Opening the Day: War Between Russia-Georgia Continues

by: Matt Stoller

Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 08:55


I'm heading to the Seattle/Bellevue area today to report on the WA-08 race.  I'll be there for a week.  If you're in the area, drop me a line at stoller at gmail.com.

  • War between Russia and Georgia is continuing.

  • Prices are jumping.

    Prices were up 5.6 percent from a year ago, the sharpest year-over-year rise since 5.7 percent in January 1991. That was also well above the 5.1 percent increase that economists had forecast.

    Energy prices rose 4 percent in July after a 6.6 percent June gain and were up 29.3 percent on a year-over-year basis. Food costs rose 0.9 percent following a 0.8 percent June increase and put food costs 6 percent higher than a year ago.

  • This seems pretty rough, but in a few months, I have a feeling it'll seem quite reasonable.

  • Is Mark Warner going to use his keynote to become a Presidential nominee?

    Warner, who is currently running for Senate, released a statement calling the keynote a "chance to showcase some of the initiatives we launched here in Virginia," mentioning his work on economic issues and touting his record of "working cooperatively with Republicans, Democrats, and independents."

    Blech.

  • This is a big mistake.

    The Obama campaign is denying House Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel a speaking role at this month's Democratic National Convention - a move those close to the powerhouse Harlem congressman view as a spiteful snub.

    Rangel surrogates approached Obama staffers this week about the possibility of securing him a slot at the podium, making the case that it would showcase reconciliation between the nominee and Clinton's African-American supporters.

    But they were told that the 78-year-old congressman's support for Clinton earned him a place at the end of the line behind Barack Obama's loyalists - even if Rangel played a crucial part in prodding Clinton to abandon her presidential bid in June.

    "It's crazy... This man [Rangel] controls tax policy in the United States. He's a lot bigger than just a regular member of Congress, he deserves more respect than this," said a Rangel confidant. "Basically they have told us they can't help us that there are too many Obama supporters ahead of Charlie on the line."

  • Pelosi is smacking Lieberman.

  • The Air Force just opened the largest array in the country.

  • Don Young is getting the crap kicked out of him in Alaska by his fellow Republicans.  This time, it's the Club for Growth and popular Governor Sarah Palin.

  • China is blowing everyone else out in gold medals.  Beijing placed a bunch of restrictions on production and shipping of various goods due to the Olympics, so US consumers should see price hikes for months.

What are you reading?
Matt Stoller :: Opening the Day: War Between Russia-Georgia Continues

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Opening the Day: War Between Russia-Georgia Continues | 22 comments
No Rangel A Mistake? (0.00 / 0)
I don't personally understand why Rangel ought to have a speaking slot at the convention. The guy supported Hillary because of a personal connection, and because they're from the same state. If the Obama campaign needs to "showcase reconciliation" with Clinton's extremely small group of African-American supporters, they should give a speaking slot to a black politician who isn't from New York and hasn't recently been embroiled in controversy.
A BIG mistake? (0.00 / 0)
yeah, what supporters does he think he's delivering to Obama that Obama doesn't already have? Every African American I speak with here in nyc is definitely voting for Obama - no doubt. Heck, its hard to find republicans and stock brokers here who are supporting McCain (except Kudlow). Of course my surveys are unscientific and generally happen between margaritas; none the less, I fail to see whats the "BIG" mistake?

Rangel needs to give up his luxury affordable housing before hes going to get any national candidates taking a risk on him.

Michael Bloomberg, prince of corporate welfare

[ Parent ]
Just as devils advocate... (4.00 / 1)
what supporters does he think he's delivering to Obama that Obama doesn't already have?

The appropriations committee.

CT Local Politics: Our Primaries are Better than Yours!

[ Parent ]
because rangel and obama are going to have such big budget differences (0.00 / 0)
I appreciate the attempt, but really rangel is only going to be more liberal than obama if anything on spending. A president Obama will also happen to have national tv access any hour of the day and massive gotv/fundraising infrastructure if there were any big dispute - which again seems incredibly unlikely given they have more shared interest than differences. Dem committee members know how to play ball. Rangel has nothing.

