Articles of Interest 9-28-07
406 Days until Election Day
MORNING UPDATE:
The Governor NEVER used the word…TAXES…. what a blatant attempt to mislead the people of Michigan. This is all about TAXES vs REFORMS and living within our means. This is a spending problem…and the Governor is spending YOUR money.
The Governor is trying to blackmail the legislature into raising taxes. She does NOT have to do that…she could sign the continuing budget resolution and try to work things out. But she is NOT willing to offer any meaningful reforms or cuts.
She wants YOU to pay more in taxes…across the board.
This is a Democrat created problem…and now they are trying to blackmail the people of Michigan and legislators into raising TAXES.
With no reforms, no efficiencies…we’ll be back in this same position…again.
This is NOT a revenue problem…it’s a SPENDING problem.
http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2007/09/its-a-spendin-1.html
The Governor calls for bipartisanship…strictly to raise taxes:
http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2007/09/principle-vs-co.html
As one of our activists from the Upper Peninsula put it:
1- The Democrats have the votes to pass Granholm's tax increase (58-52) but refuse to do so.
2- Granholm's threat to shut down the government is nothing more than an attempt to force her own party, and the majority of the legislature to approve an unpopular and unwise tax increase.
3- With Democrats and Republicans alike convinced that her tax increase needs to be revised, it's obvious that more time is needed to find the best solution- hence the budget extension.
I don’t want a shut down…it’s not necessary…it’s purely a political game being played by the Democrats and Governor Granholm…but as Brook Patterson said last night:
Life, liberty and property are at risk when the legislature is in.
Either the average Michigan citizen has to learn to control spending (because of these higher taxes) or state government needs to learn to control spending???
To paraphrase Newt Gingrich, Governor Granholm is like a teenager who got a credit card and finally figured out she has to pay it off. So now she’s asking you to pitch in.
It's a showdown...over taxes and jobs. Let's find a solution and reform the government, not raise taxes.
The October 9, 2007 debate, sponsored by CNBC, MSNBC, and The Wall Street Journal, will be held at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, Michigan. CNBC will broadcast the two-hour debate live beginning at 4 p.m. with MSNBC re-broadcasting the event at 9 p.m. For more information on the debate visit:
THE REST OF THE STORY:
No additional commentary today
Saul Anuzis
STATE STORIES
http://detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070928/OPINION01/709280305/1008
Government shutdown is not 'moving forward'
Rep. Marty Knollenberg
September 28, 2007
Since when did "moving forward" require that the governor close our doors for business?
Leading Democrats, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Speaker of the House Andy Dillon are threatening a government shutdown in an effort to terrorize the public into paying more taxes. Since the Constitution requires the state to have a balanced budget and time is rapidly slipping away, wouldn't it make sense for the governor and the speaker to have a Plan B?
Why haven't the governor and the speaker offered a continuation budget like the Senate Republicans, who are led by Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop? A continuation budget would simply be a short-term budget that allows state government to stay open and provide necessary services while we further negotiate a permanent solution to our spending problems. Sounds like a responsible move to me.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070927/OPINION01/709270371/1069
Marshal your troops, governor
September 27, 2007
Gov. John Engler had a reputation for playing legislators, especially newcomers among his fellow Republicans, like a virtuoso picking up his violin. He had served two decades as a lawmaker himself, giving him a combination of experience, savvy and political heft that will never again be matched in this term-limited state.
So, while it may not be surprising that Gov. Jennifer Granholm cannot match Engler in effectiveness, it has been disconcerting to watch her flop completely at cajoling or coercing a group of about 10 mostly first-term Democrats in swing House districts to stand up for a desperately needed tax increase -- especially after she said earlier this year that she was ready to play hardball. By Wednesday, she was reduced to dribbling out doomsday plans for shutting down state government.
http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070928/OPINION01/709280343
EDITORIAL: Foolish politics ruins state
September 28, 2007
Welcome to the banana republic of Michigan. Where scoring political points outranks good governance. Where leadership means braying about your own beliefs while thumbing your nose at compromise. And where last night in televised speeches, state leaders continued to point fingers at one another -- risking, for the first time in the state's history, a halt in the machinery of state government. Want a driver's license? As of Monday, you'll be out of luck. Unemployed? No state checks next week. And payments due on Michigan's debts? They'll go out some day. No one knows when.
