Articles of Interest 1-17-08
294 Days until Election Day
MORNING UPDATE:
Final numbers are in and based on the fact that Mitt Romney won 13 of 15 congressional districts, John McCain won 2 and Huckabee qualified for at-large delegates by getting 16% of the statewide vote and we calculated the following allocation:
Romney: 45
McCain: 10
Huckabee: 2
Our press release is below.
I received a whole lot of questions on how Governor Romney won Michigan and if there were some “untold” stories that folks were missing. Not really, I think it was very straight forward:
1) Mitt Romney delivered a compelling message to the voters on jobs, the economy, presented his can-do CEO experience and connections to Michigan. I think he hit on issues that voters were concerned about and did it well.
2) The Romney campaign had the best organization on the ground. Katie Packer designed a “win” strategy that appeared to “click” second to none I have ever seen in Michigan and State Director Jason McBride and his team implemented the plan very effectively. A great ground game.
3) The Romney campaign committed more financial and political resources to Michigan than the others.
Bottom line: they ran the best campaign and connected with the voters of Michigan.
We are at the RNC meeting and today I will be presenting the “Michigan Plan” that Debbie Dingell and I put together to the RNC Rules Committee for their consideration. There are 5 different plans being submitted for consideration and then we’ll actually be voting on those plans at the April State Chairs meetings…recommending the process to the National Convention as a whole.
THE REST OF THE STORY:
Here is our press release about the delegate apportionment:
Romney Wins Majority of Michigan Delegates
Key “battleground” state defines GOP leader
Michigan Sends 60 Delegates to the National Convention
LANSING, MI – The Michigan Republican Party today announced that the 60 Republican delegates to the National Convention will be allocated based on Tuesday’s results, in the following manner:
Romney 45 Delegates
McCain 10 Delegates
Huckabee 2 Delegates
Gov. Romney won 13 of the 15 Congressional Districts, Sen. McCain won the 1st and 6th Congressional Districts and Gov. Huckabee was allocated two of the At-Large delegates.
Regular delegates are allocated “winner take all” by congressional district. Meaning, the winner in each of Michigan’s 15 Congressional Districts will receive the three delegates from that district. The proportion of the statewide vote that was cast for each candidate allocates the 12 at-large delegates. Candidates needed at least 15-percent of the total votes cast to qualify for a portion of the at-large delegates. Finally, the RNC-member delegates – Chairman Saul Anuzis, National Committeewoman Holly Hughes, and National Committeeman Chuck Yob – are uncommitted delegates to the national convention.
Based on a unanimous vote of the Michigan Republican State Committee, the Michigan Republican Party will allocate and send its entire delegation of 60 delegates to the national convention.
Saul Anuzis
STATE STORIES
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080117/OPINION01/801170312/1007/OPINION
Future state voters deserve role in nominating process
The Detroit News
Thursday, January 17, 2008
The success of the Michigan Republican primary proves that the process needs to change for the next presidential election -- if not in the rest of the nation, at least in this state. Members of whichever party is not fielding a White House incumbent in 2012 should have an effective voice in selecting their party's nominee. The old presidential primary schedule should be a thing of the past. The state GOP and national Republican candidates seized the opportunity provided by this year's primary to address Michigan voters on the key issue that matters most to them -- the state's economy -- despite warnings from the national party not to move up the primary election. The contenders campaigned in Michigan despite the national party's vow to slice the state's GOP convention delegation in half.
http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/011608/opi_20080116204.shtml
Tricky cash counting makes it hard to gauge 2008 budget
Oakland Press
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
The average taxpayer in Michigan has to be wondering who's counting the dollars in Lansing. Our lawmakers and appointed officials in the state Capitol are now telling us things weren't so bad during the past fiscal year. That big budget crisis that threatened to shut down the government - and the services we pay for with our taxes - just didn't materialize. At least not yet. Instead of going in the hole, our state ended the last budget year with a $353 million surplus. Was it the last-minute adjustments and the keen fiscal expertise of our leaders or just blind luck? We would guess the latter. Some of the surplus came from belt tightening by state government departments, all of which spent less money than they'd been given for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, and that saved $136 million, The Associated Press said in a recent report.
