475 Days until election day.
MORNING SUMMARY:
Rules, procedures and explanations of how our presidential selection process will work were emailed out to party leaders yesterday for their review. If you like more info, contact your local State Committee member and/or County Chair.
Michigan Senate Committee on Campaign & Elections passed out the Presidential Primary bills for 2008. Vehicle bills continue down the road.
If “clicks” were votes how would the Republican presidential primary stack up today?
Michigan Supreme Court overturns AG Frank Kelly’s political ruling on “photo id” helping insure the integrity of elections.
Presidential Democrat Candidates promise government paid abortions for all. Now that’s extreme!?!
See Jane Abraham’s latest “Notes from Jane” on our blog at:
http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2007/07/notes-from-jane.html
Right Michigan nails House Democrats for their lack of action…all talk, NO action!
http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2007/07/right-michigan-.html
GOPAC will be conducting a training session in Kalamazoo on campaign tactics. More info below.
THE REST OF THE STORY:
- The Michigan Senate took the next step in passing out the Presidential Primary bills out of the Committee on Campaigns & Elections. The bills now move to the floor, where we hope they will receive approval and be sent over to the House.
These vehicles bills are the conceptual and in most cases detailed process agreements that Democrat Chair Mark Brewer and I negotiated for the primary process. The major point of contention is the actual date of such a primary.
Republicans prefer February 5, 2008, however, we are willing to move the date forward to accommodate the Democrats to insure a state run primary to maximize participation, while still abiding the national Democrat rules.
Stay tuned as the process moves forward.
- Here is an interesting analysis of who and how many folks are visiting various presidential web sites from different states. This is obviously NOT scientific, but kind of interesting for us “net-roots” type folks who believe the internet plays and will continue to play a great role in elections…check it out:
- In the waning days as Attorney General, Democrat AG Frank Kelly issued an opinion saying the “photo id” law in Michigan was unconstitutional. This brought about all kinds of unnecessary gamesmanship at the polls as there was no way to verify voters were who they said they were.
Overturning this political ruling and maneuver by the Democrats helps insure fair and honest elections. The integrity of the process has been preserved!
GONGWERS reports: Michigan’s 2005 law requiring voters show a photo identification or sign an affidavit attesting they do not have such an ID is constitutional, a 5-2 majority of the Supreme Court said in an advisory opinion released Wednesday. The court said the requirement “is a reasonable, nondiscriminatory restriction designed to preserve the purity of elections and to prevent abuses of the electoral franchise.”
And because voters are not required to incur the cost of obtaining the photo ID, the requirement cannot be said to be a poll tax in violation of the U.S. Constitution, the court said.
The opinion (In re Request for Advisory Opinion Regarding Constitutionality of 2005 PA 71, SC docket No. 130589) was written by Justice Robert Young Jr. and signed by Chief Justice Clifford Taylor and Justices Maura Corrigan, Stephen Markman and Elizabeth Weaver.
Dissenting Justice Michael Cavanaugh said the requirement is not narrowly tailored to meet a compelling state interest. He said the requirement “significantly impairs the fundamental right to vote for thousands of Michigan citizens.”
In a separate dissent, Justice Marilyn Kelly, who said significant voter fraud has not been demonstrated in Michigan, said the requirement fails to meet the strict scrutiny analysis required by the federal constitution.
http://courts.michigan.gov/supremecourt/Clerk/11-06/130589/130589-Opinion.pdf
- Addressing a Planned Parenthood conference, Obama and Edwards specifically promised, “universal coverage” for abortion services…free abortions to all? That’s horrible public policy, it sends the wrong signal to our youth and shows how extreme the Democrats are to support taxpayer-funded abortions for all.
At the risk of belittle such an important issue, I have to remind everyone that Democrat Speaker of the House “iPod Andy” Dillon wanted taxpayers to buy our kids iPods at taxpayers expense…now the state Democrats are pushing for higher taxes. The national Democrats are pandering to their various constituencies with promises of more “taxpayer funded” policies that are not only bad public policy…but forcing those who may morally disagree with such a policy pay for it through taxpayer dollars is wrong…it’s extreme.
- Right Michigan has been following the rhetoric coming out from the Democrat majority in the House of Representatives. They complain about the budget… do nothing. Talk about the need for tax increases…do nothing. Propose additional spending programs with NO way of paying for them…do nothing???
