Saintless

Since Organizing for America is helping host tonight’s watch party for the State of the Union Address, we got in on a conference call just before the SOTU, with David Plouffe. Here’s my summary:

He began by thanking everyone for all of their work from the primaries, through the 2008 Election, to our current efforts for healthcare.

Healthcare is a jobs issue, we won’t have a strong economy without it.

President Obama’s speech will rekindle a lot of enthusiasm.

Long term and short term are both the focus.

15,000,000 people first voted in 2008. We need to go back and talk to these first time voters, so they understand the importance of an off year election, and stay involved.

Do all we can to support both congress and our local communities.

“We want to stand with the taxpayers. They want to get repaid.”

Students, college – both very important.

The job of an elected official is not to get re-elected. It’s to serve the people.

We have to create new jobs, and create the environment for private sector growth.

If we don’t pick up the pace, our country is not going to be strong for years to come.

If you’d like to read as I liveblog the SOTU starting at 8 PM ET/ 6 PM CT, check this out, and keep refreshing to see updates.

Tags: David Plouffe

I’ll be live blogging President Obama’s 2010 State of the Union Address right here in this post. Once the Address begins, at 8 PM ET/6 PM CT, check back here, and refresh the page every once in a while. Note that RSS won’t pick this whole thing up, you’ll need to click through! I’d love to hear your comments on it, as well.

If you’d like to join me in person, come down to Lumpy’s at 3000 S Highland Dr in Salt Lake. The event is being hosted by Organizing for America and the Young Democrats of Utah.

Mark Hymas just announced a drinking game, but left it to Nikki Norton to explain.

Let me be clear: 1 shot
Change isn’t easy: 1 shot
Make no mistake: 1 shot
Lemme be clear, change isn’t easy, make no mistake (in one sentence): 5 shots

If Joe Wilson says anything: 1 shot
If Obama answers Wilson: Whole bottle

Nancy Pelosi claps like a seal: 1 shot
If she turns into a seal: Whole bottle

Obama mentions his dog Beau: Full beer, have another shot

Biden nods off, laughs inappropriately, speaks before it’s over: 3 shots

Obama says he’s fighting for you: 2 shots
Obama says “jobs”: 1 shot, 2 if you’re unemployed

Mention of Haiti: text “Haiti” to 90999 to donate $10

Also, next week is Young Dems Lunch with your Democratic Legislators.

Michelle Obama looks amazing, as always.

Someone tweeted that it’s so cold, they’re shivering. That’s funny. Except it means I’d be frozen! I wonder what other tweets will come out of that room?

————–

Sidenote: Why do dems always wear red? There’s no solidarity to be had with the GOP!

Hey, they just showed Skeletor!

For 220 years, our leaders have fulfilled the duty of giving updates to members of Congress.

It is tempting to assume our progress was inevitable, and we were destined to succeed – but we have had times that tested our strength and the courage of our union. We prevailed because of our conviction. We must answer history’s calls.

Obama took office in the face of warnings that we were facing a 2nd Great Depression. 1 year later, the storm has passed, but the devastation remains – jobs, rural areas, for those who are in poverty, it’s that much harder. This has only compounded the burden of working harder and longer for less in America.

—————

Change cannot come fast enough. Some are frustrated, angry.

America deserves for Dems & GOP to resolve our differences, and overcome the weight of our politics.

One woman wrote: We are strained but hopeful.

Because of this great courage, Obama has never been more hopeful about America’s future than he is tonight.

————-

Together we can deliver on that promise.

Obama’s most urgent task on taking office was to help shore up the banks that caused the crisis.

“When I ran for president, I promised that I wouldn’t just to what was popular, I would do what was necessary.”

When Obama took the financial rescue program over, he made it more transparent and more accountable. Has now recovered most of that money. To recover the rest, he proposes a fee on the biggest banks.

“Wall Street isn’t happy, but if they can afford to hand out bonuses again, they can afford to pay back the taxpayers who rescued them in their time of need.”

————-

We cut taxes for 95% of working families, small businesses, 1st time home buyers, for 8 million Americans paying for college.

