Environmentalism is not an upper-income issue, it's not a white issue, it's not a black issue, it's not a South or a North or an East or a West issue. It's an issue that all of us have a stake in - Barack Obama

Contrary to reports of my untimely demise I am still here I just have been having problems coming up with stuff to write about. I've written a lot of diaries on Obama's platform but there is one issue that I have not written about much. And it's a very, very important issue. A little something called our environment. Barack Obama has been a champion of the environment for a long time. In this diary I will take a look at his background on this issue and plans for moving our country and environment forward.

Oh.My.Ghod...it’s another FISA diary.

That said...First Diary, so be gentle please.  I don't really expect to change anyone's mind, but I thought I'd share my thinking on this.

So, I have 3 points:  a) Cudos to all involved  b) A question on why is this FISA so different than the origional (other than Immunity) c) Why I think this could be an election-breaker.

Welcome back for more veep speculation! Last thread we considered the top military veteran candidates to be Obama's v.p. Averaging in those votes yielded the same top 14 average vote-getters overall as the thread before that, so we'll consider them again in today's poll.

I'm still alternating "break-out" polls with the top 14 average vote-getting candidates in these threads' polls, averaging in each day's votes as we go. I'm going to do the top possibilities experienced with foreign policy/national security issues and governors/former governors before cutting 14 names to narrow the field to just two tiers--that's if Obama hasn't decided by then, of course. I'll reset the averages then, too. So that would be three or four more threads away from today.

Please discuss any v.p. candidates in the comments. The correct format would be to simply state their name, unless you have further comments, in which case, "I believe ___ ___ should be Obama's v.p. running mate because..." "Oh my God, where's Johnny/Jane Politician?!" would be a bit alarmist, don't you think? I'm sure they're fine. I'm happy to hear all ideas, and of course I'm no official gatekeeper, so play nice.

(continued below the fold)

Today Barack Obama wrote:

This was not an easy call for me... It grants retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that may have violated the law by cooperating with the Bush Administration's program of warrantless wiretapping. This potentially weakens the deterrent effect of the law and removes an important tool for the American people to demand accountability for past abuses. That's why I support striking Title II from the bill, and will work with Chris Dodd, Jeff Bingaman and others in an effort to remove this provision in the Senate.

Yet today Markos was a blockhead when he wrote:

Bottom line is that Obama wants to cave on FISA not because of "moving to the center" concerns, but because they are afraid of television ads claiming Obama is inviting terrorists over for BBQ.

Really, did he email you that, because he did send us a message you know...

HOLY CRAP. The Cook Political Report House Honcho David Wasserman just released his latest House ratings, and he has opened the blue floodgates on 30 House districts. And some of them are HUGE news.

One hundred forty-five years ago today, Confederate forces made their last-ditch effort to win the Battle of Gettysburg, a key turning point in the Civil War. After their attacks the previous day had failed, Confederate General Robert E. Lee ordered this final assault on Cemetery Ridge against the advice of the attack's commanding officer, who correctly predicted that it would result in a decisive defeat.

Four-and-a-half months later, on November 19, 1863, President Lincoln delivered his famous Gettysburg Address. In the spirit of the Fourth of July holiday tomorrow (and because I think all Americans ought to be more familiar with the seminal documents of our country), the Address is reproduced below:

John McCain, who at 72 would be the oldest elected first term president, is known as stubborn, curmudgeonly and a bit of a hot head, as recently it was revealed that he roughed up a Nicaraguan diplomat in 1987. But now, it's been revealed that, as he gets up there, his family and campaign is hiring help to assist him with the most basic things.

This story leaked this morning, and I'm waiting on more MSM sources to pick it up: McCain's Family Hires Caretaker for Senator

Quote on the flip:

I just watched the report about those hostages in Columbia being released after five years of captivity. I know this has something to do with McCain's visit, the official story being just a little implausible. I'm going to take it as a good sign for things improving in Central America. Now on with my original wonderful blog.  

The more I watch this campaign suddenly the more hopeful I get. I see both candidates mostly running a straight forward clean campaign talking about things that are possible for America. I'm impressed, as both candidates seem to be staying away from radical proposals that are sure to be endorsed only by fringe partisan groups. Without being specific you can still infer this by looking at the Fundamentalist's dissatisfaction with McCain and the Progressives growing discontent with Barack Obama. Some may call this centrism and then say it means nothing or anything, others may call it realism knowing it will take moderate solutions to get the reforms the country needs.

