Rally Friday, Giffords’ office
by David SafierSaturday I only got it half right when I said teabaggers would be rallying outside Giffords' office opposing health care reform, and the Pima Dems were planning a counter demonstration. In fact, the "Tucson Tea Party" are rallying Friday to protest President Obama's Clean Energy and Security Act, which Giffords supports. The Pima … Read more
Judge Sotomayor: My judicial philosophy is simple: fidelity to the law
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Judge Sonia Sotomayor delivered a short and sweet opening statement. Opening Statement of Judge Sonia Sotomayor (As Prepared For Delivery) Key take away: In the past month, many Senators have asked me about my judicial philosophy. It is simple: fidelity to the law. The task of a judge is not to make … Read more
Some “balls and strikes”
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: I have only been able to catch bits and pieces of the opening statements by Senators on the Senate Judiciary Committee on the first day of confirmation hearings for Judge Sonia Sotomayor. The best I have heard so far has been by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), a former prosecutor, who denounced Supreme … Read more
President Obama selects Alabama doctor as next Surgeon General
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Regina Benjamin poses for a portrait in the waiting room at her temporary clinic in Bayou La Batre, Ala., in 2008. (AP Photo/The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Bill Starling) h/t New York Times From the White House blog Dr. Regina Benjamin: Nominee for Surgeon General: The President announced … Read more
Monday is D-Day for the Accidental Governor
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Monday, July 13 is "Decision Day" (D-Day) for the Accidental Governor. She has until the close of business on Monday to decide the fate of dozens of bills: whether to sign the bill, veto the bill, or allow the bill to become law without her signature. Expect to see a flurry of … Read more
State Budget “Collateral Damage”
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: When the Accidental Governor vetoed the package of budget bills on July 1, her intent was to create "collateral damage" to state agencies (and GOP policies embedded into budget bills) to force compromise on a budget more to her liking. No urgency at Capitol as budget woes loom What is some of … Read more
Special Session Update: GOP legislators trying to run out the clock?
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: I had an opportunity to speak with some of our Democratic legislators over the weekend about the status of negotiations on the state budget. In short, "it doesn't look good." There will be a pro forma session of the Legislature to comply with the rules on Monday, but there are no other … Read more
