The LuLac Edition #401, Jan. 22nd, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: PRESIDENT LYNDON BANIES JOHNSON, 36TH PRESIDENT OF THE U.S., PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON, AND GOVERNOR ED RENDELL.

LBJ 35 YEARS ON

On this night 35 years ago, I started my college career at King's College. I drove down for a night class and my dad went to visit a friend while my class took place. After it was over, I entered the car and my father told me that Lyndon Johnson died. He was 64. Many in the 60s will debate the greatness and evil of Lyndon Johnson. His judgements on the Vietnam War were not stellar. However his commitment to civil rights made certain that the dreams of Martin Luther King, Junior became reality against a hostile Congress filled with Southerners. Johnson had correctly predicted that the Dems would cede the South in Presiential elections to come. But he did the work anyway and should be remembered as a key player in the triumph of Civil Rights in America. From YOU TUBE, LBJ before a joint session of Congress:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKDVNSpsBZE&feature=related

BILL DEFENDS HIL

A lot of Democrats are telling Bill Clinton to tone it down regarding his criticism of Senator Barak Obama. That isn't going to happen. Clinton has always been a political animal and he sees this as his third term. The Clintons seem to be playing a classic role of good cop-bad cop and the former President has to be given some props for defending the political honor of his spouse. You can bet Mrs. Clinton will find a way to channel his energy if she gets elected but right now, she seems to letting "Bill be Bill" much to her advantage. My personal feeling is that if Al Gore unleashed Clinton in the South in 2000, he'd be President. But I digress. The Clintons have a way of attacking someone that is more like an atom bomb than a swipe at a gnat. Whether that works will be open to conjecture until all the votes are tallied. But Mrs. Clinton who once said she's not a "stand by your man cookie baking woman" is getting a leg up from the political chivalry of Sir William Jefferson.

BUDGET SHOWDOWN

Heads up! Just when you thought it was going to be a quiet year in Pennsylvania, a big budget battle is looming. And Governor Ed is ready for a fight with a 9 vote majority GOP controlled Senate and a razor thin one vote House majority. Rendell and the Legislature are on a collision course over state spending and it could get nasty. The governor and lawmakers have their own priorities and have shown little willingness so far in compromise.
Rendell wants to spend $27.3 billion for the fiscal year starting July 1. Since taking office, Rendell has increased state spending by $6 billion. He’s raised the state income tax and borrowed money to support his spending habit. To balance his proposed $27.3 billion general fund budget, Rendell wants Pennsylvania residents to cough up $2 billion in new or additional taxes. That is surely enough to ignite the fires of debate. Look for the GOP to fuel the fire that Rendell is a tax and spend liberal, just in time for the 2010 Governor's race. (Remember the 8 year cycle folks!) Anyway, this is going to be fun to watch. Of course, Ed Rendell has always been wildly entertaining.