Presidential Contender: Chris Dodd

Chris Dodd is a long time Senator (5 terms) from Connecticut. Dodd also served as a US Congressman for three terms before being elected to to Senate in 1980. Dodd serves on the following committees in the Senate, Rules and Administration, Foreign Relations, Health Education Labor and Pensions, and Banking Housing and Urban Affairs. Dodd was also the Chairman of the DNC from 1995 to 1997.

Issues:

Security: reimburse soldiers for body armor, increase funding for fire fighters.

Education: Increase funding for Head Start, reform No Child Left Behind, increase funding of special education, expand student loans and grants, make tuition tax deductible.

Energy/Environment: Increase car mileage, mandate that 20% of US energy come from renewable sources, tax incentives for ethanol re-join Kyoto.

Economy: Increase funding of SBA, increase technical training for women, increase the self-employment health deduction, exempt small businesses from the estate tax.


Dodd is is one of the most experienced candidates in the field, but is also one of the most unexciting. There is nothing about him that is different from the rest of the candidates, even his experience which should be his most valuable asset is equaled Biden who seems to be running a more serious campaign. Unless Dodd comes out with some major policy proposal I see no reason to support him during the Primary, however if he some how makes it to the general, I would be perfectly comfortable with voting for him.

Vilsack Out

Today Iowa governor Tom Vilsack ended his presidential campaigned do to lack of funds. Vilsack who in spite of being a two term Iowa governor, was polling fourth and was around five percent elsewhere. It is unknown where Vilsack's support will go, since it had been rumored that he was in the race to help Hillary, but was running primarily on an anti-war platform.

Democratic Nevada Forum Rankings

My rankings of the Democratic candidates preformence at todays Candidate forum in Nevada. Note Dodd spoke but I was unable to see him because of class, so he is not in my rankings.

1.Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack: Just an over all good preformence.

2.New York Senator Hillary Clinton: Clinton made another solid preformence much like her recent stops in Iowa and New Hampshire.

3.New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson: Lacked energy but put a good foot forward by stressing experience and campaine civility.

4.Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards: A standerd Edwards speel, but with seemingly less energy.

5.Delaware Senator Joe Biden: OK over all but oozed his annoying Bideness.

6.Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich: Would have ranked him a spot or two higher, but he left the stage spining around in circles, with his arms out yelling "no strings attatched" over and over again.

7.Former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel: Was bumbling the whole way through and seemed agitated.

Presidential Contender: Hillary Clinton

This week's 2008 Presidential profile is Democrat Hillary Clinton. Clinton is of course best known for being the wife of former president Bill Clinton, but in 2000 was elected herself as a Senator from the state of New York. In the Senate Clinton sits on the Committee on Armed Services, Committee on Environment and Public Works, Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and the Special Committee on Aging.

Issues:

Education: Against Vouchers, Against organized Prayer.

Environment: Pro-Kyoto Protocol, Anit-ANWAR dirlling.

Budget/Taxes/Economy: Supports repeal of Bush tax cuts, Pro-free-trade.

Net Neutrality: Supports

Health Care: Subsidise poor.

Iraq: Against withdrawl

Abortion; Pro-Choice

Gay Marriage: For civil unions and against marriage.

Flag Burning: Supports anti-Flag burning Amendment.

Stem Cells: Supports federal funding for embryonic research.

Video Games: Tighter regulaton.


I have mixed feelings about Clinton politically, while I support her on issues such as the environment, I am puzzled on some of her possisions such as the flag burning amendment, and she seems to be the most pro-war Democrat running. In the early stages I will not support her, but I would be willing to if the some of the candidates I like drop out. In the general I would probably vote Hillary, but would take a look at the Republican if they nominate a moderate. As it stands now Hillary is the clear front runner, but she has not won yet, but look for her to be in it until the bitter end.

Baseball signings

A list off off-season free agent signings by team.

Arizona:
none

Oakland:
RP Alan Embree, LF Ricky Ledee, C Mike Piazza, LF Shannon Stewart

San Franciso: 3b Rich Aurilia, LF Ryan Klesko, C Bengie Molina, SP Russ Ortiz, CF Dave Roberts, SP Barry Zito

Los Angeles Angels: 1B Shea Hillenbrand, CF Garry Matthews, RP Darren Oliver, RP Justin Speier

Los Angeles Dodgers:
LF Luis Gonzalez, C Mike Lieberthal, CF Juan Pierre, SP Jason Schmidt, RP Rudy Seanez, 3B Fernando Tatis, SP Randy Wolf

San Diego:
LF Jose Cruz, 2B Marcus Giles, C Todd Greene, SP Greg Maddux

Colorado:
RF Alexis Gomez, RP LeTroy Hawkins, RP Matt Herges, 1B John Mabry

Florida:
3B Aaron Boone

Tampa Bay:
3B Akinori Iwamura

Atlanta:
RP Tanyon Sturtze, 1B Craig Wilson, 2B Chris Woodward

Chicago Cubs:
2B Mark DeRosa, LF Cliff Floyd, SP Ted Lilly, SP Jason Marquis, SS Tomas Perez, CF Alfonso Soriano, RF Daryl Ward

