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Hafiz Saeed under 'house arrest', was Pak army's iftar guest
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
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Economy
Where are the subprime perp walks?
NEW YORK (Fortune) -- Where are the perp walks for the subprime mortgage executives that dragged us into this mess?

Three years after the housing bubble popped, federal prosecutors have yet to bring a case against the executives whose firms took part in some of the worst excesses of the subprime mortgage market.

It's not like there's a shortage of abuses to investigate. The landscape is littered with the wreckage of financial institutions that crashed under the weight of bad loans, costing shareholders and taxpayers billions of dollars. "Many" lenders that went bust were cooking their books before they collapsed, according to a 2007 FBI report. Meanwhile, top officers at many mortgage shops were pocketing hefty paychecks and stock sale proceeds.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Penguin || 09/21/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The present administration is too busy investigating the CIA to bother with trivial matters like the loss of a few trillion dollars to the economy.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 09/21/2009 2:09 Comments || Top||

#2  Not like Bush would have been any better. He allowed these fuckheads to loot our economy. Actually, he was only a tool, the big money players transcend petty politics.

Why have there been no arrests? Because the inmates are in charge of the asylum.
Posted by: gromky || 09/21/2009 4:45 Comments || Top||

#3  Governments control the amount of credit in the economy via reserve requirements for banks.

Governments LOVED the extra revenue they got from taxing all the credit they created, by removing reserve requirements.

The "small" price to pay is a ruined economy, a zombie banking system, massive corruption and political cronyism.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 09/21/2009 7:29 Comments || Top||

#4  The perps you want are still in office.
Posted by: Iblis || 09/21/2009 14:49 Comments || Top||


Home Front: Politix
Obama fund-raiser 'in $335 million fraud'
HASSAN Nemazee, a fund-raiser for Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and other Democrats, has been indicted for defrauding Bank of America, HSBC and Citigroup out of more than $US290 million ($335 million) in loan proceeds, US prosecutors said overnight.

The announcement follows last month's indictment of Mr Nemazee, head of a private equity firm and an Iranian American Political Action Committee board member, on one count of defrauding Citigroup's Citibank.

The new indictment adds allegations that he defrauded two other banks, Bank of America and HSBC Bank USA, in a similar fashion by falsifying documents and signatures to purportedly show he had hundreds of millions worth of collateral.

The office of the US Attorney in Manhattan and the FBI said he used the proceeds of his scheme to make donations to election campaigns of federal, state and local candidates, donations to political action committees and charities.

He bought property in Italy and paid for maintenance on two properties in New York.

His lawyer could not immediately be reached for comment.

As of August 2009 Mr Nemazee owed Bank of America about $US142 million and owed Citibank about $US74.9 million, the indictment said. He drew on a line of credit he fraudulently obtained from HSBC to pay the Citibank loan.

Mr Nemazee, 59, typically donates more than $US100,000 annually to Democratic political candidates. He is listed as one of the top "bundlers" of contributions to Mr Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, according to OpenSecrets.org, a website run by the Center for Responsive Politics research group.

"For more than 10 years, Hassan Nemazee projected the illusion of wealth, stealing more than $US290 million so that he could lead a lavish lifestyle and play the part of heavyweight political fundraiser," United States Attorney Preet Bharara in Manhattan said.

Mr Nemazee was arrested at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on August 23 as he was checking in for a flight to Italy, according to court papers. He was released on bail.

If convicted on three counts of bank fraud, Mr Nemazee faces up to 30 years in prison and millions of dollars in fines. He is also charged with identity theft.
Posted by: tipper || 09/21/2009 20:39 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Bernie Madoff of the political world...? The Daily Telegraph? The Brits are keeping up with our politics better than our mainstream media.
Posted by: JohnQC || 09/21/2009 23:03 Comments || Top||

#2  Clinton nominated him to be U.S. Ambassador to Argentina.
Posted by: Woozle Uneter9007 || 09/21/2009 23:11 Comments || Top||


Propaganda, Health Care and ACORN
Posted by: tipper || 09/21/2009 12:55 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Candidate Obama didn't think so on his 'Yes, we can!' campaign slogan
See! he has even thrown Bob the Builder under the bus.
Posted by: tipper || 09/21/2009 12:42 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Moving on to "Uh, yeah, I think so."
Posted by: swksvolFF || 09/21/2009 15:15 Comments || Top||

#2  "Can we fix it?"

