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17 Jun 2011 11:28

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Politics: Early New Hampshire poll: Romney flying high, Bachmann rising fast

  • The field has a pretty obvious split: Those who like Mitt Romney and those who don’t. But there are some interesting details to note about New Hampshire Republican primary voters. First, Bachmann’s debate performance now has her polling above Sarah Palin, which is kind of a big deal. Second, Newt Gingrich is totally sucking. Third, despite many reasons to love him right now, Jon Huntsman has low polling numbers and low likability, which makes no sense. Finally, Rick Santorum is bringing up the rear — as he should. Either way, with the first big debate now in the rearview, the polling nonetheless is fascinating. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

14 Jun 2011 17:19

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Politics: The high cost of political sabotage in Wisconsin

  • $428k cost for fake primaries in Wisconsin source
  • » Big money for big trickery: As you may have heard, the Republican Party in Wisconsin is facing a grim reality — recall elections are looming, and there’s a pretty decent chance the outcomes will tilt legislative power towards the Democrats. The reason, broadly speaking, is the passion and anger towards the state GOP’s efforts to strip public union rights. As such, they’re is aiming to delay the elections to hope things have time to cool off. Their plan is unorthodox: running Republicans, as Democrats, against the Democratic opposition at the primary stage, thus forcing an extra election. Extra elections come with a cost to the state, though, and this is no different. Sort of hurts the whole cash-strapped, “gotta cut back, gotta strip these union rights” narrative, huh?
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

05 Jun 2011 12:54

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Politics: Sarah Palin apologizes for hogging Mitt Romney’s spotlight

 

  • I apologize if I stepped on any of that PR that Mitt Romney needed or wanted that day.
  • Sarah Palin on “Fox News Sunday” • Suggesting that she sort of stole Romney’s thunder because her bus tour stopped in a town near to where Romney was announcing his candidacy — on a farm in New Hampshire. She’s also said that her much-publicized bus tour hasn’t moved her any closer to a decision on whether she’s running for president. Here’s a tip, Sarah — until you make up your mind, don’t screw over the people from your party. source
Posted by Justin Jones • 0 Comments • Permalink

02 Jun 2011 16:27

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U.S.: NH GOPers aren’t all keen on crushing union rights

  • 2 New Hampshire GOP leaders resign over anti-union legislative agenda source
  • » Protest through departure: Two prominent Republican legislators from the state of New Hampshire have decided to call it quits, resignations in protest of the hard-line, anti-union agenda of the state’s House Speaker, Bill O’Brien. They are House Deputy Majority Leader Mike Quandt (whose father, Rep. Marshall Quandt, was removed from a leadership position for failing to support a union-busting amendment), and House Whip Tim Copeland. Said Quandt the younger: “I cannot sit by and participate in a leadership team that is bent on destroying the strong labor force and good benefits that we have in our state. I cannot condone the incredible disrespect that Bill O’Brien has shown to other members of our caucus who are trying to represent their constituents.” (h/t ThinkProgress)
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

02 Jun 2011 15:45

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Biz, U.S.: Moody’s threatens U.S. credit rating downgrade over debt crisis

  • Full faith and credit: Moody’s Investors Service warns that a failure by the U.S. Congress to come to an agreement on raising the debt limit could imperil the country’s AAA credit rating: “The heightened polarization over the debt limit has increased the odds of a short-lived default. If this situation remains unchanged in coming weeks, Moody’s will place the rating under review.” You may remember a similar warning from Standard and Poor’s last April — it’s becoming increasingly clear that the debt limit struggle, in addition to the gaping chasm between what Democrats and Republicans would care to do on spending and deficit issues (such a chasm usually means gridlock), is causing angst for financial agencies. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

02 Jun 2011 14:25

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U.S.: Romney announces candidacy, promises healthcare repeal

  • Mitt Romney officially announced his candidacy for 2012 today, shooting for his second run at the White House. He promised to repeal “Obamacare” (which he fathered, right?) and to make more jobs for Americans. His focus is to take power from the federal level and give it to the states, like a true Republican, and he talked extensively about his political credentials. But the important question is, does he really stand a chance against T-Paw and those ads? (photo via Gage Skidmore) source
Posted by Justin Jones • 0 Comments • Permalink

02 Jun 2011 01:47

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Politics: Republican budget plan falls flat with the public

  • Is it just us, or was Paul Ryan foolish to start using the word “Mediscare” to describe the Democrats’ opposition to his plan? Because when you hear “Mediscare,” you don’t think, “Oh, the Democrats are just trying to scare me. I’m sure the Ryan budget is perfectly innocuous.” No; you think, “Oh no! Someone’s trying to take my Medicare away, and I’m scared!” Anyway, this is a shocking, rare PR victory for the Democrats, so let’s let them cherish it for the ten minutes it’ll take before they inevitably blow it and do something stupid. source
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

24 May 2011 20:45

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Politics: Elizabeth Warren subcommittee hearing devolves into pissing match

  • What time was Elizabeth Warren supposed to leave? We’re not completely sure, but she seems pretty angry about being held up by GOP Rep. Patrick McHenry (on top of having the meeting rescheduled repeatedly). Warren, the Harvard professor helping to launch the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for Obama, faced a tough line of questions from Republicans on the House Oversight subcommittee — questions which showed they didn’t even seem to know basic facts. It got so bad that Democratic Rep. John Yarmuth had to say this in her defense: “The questioning of your veracity when there is documented evidence that you are being totally truthful indicates to me that this hearing is all about impugning you because people are afraid of you.” Word on the street is that Warren may take on Scott Brown in his upcoming Senate race, which is a stupid idea because Brown is a moderate Democrat in every respect but party affiliation. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

24 May 2011 13:45

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Politics: Rumors swirl on possible Giuliani run, ’cause someone has to

  • Run Rudy Run: You may have noticed a lot of nail-biting amongst establishment Republican figures in the last couple days, with the news that Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels wouldn’t be running causing a bit of an “oh my god, we don’t have many electable candidates here” sort of panic. But never fear, GOP, your knight in shining armor could be coming. Reports are swirling that Rudy Giuliani, seeking redemption for his disastrous 2008 campaign (record-setting for its waste and futility, as he spent over $50 million to net just one delegate), may throw his name into the ring once more. Said Rep. Peter King: “If he were to make the decision today, he would run.” source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

23 May 2011 10:33

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Politics: Shocker: Scott Brown doesn’t support the Paul Ryan Medicare plan

  • Thumbs-up to photo ops, thumbs-down to the Ryan plan. Sen. Scott Brown got into office largely on the promise he’d vote against the health care bill. Since then, he’s followed a strongly moderate path, reaching out to the other side of the aisle more than any other GOP senator. So, it’s with that in mind that you should read the op-ed Brown wrote for Politico, which claims that Medicare has already been weakened by Obamacare, and that at large, the focus should be on removing waste in Medicare. “While I applaud Ryan for getting the conversation started,” he said, “I cannot support his specific plan — and therefore will vote ‘no’ on his budget.” If only Newt Gingrich had this script to read from a week ago. (photo via Flickr user dianezink1021) source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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