John McCain is hoping to carry Colombia and Mexico during the general election. But apparently, no one remembered to tell him that those two countries, not states, are not going to vote in GE

Janet Napolitano, the Governor of Arizona, is frequently mentioned as VP material but folks who do so should be aware that, like another Arizonan, her national reputation is a little different from her reputation at home.

Here in Arizona, she is considered a "centrist" which means she's quite a bit to the right of what's popular with the national base. She reinforced that image with some comments she made today regarding the odious ban on gay marriage proposal that will once again be a proposition on our ballot.

Yes, after having defeated one such measure in 2006 - the first state to do so for such a proposition - we're faced with fighting it all over again this year. Plus we'll have the disadvantage of competing with our neighbor to the west for funds to fight it.

Want some knowledge?

"It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried." - Sir Winston Churchill

You can quibble about the definition of 'democracy' but the key is the vote.  Without the vote you have guaranteed tyranny.  You can expand the franchise or contract the franchise and your results may vary, but the government must absolutely be accountable to the people.  

"If you don't vote, you've got no right to complain." - Anonymous

Iceberg Slim posted a diary For the Love of Money on this this morning, but I think it deserves more attention, and perhaps a front page post.  According to the Politico:

Their credit card bills peaked between January 2007 and May 2008, during which time Cindy McCain charged as much as $500,000 in a single month on one American Express card and $250,000 on another, while one of their two dependent children had an AmEx card with a monthly balance as large as $50,000.

In a related story, it was disclosed that Leona Helmsley left $5-8 billion for the benefit of dogs. see disclaimer below

Like the tax defaults on the McCain's home this is something that might just disgust the average person.

I've been here a little more than a month. I came here against the better advice of my big brother, who I always saw as a drama queen always looking at the glass half empty. When he left to live in Italy, I decided to sign up for an account here and prove to my brother that DailyKos wasn't a bad place.

I came here with the belief that there was almost no one further to the left than me. My away message most nights is Paul Wellstone's line "I'm from the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party." In the wake of the flap over FISA and faith-based initiatives, I began to realize, actually, I may be a little further right than like everyone here.

Compared to most people at DailyKos...I'm a Republican.

Hey! Rachel Maddow’s in the house! How 'bout that? Good for Keith for taking some time off.

And, to express my appreciation for others being patient enough and good natured enough to tolerate some of the more "exciting" comments about Keith and my droolings about Richard Wolffe, any Rachel Maddow fans are welcome to go nuts! Let's just keep it at around a PG - 13 rating, OK? :)

On to tonight's Countdown diary!

Wapo is willing to publish all but McCain default house tax in CA

George Fearing for Congress
Please subscribe to my diary if you live in Central Washington or follow the race in WA-04.  Thanks!


Soon I'll write in greater detail about why George is such an excellent candidate for Congress, and there are some great diaries already out there about why Richard "Doc" Hastings is as bad as they get, and why it's in the national interest to unseat him.

Keep your eyes posted for some entries from Mr. Fearing himself in the coming weeks.  For now, for the skeptics and the pessimists, have a look at some of the many reasons why this race is VERY competitive -- much more so than Republicans would like to admit.

But trust me.  The Hastings crew is getting nervous.  We've seen folks drive by or even sit in their cars in front of the office, peering in.  They've mentioned us in a fundraising letter.  It's clear that Doc's campaign knows that we will fight for this.  And this year, we can win.

After the jump.

Welcome back for more speculation! Today we'll be polling the the top military veteran possibilities for Obama's v.p. This includes all candidates who served in uniform (service branch is indicated after names in poll), not including state chief executives, who are commanders-in-chief of their states' National Guards, but who will be considered separately.

I'm still alternating "break-out" polls with the top 14 average vote-getting candidates in these threads' polls, averaging in each day's votes as we go. I'm going to do the top possibilities experienced with foreign policy/national security issues and governors/former governors before cutting 14 names to narrow the field to just two tiers--that's if Obama hasn't decided by then, of course. I'll reset the averages then, too. So that would be four more threads away from today.

Please discuss any v.p. candidates in the comments. The correct format would be to simply state their name, unless you have further comments, in which case, "I believe ___ ___ should be Obama's v.p. running mate because..." "Oh my God, where's Jane/Johnny Politician?!" would be a bit alarmist, don't you think? I'm sure they're fine. I'm happy to hear all ideas, and of course I'm no official gatekeeper, so play nice.

(continued below the fold)

I realize that many of our members have been borderline distraught by some of the most recent pronouncements from the Obama Campaign.

I'm nothing, if not loyal.

After about ten days of reading gripes, promises and declarations, some blood oaths,

        which I doubt by the way

I'm going back to basics . .  .