Congressman Tom Tancredo (Republican - Colorado) recently entered the contest to become the Republican Party candidate for President of the USA in the 2008 election. At this point Congressman Tancredo is known as the "immigration reform candidate" but for a more complete profile please visit these websites:
http://tancredo4prez.blogspot.com/ -- an "unofficial" presidential campaign site built using Blogger!!
http://tancredo.house.gov/ -- official US House of Representatives' website which is excerpted below:
"He is a member of both the House International Relations and Resources Committees. He is also the chairman of the 104-member bipartisan House Immigration Reform Caucus. In addition, Tom is a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the Canadian-American Parliamentary Assembly."
However, the item on his bio that interests me the most is the fact that Congressman Tancredo served as President of the free market think tank in Colorado -- the Independence Institute, www.i2i.org
Overall, some solid experience for him to utilize in his campaign but who is Congressman Tancredo's better half? His wife since 1977 -- Jackie. Jackie Tancredo met the Congressman when they were both teachers at Drake Junior High in Arvada, Colorado where she taught French and Russian.
The debate over bi-lingual education and immigration reform should be interesting given his linguistic skills.
Todd
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
Senator Joe Biden
US Senator Joe Biden (Democrat - Delaware) recently declared himself a candidate for the 2008 Democratic Party nomination for President of the USA. For details on the senator's quest please visit -- http://www.joebiden.com/ or at http://biden.senate.gov/biography/facts.cfm
Here is an excerpt from his official bio that is worth reviewing:
" Biden entered public life at the end of the turbulent 1960s. He returned home to Delaware (from Syracuse Law School) and practiced law before winning a seat on the New Castle County Council in 1970. Despite the fact that he was a Democrat running in a predominantly Republican district, Biden won by a large margin. In 1972, at the age of 29, Biden was elected to the U.S. Senate in an upset victory against a heavily favored incumbent Senator Caleb Boggs. Biden ran a positive campaign based largely on his opposition to the Vietnam War and a call for morality in government. "
Once completing his current US Senate term Senator Biden will have served a total of 36 years in the US Senate which I have to say is enough time for anyone to serve in public office. If he hasn't accomplished what he came to do in Washington DC already perhaps he should retire to "pursue other interests" as they say in corporate life. I must admit though I am VERY impressed that he was first elected to the US Senate at age 29 -- this is especially impressive since the minimum age requirement for serving as a US Senator is "30" which Biden was at the time he was actually sworn into office.
As I always do on this blog let me ask -- "so who is Senator Biden's 'better half', is he married or single, does he have a partner, or what?"
Senator Biden is married to -- Jill Tracy Jacobs Biden -- whom he married in 1977 after tragically losing his first wife in a car accident (hopefully Senator Ted Kennedy wasn't driving). In 1993 Mrs. Biden founded the Biden Breast Health Initiative (BBHI) that aims to teach young women about breast cancer -- http://www.bidenbreasthealthinitiative.org/
The BBHI's board of directors includes the following individuals:
Jill T. Biden - President
Marge Lang - Vice President
Tonya Baker - Secretary
Sue Zimmerman - Treasurer
Susan Cole - Executive Director
LaShauna Bonet McIntosh, M.D.
Cynthia Church
Vicky Cooke
Maureen Corrigan
Maria L. Cruz
Mrs. Biden's career experience includes teaching at the high school level so the BBHI (focused on young women) is a good fit for her plus it clearly helps her husband mobilize the female vote. The BBHI has been focused on Delaware so it will be interesting to watch if this project expands its outreach around the USA as a complement to Senator Biden's campaign.
