Tondee's Tavern: - Front Page

Another Pro-Life Catholic for Obama

Ed — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:52:50 GMT

Seriously, why would anyone (you know who you are) be tepid in their support for Obama?

Choice quoutes below, and a new poll on the side.

I believe that abortion is an unspeakable evil, yet I support Sen. Barack Obama, who is pro-choice. I do not support him because he is pro-choice, but in spite of it. Is that a proper moral choice for a committed Catholic?
As one of the inaugural members of the U.S. bishops' National Review Board on clergy sexual abuse, and as a canon lawyer, I answer with a resounding yes.
...
Obama's support for abortion rights has led some to the conclusion that no Catholic can vote for him. That's a mistake. While I have never swayed in my conviction that abortion is an unspeakable evil, I believe that we have lost the abortion battle -- permanently. A vote for Sen. John McCain does not guarantee the end of abortion in America. Not even close.
Let's suppose Roe v. Wade were overturned. What would happen? The matter would simply be kicked back to the states -- where it was before 1973. Overturning Roe would not abolish abortion. It would just mean that abortion would be legal in some states and illegal in others. The number of abortions would remain unchanged as long as people could travel.
...
But what about an unjust war? In 2003, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) said flatly that "reasons sufficient for unleashing a war against Iraq did not exist." McCain voted for it; Obama opposed it.

What about torture? "There is no longer any doubt as to whether the current administration has committed war crimes," according to Antonio Taguba, the retired major general who investigated abuses in Iraq. Obama opposes the use of torture in all cases; McCain, himself a victim of torture, voted to allow the CIA to use so-called "enhanced interrogation techniques" -- a euphemism for torture.

BTW: Yesterday was "Respect Life Sunday", as designated by these guys.

Obama preempts McCain's attacks by... attacking McCain!

andyl — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:43:32 GMT

http://www.keatingeconomics.com/is a new website out bringing the old Keating 5 story to light as a tool of comparison with the current financial crisis.

Personally I think this is brilliant and like to see a Democrat fighting back for a change. I think it has a lot to do with Jim Martin's success of late and if McCain is going to bring up the William Ayers bullshit I say go for it.

Huge Kudzu Vine on Tonight!

David McLaughlin — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 03:19:30 GMT

Join us tomorrow at 7:00 pm as we have US Congressional candidate Stephen Camp, and State House from one of the top targets state wide Dr. Bob Puckett as featured guests.

Also, the head of Take Back Georgia, Mike Cantone will join us to premiere there latest ad to "take back" one of Georgia's seats in the US Senate.

Finally, we will give details of a national contest that one of our host will be participating in next week and moch more!

Listen live or podcast it later at at http://blogtalkradio.com/kudzu

Also, is you missed a show are two in the last month here are links to some good Southern political listening!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kudzu/2008/09/28/Kudzu-Vine

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kudzu/2008/09/21/Kudzu-Vine

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kudzu/2008/09/14/Kudzu-Vine

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kudzu/2008/09/07/Kudzu-Vine

McCain: How will you get your party on the same page?

America's Voice — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:30:43 GMT

Securing the votes in Congress to pass real immigration solutions into law isn't going to be easy. The next President - no matter who wins - will need to lead his own party first to get it done.

Senator Obama would surely have an uphill climb, even with a Party Platform that favors comprehensive reform. But, given an enforcement-only Party Platform and the policy positions of most Republicans in Congress, Senator McCain may need to scale a brick wall to bring his party on board!

Nevertheless, both candidates continue to talk about reform (at least in Spanish).

Well, we’ve already heard enough rhetoric- we want a roadmap. We're asking the Senators how they will unite their own parties to pass real immigration solutions into law.

We're saying, Show America the Immigration Reform Roadmap during the next presidential debate on October 7th!

That Gov. Barnes Interview

Ed — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 03:04:36 GMT

Man do I love procrastinating...

Highlights of the interview I did with Governor Barnes are below. You will have to go here to read it in full. It shold be up in the early afternoon (hey, I told him that's who I was conducting the interview for!)

I can't believe how big of a journalistic failure I was after the Jim Martin quesiton. For some reason, I just didn't even think of asking a follow up. (BTW: if my boss is reading this, I am always an excellent journo).

That said, some of the answers he gives might blow your mind, so be sure to check it out.

Left of Center: Senator Obama recently pulled most of his paid staffers out of Georgia and cancelled several ad buys. Do you think this shows Georgia is no longer in play?

