From A Buick

Joe The Plumber Running For Congress

2011-10-10T20:20:00.000-05:00

The Ohio man who man who became a household name after questioning Barack Obama about his economic policies during the 2008 presidential campaign has filed paperwork to run for Congress.

Samuel "Joe" Wurzelbacher's statement of candidacy filed with the Federal Elections Commission last week says he plans to run as a Republican in Ohio's 9th U.S. House district. The filing means a campaign committee can raise and spend funds on Wurzelbacher's behalf.

The seat is now held by Marcy Kaptur, the longest serving Democratic woman in the House.

ESPN Pulls Monday Night Football Intro After Hank Jr. Compares Obama To Hitler

2011-10-03T18:17:00.000-05:00

Williams was asked what he thought of President Barack Obama and Speaker of the House John Boehner playing golf. Williams bristled, "Come on, come one. That'd be like Hitler playing golf with Netanyahu.":

VIDEO LINK

Ken Starr: Put Cameras In The Supreme Court

2011-10-03T14:22:00.000-05:00

A longstanding question among legal types is whether cameras should be allowed in Supreme Court proceedings. Some say it will politicize the court proceedings, while others say it will give the public a greater understanding of what goes on in the hallowed halls (although audio is already allowed). Former special prosecutor (and Clinton hater) Ken Starr now says cameras should be allowed:

The benefits of increased access and transparency are many. Democracy’s first principles strongly support the people’s right to know how their government works. This would seem to be underscored by this court’s stubborn insistence on freedom of communication in a democratic society. Recall that earlier this year, the court held that the First Amendment protected the right of protesters to hector a military family during a funeral service for their son, who was killed in Iraq. And the court decided that the same societal interest in free speech outweighed California’s interest in protecting minors from extremely violent video games. These are but two of many examples in which the current court has made plain its view that, in extreme cases, the force of First Amendment rights shall outweigh all else.

Iranian Pastor To Be Executed For Apostasy

2011-10-02T14:11:00.000-05:00

Althought the Iranian government is claiming otherwise, it has been widely reported that an Iranian man who converted to Christianity when he was 19 has been sentenced to death for apostasy:

Yusef Nadarkhani, 32, converted to Christianity at the age of 19 and became pastor of a small evangelical church called Church of Iran.

He was arrested in October of 2009 and sentenced to death for apostasy according to sharia law.

On appeal in July last year, the Iranian Supreme Court overturned the decision, returning case to a lesser court in the town of Rasht, where Nadarkhani lives.

On Saturday, the lower court upheld the death sentence.

Amnesty International has urged the Iranian authorities to release the pastor.

Thousands Attend Troy Davis's Funeral

2011-10-02T14:08:00.000-05:00

Thousands attended (or tried to attend) the funeral of executed Georgia prisoner Troy Davis in Savannah yesterday:

The service at Jonesville Baptist Church in the coastal city of Savannah drew civil rights leaders and activists, determined to draw international attention to US capital penalties.

Davis, 42, was put to death by lethal injection on September 21st at a prison in central Georgia for the alleged murder of police officer Mark MacPhail in 1989.

After he was convicted, seven of nine witnesses changed or recanted their testimony, some saying they were coerced by police into making incriminating statements.

Even though his sentence was delayed for a short time by the US Supreme Court, Davis was eventually led to the execution chamber where journalists and other witnesses said he protested his innocence to the last.

White House Asks, Ford Pulls Anti-Bailout Spot

2011-10-02T14:04:00.001-05:00

According to the Detroit News car manufacturer Ford has decided to pull its "anti-bailout" TV spot that has been running nationally after being contacted by the White House:

Daniel Howes reported this week, the White House contacted Ford to discuss the ad and the company has now pulled the popular spot.

While Howes quoted an industry source insisting that there was no pressure to take the ad down...

VIDEO LINK

Denmark Taxes Fat People

2011-10-02T13:57:00.000-05:00

In an effort to combat obesity Denmark has decided to levy the world's first "fat tax":

The new tax will be levied on all products that include saturated fats - from butter and milk to pizzas, oils, meats and pre-cooked foods.

The measure, designed by the outgoing government and announced on Saturday, will add 16 kroner [$2.87] per kg of saturated fats in a product.

The EU, however, may not let the tax stand:

Jeppe Rosenmejer, an EU legal expert of the Danish Federation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, said the EU was studying the tax as there may be a competition issue.

While producers in Denmark have to pay the tax at source, for imported goods it is calculated by the distributor.

"This can mean that imported goods will be cheaper than domestically produced items," Rosenmejer told the national Jyllands-Posten daily.

Perry: Send Military To Mexico

2011-10-02T13:34:00.000-05:00

If one needs any indication that the "Drug War" has gone a little too far, Presidential candidate Rick Perry says that he would consider sending troops into Mexico:

“It may require our military in Mexico,” Perry said in answer to a question about the growing threat of drug violence along the southern border. Perry offered no details, and a spokesman, Robert Black, said afterward that sending troops to Mexico would be merely one way of putting an end to the exploding cartel-related violence in the region.

While we are fighting multiple wars across the globe why would we want to start one with Mexico? And, no, I don't actually think this would start a war with Mexico, but it would be an act of war and one in which we would deserve to lose by being the aggressor. Its like saying that Mexico has a right to invade the U.S. because our lax gun laws allow criminals in Mexico to easily acquire guns. Ridiculous. Need other reasons? Political scientist Dr. Steven Taylor offers a few:

...such a move would just lead to an escalation of violence, not a diminution thereof. The Mexican cartels are in a position to wage an insurgent style fight against US troops. Further, they are mixed in with the civilian population. What, exactly, does Perry think regular troops would be doing in Mexico?

Third, there is also the historical tone deafness to the suggestion, given that US troops in Mexico has a rather significant negative connotation to Mexicans. While those of us en the north have forgotten about the Mexican-American War, not to mention numerous incursions by US troops into Mexican territory in the mid-to-late 1800s and the early 1900s, it remains a point of significance to Mexicans.

New Website Dedicatoin - College Football Sportswire

2011-09-21T22:05:00.002-05:00

Hello, loyal reader(s). I am writing to apologize for the sparse updates lately and tell you that I won' t be dedicating as much time to this blog as I have been because I have a new website called COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWSWIRE that I would appreciate ya'll reading and/or helping me promote. It is basically a college football aggregate. Thanks for your support.

Ford Hits Chrysler & GM On Taking A Bailout

2011-09-18T01:40:00.002-05:00

VIDEO LINK

Romney Is Jimmy Carter's Man For The GOP

2011-09-18T01:21:00.002-05:00

VIDEO LINK

President Obama & MOH Winner Drink Homebrew Beer At The WH

2011-09-18T00:39:00.000-05:00

I was intrigued when I saw that President Obama had granted one of the few living soldiers to ever win the medal of honor's request to share a beer at the White House. I was even more surprised when I found out they shared a Honey Ale that the President had brewed himself:

Last Wednesday when Medal of Honor winner Sgt. Dakota Meyer had a beverage with the President, the beer chosen was a White House Honey Ale. According to CBS News, the Obamas purchased the home brewing set with their own cash and the White House has been making home brews ever since.

According to the Irish Central website and seen on NPR, Obama celebrated St. Patrick's Day by drinking the same Honey Ale made with honey from the White House garden beehive.

Obama is the first president in history, that's right ever, to serve home-brewed beer.

