Meet David Roth with Alivia and Anita.  Mary Bono is terrified of this big, mean Democrat (pictured with his liberal family) and his mean, mean questions about Iraq, political corruption, and her votes attacking seniors, children, and disabled veterans.  She won’t debate, won’t even address a public forum without assurances that Roth won’t be scheduled the same day, as is the case with the Palm Springs Green Expo this weekend.  She’s petrified.  Now we have Mark Foley epitomizing the rot of Republican rule.  Let’s count the ways Mary Bono’s story “adjusts” to unfolding news reports, shall we?  

Crossposted at Daily Kos

First, Mary Bono said she had “no personal ties” to Foley on Monday, October 2nd.  Trouble is, the reports of her nickname for Foley (“Hollywood” – hey, I thought she hated Hollywood) were already printed on September 30th in the Herald Tribune, and on Oct. 2nd in USA Today

This report, by The Desert Sun‘s DC reporter was filed on October 3rd, but our GOP mouthpiece of a local paper didn’t run it as Diane Marrero wrote it (this version lives only on Lexis/Nexis, as far as I know):

HEADLINE: Foley close to Bonos

BYLINE: DIANA MARRERO

DATELINE: WASHINGTON

BODY:  Rep. Mary Bono and her late husband, Sonny, had ties to former lawmaker Mark Foley, who recently resigned from Congress amid scandal.

An avid rock fan, Foley became friends with Sonny Bono after the two joined the ranks of House Republicans in 1994.

But Bono, R-Palm Springs, denied having any personal ties to Foley on Monday, adding that she was shocked to learn the Florida Republican had reportedly sent explicit Internet messages to teenage boys.

Her spokesman, Jason Vasquez, said Bono did not know whether her late husband and Foley had been close.

“The inappropriate conduct by former Rep. Mark Foley is unacceptable and abhorrent,” Bono said in a statement. “Mr. Foley’s actions go against the values and responsibilities upheld by Congress. If he has violated the law, he should be prosecuted.”

In an interview with the Palm Beach Post in 2003, Foley said he had been friends with the couple. He loved the entertainment scene so much that Mary and Sonny Bono began calling him “Hollywood,” he told the Post.

Sonny Bono and Foley formed a Republican Entertainment Industry Task Force to boost ties between Republicans and entertainment industry executives.

When Sonny Bono died eight years ago, Foley was among a group of lawmakers who flew to California for the funeral. Later, Mary Bono sold Foley her late husband’s 1994 Jeep Wrangler.

Before Sonny Bono died, the former singer helped raise campaign cash for Foley. In 1998, the Florida lawmaker gave Mary Bono a $1,000 contribution, for her campaign to succeed her late husband in Congress.

Mary Bono now co-chairs the Recording Arts and Sciences Congressional Caucus, of which Foley was a member. Mary Bono has also worked with Foley on legislation, signing on as a co-sponsor earlier this year on a bill Foley introduced to strengthen Congress’ scrutiny over the sales of ports and other properties to foreign buyers.

—-

Contact reporter Diana Marrero at [email protected].

What did The Desert Sun go with?  This article, on October 4th, by local guy Keith Matheny instead:

Bono on Monday said she had no personal ties to Foley. Bono’s spokesman, Jason Vasquez, said Bono did not know whether Foley and her late husband, Sonny Bono, were friends, though they did co-found Republican Entertainment Industry Task Force to boost ties between Republicans and entertainment industry executives.

Mary Bono called for a “comprehensive investigation” of Foley’s activities.

“Mr. Foley’s actions go against the values and responsibilities upheld by Congress,” Bono said. “Should it be determined that he has engaged in acts which have harmed children or put them in jeopardy, he like any other person must be held accountable. If he has violated the law, he should be prosecuted.”

 David Roth was more direct:

La Quinta Democrat David Roth, running for the 45th Congressional District seat currently held by Bono in the Nov. 7 general election, accused Hastert of covering up Foley’s actions and called on him to resign.

“It’s one more thing that disgusts people about their government,” Roth said. “I will never turn a blind eye to corruption, cover-up and inappropriate behavior.”

