Sit-In Live Update

Here we are, we've live from Congressman Allen's Portland Office on 57 Exchange St. As I'm typing, about 20 people or so are filing into the office's lobby to explain their views about the War In Iraq. As a change from last time we have made a staff line close to the door, and have prevented any protestor from crossing that line, because as we explain this is a place of business and we do need to do the work of the people. After the first group has filed in, a few people have come forward to read statments to Ann Goodridge, Constituent Services Coordinator and Mark Sullivan, Communications Director.

Summary: There were about 6 "statements" read to both Ms. Goodridge and Mr. Sullivan and then at that time Mr. Sullivan informed them that we would all be returning to work, because this is a place of business and we would be serving Tom's other half a million constituents.

I'll update again if anything "better" happens and I will also post a reaction at a later time.

Ay Carumba

I just can't get enough this story. A few months ago the Mexican people elected a new President, but members of the rival leftist party felt that Felipe Calderon was a little too concervative for their liking. So, to block his innaguration they decided to stage a sit-in in the Mexican Congressional chamber. According to the Mexican Constitution a President has to be sworn in by the outgoing President, and do so in front of Congress assembled. The plan was, to block Calderon from taking the oath on the Speaker's platform and hopefully stage a minor coup to keep this hardline Conservative from taking office. The chant "Mexico wants peace" echoed from the chamber as supporters of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the leftist candidate who lost the disputed election barred the doors in a last-ditch attempt to keep their preferred President, Vicente Fox in office. However, their efforts were in vain, because Fox transferred power to Calderon at a midnight ceremony in the President's mansion in Mexico City. The new plan now is to unite the country under this controverisal President, and cure the plagues of poverty and drugs that haunt Mexico today. This situation brings definite parallels in my mind to the 2000 Presidential election, but the difference is that Democrats didn't stand up for their candidate! We needed to send a message to the country, that we didn't approve of the leadership of a President elected by the Supreme Court, and by a 5-4 vote. If only we had the (pardon my Spanish) BALLS to stand up for what we believe in. I applaud the Mexican leftist party for their efforts. Of course it would be nearly impossible to make any lasting impact for Mexico, but they will always be remembered for standing up for their values, and making some definite noise. I'm sure this was something that Felipe Calderon, or Mexican history will never forget. So in their honor, this post will be published in Spanish below. *excuse me all you native speakers if the online translator didn't do this justice, but my Spanish 5 vocabulary wouldn't pass muster*


Apenas no puedo conseguir bastante esta historia. La gente mexicana eligió algunos meses atrás a nuevo presidente, pero los miembros del partido izquierdista rival se sentían que Felipe Calderon era poco un demasiado concervative para su tener gusto. Así pues, bloquear su innaguration que decidían efectuar a sentar-en en el compartimiento del congreso mexicano. Según la constitución mexicana un presidente tiene que ser jurado adentro por el presidente saliente, y hace así que delante del congreso montado. El plan era, bloquear Calderon de tomar el juramento en la plataforma del altavoz y esperanzadamente efectuar un golpe de menor importancia para mantener este hardline conservador de tomar la oficina. El cantar "México desea la paz" repetida del compartimiento como partidarios de Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, el candidato izquierdista que perdió la elección disputada barró las puertas en una tentativa de la pasado-zanja de guardar a su presidente preferido, zorro de Vicente en oficina. Sin embargo, sus esfuerzos estaban en inútil, porque el zorro transfirió energía a Calderon en una ceremonia de la medianoche en la mansión del presidente en Ciudad de México. El nuevo plan ahora es unir el país debajo de este presidente controverisal, y cura las plagas de pobreza y de las drogas que frecuentan México hoy. ¡Esta situación trae paralelos definidos en mi mente a las 2000 elecciones presidenciales, pero la diferencia es que los demócratas no estaban parados para arriba para su candidato! Necesitamos enviar un mensaje al país, eso que no aprobamos de la dirección de un presidente elegido por el Tribunal Supremo, y por un voto 5-4. Si solamente teníamos (pardon mis BOLAS del español) para estar paradas para arriba para lo que creemos adentro. Aplaudo el partido izquierdista mexicano para sus esfuerzos. Por supuesto sería casi imposible hacer cualquier impacto duradero para México, pero serán recordados siempre para estar parado para arriba para sus valores, y hacer un cierto ruido definido. Soy seguro que éste era algo de que Felipe Calderon, o historia mexicana nunca se olvidará. Tan en su honor, este poste será publicado en español abajo.

