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New Finance Web Site Highlights California Political Campaigns
This is a fun website which is the brainchild of Democrat Speaker Perez’s staffer Ryan Hughes.
A new campaign finance web site is circulating the Capitol Twitterverse. Dollar, Dollar, Bill allows users to see in graphic format how contributions are stacking up in California political races. The site scans the Secretary of State’s database every 20 minutes and displays contributions to campaigns and IEs associated with legislative races and ballot measures.
The tool is the brainchild of Ryan Hughes, a staffer in the office of Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez. Hughes says Dollar, Dollar, Bill is nonpartisan. “This project is completely objective and without commentary,” he said in a statement announcing the site. “It’s designed to give everyone an intuitive look at how much money is being raised and spent in our elections.”
Go ahead and play with it.
There sure is a good deal of campaign cash being sloshed around California’s elections, no?
The Twitter feed is even more revealing – give it a try, too.
If that is not enough for the California political junkie, I have also been using Election Track which also has a Twitter feed @electiontrack for large, and last minute contributions.
Enjoy!
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Day By Day August 21, 2012 – Build It
Chris, Obama Crony Capitalism WILL be the subject of television ads in the key battleground states during the last month of the Presidential campaign.
All of the Obama Administration waste and corrupt practices will be distilled down to thirty second television spots.
There will be many…..
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@Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-08-22
- Some on the right are mentioning a MO-Sen write-in campaign featuring former MO Senator Kit Bond – possible? #tcot #
- Would John Brunner or Sarah Steelman be interested in a write-in candidacy for Missouri Senate? #tcot #
- RT @NKingofDC: Romney winning white vote, 53-40, but losing black vote, 94-0, & Hispanic vote, 63-28 in new WSJ/NBC poll. #tcot #
- Poll: Voters split on Paul Ryan as VP – The Hill's Ballot Box http://t.co/UyY7VwFN #tcot #
- The George Takei Happy Dance
– YouTube http://t.co/OSWc0gKI #tcot # - Election 2012: Montana Senate – Rasmussen Reports™ http://t.co/T7yyTJc6 #tcot #
- FYI Obama leads this poll by 4 points RT @conncarroll: NBC/WSJ poll has +6 45/39 Dem oversample #tcot #
- WSJ/NBC Poll: Voters split on whether Paul Ryan helps Romney = more likely to vote for http://t.co/Ch34AswW #tcot #
- NBC/WSJ Poll: Obama leads Romney 48% Vs Romney 44% among registered voters – yet only 43% say Obama deserves re-election #tcot #
- RT @guypbenson: That new Michigan poll has Romney up 48-44 w/ Ryan pick seen as a boon #tcot #
- Yes Huck does RT @conncarroll: Huckabee now owns Akin loss. major loss of credibility for populist social conservative wing of party. #tcot #
- Mo-Sen: Sen Claire McCaskill seen doing the "happy dance" http://t.co/P6iVPEpR #tcot #
- RT @gallupnews: Presidential Election: #Romney 47% (-), #Obama 45% (-). Get the full trend… http://t.co/RejQpKy2 #tcot #
- MO-Sen: Todd Akin says he will continue with his candidacy. Missouri GOP groans #tcot #
- Montana Sen Poll Watch: Rehberg (R) 47% vs. Dem Sen Tester’s 43% http://t.co/uHgOW6GN #tcot #
- RT @ppppolls: Romney has also gained 10 pts with independents in Wisconsin- had been down 14 points, now only 4: http://t.co/Uu1obnCJ #tcot #
- RT @ppppolls: Mitt Romney leads Barack Obama 48-47 on our new Wisconsin poll. 7 point shift since early July: http://t.co/Uu1obnCJ #tcot #
- Gallup Poll Watch: U.S. Economic Confidence Looks Bleak – Flap's Blog http://t.co/BXO6rWYf #tcot #
- 63% Oppose Driver’s Licenses, Public Benefits for Illegal Immigrants Who Get Work Permits – Rasmussen Reports™ http://t.co/FjSp9wSJ #tcot #
- MO-Sen Video: Todd Akin Apologizes – Flap's Blog http://t.co/PG4U0RIa #tcot #
- Gallup Poll Watch: U.S. Economic Confidence Looks Bleak http://t.co/JuVU4z9E #tcot #
- 63% Oppose Driver’s Licenses, Public Benefits for Illegal Immigrants Who Get Work Permits http://t.co/NUuSZuBi #tcot #catcot #
- MO-Sen Video: Todd Akin Apologizes http://t.co/9teDTa9V #tcot #
- How Obama can fix his welfare problem http://t.co/NhV9zUZb #tcot #
