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Hi, BuzzFlash,

Just a note to heartily concur with you about Al Gore's decision not to run in 2004. What a terrible tragedy for our country that we will be robbed of his leadership at this critical time. Instead we are saddled with an inarticulate, ill prepared, unqualified, nearly illiterate usurper.

Another reason I wanted to write was to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your wonderful website. It is without a doubt the BEST place to find news of interest to Democrats and progressives. What a wonderful service you provide! I peruse it daily!

One more thing, I want to say a few words about the Democratic presidential race in 2004. Like you I am very concerned about the candidacies of Joe Lieberman, Tom Daschle, and Dick Gephardt. If the Democrats want to win in 2004 they must pick a leader. It is truly amazing that the wimpish likes of Gephardt and Daschle have the chutzpah to run for president after caving to Bush countless times on a multiplicity of issues thus setting the stage for the 2002 election debacle.

And Joe Lieberman, what can I say! Every time I see Bush crowing about a congressional victory, there's his buddy, Joe up on the platform, patting him on the back! One can only speculate, but if Bush made a quick move, Lieberman would no doubt be rushed to the hospital for emergency rhinoplasty! (I have a wonderful idea for a Lieberman bumpersticker -- just one word says it all, "Sureloserman").

I know you probably do not want to play favorites among the candidates, but I am hoping you will use your great website (which is no doubt a favorite of Democratic primary voters) to try and highlight some of the other candidates (like Dean, Kerry, and Edwards) as they appear to be, the only hopes we have of replacing Bush and his gang. Daschle, Gephardt, and Lieberman (darlings of the corporate media) will lead us down the road to disaster!

Thanks again for your valuable service. It is much appreciated. Here's hoping you have a wonderful holiday season and 2003 is your best year yet.

Sincerely,

Dan Van Neste

Re: Why Al Gore Must Run, A BuzzFlash Reader Commentary

Dear BuzzFlash,

I see a great strategy at work here.

Gore is in the perfect position now to harass Bush and the Republican Party for the next two years, while another Democrat nominee runs a clean campaign.

Gore takes the heat, while he dishes heat.

The nominee sets back and sees what works and works it. The blame is hung on Gore for the rhetoric, except for what works with the public.

You don't have to be the president to be a leader.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subj: Gore's Demise

Dear BuzzFlash,

Last Monday on Inside Politics, Gore stated that he would be announcing an economic plan and a health care plan after the first of the year. Does this sound like someone who doesn't intend to run? He is all over the TV, gives a great performance on SNL and suddenly announces that he will not run. He stated in the 60 Minutes interview that he decided this week in New York. I will go to my grave believing that while in New York, members of the Democratic Party hierarchy met with Gore and informed him that they would not support or raise money for another run. He stated that he had the energy and desire to do it again, but he understood that others did not. I guess the DNC is afraid that they will lose their corporate contributions if Gore runs. I want to know since when are the party elders supposed to endorse or discourage anyone during a primary season. Aren't they supposed to be neutral until the convention?

I believe that Gore intended to run. We have been sold out again. It is all about MONEY and POWER and sucking up to the FAT CATS. The Democratic Party brags about being the oldest political party on earth. I think their days are numbered. With the behavior they have demonstrated over the past 2 years-they might as well close shop.

I love Gore, but it will be very difficult now for him to contribute to the debate. He got so much TV coverage because of the possible rematch. Now he is merely a former vice president and is irrelevant. Isn't that what Bush said about him? I guess Daschle has gotten his wish with Gore out of the way. I expect to hear him mentioned for about a day on the news, and then we will hear no more from Gore. I AM JUST SICK!

Forgive me if I don't fall all over myself to vote for "Iraq War Resolution and Stop Taxation on Stock Dividends" John Kerry.