"No its fucked RACIST!!!"
Posted by: CrazyFool || 09/21/2009 15:17 Comments || Top||

#3  Bill the Bureaucrat?
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 09/21/2009 19:28 Comments || Top||

#4  Barry the Bozo.
Posted by: Old Patriot || 09/21/2009 21:42 Comments || Top||


Secret interviews add insight to Clinton presidency
Posted by: tipper || 09/21/2009 12:23 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Obama made me appreciate Clinton.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 09/21/2009 12:51 Comments || Top||


Slate Starts a Bidenism File
"I have not bent the law, but I have let imagination take hold in some places where I think it's consistent with the spirit of the law. ... Is that the best way of saying that? Yes, ... I should stop."

Thus did the vice president add another entry to the growing collection of Bidenisms. The precise definition of Bidenism, like a Bidenism itself, is murky. Some Bidenisms are the sort of miscellaneous verbal or policy gaffes that are made by every politician. But the best ones--the statements that are uniquely Bidenistic--exemplify the bluster, excess verbosity, and fake charm of dumb-politician stereotypes..

Today Slate
Slate is a WaPo owned basically leftist, but pretty influential source (Obama people read it every day) fwiw
inaugurates a new feature cataloging the vice president's Bidenisms. Whenever he says something that fits the definition--and the definition itself, remember, is subject to refinement--we'll record it here. Send your own nominations (with a link, please) to slatebidenisms@gmail.com.
Posted by: lord garth || 09/21/2009 10:32 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Their server should be inundated in short order.
Posted by: Black Bart Ebberens7700 || 09/21/2009 16:56 Comments || Top||

#2  "The overload of stupid is melting the drives!"
Posted by: Frank G || 09/21/2009 21:19 Comments || Top||

#3  But the best ones--the statements that are uniquely Bidenistic--exemplify the bluster, excess verbosity, and fake charm of dumb-politician stereotypes..

And it'll lack the sheer viciousness of their 'Bushisms' endeavor.
Posted by: Pappy || 09/21/2009 21:33 Comments || Top||


Obama: Individual mandate not a tax
On ABC's "This Week," George Stephanopoulos has a pretty testy exchange with Obama over whether the individual mandate is a tax increase. The president insists it is not.

Obama: "For us to say that you've got to take a responsibility to get health insurance is absolutely not a tax increase. What it's saying is, is that we're not going to have other people carrying your burdens for you anymore than the fact that right now everybody in America, just about, has to get auto insurance. Nobody considers that a tax increase. ... George, you -- you can't just make up that language and decide that that's called a tax increase."

Stephanopoulos: "I don't think I'm making it up. Merriam Webster's Dictionary: Tax -- 'a charge, usually of money, imposed by authority on persons or property for public purposes.'"

Obama: "George, the fact that you looked up Merriam's Dictionary, the definition of tax increase, indicates to me that you're stretching a little bit right now. Otherwise, you wouldn't have gone to the dictionary to check on the definition"

Stephanopoulos: "But you reject that it's a tax increase?"

Obama: "I absolutely reject that notion."
Posted by: Unoluter Javique5084 || 09/21/2009 05:26 || Comments || Link || [6 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Can you say "no thanks!"?

If not then it's a tax.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 09/21/2009 8:24 Comments || Top||

#2  Jeez. George got it right for once and actually used a method ("let's look it up") that I have done in the past when talking to liberals.

Are the 'scales' falling off their eyes?
Posted by: Mullah Richard || 09/21/2009 9:32 Comments || Top||

#3  However, in accordance with the Orwellian Democratic Party Dictionary past Republican resistance to increase funding beyond inflationary levels to a program is defined as a 'cut' in funding.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 09/21/2009 9:41 Comments || Top||

#4  George testy? Oh yeh, he's not in the "in" group anymore. He's from Camalot 2, also known as the Clinton years. Obama IS Camolot 3. Good reason for him George to be testy. Way to go George!
Posted by: Richard of Oregon || 09/21/2009 10:16 Comments || Top||

#5 
I'll tell you what it isn't. It isn't constitutional.
Posted by: Parabellum || 09/21/2009 10:35 Comments || Top||

#6  An awful lot of people do not have cars, and therefore need no auto insurance: inner-city poor, city dwellers at all income levels, the elderly, sixteen-year olds who haven't passed their road tests, college students who can't afford car and rely on bicycles, idealistic Greens ditto... Therefore this is a tax.
Posted by: trailing wife || 09/21/2009 10:39 Comments || Top||

#7 
"The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant."

