Showing posts with label US Senate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label US Senate. Show all posts
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Thursday, October 30, 2008
I Bet Mitch McConnell Just Loves It Too
Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) apparently thinks it's great the GOP is out of power in the senior chamber. I'm glad we're in agreement. (Yes, I know what he's referring to - the way Senate rules are set up the minority does have clout, but it's still funny to have him say what he said today.) From Nashville Post (subscription required):
On the Senate, Frist said that it is really the minority leader of the U.S. Senate that sets the agenda.
"You don't want to be majority leader," Frist said, "it's a minority driven body."
On the Senate, Frist said that it is really the minority leader of the U.S. Senate that sets the agenda.
"You don't want to be majority leader," Frist said, "it's a minority driven body."
Monday, October 27, 2008
Ted Stevens the Felon
Alaska Republican US Senator Ted Stevens was found guilty of violating Senate ethics rules by a federal jury today. Will President Bush pardon him before he goes out of office? You betcha is my prediction. He'll probably cite Stevens' age (84) in doing so. Hopefully the good people of Alaska will turn him out on November 4; otherwise, it takes a two-thirds vote in the Senate to expel him. Only 15 have been expelled since 1789, and most of those were kicked out for supporting the Confederacy (the only one that wasn't was Tennessee's own William Blount, who was expelled in 1797 for "anti-Spanish conspiracy and treason" according to the Senate web site). Perhaps he'll have the decency to resign as other disgraced senators not named Larry Craig have in the past, but I'm not sure he'll do that while appealing his conviction.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Senate Passes Revamped Bailout Bill
The US Senate has passed the bailout bill - pardon me, the "Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008" - 74-25 (Ted Kennedy was absent because of his health) tonight with Barack Obama, Joe Biden and John McCain all voting yes. Tennessee Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker also voted for the measure. What opposition there was came primarily from Senators in tight reelection races like North Carolina's Elizabeth Dole.
To get the bill through the Senate so convincingly and hopefully persuade reluctant US House members to give their nod by Friday the bill was altered somewhat from the one that failed on Monday (the following comes from CQ Politics):
The Senate bill adds a provision that would expand, through 2009, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. protection for bank accounts. The bill would temporarily increase insurance coverage to $250,000 per account, up from $100,000. That is designed to help small businesses and community banks in particular.
In a bid to lure House Republicans who voted against the bailout earlier this week, the Senate also added its proposal (HR 6049) to extend expiring tax provisions. The tax measure would stop the alternative minimum tax (AMT) from reaching into the pockets of millions more Americans; expand existing tax breaks for renewable energy, and renew the research and development credit for businesses.
House Republicans prefer the Senate version of the “extenders” measure, which is only partially offset with revenue raisers. House Democrats have been trying to pass extenders legislation with full offsets for all but disaster tax relief and the AMT patch.
I still have misgivings about the rush to give private financial firms a large public fiduciary assist. The bill now before Congress is much better than the blank check President Bush and Secretary Paulson initially wanted, though. I hope if it does pass the House that it helps individuals and small businesses as we're being assured it will by its supporters. Otherwise, we will have done little more than reward bad business practices while placing another long-term financial burden on the middle class.
To get the bill through the Senate so convincingly and hopefully persuade reluctant US House members to give their nod by Friday the bill was altered somewhat from the one that failed on Monday (the following comes from CQ Politics):
The Senate bill adds a provision that would expand, through 2009, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. protection for bank accounts. The bill would temporarily increase insurance coverage to $250,000 per account, up from $100,000. That is designed to help small businesses and community banks in particular.
In a bid to lure House Republicans who voted against the bailout earlier this week, the Senate also added its proposal (HR 6049) to extend expiring tax provisions. The tax measure would stop the alternative minimum tax (AMT) from reaching into the pockets of millions more Americans; expand existing tax breaks for renewable energy, and renew the research and development credit for businesses.
House Republicans prefer the Senate version of the “extenders” measure, which is only partially offset with revenue raisers. House Democrats have been trying to pass extenders legislation with full offsets for all but disaster tax relief and the AMT patch.
I still have misgivings about the rush to give private financial firms a large public fiduciary assist. The bill now before Congress is much better than the blank check President Bush and Secretary Paulson initially wanted, though. I hope if it does pass the House that it helps individuals and small businesses as we're being assured it will by its supporters. Otherwise, we will have done little more than reward bad business practices while placing another long-term financial burden on the middle class.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
Tuke's Team
A press release from Bob Tuke outlines his campaign team:
"IT’S OFFICIAL" … BOB TUKE ENTERS U.S. SENATE RACE
HIRES NATIONAL TALENT WITH WINNING TENNESSEE TRACK RECORD
NASHVILLE, TN –Vietnam Veteran and former Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Bob Tuke announced today that he has filed his “Statement of Candidacy” with the Federal Election Commission and hired key campaign consultants.
“It’s official. I am a candidate to replace Lamar Alexander in the U.S. Senate. I have filed my paperwork and I am raising money. I’m also assembling a team of top-notch consultants with vast experience at turning “Red States” into “Blue States.”
The Tuke for Tennessee campaign announced his core campaign team today.
