Archive for August, 2006
August 11th, 2006
It’s Reid who doesn’t get it:
This government’s response to the real threat of terrorism has only made things worse
by Dan Plesch, The Guardian
Friday, August 11, 2006
If true, the British agents who risked their lives to infiltrate and expose this massive plot to bring down airliners crossing the Atlantic to the U.S. are forever in our debt. If true, authorities have identified yet another way security can be bypassed. If true, the phrase “If true” may point to the more dangerous property of Thursday’s events: Governments aren’t trusted.
Plesch’s column points to a big difference between experiencing the aftermath of a great tragedy and anticpating one. This kind of criticism was completely lacking five years ago in America. One reason, of course, is that the nation was focused on its grief and anger. Another reason is that the first foreign attack on U.S. soil in decades automatically harkened back to the previous such attack, Pearl Harbor. We were supposed to believe our government was in the right, acting on our collective behalf, and at all times doing the right things. That is why the traditional news channels suddenly flatlined into the same story, and dissention such as the opposition by Barbara Lee was rare for several weeks. Airliners didn’t fall into the sea in pieces yesterday, and so Dan Plesch can question his country’s leadership in the same daily news cycle as the arrest of terrorists.
Mass murder is a very black-and-white concept. Even by those who might sit on the side of the fence that can spin it as a necessary evil, the bottom line is it is evil. Government double-talk is the large, smooth gradient in between. At face value, it is easy to understand the players without a program. The Good Guys just defeated the Bad Guys. Hooray. If you start factoring in the cost of accumulation of questionable decisions by those same Good Guys, and the long-evolving circumstances that helped create such fervent desperation in the Bad Guys, everyone starts wearing hats in shades of gray. The fact that, at least in the back of their minds, there is a sizeable population that questions how much truth is in the claims of the U.S. and U.K. is a byproduct of the low level of trust those in power have engendered. That, as much as explosive combinations of on-board liquids, is a threat to be addressed.
The lives of thousands of people were just saved, allegedly. A long-awaited British version of the September 11, 2001 attacks was thwarted Thursday, reportedly. Backup attacks may have been stepped up in the wake of the arrests, presumably. Al-Qaida was behind it all, claims the U.S. A million travelers are now moving about their lives apprehensively, at best — definitely. Fear is the only certainty.
Continue Reading August 11th, 2006
FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE.
OREGON: WESTLUND ENDS INDY RUN FOR GOVERNOR.
State Senator Ben Westlund (Independent) unexpectedly withdrew from the race for Governor on Thursday. “At the beginning of this campaign, I made a commitment to the people of Oregon, and that was: I was in it to win it, and that I absolutely would not play a spoiler role. Therefore, today, with no regrets (but some sadness) I am here to honor that commitment,” Westlund wrote on his campaign website. He said he took some satisfaction that his campaign “rekindled Oregon’s political center.” According to the AP, Westlund saw that he was still in the 5-14% range — depending on the poll — and explained “he didn’t want to be a ’spoiler’ candidate … skimming off just enough votes from the [Democratic Governor Ted] Kulongoski camp to give Republican challenger Ron Saxton the victory.” Interestingly, Westlund was a Republican legislator — albeit a pro-choice, pro-gay rights, pro-universal health care Republican — until he launched his campaign a few months ago. Kulongoski immediately praised Westlund, saying that “Ben has been a partner over the years in the legislature and he remains a critical partner in the State Senate in our effort to create affordable health care, energy independence and continue growing our economy to provide living wage jobs to the people of Oregon.” Saxton’s campaign declined to issue any immediate statement. Westlund had already collected more than enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. His withdrawal is expected to shift momentum in the race towards Kulongoski. Also running are former TV news anchor and pro-life activist Mary Starrett (Constitution), retired accountant Richard Morley (Libertarian), and environmental activist Joe Keating (Pacific Greens).
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.11.06
TEXAS: HOUSE RACE DEVELOPMENTS IN CD-22, CD-23.
With Tom DeLay (R) again out of the CD-22 contest, Sugar Land Mayor David Wallace (R) announced he will run as a write-in in the general election. Wallace’s entry does not preclude other write-in hopefuls — including other Republicans — from jumping into the race. The Texas Republican Party has vowed to actively support just one GOP write-in hopeful for the seat. Filing for write-ins closes September 1. There is also news involving one of the five recently redrawn districts. With candidate filing reopened through August 25, progressive former Congressman Ciro Rodriguez (D) jumped into the CD-23 race against Congressman Henry Bonilla (R). “It’s not going to be easy, but it’s doable,” Rodriguez told the San Antonio Express-News. Rodriguez lost the primary earlier this year in CD-28 to Congressman Henry Cuellar, President Bush’s proclaimed “favorite” House Democrat.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.11.06
ABORTION: MS. MAGAZINE BRINGS BACK CONTROVERSIAL AD CAMPAIGN.
In 1972 — one year before the famous Roe v. Wade ruling — Ms. magazine ran a very controversial ad campaigns in which 53 prominent American women publicly declared they had undergone abortions and supported liberalizing abortion rights. Among the women were Billie
Jean King, Susan Sontag, Anais Nin and Ms. founder Gloria Steinem. Now, with Roe under assault from the right and state-level actions like the South Dakota abortion ban, Ms. is bringing back the “I Had An Abortion” ad. The magazine is encouraging women who have had abortions to openly add their names to a 2006 version of the “I Had An Abortion” ad. “We must put a human face on the abortion issue. Ms. calls on women who have had abortions to step forward publicly by signing our petition, which we will send to Congress, the White House, and state legislators. Politicians need to know that their decisions affect their neighbors, their colleagues, influential movers and shakers, and even their own daughters,” said Ms. magazine executive editor Katherine Spillar.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.11.06
CONNECTICUT: DOES THE LAMONT-LIEBERMAN MESSAGE PLAY IN PEORIA?
