Democrat Sharpton denounces Democrat Maloney for using bad word

There is a word in the English language that we can't use here.

No, it's not the eight-letter barnyard epithet. No, it's none of the four-letter naughties that might come into your mind if you are a foul-mouthed, -minded sinner who's going to the four-letter bad place in the afterlife.

It's a six-letter racial epithet for African Americans that's so bad only African Americans can use it.

And Rep. Carolyn Maloney, who is not African American, seems to have been caught crossing into that forbidden linguistic territory by the Rev. Al Sharpton, who is African American.

The six-letter gaffe has its roots in New York Gov. David Paterson, who is African American, last year not selecting Caroline Kennedy, who isn't an African American, but instead picking upstate Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, who isn't an African American, as the Senate replacement for Hillary Clinton, who isn't an African American.

You should know that all of these characters belong to an eight-letter political party that begins with D.

Maloney thought she was politically senior, savvier and smarter and would be a better Senate selection, despite also not being African American.

Unlike Gillibrand, Maloney's House district (14th) is in populous downstate New York, which historically produces more successful statewide candidacies.

In fact, Maloney's district is Manhattan's Upper East Side, an area that is so uber-wealthy and intelligent that residents choose to cram themselves into high-priced apartment buildings so they can hear toilets flush on other floors.

Well, Maloney's feelings have been festering. So much so that despite urgings against the move by the African American governor, among others, she's announced a primary challenge to Gillibrand for the statewide seat in next year's elections.

In a telephone interview with a New York website, Maloney -- attempting to denigrate her fellow party member's candidacy -- recounted somebody else's alleged characterization of something Gillibrand might have said in Puerto Rico about English-only.

Sharpton, who not coincidentally is supporting Gillibrand and not Maloney, somehow found an e-mail and fax machine to issue a statement calling attention to Maloney's alleged use of the forbidden word that only African Americans can use.

And today Maloney issued an apology for repeating "a word I find disgusting."

Just before a big fundraiser to be attended by a seven-letter ex-president whose wife's appointment to the Cabinet of the first African American president created the Senate vacancy the two women are feuding over now.

-- Andrew (seven-letter last name here)

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Photo: Office of Rep. Maloney

Michelle Obama tops hubby Barack in popularity, new poll finds, but...

And now some politically/socially revealing numbers from a plethora of polls:

While her husband's popularity takes a summertime dip, First Lady Michelle Obama's favorability ratings among Americans climb high.

According to a new online Harris Poll of 2,177 Americans, after nearly six months of an Obama administration, more than two-thirds (68%) give her a thumbs-up while less than one-third (32%) disapprove. In comparison, after nearly six years in the White House Laura Bush had a 64% approval and a 36% disapproval.

This compares with President Obama's recent ratings in a similar Harris Poll showing his popularity dipping from 59% to 54% while his disapproval rose from 41% to 46%. On the economy Michelle's partner fared even worse, with just 43% now approving of his handling of the economy and 57% disapproving.

That's understandable. Starting a White House vegetable garden and telling schoolchildren to work hard for good grades while being a poised fashion icon is somewhat less controversial than the president trying to explain a national unemployment rate soaring past the maximum his administration precisely predicted last winter, despite billions in stimulus spending.

Three-quarters of Americans (77%) think the first lady is a positive influence on her husband; 84% of women think so while 69% of men agree. But even a majority of....

Sunday Shows: Biden, Powell, Grassley and Queen Noor

ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos: Vice President Joe Biden.

CBS’ Face the Nation with Bob Schieffer: Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Sens. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

CNN’s GPS with Fareed Zakaria: David Miliband, British foreign minister; author Dambisa Moyo; author Jacqueline Novogratz.

CNN’s State of the Union with John King: Former Secretary of State Colin Powell; Mullen; Queen Noor of Jordan.

Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace: Mullen; Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and John Boehner (R-Ohio).

NBC’s Meet the Press: Pre-empted by coverage of Wimbledon tennis.

-- Steve Padilla

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Photo: Associated Press

Analysis of Sarah Palin's strange move: Timeout or Flameout?

First, a few political givens:

These are different, changing times in U.S. politics.

The last three presidents each emerged from nowhere and achieved the White House on their first bid, though Bill Clinton and George W. Bush each had governor’s terms and reelections under their belts.

But what had Barack Obama ever accomplished as a freshman senator before announcing and achieving his desire for promotion? (And not finishing his first term either.)

The emergence of social media and online networking have created a whole new political environment beneath traditional media radar with untapped and unknown opportunities for unconventional politicians.

Sarah Palin is just such an unconventional politician, with surprising upsets in her past, a down-to-earth manner so different from the tired old suits you’ll see jabbering on morning TV this Sunday. And she has an astounding approval rate among her conservative base.

Most expected Palin not to run next year for reelection, like Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who now has the time and option to gear up for a 2012 presidential run.

Hardly anyone expected her to quit the governor’s office and turn it over to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell on July 26, despite Palin’s slipped popularity at home. (Full Palin text here.)

