Paterson Needs Caroline To Get To Barack

The New York Governor might like the idea of a New York Senator who is a family friend to the First Family, especially in these trying times when even the state of New York is angling for some major federal dollars.

I don't know much about Andrew Cuomo. When Bill Clinton started thinking about running for president, he saw a big gorrilla standing in his way, then New York Governor Cuomo. Good thing Gulf War I happened, and Bush I looked so popular Cuomo decided not to run. Otherwise Clinton was running scared. So I guess you could argue Andrew Cuomo is from a political family.

And the junior ended up in Clinton's cabinet. Then he famously shared a stage with Bill Clinton where the retired president said the only person on stage who did not have a political future was Bill Clinton. Cuomo ran then did not run for Governor. He became Attorney General. When he did, he had big shoes to fill. Spitzer had been a stellar Attorney General.

But like JFK said when people argued Lyndon Johnson had been great in the Senate. I agree, he said, and that is why I think he should continue in the Senate. New Yorkers elected him to be Attorney General, not Senator. I hear he has been doing a good job. So why not keep him in the job?

Caroline personifies access to the new president, sheer access. These are trying times. New York lost two of its four major banks. The finance sector is in a major league mess. The tax base stands depleted. Federal help is needed.

Cuomo looks a little more comfortable in front of the TV cameras. Is that good or bad? Neither. The dude has been in front of the press more often. That is all that means. But this is no popularity contest. I am not pushing Caroline for American Idol. I am pushing her for US Senator. That is some somber responsibility. Especially in these trying times.

Advice For Caroline
Caroline Kennedy Is No Sarah Palin, She Is No Airhead
I Like The Caroline Kennedy Name

I guess I have a soft spot for Caroline because she endorsed Barack at a time when I was running a little nervous on his behalf. But I am allowed that. But I would not be pushing her name if I did not think she was qualified. Bloomberg is Mayor, and he thinks her plenty qualified. (Independent For Bloomberg)

I am supporting Caroline. But then I am also supporting Blommberg for a third term. You can't be Governor and not want to get along with the Mayor of New York City. Bloomberg wants Caroline.

Barack is for Caroline, it is just that he can't say it. Harry Reid is for Caroline. Now that guy knows the US Senate. Obviously he thinks Caroline is plenty qualified. I think Charles Schumer also wants Caroline.





In The News

Paterson downplays Kennedy-Cuomo polls Newsday, NY
Andrew Cuomo favored over Caroline Kennedy for Senate Los Angeles Times
Stop the coronation: Polls show Caroline Kennedy trailing San Francisco Chronicle
Paterson Nears A Pick Washington Post Conventional wisdom still dictates that Caroline Kennedy is the frontrunner for the nod and although Paterson was initially resistant to the idea he seems to have warmed to the idea of late -- proclaiming himself "impressed" with her.
Sarah Palin, Caroline Kennedy and moving on Kansas City Star, MO
Mason: About Palin, Kennedy and 'class' Milford Daily News
In a League of Her Own, Palin Swings Away at Couric, Fey and Kennedy New York Times
Sarah Palin mon amour Examiner.com
Poll: Cuomo tops Kennedy for US Senate seat Newsday, NY
Racism Wanes and Sexism Thrives, Roland Burris and Caroline ... U.S. News & World Report, DC
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING Chicago Tribune
Politico: Race Seems to Trump Gender in Senate Politics Women on the Web
Does race card trump gender card? Politico
Fact-checking Caroline Kennedy’s role at the Dept of Ed GothamSchools, NY
Bloomberg Maneuvers to Crown a Kennedy Village Voice, NY Dickens not only voted against her own immediate interests, but she appeared to counter the public admonitions of her Harlem Democratic co-leader, Congressman Charlie Rangel, who assailed the extension at first, only to disappear when the opposition grew so loud that it appeared it might be defeated (the final vote was 29 to 22). ..... With Barack Obama in the White House and Malcolm Smith now the majority leader of the New York Senate, Paterson associates tell me they see Thompson as one black political star too many at the moment ....... Caroline would be an asset for the city in securing aid from Obama ...... declared with Laura Bush at his side at the dedication of a 9/11 downtown memorial that the Iraq War "started not very many blocks from here" ......... Rudy Giuliani became a Republican shortly before Ronald Reagan installed him in a top Justice Department post, and Bloomberg switched only because he didn't think he could win a 2001 Democratic mayoral primary. ........ he's been quietly reaching out to Republican county chairs, keeping all of his 2009 options open ....... With Sheekey, Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, and Bloomberg's consultant, Isay, driving the Kennedy candidacy ........ Sheekey's New Year's Eve accusation that Paterson would be guilty of "political malpractice" if he picked anyone but Kennedy was based, astonishingly, on the assumption that she alone among the major Democrats under consideration backed Obama and that the president "has an obligation" to help Kennedy if she is senator. "We need help from our new president," Sheekey observed, citing the budget gaps ........... Paterson's Clinton-financed trip there was with a woman he subsequently acknowledged had been his lover ("I-had-sex-with-that-woman-but-not-on-that-trip" was his defense).
Caroline Kennedy Rolls Up on Bed-Stuy MSNBC
New Yorkers Prefer Attorney General Andrew Cuomo over Caroline ... WTEN, NY