Governor Roy Barnes: I do see it still in play. I went to a briefing last week. Not all the paid staffers are leaving. Many of them have gone to North Carolina to meet registration deadlines. I think that’s the great effort right now and I think some of those will come back. They have the best network I have ever seen so far of any presidential candidate since I’ve been in politics. I wouldn’t write Georgia off. Georgia’s tough to say. It leans Republican. I’d call it not fully red but “pink”. I wouldn’t be too disturbed by that.

LofC: Do you think Jim Martin has a chance to defeat Saxby?

RB: I do, I do and as that race goes on Jim’s going to look stronger and stronger.

LofC: What do you think the big issues will be in the next session?

RB: It is no question the budget deficit. I think it will be closer to two and a half billion dollars. And how this state that has generally been considered one of the most fiscally sound states, has allowed this present administration and leadership, in a matter of just a few years, to turn us into the laughing stock of the nation is appalling. What they have done is—lobbyists have eroded the tax base with special interest tax deals for every little client that they have, that the rest of us now are going to have to pay. As I’ve described it recently, we should require those legislators to wear patches like they do in NASCAR, so that we know who is sponsoring them. At least we would have full disclosure in that.

LofC: Are you considering running for governor in 2010?

You know what Ed, you are a smart man, brilliant even. I think you know the answer to that can be found in this week's Left of Center.*

*Not an actual qoute.

Confirming What was Already Said

Ed — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:29:50 GMT

OK, so maybe DSCC was right.

Saxby Chambliss, a Republican, leads Martin, a Democrat, by two points, 46 percent to 44 percent.

Thirteen days ago, Chambliss led the challenger by 17 points, 53 percent to 36 percent. Chambliss lost seven points in the latest polling and Martin picked up eight points.

Because the margin of error for both polls is 3.8 percent, the poll shows that Georgia's U.S. Senate race is effectively tied.

Does Obama have a shot? Not so much. That isn't to say there is no good news for BHO.

According to the SurveyUSA poll released Tuesday, John McCain leads Obama by eight points, 52 percent to 44 percent.
McCain held a 16-point lead in the Peach State 13 days ago, according to the last SurveyUSA poll.

BTW: Gov. Barnes said Obama is an impressive candidate with "the most impressive" operation he's seen in a Presidential race. Barnes added that he thinks Obama can carry Georgia.

Yeah, sorry for not yet transcribing that interview. I should really get on that.

Jim Marshall on the Bailout

Adrian Doyle — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:28:53 GMT

CNN published a piece this morning online by Georgia's own Congressman Jim Marshall (D-Macon). He has a very interesting analysis of the situation.

Deep down, we all know that a financial rescue is necessary. I voted for the plan that was defeated today because, to paraphrase Rep. Spencer Bachus, I'm unwilling to play Russian roulette with the financial lives of my children and grandchildren. Although the bill was imperfect and wildly unpopular, I believed that those of us in Congress needed to suck it up, vote for it and let the chips fall where they may.

He also looks at the specific policy implications of the bill in addition to the broader effects it may have down the road.

My own strong preference is that it focus less on acquiring mortgage-backed securities and be more of a tightly focused effort to minimize foreclosures and home vacancies that drive down property values for all of us. For these non-prime mortgage notes, I would give bankruptcy courts the power to modify mortgage payments to make them more realistic. I would limit the pay of not only top Wall Street executives but the traders who made millions by making this problem worse.

Many have accused Marshall in the past of voting against the party to score cheap points. While I certainly don't agree with several past votes of his (S-CHIP in particular), he got this one right for sure and gives us a great defense for it. It refreshing to see someone think outside the box in this debate and put national interests first. I think he does the right thing in recognizing the economy as a whole needs the help of the government. While this bill would be better with stricter regulations on CEO benefits from the package, he is right to look ahead and realize that future generations (like mine) need a vibrant economy as we enter the workforce.

Link below the fold...

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/29/marshall.economy/index.html

Reminder! Don't Forget to Attend the "Martinis for Jim Martin" Fundraiser Tuesday Evening!

volvodrivingliberal — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 13:24:40 GMT

Please spread the word and come mingle with your fellow Atlanta progressives, meet Georgia's next US Senator Jim Martin, and enjoy special $6 "Martin Martinis", $2 Premium beer pints and hors deouvres.

When: Tuesday September 30th from 630PM to 830PM

Where: Amsterdam Bar and Cafe Outdoor Patio, Amsterdam Walk Shopping Area, 502A Amsterdam Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30306

Cost: Minimum donation of $25 per person

Consider participation as a host of this event:
Absolut Level Host: $250 or more
Smirnoff Level Host $100

Current Absolut Level Hosts:
Kyle Bailey
Tim Cairl
Andy McKinnon
Dean Surbey

Current Smirnoff Level Hosts:
Jeremy Burnette
Ann Rose
Nick Germanotta
Jane Bradshaw
Harry Harkins
Floyd Taylor
Jeremy Faulkner
Steve Shea

You can make a donation online (print your receipt and bring for admission) or just bring a check to the event.

