Rep. Rangel found guilty of breaking House ethics rules……

Charles Rangel, 79, NY – D, The powerful Chairman of the House Ways and Means committee was found guilty by fellow House members from the Ethics Committee on trips he took in 2007 and 2008…..He still is under investigation for irregularities in tax manners by the House…..

Rangel who is known to be forgetful by House members has served for 34 years in Congress…..as is known as fine dresser and the annual sponsor of bring back the draft……

The Dog fully expects that the New York Democrat will be able to keep his seat after the rulings come out on the continuing inquiry….

Here’s the piece ……….

Rep. Charles Rangel, the most powerful tax-writing lawmaker in Congress and a 34-year veteran of Capitol Hill, knowingly accepted Caribbean trips from a corporation in violation of House rules, the House Ethics Committee ruled Thursday, The Associated Press has learned.

At least four other members of the Congressional Black Caucus who were also on the 2007 and 2008 trips were exonerated by the panel, according to a congressional source familiar with the findings.

Rangel said he was being “admonished” by the House Ethics Committee amid reports he violated ethics rules by accepting corporate-funded trips to the Caribbean.

The New York Democrat told political website Politico the committee claimed at least two members of his staff knew about the corporate funding for the trips – and that Rangel himself should have known.

The finding is certain to jeopardize Rangel’s chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee. The tax-writing committee will take a lead as Congress determines the fate of former President George W. Bush’s expiring tax cuts.

Rengel’s ethics troubles also present an election-year dilemma for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who led a Democratic takeover of the House in 2006 on a campaign promise to end a “culture of corruption” in the GOP-led Congress.

The 79-year-old Rengel, D-N.Y., has been in the House 30 years. It was unclear whether the findings would affect whether he seeks re-election

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/ethics_panel_finds_ways_rules_means_KV5rS9REPmFnotBT23WxHI#ixzz0gbY1MWmX
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/ethics_panel_finds_ways_rules_means_KV5rS9REPmFnotBT23WxHI#ixzz0gbXsSHOf

Democrats need to Stop Panicking, The Sky Isn't Falling……..

This from Nathan Empsall over @ MyDD.Com…..

It was a rather disturbing diary headline earlier this week: “Charlie Cook says Democrats will lose the House.” But it wasn’t quite as disturbing once I read the actual article in question.

Is the progressive sky falling?

Hell no.

The full quote from Cook shows that he’s just blowing smoke and has no numbers to back up his claim.

I’ve spent the last couple of days talking to some of the brightest Democrats in the party that are not in the White House. And it’s very hard to come up with a scenario where Democrats don’t lose the House. It’s very hard. Are the seats there right this second? No. But we’re on a trajectory on the House turning over.

A trajectory? Hell, trajectories can change. Give me numbers, not opinions. Unemployment will still be high in November, but between the new jobs bills and the slow recovery, it shouldn’t be as high as it is now. Hopefully with Obama’s new spine, some form health care reform will have passed and voters will realize that Grandma is still alive.

The University of Virginia’s Larry Sabato was one of the first to predict a bad year for Democrats, but is holding steady at bad year, not terrible year. Perhaps his colleagues, like Cook, are trying to make up for not being the first to play Chicken Little by escalating to Chicken Huge. Either way, here’s the take from Isaac Wood, House Race Editor for Sabato’s Crystal Ball:

Some pundits are already predicting the GOP could even take back the House, which would require a net gain of 40 seats this November. To put that into perspective, in the past sixty years there have been thirty House elections, but only four have resulted in either party gaining 40 seats or more. In fact, over the past thirty-five years (and sixteen House elections), only once has either party picked up 40 seats or more. That year, of course, was 1994 when Republicans came to power following a net gain of 52 House seats.

While the Crystal Ball believes 2010 will reverse Democratic gains at all levels, there is still no convincing evidence that a GOP wave will deliver Republicans the majority in the House. Examining history and House races on a district-by-district basis shows instead that Republicans are headed to a more typical, if better than average, midterm year, picking up between 24 and 30 seats as the Crystal Ball has predicted since September. The average pick-up in a midterm year (since 1946) is 22 seats and Republicans should exceed that, but the magic number of 40 still seems out of reach, as of February.

The Senate picture is also looking up. We’ll lose seats, but poll trends are encouraging as Democratic candidates gain ground in several states. In New Hampshire, Republican Kelly Ayotte leads Democratic Rep. Paul Hodes 46-39, but Hodes is closing, having narrowed the gap from 49-40. In New York, Harold Ford has done wonders for Sen. Kirstin Gillibrand, who has narrowed the gap against former Republican Governor George Pataki from 51-38 to 47-41. Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher is also cutting into former Rep. Rob Portman’s lead in Ohio. Nationally, if one disregards Rasmussen (which doesn’t use live pollsters), Democrats still maintain a narrow edge on the generic ballot. And let’s not forget, though he’s not above 50% in every poll, the party’s leader does have a net positive rating.