John Stuart Mill
Posted by: Parabellum || 09/21/2009 11:51 Comments || Top||

#8  Obama could have defended the individual mandate as a 'fee' because the charge is to offset the benefits the person will get when they are insured

Of course, for some healthy people it will offset more than what they get, for some sick people it will offset far less than what they get. But that is a little like, say, an auto registration fee. A car owner buy the registration for the same price no matter how many days a year they drive (of course you can choose not to own a car).
Posted by: lord garth || 09/21/2009 11:54 Comments || Top||

#9  Anytime any government tells you to give money, it is a tax. Whether it is insurance, fees or demanded by the IRS. It is a tax.
Posted by: DarthVader || 09/21/2009 11:57 Comments || Top||

#10  He's probably got his successor's "begging for forgiveness" speech in his top-right drawer.
Posted by: gorb || 09/21/2009 12:41 Comments || Top||

#11  Of course you can go to page 29 of the Baucus bill and see it's called an excise tax
Posted by: Beavis || 09/21/2009 12:48 Comments || Top||

#12  Case in point. Hawaii demands that I pay unemployment "insurance" for my employees even though I don't have any and am not myself eligible for unemployment. You say "tax", I say "extortion" - it's all in the pronounciation.
Posted by: Grumble Oppressor of the Munchkins3627 || 09/21/2009 15:27 Comments || Top||

#13  "Depends on what your definition of the word is, is, George. OK, most people only see taxes when they pay for something at the store. See, we're going to make it a payroll withholding called Selective Health Insurance Tallie, but acronym it like we did with FICA, because nobody really looks at the line of their paycheck except accountants and corporate bean counters. You know, we do the same thing with those traffic cameras...you know how we make it a civil fine so that people cannot challenge their accusors in a court of law? Same concept, that way...wait is this still rolling?..Well the people at Merrium Webster are a bunch of assholes, continuing definitions left over from an age of racism and slavery. You don't believe in laws and definitions from the age of slavery do you George?"
Posted by: swksvolFF || 09/21/2009 15:42 Comments || Top||

#14  Prolly going for the excellent education system you've out there Munch.
Posted by: Besoeker in Duitsland || 09/21/2009 15:43 Comments || Top||

#15  Are the 'scales' falling off their eyes?

No. If the mandate fell only on those making more than $250K per year, then there'd be silence.
Posted by: Pappy || 09/21/2009 21:35 Comments || Top||

#16  Hey, if it comes out of Washington it is a tax.
Posted by: JohnQC || 09/21/2009 23:10 Comments || Top||


Democrats squabble over who will pay health care bill
Posted by: Unoluter Javique5084 || 09/21/2009 05:21 || Comments || Link || [6 views] Top|| File under:

#1  They're squabbling over the rhetoric about how everyone is going to be hosed either through direct taxing, delayed taxing via bond interest, or indirect taxing through inflation. Redistribution by any other name.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 09/21/2009 9:44 Comments || Top||

#2  Anyone think to give them guns so they can shoot it out among themselves? May the best aim win.
Posted by: Richard of Oregon || 09/21/2009 10:10 Comments || Top||

#3  2 people go to a resteraunt and have a large, expensive dinner. Feeling good after a hearty eat, the bill is brought to the table. We immediately get into an arguement about who should pay the bill. The first person argues that family of 4 over there should pick up their bill because the parents are used to buying food for others and someday the kids will be able to earn income of their own and pay back the parents. The other argues that the person over there dining alone should pay for their meal, since that person only has themself to pay for and hence has more disposable income.

Well, if were are going to pass the bill off to one of the other tables should we at least get the tip? Why sure, says the other, we tip the Maitre'd well on the way out so maybe we get a head start.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 09/21/2009 12:04 Comments || Top||

#4  Is there a doubt about who pays the bill? It is a question of which group gets their income redistributed more--or as is better said who gets hosed the most?
Posted by: JohnQC || 09/21/2009 23:13 Comments || Top||


Obama open to newspaper bailout bill
The president said he is "happy to look at" bills before Congress that would give struggling news organizations tax breaks if they were to restructure as nonprofit businesses.

"I haven't seen detailed proposals yet, but I'll be happy to look at them," Obama told the editors of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Toledo Blade in an interview.
Just about every penny he's spent so far is to bail out his allies.
Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) has introduced S. 673, the so-called "Newspaper Revitalization Act," that would give outlets tax deals if they were to restructure as 501(c)(3) corporations. That bill has so far attracted one cosponsor, Cardin's Maryland colleague Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D).
I'm way surprised Boxer didn't sign on ...
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs had played down the possibility of government assistance for news organizations, which have been hit by an economic downturn and dwindling ad revenue. In early May, Gibbs said that while he hadn't asked the president specifically about bailout options for newspapers, "I don't know what, in all honesty, government can do about it."

