Having learned from his 2004 vice presidential race with Senator John Kerry that "you just can't talk about problems in America you have to take action..........." (paraphrasing from his comments on CNN on December 28th) former US Senator John Edwards announced yesterday via CNN that he is seeking the presidential nomination for the Democratic Party in 2008. What? Senator Edwards had to run for president/then vice president with Kerry in 2004 just to realize you have to "take action on problems not just talk about them..............." ?? I learned this lesson at age 11 when my father encouraged me to get a job to pay for summer camp -- clearly I do not need Edwards to be my president.
So what about Mr. Edwards' spouse, Elizabeth Edwards -- who is she?
http://johnedwards.com/about/elizabeth/
The campaign's website notes that Elizabeth is a "passionate advocate for children and families" -- which children and which families I have to ask? The only thing I want her advocating for the children and family members I have is the elimination of personal income taxes but is she doing that for us? Now that would give my family a "living wage"!!!!
Quoting from the campaign's website again -- here is an overview of Elizabeth's professional career:
" Like her husband, Elizabeth has an impressive legal background. Following law school, she clerked with U.S. District Court Judge Calvitt Clarke, Jr. in Norfolk, Virginia. Later, she worked for the North Carolina Attorney General's office and then was a bankruptcy lawyer in Raleigh, North Carolina. "
If you liked Bill and Hillary Clinton -- two other lawyers -- you might enjoy having the Edwards family in the White House.
Todd
Friday, December 29, 2006
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Congressman Dennis Kucinich
Years ago I attended a US congressional hearing hosted by the Progressive Caucus which was chaired by US Congressman Dennis Kucinich (Democrat-Ohio). Clearly Congressman Kucinich's world view based on this hearing was that government, NOT businesses create jobs in America. Now he is ready to take his show on the road again -- he ran for President of the USA in 2004 -- by announcing his candidacy to become the Democratic Party's nominee for the 2008 presidential campaign.
Congressman Kucinich is the former mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, which is not one of America's most literate cities (see http://erasmusbookclub.blogspot.com -- "Cities for Readers" posting), and is a true peace activist who promises to create a "Department of Peace" -- his campaign website is not clear regarding whether he would keep the "Department of Defense" or just add another federal department to increase the size of government. Hey politicians, how about creating a "Department of Government Garage Sales" to sell buildings, furniture, etc. of agencies and departments that I would eliminate during my one term as President? :)
Congressman Kucinich's wife -- Elizabeth -- is a self-described "Libran" so clearly astrology would guide her as our First Lady. I am a big fan of President Ronald Reagan but was never fond of his wife, Nancy, who reportedly was a great believer in the influence of astrology so assuming Kucinich wins the White House we may see a revival of astrology on the national stage. Readers can review Elizabeth's musings at her campaign blog and TV interview from 2005 via You Tube which are found at --
http://www.kucinich.us/blog/6
http://www.kucinich.us/node/922/play
NOTE -- Dennis and Elizabeth met at Shirley McLaine's home in New Mexico. As most readers Ms. McLaine's has a rather colorful history and personal beliefs. Her personal website features a tab focused on "Astrology" so perhaps she will be named the "Secretary of Peace" if President Kucinich is sworn in in January 2009:
http://www.shirleymaclaine.com/
It gets more interesting,
Todd
Congressman Kucinich is the former mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, which is not one of America's most literate cities (see http://erasmusbookclub.blogspot.com -- "Cities for Readers" posting), and is a true peace activist who promises to create a "Department of Peace" -- his campaign website is not clear regarding whether he would keep the "Department of Defense" or just add another federal department to increase the size of government. Hey politicians, how about creating a "Department of Government Garage Sales" to sell buildings, furniture, etc. of agencies and departments that I would eliminate during my one term as President? :)
Congressman Kucinich's wife -- Elizabeth -- is a self-described "Libran" so clearly astrology would guide her as our First Lady. I am a big fan of President Ronald Reagan but was never fond of his wife, Nancy, who reportedly was a great believer in the influence of astrology so assuming Kucinich wins the White House we may see a revival of astrology on the national stage. Readers can review Elizabeth's musings at her campaign blog and TV interview from 2005 via You Tube which are found at --
http://www.kucinich.us/blog/6
http://www.kucinich.us/node/922/play
NOTE -- Dennis and Elizabeth met at Shirley McLaine's home in New Mexico. As most readers Ms. McLaine's has a rather colorful history and personal beliefs. Her personal website features a tab focused on "Astrology" so perhaps she will be named the "Secretary of Peace" if President Kucinich is sworn in in January 2009:
http://www.shirleymaclaine.com/
It gets more interesting,
Todd
Monday, December 11, 2006
Senator Sam Brownback
Well it is official now --- US Senator Sam Brownback (Republican-Kansas) has announced that he is seeking the Republican Party's nomination for President of the USA in the 2008 election. Senator Brownback is known as a solid social conservative but does not have a high profile among general American voters:
http://brownback.senate.gov/
During his career Senator Brownback has been a radio broadcaster, attorney, teacher, administrator, and US Congressman. Senator Brownback and his wife Mary --the former Mary Stauffer, heiress to a Topeka newspaper fortune -- have five children.