- RT @LANow Mars rover Curiosity gets ready for its first road trip on Red Planet http://t.co/0NZj2AgF #
- Re: Romney’s best chance in Electoral College to put him over top will be Iowa or Wisconsin. Assuming OH, NC, IN, FL, VA flip #tcot #
- RT @ByronYork Most plausible victory scenario depends on Romney taking VA, NC, IN, then FL and OH, then needs one more. Best chance in Iowa? #
- "Issues" or America? http://t.co/zD00NuO0 #tcot #
- Romney Racks Up Big Cash Advantage http://t.co/yKbphXXg #tcot #
- Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-08-21 http://t.co/jQkj52aM #
- OK, @ToddAkin I forgive you. Now, withdraw from the MO Senate race. You cannot win. #tcot #
- RT @jimgeraghty @PPPPolls finds Akin ahead by one in MO in R+9 poll sample. In late May, their sample was D+2. http://t.co/4U9lEOgQ #tcot #
- RT @PounderFile Politico: “Romney Leads In Cash On Hand By $62M” http://t.co/3C9tb2bZ #tcot #
- RT @DavidMDrucker If @ToddAkin thinks the PPP poll is evidence he should stay in #MOSEN race,he doesn't understand damage he's done 2 self #
- RT @PoliticalTicker Akin asks for 'forgiveness' in new TV ad – http://t.co/TECAUBEU #tcot #
- RT @jamiedupree PPP poll gives Todd Akin 24/58 approval/disapproval, but he still leads MO Senate race by 1 http://t.co/jW0Pc5qb #tcot #
- The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen.
-Frank Loyd Wright
Happy Tuesday! #
- @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-08-21 http://t.co/I4ZimZzx #tcot #
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Gallup Poll Watch: U.S. Economic Confidence Looks Bleak
According to the latest Gallup Poll.
Americans continue to have both a negative view of current U.S. economic conditions and a bleak outlook for the U.S. economy’s future, resulting in a Gallup Economic Confidence Index reading of -28 for the week of Aug. 13-19 — basically unchanged from the previous week.
Americans’ economic confidence has been low for most of the summer so far, with weekly averages between -23 and -29 since June 11. Prior to that, Americans had been somewhat more optimistic, and the weekly average of -16 in late May represented the highest confidence reading of the year. The -29 reached in January and again in late July represent the low points of the year so far. At the same time, Americans’ confidence was significantly lower in the latter part of 2011 than it is now.
Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index consists of two measures — one assessing current economic conditions and the other assessing the nation’s economic outlook.
I don’t see any burst of economic confidence out here in California. In fact, the news is filled with noise of impending business troubles and municipal bankruptcies.
So, what does this mean?
President Obama and other incumbent POLS don’t have much positive economic momentum to run for re-election.
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MO-Sen Video: Todd Akin Apologizes
[youtube]http://youtu.be/R57E3S8RO7A[/youtube]
A little too little and way too late.
Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin has recorded a television ad asking for “forgiveness” from the voters of his state and acknowledging that he used “the wrong words in the wrong way” when he suggested last weekend that rape rarely leads to pregnancy.
The Republican congressman has come under heavy fire from national Republicans for his comments and has been urged by some to drop his candidacy before the no-penalty withdrawal deadline of 5 p.m. today. Akin has said he will move ahead with his bid against Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill and the spot is an indication that he plans to follow through.
The commercial, which was shared with POLITICO, shows Akin speaking directly to the camera and explaining that he has compassion for the victims of rape.
“Rape is an evil act. I used the wrong words in the wrong way and for that I apologize. As the father of two daughters, I want tough justice for predators. I have a compassionate heart for the victims of sexual assault. I pray for them,” Akin says. “The fact is, rape can lead to pregnancy. The truth is, rape has many victims.”
Akin continues: “The mistake I made was in the words I said, not in the heart I hold. I ask for your forgiveness.”
Rep. Todd Akins should withdraw and I doubt he will be in the Missouri Senate race by the close of business today.