Susan C. McIntosh

Subj: Al Gore's Decision Not to Run in 2004

Dear BuzzFlash,

I was all pumped up after I viewed his performance on SNL! I was eager to see what would be in the press about it. I was excited to get on the internet and ...the first thing I see is his decision NOT to run! I felt as though someone kicked me in the stomach when the supreme court made their ruling in 12/00. I kept holding on, hoping that it would ultimately be made right. This just shouldn't have happened. I feel very sad. I can only imagine what he has gone through since then. I respect his decision to do what he needs to do in the name of self-care. However, I feel let down....I think history will be hard on us...I think history will say that we should have been out in the streets when the Supreme Court made that ruling. I have a lot of feelings about this decision. I hope something will change.

Where can we write him? Right away....do you know?

Thanks kindly,

P. Tomassetti

[BuzzFlash Note: You can contact Al Gore at the address provided on the AlGore2004.com web site, http://www.algore2004.com/contact/.]

Subj: Not this Democrat. I'm gone.

Dear BuzzFlash,

This morning after seeing Al Gore's wonderful performance on SNL I was filled with hope. I thought to myself how we were living in a remarkable time in history where one brave man and our democratic process were going to rescue our country from this fascist monster who's taken it over. I was so happy and proud.

But then I heard the news. My husband and I are devastated. We have lost all hope. The Republicans stole our president from us in 2000, now the Democrats have stolen him from us again.

You can add Kerry to your list of Democratic Presidential Wanna-bees who should forget about it! We're not voting for John--vote for war in Iraq, Enron--Kerry.

It appears that the DNC and it's corporate financiers have already decided to make Kerry our candidate for President. The Convention is scheduled to be in Boston, Massachusetts--isn't that sweet.

Not this Democrat. I'm gone.

Nancy Lynn Nagy (TN)

PS. The Democrats might as well close up shop. The corporate entities are already represented by the Bushies and the Pugs and the Democrats don't stand for the people, gun control, women's rights, civil rights, and the separation of church and state anymore. What's the use?

Re: Gore Won't Run in 2004

Dear BuzzFlash,

Allright not so fast. I think I know the strategy Al Gore is playing. I do not believe it. Why should he show the cards to Rove and Bush. I do not believe it yet. We shall see.

Juliet

Subj: Al's Plan

Dear BuzzFlash,

I believe Al Gore will be doing more TV and Radio, perhaps even a talk show series. I think his plan is to build a media presence as strong as the opposition's and support the best Democratic presidential candidate in 2004 with a solid media pulpit. Perhaps Mr. Gore believes the Democratic message will best break through mainstream media gatekeepers if his celebrity status is exploited.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subj: BuzzFlash Analysis

Your insight into the machinations of Karl Rove have been dead on accurate. Keep up the excellent work.

Peter Nelson

Dear Senator Lott,

Although you apologized, your words and actions, past and present, carry the stink of racism. You have proven to the world that racism is alive and well and thriving within our government.

Unfortunately, you are also a representative of Americans who think quite differently. 36% of your constituency is black, yet you appear to harbor a deep resentment of them.

I am asking you to consider quitting your political position and donating your time and energy to charity, just as your President asks us all to do.

It would be for the betterment of all mankind.

Sincerely,

Joey Martin
Chicago, IL

gw bush and the rest of the republicans and right wing reporters are racist, too, they know they have to do the wink wink nod act. jerry falwell even tells his people that! he tells them not to worry, bush has to say some things because he is a politician but we know where his heart is at! ralph reed does the same, but he is much better at it!

karen m.
south carolina

Subj: BuzzFlash on NPR

I hope you heard BuzzFlash mentioned on NPR last week. A commentator said that BuzzFlash had written an editorial stating that Karl Rove was at work in the Trent Lott / dixiecrat issue.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subj: you are so right on . . .

about lott being forced to walk the plank. i'd be thrilled to see him stay as an eternal reminder of what the republican party is really about. they just can't afford to leave him there. meanwhile, i am devastated over gore's decision. he may be "over" it--but I never will be. who else in the democratic party has his vision and prescience--about the Internet, our dependence on oil, terrorism, etc. and has the right record, in vietnam, on desert storm etc.-- certainly not that wretch lieberman. it's one thing to believe in business and corporate responsibility, quite another to be a total tool of corporate interests as lieberman is.

Howl,

Ms. Dem.

