698 Days until Election Day
December 5, 2008
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"How much more
grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it."
- Marcus Aurelius
"Always write angry
letters to your enemies. Never mail them."
- James Fallows
MORNING UPDATE:
EARLY VOTING A HORRIBLE IDEA...The House passed a bill to allow early voting. Just think of the chaos and potential for fraud this could cause. We have a hard enough time monitoring ACORN and the Democrats now, who have consistently attempted to register "new" voters that don't exist, we find "deceased" voters and they are not all from Chicago. This is a deceptively "good sounding" idea that could have some very troublesome and negative consequences. Let your Senators know what you think about House Bill 4090.
ATR & ACU STATE LEADERS CONFERENCE...we ended our two-day conference where participants from all over the country came together to share "best practices" and discuss how we grow and expand our party. There was a lot of discussion about bringing home our base and reaching out to the African-American, Latino/Hispanic and Asian American communities. It was a great first effort and they plan on holding these at least annually, if not twice a year.
VICE PRESIDENT CHENEY'S CHRISTMAS PARTY...it was a great honor to be invited to the Vice President's Christmas party this year. I joined RNC National Committeewoman Holly Hughes and many of our fellow RNC members for a wonderful evening at the residence. The Vice President and his wife were very gracious and we enjoyed a beautiful evening with fellow Republicans from around the country.
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TODAY'S TOP STORIES
The following stories and more are available at my Articles of Interest online.
Detroit-friendly Democrats to buck public opinion
Martin Sieff UNITED
PRESS INTERNATIONAL
Friday, December 5, 2008
The heads of America's Big Three automakers - General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC - descended on Washington on Thursday in a convoy of hybrid and flex-fuel vehicles seeking $34 billion in loans to save the floundering U.S. auto industry. They look certain to get the bailout, but U.S. public opinion, even in the Midwest heartland where the industry is based, remains surprisingly lukewarm, even hostile.
The top GM, Ford and Chrysler executives made their case to the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee on Thursday and face the House Financial Services Committee on Friday.
Earlier in the week, the auto companies submitted their loan paperwork, outlining the changes they would make if they get the $34 billion. They also warned of dire consequences if they don't, such as the loss of millions of U.S. jobs in the industry and its support businesses. To show they were serious, the top executives from the three companies in the delegation cut their multimillion-dollar salaries to $1 a year and promised to dispose of their corporate jets. The United Auto Workers union also offered help in modifying its contract.
Back on Capitol Hill, Auto Executives Still Find Skeptics
By DAVID M.
HERSZENHORN and BILL VLASIC
Published: December 4, 2008
WASHINGTON - The chief executives of America's foundering automobile manufacturers returned to Capitol Hill on Thursday and found themselves confronting years of pent-up anger, the harsh politics of a recession and the realization that even their strongest supporters might not be able to muster the votes to save them.
Fiscal hawks are worried that taxpayers will lose billions. Pro-labor lawmakers are furious that union workers are being blamed for causing the automakers' problems, even as tens of thousands face layoffs. Environmentalists like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are fed up after years of battles over fuel-efficiency rules. And Congress, as a whole, is suffering from acute bailout fatigue.
"I don't want to raise expectations that that is going to be easy at all given the climate in the country," Senator Christopher J. Dodd, Democrat of Connecticut, said after Thursday's hearing before the banking committee, which he leads. "That's a tall order."
Published: December 5, 2008
Detroit's auto executives have the most tenuous grasp of their grim situation. Two weeks ago, they said they needed $25 billion from taxpayers. By last Tuesday they were asking for $34 billion. Now they say they have plans to turn around their companies.
The plans are fairly credible, but the chief executives from the Big Three auto companies left two things in Detroit. One was a believable commitment to transform themselves into businesses that make fuel-efficient cars, even when gas is cheap. The other was their letters of resignation.
Before giving General Motors, Ford and Chrysler the money they need, Congress should require much tighter commitments on fuel economy. It should establish a stringent system to ensure compliance and demand that top management be replaced.
Act now to make Michigan competitive
Michigan is not competitive and hasn't been for years. This state preceded the nation in recession and is in danger of remaining mired in recession after the rest of the nation recovers. Yet we see no urgency from our political leaders in taking steps to help the state become more competitive.
