NDN Blog

The Washington Post takes an in-depth look at the private sector work of Rudy Giuliani. In it, the Post shows how Giuliani used his name to quadruple his business, while sometimes bringing controversial figures on board.

For more information on NDN's coverage of the 2008 Presidential election, click here.

The New York Times offers another look at the role President Clinton is taking in his wife's campaign for president. From the lede:

Bill Clinton’s connections, and his endless supply of chits, only begin to capture his singular role in his wife’s presidential candidacy, advisers and friends of the couple say. He is the master strategist behind the scenes; the consigliere to the head of “the family,” as some Clinton aides refer to her operation; and a fund-raising machine who is steadily pulling in $100,000 or more at receptions.

For more information on NDN's coverage of the 2008 Presidential election, click here.

In an interview with the Washington Post, LA Governor Kathleen Blanco was blunt when discussing her dealings with Washington, DC after Hurricane Katrina. From the interview:

"It's all political," she began. "You know, this country's run on politics. But when a disaster comes that is not what you expect, you expect a human reaction, not a political reaction. And I will tell you, there's a void," Blanco drawled, "a total void of human response. And it's extremely discouraging as an American citizen. It makes me angry and extremely disappointed."

Though it wasn't enough, Governor Blanco recognized the President's efforts to bring much-needed funds to her state. She then offered rather alarming commentary on her experience with the 109th Congress:

"I absolutely hated the idea of having to go to Washington, D.C., to deal with the last Congress, because their attitude was brutal," she said. "The old Congress made us feel like we were pretty stupid for standing in the way of the hurricane and that we were asking for far too much assistance.

"They ignored the fact that it wasn't the hurricane, per se, that caused our damage," Blanco explained in a forceful, yet measured, tone. "It was the failure, an engineering failure, of the federal levees that caused our enormous grief. If we had not had levee failures, people would have walked home, and today we would not even be sitting here talking about it." She did say the new Congress was "definitely more interested in trying to help us."

President Bush used his weekly radio address to tout comprehensive immigration reform. From the address (listen here and read the Spanish version here):

We must address all elements of this problem together, or none of them will be solved at all. We must not repeat the mistakes that caused previous efforts at immigration reform to fail. So I support a comprehensive immigration reform bill that accomplishes five clear objectives:

First, America must continue our efforts to improve security at our borders.

Second, we must hold employers to account for the workers they hire, by providing better tools for them to verify documents and work eligibility.

Third, we must create a temporary worker program that takes pressure off the border by providing foreign workers a legal and orderly way to enter our country to fill jobs that Americans are not doing.

Fourth, we must resolve the status of millions of illegal immigrants who are here already, without amnesty and without animosity.

Finally, we must honor the great American tradition of the melting pot. Americans are bound together by our shared ideals, an appreciation of our history, and an ability to speak and write the English language. And the success of our country depends upon helping newcomers assimilate into our society and embrace our common identity as Americans.

An article from the Washington Post sheds light on yet another local law attempting to fix our broken immigration system the wrong way. This time, the spotlight is on Farmers Branch, TX, a Dallas suburb, which is facing a vote to keep an ordinance like others around the country "prohibiting landlords from renting to most illegal immigrants."

Some residents of Farmer's Branch blame the inability of the federal government to act on this issue as the reason for taking such a stand. But we all know that Harry Reid and Senate Democrats are attempting to put forth a comprehensive plan, one that doesn't evoke discriminatory views or bigotry.

The New York Times reveals a new venture for Facebook: free classified ads. The new service, entitled Marketplace, will be introduced today and will "allow users to create classified listings in four categories: housing; jobs; for sale, where users can list things like concert tickets and used bikes; and “other,” a catch-all that could include things like solicitations for rides home for the holidays." Targeting who is able to see the ads, the article points out:

Facebook users who create classifieds can choose to show them only to their designated friends on the service, or to anyone in one of their “networks” — their high school, college, company or geographic region. They can choose to make the listings appear on their profile pages, and send them out on “news feeds,” the automatic updates that appear when users log in to the site.

The article also touches on the affect of Facebook's new Marketplace on traditional advertising sources:

Traditional media like college newspapers, which rely to a varying degree on classified ads, may be threatened as well. “If Facebook can provide a larger audience at a lower price than traditional media, people will shift their advertising dollars,” said Daniel A. Jauernig, chief executive of Classified Ventures, a joint venture of five media companies including the Tribune Company and the Washington Post Company.

