Why do the teams you cheer against (0.00 / 0)

for most of the year suddenly become teams you support just because they represent your conference or division in the playoffs?

So you can rationalize why your team is not there. "My team was good, but the conference was just so great this year they never had a chance"  Minnesota sports fans are familiar with this...

As to politics...it appears we might get the best possible solution out of the Interior decision. Though Grijalva would be a great secretary, we get to keep him as head of the progressive caucus in the House. Meanwhile, Berry and Gover appear to be reasonably progressive from what I have seen.  It would be great if Gover got it; appointing a Native American to the head of Interior would be a great start to what Obama has promised would be a strong relationship between his administration and Native Americans.

"Never separate the life you live from the words you speak" -Paul Wellstone

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by: DFLer @ Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 18:26:05 PM CST

I don't (0.00 / 0)

After Minnesota it's the Tarheels for me although I guess if two teams I didn't care much for got into the finals I'd be inclined to root for the Big Ten one, mostly beacuse of regional pride though.  

John McCain: Beacuse lobbyists should have more power

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by: Populista @ Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 19:21:19 PM CST

[ Parent ]

how will the IL special election work? (0.00 / 0)

will there be a primary or a big free-for-all?

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by: tremayne @ Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 18:26:30 PM CST

nevermind (0.00 / 0)

primary it is.

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by: tremayne @ Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 18:27:50 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Not known (4.00 / 2)

beacuse it hasn't been passed, but if it is it looks like it would be a primary first ala the IL-14 one. I think Madigan will run for governor instead and I think Schakowsky has a great chance and would probably be the best non-Bernie Sanders member of the Senate.

John McCain: Beacuse lobbyists should have more power

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by: Populista @ Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 19:00:44 PM CST

[ Parent ]

If this is an open thread (0.00 / 0)

Then I would like to flog a diary I wrote, mostly responding to things I'd seen said lately on this site, which I posted a couple days ago but which I'm not sure anyone actually saw (it got its first comment today). It was written before the energy/environment picks became known yesterday but generally still applies.

( I am assuming the diary's lack of attention is because it is easy to overlook user diaries on this site. If it was in fact because it was not a diary worth commenting on, then sorry to have bothered :) )

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by: mcc @ Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 18:28:24 PM CST

Wait a month, RPI (4.00 / 1)

Strangely enough, the December games have more meaning to a team's RPI than the real conference games.  One year a very good Michigan State team lost to Detroit in December (maybe even November)by a few points.  That conference got three teams in the NCAA and the Big Ten got gyped of a team.  Michigan State won the national title.

If Big East teams as a group clean up, the record of all of Syracuse's opponents is seriously upgraded (opponent's won-lost percentage is 50% of the formula for RPI).  The problem is that a Gonzaga or a Princeton or Penn from the past finds its RPI seriously declining once conference play starts no matter how badly they beat the in-conference schools.

As for the bail out, the compromises have already gone too far.  If it is clear that the money will flow in six weeks, the best we can do is wait the six weeks rather than selling out 40 years of pension contributions by millions of workers.

This will send Voinovich and Bond home for ever and may well kill off Specter.  As much as they complain , their southern and farm colleagues brought this upon them.

And micro-manage the farm aid, military contracts, and military bases to selectively go after the Republican base of hypocritical takers.  You are no more virtuous than any other Americans, just more hypocritical.

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by: David Kowalski @ Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 18:30:19 PM CST

This clearly hits it (0.00 / 0)

As a Syracuse fan, you have to root for Georgetown and UConn sometimes because their success will impact your selection to and seeding in the NCAA tournament.

It's like America: I have to root for my Republican compatriots to succeed, because I do better when we succeed as a nation.  

Just one more way that every aspect of life can eventually be explained through sports metaphors.

Yes we Kang

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by: I Voted for Kodos @ Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 18:43:59 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Screw the RPI, I will not root for Indiana. (0.00 / 0)

Being a Purdue fan, I just can't do it.  In fact, I rooted for Syracuse, when they played for the title in what 86.  Those of you that root for your rivals when they play other teams, have you no pride?  Your conference rivals are scum and should be treated as such.  The hell with seedings and brackets, nothing brings me more joy than watching IU get spanked.  In fact, this might be one of the best years ever, IU stinks.  I will celebrate every loss with great enthusiasm.  

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by: zelt @ Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 18:55:33 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Never, Never (0.00 / 0)

can a Orange fan root for Georgetown.  Never, never, never; under no circumstances.  As for Uconn..... who cares?

"We can have democracy in this country, or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can't have both." - SCOTUS Justice Louis Brandeis

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by: frank47 @ Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 19:43:32 PM CST

[ Parent ]

i would say, without hesitation, support Schakowsky. (4.00 / 2)

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by: seabrook @ Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 18:31:08 PM CST

moreover, the IL-Sen special election could be the first 'better dems' (4.00 / 1)

campaign of the coming electoral season.  if done well, it could serve as a model...

the sooner the netroots throws its hat in the ring on schakowsky's side, the more we will be associated with her, and the more prominence her win, if it happens, will give the netroots.  

