Foreclosed Dreams

    Home ownership is the epitome of “the American Dream”. It’s our symbol of financial security, personal pride, and individual independence. But the expanding circle of homeownership has a devastating and parasitic underbelly. The recent surge in home foreclosures in Northern Virginia, highlighted in today’s Post, is due, in large part, to the underhanded practices of “subprime” lenders. In the first 5 months of 2007 foreclosures in this area have almost doubled in number from the same period in 2006.

Woah There Joe

Sometimes I wonder if maybe we should nominate Joe Biden and Mitt Romney just so we can sit back and watch the gaffes. This clip is almost like a “Where’s Waldo?” How many gaffes do you see?

Write the Caption

Republican Senator for Impeachment?

Senator Bob Corker’s remarks yesterday were shocking in their candor and brutal intensity. Here’s a direct quote (emphasis mine):

“I think that this bill is not good for America because I believe America has lost faith in our government’s ability to do the things that it says it will do. We’ve had intelligence gaps. We’ve had evolving reasons as to why we’re involved in military conflicts. We’ve seen what’s happened at the local, state, and federal level (in situations) like Katrina. We have ministers that want to go on mission trips today but cannot get passports renewed. This is about competence. It is about credibility. I think Americans feel that they are losing their country. They’re not losing it to people who speak differently or talk differently or are from different backgrounds. They’re losing it to a government that … (does) not have the competence or the ability to carry out the things that it says it will do.”

For more information: Audio of Corker’s remarks via NPR (at about the 1 minute mark); Corker’s official release

The Immigration Divide

Yesterday’s failed cloture vote in the Senate which effectively ended the possibility of passage of immigration legislation in the foreseeable future was a narrow victory for people like Jeff Sessions. The vote was 53 opposed to cutting off debate and proceeding to votes, and 46 in favor. (It takes 60 votes to cut off debate.) Predictably many more Democrats than Republicans wanted to cut off debate. 34 Democrats, 1 Independent, and 11 Republicans favored the legislation. 14 Democrats, 1 Independent, and 38 Republicans opposed the legislation.

But what struck me the most was not the partisan divide- but the freshman vs. old-timer divide. Among those Senators who began their first term after 2004 the move to cut off debate was opposed almost 2:1.

Hillary Clinton’s Internet Campaign

That Hillary Clinton spoof video was the first sign of imagination from the Clinton campaign.

Look at a comparison of the three major Democratic campaigns’ traffic:

That massive spike is the effect of Hillary’s Soprano ad.

How much has Obama raised?

Barack Obama has raised almost 350,000 contributions from almost 250,000 unique donors. Simply astounding.

So how much has he raised?

Deeds Impressing

At the event I mentioned in the last post I also got to talk to Creigh. Strangely enough he recognized me and appropriately, (if not accurately) in his role with the Senate Democratic Caucus, exhorted me to support all of our State Senate candidates including George Barker. (I assured him that I have consistently been resolved to do my part to make sure we win all these State Senate races. Primaries are important, if temporarily divisive, but at the end of the day we’ve all got the same goal.)

I’ve got to say I was impressed with Creigh for picking me out of a lineup. This small proof that the modest Deeds has some pretty good raw political skills, combined with his highly amusing, self-deprecating interview with the Ditzocrats has Creigh’s stock rising. He’s still got a good ways to go to trump Brian Moran with me, but I am pleasantly surprised. Sure would like to see them work something out.

Chap In Top Form

Man, I really feel for poor Jeannemarie Devolites and her husband. Not only do they have to face re-election in an impossible district, they have to face off against one of the most impressive, tenacious campaigners in Virginia.

Last night I was at Chap’s big Young Lawyer’s event and he owned the night. And even without the assist from young lawyer mastermind Scott Surovell, State Senate mastermind Creigh Deeds, and “his excellency” Mark Warner.

Afternoon Clips

• If I were a betting man…
• The best NoVA political event of the summer.
• This transportation package looks more and more like a rotten onion. This week we’ve peeled back another layer.
• This is the real tax situation we never talk about – via Waldo. I’ll be (hopefully) publishing a policy article related to this issue in the next year.
• Edwards clings to an Iowa lead - latest poll is from a Republican outfit. I think that if Edwards hangs on to a statistical tie he wins it in the end because he has a superior organization there. On the Republican side, Romney’s leading. But Thompson looks strong.
• As I’ve said before regarding the presidential horserace- it’s all about expectations.
• Apparently both Jill and I are going to be in a primary battle with Mark Sickles soon – my bet is also on Jill.