Does The 18th District Want More Of The Same?

No one want's to be disgraced in the national news, but that's just what Bob Ney did to Ohio's 18th Congressional district. If Joy Padgett somehow manages to win the seat I can guarantee that It'll happen again.

WASHINGTON — A federal bankruptcy trustee is investigating whether a congressional candidate gave property to her family last year to keep it from her creditors.

Court files show that state Sen. Joy Padgett transferred her one-third share of her family farm less than a month before she and her husband sought bankruptcy protection for their office-supply company.

"I am looking into it within the office," John Kennedy, lawyer for U.S. Bankruptcy Trustee Frank Pees, said yesterday.

Source: Ohio Elects (a site by the Columbus Dispatch)

Don't Trust SurveyUSA? Another Poll Puts Sherrod Pulling Away

Sherrod Brown: 54%
Mike DeWine: 43%

A Rasmussen poll has been released showing Sherrod Brown leading Mike DeWine by 11%.

Source: Rasmussen: Brown has a a double-digit lead | Buckeye State Blog

Just 10 More Days of Cheap Gas...

Do you seriously believe that the low gas prices aren't tied to the election? Go fill up some barrels now before it's too late.

Ted Strickland Comes To Monroe County

Ted & Charlie
Originally uploaded by david potts.

Finally Monroe County gets a visit from the man himself, next Ohio Governor Ted Strickland. Also present were Charlie Wilson, Jennifer Brunner's husband Rick, and several local candidates.

I was amazed by the size of the turnout. There must have been around 250 people there and the building was packed to capacity.

A Very Strange Election Season

This election season has been, like probably all others before it, full of new experiences. We've all learned not to say "Macaca" at campaign events and the the co-chair of the House Caucus on Missing and Exploited Children was a pedophile. Dick Cheney has admitted to what is very likely grounds for a crimes against humanity charge by saying that water-boarding in a "no brainer". We've been shown that Congress can be bought and that Bush might be stringing the religious right along for his own advantage. And in one of the strangest events of this election I've been turned against Jay Leno. It was completely wrong for him to bring Arnold Scwartzenegger on his show without giving Phil Angelides equal time. Unfortunately the FCC didn't see it that way.

U.S. broadcast regulators on Thursday rejected a complaint by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's Democratic rival, who demanded equal time on NBC TV stations after Schwarzenegger appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

The Federal Communications Commission ruled that, because Schwarzenegger's guest spot on the show qualified as a "bona fide news interview," NBC was not required to extend a similar invitation to Democrat Phil Angelides.

News interviews are an exception to federal rules that generally require broadcast outlets to give opposing political candidates equal time.

A spokesman for Angelides, who is trailing Schwarzenegger in the polls, called the FCC's seven-page ruling politically motivated.

"We are disappointed but not surprised that the Bush-controlled FCC has made a political decision over the use of our public airwaves," said Angelides adviser Steve Maviglio.

Source: FCC rejects Schwarzenegger rival's Leno complaint | US News | Reuters.com

So The RNC Pulls Out Of Senate Race After All

The Cleveland Plain-Dealer is reporting that the Republican National Committee has canceled ad spots supporting Mike DeWine that it had previously reserved.

The Republican National Committee confirms it will not be on the air in the final week of Mike DeWine's campaign, canceling its ad reservations throughout Ohio.

Aaron McLear, RNC spokesman, says the party will continue its on-the-ground efforts and staff support for Ohio Republicans, and says he understands DeWine has about $2.8 million available for his own commercials.

But no more money for RNC ads as of Tuesday. The party canceled its air time reservations.

Source: cleveland.com: Weblogs

Voter ID Law Temporarily Blocked

The voter ID law has been suspended until a hearing on Wednesday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A federal judge today suspended Ohio's new voter identification law as it applies to absentee voting, saying the state's 88 counties are inconsistently applying the new rule in voting that is currently under way.

U.S. District Court Judge Algenon Marbley granted the temporary restraining order on behalf of labor and poverty groups who filed a lawsuit earlier in the week.

The ruling is in effect until Wednesday, when the judge will consider arguments from the same groups seeking to block application of the identification law for voters who go to the poll on election day.