More…….

The Dog is constantly admonishing people here …it’s 8 months out from November and anything (a’la Scott Brown ..) can happen….

Democrats need to Stop Panicking, The Sky Isn’t Falling……..

This from Nathan Empsall over @ MyDD.Com…..

It was a rather disturbing diary headline earlier this week: “Charlie Cook says Democrats will lose the House.” But it wasn’t quite as disturbing once I read the actual article in question.

Is the progressive sky falling?

Hell no.

The full quote from Cook shows that he’s just blowing smoke and has no numbers to back up his claim.

I’ve spent the last couple of days talking to some of the brightest Democrats in the party that are not in the White House. And it’s very hard to come up with a scenario where Democrats don’t lose the House. It’s very hard. Are the seats there right this second? No. But we’re on a trajectory on the House turning over.

A trajectory? Hell, trajectories can change. Give me numbers, not opinions. Unemployment will still be high in November, but between the new jobs bills and the slow recovery, it shouldn’t be as high as it is now. Hopefully with Obama’s new spine, some form health care reform will have passed and voters will realize that Grandma is still alive.

The University of Virginia’s Larry Sabato was one of the first to predict a bad year for Democrats, but is holding steady at bad year, not terrible year. Perhaps his colleagues, like Cook, are trying to make up for not being the first to play Chicken Little by escalating to Chicken Huge. Either way, here’s the take from Isaac Wood, House Race Editor for Sabato’s Crystal Ball:

Some pundits are already predicting the GOP could even take back the House, which would require a net gain of 40 seats this November. To put that into perspective, in the past sixty years there have been thirty House elections, but only four have resulted in either party gaining 40 seats or more. In fact, over the past thirty-five years (and sixteen House elections), only once has either party picked up 40 seats or more. That year, of course, was 1994 when Republicans came to power following a net gain of 52 House seats.

While the Crystal Ball believes 2010 will reverse Democratic gains at all levels, there is still no convincing evidence that a GOP wave will deliver Republicans the majority in the House. Examining history and House races on a district-by-district basis shows instead that Republicans are headed to a more typical, if better than average, midterm year, picking up between 24 and 30 seats as the Crystal Ball has predicted since September. The average pick-up in a midterm year (since 1946) is 22 seats and Republicans should exceed that, but the magic number of 40 still seems out of reach, as of February.

The Senate picture is also looking up. We’ll lose seats, but poll trends are encouraging as Democratic candidates gain ground in several states. In New Hampshire, Republican Kelly Ayotte leads Democratic Rep. Paul Hodes 46-39, but Hodes is closing, having narrowed the gap from 49-40. In New York, Harold Ford has done wonders for Sen. Kirstin Gillibrand, who has narrowed the gap against former Republican Governor George Pataki from 51-38 to 47-41. Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher is also cutting into former Rep. Rob Portman’s lead in Ohio. Nationally, if one disregards Rasmussen (which doesn’t use live pollsters), Democrats still maintain a narrow edge on the generic ballot. And let’s not forget, though he’s not above 50% in every poll, the party’s leader does have a net positive rating.

More…….

The Dog is constantly admonishing people here …it’s 8 months out from November and anything (a’la Scott Brown ..) can happen….

Detroit's Biggest Lemons of All Time ………..

One of Detroit’s biggest lemons, the gas-guzzling Hummer, is nearing its final days. General Motors announced on February 24, 2010 that it will shutter Hummer, following a failed deal to sell the SUV line to China’s Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/money/galleries/detroits_biggest_duds_/detroits_biggest_duds_.html#ixzz0gbDUUh4z

Detroit’s Biggest Lemons of All Time ………..

One of Detroit’s biggest lemons, the gas-guzzling Hummer, is nearing its final days. General Motors announced on February 24, 2010 that it will shutter Hummer, following a failed deal to sell the SUV line to China’s Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/money/galleries/detroits_biggest_duds_/detroits_biggest_duds_.html#ixzz0gbDUUh4z

For CD…Illinois Down Ballot information……

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR:

(Note: Governor & Lt. Governor candidates run together on tickets in the General Election.)