Right Michigan has been following their actions and has done a great job of holding their feet to the fire. Follow their “lack” of progress and much more at:
- GOPAC is holding a campaign training session in Kalamazoo on August 11th from 10:00am until 4:00pm.
Topics Covered will include: Campaign Organization – Fundraising – Communication – Grassroots – and the Realities of Being a Candidate. It will be held at the Heritage Christian Academy 6312 Quail Run Rd., Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Training and Lunch will be provided free of charge. Registration required.
For more information or to RSVP, please contact Karen VanderArk at gopactraining@sbcglobal.net or (269)341-9396. Please provide name(s), contact information and GOP county party affiliation.
Saul Anuzis
STATE STORIES
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070719/POLITICS01/707190393/1022/POLITICS
Bills seek earlier Mich. presidential primaries
Legislation in state Senate touts Jan. 29 for selection of nominees for both major parties.
Gary Heinlein / Detroit News Lansing Bureau
LANSING -- Michigan would move nearer the front of the pack in the 2008 U.S. presidential nominating process, under bills that lawmakers moved from a committee to the Senate floor on Wednesday.
The measures call for Republican and Democratic primaries to be held together in Michigan on Jan. 29, starting next year. Leaders of either party could change their primary date, however, by filing an affidavit with the Secretary of State by the fourth Tuesday of the preceding September.
The legislation can "give the more than 7 million registered voters in Michigan a direct opportunity" to help choose the two presidential nominees, said Michigan Chamber of Commerce Vice President Robert LaBrant, whose organization backs it.
"Historically, Michigan has been too late in the process to realistically influence the nomination," LaBrant told the committee.
Michigan Supreme Court upholds law requiring photo ID to vote
LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Voters will have to show photo identification or swear to their identity before being allowed to cast a ballot after the Michigan Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled the state's ID requirement is constitutional.
The high court split along party lines in a 5-2 decision, with Republican justices voting to uphold the ID requirement and Democrats dissenting. The Michigan Democratic Party is weighing an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
A state law passed in 1996 and amended in 2005 requires voters to show photo ID at the polls. Those without an ID can vote if they sign an affidavit swearing to their identity.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070719/OPINION01/707190373/1069
IN OUR OPINION
Minimize new voting obstacle
July 19, 2007
The Michigan Supreme Court's 5-2 party-line decision Wednesday that the state can require voters to show photo ID at the polls was not surprising, since the issue has been a bright-line divider of Republicans and Democrats for years.
The court's Republican-nominated majority is right that pictured ID is not an unreasonable demand to make of voters, provided there are options apparent and readily available for those who lack ID to cast a ballot.
Democrats are right, though, that there is absolutely no evidence of the kind of widespread election fraud among voters that Republicans cite to justify this change. While there have been problems with equipment, counting, incompetent officials and intimidating "observers" at the polls, nothing suggests hordes of people are claiming to be someone else so they can vote multiple times.
Michigan jobless rate reached 7.2 percent in June
LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan's unemployment rate rose to 7.2 percent in June, the highest point so far this year, the state announced Wednesday.
The May seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 6.9 percent already was highest among the 50 states.
June's even-higher rate means many new college graduates and students seeking summer work in Michigan probably have been disappointed, a state official said in a statement.
"Early indications are showing a more sluggish season for youth hiring," said Rick Waclawek, director of the state's Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives.
http://info.detnews.com/danielhowesblog/index.cfm
Who says MI will share its pain?
The nation's governors are heading to Traverse City this weekend and their Michigan colleague intends to give them the, "There but for the grace of God go thee" -- ostensibly a rationalization that her state's problems are the tip of a very large iceberg that hit the poor ol' Big Mitten first. "Clearly there is not the focus on fair trade agreements, loss of jobs, retraining of workers, all the things that must happen to pull a state out of the challenging economic situation we're in," said Gov. Jennifer Granholm told The News. No, most of the nation's governors aren't focusing on those things because most of them are sitting on budget surpluses
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070719/POLITICS/707190369/1022
Clock is ticking on budget fix
Democrats, GOP work to hammer out schedule for key votes on filling $1.6B hole by Sept. 30.
Tim Martin / Associated Press
LANSING -- State lawmakers returned to the Capitol on Tuesday after a two-week break with the growing realization it might take all summer to resolve Michigan's government budget problems.