Obama said that good journalism is "critical to the health of our party democracy," but expressed concern toward growing tends in reporting -- especially on political blogs, from which a groundswell of support for his campaign emerged during the presidential election.

"I am concerned that if the direction of the news is all blogosphere, all opinions, with no serious fact-checking, no serious attempts to put stories in context, that what you will end up getting is people shouting at each other across the void but not a lot of mutual understanding," he said.
Posted by: Steve White || 09/21/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Rumor sez Associated Press is already restructuring as APCORN.
Posted by: ed || 09/21/2009 1:04 Comments || Top||

#2  all opinions, with no serious fact-checking, no serious attempts to put stories in context

That doesn't describe the Legacy Media outlets at all. Nope, no sirree. Uh-uh. No way. Dan Rather said so.
Posted by: Cornsilk Blondie || 09/21/2009 6:35 Comments || Top||

#3  maybe we should bail out the buggy whip manufacturers next

create or save thousands of jobs
Posted by: lord garth || 09/21/2009 6:53 Comments || Top||

#4  He who pays the piper calls the tune.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 09/21/2009 7:41 Comments || Top||

#5  ...or a bailout for rotary dial phone manufacturers.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 09/21/2009 7:49 Comments || Top||

#6  Sooooo Stoooooopid
Posted by: newc || 09/21/2009 12:06 Comments || Top||

#7  He's laughing at us. And that includes the ones that voted for him.
Posted by: Woozle Uneter9007 || 09/21/2009 15:25 Comments || Top||

#8  Bright Pebbles, exactly right. The MSM is thoroughly in the tank for The One now. You see few small criticisms of him, but nothing much. Imagine what it will be like when the newspapers are dependent on Him for their continued funding.
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia || 09/21/2009 20:42 Comments || Top||

#9  I smell another payoff for support.
Posted by: JohnQC || 09/21/2009 23:19 Comments || Top||


ACORN CEO 'Outraged' by Behavior of Employees in Prostitute Tapes
ACORN's top officer said Sunday that she was "outraged" by the content of hidden-camera videotapes showing her organization's employees offering advice to undercover filmmakers posing as a pimp and prostitute, as she pledged to "reform" the inner workings of the activist group.

Chief organizer Bertha Lewis tried to calm a growing firestorm over the behavior of her group's employees. Allegations of voter registration fraud and other ethical lapses have plagued ACORN for years, but the videotapes were the last straw for the group's critics -- as well as its long-time defenders.

The videotapes, filmed by two conservative activists, led to both the House and Senate voting to de-fund ACORN last week. Many Democrats joined Republicans in voting for the measures.

Lewis initially took a defiant tone against the criticism of her organization when the tapes were first made public by filmmaker James O'Keefe. But that stance softened as more tapes were revealed -- so far detailing hidden-camera operations at five separate locations across the country.

"Any organization is not entirely perfect," Lewis said on "FOX News Sunday." "I was outraged by it. Everyone should be, and I can understand how the Congress was also."

She said any employee "too stupid" not to adhere to professional standards will be terminated.

"Internally, let's have some reform," Lewis said. "It's indefensible what I saw (in the tapes)."

President Obama, in an interview broadcast Sunday, also said he favors an investigation into ACORN. At the same time, he played down the controversy, saying it is not the "biggest issue facing the country."

The ACORN fallout came after employees in the secret videotapes were seen offering advice on how O'Keefe and his partner could skirt anti-prostitution and tax laws -- by lying about their occupation, claiming underage sex workers as "dependents" and using other means of deception.

Soon after the controversy erupted, Lewis released a statement suggesting race was behind an attempt by conservative critics to "destroy" ACORN. ACORN provides assistance to low-income and often minority communities.
Posted by: Fred || 09/21/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Of course, this was after she called the whistle blowers racists.

How does she still have a job???
Posted by: Woozle Uneter9007 || 09/21/2009 0:39 Comments || Top||

#2  The outrage? They got caught.
Posted by: ed || 09/21/2009 1:06 Comments || Top||

#3  Caught means naught if there are no consequences. These people are criminals and should be in jail.