Race for the Cure/White House,
Todd
Here is an excerpt from his official bio that is worth reviewing:
" Biden entered public life at the end of the turbulent 1960s. He returned home to Delaware (from Syracuse Law School) and practiced law before winning a seat on the New Castle County Council in 1970. Despite the fact that he was a Democrat running in a predominantly Republican district, Biden won by a large margin. In 1972, at the age of 29, Biden was elected to the U.S. Senate in an upset victory against a heavily favored incumbent Senator Caleb Boggs. Biden ran a positive campaign based largely on his opposition to the Vietnam War and a call for morality in government. "
Once completing his current US Senate term Senator Biden will have served a total of 36 years in the US Senate which I have to say is enough time for anyone to serve in public office. If he hasn't accomplished what he came to do in Washington DC already perhaps he should retire to "pursue other interests" as they say in corporate life. I must admit though I am VERY impressed that he was first elected to the US Senate at age 29 -- this is especially impressive since the minimum age requirement for serving as a US Senator is "30" which Biden was at the time he was actually sworn into office.
As I always do on this blog let me ask -- "so who is Senator Biden's 'better half', is he married or single, does he have a partner, or what?"
Senator Biden is married to -- Jill Tracy Jacobs Biden -- whom he married in 1977 after tragically losing his first wife in a car accident (hopefully Senator Ted Kennedy wasn't driving). In 1993 Mrs. Biden founded the Biden Breast Health Initiative (BBHI) that aims to teach young women about breast cancer -- http://www.bidenbreasthealthinitiative.org/
The BBHI's board of directors includes the following individuals:
Jill T. Biden - President
Marge Lang - Vice President
Tonya Baker - Secretary
Sue Zimmerman - Treasurer
Susan Cole - Executive Director
LaShauna Bonet McIntosh, M.D.
Cynthia Church
Vicky Cooke
Maureen Corrigan
Maria L. Cruz
Mrs. Biden's career experience includes teaching at the high school level so the BBHI (focused on young women) is a good fit for her plus it clearly helps her husband mobilize the female vote. The BBHI has been focused on Delaware so it will be interesting to watch if this project expands its outreach around the USA as a complement to Senator Biden's campaign.
Race for the Cure/White House,
Todd
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Mayor Rudy Giuliani
Honestly when I hear the name "Rudy Giuliani" think of two things:
1.) His book, "Leadership", which includes sections on his career experience fighting organized crime and his work as Mayor of New York City - in particular his administration's centralization of the six (I believe it was 6) different police forces in NYC which of course had separate databases which didn't work together -- essentially they lowered crime via better record keeping and data mining on criminals. An impressive example for other big city mayors to follow.
and
2.) "Saturday Night Live's" Chris Farley's sketch where he portrays Mayor Giuliani's young son who was very excited and active at Mayor Giuliani's inaugural speech -- VERY funny stuff!!
Of course Mayor Giuliani is best known as "America's Mayor" following his post 9/11 leadership to recover from the World Trade Center attacks so I won't dwell on his career background anymore here but for a full biography on him please visit this website --
http://www.draftrudygiuliani.com/about_rudy_giuliani.php
Mayor Giuliani is married to, Judith Stish Nathan, whose biography follows below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Nathan
"Judith Giuliani is a Managing Director of Changing Our World, Inc. (www.changingourworld.com) a national fundraising and philanthropic services company headquartered in New York. Prior to joining Changing Our World, Mrs. Giuliani, a registered nurse with an extensive medical and scientific background, worked with U.S. Surgical Corporation and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Mrs. Giuliani co-ordinated the efforts of the Family Assistance Center at Pier 94 in the aftermath of September 11th. Also, in response to September 11th, Mrs. Giuliani became a Founding Member of the Board of Trustees of the Twin Towers Fund which raised and distributed all of the $216,000,000 to over 600 families/individuals. Contributions to the Fund also created the TTF Scholarship Fund and America’s Camp for victim’s children."
Changing Our World is part of the Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC), the leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Through this relationship, our clients have unparalleled access to a wealth of public relations, communications, marketing, branding and advertising expertise.
Clearly Mayor Giuliani will have fundraising resources,
Todd
1.) His book, "Leadership", which includes sections on his career experience fighting organized crime and his work as Mayor of New York City - in particular his administration's centralization of the six (I believe it was 6) different police forces in NYC which of course had separate databases which didn't work together -- essentially they lowered crime via better record keeping and data mining on criminals. An impressive example for other big city mayors to follow.
and
2.) "Saturday Night Live's" Chris Farley's sketch where he portrays Mayor Giuliani's young son who was very excited and active at Mayor Giuliani's inaugural speech -- VERY funny stuff!!