House Republicans want to kill off tax surcharge
1/16/2008, 6:20 p.m. EST
The Associated Press
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Efforts already have started in the Legislature to get rid of a 22 percent surcharge on Michigan's new business tax. A bill introduced Wednesday in the state House would repeal the Michigan Business Tax surcharge passed late last year. The bill was introduced by Dan Acciavatti, a Republican from Macomb County's Chesterfield Township. He says the tax increase was not needed. Democrats who control the House likely will oppose the bill. Eliminating the surcharge without a replacement would cost the state roughly $500 million in revenue this fiscal year. House Democrats say that would jeopardize money for services such as education, health care and public safety.
Michigan Senate panel approves state ban of abortion procedure
1/16/2008, 6:09 p.m. EST
By DAVID EGGERT
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan lawmakers have launched a fourth effort to enact a state ban on a procedure opponents call partial-birth abortion.The Senate Health Policy Committee passed legislation Wednesday mirroring a federal prohibition against the procedure, which was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court last year. The full Senate could pass the measure on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade next week. Anti-abortion groups and bill sponsor Sen. Cameron Brown, R-Sturgis, said the measure is needed so state and local authorities can prosecute doctors who perform the procedure, and send a message that Michigan opposes the method. They said federal prosecutors may focus on terrorism and other issues instead.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080117/OPINION03/801170344/1022/POLITICS
Another look at autos and politics
Manny Lopez
Thursday, January 17, 2008
It's a classic question and one that should be asked of every activist, politician and promoter of everything green: "So, what do you drive?" It's best asked after about 15 minutes of pomposity and preaching about the environment; about why government automobile mandates need to be forced on us; and after the Al Gore Armageddon sermon is delivered. "So, what do you drive?" More often than not, the response is along the lines of: "Well, I, um, you see I need to travel for my job and well, I buy carbon credits and " Since this is my first column as auto editor at The News, I'll tell you what I drive: a GMC Acadia. No apologies. You don't have to plug it in, fill it with liquefied corn or unnaturally squeeze a family of five into it.
http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080117/BIZ/801170335
State's jobless rate up as workers flee
Highest unemployment level in 14 years leads U.S.
Louis Aguilar / The Detroit News
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Michigan's unemployment rate in 2007 hit its highest level in 14 years, losing a total of 90,000 jobs as the state draws near to what everyone hopes is the bottom of a very deep hole. Worse than jobs disappearing is the fact that tens of thousands of residents are, too. A total of 40,000 people vanished from the state's labor force -- signs that the state's economy has been weak for so long that many potential workers simply quit the state to try their economic luck elsewhere. The preliminary 2007 average jobless rate for Michigan was 7.2 percent, the highest since 1993 when the annual rate hit 7.4 percent, according to data released Wednesday by the state Dept. of Labor & Economic Growth.
Michigan unemployment hit 7.6 percent in December
1/16/2008, 6:00 p.m. EST
The Associated Press
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan's unemployment rate ended 2007 on a sour note. The state's seasonally adjusted jobless rate increased to 7.6 percent in December. Michigan's annual average jobless rate for 2007 was 7.2 percent and the state wound up with a smaller-sized work force for the first time since 2003. The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth said that's due to buyouts and continued restructuring in the state's auto industry.
http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080117/POLITICS01/801170377
Economy emerging as the top issue
Gordon Trowbridge / Detroit News Washington Bureau
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Pardon the cliché, but after Tuesday's Michigan primary, it's hard to avoid: It's the economy, stupid. Mitt Romney's decisive victory in the GOP contest, after a week of hammering the notion that he's a Mr. Fix-it for Michigan and its ailing auto industry, is hardly the only sign that the economy is becoming a decisive issue in the 2008 presidential campaign. Look no further than the campaign of Hillary Clinton, who spent the day after her Michigan primary victory pushing the idea that she knows the economy is a mess and knows how to fix it. "Romney's success here is a reflection of his focus on the economy," said Sen. Carl Levin, a Democrat who had pushed for years for an early Michigan contest like Tuesday's as a way to push candidates to address Michigan's needs.