Michael Bloomberg, prince of corporate welfare
[ Parent ]
They did (0.00 / 0)
give the Clintons themselves, like, two speaking spots.
[ Parent ]
Rangel was MORE than a Clinton supporter (4.00 / 1)
He along with Barney Frank/Tub's Jones  were the BIGGEST big mouth's against Obama in Congress saying things like Obama wasn't ready to be president...that is NOT just a supporter, that is also an enbler to the repubs and their talking points.... Rangel is from the old CBC crowd that NEEDS to go as leaders
Time for some new blood, and hopefully this is a signal to the CBC that it should get their house in order! Next  a primary challenger for Tuubs Jones!
Tubbs Jones was particularly odious! (0.00 / 0)
Especially since her district voted 80% for Obama... it wasn't that she supported Clinton, she was soooo condescending and demeaning towards Obama, it was disgusting.

She just might get a primary challenge in '10

REID: Voting against us was never part of our arrangement!
SPECTER: I am altering the deal! Pray I don't alter it any further!
REID: This deal keeps getting worse all the time!

[ Parent ]
What's Wrong With Warner (4.00 / 1)
"touting his record of 'working cooperatively with Republicans, Democrats, and independents?'"

Isn't that what made Bush President? His lying swindle about "bi-partisanship?" Should Warner come in and say "we're going to put every Republican on trial and thrown them into federal prison for life?" That'd go over great in the media! "Partisan Democrats Promise Witch-Hunt." Great headline!

Phoney Bi-partisanship is how the game is played. Take a controversial position, and then criticize your opponent for being "partisan" for opposing it. The word "bi-partisan" doesn't mean anything any more. With a Republican President it means "doing whatever Bush wants." And with Obama as President, it means "doing what Obama wants."

Obama is clearly going to make much use of this tactic and it's quite effective at branding Republican opposition as "partisan." Whatever he wants instantly becomes the "consensus" decision and opponents have to fight up-hill against charges of "excessive partisanship."

It worked for Bush for years. He'd propose destroying Social Security, and then get lots of publicity for attacking Democrats when they opposed it!  

stoller is wrong about Warner (4.00 / 1)
Warner is a new DLC boogeyman for many ideobloggers.   I think he's a great political talent, on par with few in the party (so far in his career....I said that about Edwards, hah....)  Warner is a liberal. (The Repub party would be thrilled to have him, the door would be wide open.) He may not be as rhetorically liberal as some here want by a few degrees, but oh, the shame.  

Bi partisanship as a campaign message is strictly symbolism; I'm amazed people on blogs don't get that.   This is a game, not a debating society.

[ Parent ]
Well .. (0.00 / 0)
we know what DC "bi-partisanship" means .. and it isn't good .. obviously not enough people know about Warner .. to know whether he's just talking a good game to make David Broder giggle like a 13 yr old and then would make us happy .. or what his deal really is
[ Parent ]
About Rangel (4.00 / 1)
As luck would have it, tomorrow night I'm meeting a long-time Rangel aide for dinner.  Anyone have any questions or comments you want passed on, and I'll oblige.

In any event, I'll note that this aide told me, during the heat of the primaries, that Rangel was in a very difficult position then, since he was a key early supporter of Hillary (and helped convince her to run for senate in the first place), but his staff and constituency increasingly turned to Obama.  None of this is news, of course, but it makes me wonder further about the ramifications of the "snub," if it can be called that.

Obama does not need Rangel's support during the election, but he does need a decent working relationship with him for the purpose of governing.  But frankly, I don't see any of this having a lasting impact.

ask him how much Rangel saves a month living in 2 low income penthouse apts? (0.00 / 0)
and are the views as nice as they seem?

Michael Bloomberg, prince of corporate welfare
[ Parent ]
I like Rangel (0.00 / 0)
I always have, he's one of the few politicians I think I would, if you'll pardon the expression, like to have a beer with. That said, what's his name recognition outside of NY and the world of political geeks? There are, in fact, a limited number of speaking slots, the Clintons already have two (deservedly so) and some of her supporters are pushing for one more for Chelsea. Evan Freakin' Bayh is top contender for the Veepship. How much of a Clinton show does this have to be?

