So does the pooch get to go tonight?

Mr. Clemons, being that you are somewhat of a gov't insider and knowledgeable to an extent that few surpass, it disturbs me to no end that even you, partisan yet fair and level-headed, are this distraught over Alito. Perhaps I've just been pretending that his one vote would not a Democracy cripple, but it would appear we know less than we should; or at least our Democratic Senators are ignoring the danger. There may exist blogs where your written text may appear moderate, but on this site, the fact you can so deadpan "this will seriously harm our democracy" makes it extremely alarming and frightening in its context. And to think, we're only one more justice's death or retirement from complete and utter Armageddon.

On the bright side....nice choice of dinner date!

There's a handsome couple!

Thanks for all your "help" in stopping Alito. Sleep well.

Enough with the name dropping. Sometimes your page reads like a well-informed political blog, the next day it's Page 6 and "your fabulous brunch with the engaging Margaret Tutwiler." Gimme a break.

Steve,

Great job with pulling together the program and people for "Real State of U.S. Foreign Policy 2006" in just 1 week. I tuned in for most of it on C-Span 3 ( BTW the program labek they had for it was Mining ? ).

At any rate the speakers and questions were very good and you did a great job as moderator and more.

I thought Wes Clark was superb and sure hope he runs because he's the ONLY ONE that will get any cross over Republican votes and a significant percentage of the independents to wipe the floor clean against ANY Republican Pres. candidate in 2008.

I'll say it right now...there is NO other Dem that can win in 2008 ! What the Dems need to completely focus on now ( and I have total confidence in Howard Dean ) is taking back the House in Nov. Once done and won they can better position for more in 2008.

Clark's quote below certainly resonates today after in Alito.

"No Democrat can win in 2008 unless the American people believe that they can defend them! The American people will trust the Democratic Party to defend America, when they believe that Democrats will defend other Democrats."

- Wesley Clark, April 16, 2005

Steve:

I share your concern over Alito. One need only look at the extent of his minority dissents, and the CONSISTENT pattern for supporting unlimited executive power. I'm sorry you were stretched too thin to offer some leadership on this, and as you note, the effort began much too late. The Democrats have neither spine nor discipline, and perhaps have lost touch w/ what matters to folks outside the beltway. I urge all those who recognize how tyranny of the majority morphs into dictatorship to appeal to moderate Republicans. They may be our best hope. Even Sen. Bingaman voted against cloture.

Kudos for the C-Span 3 forum. What you are doing to bring moderates of BOTH parties together is exactly what is needed. I do believe Americans are tired and disgusted w/ partisan demagoguery, and ready for folks to speak to the issues w/ depth and substance. (Since you are meeting w/Domenici tonight, you might ask him to support the bipartisan nano tech Bill proposed by Wyden and Allen.)

Punchy:

I fail to see why you are not concerned. There was a time when conservatives would have led the dissent - they were once for states rights and against legislating from the bench. Now that even Chief Justice Roberts has revealed himself to be an activist judge (i.e. voting against allowing states to set medical standards and legislate as they see fit (Oregon 's Right to Die w/ Dignity Act - GONZALES V. OREGON (04-623) we are ever so close to losing our democracy exactly the same way Germany did - subversion of the judicial check on an executive. With Scalia and Thomas sure votes for expanding executive power, w/ Alito we now have 4 judges willing to put the president above the law. And w/ Stevens being 85, democracy hangs by a thread.

You know my position on this. Sandra Day O'Connor is more to blame for cause (TWICE), but I do register you in the non-effect column.

Steve never said he was too busy to lead this -- he said that he couldn't. Perhaps he thought it would be too politcally damaging. ?

Hell, I'd have paid the assistants if it were just about busy. That's easy.

You look to me a little like Ronald Reagan in that photo, which I don't mean to be derogatory but per force sort of is coming from me. I'm sure it's just the lighting.

erich;

You've completely misread what I wrote. I am VERY concerned, and even moreso when I see straight talkers (i.e., those unlikely to engage in hyperbole) like Mr. Clemons express such dispair.