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by: seabrook @ Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 19:31:06 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Definitely (0.00 / 0)

I don't see how there's anything to lose.  Does she have a good relationship with the netroots?

I too "don't get this aspect of sports fandom."  But that's because I don't get sports fandom.  Just got home from a walk in my local Syracuse neighborhood park.  It's 29F with 3-5 inches tonight.  Downright balmy.  Much nicer than watching someone else get exercise.

Kicking it in the NY-25.

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by: Harmonious @ Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 19:43:35 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Go Orange! (0.00 / 0)

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by: ek hornbeck @ Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 18:32:35 PM CST

Compromise (0.00 / 0)

As long as the Big Three and the UAW survive I'm okay with giving more concessions. We simply can't risk losing them.

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by: Kanamit @ Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 18:44:37 PM CST

Especially since (0.00 / 0)

There is absolutely nothing preventing the Democrats from coming back in January and effectively nullifying everything that was done now, and putting something real in place.

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by: Sauceman @ Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 19:23:20 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Jan Schakowsky (0.00 / 0)

Jan Schakowsky is a cosponsor of HR 676, Medicare for All. So is Jesse Jackson Jr.

That is the sum total of my knowledge about the possible candidates for this senate race.

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by: AliceDem @ Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 19:08:45 PM CST

About time we get some cram down (0.00 / 0)

on those getting tax payer dollars. This auto bailing proceeding is going marvelously, the terms get better each day for tax payers. Yes, more hair cuts for both the unions and the damn bond holders. Not that I wish either ill, but they make the profits with the company and should share the losses - if management sucked its their problem and they should have done something about it. there are lots of american's who won't be getting any bailout, who will have their pensions defaulted on, who will owe +24K in tax obligations to cover this mess. I especially liked the terms in the bill that failed that said tax payers could get their loan back if the companies couldn't get their crap together by january - with super preferred debt. nice! and no vote required to stop a second round of funds, full authorization required by congress to approve the money.

now, the reason this is so nice is not because I wish the unions ill or whatever cockamamie nonsense everyone thinks this is about, or that I'm wound up about 14 or 38 Billion. Whats a few billion these days. What is SO good about how this auto bailout is playing out is it is FINALLY showing what a good model for financial bailouts looks like. the TARP deal was such a piece of shit! and damn democratic congress voted for it, and Obama backed it full tilt, and Chris Dodd and Chuck Schumer lied and lied and Pelosi lied, and Paulson lied and Obama lied - they all lied to us.

NOW that everyone can clearly see what these deals look like when people are serious about protecting tax payers while also restructuring companies so that can move forward, NOW we can all get on to the business of FINALLY demanding that the executives from Citi, AIG, Freddie and Fanny, Bear, Goldman, and on and on all be thrown in fucking jail, that Obama had better damn well restructure the terms of the TARP (or scrap that crap heap all together) and force the Fed to disclose what shit paper its been buying with our money, and the Democratic Congress can find a god damn spine. Clearly they don't mind cramming down hard terms on unions, lets see them do with their sugar daddy bankers now! Executives participating in the TARP should be fired, preferred debt for tax payers, and god damn board voting rights.

No more excuses, no bullshit, no hiding behind party miniskirts, no free rides, no picking winners and losers.

~* the * Will * to go on *~

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by: ObscureName @ Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 19:12:24 PM CST

Schakowsky would be great (0.00 / 0)

if Jesse Jackson Jr gets in it's a tough choice but rightly or not I think being Senate Candidate Five hurt him and if it's someone like Kirk I think he would not be able to win.

As for Interior, Grijalva is great but now he's got power in the House as Progressive Caucus Co-Chair and Ways and Means member. Glover or Berry would both be great, Glover as of three days ago claimed he hadn't heard from the transition and didn't expect to so my guess is that Berry is the frontrunner, he'd be the first gay cabinet member.

I hope that doesn't mean Maxwell won't be Labor Secratary though and instead it will be someone like Granholm. Not that she's bad but Maxwell would be awesome.

And go Gophers!

John McCain: Beacuse lobbyists should have more power

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by: Populista @ Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 19:18:55 PM CST

Actually, Jan Schackowsky was my favorite even BEFORE the Blago scandal. (4.00 / 4)

She a progressive.  But not only that.  That's not enough in and of itself.  She's a progressive with big brass balls.  And I LOVE those types.  There's very few of them in the House or the Senate, actually.  WAY more rightwingers with balls than people on OUR side.

For some reason, it seems that Obama has some pathological and deep-seated psychological need for Republicans to like him.  Seriously.  It's weird.

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by: avenged savant @ Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 19:36:03 PM CST

article on thompson/grijalva (0.00 / 0)

is a few days old.  according to other sources, both are still in the running.

the fact that pelosi, TODAY, offered Grijalva position on ways and means also suggests that.  pelosi has been pushing hard for thompson.