Mrs. Brownback's family newspaper is noted below courtesy of the Wikipedia service:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stauffer_Communications
Oscar Stauffer founded Stauffer Publications. This later become known as Stauffer Communications and was set up to oversee Stauffer newspapers and broadcasting in Topeka, Kansas, from 1977 to 1995, In 1957, Stauffer Publications, owner of the Topeka State Journal, bought WIBW-AM-FM-TV which remained the flagships of Stauffer until 1995. It then merged with Morris Communications Corporation of Augusta, Georgia. As a condition of the sale, Morris had to sell Stauffer's television holdings. Most of the former Stauffer television holdings, including WIBW-TV, were sold to Benedek Broadcasting in 1996. Stauffer Communications was bought for US$275m, and Morris sold off all of Stauffer magazines, TV stations, insurance and alarm operations.
It looks like the Senator might have some personal wealth to keep his candidacy alive if the political contributions don't come in right away.
The (wheat) field of candidates for president grows,
Todd
http://brownback.senate.gov/
During his career Senator Brownback has been a radio broadcaster, attorney, teacher, administrator, and US Congressman. Senator Brownback and his wife Mary --the former Mary Stauffer, heiress to a Topeka newspaper fortune -- have five children.
Mrs. Brownback's family newspaper is noted below courtesy of the Wikipedia service:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stauffer_Communications
Oscar Stauffer founded Stauffer Publications. This later become known as Stauffer Communications and was set up to oversee Stauffer newspapers and broadcasting in Topeka, Kansas, from 1977 to 1995, In 1957, Stauffer Publications, owner of the Topeka State Journal, bought WIBW-AM-FM-TV which remained the flagships of Stauffer until 1995. It then merged with Morris Communications Corporation of Augusta, Georgia. As a condition of the sale, Morris had to sell Stauffer's television holdings. Most of the former Stauffer television holdings, including WIBW-TV, were sold to Benedek Broadcasting in 1996. Stauffer Communications was bought for US$275m, and Morris sold off all of Stauffer magazines, TV stations, insurance and alarm operations.
It looks like the Senator might have some personal wealth to keep his candidacy alive if the political contributions don't come in right away.
The (wheat) field of candidates for president grows,
Todd
Friday, December 1, 2006
Governor Tom and Christine Vilsack
Governor Tom Vilsack and his wife, Christine, First Lady of Iowa made the following political campaign contributions for the 2002 through 2006 election cycles:
Total for this search -- $2,986
Source: www.opensecrets.org
VILSACK, ANN CHRISTINE
DES MOINES,IA 50312
NONE/UNEMPLOYED
10/25/2002
$235
Democratic Party of Iowa
VILSACK, ANN CHRISTINE
DES MOINES,IA 50322
SELF/CONSULTANT
9/28/2004
$201
America Coming Together
VILSACK, THOMAS J
DES MOINES,IA 50312
STATE OF IOWA/GOVERNOR
11/19/2003
$600
Democratic Party of Iowa
VILSACK, THOMAS J
DES MOINES,IA 50312
STATE OF IOWA/GOVERNOR
10/19/2004
$500
Democratic Party of Iowa
VILSACK, THOMAS J
DES MOINES,IA 50312
STATE OF IOWA/GOVERNOR
6/13/2005
$500
Casey, Bob
VILSACK, THOMAS J
DES MOINES,IA 50312
STATE OF IOWA/GOVERNOR
10/26/2005
$400
Democratic Party of Iowa
VILSACK, THOMAS J
DES MOINES,IA 50312
STATE OF IOWA/GOVERNOR
11/8/2005
$250
Democratic Party of Iowa
VILSACK, THOMAS JAMES
DES MOINES,IA 50312
STATE OF IOWA/GOVERNOR
9/26/2001
$300
Democratic Party of Iowa
Nothing too surprising here although I would note that George Soros -- billionaire who apparently hates capitalism or just wants to keep voters dumb and poor by working against the free enterprise system that made HIM a rich man -- is highly involved with "America Coming Together" (ACT) which Christine Vilsack contributed $201 to support their efforts:
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=America_Coming_Together
ACT is clearly NOT a "centrist" organization like the Democratic Leadership Council - which Governor Vilsack is the current chairman of -- portrays itself to be so Mrs. Vilsack's political activities are worth a closer examination.