Chicago White Sox:
CF Darren Erstad, C Toby Hall, 1B Eduardo Perez

Baltimore:
RP Danys Baez, C Paul Bako, RP Chad Bradford, 3B Aubrey Huff, LF Jon Knott, RF Jay Payton, SP Steve Trachsel, RP Jamie Walker, RP Scott Williamson

Boston:
RF J.D. Drew, SS Julio Lugo, SP Daisuke Matsuzaki, RP Hedeki Okajima, SP Joel Pineiro, RP J.C Romero

Detroit:
RP Jose Mesa

Minnesota:
3B Jeff Cirillo, SP Ramon Ortiz

St. Louis:
RP Ryan Franklin, 2B Adam Kennedy, RP Russ Springer, SP Kip Wells

Kansas City:
RP Octavio Dotel, SP Gil Meche, RP Dave Riske

New York Mets:
RF Moises Alou, SS Damion Easley, LF David Newhan, SP Chan Ho Park, C Jose Reyes, RP Scott Schoenewies, SP Aaron Sele, RP Jorge Sosa

New York Yankees:
SP Kei Igawa, 1B Doug Mienkiewicz, RP Jeff Nelson, SP Andy Pettite, C Todd Pratt

Cleveland:
RP Joe Browski, LF David Dellucci, RP Keith Foulke, RP Aaron Fultz, RP Roberto Hernandez, RF Trot Nixon

Cincinnati:
SS Alex Gonzalez, RP Brian Meadows, RP Mike Stanton

Philadelphia:
C Rod Barajas, SP Adom Eaton, 3B Wes Helms, RF Jayson Werth

Pittsburgh:
SP Tony Armas, C Einar Diaz, SS Jose Hernandez, SP Yoslan Herrera, RP Dan Kolb

Texas:
CF Marlon Byrd, LF Frank Catalnotto, SP Bruce Chen, RP Wille Eyer, RP Eric Gagne, CF Kenny Lofton, SP Jamey Wright

Houston:
LF Carlos Lee, 2B Mark Loretta, SP Brian Moehler, RP Rick White, SP Woddy Williams

Washington:
RP Ray King, SP Jarome Williams

Seattle:
SP Miguel Batista, RF Jose Guillan, RP Chris Reithsma, RP Artur Rhodes, SP Jeff Weaver

Milwaukee:
SS Craig Counsell, SP Jeff Suppan

Toronto:
SS Royce Clayton, SP Tomo Ohka, RF Matt Stairs, DH Frank Thomas, SP John Thompson, SP Victor Zambrano

Grades

My grades for the early campaigns of the 08 hopefulls:

Demorats:

Joe Biden: F : In spite of running a "clean" campaign.

Hillary Clinton: A- : She has not faded at all and has been well recieved other than her "webcast" she had after first announcing.

Chris Dodd: C : Has not done anything wrong but also has not done anything right, the best thing to happen to him so far is Bidens self-destruction.

John Edwards: B- : His campaine has been mixed he has polled well in some states but has also made some mistakes such as his anti-catholic bloggers.

Mike Gravel: B : The fact that he was allowed to speak at the winter meetings was a victory.

Dennis Kucinich: D : Has not capitalized on liberal Democrats and name rec.

Barack Obama: B : Has gone from a freshman Senator to a leading democratic candidate in just a few months.

Bill Richardson: C : Has just entered and has not done much so far.

Tom Vilsack: C+ : Made a good move by being the first (other than Gravel) to announce, but has been over shadowed by the bigger names.


Republicans:

Sam Brownback: D : Has failed to gain any ground inspite of possible conservative opening.

Jim Gilmore: D- : He finnaly made a web site.

Rudy Giuliani: B+ : Has gained in the polls, but has also leaked sensitive campaine materials.

Mike Huckabee: Has been impresive on tv, but has not gained any real ground.

Duncan Hunter: B- : Unknown but has gotten several endorcements.

John McCain: C- : Remains at or near the top, but seems to be fading.

Ron Paul: D+ : Has not done anything so far.

Mitt Romney: B : Has raised a lot of money
and gained a lot of endorcements, but is still running well behind Rudy and McCain.

Tom Tancredo: C : No news is good news with Tom.

Tommy Thompson: C+ : Remains low on the Power Rankings, but seems to be focused on a White House run.

Presidential Contender: Sam Brownback

This week's White House hopefull profile is Republican Kansas Senator Sam Brownback. Brownback began his political career in 1986, when he became the Kansas secretary of Agriculture where he served until 1993. In 1994 Brownback was elected to the US House of Representatives where he served until he won a special election to take the Senate seat of the retiring Bob Dole. In the Senate Brownback serves on the Judiciary Commitee and the Appropriations Committee. Brownback converted to Catholicism after belonging to an evangelical church.

