Dear Rod Blagojevich, how could you appoint someone to Senate seat?

Could this really be true? Embattled Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich actually went ahead and tapped someone to fill President-elect Barack Obama’s Senate seat.

Sorry. I’m just confused. Blagojevich, do you realize you are under investigation on accusations that you tried to sell that seat to the highest bidder?(Which is against the law, by the way.) And that you’re facing federal charges? And that the Illinois House has begun impeachment proceedings?

I ask this because I’m just dumb-founded. Even if you’re innocent, even if you’ll eventually be cleared, why would you do this? Why would you pull such a stunt?

I realize that Blagojevich’s appointment — which was Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris by the way — may not stand. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, who must certify the appointment, has told The Associated Press he won’t do so. (Although a HuffingtonPost post cites legal scholars who say the Burris appointment seems likely to be permanent.)

Reading about Blagojevich’s antics makes me sad. Sad for Illinois. Sad for our country. Sad that someone as sad as him could climb to power.

And it makes me sad if there is really nothing we can do to stop an appointment so tainted by, well, taint. (Nothing against Burris, per se, unless that $4,500 donation that HuffPost says you’re listed as giving to Blagojevich factored in the appointment.)

You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Blagojevich. I’m disgusted. I really am.

– bitchy mommy

Caroline Kennedy finally submits to an interview

OK, Caroline Kennedy finally sat down for a full-fledged interview with a journalist for the first time since she announced 11 days ago that she’s interested in being appointed to the remainder of U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton’s seat in New York. (Clinton got the nod to be Barack Obama’s secretary of state.)  It’s about time, if you ask me, and I’m not too impressed with what she said.

According to The Associated Press, Kennedy, in explaining why she wants the seat, cited the legacy of her father — President John F. Kennedy — and noted that the 9/11 terrorist attacks and supporting Obama for the presidency encouraged her to seek public service. OK, that’s all well and good, but, Kennedy, what qualifies you for the job — and what will you do for our cash-strapped, recession-ravaged, on-the-brink of disaster state if you get it? That’s what I want to know.

The AP story reveals that Kennedy failed to vote in a number of elections since registering in New York City in 1988. In fact, she didn’t vote in the 1994 election when Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan was up for re-election for the seat she hopes to take over, that story says. Not a selling point in my mind, but probably not a deal-breaker either if she gave us some content. We need some content from you, Kennedy. What do you stand for? How will you help our state? Why should you be selected over many viable potential candidates, including my favorite, Andrew Cuomo, whom I believe has done amazing things as New York attorney general. (Only thing that scares me about Cuomo is that I thought the same about Eliot Spitzer’s success as attorney general, and then he became governor and the whole high-priced call girl scandal hit the fan. I hope my faith in Cuomo isn’t as misplaced as it was in Spitzer.)

In the AP story, Kennedy explains that she has ignored the press until now because she isn’t campaigning for office and she wanted to “respect the process.” Please. How could you think the right thing to do is to slam a car door on a reporter’s face after refusing to answer even one question, as you did in Syracuse? How could you think it was the right thing to do to answer “to my car” when a reporter asked where you are heading next? How could you think it was the right thing to do to visit only the Democratic leaders in Syracuse and not any community organizers?

Yes, you’re not campaigning now. But if you get this appointment, you will be campaigning two years later. And you’d be representing us. You’ll be representing me.

When your name surfaced, some worried that you’d be considered just because of your name. That wasn’t fair. But then you acted like you didn’t have to explain why you want this job and why you’re qualified. In essence, you acted just like a person who should be considered just because of her name. I’m sorry. I’m still not impressed.

– bitchy mommy

Caroline Kennedy refuses to answer reporters’ questions in Syracuse

Caroline Kennedy

This morning I was really on the fence regarding what I thought of Caroline Kennedy’s pitch to become a U.S. senator in New York. She has told New York Gov. David Paterson, who gets to make the appointment, that she’d like the seat Hillary Clinton will vacate when she becomes President-elect Barack Obama’s secretary of state.