VACANT

Scott Lee Cohen (D) – Withdrew, party will select replacement nominee

Jason Plummer (R) – Lumber Company Executive

Don Crawford (Green)

Ed Rutledge (Libertarian) – Financial Executive & Chicago Libertarian Chair

ATTORNEY GENERAL:

Lisa Madigan (D)* – (Campaign Site)

Steve Kim (R) – Attorney

Joe Bell (Constitution) – Attorney & Software Engineer

David Black (Green) – Attorney, ’06 Nominee & ’04 Champaign County State’s Attorney Nominee

William Malan (Libertarian) – Attorney & Publishing Company Owner

SECRETARY OF STATE:

Jesse White (D)* – (Campaign Site)

Robert Enriquez (R) – Businessman, Ex-State Human Rights Commissioner & USMC Veteran

Adrian Frost (Green) – ’08 Kendall County Commission Nominee

Josh Hanson (Libertarian) – Customer Service Project Coordinator & DuPage County Libertarian Chair

STATE COMPTROLLER:

[ Dan Hynes (D)* – Lost Primary for Governor in 2010. ]

David Miller (D) – State Rep. & Dentist

Judy Baar Topinka (R) – Ex-State Treasurer, Ex-State Sen., Ex-State Rep., Ex-State GOP Chair & ’06 Governor Nominee

Erika Schaefer (Green) – Non-Profit Group Financial Director

Julie Fox (Libertarian) – Dundee Township Library Board Member, Ex-State Party Treasurer & Accountant

STATE TREASURER:

[ Alexi Giannoulias (D)* – Candidate for US Senate in 2010. ]

Robin Kelly (D) – Ex-State Rep. & Chief of Staff to State Treasurer Giannoulias

Dan Rutherford (R) – State Sen., Ex-State Rep., Businessman & ’06 Secretary of State Nominee

Scott Summers (Green) – Attorney, McHenry County College Trustee & ’08 US Rep. Nominee

James Pauly (Libertarian)

GENERAL ASSEMBLY:

State House – ( Democratic Caucus – Republican Caucus )

State Senate – ( Democratic Caucus – Republican Caucus )

U.S. SENATOR

[ Roland Burris (D)* – Retiring in 2010. ]

Alexi Giannoulias (D) – State Treasurer & Ex-Banker

Mark Kirk (R) – Congressman, Attorney, Ex-Congressional Aide & Afghan War Veteran

LeAlan Jones (Green) – Freelance Journalist & Author

U.S. CONGRESS:

District 1:

Bobby Rush (D)*

Jeff Adams (Green)

District 2:

Jesse L. Jackson Jr. (D)* – (Campaign Site)

Isaac Hayes (R) – Minister

Anthony Williams (Green) – Lutheran Pastor & Frequent Candidate

District 3:

Dan Lipinski (D)* – (Campaign Site)

Michael Bendas (R) – Business Consultant & Retired Army Officer

Laurel Lambert Schmidt (Green) – Ex-Insurance Underwriter & Peace Activist

District 4:

Luis Gutierrez (D)*

Rob Burns (Green) – Economist & Community Activist

District 5:

Mike Quigley (D)* – (Campaign Site)

David Ratowitz (R) – Real Estate Developer, Attorney & Army Veteran

Matt Reichel (Green) – Political Organizer, Peace Activist, French Translator & ’09 Candidate

District 6:

Peter Roskam (R)* – (Campaign Site)

Ben Lowe (D) – Author & Environmental Activist

District 7:

Danny K. Davis (D)* – (Campaign Site)

Mark Weiman (R) – Dentist

Kip Robbins (Green) – Financial Analyst

District 8:

Melissa Bean (D)* – (Campaign Site)

Joe Walsh (R) – Teacher, ’96 Candidate & ’98 State Rep. Candidate

Bill Scheurer (Green) – Attorney, Peace Activist & Frequent Candidate

Bill Fraser (Independent) – Teacher

District 9:

Jan Schakowsky (D)* – (Campaign Site)

Joel Pollak (R) – Attorney, Author & Conservative Activist

Simon Ribeiro (Green) – Teacher & ’06 Candidate

District 10:

[ Mark Kirk (R)* – Candidate for US Senate in 2010. ]

Bob Dold (R) – Businessman

Dan Seals (D) – Marketing Executive, Ex-Congressional Aide & ’06/’08 Nominee

Phil Huckelberry (Green) – State Party Co-Chair, Civil Engineer & ’04 State Rep. Nominee

District 11:

Debbie Halvorson (D)* – (Campaign Site)

Adam Kinzinger (R) – Ex-McLean County Commissioner & Iraq War Veteran

District 12:

Jerry Costello (D)* – (Campaign Site)

Teri Davis Newman (R) – Professional Wedding Planner

Christian Falconer (Constitution) – Researcher

Rodger Jennings (Green) – Information Technology Project Manager, Metro East Green Party Chair & ’08 Nominee

District 13:

Judy Biggert (R)* – (Campaign Site)

