The Hoi Polloi

Update: Mark Sanford Affair

Some sources are revealing the name of the third party involved in Republican Governor Mark Sanford's extramarital affair.  According to those sources, the name of Sanford's Latina lover is Maria Belén Shapur. She is a 43-year-old mother of two teenaged sons who works for a multinational argribusiness and trading corporation in Buenos Aires.  McClatchy has published photos of the apartment building where Ms. Shapur lives in a tony neighborhood in the Argentine capital.

Awaiting photos of the lady in question.

Racial Politicking at Its Best: Blago and the Burris Appointment

When it comes to politics, Chicago is like the gift that keeps on giving.  On the one hand, we have Chicago politics at its finest, having given the nation a great senator and President-elect Barack Obama.  On the other hand, we have Governor Rod Blagojevich and his arrest on charges of soliciting bribes for appointments to the president-elect's senate seat.  If anyone thought that Blago was going to go quietly, they sure have got another thought coming.

Despite calls for his resignation or impeachment and resistance to any Blagojevich senate appointments, Governor Blagoevich showed himself to be a master of racial politics by selecting Roland Burris to fill the senate seat formerly held by the president-elect.  Similar to calls for New York Governor David Paterson to appoint a woman to replace Senator Hillary Clinton in the event of her confirmation as Secretary of State, there had been calls - although in, perhaps, slightly more hushed tones - for the appointment of an African American to replace the President-elect.  While Roland Burris from all accounts is eminently qualified to hold the office, this move by Blagoevich appears to be nothing but a crude attempt to divert attention away from himself.  Unfortunately, Mr. Burris will enter the Senate under quite a cloud.

Ashley Todd: Orientation Day at McCain Campaign Headquarters

I just wonder if working around Ashley Todd was like this:

A White Obama: Joe Allen

Apparently, there's a candidate from the 8th Congressional District in southwest Missouri who has been tagged as "a White Obama".  An attorney, Joe Allen is running in one of the most conservative, and poorest, districts in Missouri.  Allen seeks withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, opposes privatization of social security and supports reform of the nation's health care system.  He is also pro-life and a supporter of gun rights, having received the NRA's highest rating.  Allen seeks to give his district a real voice in Washington, DC.

I see this guy more in the model of Jim Webb than Barack Obama, but what the hey.  This video is worth watching for its introduction of Joe Allen.  For more information, visit his website at http://allen4congress.com/.

Obamacons: Republicans Embracing Obama on a Large Scale

Here's a well put together video by a group calling itself Conservatives for Change.  If we can get past the rigged voting machines in Ohio and other states, there may actually be a chance for Barack Obama to win the presidency.

Carol Schwartz: One of the Good Ones

Not many people who aren't native Washingtonians actually know D.C. political figures, except perhaps ex-Mayor (and ex-con) Marion Barry.  For those of you not in the know, a perennial favorite is At-Large Councilwoman Carol Schwartz.  In spite of being a Republican in a town with an overwhelmingly Democratic electorate, she has fans in all cuadrants of the city.  If memory serves, she is an acquaintance of long-time community activist, Lawrence Guyot, and his wife, Monica Guyot.  OroroDC would like to give a shout out to the Guyot family, including Lawrence Jr. and Julie, a fellow snail.  Festina lente, Julie, wherever you are!

I was sad to hear that, having been made a target of activist, conservative Republicans, Mrs. Schwartz lost in the primary elections.  However, as it turns out, the fat lady has not sung, and Carol Schwartz has launched a write-in campaign for the November 4th election.  We hope that Washingtonians will support Mrs. Schwartz.  Do it Chicago-style and, as the saying goes, "Vote early -- and vote often".

A link to her campaign website is here.

Major Conservative Republican Endorses Obama!

Conservative economist Dr. Larry Hunter publicly endorses Senator Barack Obama. Dr. Hunter states the crux of the Republican failing "We used to be the movement, the party of ideas. We've become the movement, the party of orthodoxy. And, the Republican party unfortunately in my opinion has kept the flock on the reservation by a good dose of intimidation and by imposing orthodxy."