North Carolina AND California

Earlier I spoke about the North Carolina proposal to split their Electoral Votes by district. I didn't mention that I didn't think it was a good idea, as I don't like Maine and Nebraska doing it either, because, I think if it's implementing in one state, it should be implemented in all fifty.

Here's why...California.

A prominent California lawyer with connections to the state GOP is looking to change the winner-take all rule for the Golden State and allot the state's 55 electoral votes by who wins each Congressional district. That means the GOP could win at least 20 fo the state's 55 electoral votes, which would almost guarantee a GOP victory nationwide.

Democrats need California to win. Loosing 20 electoral votes in California, and winning all the states Kerry won, would mean Democrats would have to make that up by winning most or all of the GOP leaning swing states; Florida (25), Ohio (18), North Carolina (15), Virginia (13), Colorado (7), Iowa (7), New Mexico (5) and/or Nevada (5), which, although possible, is not very likely sans a landslide.

If the proposal makes the ballot, Democrats would have to spend millions trying to defeat it, and my guess is it will likely fail as Colorado's did two years ago.

House Passes Lobbying Reform

411-8

The bill would require members of Congress to disclose more information on their pet projects and disclose any lobbyists who raise $15k or more for them in a six month period. Senators seeking targeted spending projects or "earmarks" would have to publicize their plans 48 hours before the Senate votes on the proposals in publicly available data bases, and declare their families would not directly benefit financially.

The bill now goes to the Senate

Who voted nay on such a great bill you asked? Well, these members from BOTH parties;

Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii)
Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas)
Rep. Allen Boyd (D-Florida)
Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-Missouri)
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Missouri)
Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Arizona)
Rep. John Murtha (D-Pennsylvania) I don't know what that's about
Rep. John Tanner (D-Tennessee)

He Went There

Ruben Navarette Jr. apparently never heard of the great time-honored American tradition of "Our problems are everyone else's fault, we're perfect."

MN-Sen: Coleman in Trouble?

I have to say, I'm still quite shocked at the idea that Al Franken is only down by seven in Minnesota.

Amazing to me, Coleman does really well against all three candidates among young voters. Does Minnesota buck a trend that has been seen all over the country? Is do young people just not know who Al Franken is?

Either way, Minnesota still is in the top five most vulnerable GOP seats, along with New Hampshire, Maine, Oregon and Colorado.

AK-Sen: Stevens' House Raided

The FBI raided the Alaska home of Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). The Anchorage Daily News reports agents were at the home for over 10 hours and took away "undisclosed items from inside" as well as "pictures and videos." The raid is part of a widening corruption investigation on whether or not Stevens took bribes from an oil services company CEO who admitted to bribing Alaska politicians.

Stevens is the longest serving Republican Senator ever, having represented Alaska in the US Senate since 1968. He was President pro tempore in the Republican majority, making him third in line for the Presidency between 2003 and 2007. Appointed to the Senate upon the death of Bob Bartlet (D-Alaska), he was first elected in a special election in 1970 and reelected ever since, never gaining less than 67% of the vote. He's up for reelection next year and has indicted he plans to run.

North Carolina; The Red And Blue State

Who will carry North Carolina in 2008…Hillary Clinton, Rudy Giuliani, maybe both if what the state legislature is proposing comes true.

North Carolina looks to become the third state, after Maine and Nebraska, to award their electoral votes by who carries each congressional district. Each state's number of electoral votes is equal to the state's number of members of Congress; each state has two electoral votes for the two Senators and at least one for each member of the House of Representatives.

The plan, much like the case of Maine and Nebraska, two electoral votes are given to the candidate who carries the state. These two electoral votes represent the two Senators and then the remaining electoral votes, representing the Congressmen, are allotted by who wins each Congressional District. In the cases of Maine and Nebraska, the candidate who has won the state ended up carrying each district (Maine has two, Nebraska three) so we've never actually seen that happen.

North Carolina has 13 Congressional Districts and 15 Electoral votes. Democrats are almost assured of four electoral votes, stemming from the four Democratic-leaning districts; the North Carolina 1st in the northeastern corner of the state, the North Carolina 4th around Raleigh/Durham and the Research Triangle, the North Carolina 12th, the majority black district that stretches from Charlotte to Winston-Salem and High Point, and the North Carolina 13th, which includes Raleigh, Greensboro and points north. Five other electoral votes are guaranteed to the Republicans, stemming from the five Republican-leaning districts, and the rest would be up for grabs, assuming the state becomes a swing state...if not, the EV's would be allotted 11 for the Republicans, 4 for the Democrats.

Supports argue that plan will force candidates to campaign in what has been long considered a solid Republican state. North Carolina has not been competitive since 1992, when George H.W. Bush only narrowly defeated Bill Clinton and hasn't supported a Democrat since 1976, when it gave its electoral votes to Jimmy Carter over Gerald Ford. The state was close in 1980 and in 1996, but has gone strongly Republican all other times.