As Mary Bono’s initial denials are clearly not operative, she gives us this on October 5th:

Rep. Mary Bono knew her former congressional colleague Mark Foley was gay, wasn’t publicly admitting it, and that it “haunted him for some reason.”

“I would tell him, ‘It’s fine you’re gay; just be open and honest about it,'” Bono said after an event at Palm Springs airport Wednesday morning.

Wait a minute!  Isn’t that a personal remark to make to someone with whom you have “no personal ties?”  -Come on out of the closet, stranger, hey, nothing personal-  Please.

Does Mary Bono call for Denny Hastert to resign?  Heavens, no.  But she would support a special prosecutor, she claims in her latest canned appearance in front of a safely GOP crowd.  

This concerned parent of “What do you tell your children” fame, had no idea that her friend Mark – strike that – colleague Mark was ever inappropriate with Congressional pages.  No idea at all.  I don’t buy it, even given the empty headed things Mary has said in the past:

May 5, 2006

Bono Sings the Blues, Paying for College on $165,000 a Year

The rising cost of a college education is one of the key higher-education issues in Congress, and one member this week helped explain why, in a very personal way. According to an article (subscriber only) in Roll Call, a newspaper that covers Congress, Rep. Mary Bono, a California Republican, said on Wednesday that her government salary of $165,200 a year was not enough to send her son Chesare to college this fall.

Speaking at a hearing on consumer issues, she said that were it not for the music royalties of her late husband, Sonny Bono, “I could not afford college for my son.” Among her many expenses, she said, were new cars for herself and for Chesare, Roll Call reported. Both vehicles came equipped with a satellite radio and a Bluetooth wireless connection to the Internet.

  Oblivious remarks about living expenses aside (and boy, does that remark tell you all you need to know about Bono), all parents of teens have this particular radar, as Barbara Boxer pointed out.  I just don’t buy it.  And if Mary Bono truly found this whole disgusting affair to be a shock, then she’s too willfully blind to serve the nation.  But we all knew that already.

David Roth LIVE!  

The Roth campaign (CA-45) has new videos.   This latest, “Blow Over,” notes Mary Bono’s total obedience to the Bush/Cheney idiocy.   May 2004, Mary Bono said, “I think this Iraq thing will blow over …”  that was over 2000 dead Americans ago.

For the next, let us all halloo his name to the reverberate hills, and all hail the glorious Howie Klein of Blue America, who gave the Roth campaign (among many others) “Had Enough”

Here’s Roth on the campaign trail, it’s called “Change Washington”.  Regarding Mary Bono, she claims she had “no personal contact” with Foley, though Sonny and Mark were big buddies, Mary and Sonny nicknamed Foley “Hollywood,” and Mary sold Sonny’s Jeep to Foley after Sonny’s death.  “Foley, who?”  I don’t buy it, Mary.  Why no condemnation of Foley, back when it could have spared a few kids, as you condemned Clinton?  Any wonder why this Bushbot won’t debate David Roth?

Please help us kick her complicit butt out of Washington, and elect David Roth.  

Cross posted at Daily Kos

( – promoted by SFBrianCL)

When Mary Bono first came to Washington, she made herself immediately useful to the House GOP leadership in its assault on Clinton.  Does anyone remember Susan Carpenter McMillan, pictured with Bono and Paula Jones?  {Shudder}  Mary Bono gave us “What do you tell your children?” back then, but we have yet to hear any similar parental concern over the House pages that her buddy Mark Foley covets.  Here’s Bono with Foley and Connie Mack as they yuk it up with Kelly Preston. What do you tell your children about Uncle Foley, Mary?  What’s that?  Still can’t hear you.  How about torture?  No?  Student aid?  Healthcare?  Why are you one of the worst for children and seniors?  Silence.  Still can’t find her, either.  Bono won’t debate, and David Roth told the 100+ supporters outside her office last Wednesday – don’t bother asking for debate, she’s clearly too frightened of a public airing of her record.  Just ask her to go home.  Had Enough?  H/t: Blue America and Howie Klein for these fabulous videos!