High, I'm Michelle Bachman & I Have Way Less Money Than Romeny & Hate Perrry

2011-09-18T00:22:00.000-05:00

VIDEO LINK

H/T - Wonkette

Sorry, I Have Been Sick Filler Toon

2011-09-16T18:20:00.001-05:00

Ron Paul Attacks Rick Perry In New Ad

2011-09-06T17:43:00.000-05:00

VIDEO LINK

Darth Vader Reads Dick Cheney's Book

2011-09-04T16:56:00.002-05:00

PETA Plans Bill Board Playing Off Alabama Immigration Law

2011-09-04T16:50:00.000-05:00

The animal rights organization PETA is planning to place a billboard in Montgomery, Alabama that offers a play on words with regard to Alabama's new immigration law and adopting animals:

The ad, which will read, "No One Should Need Papers-Adopt an 'Undocumented' Mutt Today," likens the plight of mixed-breed shelter animals lacking in pedigrees to the undocumented immigrants who are the focus of the new Alabama law, currently on hold due to a federal court challenge.

Carville: Rick Perry Wants To "Repeal The 20th Century"

2011-09-01T20:43:00.001-05:00

VIDEO LINK

Bachman's PAC Attacks Rick Perry In New Ad

2011-09-01T20:00:00.002-05:00

VIDEO LINK

Beach Boys' "Smile" To Finally Be Released

2011-08-31T20:28:00.000-05:00

The original follow up to the Beach Boys' hit record Pet Sounds, entitled Smile, will finally be released after it was shelved in the 1960s because of Brian Wilson's emotional issues:

The Smile sessions were recorded in 1966, but the album was left unfinished after the group's co-founder Brian Wilson suffered an emotional breakdown.

The Smile Sessions will be available from 31 October.

The sessions were recorded in 1966 and early 1967. Some songs were recorded simultaneously with Pet Sounds.

Alabama Makes The List Of Top 10 Worst Economies In America

2011-08-31T20:16:00.001-05:00

Here is what Alternet says about the "5th worst economy in America":

Alabama has a relatively low foreclosure rate and a share of the population without insurance that is below the national average. It belongs here because of Alabamans' relatively low household net worths, the sixth lowest per capita incomes in the country and a poverty rate among the top 10.

Unemployment rate: 10 percent

Share of unemployed out of work for more than 27 weeks: 46.5 percent

Per capita income: $32,245

Median household net worth, as a percentage of national average: 57 percent

Poverty rate (2008): 15.7 percent

Share of the population without health insurance: 14 percent

Foreclosure rate: 2.0 percent

Bernanke A Keynesian?

2011-08-28T19:48:00.001-05:00

John Maynard Keynes:

But this long run is a misleading guide to current affairs. In the long run we are all dead. Economists set themselves too easy, too useless a task if in tempestuous seasons they can only tell us that when the storm is long past the ocean is flat again.

Ben Bernanke:

These are tempestuous times, but when the storm is long past the ocean will be flat again.

H/T - Krugman

Thatcher V.S. Cameron: The Politics Of Riots

2011-08-28T19:18:00.000-05:00

There is an interesting piece in Foreign Affairs that compares the austerity policies/politics of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and current Prime Minister David Cameron. I found the preparedness of Thatcher, knowing her policies would cause unrest, chilling but effective:

Since Thatcher was explicit about targeting the welfare state -- her cuts to welfare were expected and her taxes were regressive -- her policies were predicted to cause social strife among those at the bottom. Thatcher instinctively understood that her austerity politics required a strong state to police the dangers posed to the social fabric by exposing whole communities to the sharp end of the free market. For this reason, she increased the police budget and available manpower -- and actually “planned” for civil disorder. When it hit, she was ready.

In contrast, today’s riots seemed to catch Cameron completely off guard. He sold the public on the idea that the total cost of the bank bailout in 2008 would require a turn to austerity to balance the books. In a sense, the 2008 financial crisis was rather convenient for Cameron and his chancellor-in-waiting, George Osborne, who came to office wanting to reduce the size of the state drastically. Indeed, since Cameron formed his coalition government with the Liberal Democrats in May 2010, cuts easily outpaced tax increases on a scale of four to one. However, unlike Thatcherite austerity, everything was to be cut now: civil service, benefits, even the army and police. The state had to be slashed in order to save the state. It is thus ironic that Cameron occasionally likes to stress his Thatcherite credentials; he seems not to have read her playbook on how to make austerity policies actually stick.

Weird Political Ad #1, 2012 Edition

2011-08-28T18:48:00.000-05:00

The Donkey Whisperer:

VIDEO LINK

The Glimmer Of Hope In High Oil Prices

2011-08-28T18:15:00.001-05:00

If our economy is so bad (which it isn't, although job creation is negligible) then why have oil prices been going up? It would make sense, if there was genuine concern of a double-dip recession, that commodity prices would be falling. In fact, oil is almost twice what it was last year and Brent crude (which I have seen sighted as a more accurate depiction of price because it includes refinery costs) is around $109 per barrel:

a strong real price of oil is a very good sign that 2011 won't be a replay of 2008. Recessionary action does not normally lead to high commodity prices which (you now know) you are still seeing in oil (as well as in corn, silver, gold and others).

While the increase in the price of oil will probably hamper recovery, it is a fairly good indicator that we are not headed for another recession.

Christie: "Get The Hell Off The Beach" Video

2011-08-28T17:44:00.000-05:00

Highlighted on MTP this morning, but too funny not to repost:

VIDEO LINK

MLK Jr. Memorial Built With Chinese Labor

2011-08-28T15:49:00.000-05:00

The foundation that raised the money for the MLK Jr. memorial in Washington D.C. hired a master mason from China named Lei Yixin, but reneged on a promise to use local labor to help with the sculpting and instead imported unpaid Chinese workers:

The fact that the Chinese workers were not being paid was only discovered when the BAC sent an investigator to determine if they were being exploited. While they were given room and board and hoped to be paid upon returning to China, using free labor to construct Kings monument seems to fly in the face of what he stood for. “It is a crime for people who live in this rich nation to receive starvation wages,” King told the Memphis workers.

H/T - Think Progress

Drug Testing Is Costing Florida

2011-08-28T15:38:00.002-05:00

Drug testing welfare recipients (something our wonderful legislature is considering bringing to Alabama next) is proving to be the bust in Florida that it has been everywhere else. For those unfamiliar with the scheme, Florida is now giving drug tests to potential welfare recipients. If they fail the person tested has to pay for the test. However, if they pass the state has to cover the cost. The problem is there just aren't enough people doing drugs:

Since the state began testing welfare applicants for drugs in July, about 2 percent have tested positive, preliminary data shows.

Ninety-six percent proved to be drug free -- leaving the state on the hook to reimburse the cost of their tests.

So far, they say, about 2 percent of applicants are failing the test; another 2 percent are not completing the application process, for reasons unspecified.

Cost of the tests averages about $30. Assuming that 1,000 to 1,500 applicants take the test every month, the state will owe about $28,800-$43,200 monthly in reimbursements to those who test drug-free.

In the article they calculate the cost/benefit as being really negligible if these numbers continue to hold. The problem is they aren't calculating the legal cost of defending the law which pushes thsi way into the red. In fact, I don't expect this to go on a whole lot longer. Ruth Bader Ginsburg said it pretty plain in 1997:

“The Fourth Amendment precludes suspicionless search… the drug test diminishes personal privacy.”

H/T - OTB

Huntsman Delusional About GOP Base

2011-08-28T14:53:00.000-05:00

A lot of play was given to Jon Huntsman on the Sunday shows this morning for (mildly) going on the offensive about his fellow GOP candidates for President:

“Right now this country is crying out for a sensible middle ground. This is a center-right country. I am a center-right candidate and right now we have got people on the fringes.”

While I essentially agree with Huntsman's assessment of the general electorate, he is crazy if he believes there are more than five moderate Republicans left in the party. I understand why the media gives Huntsman so much undeserved coverage, he is a good candidate, but staking out the middle ground isn't going to help. I essentially agree with David Brooks that Perry's recent surge is evidence of the ideological shift rightward that has taken place in the GOP the past four years. The sad thing for the Republican Party is that if they nominate one of those "fringe" candidates they are likely to be on the outside looking in for four more years.

