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Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Tim Johnson’s or Tom Daschle’s Return?
Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., (right), seen with his wife, Barbara, in this photo released by his office in March of 2007, has not yet announced any plans for re-election, but fundraising efforts go on while he continues his recovery efforts.
Remember Senator Tim Johnson from South Dakota who had a brain bleed and brain surgery last December?
Johnson was discharged from the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington on April 27. On June 11, 2007, his doctor said that he would be able to resume his full duties in the Senate.
His wife is quoted in the South Dakota press that he will be returning to his Senate duties sometime after the August Senate recess. In fact, he is making so much progress that he will remain in his Washington area home even though his son will add two adopted grandchildren to his family soon.
Now, no one has seen the Senator since his brain hemorrhage last December and he has been absent from the Senate since then. It seems unlikely that his speech therapy is the likely reason that he cannot make a routine trip home to South Dakota from Washington.
Flap has been dubious from the start that Senator Johnson would make more than a token appearance to resume his Senate duties. Fund raising aside, Senator Johnson will probably retire and NOT run for re-election.
The only reason why he has not quit is because the Senate Democrat majority hinges upon his retention in the Senate. South Dakota’s Republican Governor Rounds would more than likely appoint a Republican replacement and tip the Senate majority back to the GOP.
Today, Robert Novak supports Flap’s hypothesis.
Solicitations for a Sept. 12 fund-raising reception in Washington on behalf of ailing Sen. Tim Johnson give the impression he will be present at the event, but in fact there are no such plans.
Sources close to Johnson say he will not decide his schedule until he is back in the Senate, and there is no firm schedule yet for that. Johnson has not been seen publicly since suffering a brain hemorrhage last Dec. 13, but his staff has been raising funds for his re-election campaign in South Dakota. His campaign has $1.75 million cash on hand.
The $1,000-to-$2,300-a-ticket reception will be held at the home of Johnson’s fellow South Dakotan, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, and his wife, transportation industry lobbyist Linda Daschle, on Foxhall Road millionaire’s row in Washington. It has been speculated that if Johnson cannot run, Daschle could attempt a political comeback.
The South Dakota GOP best be prepared. A crippled and weak Johnson will NOT be running to retain his seat.
Watch for former Senate Majority leader Tom Daschle’s return in 2008.
Linked to Electric VenomÂ
Previous:
Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Condition Improves
Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Senator’s Condition Upgraded From Critical to Fair After Brain Surgery
Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Johnson is Improving But Still Requires Ventilator at Night
Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Johnson Remains in Critical Condition
Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Johnson in Stable Condition After Brain Surgery
Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Senate Back to 50-50 Split?
Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Johnson in Critical Condition After Late Night Brain Surgery
Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Senator Undergoes Surgery
Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Democrat Spokesman Says Johnson Did Not Suffer Stroke
Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Johnson Hospitalized with Apparent Stroke
Technorati Tags: TimJ ohnson, South DakotaTom Daschle, Robert Novak
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Rudy Giuliani Watch: A Nationwide Electoral College Strategy
Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani shakes hands after he spoke to supporters in San Francisco, Monday, July 23, 2007.
Yesterday Flap wrote about North Carolina that is likely headed towards changing their Presidential electoral college delegate rules for the 2008 election cycle.
In a similar vein, Dave G over at Race42008 writes about A Red State No More concerning North Carolina and points to a piece over at Eyeon08 that alludes that Missouri may be leaning blue.
But, does this make ANY difference with Rudy Giuliani as the GOP nominee?
Probably not and why?
Giuliani WILL be competitive in states in the East and West Coast that no other GOP nominee can match. Remember this part of the Giuliani campaign strategy.
Michael Duhaime, Giuliani Campaign Manager:
I think we are—or at least the candidate best positioned to win the general election. There’s no doubt in my mind Rudy Giuliani can put in states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Oregon, Washington in the Republican column. He can certainly make states like New York, Illinois, California– very expensive states into very competitive states and ones that certainly the Mayor can win. I don’t believe that any other Republican can make that same claim.
