Pawlenty Takes Aim

Posted on July 11, 2011 by billmanzi

Tim Pawlenty, with his campaign floundering at the 5% mark everywhere, took aim at the campaign that may run him out of this contest, Michelle Bachmann, by characterizing her Congressional record as “non-existent”. Bachmann responded by essentially ignoring the barb, issuing a statement:

“This is an election about the future of our nation – one where voters will have to decide who is best equipped to lead our nation by looking at our records, as well as our vision for the nation. Instead of negativity, I want to focus on my accomplishments.

“I have fought the cap-and-trade agenda, rather than implement it, and I will work to end cap-and-trade as President of the United States. I stood up against President Obama’s support of the $700 billion bailout rather than defend it.

“I was a leading voice, fighting against Obamacare and the unconstitutional individual mandates; I did not lift my voice in praise of it. My message brought tens of thousands of Americans to Washington D.C. to oppose Obamacare. As President I will not rest until Obamacare is repealed. And I will not vote to raise the debt ceiling.

“People can count on me as a fighter; I am proud of my record of fighting with resolve, and without apology, for our free markets, for sane fiscal policies, and in opposition to the advancement of the big government left. As President, the American people can count on me to stand by my record of advancing pro-growth policies to put our nation back on the right track.”

It appears to be dawning on Pawlenty that his image needs toughening. I heard him brag on Meet the Press that he was a hockey player and had been in more fights than his opponents. Despite that hockey experience he is about to be knocked out by Bachmann. Pawlenty is making a big stand at the Iowa straw poll in August, and he badly needs to finish in the top two. Expectations are rising for Bachmann, so she has got a lot riding on this as well. Bachmann should win, but we do not as of yet know whether her political skills include organizational talent. We shall see. Chris Cillizza handicaps the Straw Poll over at the Washington Post.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640

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The "Big Budget Deal" Collapses

Posted on July 10, 2011 by billmanzi

Later today President Obama will meet with Congressional leaders to take another run at getting Congress to raise the debt ceiling before August 2. While there appears to have been some movement towards what has been described as a “large deal”, with both sides ceding difficult political ground, that effort has apparently collapsed with Republicans rebelling against the inclusion of new revenues in the $4 trillion dollar deficit reduction package. Reports indicate that House Majority Leader Eric Cantor had said he and many other rank and file House Republicans would vote against any deal that includes revenues. The Washington Post summed it up neatly:

The emerging deal, however, quickly appeared to be collapsing under its own ideological weight. Liberals were outraged by Obama’s offer to rein in entitlement spending, particularly Social Security, which congressional Democrats believed would not be a part of the debt-reduction effort. The White House had offered to change the measure of inflation used to calculate Social Security payouts, a shift that could save more than $100 billion over the next decade, according to congressional budget analysts.

Conservatives, meanwhile, were uniformly opposed to raising taxes. That resistance has proved to be the biggest obstacle to a compromise of any size.

A liberal backlash had been taking place publicly, with Minority Leader Pelosi publicly opposing cuts to the entitlement programs. With Boehner being undercut from the right, including the roster of Republican Presidential candidates, and with Obama taking heat from the left, a deal was going to be a high wire act in any case. The President, I am sure, had an inkling that the Speaker was going to have a hard time delivering the Republican caucus on any grand compromise. The Speaker, to his credit, appears to recognize that a debt default would be a disaster for the United States, and was working towards a deal that would have been heavily weighted towards the Republicans. But he was undercut by his own Majority Leader and much of his caucus. Despite the gamesmanship on both sides the Republicans are truly missing a unique opportunity here, and in my opinion are largely responsible for the failure, so far, of the talks. David Brooks had it exactly right when he called acceptance of the proposed “large deal” by Republicans a no-brainer.

If the Republican Party were a normal party, it would take advantage of this amazing moment. It is being offered the deal of the century: trillions of dollars in spending cuts in exchange for a few hundred billion dollars of revenue increases.

A normal Republican Party would seize the opportunity to put a long-term limit on the growth of government. It would seize the opportunity to put the country on a sound fiscal footing. It would seize the opportunity to do these things without putting any real crimp in economic growth.