The only thing we're missing in this third world nightmare is the "jefe," the strong man who rules by virtue of arbitrary and capricious self-indulgence. Instead, we're saddled with a trio of political weaklings: Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop and House Speaker Andy Dillon. Together, they comprise a tyranny of incompetence that's unable to lead, unable to work together, and has no discernable plan even now for getting the state out of this predicament. It's not just that voters deserve better; they need real leaders.
http://detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070928/OPINION01/709280388
Just get it done: Stop blame game, Lansing, and OK budget deal
September 28, 2007
Step up, lawmakers. Step up, governor. Step up, Democrats and Republicans. You have an important job to do today, and there's no good choice except that you step up and get it done. The political parrying of the last nine months must end today. You are the leaders Michigan residents entrusted with their well-being; you must honor that trust.
Plunging the state into the chaos of a shutdown while you engage in name-calling and blame-gaming is unacceptable. We've all had a bellyful of inaction. Return to the bargaining table today without your rigid philosophical points. Ignore the irresponsible threats from those who are more willing to see Michigan embarrassed than compromise. Shut the door to special interests who muddy the debate.
Governor urges Lansing to avert shutdown
Budget talks adjourn until 1 p.m. today.
Mark Hornbeck, Gary Heinlein and Charlie Cain / Detroit News Lansing Bureau
Friday, September 28, 2007
LANSING -- Lawmakers and Gov. Jennifer Granholm continued into early Friday to try to reach a deal that would avoid a partial state government shutdown next week, reporting enough progress that they could get some sleep. Both the Republican-led Senate and Democrat-led House broke about 1 a.m but were expected to reconvene at 1 p.m. It appeared negotiators may be getting closer to a deal to fill a $1.75 billion shortfall in the next budget year through tax increases and spending cuts.
"I believe rested heads do a better job," said Senate Appropriations Chairman Ron Jelinek, R-Three Oaks, who was confident a deal would be completed by Sunday.
"It's not done," he said. "It's been started. The devil's in the details."
Granholm, Bishop go on TV to promote competing budget views
9/27/2007, 7:17 p.m. EDT
By KATHY BARKS HOFFMAN
The Associated Press
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Lawmakers and Gov. Jennifer Granholm said Thursday night they were still working on a deal to avoid a partial government shutdown next week, but the specter of a shutdown still hovered over the talks.
Granholm said in a five-minute televised address that played on TV and radio stations around the state Thursday evening that she was taking the first steps toward shutting the government down, but remained hopeful an agreement could yet be reached Thursday night. "Productive negotiations are now under way in my office that could head off this government shutdown while there's still time. We have made significant progress in the last 48 hours. We've narrowed our differences," she said from her ceremonial office in the state Capitol.
http://detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070928/OPINION03/709280349
Daniel Howes: Lansing lawmakers face a reckoning
The UAW dealt with 70 years of history to cut a deal; now state leaders must solve the budget mess
September 28, 2007
What can you say about leaders who won't reckon with the reckoning that is upon them?
That they've failed. That they're more interested in casting blame, scoring political points and invoking Lincoln's soaring "house divided against itself" rhetoric than actually facing reality. That they seem content, by their actions, to ignore the real financial and business implications -- never mind the human inconveniences -- of the imminent shutdown of state government, its impact on Michigan's credit-worthiness and the punishing blow to the state's already battered image.
In the week the United Auto Workers and General Motors Corp. reckoned with 70 years of history, paid up and gave up to forge a realistic partnership for a better future, Michigan's governor, some Republicans and many Democrats in the Legislature are copping the attitude that it's still the '70s in Lansing.
Granholm, lawmakers continue negotiations as shutdown nears
9/28/2007, 2:24 a.m. EDT
By TIM MARTIN and DAVID EGGERT
The Associated Press
(AP) — LANSING, Mich. — Public pressure and private meetings are heating up at the Capitol as state lawmakers and Gov. Jennifer Granholm race to avoid a partial government shutdown. After the Democratic governor and Republican Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop took their cases to TV and radio airwaves Thursday evening, they buckled down in closed-door negotiations with Democratic House Speaker Andy Dillon. Their goal: erase a projected $1.75 billion deficit in the budget year that starts Monday, and avoid a partial government shutdown that could derail Detroit casinos, Lottery sales, driver's license renewals and many other so-called nonessential services.