Sure, Caroline Kennedy doesn’t have any elective office experience, but, for me, that wouldn’t necessarily rule her out. Other experience can prepare one to lead, I think.  I really felt I didn’t know enough about her to assess her. She’s been involved with a lot of nonprofits, but I’m not in that world. I don’t know if that is  experience that would prepare her to lead in our troubled state, or if her involvement was little more than lending her celebrity name to an agency’s letterhead.

Earlier today, I read a blog, which I found made compelling arguments to support her. I wasn’t sure if I bought it all, but it did make me think. I guess, though, in the back of my mind, I couldn’t help feeling that Caroline Kennedy was a woman seeking an office that’s she’s not quite ready to seek. Like Sarah Palin, she seems like a woman with an asterisk next to her. I thought: Gosh, there are qualified women; why not pick them. It seems to reinforce negative stereotypes about women’s lack ability when the ones who rise to the top aren’t really the cream of the crop.

Then Caroline Kennedy came to my hometown in Upstate New York, and how she behaved really influenced my opinion of her. She refused to answer reporters’ questions about her experience — or lack thereof — or even about where she was heading next. (She actually told a reporter, she was heading “to the car,” when obviously he was asking what city she might be traveling to.)

After I listened to her ignore the press, I knew I could never support her candidacy.  Admittedly, I’m biased. I believe those who govern us or seek public office should be transparent to the public, and, in our country, that’s still done mainly through the media.

To me, there’s only two reasons why someone who seeks to lead in our state would refuse to answer any questions: She’s so arrogant that questions from Upstatate hicks like us don’t really matter or  she doesn’t know what to say.

Either reason is a deal breaker for me. It reminds me too much of Sarah Palin and her inability to answer even the simplest question (like what newspaper she reads)  without being coached. If Kennedy can’t handle a  handful of reporters from Syracuse, N.Y., asking questions that Kennedy should have anticipated she’d be asked, what could she answer?

To me, I found the answer to the question that I started this day with:  Is Caroline Kennedy ready to be my senator. I think not.

 I realize I have no say in the matter. If Paterson taps her, she’ll serve until Clinton’s term is up, and then she’d have to run. But I hope she won’t be his pick.

– bitchy mommy

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich charged with corruption

Dear Illinois Gov.:

Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich

 

What were you thinking? Duh? I mean really. You’re accused of going on a corruption spree that included attempts to sell or trade the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama.

OK, what exactly were you thinking? Did you think you were Boss Tweed of the days when Tammany Hall controlled New York City politics with an iron hand (and a lot of corruption)?  Well, you missed that era by nearly 100 years.

I guess I understand greed, but I don’t understand why people who try to sell Senate seats think they won’t get caught. If you did this, I’m glad you were charged, and I hope you’re punished.

Rod – can I call you Rod? – do you see our nation is facing one of its largest challenges? The economy is in shambles. We are in the midst of a prolonged recession that’s likely to get worse before it improves, according to Obama.

And — if what you’re accused of is true — you were worried only about lining your own pockets? Shame on you. Really.

– bitchy mommy

Barack Obama: Auto execs are ‘a little tone deaf’

I watched a clip of part of Barbara Walters interview with Barack Obama, and as I watched him, I knew I was right to support him. She asked about one of my favorite topics: auto executive flying on private jets to ask for a $25 million bailout of taxpayers’ money.

Obama responded just how I hoped he would: “Well, I thought maybe they’re a little tone deaf to what’s happening in America right now. … I think it’s been a problem for the captains of industry, generally. When people are pulling down hundred-million-dollar bonuses on Wall Street, and taking enormous risks with other people’s money, that indicates a sense that you don’t have any perspective on what’s happening to ordinary Americans,” he responded, according to ABC News.

