|
Bush: ban same sex marriage
President Bush is expected to offer support for the Senate bill to amend the
Constitution defining marriage as between a man and a woman. Media outlets
like the NY Times are covering it as a pandering to the social
conservatives.
However, Bush defenders remind listeners that Bush nominated John G. Roberts
Jr., and Samuel A. Alito Jr. to the Supreme Court.
Court cases have seen judges in several states rule against state laws
banning same-sex marriage, including Georgia and Nebraska. There are also
court cases pending in states including New York, New Jersey and Washington.
Pelosi caves to Black Caucus
NewsMax reports on Democrat House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi striking
a deal with the Black Caucus to reverse her call for Rep. Jefferson to
resign from his committee:
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has dropped her demand that Rep. William
Jefferson, D-La., resign from the powerful House Way & Means Committee - in
exchange for a promise from the Congressional Black Caucus that they won't
campaign against her in advance of this fall's critical mid-term elections.
According to a Roll Call report this week, Pelosi struck a deal with the
Black Caucus in a closed door meeting last Friday to "hold off taking any
pre-indictment action against Jefferson" as long as the group refrains from
attacking her.
Newt’s Iowa advantage
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich has a friend in Iowa who is
running for Governor. That friend’s name is Rep. Jim Nussle. Nussle was part
of the band of revolutionaries who helped Gingrich win control of Congress
for the Republicans.
Gingrich recently was in Iowa campaigning with Nussle. Now, Gingrich is
sending an e-mail message through the Iowa GOP Party data base to activist
Republicans throughout the state. Here is part of the message:
On my last trip to Iowa, I had the great opportunity of traveling with Jim
on the campaign trail. At each town we visited, Jim talked about an issue I
think is critical to our country's future - renewable energy. Jim
understands that if we're going to curb sky-rocketing gas prices, grow our
economy and guarantee our energy independence, we need an aggressive
strategy focused on environmentally friendly renewables like ethanol,
biodiesel, wind and biomass.
Jim has the right idea with his recently introduced bipartisan Independence
from Oil With Agriculture (IOWA) Act. It works as part of a comprehensive
strategy that dramatically reduces our reliance on foreign oil. The IOWA Act
establishes Iowa as part of the solution to reduce out-of-control gas
prices, ease reliance on Mideast oil, and encourage economic growth by using
agriculture as a source of energy production. The IOWA Act is exactly the
right direction fr our country - utilizing homegrown resources and research
to expand the availability and consumption of renewable fuels.
It's not the only step Jim has taken - he's also proposed a $2,000 consumer
tax credit that would allow Iowans greater ability to purchase Flex Fuel
Vehicles as part of his Iowa Energy 20/20 Plan. Jim's plan goes beyond the
recently signed national energy bill that only offers federal tax credits
for those who purchase hybrid cars and trucks. By offering Iowans a consumer
tax credit to purchase these clean burning fuel vehicles, Jim is building on
Iowa's incredible potential for renewable sources of energy and helping fuel
its development by making Iowa the Renewable Energy Capital of the World.
MoveOn.org leading the way
MoveOn.org is trying to fill the void of the Democrats' lack of agenda. They
asked their membership what should be the positive agenda that compels them
to victory. Here is what the latest e-mail says:
The results are in. We're proud to announce the MoveOn member choice for our
new, positive agenda:
·
Health care for all
·
Energy independence through clean, renewable sources
·
Democracy restored
These three goals were nominated, debated, and overwhelmingly selected by
more than 100,000 people in local house parties and then online. Most groups
would say this is a far too risky way to make such a big decision. But it's
this grassroots consensus that makes this agenda different—and powerful.
So what's next? This month, we'll launch a major campaign for a
clean energy future, starting by breaking the vise-grip of big oil
in Washington with our "Oil Free Congress" initiative. Expect hundreds of
local events, advertising, national media attention and accountability at
the ballot box—and that's just for the first of our 3 new goals.
Of course, we won't let up in our work to end the war in Iraq, and we'll
still respond to immediate threats in Congress. But our new agenda will
focus our long-term work, offer voters a positive, inspiring reason to
support progressives on Election Day, and push Democrats to think big and
fight hard.
|
