The Respectfully Republican Conversation

Saluki...I am finishing a degree in psychology...I take accelerated courses that run for 5 weeks then get a week break...it was one of those things I "always wanted to do" but put it on the back burner, then when C struck, I rethought my life and decided now was the time to get to my life to do list! So between classes I post a little!

I think the Obama and Axlerod made a serious blunder going after the celebrity issue---they should have just let it die.  In two weeks there will be no end of the celebrity factor at the convention with the likes of George Cooney and Streisand----And then will come Obama's Switzerland trip for George Clooney's big fund raiser.-----------

The words of John Edwards ring in my ear

"In the course of several campaigns, I started to believe that I was special and became increasingly egocentric and narcissistic."

http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/11/number-301-george-clooney/

twenty years as a community organizer in South Chicago bringing peace to gangs and disavantage youths, represented the district in state legislature, their U S Senator.  South Chicago police to ge given automatic weapons, the Gov to do troop surge of State Troopers and National Guard due to violence,  more young men killed by bullets this year in South Chicago than Iraq.   Obama, experience you can believe in.

LindaMemm

Thank you for you kind words.  Its easy standing by Cam, she found me when I was broken after Vietnam and failed relationships.  She fixed me, I am the lucky one to have her.    

I do like all the comments on the other threads about its Edwards private life, and has no place in the news.  Wasn't there a Republican Candidate against BO for the Senate seat that had his Divorce records unsealed by a liberal California Judge.  Eventhough this was against CA law, when neither party agree, and minor children are involved.  He made the ruling and handed out the records at same time  so an appeal court  could not unring the bell.  This was a privacy violation by law, but the Chicago newspaper are the ones that got it done.  No big complaints then.  

Thank you guys again.  What I have found out over the past several months, being over there was easy compared to BC. I always had a date certain to make it to and then I would go home.  I am looking forward to your poem.  The visit to the wall was Cam and my most memorable time.  Cam has started reading your post but not ready to type in. 

We are at the hotel in houston after the 500 mile drive, PET scan at MD Anderson at 7 am  fingers toes and elbows crossed.   

Ibcspouse, I'v "spoken" to you on the Edward's thread.  Glad you've come over to join us. 

Aww, so you and your wife have to travel 500 miles!?  I'm originally from San Antonio, but I left there when I was around 20.  I'm in N.C. now.  My husband and I traveled only a couple of hours away to Duke.  Well, if I had driven it would have been 2 1/2 hours. LOL 

Tell you dw that we'll be praying for her and keeping everything crossed.  I think it's awesome that you are reading up on BC for your wife.  Not too many men take the time.

Shirley

Bill Kristol is reporting that Obama insiders say that they have Colin Powell's endorsement and he may speak at their convention.............

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Kristol: Colin Powell to Endorse Barack Obama
by FOXNews.com
Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Sources say former Secretary of State Colin Powell will endorse Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention, Weekly Standard Editor Bill Kristol told FOX News exclusively on Thursday.

“He may well give a speech at the Democratic convention explaining his endorsement of Obama,” Kristol said, citing inside sources.

“This is not an absolute done deal, but these people are very confident that Powell will endorse Obama,” Kristol said, adding that he thinks Powell still has “a high respect” for John McCain, Obama’s Republican rival.

Powell spokeswoman Peggy Cifrino strongly denied the report.

“There’s absolutely no truth to it whatsoever,” Cifrino told FOXNews.com. “Colin Powell will not be at either convention. There’s absolutely no truth to this.”

An endorsement by Powell could go a long way to attracting moderates and wayward Republicans to the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate.

Over the years, Powell himself has been touted as a potential presidential or vice presidential candidate. The former national security adviser served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the 1991 Persian Gulf War. He was secretary of state for the younger President Bush.

His tenure is most notable for presenting to the U.N. Security Council evidence that Iraq was pursuing weapons of mass destruction. His presentation led to a resolution endorsing military action against that country, but he later described it as a “blot” on his record.

Powell has unofficially advised Obama and Republican candidate John McCain but had not endorsed anyone. A spokesman said in July that he was undecided.

In April, Powell praised Obama’s response to controversial remarks by his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who had said the United States brought the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on itself by supporting terrorism and that the government created the AIDS virus to “destroy people of color.”

“I thought that Senator Obama handled the issue well,” said Powell, the nation’s first black secretary of state. “He didn’t abandon the minister that brought him closer to his faith, but at the same time he deplored the kinds of statements that the Reverend Wright had made.”

Obama later turned his back on Wright after the minister courted controversy again with additional comments in public.

Kristol said sources told him Powell will “quite possibly” speak at the Democratic convention on the same night as Obama’s vice-presidential selection and former President Bill Clinton.

“The Obama people are quietly trying to line up a pretty strong convention,” Kristol said. “I think the Obama campaign shouldn’t be underestimated. Obviously anyone would like to have Powell’s endorsement.”

