B.S.

I am so sick of this take on the election. The Democrats who won were not conservatives - period. They were toe-stepping Progressives. Sure, maybe ONE is a social moderate, but that is more of a libertarian moderate and not a "What are you doing in your bedroom?" conservative.

Read. My. Lips. The new Congress is dominated by Progressives thanks to the election of Progressives.

truer words....

The great thing about Dobson

The great thing about the Town of Dobson is how stormbear gives you some background on the cartoon below. Most of us know the specifics already, but if you want to keep up with what is going on in politics, and you are short on time, this and Doonesbury should be must reads. For today's cartoon you get:

What is up with James Carville?

First we find out from Woodward’s book that Carville told the White House about Kerry’s plans to contest the Ohio election. Now he is wanting Howard Dean to apologize for not winning big enough in this past mid-term election.

Democratic strategist James Carville yesterday said Howard Dean should be replaced as chairman of the Democratic National Committee for failing to pursue a greater margin of victory in last week’s midterm elections.

“I would describe his leadership as Rumsfeldian in its competence,” Mr. Carville said during a meeting with reporters, a reference to outgoing Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, who has been reviled by Democrats.

Both Mr. Carville and Democratic strategist Stan Greenberg said the DNC should have invested more money in congressional races.

Now Carville wants to replace winning Howard Dean with right of center, election losing Rep. Harold Ford Jr.

Boggles the mind.

Jerry Meek asks for your help.

If you are interested in Senator Elizabeth Dole and getting her out of office, if you are sick of Senator Elizabeth Dole and want to see her out of office, then go visit this thread at BlueNC and offer your suggestions. NCDP Chair Jerry Meek is asking for your help.

A Town Called Dobson

if you aren't bookmarking it, you should be.

Liveblogging from NCDP Headquarters

I will be at the NCDP headquarters tonight to live-blog the results of state legislative races on BlueNC. I am now making calls to Dems who have not voted yet. Join in, do your part. Win elections.

Hard Core

It was a cold and early Saturday in early November. The streets were empty, but the parking lot of the Planetarium was filling up at 8:55am. Why? Because Saturday early voting was about to begin. Yep, there was a line out around the statue of James Polk waiting to vote early. Which raises only one question, why?

There really aren't any races left to decide in Orange County and the state-wide judicial races usually aren't that big of a draw. But, there they all were, and the line continued to grow after 9am when the kids and I came out from voting. I saw a few people I knew, including Zabouti and John Gilmore, Dogwood Acres Chair.

As we waited in line the fella behind me muttered, "I wonder how you find out about these non-partisan races?" To which I responded with a flourish of my OCDP voter guide, "With one of these!" He was very thankful and especially when I showed him the cheat sheet on the back cover.

All in all it was a great experience, the kids sat on my lap and helped me fill out the bubbles, to feed the ballot into the machine and they received their "I voted" sticker for the umpteenth time. Voting is a family tradition, take your kids to vote and make it an exciting family adventure.

Oh, as to the title, to those who showed up at 9am in the cold weather to vote on a pretty unexciting ballot - you are hardcore and a good friend of mine.

Orange County/School Buses

I spoke with Al Terry yesterday about the bus situation with the Orange Public School Buses. Wouldn't you know that this man is already on the job. One problem with school bus drivers is that the hours are limited, the pay is lower than other driving jobs, and there is no summer employment.

Al is working with the school bus scheduler to create positions for drivers to work with the schools and with OPT. They would either:

1. Drive school buses in the morning, then for OPT the rest of the day. Or,
2. drive for OPT in the morning and then school buses in the afternoon.

I believe the total so far is around 8 part-time and full-time positions that will be scheduled to allow for this change-over. A large enough group of folks doing this would solve the crisis that Orange Schools faced this year. Of course, hiring a year-round recruiter to make sure they have enough drivers would work as well.

One problem with this that Al mentioned, is that school bus and OPT drivers are required to have different types of licenses. The cost of those two is almost $200 if I remember correctly. That is not insignificant to someone from a low-income family looking for a new job.