But the Republicans are no longer a force for responsibility in government, and Brooks is right about that as well.

The members of this movement do not accept the logic of compromise, no matter how sweet the terms. If you ask them to raise taxes by an inch in order to cut government by a foot, they will say no. If you ask them to raise taxes by an inch to cut government by a yard, they will still say no.

The members of this movement do not accept the legitimacy of scholars and intellectual authorities. A thousand impartial experts may tell them that a default on the debt would have calamitous effects, far worse than raising tax revenues a bit. But the members of this movement refuse to believe it.

Just about says it all when you have a so-called major Republican candidate for President (Tim Pawlenty) on Meet the Press bragging about taking actions that shut down state government while he was Governor. A core group of leaders in the Party appear to be dismissive of the consequences of failure to raise the debt ceiling, with the smarter Republican members imprisoned by their earlier rhetoric and by the imbecility of those in the Party pushing the country towards default. The Secretary of the Treasury explains some of the real world consequences of having juveniles in charge in the attached clip. It is time for adults to step up and get this done for the sake of the country.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Posted in National News | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Methuen's Mayoral Debate Part 1

Posted on July 10, 2011 by billmanzi

Here are the first two “portions” of the Methuen Mayoral Debate, with Steve Zanni, Ken Willette, and Al Dinuccio. Fact checking to come in a future post. Enjoy!

http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F18730503 Mayoral Debate Question 1 by Bill Manzi

http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F18756109 Mayoral Debate More Budget Talk by Bill Manzi

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Methuen Municipal Candidates List Updated

Posted on July 9, 2011 by billmanzi

The list of municipal candidates, refreshed from my last posting.

Mayor

Al Dinuccio- Ken Willette- Steve Zanni

Councilor at Large (Elect Three)

Jennifer Kannan*- Michael Condon- Joyce Campagnone*- Dorothy Kalil

West District Councilor (Elect Two)

James Hajjar* -Sean Fountain -Jeanne Pappalardo*

East District Councilor (Elect Two)

Joseph Leone- Ron Marsan-Patricia Uliano*- Tom Ciulla

Central District Councilor (Elect Two)

David Lavalee- Fadi Chahine- Lisa Yarid Ferry- Jamie Atkinson

Methuen School Committee (Elect Six)

Robert Vogler*- Barbara Grondine*- Lynn Hajjar Kumm- Mary Jean Fawcett- Jeri-An Batal- Lorie Aliano- Paul Downing- Evan Chaisson*- Eunice Delice- Deborah Quinn- Mark Graziano

Vocational School Committee (Elect Two)

Thomas Grondine*- Kenneth Henrick

Methuen Housing Authority (Elect Two)

Robert Sheehan*- Joseph Leone- Kathleen Mulligan*

Nevins Library Trustees (Elect Two)

Arthur Nicholson*- Josephine Napolitano*

* denotes incumbent
Italics indicate additions to the list from the last posting

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Governor Patrick in Salisbury

Posted on July 8, 2011 by billmanzi

Governor Deval Patrick kicked off his “listening tour” of the Commonwealth in Salisbury, talking with residents on the Town Common. The Governor talked about some of his second term priorities, including jobs, health care cost containment, closing the educational achievement gap, and issues of urban violence. The Governor talked about how his Administration has tackled each one of those issues, and some of the challenges that lay ahead on all of them. The Governor had a pretty good give and take with the crowd that was assembled, and once again showed that this type of forum is one in which he excels. His mastery of the details of policy show up very clearly, and he is not afraid to engage with folks who may have a different point of view. The Governor was introduced by Senator Baddour, and had Mayor Thatcher Kezer of Amesbury, Mayor Donna Holaday of Newburyport, Manager Neil Harrington of Salisbury, and Rep. Marcos Devers of Lawrence on hand to do some listening as well. Nice job by the Governor.