I want heads to roll.
Posted by: Woozle Uneter9007 || 09/21/2009 1:34 Comments || Top||

#4  All that money poured into ACORN and the welfare system for the past several generations is the answer to reparations.
Posted by: JackSalami || 09/21/2009 7:19 Comments || Top||

#5  You mean the ACORN being investigated by numerous state AGs from Florida to Nevada for widespread voter fraud? You mean the "non-profit" ACORN that fronts for one political party?

Captain Renault: I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!
Posted by: Procopius2k || 09/21/2009 7:46 Comments || Top||

#6  Sam, I thought I told you never to play that song again.
Posted by: Besoeker in Duitsland || 09/21/2009 7:55 Comments || Top||

#7  I saw her on Fox. She's not ready for prime time.
Posted by: Richard of Oregon || 09/21/2009 10:02 Comments || Top||

#8  All that money poured into ACORN and the welfare system

And don't forget all the money they denied the system through their tax "advice", and all the money that was misdirected either into prostitution or home and business loans that would implode with catastrophic national and global consequences.
Posted by: gorb || 09/21/2009 12:52 Comments || Top||

#9  How much of our money has been directed to ACORN via the federal government?
Posted by: JohnQC || 09/21/2009 23:22 Comments || Top||


Frank bashes critics questioning skipped vote on slashing funding for ACORN
Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) castigated critics Friday evening, noting that the only reason he missed a vote on an ACORN defunding measure was because he'd attended a Medal of Honor ceremony.

Frank had faced attacks for missing a procedural vote in the House this year to strip the community organizing group ACORN of federal funding.

Conservatives have targeted Frank and a handful of other Democratic committee chairmen for being allegedly light on the group.

But Frank said that he was at the White House for a posthumous Medal of Honor ceremony. "I find it deeply disturbing that the people who loudly criticized me in print did not even call my office to ask me about the situation," Frank said.

He followed up with a characteristically sharp jab. "I would like to offer them the courtesy which they refused to offer me -- I will ask their opinion," he said. 'What do they think I should have done -- attend the Medal of Honor ceremony, or a vote?"
Posted by: Fred || 09/21/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Clearly, your supporters would argue you should have nominated ACORN for a Medal of Honor ceremony of their own: "For Violator"
Posted by: lex || 09/21/2009 0:49 Comments || Top||

#2  Barney Frank is to ACORN what a drug baron is to street dealers.
Posted by: ed || 09/21/2009 1:08 Comments || Top||

#3  ION FREEREPUBLIC > DEMOGRAPHICS SHIFT. IN roughly 100 years or thereabouts, based on artic's perceived trends America's population could be comprised of 35.0Milyuhn European-Amers versus 3/4Bilyuhn Non-European Americans. EAST ASIANS [Orientals] + EUROPEANS will be NEARLY EXTINCT???

MULTIPLY TIMES TWO FOR EUROPE IN 100 YEARS.

* 'TIS "OUR LAST HOORAH AS 'FREE AMERICANS'" > enjoy it while you can???
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 09/21/2009 1:30 Comments || Top||

#4  Interbreeding, JosephM. Hybrid vigour and all that. What matters in this country is the American world-view, not the fiddling details. Once upon a time, the citizenry worried that the incoming Irish would ruin the English character of true America, but it doesn't seem to have happened.
Posted by: trailing wife || 09/21/2009 10:44 Comments || Top||

#5  'What do they think I should have done -- attend the Medal of Honor ceremony, or a vote?'

You should have voted, Bawney, because your presence at the Medal of Honor ceremony was a dishonor.
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 || 09/21/2009 12:54 Comments || Top||

#6  'What do they think I should have done -- attend the Medal of Honor ceremony, or a vote?'

Well, you could at least tell us how you would have voted.

Also, I would like to know why you absolutely, positively had to attend this particular Medal of Honor ceremony. Each one is important, but I would rather you do your job first and attend other functions as you are able to, not as you needed to for political cover.
Posted by: gorb || 09/21/2009 12:56 Comments || Top||

#7  Why didn't they delay the vote until after the ceremony? Then Bawney and friends would be able to show their true colors.

Oh... I see...
Posted by: CrazyFool || 09/21/2009 14:31 Comments || Top||

#8  Once upon a time, the citizenry worried that the incoming Irish would ruin the English character of true America, but it doesn't seem to have happened.

