How is Robert Novak Like Time Magazine

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Years ago when Time Magazine was the major source of serious news for millions, somebody said “Time seems to informative until they write about something you know something about”.

I thought of that while reading today’s column by right-wing pundit Robert Novak.

Novak’s column is about an outstanding candidate who could have been a real contender except for the failure of others to support him.

That candidate – John Spencer!

Strange Argument From a Prosecutor

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Ms. Pirro wanted Elliot Jacobson, the U.S. Attorney’s office prosecutor who assisted in the 2000 conviction of her possibly cheating husband for tax evasion, removed from her case. “The fact is, he is the prosecutor on this case. His behavior echoes his behavior of seven years ago,” she said.

Excuse me, but didn’t Jacobson’s behavior seven years ago result in the conviction of a crooked tax evader? Wasn’t that his job? 

Missing the Point on Foley-gate

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Wednesday’s NY Post, joining the rest of the right-wing media calls Democrats “Hypocritical Critics” in the Mark Foley scandal.

They compare Foley to previous sex scandals involving Democrats.

The flaw with the argument can be seen on the same day’s Post Op-Ed page. Robert Novak reports "A member of the House leadership told me that Foley, under continuous political pressure because of his sexual orientation, was considering not seeking a seventh term this year but that Rep. Tom Reynolds, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), talked him into running." (No link provided)

More Nonsense From St. Rudy’s Worshippers

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Since September 11th, admirers of former Mayor Rudy Giuliani have become such hero worshippers that nothing, least of all Rudy’s record or his public pronouncements, seem to diminish their ardor.

The latest example of such nonsense appears in Friday’s New York Sun.

A previous unknown to me, believer in the cult of St. Rudy, James Coll writes of how, if only Rudy had remained Mayor, the hole that is Ground Zero would no longer be an empty pit.

Question of the Day

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Seeing these stories today, my question is – forget about Bloomberg leaving the GOP and running for President as an independent, is Rudy going to do it instead?

The political fallout for Jeanine Pirro was swift yesterday – a planned fund-raiser to be hosted by former Mayor Rudy Giuliani was abruptly canceled.

"We’re not going forward," a source close to the former mayor said of the Oct. 3 event.

Giuliani Defends Bill Clinton After Heated Interview, Says Focus Should Remain on Terrorism

Daily News ON Judges

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While I think I know much more about politics than the average voter, I admit I’m as clueless as anyone as to who is qualified to be a judge. So I have never and never will say X is more qualified than Y.

The editorial writers at the Daily News are not as humble.

In Monday’s edition, they attacked Brooklyn County Leader Vito Lopez for supporting for Supreme Court “an attorney whose chief qualifications include being the brother of Lopez’s girlfriend”

Tuesday’s Big Loser – Rev. Al

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People like me who think Al Sharpton is more a creation of the media than an authentic leader of the African-American community were hopeful that Rev. Al’s truly pathetic vote totals when he ran for President would cause people to stop taking him seriously.

In that year, Sharpton lost the black majority District of Columbia primary to Howard Dean, finished 3rd with less than 10% in South Carolina where Blacks were 50% of the turnout and lost badly to “soul brother” John Kerry in both of Central Brooklyn’s Congressional districts.

Which Mike Should We Believe?

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Mayor Bloomberg says politicians who oppose measures to crack down on illegal guns have been "cowed or duped" by an "extremist gun lobby."

During an appearance in front of the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington yesterday, Mr. Bloomberg said elected officials in both political parties have been too "soft" when it comes to trafficking and possessing illegal guns.

"They say that they are protecting the Second Amendment, but that’s a red herring if ever there was one, and it’s time for us to start exposing it," Mr. Bloomberg said.

Is Charlie King Delusional?

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The alleged big story this morning is that perennial losing candidate Charlie King is again dropping out and endorsing Andrew Cuomo.

Since nobody he hasn’t bought lunch for was supporting King, the story isn’t that interesting.

Except for the reason that Charlie gave for his decision according to the NY Times blog –

“I am doing this primarily because I am interested in unifying the Democratic Party at a time when we will face a strong Republican challenge,” he said.

Huh? Strong Republican challenge? Doesn’t Charlie read the papers? 

John McCain – Just Another Pol

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A while ago, I wrote on one of the blogs that the test of whether Sen. John McCain is really as different as the media wish is true all their heart or is just another pol would be if he changed his position on ethanol in order to win the Iowa Caucus.

I think the answer is becoming clear.

Here’s McCain’s old position –

McCain Also Voted Against Ethanol in 2004, and 2003. In 2004, John McCain voted against an amendment to Senate Bill S 150 to promote ethanol, declaring that ethanol was “a product that we have created a market for which has absolutely, under no circumstances, any value whatsoever except to corn producers and Archer Daniels Midland and other large agribusinesses.” In 2003, John McCain voted to block a final vote to an “energy bill coveted by Iowa farm interests” that “would double use of corn-based ethanol.” [S 150; Aberdeen American News, 5/2/04, S. Res. 150, 4/29/04, Roll Call #74; Des Moines Register, 11/22/03; H.R. 6, 11/21/03, Roll Call #456]