The Legislature broke shortly before 1 a.m. Friday, but Granholm, Bishop and Dillon continued to talk. The Legislature was set to come back at 1 p.m.
http://www.livingstondaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070927/OPINION01/709270319/1014/OPINION
Phil Power: Three ideas to help state's budget
September 27, 2007
After another week of watching the same endless shenanigans going on in Lansing, I can only repeat the start of my column last week: "Michigan's political, policy and finance systems are broken. Ten million Michigan citizens have been held hostage to the partisan agendas of both political parties and their members who now hold office, not to mention the interest groups that fund their campaigns."
Sigh. We are in trouble. We're facing the greatest crisis since the Great Depression, and desperately need leaders with a vision for Michigan that will get us through our present turmoil and lay the foundation for a radical transformation of our state.
We're not going to get that by habitual partisan finger-pointing or by absurd, face-saving compromises that claim to "solve" the $1.8 billion state budget deficit. Without a new vision, no matter what they do, a similar deficit will be staring us in the face next year.
Even if we buy into that vision, it won't become reality unless we have state government that is effective, efficient and accountable.
http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/092807/loc_20070928121.shtml
COUNTDOWN - TO - SHUTDOWN
Granholm prepares to close services
Web-posted Sep 28, 2007
By CHARLES CRUMM
Of The Oakland Press
Gov. Jennifer Granholm has ordered her Cabinet to implement a partial state government shutdown at midnight Sunday, while leaving the door open for a budget deal to resolve a $1.75 billion deficit. Granholm, in a short televised address Thursday evening, said she would work around the clock to reach a budget deal and urged lawmakers to stay in session until an agreement is reached.
"We have made significant progress in the last 48 hours," Granholm said, adding, "The possibility of a government shutdown remains real." But the governor also rejected the option of a 30-day continuation budget while negotiations continue. "All a continuation budget does is to continue to spend money we don't have," she said.
With the start of the next fiscal year on Monday, lawmakers and the governor have remained deadlocked on how to put together a balanced budget required by law.
Granholm and the Democrat controlled House have favored a combinations of cuts, reforms and new taxes, but Democrats have been unable to muster enough votes to pass a tax increase.
http://www.ourmidland.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18860017&BRD=2289&PAG=461&dept_id=472542&rfi=6
Preparing for Blue Monday
By Cathy Nelson Price
09/27/2007
From the Secretary of State's office, the word is, "Expect the best, prepare for the worst." Some say today is the last day for the Michigan state legislature to approve a budget or a temporary budget extension for the new fiscal year, which begins Monday, without putting state-funded and state-run programs and services in jeopardy. Without a budget in place, they start shutting down Friday.
This is uncharted territory for most local residents and those employed by state-funded agencies. Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced Wednesday afternoon that "essential services will be maintained to protect the health and safety of Michigan residents," whether there's a budget in place or not. State corrections and psychiatric facilities will operate as usual, but as of Wednesday, state department directors were unspecific as to the rest of what their employees could expect.
http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/092707/loc_20070927119.shtml
GET READY FOR A SHUTDOWN
Granholm says she'll maintain 'essential services'
CHARLES CRUMM
The Oakland Press
Web-posted Sep 27, 2007
Vital revenue-sharing funds for local governments could dry up or be delayed if state government shuts down. Local governments use revnue sharing from the state to bolster their general funds and pay for police and fire services, libraries and local parks, among other things. Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced Wednesday that "essential services" will be maintained if a partial shutdown of state government is necessary. But a partial shutdown would still halt lottery ticket sales, casino gambling, packaged liquor distribution, state park and welcome center operations, and Secretary of State offices that process driving licenses and vehicle registrations.
Without a budget deal between the state House and Senate by the end of today, the state has to begin initiating a government shutdown Friday, Granholm said. The details of a shutdown, if necessary, will also be released Friday, her office said.
http://detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070928/POLITICS/709280405
Excerpts
September 28, 2007
Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop held separate televised speeches Thursday evening. Among their comments:
Gov. Jennifer Granholm:
"The constitution is clear: Without a balanced budget in place, state government cannot write a single check." "Like you, I have been angered by these months of inaction. But tonight I remain hopeful. Productive negotiations are now under way in my office that could head off this government shutdown while there is still time."
http://detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070928/SCHOOLS/709280404
Universities face crunch in funding
Public colleges have already missed one payment from state; midyear tuition increases are feared.
