Ed Fallon asks Obama to name him "White House Farmer" (desmoinesdem)
Iowa Democrat Ed Fallon, unsuccessful candidate in the 2006 gubernatorial primary and this year's third Congressional district primary, wrote Barack Obama a letter applying for the job of "White House Farmer." Michael Pollan advocated the creation of this position in an article for the New York Times Sunday Magazine on October 12. Obama read Pollan's piece (he even paraphrased points from it in an interview with Time magazine), but it is not known whether the president-elect supports setting aside a few acres of the White House lawn to be cultivated by a White House Farmer. Bleeding Heartland posted Fallon's letter to Obama, along with some recent speculation about the short list for agriculture secretary.
Posted at 12/05/2008 01:14:51 AM EST - #
MN-Sen: Franken raised $2.1 million since Election Day (MN Campaign Report)
The Al Franken for Senate campaign today announced that $2.1 million had been raised for its recount effort, both directly by the campaign and through a joint fundraising committee with the Minnesota DFL Party (the Franken Recount Fund). As of November 24, the campaign and the joint fundraising committee had a combined $1.9 million cash on hand.More here
Posted at 12/04/2008 09:47:27 PM EST - #
Bill Richardson officially nominated for Secretary of Commerce (Oreo)
Read the full statement from the Transition Team here.
Posted at 12/03/2008 11:47:52 AM EST - #
GA-Sen: Counties to Watch (Senate Guru)
Senate Guru takes a look at the key counties to watch as the results come in tonight in Georgia's Senate run-off. Senate Guru lists both candidates' top ten counties by margin of victory and crunches some numbers. Also, the Guru notes: "If you're looking for a bellwether, look to Mitchell County, which saw an Election Day tie between Martin and Chambliss, both candidates winning 3,821 votes, with 99 votes going to the Libertarian Allen Buckley."
Posted at 12/02/2008 06:11:30 PM EST - #
Obama to Have Presser for Richardson for Commerce Secretary Tomorrow (fbihop)
It's (almost) official. Richardson for Secretary of Commerce. Press conference tomorrow.
Posted at 12/02/2008 04:18:05 PM EST - #
Clinton officially nominated for Sec of State (Oreo)
Full press release from the Transition Team can be read here.
Posted at 12/01/2008 10:33:52 AM EST - #
News from the MN blogosphere (MN Campaign Report)
MN Campaign Report and MNBlue have merged to form the Minnesota Progressive Project -- drop by and have a look!
Posted at 12/01/2008 10:06:06 AM EST - #
GA-Sen: Saxby Chambliss Doesn't Care About You (Senate Guru)
With the Senate run-off election in Georgia this Tuesday, Senate Guru lays out the only argument that should ultimately matter: Saxby Chambliss simply doesn't care about Georgia's families.
Posted at 11/30/2008 10:46:59 PM EST - #
Final Iowa statehouse races resolved (desmoinesdem)
There were quite a few Iowa statehouse races won by extremely narrow margins this year, and recounts have now resolved the last two races to be called. One recount left Democratic incumbent Art Staed an agonizing 13 votes behind his Republican challenger in House district 37. That leaves Democrats with a 56-44 majority in the Iowa House, a net gain of three seats (but fewer than most observers were expecting). The other recount ended with Democratic incumbent Jeff Danielson hanging on by 22 votes in Senate district 10. That leaves Democrats with a 32-18 majority in the Iowa Senate, a net gain of two seats. Although some Democrats are disappointed not to have picked up more seats, the Republicans have more to be disappointed about; they go into the next legislative session with fewer Iowa Senate seats than they have ever had before.
Posted at 11/30/2008 09:01:53 PM EST - #
GA-Sen: More on the bus (lpackard)
The latest stories from on the road with the Martin campaign.
Posted at 11/30/2008 11:02:44 AM EST - #
MN-Sen: Why is Norm Coleman challenging so many more ballots? (MN Campaign Report)
Why is Norm Coleman challenging so many more ballots than Al Franken? Sources indicate that there's a simple answer.