Professionals watching a withdrawal like this conventionally and immediately wonder, what bad news don't we know about her that's about to come out? Is there some scandal, indictment or personal revelation that would cause her to step down even before its announcement? Friday, especially a pre-holiday Friday, is usually a time to announce what you don't want heard much.

But here’s why friends say she’s really doing it:

Palin is genuinely sick of, as she calls it, “the crap” that comes with national politics, especially the....

Obama on Civil Rights Act: Good but not good enough

Statement by President Obama on the 45th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act

Forty-five years ago today, President Johnson signed into law historic legislation that moved America closer toward fulfilling the dream of our founding – a dream of opportunity, equality, and justice for all.  The Civil Rights Act of 1964 ended legal discrimination, helping grant all Americans equal justice under the law – no matter what their gender or the color of their skin.

The Civil Rights Act was born during Freedom Summer 1963, but its passage was only possible because generations of Americans of all backgrounds stood up, sat down and marched in freedom’s cause.

Once it was signed into law, a renewed pledge was made to all Americans not to deny any man a seat at a lunch counter, not to deny any woman an opportunity in the workplace and not to deny any child a chance to make the most of their God-given potential.

But while the Civil Rights Act opened doors of freedom and opportunity, we know that far too many inequities and barriers remain in the African-American community and across this country. 

And we must continue to break down these barriers in our laws, our policies, and our hearts so that we can not only fulfill the full promise of the Civil Rights Act, but perfect the union that our founders created two hundred and thirty-three years ago this week.      ###

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Photo: The White House

But WAIT!! There's (no) more! Billy Mays dead (Or Billy Maze)

OK, here's the connection. Politicians sell stuff. So did Billy Mays. Like it or lump it.

Regular Ticket readers will already know we love Billy Mays. (And not just because he was a reader.) He died today. Almost 51. Only the latest of numerous recent celebrities to depart -- Ed McMahon, Farrah, MJ, Natasha Richardson, who felt fine after bumping her head skiing. No doubt others. (And we've got a special Billy video tribute below too.)

Billy had a really rough landing on a commercial flight back home to Tampa yesterday. He said he felt fine after being hit on the head by something falling. Then, wasn't feeling well last night. No one knows yet what happened to one of the world's most famous, most successful pitchmen, straight out of the original Atlantic City Boardwalk School of Salesmanship.

Billy was the American insomniac's best friend. Always there late at night or early in the morning. Always happy to see you. Giving you that old thumbs-up sign of Mays approval. Always selling something terrifically wonderful, so much so that even folks with graduate degrees found themselves grabbing their credit card and reaching for the phone to beat that phony "Next 10 minutes" deadline.

In fact, he didn't put insomniacs to sleep. How could anyone sleep around Billy's obviously genuine enthusiasm and energy? He just kept us -- that is, our friends -- company while we -- they -- worked through the long night or waited for dawn to arrive.

He was no doubt sound asleep himself somewhere else. But through the magic of video  Billy was right there in our living rooms showing us a mop that could not only clean all pet hairs off the floor but probably off the dog too.

Here's the deal: Billy was real. He would only sell products that passed his test, that worked and that he himself used at home. He even handed out samples to guests.

You don't see that much elsewhere in American society today, especially in politicians. For instance, if Billy was, say, president and trying to sell us all on a massive national public education reform program costing billions of dollars, you just know he'd have his kids in those very same public schools, not off safely in some fancy private place.

If Billy set his mind to closing the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, he was so good at selling that he'd have towns clamoring to take not just one, not just two, but three suspected terrorists for local incarceration. Count on it. 

And his Oval Office desk wouldn't be all bare, shiny and sterile for bill signings. It'd be covered with his favorite programs/products to get them some TV time.

But there's more to Billy: You really believed him. If he'd been in politics, he could sell fiscal responsibility to a Democrat. He'd have those stubborn deficit stains outta there in just five minutes or less. Five!

Get Billy selling cars and you don't need the government to own GM. If he'd been one of the country's 1,417 surviving Republicans today -- well, he'd have to lose the black beard first -- but if he'd been a Republican, he could -- what? -- well, maybe sell party members on stopping the internal knife fights.

Anyway, another special thing about Billy Mays that is also rare among today's U.S. politicians: He could genuinely make fun of himself. Not with some obviously made-up line about his kid taking him down a notch. Har-har-har.

But by joking about his own distinctive gung-ho style. Pointing the finger directly at himself, not someone else pointing at him. Real genuine self-deprecation, which they must not teach in Campaign School anymore.

That's why, as a special bonus for Ticket readers today ONLY, we're adding this wonderful video below. The real Billy Mays mocking the real Billy Mays, captured on tape ordering at a McDonald's drive-thru in his very own inimitable late-night TV style. No extra charge.

Enjoy.

And may God bless our Billy up on the Ultimate Boardwalk.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: WireImage

What Obama and Chancellor Merkel said today: Iran, Iraq, Russia

Remarks by President Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the White House on June 26 in the East Room

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Willkommen.  It's my pleasure to welcome Chancellor Merkel to the White House.  We had a very productive discussion in the Oval Office, and our meetings will continue this afternoon.