Marisa Schultz / The Detroit News
September 28, 2007
Michigan public universities, already stretched thin after losing a huge monthly payment from the state this summer, may be on the brink of missing another if the government shuts down on Monday. Without the money from their overdue August payment and from their regular October check, the universities' leaders say they may have to turn to students or loans to tide themselves over.
"The critical issue in the short term is whether or not we will see that August payment," said Cheryl Roland, spokeswoman for Western Michigan University. "And if it starts to look like the October payment was in jeopardy, too, it's just hard to comprehend how that could be managed." State lawmakers withheld universities' August payments -- one of 11 throughout the year
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070927/NEWS06/70927058&theme=BUDGETCRISIS092007
Detroit casinos will shut down if state partly shuts down
September 27, 2007
By ZACHARY GORCHOW
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
The Michigan Gaming Control Board voted today to halt gambling at Detroit’s three casinos if a state government shutdown occurs, preventing state inspectors from regulating the three facilities. Richard Kalm, executive director of the control board, said if there’s no budget agreement between Gov. Jennifer Granholm and the state Legisltiare, he would issue a notice at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, ordering the three casinos to suspend gambling within 24 hours. Indian-run casinos in Michigan are not affected by the order.
Attorneys for MotorCity, Greektown and MGM Grand Detroit, said they would need to review the order before determining how to respond, but said going to court to keep the casinos open is an option.
The attorneys told the board they see no legal athority for the state to suspend gambling, but Kalm said state law requires the presence of inspectors at the casinos to handle any alleged violations and disputes over payouts.
http://detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070928/METRO/709280403
Rush is on to renew licenses, buy booze
Ronald J. Hansen and Francis X. Donnelly / The Detroit News
September 28, 2007
ROYAL OAK -- After half an hour of stepping in and out of the Secretary of State office on Thursday, Gordon Agnello reached for a cigarette and waited some more to renew his driver's license. By Monday, he may be waiting for a smoke as well. "I've got 57 people ahead of me," he said with disbelief on his third day of trying to get his renewal. "Yesterday, I had 75 ahead of me." Agnello, who turns 59 on Tuesday, was among the hordes trying to renew their driver's licenses and plates, get hunting permits and conduct other business before a possible shutdown of the state government beginning this weekend.
They also clambered for cigarettes, alcohol and lottery tickets that could be unavailable Monday as lawmakers in Lansing wrangled to forge a budget and avoid closing nonessential agencies. They're among the items and services that residents across the state were preparing to do without beginning Monday amid the uncertainty of continuing budget negotiations.
http://detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070928/OPINION01/709280315/1008
Act today to fix error in state business tax
The Detroit News
September 28, 2007
If state lawmakers don't act today, some of this state's major employers face serious damage to their financial statements and a possible loss in their stock value. This is an entirely unnecessary hit on Michigan businesses and could be easily remedied.
But legislators have to resolve this issue today or tomorrow at the latest to avoid a needless black eye for Michigan's business climate. If the companies are hurt on Wall Street, it may be that much tougher for them to bring investment here.
A solution to this problem is tangled up in the state budget mess. If the budget cannot be resolved today, the business issue should be separated out and dealt with.At issue is a needed change in this state's new business tax, adopted this summer to replace the Single Business Tax. A business income tax is part of the new tax regime, which was designed to spare Michigan firms that are unprofitable or hiring new workers from having to pay a large tax bill, as they did under the old Single Business Tax.
http://battlecreekenquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070927/NEWS01/709270326/1002/NEWS01
It still is not clear how lawmakers will balance the state budget, but many legislators say the solution likely will include an income tax increase.
The state has a projected $1.75 billion deficit for the budget year that starts Monday, and Gov. Jennifer Granholm says more money is needed to support public safety, health care and education.
Granholm and other Democrats generally want to raise the rate to at least 4.6 percent, which would generate about $1.1 billion in additional revenue for the state, leaving another $600 million to be covered by cuts or other revenue sources.