Rove: Palin Will Get In

2011-08-22T00:17:00.000-05:00

The media was sure to point out that Sarah Palin crashed the Iowa Straw Poll by taking media attention away from the actual announced presidential contenders, but now Karl Rove is saying that she will get in:

Former Bush advisor Karl Rove says he believes former Alaska governor Sarah Palin will enter the Republican presidential race sometime around Labor Day. Appearing on Fox News Saturday morning, Rove said Palin “has a schedule next week that looks like that of a candidate, not a celebrity.” Rove also cited a new campaign-style video Palin has released on her recent visit to the Iowa State Fair as evidence Palin is gearing up for a run.

Palin will be the keynote speaker at the Tea Party of America’s “Restoring America” event in Iowa September 3. The event location was recently moved from Waukee, Iowa, to Indianola, Iowa to accommodate a larger crowd.

“This is her last chance,” Rove said. “She either gets in or gets out [after the Iowa visit]. I think she gets in.

H/T - OTB

Hubbard: Alabama To Pursue Drug Testing For Welfare Recipients

2011-08-18T17:34:00.000-05:00

In comments reported by the Mobile Press-Register, Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard stated that the issue of drug-testing for welfare recipients will probably be moved upon in the upcoming session:

One bill being considered in the upcoming session requires drug tests for welfare recipients.

"Steve (McMillan, R-Gulf Shores) and I will be called everything in the book," Hubbard said. "We’ll be called Nazis. There’s no telling what they’ll call us, but why should you take your hard-earned money and send it to Montgomery for us to distribute out to someone who doesn’t work and it’s easier for them to get a paycheck than to work and they go out and buy drugs with it?"

Obviously, no one wants to see taxpayer money go to people that use drugs, but in every case where this has been tried it has cost more to do than it has saved. Will Alabama come up with some new method (that passes constitutional muster) that costs less? I hope so, but I doubt it. The most recent data I have seen indicates that this is a relatively small problem that will cost a whole lot to fix, but hey, it sounds good so....Why Not? We have plenty of money and all.

Buchanan: GOP Is Reaganism On Steroids

2011-08-18T17:19:00.000-05:00

In his most recent column (which was not that good, and all over the place), Pat Buchanan did say something that I was a little taken aback by, but thought it was very salient:

At the debate, every Republican onstage raised his or her hand when asked whether he or she would reject a budget deal in which $10 in spending cuts were offered for every dollar in higher taxes.

This is a party whose feet are set in concrete. The United States government will be downsized and tax rates will rise only over its cold dead body. This is Reaganism on steroids.

As I watched the debate, which I thought was quite good, I was stunned at this response. Not a single GOP candidate is willing to take a 10-1 spending cuts/tax increases ratio in a budget deal??? Without an overwhelming majority this is just not possible and is not good governance.

Manufacturer Opposes Use Of Epilepsy Drug For Capital Punishment

2011-08-18T16:52:00.001-05:00

Danish drug manufacturer Lundbeck has taken measures to stop U.S. prisons from using a powerful epilepsy drug to execute prisoners and is urging those that have already purchased the drug (from a third-party) to stop the practice now:

Lundbeck has said it opposes the "distressing misuse" of its product.

The drugs that are to be used to execute Jackson were obtained before Lundbeck imposed strict controls on the distribution of pentobarbital, a drug used to treat severe epilepsy.

While the drug, sold under the brand name Nembutal, comprises less than 1% of the company's sales, Lundbeck said it declined to cease production because doctors it had surveyed said they would have trouble treating severe epilepsy without it.

But the company last month announced restrictions on the drug's distribution in an effort to keep it from being shipped to prisons in US states that practice capital punishment.

In related news, Alabama will use the epilepsy drug in an execution next month.

PPP: Bachman In The Lead, Perry Competitive

2011-08-17T18:06:00.000-05:00

Despite an earlier Rasmussen poll (suspect sample?) that had GOP newcomer Texas Governor Rick Perry as the new front-runner post Ames Straw Poll, a new poll done by Public Policy Polling has Michelle Bachman in the lead. However, that same poll does have Rick Perry in second place, but was done prior to Governor Perry calling Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke a traitor:

Michele Bachmann: 24
Rick Perry: 20
Mitt Romney: 17
Someone else/undecided: 11
Newt Gingrich: 10
Herman Cain: 7
Ron Paul: 6
Tim Pawlenty: 4
Jon Huntsman: 1
^{(MoE: ±5.2%)}

H/T - Kos Elections

OTB: Rick Perry's Economic Record

2011-08-17T17:54:00.000-05:00

I posted a condensed version much earlier, but there has been a series of articles @ Outside The Beltway on Rick Perry's economic record (also known as the "Texas Miracle") and whether or not that type of success is desirable and/or feasible at the federal level. I definitely recommend reading the following:

Ron Paul Leaves Ames With A New Ad

2011-08-16T23:43:00.000-05:00

VIDEO LINK

H/T - Politics Alabama

Cleburne County Democrats Welcome Lilly Ledbetter

2011-08-11T19:01:00.001-05:00

The Cleburne County Democratic Executive Committee will have labor icon Lilly Ledbetter at their August 25th meeting. Here is the statement released by the Party:

The Cleburne County Democratic Executive Committee will host Lilly Ledbetter at their August 25th meeting at the Heflin Arts Center. Ms. Ledbetter is a passionate Democrat with an incredible story to tell, so be sure to join the Cleburne Democrats in Heflin to hear her speak and get inspired.

The meeting will be hel @ the Heflin Arts Center at 7:00PM.

Tea Toon

2011-08-11T16:40:00.001-05:00

Perry To Announce This Weekend

2011-08-11T15:27:00.000-05:00

According to CNN, Rick Perry will announce that he is running for President this weekend in South Carolina:

Texas Gov. Rick Perry will announce that he is running for president on Saturday in South Carolina, a Republican familiar with the plans told CNN.

Previous reports had indicated that Perry would use a speech at the conservative RedState Gathering in Charleston to make his intentions clear, but would stop short of officially announcing a presidential bid.

But the Republican source told CNN that Perry will be in the Republican presidential race on Saturday.

H/T: OTB

Senator Thomas Radney Passes Away

2011-08-07T22:16:00.000-05:00

Former Alabama State Senator Thomas Radney passed away in Alexander City this weekend. A good family friend and a sad loss. Senator Radney sat on the Alabama Democratic Executive Committee and is most famous for authoring the "Radney Rule" which allows someone from the Democratic Party to challenge a candidate’s ballot qualification if the candidate supported a candidate from another party within the last four years. Here is the obit from Radney Funeral Home:

A memorial celebration for Mr. John Tomas "Tom" Radney, 79, of Alexander City will be Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 1:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church of Alexander City.

The family will receive friends at their residence on Tuesday, August 9, 2011 from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm.

The family requests no flowers and that memorial contributions be sent to the First United Methodist Church of Alexander City or to the First United Methodist Church of Wadley.

Jackie O Audio Tapes To Be Revealed On ABC Special

2011-08-07T17:55:00.000-05:00

"Explosive" audio tapes of Jackie Kennedy, recorded by Arthur Schlesinger Jr. a few months after her husband's assassination, are set to be released in an ABC 2-hour special:

Jackie O, as the world came to know her after she married Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis five years after the assassination, ordered that the tapes should not be revealed until 50 years after her death.

But although she died from cancer aged 64 in May 1994, her daughter, Caroline Kennedy, has agreed to release them to US television network giant ABC.

A spokesman of the ABC confirmed that the tapes' "explosive" contents would be aired in a two-hour TV special.

"The Jackie tapes are, in effect, Caroline's trade-off for ABC dropping The Kennedys series," the Daily Express quoted a source as saying.

It is believed that Caroline, 53, agreed to release the tapes to ABC after pleading with the network to drop an embarrassing, 15million pound mini-series about the Kennedys that was due to air on its History Channel.