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Huntsman, Pawlenty Trail Everyone (Except Gingrich)

Posted on July 6, 2011 by billmanzi

A new WMUR survey of the Republican Presidential field shows that Jon Huntsman has joined Tim Pawlenty at the very bottom of the presidential pile in New Hampshire. While Pawlenty and Huntsman have each chosen to concentrate on different early states (Pawlenty staking himself to Iowa, with Huntsman spending early time and resources in New Hampshire) both have enjoyed remarkably similar success in each state. Their candidacies, like huge mountains of jello, appear ready to topple at the first sign of pressure. The WMUR poll shows Romney leading, with 35% of the vote, followed by Michelle Bachmann at 12%, Ron Paul and Rudy Giuliani at 7%, Governor Rick Perry at 4%, Pawlenty at 3%, and Huntsman and Herman Cain both at 2%. Both Pawlenty and Huntsman can be comforted by knowing that they are easily topping Newt Gingrich, who stands tall at 1%. Santorum is not even worth mentioning, although I did enjoy his internet ad attacking Jon Huntsman.

For those that say that paying attention to early polls is silly I say nonsense. (I do admit to wanting another quick poll fix after the euphoria of seeing Gingrich at 1% wears off.) The surveys are showing us things that may shape the race in the immediate future, such as a need for the anti-Romney forces to either coalesce around a new candidate, or get with Bachmann. Everyone else in the Republican field is a zombie. Spare me the potential entry of Rudy Giuliani, a man destined to join Pawlenty and Huntsman at the bottom of the pile if he enters. Governor Rick Perry has Republican potential, but he is a dagger aimed at the semi-rise of Michelle Bachmann. Romney, in my opinion, will flick him off like a flea. Organization and money are what counts now, and the Mittster is far ahead of all on both counts. Does it mean he can’t be caught. No it does not, but the idea that “potential candidates” designed to stop Romney have plenty of time to make up their minds is funny. Romney is working and building while these guys are dipping their toes gingerly into the water. Let them take all the time in the world.

Romney released his quarterly fundraising totals, and they did not meet media expectations. The Romney campaign did a poor job of managing the expectations game on this issue. Comparisons with his last last campaign as well as internal documents built larger expectations, but Romney still outpaced the field by a large margin. Those numbers:

Mitt Romney $18.3 million

Ron Paul $4.5 million

Tim Pawlenty $4.2 million

Jon Huntsman $4.1 million

Herman Cain $2.5 million

Newt Gingrich $2 million ($1 million of debt)

I eagerly await the Bachmann totals, which should outstrip all but Romney. Bachmann’s candidacy is routinely dismissed by pundits, who simply cannot fathom the idea of her nomination. Many of those same people probably poo-pooed the idea of over 200 Republican votes in the House taking the position that a debt default by the United States would be no big deal. Yes it is a “different” Republican Party, and I think that Bachmann will do some real damage before this is over. That will be a “shot heard around the world”.

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Fun With Mitt and Tim and Jon

Posted on July 5, 2011 by billmanzi

The Democrats are having some fun at Mitt Romney’s expense, putting out a video highlighting his inconsistency of word relative to the responsibility of President Obama for an economy that is “worse” than what he inherited. Or not. Mitt, who seemed to have conquered his consistency issue so far in this campaign, has had a slight relapse. The Democrats have pounced, but the Republican nomination will not be decided by videos from the DNC. But they are, after all, such good sport. Romney’s gaffe made a few headlines, but will soon be forgotten when he announces his quarterly fundraising totals. He will likely bury his nearest competition in a sea of fundraising dollars, with expectations reaching as high as $20 million. Tim Pawlenty and Jon Huntsman have announced, with each one raising about $4.2 million. Huntsman will have to do a lot better than that if his drive to crack 4% is going to succeed in New Hampshire.

Pawlenty finds himself surging towards the 4% mark in Iowa, and with some new advertising should be knocking on the door of that threshold very shortly. His new ad takes aim at the unions in Minnesota, and appears to want to further insert himself into the current budgetary fiasco in that state. By the time Pawlenty devises a cogent campaign strategy and message Michelle Bachmann will barely be able to see him in her rear view mirror.

Such Good Sport!

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Methuen's Local Election

Posted on July 4, 2011 by billmanzi

Methuen’s local election season is upon us, and interested candidates have started the process of gathering signatures on their nomination papers. Here is the list, as of the end of last week, of those who have taken out nomination papers for the various offices in Methuen.