Still, that's four less votes for the Republicans and that's their problem with the idea, but the idea is supported by North Carolina Democrats who control both houses of the state legislature and the Governor's office. The Charlotte News Observers reporters that the bill received tentative approval by a vote of 60-49 in the North Carolina House of Representatives, with five Democrats voting no, all from areas where Republican candidates for federal office perform well in elections.

Chief Justice Hospitalized

Chief Justice John Roberts collapsed in Rockport, Maine from a seizure.

Roberts was taken to Penobscot Bay Medical Center for evaluation. He should be fine.

Gonzales To Be Impeached?

Maybe.

MSNBC just reported that a resolution seeking the impeachment of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales will be introduced by Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Washington)

Expect the Republicans to call it political theater. Expect the Democrats to move forward with the people's blessings.

Democrats Do Something

And gloat about it.

Congress overwhelmingly passed a bill implementing the 9/11 Commission recommendations; a homeland security cornacopia that shifts money to high risks cities and states, expands screening of cargo at air and sea terminals, and puts money into a new program to ensure that security officials at every level can communicate with each other.

After six months in office and a minimum wage incrase, the Democrats can finally celebrate that they've done...something.

“We will have done in six months what previous Congresses failed to do for almost six years,” said Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Still, Republicans complain this, the second success of the Democratic Congress shows the 110th Congress is just as useless as the 109th.

See, now here's the test;

Important Bills Passed By The 110th Congress;
-Raise in the minimum wage
-Implement the Recommendations of the 9/11 Commissions

Important Bills Passed By The 109th Congress;
-?

Yeah, exactly.

For a Congress with a President from the other side of the political spectrum, not bad...if only they'd get our troops out of Iraq.

IL-18: LaHood To Retire

After serving 14 years in Congress, Ray LaHood, the popular Illinois Republican whom during the GOP majority presided over more debates than anyone else, is retiring.

LaHood is known for his civility and lack of partisan candor. He very often criticised his own party. LaHood is also a moderate.

He was elected in the Republican landslide of 1994, and took the open seat of former House Minority Leader Bob Michel who very likely would have been Speaker of the House had he held on a little longer. His district includes Peoria and most of Springfield in Central Illinois. LaHood was considered a Gubernatorial candidate against Rod Blagojevich last year, but decided against it.

Is his distict in play? Probably not. President Bush won this district comfortably in 2004 and Republican candidate for Governor Judy Baar Topinka won it last year. Still, if Melissa Bean can win the 8th district, a Democrat can win this one.

Interesting fact...LaHood's district is more Republican than the 14th district, represented by former Speaker Dennis Hastert

Whoopi Do!

If you thought Rosie got fired from The View because of her controversial remarks, think again. If it was her controversial ideas that got her canned, they wouldn't have replaced her with Whoopi Goldberg.

Oh, and by the way, Sherri Shepard will also join The View...so expect the next season to be louder than the last.

Looped In Space

Seriously? I get stopped walking home from a bar with a slight buzz, but our astronaunts can fly a space shuttle boozed up.

Does anyone else think we have a glorifying alcohol problem in this country?

OR-Sen: Smith Gets Big Name Challenger

Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley is apparently taking on incumbent Senator Gordon Smith (R-Oregon) next year.

Smith, a two term Republican in a blue state, is considered one of the many vulnerable GOP incumbents in the 2008 election.

Merkley's decision comes after Congressmen Peter DeFazio of Eugene and Earl Blumenaeur of Portland both declined to run for Smith's seat.

Smith is perhaps slightly safer than his colleagues thanks to his opposition to the continuation of the Iraq war. Still, Oregon is pretty left-leaning and a Democratic blowout can do for Oregon what it did for Rhode Island last year.

Democrats Grow Some

And are ready to take the President on.

First Democratic Senators are asking for a special prosecutor to investigate whether or not the Attorney General committed perjury when testifying before the Judiciary Committee on the firing of the eight prosecutors last fall.

Then the House Judiciary Committee issued contempt citations to Harriet Miers and Josh Bolten for refusing to show up to hearings when subpoenaed.

Now, Congress had subpoenaed Karl Rove.

The White House calls the moves pathetic and continues to use their "they're trying to kick us when we're down" excuse. Of course they are, because that's what the American people want...to kick you now that you're down you lying, chauvenstic, xenophobic, war-loving, bible-thumping, gay-bashing, fascists

Clinton, Obama Gets Big Endorsements

Hillary Clinton got a big endorsement today...from the Senior Senator of the nation's biggest state.

Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California) officially endorsed Clinton, becoming the seventh US Senator and 56th member of Congress to endorse Clinton.

Senator Obama also got a major endorsement out of the most important primary state. Freshman Congressman Paul Hodes (D-New Hampshire) endorsed Obama. Hodes' endorsement will no doubt help Obama in the all important primary state where he has been trailing Clinton by large margins.