Hysterical nonsense, then and now? There are one or two marked differences I may have detected, but perhaps that's just an overreaction on my part.
Posted by: Woozle Uneter9007 || 09/21/2009 15:15 Comments || Top||

#9  The key is to ensure they and their descendents absorb the American mindset, rather than be encouraged to cling to their old-country ways, Woozle Uneter9007. It's when they refuse to give up the old hatreds and customs, and in fact insist that the rest of us accept them, that overreaction is entirely justified.
Posted by: trailing wife || 09/21/2009 18:13 Comments || Top||

#10  The Irish didn't have a mission to dominate the world. Islam does and it's broadcast on a daily basis in thousands of mosques around the world. The Muslims can afford to be patient until they're the majority. Sharia by stealth is a fact, perhaps moreso in Europe and elsewhere than here, and sometimes it's not even all that stealthy. You and I may not face it in our lifetimes, but it's coming.

They can't entirely 'give up' their old ways because they bring with them the Koran, so they'll never be wholly integrated and I'm not yet convinced they're all that keen to absorb 'the American mindset'.
Posted by: Woozle Uneter9007 || 09/21/2009 19:14 Comments || Top||

#11  This guy is a walking, talking insult to Massachusetts as well as the rest of us too. An aider and abettor to federally sanctioned corruption. He has never answered anything about his role in our financial collapse.
Posted by: JohnQC || 09/21/2009 23:26 Comments || Top||


Governor Paterson bucks President Obama: I'm still going to run in 2010
A defiant Gov. Paterson Sunday said he still plans to run for a full four-year term next year despite a stunning White House request that the poll-challenged governor step aside.

"I've said time and time again I am going to run for governor next year," Paterson said in Harlem. "My plans have not changed."

Paterson did not deny a Sunday Daily News report that White House political director Patrick Gaspard met with him last Monday to discuss the concerns the Obama administration has with him - and their preference he not run next year.

The message was also relayed Friday during a Paterson dinner with Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens), a long time Paterson pal who told the governor that President Obama's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, does not view a Paterson candidacy as "tenable."

The fear, sources say, is that former Mayor Rudy Giuliani would be more likely to enter the 2010 governor's race and win - and that Paterson will drag down other Democrats.

Paterson's job approval rating has hovered at around 20% for months and a poll just last week showed 65% of Democrats hoping someone else would run.

"I'm not going to discuss confidential conversations," Paterson said repeatedly.

Things could be particularly uncomfortable Monday as Paterson aides say the governor plans to attend an economic speech Obama is due to deliver in the Albany area. Paterson, according to sources, was not invited to Obama's Wall Street speech last Monday, the day his meeting took place with Gaspard.

Paterson received very little support Sunday, even from his closest allies, as word spread of the White House's involvement.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, long a Paterson supporter, sent out a non-committal statement that could be best described as muted. Sharpton said he has spoken to Paterson and Obama aides to express his concern "that we do what is best for the people of the state of New York and towards the goal of enacting the change policies in education and health that we voted for."

Mayor Bloomberg said he would tell Paterson what he would tell anyone who wants to run for office - "go for it."
Posted by: Fred || 09/21/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  So is Paterson racist because he disagrees with Zero?
Posted by: Glenmore || 09/21/2009 12:50 Comments || Top||


#3  Wait and see, Paterson will fold for 'personal reasons...' (maybe a touch of the Chicago Flu)
Posted by: USN, Ret. || 09/21/2009 21:22 Comments || Top||

#4  I don't think Andrew Cuomo has a lock on the primary. He's got the name, but there's enough NY Democrats who aren't crazy about him.

Odds are you'll see the US Secretary of State getting all sorts of 'new responsibilities' and 'a more active role in foreign policy' in the next few months.
Posted by: Pappy || 09/21/2009 21:40 Comments || Top||

#5  Popcorn please.
Posted by: JohnQC || 09/21/2009 23:28 Comments || Top||


Romney taunts Democrats with memories of Carter
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney reflects conservatives' growing confidence when he taunts Democrats, saying "I'll bet you never dreamed you'd look back at Jimmy Carter as the good old days."

Republicans at the Values Voter Summit Saturday talked of a growing political rebellion in the country, even as they acknowledged Democrats currently have the upper hand.

Romney recalled the euphoria among Democrats at the time President Barack Obama was elected.

"A year ago, there were quite a few people who were ready to write off this movement. They were enthralled by Barack Obama's promise of near-Biblical transformations," Romney said in comments prepared for Saturday's meeting. "Well, he can still spin a speech, but he can't spin his record."

Romney said Obama's spending and borrowing have weakened the nation, noting that Obama's plans will greatly increase the deficit. The deficits combined with coming problems for the country's entitlement programs will cause more severe economic problems, he said. Romney's reference to Carter recalled the economic and international troubles at the time Carter lost his bid for re-election to Ronald Reagan.