Senate Republicans have proposed voting on raising the rate to 4.3 percent, which would generate $660 million more and leave more than $1 billion in cuts and savings.
The median household income for Calhoun County was $43,421 in 2006, according to U.S. Census Bureau. That's below the state median of $47,329, which is ninth in the country and higher than the national median household income of $42,210.
http://detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070928/POLITICS/709280347/1022
Deficit worries cloud retiree fund
A federal change to the way states account for health care could result in a $1B budget shortfall.
Mark Hornbeck / Detroit News Lansing Bureau
September 28, 2007
LANSING -- As if Michigan doesn't have enough financial problems, now come concerns that the state's retiree health care fund may be $1 billion short. Rep. Lorence Wenke, R-Galesburg, is hold hearings in Lansing on the issue. He says federal rule changes requiring states to treat their health care liability the same as pension fund obligations is the reason for the staggering shortfall.
"The administration is purposely ignoring this as much as they can and nobody around the Capitol wants to talk about it," Wenke said. "This problem could make our deficit a lot worse than anybody's saying right now." The state has been grappling for months with a $1.75 billion deficit in the fiscal year that starts Monday.
http://detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070928/OPINION01/709280313/1008
Don't punish states for health care solution
Fix federal formula that counts benefit trust funds as income
The Detroit News
September 28, 2007
General Motors Corp. and the United Auto Workers crafted a savvy solution to bring health insurance costs under control. The state of Michigan shouldn't be penalized for their innovation. Under current law, the federal government's share of payments for Medicaid -- the joint state-federal health insurance program for the poor -- will shrink by hundreds of millions of dollars for Michigan because of the transfer of health care obligations and funds from GM to a Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association (VEBA) for UAW workers. This has to be fixed by Congress.
Thanks to a complex federal government formula, the money used to create health care and pension funds is credited as per-capita income.
http://www.mlive.com/columns/aanews/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1190904721124290.xml&coll=2
Health care may be pivotal election issue
Thursday, September 27, 2007
When United Auto Workers walked off the job on Monday - the union's first nationwide strike in 37 years - the health care debate again took center stage. Though the UAW negotiations covered job security and other issues as well, the deal regarding health care - and the impact on individuals over who pays, how much they pay and what kind of coverage they get - was one of the most important issues on the table. Now UAW members are back on the job, but the health care debate is by no means over.
As part of a tentative contract that still needs to be ratified by the union's 74,000 members, the automaker intends to give the union responsibility for managing future retiree health care through a GM-funded trust - a multibillion-dollar obligation that's sure to grow. With its active members and another half-million or so retirees and surviving spouses, the union is one of the country's largest health care consumers.
http://detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070928/POLITICS/709280318/1022
Levin keeps pushing Iraq policy changes
He won't detail talks with Ohio GOP senator, which could restart serious debate on war.
Gordon Trowbridge / Detroit News Washington Bureau
September 28, 2007
WASHINGTON -- Despite a string of defeats on the Senate floor that seemed to have pushed the issue off until spring, Sen. Carl Levin said Thursday that he's negotiating with a key Republican lawmaker on legislation to alter U.S. policy in Iraq.
"We're still working on it. There's still a possibility," said Levin, D-Detroit. Levin said he has been in lengthy discussions with Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, on the subject.
Levin did not detail the substance of those discussions, but any agreement with a Republican on Iraq legislation would likely restart serious debate on the war. Democrats in the Senate have tried to attach a number of Iraq-related measures to the defense policy bill being debated in the Senate, but repeatedly come up short of the 60 votes needed to move any controversial legislation through the Senate.
NATIONAL STORIES
http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070928/OPINION02/709280323/1085/opinion
Skubick: GOP hopefuls swing through
Mackinac Island fete gives fleeting look at candidates
Tim Skubick
September 28, 2007
Musings from Mackinac Island, where 24 hours were spent in the bubble with six Republican presidential hopefuls: First up was former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
He was approachable, easygoing, down to earth, and you felt that what you saw was what you got. Next up was Ron Paul, a congressman from Texas. His supporters were by far the most vociferous as the engaging Paul gave them lots of libertarian red meat to digest.
He, too, was approachable, and he agreed with Giuliani that the president should not be the brightest person in the room.