Of course Mayor Giuliani is best known as "America's Mayor" following his post 9/11 leadership to recover from the World Trade Center attacks so I won't dwell on his career background anymore here but for a full biography on him please visit this website --
http://www.draftrudygiuliani.com/about_rudy_giuliani.php
Mayor Giuliani is married to, Judith Stish Nathan, whose biography follows below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Nathan
"Judith Giuliani is a Managing Director of Changing Our World, Inc. (www.changingourworld.com) a national fundraising and philanthropic services company headquartered in New York. Prior to joining Changing Our World, Mrs. Giuliani, a registered nurse with an extensive medical and scientific background, worked with U.S. Surgical Corporation and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Mrs. Giuliani co-ordinated the efforts of the Family Assistance Center at Pier 94 in the aftermath of September 11th. Also, in response to September 11th, Mrs. Giuliani became a Founding Member of the Board of Trustees of the Twin Towers Fund which raised and distributed all of the $216,000,000 to over 600 families/individuals. Contributions to the Fund also created the TTF Scholarship Fund and America’s Camp for victim’s children."
Changing Our World is part of the Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC), the leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Through this relationship, our clients have unparalleled access to a wealth of public relations, communications, marketing, branding and advertising expertise.
Clearly Mayor Giuliani will have fundraising resources,
Todd
Senator Barack Obama
Half rock star/half public servant US Senator Barack Obama (Democrat - Illinois) finally ended the flirtation with the American public by filing the paperwork necessary to seek the 2008 presidential nomination for the Democratic Party.
For Senator Obama's official biography please visit this website --
http://obama.senate.gov/about/
Granted I am biased in my world view but when I see an excerpt from this one on his biography --
"Barack Obama has dedicated his life to public service as a community organizer, civil rights attorney, and leader in the Illinois state Senate. Obama now continues his fight for working families following his recent election to the United States Senate."
My immediate thought is, "I don't want anyone to dedicate their life to public service", I much prefer they get a regular private sector job like becoming a welder - not government jobs -- so they get front line experience where economic growth is actually created.
The general media has saturated us with Senator Obama's image and speeches but what do we know about his wife, Michelle, whom he married in 1992? Mrs. Obama is the Vice President for Community and External Affairs at the University of Chicago Hospitals. Her full biography is located at the website below along with an excerpt from this website copied below which explains he community involvement and career experience:
http://www.uchospitals.edu/news/2005/20050509-obama.html
"Michelle Obama, 41, the wife of United States Senator Barack Obama, was born in Chicago and attended Whitney M. Young Magnet High School. She graduated cum laude from Princeton University with a B.A. in sociology in 1985 and earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School, where she met her husband, in 1988. Obama then worked as an associate at the law firm of Sidley & Austin in Chicago. After spending a few years in the private sector, Obama moved into the public sector working first as an assistant to the mayor and then as the assistant commissioner of planning and development for the City of Chicago. She then turned her attention to the non-profit sector. In 1993, she became the founding executive director of Public Allies Chicago, an Americorps National Service Program. Through her work with Public Allies in Chicago, Obama was able to provide internship opportunities and leadership training to hundreds of young adults interested in pursuing careers in the public sector. Obama serves on a variety of boards and commissions including the board of the Otho S.A. Sprague Memorial Institute, Facing History and Ourselves, and the Muntu Dance Company. She is a former member of the Commission on Chicago Landmarks."
Having reviewed Mr. and Mrs. Obama's biography I am actually more impressed with Mrs. Obama's background so perhaps she should be the candidate? :-) Although the "Public Allies-Americorps" work she did is a strike against her since a taxpayer-paid program designed to help "young adults interested in pursuing careers in the public sector" is bad for the country I assure you.
The Obama parade begins,
Todd
For Senator Obama's official biography please visit this website --
http://obama.senate.gov/about/
Granted I am biased in my world view but when I see an excerpt from this one on his biography --
"Barack Obama has dedicated his life to public service as a community organizer, civil rights attorney, and leader in the Illinois state Senate. Obama now continues his fight for working families following his recent election to the United States Senate."