Oh, he get it. After eight years of a president whose main goal in his tax policies seemed to be to reward his wealthy cronies, we have a president who gets what it’s like to be a regular person in America today.

Later, Obama explains that he thinks bank executives should forgo their Christmas bonuses, considering the $700 billion bailout and the financial crisis our nation is in. Again, he answers with a resounding yes.

His words, according to ABC, say it best: “I think that if you are already worth tens of millions of dollars, and you are having to lay off workers, the least you can do is say, ‘I’m willing to make some sacrifice as well, because I recognize that there are people who are a lot less well off, who are going through some pretty tough times.’ “

By the way, the blodface in both quotes is mind. I added it to emphasize what I feel are key points in what Obama said.

Anyway, I’m thrilled. I’m confident Obama has a tough road ahead of him. But he gets it; he’s the real deal; we’re going to be OK eventually!

– bitchy mommy

I think I’m going to like Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama

Obviously, I don’t know Michelle Obama, and I never will. But from what I read and see of her in the media, I continue to be impressed.

What impresses me? I like her comfort level with Barack Obama. They appear connected and, quite frankly, like they know each other very well and love each other. I hope that’s true. It’s good to see it in a married couple. I saw an interview with them after the election, and I just loved how Michelle gently jumped in when she felt Barack wasn’t quite making his point as well as he could. They came across as a team, a real partnership, and she didn’t come across as subservient to him, as so many wives of the powerful do.

I love how she is trying to raise her children as normally as possible. It must be an impossible situation to try to be a good mom in the midst of a media frenzy, but I think she’s up to the challenge. I think she’ll be a good role model for American moms because she has balanced work and family firsthand. She’s been a mom who works outside the home and one who doesn’t. Granted, her income level is higher than most Americans, and she has access to help in a way most working moms don’t. But I think she gets it. Deep down inside, she gets it. 

I know she got criticized during the campaign for complaining about Barack’s smelly morning breath. Some felt it was too personal. Perhaps. It didn’t bother me. I’ve been know to complain about my own husband’s morning breath. To me, it humanized her. It made her seem like one of us. And it made me think their relationship is real — not a candied version of a marriage — but a real one.

I think she’s smart, and I admire her for not hiding her intelligence as so many women do to not get labeled a know-it-all fit in.

I love that while she’s healthy and in shape, she doesn’t try to hide the fact that she’s got curves. Good for her!

And I like how she dresses, despite all the controversy about her red-and-black dress on Election Night. I like that she wears form-fitting clothing that’s feminine. She doesn’t try to turn herself into a man in a power suit. I like that she wears vivid colors. I think they match her bold personality, which I can’t wait to see more of.

You go girl!

– bitchy mommy

Barack Obama is president-elect; let’s support him

OK, this tense and interesting election is over. Barack Obama won.

Let’s now all move on. If you don’t like him, fine, he’ll still be our leader. If you do like him, great, he’ll still be our leader.

I think this election was notable in that it interested people in a way that few elections have in recent years. Voter turnout was up, which is great for Democracy in my mind, no matter who wins. People were engaged. That’s all good. Let’s keep it that way, and let’s stop fighting.

My hope for our country is those who don’t support Obama will give him a chance. OK, he wasn’t your choice, but he’ll be president. Our nation is in trouble. We’re in a recession. Much of the world really hates us. We’re fighting two wars. We’re deeply in debt. We’re using too much of the world’s resources. We’re running out of oil. We need to find alternative, environmentally safe fuels. Global warming is destroying our Earth. Let’s give Obama a fighting chance to heal these wounds.

Can he do it all, of course not. But he can’t do it without the support of his people.

None of us know what an Obama administration will be like. Those who support him may be disappointed, especially if they expect him to fix every problem. He can’t. No one can. Those who are against him may be surprised. He may not be what you thought. You may have been wrong about him and who you thought he is.

Give him a chance to show what he can do. His first news conference was impressive. He’s got something. Give him a chance to show us what that something is.