Obama has got the endorsement of Rep. Steve Rothman (D-New Jersey). Rothman decided to endorse Obama despite the movement of New Jersey Democrats toward Senator Clinton. So far prominent New Jersey Democrats like Governor Jon Corzine, Senator Bob Menendez and Representatives Frank Pallone, Rob Andrews and Albio Sires have all thrown their support behind the Senator from the state next door.

House Votes For No Permanent Bases

The House of Representatives overwhelminly voted to oppose funding for permanent bases in Iraq. Vote Results are here

399 members voted yea, inclcuding all Democrats and most Republicans.

24 members, all conservative Republicans, voted nay...here they are, so you can call them and complain;

Spencer Bachus (R-Alabama)
Richard Baker (R-Louisiana)
J. Gresham Barrett (R-South Carolina)
Joe Barton (R-Texas)
Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee)
Kevin Brady (R-Texas)
Michael Burgess (R-Texas)
John Campbell (R-California)
Chris Cannon (R-Utah)
Jeff Flake (R-Arizona)
Trent Franks (R-Arizona)
Phil Gingrey (R-Georgia)
Dennis Hastert (R-Illinois)
Wally Herger (R-California)
Bob Inglis (R-South Carolina)
Jim Jordan (R-Ohio)
Steve King (R-Iowa)
John Linder (R-Georgia)
Jeff Miller (R-Florida)
Steve Pearce (R-New Mexico)
Bill Sali (R-Idaho)
John Shadegg (R-Arizona)
Mac Thornberry (R-Texas)
Mike Turner (R-Ohio)

the YouTube Debate

CNN is milking it for all it's worth.

I don't necessarily think it's a bad idea, just something that needs a little more work. It's great that people from around the country get to ask these questions, so that those who ask are not just those who are present at the debate.

Who won? I can't really tell. Hillary Clinton continues to surprise me though. While I agreed with Obama on the need for a new foreign policy strategy, to meet with our enemines, Clinton explained her dissent well. "I don't want to be used as a propoganda tool." That was a great response and for a short time got me to rethink my agreement with Obama.

I think she would make a better president that we all think. I never thought I'd say this, but she may just be the next President of the United States and I may just vote for her.

Five Years Too Late

Where was this idea five years ago?

If this trigger-happy cowboy wants to blow things up, why did he have to do in Iraq. Why couldn't he do it in Pakistan, where the terrorists are.

I understand they have nukes and a fragile government that could be overrun by Islamists...really, like India is ever going to let THAT happen.

This is where they are...not Iraq.

Bush's Clean Bill of Health

I'm sure there are people in this world, and in the country, who wished it to be otherwise.

Not me, I've seen what cancer to do to a person and his or her family and friends. I wouldn't wishi it on my least favorite person in the world...and he near qualifies.

1 in 4 Approve

Near historic lows;

Bush's Approval rating is at 25% according to ARG. His disapproval at 71%.

Only 23% approval of his handling of the economy.

Sunset On McCain

He may never be President...

will he even win reelection to the Senate in 2010 if he runs?

Maybe, but if Democratic Governor Janet Napolitano decides to try for this seat, many once GOP-leaning Arizonans may have the response of one GOP-leaning Arizonan:

"Ooooh … Napolitano," his eyes widening and his confidence in McCain
narrowing. "Maybe."

Feingold Wants Censure

It's an uphill battle, but he'll probably have the support of the people behind him.

Impeachment though...he can't impeach a president for being immoral, only for doing something specifically illegal and while I think that's probably been the case with our president, until you can make a case for it, impeachment should be left off the table.

A Taste Of Hillary

Fox appears to be readying the country for a female commander-in-chief ahead of the currently very likely ascension of Hillary Clinton to the presidency next year.

Tony Award winning Broadway star Cherry Jones (The Heiress, Doubt) will play the role of President Allison Taylor in the next season of Fox hit show "24." Taylor will be the first female President of the United States in the show, as Hillary would be in real life.

"24" has already had their own Obama...President David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert) played the first African-American President for the first five seasons of the show.

Jones is no stranger to fictional Washington politics. The West Wing fans like myself might remember her as a guest star in the fifth season as Congresswoman Barbara Layton (R-North Carolina), a conservative member of the House of Representatives who created fiction with President Bartlet when she publically went after his daughter Ellie.

As Popular As A Colonoscopy

On the day the President made perhaps the best decision he's made in a while, to get his heath checked and get a colonoscopy, we find out that in New Jersey, he's about as popular as one.

This from Strategic Vision of all people, and they tend to overstate Republican support.

Bush at 18% in a state where he won 46% two and a half years ago. Bush's one bright side is that 47% of state voters still approve of the job he's doing on the War on Terrorism.

Congress is at 16% and only 20% approve of the President's handling of the war in Iraq. 59% want out in the next six months.

I didn't even think I'd find these polls in New York...If this is how things are in Jersey, I wonder how it is east of the Hudson?

Bush Bans Torture

Well I'll be damned.

Is there anyone else who doesn't think what interrogation techniques that are staying secret are actually torture?