Court: State permitting of animal farms violates federal law
1/16/2008, 5:44 p.m. EST
By DAVID EGGERT
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The state Court of Appeals has ruled that Michigan's program for regulating large livestock and poultry farms violates the federal Clean Water Act. The concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, generate manure that is spread on farm fields. Runoff can pollute nearby streams with potentially harmful bacteria found in animal waste. In a 2-1 ruling released Wednesday, the court said Michigan is wrongly giving farms too much authority to determine and adopt their own rates for spreading manure. The Sierra Club had filed a lawsuit criticizing the system.
http://blog.mlive.com/annarbornews/2008/01/school_boards_ponders_enrollme.html
School board ponders enrollment drop
Ann Arbor school board asks why residents go elsewhere
Posted by David Jesse
January 16, 2008 09:50AM
Ann Arbor Public Schools board members admit to being a little perplexed about why parents would choose to send their children to a private school, a charter school or even a different public school district rather than to a school in the Ann Arbor district. "We have all the stuff," board member Deb Mexicotte said. "What are we missing?" It's a question school board members want to answer. They want to know why students leave the district, where they go and how officials can attract a bigger percentage of them to the Ann Arbor Public Schools.They have asked district administrators to come back to the school board's performance committee with as much data as can be gathered about students who live within the district but don't attend a district school.
http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/2008/01/county_smoking_ban_rules_arent.html
GVSU not following county smoking ban
Posted by Nardy Baeza Bickel
January 16, 2008 15:22PM
ALLENDALE-- Grand Valley State University administrators say they don't have to follow a new countywide workplace smoking ban.Vice President Matt McLogan said the state's Constitution grants all 15 universities the power to set their own regulations.The university already has a smoke-free building policy. The Ottawa County ban goes farther, also prohibiting smoking within 25 feet of building doorways.The university, meanwhile, allows students to smoke at doorways and places ashtrays there for cigarette disposal. "For years, our buildings have been smoke-free," McLogan said. "We've had a non-smoking policy for years (when) these policies were not cool. This is not whether we allow smoking in campus buildings. We don't."
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080116/METRO/801160472
Former Michigan Congressman indicted in terror money case
Paul Egan / The Detroit News
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
A former Michigan congressman was indicted in Missouri today, accused of conspiracy, money-laundering and lying about lobbying for an Islamic charity with alleged ties to al-Qaida. Mark Deli Siljander, 57, was a sometimes controversial Republican congressman from Three Rivers in southwest Michigan's 4th congressional district from 1981 through 1986. The indictment relates to Siljander's alleged dealings with the Islamic American Relief Agency, which the U.S. Treasury Department identified in 2004 as supporting terrorism. Siljander, who has yet to be arraigned but is expected to voluntarily surrender to federal authorities, could not be reached for comment.
http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080116/NEWS22/80116036
Supporter says don’t count out second-place finisher McCain
By Sandra Armbruster And Steve Kowalski
January 16, 2008
A combined concern about the economy, values and veterans could have catapulted former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney to the top of the ballot in the Republican Presidential Primary on Tuesday. That’s the opinion of John Weisgerber, secretary of the Troy Republican Club and a Romney supporter. “(Romney) wants to enhance veterans benefits and I know that note struck hard with veterans because I’m the son of a disabled vet,” Weisgerber said. New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, the only front runner on the Democrat ballot, received 56 percent of the Troy vote in that party’s primary. Weisgerber believes that Romney, who received 49 percent of the GOP vote in Troy, will “unify the country...He was able to get elected as a Republican governor in a Democratic-dominated state and as governor he was able to reach across the aisle and get things done.”
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080117/POLITICS01/801170373/1022/POLITICS
Dems not sure what's next for uncommitted votes
With largest amount in recent history, state party to review rules to divide delegates for convention.