How Google Bombing Worked

Let's say you go online to look into politics. Statistics say that most likely you are looking for information on a candidate. Who these people are that have internet access but don't know about the candidates, I can't imagine. Either way. You type in Robin Hayes because you keep getting flyers saying to vote for him, but you aren't so sure. You use Google because...well, everyone does. What do you get?

Hayes, Robin
Official web site for Representative Robin Hayes (R - NC, 98th District).
BORING old official web page. If you have insomnia, read an official web page.

Contact Cong. Hayes
Contact Congressman Hayes. As a member of Congress, I appreciate your input as a constituent of North ... Hayes statement on terrorist attacks - click here. ...
I have NO interest in contacting him, so skip this one.

Congressman Robin Hayes
Welcome to the Online Campaign Headquarters for Robin Hayes Congressman, 8th District of North Carolina. Welcome to my online campaign headquarters! ...
BORING old campaign web site.

newsobserver.com | Hayes is CAFTA foe no longer - 11:25am
"Robin Hayes ought to be ashamed," said state Democratic Chairman Jerry Meek. "Despite the fact he vowed to oppose CAFTA, Hayes caved in to Republican ...

WAIT A MINUTE! What's this? Robin Hayes vowed to vote against CAFTA then changed his vote, let me go read that story. The story is extremely unflattering of Robin Hayes and his flip-flop that cost NC soooooooo many jobs. Not only that, but it isn't an attack from the Democrat party web site, it is an attack from the News & Observer. Why did this article come up? Because of the google bombing brought to you by MyDD.

Thank you guys.

"Pretty pictures of blue...."

the "freakin' tsunami wave" map.

Only Edwards can go to Connecticut

Remember Only Nixon could go to China? Well, I feel strongly that only Senator Edwards can go to Connecticut and if he does, then he gets back lost momentum and becomes the frontrunner for 2008.

When I think of John Edwards I think of two things:
1. Grassroots populism.
2. Netroots activism.

I have long said that the Senator could lock up number 2 through a few simple actions, and now I think he could lock up both of these key donor and volunteer categories in one fell swoop.


Right now, if you are not paying attention, the CT race is between *Democratic* Primary winner Ned Lamont and /Connecticut for Lieberman/ party member Joe Lieberman. Lieberman has said that perhaps if he wins he will become a Republican, a threat to the Democratic leadership not to take away his seniority.

Well, Joe can take a flying leap. Ned Lamont is the Democratic candidate and the Senator was the first to show up in CT after the primary. Now it is time to go back.

Why? Because no one else is doing it. Look at the political upside for 2008.

Clinton - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton had Connecticut Senate candidate Ned Lamont over for coffee Friday, discussing campaign strategy and offering to host a fundraiser, a spokesman for the senator said.

"It was a great meeting. Senator Clinton thinks Ned Lamont did a fabulous job in Connecticut," spokesman Howard Wolfson said, referring to Lamont's upset victory over Sen. Joe Lieberman in the state's Democratic primary.

So, she supports him? Well, that was August and not only isn't this Clinton NOT showing up, but, this Clinton IS showing up in Connecticut.



So, what about the new kid on the block?

"I know that some in the party have differences with Joe," *Senator Obama said*, all but silencing the crowd. "I'm going to go ahead and say it. It's the elephant in the room. And Joe and I don't agree on everything. But what I know is, Joe Lieberman's a man with a good heart, with a keen intellect, who cares about the working families of America."

Then, with applause beginning to build, he finished the thought: "*I am absolutely certain that Connecticut's going to have the good sense to send Joe Lieberman back to the United States Senate*." That time, people cheered loudly.

This doesn't even take into account the Senate leadership that are backrooming with Joe, telling him he can keep his seniority if he wins, just those who will be opponents in 2008. It's time for someone to stand up for the Democrats that voted in the primary, for the people who said "Time to go, Joe".

Only John Edwards can go to Connecticut. He should go spend a week there if he must to make sure that Ned Lamont, the grassroots, netroots, populist candidate wins this election. This will put him into a leadership position among the base, who believe that Lieberman is wrong on Iraq, wrong to support the President, and wrong to abandon the Democratic Party's process. With that leadership position will come two things. [Money http://actblue.com/page/netrootscandidates] and [volunteers http://www.moveon.org/afreplace/].