Democratic House Speaker Andy Dillon of Redford and Republican Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop of Rochester were working to hammer out a schedule for key votes needed to fill what could be at least a $1.6 billion hole in the budget for the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1.
Dillon said he would like to have the budget done by Labor Day, which is Sept. 3, at the latest. Bishop said he wanted to move quickly but noted that Sept. 30 is the actual end of this fiscal year.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070719/OPINION01/707190370/1069
FUEL ECONOMY STANDARDSIN OUR OPINION
Cool the CAFE fight
Better to consider a carbon tax than set industry-threatening mileage rules
July 19, 2007
The CAFE fight will advance to the floor of the U.S. House sometime within the next two weeks, and no one appears to be less rigid or shrill on either side of it. That's too bad, because there are potential compromises, as part of the energy bill under consideration, that could set the stage nicely for action later this year on global warming.
Automakers, like appliance makers, should have reasonable goals for increased efficiency and perhaps even the equivalent of an Energy Star award for their thriftiest models. Left to their own devices, they have shown a clear preference for converting every technological advance into faster acceleration, more towing power or bigger vehicles, rather than better mileage. Even Toyota has tumbled to U.S. consumer preferences by moving into the full-size truck line with its Tundra.
http://www.mlive.com/news/statewide/index.ssf?/base/news-8/118479841044180.xml&coll=1
Higher crop prices put damper on farm bill
Thursday, July 19, 2007
By Sarah Kellogg
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON -- Michigan's corn farmers are hoping Congress won't penalize them for trying to make a profit.
With corn prices above $3 a bushel this summer and occasionally reaching as high as $4, growers are worried that the U.S. House Agriculture Committee could approve a new five-year farm bill that trims federal farm subsidies. The bill could be acted on as early as today before going before the full House and Senate.
Critics of the subsidies say that the farm bill shouldn't be underwriting the fortunes of thriving farmers. But farm groups say Congress needs to take a longer view.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070719/OPINION01/707190307/1008
Opinion
Brief income tax increase would solve budget crisis
State could close deficit, invest in people and attract jobs
Rep. George Cushingberry
Michigan's budget crisis, brought on by President George W. Bush's failed economic policies and bad trade deals, endangers education, health care, and safe and stable communities -- the very services that are most likely to attract the good-paying jobs of the future.
As a result of these economic challenges, our great state is faced with a momentous choice: Do we invest in our people and make Michigan a magnet for 21st-century jobs, or sit still with the hope that business as usual just works everything out?
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=269561867958840
Time To Sink Democrat Raft Of Tax Hikes
By REPRESENTATIVE TIM WALBERG | Posted Tuesday, July 17, 2007 4:30 PM PT
INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY
In Ronald Reagan's famed "A Time for Choosing" speech in 1964, the future president clearly analyzed the economic crossroads America found itself in and still struggles with today.
Reagan remarked:
"We need true tax reform that will at least make a start toward restoring for our children the American Dream that wealth is denied to no one, that each individual has the right to fly as his strength and ability will take him. . . .
"But we cannot have such reform while our tax policy is engineered by people who view the tax as a means of achieving changes in our social structure."
Right now, Democrats in Congress are discounting advancements made possible by the 2001 and 2003 tax relief passed by Congress and are trying to slap taxpayers with a $400 billion tax increase that will slow our economy's progress.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070719/OPINION01/707190308/1008
Editorial
Clean up state law to push mergers
Laws favoring unions discourage consolidation of local governments
The Detroit News
Gov. Jennifer Granholm is calling on local communities to merge services to save money, and that's a fine idea. But first she should make sure state law is cleaned up to make consolidations easier.
A good example is the proposal by five Downriver communities to merge their fire departments. The proposal would save $11 million a year by creating a single, large department managed by a new authority to service the adjoining communities of Southgate, Melvindale, Lincoln Park, Allen Park and Wyandotte.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070718/NEWS03/70718073/1008/NEWS06
Knollenberg staff seeks reprimand of activist for religion comments
July 18, 2007
BY TODD SPANGLER
FREE PRESS WASHINGTON STAFF
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg is taking exception to a comment made by an Oakland County activist about his religion – and his staff is calling on Gov. Jennifer Granholm to do something about it.