Mark Hornbeck / Detroit News Lansing Bureau
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Four in 10 voters in Tuesday's Michigan Democratic primary cast their ballots for nameless, faceless "uncommitted," which is undoubtedly unprecedented. So how many state party delegates will go to the Democratic National Convention in Denver this summer with an uncommitted tag -- and what will become of them once they get there? Michiganians familiar with the mess that was the Democratic primary won't be surprised to learn the answer: Nobody is quite sure. "This is by far our largest uncommitted vote," said Mark Brewer, chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080117/NEWS01/801170344/1001/NEWS
Chief: Half of '07 killers on probation, parole
January 17, 2008
By ZACHARY GORCHOW
About half of those identified as committing homicides in Detroit in 2007 were on parole or probation, according to data released Wednesday by Chief Ella Bully-Cummings. Bully-Cummings cited the release of prisoners last year under Gov. Jennifer Granholm's Michigan Prisoner Re-entry Initiative, which freed some nonviolent offenders. Detroit unofficially reported 394 homicides for 2007, and of the 185 identified perpetrators, 92 were on parole or probation, the chief said. That's a 3.6% drop in homicides from 411 in 2006, but it's essentially the same number of homicides as Los Angeles, which has four times as many residents as Detroit..
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080117/METRO/801170408/1409/METRO
Cobo Center plan ripped
Ficano's expansion pitch 'riddled' with uncertainties, Oakland County counterpart says.
Mark Hicks / The Detroit News
Thursday, January 17, 2008
A day before Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano was expected to unveil an expansion plan for Cobo Center, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson blasted the proposal as "riddled with unanswered questions." Patterson criticized Ficano's plan, which includes $323 million for a 120,000-square-foot expansion as well as building walkways connecting to the Renaissance Center and Sheraton Detroit Riverside, early Wednesday on the "The Frank Beckmann Show" on WJR (760 AM). "Don't tell me that this is a $323 million project when we can do the math and come up with $846 million," Patterson told Beckmann on Wednesday. "That's the true number we should be talking about." The plan could include state aid to help pay for the project.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080116/OPINION01/801160336
How King helped America achieve dream of equality
Michael Warren
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
As is apt to happen during the presidential primary season, politicians have wrapped themselves in the flag and America's icons. Quite appropriately, many candidates are harkening to the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. In fact, a small primary eruption occurred when the leading Democrat candidates, U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois, sparred over his contributions to the American Dream. As we approach the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday (his birthday was Tuesday), we should take the opportunity to put aside partisanship and invective.
http://battlecreekenquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080116/NEWS01/801160329/1002/NEWS01
Members of 110th return from Afghanistan tour
Trace Christenson
January 16, 2008
About 169 members of the 110th Fighter Wing of the Battle Creek Air National Guard landed late Tuesday at W.K. Kellogg airport after two months in Afghanistan. The plane carrying the unit touched down about 9:55 p.m. as families cheered and waved American flags. Members of the guard base were on the tarmac in the cold night air as the guard members streamed off the plane. Col. Rodger Seidel, commander of the 100th, and Maj. Gen. Thomas G. Cutler, adjutant general of the Michigan National Guard, also greeted the group.The troops were among 220 members from the base who were deployed two months ago to Operation Iraqi Freedom, splitting a 120-day deployment with a Maryland guard unit from Baltimore.
NATIONAL STORIES
Attention Shifts to S.C., Nevada
Jan 16, 8:28 AM (ET)
By TOM RAUM
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - Savoring a much-needed win in his native Michigan, Mitt Romney promised Wednesday to give John McCain a run for his money in the next contest for the Republican presidential nomination, a four-man, anything-goes scramble in South Carolina. Mike Huckabee and McCain now were under increased pressure to show results in the South's first primary Saturday, as was Fred Thompson, making what could be his last stand in South Carolina."I'm not making predictions about what's going to happen in every other state, but I'm feeling pretty darn good at this point," Romney said Wednesday. Of South Carolina poll-leader McCain, Romney said: "We'll give him a run for his money."
