Needs no intro, just watch:

Transcript for dial-up users:

   He’s  the worst president in history and an international embarrassment.

   It took years for George Bush to squander the faith of this country.

   We wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt.

   But as Americans learn more, his approval ratings slide lower and lower.

   Yet, there is one man whose support of Bush just keeps growing.

   They campaigned together as our soldiers died.

   They ate cake together as New Orleans fell.

   And each year, he votes with Bush by ever increasing percentages.

   77% of the time in 2005. 86% in 2006. 95% in 2007 and 100% in 2008.

   As time finally runs out on this presidency, ask yourself this:

   “Do you support Bush today more than you did four years ago?”

Outgoing Representative Darryl Pillsbury may not be the most popular elected official in the Pollina camp this week.

Pillsbury, of course, changed his vote on the 2nd attempt at campaign finance overhaul in as many years. Without his defection, the Governor’s veto would have been overridden and the rules would be different. His reasoning? That “For independents, this campaign law stinks.”

It’s a bitter irony indeed, then, that had Pillsbury voted for the override, Anthony Pollina would not be obliged to return $28,000 of contributions that he doesn’t have, simply because he opted to run as an Independent.

Here’s what the current law requires (from the Secretary of State’s website):

Contributions to Candidates and Candidate Political Committees

• $1,000 per election from individuals and entities that are not parties or political committees

(Again, that “per election” is the issue… candidates in major parties have two elections this year – the primary and the general, hence $2000. Independents have one election, limiting them to $1000 only, and 35 contributors have already given Pollina above that amount)

And here’re the relevant passages from the bill that Pillsbury joined the Governor in defeating (emphasis added):

(c)  A candidate for the office of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, auditor of accounts, or attorney general shall not accept contributions totaling more than $1,000.00 from a single source or political committee for any election…

…(n)  The following shall apply to independent candidates:

(1)  The limitations on contributions set forth in subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this section shall be doubled for independent candidates prior to the date of a primary election.

Woops.

A lot of bloggers have been hoping to see former Presidential Candidate, General Wesley Clark be tapped for Obama’s number two spot. Of late, that likelihood has been slim at best. He hasn’t been mentioned on any press short lists, he was a Clinton supporter in the primary (of course, so was oft-mentioned “short-lister” Evan Bayh of Indiana), and when he made the obvious (and highly appropriate) observation on national television that being shot down in Vietnam is not a qualification to be President, the Obama campaign couldn’t distance itself fast enough in response to GOP criticism.

In fact, all things being equal (and given recent news reports about Bayh’s early and steady support for the Iraq War), it seemed likely that Governor Kathleen Sebelius (who has been my first choice) was likely to get the nod (until she popped up with a Tuesday night Convention speaking slot, and given the renewed Bayh rumors today. Arg.).

But in light of the violence in Georgia, the aggressive movements of the Bush administration, and the corresponding full court press by the McCain camp to exploit the conflict as a full-scale campaign showcase, it seems like a no-brainer that the Obama campaign will probably look anew at former NATO commander Clark who would have an easier time shining a light on any dangerous adventurism from the administration, as well as any crass political exploitation from McCain and company than would Obama alone, or an Obama/Sebelius combo.

In any event, expect to hear very soon. Maybe even Saturday to make the Sunday talk shows and newspaper headlines. It’ll be important not to make the announcement too close to the convention, to maximize coverage and avoid letting it simply be absorbed into the convention media coverage.

I, for one, would like to see Clark for several reasons. He’s not perfect by a long shot, but he was (among other things) one of the only Presidential candidates or potential Presidential candidates to come out early and clearly for Single-Payer Health Care – certainly as big a progressive priority as you’ll find.