BuzzFlash,

Your lead headline should say, "President decides against 2004 reelection bid."

That's a true statement because Al Gore is our elected president!

~ Cathy

Re: More on Trent Lott, A BuzzFlash Editorial

Dear BuzzFlash,

Excellent analysis, as usual. When the Fox News pundits attacked Lott before the Democrats did, that should have given it away. They get their talking points directly from the White House each morning.

Lott's only remaining power is his threat to resign from the Senate if he is forced out as Majority Leader. Do you think he has the balls to actually do that? He has to know that he is dead politically, not because of his comments, but because of Rove.

Jonathan Inskeep

Subj: The "My Sheet Is Whiter Than His" Defense

Dear BuzzFlash,

This is just too rich. in today's paper is a report from the Washington Post about Lott's troubles and #2 party-man Don Nickles' challenge for the top Republican position.

down in paragraph 13 it says "Lott does not appear likely to go down without a fight. His allies were examining Nickles' voting record Sunday to try to show that it smacks of intolerance on issues important to African Americans."

right, boys. that's the spirit.

Citizen Steve
San Marcos Texas

Dear BuzzFlash,

Source for this quote is 'George Bush, The Unauthorized Biography' ..page 171.. I am opposed to the Civil Rights Bill now before the Senate...then he continues , ..'Texas has a comparatively good record on civil rights ' he argued, ' and I am opposed to the Federal Government intervening further into State affairs and individual rights'..also in a speech to Jaycees , in Tyler, Texas, Mar,25, 1964 ' The Civil Rights problem is basically a local problem, best left for States to handle'.....[ note this is the era of Selma and Bull Connor] pages 171 '72 of GB Unauth Bio......available on Internet...other sources on Bush/Yarborough Senate race can be found in Yarborough Archives at Barker Texas History Center, Univ of Texas, Austin [GHW Bush announced his run for Texas Senate in Sept 1963..many statements were made by GHWB concerning Civil Rights during the campaign in 1964] ...He was defeated in that election..... Bush later ran for Congress and was elected.......

Etti

Hi BuzzFlash,

About who's running for President, we agree with you that Lieberman, Gephardt, and Daschle, had better *forget about it!*

A BuzzFlash Reader

Dear BuzzFlash,

Democratic Party leaders say another run with Gore as the presidential candidate would be "exhausting"?!!

Al Gore won the second highest popular vote in history. Al Gore won the highest popular vote for a Democratic candidate in history. Even more than the great Bill Clinton! Al Gore won the largest percentage of Black votes in history.

So let me get this straight. Democratic Party leaders have concluded that they can't take someone who is not only the most popular Democratic candidate in history, but is probably the most qualified person in our history to lead this country and turn it into a win against GW Bush?

Amazing. So now as I understand it, the American people will get stuck with the "B Team" because it's easier! I guess the DNC thinks that all they have to do is bless us with the "new blood", Gephardt, Daschle, Kerry, Edwards, and Lieberman and we'll just slide them into office just because they're Democrats??!!

Dream on losers.

Nancy Lynn Nagy (TN)

Cc: Terry McAuliffe mcauliffet@dnc.democrats.org

Dear BuzzFlash,

Trent Lott will go - whether it be right this minute or in a couple of months. It will not be because of blacks, the Democrats or his racist past. It will be because George Bush detests Lott and always has. Bush has always gotten in "little digs" at Trent Lott ever since he's been in office. The Repukes know Bush doesn't like Lott and Lott has just handed his head to him on a silver platter. Truth be known, the "bush cartel" is thrilled to death about this. So Democrats - sit back and let the "bush cartel" do it's dirty work. We all know Trent Lott is a racist and so does most of the country. He is not the only one. They all know each other's past. Have you heard the other Senator from MS speak out? Thad Cochran has the same background. Have you heard anything from John Ashcroft? I think not. And when it comes to "bush" - remember him asking the president of Brazil if they had any black people. The racist remarks by Lott are a non-issue for Democrats. It is an issue for the Republicans. Sit back and see how the racist president handles it and believe me, it is his office that is pushing the buttons.