In an article in the Oakland Press this week, Rochester Hills resident Bruce Fealk made a reference to a planned protest outside Knollenberg’s office, saying it was aimed at getting the Republican congressman to come out in favor of legislation to end the war in Iraq.
In his comments, Fealk, 53, said Knollenberg should atone for his sins – meaning his refusal to back Democratic-sponsored legislation to set timetables for removing the troops – like a good Catholic.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070719/POLITICS01/707190356/1022/POLITICS
Campaign costs set a record
$192 million was spent in 2006 to influence Michigan voters; $79M in the race for governor.
Charlie Cain / Detroit News Lansing Bureau
LANSING -- Political campaigns in last year's Michigan elections spent a record $192 million to influence the outcomes.
The spending was paced by a record $79 million spent in the race for governor -- twice the cost of the contest four years earlier, according to a report released Wednesday.
West Michigan businessman Dick DeVos spent $35.5 million of his own money in a losing challenge to Gov. Jennifer Granholm, whose campaign and supporters spent $18.8 million. It was the fourth-highest self-funded gubernatorial campaign in U.S. history, and the most ever spent by a Republican, said Rich Robinson, executive director of the non-partisan, non-profit Michigan Campaign Finance Network, the watchdog group which compiled the spending report.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070719/AUTO01/707190412&theme=Autos-Delphi
Investors to pump $2.6B into Delphi
A group of investors led by Appaloosa Management LP will invest up to $2.55 billion into Delphi Corp., clearing the way for the bankrupt parts maker to begin rebuilding after one of the American auto industry's biggest financial meltdowns.
The agreement, announced Wednesday, keeps Troy-based Delphi on track to emerge from bankruptcy by the end of the year. It replaces a previous $3.4 billion investment deal that was scrapped when Chrysler Group owner-to-be Cerberus Capital Management LP pulled out in April.
The new plan is lower than the original bid largely because creditors opted to take more equity in Delphi, rather than take cash.
"We're happy we got a consensual deal," David Tepper, president and founder of New Jersey-based Appaloosa, said in an interview Wednesday. "We look forward to working with management and all the employees of Delphi. It looks like everybody is on board."
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070719/OPINION01/707190305/1008
Editorial
Cut auto insurance costs by offering more choices
The Detroit News
Auto insurance is expensive in Michigan and particularly costly in Detroit. It's possible to make it less expensive without taking away coverage from anyone who wants it. Lawmakers who claim to be pro-consumer should look at giving insurance buyers more choices.
State Reps. Virgil Smith, D-Detroit, and Joe Hune, R-Hamburg Township, have come up with a pair of bills to lower insurance premiums. One would impose a fee schedule on doctors and other health professionals treating accident victims. Another would expand the range of coverage offered to consumers.
http://www.mlive.com/news/statewide/index.ssf?/base/news-8/1184803809295560.xml&coll=1
Been drinking? Your car's a no-go
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
By Peter Luke
Lansing Bureau
LANSING -- "Super drunks" and repeat drunken drivers could be back on the road sooner but presumably sober, with broader use of court-ordered breath testers installed on their car ignition systems.
Offenders could drive to work but not home from the bar if they've been drinking, under sentencing changes making their way through the Michigan Legislature.
More and more states are considering measures similar to those reported out of the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday on near-unanimous bipartisan votes. They now go to the full House.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070719/SCHOOLS/707190389&theme=Schools-EMU
Controversy to cost EMU $1M
University to pay severance to ousted officials, legal fees, fines over handling of slaying.
Marisa Schultz / The Detroit News
YPSILANTI -- The campus tragedy of a student's death and the ouster of three university leaders will likely cost Eastern Michigan University more than $1 million in severance packages, legal fees and penalties.
The university will likely owe up to $500,000 to law firm Butzel Long, which investigated EMU for violations of federal security laws following the rape and murder of Laura Dickinson, 22.
And the president, public safety chief and student affairs leader who lost their jobs following that investigation combined will get at least $470,000 from EMU.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070719/METRO/707190419
Together, yet still apart
Attitudes soften, but blacks, whites see bias differently
Cindy Rodríguez / The Detroit News
Four decades after violence left Detroit with a legacy of destruction and distrust, racial attitudes and suspicions are tempering, a Detroit News poll shows.
