Healthcare Reform Vanishes: Gone From DNC Chair's List Of Initiatives 'Critical To America's Future'

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The agenda is now down to energy, fighting terror and jobs. The mailman just delivered the letter from Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine. He was looking for a cash donation and acknowleges healthcare legislation is no longer a critical matter for the months ahead. Kaine writes, "With your help, President Obama will push through initiatives that are critical to America's future." His list is short with these three items:
1. "a clean energy policy to slow climate change and improve our economic and national security."
2. "improving the security of our nation from the threat of terrorism."
3. "further efforts to rebuild our economy and combat unemployment."

Kaine used Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh as bogeymen. Hannity and O'Reilly didn't make the cut. "The Republican Party has been trying to fight back after their defeats in the 2008 elections, and is being aided by the misinformation and hatred being spread by the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck. Our nation cannot afford for the Democratic Party to lose momentum. We cannot allow our government to once again fall victim to the domestic and international failures that exemplified Republican rule during the George W. Bush years."

Kaine says the Democrats had a "successful and historic fight for health insurance reform." He seems to have closed the book on that subject.

RNC Finds A Lobbyist In Top Dem Party Post: Her Clients Included Korean Automaker

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- This could become an issue of some import in the Midwestern and Great Lakes belt of domestic auto manufacturing states by fall as the presidential campaign heats up. A vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, Lottie Shackleford is a registered lobbyist. Her client list has included Hyundai Motor Co., the Korean automaker that former Ohio Gov. Bob Taft tried to lure into the Cincinnati area in 2002. But Hyundai put its first U.S. plant -- a billion dollar-plus investment -- in Alabama instead. Many U.S. autoworkers believe imports and foreign carmakers have strangled their industry. Those feelings are especially strong in swing state Ohio, and also in Michigan, and could spill over into the fall campaign. Anti-NAFTA and anti-globalization sentiment are already heated.

The RNC is moving to exploit the issue. It says Shackleford, a former Little Rock, Ark., mayor, is a registered federal lobbyist whose party post is exempt from Barack Obama's decree that shuts off the flow of lobbyist and PAC money to the DNC. The Republicans say Democratic party insiders can still serve as lobbyists. The RNC research department sent this statement out today:

"Shackleford's clients have included Allstate Insurance, FM Policy Focus, ARTEL, Hyundai Motor Co., Jacksonville Electric Authority, Kyocera Corp., Lyondel Chemical Company, Metro-Miami Action Plan Trust, Miami-Dade County (Fla.), NPR, Psychemedics Corporation, Quest Software, Sallie Mae, SBC Communications, and State Farm Insurance."

DNC Enlists Ohio Vet To Slam John McCain: Went From Factory Floor To Army Rangers

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Former Army ranger Roger Martinez delivered today's Democratic radio address, and the Ohio vet who served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan wasn't saluting GOP presidential candidate John McCain. He sees the Arizona senator continuing the policies of George Bush and described him as totally out of touch with the economic struggles of working families. Martinez did three separate deployments with the 1st Ranger Battalion and says U.S. troops are "fighting valiantly in Iraq" but cannot overcome that nation's political problems.

The complete text of his radio address is here. While much of it is about the war, Martinez also speaks about his days in an Ohio factory alongside his father and brother, and how the veterans on the shop floor encouraged him to enlist. Unfortunately, the plant's location isn't mentioned. Here's Martinez, now a student at the University of Texas at San Antonio, about his time in Ohio:

"Before I joined the U.S. Army, I worked with my father and older brother in a factory in Ohio and have many friends still working in those same factories. It was on that factory floor where veterans from all eras of the military encouraged me to serve my country and to see the world. But it was my brother joining the Army Reserves that really opened my eyes to the great opportunities that military service can provide. I am so thankful that I followed their advice. But it was also on that factory floor that I learned that all the hard work in the world isn't enough for so many working families, when Washington is more interested in helping the ultra-rich than the working families.