Republican presidential hopeful and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani stops at a Costco to do some shopping and meet with voters during a campaign stop on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 in Phoenix.
Rudy does NOT want to be a GOP nominee who then loses to Hillary. Hence, in the PRIMARY, he is running a national general election campaign.
Look at his travel schedule for this week:
Monday – San Francisco
Wednesday – Phoenix
Friday – Dallas
And this is what it is like every week. Flap receives the Mayor’s schedule from the campaign and the guy is all over the country – week in and week out.
Former mayor of New York City and Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani (R) kisses the hand of Sara Berglund, 6, during a campaign stop in Dallas, Texas, July 27, 2007.
So, Rudy will NOT need to win all of the Red States that President Bush carried over the past two Presidential election cycles. Throw in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Washington and Oregon, and Rudy may be headed to a massive electoral college win.
But, Hizzoner will take a win.
Next week, the Mayor will start in New Hampshire and move onto Connecticut by mid-week.
Previous:
Rudy Giuliani is Electable – Obvious Statement of the Day
Rudy Giuliani Watch: California Dreamin’ – Summer in the Inland Empire
Technorati Tags: Rudy Giuliani
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Indian Gambling Compacts Headed To February 5 California Referendum
Pechanga Casino in Temecula
Some of the richest California Indian tribes will be fighting with organized labor and racetrack interests this February 5th when California voters go to the polls to select a Presidential nominee.
Setting the stage for a political firefight, a labor union and racetrack owner yesterday filed ballot measures seeking to overturn expansive new gambling compacts for some of the state’s wealthiest Indian tribes.
Backers of the four referenda will have about 60 days to collect 434,000 signatures for each measure to qualify them for the Feb. 5 presidential primary election.
But everyone involved said they believe there is ample time to gather the necessary signatures.The measures would give California voters an opportunity to pass judgment on compacts that would allow Sycuan of El Cajon, Pechanga of Temecula and two other tribes to build some of the largest casinos in the world.
If everyone thinks that California television airwaves will be blistering with ads from Rudy Giuliani and Hillary Clinton, you have seen nothing yet from the Indian tribes who stand to gain billions in gaming revenue.
The media campaign folks and consultants will make the big bucks as the labor unions portray the gaming agreements as the “rich getting richer.”
Will the other less affluent Indian tribes become involved?
Probably and it won’t be pretty.
Stay tuned…….
Technorati Tags: Pechanga, Morongo, Hollywood Park, United Here, Indian Gaming, Indian Casinos
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Day By Day by Chris Muir July 28, 2007
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North Carolina Ready to Change Electoral College Presidential Selection Rules for 2008
California’s Congressional Districts
North Carolina appears to be changing their electoral college Presidential selection system just in time for the 2008 election.
And who is spurring this change?
Why the Democrats……
North Carolina appears headed to becoming the third state in the nation to abandon the winner-take-all method for awarding its electoral votes as the House tentatively agreed Thursday to shelve the method.
In its place, according to the measure approved on a largely party-line vote, would be a more proportional method that would reward the presidential candidate who receives the most votes in each of the state’s congressional districts.
The Senate already has passed the meaure, which would take effect in 2008. A final House vote could come Friday, then the bill would go to Gov. Mike Easley, a Democrat, just like the majority in the Legislature, which has backed the change. The state Democratic Party also supports it.
Republicans called the change a cheap way to give Democrats, who have been shut out in North Carolina since 1980, some electoral votes.
What a wonderful idea.
Flap says the GOP should begin the process of change in California and New York.
What?
You say that would give the GOP an advantage.
Really?
Republicans in the California Legislature should have proposed this Democrat solution years ago. Oh Arnold……….