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson is going on offense in an attempt to prove that the U.S. is open to foreign investment. Citing the Dubai Ports World deal as an example of skepticism surrounding the issue, Paulson is reaching out. Today he spoke at a panel on the importance of attracting foreign investment capital, and is scheduled to head to St. Louis tomorrow to meet with foreign-owned firms.

Adding his weight to the issue, the President released a statement encouraging foreign direct investment in the U.S. today. The first from a president in 15 years (the last was issued by George H.W. Bush), it cites foreign investment as key to creating jobs, stimulating growth and boosting productivity in the U.S. Two interesting paragraphs from the statement:

A free and open international investment regime is vital for a stable and growing economy, both here at home and throughout the world. The threat of global terrorism and other national security challenges have caused the United States and other countries to focus more intently on the national security dimensions of foreign investment. While my Administration will continue to take every necessary step to protect national security, my Administration recognizes that our prosperity and security are founded on our country's openness.

...

My Administration is also committed to advancing free and fair trade in multilateral, regional, and bilateral negotiations. We will work aggressively to conclude the World Trade Organization's Doha Development Agenda negotiations and to secure congressional approval of the free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, Peru, and South Korea. The prospects for the Doha Development Agenda negotiations to produce significant new economic opportunities, particularly in developing countries, demand that we do everything possible to reach an outcome that creates new trade flows and strengthens global development.

Governor Brad Henry of Oklahoma signed an immigration bill this week that tightens employment standards to prevent illegal immigrants from finding work. On his state's action the Governor said, "States can take some actions on their own, but until the U.S. Congress enacts a comprehensive, national immigration policy, citizens will see little progress on this issue."

More on the bill from the Houston Chronicle:

The measure requires state and local agencies to verify the citizenship and immigration status of applicants for state or local benefits.

It also requires public agencies starting Nov. 1 to use a program to screen Social Security numbers to make sure they are real and match up with the job applicant's name. Private companies must comply by July 1, 2008.

The measure would not affect emergency medical and humanitarian services, such as visits to hospital emergency rooms and enrollment in public schools, that are required by federal law.

...

"It's going to take us back," said Ray Madrid, state director of the League of United Latin American Citizens. "I'm sure there's going to be neighbors turning neighbors in.

Things like this inspire us to work so hard to pass humane, comprehensive immigration reform.

From Greg Sargent at TPMCafé:

- Here's a glimpse into the reunion dinner that longtime Al Gore aides and friends had in DC recently. The bottom line: they don't think Al will run.

- NPI Fellow Joe Trippi gave an interview on the Edwards campaign and the Iraq strategies of other campaigns.

From the Wall Street Journal:

- Here's a quick look at the financial disclosures of presidential candidates and their campaigns. Specifically, the piece looks at which candidates have disclosed their tax returns and which campaigns disclosed their bundlers (supporters who raise a lot of money and bundle it together).

- Warren Buffett discussed ways in which he'd support Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in a recent interview:

“If there’s anything I can do to help either of these people become president, I’d be delighted to do it, and I think I’d be doing something for the country. They’re out there 14 hours a day under very unpleasant circumstances. If they want me to help them raise money, I’d do it. If they ask for advice, I’d be glad to give it,” he said, adding that he expects to provide the most help in the candidates’ fund-raising efforts.

Here's video of Buffett's comments (about 5 minutes into the interview):

For more information on NDN's coverage of the 2008 Presidential election, click here.

As part of its Impact channel, MySpace is hosting "Presidential Town Hall" meetings on college campuses across the nation from September through December. 12 candidates (7 Republicans and 5 Democrats) will participate in the meetings, answering questions from MySpace users who submit their questions over IM. From the article in the Wall Street Journal:

The town hall meetings are part of a plan to get the "MySpace generation" engaged in the political process, says site co-founder Chris DeWolfe. MySpace, like video Web site YouTube.com, is proving to be a lively campaign stop for candidates, especially as they court the youth vote. If roused, the group could become a potent force in elections. Mr. DeWolfe says that 85% of MySpace users world-wide are old enough to vote.

For more information on NDN's coverage of the 2008 Presidential election, click here.