With nearly two days passed since the victory of businessman Ned Lamont in the Connecticut Democratic Primary for US Senate, it already appears that the fallout from this result could have serious implications on the national shape of the midterm elections in November. It’s still too early to tell, though, how it will play out in other states. Many Republicans are outright gleeful over the defeat, believing that it provides credibility to their argument that the Democrats, as put by GOP Chair Ken Mehlman, are carrying on the banner of “isolationism, defeatism, and a ‘blame America first’ attitude,” and that moderates “risk being purged.” GOP leaders are even described liberal federal candidates as “Ned Lamont Democrats” — but it seems a stretch to think voters outside Connecticut even know what that means (as most cannot name their own US Senators). In several Senate and Congressional races throughout the country, Republicans are planning to exploit the situation as a campaign issue, especially in battleground races where they wish to paint the Democratic candidates, many of whom hail from the moderate wing of the party, as being part of a party that is controlled by the far left. The Senate race in Missouri is one such race, where US Senator Jim Talent’s (R) campaign supporters are launching an attack on his opponent, State Auditor Claire McCaskill (D), asking whether she supports Ned Lamont and the “wishes of the angry left.” Still, Democratic leaders, who have for the most part solidified in unity behind Lamont after the primary, are optimistic. DNC Chairman Howard Dean commented on the record high turnout in the election and thought it a sign of a highly motivated and energized Democratic electorate. Other Democratic strategists say Republicans are making a major mistake if they think criticizing anti-war candidates as being on the “radical left” when national polls regularly show over 60% of Americans say they oppose the Iraq War.
Writer: Preston Caldwell - 08.11.06
CALIFORNIA: LT GOV NOMINEE DISTANCES HIMSELF FROM MEL GIBSON.
California Lieutenant Governor nominee Tom McClintock (R) has decided to halt further of a three-page fundraising letter written on his behalf by actor Mel Gibson. The campaign has already used the letter in four series of mailings, sent each time to prospective new donors. “Tom saw the news and the situation as it was unfolding with Mel Gibson and made a conscious decision to direct people not to use the letter any further,” said the State Senator’s spokesman. In the letter, Gibson explained how he usually avoids politics, but decided to help McClintock because of the staunchly conservative positions he took in the 2003 gubernatorial election. He stood solidly for principles that might not be politically correct - but were right and true,” wrote Gibson.
Writer: Ben Wisniewski - 08.11.06
FREE SPEECH ZONE.
I’m having trouble deciding which annoying TV spots I hate the most these days: “HeadOn, Applied Directly to the Forehead” and the “Dr. Z” car commercials are leading my list.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.11.06
SEND A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here’s my open offer for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide Office, etc., campaign you are involved in — feel free to add a sticker and brochure — and I’ll place a link to official campaign site here on our homepage in a daily “thank you” note. My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. TODAY’S THANKS GO TO: Former Lima Law Director Rick Siferd, Democrat for Congress in Ohio’s CD-4.
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Continue Reading August 9th, 2006
THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE.
FLORIDA: GALLAGHER CONTEMPLATES QUITTING GOV RACE, BUT KEEPS RUNNING.
State CFO Tom Gallagher (R) — strongly backed by Religious Right activists in his race for Florida Governor — appeared Wednesday morning on the brink of quitting the race. Gallagher has trailed fiscal conservative Attorney General Charlie Crist (R) by wide double-digit margins for months. As Gallagher moved sharply to the right — criticizing Crist for having praised the Terri Schiavo judges as “heroes” and for recently saying he was “fine” with having the state recognize same-sex civil unions — he expected to see the gap narrow. Yet, after raising over $9 million to date (versus $11 million for Crist), Crist’s primary advantage appears as solid as ever. The Miami Herald reported Gallagher spent the past few days talking to supporters and considering all his options. “Tom is evaluating — with his family and his friends — what is best for him and what is best for the Republican Party,” said a campaign spokesman. However, by Wednesday evening, it appeared Gallagher has decided to stay in the contest. Gallagher told the AP he will continue his run — but decided he will not mount a negative campaign against Crist. Instead, Gallagher says he hopes his more social conservative vision will be sufficient for him to win the primary.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.10.06
CONNECTICUT: LOSING JOEMENTUM WITH DEMS … BUT ROVE OFFERS HELP FOR LIEBERMAN.
One day after narrowly losing his Democratic primary for renomination, US Senator Joe Lieberman discovered his road as an Independent candidate may be lonlier than he anticipated. US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, DCCC Chair Senator Chuck Schumer, US Senator Hillary Clinton and even longtime Lieberman ally US Senator Chris Dodd all announced their support for challenger Ned Lamont. All of them had backed Lieberman in the primary. Lieberman did get one offer of support Wednesday — confirmed to the media by his own campaign: White House political advisor Karl Rove spoke with Lieberman, letting him know “whatever we can do [for you], we will do.” In related news, Lieberman shook up his campaign team Wednesday by firing his campaign manager and several other senior aides.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.10.06
CONGRESS: POLITICAL CLIMATE STUDIES.
Voters’ approval ratings of both Congress as a whole and their particular representatives in the House mirrors that of twelve years ago, the last time the majority party was voted out of power in both the House and Senate according the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll, conducted August 3rd through 6th. The Washington Post reported that the anti-incumbent sentiment is the strongest it has been since 1994, with 60% disapproving of Congress’s performance as a whole and just 55% approving of the way his or her representative in the House is handling his or her job. Individual representative approval rates have hovered between 59 and 74 percent between 1994 and now. The recent dip of seven percentage points in voters’ approval ratings of their representatives in the past three months is “dramatic” according to Republican political consultant Ed Rollins, former White House political director for Ronald Reagan. Fifty-three percent of the 1,002 adults surveyed described themselves as anti-incumbent and only 29% said they were inclined to reelect legislators, nearly identical numbers as seen in June of 1994 on the eve of the Republicans’ sweeping out the Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress. The margin of error in the poll is plus or minus three percent.
