Conventional pick

Well, I'm disappointed again. No, it's not because my email from Barack Obama (well, it says it's from him) arrived hours after Joe Biden's selection was all over the news.

It's because, as I've said, Biden is part of the problem, i.e. lobbyists overrunning Washington. That's important to me, and Obama held the high ground. Biden's connections aren't 'as bad' as some others? I'll even buy that, but I'm not interested in moral relativism on this subject.

Sure, Obama hasn't been caught with his hand in the cookie jar like McCain with Keating and lobbyists aren't involved with every facet of his campaign-- like McCain. It's just that both parties and both candidates are using soft money and 'bundlers' to get around the present weak restrictions. The so-called '527' groups are sure to follow as the election heats up. With Biden's selection, I just can't see lobbying as a campaign issue anymore, and that's too bad.

But Democrats are probably pleased: a mainstream Catholic liberal with solid foreign policy credentials who plays well with blue-collar workers-- particularly in Pennsylvania. Unlike Obama, he's more than willing to go for the throat when attacked and to mount some attacks of his own. That's a nice good cop/bad cop mix, I must admit.

Republicans were prepared; McCain immediately shot off a fund-raising letter quoting Biden on Obama's lack of experience. Take that with a grain of salt: he was campaigning against Obama then and also said at that time he'd rather return to his Foreign Affairs chairmanship than be Vice President.

Republicans and 'opinion' makers must be ecstatic about Biden's reputation for inserting his foot in his mouth; expect massive distractions from the issues. Comedians are licking their lips. Obama just hasn't been giving them good material.

The 'field promotion' at the Springfield speech doesn't count, it's his first time to introduce his running mate.



Oh, and Biden has an answer to the "gaffe machine" narrative:

Conventional lobbyists get to Obama and McCain

It should be fun to see our presidential candidates wiggle out of this one. The parties are trying to get corporations to fund their conventions to the tune of $100 million-- more or less.

It's a loophole in the soft money ban John McCain co-sponsored. Barack Obama, of course, has very publicly shooed special interests away from his campaign and the Democratic National Committee.*

The parties swear the money is needed to supplement federal funds: $16.3 million apiece and another $50 million to both St. Paul Minnesota and Denver Colorado for anti-terrorism. That'll buy a lot of silly hats. (We can only hope they're not demanding an Improvised Explosive Device Hunt** with the Homeland Security dough.)

Soft on money

According to the Democrats:

“The 2008 Democratic National Convention will bring together a unique group of business leaders, high-level lawmakers, members of the national and international media and prominent academics,” said a brochure from the host committee. “This is a rare opportunity to play a leadership role in a substantive discussion on timely issues affecting your industry with company executives, scholars, elected officials and members of the media.” (New York Times)

And the Republicans?

...one of the three co-chairmen of Mr. McCain’s presidential campaign, Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, has taken the lead in soliciting corporations on behalf of the Republican convention in St. Paul, with promises, according to literature from the Twin Cities committee, of golf outings and private dinners with Republican leaders, including Mr. McCain and other members of Congress. (New York Times)

* A thought; give Hillary Clinton something to do.

** If you're a McCainite, don't get excited. That's IED's, not IUD's.

Here it comes

Just a short follow-up to George Bush attacks Washington insiders.

The Democratic National Committee claims Gov. Bob Riley's endorsement of John McCain payback for withholding link to discredited lobbyist, according to The Birmingham News in Alabama. Here it comes. The market for glass houses is tanking too.

Jack Abramoff: the gift that keeps on giving, a saying supposedly first used in re phonograph records(those are antique machines that were once used to play music recorded on vinyl). It's been said that Abramoff loved to squirrel his emails away, so it's a nice twenty-first century update. (Have I said this? Gift means poison in German)

If you were thinking diamonds, here's one for you. There's a proposed settlement in the class action suit filed against some companies in the DeBeers Group. Here's your page if you bought diamonds between January 1, 1994 and March 31, 2006.

Moving on

Ah, no blogging for awhile: we've been moving our little store over by the Wax Museum. It's worse than changing houses, I'd no idea so much stuff had settled onto the shelves.

On the plus side, mindless labor gives you plenty of time to think, and I've been noticing two approaches to the minimum wage tsunami warning. One group seems to be wringing its hands and wailing and... that's it. On the other hand, other businesses seem more proactive; I see a huge amount of painting and general tidying-up. Hmm, any bets on who has the best odds of surviving? Most textbooks could give you a clue, it's generally agreed that you deal with challenges by being aggressive. Things like promotions, advertising, employee training or even sloshing a coat of paint over everything.

And I'm waiting for the visitor numbers; there really do seem to be a lot of tourists on the streets.

Circus Minimus Just checked one of my newsfeeds, and Washington is as screwy as ever. This story claims that the minimum wage was folded into the Iraq funding bill so the House and Senate could work out their differences on tax breaks.

According to the story, Congressman Rahm Emanuel says Memorial Day could be considered a deadline because "It's a promise to the American people and we're going to get that done." I get all tingly when they get noble like that.

No respect The Marianas Variety's breaking news about a "Covenant consultant" is a little disappointing. Since they're talking about the old National Group contract they must mean our pal William Oldaker. Deja View all over again: I blogged about that three weeks ago.

I did have a nagging thought that the name was familiar so I looked up the CNMI's old lobbying and sure enough Oldaker consulted on "Minimum Wage Legislation" in 2002 while affiliated with the National Group. This is a good opportunity to share that link.

Deja View

Somebody was asking about Saipan's new lobbyist. Before you flagellate me in your comments, I know I said 'Saipan' instead of 'The CNMI'.

So the winner was William Oldaker. Who? Well, we only stalled the feds with all of those Republican lobbyists. In fact it just made the Democrats mad. So the obvious fix is to find a Democrat.

Not just any Democrat either. How about a former Treasurer for Edward Kennedy, Joseph Biden Jr. and Harry Reid, to name a few. Partner R. Hunter Biden, Senator Joe's son, doesn't hurt either.

Obviously plan b is the flip side of Jack Abramoff, et al ( Actually, he kind of knew Jack.) Who knows? It might work; those Senate staffers were sure waffling as they jetted out of town. More studies? Why not?

Papa Doo Run Run

I see the House of Representatives is looking into runoff elections for Governor. Nobody worried too much when the winning candidate got forty-some percent, but a lot of people got upset about the 2005 election.

So, how about an instant runoff if there are more than two candidates? This site is just an overview, but there's a lot of information out there. It would save the expense of another election. The downside, or upside if you're that type, is that people could write in NO and still have a vote in the second round. Don't want to embarrass anyone, do we?

Where can I get a copy? That Pandemic Influenza Table Top Game looks intriguing. I've always thought learning should be fun.

As long as you don't get carried away: "The Traditional Medicine Conference aimed to strengthen, promote, and preserve traditional medicine knowledge; and to advocate protection of herbal plants, especially those that are near extinction through education..." I'm teasing, I've always thought traditional medicine should be preserved, American Indians using salicylic acid and all of that. Almost 300 participants they said. I believe it, there were almost that many in the credits at the end of the story.

Hours of fun I've already got a new toy, though. I call it Degrees of Separation. You just find your favorite subject, and find out which lobbyist was in favor for the year of your choice. It's addictive. Most people can't help looking at the other clients of that lobbyist, who they lobbied and the members of the firm. It's a great family game, my 11 year-old was fascinated once I showed him what I was doing.

Just remember: CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE - EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE. IN CASE OF FIRE OR LEAKAGE, DO NOT STORE ABOVE 110 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT