RSSMSM Poll; What a Shocker
Who would ever have thought that the public’s confidence in the MSM, albeit TV or print was low? Even at an all time low.
Public trust in newspapers and television news continued to decline in Gallup’s annual survey of “public confidence in major institutions” in the United States, reaching an all-time low this year.
Those having a “great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in newspapers dipped from 30% to 28% in one year, the same total for television. The previous low for newspapers was 29% in 1994. Since 2000, confidence in newspapers has declined from 37% to 28%, and TV from 36% to 28%, according to the poll.
However, some other institutions fared far worse this year, suggesting a broad level of cynicism or malaise.
No blogger would have ever sen this coming would they? The MSM’s continue bias and inability to get the fact correct have not only embarrassed media organizations but obviously have driven readers and viewers away. Is it any wonder with the continual onslaught of Jayson Blair and Dan RAthER-gate type stories and the many others too numerous to get into why any one would question the credibility of the product. Let alone the vast unique and differing ways that news stories are available today.
A Pryor Approval
Judge William H. Pryor Jr., was confirmed by the Senate today for a seat on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, based in Atlanta. The Senate voted, 53-45, to confirm Judge Pryor for a lifetime appointment after months of filibusters and threats of filibusters.
WASHINGTON, June 9 – Judge William H. Pryor Jr., one of President Bush’s embattled judicial nominees, was confirmed by the Senate today for a seat on the federal appeals court that covers Florida, Georgia and Alabama.
The Senate voted, 53-45, to confirm Judge Pryor for a lifetime appointment to the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, based in Atlanta. He has been sitting on the tribunal since early 2004 under a temporary presidential appointment that would have expired late this year without the Senate confirmation.
There were some hold outs in the Republican Party that did not vote for Judge Pryor’s confirmation. On key, it was the three RINO’s from New England.
Three Republicans voted against confirmation – Senator Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, both of Maine, and Lincoln Chaffee of Rhode Island. Two Democrats voted in favor – Senators Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Ken Salazar of Colorado. Two senators did not vote – James Jeffords, Independent of Vermont, and Lisa Murkowski, Republican of Alaska.
Should Collins and Snowe really wonder why The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard was put on the BRAC closure list? That’s right Senators, there are no politics involved it is at all.
Pryor’s confirmation although certain as ordained by the previous filibuster compromise (agreed to by the 7 dwarves x 2) still had its share of partisan wrangling “pryor” to the vote.
Liberals denounced Pryor’s staunch opposition to abortion and his criticisms of the Voting Rights Act. But Republicans defended him and said his confirmation was long overdue.
“He has an outstanding record on civil rights,” Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) told the Senate. “Those who criticize Judge Pryor’s record have not examined it with the care and respect” it deserved.
The Democratic rant against Judge Pryor went on further.
Still, Democratic leaders wanted Pryor stopped, saying he will be a conservative vote against civil rights, women’s rights and the environment.
“This is truly the trifecta on civil rights here this week in Washington, to confirm Janice Rogers Brown and William Pryor and to report Terrence Boyle from this committee,” said Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois, the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat. “When it comes to the issue of civil rights, it’s a sad week.”
As Captain Ed says though, and I would have to agree.
The real test for the compromise will be the later nominations. Expect to see Henry Saad and William Myers filibustered into oblivion, and the Seven Dwarves to allow it. The entire exercise is designed to set the two nominees up as a precedent that legitimizes the use of the filibuster for the upcoming Supreme Court openings. If anyone else gets filibustered, however, the deal will rapidly fall apart.
Dino Rossi; The State of WA is your Oyster
Even with the recent loss stolen victory by Dino Rossi in the Governors race in Washington state, the sky is the limit and its Rossi’s call as what he wants for his future. The Democrats can claim all they want that Rossi is “damaged goods” after the long extended drawn out court battle with Christine Gregoire, but honest thinking people know better. Democrats in WA have a lot to fear from a potential backlash at the polls the next time that Rossi runs for any political position after having seen him lose in less than non-fraudulent fashion. Its your call Rossi, you are on the clock.