House Republican leader John Boehner says nationwide protests known as "tea parties" are the result of resistance against Democrats' spending. Boehner says his Democratic colleagues are "bankrupting" the country.

People are demonstrating and attending town hall meetings because, Boehner says, "we're in the midst of a political rebellion in America."

And Texas Gov. Rick Perry told the group that Republicans could be considered a threatened species because they went to Washington and started spending like liberals. But Perry said because of groups like the people gathered for the Values Voter Summit, conservatives are returning to the principles of personal freedom and cautious spending that have made them successful in the past.

A straw vote suggests former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is a favorite among religious conservatives to be president in 2012. About one-third of the 1,800 registered attendees cast ballots indicating their preference among potential GOP candidates. Huckabee was tops with 28 percent of the vote, which the group calls a straw poll. Four people tied for second, each with about 12 percent of the vote. They were Romney, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind.

Posted by: Fred || 09/21/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  They were enthralled by Barack Obama's promise of near-Biblical transformations

I guess they missed the part about what it means when something sounds too good to be true.
Posted by: gorb || 09/21/2009 12:59 Comments || Top||


Home Front: Culture Wars
Taxpayer Funded Serve.gov Filtering Activists to ACORN
Posted by: ed || 09/21/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:


Bold and Beautiful
This afternoon the President and First Lady Mrs. O attended a Medal of Honor ceremony for U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Jared C. Monti who was killed in Afghanistan in June 2006. For the occasion, Mrs. O debuted a new floral frock in a bold, red rose print, accessorized with green kitten heels and chandelier earrings.
Our First Family continues to demonstrate its respect the military. Even the finest. And no, I did not photo shop the shoes.
Sergeant Monti's mother wore a bright red skirted suit. Quite possibly Mrs. Obama was informed of this, and chose her dress to coordinate, colourwise. Both, I think, were a bit brightly dressed for the occasion -- I'd have chosen a subdued suit, or a deeper version of that print with a coordinating jacket. But then, I would wear a jacket with either skirt, dress or slacks for any official occasion, and keep the pattern in a blouse or a stunning scarf, were I appearing as the wife of the executive. The wife -- or husband, as Mr. Palin demonstrated so ably -- is not supposed to be the center of attention, after all, but play the part of supporting cast. One hopes to be a stunningly dressed support of course, but able to step into the background as needed. Mrs. Bill Clinton did that rather well, as I recall, although it is not her nature. Fortunately for Mrs. Obama's future clothing statements, it will soon be cool enough that jackets will be advisable on that ground alone.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 09/21/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under:

#1  I think the original article's comments full of fawning praise need a nausea warning before you can read them.
Posted by: Cornsilk Blondie || 09/21/2009 6:23 Comments || Top||

#2  Wow - an entire website dedicated to the worship of this woman....
Later in the day, First Lady Mrs. O shopped for fruits and veggies at the opening of a new farmer's market two blocks from the White House. The new market will be open every Thursday for the next seven weeks. Note that Mrs. O's shopping basket matched her dressed down ensemble. Perhaps a coincidence, but a stylish one!

I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.

Read some of the comments...

I swear this woman is living my life. LOL! I looooooove this couple. They are so in synch with each other on so many levels its crazy. Sigh...someday my prince will come. Anywhoo, love the looks. Its goes great with their intelligence and strong values. I am saying Mr and Mrs O are not just a look.

Now I know I threw up a little with that one.
Posted by: CrazyFool || 09/21/2009 8:32 Comments || Top||

#3  It's a pity so many people have no life of their own and live vicariously through others.
Posted by: Deacon Blues || 09/21/2009 9:35 Comments || Top||

#4  If this weren't so despicably evil it would be funny.
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 || 09/21/2009 12:03 Comments || Top||

#5  Why does "Pretty Woman" pop into my mind and refuse to leave? Unbidden, of course.
Posted by: gorb || 09/21/2009 12:47 Comments || Top||

#6  She's starting to remind me of Marcos wife from the Phillipines I think. The one that had like 5,000 pairs of shoes.
Posted by: Silentbrick || 09/21/2009 13:47 Comments || Top||

#7  One commenter respectively suggested the bare-arm, brightly colored, cleavage-showing frock was perhaps not suitable for the occasion. She was promptly flogged by the worshipers who begged that she be permanently banned from the site.