Writer: David Fisher - 08.10.06
KENTUCKY: FLETCHER SEEKS TO STYMIE POSSIBLE GOP RIVAL.
In a not-so-subtle announcement last week, Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R) mentioned he might challenge unpopular current Governor Ernie Fletcher (R) in the Bluegrass State’s 2007 gubernatorial primary. Fletcher countered and spoke openly about his disapproval of Grayson’s remarks — including in an interview with the Lexington Herald Leader — because the rising GOP star did not speak with him first regarding the statements. According to The Bluegrass Report, Fletcher is now quietly getting even by telling fellow Republicans to skip a fundraiser for Grayson later this week. Though several high-ranking state GOP officials — such as State Senate President David Williams — have asked Fletcher not to seek re-election, Fletcher vows to press on despite his problems arising from a state hiring scandal. Ironically, Grayson is from Boone County in Northern Kentucky — one of the state’s reddest regions. Though he would logically receive solid backing from his conservative home area, the region’s distinct partisan tilt have led it to be one of Fletcher’s few bastions of consistent popularity in the state, with numerous local lawmakers recently voicing their unwavering support for the embattled governor. Look for this intra-party race to heat up right after Election Day 2006.
Writer: Chuck Sambuchino - 08.10.06
ILLINOIS: CHAMBER MAKES SUPRISING ENDORSEMENT OF FRESHMAN HOUSE DEM.
Congressman Melissa Bean (D), who narrowly won her seat in 2004 over an entrenched GOP incumbent, gained a key endorsement in her race against conservative businessman David McSweeney. Running in the conservative suburbs of Chicago, Bean won the endorsement of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a group which typically backs Republican candidates. The Chamber praised Bean as “a strong, independent voice … [who] understands what it takes to create a healthy business climate and promote local job growth.” Bean has been under fire from pro-labor groups in her district for her support of the free trade CAFTA treaty. However, in this conservative seat, support from business might prove to be more valuable to Bean than a base of labor backers. With the support of the Chamber comes a $400,000 early TV ad buy for Bean. With the wealthy McSweeney pledging to spend “as much as it takes” to win this seat, the Chamber’s money is a big boost for Bean. Bean must also deal with a challenge from the left by liberal attorney and peace candidate Bill Scheurer (Independent).
Writer: Chuck Sambuchino - 08.10.06
PENNSYLVANIA: GREENS LIKELY TO BE BOUNCED FROM STATE BALLOT.
After a review of candidacy petitions filed on behalf of Green Party US Senate candidate Chuck Penaccio and gubernatorial candidate Marakay Rogers, Dems plan to file a lawsuit bouncing them off the ballot. State Democratic Chair T.J. Rooney said a detailed review of the petitions — a signature drive admittedly financed in large part by supporters of US Senator Rick Santorum (R) — showed 69,622 of the 94,544 signatures are likely invalid. “Phony names, fake signatures and a tremendous amount of illegal and deceptive practices were uncovered during our thorough and aggressive analysis,” said Rooney. The Dems mocked the submitted petitions for being so sloppy as to contain signatures purporting to be for Jesus Christ, John Kerry, Lee H. Oswald, Terry Schiavo and Mickey Mouse. Romanelli countered the move is a heavy-handed, undemocratic effort to block him from running. Various sources involved in Keystone State politics told Politics1 they are confident the Democratic challenge will succeed in disqualifying the statewide Green nominees.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.10.06
FREE SPEECH ZONE.
Due to the recent US Supreme Court ruling redrawing Texas congressional lines in five districts — CD’s 15, 21, 23, 25 and 28 — candidate filing has been reopened for the new districts. The new filing deadline is August 25. The changes also threw out the March primary results for those districts. Instead, all candidates will compete in special election open primaries on Election Day in November. If any candidate fails to win a majority in November, the top two finishers (regardless of party) will advance to a December run-off.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.10.06
SEND A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here’s my open offer for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide Office, etc., campaign you are involved in — feel free to add a sticker and brochure — and I’ll place a link to official campaign site here on our homepage in a daily “thank you” note. My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. TODAY’S THANKS GO TO: Writer and former radio talk show host Daniel “Wig Man” Vovak, Republican for US Senate in Maryland.
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August 8th, 2006
I added a news feed that will allow us to bring in some published content elsewhere on the web as blog posts here. The first test was done last night with Politics1, the very cool campaign coverage site that has been running (more successfully) as long as we have. In addition to disseminating news on congressional elections (and other campaigns) throughout the States, Ron Gunzburger also sells — or at least sold — me some Jimmy Carter campaign buttons. It should be one of our goals to get listed on his site.
This new news feed will evolve over time to include other useful information from other sources. In the future, the posts will likely be better marked than they are now to indicate an external content source. (Just to clarify, Ron isn’t coming here and posting … although that is a privilege that can be opened up to interested 3rdparty members.)
Below is a list of political blogs Ron lists in his blogroll in the lower sidebar of his site. You might want to take a look at some of these and see if there are ones worth adding to our own feed.
POLITICAL BLOG ROLL:
Continue Reading August 8th, 2006
WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE: THREE FEDERAL INCUMBENTS OUSTED!
CONNECTICUT: LAMONT DEFEATS LIEBERMAN, WHO VOWS TO FIGHT ON AS INDY.
As had been expected for the past few weeks, wealthy businessman and peace candidate Ned Lamont defeated US Senator Joe Lieberman for renomination by a 52% to 48% vote in the Democratic primary. Lieberman vowed to continue his campaign as an Independent hopeful in the general election. “I called Ned Lamont and congratulated him on his success today. As I see it, in this campaign, we’ve just finished the first half and the Lamont team is ahead, but in the second half, our team — Team Connecticut — is going to surge forward to victory in November,” said Lieberman. Democratic leaders are expected to rally behind Lamont now, pressuring Lieberman to quit the contest. However, as Lieberman already promised to caucus with the Democrats if elected as an Independent, the seat is still safely DEM in terms of the November outcome. The pathetic GOP nominee — who will not be a factor — is so flawed that his own party has tried without success for a month now to force him to quit the race. US Senate Race Rating: Toss-Up (between Lamont and Lieberman). In the the Dem gubernatorial primary, New Haven Mayor John DeStefano defeated Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy by slim 51% to 49% vote — while Malloy’s Lieutenant Governor runningmate Mary Glassman easily won the #2 spot in the primary by a 14% margin. The primary outcome likely won’t matter as incumbent Governor Jodi Rell (R) is regularly rated as one of the three most popular governors in the nation. Governor Race Rating: Safe GOP. In CD-1, TV news director Scott MacLean handily defeated research scientist Miriam Masullo in the GOP primary for the right to lose in November to safe Congressman John Larsen (D).