Source: The Columbus Dispatch - Local/State

Survey: Democrats taking Ohio Senate race

37% DeWine (R)
6% Other/Undecided
57% Brown (D)

Wow, this just amazes me. A 20 point lead for Sherrod, up from the 14 point lead he had in SurveyUSA's last poll. This is the best news I've heard all day.

Survey: Democrats taking Ohio Senate race

A Nice Election Guide

I just received an email from an administrator of the blog elect-a-dem letting me know that they were linking to me. I'm more then happy to return the favor, especially because they have a nice feature. At the top of the main page is a US map and clicking on one of these states launches an in site pop-up showing races in that state, poll numbers, and for some races a link to a blog about them.

Jean Schmidt Won't Stand By Her Words

This is from the Cincinnati Enquirer, a conservative newspaper in a conservative part of the state.

Schmidt angry to see 'cowards' speech in TV ad

Political Notebook

BY MALIA RULON AND GREGORY KORTE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Rep. Jean Schmidt blasted Democrat Victoria Wulsin on Wednesday for allegedly breaking a U.S. House rule that prohibits using the broadcast of House floor proceedings in campaign ads.

"Her continued violation will land her in serious trouble with the House Ethics Committee," Schmidt's spokesman Matt Perin said in a release, referring to the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, which the release mistakenly referred to elsewhere as the "House Committee on Official Standards and Conduct."

Besides those errors, there's just one more tiny problem: Wulsin, who is challenging Schmidt in the 2nd District, is not a member of the House. Not yet anyway.

Wulsin's new ad shows Schmidt telling Democratic Rep. John Murtha that "cowards cut and run, Marines never do."

Schmidt, a Miami Township Republican, was booed after her Nov. 18, 2005, speech. It's against House rules to refer to another lawmaker by name or to disparage him on the House floor.

"The only person in this race who has broken House rules is Jean Schmidt," Wulsin spokesman Ady Barkan said. "If she didn't want people to see this ad, then she shouldn't have given that speech."

Source: The Enquirer - Schmidt angry to see 'cowards' speech in TV ad

Joy Padgett, Former Teacher, Snubbed By The NEA

Zack Space has been endorsed by the National Education Association even though his opponent, Joy Padgett, is a former teacher.

National Education Association Endorses Zack Space

Wednesday, 25 October 2006

Zack Space, Democratic candidate for Ohio's 18th Congressional District, recently received the endorsement from the National Education Association. The NEA is the nation's largest professional employee organization dedicated to advancing public education.

"I am honored to be endorsed by the National Education Association. Education is the key to achieving the American dream and the teachers who work tirelessly to educate our children should be commended," said Congressional Candidate Zack Space.

He continued, "Congress has carved out billions from education funding – this is wrong. If we fail to invest in our children, we fail to invest in our future. I will work to make education a priority in Congress."

The NEA's 3.2 million members work at every level of education. The Ohio Education Association Fund for Children and Public Education, which recommended Space's candidacy, represents 130,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in Ohio's public schools, colleges and universities.

Source: Zack Space for Congress - National Education Association Endorses Zack Space

BREAKING: Donald Rumsfeld Holds A Press Conference

It's on right now, I missed the beginning.

Lots of laughing, I missed what was so funny.

Talks about General's coming up with different strategies and the approval process that these plans must follow.

Update 1:35 PM

Next Question.

Asks why we can't reduce the number of forces in Iraq. Rumsfeld say's it's a rather accusatory way of asking it. Talks about timeframe, clarifies that there are "no penalties, mind you".

Update 1:46 PM (below information posted after conference ended)

Asks if Iraq government approves of publicly known benchmarks for the war. He say's he doesn't know if they approve benchmarks at all or publicly known benchmarks.

Next Question. Also the last.

Have they agreed to benchmarks? He won't say that they agree on benchmarks. Say's that they would have announced it if they agreed to all of it. Asks about claims that the Iraqi government would have a plan by December. Rumsfeld dodges the question.

Reporter asks if Rumsfeld "can blame us for our tone". Rumsfeld gets really snappy and angry, says people don't understand the situation. Say's that it isn't even close to true to say that Iraqi government has missed every prediction.

Reporter, Rumsfeld talk over each other. Rumsfeld says reporters claim is flat wrong and says for him to just retract it.

