AP Notices Obama Refusal to Answer Questions about Blagovich, Rahm Emanuel

Obama, Chicago and Blagojevich:
The Media Asks Questions--After the Election

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The AP is Curious About Obama


The AP thinks it's a story when Barack Obama refuses to answer any questions.

That the former junior senator from Illinois didn't have to answer many during the campaign might have something to do with his present stance.

President-elect Barack Obama is refusing to answer any questions about the internal review he has ordered into Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's alleged efforts to sell his former Senate seat, saying he will do so when the examination is finished.

Obama's staff has declined to respond to even basic questions, like who is conducting the probe, how long it will take, what issues are being explored and whether they are working with federal investigators. Obama has promised transparency throughout his service and to divulge contacts his staff has had with Blagojevich's office in the coming days. But his staff has locked down on inquiries in the meantime.

The Obama transition team's refusal to talk has contributed to a maelstrom around Obama's incoming White House chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, a Chicago congressman likely to have been in contact with the governor, who was arrested this week in a corruption scandal. But Emanuel is not a target of the probe, according to people who have been briefed on the investigation.

Barack Obama, international man of mystery lists 51 things that we do know about Obama, including the fascinating facts that the President-elect enjoys Scrabble and poker.

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ALSO at DBKP:
* Who is Barack Obama?
Over 60 stories on the unreleased records, citizenship questions and murky past that the Mainstream Media didn't think newsworthy during the campaign.
* Obama’s Rezko Ties: Cook County Clerk’s Office Lists Attorney as Owner Of Obama Chicago Home
Obama doesn't own his home?
* Obama Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac Chicago Home Mortgage $903,000 over Legal Limit
Obama Fun Financing Facts!

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Obama supporters may become confused about the Mainstream Media's new-found curiosity over the president-elect. What's all of the chatter about? Didn't Obama say that he didn't know anything?

That answer seemed to work just fine during the primaries and general election. Why won't that answer satisfy the press now?

As RidesAPaleHorse points out, the latest revelations from Chicago may become "Senategate"--or just the World's Largest Dog & Pony Show.


by Mondo Frazier
image: RidesAPaleHorse

Chris Matthews: Serious Senate Run or MSNBC Contract Gambit?

Chris Matthews' Senate Run:
Serious Bid or Contract Contrivance?




What's a Left Wing Talking Head to Do?

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Chris Matthews, the Hardball Boy, is contemplating a run for the U.S. Senate.

Or not.

From Matthews inches closer to Senate run:

Chris Matthews is dead serious about running for the Senate in Pennsylvania — and is shopping for a house in the state and privately discussing quitting MSNBC as proof of his intense interest, according to NBC colleagues, political operatives and friends.

Politico's MICHAEL CALDERONE & JOSH KRAUSHAAR think it might just be a "negotiations ploy to jack up his contract" on the part of Matthews.

Matthews is receiving some pressure to step down from his "Hardball" spot if he truly is committed to making a run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Arlen Specter (R-PA).

If Matthews is serious about running, some within the network hope he commits to the Pennsylvania Senate race sooner rather than later. Otherwise, his nightly presence on “Hardball” provides easy fodder to critics fueling the narrative that MSNBC is in the tank for the Democratic party. After NBC News was stung by criticism during the presidential campaign — charged with bias resulting from the antics of more outspoken personalities on MSNBC — staffers worry the situation will be repeated over the next six months.

Reactions are mostly skeptical.

Sister Toldjah, Chris Matthews sets example other partisan journalists should follow:

I applaud Matthews for taking into serious consideration the possibility he’d need to leave the network in order to run for Senate (of course, he should have left it much, much earlier - but then again he wouldn’t have been able to help his fellow mediots with getting Obama elected, would he?). In fact, I encourage every other journalist out there who has a strong bias for one party or the other - who thinks it’s their “job” to help that party - to please follow Matthews’ example, retire from your profession and start pursuing your dream of officially working to advance that party’s principles - whether it be as a politico, an advisor or aide, or working for an advocacy group, or starting your own. Make your biases known upfront instead of continuing to hide behind a phony banner of “objectivity.”

Alex Paranee--Gawker--Chris Matthews to Hold Breath

Until He Becomes a Senator (or Gets a Raise):
There's no doubt that Chris wants to be a Senator—it's been his dream since he was a little boy, to join that undemocratic and increasingly deadlocked and feeble deliberative body—but the guy is also smart about the realities of politics, if not the realities of reality. Running against a five-term senior Senator would be tough for any Democrat, but "any Democrat" would probably have better luck against Specter than a man who's been on the world's craziest cable news network saying some of the craziest things on that network for years.

Jules Crittenden, Jackass-A-Palooza takes the long view:

Full disclosure: As a professional tabloid newspaperman and frothing rightwing blogger, I have a vested interest in chaotic hilarity, if that is what the American people in their wisdom and through their political processes determine is what will best serve their interests.