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@Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-08-21
- Doctor burnout: Nearly half of physicians report symptoms http://t.co/eOjSxDzE #tcot #
- Updated: MO-Sen: Rep Todd Akin Should Step Aside – Flap's Blog http://t.co/p8wVTOH1 #tcot #
- Updated: MO-Sen: Rep Todd Akin Should Step Aside http://t.co/Y6yMMV9c #tcot #
- News from The Associated Press http://t.co/wcb3ujUl #tcot #
- MO-Sen: Rep Todd Akin Should Step Aside – Flap's Blog http://t.co/g2OUtcOS #tcot #
- Why Todd Akin should step aside | http://t.co/D2rHhz9A http://t.co/B1nBZF05 #tcot #
- Humorist Phyllis Diller dies at 95 in Los Angeles http://t.co/pi9eG0gS #
- Phyllis Diller R.I.P. #
- MO-Sen: Rep Todd Akin Should Step Aside http://t.co/DynfBfl9 #tcot #
- Why Todd Akin should step aside | http://t.co/D2rHhz9A http://t.co/eMzZFgxy #tcot #
- Why Todd Akin should step aside | http://t.co/D2rHhz9A http://t.co/RsFbvvcs #tcot #
- Crossroads abandons Akin http://t.co/H5sRrt7V #tcot #
- Crossroads pulls out of Missouri after Akin comments – http://t.co/0DyymCmz http://t.co/6YI6iW6j #tcot #
- Breaking Washington DC News, US Politics News and Analysis | Washington Examiner http://t.co/35P7BN9k #tcot #
- Why Todd Akin should step aside | http://t.co/D2rHhz9A http://t.co/0qS7fCPB #tcot #
- RT @rachelweinerwp Crossroads GPS abandons Akin after investing $5.4 million in race http://t.co/mTWa3Zgh #tcot #
- RT @mpoindc Between Cornyn's statement & Crossroads' withdrawal from MO airwaves, the message to Akin to get out couldn't be less subtle #
- MO-Sen: Todd Akin will withdraw by tonight or tomorrow = my estimation. #tcot #
- RT @politico As Obama leaves briefing room, press yells of "come back!" and "don't be a stranger!" #whbrief #
- RT @guypbenson Bottom line: Obama is 100% comfortable with the type of campaign he's running. #
- RT @gallupnews #Obama Job Approval: Approve 47% (-) Disapprove 47% (-). Get the full trend… http://t.co/3KOxgQI2 #
- Little by Little until he is out RT @mpoindc RT @FixAaron: Crossroads pulls out of Missouri after Akin comments http://t.co/AAs2OKJO #
- RT @FixAaron Ex-Rep. Heather Wilson (R-N.M.) is latest Senate candidate to call for Akin to step aside. #
- Book: Obamacare law designed to unionize 21 million health care workers http://t.co/fx7h8hWa #tcot #
- Twitter / Ron4Senate: Todd Akin’s statements are … http://t.co/wun9n2Rq #tcot #
- Why Todd Akin should step aside | http://t.co/D2rHhz9A http://t.co/sVCGWeAT #tcot #
- CA-26 RT @TonyStrickland: I found Akin's comments offensive, repugnant, and ignorant. #tcot #
- @racooper3 Probably either in reply to racooper3 #
- Does anyone now think that just maybe the public employee unions miscalculated with their recall of Wisconsin's Scott Walker? #tcot #
- Out the door soon? RT @philipaklein: Sen. Ron Johnson now calling for Akin to drop out. Don't see how he can survive http://t.co/PMSQsI6N #
- RT @philipaklein: New post: "Why Todd Akin should step aside" http://t.co/3U267scg #tcot #
- The Morning Flap: August 20, 2012 http://t.co/uq3lau6l #tcot #
- BREAKING! RT @ppppolls: Mitt Romney ever so slightly in the lead on our Wisconsin poll. Results out tomorrow #tcot #
- Universal Mediocrity – NHS http://t.co/F3VusOEZ #tcot #
- Obamacare’s unpopularity blunts Obama’s attacks on Romney-Ryan Medicare plans http://t.co/ebQqq6fJ #tcot #
- Two Weeks to Go in California Legislative Session http://t.co/KAwbnU50 #tcot #
- Flap's Dentistry Blog: Medical Boards Worried About FTC North Carolina Dental Ruling http://t.co/DRexLAPt #tcot #
- Todd Akin’s macaca moment? http://t.co/7uo8j8Fv #tcot #
- Two Weeks to Go in California Legislative Session http://t.co/TC79338u #
- Medical Boards Worried About FTC North Carolina Dental Ruling http://t.co/YDT6xN1p #
- RT @rachelweinerwp Some Republicans calling for Akin to drop out; @FixSean will have details soon on how it would work http://t.co/5ByfOsVK #
- @racooper3 I meant to say John Brunner in reply to racooper3 #
- @racooper3 I think Todd Akin is a dead duck at this point. Brenner or Steelman would be more likely to win. in reply to racooper3 #