Press Conference Ends 1:45 PM

Sorry, I wasn't prepared for this and missed a lot. Like I said above I wasn't aware of it until it was halfway over.

Rumsfeld Claims Iraq Violence Attempts To Influence Election

Please excuse me, I'm more than a little angry about this.

Even though Bush has come out and said that they have no evidence to support this claim, even though we've been expecting an increase of violence due to the holy month of Ramadan, Rumsfeld his ignorantly brushed it aside as an attempt to influence the election. He says that the people over there want somebody else in charge over here becouse the Bush administration is going a little tough on them. He thinks that the 96 American Soldiers that have been killed this month show the the Republicans are on the right track with this war. In 12 days let's tell him just how delusional he is.

We’ve got an election in two weeks in America, gang, and we want to change horses over there because we don’t like the folks we’re having to deal with now; they’re a little tough on us. So let’s get out there and let’s make some noise.

Source: Think Progress » Rumsfeld Agrees Terrorists Are Saying ‘We’ve Got an Election in Two Weeks in America…We Want to Change Horses Over There’

Is This Their October Surprise? Cheney Admits To Torture

Dick Cheney has admitted that the US has waterboarded prisoners, saying "It's a no-brainer for me".

Vice President Dick Cheney has confirmed that U.S. interrogators subjected captured senior al-Qaida suspects to a controversial interrogation technique called "water-boarding," which creates a sensation of drowning.

Cheney indicated that the Bush administration doesn't regard water-boarding as torture and allows the CIA to use it. "It's a no-brainer for me," Cheney said at one point in an interview.

Source: McClatchy Washington Bureau | 10/25/2006 | Cheney confirms that detainees were subjected to water-boarding

Mark Foley Found At Last

Well it took a long time but someone has finally found where Mark Foley has holed himself up. It would seem that Foley checked into Sierra Tucson Treatment Center in Arizona. The facilities client list includes Ringo Starr and Rob Lowe. 

Former Rep. Mark Foley checked himself into the Sierra Tucson Treatment Center in Arizona two days after he resigned from Congress in disgrace, ABC News has learned.

Lawyers for Foley confirm he's been an inpatient at the facility since Oct. 1.

Source: The Blotter

Update (6:54 PM): I found the place on Google Earth. Just look at that swimming pool, I bet it's just as nice inside.

NBC Nightly News Broadcasts From Columbus

It's on right now, go watch it. They're doing a big piece on the Senate race.

Bomb's Away

A long, long list of Republican corruption.

--AZ-Sen: Jon Kyl
--AZ-01: Rick Renzi
--AZ-05: J.D. Hayworth
--CA-04: John Doolittle
--CA-11: Richard Pombo
--CA-50: Brian Bilbray
--CO-04: Marilyn Musgrave
--CO-05: Doug Lamborn
--CO-07: Rick O'Donnell
--CT-04: Christopher Shays
--FL-13: Vernon Buchanan
--FL-16: Joe Negron
--FL-22: Clay Shaw
--ID-01: Bill Sali
--IL-06: Peter Roskam
--IL-10: Mark Kirk
--IL-14: Dennis Hastert
--IN-02: Chris Chocola
--IN-08: John Hostettler
--IA-01: Mike Whalen
--KS-02: Jim Ryun
--KY-03: Anne Northup
--KY-04: Geoff Davis
--MD-Sen: Michael Steele
--MN-01: Gil Gutknecht
--MN-06: Michele Bachmann
--MO-Sen: Jim Talent
--MT-Sen: Conrad Burns
--NV-03: Jon Porter
--NH-02: Charlie Bass
--NJ-07: Mike Ferguson
--NM-01: Heather Wilson
--NY-03: Peter King
--NY-20: John Sweeney
--NY-26: Tom Reynolds
--NY-29: Randy Kuhl
--NC-08: Robin Hayes
--NC-11: Charles Taylor
--OH-01: Steve Chabot
--OH-02: Jean Schmidt
--OH-15: Deborah Pryce
--OH-18: Joy Padgett
--PA-04: Melissa Hart
--PA-07: Curt Weldon
--PA-08: Mike Fitzpatrick
--PA-10: Don Sherwood
--RI-Sen: Lincoln Chafee
--TN-Sen: Bob Corker
--VA-Sen: George Allen
--VA-10: Frank Wolf
--WA-Sen: Mike McGavick
--WA-08: Dave Reichert

Update 10/26/06 11:42 PM: Changed title from "The Political Hit List" to avoid anyone unfamiliar with the Google Bombing from thinking it's a real hit list. I also want to clarify that I'm iffy on the whole concept and am mainly posting this list because the links do go to legitimate news stories.