India struggles to get to grips with a bewildering corporate fraud Economist Mr Raju, his brother, and Satyam’s chief financial officer are in custody, charged with criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery. Satyam is in the hands of three directors appointed by the government. If they do not act swiftly, Satyam’s rivals may pick up its most lucrative customers and its best employees. But right now all that its Indian competitors want from Satyam is distance.
Chandni Chowk to China Times of India
East meets East in 'Chandni Chowk to China' San Francisco Chronicle just maybe, the future of global pop cinema. ...... the first "Bollywood kung fu action comedy" and opens Friday in the Bay Area ..... "Bollywood became what it is because people in India have so much trouble in their lives," Advani says. "When the common man in India goes to the theater, he doesn't want to be reminded of his problems; he wants to fly away, to be taken into an exotic, fantastical place. ..... while martial arts cinema has successfully transcended its Chinese roots to become a truly pancultural phenomenon, Bollywood's popularity is still largely limited to Indian (and Indian diasporic) audiences ...... "Bollywood is still struggling to find its ambassadors, guys and girls who people will recognize in the streets of Manhattan as well as Mumbai." ...... it is releasing the film in 50 global markets while getting the biggest U.S. opening in history for a Bollywood film (not to mention a staggering 1,400-screen premiere in its native India). ....... director Shekhar Kapur ("Elizabeth"), who announced last month on his blog that it was time for the "Dragon and the Elephant" to join forces. ..... Who wouldn't pay to see Jackie Chan, Kumar and Padukone team up in "From Panjiayuan Market to the Punjab"?
China's answer to economic meltdown? Lend more: Leo Lewis on Asia Times Online
As Bank Lending in China Picks Up, Some Investors Applaud Wall Street Journal
China shares rebound on rise in lending The Associated Press
Google announces end of Google Video, Jaiku and other projects in ... Telegraph.co.uk
Merrill Lynch Turns Into a Black Hole for Bank of America BusinessWeek
JPMorgan Profit Drops 76 Percent on Asset Writedowns Bloomberg
Acer Closes In on Dell's No. 2 PC Ranking BusinessWeek While Dell shipments fell 6.3% in the fourth quarter, Acer's jumped 25.3%. ..... puts the Taiwanese company solidly in the No. 3 position worldwide, it puts Acer less than two percentage points away from Dell, with 11.8% share to Dell's 13.7%. ...... its longtime role as a lower-cost alternative to the likes of Dell and HP ..... "Acer has real tight management on its costs," she says, and it has just 6,000 workers. "The smaller size of Acer puts it in a better position." ..... "Everybody's netbook looks very similar now," says Chang, so companies selling them "can compete only on price."
Google Cuts Recruiters, Video, Notebook, Catalog Search and More eWeek
Facebook Sacrifices Burger King “Whopper” App eWeek
Swayze’s secret weapon in cancer battle is wife MSNBC
Geithner’s Skill May Trump Tax Issue New York Times, United States
For Obama, campaigning is not over Boston Globe, United States
Obama and Biden Visit Supreme Court Washington Post, United States
Obama visits Supreme Court that he could reshape Reuters
Burris set to replace Obama in Senate today The Associated Press
Democrats in House Unveil $825 Billion Stimulus Bill New York Times, United States$54 billion to encourage the production of energy from renewable sources and to upgrade the transmission grid, as well as to weatherize public buildings and homes and raise energy efficiency. And it would provide $10 billion for science facilities and research, and $6 billion for broadband service in rural areas. ..... $79 billion to prevent education cuts at the state and local levels, it also includes $41 billion in additional aid, including $13 billion for schools serving mostly impoverished students, $13 billion for disabled students, $14 billion for school construction and modernization and $1 billion for technology. Another $15.6 billion would be used to increase the size of Pell grants by $500. ...... $43 billion for extended jobless benefits and retraining; $39 billion to help the unemployed keep their health coverage ...... $20 billion for a temporary increase in food stamps.
Obama Dines With Conservative Columnists FOXNews
Ex-Fighter Pilot Could Be Next NASA Chief Washington Post Jonathan Scott Gration traveled through Africa with Obama in 2006 ....... "In the shadow of Nelson Mandela's prison cell, I saw a leader with the understanding to build new bridges over old divides." ....... would probably be the first NASA administrator who speaks Swahili