Sharon

Subj: Hoorah for BuzzFlash!!!!!!!!

Dear BuzzFlash -

Thank you for the wonderful news analysis dated 12/16/02 about the knife in Lott's back from Karl Rove. It is right on the mark. Keep up the good work. I tell everyone I know about your website.

Karen Boyd
Peoria, AZ

Subj: Re: Gore Won't Run in 2004

Linda,

My thoughts exactly! The silver lining in all this is that Al Gore can now be the conscience of the Democratic Party and can speak his mind whenever he feels it necessary. Bush and scumbags can criticize Al Gore all they want, but it will make Bush look all the more stupid.

Delbert

Dear BuzzFlash,

Who can blame Al Gore for not running? Why would he want to fight the underhanded GOP voting machine again? Why would he want to inherit the huge screwed up mess Bush Inc. has created by their greed and incompetency? How frustrating would it be to have a conservative majority Senate? How quickly will the GOP and the conservative media start blaming the '04 Democratic Presidential winner for all the GOP's huge blunders? Personally, I think that if the GOP wins again in '04 the silver lining will be that they will have no one but themselves to blame for the world wide mess they have arranged. Al's way too nice a guy to have this happen to him. He's already served us well as Vice President during a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity. I'll miss you Al but I respect your decision.

A Reader

OH MY! MR. ARI FLEISCHER JUST SAID "THE PRESIDENT DOES NOT THINK TRENT LOTT SHOULD STEP DOWN" BUSH, OUR PRESIDENT THINKS IT IS OK TO HAVE A RACIST AS THE LEADER OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY! SO EVEN IF LOTT STEPS DOWN, WE STILL HAVE A PRESIDENT WHO THINKS IT'S OK FOR A RACIST TO LEAD THE REPUBLICAN PARTY!

RANDI IN WI.

Subj: Gore Drops Out

Dear BuzzFlash,

In the Seattle Times this morning, the story about Al Gore dropping out of the Presidential race contains this statement by Democratic Party Chairman Terry McAuliffe:

McAuliffe said he was not surprised by Gore's announcement because "he had not been reaching out to the people around the country" to lay the foundation for another candidacy.

The money machine running the Democratic party means Al had been saying things that upset the big buck contributors. Things like: fight terrorism, not Iraq; single payer health care is the way to go; and hey look -- Lott's a racist. Al had been stabbing his DLC feeders in the back, so he had to go. This is how he "had not been reaching out."

When looking for reasons that the Democratic congressional hierarchy is so clueless, it has to be kept in mind that they have grown lazy living off the crumbs that fall from the corporate funnel to the GOP. Even though the holes have been plugged (corporate contributions to Democrats have dried up -- those with the most "free speech" have who they want in office, and in their control.) The "strategy" appears to be to keep acting like good little shadow Republicans, so they can stab the voters in their backs, once the Bush gang becomes unambiguously anti-individual and vile to the most casual observer.

I was amazed that Gore had begun voicing such reasonable and almost progressive points of view, it turns out that he has signaled that those ideas are untenable for 2004.

Bob Shields

I JUST SAW THAT PRESS CONFERENCE. IF THERE WAS ANY DOUBT ABOUT BUSH BEING A CLOSET RACIST.....THERE IS NO DOUBT NOW! YOU CAN'T SAY YOU ARE NOT A RACIST AND THEN SAY YOU WANT A RACIST TO LEAD YOUR PARTY! THAT SOUTHERN RACIST VOTE MUST BE MIGHTY IMPORTANT!

KAREN

Dear BuzzFlash,

I for one believe Al Gore is the only hope for our party, and the country. Do you know of any petitions to Draft Al Gore for President in 2004, or if not, how to get one started.

Thank you.

Patricia Jarvis

Buzz,

I have never been fooled by Trent Lott. Behind that fake hair and fake smile, there has always lurked a mean-spirited and small-minded person.

Gigi

Subj: My letter to the Seattle P-I . . .

will run in the next day or two...

