Democratic Insider

“The state has made it very clear that we are not pleased with ICF’s performance in running the Road Home program and has been pushing for greater customer service and compassion to homeowners”

The company running Louisiana’s Road Home hurricane rebuilding program paid its chief executive a $1.5 million performance bonus in 2007, drawing criticism from officials who say the company is stumbling in its … via Forbes

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With endorsements coming in from California, Iowa and Indiana, Sen. Barack Obama yesterday pulled even with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the race for support on Capitol Hill, as Democratic lawmakers shrugged off his recent struggles.

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“After decades of conflict, I am so proud to be the first Irish leader to inform the United States Congress that Ireland is at peace”

Congress gave Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern a rousing farewell Wednesday as he hailed ties between Ireland and the United States just days before he plans to step down as premier. via The Modesto Bee

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I don’t want to jump the gun, with the anniversary of “Mission Accomplished” tomorrow, but let’s not forget it wasn’t just about a banner.

He also declared in his speech that “Major combat operations in Iraq have ended.”

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Senator McConnell spent over $1,500,000.00 in television ads to restore his image after all the hits that it’s taken. But it turns out that when your entire agenda is blocking things from getting done in the Senate, no amount of proclaiming yourself the “Godfather of Green” (no joke) will make up for it.

Right now, only 46% approve. That’s bad territory for him in Kentucky, but not nearly as dangerous as the trend.

Best take at Ditch Mitch: “That would be a 20% drop in his approval rating over one month. And a 25% increase in his disapproval over one month.”

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Hillary Rodham Clinton, a former first lady who hasn’t driven a car or pumped gas in many years because of Secret Service restrictions, joined a blue-collar worker at a filling station Wednesday to illustrate … via The Modesto Bee

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There are plenty of reasons she deserves to be fired. But the timing of this is curious, given that it didn’t happen when her unethical actions first came to light. Nor did it happen when the Office of Special Counsel recommended she be fired for violating the Hatch Act.

Her take, via TPM Muckraker:

“I would rather get fired for something I believe in, and a cause I was willing to fight for, rather than to believe in nothing worth being fired for.” That’s what Doan told Government Executive in an email last night. It’s far from clear precisely what this “something” she believes in is.
[...]
To refresh your memory on Doan’s parade of horribles: her Golden-Duke-nomination-worthy testimony came in response to a meeting in early 2007, where Karl Rove’s aide Scott Jennings came to brief GSA staff on the prospects for Republicans in the 2008 elections. The PowerPoint presentation detailed which seats were “House Targets” and which “Senate Targets”, which states were “Republican Offense,” and which “Republican Defense.”

You can watch slides from her presentation in this testimony that she gave before the Congress:

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The McCain-Clinton energy proposal is a reminder that the biggest energy crisis we have in our country today is the energy to be serious.

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President Bush accused the Democratic-controlled Congress of stalling on bills that would address pocketbook issues.

Continue reading "Bush Says Pain From Economy Defies Easy Fix" »

AP – Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern is hailing Irish-American ties in a speech to the U.S. Congress just days before he steps down, telling Congress, “To be Irish is to be at home in America.”

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“It’s the easiest way to get in and out of New York on the weekend”

When Brad and Angelina visited the Hamptons last summer to rub elbows with Christie Brinkley, Ellen Barkin and Jimmy Buffett, they arrived by helicopter.

When busy Wall Street power brokers wrap up merger deals on a Friday night, many dart to a Manhattan heliport for the quick trip to Long Island’s tony eastern tip, slicing travel time to a fraction of what it would take to get there by limousine on the traffic-snarled Long Island Expressway.

Because of the speed and convenience they offer, a growing number of those who can afford to are taking helicopters to Long Island’s summer playground for the rich and famous. But the trend has its detractors, who complain the racket the choppers make as they slice through the air is affecting the quality of life in the area. Read more

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AP – Hillary Rodham Clinton, a former first lady who hasn’t driven a car or pumped gas in many years because of Secret Service restrictions, joined a blue-collar worker at a filling station Wednesday to illustrate how the high price of gasoline is squeezing consumers.

Continue reading "Play of the Day: Clinton visits gas station for cameras (AP)" »