON
Reverend Sharpton is scheduled to speak today at 4:30 p.m. at Washington and Lee University "in front of historic Lee Chapel along with author and political consultant Dick Morris." LINK
Sharpton is speaking as part of the university's "Mock Convention," for which "more than 90 percent of the Washington and Lee student body has a hand in researching the issues and candidates in all 50 states and territories. The W&L students have been correct 17 of the last 22 attempts in predicting the non-incumbent presidential nominee and have been wrong only once since 1948--a 92 percent prediction rate."
In past years, "the Mock Convention has attracted such political personalities as William Jennings Bryan, Harry Truman, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Newt Gingrich."
GEPHARDT
Within a few minutes of the Lieberman speech, Congressman Gephardt's staff sent to the press a memo outlining his energy proposals.
In a conference call yesterday, Representative Ed Pastor (D-Ariz.) endorsed Gephardt's campaign.
Pastor will also serve as Gephardt's Arizona campaign chairman.
When asked why he was endorsing now, Pastor stated the upcoming NALEO event and that the race had picked up momentum and he needed to start organizing.
When Gephardt was asked about the rest of his House colleagues (specifically Pelosi and Hoyer) endorsing his campaign he said:
"In the near future. I don't have a specific time. It's going to be a rolling set of endorsements. This is going to go on for the next month."
Jon Kamman of the Arizona Republic writes up Pastor's endorsement of Congressman Gephardt's campaign and highlights the battle for the state's Hispanic vote. LINK
"Pastor said the growing Hispanic community, which now makes up one-fourth of the state's population, will be a major target of the campaign but Gephardt also will reach out broadly to Native Americans, Blacks, youths, women, gays and working men and women."
KERRY
The Boston Globe 's Glen Johnson cites a Center for Public Integrity study that states Senator John Kerry's "largest political benefactor is a Massachusetts law firm in which his brother is a partner and which has a telecommunications agenda on Capitol Hill similar to the senator's." LINK
The CPI report, included in the group's upcoming book "The Buying of the president 2004," charts Kerry's support of telecommunications bills and Notes the Senator has received $187,000 over the last two decades in contributions from Boston law firm Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky, and Popeo P.C, which often represents the telecommunications industry. Kerry's younger brother, Cameron F. Kerry, is a partner.
Johnson offers the Kerry family defense from Cam (who joined the firm in 1983):
"Cameron Kerry said in an interview: 'I'm his brother and I've been involved in his political activities since before I was a lawyer. What am I going to do? Go to Lieberman if he doesn't vote 'right'?' ? referring to Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut, who also is seeking the Democratic nomination."
And there's this Kerry camp familial defense from Kelly Benander (who also stressed: "'John Kerry makes his all his legislative decisions based on what is sound policy and what is best for the people he represents'"):
"'I am pretty sure that Cam Kerry's long and continued support of his brother's political career isn't due to John Kerry's consumer-friendly position on the timing of the wireless spectrum auction,' said Benander."
Even so, Johnson points out that former Kerry chief of staff David Leiter now works for a Mintz, Levin affiliate; that John and Teresa Heinz Kerry may "have holdings in telecommunications companies worth anywhere from $17.6 million to $47.1 million;" and that the CPI report asserts "Kerry has taken positions that closely reflect the legislative agenda of the CTIA [Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association]" .
The Note can't get too worked up about this.
The AP did the story too:
"Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry has pushed the priorities of the wireless industry whose interests are represented by a Boston law firm that has been one of the senator's biggest campaign donors over the years, a watchdog group reported Wednesday." LINK
"Kerry, a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee overseeing the Federal Communications Commission, also has received substantial political contributions from wireless companies, and he and his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, have millions of dollars of holdings in the telecom industry."
"The senator's positions on telecom issues are based on 'sound policy' and 'to suggest anything otherwise is ridiculous and irresponsible,' said Robert Gibbs, a spokesman for Kerry's presidential campaign."
"The Boston-based firm of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo has donated nearly $187,000 to Kerry's political campaigns over the past two decades, the Center for Public Integrity said."
The AP's Will Lester reports that Senator Kerry is calling on the president "to label Syria and Lebanon 'money-laundering concerns' following reports that $1 billion stolen from Iraq may have been transported to Syria." LINK
Lester Notes: "Kerry got support in that request from an unexpected source, Howard Dean, a competitor for the nomination and a frequent critic."