http://wbztv.com/racenh/NH.Primary.Recount.2.630861.html
N.H. Primary Democratic Re-Count Under Way
CONCORD, N.H. (WBZ)
January 16, 2008
Secretary of State William Gardner says his office is ready for Wednesday's re-count of New Hampshire's Democratic presidential primary. Democrat Dennis Kucinich has paid $27,000 to Gardner's office to start the re-count. Election officials tell WBZ-TV that the recount could take up to a month. Kucinich, who received less than 2 percent of the vote, says he is suspicious of the results, although he doesn't expect a re-count to change his vote count much. Kucinich alluded to online reports alleging disparities around the state between hand-counted ballots, which tended to favor Sen. Barack Obama, and machine-counted ones that tended to favor Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120045531986293771.html?mod=opinion_main_commentaries
No Standard Bearer
Wall Street Journal
January 16, 2008; Page A12
Mitt Romney finally won the "gold" yesterday, as he so effusively puts it, and the result is a Republican Presidential battle that is more muddled than ever. The most important story out of Michigan is that Republicans are still looking for a standard bearer. Mr. Romney has the immediate bragging rights with his victory, salvaging his campaign in the process. He was able to win in his native state, and to do so convincingly among Republican voters of all stripes. He helped himself by stressing the economy in a state that has lagged behind U.S. growth for years, even if he did go over the top with his pandering to the auto industry.
3 Winners, but No Anchor for Republicans
By ADAM NAGOURNEY
January 16, 2008
Can anyone bring the Republicans together again? The convincing victory by Mitt Romney in the Michigan primary on Tuesday means three very different states — with dissimilar electorates driven by distinctive sets of priorities — have embraced three separate candidates in search of someone who can lead the party into a tough election and beyond President Bush. Mr. Romney won easily in Michigan, where he grew up, with a pointed focus on the slowing economy, which voters there overwhelmingly identified as the top issue. Senator John McCain of Arizona won New Hampshire last week with the backing of independent voters, who are so influential there.
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=24505
The Elephant in the Room
Ann Coulter
Posted: 01/16/2008 Print This
Unluckily for McCain, snowstorms in Michigan suppressed the turnout among Democratic "Independents" who planned to screw up the Republican primary by voting for our worst candidate. Democrats are notoriously unreliable voters in bad weather. Instead of putting on galoshes and going to the polls, they sit on their porches waiting for FEMA to rescue them. In contrast to Michigan's foul weather, New Hampshire was balmy on primary day, allowing McCain's base -- Democrats -- to come out and vote for him. Assuming any actual Republicans are voting for McCain -- or for liberals' new favorite candidate for us, Mike Huckabee -- this column is for you.
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=N2ZiNTg5MTViMzY2OTU4MzAxNTRhMDM2ODY5YTFlNDc=
Why Romney Won
Will the winning strategy in Michigan work anywhere else?
By Byron York
January 16, 2008 7:35 AM
Southfield, Michigan — Tony Paskus is an engineer with Ford Motor Company, born and raised in Michigan, and he doesn’t hesitate for a moment when asked why he voted for Mitt Romney. “I’m turning selfish this election,” Paskus tells me as we wait for Romney to make a victory speech at the Embassy Suites Hotel here in suburban Southfield. “I’m very selfish this time. I want somebody who will take care of Michigan.”“Everybody’s been ignoring us,” Paskus continues. “The Senate, Congress in general, even our president has been ignoring us. And we’re hurting. So this is our best chance of somebody at least paying attention to what’s going on here.”
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080116/NEWS15/80116022
Fresh off Mich. victory, Romney braces for S.C. and Nevada
Candidates' lack of momentum from earlier wins is daunting
January 16, 2008
By KATHLEEN GRAY
With a Michigan win buoying his presidential aspirations, Mitt Romney headed to South Carolina and Nevada on today, hoping he has the momentum to improve his chances in those states’ Republican contests Saturday. If recent history is an indicator, his hopes will be answered. When polls showed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee’s narrowing the gap with Romney in Iowa, Huckabee’s numbers nationally and in other states shot up. The same happened for Arizona Sen. John McCain when he won the New Hampshire primary a week ago. Now it’s Romney’s turn to ride the wave on his 39% to 30% victory over McCain. Huckabee finished with 16% of Michigan’s Republican primary votes.