My immediate thought is, "I don't want anyone to dedicate their life to public service", I much prefer they get a regular private sector job like becoming a welder - not government jobs -- so they get front line experience where economic growth is actually created.
The general media has saturated us with Senator Obama's image and speeches but what do we know about his wife, Michelle, whom he married in 1992? Mrs. Obama is the Vice President for Community and External Affairs at the University of Chicago Hospitals. Her full biography is located at the website below along with an excerpt from this website copied below which explains he community involvement and career experience:
http://www.uchospitals.edu/news/2005/20050509-obama.html
"Michelle Obama, 41, the wife of United States Senator Barack Obama, was born in Chicago and attended Whitney M. Young Magnet High School. She graduated cum laude from Princeton University with a B.A. in sociology in 1985 and earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School, where she met her husband, in 1988. Obama then worked as an associate at the law firm of Sidley & Austin in Chicago. After spending a few years in the private sector, Obama moved into the public sector working first as an assistant to the mayor and then as the assistant commissioner of planning and development for the City of Chicago. She then turned her attention to the non-profit sector. In 1993, she became the founding executive director of Public Allies Chicago, an Americorps National Service Program. Through her work with Public Allies in Chicago, Obama was able to provide internship opportunities and leadership training to hundreds of young adults interested in pursuing careers in the public sector. Obama serves on a variety of boards and commissions including the board of the Otho S.A. Sprague Memorial Institute, Facing History and Ourselves, and the Muntu Dance Company. She is a former member of the Commission on Chicago Landmarks."
Having reviewed Mr. and Mrs. Obama's biography I am actually more impressed with Mrs. Obama's background so perhaps she should be the candidate? :-) Although the "Public Allies-Americorps" work she did is a strike against her since a taxpayer-paid program designed to help "young adults interested in pursuing careers in the public sector" is bad for the country I assure you.
The Obama parade begins,
Todd
Senator Chris Dodd
US Senator Chris Dodd (Democrat - Connecticut) recently established an an exploratory committee to seek the Democratic Party nomination for President of the USA in 2008.
For Senator Dodd's official biography please visit --
http://dodd.senate.gov/index.php?q=node/2954
Senator Dodd's official biography is a bit too wordy for me since it is filled with phrases like, "working for children..........extending health insurance............protecting citizens....." so it feels like one run on sentence issued as a press release. However I found this bit of his personal life/career experience of interest --
"Following his graduation from Providence College, Dodd, who is fluent in Spanish, spent two years in the Peace Corps working in a rural village in the Dominican Republic. Upon returning to the United States, Dodd enlisted in the Army and served in the reserves. In 1972, he earned a law degree from the University of Louisville School of Law. He practiced law in New London before his election to Congress in 1974, where he served three terms in the US House of Representatives."
Senator Dodd has been married to Jackie Clegg Dodd since 1999. Mrs. Dodd's background can be found at --
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Jackie_Marie_Clegg
Here is an excerpt from her biography which includes serving on the staff of US Senator Jake Garn (Utah) in the past --
"She is currently a director of Blockbuster, a position she took up in July 2003. A biographical note states that she 'serves as Managing Partner of Clegg International Consultants, LLC, an international strategic consulting firm she founded in September 2001, specializing in emerging markets.' She is also a director of CBOT Holdings Inc., the Chicago Board of Trade, a position she was appointed to in September 2003. "
Unlike other spouses I have researched her I have not found any evidence of Mrs. Dodd's non-commercial interests such as personal hobbies and volunteer activities.
Research continues should the Dodd campaign continue,
Todd
For Senator Dodd's official biography please visit --
http://dodd.senate.gov/index.php?q=node/2954
Senator Dodd's official biography is a bit too wordy for me since it is filled with phrases like, "working for children..........extending health insurance............protecting citizens....." so it feels like one run on sentence issued as a press release. However I found this bit of his personal life/career experience of interest --
"Following his graduation from Providence College, Dodd, who is fluent in Spanish, spent two years in the Peace Corps working in a rural village in the Dominican Republic. Upon returning to the United States, Dodd enlisted in the Army and served in the reserves. In 1972, he earned a law degree from the University of Louisville School of Law. He practiced law in New London before his election to Congress in 1974, where he served three terms in the US House of Representatives."
