Sotomayor Confirmed To Supreme Court

Justice Sonia Sotomayor

In a whopping 68 to 31 vote, Sonia Sotomayor was confirmed today for the United States Supreme Court replacing Justice David Souter who is retiring.

Justice Sotomayor makes history because she becomes the first Latina ever to serve on the nation’s highest court.

Nine Republicans broke ranks, including Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, to confirm Sotomayor.

Former presidential candidate John McCain of Arizona voted no.

Senator John Ensign of Nevada, recently making nationwide news for an extramarital scandle, voted against Sotomayor’s confirmation.

The Senate is due to recess tomorrow for a month.  Their time off is expected to be more of a working vacation as they will be facing voters at home to answer questions on health-care and the economy.

 

The Associated Press: ‘Clunkers’ rebates look likely for another month

Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the Senate Majority Leader, told his colleagues that, unless they wanted to miss some of their August vacation, they better get moving on extending the “Cash for Clunkers” program.  According to the AP, it looks like his push is working (see link below).  The Senate is scheduled to leave this Friday.

The House, before leaving for their recess, already approved $2 billion more to extend the popular program which gives qualified buyers up to $4,500 for their gas-guzzling trade-in.

Even though people like Glenn Beck call these trade-in’s, which get less than 18 MPG, “perfectly good cars,” the “Clunkers” program is not only getting older inefficient vehicles off the road, it is also spurring the economy!

The Associated Press: ‘Clunkers’ rebates look likely for another month.

 

Let The Race Begin: Pawlenty, Ensign Possible GOP Contenders

Republicans are already starting their dash toward the 2012 White House to try to oust Obama.

Minnesota’s Governor Tim Pawlenty and Senator John Ensign of Nevada look like their trying on their presidential candidates’ hats although neither will yet admit to intentions of running.

This morning, Pawlenty announced he won’t seek another term as governer of the Midwestern state still in contention over its Senate seat between Franken and Coleman.  Yesterday, Ensign visited Iowa, the first state to cast votes (in its caucus) for presidential contenders.

Both people are likable and, though conservative, not overboard to turn off the middle.

The Associated Press: AP Sources: Minn. governor won’t seek third term.

Examiner.com: 2012 race starts with Ensign visit

 

Gibbons Says President Obama Should “Be Ashamed”

Even though Governor Jim Gibbons of Nevada is not very popular right now, especially in his home state, his claims of being ignored by the President because of partisanship are ringing true.

In a telephone interview yesterday on “Cavuto,” the Republican governor said that President Obama “ought to be ashamed at what he’s done to working people in our state.”

Gibbons is speaking his mind publically because the President, who will be coming to Las Vegas for a Harry Reid fund-raiser, passed on a request for a meeting with the Governor.

Governor Gibbons and other Nevada officials, including Las Vegas’ Mayor, want answers from the President over remarks made in February about Nevada which, they claim, hurt Nevada’s convention business, a major industry.

The disparaging comments from Obama took place at a town hall meeting February 9, 2009, in Elkhart, Indiana, in responding about the Stimulus Package money.  Obama, in referring to potential abuse by company executives, said, “You can’t go take a trip to Las Vegas” with the government money.

After these comments, several major companies who had conventions or business meetings scheduled in Las Vegas cancelled their events causing not only a loss of money but jobs of local citizens who work at these events.

Gibbons said regarding the Reid money-raiser that Obama “wants our money but discourages business.”

Gibbons, and many here, believe that the President needs to address the job-loss issue above all.  His refusal to meet with the Republican Governor appears purely partisan and belittles him.  If the President went to another country and refused to meet with that country’s President, it would be an outrageous offense.  A Governor is like the “President” of his or her State, and likewise, the President should meet with the Governor, especially if requested to to do.

Obama told us during the campaign that part of his “change” would be a new era of non-partisanship.  He told us that it didn’t matter what party someone belonged to; that he would be there to meet with them, and address issues.

Oh really?

With all due respect, President Obama, it is time to live up to your words and meet with Governor Gibbons; put the partisanship aside and sit down with him, even if it’s just for a few minutes!

Technorati Tags: Obama,Politics,Reid,economic stiumulus package,Las Vegas,Nevada,Governor Jim Gibbons