http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2008/01/15/mitt-romney-going-back-on-air-in-south-carolina/
Mitt Romney Going Back on Air in South Carolina
by FOXNews.com
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Mitt Romney is going back on air in South Carolina and his campaign plans to make an “imminent” decision about its television presence in Florida, after the GOP presidential candidate recently pulled television ads from both states to focus resources on Michigan, which holds its primary on Tuesday. It could be a sign of confidence going into Tuesday’s primary, which Romney has stressed in part because Michigan is his home state. Romney showed his assurance in the Michigan turnout again Tuesday morning in Grand Rapids. “This is the day that’s gonna change, I believe, the politics in the nation, as we get ready to select our nominee.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/01/16/romneys_delegate_strategy.html#more?hpid=topnews
Romney's Delegate Strategy -- and the GOP's Embarrassment of Riches
By Juliet Eilperin
January 16, 2008
BLUFTON, S.C. -- Mitt Romney, appearing upbeat after his Michigan primary win last night, told reporters today he was confident he could secure the GOP nomination by focusing on states where he holds a strategic advantage over his rivals. While several Republican presidential hopefuls -- including Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee -- are focused on winning here in South Carolina on Saturday in order to emerge as their party's front-runner, Romney is spending just one day in the Palmetto State before leaving to campaign in Nevada, which holds its primary on the same day. All the other Republican candidates are skipping Nevada in favor of South Carolina, a traditional primary powerhouse.
http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2008/01/coburn_endorses_mccain.html
Coburn Endorses McCain
Posted by BLAKE DVORAK
January 16, 2008
The Oklahoma senator known for his opposition to pork-barrel spending is in South Carolina today to endorse McCain. Here's some of what he will say:
Since I came to Congress in 1995, I have met one true reformer -- John McCain. He has the unique blend of character, guts, and experience needed to transform Washington from the inside out. He is beholden to no special interest. He is guided by strong conservative principles, and committed to doing what he believes is right without concern for political consequence. John McCain has never been afraid to take the road less traveled, and he has fought wasteful spending at every turn along the way.
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/huckabee-about-face-on-smoking-2008-01-16.html
Huckabee about-face on smoking
By Jeffrey Young
Posted: 01/16/08 07:41 PM [ET]
Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee has reversed his position on a federal ban aimed at workplace smoking and now believes the issue should be addressed by state and local governments. The about-face is apparent in a Huckabee campaign statement, sent to The Hill Tuesday evening in response to questions about the smoking ban proposal. It clashes with the stance Huckabee has taken during his race for the White House and with his record as governor of Arkansas, when he signed into law a measure prohibiting smoking in most indoor public places. At an August 2007 forum on cancer hosted by cyclist and activist Lance Armstrong and moderated by MSNBC host Chris Matthews, Huckabee said he supported a federal smoking ban.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/01/on_to_south_carolina_an_openin.html
On to South Carolina: An Opening for Fred?
By Rich Galen
January 16, 2008
Mitt Romney's resounding victory in Michigan last night has thrown the Blathering Class deep to their Pinot Noirs and Grigios looking for truth and guidance. The firm convictions and strong hunches which were held by the National Punditry as recently as New Year's Eve are now scattered like a child's box of crayons on the playroom floor. To review the bidding, Mike Huckabee beat Mitt Romney in Iowa on January 3 by nine percentage points, 34-25. Although it wasn't a surprise by the time the caucuses rolled around, it was a huge hit to the Romney machine. Huckabee was all the rage. Five days later, in New Hampshire, John McCain beat Romney by five percentage points, 37-32 with Huckabee coming in a faint third at 11%. McCain was all the rage.
http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2008/01/heilemann_on_michigans_republi.html
Heilemann on Michigan's Republican Goat Rodeo: Is Rudy a Mad Genius After All?