The New Republic's Ryan Lizza reports that Senator Kerry has expressed an interest in speaking to students at Bob Jones University.
"At a candidate meet-and-greet in Columbia, South Carolina, on May 3, a 53 year-old mother of five asked Kerry if he would come speak at Bob Jones. "I would love to,' the senator told her, without missing a beat. When asked by a reporter why she wants Kerry to visit, the woman, who declined to give her name, replied, 'I just think it's time for Democrats to come across as Christian.'" LINK
"When one senior Kerry adviser who had not heard about the Senator's remark was asked about the exchange, he e-mailed, 'Do you really think he would seriously speak at Bob Jones, c'mon.' But it turns out Kerry is serious. Press secretary Robert Gibbs says the remark was "completely spontaneous on Kerry's part but very serious." Gibbs explains in an e-mail: 'Senator Kerry would love to speak at Bob Jones, challenge the university and tell them everything that George Bush did not have the courage to say in 2000 about views that clearly have no place in our society.'"
We wonder what the Congressional Black Caucus thinks about that.
Incidentally, Senator Kerry stopped by the weekly lunch meeting yesterday to outline his presidential agenda with respect to African American issues. (This was before Mr. Lizza posted his story).
"Members appreciated him coming by but also had pointed questions that he answered and I think they look forward to the debate of the issues that will take place," said Doug Thornell, the CBC's communications director.
Governor Dean has already addressed the group; the other seven presidentials are invited.
Thornell also had this to say about the CBC's debate plans:
Though several candidates have complained about being expected to participate in four, separate summer events hosted by the CBC, Thornell said the group expects "all the candidates to participate in all four of the debates."
Beginning in mid-summer (date, exact location and format TBD), the CBC will hosts forums in Baltimore, MD.; Jackson, Mississippi, Detroit, Michigan; and Los Angeles--in that order.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Roll Call 's Josh Kurtz takes a look at the TV friendly press release put out by the Museum of New Hampshire History
"By now you may have read that the Museum of New Hampshire History in Concord has just opened an exhibit dedicated to the state's vaunted first-in-the-nation presidential primary. What you may not have known ? unless you got one of its news releases ? is that the museum is trying to attract journalists to the exhibit, not just by touting how interesting it is, but by boasting of the great visuals for TV reports and still cameras."
"The exhibit, chock full of memorabilia, portrays the thrill of victory and the agony of the feet: Dwight Eisenhower waving from an open car in Concord, John F. Kennedy greeting voters at a dog-sled race in Laconia, and Mario Cuomo announcing he will not be a candidate in 1988."
"From a museum news release:"
"The TOP Five Reasons to report on, or from, the Primary Exhibit:"
"1. You can gather background on the New Hampshire Primary."
"2. The exhibit offers great visuals for B-roll or establishing shots."
"3. The museum's exhibit space also serves as a quiet, visually interesting place for live remote stand-ups while in New Hampshire."
"4. You could use this space to interview candidates ? Kerry contrasted with Kennedy? Dean with McGovern?"
"5. Primary historians and representatives from the New Hampshire Political Library will be available for interviews and questions ? just let us know when you need them."
Instead of Judy going to the beach this summer, perhaps a trip to the museum is on the agenda.
Big Casino budget politics:
Big Casino meets the Invisible Primary on Capitol Hill today. Keep your eye on Senator Graham of Florida.
Senate Republicans strike a deal, but Gucci Gulch is filling up with the well-paid lobbyists who make Washington such a fun place. LINK
The New York Times ' David Firestone brilliantly points out how happy certain folks are that the House Republicans are moving towards a bill with cherished cap gains tax cuts in there. LINK
The Associated Press reports that a "plan to give stockholders at least $500 in tax-free dividends won the support of GOP moderates worried about growing deficits, improving the prospects for a scaled-back version of the president's tax cut." LINK
"'The agreement seems to be what I've been hoping for a robust tax cut that gives the economy a needed shot in the arm without shooting the deficit in the foot,' said Senator George Voinovich, R-Ohio."
Glen Hubbard uses his "former" status to pen a Wall Street Journal op-ed in defense of the president's (original) tax plan.
The Wall Street Journal ed board does Snowe and Voinovich as "Daschle Republicans"again.