Todd
Total for this search -- $2,986
Source: www.opensecrets.org
VILSACK, ANN CHRISTINE
DES MOINES,IA 50312
NONE/UNEMPLOYED
10/25/2002
$235
Democratic Party of Iowa
VILSACK, ANN CHRISTINE
DES MOINES,IA 50322
SELF/CONSULTANT
9/28/2004
$201
America Coming Together
VILSACK, THOMAS J
DES MOINES,IA 50312
STATE OF IOWA/GOVERNOR
11/19/2003
$600
Democratic Party of Iowa
VILSACK, THOMAS J
DES MOINES,IA 50312
STATE OF IOWA/GOVERNOR
10/19/2004
$500
Democratic Party of Iowa
VILSACK, THOMAS J
DES MOINES,IA 50312
STATE OF IOWA/GOVERNOR
6/13/2005
$500
Casey, Bob
VILSACK, THOMAS J
DES MOINES,IA 50312
STATE OF IOWA/GOVERNOR
10/26/2005
$400
Democratic Party of Iowa
VILSACK, THOMAS J
DES MOINES,IA 50312
STATE OF IOWA/GOVERNOR
11/8/2005
$250
Democratic Party of Iowa
VILSACK, THOMAS JAMES
DES MOINES,IA 50312
STATE OF IOWA/GOVERNOR
9/26/2001
$300
Democratic Party of Iowa
Nothing too surprising here although I would note that George Soros -- billionaire who apparently hates capitalism or just wants to keep voters dumb and poor by working against the free enterprise system that made HIM a rich man -- is highly involved with "America Coming Together" (ACT) which Christine Vilsack contributed $201 to support their efforts:
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=America_Coming_Together
ACT is clearly NOT a "centrist" organization like the Democratic Leadership Council - which Governor Vilsack is the current chairman of -- portrays itself to be so Mrs. Vilsack's political activities are worth a closer examination.
Todd
Congressman Duncan Hunter
US Congressman Duncan Hunter (Republican-California) announced his plans to pursue the Republican Party nomination for President of the USA before this blog went live so I am catching up on the current field of candidates.
http://www.hunterforcongress.com/index.html
Congressman Hunter was first elected to the US House of Representatives in 1980 where he serves as chairman of the Armed Services Committee although he will lose this position once the Democrats take control of the US House in January 2007. Congressman Hunter lives in El Cajon, California with his wife, Lynne (Layh) whom he married in 1973 and with whom he has two sons.
Initial searches on "Lynne Layh" have not produced any results but the search continues.
Todd
http://www.hunterforcongress.com/index.html
Congressman Hunter was first elected to the US House of Representatives in 1980 where he serves as chairman of the Armed Services Committee although he will lose this position once the Democrats take control of the US House in January 2007. Congressman Hunter lives in El Cajon, California with his wife, Lynne (Layh) whom he married in 1973 and with whom he has two sons.
Initial searches on "Lynne Layh" have not produced any results but the search continues.
Todd
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Governor Tom Vilsack
Today the outgoing Governor of Iowa, Tom Vilsack, announced that he is seeking the Democratic Party's nomination for President of the USA. I met Governor Vilsack numerous years ago when he was a state senator in Iowa but do not know him well. From what I have heard and read he leaves the Governor's Mansion with a reputation of fiscal conservatism and moderate policy views as evidenced by his current chairmanship of the centrist, Democratic Leadership Council.