Dear Editor:

The Washington Post reports this morning, "As the Bush administration draws up plans to simplify the tax system, it is also refining arguments for why it may be necessary to shift more of the tax load onto lower-income workers." Brilliant. Raid the surplus for your wealthy friends so that the rest of us can wait for them to trickle it down on us, spend $400 billion a year on weapons of mass destruction to use against the rest of the world while more Americans become homeless and go hungry, keep the minimum wage below sustenance levels, and then demand payment for this disaster from low-income workers. The "homeland" is secure when the people who live there can eat, have a roof over their heads, can educate their children, can work at good jobs, and have access to medical care. In terms of policy, I'd like for someone go show me one single policy of this administration that has made us more and not less secure.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59577-2002Dec15.html

Rita Weinstein
Seattle, WA

Subj: Senator John Edwards

Dear BuzzFlash,

I'm from North Carolina, and I voted for John Edwards when he ran for Senator. As one of his constituents I have written and emailed him from time to time to ask that he vote a certain way on issues of importance to me. I was pretty satisfied with his job performance.

Since 9/11, however, Edwards is a stranger to me and to many previous supporters. He has consistently voted to give unprecedented executive powers to Bush (he voted yes for the Patriot Act and the Iraq war resolution). I and a great many North Carolinians phoned and faxed Edwards' office to plead with him to vote "no" on the war resolution. He not only ignored those pleas, but he didn't even bother to respond with a letter as is usual when a constituent contacts his office.

I have come to realize that Edwards is just another self-serving politician with his eye only on the prize...the 2004 Presidential race. His spinelessness is no less than that of Gephardt and Daschle. I even heard in a brief sound bite on one of the news programs recently that Edwards probably would go ahead and throw his hat into the Presidential ring because he had essentially pissed off so many of his NC constituents that running again for the Senate would be a lost cause.

Anyway, now that Gore has decided not to run, I don't know what we're going to do. The pickings are mighty slim out there. I know of no one who I respect enough to campaign and vote for. Senator Tom Harkin comes closest to anyone I know of, and that is only due to his impassioned speech at Senator Wellstone's memorial.

I am so ashamed of the Democratic Party these days. They just don't seem to get it. They honestly believe the party needs to move more to the right in order to gain more support. They don't understand that that is the very reason they're losing our support. Why don't they ask us (liberal Democrats) what we want in the way of leadership? I want someone whose courage, words and actions make my heart swell with pride. I haven't experienced that feeling in a long time. I think it's called patriotism.

Donn Gash

Subj: The Truth and Al Gore

Dear BuzzFlash,

Al Gore is speaking the TRUTH. He knows that the TRUTH is the weapon that will ultimately destroy the Bush machine. And don't give up hope: the TRUTH always, ALWAYS comes to light eventually. The American people will soon learn the TRUTH about Bush and all of his crimes against us, because President Al Gore will continue speaking out now that the republican jackals can no longer hurt him. As time goes on and Gore fights for us and for Democracy, it will become apparent that the Bush regime must go and that WE THE PEOPLE will be the ones to force Bush out. The media, those GOP lapdogs, will also continue to lose the trust of the American people...and we will just tune them right out. You just watch: Al Gore will become our champion, and because there will be no other Democrats who can even touch him at that point, we will stand behind him and support his re-election to the Presidency that he won and deserves. He may just change his mind.....but like any man who has been vilified, humiliated and almost destroyed, he has learned patience, and he will bide his time. When he is at his peak of strength, and when Bush et al are clinging desperately to their last vestiges of power, and when WE THE PEOPLE cry out for Al to lead us....he will strike, and WIN. Stranger things have happened.

elaine in Petaluma

Al: you looked GREAT behind The Desk on Saturday Night Live. We're saving the real seat for you.

Dear Buzz,

I'm positive the repugs will get rid of Lott. The whole thing's being choreographed as usual. It may not happen this week, next week, or the week after. But it will happen when it fits their agenda. W isn't going to call for Lott's ouster. W must always look like the pillar of loyalty that his handlers try to paint him as. No, others will do his dirty work. It's happening already. Does anyone not think that it was Bush and Rove who prodded Nickles to call for Lott's ouster? They're trying to keep W's hands clean, but mark my words, they cannot let Lott stay. This way of course, Bush and Co. will be able to point to this event and claim that W is clearly on the side of civil rights. And of course, the Stepford Americans will all buy it.

