Paul Hogarth: The guy is openly calling on House Republicans to shut down the federal government (again!), as he wrote in an op-ed for yesterday’s Washington Post. It raises a question I’ve asked before – why is Newt Gingrich relevant, and why is the Beltway media giving him this attention?
“Heads They Win, Tails We Lose:” Media Narrative Ensures that Progressives Fail
Paul Hogarth: Whether or not Democrats win, the media constantly re-invents the reasons to justify a conservative world view – regardless of the facts. With an Orwellian twist, progressives are always doomed to fail – if we allow the mainstream “news analysis” to re-write political history.
Filibuster Reform Dies a Quiet Death
Paul Hogarth: By a slim vote of 46-49 on Thursday, the U.S. Senate defeated a proposal by Jeff Merkley (D-OR) to actually require filibusters (as opposed to mere filibuster threats) before a 60-vote threshold is needed to end debate.
Why Won’t Cities Fight Real State Budget Cuts?
Paul Hogarth: While some may see Jerry Brown’s proposal as a “power grab” by the state that tells local governments how to spend their money, the truth is that it can prevent some devastating budget cuts that have been afflicting localities for years.
Ninth Circuit Judges May Not Rule on Prop 8 As Expected
Paul Hogarth: My prediction is that the Ninth Circuit will grant standing to Prop 8 supporters – despite clear legal precedent from the U.S. Supreme Court in Arizonans for English Only that gay marriage opponents must prove they have a “direct stake” in the outcome that affects them on more than mere ideological grounds.
Pelosi’s Victory Keeps Hope Alive
Paul Hogarth: If Democrats make a comeback in 2012, it will be partially because they didn’t throw Nancy Pelosi under a bus.
Three Overlooked Propositions
Paul Hogarth: California voters are already filling out their absentee ballots. While they vote to pass Prop 19 and “no” on Prop 23, it’s important for them to also vote “yes” on Prop 24 and 25 – but most importantly, “no” on Prop 26. If we don’t get the word out, it could pass.
When the Chips are Down, Democrats Defend Blue Dogs
Paul Hogarth: What good is defending a Democrat, who will simply give bi-partisan “cover” to right-wing forces of obstruction who want Obama to fail.
Which Democrats Are Being “Divisive”?
Paul Hogarth: Barack Obama and Joe Biden are upset at progressive Democrats. But which Democrats are being divisive?
We Shouldn’t Have to Pay for PG&E’s Mistakes
Paul Hogarth: The problem is not just compensation to those whose lives were destroyed. It’s about repairing the infrastructure that PG&E neglected for decades.
If Republicans Win, Have “the Terrorists” Already Won?
Paul Hogarth: Despite all the ranting right-wingers make about “terrorists” and how much they accuse liberals of being “un-American,” their worldview has far more in common with Islamic fundamentalism – from a violent jingoism, to the treatment of gays and women, to a rejection of science. American Taliban is a much-needed dose of reality for the upcoming election, as Republicans magnify the non-issue of a proposed Islamic community center in Manhattan.
“Facts are Stubborn Things” – The Value of Judge Walker’s Decision
Paul Hogarth: What taking this case to trial – rather than expedited summary judgment hearings – allowed us to do was to set up a factual framework, which cannot be reversed on appeal.
Progressives Face Uphill Climb Designed to Make Them Fail
Paul Hogarth: In Washington, the filibuster rules in the U.S. Senate have stalled our federal agenda. In Sacramento, the two-thirds vote requirement has given us a blue state with an Alabama budget.