IMPORTANT: This event is for persons over the age of 21 only.

Venue Information and directions:

This venue provides plenty of free parking and serves food from an expansive menu up to 10PM with a full service bar.

Amsterdam Bar and Cafe is located in the Amsterdam Walk Shopping Area adjacent to Piedmont Park in the Morningside/Midtown/Virginia Highland area near downtown Atlanta. Take Monroe Drive to Amsterdam Avenue, turn west onto Amsterdam Avenue until it dead ends at the rear of the shopping complex. Turn right and park. Amsterdam Bar and Cafe is located at the far north end of the rear side of the building. It can be identified by a large patio which juts out from the main building. This is one of the very few venues in the Midtown area which has more-than-ample free parking.

Saxby Up Three

Ed — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:17:49 GMT

Do I think this is good news? Absolutely.

Do I question the 26% undecided? Absolutely.

Jim Martin (D): 34 (36)
Saxby Chambliss (R-inc): 37 (42)
Allen Buckley (L): 3

Gen. Wes Clark endorses Doug Heckman Congressional Candidate GA-7

sndeak — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:47:25 GMT

Media Advisory: Sept 26, 2008
Contact: Samuel Weintraub
678-472-3571
Dougheckman2008@gmail.com

Heckman is endorsed by former Presidential candidate General Wesley Clark

Norcross, Ga. - General Wesley Clark and his political action committee, WesPAC, have endorsed Democrat Doug Heckman for the US Congress in Georgia's Seventh Congressional District.

Heckman, a West Point graduate, has served for 27 years in the Army, both active duty and reserves, working in various leadership positions while stationed in places such as Ft Bragg, Germany, Central America, Afghanistan and Iraq. He is currently a Special Forces Colonel in the US Army Reserves.

Clark said, "I am proud to endorse Doug Heckman for the US Congress. America has reached a critical point, and we need strong leaders in Washington with the courage, knowledge and integrity to overcome our many challenges at home and abroad. Doug's ideas to develop alternative energy, lower taxes for families and small businesses while balancing the budget are just what the ailing economy needs. I also support Doug because he'll fight hard to increase healthcare, education and other benefits for our brave veterans. Doug represents a hope for change in Georgia - a change to government that represents the people not just special interests with lots of money."

Wesley Clark, who was a 2004 candidate for President, spent 34 years in the Army and the Department of Defense, receiving many military decorations. He commanded Operation Allied Force in the Kosovo War during his term as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe from 1997 to 2000. He is a West Point graduate and Rhodes Scholar.

Heckman said, "I am honored by the endorsement of General Wesley Clark, one of our country's finest military and political leaders. We share many goals, especially making sure our country honors the sacrifices of our troops and their families by taking the best possible care of them when they return home. Last year the Congress passed the largest ever funding increase in the 77-year history of the Veterans Administration. It is still not enough. The toll of the War on Terror on our military has been large, and I will seek even more increases in funding for veterans' benefits."

# # #

--
Doug Heckman for U.S. Congress
PO Box 921626
Norcross, GA 30010

www.DougHeckman.com

OH...MY...GOD...Are you kidding me?

sndeak — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:49:32 GMT

Country First my ass.....

Watch CBS Videos Online

Personal Privilege

Ed — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 03:47:36 GMT

A moment of personal privilege here...

We have an abundance of qualified candidates for the various judgeships this year. Now that voting has begun, I'd like to take a moment to urge you to vote for Michael Meyer von Bremen for Court of Appeals.

He is a extremely qualified, a nice guy, would be a good and decent judge, and a reader of the Tavern to boot!

A piece of unsolicited advice to MVB. If your yard signs was arranged vertically, as in:

Meyer
von Bremen

or something similar, people would be able to read it while driving.

Head's Up

Ed — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 02:57:15 GMT

Cover it Live will be in full effect for the debate on Friday.

Additionaly, the TTCiLHQ will be at Manue's Tavern. Join us won't you?

A "Hail Mary"

Adrian Doyle — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:04:25 GMT

McCain has decided to suspend campaigning so he can return triumphantly to Washington to craft a "bipartisan" solution to the financial crisis. Barney Frank puts it better than I can.

"It's the longest 'Hail Mary' in the history of either football or Marys," Frank, chairman of the Financial Services Committee, said during a break in today's critical hearing on the bailout.