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.09.06
GEORGIA: McKINNEY SUFFERS LANDSLIDE DEFEAT.
DeKalb County Commissioner Hank Johnson ousted controversial and erratic Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney in the CD-4 Democratic run-off by a surprisingly wide margin. Johnson defeated the volatile and outspoken McKinney by a 59% to 41% vote. McKinney drew national headlines when she punched a Capitol police officer earlier this year, then made a full apology on the House floor in a deal to avoid indictment. This was an astounding second Congressional renomination defeat for McKinney. Johnson will only face nominal opposition in the general election. In the race for Lieutenant Governor, former State Representative Jim Martin (D) won the run-off by a wide 22% margin.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.09.06
MICHIGAN: RELIGIOUS RIGHT CONSERVATIVE OUSTS GOP CENTRIST SCHWARZ .
Centrist GOP freshman Congressman Joe Schwarz — a leading target of the conservative Club for Growth — lost his race for renomination in CD-7. Evangelical minister and former State Representative Tim Walberg defeated Schwarz by a 55% to 45% vote. The Club for Growth and other conservative groups spent approximately a million dollars in their campaign to oust Schwarz, whom they attacked as “a liberal” and a “RINO.” President Bush, Senator John McCain and others visited to district to help Schwarz unsuccessfully defend his seat. CD-7 Race Rating: Safe GOP. Conservative Congressman Joe Knollenberg (R) successfully turned back an energetic primary challenge from centrist Oakland School Board Member Pan Godchaux by a 2-to-1 margin. In the race against US Senator Debbie Stabenow (D), Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard easily captured the Republican nomination over evangelical bishop Keith Butler. US Senate Race Rating: Safe DEM.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.09.06
COLORADO: CRANK, PERLMUTTER WIN OPEN CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARIES.
In the open CD-5 contest for the seat being vacated by retiring Congressman Joel Hefley (R), former Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce executive Jeff Crank led the six-way field with 28% — holding a 5-point lead over his nearest opponent — with most of the vote counted. Crank, a former aide to Helfey, was Hefley’s endorsed candidate to succeed him. CD-5 Race Rating: GOP Favored. In the open CD-7 swing seat race — being vacated due to Congressman Bob Beauprez’s (R) run for Governor — former State Senator Ed Perlmutter won the Democratic nomination by a nearly 20-point advantage over his former State Representative Peggy Lamm. Perlmutter will face (D) held a sufficiently wide margin that it appeared he will win the contest when all the votes are tabulated. State Higher Education Commission Chair Rick O’Donnell, who lost the 2002 primary to Beauprez, is the GOP nominee. CD-7 Race Rating: Toss-Up.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.09.06
MISSOURI: NO SURPRISES ON PRIMARY DAY.
Not much excitement in Missouri on Tuesday. US Senator Jim Talent (R) and State Auditor Claire McCaskill (D) easily won their respective Senate primaries — with 88% and 79%, respectively — and will meet in November in what is expected to be one of the hottest races in the nation. US Senate Race Rating: Toss-Up. Congressman Todd Akin (R) had no trouble turning back a primary challenge from State Representative Sherman Parker by a lopsided 6-to-1 margin. The other Congressional incumbents also easily fended off their various primary challenges.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.09.06
TEXAS: DeLAY TO QUIT HOUSE RACE, GOP TO RUN WRITE-IN NOMINEE.
One day after US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia rejected the Texas Republican Party’s appeal of the federal court ruling that former US House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R) cannot be replaced on the November ballot, DeLay said he would again make clear he has irrevocably withdrawn from the race. Instead, DeLay plans to support whomever the GOP runs as the write-in candidate for the CD-22 seat against former Congressman Nick Lampson (D). Based upon these developments, we’re changing our race rating to Leans DEM.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.09.06
FREE SPEECH ZONE.
Mark yesterday on your calendars, folks, as it will likely be many years until you ever again see three congressional incumbents ousted on the same primary day.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.09.06
SEND A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here’s my open offer for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide Office, etc., campaign you are involved in — feel free to add a sticker and brochure — and I’ll place a link to official campaign site here on our homepage in a daily “thank you” note. My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.
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Continue Reading August 8th, 2006
TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE.
PRIMARY DAY: THREE INCUMBENTS FACE LIKELY PRIMARY DEFEATS.