David Roth has a great new video from the campaign trail, as well.  And a stinging retort to the local GOP rag, The Desert Sun, who has a member of its editorial board on Bono’s finance committee, but somehow keeps forgetting to mention that in print. 
Here’s who David’s got:
And this beautiful family:

And the enthusiastic support of our local unions, Democratic clubs, teachers, mayors, 21st Century Democrats, Barbara Boxer’s PAC for a Change, and -hell, check the whole list.  David converts Republicans to his side on contact.  He’s that good.  Bono has incumbency, Abramoff $$$, and corporate fat cats on her side, but I believe that her constituent support is shallow.

I was filling up my scruffy Saturn in Palm Desert yesterday, and a cheerful blonde with a gleaming Escalade asked me about my Roth for Congress bumpersticker: “ROTH for Congress – Democrats, Republicans, and Independents United” it says.  “So what’s Roth?” she asked.  “Democrat,” I said, “he’s running against Mary Bono for Congress.”  “Oh, well, I’m a friend of Mary’s,” said she.  “I’ve heard she’s a lovely person,” I said, “I just believe her votes are all wrong, 90% in lockstep with a very bad leadership.”  So we chatted amiably, and found we agreed that Bono is bought and sold by big money, LOVES to be in Congress but isn’t entitled to that sweet job (it belongs to us), and that Roth’s positions are better for the country and the district.

But she’s going to Mary Bono’s upcoming fundraisers, I imagine she always has.  Bono’s supporters have little idea what she’s really up to in Washington, like most Americans, they don’t think about it much.  This one bristled a bit when I noted that Roth is an education expert, and would bring a stronger take on public schools and higher ed than Bono has.  (Bono cast the deciding vote to cut $14 billion from federal student aid, while whining that her $165K salary isn’t much when faced with USC tuition.  Bono’s wealth is maintained by Sonny Bono’s royalties added to her $165,000 Congressional salary.  This evidence that Bono Just Doesn’t Get It gets right through to parents I talked to today while walking the precincts in Indio.  But I digress.)

Mary’s friend shared Bono’s total lack of interest in public schools, “My kids are in private schools, and I’ve had it with public schools, they’re so bad, I don’t want to pay for any of it.”  Wow.  Rather than assail her selfishness and anti-American disregard for the public good, I assumed a spoiled Republican POV and asked her a question she would consider seriously:  I know what you’re saying, but what about when these kids leave public schools?  These will be our neighbors, our community.  What kind of neighbors will these kids be?” 

“Well, she’s a woman, and that’s great, you know.”  “Well, yes,” I said, “that is great, but just ask the other women we’ve got, ask Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, Lynn Woolsey and Loretta Sanchez, they’re all for Roth!”

She laughed, our cars were gassed up, and we smiled and went our separate ways.  If this is a typical Bono supporter, then Bono’s support is simply a matter of default, and a broad misapprehension of Bono’s legislative priorities.  She’s a Bushbot and obedient tool of the House leadership.  Bono is a follower, and this week her leadership is in meltdown.  Will she show her face in public around here?  Probably not, unless you pay big.  But we will get a real public servant to represent us Congress when David Roth wins.  Help kick Mary Bono’s complicit butt with your contribution here.

Crossposted at Daily Kos

First things first:  “Roth-A-Palooza” Rock Concert in support of David Roth’s run for Congress

This Saturday, September 30, 2006

9:00 PM

Rock Garden Cafe

777 S. Palm Canyon, Palm Springs, CA 92264

Local bands for Roth:

Sound Asleep

MECHE

Save Us Now

The Movie Colony

The Feedbacks

Bernice & Alex

$5 cover   Let’s hear it for Juan Carlos Sanchez, rocking field organizer, pictured (left) with our own kickass David Roth.  You can’t fool the youth.  Which brings me to Bono.

Once a young widow filling Sonny Bono’s seat, Mary Bono has grown up to be a reliable Rubberstamp Republican and Bush toady.    Bono voted for torture.  Bono thinks we’re making “inroads” in the Middle East.  (Does she ever see the news?)  Bono cast the deciding vote to cut $14 billion from federal student aid.  Today (UPDATE: actually, on 9/23, to pre-empt Roth’s scheduled talk on schools) she had the AUDACITY to tout the endorsement of a measly fifteen “educators” (actually, school board members, trustees, and administrators), and lay this eloquence on us:

“I have worked hard in Congress to pass legislation that will hold public schools more accountable for the education provided to our children and to ensure that everyone has access to the best education,” said Congresswoman Bono.