Barbara in NYC

Subj: Ari, Shut Up!

Ari,

Don't try your brainwash on Americans. We know perfectly well that if you listen to Dr. Jesse Jackson Jr., (He has a doctorate in jurisprudence, so he knows how to govern), you know that tax and spend liberal used to be applied to the Republican party. You guys in the Greedy Old Party (aka GOP) are very liberal with spending on wars and raising our taxes to pay for it, so shut up.

Mari

Subj: Cheeky Web Site

Dear BuzzFlash,

I hope you heard E J Dionne on NPR the other day. He referred to your editorial about the Karl Rove knife in the back of Trent Lott.

But the best part was when he (quite fondly, I thought) called you a "cheeky little website."

Love it!!!

Thank you for being there, and for being cheeky. You are the one bit of sanity in an otherwise insane world.

Lynne

Buzz,

First, I hold on to hope that a groundswell of support will rise for Al Gore to run in 2004. It would be great if the Democrats and the party reached out to him, rather than Al having to grovel. Frankly, we need him more than he needs us. End of story.

I am however, confident that even if Al doesn't run, he will continue to speak out on issues in a very forthright way. Much like Guiliani was after 9/11 - Al will be more honest, open and sincere because he is not running for office and is not looking at polls.

Second, I heard on Imus this morning (I know, I listen to find out what conservatives are saying), and Imus said there was a rumor that Lott was threatening to resign his Senate seat if he was ousted as majority leader. Seems Mississippi has Governor Musgrove -- a Democratic governor (I emphasize the "ic" because conservatives' new thing is to say democrat governor or senator or whatever). Bizarre - be sure to correct them at every turn.

Governor Musgrove will likely appoint a Democratic person to replace Lott - making the Senate 50/50 - which still keeps the Republicans in charge because of Cheney, but it makes it a whole lot more interesting........(can you say Chafee......)

While I am not predicting Lott will resign altogether - you just have to wonder what he is pushing back with to the White House and other Senate members. This is not a man who is taking one on the chin for the good of the party - he is going down kicking and screaming.

Kathy in Boston

Re: Gore Won't Run in 2004

Dear BuzzFlash,

We have heard too many comments from Dems against Al Gore, i.e., he lost an election that he should have won easily, that it was his to lose and he blew it, etc.

Let's face it, Dems don't know how to support a worthy candidate. Al Gore did not lose the election, he won the popular vote. He lost it because of the reasons I stated in my previous post. The reasons he lost would cause any Dem to lose except possibly Bill Clinton.

Back in history, the same thing happened if you care to study what happened. Not under the exact circumstances as in 2000, but the loser came back to win the next election, because he had the COMPLETE SUPPORT of his fellow Democrats.

Al Gore was not getting the support he deserved as possibly the best qualified candidate for president in history, against the worst qualified candidate.

If Ralph Nader had not ran against him, the outcome of the election would never have depended on the election in Florida, where the Bush regime pulled off their election dirty work.

Now, everyone wants to blame the loss on Al Gore. Give me a break, it was not Al Gore's fault, it was because two many Democrats don't do their duty and vote period. And too many dumb individuals who call themselves independents don't have enough sense to know the difference when it comes to the important issues. Well, now they will find out, because Bush is rehashing all of the rotten policies of Ronald Reagan, plus a whole bunch of new ones his supporters in the radical right and Christian Right and the wealthy are calling on him to come up with. We see it in the news every day: no environmental protection; no antitrust enforcement; less taxes for the wealthy; government funds for religious-based welfare; increased school vouchers to help religious schools and the wealthy, which will be at the expense of public education; turning over public lands to corporations to defile; drilling for oil in the National Wildlife Reserve; outrageous defense spending in order to reverse what was called the worst political blunder of the last century by his father; concentrating on Iraq when worse nations present greater threats to this country; privatizing Social Security; a return to huge deficits causing reductions in the economy, less funding for needed social programs; less funds for education; more conservative judges leaning to protect corporations from lawsuits and allowing them to reduce worker's rights and pensions; less funds to the states, requiring increase in state and local taxes; no needed increase in the minimum wage, etc. We can go on all day, describing the immense damage being done to the country by this administration. The only hope for any possible salvation for the average citizen is if enough moderate congressmen line up against him to upset his harm to the country.