Voters go to the polls in five states on Tuesday, casting ballots that seem likely to end to political careers of several federal incumbents. US Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT), Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) and Congressman Joe Schwarz (R-MI) all appear headed towards defeat, for very different reasons. In the case of Lieberman, his staunch support for the Iraq War and attempts to build bipartisan bridges with the Bush Administration appear to have doomed his campaign. Lieberman now trails his wealthy primary challenger — businessman Ned Lamont — by several points. Lieberman vows to continue his campaign into the general election as an Independent if he loses the primary, but look for Dem leaders to quickly put heavy pressure on Lieberman to pull the plug on an Indy run. US Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) told USA Today that Lieberman will abandon his Independent candidacy if he finishes more than ten points behind Lamont in the primary. In Georgia, the controversial McKinney may champion progressive causes, but progressives long have tired of apologizing for her embarrassing political and personal antics. Look for DeKalb County Commissioner Hank Johnson — who shares nearly all of McKinney’s progressive views, but doesn’t carry the baggage — to handily defeat her in the run-off. In Michigan, as we reported yesterday, Congressman Joe Schwarz (R) appears headed to defeat against a Religious Right opponent he edged out in the crowded 2004 primary. Former State Representative and minister Tim Walberg — back by the big bucks of the Club for Growth — seems poised to oust the freshman incumbent. In a mirror opposite of the Schwarz-Walberg race, conservative Congressman Joe Knollenberg (R) is facing an energetic primary challenge from centrist Oakland Schools Board Member Pan Godchaux — but Knollenberg should survive by a comfortable margin. The Lamont and Walberg victories will, respectively, embolden political activists on the left-wing of the Dems and right-wing of the GOP. In the polarized world of US politics, the middle is a rapidly vanishing place. I cannot recall a single primary day in modern politics that saw three federal incumbents lose renomination battles. Other key races to watch on Tuesday include the open seat primaries in Colorado’s CD-5 and CD-7, the GOP primary for US Senate in Michigan, and the Democratic primary for Connecticut Governor.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger (Chuck Sambuchino contributed to this article) - 08.08.06
OHIO: NA NA NA, NA NA NA, HEY NEY, GOODBYE.
Embattled Congressman Bob Ney (R-OH) — who appears to be facing a looming corruption indictment in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal — announced Monday he will not seek re-election. “Ultimately this decision came down to my family. I must think of them first, and I can no longer put them through this ordeal,” Ney explained to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Ney, who resigned under pressure earlier this year as the House Administration Committee Chair, has been battered in news reports for his close ties to Abramoff. In May, former Ney aide-turned-Abramoff lobbyist Neil Volz pled guilty on felony counts on conspiracy and violating lobbying laws. Volz also agreed to testify against the Congressman in the ongoing federal investigations by the Justice Department and FBI. Ney, who had won a lopsided primary victory against financial anaylst James Harris, faced a difficult challenge in November against progressive Dover Law Director Zack Space (D). State Senator Joy Padgett — whom Ney called to say he was withdrawing from the race — told the AP she would seek to be the replacement GOP nominee for Ney’s seat. Under Ohio election law, Republicans are required to hold a special primary to replace Ney on the ballot for the general election. Ney and House Majority Leader John Boehner quickly endorsed Padgett for the seat. No other Republicans immediately emerged as potential primary challengers, but there is still time for others to jump in. The Secretary of State’s office is researching whether the Ohio “sore loser” provision in state law would prevent Padgett from running. The law appears to prevent a candidate who lost a primary to run again in the same election cycle. There is no certainly Padgett — who was Attorney General Jim Petro’s runningmate for Lieutenant Governor in this year’s primary — would be any stronger than Ney. “Joy Padgett is tied at the hip to the most corrupt politicians in Ohio: Bob Ney, Bob Taft and Jim Petro. For Joy Padgett, being handpicked by Ney … is quite an indictment,” said Space’s spokesman. Padgett served several years as a top-ranking state agency director in the Taft Administration before her 2004 election to the State Senate. State Senator Jay Hottinger (R) was mentioned as another possible replacment candidate — but he quickly told reporters he won’t run because of the timing. “I think [Ney] was about 90 days late in doing this,” said Hottinger.
Contrbuting Writers: David Jimenez, Jo Valentine-Cooper, Christopher Vari & Raymond Smalley - 08.08.06
BY THE NUMBERS: LATEST INDEPENDENT NUMBERS.
COLORADO - CONGRESS - CD-7 - DEM PRIMARY: Former State Senator Ed Perlmutter - 49%, former State Representative Peggy Lamm - 37%, attorney Herb Rubenstein - 8%. (KUSA-TV/SurveyUSA).
GEORGIA - CONGRESS - CD-4 - DEM RUN-OFF: DeKalb County Commissioner Hank Johnson - 53%, Congressman Cynthia McKinney - 40%. (Insider Advantage).
MICHIGAN - US SENATE - GOP PRIMARY: Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard - 56%, minister Keith Butler - 33%. (WDIV-TV/SurveyUSA).
MINNESOTA - GOVERNOR: Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) - 46%, Attorney General Mike Hatch (D) - 36%. (Rasmussen Reports).
MINNESOTA - US SENATE: Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar (D) - 50%, Congressman Mark Kenendy (R) - 38%. (Rasmussen Reports).
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.08.06
PENNSYLVANIA: RENDELL UNEXPECTEDLY PRAISES SANTORUM.
US Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) is receiving support from an unlikely source: Governor, Ed Rendell (D-PA). In an interview with the conservative magazine Weekly Standard, Rendell stated “Rick Santorum has proven that he gets the job done. Time and time again he has come through.” Although Rendell says he is supporting Bob Casey’s candidacy against Santorum but will not attack Santorum. “I will eventually campaign with Casey, but, no, you won’t see me attack Santorum,” Democrats are concerned such praise could help Santorum, who has already incorporated the Rendell comments into a new commercial.
Writer: Douglas Price, - 08.08.06
UTAH: LIBERAL SLC DEM MAYOR TAPS GOP AS SUCCESSOR.
Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, an outspoken liberal Democrat, surprised a lot of people this past week by endorsing Republican City Councilman Keith Christensen as his replacement in 2007. Anderson, who recently announced he will not seek a third term in office, has been praised by progressives for his environmentally-friendly policies. However, he has alienated many Utahns with his brash style and his clashes with staffers and members of the press. He has been in particular conflict with certain members of the City Council, including Democrat Nancy Saxton, who also plans to run for Mayor in 2007. Anderson’s endorsement of a Republican is troubling to many Democrats because Salt Lake City is one of the few left-leaning areas of Utah, one of the nation’s reddest states. No Republican has been Mayor of the state capital since the 1970s. Christensen recently switched his views in favor of supporting health benefits for gay domestic partnerships, something Anderson has long advocated. In fact, Anderson recently co-signed a full-page national newspaper ad endorsing same-sex marriage. However, the two men remain a political odd couple. Christensen is a devout Mormon, while Anderson is a notoriously lapsed one. Christensen also still criticizes Anderson’s decision to protest President Bush’s 2005 visit to Salt Lake City.