- @bloodless_coup no, I am in California. Palin endorsed Sarah Steelman. John Brunner came in second and he is good too = either is fine in reply to bloodless_coup #
- @bloodless_coup She will wait and this is smart because my bet is that @sarahsteelman will be her opponent by the end of the AM in reply to bloodless_coup #
- Todd Akin should apologize & then withdraw for the good of the GOP – party and Senate control beyond personal pride = he screwed up #tcot #
- The question is: How long will the Missouri GOP have to bleed this morning before they pressure Todd Akin to withdraw? #tcot #
- DUH, Why would she? RT @politico: Claire McCaskill won’t say Todd Akin must quit: http://t.co/4PQIb94b #tcot #
- Day By Day August 19, 2012 – No Lie http://t.co/Y1Jc342O #tcot #
- Obama Opens Up to 'Moneyball' Writer for Vanity Fair http://t.co/wSrtdZo1 #tcot #
- Swing-State Voters Say They Are No Better Off Than in 2008 http://t.co/v2TVfnqK #tcot #
- Hit the road, Barack http://t.co/FTO08S2z #tcot #
- RT @PounderFile Obama campaign settled on "Forward" theme "after a series of focus groups" but Obama "was never all that crazy" about it #
- RT @PounderFile WSJ Editorial: “The $6,400 Myth: Breaking Down A False Obama Medicare Claim” http://t.co/t2upNgmv #
- Agree – – >RT @sarah_steelman Todd Akin's remarks about "legitimate rape" were inexcusable, insulting and embarrassing to the GOP. #mosen #
- RT @PounderFile From @GlennThrush, "from the start, @DWStweets grated on Chicago" and eventually became marginalized" #tcot #
- DESPERATE RT @PounderFile From @GlennThrush, Obama personally dispatched top WH staffers to do campaign work in Chicago #TaxpayerMoneyAtWork #
- Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-08-20 http://t.co/YpeOv52h #
- Seriously Twisted! RT @WashMirror WASSERMAN-SCHULTZ: Romney And Akin Hold Similar Views On Rape Victims http://t.co/KHSJqDUA #tcot #
- Never @ NBC RT @chucktodd Busy @todayshow morning for politics. From Akin to skinny-dipping in Israel, GOP not having a good "branding" day #
- RT @WashMirror Romney-Ryan To Host Medicare Town Hall With NH Voters http://t.co/7x1tDo26 #
- RT @whpresscorps RT @charliespiering: More Glenn Thrush book: Obama was "stunned, angry," by the 2010 GOP comeback #tcot #
- RT @politico POLITICO e-book from @GlennThursh: Obama campaign roiled by conflict — http://t.co/wwf21XA6 #tcot #
- The latest Romney ad attacks Obama on welfare http://t.co/k6vTmPRP #
- The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible.
-Arthur C. Clarke
Happy Monday! #
- @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-08-20 – Flap's Blog – FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog http://t.co/HXn45jrP #tcot #
- @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-08-20 http://t.co/1chHdStJ #tcot #
- Todd Akin’s rape remark has GOP fretting – David Catanese – http://t.co/0DyymCmz http://t.co/evO0dC2c #tcot #
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Updated: MO-Sen: Rep Todd Akin Should Step Aside
Jen Rubin over at WAPO has a couple of options for Akin’s withdrawal. And, in an update, makes it clear that the GOP and associated Super PACS are through with him.
The dripping you hear is the slow, but eventual withdrawal of Akin’s candidacy.
Rep Todd Akin and Missouri GOP U.S. Senate Nominee
The whole Todd Akin and “legitimate rape” flap has blown up -as it should. It is time for Rep. Todd Akin to immediately step aside from his U.S. Senate nomination by the Republican Party.
Representative Todd Akin, the Republican nominee for Senator from Missouri, became nationally notorious yesterday for saying something stupid. In the course of explaining why he believes abortion should be illegal even when pregnancies result from rape, he said that in cases of “legitimate rape” the victim’s body has defense mechanisms that usually prevent pregnancy.
Give the man points for concision, at least: His remarks combined several mistakes with brutal efficiency. There is no evidence for Akin’s biological claim. The frequency with which rape results in pregnancy has no bearing on whether abortion should be allowed when it does. And while it is not completely clear what point Akin was trying to make with the phrase, “legitimate rape” should not appear in any good one.