I didn't read all of the comments (the nausea thing), but wouldn't surprise me if she was branded a 'racist' for daring to criticize the Fugly one.
Posted by: Woozle Uneter9007 || 09/21/2009 13:52 Comments || Top||

#8  I wouldn't agree that Mrs. Obama is Fugly. She just is trying to climb a steep learning curve without hiking boots, poor thing. She really is not suited, either by temperament or training, for the role she is trying so very hard to fill. It would have been easier had her husband taken another decade to arrive at his current position.
Posted by: trailing wife || 09/21/2009 14:08 Comments || Top||

#9  Funny SilentBrick, My wife, who grew up under the Marco'es, has sometimes made that same comparison between them and the Obamas....

She also mentioned at one time some of her schoolmates disappearing after having said the wrong thing about the wrong person... Kind of a Philippine version of 'Political Correctness' I would guess.
Posted by: CrazyFool || 09/21/2009 14:27 Comments || Top||

#10  I believe she's fugly both inside and out. She belongs in a cage.
Posted by: Woozle Uneter9007 || 09/21/2009 14:34 Comments || Top||

#11  Coming up at 1100 pm EST. Please stay tuned for Pimp my Dress.
Posted by: Besoeker in Duitsland || 09/21/2009 14:38 Comments || Top||

#12  Never mind the soldier.
Posted by: Sholuns Sinatra5822 || 09/21/2009 15:08 Comments || Top||

#13  EXACTLY! The event wasn't about Mrs. O. Nor about Mr. O. But about the Soldier who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

DISGUSTING how those at this site (AND MRS. OBAMA HERSELF!) don't appreciate the sacrifice.

ITS NOT ABOUT YOU MICHELLE!
Posted by: CrazyFool || 09/21/2009 15:14 Comments || Top||

#14  Da$$ you gorb, now it's in MY mind and won't go away. Actually, Michelle Obama is not at all my type. I've known quite a few classy black females, and they make Michelle look like (and act like) a cheap French prostitute who won the lottery. No style, no grace, no "proper behavior". I can't wait until the White House is flushed of the sleaze that currently fills it.
Posted by: Old Patriot || 09/21/2009 15:18 Comments || Top||

#15  Her grimace lights up the room.
Posted by: regular joe || 09/21/2009 16:06 Comments || Top||

#16  Fortunately for Mrs. Obama's future clothing statements, it will soon be cool enough that jackets will be advisable on that ground alone.

Perhaps if she were wearing a down parka and Sorels, she could lose that slightly skanky inner city middle school teacher look.
Posted by: SteveS || 09/21/2009 17:58 Comments || Top||

#17  "Perhaps if she were wearing a down parka and Sorels, she could lose that slightly skanky inner city middle school teacher look."

Unfortunately, she wouldn't, Steve.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 09/21/2009 18:18 Comments || Top||

#18  Its only Monday and this photo and comments made me get emotional, not in a good way. I think I need to go look at some Vintage Burberry or Brooks Brother, maybe Ralph Lauren just to cancel that image out of my head.
Posted by: GirlThursday || 09/21/2009 22:27 Comments || Top||

#19  So the story was about MO and not U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Jared C. Monti who gave his life in combat. I really don't give a flip about what the first lady wore ya da ya da ya da. I'll go read about Sergeant Monti's heroism somewhere else.
Posted by: JohnQC || 09/21/2009 23:18 Comments || Top||



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Two weeks of WOT
Mon 2009-09-21
  Hafiz Saeed under 'house arrest', was Pak army's iftar guest
Sun 2009-09-20
  AQ Khan blows the whistle on Pakistan
Sat 2009-09-19
  U.N. probes use of its vehicles in Somalia bombing
Fri 2009-09-18
  Colo. Man in Suspected NYC Subway Plot Admits Al Qaeda Ties
Thu 2009-09-17
  Noordin Mohammad Top: Dead Again!
Wed 2009-09-16
  IDF nabs Park Hotel attack terrorist
Tue 2009-09-15
  Baghdad Green Zone attacked during Biden visit
Mon 2009-09-14
  U.S. Special Forces Kill 2 Al Qaeda, Capture 2 in Somalia
Sun 2009-09-13
  Taliban in Swat Surrender?
Sat 2009-09-12
  Pakistan arrests Muslim Khan
Fri 2009-09-11
  Hariri quits
Thu 2009-09-10
  Drone attack leaves 12 dead in N. Waziristan
Wed 2009-09-09
  Supply for Nato stops again after row with Afghans
Tue 2009-09-08
  Two foreigners among seven dead in NWA drone strikes
Mon 2009-09-07
  33 militants killed in Khyber Agency


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