Writer: Jay Rogers - 08.08.06 | Permalink | postCount(’080806e’);
TEXAS: US SUPREME COURT REJECTS DeLAY APPEAL.
The US Supreme Court on Monday declined to issue a stay of the lower court orders rejecting GOP plans to replace former US House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R) on the November ballot. The courts found DeLay’s withdrawal from the race was voluntary, thus preventing the party from replacing DeLay in the general election. DeLay must now decide whether he wants to seek re-election or withdraw to let the party attempt to run a write-in candidate against former Congressman Nick Lampson (D). Businessman Bob Smither (Libertarian) is also running.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.08.06
FREE SPEECH ZONE.
Just two random and amusing observations, apropos of nothing, I noticed:
1. Remember the Howard Dean’s online fundraising bats in 2004 that helped power him to over $50 million in fundraising? Then check out the website of US Senate candidate Eddie Pirkowski (R-HI). On his online fundraising chart, he’s set an imposing fundraising goal of $200. Good thing, however, that he set the bar so low. To date, Pirkowski’s collected, ummm … nothing, nada, zilch.
2. The candidate photo featuring a cute pet dog is a fairly de rigueur in campaign literature. However, a candidate doing the family pose while holding his pet iguana strikes me as rather unusual.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger -08.08.06
SEND A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here’s my open offer for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide Office, etc., campaign you are involved in — feel free to add a sticker and brochure — and I’ll place a link to official campaign site here on our homepage in a daily “thank you” note. My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.
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Continue Reading August 6th, 2006
MONDAY NEWS UPDATE.
MICHIGAN: CENTRIST GOP CONGRESSMAN MAY LOSE PRIMARY.
Republicans are gleefully wagging their fingers at progressive Democrats, scolding them for trying to dump US Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT) in favor of an unapologetic liberal on Tuesday because of the incumbent’s support for the Iraq War. Yet, in Michigan’s CD-7, the opposite is happening. GOP social conservatives are trying to dump centrist Congressman Joe Schwarz because they complain he’s too moderate. Outside groups have already spent over $1 million in primary advertising. The freshman Schwarz — a surgeon, Vietnam War veteran and former CIA agent — is a close ally of US Senator John McCain (R-AZ). Schwarz is being challenged by social conservative minister and former legislator Tim Walberg, whom Schwarz defeated in the six-way primary in 2004. Two years ago, Schwarz won with just 28% of the vote when a large pack of social conservatives split the Religious Right base. Walberg finished third in 2004 with 18%. This year Walberg is running one-on-one against Schwarz and he’s argues Schwarz is not a true conservative. The Club for Growth is unapologetic in backing primary challengers against Schwarz and other GOP moderates. “The more races in which we’re able to help good, pro-growth, limited government candidates win, the better the chances Republicans have of holding the House … We’re the voice out there saying ‘Hey guys, the Republican Party’s got to stand for something,’” said CFG President Pat Toomey. In fact, McCain, President Bush and the NRA have all endorsed Schwarz in the primary. Despite the heavyweight backing for the incumbent, Walberg’s pitch seems to gaining support on among hard-core Republican primary voters. “I would not be surprised to see Walberg win by 55-45 or so vote [if the] turnout is below the 73,500 votes cast in 2004,” said a reliable source associated with Schwarz’s campaign.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.07.06
MISSOURI:PRIMARY PREVIEW.
Tuesday’s Missouri primary is the calm before the storm of the November election. After disposing of token opposition incumbent, US Senator Jim Talent (R) and State Auditor Claire McCaskill (D) will square off in what will be one of the most hotly contested and nasty races in the country. Recent polls show the race at a dead heat and Democrats have targeted Missouri as one of their best chances to pick up a seat. Another issue that is gearing up for November is a state initiative to protect stem cell research, an issue that will figure into the Senate race as well. Other than the US Senate race the only statewide contest on the ballot is the primary for State Auditor. The candidates, five Republicans and two Democrats, have more interest in the race than the voters. The only candidate to stand out in the quiet scrabble is Republican Jack Jackson, a former test pilot and legislator. Jackson’s campaign had an unexpected boost when his campaign plane hit a deer on takeoff. One of his campaign aides — with him on the plane — is married to St. Louis anchorwoman Mandy Murphy, who reported on the near crash live on the air. The small number of “Show Me” state voters who turn out for the primary will be the first to try new electronic voting machines. Unless a challenge form the ACLU succeeds, it will be the last election in which voters will not have to show state photo IDs, a matter of great concern to older voters who no longer drive or have access to obtain new cards.
Writer and attorney Greg Bailey is the St. Louis correspondent for The Economist - 08.07.06
BY THE NUMBERS: LATEST INDEPENDENT NUMBERS.
CONNECTICUT - US SENATE - DEM PRIMARY: Businessman Ned Lamont - 53%, US Senator Joe Lieberman - 43%. (New London Day/Research 2000).
CONNECTICUT - GOVERNOR - DEM PRIMARY: Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy - 48%, New Haven Mayor John DeStefano - 38%. (Quinnipiac University).
FLORIDA - GOVERNOR - (Rasmussen Reports):
Attorney General Charlie Crist - 47%, Congressman Jim Davis - 42%.
Davis (D) - 44%, State CFO Tom Gallagher (R) - 41%.
Crist (R) - 48%, State Senator Rod Smith (D) - 35%.
Gallagher (R) - 45%, Smith - 40%.
FLORIDA - GOVERNOR - GOP PRIMARY: Crist - 41%, Gallagher - 21%. (Miami Herald/Zogby).
FLORIDA - GOVERNOR - DEM PRIMARY: Davis - 21%, Smith - 16%, Three Others - 6%. (Miami Herald/Zogby).