Todd Akin is a weak candidate and Senator Claire McCaskill deserves a strong opponent. While the U.S. Senate partisan control is important, it is more important that the Missouri Republican Party not be represented by some “nut job” like Akin.
It is time for Akin to step aside and if he does not do so voluntarily, the Missouri Republican Party should strip him of the nomination.
Here are his original comments in the video below:
[youtube]http://youtu.be/fdisTOKom5I[/youtube]
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MO-Sen: Rep Todd Akin Should Step Aside
Rep Todd Akin and Missouri GOP U.S. Senate Nominee
The whole Todd Akin and “legitimate rape” flap has blown up -as it should. It is time for Rep. Todd Akin to immediately step aside from his U.S. Senate nomination by the Republican Party.
Representative Todd Akin, the Republican nominee for Senator from Missouri, became nationally notorious yesterday for saying something stupid. In the course of explaining why he believes abortion should be illegal even when pregnancies result from rape, he said that in cases of “legitimate rape” the victim’s body has defense mechanisms that usually prevent pregnancy.
Give the man points for concision, at least: His remarks combined several mistakes with brutal efficiency. There is no evidence for Akin’s biological claim. The frequency with which rape results in pregnancy has no bearing on whether abortion should be allowed when it does. And while it is not completely clear what point Akin was trying to make with the phrase, “legitimate rape” should not appear in any good one.
Todd Akin is a weak candidate and Senator Claire McCaskill deserves a strong opponent. While the U.S. Senate partisan control is important, it is more important that the Missouri Republican Party not be represented by some “nut job” like Akin.
It is time for Akin to step aside and if he does not do so voluntarily, the Missouri Republican Party should strip him of the nomination.
Here are his original comments in the video below:
[youtube]http://youtu.be/fdisTOKom5I[/youtube]
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The Morning Flap: August 20, 2012
These are my links for August 16th through August 20th:
- Universal Mediocrity – NHS– In April, the British Medical Journal published “How the NHS Measures Up to Other Health Systems,” a report about two studies conducted by the New York–based Commonwealth Fund that compared the health-care systems of 14 advanced countries. On the 20 measures of comparison, Britain’s famous (or infamous) centralized system, the National Health Service, performed well in 13, indifferently in two, and badly in five. Was this a cause for national rejoicing?If popular satisfaction is the aim of a health-care system, the answer must be yes. According to the report, the British were the most satisfied with their health care of all the populations surveyed; they were the most confident that in the event of illness, they would receive the best and most up-to-date treatment; and they were the least anxious that their personal finances would prevent them from receiving proper treatment. One could doubtless raise objections to these measures of comparison, but let us for the sake of argument take the results at face value. Subjective satisfaction and relief of anxiety are not minor achievements. Indeed, though the free market’s ability to satisfy more needs and desires than any other system is usually cited as one of its principal advantages, here was an apparent instance of the contrary: a nonmarket health-care system that yielded the most satisfaction.
- Obamacare’s unpopularity blunts Obama’s attacks on Romney-Ryan Medicare plans– Obamacare was supposed to be President Barack Obama’s legacy. But it’s looking like a political millstone.The mammoth and unpopular health insurance overhaul weighed down Democrats in 2010 when Republicans helped turn seniors to their side.And now Democrats have unexpectedly had to play defense over Obamacare’s Medicare cuts even as Mitt Romney picked Congressman Paul Ryan as a vice-presidential running mate and drew attention to unpopular Republican plans that cap future Medicare spending.Central to the Republican attack: Obamacare cut $716 billion in anticipated Medicare spending over a decade. Republicans are driving the message home in TV ads and robocalls bashing Democrats.
- Two Weeks to Go in California Legislative Session – Two Weeks to Go in California Legislative Session
- Flap’s Dentistry Blog: Medical Boards Worried About FTC North Carolina Dental Ruling – Medical Boards Worried About FTC North Carolina Dental Ruling
- Todd Akin’s macaca moment? – RT @rachelweinerwp Some Republicans calling for Akin to drop out; @FixSean will have details soon on how it would work
- Claire McCaskill won’t say Todd Akin must quit – Tim Mak – POLITICO.com – DUH, Why would she? RT @politico: Claire McCaskill won’t say Todd Akin must quit: #tcot
- Day By Day August 19, 2012 – No Lie – Flap’s Blog – Day By Day August 19, 2012 – No Lie #tcot
- Niall Ferguson on Why Barack Obama Needs to Go – Newsweek and The Daily Beast – Hit the road, Barack #tcot
- Obama Opens Up to ‘Moneyball’ Writer for Vanity Fair– The White House has granted Michael Lewis, the best-selling author of “Moneyball” and “The Big Short,” extensive access to President Obama for an article in the October issue of Vanity Fair.The magazine confirmed that Mr. Lewis has conducted a series of interviews with the president for the piece. But a spokeswoman for the magazine and the White House both declined to comment on the focus of their discussions or what the article will detail.Generally, Mr. Lewis is said to be writing about leadership, according to someone who knows both Mr. Lewis and the pesident.It would seem to be something of a risk for the White House – which is highly guarded about allowing journalists access to the president for longer-form articles and books – to agree to let in an author who is known for
- Swing-State Voters Say They Are No Better Off Than in 2008 – A majority of voters in key 2012 election swing states say they are not better off than they were four years ago; 40% say they are better off. Swing-state voters’ assessments of their situation compared with 2008 have varied little since last fall.