S&P Update: The Rights & Wrongs & What To Do's

2011-08-07T17:38:00.000-05:00

Of course there has been arm-waving and hand-wringing going on all over the place from both political parties amid the news that S&P will "downgrade" U.S. debt, but the general consensus outside of political circles seems to be that S&P had no reason to do so and I tend to agree.

If one reads S&P's myriad reasons for the recent downgrade it becomes clear that it is not the total American debt that is the problem, but that they don't think the two parties can come to an agreement on spending and revenues and as such will continue down the long-term fiscal path we are on (which admittedly is unsustainable).

I have already seen this thing (.PDF) taken out of context all over the place, but here is the crux of what I have seen posted recently:

The downgrade reflects our opinion that the fiscal consolidation plan that Congress and the administration recently agreed to falls short of what, in our view, would be necessary to stabilize the government’s medium-term debt dynamics.” S&P also blames what it considers to be weakened “effectiveness, stability, and predictability” of U.S. policy making and political institutions.

But for all my ideological propagandist friends out there, I suggest you continue reading the "research update" all the way to page 4:

We have changed our assumption on this because the majority of Republicans in Congress continue to resist any measure that would raise revenues, a position we believe Congress reinforced by passing the act.

In short, we must face facts that the debt is a multi-faceted problem that is going to require a multi-faceted fix (read: compromise between spending cuts and revenues), if for no other reason than that is the way our system of government is set up to work. I disagree with S&P's approach, which focuses on the politics of the U.S. and itself says we won't have any immediate debt issues for sometime, but that doesn't mean we can't learn something from it before we DO have immediate debt issues.

Hidden Clinical Trials In India

2011-08-07T17:07:00.000-05:00

Al Jazeera's investigation into non-consensual clinical trials in India done by different pharma companies.

The Ramifications Of The Ames Straw Poll

2011-08-07T16:32:00.000-05:00

Largely because there is nothing else political to talk about, much will be made of the Ames, Iowa straw poll which takes place this weekend. Such is the only explanation for the attention that will be given to an event that has produced such presidential contenders as Pat Robertson & Phil Gramm.

While the event itself is unimportant and indicative of nothing it could have potential ramifications for a few of the candidates. Mitt Romney is wisely downplaying his involvement as (to some extent) is Michelle Bachman and Rick Perry isn't even there. Newt, Herman Cain, Santorum, etc...probably won't have enough money or support to be competitive. George Will, in his column today, does however point out the potential ramifications for Pawlenty (deadly?) and Ron Paul (won't matter):

If Paul finishes first or second, the political community will shrug: There he goes again, the Babe Ruth of straw polls. If Paul and Bachmann, in either order, capture the two top spots, Pawlenty’s campaign may be mortally wounded. If another candidate propelled by an intense faction — former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum, a favorite of evangelicals who in 2008 were 60 percent of Republican caucus participants — also finishes ahead of Pawlenty, the Ames circus will have destroyed the only one among the six candidates who bought space — and therefore are permitted to speak — at the event who has a realistic chance to be nominated and defeat Barack Obama.

Huckabee: Trump Should Replace Geithner

2011-08-07T14:38:00.000-05:00

Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has an interesting idea as to whom should replace Timothy Geithner as U.S. Treasury Secretary. The problem is his choice is Donald J. Trump:

The former Arkansas governor elaborated: “Have Donald Trump take the job for 90 days. It’s a game changer.”

“Right now, the president needs something that is truly a game changer, and he doesn’t have that in Geithner,” Huckabee said.

H/T - OTB

Justice Dept. Challenges Alabama's Immigration Law

2011-08-02T16:27:00.002-05:00

Fun First Night In Huntsville

2011-07-27T22:51:00.000-05:00

Had a good time and some Alabama brews with Brian from Flashpoint tonight @ The Nook in Huntsville. Good to discuss politics with a fellow Alabama blogger.

Karl Rove Visiting Alabama Next Month

2011-07-26T15:39:00.000-05:00

Karl Rove will be a guest of the Coffee County Republican Party at the Enterprise Convention Center in Enterprise, AL next month.

What: The Coffee County Republican Committee Cordially Invites You To An Evening With Karl Rove, "The Architect", Former Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush, Fox News Contributor, Wall Street Journal and Newsweek Columnist and Author of Courage and Consequence

When: Thursday, August 18, 2011, Reception, 5:30 PM, Dinner, 6:30 PM

Where: Enterprise Civic Center, 2401 Neil Metcalf Road, Highway 167 North, Enterprise, AL 36330

Contact: For Ticket Info Call 334-494-2427 or Email sueneuwien@aol.com

Details: RSVPs required by Monday, August 8th. Business attire.

Please download the below attachment for additional information on how to order tickets or sponsor tables for the event.

Why Enterprise? Legal Schnauzer has an interesting theory.

Study: Time Travel Impossible

2011-07-26T14:55:00.001-05:00

A new study in Physical Review Letters calculates the speed of a single photon in a vacuum and determines that (shocker!) Einstein's "theory of special relativity" still holds up and that time travel is impossible:

The speed of light in vacuum is the Universe's ultimate speed limit, but experiments in recent years suggested that single photons might beat it.

If they could, theory allows for the prospect of time travel.

Now, a paper in Physical Review Letters shows that individual photons too are limited to the vacuum speed limit.

That means that photons maintain the principle of causality laid out in Einstein's theory of special relativity - that is, an event's effect cannot precede its cause by traveling faster than light. It is violation of this causality that would, in principle, permit time travel.

Joint Wisconcsin Recall Attack Ad

2011-07-26T14:28:00.000-05:00

In a neat concept that I really haven't seen before, a group of people that are recall challengers in Wisconsin have teamed together to run a joint attack ad:

VIDEO LINK

H/T - Kos Elections

Out of Town

2011-07-23T16:42:00.002-05:00

In and around Huntsville for the next week, so blogging will be sparse. Patience is appreciated.

Dale Peterson Endorses A Georgia Republican For Sheriff

2011-07-20T11:26:00.000-05:00

Dale Peterson endorses a "new sheriff in town" for Tift County, GA:

VIDEO LINK

"Cash Cab" Hits & Kills Pedestrian

2011-07-19T22:16:00.000-05:00

The fake cab from the game show Cash Cab hit and killed a man in Vancouver after filming was over this week:

Vancouver police said the 61-year-old man was struck in the city's Downtown Eastside district late Friday night, and died in a hospital shortly after the incident.

The accident occurred as a producer was driving the replica cab back to a storage facility after filming for the day had been completed, according to Andrew Burnstein, president of Castlewood Productions Inc., which produces the show's Canadian version.

Coca-Cola Profits Up 18%, Expects To Raise Prices

2011-07-19T12:37:00.000-05:00

Georgia drink giant Coca-Cola has seen a profit increase of 18% in the 2nd quarter, but saw no growth in the North American market and is anticipating raising prices:

The increase was fuelled by sales to Asia and Europe, with Chinese demand up 24%.

Coca-Cola plans to raise prices on its range of drinks, which include Fanta and Sprite, to reflect higher costs.

The price, said the company, would go up by between 3-4%.

Crossroads GPS Targets 10 Democrats

2011-07-18T14:21:00.000-05:00

Karl Rove's PAC Crossroads GPS is targeting 10 incumbent Democrats right now with a $1.4 million ad campaign:

The cash-flush conservative group launched $1.4 million in advertisements criticizing Democratic Reps. Tim Bishop (N.Y.), Leonard Boswell (Iowa), Lois Capps (Calif.), Ben Chandler (Ky.), Jerry Costello (Ill.), Jim Matheson (Utah), Bill Owens (N.Y.), Mike Ross (Ark.), Kurt Schrader (Ore.) and Heath Shuler (N.C.).