Nearly tied with Paul in the polls, at about 2 percent, was California Congressman Duncan Hunter. He was also asked the "smartest guy in the room" question. He said no.
Next came a rather huffy exchange with Sen. John McCain. Known for his short fuse, McCain got testy over this question: What are your strong points and weak points as a potential president?
http://www.nypost.com/seven/09282007/postopinion/opedcolumnists/its_rudy_v__hill.htm
IT'S RUDY V. HILL
BUT CLINTON'S SITTING PRETTIER
John Podhoretz
September 28, 2007
September 28, 2007 -- WEDNESDAY brought two key developments in the 2008 race for the White House. Together, they make it increasingly likely we're finally going to see that Hillary-vs.-Rudy match-up we were denied in New York's 2000 Senate race.
First, Democratic candidates for president appeared in a debate in New Hampshire - and Sen. Hillary Clinton's rivals failed to act in any way to slow or derail the bullet train that is her bid for the party's nomination next year.
Yes, it's possible that Hillary won't be the Democratic nominee. It's also possible that "Good Luck Chuck" will win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
No one's cast a ballot yet in either contest. But it's extremely unlikely, to put it mildly, that "Good Luck Chuck" will be the "Crash" of 2007. And it's extremely unlikely that Hillary will be denied her party's nomination. At this point, a little more than three months before voters show up in Iowa and New Hampshire, it's clear that none of Hillary's foes has the stomach to fight with her. Any that did would have been making a major issue on Wednesday out of her campaign's relationship with indicted mystery multimillionaire donor Norman Hsu.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/09/ron_paul_country.html
Ron Paul Country
September 28, 2007
The video presentation had just ended and the words flashed across the screen:
"Are you ready, Chicago?" Chicago was. Packed into the Hyatt Regency's Grand Ballroom the several hundred cheering, chanting fans were riled up - except for the two infant twins in their double baby carriage. They were sound asleep as their mother cheered along with the rest.
A man in an "Investigate 9/11" black t-shirt was walking up and down the aisles handing out fake dollar bills with Dick Cheney's face where Washington's should have been. In the corner of the bill, instead of a dollar amount, it read "9-11." Above the picture, where it should have read United States of America, it read "Unmask State Sponsored Terrorism."
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=OGU4MjY5ZDYxM2UxZWRlNDFmZGUwZTFlMmIyM2MxOGQ=
Newt, Don’t Run
By The Editors
September 27, 2007
Today, Newt Gingrich is set to kick off his latest ambitious project. His “Solutions Day” is aimed at coming up with a “broad set of nonpartisan solutions” that will move the government “from the world that fails to the world that works.” This Saturday, over a dozen workshops will be held nationwide to tackle a range of issues, from tax reform and reducing bureaucracy to conservation and space policy. This effort perfectly fits Newt’s reputation for bold thinking and innovative policy ideas. He is less well-suited, however, for the presidential run he continues to flirt with.
The tireless former Speaker recently explained that over the next few weeks he will be testing the waters for a presidential bid by seeking commitments from financial backers. He believes that pledges totaling $30 million would show the requisite enthusiasm and resources for a viable campaign. He already has the ideas; to his credit, he has spent the last several years thinking and talking about many of the toughest challenges we face. No candidate has a platform as comprehensive and compelling as his “Winning the Future” agenda. We have no doubt that, if he were to join the crowded stage at the next Republican debate, he would elevate the forum by challenging the other candidates to offer equally creative proposals.
Hillary flip-flops, contradicts Bill - & herself - in N.H. debate
BY IAN BISHOP and MICHAEL McAULIFF
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS
Thursday, September 27th 2007, 10:28 AM
HANOVER, N.H. - Sen. Hillary Clinton scored with a Democratic audience last night by contradicting her husband's belief that a terrorist could be tortured to foil an imminent plot - but what observers didn't know is she was contradicting herself, too."It cannot be American policy, period," Clinton (D-N.Y.) told debate moderator Tim Russert, who asked if there should be a presidential exemption to allow the torture of a terror chieftain if authorities knew a bomb was about to go off, but didn't know where it was.