Technorati Tags: North Carolina, GOP, Democrats, Mike Easley
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Rudy Giuliani Watch: Why Rudy Will Say NO to GOP You Tube Debate; Update: The You Tube Questions Keep Rolling In
[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=AU9U2d-2wnw[/youtube]
Reason #1
Why Mayor Rudy Giuliani will say NO to participation in the CNN/You Tube GOP debate.
Flap says Patrick: You REALLY have to be kidding me, RIGHT?
Reason #2
[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=tOiUC3S_QaQ[/youtube]
Update:Rudy blames CNN and his campaign schedule for opting out of the debate and not the You Tube format.
“I have no problem at all with the format. My campaign informed me yesterday that CNN just went ahead and picked a date, didn’t bother to ask us, and we have six events on that date that are already scheduled, I think,†Giuliani said.
“There was a little annoyance on the part of my campaign. They just select a date and they don’t think we have anything else to do.â€
Well, if they reschedule this debate how can you make it less trivial and more substantive?
Patrick, what say you?
Update #2
Hugh Hewitt is ridiculing the idea on his KRLA radio show.
Reason#3
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydGiAKo7Py8[/youtube]
Update #3
Rudy on KGO radio in San Francisco this afternoon had this to say about the FLAP:
“It reminded me of a New York City town hall meeting,” the former New York City mayor said, with a big laugh. “I was really comfortable with it … I liked it. Yes, I thought it was an interesting way to do it.
“…If you did all the debates that way, it would be a big mistake … but a debate or two to kind of throw a curve ball — it’s a good idea.”
Hizzoner, his scheduling conflict and all, will not be participating unless his former e-campaign director Patrick Ruffini can come up with some alternative dates.
Flap KNOWS that this is not the format for the GOP front runner.
Previous:
Rudy Giuliani is Electable – Obvious Statement of the Day
Rudy Giuliani Watch: California Dreamin’ – Summer in the Inland Empire
Technorati Tags: Rudy GiulianiYou Tube, Hugh Hewitt, Patrick Ruffini
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Practical Joker Dr. Robert Woo Wins in the Washington Supreme Court
Well, Dr. Robert Woo won yesterday in the Washington Supreme Court and he won BIG.
An oral surgeon who temporarily implanted fake boar tusks in his assistant’s mouth as a practical joke and got sued for it has ended up with the last laugh.
Dr. Robert Woo of Auburn had put the phony tusks in while the woman was under anesthesia for a different procedure. He took them out before she awoke, but first he shot photos that eventually made it around the office.
The employee, Tina Alberts, felt so humiliated when she saw the pictures that she quit and sued her boss.
Woo’s insurance company, Fireman’s Fund, refused to cover the claim, saying the practical joke was intentional and not a normal business activity his insurance policy covered, so Woo settled out of court. He agreed to pay Alberts $250,000, then sued his insurers.
A King County Superior Court jury sided with Woo, ordering Fireman’s Fund to pay him $750,000, plus the out-of-court settlement. The insurance company won the next round, with the state Court of Appeals saying the prank had nothing to do with Woo’s practice of dentistry. On Thursday, the state Supreme Court restored Woo’s award.
In a sprightly 5-4 decision, Supreme Court Justice Mary Fairhurst wrote that Woo’s practical joke was an integral, if odd, part of the assistant’s dental surgery and “conceivably” should trigger the professional liability coverage of his policy.
And, Flap is so glad his daughters have gone into the law.
For this Friday, you readers, cannot ever say that Flap does not blog on dental issues.
And, lastly, for Dr. Woo with a big hat tip to Anthony York:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofhDF9ltv0M[/youtube]
Update:Â
The You Tube author removed it from being embedded but you can watch it here.
Previous:Oral Surgeon Moron: Pot Bellied Pig
Technorati Tags: Robert Woo, Tina Alberts, Pot Bellied Pig
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Yvonne B. Burke Watch: Los Angeles County Supervisor Lives in Brentwood – Out of Her District?