Do it Senator, go to Connecticut, energize the base around your camapaign and become the front-runner for 2008 all over again - *and for good*.

Shut Up and Sing - NBC (a right-wing subsidiary)

NBC is refusing to air this MOVIE TRAILER. Why?

Nudity? Nope.

Language? Nope.

Violence? Nope.

They are refusing to air it because it is negative about President Bush. Yeah, when did that become enough to get censored on the PUBLIC airways.

Unloading voter guides.

I'm off with the kids today to unload a stack of Orange County Voter Guides. They are a must have this season, what with the "non-partisan" judge races. I have to say, what a lousy idea. Everyone is still running as a "former Democrat" or a "Conservative". This way, some people are just voting for the name that sounds right. Take Kris Bailey, HE ran a campaign ad with his WIFE in the picture instead of himself. To get the mom vote I guess.

Welcome to the War in Iran.

During a pre-meeting discussion last night I mentioned that the latest tin-foil hat theory is that Bush would attack Iran before Nov. 7th. The wise old man replied, "That sounds like fantasy. It'll never happen." Which, I will admit, sounds about right. But, not everyone think it is crazy.

Bad news. Very bad news. Another expeditionary strike group will imminently enter the Persian Gulf where it will join the Enterprise, Eisenhower and Iwo Jima strike groups.

"We have been through spring practice, now the game is on."
- Capt. David Angood, Composite Warfare Commander (CWC) for USS Boxer (LHD 4) Expeditionary Strike Group

Well, sure, we have four expeditionary strike groups in the gulf, where we used to have one, then two, then three. But, what does that really have to do with reality? After all, David Kay says:

Washington needs to proceed cautiously because serious questions remain about its ability to assess realities on the ground in Iran.

While the government in Tehran has established what he calls "a substantial foundation" for a nuclear weapons program, Kay asserts any serious threat is at least five years and possibly 10 or more years away.

"Iran does not today, and in my judgment will not for some time, pose a nuclear threat to the United States or the state of the [Middle East] region," Kay said.

No threat, which means we should have plenty of time to negotiate.









Boom.

Welcome to the war in Iran. How will it start?









Naaah. That's. Just. Crazy.







That. Is. Just. Crazy.

Stay the Course

Let the Google Bombing Begin.

--AZ-Sen: Jon Kyl

--AZ-01: Rick Renzi

--AZ-05: J.D. Hayworth

--CA-04: John Doolittle

--CA-11: Richard Pombo

--CA-50: Brian Bilbray

--CO-04: Marilyn Musgrave

--CO-05: Doug Lamborn

--CO-07: Rick O'Donnell

--CT-04: Christopher Shays

--FL-13: Vernon Buchanan

--FL-16: Joe Negron

--FL-22: Clay Shaw

--ID-01: Bill Sali

--IL-06: Peter Roskam

--IL-10: Mark Kirk

--IL-14: Dennis Hastert

--IN-02: Chris Chocola

--IN-08: John Hostettler

--IA-01: Mike Whalen

--KS-02: Jim Ryun

--KY-03: Anne Northup

--KY-04: Geoff Davis

--MD-Sen: Michael Steele

--MN-01: Gil Gutknecht

--MN-06: Michele Bachmann

--MO-Sen: Jim Talent

--MT-Sen: Conrad Burns

--NV-03: Jon Porter

--NH-02: Charlie Bass

--NJ-07: Mike Ferguson

--NM-01: Heather Wilson

--NY-03: Peter King

--NY-20: John Sweeney

--NY-26: Tom Reynolds

--NY-29: Randy Kuhl

--NC-08: Robin Hayes

--NC-11: Charles Taylor

--OH-01: Steve Chabot

--OH-02: Jean Schmidt

--OH-15: Deborah Pryce

--OH-18: Joy Padgett

--PA-04: Melissa Hart

--PA-07: Curt Weldon

--PA-08: Mike Fitzpatrick

--PA-10: Don Sherwood

--RI-Sen: Lincoln Chafee

--TN-Sen: Bob Corker

--VA-Sen: George Allen

--VA-10: Frank Wolf

--WA-Sen: Mike McGavick

--WA-08: Dave Reichert

Election Night?