The ads will run for two weeks in the Members’ respective districts, according to information obtained by Roll Call.

The campaign comes just more than a week after Crossroads GPS went up with advertisements hitting five Democratic Senators. Both media buys are part of the group’s $20 million ad campaign this summer.

Here is a sample ad. Click on the link at the top to see the rest:

VIDEO LINK

H/T - Kos Elections

Giuliani To Decide By September

2011-07-14T15:26:00.000-05:00

Failed 2008 presidential contender Rudy Giuliani has stated that he will decide by September whether or not to seek the presidency once again in 2012:

Rudy Giuliani says he will join the race for the White House if he feels no other Republican candidate can beat President Barack Obama in 2012.

In an interview with The Daily Caller, the former New York City mayor said he’s still very open to running and said a decision will be made within the next several months.

“I think there’s an obvious timeline, which would be the end of the summer,” said Giuliani, who ran for president in 2008, during the phone interview. “I got to get this decided by September.”

Murdoch Refuses To Be Questioned By Parliament

2011-07-14T15:03:00.000-05:00

NewsCorp owner Rupert Murdoch and son James have been summoned to answer the questions of Parliament with regard to the "News of the World" scandal, but are refusing to go and cannot be compelled to as they are U.S. citizens:

Apparently, they claim they will come another day, but what could be more important?

Meanwhile, not only the News of the World is in the midst of this scandal but three Murdoch owned newspapers. News International’s Sunday Times and The Sun(Britain’ s most read tabloid paper), allegedly used deception to try to obtain former Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s private financial records.

Ron Paul Hits The Air

2011-07-14T08:46:00.002-05:00

VIDEO LINK

McConnell: Because Of The Casey Anthony Verdict The Terrorists Win

2011-07-12T21:03:00.000-05:00

Despite the fact that civilian courts have a much higher conviction rate than military tribunals, Mitch McConnell thinks that the Casey Anthony verdict trumps that:

The Casey Anthony acquittal shows why U.S. civilian courts should not be trusted to handle terror-suspect cases, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said.

"We just found with the Caylee Anthony case how difficult is to get a conviction in a U.S. court," McConnell, R-Ky., told "Fox News Sunday."

Got to be one of the dumbest talking points ever.

H/T - Wonkette

"Draft Cain" Releases 1996 Cain Gospel Album

2011-07-12T20:56:00.000-05:00

Unbeknownst to anyone else, 2012 GOP presidential hopeful Herman Cain recorded a gospel album in 1996 entitled "Sunday Morning" and it has now hit the internet. Wow! Can't Wait!:

[Cain's] album, "Sunday Morning," was recently released on the Internet, courtesy of Draft Cain, an independent group not affiliated with the campaign. According to Cain's campaign, the CD was originally released in 1996 by GLC Music, Selah Sound Production and Melodic Praise Records.

The 13-track gospel record was posted by Maurice Atkinson, the head of Draft Cain. It includes religious tracks like "Lord's Prayer," "I Must Tell Jesus," "Hallelujah Square" and "Precious Lord."

H/T - Wonkette

Netflix To Increase Prices 60%

2011-07-12T20:46:00.000-05:00

Netflix is set to increase the price of its current service model by 60% or offering to split the digital streaming service from the mail in service for a discount:

Customers in the United States who want [a plan that lets subscribers watch unlimited movies and video online and get DVDs by mail] will pay $7.99 per month to rent one DVD at a time plus $7.99 for unlimited streaming, or a total of $15.98 per month, the company said on Tuesday. The previous cost of this plan was $9.99 a month.

The changes take effect immediately for new subscribers, and in September for current customers.

H/T - TalkLeft

Club For Growth Targets Lugar & Hatch

2011-07-12T20:18:00.000-05:00

Ads:

Hatch Link
Lugar Link

H/T - Kos Elections

J.P. Morgan Chase Arrests Chase Customer With Chase Check

2011-07-10T20:30:00.000-05:00

Just insane:

After waiting for about 15 minutes, Njoku said he got impatient and told Chase he was leaving to do an important errand. By the time he got back, the bank was closed. Njoku said he called customer service and asked them what he should do. He says they told him to go back to the bank the next day to get his money.

But when Njoku arrived, it wasn’t the money that was waiting for him.

“They just threw me in jail; they called the police and said this guy has a fraudulent check,” Njoku said.

Auburn police arrested him for forgery - a felony crime.

“I was like - you’re making a mistake, you’re making a mistake, don’t take me to jail, I got work tomorrow. I can’t afford to miss work,” he said.

Njoku was taken to jail on June 24, 2010, which was a Thursday. The next day, Chase Special Investigations, realized it was a mistake. The check was legitimate. The Investigator called Auburn Police and left a message with the detective handling the case, but it was her day off. So Njoku stayed in jail for the entire weekend. Finally, on Monday, he was released.

For Njoku, going to jail for five days meant a lot more than just losing his freedom. He said the entire time he was “just stressed out…trying to figure out what was going on with my vehicle. I love my vehicle,” he said.

Njoku’s car had been towed from the bank parking lot and his check seized as evidence.

“I had to wait a couple of weeks,” he said, “and my car got sold, auctioned off."

Njoku says he didn’t have the money to pay the impound fees and fines to get his car back before it was sold. He said he also lost his job because he didn’t show up for work while he was in jail.

After all of that, Njoku said he never heard a word from Chase.

The Obama Administration Asks For Commutation Of Death Row Inmate's Sentence

2011-07-06T03:40:00.000-05:00

The Obama Administration has filed an amicus brief before the Supreme Court asking that the death sentence of a Mexican national be commuted on the grounds of the security of American nationals:

Humberto Leal, 38, a native of Monterrey, Mexico was convicted of the 1994 rape and murder of Adria Sauceda, 16, whose naked body was found with a large stick protruding from her. She had been bitten and her head crushed by a lump of asphalt.

The Obama administration, adopting a similar stance to the one taken by President George W Bush's, believes executing Leal could endanger Americans abroad who are also entitled to consular assistance under the Vienna Convention.

"This case implicates United States foreign-policy interests of the highest order," said Donald Verrilli, Mr Obama's Solicitor General in an amicus brief filed in the Supreme Court case.

"The imminent execution of petitioner would place the United States in irreparable breach of its international law obligation."

Executing him, he said, "would have serious repercussions for United States foreign relations, law enforcement and other co-operation with Mexico, and the ability of American citizens traveling abroad to have the benefits of consular assistance in the event of detention".

Despite being totally repulsed by the story of this young girl's brutal murder, I am inclined to agree with the Bush/Obama administrations' assessments of the potential international implications if this execution goes forward. Irregardless, it should be mentioned that President Obama could stop this unilaterally if he chose to do so. Whether he would spend the political capital is another question entirely, but one would think so if the situation is as dire as is stated in Mr. Verrilli's brief.

Weekly Magazine Summer Reading List

2011-07-05T16:43:00.000-05:00

I recently went through Foreign Policy's summer reading list and upon receiving an email about The Nation's I decided to look for other lists. Here is a "best of" from the summer reading lists of The Nation & TNR. Their lists were quite shorter than FP's.

Sarah Vowell, Assassination Vacation.

David Guterson, The Other.

Tony Judt, Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov.

Adam Hochschild, To End All Wars: A Story of Loyalty and Rebellion, 1914–1918.

New Web Ad For Tim Pawlenty Attacks Unions

2011-07-05T14:10:00.000-05:00

Days after V.P. Joe Biden told union members they were "on their on" if they voted for Republicans Tim Pawlenty has released a web ad that apparently signals he is fine with that:

VIDEO LINK

IAEA Warned That Japan's Nuclear Facilities Were Not Safe

2011-07-05T14:05:00.000-05:00

According to diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks to The Telegraph, IAEA officials warned about the possibility of Japanese nuclear reactors being vulnerable to "seismic activity" as early as 2008:

The unnamed International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) official reportedly "explained that [Japan's] safety guides for seismic safety have only been revised three times in the last 35 years and that the IAEA is now reexamining them."