The conservative Republican who challenged the 2004 governor’s election in court ended up losing the race by 133 votes and has decided to give up the fight. But his future remains bright, with speculation focusing on a possible Senate bid next year or a rematch with Democratic Gov. Christine Gregoire in 2008.
Secretary of State Sam Reed had another intriguing suggestion Tuesday: Rossi should run for King County executive this fall on a platform of cleaning up the county’s much-maligned election system.
Democrats said Tuesday that Rossi was damaged by dragging out the election and getting slapped down by a judge who said his lawyers hadn’t offered proof of fraud or ballot-stuffing.
But Republicans said the sky’s the limit for Rossi.
Dino Rossi is a hot commodity in the Republican ranks with an electorate knowing that he was wronged. Will it be Senate in 2006? Or a rematch for Governor in 2008. The choice is his to make. Let’s just hope nothing needs to be decided again by King county.
“Dino comes out of this stronger than ever,” state GOP Chairman Chris Vance said. “Democrats are scared to death of him. Dino Rossi is the 800-pound gorilla of Washington state politics right now. His (poll) numbers are far stronger than anyone’s.
“Dino’s future is bright. You can’t lose an election and come out of it much stronger than he has. I would be shocked not to see him in a statewide political race in the next few years.”
The immediate speculation turned to the possibility of a Senate race against freshman Democrat Maria Cantwell. Rossi aides said Tuesday that Rossi hasn’t backed away from his often-expressed reluctance to run. Rossi and his wife, Terry, have four school-age children.
Hat Tip: JJ from PoliPundit
Dean Defends Dean; Democratic Unity
After making more ridiculous comments, Howard Dean refuses to back down. Dean has decided to defend himself against against Republicans by saying,
Republican critics were trying to divert attention from their own failures.
However, Dr. Dean that explains Republicans but what about your own party?
Democratic Party boss Howard Dean, under fire for blunt comments about Republicans, refused to back down on Wednesday and said Republican critics were trying to divert attention from their own failures.
Republicans attacked Dean for saying in San Francisco on Monday, when asked about the lack of outreach to minorities by political parties, that Republicans are “pretty much a white, Christian party.”
Republicans accused Dean of trying to divide Americans by religion and faith. Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia called the comments “Howard Dean’s games of division and hate.” House Speaker Dennis Hastert’s spokesman, Ron Bonjean, said “Dean likes the taste of his own foot.”
Even Democrats grumbled about Dean’s judgment and choice of words.
To be honest it would appear more that Howard Dean is dividing the Democratic Party as well. Go to it Howie, keep on talking. Let the Democratic Civil War begin.
After that, Democratic Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware said Dean did not speak for him or a majority of Democrats, and Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico and former vice presidential nominee John Edwards also distanced themselves from Dean. All are potential 2008 presidential contenders.
With Democrats gaining strength in public opinion polls and winning some battles on Capitol Hill, party officials hoped to concentrate on their policy agenda and not spend time defending Dean, who will appear before Senate Democrats at a private luncheon on Thursday and the Democratic National Committee’s executive committee on Saturday.
“Did he make a mistake with these comments? Absolutely,” Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut told CNN on Wednesday. “Howard is doing a good job … he could have chosen better words.”
Now it appears that because the division is beginning to occur in a public way, The Democratic Party is going to show a pseudo show of unity that frankly no one is buying. Damage control is now in effect for the Dem’s.
WASHINGTON — A round of criticism from fellow Democrats and major donors about Howard Dean’s four-month tenure as Democratic National Committee chairman has prompted Senate leaders to rise to his defense at a public event planned for today.