Other reactions to the Matthews' bid-maybe-not at Memeorandum.

Is this a serious story? Is this a contract gambit?

Who knows--other than Chris Matthews?

It might be hard slogging it out every night on MSNBC for an audience that approaches the number of people on Friday night at Denny's.

It might be hard playing second banana to the Olberdude.

It might be hard getting anyone outside the DailyKOS to take him seriously.

But it's still easier money than actually having to convince people to vote for him in order to get the job of Chris Matthews' dreams.


by Mondo Frazier
image: jossip

Virginia Cuts All State Funding for Planned Parenthood

State Provided $300+ Million in 2006


The Virginia Senate voted to end taxpayer funding to abortion provider Planned Parenthood last week. The tie-breaking vote was cast by Lt. Governor Bill Bolling.

The amendment to the state budget followed a 20-20 tie among the senators.

The decision, a major setback for the Senate's new Democratic majority, marks the first time in more than a decade that the Senate has decided against giving state aid to the organization because of its abortion-related activities.

The GOP-controlled House has long pushed to cut off state aid for Planned Parenthood, but the moderate Republicans who controlled the Senate until this year fought off the effort.

Planned Parenthood leads the nation in number of abortions performed.

Attorney general hopeful Sen. Ken Cuccinelli II introduced the amendment. He explicitly attacked Planned Parenthood's abortion programs. "What we are doing is financing an abortion-mill operator," Cuccinelli said. "This will deny them that money."

The decision was a surprise, given the Senate's Democratic majority. Democrat Sen. Charles J. Colgan's vote in favor of the amendment led to the tie vote, which was decided by the Lt. Governor's vote. Despite pressure from fellow Democrats, Colgan sided with 19 Republicans, stating, "I ran on a pro-life platform, and most of my constituents are pro-life." Colgan cited fidelity to his conscience as a major reason for opposing funding to Planned Parenthood.

Regardless of how one views abortion, taxpayers are financing a private medical procedure--and that didn't sit well with some Virginia State Senators.

Planned Parenthood's abortion support was a clear reason for House opposition to funding. "We should shut off all federal dollars to any organization that provides abortion services or counseling," Rep. Stephen King told Cybercast News Service.

Democratic opponents of the amendment made an interesting argument: Planned Parenthood's programs actually decreased abortion.

They also claimed that cutting funding to Planned Parenthood would hurt PP's HIV prevention and pregnancy prevention programs.

Nothing was said about whether the state government should be in the business of funding abortions.

Sen. Janet D. Howell, argued that Planned Parenthood's contraceptive programs lead to a decreased number of abortions. "The irony is, Planned Parenthood probably prevents more abortions than any other organization in the country," said Howell.

Senate Majority Leader Richard L. Saslaw expressed fears that the Wednesday decision will lead to further funding cuts to groups that supply abortion. "Once we start down this road, there will be no stopping," said Saslaw.

Virginia's taxpayers have ponied up big bucks for Planned Parenthood in the past.

Last summer, Planned Parenthood revealed that it had received $305.3 million in tax-player funding in 2006, 12 percent more than in the previous year. Planned Parenthood admitted that 34 percent of its 2006 income came from taxpayer funding. The organization also reported a $55.8 million profit for the year.

The Republican-controlled House has already eliminated Planned Parenthood funding from its budget.

An interesting argument from Planned Parenthood opponents concerned PP's teenwire.com site.

Representatives also cited the inappropriate sexual material on Planned Parenthood's teenwire.com site as reason to end taxpayer support of the group. The site tells teens that viewing pornography is normal. "I don't believe taxpayer funding should be going to groups that put sexually explicit material on the Internet targeted at minors" said Rep. Joseph Pitts.

Actions that would land most people who tried that in jail.

Just part of the Virginia Planned Parenthood's spending of 300+ million dollars.

Planned Parenthood should be free to do whatever is legal.

But the Virginia taxpayers shouldn't have to finance it.

They won't have to--at least for the coming budget year.

by Mondoreb
image: dancollinscartoons
Sources:
* Virginia Cuts All Funding to Planned Parenthood
* Senate Vote Sets Tone on Abortion



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One Year Out: How Have the Dems Done?

It's been one year since Democrats won the 2006 elections. As Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) points out:

One year ago, when they took control of Congress, House Democrats made many promises. Most of all, Democrats promised you that they were ready to govern – over the past year it has become all too clear that they have let you down.

Take a moment to watch our latest web video, which highlights the performance of House Democrats over the past year. With an 11 percent approval rating, the lowest in recorded history, it’s no wonder that Speaker Pelosi recently remarked, "I know that Congress has low approval ratings, I don’t approve of Congress, because we haven’t done anything."

This may be the solitary instance when we've heartily agreed with Nancy Peolosi.

Watch the video and make up your mind. Were the Democrats right to commission RAPH for a new symbol?

What do you think?

by Mondoreb
[graphic: RidesAPaleHorse; video: ericcantor]



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