Blum and Gloom XII

[Week 11 /Week 12 / Week 13]

[video h/t Joe Anybody]






[Week 11 / Week 13]

Why I distrust the DSCC

The above is reposted with apologies to and in homage of Rob Tornoe, one of my favorite political cartoonists. I first read it on PolitickerOR. Do click on the image above for my adaptation!

Drinking Liberally

This was week two for "Drinking Liberally" at their new digs upstairs at Madison's Bar and Grill. They sport enough brews on tap to please most PDX armchair politicians and the service was top notch.

<<THIS JUST IN...>>

A Merkley staffer close to the campaign was asked, "Will Merkley ever debate Novick?" And the reply?

"Um, yeah. They'll be having a joint appearance this weekend."

Ok, so this isn't breaking news. It seems whenever the Merkley Machine is asked (or even the man himself), the response is to point to (even accidental) "joint appearances." Is this a winning strategy or just politicians as usual? I'd say "You decide," but it appears the Party in DC has already chosen for us.

Craig goes, comes...

Once out, the "never been gay" Idaho senator says he staying in and intends to continue servicing his constituents.

Sen. Craig not resigning despite judge's ruling

(CNN) -- Sen. Larry Craig on Thursday said he was not resigning from the Senate despite a Minnesota judge denying his request to withdraw his guilty plea stemming from his arrest in a sex sting at an airport men's room. [more...]

Blum and Gloom XI

[Week 10 / Week 11 / Week 12]
See also: Impeachment and City Hall

[video h/t Joe Anybody]

[Week 10 / Week 12]







































[Week 10 / Week 12]
See also: Impeachment and City Hall

Sam Adams

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It's official. Sam Adams, unabashedly out Portland City Councilman is in the race for Puddletown's Mayor.

It seems even Sam's own media consultant was kept in the dark until the last moment garnering yours truly my first kudo over at Blue0 after a lengthy list of complaints (and even temporary, accidental bannination) for my critiques of another one of Mandate's client's, candidate Jeff Merkley.

Normally you wouldn't find me anywhere near Sam Adams and a pub. Traveling outside of Oregon i've asked, "Do you have any microbrews?" "We have Sam Adams lager!" No thanks. Portland's Sam Adams isn't anything like his namesake's distinctly average ale. His choice for tonight's announcement underscores this. Roots is the region's only all-organic brewery.

The event (whose hosts donated all tips and a portion of the receipts to the Leukemia Society) was a chance for normal folk to swim with the big fish in our small pond. I spotted pollster Mike Riley, who recently got a roasting for his polling tactics. In his defense, how can a guy who answers "wine" in a brewpub can't really be trusted to ask the right questions.

Also on hand were City Commissioner Randy Leonard and County Commish, Maria Rojo de Steffey. Underneath a portrait of Bob Marley, Sam gave credit to Portland's mayors present and past and went on to articulate his vision for Portland's future. [Disclaimer: I voted against Sam before i voted for him. Maybe it was simply Katz fatigue. After hearing his plan for small businesses, i was sold. As a successful small business, Roots lends Sam an important endorsement.

As Sam again steps into the media glare, he emerges perhaps scathed but strong following a failed smear campaign. That's partly why i was there, to keep good on a promise. Sam has been a good public servant. He's already earned my respect. He'll still have to earn my vote, but it was my pleasure to cheer him on in the process.

Chemical Ali not gassed

A month ago the death sentence was upheld for the cousin of Saddam Hussein, "Chemical Ali," for war crimes, including the use of chemical weapons against Kurdish civilians in 1988, killing as many as 180,000. The banned weapons were sold to Iraq by Ronald Reagan through is special envoy, Donald Rumsfeld. Current Iraqi law mandates that the death sentence be carried out within 30 days of an affirmative supreme court review. No word if the Iraqis will change the law retroactively or seek to turn back time.