“I want to return control of our schools to the parents and get them more involved in the teaching process. This is essential for restoring our commitment to basic academics and to making sure that every child is given the same opportunity to thrive and succeed” said Congresswoman Bono.

Yes, you heard her, she just bragged about her part in pushing the infamous “No Child Left Behind” farce on our innocent children and their beleaguered teachers.  That was her defense against Roth’s stinging indictment yesterday of Bush and Bono’s big idea for our schools:

No Child’s over-emphasis on test results has “made our schools into accountability factories,” Roth said.

The federal law creates billions in unfunded mandates for schools each year, Roth said, and doesn’t take into account the diversity of students and their different learning styles.

Vouchers and privatization of education aren’t the answer, Roth said.

“If we would put as much energy into supporting our public schools as we do into creating alternatives to them in the private sector, we would be in an entirely different place,” he said.

Roth is a commissioner on the California Student Aid Commission, and served as a deputy to the president of Occidental College.

He was also involved in forming the Pathways to College Network, a national program to increase the number of minorities and other underrepresented groups of young people graduate from high school and move on to institutions of higher learning.

One of Roth’s key staffers, Arnie Kaminsky, is a retired teacher, he has credibility on education.  David Roth, California Student Aid Commissioner (and youngest ever President of said Commission), internationally recognized expert on education reform, David has credibility on education.  All Mary Bono knows about public education is that USC tuition sure puts a cramp on even a rich parent’s style.  

How long, Lord?  How long must we listen to “public servants” like this, when the country is aching for serious leadership?  Bono has $500,000 more than Roth in campaign funds.  Show her it will never be enough.   Help us get David Roth to Washington, and let’s Take Back the House!  

Crossposted at Daily Kos

( – promoted by SFBrianCL)

Too few of our Democrats are truly music to the ears.  Barney Frank is one of that eloquent, ballsy few.  Smart, funny, and particularly compelling when he’s stumping for my Democratic challenger, David Roth.  

Yes, I MET him in a Roth supporter’s Palm Springs full-to-the-brim house last Saturday (forgive the delay in posting, the kids shorted out my keyboard that same morning).   A lovely man.  He told us not to whine about how corrupt and unfair the rightwing is – they’re not going to stop.  Democrats have to beat them in GOTV, we have to walk our precincts, and we have to give David money.
Mary Bono called Barney Frank to prevent this appearance.  Let’s discuss that on the flip:

 We have a great candidate, (and here Rep. Frank digressed a bit to assure us that despite the game face they put on it, campaigning is hellish and exhausting.)  Barney Frank told us that we are the lucky ones, with a race that can actually flip a district, and a candidate ready to win it.  This CA-45th district that has been smugly Republican forever, until now.

Frank and his partner used to have dinner with Sonny and Mary, they go back twenty years.  About Bono, Barney Frank said, Mary Bono is a very nice person.  But unfortunately (paraphrased as best I can),  Mary Bono’s completely in line with the right wing GOP faction in charge, has been since playing her role precisely as cast on the  Senate Judiciary Committe during the Clinton impeachment.  She had some good votes, but only when they made no difference to the GOP bosses.  “She’ll bring you ice in winter.”  

This is a crucial political decision being made in November.  Barney Frank, kind as he is, had to tell Mary Bono he was coming to Palm Springs to speak on behalf of David Roth.

Congressman Frank reminded those in attendance how lucky they are to be involved in one of the very few competitive Congressional races in the nation. The Congressman also remarked that if Democrats didn’t win back a majority of Congress, “You ain’t seen nothing yet,” referring to what the Republicans will do if they retain control.

A rare public appearance:  Our local medical marijuana advocates interviewed Bono on tape .  Watch it.  Just as Barney Frank said, she seems nice enough, but well-rehearsed to defend an absurd policy.  Not about to deviate from the party line.  If you like what the Republicans serve up, keep her.  