We haven’t raised income taxes on a single person by a single dime.

Because of the steps we took, there are about 2 million Americans working right now who would otherwise be unemployed.

Construction, teachers, cops. Prepared to add another 1.5 million jobs by the end of the year. The Recovery Act (Stimulus Bill) made this possible

————-

Sidenote: Biden looks like he’s deeply contemplating these ideas, and has never heard them before. I do love Biden, but he’s seeming a bit empty headed tonight.

Jobs #1 focus in 2010.

Start with small businesses.

Sidenote: Watching with my friends is better, we can pause the speech, and make our commentary, then resume.

Propose $30 billion from what banks have repaid and give to small banks to keep small businesses go.

Small business tax credit to businesses who hire new workers or raise wages.

Eliminate capital gains taxes on investment in small businesses.

Sidenote: I think the GOPers are upset that he’s not saying “big business”.

Breaks for Americans who make their homes more energy efficient.

End tax breaks for companies that ship our jobs overseas!

—————-

These steps won’t make up for the 7 million jobs we’ve lost. The only way to do that is lay down a long term plan for economic growth. During the last decade, jobs and income grew slower than any other time, while school and basic costs grew faster.

China, Germany, Japan aren’t going to wait around for us to get ahead on jobs, clean energy, technology. “I will not accept 2nd place for America.”

Time to get serious about fixing the problems that are hampering our growth. One place to start is financial reform. Guard against the same recklessness that brought down our economy.

We cannot let the financial institutions that brought down our economy to bring us down again.

We need to encourage American innovation. Last year we made the largest investment in research in our history. No area is more right for innovation than energy.

Comprehensive energy/climate bill!

Sidenote: Wooooohoooooooo! I’ll give the GOP some extra offshore drilling if we can accomplish this.

—————–

Overheard at Lumpy’s: Did someone duct tape Joe Wilson to his seat?

New goal: We will double our exports over the next 5 years – an increase of 2 million jobs in America.

National Export Initiative to help farmers and small businesses increase their exports.

We will strengthen our trade relations in Asia, Panama, (others but I was interrupted).

Education: we will reward achievement. The best anti poverty program around is education.

To make college more affordable, end the taxpayer subsidies for student loans. $10 K tax credit for 4 years of college. Only 10% of income to student loans, all debt forgiven after 20 years, 10 if public service.

Step up refinancing so homeowners can move into more affordable homes. To relieve the burden on middle class families, we need health insurance reform.

————–

“It should be fairly obvious that I didn’t take on health care because it was good politics. I took it on because of the stories from Americans” who had been denied coverage, patients who were one hospital visit away from financial ruin.

Michelle Obama is taking on the epidemic of childhood obesity.

Sidenote: Senator Ben McAdams just told me he had to go – his kids just overflowed the bathtub at home. Just be cause you’re in office, doesn’t mean your home responsibilities end.

“If anyone has a better approach that will (do all of the above) let me know.”

Obama asks Congress not to walk away from health reform – finish the job for the American people.

Sidenote: the big thing in Lumpy’s tonight is who is/isn’t standing in the congressional audience.

————

At the beginning of 2000 we had a budget surplus. When Obama took office we had a deficit. Most was result of not paying for 2 wars, tax cuts. All this was before I walked in the door.

Sidenote: Eveyone just boo’d John McCain.

Our efforts to prevent the 2nd Great Depression have added to our debt. Obama is convinced that’s the right thing to do.

Spending related to nat’l security, medicare, medicaid, social security will not be touched. We will cut everything else. if Obama has to force this by veto, he will.

Will continue to go through budget line by line, page by page. Already ID’d 20 billion in savings for next year. Will not continue tax cuts for (major companies).

Sidenote: I just had a realization that Teddy Kennedy isn’t in that crowd. That makes me sad.

————–

Calling on Congress to publish all earmark requests online BEFORE there is a vote.

“None of this will work if we don’t reform how we work with one another.”

Not naive, understood he wasn’t ushering in some new era of peace and harmony. But, America is frustrated by that in Washington every day is election day.

Neither party should delay or obstruct every single bill just because they can.

