The Hollywood Liberal

Obama Plans National Campaign
Sen. Barack Obama “is drawing up plans for extensive advertising and voter-turnout drives across the nation, hoping to capitalize on his expected fund-raising advantage” over Sen. John McCain “to force Republicans to compete in states they have not had to defend in decades,” the New York Times reports.

“He is also dispatching paid staff members to all states, an unusual move by the standards of modern presidential campaigns where the fight is often contained to contested territories.”

McCain Closes Cash Gap
The Politico notes that both Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain raised $22 million during the month of May.

McCain also closed the gap in the amount of cash both candidates have in the bank. McCain reported having about $32 million in cash for primary-related expenses at the end of May. Obama reported having $43 million in hand at the start of June — but about $10 million of that is dedicated to the general election.

Late Late Nite FDL: Roll With It

Steve Winwood – Roll With It.

This is Late Late Nite FireDogLake, where off topic is the topic – so dive in.

Steve Winwood – Roll With It.

This is Late Late Nite FireDogLake, where off topic is the topic – so dive in.

Sunday Afternoon Open Thread

I'm out for the afternoon.

If you're stuck at work or staying inside to avoid high temperatures — or any other reason — here's a place to chat.

Meanwhile
Over there.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – At least 15 people were killed and 35 wounded when a female suicide bomber blew herself up among policemen having lunch north of Baghdad on Sunday, Iraqi police and hospital sources said.

The attack took place in Baquba, capital of multi-ethnic Diyala province, where Sunni Islamist al Qaeda militants have sought to stoke tensions despite a succession of military offensives that have put the group on the back foot.

Turning Your Lawn into a Victory Garden Won’t Save You — Fighting the Corporations Will
The corporate agriculture industry would like nothing better than to see us spend all of our free time in our gardens and not in political dissent.

Late Late Nite FDL: Roll With It
Steve Winwood – Roll With It. This is Late Late Nite FireDogLake, where off topic is the topic – so dive in.
—- link

LeftWord: The Best Liberal Blog Posts
All The Best Liberal Blog Posts From Arond The Web.

22-Year-Old Arms Dealer Arrested
From the Miami Herald: A 22-year-old munitions dealer and others in his Miami Beach company were arrested on charges of selling prohibited Chinese weaponry to the U.S. government to supply allied forces in Afghanistan, according to law enforcement officials. Efraim…

Citigroup prepares massive cuts
Firm to axe ‘thousands’ of jobs from investment banking division.

Bolton: Israel Will Attack Iran After U.S. Election But Before Inauguration, Arab States Will Be ?Delighted?
This morning on Fox News, former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton continued his drumbeat for war against Iran. Adopting Bill Kristol’s argument, Bolton suggested that an attack on Iran depends on who Americans elect as the next President: I think if they [Israel] are to do anything, the most likely period is after our elections and before […]

This morning on Fox News, former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton continued his drumbeat for war against Iran. Adopting Bill Kristol’s argument, Bolton suggested that an attack on Iran depends on who Americans elect as the next President:

I think if they [Israel] are to do anything, the most likely period is after our elections and before the inauguration of the next President. I don’t think they will do anything before our election because they don’t want to affect it. And they’d have to make a judgment whether to go during the remainder of President Bush’s term in office or wait for his successor.

Bolton gamed out the fallout from an attack on Iran. He claimed that Iran’s options to retaliate after being attacked are actually “less broad than people think.” He suggested that Iran would not want to escalate a conflict because 1) it still needs to export oil, 2) it would worry about “an even greater response” from Israel, 3) and it would worry about the U.S.’s response.

Bolton then concluded that Arab states would be excited if the U.S. or Israel attacked Iran:

I don’t think you’d hear the Arab states say this publicly, but they would be delighted if the United States or Israel destroyed the Iranian nuclear weapons capability.

Watch it:

Bolton has said he is backing John McCain because he would handle the Iranian nuclear program in a “stronger” way than the Bush administration.

Obama Moves To Reintroduce Himself to Voters
In the opening weeks of the general-election campaign, Sen. Barack Obama has moved aggressively to shape his campaign and offered a clear road map for the kind of candidate he is likely to become in the months ahead: an ambitious gamer of the electoral map, a ruthless fundraiser and a scrupulous…

Turning Up the Heat on Climate Issue
There have been hotter days on Capitol Hill, but few where the heat itself became a kind of congressional exhibit. It was 98 degrees on June 23, 1988, and the warmth leaked in through the three big windows in Dirksen 366, overpowered the air conditioner, and left the crowd sweating and in shirt s…