"After working in Washington for 25 years, and admitting that he does not understand the economy, John McCain is out of touch with the struggles of American families like mine. He says the economy is strong, but how can he not see that families just like mine are struggling to pay for out of control health care costs, home heating bills, gasoline, and college tuition? He hasn't even put out a plan to address the mortgage crisis."

A military-related blog called VetVoice could have some interesting comments later today about Martinez and his partisan take on the McCain candidacy. VetVoice generally is opposed to the war.

DNC Chair Howard Dean: Bush Republicans Wrong To Fund Iraq War Over Kids Health

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- DNC Chair Howard Dean delivered the party's national radio address today and he was in attack mode. He said it is "politics at its worse" for Republicans to support increased spending for wars, but not more for the Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Dean was setting the tone and tenor for next year's elections. He portrayed the GOP as lacking a sense of responsibility to those in need at home while it spends big overseas.

"Just weeks after vetoing S-CHIP, the Bush Republicans wanted to borrow a total of $196 billion to continue the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but they wouldn't spend $7 billion for the health of our children. The Republican leaders have made their choice. They want to stay in Iraq and deny our kids health care. It is wrong for the Bush Republicans to stand in the way of legislation needed to protect our kids."

DNC Wants Giuliani Adviser Dumped: He Said U.S. Has 'Too Many Mosques'

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Watch U.S. Rep. Peter King say the United States has "too many mosques." The comment is viewed as inflammatory and he's now being branded a bigot. King is a New York Republican and serves on GOP presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani's homeland security advisory board. The Democratic National Committee said the remark smacks of religious intolerance and that King should be booted immediately from his role in Giuliani's campaign.

DNC Press Secretary Stacie Paxton said:

"Congressman King's comments are deplorable and he should apologize immediately. This type of bigoted language has no place in public discourse, especially from the Republicans top lawmaker on the House Homeland Security Committee. Will Rudy Giuliani denounce Peter King's comments and fire King as his homeland security adviser?

"Scapegoating a group of Americans to win elections is an ugly Republican campaign tactic Americans have already rejected. Our country was founded on the principle or religious freedom. Religious profiling and discrimination have no place in our country."

King said in an interview with The Politico that he was concerned about people sympathetic to radical Islam. He said the government should be more active in monitoring and infiltrating. He was concerned about a lack of cooperation by some Muslims in New York State, and he worried about the numbers of mosques. In effect, he equated the presence of mosques with radical islamists.

DNC Chairman Howard Dean: Hands Down 11 Commandments At National Baptist Convention

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- DNC Chair Howard Dean spoke to the National Baptist Convention and delivered what could -- and should-- be described as the 11 Commandments of the Democratic Party. Dean never described the moral and political code as Commandments as he spoke to the leaders of the 7.5 million member mostly African American congregation in Philadelphia. Still, the 11 precepts have the flavor of a credo of good faith.

Here's the Law, according to Howard, who said, "We know what moral issues are about . . . As Democrats we believe:

1. That no child should go to bed hungry.

2. As Democrats we believe that it is a moral issue that we no longer be the last industrialized country on the face of the Earth that doesn't have health care for every single person. And we have acted on that in Congress by giving every child under 18 health insurance.

3. That war should be a last resort only after diplomacy has been exhausted.

4. That we should properly equip our troops before we send them to war.

5. That we should properly take care of our veterans when they come home.

6. That everyone deserves equal rights under the law.

7. That we should be good stewards of the Earth.

8. That hardworking people should earn a living wage and be able to take care of their families.

9. That we shouldn't pass debt onto our children and our grandchildren.

10. That faith should not be used to divide people.

11. That you and I have more in common than we have differences.

DNC Debuts Spoof GOP Website: Runs Nonexistent Republican Candidate

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The Democrats have finally conjured up the spirit of Dick Tuck, their party's now-departed master prankster who once slipped Chinese-character placards into a Richard Nixon rally that, when translated into English, had unflattering things to say about the Republican candidate. Check out None of the Above, the Democratic National Committee's new Website devoted to the political pick who is topping the GOP's entire 2008 field, according to a recent poll. No doubt Tuck is chuckling today in the afterlife.