John Heilemann
January 16, 2008
There are three obvious ways to interpret Mitt Romney's victory in the Republican primary in Michigan. The first is that Romney — whose father, George, was a three-term governor of the state — won on the basis of his favorite-son status, nothing more and nothing less. The second is that Romney, whose campaign for the past year has been an object lesson in the dangers of absolute and abject artifice in national politics, finally, to steal a phrase from Hillary Clinton, found his own voice: the voice of pragmatic, problem-solving managerialism. And the third is that the GOP nominating contest has become a full-fledged goat rodeo: On any given day, any given candidate might just emerge (temporarily) triumphant.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/01/ronpaulscores.html
Ron Paul, Dr. No-body, beats Rudy and Fred – again
Andrew Malcolm
January 16, 2008
Well, he's hanging in there. Not only that, but Rep. Ron Paul thumped two reputed Republican heavyweights in the Michigan primary -- former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Who'd have predicted that a couple of months ago? Giuliani, you may recall if you can remember anything as distant as last summer, was the longtime GOP national front-runner in polls. He ran strongly against everybody in his party, even former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who won one last night, taking his home state from Sen. John McCain, who won there in 2000. Everybody wondered if anyone had a chance against the hero of 9/11, who defied standard Republican theocracy with his liberal social views.
http://weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/014/598iklqf.asp
Dems Double Down on Iraq
In Vegas, a debate over which candidate is most committed to defeat.
by Jonathan V. Last
01/16/2008 12:00:00 AM
LAST NIGHT'S DEMOCRATIC debate might be the most useless political exercise of the entire campaign cycle, which is saying something. The normally incisive Tim Russert and Brian Williams spent the opening 40 minutes on a series of inanities so trivial that even the candidates seemed annoyed. To begin, Williams and Russert asked questions about the racial back-and-forth between the Clinton and Obama campaigns over the last few days. Russert asked Obama if he thought the Bradley Effect was to blame for his loss in New Hampshire. Williams asked Obama about his failure to win the women's vote in the Granite State.
http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/rove-previews-strategies-against-clinton-obama-2008-01-16.html
Rove previews strategies against Clinton, Obama
By Sam Youngman
Posted: 01/16/08 02:55 PM [ET]
Karl Rove told a group of state Republican officials Wednesday that while the GOP primaries “are far from over,” each of the candidates can beat the top two Democrats — and the former White House aide then outlined a strategy how. While Rove, the man President Bush called “the architect,” might have retired from the White House, he is clearly still very much engaged in the day-to-day mechanics of the presidential contests on both sides. In an address to a group of state GOP executive directors at the Republican National Committee’s (RNC) winter meeting, Rove outlined talking points for ways to defeat leading Democratic candidates Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) and Barack Obama (Ill.).
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080117/POLITICS01/801170351/1022/POLITICS
Clinton could face tough effort to win blacks' votes
'Uncommitted' Detroit voters who like Obama might not vote for her in November, analysts say.
David Josar and Mark Hornbeck / The Detroit News
Thursday, January 17, 2008
DETROIT -- Hillary Clinton's poor showing in the city in Tuesday's Democratic primary, combined with 70 percent of African-Americans in Michigan voting "uncommitted," could be a harbinger of problems Democrats face in the general election here, some political strategists say. Clinton had 55 percent of the vote, but 40 percent of Democratic primary voters selected "uncommitted" -- most of whom, according to exit polling, were protesting the absence of Barack Obama and John Edwards from the ballot. Clinton failed to win a majority of tallies in Detroit and in other predominantly black communities, such as Flint.