The Washington Post ed board thinks the states deserve some federal cash. LINK
The Wall Street Journal 's David Wessel Notes the Cassandra warnings of Barry Anderson, a long-time/departing OMB and CBO official who puts a pox on the houses of both parties for failing to plan for the Boomers entitlement needs.
The Note loved this exchange on CNBC's "Capital Report" so much, we've been acting it out with our Alan, Gloria, and Mr. Chairman finger puppets all morning:
MURRAY: Are you going to work for the Senate someday?
Rep. THOMAS: No.
MURRAY: You don't want to be a senator?
Rep. THOMAS: No.
MURRAY: You don't think it'd be fun?
Rep. THOMAS: Fun doesn't have anything to do with it.
Economy:
Americans are growing more optimistic about the country's economic future according to the AP's Will Lester's look at the latest Pew Research Poll Numbers. LINK
"The number of people who think the economy will get better has increased from 30 percent in January to 43 percent now, while 19 percent think it will get worse."
However, the director of the Pew Research Center cautions that the favorable views on the economy do not seem to translate to support for the president's tax cut.
"People were evenly divided on Bush's proposal to cut taxes, and they thought it would mainly benefit the wealthy and increase the deficit. Seven in 10 said the tax cuts would benefit some people much more than others. "
"'The president, despite his personal popularity and his success with the war, has not been able to light a fire with the public about these tax cuts,' Kohut said. 'They're not linking the improvement of the economy to Bush's tax plan. If the economy does not improve, that could become a problem.'"
The Note is clearly in the minority. Only a quarter of those polled were at least fairly interested in the battle for the Democratic nomination for president.
Legislative agenda:
What's next for Head Start?. LINK
The AP's Leigh Strope reports that Republican House leaders have "decided to speed up action on a plan to restructure the government's $6.6 billion job training programs." LINK
"The bill, which was several weeks away from consideration, now will get a vote Thursday, the day before tax cuts dominate the floor."
BCRA redux:
The National Rifle Association late Wednesday asked a three-judge panel to prevent the Federal Election Commission from enforcing a key provision of the new campaign finance law as crafted by that panel last week.
Saying that a ban on public communication using "soft money" would hurt their ability to run radio ads urging members of the House and Senate to vote against a gun liability lawsuit cap (s. 659 ? see this article, for example: LINK) the NRA wants to "stay" that particular provision until the Supreme Court gets a chance to review it, probably next fall.
Interestingly, the NRA claims it wouldn't have filed the stay petition if the court simply upheld that part of the law as written, even though they opposed it on principle too.
That's because the court did lots of things last Friday: it overturned the provision banning "soft money"-funded "issue ads" that mention federal candidates from being broadcast within 30 days of an election and/or 60 days of a primary. But pursuant to the legislation, a default provision kicked in that bans corporations or unions (and most non-profits) from using "soft money"for non-neutral communication purposes referring to a federal office-holder at basically any time.
So that's what they're currently opposing.
The DC court will decide whether to stay the provision. Here's the standard for stay-granting:
"A district court may grant a stay pending appeal pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 62(c) upon a showing by the applicant (1) of a likelihood of success on the merits; (2) that it will be irreparably harmed if a stay is not granted; (3) that a stay will not injure any other parties to the lawsuit; and (4) that the stay furthers the public interest." United States v. Judicial Watch, 241 F. Supp. 2d 15, 16 (D.D.C. 2003) (citations omitted). Each of these factors weighs heavily in favor of granting a stay."
If they don't, the NRA says it will file an emergency petition with the Supreme Court.
The New York Times ' Oppel notes that "advocates" of BCRA haven't decided whether to seek a stay themselves. LINK
However, we are told it's unlikely they would.
Somewhat interestingly, the NRA's filing reveals its political action program for the next few months and goes into detail about the ads it intends to run and the MOCs it intends to target.
Here's the relevant portion of their brief:
"The NRA plans to run a series of 60-second radio ads in crucial States whose Senators have yet to decide where they stand on S.659. It plans to begin running these broadcast ads immediately. These ads will refer to Senator Charles Schumer of New York, by name, as a prominent, devoted opponent of the legislation. Different versions of the ads will urge listeners to contact four named Senators ? John McCain of Arizona, Evan Bayh of Indiana, George Voinovich of Ohio, and Tom Daschle of South Dakota ? and urge these Senators to support the bill. Each of these Senators is a "federal officeholder" as defined in 2 U.S.C. § 431(3) as well as a "candidate" under 2 U.S.C. § 431(2). These NRA ads are intended to influence legislation, not an election. Yet because the Senators referred to are official candidates for reelection in 2004, and because the NRA's planned radio ads are "not neutral" as to them, airing the ads will be criminal under this Court's ruling. Although BCRA as written by Congress will visit severe injury upon the NRA, it will not do so for several more months. Accordingly, the NRA implores this Court to stay its decision so that it may speak without fear of criminal penalties, pending review by the Supreme Court."