Hmmm

I was skimming through CNN's Political Page today when I saw a very intriguing story. It concerned Jim Webb, the new Senator-elect from Virginia who destroyed the future Presidential hopes of long time Senator George Allen. Apparently at a recent reception at the White House for new members of Congress President Bush sought out Webb to ask him how his son was doing, being a Marine stationed in Iraq right now. It seemed like a rather innocent question but as I had forgotten Webb had been very quiet during his campaign in regards to his son. "I've always made a distinction about not speaking personally about my son." I don't know whether or not President Bush decided to try and get under Webb's skin (a very unlikely notion) but I think this cold shoulder that a Vietnam veteran and father of an Iraq infantryman gave his Commander In Chief signifys the difficulty that President Bush is bound to find in this new Congress. Webb will probably be notorious for being one of the most conservative members of the Senate Democratic Caucus and if this is the sentiment he has for the President then I would be shaking in my Texas cowboy boots right now. So buckle your seatbelts ladies and gentlemen, we're going to have a wild ride in the next two years.

Mumbo Jumbo

I have to admit, times have been a little boring lately, with the only notable news coming out of more blunders on the part of our illustrious president. Nancy Pelosi has shunned a couple of Democratic House members for key chairmanships. The most notable being passing over Congressman Alcee Hastings for chair of the House International Relations Committee. Of course that might have something to do with him accepting bribes when he was a federal court judge in Florida that sort of thing seems to be common place these days.
More locally, swearing in day in Augusta is scheduled for next Wednesday, December 6th. Representative Glenn Cummings of Portland, someone who I was very priveleged to be interviewed by on SPCTV will be the next Speaker of the House, and Senator Beth Edmonds will retain her job as President of the Senate. Things should be quite interesting this term, with the Senate power allocated to the Democrats, but only by a 1 vote margain, making it nearly impossible for a piece of volotile legislation to make it through. Governor Baldacci is back in office again, but I'm not quite sure what we should be expecting. Unlike the usual incumbent, the Governor doesn't seem to be taking his victory in November as a sign from the people that they trust his leadership, probably because he won the election by a slim margain and only because two third party candidates took a large percentage of the vote, making it impossible for Chandler Wookcock to unseat the incumbent. My fear is, however, that Baldacci will take a lame duck status, doing very little despite his job security for the next four years, making it very hard for the Democrats to win the position once he vacates it in 2010.
Also, keep an eye out for Senator Chris Dodd from Connecticut, my favorite candidate for the Democratic Nomination in 2008. His positions are very moderate and he really seems to know what he's doing. I got the opportounity to meet him at a fundraiser this summer and he has the personality and prowess I believe we need in a President, as long as America doesn't take the stance that we don't need another white guy from a rich New Enngland state. Anyway, keep your eyes open.

The Results Are In...

So the results are in! Election Day 2006 is probably the best election I have ever seen in my lifetime. Of course, this is coming in comparison to 2000 and 2004, both of which were thoroughly dissapointing and enraging. But this one is much different. After working tirelessly for months the Democrats finally pulled it off, and begin to bring a "New Direction" to America. I myself spent the entire afternoon on Tuesday at South Portland Democratic Headquarters: calling likely voters, going to polling locations, and anticipating the victory that we hoped was imminent. We were thoroughly pleased. South Portland was a sweep for the Democrats. We sent Reps. Jane Eberle and Larry Bliss back to Augusta, and replaced Kevin Glynn with Bryan Kaenrath, who will be the youngest memeber, by far, of the next legislature. We also re-elected Governor Baldacci, Congressman Allen and Michaud. Yea, we didn't win the Senate, but what do we seriously expect out of Jean Hay Bright. I agree that her mind is in the right place, but I never felt confident that she had what it took to unseat a Senator with the stature of Olympia Snowe. Needless to say, my good friend Ted O'Meara and his crew at Snowe headquarters didn't have much to worry about. In another race that I wanted to pay attention to, House Majority Leader Glenn Cummings won a decisive victory, and with both chambers staying Democratic he will likely become the new Speaker of the House!

As you can see, the after-party was quite the good time. Good food, good people, and more energy than I have ever seen. It was an absolutely incredible experience.

Finally, on a national scene, the last few days have been quite exciting. Ending with George Allen's "concession"speech today, the Dems have taken control of the Senate, along with an almost 35 vote cushion in the House. Happy days are here again. Along with Rumsfeld's resignation it has been quite a jubilant week in the McCall household. I never thought I would be seeing this day, not with the American people believing that this war is still in our best interest. But as George Allen said today, the American people have spoken and the prevailing wind was in our favor. No matter how this all came about, I know now that American's are fed with with a government filled with corruption. We need a government who stands up for the little man, who doesn't let the all-mighty dollar dictate where we put our priotities. Government should function for the people's benefit, not for Haliburton's. I now believe that America has realized this to be the case, and they threw the bums out! Now we move forward. I know that the minimum wage will be raised, we will find a comprehensive way to get out of Iraq, and we will stabilize our health care system so it works for everyone. And here's my first pitch for two years from now...OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT.