Nearly a fourth of Republicans took a pass last month when asked to pick a candidate in the Associated Press-Ipsos poll. That prompted the DNC to create the website devoted to the mythical candidate. They've even created a bogus biography for the GOP foil, who is faceless but clearly a male:

"None of the Above has never been a lobbyist, never flip-flopped on an important issue, and never supported a 50-year war in Iraq. He's the only Republican candidate with plans to make sure every American has access to health insurance. And unlike his rivals for the nomination, he refuses to embrace the failed policies of the Bush administration. Despite the crowded Republican field, None of the Above is the only Republican candidate that speaks to America's core values. Currently there are no Republican candidates in the field that provide the leadership necessary for our future, making None of the Above the only hope."

There's a disclaimer, too. But it is in very fine print, the kind of very, very fine print that must have been used in sub prime mortgages, or payday loan contracts. The DNC says,

"In case you don't get it, it's a joke. We want None of the Above to get the Republican nomination for President. Ha!"

Inquiring minds are wondering: Did Karl Rove leave the White House to run None of the Above's campaign? Would this be a perfect job for Bush's Brain. Could he guide a truly empty suit to victory?

National Dem TV Ad Coming Monday: Takes On Bush Over War

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Be among the first to catch the new ad on YouTUBE, where it has just been posted by the Democratic National Committee and House and Senate Democrats. When The Bellwether got the link a few moments ago, there were fewer than 130 looks. The ad will be running for a month on cable TV outlets and its theme is that President Bush hasn't been listening to the American people.

The ad is intended to help set in motion the Democrats' month of action on Iraq -- which is designed to pressure Republicans in their home districts to abandon or alter support for the president on the war. The ad says the Dems have been "taking on George Bush to end a war gone wrong." It also outlines other Congressional action the new Democratic majorities have taken this year, including raising the minimum wage and voting to expand the Children's Health Insurance Program.

DNC Chairman Howard Dean described the purpose of the ad campaign as to take aim at Bush and portray him as a failure in office.

"The American people want a new direction in Iraq, yet President Bush and his Republican allies are stubbornly supporting a policy that is making America less safe. Time and again, Democrats have passed legislation to end Bush's war of choice in Iraq but Republicans refuse to change course. Democrats will continue to hold them accountable, but one thing is clear -- Democrats have accomplished more for the America people in the past six months than Republicans accomplished in six years."

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen said the Dems during August are "going district by district to urge Republicans to stop obstructing progress and work with us to end the war in Iraq. Republicans who continue to vote lock step with President Bush's failed policies will be held accountable."

Ex-RNC Chair Mehlman Joins Firm Started By Ex-DNC Chair

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Bob Strauss says he's "delighted" the political operative and Harvard Law grad who helped put George W. Bush and Dick Cheney in power is now a partner at Akin Gump, the law and lobbying firm Strauss founded in the 1940s. Strauss stressed bipartisanship in announcing recently departed RNC Chair Ken Mehlman was coming aboard. And the firm said he would specialize in solving "challenges" facing clients in the legislative, regulatory and public relations arenas.

"As a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, I am delighted that Ken Mehlman, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, will be back at Akin Gump. We are a diversified and bipartisan firm, and Ken fits in perfectly," Strauss said in a statement from Washington.

Mehlman: "I look forward to working some of the world's best lawyers to develop some of the most creative and effective solutions to solve problems at the nexus of business and public policy."

Mehlman became RNC chair in 2005. For two years, he was the party's national spokesman and public face. He moved into national politics in 2000 as field director for Bush, where he organized the Iowa caucuses. He then became White House political director. In 2003--04, he was the campaign manager for the president's reelection campaign.

Background on Akin Gump is HERE.