    Mayor

Al Dinuccio- Ken Willette- Steve Zanni

    Councilor at Large (Elect Three)

Jennifer Kannan*- Michael Condon- Joyce Campagnone*- Dorothy Kalil

West District Councilor (Elect Two)

James Hajjar* -Sean Fountain -Jeanne Pappalardo*

East District Councilor (Elect Two)

Joseph Leone- Ron Marsan-Patricia Uliano*- Tom Ciulla

Central District Councilor (Elect Two)

    David Lavalee- Fadi Chahine- Lisa Yarid Ferry- Jamie Atkinson

      Methuen School Committee (Elect Six)

    Robert Vogler*- Barbara Grondine*- Lynn Hajjar Kumm- Mary Jean Fawcett- Jeri-An Batal- Lorie Aliano- Paul Downing- Evan Chaisson*- Eunice Delice- Deborah Quinn

    Vocational School Committee (Elect Two)

    Thomas Grondine*- Kenneth Henrick

    Methuen Housing Authority (Elect Two)

    Robert Sheehan*- Joseph Leone

    Nevins Library Trustees (Elect Two)

    Arthur Nicholson*- Josephine Napolitano*

    * denotes incumbent

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The End of Sanity

Posted on July 3, 2011 by billmanzi

As we approach the point where we will be putting the full faith and credit of the United States at risk by not raising the debt ceiling we had Washington engaged in more gun-slinging, with most involved checking their brain at the door. The President’s weekly message again returned to the theme that any agreement on the debt ceiling must include both spending cuts and some changes to the tax code that will eliminate tax breaks that are no longer defensible. The President was greeted by a fusillade of fire from Republicans after his last press conference, and his weekly video, despite staying on message, sounded a more optimistic note than he did at the press conference.

The President is having to deal with responses like the one crafted today by Senator John McCain on CNN. McCain said that there would be no compromises on raising the debt limit because voters in the last election voted Republican. McCain did not mention the fact that Republicans failed to adopt the Democratic agenda when voters sent Democrats to control in 2008. He neglected to mention that Democrats control the Senate and the White House. John McCain never lets the facts get in the way of a good story: from CNN.

“The principle of not raising taxes is something that we campaigned on last November and the results of the election was the American people don’t want their taxes raised and they wanted us to cut spending,” McCain said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “They don’t want compromise.”

No question that some on the Republican right do not want compromise. Some on the Democratic left reject compromise as well. It is up to leaders to cut through the nonsense and strike the best deal possible for the country. And whatever your thoughts on the desired result nobody in their right mind could advocate for letting the debt ceiling deadline expire. Well, maybe that does not include John McCain, who seems to advocate in his CNN interview that we blow ourselves up now, because the debt will blow us up down the road. No, I am not kidding:

“I think that this catastrophe or short-term meltdown that we’re facing isn’t nearly as bad as the meltdown that we’re facing unless we get our deficit under control,” McCain said.

So McCain does not deny that failure to deal with the debt limit issue is a catastrophe, but since we are not dealing with the debt issue to his satisfaction then we may as well end it all now. A shocking line of thinking. And by the way McCain never explains how you balance the federal budget without some new revenue without slashing programs that he claims to support, like defense spending.

As usual the best comments of the day came from a Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa of Los Angeles:

“I think Washington has its head in the sand.” “Democrats won’t address entitlements, Medicare and Social Security. and Republicans don’t want to talk about revenues or defense spending. And the fact is we’ve got to do all of that,” he said. “You can’t avoid your responsibility of balancing the budget. And in this case, they ought to submit their resignations, frankly, if they put us in a situation where we’re in default.”

The Mayor is right. They ought to grow up, or hand in their resignations. Get the deal done, and make the hard choices that need to be made. And whenever the negotiations occur keep John McCain out of the room. Give him a map and have him pick the next few countries we should invade. (or bomb)

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Methuen Fireworks Tonight

Posted on July 2, 2011 by billmanzi

Methuen’s Fireworks display is tonight, with the band Beatlejuice beginning to play around 6:30 or so, and the fireworks display happening at 9:30 p.m. Hope to see you there. Happy Fourth of July Weekend!

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