No bill should be held hostage by the pet projects of individual senators.

“I will not give up on trying to change the tone of our politics. I know it’s an election year, and after last week, it’s clear that campaign fever has come even earlier than usual.” But people expect us to solve problems.

To the GOP: just saying no to everything might be good short term politics, but it’s not leadership.

Sidenote: Wooohoo! Obama you rock!

I just got asked why so many are wearing yellow. I’m trying to find out. I’m guessing either Haiti or the war.

————-

Sidenote: I think that the GOP just sat down instead of cheering national security.

“There will be difficult days ahead. But, I am absolutely confident that we will succeed.” [...] As a candidate I wswore to end this war. As president, that’s what I’m doing. By August we will have our troops out of Iraq. We will support the Iraqi government.

Our troops need to know that they have our respect, our gratitude. We have the responsibility to support our men and women when they come home.

Building a 21st Century VA. Michelle is joined by Jill Biden to support a 21st Century Commitment to Military Families.

Embraced vision JFK & Ronald Reagan, seek a world without nuclear stockpiles.

Our standing up for nuclear agreements strengthens our hand in dealing with nations who violate them.

————–

Sidenote: The GOP really is slow to stand and applaud. They seem to find Obama even speaking offensive, no matter how much they might agree with what he says.

Ok, that just stressed my voice. I was screaming. Obama just said he would work this year to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. OMFG!!! That’s the most direct he’s been about this since taking office.

Sidenote: I’m going to have a hard time listening to the rest of this speech. OMG OMG OMG!

I never suggested change would be easy. Democracy in a nation of 300 million people can be messy and complicated. It stirs passions and controversy. Those in public office can do what’s necessary to get through next election, instead of doing what’s best for the next generation.

If people 50 yrs ago, 100 yrs ago, 200 yrs ago, we would be here tonight. Only reason we’re here is because Americans weren’t afraid to do what was necessary to keep this nation alive for our children, grandchildren.

“What keeps me going, what keeps me fighting is that despite all these setbacks, that the spirit of optimism that has always been at the core of the American people lives on.”

“We don’t give up!”

And it’s done.

Tags: State of the Union Address

You may be familiar with Curtis Haring from his blog, Blue in Red Zion and other activism. Curtis has been a friend of mine for a while now, and I was very excited when he told me he was accepting the position as Executive Director of Fair Boundaries.

I know that part of his duties will include fundraising, and so I will be making my first donation to the Fair Boundaries Initiative today, in order to support the idea of hiring Curtis as the ED. I think this was a great move for the organization, and I think Curtis will be just the person they need in this position.

If you’re not familiar with Fair Boundaries, the general idea is to prevent gerrymandering in Utah. A longer explanation, from their site:

• Establishes an eleven-member independent commission
• Allows no more four members from the same political party, three unaffiliated
• Sets anti-gerrymandering standards
• Keeps more local communities intact
• Defines an honorable, open and transparent process
• Excludes individuals with obvious conflicts of interest from the commission
• Opens the process to citizen applicants

I would suggest that you check out the articles, such as this one from the Deseret News, and read the text of the petition. I think almost everyone (not currently in office who is only there because the boundaries are screwy) would agree that this is something Utah really needs.

If you’re interested, the full text of the press release about hiring Curtis Haring as the new Executive Director for Fair Boundaries is available for download. I’ll leave you with this interesting little tidbit, from the document:

To date, Fair Boundaries has in distribution enough petitions to significantly exceed its goal of 95,000 signatures from across the state. The initiative itself is seeing strong support from all sides of the political spectrum, with nearly 50 percent of signers being independents and 30 percent being Republican, numbers similar to statewide averages.

Tags: Fair Boundaries

I believe that those who so firmly oppose health care reform are driven by prejudice. Prejudiced against the idea that, by helping their fellow man, they could save some money on their own costs. These people are not willing to entertain, even for a moment, that they might benefit from reform that includes a public option. The idea of free market principles, when it comes to health care, has failed. They refuse to admit that they could be wrong, that perhaps their ideology isn’t perfect for this case.