The consequences of putting off difficult decisions can be seen daily in the latest headlines about the U.S. auto industry -- whose business and labor executives steadfastly ignored its unrealistic costs.
But even as the domestic carmakers, the leading engine of this state's economy, confront extinction, the political leadership of this state keeps looking for ways to tread water. We simply can't afford that attitude any longer.
Major road projects across Michigan could be shelved
Funding shortfalls take the blame
BY MATT HELMS
December 5, 2008
Major road projects planned for the next five years could be delayed indefinitely beginning in 2010, as the state prepares for a future with big shortfalls in transportation funding.
The Michigan Department of Transportation has put together a revised 5-year plan for the 2009-13 construction seasons, highlighting projects that could be postponed or cut, including dozens on major roads and highway bridges in metro Detroit.
The plan details how declining gas tax revenues and rising costs for roadwork and materials will reduce the state's ability to keep its road system in good shape.
Legislature approves dozens of bills
Budget stalemate clouding agenda
BY DAWSON BELL and
CHRIS CHRISTOFF
December 5, 2008
LANSING -- Michigan's lame-duck Legislature worked frantically Thursday on issues ranging from a boost for commuter travel in Detroit to a ban on the direct shipment of wine.
Although the state House and Senate approved dozens of bills, it was unclear which will become law. Late in the day, Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, said the Senate won't take up pending issues when it returns next week until the state's projected budget deficit is addressed.
Bishop called on Gov. Jennifer Granholm to issue an executive order outlining how she would eliminate a $400-million hole in the 2009 budget, which he said is the top priority.
Detroit rail line chugs forward
Senate passes key components of plan for project along Woodward
Gary Heinlein and Tanveer Ali / The Detroit News
LANSING -- Key components of a plan to build a light rail line along Woodward Avenue in Detroit were approved without opposition by the state Senate on Thursday, and lawmakers said they plan to complete the multibill package when they resume session next week.
The proposal, pushed by billionaires Dan Gilbert and Roger Penske, would use $103 million in private money to build the street-level rail line looping between Hart Plaza and Grand Boulevard in the New Center area. Its 12 stops would include major businesses, theaters, ballparks, museums and hospitals.
"It has the potential to be a model for creating mass transit in Michigan," said Sen. Jud Gilbert, R-Algonac, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee.
Medical marijuana law in effect, not in practice
Ben Leubsdorf
Associated Press
December 5, 2008
DETROIT - Medical marijuana became legal in Michigan on Thursday, a month after overwhelming approval by voters. But patients looking to relieve pain, nausea and loss of appetite don't have the go-ahead to light up just yet.
The new law allows patients with cancer, HIV, AIDS, glaucoma and other diseases to use marijuana to relieve their symptoms on a doctor's recommendation.
Qualifying patients can register with the state and receive ID cards allowing them to legally acquire, possess, grow, transport and use a limited amount - no more than 2.5 ounces and 12 plants - of marijuana. They also can designate a primary caregiver to receive similar protection.
Court to weigh question about Obama citizenship
Unlikely decision could deny him presidency
Tom Ramstack
(Contact)
Friday, December 5, 2008
The Supreme Court plans to meet Friday to decide whether to hear a case that could determine whether President-elect Barack Obama ever becomes the nation's president.
Justice Clarence Thomas picked up the petition to hear New Jersey attorney Leo Donofrio's lawsuit after it was denied by Justice David H. Souter. Justice Thomas referred it to the full court, which decided to distribute the case for the judges' conference.
The decision to put the case on Friday's docket resulted from more than a dozen lawsuits challenging Mr. Obama's right to be president based on his citizenship at birth. The issue preoccupied many conservative bloggers in the weeks before the Nov. 4 election.
Gun sellers say the election of Barack Obama is helping them avoid the recession. Sales of new guns are booming - up an estimated 50 percent in the suburbs.
In Wednesday's Truth in Politics, CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports the gun lobby spent big trying to defeat Obama this year, outraged by his promise to reinstate a ban on military-style assault weapons. On talk radio, he was denounced as a "gun grabber." Now, as Obama heads to the White House, millions are rushing to reload.