David Roth is running because he can’t stand still, he likes to joke.  But he gets serious when he talks about Iraq, America’s leadership, our healthcare, our kids.  And as he said last Saturday, Mary Bono is out of touch, out of sight, and come November – out of office.

Democrat – David Roth.

Rubberstamp Republican Mary Bono accuses David Roth of being one of the dreaded “Hollywood Liberals.”     Please.  You know that the GOP smear machine is in meltdown mode when a Rubberstamp Republican can’t even tailor the Rove/Mehlman lines to fit her challenger.  David Roth is liberal, but hardly Hollywood.  He fights for access to college for all students here in California and around the world.  Roth is an education expert and career public servant.  How fabulous!

More thoughts on Rep. Bono’s quite reasonable fear of a debate with Democratic challenger David Roth, and her newfound hatred of Hollywood below.  

Photo by Nicholas Snow

We only see Rep. Bono in our district if there’s a red carpet or a chichi gala involved.  David Roth is talking about the health care and education.  Roth deplores the waste in Iraq.  He’s accepted The Desert Sun’s call for a public debate.  Bono is ducking.

Perhaps that’s because Mary Bono, despite being a USC grad and Hollywood widow, has a typical Rubberstamp Republican record.  Bono co-sponsored HR 4437, the bill that criminalizes aid to dying people.  She rates among the worst Representatives for children and seniors, and among the best for Corporate America.   Bono does stand up for the rights of the recording industry (isn’t that in Hollywood?)  to retain their royalty income.  As she pleaded at the time, how could she afford college tuition on her measly Congressional salary if not for Sonny Bono’s royalties?  How about her constituents’ chances at affording college?  Mary Bono cast the deciding vote to cut $14 billion from federal student aid.   That’s reprehensible, even for a GOP member of this Congress.  And Mary Bono thinks she can avoid her constituents, duck a debate, and smear David Roth as a “Hollywood Liberal” with an onslaught of big money.  Today’s Desert Sun article on her ongoing romance with Connie Mack is typical of the press Bono gets, it’s rarely about the voters and our lives.  It’s nice that Ms. Bono is having a good time, but Congress should be working on national security, restoring our foreign policy, and bettering Americans’ lives.  Here’s what Bono’s working on, apparently:

Bono, Mack continue building relationship

Keith Matheny * The Desert Sun * September 2, 2006

A romance of Congressional proportions continues – and is bi-coastal.

Rep. Mary Bono confirmed to The Desert Sun in December that she was “exclusively dating” fellow Republican Rep. Connie Mack IV of Florida.

They’ve since appeared together publicly numerous times, including at the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January and during President Bush’s visit to the Coachella Valley in April.

Mary Bono can snarl at her Hollywood peers all she likes if she thinks that will help her get re-elected, I call it hypocritical and unfair.  Hollywood liberals are loyal Americans, too, and they didn’t get us into Iraq and spend our children’s future and our country’s honor.  Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Gonzales, et. al, did that, and Mary Bono supported them.  Still does.  

CA-45th deserves so much better.  Support David Roth here  

(I’m thinking of doing my hair like that. – promoted by SFBrianCL)

Yesterday’s Desert Sun gave Republican Mary Bono’s panic attack a nice spin today.  Bono: Campaign fundraising easier this time

Bono campaign chairman Marc Troast said Friday that the campaign hopes to raise an additional $300,000 between now and election day, which would put it near $1.2 million – nearly double the $600,000 Bono raised for her last campaign, two years ago.

Pure Rovian absurdity:  I have to raise double the usual amount to hang on to my seat this year, so I couldn’t be more serene and upbeat!  

Bono evidently plans to hide in her bunker and throw money at the voters this year, and hope that the big mean Democrat, David Roth, just goes away.  Sadly enough, as we all well know, that can work for Republicans.  But voters in the CA-45th aren’t necessarily buying it this year.  They want a debate.  Mary’s got the bankers, David Roth needs the rest of us to win this one.  Contribute  here

Crossposted from DailyKos

Latest update from the David Roth campaign (CA-45):

Last Friday eight-term Los Angeles Congresswoman Maxine Waters joined David Roth to campaign and meet voters in Moreno Valley.  The day began with a spirited Q&A with several hundred students and soon-to-be voters at Moreno Valley High School. …..There were gasps from the students when Roth told them that the Iraq Conflict had already cost Riverside County over $1.6 billion, enough to send all high-school students in the County to college and to pay for health insurance for them and their families.

