Hump Day Political News Roundup
By Kevin Robinson in News on Apr 4, 2007 4:30PM
This week, more than before, we have a veritable cornucopia of presidential news. After how many years of Southerners and Westerners in the White House, it seems only fitting that we dedicate this week's Hump Day Political News Roundup to all the cowboys that have ridden off into the sunset that is the Beltway. Let's take a look back:
George W. Bush Is a Bad-Ass Cowboy. As his term dwindles away, his approval ratings circle the drain, and the Democratic-controlled Congress reigns him in, Bush tried to call out congressmen that have thus far refused to approve more spending for the failed war in Iraq. Trying to frame the debate as "not supporting the troops," he charged that "Democrat leaders in Congress seem more interested in fighting political battles in Washington than in providing our troops what they need to fight the battles in Iraq, "as if defunding the war would leave soldiers stranded in the Middle East with no supplies or defense against insurgents." Senate Majority leader Harry Reid replied, "We are not going to allow the president to continue a failed policy in Iraq. ... We have said time and time again the troops will have everything they need." Said presidential hopeful John Edwards, "If President Bush vetoes funding for the troops, he will be the one who is blocking funding for the troops. Nobody else."
Barack Obama Our Lord and Saviour? Barack Obama's campaign has been infused with the imagery and words of hope and salvation. So much, so, it seems, that an art student in Chicago has decided to depict him as a messiah in papier mache. Artist David Cordero told CNN, "All of this is a response to what I've been witnessing and hearing, this idea that Barack is sort of a potential savior that might come and absolve the country of all its sins. ... In a lot of ways it's about caution in assigning all these inflated expectations on one individual, and expecting them to change something that many hands have shaped." The Obama campaign has tried to distance itself from the controversy (something that Obama has been getting good at lately). "While we respect First Amendment rights and don't think the artist was trying to be offensive, Senator Obama, as a rule, isn't a fan of art that offends religious sensibilities," Obama spokeswoman Jen Psaki told the press.
Laura Bush Is Against Violence. First Lady Laura Bush was in town last week for an anti-violence summit hosted by CeaseFire, where she told business leaders that they have a moral responsibility to put young people to work. No word yet on when she will be visiting her husband to try and stop the violence in Iraq, and put young people to work there rebuilding the nation he destroyed.
Midwest Hopefuls Raise Presidential Cash. Former local gal Hillary Clinton has raised $26 million for her presidential bid. Coupled with an additional $10 million from her Senate campaign, she has an unprecedented $36 million. Barack Obama is catching up, though, and is expected to report that he has raised more than $20 million. All of this may not seem that important right now, with the primaries taking place next winter, but bank like that will come in handy when the race gets hot and heavy. On the Republican side of the race, Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson threw his hat in the ring on Sunday, announcing that he is "the reliable conservative" in the race.