Scott Harper (D) – Marketing Firm Owner & ’08 Nominee

District 14:

Bill Foster (D)* – (Campaign Site)

Randy Hultgren (R) – State Sen., Ex-State Rep., Ex-DuPage County Commissioner & Attorney

Dan Kairis (Green) – Teacher, Community Activist & Ex-Reform Party State Chair

Dan Druck (Libertarian) – Business Development Consultant, USAF Veteran & ’08 Nominee

Doug Marks (Libertarian) – Software Developer

District 15:

Tim Johnson (R)* – (Campaign Site)

David Gill (D) – Physician, Democratic Activist & ’04/’06 Nominee

District 16:

Don Manzullo (R)* – (Campaign Site)

George Gaulrapp (D) – Freeport Mayor & Marketing Executive

Terry Campbell (Green)

District 17:

Phil Hare (D)* – (Campaign Site)

Bobby Schilling (R) – Pizza Restaurant Owner & Ex-Factory Worker

Roger Davis (Green) – Disabled Laborer, Ex-Truck Driver & Ex-Prison Guard

District 18:

Aaron Schock (R)* – (Campaign Site)

D.K. Hirner (D) – Environmental Activist, Ex-College Professor & Ex-Missouri Gubernatorial Aide

Sheldon Schafer (Green) – College Professor, Astronomer, Peace Corps Veteran & ’08 Nominee

District 19:

John Shimkus (R)* – (Campaign Site)

Tim Bagwell (D) – IT Consultant, Teacher & ’04 Nominee

Note: We where not able to pick up the links….this is the main link to Politcs1 Illinois down ballot list…..

Pictures from the Healthcare Summit…….

  

All From The Huffington Post.……

Olympics Medal count……..

	Country	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	UNITED STATESUNITED STATES	8	10	12	30
2	GERMANYGERMANY	8	11	7	26
3	NORWAYNORWAY	7	6	6	19
4	CANADACANADA	7	6	2	15
5	RUSSIAN FEDERATIONRUSSIAN FEDERATION	3	4	6	13
6	AUSTRIAAUSTRIA	4	3	5	12
7	KOREAKOREA	5	4	1	10
7	FRANCEFRANCE	2	3	5	10
9	SWITZERLANDSWITZERLAND	6	0	2	8
9	CHINACHINA	4	2	2	8
9	SWEDENSWEDEN	4	2	2	8
12	NETHERLANDSNETHERLANDS	3	1	2	6
13	CZECH REPUBLICCZECH REPUBLIC	2	0	3	5
14	POLANDPOLAND	0	3	1	4
14	ITALYITALY	0	1	3	4
16	AUSTRALIAAUSTRALIA	2	1	0	3
16	SLOVAKIASLOVAKIA	1	1	1	3
16	SLOVENIASLOVENIA	0	2	1	3
16	FINLANDFINLAND	0	1	2	3
16	JAPANJAPAN	0	1	2	3
21	LATVIALATVIA	0	2	0	2
21	BELARUSBELARUS	0	1	1	2
21	CROATIACROATIA	0	1	1	2
24	GREAT BRITAINGREAT BRITAIN	1	0	0	1
24	ESTONIAESTONIA	0	1	0	1
24	KAZAKHSTANKAZAKHSTAN	0	1	0	1

Marco Rubio hits a bump….little or large?

The mud-slinging is about taxes on expenses……

Here’s the piece from Politico.…..

Rubio’s expenses

Florida politics is abuzz today with the leak of the statements for a Republican Party American Express card held by Marco Rubio, which shows some charges for things that look like personal expenses.

Rubio quickly denounced the story as a low blow from the Crist-controlled party, and he has the advantage that the sums he’s accused of spending are far lower than those Crist’s allies at the parties spent.

But the way this kind of story can become truly damaging — for him and for other Florida Republicans — is if it emerges that they spent party money on their own and didn’t pay taxes on the imputed income. It’s often the taxing, not the spending, that brings pols down in situations like this.

NOTE: Rubio says he paid back all the personal expenses which, if true, would eliminate any problem. [The paper reported:

Records show Rubio sent payments to American Express totaling $13,900 for his personal expenses during his tenure as House speaker. But those payments were not made monthly. He made no contributions to the bill during a six-month stretch in 2007, records show.]

Posted by Ben Smith

From Daniel G…….Florida Senate: This sounds like serious stuff is coming up. Is Charlie Crist leaving the Republican Party?

Hello Dog!

I knew this would be coming up very soon. Now here is probably the first hard evidence Florida Governor Charlie Crist (R-FL) could leave the Republican Party.

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/theslant/blog/2010/02/will_charlie_crist_bolt_the_go.html

Daniel G.