Posted at 11/26/2008 09:59:51 AM EST - #
Southwest to be Climate Change "Pearl Harbor"? (fbihop)
Scary things for us in the southwest. On the same day Joe Romm says the southwest can be the climate Pearl Harbor, we get news that the snowpack is the worst in 30 years.
Scary
Posted at 11/25/2008 05:46:38 PM EST - #
NV-Sen: Krolicki Accuses Reid of Orchestrating an Indictment (Sven at My Silver State)
Only two weeks after announcing his intention to challenge Harry Reid, Republican Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki accused Harry Reid of orchestrating an indictment against him. Now there's reason to believe that Krolicki only announced a possible challenge of Reid to be able to accuse Reid and Democrats of a witch hunt. You think that's crazy? Nevada reporters are pondering it. Details at My Silver State.
Posted at 11/25/2008 03:32:38 PM EST - #
GA-Sen: On the bus part 2 (lpackard)
Posted at 11/24/2008 02:04:21 PM EST - #
GA-Sen: On the bus with Jim Martin (lpackard)
This weekend, I hit the road as a volunteer with the Jim Martin for Senate campaign, as we tour Georgia by bus. Read more.
Posted at 11/23/2008 01:54:42 PM EST - #
OH-15: Judge Rejects GOP Challenge to Counting Provisional Ballots (Ohio Daily Blog)
In a ruling late today, U.S. District Court Judge Algenon Marbley ruled against the GOP on their claim that about 1,000 provisional ballots should be rejected because either the voter's signature or the voter's name was not written on the required envelope. The judge stayed his order for a week to allow an appeal. Counting of about 27,000 provisional ballots in Franklin County is on hold until the challenge is resolved, and about half of those are in OH-15.
Meanwhile, vote counting is finished in one of the two smaller, rural counties and the result (a gain of 86 votes for Stivers) doesn't look good for holding off Kilroy's expected gain in Franklin County.Posted at 11/20/2008 09:21:59 PM EST - #
Jackie Norris to head Michelle Obama's staff (desmoinesdem)
Jackie Norris has accepted an offer to be chief of staff for First Lady Michelle Obama, according to the Washington Post. She was among Barack Obama's key early supporters in Iowa and headed Obama's Iowa campaign during the general election.
Posted at 11/20/2008 06:31:44 PM EST - #
LA-04: Carmouche (D) Leads ... (DailyKingFish)
Heading into the final two weeks of the race, it is good news to see that Democratic candidate Paul Carmouche leads wingnut John Fleming.
But with the historical bent of this district, now is NOT the time to get complacent. If you can, donate to Carmouche, and help him put this one away.
Remember, Darth Cheney is coming to LA-04 tomorrow to shower Fleming with cash.
Posted at 11/20/2008 12:07:56 PM EST - #
CT Dems Could Censure Lieberman (Sandwich Repairman)
Posted at 11/20/2008 06:29:19 AM EST - #
New Developments in Texas Blogosphere (KTinTX)
Two big things happening right now in the Lone Star State Blogosphere.
1) Voting nearing an end for a $10,000 scholarship that BOR writer David Mauro has been neck and neck in leading as the only progressive political blogger. You can vote for him here.
2) BOR has brought on board a new writer returning a female voice to the front page in Katherine Haenschen, better known to some in the national blogosphere as kath25.
Posted at 11/19/2008 05:08:57 PM EST - #
TODAY at 2:30 EST- Netroots Availability with SEIU President Andy Stern (Joaquin H Guerra)
This morning, SEIU President Andy Stern testified before the Senate Committee on Finance. At 2:30 pm EST, President Stern will hold an availability with the Progressive Netroots to discuss his testimony on the impact of health care and the economic crisis on working families and take questions.
Please join us.