But what about his wife -- Christie Vilsack -- what do we know about her? Let's begin with her First Lady of Iowa website:
http://www.christievilsack.org/
My quick review of her website shows that she is focused on building a "sense of community" via the following four priorities in her First Lady role:
But what about his wife -- Christie Vilsack -- what do we know about her? Let's begin with her First Lady of Iowa website:
http://www.christievilsack.org/
My quick review of her website shows that she is focused on building a "sense of community" via the following four priorities in her First Lady role:
- Promoting literacy with Stories 2000,
- Encouraging students to get involved in politics,
- Inviting Iowans to Terrace Hill, and
- Promoting Iowa as the food capital of the world
- Habitat for Humanity -- she is promoting this very worthy non-profit organization. I have worked on habitat homes myself as a "gofer" and would encourage everyone to do the same so we can phase out the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development!!
- Book Club -- http://www.christievilsack.org/book_club/index.html -- I like the list of books she utilized for her book club especially the addition of biographies on President John Adams and Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton
- Languages -- having studied Spanish and having worked on a short term project in Bosnia I found this quote from her website very interesting since I share her global view of reading/foreign languages -- "Read to children . . . Open Young Minds in Spanish or Bosnian, too."
Christie Vilsack's focus on children and literacy reminds me a lot of the current First Lady - Laura Bush - whom I have advocated as a Vice Presidential candidate option for Republicans in 2008 at my other blog: http://spacebeaglenotes.blogspot.com
The race for 2008 is on.
Research continues,
Todd
Poem
William Ross Wallace (1819-1881)
THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE IS THE HAND THAT RULES THE WORLD.
BLESSINGS on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace.
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Infancy's the tender fountain,
Power may with beauty flow,
Mothers first to guide the streamlets,
From them souls unresting grow—
Grow on for the good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or evil hurled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Woman, how divine your mission,
Here upon our natal sod;
Keep—oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother-love impearled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship in the sky—
Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
The above poem can be found in:
Northrop, H.D. Beautiful Gems of Thought and Sentiment. Boston, MA: The Colins-Patten Co., 1890.
THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE IS THE HAND THAT RULES THE WORLD.
BLESSINGS on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace.
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Infancy's the tender fountain,
Power may with beauty flow,
Mothers first to guide the streamlets,
From them souls unresting grow—
Grow on for the good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or evil hurled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Woman, how divine your mission,
Here upon our natal sod;
Keep—oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother-love impearled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship in the sky—
Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
The above poem can be found in:
Northrop, H.D. Beautiful Gems of Thought and Sentiment. Boston, MA: The Colins-Patten Co., 1890.
Two for the Price of One
Unfortunately my memory fades sometimes so I don't remember when he said it exactly but I believe it was the Summer of 1992 when then Governor Bill Clinton (Democrat-Arkansas) commented during his presidential campaign that by electing him president Americans would get "two for the price of one.........." . Clinton was of course referring to Co-President Hillary Rodham Clinton his wife, political partner, and co-conspirator.
Clearly the 1992 presidential campaign altered the traditional role of "First Lady" in the USA since the Clintons won with President Bill going on to name Co-President Hillary to chair her infamous "health care reform commission" which she managed under a veil of secrecy. That was until my friends at the National Legal and Policy Center (www.nlpc.org) utilized the Freedom of Information Act to bring her commission's proceedings into the public domain for us all to see Hillary's plans to have the federal government control the entire US health care system.
With the Clinton story as my prelude I officially launch this new blog to focus on the spouses (partners, lovers, whatever they may have in their life) of the 2008 candidates for President of the United States of America. Often it is the unseen power and influence behind the throne that shapes public policy dramatically so this blog will highlight the backgrounds, political views, and relevant news stories of the spouses along the Road to the White House.
The campaign begins,
Todd
Clearly the 1992 presidential campaign altered the traditional role of "First Lady" in the USA since the Clintons won with President Bill going on to name Co-President Hillary to chair her infamous "health care reform commission" which she managed under a veil of secrecy. That was until my friends at the National Legal and Policy Center (www.nlpc.org) utilized the Freedom of Information Act to bring her commission's proceedings into the public domain for us all to see Hillary's plans to have the federal government control the entire US health care system.
With the Clinton story as my prelude I officially launch this new blog to focus on the spouses (partners, lovers, whatever they may have in their life) of the 2008 candidates for President of the United States of America. Often it is the unseen power and influence behind the throne that shapes public policy dramatically so this blog will highlight the backgrounds, political views, and relevant news stories of the spouses along the Road to the White House.
The campaign begins,
Todd
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