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by: Phlogistician @ Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 19:53:49 PM CST

thoughts on the candidates... (4.00 / 2)

I've lived in Jan's district for 10 years.  She is wildly popular here, and in general in the city of Chicago.  She was an early supporter of Obama's in his primary run in 2004, against 2 other strong candidates (a millionare-Hull, and the machine candidate - Hynes).  That has certainly endeared her to Obama, though depending on the competition, I'm not sure who he would support.  

Her husband went to prison for some financial issues - never has seemed to impact her elections.  I know that she visited him every weekend.  I don't recall if he's still in the slammer or not.

Personally, I think she's good on nearly every issue, minus war funding, the financial bailout and Israel.  Nobody's perfect, but she is generally a fighter for real people.  I personally would work hard for her victory.

Since Jan's district covers some suburbs and Chicago proper, I think she would have a good, wide base of financial and volunteer support.

I think Kirk could be a problem for us.  He's well-known, good-looking, perceived as moderate and just beat Seals by a wider margin than in 2006, in a very good Obama year.  He could be the fresh face the state party needs.  He seems likable, which is always a threat.  Roskam probably has more of the right-wing support, but I believe he is much less known statewide.  However, his party base support in the state could be key for turnout.

Personal story - my partner had been trying to get his citizenship for 8 years and after being called down to swear in and being sent home citizenship-less, we called her office.  Bottom line - they sped up the process and a few months later he was a citizen.  I told her this story and thanked her at an Obama volunteer event.  4 months later, Carlos and I were at an Obama fundraising event where Hillary was the keynote.  I said hello to Jan and introduced her to Carlos, and with no prompting she said "I'm so glad my office could help you."  Good memory.    

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. -- Martin Luther King, Jr

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by: passionateprogressive @ Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 21:02:46 PM CST

Jan Schakowsky is the outstanding candidate (4.00 / 1)

And we should do everything possible to support her candidacy.

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by: Chammy Nooks @ Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 21:23:06 PM CST

No Auto Bailout This Year (0.00 / 0)

I just saw Reid admit defeat on C-SPAN.  The only point in contention was the Republican insistent that UAW wages be cut.  The world will condemn this foolish inaction, probably starting in their stock markets in a few hours and, hopefully not, continuing through a real depression over the next few years.

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by: ArthurKC @ Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 22:02:37 PM CST

Schakowsky is a Senate candidate that I would work for. (0.00 / 0)

She was the first elected official I ever voted for when I turned voting age, and she's been an inspiration to me since then.  She'd immediately join Sanders, Whitehouse, and folks of that ilk as a strong-willed and witty progressive champion.  There's no one better in Illinois.  I'm broke in this economy, and I'm still going to get out the wallet!

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by: Syrith @ Fri Dec 12, 2008 at 07:01:01 AM CST

I wouldn't start picking a candidate yet (0.00 / 0)

I think -- hope -- that what will happen is that Rod will be forced out next week, Quinn will become governor, and will immediately pick someone.

One thing to keep in mind is that the Illinois 2010 primary election for this seat will be the first Tuesday in February, which means that even if there were no special election now is when candidates would already be gearing up to run.  If we really want a good election with the best and most fair process the 2010 election is when that can happen.  In the best of all possible worlds Quinn will appoint a "senior statesman" who will not run for re-election and we can sort it out over the next year while not leaving the seat empty.

If we try to do the election now they will most likely try to do it this coming February -- as in basically a month and a half from now.  Which means it becomes a race about who can quickly raise the most money which is not likely to lead to a good outcome.  It also, I think, makes the potential of the seat going to Kirk a real one.

Personally I think most of the Il pols who are calling for a special election are doing so because they know Quinn is his own man and a special is the only way they can (try to) control the process.  The idea that a quick special election would be a good reflection of the "will of the people" is pretty absurd, IMHO.  And a lengthy special election -- well that leaves Obama without a needed vote in the Senate plus, again, we are having an election for this seat fairly soon.

If we do have a special, JJJ would probably be my pick over Jan.  He is incredibly progressive and is a movement person in a way that Jan just is not.  Jan is very progressive but seems to think the way to forward her agenda is to give continued support to people like Rahm as well as to our pantheon of lazy/corrupt local pols. Its tough because these are people she has known her whole political life but it is hard to watch her prop them up. It gives her power because she can be relied on not to throw rocks but dammit, I want some rock throwing!  We need it!  

However unless there is some revelation that clears him (and hopefully there soon will be) JJJ is probably out right now.  In that case yes, if Quinn would select Jan (as opposed to my first choice of a "senior statesman") it would be a very good option.  It would probably be hard for Jan to win a statewide election but as an incumbent she could do it and she is very, very liberal.  If we could keep her in the seat she would be a solid vote for many things we care about.  

 

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by: yoda @ Fri Dec 12, 2008 at 07:47:35 AM CST