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links for 2011-02-09
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In the wake of the PATRIOT Act reauthorization defeat last night, the conventional wisdom has held that it was the Tea Party freshmen who played a crucial role in preventing it from passing. But in reality, the Republican opposition was much more mainstream – and was joined by two Republicans who have their eyes on the Senate in 2012.
Both Reps. Connie Mack (R-Fla.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.) were among the 26 Republicans who voted against the reauthorization. Mack is seriously mulling a Senate campaign, and has been positioning himself as a center-right candidate on immigration as he prepares for a race. Nonetheless, he has a solid conservative voting record in the House – with a 100 percent ACU score in 2008.
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Read it all
Both solid candidates for U.S. Senate
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GOP Rep. Christopher Lee Resigns from Congress After Being Outed as Craigslist Troller
New York Republican Congressman Christopher Lee of New York has resigned from Congress after being exposed as the Craigslist Congressman.His statement: “I regret the harm that my actions have caused my family, my staff and my constituents. I deeply and sincerely apologize to them all. I have made profound mistakes and I promise to work as hard as I can to seek their forgiveness… I am announcing that I have resigned my seat in Congress effective immediately.”
The sex scandal started earlier today and Gawker has the DIRT.
Republican congressman serving the 26th District of New York. But when he trolls Craigslist’s “Women Seeking Men” forum, he’s Christopher Lee, “divorced” “lobbyist” and “fit fun classy guy.” One object of his flirtation told us her story.
You can read all of the sordid details of the lying AND married Congressman here, if you want.
This fellow is a second term Congressman and you would think being in the majority would give him enough work to be done, besides trolling for dates on Craigslist.
Well, at least one would think.
I am glad the GOP House leadership leaned on Lee to get the hell out of the Congress.
And, good luck with the wife, pal. But don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
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Students for Mitch Daniels Video: The Deficit is Too Damn High
The Students for Daniels meet with Rent Is Too Damn High party founder, Jimmy McMillan, to discuss how they can bring attention to America’s unsustainable debt, address an unprecedented budget deficit, and draft Governor Mitch Daniels to run for President in 2012.Just in time for CPAC, where Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels is speaking.
Funny, nevertheless.
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VA-Sen: Sen Jim Webb to Announce He Will NOT Seek Re-election in 2012
Former Virginia Senator George Allen and Senator Jim WebbGuess former Republican Senator George Allen who is running in 2012 for his old seat will have to find another opponent.Virginia Senator Jim Webb plans to announce today that he won’t seek reelection, a senior Senate source said.
Webb appeared likely to face a rematch with former Senator George Allen, whom he beat in a bruising 2006 contest. He had expressed ambivalence about the prospect of another run, and has said he never planned a life in politics.
Senate Democratic leaders view Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine, the former Virginia governor, as a top prospect to replace him, despite Kaine’s disavowals that he’s looking at the race.
It would have been more than likely that George Allen wold have been able to beat Webb in a 2012 race – so Webb took the easy way out and retired.
Good riddance – Webb is a miserable person and POL.
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Meg Whitman Spends Millions on Losing Campaign for California Governor – Where Did the Money Go?
Gloria Allred presents Nicky Diaz, the illegal alien maid who sunk the Meg Whitman for California Governor campaignYou know, it is Meg Whitman’s money, she earned it and can spend it as she likes. Today, California Watch has a piece on where all of the campaign cash went and the sweet paydays a whole bunch of political folks received.
The candidate was poised, motivated and smart as a whip. She had an impressive resume, influential supporters and unlimited resources.
In the end, none of it mattered. Meg Whitman’s Republican campaign for governor stalled over such issues as her alleged involvement in insider Wall Street stock deals and her alleged failure to pay her illegal-immigrant housekeeper.
It must have been frustrating indeed for the political professionals who ran the campaign. Whitman for Governor began with great promise, but it ended with a GOP official glumly declaring, “The Republican brand in this state is death.”
On the other hand, payday was sweet.
The final campaign finance report filed by the former eBay CEO and novice politician itemized $177 million of payments from the most expensive campaign in California history. However ineffective Whitman proved in making her case against Democrat Jerry Brown, her campaign spread the wealth – including $144 million of Whitman’s own fortune – to about 700 vendors, consultants and aides, records show.
Read it all here and see where all of the money went – if you care.
What I could never understand was why with all of that wealth, Meg Whitman and her physician husband could not or would not help Nicky Diaz with an immigration attorney?
Guess other California voters wondered the same thing and voted for Jerry Brown.
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President 2012 New Mexico Poll Watch: New Mexico SAFE for Obama
I don’t think you will see too much GOP Presidential campaigning in New Mexico this next year. The latest PPP Presidential poll is just out.
New Mexico was one of Barack Obama’s most surprising states in 2008- not that he won it, but that he won it by such a wide 15 point margin after George W. Bush had taken it in 2004. Obama remains popular in the state and if he had to stand for reelection today he’d take it by a similar amount to his previous victory.
Obama’s approval rating with New Mexicans is 55% with 40% of voters disapproving of him. Most noteworthy are his very strong numbers with independents, 60% of whom are happy with the job he’s doing to 32% who dissent.
Obama Vs. GOP Nominee:
- Obama – 53% Vs. Romney – 37%
- Obama – 55% Vs. Huckabee – 36%
- Obama – 56% Vs. Gingrich – 35%
- Obama – 62% Vs. Palin – 33%
GOP Favorable Vs. Unfavorable:
- Huckabee – 34% Vs. 46%
- Romney – 33% Vs. 45%
- Gingrich – 25% Vs. 56%
- Palin – 31% Vs. 64%
The GOP had better hope for an Obama collapse or a miracle candidate to be competitive in New Mexico. With the large Hispanic population in the state which will deliver anywhere from a 35-52 point margin for Obama, the GOP will best ignore New Mexico in 2012.
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President 2012 Poll Watch: Obama Approval Rating on Deficit Sinks to New Low
So, says the latest Gallup Poll.President Barack Obama’s approval rating for handling the federal budget deficit has gone from bad to worse in recent months, even as his ratings on all other major national issues have generally held steady. Currently, 27% of Americans approve of Obama on the deficit, down from 32% in November, while 68% disapprove.
But, it is unemployment that is an issue where Obama is the most vulnerable. If Americans are not working, no matter who the GOP nominates (except maybe Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich), the Presidential race in 2012 will be close and competitive.
President Obama has failed to build public support in recent months for his handling of major U.S. economic matters, despite a generally well-received State of the Union address in which he proposed a federal spending freeze to help put the brakes on deficit spending. His approval rating on the economy is no better than it was last fall, and his approval rating on the federal budget deficit — a top issue for Republicans in Congress since the midterm elections — is even worse. His broadest support on the issues comes on foreign policy matters, most notably the situation in Egypt, but even on these, his approval ratings register just below 50%.
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Day By Day February 9, 2011 – Adults
Day By Day by Chris MuirKids these days, right, Chris?There is nothing like experience but youth certainly helps in physical activity.
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