Joy Padgett In Even More Hot Water Over Money

It seems that in addition to giving up here share of a family farm before filing for bankruptcy she may have sold off property that she had used as collateral on a loan. Now the company she sold this property to is threatening fraud charges against the Padgett's if the property is reclaimed by collection agencies.

Washington - A northern Ohio office supply company says in bankruptcy filings that a firm owned by a Republican congressional candidate sold it property without disclosing it was collateral for an unpaid loan.

The office supply company, Graphic Enterprises Inc. of North Canton, will seek $129,250 from Don Padgett, the husband of congressional candidate Joy Padgett, if it is saddled with the lien.

Joy Padgett, a state senator in a close race with Democrat Zack Space for the House seat held by scandal-scarred Republican Bob Ney, has been beset by personal money woes. She and her husband owned their own office supply company in Coshocton that went bankrupt, and they have since filed for personal bankruptcy protection.

In federal bankruptcy court documents, Graphic Enterprises claims Don Padgett misrepresented the property Main Office Supply sold to Graphic Enterprises as having no liens against it. JPMorgan Chase Bank had placed a $129,250 lien on the property to guarantee a federal Small Business Administration loan to the Padgett's company, and now the lender is demanding the money from Graphic Enterprises, court papers show.

Graphic Enterprises is contesting JPMorgan's claim against it. Court documents say that if Graphic Enterprises is found liable for the money, the office supplier will file a fraud-related complaint against Don Padgett.

Source: Money trouble continues to dog candidate Padgett

NRCC To Give Up On Padgett?

While I find this source questionable (the list itself, not Swing State Project), it's being reported that the NRCC may be pulling funding from Joy Padgett.

I think I've made my position clear on Padgett, but just for the record...

• She ran her husbands office supply business into major debt and defaulted on a tax guaranteed small business loan.
• She attacked her opponent in 2004 as being soft on terror and sending out mailings with a picture of him standing near a Hezbollah leader. She neglected to mention that the person he was photographed with was the leader of the group that had held him hostage for almost 7 years.

Chris Bowers has managed to score a stunning leak from the GOP: a seemingly full list of seats that the NRSC and NRCC are defending and targeting this cycle, complete with internal "rankings" of the likelihood of these seats changing hands.

The preliminary findings: they've written off Conrad Burns and Michael Steele in the Senate, and Graf, Sekula-Gibs, Padgett and Sherwood in the House, while also identifying 2 other Senate seats and 10 other House seats as leaning towards Democratic control.

Source: Swing State Project: NRCC/NRSC Target List Leaked

Jennifer Brunner Is The Next Progressive Patriot

Jennifer Brunner has beat out the competition and has become Russ Feingold's next Progressive Patriot and the recipient of a $5,000 check.

Dear David,

All the votes have been counted, and I'm proud to announce that Jennifer Brunner, from Ohio, is our newest Progressive Patriot. Her campaign for secretary of state has drawn an enormous amount of grassroots support, and I'm pleased to have the chance to make a $5,000 contribution to her campaign.

Jennifer supports defending the most sacred American right - the right to vote – and the voters from Ohio are supporting her. She has worked as a Deputy Director of the Secretary of State's Office and has served as a Franklin County Judge. Now, Jennifer is running for Secretary of State to restore the people's trust in Ohio elections. She will bring her record of impartiality and professionalism to the Secretary of State's office, ensuring elections can be audited and verified, so that voters have confidence that elections are safe, reliable, and trustworthy.

To learn more about Jennifer's campaign, please visit her website at http://www.jenniferbrunner.com/.

I'm also proud to have contributed to four other candidates the Progressive Patriots community felt were deserving of our support: Mark Ritchie, Debra Bowen, Ken Gordon, and Michael Mauro are all terrific candidates, and we've rushed contributions to each of them to help them win in two weeks.

By supporting these candidates, the Progressive Patriots community is helping to ensure fair elections in 2008, 2010 and beyond.