- Review & Outlook: $6,400 Myth – WSJ.com – RT @PounderFile WSJ Editorial: “The $6,400 Myth: Breaking Down A False Obama Medicare Claim”
- Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-08-20 – Flap’s California Blog – Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-08-20
- POLITICO e-book: Obama campaign roiled by conflict – Glenn Thrush – POLITICO.com – RT @politico POLITICO e-book from @GlennThursh: Obama campaign roiled by conflict — #tcot
- @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-08-20 – Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-08-20 #tcot
- Todd Akin’s rape remark has GOP fretting – David Catanese – POLITICO.com – YES RT @LizMair: The latest Akin can step aside and be replaced is Tuesday. I hope he does, and Jim Talent steps up.
- Dentistry / Edmonton’s Kirsten Zuk may be the first artist to make a sculpture of John Lennon that contains a chunk of the rock icon’s molar – Kirsten Zuk may be the first artist to make a sculpture of John Lennon that contains a chunk of the rock icon’s molar
- Moody’s: More California cities at risk of bankruptcy– One of the nation’s top credit rating agencies said Friday that it expects more municipal bankruptcies and defaults in California, the nation’s largest issuer of municipal bonds.Moody’s Investors Service said in a report that the growing fiscal distress in many California cities was putting bondholders at risk.The service announced that it will undertake a wide-ranging review of municipal finances in the nation’s most populous state because of what it sees as a growing threat of insolvency.The report has both investors and government leaders worried.Three California cities — Stockton, San Bernardino and Mammoth Lakes — have filed for bankruptcy so far this year. They are not likely to be the last, Moody’s said.
Moody’s reports that some cities are turning bankruptcy as a new strategy to take on budget deficits and avoid obligations to bondholders, an emerging dynamic that could have ripple effects throughout the investment community.
The municipal bond market has long been characterized by low default rates and relatively stable finances, Moody’s said, but that outlook is beginning to change as bankruptcy becomes a tool for cash-strapped cities.
- The Jaco Report: August 19, 2012 | FOX2now.com – St. Louis News & Weather from KTVI Television FOX2 – Think the odds of GOP Rep. Todd Akin surviving by tomorrow PM are slim to none #tcot
- Todd Akin: ‘Legitimate rape’ victims rarely get pregnant – David Cohen – POLITICO.com – Don’r know how the GOP will win this Senate seat now | Todd Akin: ‘Legitimate rape’ victims rarely get pregnant
- Giuliani: Joe Biden’s a Joke – Flap’s Blog – Giuliani: Joe Biden’s a Joke #tcot
- Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-08-19 – Flap’s California Blog – Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-08-19
- @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-08-19 – Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-08-19 #tcot
- Gregory Flap @ Ronnie’s Diner – foursquare – After 12 very hot miles in Santa Monica and Venice with Alice, Nancy, Tara and Mary (@ Ronnie’s Diner)
- Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-08-18 – Flap’s California Blog – Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-08-18
- @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-08-18 – Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-08-18 #tcot
- Flap’s Dentistry Blog: The Morning Drill: August 17, 2012 – The Morning Drill: August 17, 2012
- AD-48: More Investigations into the Political Affairs of Roger Hernandez – AD-48: More Investigations into the Political Affairs of Roger Hernandez
- Hillary Clinton: Not Interested in Running as Obama’s Vice President – Hillary Clinton: Not Interested in Running as Obama’s Vice President #tcot
- Poll: Obama leads in swing-state Michigan – The Hill’s Ballot Box – Michigan is not a swing state = blue RT @thehill Poll: Obama leads in swing-state Michigan (by @JonEasley) #tcot
- Amanda Bynes: Amanda Bynes Accused in 3rd Hit-and-Run in 3 Months – ktla.com – Oh my! RT @KTLA Report: Amanda Bynes to Be Charged in Hit-and-Run
- California employers add 25,200 jobs; unemployment stays at 10.7% – latimes.com – RT @latimes California employers add 25,200 jobs; unemployment stays at 10.7%