These people cannot stand the idea that they might spend $50 to help save some stranger’s life, and in doing so, save $100 on their own health care.

While there are a lot of ideals that founded our country, one of them was the ideal that by banding together, we could make things better for ourselves.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

And there are some out there who are so afraid of this, that they make up lies about “death panels” or say that illegal immigrants would be covered. They know these things are blatant lies, yet they spread them, and inspire fear in their constituents or viewers, in order to not face the fact that they don’t have a leg to stand on.

Any Senator or Representative worthy of their office should at least consider the idea that health reform has to happen, because the people of our country need it to. They might fight against parts that they don’t agree with, but they damn sure should be fighting for the things they do agree with. But, yet, we have people like Jason Chaffetz, who sends out this message, minutes after Obama addressed the Joint Sessions of Congress this evening:

That’s right. My representative just sent out a message saying “I have made two big decisions tonight. We are killing the health care bill and we we are killing the mouse in the office.” This, after his Town Hall, which I swear I will blog very soon, where he said that he wasn’t an obstructionist, and he wanted health care reform to happen the right way. This, after Obama invited every one of them, including Chaffetz, to talk to him about their ideas. Chaffetz has never had any intention of considering health care reform.

None.

Those who are against health care reform, while simultaneously refusing to add ideas to the conversation, make me sick. We need health care reform. This conversation is supposed to be about what that reform means. And, as Rep. barney Frank told Rachel Maddow this evening:

The weakness of their argument is a testimony to the strength of ours.

Tags: Health Care Reform, Representative Jason Chaffetz

We all know Gayle Ruzika has gone off her rocker, but seriously?

Apparently, Gayle Ruzika, of The Eagle Forum, is against the spirit of patriotism, of responsbility, where we all pledge to work harder, and look not only after ourselves, but each other.

If you like that spirit, and you want to be a better person, and make your own pledge, go to USAService.org.

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Tags: Gayle Ruzika, patriotism, The Eagle Forum, USAService.org

Here is the email I got from Rep. Jason Chaffetz:

Dear Misty,

In response to the increased public interest in town hall meetings, I have changed the location of my Salt Lake County and Fillmore meetings to a larger venue. The August 26 meeting in will now be held at Elk Ridge Middle School (3659 W 9800 S) in South Jordan. The September 2 meeting will be held at the Old Territorial Statehouse (50 W. Capitol) in Fillmore. The time for both events will remain the same: 7:00 PM and 5:00 PM respectively.

Also, I have pasted the complete list of town hall meetings below, with the updates highlighted in yellow.

Utah County

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

7:00 PM

51 South University Ave.

Third Floor Ballroom

Provo, UT 84601

Salt Lake County

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

7:00 PM

Elkridge Middle School

3649 W. 9800 S.

South Jordan, UT 84095-3260

Sanpete County

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

1:00 PM

Greenwood Student Center

250 E. College Ave.

Fillmore

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

5:00 PM

Old Territorial Statehouse

50 W. Capitol

Fillmore, UT 84631

Delta

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

7:00 PM

Delta City Office

76 N. 200 W.

Delta, UT 84624

Thanks,

–

Jason Chaffetz

Member of Congress

I’ll be attending the Salt Lake County one.

I’ve known Curtis Haring for a couple of years, now. Not only is a really good guy, he’s really impressed me with his dedication to the Democratic Party, and making it better. He’s been knowledgeable on every subject I’ve discussed with him, and he’s put a lot of effort into understanding the how’s and why’s of Utah politics. During the recent Legislative Session, anytime a bill came up that I needed to know more about, I almost always found a wonderful overview of it on his blog. He covered hundreds of bills, with very details analysis. I can’t begin tell you how impressed I was with that, because I know how much effort had to have gone into it. He’s also been on the Board of the Young Democrats of Utah for 5 years. This position of responsibility isn’t new to him, and he’s going to rock once he’s elected!

That being said, Curtis is running for the 2nd Vice Chair of the Salt Lake County Democrats. I will be voting for him this Saturday at the Salt Lake County Democratic Convention, and I hope you will, as well. Take a look around his blog, Blue in Red Zion, and I know you’ll be impressed. I believe his past experience is perfect, and that he has the perfect organizational skills that the SL County Democratic Party needs!

