Weekly Address: Moving Forward

In his weekly address, President Barack Obama addressed the latest economic news and urged the passing of an America Recovery and Reinvestment Plan. He also announced that Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is preparing a new strategy for reviving our financial system -- which will not only ensure that CEOs aren't abusing taxpayer dollars, but also get credit flowing and lower mortgage costs.

Rarely in history has our country faced economic problems as devastating as this crisis. But the strength of the American people compels us to come together. The road ahead will be long, but I promise you that every day that I go to work in the Oval Office I carry with me your stories, and my administration is dedicated to alleviating your struggles and advancing your dreams. You are calling for action. Now is the time for those of us in Washington to live up to our responsibilities.

The Republican response so far is to do anything but come together: Both the recovery plan and the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act passed the House along party lines. My Congressman, supposed Republican moderate Dave Reichert, voted "nay" on both bills. I sent him the following emails, first regarding the recovery plan:

I wish to express my extreme disappoint that you chose to oppose the economic recovery package supported by President Obama.

Our country's economy is in serious condition. The rigidities of ideological laissez-faire conservatism have not only failed, they have led the country into its present situation. In the past, you have shown an admirable independence from the hard-core right wing of your party and voted as a true moderate. I am surprised and disappointed that your independent values failed you on this critical issue. Simply put, it appears that you voted to obstruct because you are more committed to opposing the President than you are to working across party lines to face down the recession.

You will have another opportunity to support the recovery package when it emerges from conference committee. Please put country ahead of party and support economic recovery.

Regarding the Ledbetter Act:

It is beyond me why you voted against the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. The intent of the act is a matter of simple fair play and decency; by opposing the legislation you allied yourself with the most reactionary elements of your party. I for one am not willing to see the 8th District become synonymous with the politics of Deep South Republicans. Shame on you.

Mardi Gras Parades have started! The New Orleans Daily Photo has a picture of last year's Bacchus Parade here. Go here for a complete schedule of this year's parades...

Cajun Country celebrates Mardi Gras in its own way:

Eunice, in St. Landry Parish, is typical of many Cajun communities that hold Mardi Gras “runs,” known as Courir de Mardi Gras. Revelers don homemade costumes and painted wire-screen masks, and they ride through the countryside on horseback or flatbed trucks, “begging” from their neighbors...

It's time for MR-GO to go!:

Carlton Dufrechou, executive director of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, flew over the work Friday afternoon and was ecstatic.

"This is a bright doggone day for the coast, " he said. "It's one little rinky-dink project in the grand scope of things, but this will start to restore the natural hydrology, the natural plumbing.

"The coast finally has a chance to start healing itself."

End Game?

Another impressive Tuesday for Barack Obama; he took a small but clear lead in the delegate count while showing signs of cutting into Clinton's base. Clinton's back is to the wall: Obama will likely win the February 19 Wisconsin primary, which means she'll have to win convincingly in Ohio and Texas to keep her superdelegates from bolting. I'm not sure she has to win as big as the pundits are saying -- why would anyone withdraw after winning any kind of victory?  -- but narrow wins leave her vulnerable to a fast fade.

McCain's general election problems against Obama are obvious. Look at the two pictures above: One of a youthful, gifted politician reaching out to enthusiastic young people, the other of a near comatose septuagenarian senator celebrating with an octagenarian senator (John Warner of Virginia) and Florida governor Charlie Crist. If this election is about change, who of the two is more likely to deliver it?

In 1968, the Wisconsin primary played a key role in unseating a sitting president. After narrowly beating Eugene McCarthy in the New Hampshire primary, Lyndon Johnson foresaw defeat in the upcoming Wisconsin primary and decided not to pursue a second term. Read about it here, and even if you don't, be sure to scroll down to the pictures. Johnson's address to the nation announcing his decision not to pursue another term is here (scroll down to the March 31, 1968 speech).

Monday evening, T. and I went to a fundraiser for Darcy Burner, Democratic congressional candidate in Washington's 8th District. Two-term incumbent Dave Reichert, described by conservative pundit Robert Novak as "a former sheriff of King County, Wash., who has not distinguished himself during three years in Congress," is a walking, barely breathing definition of the term "empty suit." (Check out this video, in which he has no answer to...well, you have to see it to believe it.) Burner, on the other hand, is knowledgeable, passionate, and energetic. She's raised more money than Reichert, will outwork him, and stands poised to knock him off his perch.

Now is the time for your tears: We're so desperate for troops that we're pulling Iraq veterans out of psychiatric care and sending them back to Baghdad. Read it and weep.