All right. So to keep things straight, we have:
The lawsuit against the FEC for not properly construing BCRA.
The BCRA law itself--headed for court review.
The NRA stay asking the lower court to stay part of BCRA.
When do Trevor Potter or James Bopp rest? Can even they spare a few hours to see X2?
For more on all this, check out this excellent election law blog: LINK
Politics:
Mark Z. Barabak and Richard Simon say the Gray Davis recall effort is "still hampered by a struggle for cash and credibility that bolsters Davis' chance of survival despite his widespread unpopularity, political analysts say." LINK
The New York Daily News' Joel Siegel writes that Senator Hillary Clnton remains a choice target for Republicans, who continue to use her presence in the Senate and the threat of a presidential run to galvanize supporters. LINK
Siegel cites a three-page national fund-raising mailing "that implores donors to stop her from 'seizing control of our national agenda" and states "'[s]he has become the party's ? favorite candidate for President (although she has pledged not to run ? at least in 2004)'".
Philippe Reines' response:
"'Their attention is flattering, but Senator Clinton will continue working with her colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get things done for New York and America,' he said."
TechNet gets an Administration hand up, and Fierce & Isakowitz expands, and if you don't understand instantly the cosmic significance of those things, well, you probably need to start reading Cliff's Notes for The Note. LINK
The fate of the Florida 2000 chads: they're here to stay. LINK
The State reports that S.C. Lt. Governor Andre Bauer has apologized for his red light-running, speeding episode in Columbia, and while he's still a young man, he won't write the incident off to youthful indiscretions, as he seems to have done in the past. LINK
"Bauer's driving record shows he has 13 offenses, though none since July 1999. Since 1993, the 34-year-old has had six speeding tickets, a license suspension for not paying a traffic ticket, and two accidents."
Roll Call 's Cillizza reports NARAL Pro-Choice America's new hire.
"Seeking a larger platform for its issues in in the 2004 election cycle, NARAL Pro-Choice America has hired veteran Democratic operative Michael Meehan to oversee its vastly expanded soft-money operation."
"Meehan ? a top political adviser to Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) ? will serve as vice president for politics, campaigns and strategy, essentially overseeing all of the organization's political operations. Both the field and political directors at NARAL Pro-Choice America will report directly to him."
"In addition to Meehan, NARAL has added former DCCC Executive Director Howard Wolfson, now a partner in the Glover Park Group, and National Committee for an Effective Congress Washington Director Mark Gersh as consultants to its political operation. It has also had discussions with Donna Brazile, campaign manager for Al Gore's 2000 presidential race, about a role in the revamped political team."
And with NARAL's 501(c)(4) status, Mr. Meehan will have plenty of soft money to spend.
George Will, columnizing about Shays-Meehan, accuses Note hero Ken Goldstein of engaging in "sham social science" using a cell phone at an airport, which sounds serious indeed. LINK
A day late, the New York Post suggests that the 60 Minutes Clinton/Dole segment may have run its course. LINK
New York Times foodie Jennifer Steinhauer offers clarity to the twisted trials of non-politician Mayor Bloomberg, following six months of budget chaos and a grim new poll. LINK
Bush Administration strategy/personality:
The Chicago Tribune's William Neikirk writes, "A business once headed by Vice President Dick Cheney has gone from fixing Iraq's oil wells to actually running them, parlaying a no-bid federal contract into an increasingly lucrative deal to supply Iraq's emergency energy needs." LINK
"Asked if Cheney had anything to do with the awarding of the Halliburton no-bid contract, his press secretary, Jennifer Millerwise, said, 'Nope.' Halliburton spokeswoman Wendy Hall also said Cheney played no role."
The Chicago Tribune reports that soon-to-be-former OMB Director Mitch Daniels has been subpoenaed "as part of an inquiry into alleged stock dumping at an Indiana utility, a regulator said Wednesday."http://abcnews.go.com/sections/politics/US/TheNote.html |