In addition, the Japanese government opposed a court order to shut down another plant that did not meet earthquake-preparedness standards, according to the cable.

Biden: "If Any Of You Guys Vote Republican..."

2011-07-05T01:56:00.002-05:00

VIDEO LINK

Bill Clinton Likes Romney, But Says He Won't Best President Obama

2011-07-05T01:48:00.001-05:00

President Bill Clinton made a few comments about the current GOP field of candidates for President, but still thinks Barack Obama gets reelected:

Asked to assess the Republican field, Clinton said he is “always reluctant to say [who are] the strongest candidates because I'm afraid I'll kill him and I don't have the right to do that.” But he proceeded to offer pointed assessments of former Massachusetts Gov. Romney, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann.

“I like the governors,” Clinton said. “I like Huntsman and Romney. Romney is a much better candidate than he was last time because he is not apologizing for signing the [Massachusetts] health care bill. He's got another creative way of saying 'We ought to repeal Obamacare,' but that's probably the price of getting the nomination.”

As for Huntsman, Clinton said to laughter that the former governor and Obama ambassador to China “hasn't said what he is for yet, but I just kind of like him. And he looks authentic, he looks like a real guy. I mean a real human being. I like his family... he was a pretty good governor.” Bachmann, Clinton continued, “has been a better candidate than I thought she'd be, and I don't agree with her on nearly anything, but she's got a very compelling personal story and she's got a lot of juice and she turns a lot of those anti-government crowd, the people on.”

But after assessing the Republicans, Clinton said he believed Obama would join him as the only other Democratic president since Franklin Roosevelt elected to two four-year terms.

Terrorists Instructed To Pretend To Be Gay

2011-07-05T01:27:00.000-05:00

According to The Mirror, who claims to have lifted the information from a "handbook" on a jihadist website, Muslim extremists have been instructed to pretend to be gay in order to avoid detection:

According to Mirror.co.uk, a new terror-training manual told Islamic extremists to pretend to be gay if a woman approaches them in case she is a ‘honeytrap’ spy sent by security services.

“Many hotels, especially in busy UK cities have women hanging around the lobby areas in order to attract men,” said the manual.

“A young beautiful woman may come and talk to you. The first thing you do to protect yourself from such a situation is to make dua (prayers) to Allah for steadfastness,” it said.

“The second thing is to find an excuse to get away from her that is realistic and sensible, such as you having a girlfriend for the past few years and you are loyal to her or you are homosexual,” it added.

Happy 4th

2011-07-04T01:19:00.000-05:00

VIDEO LINK

Bachmann And "Founding Father" John Quincy Adams

2011-06-28T10:57:00.000-05:00

I assume that most everyone know that John Quincy Adams was not a founding father. And I have strayed away from attacking Michelle Bachmann for some of the missteps she has made in the past as some of them are indeed petty, but this is ridiculous. Also, her unwillingness to admit she made a mistake frustrates me even more.

People out there who I have never met: This is why Michelle Bachmann will never be President.

VIDEO LINK

H/T - Doc @ OTB

Crossroads GPS Begins $20 Million Anti-Obama Ad Campaign

2011-06-28T01:09:00.000-05:00

Karl Rove's conservative PAC Crossroads GPS has begun a $20 million anti-Barack Obama ad barrage:

VIDEO LINK

Wisconsin Recall Coalition Launch First TV Spot

2011-06-27T10:54:00.000-05:00

'We Are Wisconsin," the coalition of labor forces that formed in opposition to the anti-collective bargaining efforts of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, has now launched its first ad in their quest to recall the people responsible for that legislation:

Meanwhile, the Club for Growth is weighing in on the other side:

AD 1
AD 2
H/T - Kos Elections

Tommy Thompson Hires Fundraisers

2011-06-27T10:47:00.000-05:00

Former Republican Governor of Wisconsin Tommy Thompson has continued to fuel speculation that he might seek that state's open Senate by now hiring two fundraisers:

The first GOP fundraiser is Mary Stitt, who also does work for Gov. Scott Walker, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, and U.S. Reps. Paul Ryan and Sean Duffy. The second is Dan Morse, who has also done work for Walker, U.S. Rep. Tom Petri, and U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson.

Darrin Schmitz, a consultant to Thompson, said the announcement shows that the former governor is building a credible campaign. In the past, Thompson has toyed with campaigning for governor or U.S. Senate only to decide against running.

H/T - Kos Elections

Davis Speaks About Obama & Same-Sex Marriage

2011-06-24T00:55:00.000-05:00

Former Alabama Rep. Artur Davis had some interesting comments for Politico with regard to President Obama and the politics of same-sex marriage in 2012:

There are unmistakable donor pressures, and no doubt internal social pressures from Obama's inner circle, for him to openly endorse same sex marriage. But Beltway wisdom aside, the issue is not cost-free for the president.

The two greatest demographic threats to his reelection are non college educated white females over 55 and working class white voters concentrated in the industrial states but very relevant in Florida and North Carolina. The Democratic erosion from 2008 to 2010 correlates almost perfectly with the sizable drop in Democratic support in each of these voter bases, and polling suggests they range from ambivalent to skeptical on gay marriage.

Conversely, the Hispanic vote that is Obama's insurance policy in 2012 for Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico is more socially conservative than Washington appreciates and remembers that it was the repeal of DADT rather than the Dream Act that was the administration's priority last winter.

Does a leftward move on gay rights matter more than the job numbers to older white females, blue collars, and Latinos? Of course not, but it is hard to see how an embrace of same sex marriage helps him gain with these groups either. And with Obama's approval ratings hovering dangerously in the mid forties, gaining ground ought to be a greater value than not losing ground.

Shredder Wants You

2011-06-24T00:13:00.000-05:00

McCullough On History Education

2011-06-23T01:11:00.000-05:00

In Pat Buchanan's most recent column he quotes historian David McCullough at length on the subject of history education in the U.S. For what its worth I found his commentary interesting:

"We're raising young people who are, by and large, historically illiterate," historian David McCullough told the Wall Street Journal.

"History textbooks," added McCullough, "are "badly written." Many texts have been made "so politically correct as to be comic. Very minor characters that are currently fashionable are given considerable space, whereas people of major consequence" – such as inventor Thomas Edison – "are given very little space or none at all."

Trendies and minorities have their sensibilities massaged in the new history, which is, says McCullough, "often taught in categories – women's history, African-American history, environmental history – so that many students have no sense of chronology ... no idea of what followed what."

Rick Perry's Jobs Record

2011-06-23T00:56:00.000-05:00

I keep hearing about the "Texas miracle" on TV and just thought we should look at some basic facts about Texas job creation under Rick Perry:

...while the Texas unemployment rate of 8 percent is 1 percent lower than the national rate, 23 other states are doing even better -- including New York. Also, his self-touted record of job growth is essentially the same as Democratic Gov. Ann Richards produced and far lower than what Texas had under George W.'s governorship.

Most damning, however, is that Perry-jobs are really "jobettes," offering low pay, no benefits and no upward mobility. In fact, under Rickonomics, Texas has added more minimum wage jobs than all other states combined! After 10 years in office, Gov. Perry presides over a state that has more people in poverty and more without health coverage than any other.

Pawlenty Begins Iowa Ads

2011-06-23T00:43:00.002-05:00

VIDEO LINK

Company Donates $10,000 Of Pork Rinds To Tornado Victims

2011-06-23T00:13:00.001-05:00

A Dallas based company has donated $10,000 worth of pork rinds to tornado victims in Alabama:

Dallas-based Southern Recipe, the world's largest manufacturer of pork rinds, has donated $10,000 of their pork rinds to The Today Show's Lend a Hand Tour benefiting tornado victims in Birmingham, Alabama.

