City2 looks inside the Beltway

Thanks to C-SPAN2 I was able to watch some of the conference committees work on the energy bill.

My observations:

Is Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton always so cantankerous, or was it just a long day?

You have to love Senator Lisa Murkowski - a Republican from Alaska - who didn't flinch when being questioned by the less than cordial Barton.

Illinois John Shimkus has been fighting like trial lawyer to help his district on some unreasonable provisions of the bill. Parts of it would burden his constituents with air quality standards that are a result of pollution from the St. Louis metropolitan area, which is across the Mississippi river from the congressmen's district.

Sputnik, a prominent motorcyclists' rights advocate had been lobbing his troops against CAFTA. It looks like the Democrats are did likewise. It just barely passed the house 217-215.

An interesting defection was freshman Melissa Bean (D-IL 8th). Congresswoman Bean who beat conservative icon Phil Crane last election faces one of the toughest races in the country.

What was the politics behind her yes vote, a nod to a district that leans to her right, or let's make a deal with GOP whip Roy Blunt? The congresswoman received lots of union support last time out, how will a yes on CAFTA play with the labor crowd? Let's keep an eye.

Another member of interest was Republican Steve LaTourette. US Rep LaTourette reportedly had to have his arms twisted to vote with his party and held out to the last minute.

San Diego Mayors Race

Voters go to the polls today in San Diego today in a special election to elect a new mayor. In a race that has seen the interim mayor Michael Zucchet suspended on the first business day in office. He was convicted of conspiracy, extortion and fraud in federal court.

National know motorcyclists' rights advocate Myke Shelby - AKA "New York Myke" is a candidate for the job. Myke owns San Diego Harley - Davidson and brings an impressive business and public service resume to San Diego voters.

Best of luck to Myke Shelby - the next mayor of San Diego, California.

Talking Heads

I wonder who has the record for total appearances on the Sunday morning talk shows? Who ever it is they won't keep it much longer. That record is being threatened by Senator John McCain. Yet another appearance on ABC's This Week by the senior senator from Arizona.

I am not saying he is a lock for the 2008 GOP nomination for president, but its his to loose. Never mind the Republican right can't stand him - it's setting up quite well for the fellow.

I forget if it was Sunday or during the week when I saw him grilled by Chris Mathews on abortion. He handled the hardest hardball of them all and came across as reasoned and compassionate, yet never gave an inch.

How can a pro-life, fiscal conservative not have a chance as some Republicans are telling me. In a three, or better field in New Hampshire in ‘08 he wins with the GOP right split. The momentum will carry all the way to the convention.

City /Illinois State Politics

Chicago Aldermen Dick Mell seeming quite pleased with the Governor's executive action on stem cell research. Perhaps a reconciliation between Governor Blagojevich and Alderman Mell could be going on. How real is the split? I may as well start my Blogging career by going way out there and weigh in with scepticism. Why? Perhaps it is because one of Mell's top captains has twice tried to recruit me and asked me to work a motorcyclists rights organization on the governors behalf. Precinct captains in the 33rd regular Democratic Organization aren't know for their independence. If they are working for a candidate someone higher up has told them to do so.

Just a matter of supporting someone who is committed to good government as the captain is telling me? Or the boss isn't cutting the thread?

Riding Downstate