Political positions:

Agriculture-Increase development of bio-fules and ethanol.

Culture-Fine media outlets which promote violent and indecent programing.

Education-Pro-vouchers

Gun control-Pro-gun rights

Gay marriage-Against marriage and civil unions.

Rural America-Create a new Homstead Act to revitalize Rural America.

UN-Reduce size of UN.

Church and State- Reduce the seperation of Curch and State

Taxes-Keep Bush tax cuts and simplify tax code by introducing a flat-tax.

Abortion-Against Roe v. Wade.

Evolution-Supports the teaching of intelligent design.

Capital Punishment-Reduce use of Death Penalty.

Iraq-Against Surge.

Stem Cell-Against embrionic reserch

I am impressed that Brownback more than many other politicians seems to deeply believe in his political possitions, and is not just pandering for his own gain, however he stands to the right of the current Republican leaders and would be too conservative for me to support in the general. Brownback's campaine seems to be floundering, since he has gained almost no ground since entering the race and unless he can unite the right behind him and not Romney or any of the other Republican hopefulls who are looking to be the candidate of the right, Brownback is going nowhere.

February Sucks

For the month which has the Super Bowl one would think that February would be a good sports month, but it isn't in fact February is the worst month for sports in the year. All February has got is the boring NBA and NHL regular seasons, where January has most of the NFL playoffs, and March has Spring training and March madness.

Months ranked in order from best to worst for sports:

1.October
2.April
3.September
4.March
5.November
6.June
7.January
8.December
9.May
10.July
11.August
12.February

Presidential Contender: Joe Biden

Today I will be starting a new series on the 2008 Presidential hopefulls. I will give background info, their stances on the issues and my personal opinion of them.

The first Presidential Hopefull I will do is Delaware Senator, Joe Biden. Biden has served in the Senate since 1973 and is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and has been the Chair of the Judiciary Committee in the past. Biden made a run in 1988, but was forced to leave the race before the first primary, because of several mistakes most notably plagiarizing a speech from the then leader of the British Labor party Neil Kinnock.

Biden on the issues:

Iraq: Against spliting country, share oil revenues between the three different groups, greter international involvement including Iran, and Draw down US forces to about 20,000.

Afghanistan: Greater US involvement, inculding a possible troop increase and greater economic aid.

Energy: Increase fule efficiency, and increase use of biodiesel and ethonal.

Health Care: Modernize the system, by switching to electronic records, thus speeding up the system.

Higher Education: Increase tuition tax deduction, expand Pell grants, and expand national service programs.

Homeland Security: Take away tax cuts from wealthy to provide greater funding for Homeland Security. The funds will goto: screaning ships, protect chemical facilities, air cargo screaning, expand FBI and local law enforcement, and create local anti-terorism units.

Crime: Restore greater funding to local and state law enforcement.

Golbal Warming: Invest in technology to reduce emisions, and reduce trade from contries who are not improving.

Biden showed why he will likely never be President last week. On the day he announced, he made some stupid comments about fellow Democrat Barack Obama, that compleatly overshadowed him entering the race. Before his Obama comments, he had been gaining slightly, but now any slim chance he had has now gone up in smoke. I will not be supporting Biden in the Primary, and would consider the Republican in the General.

Colts Win

It is final, Colts 29, Bears 17. It should not have been that close. Congratulations to Indianapolis on their first championship since 1973.

Super Bowl 41 Prediction

Both Chicago and Indy stuck it to me in the Playoffs. I twice picked against Chicago against my better judgment, firt I picked my Seattle Seahawks, who to their credit were only five yards or so away from winning, second I picked the Saints, in what I will admit was a terible pick, and I whent with my heart and not my gut or head. Indy on the other hand came as a complete suprise to me I did pick them against Kansas City who was a popular upset pick, but I thought they had no chance against Baltimore, but Baltimore had other plans and put up the worst offensive game in the Playoffs. Next game I figured that Indy had just lucked out and I picked against them since they were facing a team who had just knocked off the #1 team in football, and had the Colts number, all seemed well for a while until Manning was able to lead the Colts back, and thus making me look like a fool in my Playoff Predictions.

On to the game, there are reasons to pick both teams, the Colts won in the better confrence, while the Bears have the better defense on paper, and Grossman has out played Manning so far in the Playoffs. As far as momentum goes the Colts have won three playoff games in the AFC, but loss four of their last seven during the regular season. The Bears have won all but one game since December, but have only two impressive wins during that span (St.Louis and New Orleans). During the playoffs the two teams have swaped roles Indy has been the better team on Defense while Chicago has been the better team on Offense.

In Super Bowl 41 I pick Indianapolis over Chicago. The good news for Chicago fans is this probably means that they will win. Indeed Chicago stands a much better chance than most in the national media give them. I chose Indy because I feel that they have had a tougher road to the Super Bowl.Although both teams have deminstrated that they could lose to anybody.