Honestly, does McCain really think he's going to find one Democrat who will cross the aisle to help him with a political stunt this close to the election? There are 98 other Senators who are capable of crafting a measure that will work this crisis out and plenty of bipartisan combinations available. Voters are smart enough to see through this charade. They know all too well by this point that McCain and Obama are running for President. It will do the American people a greater service to hear these two side by side discussing the issues. If McCain wants to adapt the campaign for the current crisis, then let's have a debate this Friday focused solely on the economy. But, I'm guessing McCain does not want to have that debate at all.

Well this is Good News

Ed — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:32:27 GMT

Well this is certainly good news.

Barack Obama has recaptured the lead — 45 percent to 39 percent — over John McCain in the presidential race, according to a FOX News poll released Wednesday.

As majorities of each party's faithful back their party nominee, the battle stays focused on that most sought-after group of voters: independents.

Of course there will be some Democrats who will say this is just so Fox News can rally the GOPers to get out the vote. Or something.

However, the lead could be much larger for Obama.

Current polling in the 2008 presidential election shows a very tight race between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain. In part because of the strong support Obama is attracting among younger voters, and as the number of Americans who are reachable only by cell phones rises, interest continues to grow in the question of whether public opinion polls that do not include cell phones are accurately measuring the relative levels of support for the two candidates.

The Pew Research Center for the People & the Press has conducted three major election surveys with both cell phone and landline samples since the conclusion of the primaries. In each of the surveys, there were only small, and not statistically significant, differences between presidential horserace estimates based on the combined interviews and estimates based on the landline surveys only. Yet a virtually identical pattern is seen across all three surveys: In each case, including cell phone interviews resulted in slightly more support for Obama and slightly less for McCain, a consistent difference of two-to-three points in the margin.

I don't think that should really surprise anyone but it is good to see a scientific study of the cell phone effect on polling.

As if to amplify

flackattack — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 03:14:27 GMT

Reader JSH lands in my inbox:

Athens-Clarke County Commission District 10
The little blue island of Athens-Clarke County has an interesting development in its District 10 race where two progressives are vying for the seat. Local races are non-partisan in this neck of the woods, but incumbent Elton Dodson is hoping to fend off a challenge from Mike Hamby, a small businessman who has worked on several state and local Democratic races and served as the interim executive director of the Democratic Party of Georgia.
Dodson has come under fire for his lack of responsiveness to his constituents, which might his road to re-election pretty difficult (and the rumor is that he hasn't even returned the calls placed to him regarding participation in three or four area debates). Plus, Dodson is a supporter of NBAF, which doesn't necessarily play well in liberal ACC.
Hamby has raised concerns about NABF and said he'd favor a more comprehensive economic development strategy that focused on the green economy and building up small businesses. The word on the street is that progressives (and some moderates and conservatives too) are quietly lining up behind Hamby.
On the web: www.electmikehamby.com
Oglethorpe County Sheriff
Mike Smith isn't exactly a staunch progressive, but he's a locally elected Democrat in one of the reddest counties in Georgia, and that's saying something. And he stood his ground against hate speech in the small town of Lexington and dared someone to do something about it.
He's a product of the Oglethorpe County Democratic Committee, which is a small, but dedicated and energetic group of progressives in Georgia, and he's fighting off a challenge from Republican Bill Fincher who apparently has little regard for what he says in public.

Pat Dooley Fundraiser

flackattack — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 03:06:00 GMT

Full details after the flip.

Can Democrats win a Georgia House Seat in Cobb?

Yes We Can

We have the numbers!

Gov. Roy Barnes * Sen. Max Cleland * Cong. John Lewis
Rep. Rob Teilhet * Timothy J. Santelli * The Georgia WIN List * EMILY’S List
Georgia AFL-CIO * Atlanta Labor Council
Rep. DuBose Porter * Rep. Calvin Smyre
Rep. Carolyn Hugley * Rep. Nikki Randall * Rep. Kathy Ashe * Rep. Don Wix

Hon. Jane Kidd * Rep. Debbie Buckner * Red Clay Democrats
Winston Strickland * CWA Local 3204 * IBEW Local 613 * Teamsters Local 728
David Wilkerson * Connie Taylor * Mary F. Agraz * Elizabeth Appley
Steve & Cathy Bruning * Thomas E. Cauthorn * H.E. “Doc” Holiday
Bobby Kahn * Stephen Leeds * Fred Orr * David Worley

Invite you
to attend a reception for

Pat Dooley

House District 38

September 25^th, 2008

5:30 pm-7:00pm

The Barnes Law Group, LLC

31 Atlanta Street

Marietta, GA 30060

Click here for map and directions

$1,000 to sponsor * $500 to host

Suggested $250 Contribution

If you cannot attend, please contribute via the website:
http://www.friendsofpatdooley.com/

Paid for by Friends of Pat Dooley

Host List in Formation

Contributions are limited to $2300 per person, corporation, or PAC.

