AFP: China has 'canceled US credit card': lawmaker: "Representative Mark Kirk, a member of the House Appropriations Committee and co-chair of a group of lawmakers promoting relations with Beijing, said China had 'very legitimate' concerns about its investments.
'It would appear, quietly and with deference and politeness, that China has canceled America's credit card,' Kirk told the Committee of 100, a Chinese-American group.
'I'm not sure too many people on Capitol Hill realize that this is now happening,' he said."
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Kirk is toying with the idea of running for Senate here in Illinois. He is considered a strong contender for the Republican nomination. Obama's former seat, now being held by super-shaky incumbent Roland Burris, comes up for election in November 2010. Burris is finding it impossible to raise money, so I don't see him being the Democratic nominee, but who knows. Kirk hasn't made up his mind yet, so they say. He would make a strong general election candidate because of his moderate Republicanism and general attractiveness as a candidate. But in the Illinois Republican primary race, it seems that one has to be an absolutist on abortion, gay rights, and a few other litmus test issues, so perhaps the Republicans will shoot themselves in the foot again and nominate another pathetic loser like Allen Keys.
On the substance of the issue he flags for us, all I can say is that I am astounded this is getting so little attention in the press.
1 comment:
The current primary system in most states causes candidates to run to the extremes during the primary to attract the party electorate, and then to the middle to attract the total electorate in the general election. It doesn't have to be that way.
Use the system adopted by the state of Washington. The primary is open for the major parties. The two candidates who receive the most votes, regardless of party, move to the general election. So, both the primary and the general elections should appeal to all voters.
With the Washington concept, senator Spector would not have to change parties because of the primary voting rules.
The strange twists in the election of Senator Lieberman would also have been avoided.
It is time for a vigorous debate.
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