Election Day!

Well the day is finally here. For me, the political geek that I am today is a mix of my birthday, Christmas and New Year's all rolled into one. My greatest wish for today is that people vote, this is still the best running, Constitutional Democracy on the planet and it is a true shame that so many people realize what a wonderful country they live in. Also, as I has said before, if you don't vote, don't complain. I don't want to hear anyone next week roll their eyes or groan if the candidate they didn't like wins, because you had the chance to make your voice heard, and you didn't, so SHUT UP. Also, if the Dems win back Congress today we're in for quite a ride. The House Democratic Caucus has come up with some amazing ideas to start implementing come January, including raising the minimum wage and many more. So go vote, hopefully you'll vote Democratic, but at least have your voice heard. That's all I have.

Chandler Woodcock and a Pitch for Governor Baldacci

So Chandler Woodcock, the Republican candidate for Governor came in to talk to our Government class today. He really exceeded my expectations. For a man with the conservative reputation he has I was expecting something a little more volitile and easy to anger, but in reality he is just another Mainah trying to make this state a better place. This is not to say that I'm endorsing his candidacy but his example reminds me that we need to listen to the candidates before we write them off. His plan for Maine economically seemed pretty reasonable. As you would expect from a Republican he wants to lower taxes across the board which worries me due to the state services that could be cut or seriously downsized as a result. He also wants to clean up our enviornment which is something I will always respect and support. But Chandler's real discrepency in my book is his stance on social issues. Of course, I respect anyone's right to have an opinion but that doesn't mean I have to agree with it. He quite clearly stated that he's against gay marriage, civil unions and abortion. These are just stances that I can't associate myself with because social issues are the things that matter the most to me. I would understand not wanting gays to marry on religious grounds (I don't agree but I understand why he would) but I don't understand why any person working for the common good would not want to support a loving couple's rights to take out a loan together, be given access to their hospital room if they're sick or any of the other benefits that civil unions are concerned.
One thing I will say in his favor is that he comes across as a much more compelling speaker than our current governor does, but in my mind that doesn't make up for the superior leadership qualities that I believe John Baldacci displays on a daily basis. So here's my pitch for Baldacci as well....
Maine is not an easy place to govern. We Mainers are not easily pleased and seem to be quite tightfisted with our money and our time. However, a fiscal moderate like Baldacci has been able to not only survive four years in the Blaine House but keep our schools performing on an exceptional level, fund Dirigo Health, a system that has its flaws but is a serious step in the right direction. We also forget that Great Northern Paper and a few other large mill coroprations have relocated since he took office. Yet depsite these loses Baldacci has still improved our economy and created jobs. Plus to boot, the guy's brother died! I know many won't use this as an excuse for his "lackluster effort" but truly the guy has done an outstanding job. Most say that he hasn't done anything, but as he said at his recent fundraiser with Bill Clinton, "I don't want to take credit for everything, because it's the Maine people who have created this great place, not me." What a man of humility! I agree that he has had his faults, and there are definite policy issues with which I allign more with Pat LaMarche than John Baldacci, but I think when it comes to the tough decesions and viable leadership for our state we have a man who can lead us forward. I just hope that the rest of Maine realizes this before we vote in a right-wing idealogue like Chandler Woodcock or a woman like Pat LaMarche who granted is a wonderfully compotent person, yet someone who I wouldn't completely trust in the wake of a disaster or tough times in Augusta. So, here's to four more years of John Elias Baldacci

First and Foremost

So here we go. The idea for this blog came to my mind yesterday after posting a comment on a New York Times Blog concerning current campaign issues. I've always wanted to make a place like this for myself, because being the political animal that I am I seem to always having a dozen rants, opinions and ideas floating in my head on a certain day, and no medium with which to record them. So that's what this blog is for. I will try to update almost daily, with a new postion, rant, insight etc. My goal is to be as thorough as possible and to completely explain my position, not just step out on a limb without any evidence or insight to back my up. Besides this being a major pet peeve of mine I want to be able to define my political thought and rhetoric, so that I can be better prepared my my hopefully oncoming career in the poltical arena. So please check back often. Please feel free to post your praises if you think my views herald them. Or grill me till the cows come home, because if I can't defend my postion then there's no point of having one at all. The more the merrier. So enjoy, scream, foam at the mouth if you have to, it's all part of the business to me.

By the way, my first substantive post will come soon. The topic, the upcoming Gubernatorial election, with a special review of Chandler Woodcock's presentation to SPHS's Gubment class!