I do not foresee much hope of defeating Bush in 2004 as long as Dems do not support the best candidates for election. Repugs are gaining too much power because they are the party of greed, and too many people believe they can become rich by voting for them. That is the difference between dedicated Democrats, and those calling themselves Independents and Republicans.

Ron Brown, a dedicated democrat

Subj: GOP to force middle class and poor taxpayers to pay more taxes

Dear BuzzFlash,

This is just great. Households making between $50,000 and $100,000 per year will pay more taxes if a GOP senator gets his way. Moreover, this dope wants to have a national sales tax? Who is the party of tax and spend? Are you listening Airhead Fleischer?

Mari

Subj: Evil Plan

Dear BuzzFlash,

Seems to me I read somewhere that GWB lived in a "whites only" apartment in Texas during the 70’s. Wondering if it’s true? Also of note was Jeb’s (pretender in waiting) race baiting during the recent campaign re: Jesse Jackson & Al Sharpton being in the state to support McBride when in fact they were there to protest something else.

Cannot help but wonder what evil scheme is being hatched or presidential power grab is taking place while everyone is focused on poor Trent. If the administration is true to form, this is a diversionary tactic.

I couldn't help but laugh at Mitch McConnell. He says in one breath that Lott has apologized and that Americans are a forgiving people. Then says, if Senate has censure resolution, everyone who ever said anything remotely racist will be vindictively attacked with amendments.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subj: Gore Wins! America Also!

Dear BuzzFlash,

I think Al Gore has just demonstrated one of the greatest political moves made in the last 15 years.

His analysis appears to me to be much deeper, and hidden, than the public statements that are passing throughout the media. We know, and he does, that the Republikan machine 'had his number' and the media was also waiting to pass its contempt of Al to the voting public.

By eliminating himself (for the present), he can aspire to join Bill Clinton on the sidelines and help direct the policy formation capabilities of the Democratic Party. With those two and Nancy Pelosi as non-candidate voices, perhaps a unifying message can be developed, as had been done with the Democratic Leadership Council, creating a buffer for the emerging candidates.

And to win in 2004, there must be some alliance between the candidates and the 'voice of Democrats' as counterweight to the machine that brought GW B to office.

I see this action by Gore as positive, being a 'structurally sound' and perfect counterfoil to the Republikan machine.

And who better to 'attack' then the rightful winner of the last election?

Watch how this develops in the next six months; Gore is free to say ANYTHING, and the White House can only spin so fast: they'll need motion sickness medicine!

Thanks

A BuzzFlash Reader
Hermance, Suisse

Dear BuzzFlash,

"There has been immoral leadership in my part of the country for a long time."

Is Lott speaking in the present tense? Seems to be.

The Dem's need to go after this statement in FULL FORCE.

But will they?

PJ

WELL IF THAT NICKLES GUY HAS AN IDENTICAL RECORD TO LOTT'S..............HOW WOULD THEY BE ANY BETTER OFF TRADING ONE RACIST FOR ANOTHER. MAYBE THEY SHOULD PICK A REPUBLICAN SENATOR WHO HAS VOTED IN FAVOR OF SOME CIVIL RIGHTS BILLS.

DIANE ANDERSON IN MIAMI FL.

Subj: Santorum: Majority Leader

Dear BuzzFlash,

The Washington Post listing Senator Santorum as a strong contender to become Majority Leader must be some sort of sick joke.

The article stated that he has "the strongest record on trying to boost minority opportunities on inner-city projects in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh".

Many of us feel we have only one senator representing PA, and it isn't Rick Santorum, the darling of Elsie Hillman and Richard M. Scaife. One week after he was elected he moved his entire family to Virginia -- something he said he would not do.