In other words, if a guy as intellegent on these matters as SC is demonstrates this level of despondence, then it must be much worse than I envisioned. And for this I fear for this country.

Dear Steve- Many thanks to you for coordinating today's Real State of the Union events. I've heard it will be aired at 8:50 EST.

C-Span does have video up & available here (but the link may change pending archiving):

this link may only be good for a day or two since it may be archived differently, but the video link is up now...

http://www.c-span.org/videoarchives.asp?CatCodePairs=,&ArchiveDays=100

New America Foundation on State of Foreign Policy
In Washington, DC, the New America Foundation talks about the "Real State of Foreign Policy."
1/30/2006: WASHINGTON, DC: 4 hr. 25 min.

Of course, I fast forwarded to Wes Clark speaking immediate- about 3:24 into the program- Now about to start over & listen to all the speakers.

I'm deeply grateful to you for providing the forum- also deeply grateful to Wes for his clarity of vision, willingness to put country before party always & his urgent, wise, much-needed words.

We so need this opportunity- and others on an ongong basis- in which to discuss freely our body politic, our place in the world, etc. free of interference, to work towards forming a more perfect union in a less corrupt atmosphere- for this, I am newly grateful for the blogs. And it underscores the importance of coordinating real world events with online activities.

Thanks again for helping to provide a day filled with much food for thought & lots of instructive wisdom. So nice to hear unmediated questions fro the audience.

Wes is a class act. Can't wait to hear the rest of the program.

Bloggers- Come & check out General Clark's National Security PAC: http://securingamerica.com

"so will moderate Republicans."

name one.

neil..thanks for your admonition....but I share what I do with my readers. I hang out with folks who are involved in public policy -- Republicans and Democrats. I share it because most of my readers want to know. There will be much more of that here at TWN, as well as discussion of big ideas and policy matters.

All the best,

Steve Clemons

Hello Mr. Clemons,
I'm currently watching you on C-SPAN. I'm glad I didn't turn my TV after O'Sullivan. Your speech is/was well worth the wait.

I just do not understand why the Democrats could not get it together for the Alito "fight". Who the hell is in charge? Kerry should not have had to mount an ad hoc opposition. Alito's record is so objectionable, only the fringe should have been backing him. God only knows "deals" were struck. This was not about abortion, that's for sure.

Re: 'On other fronts, this is sad news. I have mixed feelings about this last minute filibuster, that should have been planned a month ago.'
Well, that's what happens when people (netcitizens) make themselves heard. The inner circle (and yes, I've read the book and use this term advisedly) were completely blindsided by the flurry of contacts by the netroots, so put the filibuster together in a hurry (i.e., no planning). It's disgusting that this has turned out to be such a horrible day for women, especially - and for all of us.

name one.

Posted by Pudentilla
_______________________

Chuck Hagel - abstained on cloture vote today.

Mr. Clemons, I think that there is too much money going out to countries like China, Pakistan, India, etc, its no secret, just go to your local store, almost everything is made in China and Pakistan, call Dell Support or other product support, you will get connected to India also Dell is hiring 15,000 people in India while Ford and GM Laying off 30,000 people in America as well as Kraft Foods laying off 8,000, good chance that these jobs will be offshore too. I think that America is setting its self up for disaster, Americans are known to be consumers, but how can we be consumers if we have no jobs or money? How can we do anything when money is pouring out of the country because of Bush's Foreign Policy where it makes it cheaper to outsource then to hire locally. I suggest that we slowly phase in taxing imports heavily. We can use this tax to pay for our deficit and fund schools / create free schools (colleges and universities) like in Poland so that we can better educate our America in becoming independent of any sources abroad. We are labeled as "consumers" for too long, the meaning is starting to sound we are lazy, sloppy and dumb. We should transition in to a more "Productive" America.

