The Democratic Daily

Pardon the pun here please, but this is rich: “Arnold Slashing Pay for 200k State Workers to Federal Minimum Wage.” Yes, it’s true. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who can’t seem to balance the California budget has cooked up a new scheme to balance the budget at the expense of low wage state workers: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to sign an executive order next week that will reduce pay for more than 200,000 state workers to the federal minimum wage of $6.55 per hour to preserve cash in the midst of a month-long budget standoff, according to a draft copy of the order obtained by The Bee.Administration officials said the governor expects to take the action Monday. The headline is from Julia Rosen at … Continue reading →

VoteVets is perhaps the most effective organization that speaks directly for the Veteran of Iraq/Afghanistan. It was Vote Vet that made the definitve commercial about the 2nd rate body armor our troops were wearing even last year in Iraq. The US Army still refuses to use the more effective supplier. Today VoteVets has a new commercial and they need our help to keep it on the air. This YouTube version is the raw non-broadcast video as you will see. Take the time today to send even the tiniest amount of love, in the form of dollars, over to our Vets who have fought so hard and so honorably. They’ve earned it. In fact, for many, they’ve earned it with their … Continue reading →

If this round-up were any juicier, you’d totally stick a fork in it… 1. It is long overdue to retire this policy.  Gay soldiers should not be held to a higher standard than straight soldiers who are free to date who they like and not conceal their attractions.  It is the gay soldier who is expected to keep their mouth shut and their pants zipped, for fear of losing their job.  The military does not have room for discrimination, particularly if they hope to continue with war without end in the Middle East. KOAA.com – Lawmakers reconsider military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy Tauscher is convinced it’s time to allow gays in the military to be open about their sexuality, … Continue reading →

Ed Rendell had the best quote of the day: “Speaking Tuesday on MSNBC, Rendell said he has not been vetted by the Obama campaign, indicating he’s not a focus for their search. “I haven’t been contacted by anybody — showing that the Obama campaign has good sense,” Rendell said, adding that Obama would do well to get someone with better foreign policy experience than Rendell has. Also running away from McCain’s Veep search today, Bobby Jindal (La.) and Tom Ridge, former Homeland Security Czar. I think pretty soon McCain’s going to painfully get down on one knee and ask Dennis Kuncinch.

Chris Bowers makes a startling proposal about offshore oil drilling and the Arctic Wildlife Refuge, as part of a longer article published at Open Left and The Daou Report: Let’s face it: the best political strategy Democrats have had over the past eight years is to make sure that there were always enough Democrats to capitulate with the governing conservative and (typically) Republican coalition, but not enough to make it a majority of the Democratic Party. This way, heinous Republican policies that benefit large corporations and cronies, but hurt most people, are passed into law, while most of the Democratic Party can claim they opposed such policies. Chris continues in his opening lead: Maybe I am just too tired right … Continue reading →

Conservative columnist and talking head, Robert Novak was cited by Washington, D.C. police this morning “after he hit a pedestrian with his black Corvette” in downtown D.C. and drove away from the scene in what was seemingly a hit and run. A Politico reporter saw Novak in the front of a police car with a citation in his hand; a WJLA-TV crew and reporter saw Novak as well. The pedestrian, a 66-year-old man who was not further identified by authorities, was treated at George Washington University Hospital for minor injuries, according to D.C. Fire and EMS. Novak was later released by police and drove away from the scene. Novak claimed to be “unaware” that he hit the pedestrian and he was stopped “a block away … Continue reading →

The Daou Report is back. Peter Daou, who initially launched the Daou Report shortly after the ’04 election, has re-launced the Daou Report. The Daou Report was hosted by Salon from February 2005 to April 2008, renamed the Blog Report in 2006 and managed by the ubiquitous Steve Benen after Peter joined Hillary Clinton’s campaign. It was relaunched in July, 2008, with editors and guest writers including Vanessa Valenti, Mark Leon Goldberg, Jessica Valenti, and Steve Benen. The new Daou Report is divided into four sections:

Here’s a little late night music… A classic early Chris Isaak piece — Blue Hotel: Enjoy!