Senator Dodd has been married to Jackie Clegg Dodd since 1999. Mrs. Dodd's background can be found at --
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Jackie_Marie_Clegg
Here is an excerpt from her biography which includes serving on the staff of US Senator Jake Garn (Utah) in the past --
"She is currently a director of Blockbuster, a position she took up in July 2003. A biographical note states that she 'serves as Managing Partner of Clegg International Consultants, LLC, an international strategic consulting firm she founded in September 2001, specializing in emerging markets.' She is also a director of CBOT Holdings Inc., the Chicago Board of Trade, a position she was appointed to in September 2003. "
Unlike other spouses I have researched her I have not found any evidence of Mrs. Dodd's non-commercial interests such as personal hobbies and volunteer activities.
Research continues should the Dodd campaign continue,
Todd
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Governor Jim Gilmore
Former Governor Jim Gilmore (Republican-Virginia) filed papers with the Federal Elections Commission to form an exploratory committee to pursue the Republican Party presidential nomination for the 2008 US elections. Governor Gilmore was elected in 1997 so he was governor when I lived in Arlington, Virginia thus I have first hand knowledge of his successful campaign to eliminate our dreaded "car tax" - congratulations and thank you again Governor Gilmore.
The last time I met with Governor Gilmore was in Berlin, Germany when we shared a dinner table at the European Regional Conference of Republicans Abroad in 2003. I was impressed when he was my governor and impressed with his one-on-one conversation that evening. Now four years later he has taken the first steps towards launching a campaign for president with an interesting combination of domestic/state level successes and foreign policy/intelligence experience.
For more background on Governor Gilmore see this website -- http://draftgilmore.org/
But enough on the governor for now, who is Governor Gilmore's "better half"? Governor Gilmore is married to Roxane Gatling Gilmore. Mrs. Gilmore's full bio is located at -- http://www.knowledge.state.va.us/main/welcome/roxane.htm
I am biased since I love to study history but I must say Mrs. Gilmore has impressive academic credentials as a college professor nearing completion of her PhD in Ancient History. One subject she lectures on today at Randolph-Macon College is "Roman History" which I always find to be an interesting subject since too many people have predicted the inevitable decline and fall of the USA much like the Roman Empire dissolved. Her volunteer work/role as First Lady of Virginia included working with the state's Department of Tourism to promote the state's historic venues and she is an active fundraiser for programs to combat violence and sexual assault aimed at children.
Overall, an interesting couple for voters to question during the 2008 selection process.
Todd
The last time I met with Governor Gilmore was in Berlin, Germany when we shared a dinner table at the European Regional Conference of Republicans Abroad in 2003. I was impressed when he was my governor and impressed with his one-on-one conversation that evening. Now four years later he has taken the first steps towards launching a campaign for president with an interesting combination of domestic/state level successes and foreign policy/intelligence experience.
For more background on Governor Gilmore see this website -- http://draftgilmore.org/
But enough on the governor for now, who is Governor Gilmore's "better half"? Governor Gilmore is married to Roxane Gatling Gilmore. Mrs. Gilmore's full bio is located at -- http://www.knowledge.state.va.us/main/welcome/roxane.htm
I am biased since I love to study history but I must say Mrs. Gilmore has impressive academic credentials as a college professor nearing completion of her PhD in Ancient History. One subject she lectures on today at Randolph-Macon College is "Roman History" which I always find to be an interesting subject since too many people have predicted the inevitable decline and fall of the USA much like the Roman Empire dissolved. Her volunteer work/role as First Lady of Virginia included working with the state's Department of Tourism to promote the state's historic venues and she is an active fundraiser for programs to combat violence and sexual assault aimed at children.
Overall, an interesting couple for voters to question during the 2008 selection process.