So, are we going to find a nice bar somewhere that will put the election up on the big screen and stay open until the wee hours of the morning.

Edwards Hitting the Campaign Trail in NC Again

I think it is safe to say that John Edwards will win the NC primary in 2008. So, why is he stumping again for Heath Shuler? It has to be for all the right reasons - to elect a Democratic House.

From OAC:

You may remember that Senator Edwards campaigned for congressional candidate Heath Shuler back in August. (You can read about the event here and here).

Today the Senator will be campaigning for Mr. Shuler again, this time at a campaign rally in Asheville, NC. This is part of the Senator's ongoing effort to support Democratic candidates in the run-up to the November elections.

Continue reading this entry to learn more about this event.

Senator Edwards to address a campaign rally for congressional candidate Heath Shuler

4:00 PM

AB Technical Community College - Laurel Building
340 Victoria Road
Asheville, North Carolina

Homeless Shelter in the Cards?

The "new" homeless shelter has been shunted from one side of town to the other. So, were are we? From the Orange Herald.

CHAPEL HILL -- The Inter-Faith Council for Social Service has asked the county to consider locating a new men's homeless shelter near the Southern Human Services Center on Homestead Road. Ann Henley, vice president of the IFC's board, told the county commissioners this week that a new facility is needed for the shelter's long-term viability and the agency needs help from local governments to secure a new location.
...
Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy, who is part of a town-county group set to meet next week on the topic, said Wednesday that the town clearly will need in the future the space of the current shelter, in the town-owned building at 100 West Rosemary Street. That building, he added, isn't well suited for a residential facility anyway. The IFC currently leases the building from the town.
...
At a meeting Tuesday, Commissioner Alice Gordon identified some possible disadvantages. She said some members of the Friends of the Chapel Hill Senior Center, when asked about the men's shelter idea, raised concerns, including how the senior center and shelter would co-exist on the same site.

Another concern was the proximity of Project HomeStart, where homeless women and children stay, to the men's site. Previously, IFC representatives said they wished to have separate sites for men and women, Gordon said.

About a decade ago, the county granted IFC a 25-year lease for three acres in the northwest part of the Homestead Road campus, where HomeStart was built.
...
Meanwhile, Foy reiterated the town's commitment to help find a new site for the shelter, and the challenges they face.

"We've made it clear we will provide town-owned property and financial assistance, but we haven't said to the IFC or to Orange County, do this or do that," Foy said. "It's hard to find a place that's just right. It's best if there is good access to transportation, and to support networks, like other agencies that may provide assistance with employment, substance abuse, or getting financial aid."

There has been a lot of support for this shelter...as long as it isn't in MY neighborhood. Everyone here is very progressive until it comes time to have a homeless shelter in their neighborhood. Too bad. Chapel Hill could do something really great for the homeless.

"Bob Ney, Guilty but Still at Capitol"

I think that New York Times headline says it all, doesn't it? Republicans have a Representative that is guilty and will be going to jail. Yet, he's still there on Capitol hill, still has an office, still has a staff, still using our tax money to send out letters if he wants, etc. It isn't that the Republican leadership doesn't want him out of office, it's that they can't get him to quit. The Republican mindset is pervasive in his actions, "I'm a Republican, I can't be wrong."

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 — Representative Bob Ney is headed to prison early next year after pleading guilty to charges of accepting tens of thousands of dollars in illegal gifts from lobbyists. Until then, Mr. Ney, a six-term Republican from Ohio, has a comfortable place to bide his time.
...

In his guilty plea last week, Mr. Ney admitted to taking many gifts from Mr. Abramoff, including a 2002 golfing trip to Scotland by private jet, and then lying about them in his financial disclosure forms.

To the dismay of House colleagues eager to remove him as a symbol of the corruption scandals that are tarring several Republican candidates in next month’s Congressional elections, Mr. Ney, defying House leaders, has refused to step down for now, insisting that he owes his staff and his constituents a few more weeks of his time.

Until the House reconvenes after the elections, there is no way under Congressional rules to force him out. Republican House leaders have vowed to make Mr. Ney’s expulsion their first order of business when they return to Washington next month.