Posted at 11/19/2008 12:34:55 PM EST - #
OH-15: Ruling on 1000 Prov Ballots Expected 11/20 (Ohio Daily Blog)
Federal judge expects to rule by Thursday (11/20) at 5:00 on whether about 1,000 provisional ballots in Franklin County (includes Columbus) should be counted. (None of the 27,000 or so provisional ballots in the county will be counted until this is resolved; about half of those are in OH-15.) The issue is whether the failure of provisional voters to include both their printed name and signature on the ballot envelope is legally fatal, or excusable as a mere error by the poll worker (who is supposed to check for that kind of mistake). An earlier federal court ruling says that ballots shouldn't be tossed out on account of poll worker errors. The Ohio GOP had sought to circumvent that ruling by bringing this suit in the Republican-dominated Ohio Supreme Court, but Dem SoS Jennifer Brunner removed the case to federal court. The federal judge condemned the GOP maneuver as "forum shopping." Although the official SoS web site has Stivers (R) ahead by 149 votes, he is actually ahead by 393 due to recent corrections of counting errors. However, there is plenty of margin in the 27 K provisionals to put Kilroy (D) ahead. Meanwhile, both candidates are in DC for orientation.
Posted at 11/19/2008 08:54:04 AM EST - #
AK SEN: AP CALLS IT FOR BEGICH! (Sandwich Repairman)
from the Washington Post
Posted at 11/18/2008 09:10:26 PM EST - #
Draft DavidNYC for Senate (Jonathan Singer)
Posted at 11/17/2008 04:51:34 PM EST - #
LA-04: Dick Ain't Done Yet ... (DailyKingFish)
Cheney's coming to Shreveport to raise money for wingnut John Fleming. Help the Democratic candidate, Paul Carmouche counter Cheney's bucks ... and send one more Democrat to Washington!
Posted at 11/17/2008 01:06:40 PM EST - #
GA-Sen: Libertarian Allen Buckley Speaks Out on Georgia Senate Run-Off (Senate Guru)
Georgia Libertarian Senate nominee Allen Buckley offers comments on the Georgia Senate run-off exclusively to Senate Guru. Buckley finds Republican Saxby Chambliss' position on the Wall Street bail-out to be fiscally irresponsible, and he says Democrat Jim Martin would be more proactive on specific issues of concern to Libertarian voters. Click on the link for the full comments.
Posted at 11/17/2008 12:12:24 PM EST - #
Wish Gov. Dean a "Happy Birthday" (Matt Ortega)
Today is Gov. Dean's 60th birthday and we're going rogue in the Internet Department at the DNC. Wish Gov. Dean a "happy birthday" and we will get your message to him today. We'll post pictures later, too.
Posted at 11/17/2008 11:57:50 AM EST - #
IA-Gov 2010: Will any Democrat challenge Culver? (desmoinesdem)
In Iowa political circles there has been some chatter about a possible primary challenge to Governor Chet Culver in 2010. I find this scenario highly unlikely and explain why at Bleeding Heartland.
Posted at 11/17/2008 11:45:27 AM EST - #
Young Dems use Facebook to slay cranky old Republicans (MediaCzech)
2 weeks ago, 20 year old Dartmouth College student Vanessa Sievers used $51 in Facebook ads to beat 68 year old Republican incumbent Carol Elliot for the position of treasurer in Grafton County, New Hampshire. And Carol had some rather priceless, bitter, youth-hating comments in defeat. Like other old Republicans, they don't get the talkies...
Also, 23 year old Sean Flaherty used Facebook to help beat 67 year old Republican incumbent John McDonough for a seat in the Maine State House of Reps.
If it wasn't for those darn snooping kids and their Facebook....
Posted at 11/16/2008 09:44:45 PM EST - #
OH-15: Debating Provisional Ballots (Sandwich Repairman)
Columbus Dispatch article It sure does help to have a Democratic Secretary of State.
Posted at 11/16/2008 05:28:18 AM EST - #
More 2010 Manuevers in Louisiana (DailyKingFish)
Not even days after the elections are over, the rumor mill is in full swing about the Senate race in 2010.
Posted at 11/15/2008 01:15:29 PM EST - #
MN-Gov / MN-01: Walz considers gubernatorial run (MN Campaign Report)
Let the jockeying for 2010 commence: 2nd term Congressman Tim Walz from Minnesota's First district is considering a gubernatorial run in 2010, according to a source.