The only time we see Ricky in PA is when he is supporting his rich benefactors. Could it be that the Post is referring to his support of building football and baseball stadiums in Philly and Pittsburgh using taxpayer money (By the way, voters gave a resounding NO to this proposal. Santorum and Ridge both ignored this referendum.)? Santorum recently promised federal money for lengthening a runway at local airport which would greatly benefit Joe Hardy, the wealthy owner of 84 Lumber and Nemacolin Woods. As Joe Hardy put it "the extension would allow executives to arrive much closer to Nemacolin".

Remember Santorum's impassioned defense of the pharmaceutical companies and the inclusion of Eli Lilly exception in the Homeland Security Bill?

What about his stand on tort reform? He is all for a $250,000 limit for damages in malpractice suits, yet his wife sued a chiropractor for $500,000 and was awarded $350,000 for permanent back pain and numbness in one leg. (How permanent was this pain when she had two more children after the lawsuit?)

Many of us in Pennsylvania do not have a high opinion of Ricky Santorum. We bemoan the fact that the Democrats have never selected a strong candidate to oppose him in his elections.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Dear BuzzFlash,

Karl Rove wants Trent Lott gone. Shouldn't that give cause to reconsider his removal?

John Sullivan

Subj: The Ins and Outs of Trent

Dear BF,

You called it. Finally, The NY Times today carried the story regarding Bush & Co wanting Lott out. The story also mentions something I heard on a TV program, that if Lott steps down from SML then he would probably also resign as senator rather than live in humiliation. His resignation might lead MS's Demo gov to appoint a Demo senator to replace Lott, tipping thereby the Senate back to 50-50 (bringing our invisible friend Dick -- a sort of invisible hand --back into the picture). The GHP, alert to this issue, is apparently trying to find a way for Lott to step down without having him resign altogether.

My questions is, why aren't you and all the other sites who have been working on this issue calling for Lott to resign from the Senate rather than just step down from SML? We need to prevent yet another GHP magic trick.

Yours,

Paul Bunyan

Subj: Racist TV ad from 2000

Dear BuzzFlash,

If you are digging up old racist messages from GOP, please remember the "school choice" ad from the Presidential Election 2000. The one where the mother says that public schools offered a "little TOO much diversity."

Please connect Bush's push for school choice with a racist agenda! I do know that ABC and some of the mass media picked up on that racist ad, but the GOP denied making it.

Do you need help looking up any links to it? Think how miffed Rove would get if Bush got a little of Lott's boo-boo stuck to his shoe!

~~robyn su

Subj: White House Wants Lott--GONE

Hey, Buzzy, you know you're right, but if you want more evidence, check this one:

"Lott backers have warned that if he is dumped as leader, he may resign from the Senate, leaving it up to Mississippi's Democratic governor, Ronnie Musgrove, to name a successor until a new senator is elected next year. Musgrove would probably appoint a Democrat, taking away the Republican's Senate majority. But White House officials have told Republicans that Bush is willing to accept the consequences if Lott quits and allows Musgrove to replace him, GOP officials said."

Talk about taking a fire-axe to a guy's knees.

But another cracker Democrat would be a beautiful thing, making the Senate exactly 50-50. What a moment for that grandstanding lens lizard John McCain....

steve

Dear BuzzFlash,

Trent Lott might want to take up the study of Karma a la what he did to President Clinton. I'm sure he now has a somewhat different view of what it feels like to be hounded to the ends of the earth. And, the good news is? It's being done by his friends.

Richard L. Fricker
Tulsa

Dear BuzzFlash,

If it was not for your reporting of the anti-war protests in the US, I would not believe they were taking place at all. What's going on? The other morning an American official did an half hour interview on a national radio network. When asked about the antiwar feeling in America he replied, and I quote "it is virtually non-existent, and what is being reported is being blown up by the media. There is no real antiwar sentiment." Unfortunately I am unable to remember the man's name, but clearly this is the impression they want to send out, and for those outside the US that perception is their reality. So I ask again, what's going on??!

D.M.Reid (NZ)