Can Tim Geithner Lead the Economy Out of Its Mess? Time
Osama Speaks Out on Gaza. Is Anyone Listening?
Steve Jobs is Off the Job at Apple
The Auto Bailout Keeps Growing, and Growing
Google Earth Takes on the Prado's Masterworks
Can Israel Survive Its Assault on Gaza?
Love Your Partner? Send Him Away!

The Chinese Success Story

While the credit flow in economies like that of the US and the major European countries got mugged up, looks like the same in China went the other way and heated up, and will drive up domestic demand just when China needs it.

News is China is now officially the third largest economy, set to take the number two spot from Japan in a few years.

The Chinese success story is remarkable. China as a nation has a long collective memory. 800 years ago China was the number one nation on earth, it was not America. To the Chinese it is not about claiming the prize, it is about reclaiming the prize, reclaiming what was once theirs.

But America has democracy, America has diversity. Take the Bush Brain out of the equation, and this economy will sizzle again.

But if there is competition, it is not a race to the bottom. It is to be a win win situation. I just wish China did lend more of its money to the poor countries, and less to a country wanting to wage war.

But then China has put a major focus on Africa recently.

Even on democracy I don't see China copying America. There is a middle ground somewhere where the two need to meet. The democracy in America is not one person one vote. Loot at all the White Males in the Senate. These are Greek Gods. These are not democrats.

But the Chinese did beat the Americans at the Olympics. They got the most gold for the first time. It is as if they were saying, we know how to get organized.

And as to democracy, it is near impossible to meet Chinese in America who think China needs a different political arrangement to what it has now. These are not people in fear of the Chinese Communist Party. They are in America. The CCP is their own NAACP, making them proud.







In The News

China overtakes Germany in terms of GDP China Daily The revised growth estimate for 2007 - from 11.9 percent to 13 percent, the fastest rate since 1994 - raised the country's GDP to 25.7 trillion yuan, ($3.5 trillion) at 2007 exchange rates ..... "I think it will take only three to four years for China to overtake Japan as the second-largest economy. The US is by far still the largest economy.
China overtakes Germany as third-largest economy Deutsche Welle
China revises 2007 GDP growth rate to 13% Xinhua the industrial sector achieved the fastest growth followed by the service and trade sector and then agriculture.
China's 2008 customs revenue up 21% to record high China Daily
China’s trade Economist in 2007 China overtook Germany to become the world’s third-biggest economy .... China’s trade surplus rose to a record $457 billion ..... The best way for China to support its economy—and to help unwind global trade imbalances—is instead to bolster domestic demand. .... Thanks to the healthier state of its banking system, China is perhaps the only big economy where credit has heated up rather than frozen in recent months. If sustained, this could help to support domestic spending—and hence imports. China’s economy certainly can not depend on exports over the next year.
China's exports, imports drop CNN International falling demand in the United States and the European Union.
Can Google Challenge Microsoft In The Channel? CRN
Google conquers 2008 search market in US CNET News
Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan rubbishes Slumdog Millionaire guardian.co.uk the film was a big winner at Sunday's Golden Globes and is seen as a frontrunner for the Oscars .... The film is based on a novel, Q&A, by the Indian writer and diplomat Vikas Swarup ..... an Indian director making a western-style film might not meet with the attention lavished on Slumdog Millionaire: "It's just that the SM idea, authored by an Indian and conceived and cinematically put together by a westerner, gets creative globe recognition. The other would perhaps not." .... he was the original host of the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, a show that resurrected his career.
Film review: Slumdog Millionaire the 2005 novel Q&A by Vikas Swarup
Amitabh blasts 'Slumdog Millionaire' on blog Economic Times
Report: Dell Readying Smartphone InformationWeek

