Those Nutty Democrats

Not a good week for Democratic sex-scandals.

Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-New York) is accused of sending a photo of his namesake to a co-ed on Twitter.

In Love?

Interestingly, Weiner is married to Huma Abedin, longtime rumored "mistress" of Hillary Clinton.  President Bill Clinton officiated at the wedding last year. Some say the marriage was "arranged" to keep heat off the Clinton-Abedin alleged relationship

Former Democratic golden boy, John Edwards, is indicted in a baby momma scandal, hush money paid might have been from campaign contributors, prosecutors say.

Edwards' defense attorney, tasked with keeping the former Senator and running mate to Democratic Presidential nominee John Kerry out of jail, Greg Craig, was also defended President Clinton during his impeachment trial.  Craig later served as a lawyer to President Obama, but later resigned.

While all this was happening, President Obama - not currently in a sex scandal - got some bad news on the unemployment front.  Poor guy.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Sunday

The Pasadena Star News reports on one of the reasons why Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was snubbed at the recent Democratic National Convention in Denver: the Obama campaign viewed him as being in the same league of another politician and philanderer, John Edwards. The News also slams the Mayor for turning his back on San Gabriel Valley transportation needs and the transit tax scam he and Zev Yaroslavsky are pushing for which will benefit the Westside but be paid for by the entire County.

Liberal blowhard filmmaker Michael Moore suggested that the likely landfall of Hurricane Gustav just prior to the start of the Republican National Convention was a sign that God favored the Democrats. Yes, Mike is a deep thinker. In the meantime, Republican nominees John McCain and Sarah Palin will be joining Mississippi Governor Hayley Barbour for a briefing from the state's emergency officials. The latest word from the Obama bin Biden campagin was that the Democratic nominee has no plans to visit the region but will give a phone call.

The annoucement of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate has proven succesful at least financially for presumptive Republican Presidential nominee John McCain. Friday, the day of the Palin selection, saw a one day total of nearly $7 million in contributions to the McCain campaign.

Michael Cohen writing at LA CityWatch disects the legal battle in last week's closing arguments in the case against Measure R, the shady term limits law in the City of Los Angeles. Cohen makes a good point that the court, should they hand a victory to the city and allow them to put measures on the ballot that cover multiple subjects, could be setting a bad precedent. Cohen rightly notes that the arrogance of City leaders in pushing this kind of fraud on the voters is what's helping to simmer a coming revolution against them such as Ron Kaye's Saving Los Angeles Project.

One of the best Britney Spears impersonators around is a man. Derrick Barry has been a professional Britney impersonator for five years and who was seeking to make the finals in the reality show America's Got Talent but was eliminated in the semi-finals when, according to Wikipedia, he failed to "wow" judge Piers Morgan.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Monday

Zuma Dogg was chosen over Walter Moore to help write the ballot argument against the City's "affordable housing" measure which goes before the voters in November.  In a two part hosting here and here, Zuma Dogg gives a preview of his opposition to the measure: His claim that funds set aside for emergency housing for battered women, seniors and other people in need will actually go towards the construction of the controversial Grand Avenue project.

The story about former Presidential candidate John Edwards' rendezvous with his admitted mistress prior to a meeting with Mayor Villaraigosa gets weirder.  The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the meeting was arranged by Robert McGovern, a friend of Edwards' paramour, Rielle Hunter, and a self-described new age guru and spiritual healer.


Dennis Zine has joined with a group of Republicans who are opposing Proposition 8, the measure on the state ballot this November that would overturn the California Supreme Court's ruling to legalize gay marriage. Other Republicans joining the coalition include Governor Schwarzenegger and Ward Connerly, the African American conservative activist who sponsored Proposition 209 which overturned affirmative action in California.

Let me preface this by the fact that I absolute hate cigarette smoking and discourage anyone from doing it.  That being said we don't need to government to make this decision for people. Bitter Bernie is planning to introduce legislation to ban all outdoor smoking.

An animal activist blog is taking Mayor Villaraigosa to task for eating the delicacy foie gras.  Foie gras is the liver of a goose or duck that's been enlarged by force feeding the bird fattening food through a pipe.  The liver expands, the bird gets sick and then it's harvested for it's fat liver which is cooked up at restaurants like the Mayor's favorite, Patina.  We also learn from the blog that the Mayor allegedly drinks $140 bottles of wine on the city dime for his lunches.

Barack Obama's ten year old daughter Malia is apparently not a fan of Britney Spears or Paris Hilton.  According to the presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee Malia is quick to turn the channel if either of the pop culture divas show up on TV. On the other hand, Malia is a big fan of Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus and has forgiven her for her recent photo controversy.