“…enough to send all high-school students in the County to college and to pay for health insurance for them and their families.”  Kind of puts it all in perspective, doesn’t he?  Wonder why Mary Bono is terrified to debate Roth?

Baby protester photo and more highlights on the flip, and to enjoy the whole Roth August 27th Newsletter, click here

Rally Pushes Bono To Debate Roth
Labor and community organizers take demands to Bono’s office

Concerned Coachella Valley citizens came together last Wednesday evening outside the district office of Mary Bono to demand a debate from the Congresswoman.  Organized by Communication Workers of America Chief Stewart Stan Steffan, the group demanded that Mary Bono confront the issues, step up to the plate and debate David Roth.  

Despite multiple invitations, Mary Bono has yet to agree to engage David Roth on the issues facing the country and the district.  Community members of all ages gathered together with signs and loud speakers to remind the Bono campaign that the voters are “all ears”and that debate is the American way.

Even if changing Washington weren’t reason enough, the CA-45th needs David Roth because he’s an education expert.  Our kids in Riverside County have the lowest rates of college attendance.  Students of all ages are currently underserved.   These kids loved what David had to say:

Read all about it!  Get onboard with David Roth for Congress!  If David didn’t have a great chance to turn this red California district blue, Mary Bono wouldn’t be scrambling to raise another $300,000 (in addition to the 2 to 1 funding advantage she currently has.)

Crossposted from DailyKos

Mary Bono, Rubberstamp Republican of the CA-45th, needs more big money to fight off the aggressive Democratic challenger, David Roth.  Won’t debate, but happy to spend.  IOKIYAR.

Roth campaign manager Joe Huser wasn’t impressed by Bono’s fundraising ambitions.  “Voters are looking for change in Washington, and Mary won’t be able to buy this election,” he said.

The last time Mary Bono cried poor, she claimed that Sonny’s royalties were the only reason she could afford USC tuition.  Bono’s concern over high tuition costs does not extend to other people’s children, as she recently cast the deciding vote to cut $14 billion from federal student aid.  How “moderate” of her.  

Why is Mary Bono panicking?  We’ve had a hell of a good week!  Come see on the flip.

This week, David Roth confronted Mary Bono on her Rubberstamp Republican record in a face to face sit down with the Press Enterprise.  Rep. Maxine Waters gave vigorous support to David Roth yesterday as they stumped from Palm Springs to Moreno Valley to talk about changing Washington.  David Roth was just added to the Calitics Act Blue page.  Thanks, SFBrianCL!

And bouquets of roses to BuffaloGirl for the great boost she gave Roth.  I’m still struggling to master the photo thing.  SoCal Grassroots wants to help David Roth’s campaign, too.  Kid Oakland linked to Roth in his recent diary about grassroots angels.  Now that’s momentum.  Thank you, k/o!

Crossposted at DailyKos.

(Roth is on the Calitics ActBlue Page. – promoted by SFBrianCL)

My DD’s Chris, Matt, Rick and Joel predicted it:

Facing low approval ratings, Republicans will introduce you to the voters as a flip-flopping, gay-loving, liberal terrorist coddler who wants to cut and run from Iraq, all at the behest of self-absorbed Hollywood moguls and liberal elites.

A tense and hostile Mary Bono sputtered exactly that (sans the “gay-loving,” she needs that vote) when finally confronted with a firm yet gracious David Roth last Wednesday.  Roth confronted Bono on her failure to bring resources to the district, and her failure to stem the waste in Iraq.  Besides attacking David for moving here from LA (as she did – and for the record, Roth has older ties to Palm Springs than Bono does), she had nothing but GOP robot speak to defend her record.  Why so defensive, Ms. Bono?  Could it be because Ms. “What Do We Tell the Children” is among the worst Representatives for children and seniors, and among the best for corporate America?  David Roth will Change Washington for our kids and seniors, and for all of us. 

