Posted on 02/02/2007 9:26:34 PM PST by MinorityRepublican
Yesterday was the first cattle call of the Democratic presidential campaign and -- holy cow! -- these candidates can moo.
"Each candidate has been given seven minutes to speak," announced Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean before the first of six Democratic candidates took the stage at the Hilton Washington. He further announced that an "official timekeeper" will hold up warning and "time's up" signs. "After 10 minutes, wild gesticulations will take place," he threatened.
This quaint exercise in Democratic Party discipline lasted about, well, seven minutes. The first candidate, Sen. Chris Dodd (Conn.), took the floor for 20 minutes and 15 seconds, ignoring Dean's hovering, the removal of Dodd's image from the projection screens, and the fact that he drew applause for saying "Let me conclude." Former senator John Edwards (17:40) wasn't far behind, trailed by Sens. Hillary Clinton (16:12) and Barack Obama (15:30).
The closest to the limit was Rep. Dennis Kucinich (12:38), but this was probably because the audience treated his appearance as a chance to start conversations or to visit the restrooms. "Can you hear me in the back?" Kucinich called above the din. "Because I can hear you."
Now in control of Congress, Democrats were eager to demonstrate that they could make the trains run on time yesterday. They started the proceedings with an ROTC color guard. And Dean sternly read out the ground rules. "Each candidate was given the opportunity to play 30 seconds of music and can have up to 100 campaign signs evenly placed around the room."
But the Democratic National Committee is not exactly a precision drill team. The first speaker, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, wasn't ready when his time came to speak. Clinton, for her part, showed flagrant disregard for Dean's sign restrictions; her supporters hoisted about 300.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
This is a riot! Thanks for the ping.
Dodd in his Donahue hairdo. And he has a 2 year old daughter? He was our Senator when we lived in CT and we detested him. He was one side of the famous sandwich when he and Kennedy surrounded a waitress and "sandwiched" her.
I am still laughing at that article...
I am watching that smarm Biden walk out right now!! ugh
On second thought, he didn't want Hillary to throw ash trays/lamps at him.
Thanks for the ping Tx.
Democrats cannot even follow the simple rules.
LOL. The graphic says it all.
Thanks for the ping Starwise
Welcome .. ;)
I urge you all to start searching and playing around with the wealth of information at this site ... it's truly a blast of sunlight on all the campaign and personal finances, contributors, special interest groups, trips, etc. for the congresscritters and lobbyists. They're mostly all searchable databases.
It's a little confusing at first .. start with "Resources" at the top, and when you read the description of each link on the front page, it'll be clear.
http://sunlightfoundation.com/
Check out all financial info on senators/congresscritters/campaigns - search by name - tons of political and personal wealth tracking:
http://www.opensecrets.org/
HERE'S the SHEDevil's:
http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.asp?CID=N00000019&cycle=2006
Check the listings on the left for detailed info.
Political Money Line (some parts require subscription), and you can sign up for email updates.
USE THE LINKS ON THE LEFT TO SEARCH:
http://www.tray.com/
This page details candidates' treasure chests and MUCH more, but here's one example ..and it's kept current:
Senate Filings Show More Cash for Presidential Hopefuls
2/2/2007
New reports from the Senate campaign committees of presidential hopefuls show more available cash on hand as of 12/31. Links go to their summary pages.
Senator Bayhs Evan Bayh Committee reported raising $413,276 in fourth quarter and has cash on hand of $10,671,554.
Senator Bidens Citizens for Biden committee reported raising $878,470 in the fourth quarter and has cash on hand of $3,598,479.
Senator Brownbacks Friends of Brownback committee reported raising $49,085 in the fourth quarter and has cash on hand of $41,759.
Senator Clintons Friends of Hillary committee reported raising $220,763 from 11/29 to 12/31 and has cash on hand of $11,021,087.
Senator Dodds Friends of Chris Dodd committee reported raising $3,422,982 in the fourth quarter and has cash on hand of $4,925,913.