#tcot #catcot - Obama Campaign Asks Romney for 5 Years of Tax Returns– The Obama campaign, determined to renew the focus of the presidential race on questions about Mitt Romney‘s taxes, is trying to pressure the Republican candidate to release five years of his returns.Obama campaign manager Jim Messina sent a letter Friday to Romney campaign manager Matt Rhoades promising not to demand any additional tax returns if Mr. Romney releases five years’ worth.“Governor Romney apparently fears that the more he offers, the more our campaign will demand that he provide,” Mr. Messina wrote.“So I am prepared to provide assurances on just that point: if the Governor will release five years of returns, I commit in turn that we will not criticize him for not releasing more–neither in ads nor in other public communications or commentary for the rest of the campaign.”Mr. Rhoades, in a prompt response to Mr. Messina, rejected the idea saying, “It is clear that President Obama wants nothing more than to talk about Governor Romney’s tax returns instead of the issues that matter to voters, like putting Americans back to work, fixing the economy and reining in spending.” Mr. Romney, he said, will continue to focus on his plans for “a stronger middle class, to save Medicare, to put work back into welfare, and help the 23 million Americans struggling to find work in the Obama economy.”
- Biden’s ‘good friend,’ donor receives $20M federal loan– In late July, John Hynansky — a longtime friend of Vice President Joe Biden, and a major donor to Biden’s campaigns as well as President Barack Obama’s —was awarded a $20 million taxpayer loan to build a foreign-car dealership in Ukraine.According to a public summary document, the loan, from the federal government’s Overseas Private Investment Corporation, is for “[u]p to $20.0 million,” and is designed to “expand Winner Import Ukraine’s automobile business, [and] construct and operate ‘Winner Autocity,’ which will have two new, state-of-the-art dealership facilities for Porsche and Land Rover/Jaguar automobiles.”Porsche is a German-made luxury and sports car, and Jaguar Land Rover is a British luxury and sports car company owned by an Indian subsidiary.Under “U.S. Economic Impact,” the summary document says, “This project will have a positive developmental impact on the host country, Ukraine. The project will generate a significant number of new local jobs. Running a dealership for premium automobile brands requires a highly trained sales force, mechanics, accountants, communications and advertising specialists, IT specialists, service personnel, warehouse managers, and customer relations specialists.”
- Rasmussen: Florida Fears Obama’s Medicare Plan More Than Ryan’s – RT @BreitbartFeed Rasmussen: Florida Fears Obama’s Medicare Plan More Than Ryan’s #tcot
- An Embarrassment
– YouTube – RT @PounderFile 44 states saw unemployment increase last month but now we know which super power Obama would like #tcot - State pays high price for localities to post meeting agendas– In this online age, the decades-old state requirement that local governments alert residents about what will be discussed in public meetings and when they will take place might be fulfilled with a few keystrokes.At the Santa Clara Valley Water District, that function cost $9,152.26 per meeting.The district said it racked up $384,395 in expenses for 42 meetings in the 2010-11 budget year and, like hundreds of other local governments, asked the state for reimbursement.A June decision by lawmakers and the governor to stop localities from submitting such bills for the next year, thereby giving them license to temporarily stop complying with the rule, has generated a lot of buzz among good-government advocates. Lost in all the back and forth about the public’s right to know is the high price some cities and counties are charging to prepare and post agendas publicly.
- U.S. Unadjusted Unemployment 8.3% in Mid-August – RT @gallupnews U.S. Unadjusted Unemployment up to 8.3% in Mid-August…
#tcot - Beauty and the Beak on Vimeo – Dentist provides assistance to bald eagle
- Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-08-17 – Flap’s California Blog – Flap’s California Blog @ Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-08-17
- @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-08-17 – Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – @Flap Twitter Updates for 2012-08-17 #tcot
- Untitled (http://getglue.com/Fullosseousflap/stickers/getglue/getglue_hd_a_new_kind_of_guide?s=ts&ref=Full) – Untitled (… #tcot
- Untitled (http://getglue.com/Fullosseousflap/stickers/getglue/getglue_hd_a_new_kind_of_guide?s=ts&ref=Fullosseousflap) – I unlocked the GetGlue HD: A New Kind of Guide sticker on #GetGlueHD!
