Democrat News

A federal prosecutor scornfully denounced political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko on Monday as the engineer of millions of dollars worth of state government fraud who engaged in "the corrupt use of power and influence to benefit himself and his friends."

As closing arguments got under way at Rezko's trial, Assistant U.S. Attorney Reid Schar said the defendant was part of a wider scheme of corruption in Illinois government.

"He joined that corrupt scheme, he acted in furtherance of it, and he did it for money," Schar told the jury. Read more

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More than 100 people are dead following an earthquake in central China today. At least 900 may even be buried in a collapsed high school. via ClipSyndicate

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“War is expensive indeed and the bulk of that cost is paid for by the men and women who wear the uniform. Benefits are just a small, small cost of war.”

Congressional Democrats are pushing what could become the most dramatic expansion of college aid for military veterans since World War II, with a bill they hope will buoy them this election season and become an albatross for Republicans.

Pitched by the Democrats is a plan that would essentially guarantee a full-ride scholarship to any in-state public university, along with a monthly housing stipend, for individuals who serve the military for at least three years.

The proposal would give veterans 15 years to use the benefit, instead of the current 10-year limit, and would set up a new government program that matches financial aid by more expensive private institutions. Read more

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“One of the things that is amazing to me is these politicians that take money from all these special interests and all these lobbyists want to turn around and blast all the people that line up in front of their office every day”

The revolving door between former members of Congress and lucrative lobbying firms usually leads one way. But Jim Slattery is trying to make a U-turn.

After spending more than a decade in Washington making millions of dollars at one of the nation's most prestigious law firms, the former Democratic congressman from Topeka is jumping back into the political arena in a bid to unseat Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan.

Roberts' campaign has already gone after Slattery with radio ads calling him a 'Gucci loafers and all' lobbyist who's out of touch with voters. Read more

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“Democrats didn't really win the election of 2006. Republicans lost that election because we lost our way.”

Republicans have nominated candidates for Connecticut's five congressional districts, taking on two first-term Democrats, challenging two incumbents and sending into the November election Connecticut's lone ... via Hartford Courant

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The leader of a House panel says it plans to review a federal agency in charge of ensuring workplace safety this summer after recent construction deaths in Las Vegas and other major cities. via KOLO-TV Reno

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“They can file separately, though that may not necessarily be to their benefit”

When Maulit Shelat heard about the Bush administration's plan to pump up the economy by sending out stimulus checks, he sat down with his wife and drew up a list of priorities: first up, remodeling the bathroom.

But Shelat is married to a foreigner who still hasn't completed the often years-long process that allows her to apply for a Social Security number. Her not having that number makes even him ineligible for the tax rebate checks that started going out last week because they filed jointly. Read more

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“They had an inevitability strategy, which was sort of a political Maginot line. It was illusionary. You just went around it, and, you know, Barack Obama did that.”

Hillary Rodham Clinton began her presidential quest armed with talent, tenacity, fame, money, connections and a team that knew how to win. Many people believed her victory in the Democratic nomination was a sure thing. Her ultimate failing may have been in believing it, too.

Clinton had one big problem out of the gate: 40 percent or more of Americans said they'd never vote for her. She was too polarizing. It's love her or hate her.

Clinton powered through that hurdle in state after state, showing grit that earned her the valuable political currency of being merely admired. Read more

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“There will be moments for which you cannot prepare, but moments for which you must be ready”

' Thousands received degrees Saturday as more than a dozen Mississippi colleges and junior colleges held graduation ceremonies. via Natchez Democrat

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“I think you'll agree that holding our own debates, on our own terms, focusing on issues upon which we agree to debate is a sensible strategy”

Schaffer challenges Udall to series of Senate debates Candidates made rare appearance together Friday U.S. Senate candidates Bob Schaffer and Mark Udall have found one thing -- one of the few things -- they can ... via Daily Camera

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