That woman is dangerous!

http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0808/Democrats_considering_energy_options.html  

August 12, 2008
Categories: energy

Democrats considering energy options

As Republicans continue their protest on the House floor, Democratic leaders are mulling their options to resolve a contentious energy debate before the upcoming elections.

But coordination remains difficult because members have scattered from Washington for their extended summer break.

Party leaders in the House are expected to convene a conference call on Wednesday to discuss their options in the ongoing energy debate, including a potential compromise measure that could include some expanded permitting for oil and gas exploration, a leadership aide said Tuesday.

But the details remain very hazy, Democratic insiders suggest, because leaders have not settled on an exact course of action and may wait until lawmakers return to Washington next month before finalizing a legislative package.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), in an interview with CNN's Larry King on Monday, suggested she would be open to a broader compromise that includes expanded offshore oil and gas drilling if it is packaged with measures to boost alternative fuel use, such as a renewable electricity standard or new federal incentives for wind power, solar power or biofuels.

It remains to be seen whether her remarks represent a breakthrough in the congressional deadlock over expanded domestic oil and gas exploration.

Before lawmakers left town, the speaker suggested she could consider an offshore drilling measure if it was packaged with legislation requiring President Bush to release some oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Pelosi and other leading Democrats have suggested such a move would bring prices down in the short term by undercutting speculation markets in oil and gas, which many Democrats blame for high fuel prices.

The conference call comes as Republicans carry their floor protest into its second week. GOP lawmakers are protesting the Democrats' decision to adjourn for the five-week August recess without a vote to expand domestic drilling. Before hitting the floor again Tuesday, a group of rank-and-file Republicans expressed skepticism about Pelosi's comments to Larry King.

Nebraksa Rep. Lee Terry sensed a "lack of sincerity" in Pelosi's remarks Monday night. "I don't know if I can trust that we're going to have [a vote to expand domestic drilling], but I'll take her at her word," Terry said. Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) and Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) offered similar sentiments in statements issued by their offices.

Even if Pelosi does offer them legislation that includes domestic drilling, some Republicans were concerned she would still limit their input in the debate.

Georgia Rep. Lynn Westmoreland compared some of the measures Democrats have offered so far - like opening the Strategic Petroleum Reserve or measures to curb market speculation - to "snake oil" meant "to give her members cover" because they did not specifically expand domestic drilling.

"[The Republicans] have this thing that says 'drill offshore in the protected areas,'" Pelosi told Larry King. "Well, we can do that. We can have a vote on that. But it has to be part of something that says we want to bring immediate relief to the public and not just a hoax on them."

Asked whether that would include drilling, the speaker said, "It depends how the drilling is put forth."

"If you make a decision only to go with the offshore drilling," Pelosi said, "you are increasing our dependence on fossil fuels and you will never free yourself of that addiction unless you invest in the renewable energy resources that are good for the environment, cheaper for the consumer and will reverse global warming."

Pelosi has also railed repeatedly against Senate Republicans for holding up a series of tax incentives to boost alternative fuel use.

Republicans are pushing a comprehensive energy package that includes some incentives for alternative energy. On Tuesday, they suggested they would like to see Pelosi allow a vote on that package. And they were adamant that the speaker bring that legislation to the floor under the regular rules for consideration of a bill, which gives members of the minority the ability to offer amendments and alternatives.

"What we want is the chance to have the debate and have the vote," said Rep. John Kline (R-Minn.).

Even if the oil prices come down we still need to drill here.  We cannot trust the other countries to provide us with oil.  I still say that when President Bush lifted the ban on drilling the very next day the oil prices dropped and has been dropping ever since.  I do believe it's gone back up since the war between Russia and Georgia has started. 

"A report in Investor's Business Daily (IBD) sums up the situation perfectly: "If you thought Republicans were no longer 'The Stupid Party,' then you haven't met the senators who may have just destroyed the GOP's biggest hope this election year: the drilling issue."

Shirley---I guess this ends Lindsey Grahams audition as McCains Mini-me...........LoL

The gang of 10 bill is the hoax drilling bill that is being offered.  Why the republicans got into it is beyond me.  Anyway, the other republicans are set to vote against it, of course, and the Dems can then say, see they don't really want drilling because they're into big oil's pocket. 

There is the All of the Above bill that has a little bit of everything in it, and I'd like to read that one.  It might have ANWR in it.  If congress really has us in their hearts, they will find a compromise and stop trying to make election day points.  This is too important.  If Russia gets their hands on Georgian oil, (BP has cut off the flow when the war broke out), then who knows what will happen to oil prices.  I hear they're up a bit again. 

IBC,

It's getting to a place that we'll need to frisk everyone who wants into a political office of any kind.  I was thinking of volunteering at my House Reps' store front after the summer, but after this, I'd be afraid to go into one, let alone hang out.   I'll make phone calls from home.

I heard on TV that Obama has already had almost 7000 ads running on TV in Florida to McCain's none.  My brother lives there, and even though he's being bombarded with Obama, he still thinks McCain can pull it off.  I hope he knows something.