And the scandal continues...

As if the withdrawal of two high-profile nominees due to tax problems was not enough, an ex-aide of Commerce Secretary Judd Gregg has been accused of taking bribes in the form of sports tickets in return for legislative favors. The story is just another example of corruption in Washington. It is becoming a tiring trend.

Money

Rahmbo Video

For distinctions among 501(c) groups, 527 groups and PACs.

For hard-money contribution limits.

For current data on congressional races.

Interesting 2008 House Ads

Alright, I admit, these are mostly from the Republican side, but here are some interesting House ads from 2008

First positive ones
Bill Cassidy (R-LA)

Cassidy beat Congressman Don Cazayoux

Lou Barletta (R-PA)

Barletta lost because of how well Obama did in PA

Negative Ads
Against Paul Carmouche (D-LA)

Carmouche barely lost

Against Raul Martinez (D-FL)

Martinez lost

Against Jim Esch (D-NE)

Esch lost

Against Tim Bee (R-AZ)

Bee lost...most DCCC from this cycle have a pretty similar theme to this ad, trying to tie Bush to every candidate

Most controversial ad of cycle, against Parker Griffith (D-AL), one station would not continue playing the ad

Griffith won.

One of the most talked about ads, Tom Feeney (R-FL)

Feeney lost

And finally just funny...
Against Dina Titus (D-NV) by Freedom's Watch

Titus Won

There are hundreds of House ads out there, these are some of the most interesting ads, and some of the most used themes from the cycle.

The other shoe?

I (and I assume a number of you) am eating my words on Tom Daschle today. Despite earlier claims that he would push on in the face of his own tax fraud and despite even the significant support which has rallied around him, he has withdrawn from consideration for Health and Human Services. For now we can only speculate, but it's hard to resist drawing the conclusion that this surprise move is preempting the revelation of a larger scandal.

See: the times

First Lady Steps Out of the White House

Yesterday, Michelle Obama made her first "official" appearance at the Dept. of Education. This article gives us a snapshot of what her goals are as and how she may accomplish them. I am just as interested in following her progress as I am the President's. It will be interesting to see what types of relations she develops with the Hill/Congress, if any. I get the feeling that everyone's watching.. waiting... to see what she'll do next. 

Rahm Roasted

Here's an older video of then-Senator Obama roasting Rahm Emanuel. I thought it was funny, and at least related to Wednesday's readings.

Obama begins talking about a minute and a half in.




Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHX-g1FtaMs&eurl=http://www.politico.com/blogs/anneschroeder/

Rahmbo insults children

Our beloved Chief of Staff has no patience for congratulatory, crayon-wielding schoolchildren insulting Old Glory. His callous disregard for the future leaders of these United States is moderately alarming.

http://www.leveragedsellout.com/2008/11/ex-investment-banker-and-pending-chief-of-staff-rahm-emmanuel-says-america-lacks-attention-to-detail/