More whites say they would prefer to live in evenly mixed-race neighborhoods than in white-dominated communities, a dramatic change from 20 years ago. Fewer African-Americans believe whites want to oppress them and fewer whites feel that blacks dislike them.
At the same time, the poll of 600 Metro Detroiters this month reveals a persistent divide: blacks see stubborn or worsening discrimination where most whites don't believe it exists -- in jobs, housing and justice.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070719/NEWS06/707190348/1008
U.S. backs churches in atheist fight
July 19, 2007
BY DAVID ASHENFELTER
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
The U.S. Department of Justice has waded into a legal brawl between a national atheist group and the Detroit Downtown Development Authority, which pledged $734,570 in grants to three historic churches in a major downtown face-lift in time for the 2006 Super Bowl.
A federal judge in Detroit is expected to rule soon in the case, which could have national implications as to what role the government has in helping to preserve historic churches.
American Atheists Inc. sued Detroit's DDA in U.S. District Court last year, saying the grants violated the constitutional separation between church and state. The DDA pledged the money to the churches as partial reimbursement for improvements the churches made to their properties.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070719/METRO/707190381
Base showcases flight
Selfridge celebrates decades of military aviation
HARRISON TOWNSHIP -- One of the first airplanes being readied for display this weekend at Selfridge Air National Guard base's air show is also among the oldest.
A SPAD XIII World War I airplane being built from scratch by a group of military history buffs will be among the aircraft on display at the free show, held at the base every two years.
Aviation buffs can check out more than 30 planes dating from early military aviation to those used in Iraq.
NATIONAL STORIES
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070719/POLITICS/707190399/1022
Senate ices defense bill
Levin-sponsored measure to change Iraq war policies and set a timeline for troop withdrawal are put on hold.
Gordon Trowbridge / Detroit News Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON -- Two of Michigan Sen. Carl Levin's top legislative priorities -- the war in Iraq and a Pentagon policy bill -- are on hold after Republicans on Wednesday blocked Levin's measure to set a timeline for withdrawing troops.
The 52-47 vote fell far short of the 60 needed to advance the defense authorization bill. Levin, D-Detroit, said after the vote that the bill, which sets policy on Pentagon weapons programs and dozens of other policy issues, would likely not come back to the floor until after Sept. 15, when the Bush administration is required to present a report to Congress on progress in Iraq. Until then, Levin said, Democrats would not bring the defense bill back to the Senate floor unless Republicans drop their demand to require 60-vote majorities in the 100-member chamber for Levin's Iraq legislation and other proposals.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070718/us_nm/usa_politics_poll_dc_2
Voters unhappy with Bush; Congress: Reuters poll
By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent Wed Jul 18, 8:13 AM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Most U.S. voters think the country is on the wrong track and remain deeply unhappy with President George W. Bush and Congress, but still feel good about their finances and optimistic about the future, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday.
Eighteen months before Bush leaves the White House, nearly two-thirds of Americans say the country is headed in the wrong direction and give the president negative marks for his job performance.
An even bigger majority, 83 percent, say the Democratic-controlled Congress is doing only a fair or poor job -- the worst mark for Congress in a Zogby poll.
The consequences of quitting Iraq
By Jeff Jacoby, Globe Columnist | July 18, 2007
No longer is declaring the war unwinnable and leaving Iraqis to sort out their own problems a prescription taken seriously only on the antiwar fringe. Back in November 2005, when Representative John Murtha's call for an immediate withdrawal of US troops was put to a vote, the House voted it down by a nearly unanimous 403-3. Last week, a House bill mandating a departure from Iraq by next April was approved, 223-201. There may not be -- yet -- a veto-proof majority for pulling the plug, but it is clear where the momentum lies.
The end-the-war bandwagon is rolling in the Senate, too. Some prominent Republicans have climbed aboard, joining Democrats who have been denouncing the war for many months. "We cannot continue asking our troops to sacrifice indefinitely," Pete Domenici of New Mexico said on July 5, as he called for "a new strategy that will move our troops out of combat operations and on the path to coming home." George Voinovich of Ohio has urged President Bush to give up on the surge and adopt "Plan E for Exit" instead.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0707/Whats_in_your_wallet.html
July 17, 2007
What's in your wallet?
What's a paltry one million dollars to a member of Congress?
Well, apparently not enough to know if an organization about to receive that big block of cash actually exists.