Gov. Romer, County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite-Burke and LAUSD President Marlene Canter.
Does Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite-Burke live outside her Supervisoral District in Brentwood. This is an interesting assertion by the Los Angeles Times in this piece posted online last night.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke, who was elected to represent some of the county’s poorest neighborhoods, is living in a gated Brentwood home, despite laws requiring her to reside in the predominantly South Los Angeles district she serves.
In an interview with The Times two weeks ago, Burke said it was only on weekends and special occasions that she used her Brentwood home — a 4,000-square-foot residence with a swimming pool and tennis court that she and her husband have long owned. She said she lived at a 1,200-square-foot townhouse in Mar Vista, on a busy street just inside the border of her district.
An interesting piece from a declining newspaper who was late to the Villaraigosa-Salinas scandal. Flap questions the motivation of following a 74 year old Los Angeles County Supervisor who has already stated that she does not plan to run for re-election next year.
Does it serve the public’s right to know to stalk the Supervisor?
[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=nZRJCs34g0k[/youtube]
The Supervisor was reported on KTTV Channel 11 this morning as saying that there has been construction at her “in district” residence and that beginning next week she will be living there full time.
Now, will this appease the Times and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office?
Probably, because it is doubtful that Jerry Brown, the California Attorney General, will EVER approve prosecuting a case against Supervisor Burke.
The real question is why the Los Angeles Times decided at this time to get UNNECESSARILY nasty with the Supervisor?
Could it be the pressure of the blogs and their declining circulation?
Technorati Tags: Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
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Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Corina Villaraigosa Speaks About Commitment
Los Angeles Mayor-elect Antonio R. Villaraigosa sits with his wife Corina as they listen to speakers from different faiths at the Interfaith Prayer Service for the Inauguration of Villaraigosa at the Cathedral of Our lady Queen of Angeles, in this Friday, July 1, 2005 photo, in Los Angeles. Villaraigosa, who is in the midst of divorce proceedings with his wife, acknowledged Tuesday, July 3, 2007 that he is in a relationship with a Spanish-language television reporter, Mirthala Salinas.
In her first public appearance since filing for divorce against Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Corina Villaraigosa speaks before “Girls Today, Women Tomorrow,” a mentoring group, at a downtown Los Angeles fundraiser.
The Quotes:
“Know that when you keep commitments to yourself, it’s easier to keep commitments to others.”
She said she thought about canceling the keynote address, but decided to go ahead with the speech because the cause is important to her.
“Due to very personal reasons, I have chosen to attend very few public events in the last few months,” she said.
The Video:
[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=7E3k_2lI3x4[/youtube]
In the meantime, the Mayor now seeing the Firecracker with Chiclets, Mirthala Salinas, was being heckled at an MTA board meeting.
John Walsh heckles Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villarigosa at MTA meeting, July 26, 2007
This will NOT be an easy divorce for Mayor Villaraigosa.
City Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa is interviewed by reporter Mirthala Salinas of Telemundo at Factor’s Famous Deli on May 19, 2005 in Los Angeles
Previous:
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Telemundo Ethics Probe of Mirthala Salinas Completed
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Mayor Heckled at Transportation Meeting
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Scandal Plagued Mayor Allows Governor to Cut LA Rail Transit Funds
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: NBC Universal Development Surrounds Villaraigosa – Salinas Scandal
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Villaraigosa on WHOSE Side?
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Will Telemundo Decide Mirthala’s Fate Today?
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Mayor Denies Affair With Anita Moreno #2
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Mayor Denies Affair With LAPD Officer Anita Moreno
And a print rendering of this original cartoon by Patrick O’Connor of the Los Angeles Daily News can be purchased by clicking the link here.
Technorati Tags: Antonio Villaraigosa, Mirthala Salinas, TelemundoUnivisionArnold Schwarzenegger
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Day By Day by Chris Muir July 27, 2007