If you didn't have a chance to catch the blog over the weekend, here are a few things you may have missed.  First off, Full Disclosure Network reports that the price tag for the LAUSD's school construction bond measure will actually be double that of the $7 billion that is being talked about now, as well, if the bond passes state law will require all California taxpayers to kick in another $7 billion for LAUSD construction.  Next, the LAUSD will pay $50 million to a company controlled by a political associate of Mayor Villaraigosa to purchase a school construction site.  And LA Times bloggers were instructed to not blog about the recent story about John Edwards and his visit to his now admitted mistress at a local hotel.  By the way the Times justifies their spiking of the story at their "Readers Representative" blog.

Edwards' Affair: Everything Wrong with the Mainstream Media and Today's Politics

When we covered it a few weeks ago, we were poo-pooed by the usual suspects that there was no way a story that John Edwards had a rendezvous with his alleged mistress at a Beverly Hills hotel prior to appearing at an event with Mayor Villaraigosa.  Because, among other things, the story came from reporters at the National Enquirer, there was no way it could be true.


I guess we found out that wasn't the case.

When the story hit, the mainstream media didn't cover it.  Now it wasn't laziness or indifference but actual self-censorship in at least one case.  Blogger Mickey Kaus has uncovered an LA Times memo (written by former non-MSM blogger Tony Pierce) directing it's bloggers not to talk about the issue.

From: "Pierce, Tony"

Date: July 24, 2008 10:54:41 AM PDT

To: [XXX]

Subject: john edwards

Hey bloggers,

There has been a little buzz surrounding John Edwards and his alleged affair. Because the only source has been the National Enquirer we have decided not to cover the rumors or salacious speculations. So I am asking you all not to blog about this topic until further notified.

If you have any questions or are ever in need of story ideas that would best fit your blog, please don't hesitate to ask

Keep rockin,

Tony

So the questions we're left with are why did the LA Times seek to block the story? And what connection does the Mayor have in this considering his tangential role in the events of the day and his longstanding association with Edwards.

Enquiring minds want to know!

Another Villaraigosa Pal In Trouble

Yet another US Senator former Presidential candidate friend of Mayor Villaraigosa is in trouble.  Last week it was John Edwards allegedly having a secret rendezvous with his alleged mistress before jetting off to a meeting with our alleged Mayor. 



This week it's none other than Massachusetts Senator John Kerry-Heinz who was caught by TMZ allegedly partying with some young co-eds in Beantown. Of course like the folks who spun that Mirthala didn't exist the Kerry troops are spinning that this was a "chance encounter." 



And indeed this was the very same John Kerry-Heinz who Antonio Villaraigosa said was a "strong leader and national hero with solid character."

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Wednesday

Something funny happened Tuesday on the way to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former North Carolina Senator and Presidential candidate John Edwards as they were about to announce yet another $100 million "affordable" housing trust fund - The National Enquirer reported that Edwards was allegedly "caught" visiting his mistress and love child at a local hotel. Ooops! Looks like it won't be Obama-Edwards!



Education officials in California are coming closer to admitting the staggering numbers of school dropouts across the state and it points out the need for serious reform to the education system. Even Mayor Villaraigosa admits that the problem is understated. However the Mayor's politically oriented reforms are too little too late. What's needed is radical change including more charter schools, the breakup of big districts like LAUSD and vouchers.



Candy Spelling, the widow of TV mogul Aaron Spelling (The Mod Squad, Charlie's Angels, Beverly Hills 90210 among many others) is downsizing her home. Mrs. Spelling has moved from her 56,000 square foot 123 room mansion in Holmby Hills to a 16,500 square foot condo on the top two floors of a Century City high rise. Total cost = $47 million.



The Daily News' Dennis McCarthy has the touching story of an 85 year old veteran who volunteers every day to deliver newspapers and good cheer to veterans at the Sepulveda Veteran's Administration Hospital in the San Fernando Valley. Now Steve Palmer - who fought in World War II - is fighting a new battle: leading the charge against plans by the West LA VA to develop part of it's land for real estate development.

It's Over For Hillary

CNN is reporting that Former Senator John Edwards will endorse Sen. Barack Obama's presidential candidacy, Obama's campaign says.

Hillary to Drop Out?

Following her big defeat in Iowa - and the prospect of similar results in New Hampshire and subsequent Southern primaries - Drudge is reporting that some Hillary Clinton campaign key staffers are advising the Senator to consider dropping out of the race. Though some advisors are urging Hillary to stay and fight, others think it's time to drop out before she piles up any more defeats.

This is obviously good news for John Edwards and Barack Obama. And get ready for a bloody campaign.

Stay tuned.

Congratulations Mayor Sam...Barack Obama's Campaign Takes Out Paid Ads on The Blog

Hey Mayor Sam, look how good those Barack Obama banner ads look on your site! Looks like there is a demand for Presidential Election coverage. So here are some notes I took during this evening's Democratic debate in New Hampshire:

New Hampshire Democratic Debate: Hillary must, must, must work on her tonality when she speaks. When she gives a defensive answer to another candidate attack, her voice raises to an annoying and angry sounding register -- and she launches into some diversionary talking point about her achievement and experience. She could be so smooth as the female candidate, but she just can't keep it together under pressure. She should watch some tape on Mike Huckabee, O-ba-ma! or Edwards. She always comes off defensive and whiny.