If we believe in freedom, then why do we not support the freedom of other countries? I think the recent wars were more about business contracts with the Bush mob then terror. Just read some Enron e-mails for the word "Bush"
http://orange.sims.berkeley.edu/~atf/enron/enron.cgi

As the first road to freedom, we should get rid of terrorists, the first one is, Bush, who has been terrorizing the American people, cheating, lying, covering up, the real reason we are at war, which is major business contracts. Instead of trying Saddam, we should try Bush for global terrorism.

What makes Bush the weapon of mass destruction?

1. Terrorizing America and Middle East.
2. Using U.S. troops and casualties for personal gain (bogus war).
3. Katrina
4. Outsourcing Jobs
5. Major Government Scandals
6. After watching Bush talk on TV, you know less then before.
7. Medicare
8. Lack of diplomacy.
9. Need I say more?

Bush administration answer on why Exxon has record profits "Well, gas prices are high, and Exxon has allot of it."

Does Bush thinks everyone is that dumb?

I like your C-SPAN appearance , great job, I wish I had taped it..

Steve, your dissappointment at Alito's ascension to his position as the King's Legal Scribe is suprising, considering your lack of comment these last three days when the Blogosphere was a literal hotbed of activism seeking to force our cowardly and mewling Democratic "leaders" to filibuster. This was a FAR FAR sadder day for Democracy than your lukewarm tsk tsks imply.

And that opportunistic and self-serving coward Reid should promptly resign his position as Minority Leader. And if Kerry makes political hay out of his late and insincere posturing, it will be damned near as big a tragedy as Alito's confirmation is going to be.

Steve,

Thank you for hosting this forum. In truth, your speakers provided a total picture that vividly exposed the real and serious threats facing our country, which I regard, as a consequence of failed policies by the Bush Administration.

Albeit respective of your efforts to provoke dialogue and action, I'm not as optimistic that things will get better in the coming years, especially by this administration.

In the months/years ahead, these distinguished speakers envisioned a state of the union, in which: the US faces real prospects of an economic repression/depression, as a consequence of our $8.2 Trillion dollar debt; a 'tilted' globalization trade policy that favors more Chinese and Asian workers; a greater loss in US competitiveness and technological innovation that will result even more job loss in millions; a greater energy dependency on oil/coal alone; ...with no real alternative energy resource initiatives; serious global climate change and warming; a more flatulence, "you can't sell" shit in American diplomacy, according to Wilkerson; a rise in nuclear proliferation by terrorist-sponsored states; an first democratically-elected terrorist organization in the ME.

In summary, the policies of this administration has adversely impacted our national security interest, particularly as Iran seems to be the only beneficiary. The clear message articulated by these speakers suggested that this administration will continue to mislead our country forward in the wrong course, as Wesley Clark empathically articulated during his keynote speech.

So much for world peace(?).

I also noted in your talk that you remain more an optimist, as you indicated that "they" are listening for ideas. I'm not a historian, but isn't this like talking to the Politboro or the CCP Central Committee, who professed the ideals of Marx, Lenin, Mao or Ho Chi Min? It's their intent towards dialogue that I will always remain skeptical towards them. Instead of framing foreign policy around facts, this administration will continue to frame it around greed and corruption.

Ironically, I have (some) hope and deep respect by efforts from you and everyone who supported this forum -- those who provoke the administration, above the rhetoric of their ideas and misleadership; and those who seriously confront the real issues towards real, constructive and substantive solutions.

Congrats,...Terrific job by NAF!!

Dom M.

I watched about 2 hours of it last night while I was cutting the back for a new quilt I'm making. I usually work on quilts while watching football but this combination worked surprisingly well.

Your speakers were top notch as usual. I appreciated the economic overview of China as well as the question/answer concerning Pakistan's presidential succession.

Thanks for giving value to my expensive college education, those forums are better than some lectures that I've been too.

It's just a wee bit late to be lamenting about the supreme court, eh? It was that body sans Roberts and Alito that put Junior into the White House.