Todd
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Governor Mitt Romney
Former Governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney, announced this week that he has formally organized a presidential exploratory committee to pursue the 2008 Republican Party nomination for President of the USA. Details at -- www.mittromney.com
The primary thing that I think of when I hear "Mitt Romney" is the day he decided on which state he would pursue his political career. The states that were options for him included -- Utah (due to his Olympics work), Michigan (since he was born there and his father served as governor), or Massachusetts (where he and his wife, Ann, have lived for over 30 years) -- now that is impressive to have three states to "choose" from for launching a credible campaign for public office since very few people can do that while overcoming any potential "carpet bagger" image.
Governor Romney has been called the "savior of the Salt Lake City Olympics" and made national news when he took command of the "Big Dig" transportation infrastructure project in Boston but what do we know about his wife, Ann?
For a complete overview readers can scan Mrs. Romney's biography (and photo!) here --
http://www.mittromney.com/Learn-About-Mitt/Annxs_Biography
Here is a very impressive excerpt from her biography that caught my attention especially the program (Right to Play) that uses sports to benefit poor children:
"Mrs. Romney is dedicated to improving the welfare of children, locally and internationally. She helped develop Right To Play, formerly Olympic Aid, an international nonprofit organization that uses sport and play as a developmental tool for children in the most disadvantaged areas of the world, and is still an active supporter of its tremendous work worldwide. She lends her time and leadership to equine therapy programs for physically challenged children, literacy programs for children including the annual Scholastic Reading event, as well as organizations such as Partners for Youth with Disabilities, the American Red Cross, the Boston Ten Point Coalition, and the Perkins School for the Blind. As First Lady, she also served as a board member of the Massachusetts Children's Trust Fund. In recognition for her efforts, Mrs. Romney was the recipient of the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award from Operation Kids."
I must say I am impressed with her life of volunteer work but feel obligated to point out that she has been very involved with the "United Way". Granted United Way probably does some good things but when I worked in corporate life I found the United Way to be another bureaucratic mess just like our federal government. I would never write a check to the United Way opting instead to support local non-profit charities directly.
This looks like a husband-wife team worth watching for 2008.
Todd
The primary thing that I think of when I hear "Mitt Romney" is the day he decided on which state he would pursue his political career. The states that were options for him included -- Utah (due to his Olympics work), Michigan (since he was born there and his father served as governor), or Massachusetts (where he and his wife, Ann, have lived for over 30 years) -- now that is impressive to have three states to "choose" from for launching a credible campaign for public office since very few people can do that while overcoming any potential "carpet bagger" image.
Governor Romney has been called the "savior of the Salt Lake City Olympics" and made national news when he took command of the "Big Dig" transportation infrastructure project in Boston but what do we know about his wife, Ann?
For a complete overview readers can scan Mrs. Romney's biography (and photo!) here --
http://www.mittromney.com/Learn-About-Mitt/Annxs_Biography
Here is a very impressive excerpt from her biography that caught my attention especially the program (Right to Play) that uses sports to benefit poor children:
"Mrs. Romney is dedicated to improving the welfare of children, locally and internationally. She helped develop Right To Play, formerly Olympic Aid, an international nonprofit organization that uses sport and play as a developmental tool for children in the most disadvantaged areas of the world, and is still an active supporter of its tremendous work worldwide. She lends her time and leadership to equine therapy programs for physically challenged children, literacy programs for children including the annual Scholastic Reading event, as well as organizations such as Partners for Youth with Disabilities, the American Red Cross, the Boston Ten Point Coalition, and the Perkins School for the Blind. As First Lady, she also served as a board member of the Massachusetts Children's Trust Fund. In recognition for her efforts, Mrs. Romney was the recipient of the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award from Operation Kids."
I must say I am impressed with her life of volunteer work but feel obligated to point out that she has been very involved with the "United Way". Granted United Way probably does some good things but when I worked in corporate life I found the United Way to be another bureaucratic mess just like our federal government. I would never write a check to the United Way opting instead to support local non-profit charities directly.
This looks like a husband-wife team worth watching for 2008.
Todd
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