I know many people haven't heard of Ed Whitfield, Congressman from Kentucky's First Congressional District. He has kept a low-profile and has few accomplishments to show for it. Despite this, Ed Whitfield has quietly amassed a record of rubber-stamping President Bush and the Republican leadership in all their failed glory.

Cross posted at Daily Kingfish and Daily Kos.

The Cazayoux campaign released this web-only video about the race:

Don's candidacy has sparked a fire amongst the unions here in LA-06. While they've worked with political candidates before, I've never seen them this excited about a candidate. If you like the idea of adding to the Democratic majority in the House with someone who will be there with us on the economic issues we all care about, then donate.

I also had the opportunity to interview Don, using questions from commenters here at Daily Kos, MyDD, and Daily Kingfish. The interview is below the jump!

According to the New York Times, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House will change its rules so as to block the requirement of a vote on the free trade agreement with Colombia.

Pelosi says the House will vote on the rules change policy Thursday, effectively putting off a vote on a free trade agreement that is a key priority of the Bush administration.

''The president took his action. I will take mine tomorrow,'' Pelosi said.

NY Times

If she succeeds, the Colombian Unfair Trade Agreement is dead for now.

More, after the fold.  

X-Posted from Daily Kos.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/4 /9/122915/7249/532/492715

We start the week with another fine example of true Leadership.  News reports surfaced the end of last week that strategist for the Hillary Clinton campaign was talking with the Columbian government on Free Trade.  

It turns out Mark Penn appears to have been acting in his role as chief executive of the international communications and lobbying firm, Burson-Marsteller Worldwide.  Reported by the Wall Street Journal of a Monday meeting.

Since the days of Reagan, America has been chasing a Theory.

Since the Clinton era, and the rise of NAFTA and Global Free Trade, our "Corporate Leaders" have been conducting an unprecedented Social Experiment.

The Experiment: Economic Darwinism

The Test Subjects in this Experiment: none other than American Workers and our "more competitive" counterparts, overseas.

Supply-siders have argued that Economic Growth comes from empowering Corporate Interests to become "More Productive", by whatever means necessary. Be it "Tax-Give-aways to the Wealthy", or "Job-Give-aways to Poor Foreigners", well that's just fine with them, long is it results in Corporate Growth.

Supply-siders are happy to trade away American Dignity for the sake of short-term Profits: "American Workers just need some retraining. They just need to apply themselves."

"We just need to learn to Adapt" ... (to Global Markets?)


That's the Theory, that's the Spin.  What are the Results of this on-going plan to outsource the American Dream?

Chicago Members of the Chicago Trade with Justice Working Group paid a visit to the Obama for America headquarters in Chicago on Dec. 15, 2007. They wanted to tell Senator Barack Obama that they are concerned with his failure to appear at the recent Senate vote on the US-Peru "Free Trade" Agreement. They left a statement for Obama, a current candidate for U.S. President, and expressed their disappointment that he skipped the vote on the Peru trade pact. They were even more concerned that Obama, along with Sen Hillary Clinton, made public statements supporting the Peru Trade deal and that Illinois Senator from Illinois, Dick Durbin, voted in favor of it.

http://blip.tv/file/544160

Our Country needs, Hope ... yes very much so.

Our Country also needs Competence in SO many Government Positions of power ... NO more 'Heck of Job -- Brownies' PLEASE!

But the one thing America needs even more than Hope and Competence -- it's Real Leadership!

What is Real Leadership made up of?

More Compromise and Committee meetings?  (I hope not)

Media Fanfare and soaring rhetoric?  (nice, but ...)

How about Honesty, How about taking a real Stand?

How about talking straight with the American People, and detailing all the 'Hard Work' and 'Sacrifice' that Real Change will ultimately require?

That's what Real Leaders do.

They tell you the Truth, and speaking the Truth eventually leads to widespread Action, and the Changes we need.

Once again John Edwards, has NOT failed to Lead on the Issues, so important to everyday Americans ...

This makes sense, as Edwards has been very vocal lately about trade agreements; trying to fashion himself the labor candidate. Kucinich, however, has been most consistent leader on fair trade that protects U.S. jobs, human rights, worker's rights, and environmental principles.