PEOPLE VOTE ON FEELINGS NOT LOGIC: Every candidate knows what to say about each issue, because they have polled and tested what to say on each issue. But beyond some basic policy, like, "I'll cut taxes, bring the troops home, and end government corruption", people can't make heads or tails out of much more than that. It is a mistake for politicians to try and convince people, or win an argument by using a lot of logic and statistics proving the point.

It comes down to likability. People vote for who they like. And this has much more to do with likability. And I swear as I am typing this, the moderator just asked Hillary why people don't think she is as "likable" as Obama.

SHE FINALLY GAVE A GREAT ANSWER: She said humorously, but sympathetically, "First of all, that hurts my feelings." (Crowd laughed.) Even Barack jumped in and said, "Don't worry Hillary, you're likable enough."

Why can't she just be likable? LA City Councilmembers are MUCH smoother and more likable. (Even though they are just as shady.) I don't think Hillary could beat any of them except Ed Reyes if she didn't have the name recognition as former first lady.

ZD REMINDS YOU OF ADDED COST OF WAR: Goes beyond the financial drain on the U.S. economy (now in the trillions). When you hear police departments and school districts saying they can't find enough qualified candidates, I am told a big drain on recruitment is due to all the top candidates who are fighting the war. So beyond the financial drain, the ripping of families apart and the physical and psychological after effects these soldiers suffer from, there is not enough talk of the pool of candidates not available at home for the the school, police, fire, utility and other departments.

JOHN EDWARDS: I like his no special interest/no lobbyist angle. He should make sure that's his big selling point to distinguish him from all others. I just wonder how important the message is to your average Joe.

I think Edwards' big problem is that Barack is just so smooth, likable and represents the "change" and "freshness" that people are looking for. Whether Obama can deliver that, or will make the correct decisions...who knows. But he's coming off as the poster boy for the direction that "the people" want to take.

CLINTON ACCUSED OBAMA OF HIS STAFFER BEING A LOBBYIST: He was seen on camera shaking his head and said, "No he's not."

EDWARDS ON LOBBYISTS: He said he wouldn't take a penny from lobbyists and no lobbyists would be in his White House.

But, Obama's response stole the show and responded to Clinton's claim that words don't create change. Obama went into a, "Words DO create change. They inspire people to create change." And basically said, yeah...we need to improve the system, but you can't eliminate it entirely. But we need to strive to do better. So not only did Barack turn Clinton's words against her, he gave a more realistic answer to Edwards.

I just don't think Clinton can score a point against Obama in a debate setting. And not so sure about Edwards, either.

THE PROBLEM WITH HILLARY ACCUSING BARACK OF NOT HAVING ENOUGH EXPERIENCE: He sure does seem to be able to articulate the problems and give his answer to the problem, and it all sounds pretty good, and I don't think people are getting a feeling that he is inexperienced. And if he is, it seems like he at least seems to be knowledgeable.

EDWARDS SCORED WITH HIS ANTI-CORPORATE TALK: Noting that while Exxon Mobile (XOM) reported skyrocketing, record profits -- millions of Americans didn't have health care and war veterans are sleeping under bridges on milk crates. And we are going to lose 30-40 million jobs, and those aren't blue collar workers, but college students.

So whether that will kill his chances when unions and corporations make sure they support anyone but Edwards, the message was killer if you are "one of the people".

RICHARDSON ON EDUCATION: Noted that no one has said a thing about education and China is graduating more scientists and engineers than the U.S.

ZUMA DOGG NOTICED: Not much talk of the economy, besides Clinton mentioning the possible recession. No one mentioned the stock market had the worst three day decline since the Great Depression of the '30's. The price of oil being around $100, gold skyrocketing on inflation and dollar volatility concerns, the housing market, subprime. (I didn't hear the entire debate, but I haven't heard much talk of this during the campaign. That's kryptonite-speak for politicians!)

AND THANKS: To everyone who I heard from (some whom it's been a while) regarding the LA Times coverage of Public Comment at City Hall featuring a lot of "Zuma Dogg". WE HAD LICENSES THOUGH, Y'ALL!!! THAT WAS KINDA THE POINT. But I loved the article, and make sure you read the sub-headline and final two paragraphs so you don't get the message twisted. Click for article. (They called me "the undisputed master"!!! Looks like it went straight to my head, y'all.)

SUNDAY MORNING UPDATE: CNN will replay the forum style debate Sunday January 6th at 7pm (East Coast Time, I guess.)

C-Span "Campaign Network": Website with all the campaign videos and election coverage.

zumadogg@gmail.com
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