Obama warns of long recession without quick action International Herald Tribune
Saviour of the Republicans New Statesman the best prospect for revitalising a Republican Party .... His rush of words is likely linked to the rush of his ambition, and his ambition - at 37, just two years above the minimum to be president - appears beyond restraint. ..... To understand why Republicans are so excited about Jindal (the conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh calls him "the next Ronald Reagan") .... white people are expected to become a minority by 2042. .... When John LaBruzzo, a Republican legislator in Louisiana, once asked a Jindal aide what the governor's hobby was, he says he was told it was "to read information". ...... Jindal's wonkishness could be as much a novelty as his ethnicity. ...... he has that technocratic edge to him that makes him palatable to moderates and independents ....... Jindal has sought more to find common cause with white Americans ....... some relatives in the Punjab complain that he downplays his ties to his ancestral homeland. ...... at 5ft 8in and 135lb, offers little in the way of physical presence. ....... earnest air and obvious intelligence
Louisiana, Joseph Cao, Bobby Jindal and David Duke Bayou Buzz having a Indian American as our Governor and a Congressman formerly from Viet Nam as our Congressman does not mean that Louisiana would automatically vote for a black person as Governor.
Clinton Is Moving to Fill Senior Posts at State Dept. New York Times
Clinton Confirmation Tuesday: Caroline D-Day Next MSNBC
Paterson: Kennedy lacks some experience for Senate The Associated Press Kennedy has many positives despite never holding elective office. .... New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi of Long Island, and Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Steve Israel, Jerrold Nadler, Kirsten Gillibrand and Brian Higgins.
Billions pulled out of China Financial Post
Daschle vows aggressive reform as US health leader Reuters
Motorola Combines WiMax, WiFi, Ethernet, VoIP In One Device InformationWeek
Maybe it was love at first sight with Amitabh: Jaya Bachchan Hindustan Times“I first saw Amitji in an institute. I saw him, I liked him and I told my friends that you know he has got a personality. And they said what...he looks like a stick!" “He was very thin and his face was full of his eyes. I remember I fought with my friends and said he is different.”
Obama asks Congress to delay digital TV switch Los Angeles Times
Bride Wars (2009) New York Times

New Voices in Congress Will Change the Tone of the Democratic Majority New York Times “You’re not going to see any wild, left-wing policymaking,” he added. “You’re not going to get the Berkeley wish-list out of this crowd.” ..... taxpayers have grown increasingly impatient with bailout after bailout. “There’s a level of frustration from people saying enough taking care of fat cats, the executives, the stockholders” ....... Steve Austria, a Republican from Ohio’s 7th Congressional District, is the first Filipino-American...... Anh (Joseph) Cao, the Republican who defeated William Jefferson in Louisiana, is the first Vietnamese-American ...... Jared Polis of Colorado is the first openly gay male candidate ...... Jews make up 13 percent of the Senate and 7 percent in the House, while Mormons are 5 percent in the Senate and 2 percent in the House. ........ The House now includes two Muslims

Obama says trillion-dollar deficits may last years
CNN: Gupta approached about surgeon general post
Panetta choice as CIA chief draws Democrats’ concerns