Posted at 11/15/2008 09:03:56 AM EST - #
NV-Sen: Republican Challenger for Harry Reid Emerges (Sven at My Silver State)
Looks like Nevada's Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki will take on Harry Reid in what could be one of the top Senate races in 2010. Details at My Silver State.
Posted at 11/14/2008 12:23:24 PM EST - #
Keith Ellison (D-MN) is up for Progressive Caucus chair (MN Campaign Report)
A Capitol Hill staffer confirmed the rumor -- Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison is up for the chair of the Progressive Caucus. Could be a great opportunity for a great new voice in Washington to play a leading role in working with the imcoming Obama Administration on good progressive legislation.
Posted at 11/14/2008 10:36:05 AM EST - #
Organic Consumers Association against Vilsack for Ag Secretary (desmoinesdem)
The Organic Consumers Association doesn't hold back in this piece: Six Reasons Why Obama Appointing Monsanto's Buddy, Former Iowa Governor Vilsack, for USDA Head is a Terrible Idea. Click through to read the whole case against Vilsack. Among other things, they don't like his advocacy of genetically-engineered crops for food or pharmaceuticals, his tendency to travel in Monsanto's jet, and his support of biofuels. I would much rather see Vilsack in a different post, such as secretary of education. He is very smart, understands policy and works hard, so he would be an asset to the cabinet--just not as agriculture secretary, in my opinion.
Posted at 11/13/2008 01:09:34 AM EST - #
AK-Sen: Gap Closes to 971 Votes (HellofaSandwich)
With 28,000 more ballots counted today, Mark Begich has closed the gap with Ted Stevens from 3257 to 971 votes. Another 32,000 or so votes will be counted later tonight, and an additional 35,000 will be counted throughout the next week.
Posted at 11/12/2008 07:09:38 PM EST - #
VA Governor's Race Online Poll (Texas Nate)
Your chance to show how excited you are about Terry McAuliffe getting into the VA governor's race. Poll.
Posted at 11/12/2008 01:40:33 PM EST - #
'Iraq War Ends - Troops To Return Immediately' (lipris)
So declares the banner headline of a rather brilliant Faux New York Times edition being distributedby hundreds, if not thousands, of people across NYC this morning. The project is massive and even sports a pitch-perfect fake Times website. Other choice headlines include, "Nation Sets Sights on Building Sane Economy", include "Nationalized Oil To Fund Climate Change Efforts" and "High-Speed Internet Hits Fast Track to Appalachia". Early indications are that this is the work of the infamous "Yes Men."
Posted at 11/12/2008 10:53:40 AM EST - #
GA-Sen: Georgia (and Jim Martin) on my mind (carla)
While our Senate race in Oregon is in the books, there's a runoff looming for the race in Georgia featuring Democrat Jim Martin and the vile Republican Saxby Chambliss. On this Veteran's Day, it seems especially appropriate to highlight this race.
Martin is a vet--and has made vets issues a centerpiece of his campaign. Martin has pledged to be a tireless advocate for the men and women in uniform as a U.S. Senator.
And yes, I'm going to ask you to send money. But that's a little later.
On the other hand, Chambliss ducked out on service, racking up a Dick Cheney-ish six deferments. His voting record on veteran's issues is ridiculously bad.
Chambliss' spurning of those who've served doesn't end there, however. He's also responsible for the heinous ad against war hero and triple amputee Max Cleland during the 2002 Georgia Senate race. Chambliss is the consumate GOP dirtbag. (But as Senate Guru notes, he's hell at golf--remind you of anyone else? Look about 8 rows down from Chambliss)
Most of us can't pick up and fly to Georgia to help Martin knock on doors or phone bank or sign-wave. But we can send money.
Don't roll your eyes at me. I know people have already given til it hurts. But I know we can do more. This is a chance to replace a shameless wretch who is symbolic of all the patriotism questioning, Blackwater embracing, Bush-voting clap-trappery that brought this nation to the brink.
You can do it, Oregon. One more time--take that card out of your wallet. Click. Give Jim Martin $50. Or $25. Or even $10..but I think you can give more than that. And you'll feel better for doing it.