Contributions are not tax-deductible.

So... How's it going?

flackattack — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 02:59:02 GMT

Well, ok, um... yeah. I suck in so many innumerable ways for being so absent here at the bar lately (and with friends who I've basically left in place). That goes double for the amount of time I've spent following up on the quadrillion emails I've been sent by candidates and campaigns -- which would be zero. Especially those fine folks on the tavern list. Oh man, and nothing but endless postings from Ed... words fail...on just how awfully bad I suck.

Should I keep going? Please feel free to continue the flogging in the comments.

I deserve it.

Campaign Update

Well, I don't think I've ever mentioned just how truly hard it is running as a Democrat in a county that voted for Bush at a 85% clip. Seriously.

Despite the structural challenges -- as if that term was a sufficient marker -- I'm pleased to report that reaching out to folks on the other side has really exceeded my expectations. Do I have some fundamental disagreements on some state and national politics? I think that would be an understatement.

But when I actually sit down with voters and talk about local issues, I actually feel very comfortable with where things are in my campaign. Containing exurban sprawl, returning accountability to smaller political subdivisions of people (in townships and district based voting), and restoring fiscal leadership to our county government are all demonstrably positive and connecting issues for the campaign. It doesn't hurt that my opponent is completely out to lunch and un-informed on these issues...but I digress.

The point here is that we have Democrats across this state in similar positions running similar campaigns -- I'm certainly not an outlier in that regard -- and yet still we keep going. While it is true that larger sentiments and alignments within a particular political party are slow moving and slow to change, the only path forward in places like Forsyth County is to move that dial with a local presence that connects voters with a different perspective. That has been lacking here in my community for a number of years now.

For example, if Democrats don't sieze the local initiative and explain why a laissez-faire approach to development and land use is what landed us in the un-walkable, energy dependent, and unsustainable communities that dot our landscape, then shame on us. People get it, but at least in my own experience, they don't tie it back to the basic governing policy of the party in power. It's our job to make that connection in a way that shows we aren't some scary radicals and that we care about the future direction of our communities too.

Anyway, enough of that. You can see where my head has been lately.

As for the tactics, last week I had 6 political events in 7 days. Yard signs and bumpers are starting to show up across this county. We will be up on cable with our first 30 second spot the first week of October, and they will run all the way until the election. Raising money sucks and I don't do it well. The ground game is hurting for that reason, but how is that different from others... There are just some things I'm not very good at as a candidate. Just an honest assessment.

So, in a long way around to what what supposed to be a short post, it's been pretty busy and I apologize for my extended absence. I'll try and do better as we hit the stretch run. I've got a boat load of emails and such I need to post. I'll try and get that handled in the morning.

So, how you all doin?

Question/Photo of the Day

Ed — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 02:56:46 GMT

Procrastination is so much fun.

The Wire Snubbed -- Again

Ed — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 02:09:00 GMT

Once again, the Wire gets no love from the Emmys.

Unlike Yglesias, I can't really get into the outrage that for the fifth year, the show couldn't earn what it so rightly deserves, because the show finally left my periphery in May, when I started to watch it.

I can say however, that watching the show has been a very culturally rewarding experience.

The writing was phenomenal, the acting even better, the sound perfect (can anyone say ending with "the Fall" didn't provide catharsis and underscored just how depressing and hopeless the story was? To me that was the best part of an episode). In every aspect, the show is an exceptionally well executed piece of art.

As one of the commenters said at Matt's site, I think part of the appeal from the show is that it so accurately said where our cities are at that time, we don't have to guess what it was trying to say. To see why this is important, watch Mayor Carcetti's speech in season five. There are millions of people in America who live in our cities and are subject to failed institutions, but rarely have a voice. We make it almost a habit to forget about them, and the ramifications are real and often deadly.

I don't think I have ever said this about a TV show (and I don't think I ever will again) but if you haven't watched the Wire, go and download the pilot from iTunes tonight. It will cost you about two bucks, but I will be damned if you aren't hooked right away. Fair warning: if you like Law and Order or CSI, you will be ruined from those by the Wire. It is so good, and so accurate in its depictions that other crime shows (the genre that the Wire best fits into, albeit somewhat inaccurately) seem trite and comical.