http://www.bradenton.com/breakingnews/story/331386.html
Clinton, Obama spar over Florida
MIAMI HERALD
January 16, 2008
Is Hillary Clinton breaking her pledge not to campaign in Florida? Democratic rival Barack Obama raised the question - even though he insists Florida's vote won't matter - one day after a poll showed him 21 points behind in the state. An Obama campaign memo Tuesday pointed to "signs . . . that she may be planning to campaign in the state, inquiring about large venues and increased organizing activity." In fact, the Clinton campaign inquired Tuesday if the Miami Beach Convention Center will be available for a "rally" on Jan. 27, two days before the state holds its earliest primary in history. City officials said there's no agreement yet because they are checking whether the massive hall is available.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/01/16/kings_son_says_clinton_erred/
King's son says Clinton erred
But adds that controversy is overblown
By David Abel, Globe Staff
January 16, 2008
Martin Luther King III, in Boston for an announcement that the city will build a statue to honor his parents, said yesterday that Senator Hillary Clinton made a mistake by saying his father's call for racial equality was realized only with a president's action. The statement has drawn sharp exchanges in recent days between the campaigns of Clinton and Senator Barack Obama. King, son of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, said he thought the controversy had been blown out of proportion. However, he also said that Clinton's words were potentially denigrating. "I wish it was said in a different way," he said before addressing a packed Twelfth Baptist Church in Roxbury, where his father once preached.
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=285292746454291&src=ADA
Obama's Church
By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY
Posted Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Election 2008: Since we first drew attention to Barack Obama's Afrocentric church a full 12 months ago, other media have weighed in. And additional disturbing information has come to light. At the core of the Democratic front-runner's faith — whether lapsed Muslim, new Christian or some mixture of the two — is African nativism, which raises political issues of its own. In 1991, when Obama joined the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, he pledged allegiance to something called the Black Value System, which is a code of non-Biblical ethics written by blacks, for blacks. It encourages blacks to group together and separate from the larger American society by pooling their money, patronizing black-only businesses and backing black leaders.
http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/capital/2008/01/15/the-recession-election
The Recession Election
Matt Cooper
Jan 15 2008 9:17PM EST
There are several obvious story lines out of Michigan tonight. There's the muddle of the GOP race now that Mitt Romney has won his home state--this after Huckabee took Iowa and McCain took New Hampshire. Will Thompson take South Carolina and Giuliani Florida for a total scrum? There's the story of native son Romney pulling it out in the state that made his father governor twice. There's the story of John McCain who can win with Democrats and Independents but can't close the deal with Republicans. But the larger story is this: We're heading into a recession. People want a president who'll fix the economy. A few weeks ago, Republican candidates, with the exception of Mike Huckabee, were cheering the Bush economy.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080117/OPINION03/801170313/1031
Fortieth anniversary revives political myths about 1968
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Thomas Sowell:
This 40th anniversary of the turbulent year 1968 is already starting to spawn nostalgic accounts of that year. We can look for more during this year in articles, books and TV specials, featuring aging 1960s radicals seeking to relive their youth. The events of 1968 have continuing implications for our times but not the implications drawn by those with romantic myths about 1968 and themselves. The first of the shocks of 1968 was the sudden eruption of violent attacks by Communist guerillas in the cities of South Vietnam, known as the "Tet offensive," after a local holiday. That this sort of widespread urban guerilla warfare was still possible after the rosy claims made by American officials in Washington and Vietnam sent shock waves through the United States.
Chertoff says Europe poses terrorism threat
Wed Jan 16, 2008 5:48am EST
By Kate Kelland
LONDON (Reuters) - Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said on Wednesday that one of the biggest threats to U.S. security may now come from within Europe. In an interview with BBC radio, Chertoff said that American authorities were becoming increasingly aware of a real risk of Europe becoming a "platform for terrorists". He said it was important to step up security checks on passengers coming from Europe to the United States."One of the things we have become concerned about lately is the possibility of Europe becoming a platform for a threat against the United States," Chertoff said.
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8U718181&show_article=1
Castro Says He's Too Unhealthy to Speak
Associated Press
January 16, 2008
HAVANA (AP) - Fidel Castro said Wednesday he is not yet healthy enough to speak to Cuba's masses in person and can't campaign for Sunday's parliamentary elections.
"I am not physically able to speak directly to the citizens of the municipality where I was nominated for our elections next Sunday," the ailing 81-year-old wrote in an essay published Wednesday by state news media. Castro's latest essay focused on blasting U.S. President George W. Bush, but included references to the Cuban leader's health. It was published on the front pages of state-run newspapers a day after Castro met for more than two hours with Brazilian President Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who said he though Castro appeared healthy enough to return to politics.
