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Saturday, April 20, 2013

Sunday Morning "Talking Heads" Cheat Sheet

George Wenschhof

There will be plenty to talk about Sunday morning, surely to be highlighted with the Boston bombings, followed by the defeat in the Senate of gun violence legislation and the Senate "Gang of 8" rollout of their proposal for comprehensive immigration reform.

NBC "Meet The Press" will focus on the Boston bombings with guests chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and former FBI agent, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI), and the Assistant Majority Leader in the Senate, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL).

Plus, they will have the latest reporting and analysis from NBC’s Justice Correspondent Pete Williams and former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Michael Leiter.

CBS "Face The Nation" will also focus on the Boston bombings with guests Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee Mike McCaul, R-Texas, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Tom Coburn, R-Okla., former Mayor of New York City during the September 11th attacks Rudy Giuliani and Former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge.

Bob Schieffer will also discuss the Senate failure to pass any gun control measure with Newtown families Neil Heslin, father of six-year-old Jesse Lewis, Erica Laffety, daughter of Principal Dawn Hochsprung and Carlee Soto, sister of teacher Vicki Soto.

CNN "State of The Union" will also lead with the Boston bombings with guests Massachusetts Senator William “Mo” Cowan, Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee Rep. Mike McCaul (R-TX), former Congressman & 9/11 Commission member Tim Roemer, former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, and former FBI profiler Candice DeLong on the national security implications.

Also appearing will be Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)

Following suit is Fox News Sunday where Senate Intelligence Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Representative Pete King (R-NY) will appear to discuss the Boston Marathon bombings.

The scheduled guests and members of the roundtable discussions follow below.

NBC "Meet The Press" -  Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI)

Roundtable with Former Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff; The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg; NBC's Tom Brokaw; historian Doris Kearns Goodwin; Wall Street Journal’s Peggy Noonan.

CBS "Face The Nation" - Rep. Mike McCaul (R-Texas), Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Tom Ridge

CNN "State of The Union" - Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)

Massachusetts Senator William “Mo” Cowan, Rep. Mike McCaul (R-TX), Tim Roemer, Alberto Gonzales and Candice DeLong

Fox News Sunday - Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Rep. Peter King (R-NY)

Roundtable with Bill Kristol, Juan Williams, Jane Harman and General Michael Hayden

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Republican Weekly Address

George Wenschhof



Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) praised the first responders to the tragedy and warned would-be terrorists that no act of violence can undermine the country's resilience.

"The Boston Marathon bombing has left us all with a heavy heart and we pray for the victims and their families," Scott said. "However, while the perpetrators of this act of terror hoped that they could shake the confidence of a city, they have instead only strengthened the resolve of our nation.

“To those who would attack America or our citizens, let me say this: There is no corner on Earth, no hiding place in America that will keep us from finding you," Scott added. “The leaders of this country will do everything in our power to bring justice for the families and the communities impacted."

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Obama Weekly Address

George Wenschhof



President Obama used his weekly address to recount acts of heroism and generosity in response to this week’s Boston Marathon bombing, declaring that the nation’s spirit will not be shaken.

“But in the days since, the world has witnessed one sure and steadfast truth: Americans refuse to be terrorized,” Obama said. “Ultimately, that’s what we’ll remember from this week. That’s what will remain. Stories of heroism and kindness; resolve and resilience; generosity and love.”

The president lauded the actions of police officers, emergency medical technicians and the national guard, who “ran toward danger” to help the injured. Also helping, Obama recounted, were race volunteers, spectators and exhausted runners, some of whom reportedly continued running to the hospital to donate blood for the victims.

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Strong Field of Democrats Emerge in Aldermen Race

George Wenschhof

Already, seven Democrats have or will be announcing they are running for one of the five seats on the board of aldermen.

The deadline for filing for election is July 2, 2013 with The City of Frederick primary election held on September 10, followed by the general election on November 5.

Incumbents Michael O’Connor and Kelly Russell, based on a solid record over their first term in office, will be favorites to win reelection.

One of the other two incumbent Democratic aldermen; Carol Krimm, will not run for reelection as she hopes to replace retiring state delegate Galen Clagett (D), who is running for mayor.  Galen has let it be known, should he win election, he will request from Governor Martin O’Malley (D), the appointment of Carol to his seat, to serve the remaining one year of his term.  If, this would take place, it would give Krimm a leg up in the 2014 election.

The remaining Democratic incumbent alderman; Karen Young, has already announced her candidacy for Mayor.  Interestingly, should Clagett win the mayoral race, look to see state senator Ron Young (D) ask O’Malley to appoint his wife Karen to the vacant Clagett delegate seat, setting up an interesting dilemma for the Governor.

Derek Shackelford called me several months ago, when I was still in California, to speak with me of his intention to run for alderman.  Shackelford, who is the only African American running for city office at this time, spoke with me about his desire to engage people in the political process and to groom others for political office.

His experience in working for the reelection of President Barack Obama, particularly serving as one of “One Hundred Leaders for Obama, will be of help to him as he campaigns for his own election.  His professionalism and campaign experience was illustrated by his well attended campaign announcement recently at the Bernard Brown Community Center.

Josh Bokee, who fell short, by only a few votes, of moving on to the general election in 2009, is running again, and will be a strong candidate to become one of the five aldermen elected in the general election on November 5.

His five years of experience of service, including time as vice chair, on The City of Frederick Planning Commission, provides him with excellent qualifications to serve as alderman.

His reasoned platform includes economic opportunity, safe neighborhoods, strong fiscal responsibility, healthy sustainable community and twenty-first century infrastructure.

John Daniels, a well liked man, whose heart is with the city, will also be running again for alderman. He is the type of person who is able to bring people together.

Since losing in the last city election, John has served the city, with distinction, as chair of Mayor Randy McClement’s ad hoc recycling and solid waste committee.

Fiscal responsibility is important to Daniels, who has followed the serious discussion surrounding the $93 million unfunded liabilities The City of Frederick is facing with their pension plan and other post employment benefits (OPEB).

Jack Lynch, who ran briefly for mayor in the 2009 election, before dropping out and endorsing Jennifer Dougherty, who would lose the primary election to Jason Judd, is now running for alderman.

Jack, in a recent email to supporters, said “I want to see leadership and changes and public officials asking the questions that should be answered instead of cheerleading every scheme for private interests. I want our community to be a whole one, an engaged place, where citizens feel empowered - One Frederick, one for all.”

In an email to me, Lynch added “My focus is upon how Frederick continues to remain one close knit community and extends the great benefits of this place, both past and future, to all our citizens. It includes designing our communities to be interconnected not just by a map and roads, but by a shared purpose and shared successes from all sides of town. We have a vitality and diversity and valued institutions and committed citizens.”

Former two-term alderman Donna Kuzemchak is heavily rumored to make a run to win reelection to the board after losing in the 2009 general election.  An out spoken woman, Donna is sure to add excitement and strength to the Democratic primary.

Between now and the July 2 candidate filing deadline, it is entirely likely a few more Democrats will venture forward in the alderman contest.

Already, city voters can be assured of a very strong slate of Democratic candidates for alderman.
 
Stay tuned, the city election promises to be one to watch.

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