Why did John McCain and Sarah Palin lose?

First, let me say, I’m thrilled that Barack Obama and Joe Biden won.

But I was troubled today when I saw a clip of Sarah Palin explaining that the loss wasn’t her fault. Her manner annoyed me. I don’t think the loss is all her fault, but I do think she played a role. And I thought the interview came across as arrogant.

Here’s my take on what happened. I really think McCain is to blame for the loss, in part because he picked Palin. McCain is a moderate Republican. Honestly, if I didn’t love the Democratic candidate, I may have been able to see myself voting for McCain — well, maybe not. But he’s really much more moderate than many Republicans.

So he picks Palin to appease the ultra-right, who thinks McCain is too moderate. But it backfires. Yes, the ultra-right likes her, but too many other Republicans don’t. And she’s so conservative that middle-of-the-road Democrats can’t stomach voting for her, even those who would love the chance — as I would — to vote for a woman.

Then there is Palin’s whole no experience thing. And add to that the fact that McCain is on the older side, so the worry that he could die in office is heightened.

Then the economy plummets and, right or wrong, much of the country blames President George W. Bush because even if it wasn’t his fault, he’s in charge. That tarnishes all Republicans in a way, and McCain, as much as he tried, can’t really distance himself from Bush.

So you end up with this situation where Palin attracts only the far right and pretty much pisses everyone else off. And the moderates of both parties who might vote for McCain are too scared — scared he might die or scared he’ll continue our economic decline.

And then Obama, who is calm and collected to McCain’s red-faced agitation, seems like a knight in shining armor, swooping in to save the day.

Now that is not to say that I think Obama won because people were afraid to elect McCain. I believe Obama has a true mandate. He secured both the popular and electoral vote. He even won kids’ elections. And he won the vote of many Republicans. I live in a small Democratic city in a sea of Republican towns. Obama won almost all the towns in my community, which is no small feat. Most of these don’t even run a Democratic candidate for town offices, ever, because there are so few Democrats who live there.

So I think McCain/Palin lost because the country wanted change, needed change and trusted Obama/Biden to bring that change. But I do think that McCain hurt his chances by picking Palin.

Then again, maybe they lost just because Palin said “maverick” so many darn times.

What do you think?

Thanks, America, for electing Barack Obama president

Fox and CNN have called it: Barack Obama will be the 44th president of the United States.

I can’t even explain how I feel: joyful, exhausted, thrilled, delighted, excited, optimistic, hopeful. There’s really no one word for the rush of emotions surging through my body.

But I also feel thankful, very thankful. I’m thankful that our nation has spoken and pulled itself out of its apathy to elect a leader who I believe will be good for American — and the world.

I’m thankful that, perhaps, we can begin to rebuild our nation and improve our status in the world. I believe we can change the way the world thinks of us — as spoiled, ethnocentric brats who use much of the world’s resources and in return tell other countries what they should do.

I’m not Pollyanna. I know that Obama has his work cut out for him, and that no man — or woman — could fix every problem in our nation.

But I’m hopeful and thankful that he can begin to make change. Did I say YEAH yet! If not, YEAH!!!!

Thanks, America.

Love ya,

Bitchy mommy.

So nervous about the election I can hardly stand it

I’m so nervous — and excited — about the elecition that I can hardly stand it.

I’m excited because I really believe Barack Obama will win, and while I believe he will be faced with a slew of problems in his first days of office, I believe he’s the better choice over John McCain.  I’m excited about Obama’s approach to governing, his belief in supporting the middle class and his foresight in realizing that early education and health care are vital to our nation. I’m also excited that the first black many may be elected president in our country. That’s a milestone to be sure.

But I’m worried. Until all the polls close and all the votes are counted and the official results are announced, I won’t be able to rest. The thought of a McPain/Palin administration scares me. I just don’t want to think about that option. Even my Republican husband came to his sense and voted fo Obama.

Nothing to do but worry and wait.