Chancellor Merkel's visit is the latest chapter in the long partnership between our two countries:  the service of our men and women in uniform who stood together through a long Cold War and who serve today in Afghanistan; the innovation of our entrepreneurs, who helped to sustain our economies; and the bonds of friendship and trust between our people, which are unbreakable.

In recent months I've come to appreciate these bonds through my partnership with Chancellor Merkel.  We've worked closely together at the G20 summit in London, the NATO summit, and the European Union-U.S. summit in Prague. I value her wisdom and her candor, and I admire very much her leadership and her pragmatic approach to getting things done. She and the German people have welcomed me to Germany twice -- during the NATO summit and again this month in Dresden, and today I'm pleased to return that hospitality.

Chancellor Merkel shares my belief that no single nation can meet the challenges of our time alone.  Today we reaffirmed that the United States and Germany -- one of our closest allies and an indispensable partner -- will continue to play a leadership role across the range of challenges.

We're building on the bold steps we took at the G20 summit by aggressively confronting the global economic crisis.  I underscored our commitment to strengthening financial regulations, and I welcomed Chancellor Merkel's commitment to reform.  As we prepare for the G8 summit in Italy and look ahead to the G20 summit in Pittsburgh, we agreed on the need to avoid....

John Kerry joke: Sarah Palin should go missing, not Mark Sanford

(UPDATE added below. 12:44 p.m.)

Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, who some folks may remember as the Democrats' losing 2004 presidential standard bearer,always so funny before he wasn't, had a good one the other night at a party gathering on Capitol Hill.

The buzz at the time was the then-weird disappearance of South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford.

(Now, of course, it's all been fully explained as an intercontinental romantic affair with an Argentine woman that began via e-mail, involving a Father's Day weekend on which the married father of four sons dodged his security detail to flyto Buenos Aires for nearly a week, trying to cover it all up by implying he was going nude-hiking in the woods. Nothing weird left in that story.)

Anyway, before all that became clear, Kerry spoke to party supporters. To be topical, according to Rachelle Cohen of the Boston Herald, Kerry said the funniest thing.

He said: "Too bad if a governor had to go missing, it couldn't have been the governor of Alaska. You know, Sarah Palin."

Cohen reports that Kerry earned partisan chuckles for that one. Must have been a cash bar.

Palin is, in fact, nowhere near Argentina. She's currently visiting Alaskan troops in Europe and Iraq, where her oldest son has been stationed with the National Guard since last fall.

(UPDATE: Josh Painter's got a video update over here of Gov. Palin's sweetly biting response from over in Kosovo, where she hasn't disappeared.)

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: Associated Press

Gov. Schwarzenegger: Michael Jackson "great entertainer" despite...

Following is a statement issued minutes ago by the office of California Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger regarding the death of pop star Michael Jackson:

“Today, the world has lost one of the most influential and iconic figures in the music industry. From his performances with the Jackson 5, to the premiere of the ‘moonwalk’ and ‘Thriller,’ Michael was a pop phenomenon who never stopped pushing the envelope of creativity.

"Though there were serious questions about his personal life, Michael was undoubtedly a great entertainer and his popularity spanned generations and the globe. Maria and I join all Californians in expressing our shock and sadness over his death and our hearts go out the Jackson family, Michael’s children and to his fans worldwide.”

-- Andrew Malcolm

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John Edwards emerges to not talk about you-know-what and who

Speaking of Republican Sen. John Ensign's just-admitted extramarital affair, another John is back.

Democrat John Edwards of the my-wife's-cancer-was-in-remission-when-I-did-it televised confession has ended his public silence. He says he's not interested in the kind of reputation rehab that other philandering pols try over time. (Think Democrats ex-Pres. Bill Who's-Its and ex-Gov. Eliot Spitzer.)

Which no doubt is why Edwards suddenly granted an interview to the Washington Post's Alec MacGillis. With, however, just a couple of caveats:

No questions about his mistress Rielle Hunter (background on right).

No questions about her baby and whether he is the father.

No questions about terminally ill wife Elizabeth Edwards' recent memoir that prompted so much public attention and sent the ex-senator off to Central America to do good things out of sight.

And no questions about the federal investigation into whether the Edwards presidential campaign illegally spent political funds on Hunter.

Other than that, fire away.

Edwards claims there are only two reasons for him to be on the planet now: to take care of "the people I love" and to "take care of people who cannot take care of themselves." Edwards says he spends time in their mansion with his wife and two younger children and will return to El Salvador next month to volunteer.

He says he takes pride in pushing both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama to talk more about poverty issues and declined to call his presidential race a mistake despite its high-wire counting on the volatile sexual affair not coming out. Unlike many observers, Edwards does not rule out a return to politics, if only as a policy advocate a la Al Gore without the melting glacier slides.

And he dismisses cynicism about his failed campaign. "It was real, 100 percent real," Edwards says. "I want them to be proud of what I stood for, and of what the campaign stood for. The stands were honest and sincere and idealistic. They were what America needed then and needs now." 

MacGillis also talks to others for their views of Edwards and his anti-poverty follow-throughs or lack thereof.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo credits: Associated Press (John and Elizabeth Edwards campaigning) (top).