Bono, Roth debate… sort of

09:08 AM PDT on Thursday, August 24, 2006

By MICHELLE DeARMOND

The Press-Enterprise

After weeks of asking Rep. Mary Bono for a debate, Democratic challenger David Roth appeared to get his wish Wednesday with a face-to-face verbal sparring match.

The pair, who are battling for Bono’s vast congressional district, met with the editorial board at the Riverside office of The Press-Enterprise to discuss the November general election. Seated side by side, the two traded barbs on everything from whose roots in the district are deeper to whether the war on terror is succeeding.

Now the Press Enterprise is NOT a liberal media outlet to say the least.  The reporter refers to “failed Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean” – (he’s now the head of the Democratic Party, please consider that, poor little GOP stenographer).  The PE reporter also let this pass without comment:

Bono said she does not support a timeline set by politicians and believes the United States’ work in the Middle East has been successful at making inroads against terrorists.

Bono admitted that federal spending overall has been excessive, saying she’s disappointed that her party has run up such large deficits. She’d like to look for waste, fraud and abuse in some programs as a way to trim the fat.

 
Um, (1) Bono rubberstamped said deficit, and (2) What fat, besides Halliburton’s (that you rubberstamped)?  The poor are tapped out, as Bono would know if she visited her own district, but (3) OMFG, “inroads against terrorists?”  OK, she’s not a scholar on the subject, but damn.

Palm Springs and most of the CA-45th has a Union Pacific railroad running through it, parallel to the 10 freeway.  One of David Roth’s supporters is a conductor on that train, and he knows that none of the cargo he’s pulling is inspected.  He sees it go straight from the ship to his train.  Tell it to him, Mary.  Letting PNAC play soldier with other people’s children is not “making inroads against terrorists.”   Our own American national security professionals will tell you that for free.

Speaking of children, it was Mary Bono who delivered the “What do we tell the children” line during the Clinton impeachment.  A true Hollywood moment, made to order by Newt Gingrich, I have no doubt.  And who is one of the worst enemies of children and seniors on Capitol Hill?  Why our own Mary Bono:

The Worst Representatives for Children:

Children’s Defense Fund Scorecard

Rep. Joseph Knollenberg (R-MI) 0%

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) 0%

Rep. Mary Bono (R) 11%

Rep. C. W. Bill Young (R) 11%

Rep. Sue W. Kelly (R) 22%

These representatives voted

*to give tax breaks to the wealthy and opposed a plan that would have increased spending for education, health care, low-income programs, veterans and critical children’s programs by reducing tax cuts given to people making more than $1 million a year.

*to limit spending on discretionary programs including Head Start, child abuse prevention, and juvenile justice; cut $34.7 billion from programs with guaranteed funding for poor children, including $10 billion from Medicaid; and allow for an additional $70 billion in tax cuts.

The Worst Representatives for Seniors:

Alliance for Retired Americans Scorecard

Rep. Joseph Knollenberg (R-MI) 0%

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) 0%

Rep. Mary Bono (R) 7%

Rep. C. W. Bill Young (R) 11%

Rep. Sue W. Kelly (R) 0%

These representatives voted:

* for substantial cuts to health care spending, Medicare, Medicaid, medical research, and vital programs such as the Older Americans Act.

* to weaken pension protections.

* against lower prescription prices for seniors and the disabled.

So who’s Mary Bono going to bat for, besides herself?  You guessed it:

The Best Representatives for Corporate America

OpenSecrets.org

Project VoteSmart

Business and Industry Political Action Committee (Whose motto is: “Electing Business to Congress”)

Rep. Joseph Knollenberg (R-MI) 100%

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) 100%

Rep. Mary Bono (R) 100%

Rep. C. W. Bill Young (R) 95%

Rep. Sue W. Kelly (R) 86%

These representatives voted:

* for the pro-business, anti-consumer bankruptcy bill.

* to weaken the Endangered Species Act

* cut taxes for the most wealthy Americans

* weaken regulations to protect consumers and workers

Guess who they have lunch with.

A Rubberstamping elephant’s faithful 100%, I guess.  Hat tip to Dan Walters at JoeTrippi.com.  

Time to Change Washington.  Give some love to David Roth here