'Made In America' Store Growing In NY

2011-06-22T23:56:00.000-05:00

A man who opened a 'Made In America' store in Elma, NY has seen his business double, but has put that money back into the store. All his products, down to the glue in the packaging, are made in the U.S.:

For [shop owner Mark Andol], it's a personal battle. A few years ago, his welding company nearly went out of business after losing major contracts to foreign manufacturers. He laid off nearly half of his 70-person workforce.

"These people want to work. You have no work for them. Yet it's going overseas and you think, 'Jeez, these people want to put food on their table. They're willing to work.' There just wasn't enough work to keep them," Andol says.

"If, for some reason, something were to slip through the cracks, we take the product out of the store, burn it, or whatever we do to it, because they lied to us," he says.

Listen to an NPR story on the 'Made In America' store HERE.

Vanderbilt: Obama Leading In Tennessee

2011-06-22T23:40:00.000-05:00

According to a new poll conducted by Vanderbilt University President Obama leads all probable GOP challengers in head-to-head match-ups in Tennessee:

Barack Obama (D) 37
Mitt Romney (R) 35

Barack Obama (D) 37
Tim Pawlenty (R) 28

Barack Obama (D) 38
Michele Bachmann (R) 27

Barack Obama (D) 38
Newt Gingrich (R) 26

Barack Obama (D) 43
Sarah Palin (R) 29

H/T - Kos Elections

Georgia'as New Immigration Bill Is Working As Intended

2011-06-22T23:34:00.000-05:00

Georgia's new immigration bill, which preceded the one just passed in Alabama, appears to be working exactly as intended and is driving illegal immigrants from the state. The problem is that without the labor, farmer's crops, which happens to be Georgia's largest industry, are rotting in the fields:

Thanks to the resulting labor shortage, Georgia farmers have been forced to leave millions of dollars’ worth of blueberries, onions, melons and other crops unharvested and rotting in the fields. It has also put state officials into something of a panic at the damage they’ve done to Georgia’s largest industry.

According to survey of 230 Georgia farmers conducted by Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, farmers expect to need more than 11,000 workers at some point over the rest of the season, a number that probably underestimates the real need, since not every farmer in the state responded to the survey.

This comes from a study began AFTER the bill became law. It would seem that BEFORE the legislature passed the politically charged bill and Governor Deal signed it would have been a better time to study the economic ramifications on the state.

H/T - OTB

Robert Reich Looks @ The Economy For MoveOn.org

2011-06-20T18:06:00.000-05:00

Robert Reich cut a 2-minute advertisement for the MoveOn.org in which he blames tax rates for the lack of economic recovery:

VIDEO LINK

H/T - Left In Alabama

Poll: Hatch Vulnerable To A Democratic Challenge

2011-06-20T18:00:00.000-05:00

According to a new poll done by Dan Jones & Associates (who didn't release the sample size) Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson would currently run even with Republican incumbent Orrin Hatch if the general election was today and Hatch is also vulnerable to a primary challenge:

Jim Matheson (D): 47
Orrin Hatch (R-inc): 47

Jason Chaffetz (R): 46
Jim Matheson (D): 45

Jason Chaffetz (R): 41
Orrin Hatch (R-inc): 40

This is particuarly suprising in that the Democrats have never really been a force in Utah politics and haven't had a Democratic Senator or Governor since the 1970s. Matheson is set to be hurt in some way by redistricting, the question is how much, so this may be the opportune year for him to run for the U.S. Senate. In any case Matheson says he is running for something; be it Governor, Senator, or Representative.

H/T - Kos Elections

Ron Paul Wins RLC Straw Poll

2011-06-18T14:52:00.001-05:00

Ron Paul has worked his mobilization magic again and has won the 2011 RLC Straw Poll:

Today, 2012 GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul again took first place in a straw poll at a major conservative gathering. The Republican Leadership Conference held in New Orleans was the setting for Congressman Paul’s latest victory, winning with 40 percent of the vote over the rest of the Republican field.

Here is the video of Rep. Paul's speech:

VIDEO LINK

Update Dale Peterson At The RLC

2011-06-18T14:44:00.000-05:00

I couldn't find video of his speech, but here is an interview with Dale Peterson talking about his endorsement of Herman Cain:

VIDEO LINK

FreedomWorks (Read: Tea Party) To Target Orrin Hatch

2011-06-17T01:41:00.000-05:00

FreedomWorks PAC, an organization with strong ties to the "Tea Party" movement, plans to target GOP incumbent Senator Orrin Hatch at the Utah Republican Convention this Saturday:

The group says targeting Hatch is symbolic. It signals the beginning of the next wave of Tea Party activists working to replace Republican incumbents they see as too moderate and out of sync with a movement stressing fiscal conservatism.

Because this is Utah it probably wouldn't matter who was the GOP nominee for the Senate in 2012, but this type of rightward shift in GOP primaries is becoming a bigger problem than some of the "netroots" folks were for the Democrats in primaries past(see Ned Lamont). It might make them feel better, but its bad politics.

The Obama Lottery: "You Could Be A Winner Too" Edition

2011-06-17T01:25:00.001-05:00

In an interesting new fundraising effort, by donating to Barack Obama's 2012 campaign you can have an expenses paid trip to eat with Barack Obama. Here is the announcement:

Join President Obama for dinner
Make a donation today—and be automatically registered for a chance to have dinner with President Obama and three other supporters. We’ll cover your airfare and the meal—all you need to bring is your story and your ideas.
Important: By clicking on the "Submit" button below or otherwise participating in the promotion, you agree to be bound by these Official Rules and represent that you satisfy all of the eligibility requirements.

H/T - Wonkette

Dale Peterson Endorses Herman Cain

2011-06-17T01:20:00.000-05:00

Former candidate for Alabama "Ag Commish" Dale Peterson has endorsed Herman Cain for President in 2012:

Tonight during my speech at the Republican Leadership Conference I announced my support of Non-Politician, but astute Businessman, Herman Cain for President of the United States of America. As CEO of America, Herman Cain will have the business sense and the proven business experience to turn around and save from bankruptcy the largest corporation in the world – and the greatest nation on Planet Earth.

I will post the video of Dale's speech if C-Span has it later.

LINK

Cain, Pawlenty & "Birthright Citizenship"

2011-06-14T19:46:00.000-05:00

I was amazed by the comments by both Herman Cain & Tim Pawlenty, but in particular Tim Pawlenty, who said the following with regard to "birthright citizenship" during last night's GOP debate:

This issue of birthright citizenship, again, brings up the importance of appointing conservative justices. That result is because of [the] U.S. Supreme Court determined that that right exists, not withstanding language in the Constitution.

Well, of course, this makes no sense. Notwithstanding basic English common law since before we were the United States, which is what our entire judicial system is based on (instead of, say civil law, like the French), there is the Civil Rights Act of 1866:

all persons born in the United States, and not subject to any foreign power, excluding Indians not taxed, are hereby declared to be citizens of the United States.

and also the 14th Amendment:

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.

Pretty plain, with or without any court decisions.

Here is the video:

VIDEO LINK

Mitt Romney Drives Around Detroit

2011-06-14T17:50:00.000-05:00

While this is a little unconventional, I must say that I liked it and it is somewhat effective:

VIDEO LINK

H/T - Wonkette

Foreign Policy "Beach Books For Wonks"

2011-06-12T20:15:00.000-05:00

Foreign Policy released its summer reading list entitled "Beach Books for Wonks" and it is quite lengthy. Here are the ones that stuck out to me:

David Rohde and Kristen Mulvihill, A Rope and a Prayer: A Kidnapping from Two Sides.

Raymond Chandler, The Big Sleep

Reinhold Niebuhr, The Irony of American History.

Edward P. Jones, The Known World.

Vladimir Nabokov, Laughter in the Dark.