Think of it as your Veteran's Day gift to our country.
Update 8:50AM: I meant to add this, as well:
Historical Quote of the Day "I'd never seen anything like that ad. Putting pictures of Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden next to the picture of a man who left three limbs on the battlefield -- it's worse than disgraceful. It's reprehensible." -- Sen. John McCain, quoted by CNN, on the campaign ads used by Saxby Chambliss (R) against Sen. Max Cleland (D-GA) in the 2002 U.S. Senate race. McCain is now scheduled to campaign for Chambliss in his Georgia run off against Jim Martin (D).
Posted at 11/11/2008 03:43:20 PM EST - #
GREAT video of LDS Prop 8 protest in Salt Lake City (MediaCzech)
(via AmplifyPosted at 11/11/2008 03:39:43 PM EST - #
Progressive House Seat On The Line--We Must Act Now (Cliff Schecter)
You wanna pick up another congressional seat in Ohio for a progressive champion right now? And defeat a Boehner crony in the process? Here's how...
Posted at 11/11/2008 09:58:12 AM EST - #
MN-03: More underperformance analysis (MN Campaign Report)
Stepping back from Senate Guru's recount number-crunching for a moment -- I spoke with some now-former campaign staff last night, and went over some of the vital numbers from MN-03. Verdict: probably not good short-term, but there's long-term potential.
And now, back to your regularly scheduled recount coverage.
Posted at 11/11/2008 09:20:40 AM EST - #
MN-Sen: Vote Audit Favorable to Al Franken (Senate Guru)
Senate Guru crunches the numbers. The Star Tribune offers numbers from a preliminary audit of the votes in the Minnesota Senate race. Senate Guru finds that, if the numbers from the precincts audited bear out across the state, Al Franken could win the Senate seat by well over a thousand votes.
Posted at 11/10/2008 11:37:48 PM EST - #
Iowa Republicans divided going forward (desmoinesdem)
For the fourth straight election, Iowa Democrats had net gains of seats in both the state House and the state Senate. The state GOP chair will not seek another term, Iowa House Republicans already have chosen a new leader, and Senate Republicans may do the same. Bleeding Heartland looks at internal divisions and other challenges facing the Iowa GOP.
Posted at 11/10/2008 09:40:37 PM EST - #
LA-04: Carmouche Leads Fleming by 10 in New Poll (HellofaSandwich)
Posted at 11/10/2008 04:29:42 PM EST - #
LA-06: Cassidy (R) and Jackson (I) Meet (DailyKingFish)
The men that campaigned in tandem to defeat Democratic Congressman Don Cazayoux held a post-election meeting on Friday afternoon. What did they discuss?
Posted at 11/10/2008 04:01:13 PM EST - #
LA-04: Fleming Advocates Privatizing Social Security (DailyKingFish)
For a GOPer, not really news. But for one that claims SS survivor's benefits and disability saved his family, it's an astounding view.
Posted at 11/10/2008 01:30:00 PM EST - #
Colorado Latino voter turnout doubles in 2008 (em dash)
More than 330,000 Latinos voted in Colorado last week, compared with 165,000 in 2004, based on exit polling from media outlets like the Wall Street Journal and Voto Latino, a national nonprofit organization that organized Latino voting drives in the state.
Posted at 11/10/2008 01:22:13 PM EST - #
MN-All: another data point (MN Campaign Report)
Another data point in the pending study of why Minnesota underperformed the rest of the country: Obama/Franken undervoting. There was a third-party candidate, of course, but that isn't the whole story.
Posted at 11/10/2008 10:00:53 AM EST - #
VA: Racism Alive and Well in Republican Party (lowkell)
Virginia holds elections next year for Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General. Well, "the more things change, the more they stay the same" with Virginia Republicans. Check this out, and for more see here. I would say "amazing" or "shocking," but then again, this is the Republican Party of Virginia we're talking about. Sadly, this type of thing is no surprise...
Posted at 11/10/2008 05:53:45 AM EST - #
