Hi, Friends.
I don't know how many people saw this, but I think it is very important good news.
More below the fold :
Gallup has finally seen a return of the Democratic Party generic ballot identification: Democratic Party 49% Republican Party 43 %. It measured "Candidate Preferences in 2010 Congressional Elections among Registered Voters".
Let us recall that the Republican Party would need to win 40 House Seats to retake the majority in the House of Representatives. There are currently 59 Democratic Senators in the Senate, if one counts Joe Lieberman and Ben Nelson... . The Republican Party will make significant gains in the Senate, but they are unlikely to retake the Senate. So, after the 2010 elections, we should expect to see Democratic majorities still in place in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Republican Party has used budget reconciliation to pass controversial legislation when they lacked 60 votes. It is important, therefore, that we don't allow them to gain control in both chambers. At the beginning of the next Congressional Session after the 2010 elections, we can reform the filibuster with a majority. Let us hope that both Majority Leader Reid and Senator Chuck Schumer follow through on this commitment. Otherwise, we certainly will get very little significant legislation through.
It is important that we continue to support our party. I agree fully that our Netroots must advocate for the ideals and principles of our Party and fight for them. We don't want to begin the debate by having ceded much ground. It would be like kicking off from the 10 or 15 yard line to the other football team. I also have no problem when we criticize the President or other Democratic Senators and Representatives provided that we do it in an appropriate manner. Suggesting that our President is not much better than the Republican alternative or that it really does not matter if the Republicans control both houses of Congress is not appropriate because it is simply not true. Let us remember that we are the "Big Tent" Party and that we have many conservative Democratic members in the House and the Senate. It was easier for President Bush to pass through some of his legislation with less than 60 votes than it is for us with less than 60 votes. Since our Democratic Senators won't circumvent the Byrd Rules, we can only pass legislation with less than 60 votes that meets that criteria (it must be budget related, must not add to the deficit...). I would also posit that I find it unlikely that President Obama would oppose Progressive legislation which could actually be passed. He seems to be very pragmatic. He seems to only argue for legislation that he is confident that he can get passed through the Congress. One can argue that he should fight for legislation that may or may not pass with his support. However, they probably have good numbers and are good vote counters.
So, even as someone who:
Supports Gay Marriage
Supports Single Payer
Opposes the continuation of both wars
Supports EFCA
Supports Cap and Trade
Supports Pro Choice
Opposes NCLB
I still very strongly support President Obama and my Party, the Democratic Party. Therefore, even though there are important caveats, I am heartened by this turn in our favor in the polls.
I look forward to the analysis by Steve coming up on Sunday. One very important point: Gallup states that when they go from Registered Voter to Likely Voter, Republicans gain 5 points. Some of us have already been aware of this, but it is still important to remember. We need to do a better judge of converting our Registered Voters to Likely Voters.
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For those who want to know :
I was offered the full time tutoring position with Houston ISD. It appears that I have found housing. However, I had an interview with Hemphill Elementary of Hays ISD a couple of days ago. After the interview, the Principal who interviewed me called the Principal of Prairie Lea (where I have been working) immediately. And My principal gave a glowing recommendation of me to the other Principal. My Principal believes I have a great chance of being chosen for the fourth grade bilingual teaching position. She (the other Principal) will finish interviewing all candidates by Monday or Tuesday. In addition, I have another interview with Harmony Schools on Monday at 3 p.m. . Killeen ISD continues to call me. Typically, schools want to fill out their roster by the first week or so of August. They will normally have Teacher In Service Week during the second week of August. So, many schools are under the gun. I have the advantage of holding certifications in 3 very high need areas: Bilingual Education , ESL, and mathematics. Obviously, I hold 3 degrees including my master's degree in mathematics, and started my ph.d. .
The rent for the home that we found in Houston is $875, a bit high for my pay as a tutor. However, I could keep my cats. Otherwise, I have to try to find a home for them in 1 week since that tutoring job would start August 2. There is not room in non kill shelters here. In view of this, I have not yet accepted the tutoring position. I believe that it would be difficult to move in 1 week, it would be difficult to find another cheaper place to live in Houston and find people to whom I can give away the cats in 1 week, and it would be difficult to divide up our stuff (since I am separated)in 1 week. The actual teaching position would pay twice as much and would not require moving. Furthermore, given my certifications, references, and degrees and the time crunch for school districts, it is highly likely that I will find something here that can support me. Furthermore, I would need to come up with $2000 which I don't have in order to move (deposit [not a pet deposit either] of $875 + first months rent + moving costs). For these reasons, I am not yet accepting the Houston ISD offer. I plan to contact Hemphill Monday and inquire how long it will be before she makes a decision... She knows I have an offer on the table. Houston ISD is still short 100 tutors so I doubt that they will rescind the offer should I indicate that I am now ready to accept it.