Max Brooks, World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War.

Langdon Gilkey, Shantung Compound: A Story of Men and Women Under Pressure.

Peter Trubowitz, Politics and Strategy: Partisan Ambition and American Statecraft.

Robert D. Kaplan, Monsoon: The Indian Ocean and the Future of American Power.

Gordon S. Wood, The Creation of the American Republic.

Henry Kissinger, On China.

Ian Morris, Why the West Rules -- for Now.

Michio Kaku, Physics of the Future.

Pankaj Ghemawat, World 3.0.

Mike Murphy: The GOP Electorate Is Shrinking

2011-06-12T19:39:00.000-05:00

Republican strategist Mike Murphy made a very important point with regard to demographic shifts in national elections on this mornings Meet The Press. Basically he talks about the shrinking number of voters that the GOP traditionally appeals to. This is a point that I think President Bush keenly understood, and is one of the reasons I imagine he undertook the type of immigration reform that he attempted. The video is only about a minute and is well worth watching.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

VIDEO LINK

Lichtman: Obama Will Win In 2012

2011-06-12T19:08:00.000-05:00

Despite the rhetoric one hears on TV regularly right now with regard to President Obama's reelection prospects, Allan Lichtman (political science professor @ American University & author of The 13 Keys To The Presidency), says the President is closer to reelection now than he was last year:

The crack team of Navy Seals that penetrated bin Laden's hiding place killed, rather than captured, the terrorist leader. However, the effect on the Keys is the same. Obama has now secured foreign/military success — Key 11.

With Key 11 now secure for the party in power, it has only three keys likely turned against it for 2012, three short of the fatal six negative keys. Thus, President Obama could endure additional setbacks and still win re-election, regardless of whom the Republicans nominate next year.

Sessions Talks The Economy On CNN

2011-06-10T21:48:00.000-05:00

VIDEO LINK

DNC Chair: The Republicans Want To Take Us "Back To Jim Crow"

2011-06-08T23:49:00.002-05:00

VIDEO LINK

Siegelman Seeks More Legal Defense Money

2011-06-08T23:34:00.000-05:00

Don Sigelman is again seeking defense fund donations saying that he is innocent and was only guilty of a "politically-motivated prosecution":

Let me be clear: I was never bribed. I never solicited a bribe. I never broke the law. In fact, I was never accused of taking a single penny. I was the fourth Governor of Alabama to appoint this same man to this same non-paying board, and that's the crux of the prosecution's case!
----
No, this was a partisan witch-hunt, pure and simple, cooked up by Karl Rove, Leura Canary, and the Republican Party to try to put me away for good because they disagree with my politics. They couldn't beat me fair and square, so they targeted me with this politically-motivated, unfounded prosecution.
They abused our system of justice and they abused the public trust. And I'll never stop fighting until the truth wins out. Will you stand with me?
Please contribute $25 or more to my legal defense fund now -- and help me fight to overturn my politically-motivated prosecution at the hands of Karl Rove and Leura Canary!

Why Huntsman Isn't Going To Iowa

2011-06-08T23:28:00.001-05:00

Jon Huntsman has said that he will skip Iowa for the greener pastures of New Hampshire in this year's GOP primary slate because they won't support him because he doesn't support ethanol. I don't know if anyone really buys this explanation, but I just read an explanation that puts into words my exact feeling as to why Gov. Huntsman doesn't want to be seen in Iowa:

Huntsman doesn't have to bother with the complexity. His campaign doesn't want to compete in Iowa. Its higher share of evangelical voters are suspicious of him, and candidates like Romney and Pawlenty have better organizations here. Ethanol offers him a way to write off the state and limit the political damage for doing so.

In short, its better to not compete than to compete and lose.

From A Buick

Joe The Plumber Running For Congress

ESPN Pulls Monday Night Football Intro After Hank Jr. Compares Obama To Hitler

Ken Starr: Put Cameras In The Supreme Court

Iranian Pastor To Be Executed For Apostasy

Thousands Attend Troy Davis's Funeral

White House Asks, Ford Pulls Anti-Bailout Spot

Denmark Taxes Fat People

Perry: Send Military To Mexico

New Website Dedicatoin - College Football Sportswire

Ford Hits Chrysler & GM On Taking A Bailout

Romney Is Jimmy Carter's Man For The GOP

President Obama & MOH Winner Drink Homebrew Beer At The WH

High, I'm Michelle Bachman & I Have Way Less Money Than Romeny & Hate Perrry

Sorry, I Have Been Sick Filler Toon

Ron Paul Attacks Rick Perry In New Ad

Darth Vader Reads Dick Cheney's Book

PETA Plans Bill Board Playing Off Alabama Immigration Law

Carville: Rick Perry Wants To "Repeal The 20th Century"

Bachman's PAC Attacks Rick Perry In New Ad

Beach Boys' "Smile" To Finally Be Released

Alabama Makes The List Of Top 10 Worst Economies In America

Bernanke A Keynesian?

Thatcher V.S. Cameron: The Politics Of Riots

Weird Political Ad #1, 2012 Edition

The Glimmer Of Hope In High Oil Prices

Christie: "Get The Hell Off The Beach" Video

MLK Jr. Memorial Built With Chinese Labor

Drug Testing Is Costing Florida

Huntsman Delusional About GOP Base

Rove: Palin Will Get In

Hubbard: Alabama To Pursue Drug Testing For Welfare Recipients

Buchanan: GOP Is Reaganism On Steroids

Manufacturer Opposes Use Of Epilepsy Drug For Capital Punishment

PPP: Bachman In The Lead, Perry Competitive

OTB: Rick Perry's Economic Record

Texas and Employment

Charts of the Day: Miracles Edition

Trying to State the Texas Jobs Issue as Simply as Possible

Ron Paul Leaves Ames With A New Ad

Cleburne County Democrats Welcome Lilly Ledbetter

Tea Toon

Perry To Announce This Weekend

Senator Thomas Radney Passes Away

Jackie O Audio Tapes To Be Revealed On ABC Special

S&P Update: The Rights & Wrongs & What To Do's

Hidden Clinical Trials In India

The Ramifications Of The Ames Straw Poll

Huckabee: Trump Should Replace Geithner

Justice Dept. Challenges Alabama's Immigration Law

Fun First Night In Huntsville

Karl Rove Visiting Alabama Next Month

Study: Time Travel Impossible

Joint Wisconcsin Recall Attack Ad

Out of Town

Dale Peterson Endorses A Georgia Republican For Sheriff

"Cash Cab" Hits & Kills Pedestrian

Coca-Cola Profits Up 18%, Expects To Raise Prices

Crossroads GPS Targets 10 Democrats

Giuliani To Decide By September

Murdoch Refuses To Be Questioned By Parliament

Ron Paul Hits The Air

McConnell: Because Of The Casey Anthony Verdict The Terrorists Win

"Draft Cain" Releases 1996 Cain Gospel Album

Netflix To Increase Prices 60%

Club For Growth Targets Lugar & Hatch

J.P. Morgan Chase Arrests Chase Customer With Chase Check

The Obama Administration Asks For Commutation Of Death Row Inmate's Sentence

Weekly Magazine Summer Reading List

New Web Ad For Tim Pawlenty Attacks Unions

IAEA Warned That Japan's Nuclear Facilities Were Not Safe

Biden: "If Any Of You Guys Vote Republican..."

Bill Clinton Likes Romney, But Says He Won't Best President Obama

Terrorists Instructed To Pretend To Be Gay

Happy 4th

Bachmann And "Founding Father" John Quincy Adams

Crossroads GPS Begins $20 Million Anti-Obama Ad Campaign

Wisconsin Recall Coalition Launch First TV Spot

Tommy Thompson Hires Fundraisers

Davis Speaks About Obama & Same-Sex Marriage

Update Dale Peterson At The RLC