The media’s legitimization of fringe lunatic Terry Jones last week, the man with a history of actions only people sympathetic to the Westboro Baptist Church would support, had one effect that Democrats can be thankful for: it pushed aside talk of an “enthusiasm gap” between the Republican base and the Democratic base, which many think will produce big wins for the GOP in November. At least, that’s the conventional wisdom or meme the media is promoting.

Why Are The Blue Dogs In Trouble?

Today, the Out of Afghanistan caucus in the House issued a challenge to their colleagues, calling on them to face up to the “essential hypocrisy” of calling for programs for education, job relief, health care and other domestic spending to be paid for because of deficit hysteria and then turning around and funding the never-ending, strategy-less war in Afghanistan without worrying how it is paid for.

When Members of Congress sell out to big business, they usually come up with a reason to justify their sellout that’s something other than the equivalent of saying, “We’re their bitches.” For example, we don’t need to escalate the war in Afghanistan to feed the military industrial complex, we need to fight this no-end-in-sight war because blowing up civilians half a world away “keeps us safe.”

That’s why I’m puzzled by the objections corporatists Blue Dog Democrats in Congress have with the DISCLOSE Act. This thin veil of rational reasoning that’s usually present is missing – in every article I’ve read no reason has been given to exempt the National Rifle Association (a notorious right-wing money-laundering scheme) from the bill other than, “We need their money for our elections.” There’s usually at least a spokesman who will toe the corporate line and give some kind of made-up reason. But here, none.

Anti-War Vote Sweeps All 4 Elections! MSNBC & Most Media Don’t Notice the Connection — by NormanB (“Deviations from the Norm”)

Blue Dog Caucus founder and former Oklahoma Congressman Bill Brewster’s firm Capitol Hill Consulting Group was hired to lobby lawmakers by Transocean, owner of the failed Deepwater Horizon drilling rig.

Is appearance a swipe at DK?

Today, Fred Hiatt called on Blue Dog Democrats to raise taxes. Really. I’m not kidding.

I really liked the direct and forthright message from El Presidente. But it did not answer the question of the woman from Glenwood Springs. Or perhaps this whole sunshine of transparency and open dialog with John Q Public will disinfect the process and reduce or eliminate the urgency felt by the woman to procure her own lobbyist. But the critical issue of lobbyist influence was not directly addressed in the message from El Presidente.

Harold Ford Jr. is essentially a Republican ‘trojan horse’ candidate masquerading as a Democrat. For those of you who reside in New York, read on … he could become your next U.S. Senator.