2004 Elections: Democratic Party Contenders

To most of America, the tacit support of Bill Clinton, if indeed Wesley Clark has it, is a plus, not a minus. All but the most ideologically dyspeptic Americans understand that this country was in better shape under Clinton, and if a potential Clark administration looks to the country as if it will govern like Clinton did, well, that's not something that will scare America off from Clark.

It's been hilarious to read some conservatives bellyaching about liberal Bush hatred. It exists, but it doesn't come close to matching the right's Clinton hatred. But let them keep it up. They'll pat one another on the back. And three-quarters of America will ignore them.

The Clintons are controversial. A chunk of this country hates them. But it's a relatively small chunk, maybe 27 percent, or 30. Granted, it's a vociferous 27 or 30

P Diddle's post on redistricting yesterday indeed misses the "reality" of what is occuring. [..]

"Republicans say that the remapping could give them from three to five seats."

Some of the philosophizing on this post is interesting but I do hope that the realists understand that, in the final analysis, any president, yes, even Bill Clinton, who could not really get any of his favorite legislation passed during his eight year tenure, must have his party in control of the Senate and the House.

The Federalist Society

Last Update February 8, 2002

The Federalist Society formed twenty years ago in reaction to the powers the Supreme Court was granting the federal government. The federal government became a champion of civil rights, ending the Jim Crow laws of the south that legalized segregation. It was a force against discrimination. It imposed laws on states and industry to protect the environment and to protect worker safety. It established minimum wage laws. It gave women the right to choose an abortion. And the Supreme Court consistently upheld a separation between church and state.

The Federalist Society is a network of lawyers, elected officials and scholars who want to free corporations from government regulations and end a separation of church and state. In a sense, it represents a fusion of corporate wealth and Religious Right ideology. It provides legal rational for their interests.

The Topic of this web site titled 'States Rights' shows how a powerful member of the federalist society, Attorney General John Ashcroft, reverses his enthusiasm for states rights once he becomes part of the federal government. Ashcroft now uses his position to impose his ideology on the rest of the country.

Some prominent leaders of the Religious Right play a dominant role in the Federalist Society. For example former President of the Christian Coalition, Donald Hodel is a board member. Twenty four of President Bush's top cabinet members and most of his court nominations are members of the Federalist Society. The list includes John Ashcroft, Attorney General; Spencer Abraham, Secretary of Energy; Gail Norton, Secretary of the Interior; and Theodore Olson, Solicitor General. Other notable members are Justices Scalia and Thomas, Orrin Hatch, Kenneth Starr.