Here's the problem with CA Guv Gray Davis: he has "zero personal relationships," is cold and distant, and "people do not like him. " Who said that? The guy heading up the recall effort? One of his opponents in the upcoming recall election? Nope. That's one of his chief political backers, SF Mayor Willie Brown. Brown said all this and more in a televised interview on a local Bay Area morning show. He also said he was one of Davis' few friends. For more fun recall stuff, check out this
article.

Curious about the ongoing CA recall madness? Check out the official details. I'm thinking seriously about filing myself, and shooting a doc surrounding the whole crazy situation.

So I saw the Charlie Rose interview with Howell Raines (thanks to Tivo - I'll leave the testimonials to others, except to say it truly is a breakthrough technology), and my impression, after the frenzy of the Blair/Bragg fiasco, is that the Times made a big mistake. Raines said it best when he pointed out that no editor of the Times has ever been a modest sort, and he didn't back down from the accusation that he pushed his people hard. He seems to be one of those guys that you bitch about when you're working for him, but when it's over and done, you realize you did your best work. Wait a few years, and see what the insiders at the Times say. Seven Pulitzer’s.

My bet is he’ll write some interesting books.

Yet another great verite documentary opportunity: Follow the upcoming train wreck in California with digital cameras spread out across the state. It's going to go fast, and be exceptionally nasty, even by California political standards. Someone -- you pick -- is sure to melt down on one side or the other. Certain to be drama, conflict and absurd humor. What else do you need for a compelling documentary? Send your fundraising suggestions to the contact link above.

Yet another great verite documentary opportunity: Follow the upcoming train wreck in California with digital cameras spread out across the state. It's going to go fast, and be exceptionally nasty, even by California political standards. Someone -- you pick -- is sure to melt down on one side or the other. Certain to be drama, conflict and absurd humor. What else do you need for a compelling documentary? Send your fundraising suggestions to the info link above.

This is one of those stories that's been percolating for over a year now and one that may yet cause Cheney and the Bush Administration problems, particularly if more information is released that proves the tight relationship between this White House and the oil and gas industry. Check out who the plaintiffs are -- you can't get much further apart ideologically than those two. I did a piece for NOW with Bill Moyers on this topic in 2002. Click on the link on the left to see the transcript.

More on the planned takeover of American politics by the conservative wing of the Republican party. But this time, the record of one of the primary architects of the strategy, Grover Norquist, is examined and popped. The real "right wing conspiracy," or a case of out of power paranoia?