Republican Rep. Jeff Flake of Arizona, the fiscal crusader who's never met an earmark he likes, questioned Democratic Rep. Peter J. Visclosky of Indiana on the House floor Tuesday about whether the Center for Instrumented Critical Infrastructure actually exists - since, hey, it's getting like a million bucks or something.
Visclosky, who chairs the spending subcommittee responsible for the project, had to admit that, well, he didn't have a clue.
Elizabeth Edwards said Tuesday that her husband's health-care plan would provide insurance coverage of abortion.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2100345.ece
From
July 19, 2007
New death plot chills relations with Putin
The murder of a second Russian dissident on British soil was averted last month when police and intelligence agencies intercepted a suspected killer in London, it was confirmed last night.
In a move likely to damage already strained relations between Britain and Russia, Scotland Yard said that officers arrested a man on suspicion of conspiracy to murder on June 21 and held him for two days. He was later handed over to the immigration service and deported back to Russia.
The man arrived in London in mid-June allegedly with orders to murder the billionaire Russian exile Boris Berezovsky, a staunch opponent of President Putin, who has been granted asylum to live in Britain.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/18/AR2007071802528.html
The Debates' New Face
YouTube Users Will Quiz the Candidates
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 19, 2007; Page A01
Not long ago Kim, a mother of two, walked into her bedroom, turned on her webcam and made a 30-second video. When the Democratic presidential candidates gather in Charleston, S.C., on Monday for their next debate, co-sponsored by CNN and YouTube, this may be one of the questions:
"Hi, my name is Kim. I'm 36 years old and hope to be a future breast cancer survivor from Long Island. . . . Like millions of Americans, I've gone for years without health insurance. . . . What would you, as president, do to make low-cost or free preventative medicine available for everybody in this country?"
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/07/sex-ed-for-kind.html
Sex Ed for Kindergarteners 'Right Thing to Do,' Says Obama
ABC News' Teddy Davis and Lindsey Ellerson Report: Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., told Planned Parenthood Tuesday that sex education for kindergarteners, as long as it is "age-appropriate," is "the right thing to do."
"I remember Alan Keyes . . . I remember him using this in his campaign against me," Obama said in reference to the conservative firebrand who ran against him for the U.S. Senate in 2004. Sex education for kindergarteners had become an issue in his race against Keyes because of Obama’s work on the issue as chairman of the health committee in the Illinois state Senate.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070718/EDITORIAL01/107180002
No news is bad news
Tony Blankley
July 18, 2007
A couple of days ago I gave a speech to a banquet room full of Teenage Republicans at their annual Washington convention. This was a light of hope in an approaching darkness. Coming from across the country, they were energetic, full of good cheer and remarkably well informed on the issues of the day. I was grilled in the Q&A's with questions as deeply informed, sharp and penetrating as any I get when doing television political shows.
And they had an attribute one doesn't encounter every day in Washington: They actually cared and had seriously studied the substance of the policies and events. With such interests and dedication, somehow I don't think many of these kids are going to become Washington journalists, who would be more likely to ask whether an Iranian nuclear attack on Israel would benefit the second tier candidates' fund raising given the front-loaded nature of the primaries.
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/breaking_news/story/86096.html
Jim Blanchard Leadership Forum Aug. 27-28 in Columbus
By From staff reports, --
A former U.S. commander in Iraq, a former U.S. senator and a management guru in the business world are among those scheduled to address the Jim Blanchard Leadership Forum Aug. 27-28 at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center.
This is the second year for the forum, which is a partnership between Synovus and Columbus State University’s Cunningham Center for Leadership Development.
The forum’s theme this year is "Leading Change."
U.S. Army Gen. John P. Abizaid will kick off the event with a dinner address Aug. 27. He is the former commander of the U.S. Central Command where he oversaw a 27-country region from the Horn of Africa to South and Central Asia, covering much of the Middle East. Abizaid also served as deputy commander, (Forward) Combined Forces Command, U.S. Central Command during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN1829247020070718?feedType=RSS&rpc=22&sp=true
Mariane Pearl sues al Qaeda over husband's killing
Wed Jul 18, 2007 12:45PM EDT
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The widow of slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against al Qaeda, other radical groups and Pakistan-based Habib Bank Ltd over the 2002 abduction, torture and murder of her husband.