• Ben Chao- Campaign Manager. Find out more about Ben at www.FRCR.biz
• Joe Trippi - Media and Internet Consultant. Find out more about Joe at www.trippimultimedia.com
• FRCR, Inc. - Media Consultant. Find out more at www.FRCR.biz
• Cathy Thomas – Fundraising consultant. Find out more at www.thomaslindseygroup.com
• Stephen Lindsey – Political Advisor. Find out more at www.thomaslindseygroup.com
“I am very pleased to be able to begin my campaign with this team,” Tuke said. “I realize we are starting later than some other campaigns nationally and that’s why I felt a need to put together a team of battle-hardened political veterans with a balance of national experience and Tennessee knowledge.”
"IT’S OFFICIAL" … BOB TUKE ENTERS U.S. SENATE RACE
HIRES NATIONAL TALENT WITH WINNING TENNESSEE TRACK RECORD
NASHVILLE, TN –Vietnam Veteran and former Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Bob Tuke announced today that he has filed his “Statement of Candidacy” with the Federal Election Commission and hired key campaign consultants.
“It’s official. I am a candidate to replace Lamar Alexander in the U.S. Senate. I have filed my paperwork and I am raising money. I’m also assembling a team of top-notch consultants with vast experience at turning “Red States” into “Blue States.”
The Tuke for Tennessee campaign announced his core campaign team today.
• Ben Chao- Campaign Manager. Find out more about Ben at www.FRCR.biz
• Joe Trippi - Media and Internet Consultant. Find out more about Joe at www.trippimultimedia.com
• FRCR, Inc. - Media Consultant. Find out more at www.FRCR.biz
• Cathy Thomas – Fundraising consultant. Find out more at www.thomaslindseygroup.com
• Stephen Lindsey – Political Advisor. Find out more at www.thomaslindseygroup.com
“I am very pleased to be able to begin my campaign with this team,” Tuke said. “I realize we are starting later than some other campaigns nationally and that’s why I felt a need to put together a team of battle-hardened political veterans with a balance of national experience and Tennessee knowledge.”
Bob Tuke's Letter
I checked my Facebook account this morning and here's what I found:
"Dear friends,
As some of you know, I have decided to run for the US Senate against Lamar Alexander.
I will bring the energy, focus, purpose and determination of a Marine to this campaign and to my service in the United States Senate.
I am not so much offering myself as a candidate as I again am answering a call to service. America is in crisis. Our economy is in trouble, our schools are struggling to excel, our health care system leaves millions uncovered, and there are parts of Tennessee where the good paying jobs of the future are just a mirage. And in too many places, the cold wind of hunger and poverty whistle through open doors of despair.
Perhaps most critically, we find ourselves in two wars, with enemies lying in wait at home and abroad. Veterans return from war to heal their bodies and their minds only to find a broken system that leaves them without care. I fought in Vietnam as a Marine officer, and I cared for my Marines. I understand the rigors of war and the responsibility of our government to wage it properly and to care for those who fight it and for their families.
My wife Susan and I have built our lives in Tennessee and have been married for nearly 39 years. We raised our children Andrew (27) and Sarah (24) in the traditions of faith, service to country and belief in the ideals of the Democratic Party.
I hope you will support me in this effort as you supported me when I was your Party Chairman.
Thank you and Semper Fi,
Bob Tuke
Tuke for Tennessee
222 Fourth Ave. No.
Nashville, TN 37219
615-256-8585
rtuke@tntlaw.net"
Good! I know Lamar is a huge favorite in this race, but he shouldn't get another term in the US Senate by default. And it does give me a good Democrat to vote for after months of thinking there wouldn't be one on the ballot.
UPDATE: Former Knox County Clerk Mike Padgett has his hat in the ring now too.
"Dear friends,
As some of you know, I have decided to run for the US Senate against Lamar Alexander.
I will bring the energy, focus, purpose and determination of a Marine to this campaign and to my service in the United States Senate.
I am not so much offering myself as a candidate as I again am answering a call to service. America is in crisis. Our economy is in trouble, our schools are struggling to excel, our health care system leaves millions uncovered, and there are parts of Tennessee where the good paying jobs of the future are just a mirage. And in too many places, the cold wind of hunger and poverty whistle through open doors of despair.
Perhaps most critically, we find ourselves in two wars, with enemies lying in wait at home and abroad. Veterans return from war to heal their bodies and their minds only to find a broken system that leaves them without care. I fought in Vietnam as a Marine officer, and I cared for my Marines. I understand the rigors of war and the responsibility of our government to wage it properly and to care for those who fight it and for their families.
My wife Susan and I have built our lives in Tennessee and have been married for nearly 39 years. We raised our children Andrew (27) and Sarah (24) in the traditions of faith, service to country and belief in the ideals of the Democratic Party.
I hope you will support me in this effort as you supported me when I was your Party Chairman.
Thank you and Semper Fi,
Bob Tuke
Tuke for Tennessee
222 Fourth Ave. No.
Nashville, TN 37219
615-256-8585
rtuke@tntlaw.net"
Good! I know Lamar is a huge favorite in this race, but he shouldn't get another term in the US Senate by default. And it does give me a good Democrat to vote for after months of thinking there wouldn't be one on the ballot.
UPDATE: Former Knox County Clerk Mike Padgett has his hat in the ring now too.
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