GEORGIA - GOVERNOR: Governor Sonny Perdue (R) - 53%, Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor (D) - 39%. (Rasmussen Reports).
NEW JERSEY - US SENATE: US Senator Bob Menendez (D) - 44%, State Senator Bob Kean Jr. (R) - 38%. (Rasmussen Reports).
NEW YORK- GOVERNOR: Attorney General Eliot Spitzer (D) - 62%, former State Assembly Minority Leader John Faso (R) - 22%. (Rasmussen Reports).
NEW YORK- US SENATE: US Senator Hillary Clinton (D) - 61%, former Yonker Mayor John Spencer (R) - 31%. (Rasmussen Reports).
NEW YORK- US SENATE: Clinton (D) - 61%, former Defense Department official K.T. McFarland (R) - 31%. (Rasmussen Reports).
PENNSYLVANIA - GOVERNOR: Governor Ed Rendell (D) - 51%, former pro football player Lynn Swann (R) - 35%. (Morning Call/Muhlenberg College).
PENNSYLVANIA - US SENATE: State Treasurer Bob Casey Jr. (D) - 45%, US Senator Rick Santorum (R) - 39%. (Morning Call/Muhlenberg College).
SOUTH CAROLINA - GOVERNOR: Governor Mark Sanford (R) - 47%, State Senator Tommy Moore (D) - 38%. (Rasmussen Reports).
WEST VIRGINIA - US SENATE: US Senator Robert C. Byrd (D) - 56%, businessman John Raese (R) - 31%. (Rasmussen Reports).
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.07.06
OHIO: STATE FUNDRAISING RECORD BROKEN … TWICE ON SAME DAY.
Secretary of State Ken Blackwell’s (R) gubernatorial campaign website reported Thursday that he broke the Ohio record for two month fundraising, with $2 million raised during June and July (or about $35,000 a day). The record stood for about ten minutes until rival candidate Congressman Ted Strickland (D) reported he had collected $2.5 million during the same period (or about $44,000 a day). This gives Strickland a slight advantage in the overall fundraising battle at $8.8 million to Blackwell’s $8.6 million. However, Strickland enjoys a far larger advantage in cash-on-hand: $5.1 million versus $3.3 million.
Writer: Charley Kidder - 08.07.06
KENTUCKY: ANOTHER POSSIBLE PRIMARY RIVAL FOR EMBATTLED GOVERNOR.
At one of the Bluegrass State’s most significant political events, Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R) on Saturday floated his own name as a possible candidate for Governor in 2007. The annual Fancy Farm picnic — which draws elected state officials and candidates — is the state’s premier event for politicos. Grayson became the prime Republican speaker after embattled Governor Ernie Fletcher (R) announced he would not attend the annual gathering. “A lot of people have concerns about [Fletcher’s electability]. I have concerns about it,” said Grayson, in response to a question by a Louisville Courier Journal reporter. The newspaper also reported Grayson is being actively recruited by some party leaders to lead a Republican ticket against Fletcher in the 2007 primary. No Republican one has yet to announce a challenge to Fletcher, although Lieutenant Governor Steve Pence (R)
Writer: Ben Harrison - 08.07.06
FREE SPEECH ZONE: A BIT OF EDITORIALIZING BY RON.
Your turn.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.07.06
SEND A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here’s my open offer for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide Office, etc., campaign you are involved in — feel free to add a sticker and brochure — and I’ll place a link to official campaign site here on our homepage in a daily “thank you” note. My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. TODAY’S THANKS GO TO: State Representative Barbara L’Italien, Democrat for re-election in Massachusetts.
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SATURDAY NEWS UPDATE.
FREE SPEECH ZONE.
Have at it.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.05.06
August 5th, 2006
If you are looking for some inspiration in asking questions, answering the same, or just some motivational hooks to get your mind thinking in a new direction, try The Edge. It is a loosely organized collection of interesting thinkers who ask each other questions.
One of the recent entries (circa May 2006) is DIGITAL MAOISM: The Hazards of the New Online Collectivism, written by Jaron Lanier. There are a host of responses from others, as well, including Fernanda Viegas, Jimmy Wales (creator of Wikipedia), and online communities researcher Howard Rheingold.
In essence, Lanier criticizes Wikipedia not for its experimentation in collective authorship and shared information but for the excess heaped upon it (and other “hive mind” efforts) as being all-wise. He laments what he sees as a mutually exclusive battle between collectivism and individuals, where anonymity swallows up any recognizable voice. There is some truth to that, and to the observation that groups are not infallible. However, Lanier doesn’t seem to go far in looking for ways in which a medium like a wiki can be a companion to individual contribution.
PoliticWiki began as an experiment in the collective’s take on opinionated events. Unlike Wikipedia, where the stated goals are to amass as much knowledge as possible and present it in the most neutral voice possible, PoliticWiki was looking as a wiki as a new way to discuss politics through editing. The act of editing, of changing a phrase to rearrange the meaning, is a form of dialogue. It carries with it response and proposal, inviting others to do the same. Where the early effort may have failed it lacked leadership, focus and vision. We are not attempting to collect all of the worlds knowledge on politics — even as we do strive to collect some, as a means to our ends. We are attempting to leverage the strengths of the medium — a wiki’s ability to easily facilitate collaborative writing and quickly rearrange structure — to give our community a workspace for our ideas.
For those of you who find yourselves asking, “What is a wiki, and why is it part of Third Party?” the debate above might be helpful. (Or for liks to lighter-side diversion, try this post from my blog.)
August 3rd, 2006
Just a quick personal note …
Yes, the response recently has been disappointing. While the election season and aftermath has always been the most active time of our year, I was hoping for more participation in the development of this site. There have been a handful of people willing to contribute on this site and offer suggestions, and for that I am grateful. But it is frustrating not to have more daily activity, even if in very small doses.