Mariane Pearl, whose story is told in the recently released movie "A Mighty Heart" starring Angelina Jolie, filed the suit at U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, according to her lawyers.
"Plaintiffs seek to hold responsible those terrorists, terrorist organizations and the supporting charitable and banking organizations for the senseless kidnapping, torture and murder of Daniel Pearl," the suit said.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070718/AUTO01/707180343
Cerberus fights Senate fuel economy proposal
Chrysler's buyer wants to convince members of Congress to get behind less stringent standards.
David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON -- Chrysler's buyer-in-waiting, Cerberus Capital Management LP, has redoubled its lobbying effort in Washington as it seeks to quash a stringent Senate fuel economy proposal. Even before Cerberus officially owns Chrysler Group, the private equity firm has mounted an intensive effort to convince Congress, rally dealers and sway public opinion that some tough fuel economy proposals could have a devastating impact on Chrysler.
Cerberus officials have met with Chrysler executives to plot strategy, and the firm has blanketed Capitol Hill with lobbyists hoping to persuade Congress to support a less severe, alternative fuel economy bill. Top executive Stephen Feinberg has made two trips to Washington to meet with more than a dozen lawmakers.
MIRS Capitol Capsule, Wednesday, July 18, 2007
John Reurink (517) 482-2125
Bills Set Feb. 5 (Or Earlier) Primary
The Senate Campaign Elections and Oversight Committee moved two bills that would create a statewide primary on or before Feb. 5, 2008, without support from Senate Minority Leader Mark SCHAUER (D-Battle Creek), the only Democrat in attendance.
The bills (SB 0624 and SB 0625) would create a presidential primary election for Republicans and Democrats during which voters would have to declare a party preference before voting.
The idea is that this type of primary will generate more voter interest and voters will feel like they have more say in elections. Supporters also argue that an early primary will make Michigan relevant in the 2008 presidential primary selection. Other states, such as Florida, already are in the process of bumping up their primaries past the previously agreed early date of Feb. 5.
Schauer said he voted against the bills, not because he doesn't agree with the idea, but because the Michigan Republican Party (MRP) and Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) have not yet reached an agreement on the details of the plan.
Both parties have been working on a proposal to change the primary system for months. Schauer said he wants to wait until the parties come to an agreement before the Legislature moves the bills.
"It's just not quite ripe, yet," Schauer said.
Committee Chair Sen. Michelle McMANUS (R-Lake Leelanau) told Schauer that had he attended a committee meeting in Sen. Mark JANSEN's (R-Grand Rapids) district, he would have heard MRP Chair Saul ANUZIS and MDP Chair Mark BREWER say that they are really close to an agreement.
"Sometimes it's important for the Legislature to give interested parties a little nudge. It's sort of like working with the Governor on the budget," McManus said.
To that, Schauer said, "The Legislature needs a nudge. Not the governor."
Anuzis addressed the Senate legislation in a daily e-mail he sends to supporters. In the e-mail he said the bills reflect a previous agreement between himself and Brewer.
"These are basically vehicle bills that reflect a month of negotiations between Democrat Chair Mark Brewer and myself," Anuzis said. "The Republicans have basically reached agreement on all the aspects of the primary from our perspective, so if there is any 'tweaking' left to do, it will be because of the Democrat's unique challenge nationally, as they attempt to keep other states from moving the timeline even further forward."
At the meeting Bob LaBRANT, with the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, gave testimony in favor the bills. LaBrant said the bills would give Michigan a strong say in who will be running for president.
"Michigan has historically been too late in the process to influence the norm," he said.
Pat DONATH with the League of Women Voters also testified. She said the League supports having a primary that's open to the public. However, the League hasn't taken a position on the bills because it has several concerns. Chief among those concerns is the fact that voters would have to declare a party before they vote.
The League is also concerned about how those people's names will be used after the parties get their hands on them. Will these voters receive robo calls?
"I would think enterprising souls would make use of those records," Donath said.
McManus asked Donath if she'd rather have the conventions decide who lands on the ticket, or if she'd rather than all citizens in the state that are registered to vote make that decision.
Donath kept telling McManus that the League wants an open primary, but has concerns about some of the other provisions in the bill. McManus reworded her question several times, but Donath's response was the same.
"I have to move on now because you're not answering my question," McManus said.
Both bills passed 3-1. Schauer was the only no vote.