If you need a little more reason to vote for Curtis Haring, check out Bob Aagard’s endorsement, or JM Bell’s.

Tags: Curtis Haring, endorsement, Salt Lake County Democrats

I adore Rachel Maddow, and this is an example of why. But, then I have no intention of participating in public teabagging, either.

To all the teabaggers, I have a few things to say to you.

First, you keep talking about taxes. Except your taxes just got cut. Unless you’re rich, and make over $250K a year, President Obama just gave you a tax cut. I’m guessing there won’t be many people at these “parties” that didn’t get a tax break.

Second, I hate to try to redirect your failed anger, but I think your problem is the spending, rather than the taxes. But, see, your party (or at least the party of most of the teabaggers) is the one behind the problem we’re facing right now. The GOP, with Bush at the helm, drove our country into the ground. When Bush got into office, the Democratic Party (with Clinton at the helm) had managed to give our country a surplus. Bush took that surplus away, and put us back into deficit spending. Obama walked into a huge mess, and he has no choice but to fix it. And now, it seems convenient for Republicans to blame Obama and the Democrats.

But blaming Obama and the Democrats is wrong. Obama is doing what is necessary to fix this mess. It’s not pleasant, but it has to be done. And I don’t think any of you are considering the big picture. You’re in this narrow little alley that says the other party must be wrong, and that’s as much consideration as you’re willing to give it.

And finally: All of you are coming of like a bunch of two year olds throwing a tantrum. If you can quit the partisan whining, maybe we can go back to having a real conversation.

Just a little update: Teablogging.net. ’nuff said.

Tags: Rachel Maddow, teabagging

I’m all for open debate, and making Representatives answer for their votes. But, this video shows that Rep. Jason Chaffetz is participating in pre-planned attacks, designed only to badger the Democrats, with no clear purpose or ability to make progress. It’s simple kindergarten bullying. From Politico:

Cantor’s floor staff has created a photo album to help identify the 42 most vulnerable Democrats. The aides send daily e-mails to the members of the attack team and alert lawmakers when these targeted members are speaking on the floor. They even draft quick scripts to help focus the questioning.

This is beyond childish. And it’s embarrassing, since apparently, Chaffetz made an idiot out of himself when it was his turn up, and it didn’t quite turn out the way he wanted. Go, Utah!

As Politico says, about this video:

Of course, these attacks don’t always work out. Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly, a veteran of party politics, quickly turned a Chaffetz challenge against his attacker. The Utah freshman also appeared flustered when Kilroy left the floor recently as he launched another line of questioning about her AIG vote.

Perhaps this is an alternative explanation for Jason Chaffetz blocking me on Twitter. Hearing from me was sometimes a little taste of his own medicine. Oh, and what was that advice Chaffetz had for the President again?

(h/t Glen Warchol)

Tags: Representative Jason Chaffetz

Newcomer to the United States House of Representatives, Jason Chaffetz, has some balls, all right (emphasis mine):

Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, lent tentative support to President Barack Obama’s war policy in Iraq after spending two days in the war-ravaged nation as part of a congressional delegation.

“Thus far he has been pretty good at listening to the generals. I just hope that continues,” Chaffetz said. “My advice to the president is don’t let politics drive the timeline.”

Seriously? Chaffetz (in all of his worldly experience) thinks he’s finally got a chance to advice President Obama about something (yeah, right) and he tells him not to let politics drive him? I mean, because we all know Chaffetz gave a moment’s consideration to anything dealing with the budget that wasn’t politically driven. Uh, huh. Ri-i-i-ight.

Though, maybe this explains why Chaffetz blocked me on Twitter. He was afraid I might be a terr’ist, like all them other lib’rels, and since he was traveling to see the rest of them terr’ists over in Iraq, it was dangerous to keep me on Twitter!

I wonder if Obama laughed him out of the room when he gave that advice, or treated him more like a pesky fly?

Tags: Representative Jason Chaffetz