It is a busy time for me, too. In addition to prepping for a doctoral program at Indiana University, I am also swamped in several little projects that make it difficult to stop by with any regularity. Moreso this past week, which was complicated by a three-day trip to a funeral service. The days before and since have been compressed into tight, long workdays. I would like to figure out how to keep myself involved. This blogspace helps, in that regard, since it is a managable option to invest 30 to 60 minutes a day and write a little entry on something related to these projects.
What I tell myself is this: The Third Party vision for political change is a long, slow trip. It won’t happen overnight, or even with a couple weeks devoted to doing nothing but site and content development. It will happen, eventually, if I look at this project as a chance to change my own routine and incorporate political engagement in my life every single day. My circumstances are such that 30 minutes is a huge investment of available time (because I really don’t have any available time). It is only by continually deciding to invest that small amount will our goals be accomplished. In this case, I am trying to turn a mountain of work into a molehill of interaction.
Continue Reading August 2nd, 2006
FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE.
TENNESSEE: SEVERAL HOT RACES IN THURSDAY’S PRIMARY.
No real surprises on primary day. Governor Phil Bredesen (D) won his primary with 90% of the vote. State Senator Jim Bryson won the Republican primary for Governor with 53% over six nominal opponents. In the open US Senate contest, wealthy former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker — the most moderate of the major GOP candidates — easily dispatched conservative former Congressmen Ed Bryant and Van Hilleary. Corker won 50%, followed by Bryant at 35%, Hilleary at 14%, and businessman Tate Harrison at 1%. Congressman Harold Ford Jr. (D) cruised to an easily primary win with 82% over four minor opponents. Polls show Corker currently holds and advantage over Ford for the seat being vacated by retiring Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R). There are also hot contests for two open Congressional seats: CD-1 (safe GOP) and CD-9 (safe DEM). Votes were slow at coming in from these contests, so I’ll update these results in the morning.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.04.06
BY THE NUMBERS: LATEST INDEPENDENT NUMBERS.
CONNECTICUT - US SENATE - DEM PRIMARY: Businessman Ned Lamont - 54%, US Senator Joe Lieberman - 41%. (Quinnipiac University).
IOWA - GOVERNOR: Secretary of State Chet Culver D) - 41%, Congressman Jim Nussle (R) - 38%. (Rasmussen Reports).
MASSACHUSETTS - GOVERNOR - DEM PRIMARY: Former US Assistant Attorney General Deval Patrick - 35%, venture capitalist Chris Gabrieli - 30%, Attorney General Tom Reilly - 27%. (WBZ-TV/SurveyUSA).
OREGON - GOVERNOR: Governor Ted Kulongoski (D) - 45%, former Portland School Board Member Ron Saxton (R) - 35%. (Rasmussen Reports).
PENNSYLVANIA - GOVERNOR: Governor Ed Rendell (D) - 50%, former pro football player Lyn Swann (R) - 40%. (Rasmussen Reports).
PENNSYLVANIA - US SENATE: State Treasurer Bob Casey Jr. (D) - 50%, US Senator Rick Santorum (R) - 39%. (Rasmussen Reports).
SOUTH DAKOTA - CONGRESS: Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth (D) - 60%, GOP activist Bruce Whalen (R) - 26%. (Sioux Falls Argus Leader/Mason-Dixon).
SOUTH DAKOTA - CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT - SAME SEX MARRIAGE BAN: For the Ban - 41%, Against the Ban - 49%. (Sioux Falls Argus Leader/Mason-Dixon).
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.04.06
TEXAS: “VOTE FOR ME … FOR A JOB I DON’T WANT … SO I CAN RESIGN AGAIN.”
The 5th Circuit US Court of Appeals dealt a major setback on Thursday to the Texas Republican Party’s plan to replace resigned US House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R) on the November ballot. The court essentially found DeLay voluntarily withdrew from his race after winning the primary. They judges discounted his move to Virginia, noting his wife continued to reside in the couple’s homesteaded residence in Texas, and it was purely speculative as to where DeLay would be living on election day. Under Texas law, Republicans have a choice of either running DeLay again or going without any nominee on the ballot. Thus, the appellate ruling forces DeLay to now run for a job from which he already resigned in a state in which he said he no longer desires to reside. Look for the GOP to seek an appeal to the US Supreme Court, although election law experts now think DeLay stands virtually no chance of winning there before the November elections. In additional to being forced to seek reelection, DeLay still is facing money laundering and political corruption charges in an upcoming trial. Democrats are clearly gleeful, as former Congressman Nick Lampson (D) must now be rated the favorite to win the CD-22 seat.
Writer: Ben Meyers - 08.04.06 6a’);
FREE SPEECH ZONE: A BIT OF EDITORIALIZING BY RON.
Count me among those urging Democratic primary voters in Connecticut — the state of my birth — to vote for wealthy businessman and peace activist Ned Lamont on Tuesday. Incumbent US Senator Joe Lieberman is smart and witty, and usually reflects Democratic ideals in most of his votes. Yet, on the key defining issue of this decade, he has become a pro-Iraq War lackey for the Bush Administration. Democrats who passionately believe in progressive ideals understand we need a watchdog, not a GOP lapdog, in the seat. So, Joe, thank you for your years of dedicated service to our nation and our party. But, with your current unbending hawkish views, your political sun has set. The words of Oliver Cromwell — spoken to the British Parliament in 1653 — well summarize my thoughts towards Senator Lieberman: “You have sat too long for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!” On Tuesday, vote for Ned Lamont for Connecticut’s US Senator.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.04.06
SEND A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE.
Here’s my open offer for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide Office, etc., campaign you are involved in — feel free to add a sticker and brochure — and I’ll place a link to official campaign site here on our homepage in a daily “thank you” note. My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. TODAY’S THANKS GO TO: farmer and liberal activist Jean Hay Bright, Democrat for US Senator in Maine.
WRITERS WANTED: YUP, YOU CAN WRITE FOR POLITICS1.
It doesn’t pay much (well, it pays nothing), but its a lot of fun. Click here to learn more about writing for Politics1.
Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 08.04.06
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