I would hope Rangel doesn't see this as a snub. He strikes me as too worldly-wise to much give a shite about this sort of thing.

[ Parent ]
That ad... (0.00 / 0)
That ad is a bit much. Political ads seems to have two tones. One is like this ad, with the upbeat, mocking tone meant to trivialize your opponent. The other are the dark and overly-dramatic ads with dark colors and a damning, "shame on you" voice over. I don't think either one of those styles is appropriate for tackling something as delicate as McCain's military background. If an ad like this were to be effective, it needs to be entirely serious and straightforward. No propaganda music, no over-the-top imagery, and a steady, calm tone of voice.
Don't get me wrong - just because it is a difficult line of attack doesn't mean it shouldn't be pursued. But it must be done very, very carefully, as Wes Clark and this ad prove.


"Don't hate the media, become the media" -Jello Biafra
WWRD? (4.00 / 3)
What Would the Republicans Do?

They have an excellent grasp of negative ads. How would they handle a Democratic nominee with McCain's background?

I tend to agree with you; there are two attacks here.

One is the very strong "Sorry, Johnnie, your wife can't buy you this house" attack, which highlights his wealth and infidelity and corruption.

The other is the probably-even-stronger-if-we-had-Corsi-on-our-side 'The facts about McCain: Bad Student. Bad Pilot. Was responsible for his own plane crash. Betrayed the country after four days in captivity. Appeared in 30 enemy propaganda films' attack.

I tend to think it's a good thing we don't have our own Corsi, but if you wanna figure how to structure an attack campaign, you just have to put yourself in $520 Republican shoes.

[ Parent ]
Not a wonderful friendship (0.00 / 0)
Why does Rangel matter?

If Obama becomes President we can expect him to have poor relations with the Ways and Means Committee. Democratic Presidents and Congresses have not always gotten along in the past. Snubbing a powerful member simply because he supported your opponent in the primary seems both childish and short-sighted. Obama will NEED Rangel when it comes time to pass legislation.

Rangel can bottle up any tax bill of Obama's he wants.

As Matt said, this is stupid.

I wonder if Obama feels (0.00 / 0)
that he can do directly to Rangel voters. Or at least threaten to. Because I don't think he wants to be beholden to him ... or to anyone. I'm sure there's a great deal of loyalty to Rangel, but ... I wouldn't put my money on him in a public face-off with the First Black President.
[ Parent ]
oh yeah (0.00 / 0)
Rangel is going to pull a showdown with the first Dem president in 8 years? Who supposedly is going to be pushing for some budget reforms and the kind of tax structure Rangel basically wants. Yah, Rangel is going to jam up the first term over not speaking at the convention; I'd like to see him try that.  

Michael Bloomberg, prince of corporate welfare
[ Parent ]
Love the ad! (4.00 / 2)
Obama, himself, shouldn't touch this ad with a ten foot poll and never, ever see it so he can always say "I haven't seen it".  But I hope lots of people see it and all the facts get into the popular imagination.
we need stuff like this (0.00 / 0)
Hopefully attacks like this go mainstream and boatloads of chickenhawks bawwww about how you can't attack a candidate's service. Every time someone says you can't, you can just bring up the swift boat ads. A reminder of the mistake people made voting for Bush in 2004 is good, so is comparing McCain to Kerry. Because unlike McCain, Kerry actually did something other than get shot down.
[ Parent ]
trim a little (0.00 / 0)
If the parts specifically about getting shot down and his POW time are cut out (leaving in the bit about crashing planes beforehand), that takes away a lot of the ammo for criticism while leaving all of the impact on the viewer.  I say make it into a good TV ad and go for it.
[ Parent ]
I'm watching the podcast of Suskind on Democracy Now (4.00 / 1)
It's a pretty brilliant interview, because he's summing up the book very succinctly.  He's a little full of himself, which is annoying, but he knows for a fact that he's revealed impeachable offenses and could bring down a presidency, so I guess I can forgive him.

I have to say, after resisting calls for impeachment for a long time, I'm in favor of it now.  I really recommend this interview.

Opening the Day: War Between Russia-Georgia Continues | 22 comments
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