- Untitled (http://getglue.com/tv_shows/big_brother?s=tch&ref=Fullosseousflap) – Online East Coast feed #GetGlueHD #CBSBigBrother
- Romney headed back to O.C. to raise cash Sept. 17– Orange County’s Republican money tree continues its allure, as Mitt Romney will return Sept. 17 for his fourth fundraiser since March. Ticket prices range from $1,000 to $50,000 for an evening event at Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa. The exact time is being worked out.If you want to step up from the $1,000 price to the $2,500, they’ll throw in a Romney lapel pin. Bump it up to $10,000 and you get two tickets to the photo reception, one photo (two guests can be in it with the nominee), and two tickets to the general reception.For $50,000? Two tickets to a VIP reception and to the photo reception, one photo and four tickets to the general reception.The deadline to RSVP is Sept. 14. Call 949-474-6930 or write stacy@stacy-davis.com
- Nevada Media Calls Berkley TV Attack Ad ‘Laughable’ – Democratic Congressman Shelley Berkley’s Campaign for Senate released a television ad that claimed her opponent, incumbent Republican Senator Dean Heller, was implicated in a $64 million diamond scam. By Monday, every major media outlet in Nevada declared the ad was false.
- CBRT Pepperdine Poll Watch: The November California Propositions – CBRT Pepperdine Poll Watch: The November California Propositions
- Former Asian Boyz gang leader convicted of 4 killings – LA Daily News – Now, tell me why Pierre Mercado shouldn’t receive the Death Penalty when he is sentenced? #catcot #tcot
- California State University: Some object to letting in only nonresidents, who pay higher tuition– If you’re a Californian interested in taking up graduate studies in January at a California State University campus, think again.But if you live in another state or country, check it out and sign your check.Cal State system leaders have told the university’s 23 campuses they won’t be allowed to admit California graduate students for the spring term, which starts in January. Budget cuts made the system in the spring unable to afford residents’ heavily discounted education, campus leaders were told.But nonresident students – who pay considerably higher fees – remain welcome, at least at some campuses. That has become an issue leading some rebellious graduate schools to turn away the non-Californians – and the financial windfall they would bring.We either take both kinds of students or none, one professor said.
“It’s appalling, and I would never, ever go along with” excluding resident students, said Maria Nieto, a Cal State East Bay biology professor who coordinates her department’s graduate studies. “To say, `You can accept these students at the exclusion of California students’ goes against the mission of CSU.”
“This is yet another effect of the financial crisis for higher education – a crisis that has reduced Cal Poly Pomona’s state funding by nearly $55 million since the 2008-09 academic year,” said Tim Lynch, a spokesman for Cal Poly Pomona. No decision had yet been made at that campus about non-resident graduate
- Witness: State assemblyman initially refused blood test after Concord DUI arrest – San Jose Mercury News – He is looking for different work RT @RobStutzman: Um, Roger Hernandez, how’s that DUI trial working out?
- Gallup Poll: In U.S., Majority Overweight or Obese in All 50 States – Nearly seven in 10 adults in West Virginia, Mississippi, and Kentucky are either overweight or obese — more than in any other state in the first half of 2012. At the other end of the scale is Colorado, the least overweight state in the union, but even there, 55.1% of residents are overweight or obese.
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Day By Day August 19, 2012 – No Lie
Chris, the report on a new Poltico book is that the Obama White House has already marginalized DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz.
Many of Obama’s advisers have quietly begun questioning whether they should have picked Wasserman Schultz, an outspoken Florida congresswoman, as his DNC chairwoman. She has clashed with Chicago over her choice of staff and air-time on national TV shows — and they think she comes across as too partisan over the airwaves.
Obama’s brain trust secretly commissioned pollster David Binder to conduct an internal focus study of the popularity of top Obama campaign surrogates. Number one was former press secretary Robert Gibbs, followed by Cutter. Traveling press secretary Jen Psaki, who was added to a second study, was third. Axelrod, Plouffe and current White House press secretary Jay Carney were bunched in the middle. Wasserman Schultz ranked at the bottom.
As far as Sarah Palin – I don’t think anyone will be able to muzzle or marginalize her impact.
Today, the Washington media frenzy is all about some ridiculous/incredulous remarks from Rep. Todd Akin who is also the GOP nominee for U.S. Senate from Missouri. I wish we can tune him out and I somehow think he will be gone from politics by the end of the day.
Or, at least should be….