Senator McCains Friends of John McCain committee reported raising $33,994 in the fourth quarter and has cash on hand of $20,033.
Senator Obamas Obama 2010 Inc committee reported raising $105,281 in the fourth quarter and has cash on hand of $516,553.
Former Senate candidate Rudy Giulianis Friends of Giuliani Exploratory Committee (an old Senate campaign committee) reported raising $170,812 in the fourth quarter and has cash on hand of $2,093,993.
The 2006 election - 10 ten candidates House and Senate receipts
http://www.tray.com/cgi-win/x_webl_all.exe?DoFn=&sYR=2006
Privately paid travel
http://www.tray.com/cgi-win/x_PrivateSummary.exe?DoFn=
MEMBERS RECEIVING THE MOST GIFTS OF TRAVEL
During the last six and a quarter years the Members receiving the most were:
Member of Congress Amount
1. SENSENBRENNER, F JAMES JR $210,876
2. MCDERMOTT, JAMES A $197,572
3. MILLER, GEORGE $192,166
4. GREEN, RAYMOND E. 'GENE' $184,329
5. ENGLISH, PHILIP S $182,297
more
Notes: Some of those listed are no longer Members.
From 2000 to 2007 - the most privately funded trips:
MOST TRIPS
From 2000 to 2007, the Members taking the most privately-funded trips were:
Member of Congress # of Trips
1. FRANK, BARNEY 79
2. WATERS, MAXINE 79
3. JONES, STEPHANIE TUBBS 75
4. FORD, HAROLD E JR 71
5. BIDEN, JOSEPH R JR 69
more
The FEC and all political contributions, to whom, by whom -- search by all the categories at the left:
http://www.fec.gov/
Special Interest Groups
http://www.citizen.org/
I don't know how much info release by them is mandatory and how quickly they have to report it, but there's a ton in all these links .. they can't so easily hide their chicanery any more.
Have fun .. report news early and often .. LOL.
Did you tell me or did I read somewhere on here that only a few people stood up and clapped for her.
Interesting. Glad somebody had an honest take on these blowhards, because it sure wasn't how the MSM covered it, including Fox, who ran Hillary's shrill voice over and over.
Great research by you and terrific tools and links, too. Thanks, Starwise.
Fabulous stuff.
Looks like Barney Frank does a whole lot of "fact finding."
My pleasure. Hopefully, we'll find info that's worthwhile... FR can be such a tangible beacon of truth. I'm really disheartened at the bitter infighting, venom and personal attacks here .. especially on the voting/candidate threads. How can we put a Pubbie back in the WH in 08 with such malice and disrespect between ourselves already ?
I also believe that all the rancor would make it daunting for any conservative newcomers considering joining the premier conservative site on the web right now. And, we need them .. their voices, votes and support.
BUMP and thanks to busy you!
Hi sweet O .. ;) How are U? I'm getting up the courage to go to Mass and grocery store. Courage you say? Yes ..
Severe Weather Alert
Current conditions as of 1:51 pm CST
Partly Cloudy
Feels Like:
-16°
Barometer:
30.03 in and rising
Humidity:
36%
Visibility:
10 mi
Dewpoint:
-13°
Wind:
W 23 mph
Lord .. I hate going out there .. but I must.
Great links Starwise, thank you.
I check your weather every day hoping I will be happier with mine. Thus far, it hasn't worked, but when I hear asbout BigSkyFreeper's weather, I do feel a little warmer. :0)
Be safe and take caution walking.
Now, c'mon Magnolia .. I *know* you're temp isn't -16 and wind blowing like a banshee .. LOL. I just hope I don't have to stand out there too long for a cab with the remnants of this dang bug .. I'm truly dreading it. Say a prayer for me, please? ;)
You're in my prayers every day and every night, and I'll say one for your trek out into the cold right now. Be safe, and write to me as soon as you get home. ((( STAR )))
Aaww .. thank you SO much. {{O}} I truly appreciate your kindness.
Even with all this, I'm so very glad I got out of FL.
LOL
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