When Russert revealed ex-President Bill Clinton advocated such a policy on a recent NBC "Meet the Press" appearance, Hillary Clinton won huge applause from the Dartmouth College audience with a deadpan comeback:
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8RU370O0&show_article=1
Analysis: Dodges Undercut Clinton Image
Sep 27 06:47 PM US/Eastern
By BETH FOUHY
Associated Press Writer
HANOVER, N.H. (AP) - Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign slogan is "Ready for Change, Ready to Lead" yet she has adopted the time-honored, front-runner strategy of dodging tough questions, contradicting the image of a strong leader.
The former first lady and New York senator refused to take a position on a range of substantive issues during Wednesday night's debate, from Social Security reform to U.S. troop deployments in Iraq to whether Israel, if threatened, has the right to attack Iran.
She even ducked the question of which team she'd root for if her hometown Chicago Cubs met the New York Yankees in next month's World Series. "Well, I would probably have to alternate sides," she said.
Clinton's substantive knowledge of issues and strong debate performances throughout the primary campaign are among the reasons she's leading her rivals in national and most state polls. But last night's outing found her refusing to answer questions she deems "hypothetical," or saying she'll wait until she's president to outline specific policy proposals.
Obama team insists he still can catch Clinton
Thu Sep 27, 2007 3:00pm EDT
By Steve Holland
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrat Barack Obama emerged on Thursday from the latest campaign debate with aides insisting he can still catch front-runner Hillary Clinton and defending his decision not to go on the attack against her. While former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards frequently pointed out differences with Clinton at a Wednesday night debate in Hanover, New Hampshire, Obama largely held his fire and stayed above the fray.
A top aide insisted afterward Obama had never intended to go into a more critical mode at the debate despite widespread anticipation that he would do so and reported concern from some of his donors that the Illinois senator needed a breakthrough performance to shake up the race for the White House in November 2008. Obama campaign manager David Axelrod told reporters that Obama, who leads the Democratic race in raising money for his White House run, preferred to demonstrate a "common purpose to our politics rather than divisiveness and ... political point-scoring."
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070927/D8RU1JSO0.html
Edwards to Accept Public Campaign Funds
Sep 27, 4:58 PM (ET)
By NEDRA PICKLER
WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards reversed course Thursday by signing onto the public financing system he once rejected with the belief he could raise more money on his own. The 2004 vice presidential nominee claimed higher moral ground in the debate over money in politics while announcing the change. But it is a consequence of him bringing in far fewer dollars than his top rivals Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. "It is worrisome seeing the amount of money that is being raised in this campaign," Edwards said on CNN. "This is not healthy. ... This campaign should not be a fundraising contest."
Money for the public financing system comes from a fund paid for by taxpayers who agree to set aside $3 from their income taxes for the presidential account. Taking money from the fund means the candidate must comply with spending limits.
Edwards' decision could put him at a disadvantage against his primary rivals and undermine the perception that he can win the nomination. He rejected that sentiment and insisted that he has enough money to run a serious campaign.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003647275
GALLUP: Trust in Federal Government, On Nearly All Issues, Hits New Low -- Even Less Than in Watergate Era
By E&P Staff
Published: September 27, 2007 10:30 AM ET
NEW YORK A new Gallup poll reveals that, as the organization puts it, Americans now "express less trust in the federal government than at any point in the past decade, and trust in many federal government institutions is now lower than it was during the Watergate era, generally recognized as the low point in American history for trust in government."
Among the findings: Barely half trust the government to handle international problems, the lowest number ever. And less than half express faith in the government handling domestic issues, the lowest findings since 1976. Faith in the executive branch has fallen to 43% -- only 3% higher than it was just before President Nixon's resignation in 1974. At the same time, trust in Congress, at 50%, is its lowest ever.
Gallup has asked about trust in government since 1972. It conducted this year's poll Sept. 14-16 and found the following:
Congress agrees to raise U.S. credit limit
Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:21pm EDT
By Donna Smith
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - With the U.S. government fast approaching its current $8.965 trillion credit limit, the Senate on Thursday gave final congressional approval of an $850 billion increase in U.S. borrowing authority. The Senate voted 53-42 to raise the debt ceiling to $9.815 trillion, the fifth increase in the U.S. credit limit since President George W. Bush took office in January 2001. The U.S. House of Representatives approved the higher debt limit earlier this year as part of the overall budget resolution and the legislation now goes to Bush for his signature.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson commended Congress for quickly passing legislation he said "ensures the U.S. government can deliver on promises already made."