Originally scheduled as a private meeting between Dean and the leadership team of Senate minority leader Harry Reid of Nevada, today’s session instead will now include a news conference and photo opportunity as a public embrace of Dean, who has rocked the political world over the past week with provocative condemnations of the Republican party. On recent occasions, Dean has said many Republicans ”never made an honest living in their lives,” described the Republican Party as ”pretty much a white, Christian party,” and declared that House majority leader Tom DeLay of Texas, who is facing ethics questions but has not been charged with any crime, ought to go back to Houston where he can serve his jail sentence.
”I do not agree with those comments,” said Representative Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, the House Democratic whip. ”A party chairman’s job is to organize the party, to support policy-makers.”
Despite criticism of his remarks since the weekend from Hoyer and other congressional Democrats, Dean yesterday refused to back down, asserting in an interview on NBC’s ”Today Show” that Republicans are ”outside the mainstream.” In an interview last month with the Globe, the former presidential candidate said Republican policy makers had ”gone off the deep end,” and called the party’s stance on gay marriage and other cultural issues ”despicable.”
Some leading Democrats and major donors are concerned that Dean is jeopardizing the party’s ability to reach beyond its traditional base to win close elections, particularly for the White House. Dean has repeatedly said his goal is to build the party’s ranks not only in Democratic-dominated states, but also in culturally conservative regions where Republicans usually prevail.
Most of the criticism of Dean has come from prospective presidential candidates in 2008, such as Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware, who said Dean does not speak for the majority of Democrats, and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who said Dean is not the spokesman for the Democratic Party.
”Time will tell” whether Dean has undercut his standing, said Harold Ickes, a longtime Clinton adviser who supported Dean’s bid for DNC chairman. ”There are people who are unhappy about it and think his comments are less than helpful. Some of his comments will reinforce the view that he sometimes talks before he really thinks through the implications.”
Dean Defends Deanism and Puts Other Foot in Mouth
After putting his foot in his mouth in San Francisco the other day by making more inflammatory comments toward Republicans. Howard Dean went on TV today and defended those same comments and put his other foot in his mouth as well. Dean defended his recent harsh criticism of Republicans, including his observation that they are “pretty much a white, Christian party.”
Howard Dean, the master of diversity has managed to pretty much annoy everyone lately including those in his own party. Howard Dean, the ex-Governor of VT in lily-white bread New England is supposed to be telling others about diversity? But when it comes to Dean and his mouth it just doesn’t stop running.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean on Wednesday defended his recent harsh criticism of Republicans, including his observation that they are “pretty much a white, Christian party.”
Dean noted that he, too, is a white Christian. But he said the GOP is too narrow in its scope and the Democratic Party is far more diverse.
While even prominent Democrats in recent days have distanced themselves from some of his comments, the outspoken Dean, appearing on NBC”s “Today” show, said criticism of him is meant by Republicans to divert attention from the country’s problems and make him the issue instead.
Video of Dean on NBC Today provided by Trey Jackson
Does one ever wonder about the theory when one talks so much about another that they must really be describing themselves? Howard Dean calling others not friendly? Howard, have you heard yourself talk lately? If you have not, courtesy of Lilly & Vince via OTB comes many of Dean’s Hall of Deanisms. This must be seen and heard.
Dean told a forum of journalists and minority leaders Monday that Republicans are “not very friendly to different kinds of people, they are a pretty monolithic party … it’s pretty much a white, Christian party.”
Challenged on that during the NBC interview, Dean said “unfortunately, by and large it is. And they have the agenda of the conservative Christians.”
“This is a diversion from the issues that really matter: Social Security, and adequate job opportunity, strong public schools, a strong defense,” Dean said.
Asked about it on the “Fox & Friends” show, GOP Party Chairman Ken Mehlman joked that “a lot of folks who attended my Bar Mitzvah would be surprised” he heads a Christian party
Others that are mystified at Dean’s actions.
John Hawkins of the Right Wing News wonders whether it may be Mad How Disease.
La Shawn Barber, Its not the Republicans that are embarrassed by Dean
Recent Post: Howard Dean; The Mean Machine