"The Senate's swift action on the debt limit today helps to protect the full faith and credit of the United States and avoids creating unnecessary uncertainty in the U.S. Treasuries market," Paulson said in a statement.
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MGI2N2M4NTQxNGUzZDVhNzA5YjRkNjM5YTNjY2M3Mjc=
Rangel vs. Small Landlords
Pay-Go means taking from responsible homeowners.
By David Freddoso
September 27, 2007
Congress wants to bail us out of the subprime credit crisis. You’ve probably heard that, and you figure that it doesn’t affect you. But it might. If you’re a responsible homeowner who doesn’t plan to default on his mortgage, then changes proposed by House Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel (D., N.Y.) might meant that you’ll pay more in taxes. And your higher taxes will “pay for” a tax break for those who do not make their payments and default.
Under current law, a foreclosure is treated as income — the bank is effectively giving you the difference between the foreclosure sale and the amount of the outstanding loan. If your home is foreclosed, you have to pay taxes on that amount, even though you never actually “get” anything. The House’s subprime tax bill, which passed out of Rangel’s committee yesterday, would end this — the “income” from a foreclosure would no longer be taxable at all.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9fe5b5aa-6d33-11dc-ab19-0000779fd2ac.html
Washington changes its tune on climate
Published: September 27 2007 21:28 | Last updated: September 27 2007 21:28
The world must cut emissions or sacrifice the planet, Condoleezza Rice, US secretary of state, told a meeting of governments on Thursday, in the most strongly worded statement on global warming yet made by the US administration.She told representatives of 16 governments gathered for talks on climate change in Washington: “It is our responsibility as global leaders to forge a new international consensus on how to solve climate changeIf we stay on our present path, we face an unacceptable choice: either we sacrifice global economic growth to secure the health of our planet or we sacrifice the health of our planet to continue with fossil-fuelled growth.”
She asked the governments present, which account for more than 80 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, to agree a long-term goal on emissions reduction, establish mid-term targets for the same and to help develop markets for low-carbon technologies.Her words reflected how far US rhetoric on climate change has moved in the past six months.
http://detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070928/POLITICS/709280334/1022
Kids' health bill expands program
Approval made over threat by Bush to veto the plan that adds 4M to insurance program.
Robert Pear / New York Times
September 28, 2007
WASHINGTON -- The Senate gave final approval Thursday to a health insurance bill for 10 million children, clearing the measure for President Bush, who has said he will veto it.
The 67-29 vote followed a series of speeches by Republican senators supporting the bill and urging Bush to reconsider his veto threat. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., who voted for the bill, said the White House had shown "little if any willingness to come to the negotiating table." Republican opponents of the bill like Sens. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire and John Cornyn of Texas said it would be a big step toward socialized medicine, would shift people from private insurance to a public program and would allow coverage for illegal immigrants and children in high-income families.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21000298/
Bin Laden may have just escaped U.S. forces
August mission in Tora Bora almost snared 'high value target'
By Justin Balding, Adam Ciralsky, Jim Miklaszewski and Robert Windrem
NBC News
Updated: 8:07 p.m. ET Sept 26, 2007
A little more than a month ago, with the anniversary of Sept. 11 approaching and fears of a new al Qaeda attack rising, some U.S. intelligence and military analysts thought they had found one of the world’s two most wanted men just where they last saw them six years ago. For three days and nights — between Aug. 14 and 16 — U.S. and Afghanistan forces pounded the mountain caves in Tora Bora, the same caves where Osama Bin Laden had hidden out and then fled in late 2001 after U.S. forces drove al Qaeda out of Afghanistan cities. Ultimately, however, U.S. forces failed to find Bin Laden or his deputy, Ayman al Zawahiri, even though their attacks left dozens of al Qaeda and Taliban dead. One of the officials interviewed by NBC News, a general officer, admitted Tuesday that it was “possible” Bin Laden was at Tora Bora, saying, in fact, "I still don’t know if he was there."
Russia's Lavrov rejects sanctions on Iran for now
Thu Sep 27, 2007 5:32pm EDT
By Evelyn Leopold
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Russia opposes new sanctions