Sincerely,

Russ Feingold
United States Senator
Honorary Chair, Progressive Patriots Fund

Al Franken's PAC Seeking Other Key Races To Donate To

Al Franken, author and comedian, is looking to paint a target on more at-risk red seats. Read the email he sent out to members of his Midwest Values PAC, it's for a good cause and it's funny.

Dear Fellow Progressive,

We're 14 days away from a big win on Election Day. How big?Well, that's kind of up to you.

So far, Midwest Values PAC has given money, some of it possibly yours, to Democrats all over the country. But it seems like every time we contribute to a Democrat in one race, a Republican in another race screws up and another seat is suddenly in play. The field of competitive races is expanding faster than Rush Limbaugh's waistline during the holidays, and we're expanding our field of supported candidates to match.

The more money we raise, the more candidates we can support. Many of you have been kind enough to suggest candidates in your area who deserve support, and we'll help as many as we can. But since I'm writing to ask you for money once again, I thought it would only be fair to give you a vote in determining who should get our next Big Giant Check.

So go to our website

http://www.midwestvaluespac.org/contribute

and take a look at the ten candidates we've nominated for your consideration (many of whom were suggested by MVP members).

Make a membership contribution of $25 or more, and you'll have a chance to vote for your favorite one. Whichever candidate receives the most votes will get a check for $5,000 personally autographed by me, Al Franken (actually, by our accountant, Shelli). And if we raise enough, we'll have some more checks to give out to some of those other candidates, as well. So, the more you contribute, the more money we can give away.

Sound good? Then click here to help me turn more red seats blue next month. Voting will run until 9 AM Central Time next Monday morning (October 30), and then we'll announce the winner.

Thanks for your support, and don't forget: it takes a 2/3 majority to override a veto, so we'll need all the Congressional Democrats we can elect!

Your pal,

Al Franken

PS – Remember, we don't want to wake up November 8 wishing we'd done more to elect Democrats to Congress. It's up to us how big this tidal wave can be, so please, please, please help as much as you can.

http://www.midwestvaluespac.org/contribute

Paid for by Midwest Values PAC (www.midwestvaluespac.org) and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. Contributions to Midwest Values PAC are not tax deductible for Federal Income Tax purposes.

Free Sherrod Brown and Ted Strickland Bumper Stickers

Ohio based Tigereye Design is offering free Sherrod Brown and Ted Strickland bumper stickers. All you need to do is head on over to their site and fill out a form so they know where to mail it.

Tigereye is the official merchandise company of the Sherrod Brown and Ted Strickland campaign's. This giveaway is due to surplus of bumper stickers this close to election day, there are (as far as I can tell, and I've signed up for it) no strings attached.

Please take advantage of this offer to show your support for the Democratic campaign's in this crucial time before the election.

http://www.democraticstuff.com/forms/sherrod-form.html

Google Launches Google Earth Election Guide

Google has added an election guide overlay to Google Earth, showing Congressional districts as well as offering links to various Google searches on candidates. Now when your using "the Google" to look at your house you can learn about your government too.

Official Google Blog: Google Earth voter guide

Republican That Sent Out Hispanic Intimidation Letter Blames Opponent

This is just comical. It must take a lot of guts for a campaign to send out letters to naturalized Hispanics telling them they will be arrested and deported if they try to vote and then say they are only being investigated because their opponent put someone up to it.

There has been no crime committed so why is there a criminal investigation three weeks prior to a very important election? What is going on? Who is fueling this investigation?

Even Orange County's Republican Party is calling for him to pull out of the race.

Source: Candidate in Letter Probe Stays in Race - washingtonpost.com

If I Was Running A Republican Campaign I'd Be Drinking Too

This was emailed in, thus I can't vouch for it's accuracy. I'm also not very familiar with the race mentioned, though It seems that the Republican party has been attacking the Democratic incumbent over a D.U.I. that he plead guilty to in May. Despite this D.U.I. he appears to have done his job well, and to further complicate the issue the Republican candidate's campaign manager has a Facebook profile full of pictures of himself drinking as well as listing himself as a member of the group "Menace to Sobriety".

Sure a D.U.I. is a bad thing, but then so is hypocrisy. For the campaign to revolve around personal issues like this rather than the issues that effect the constituents shows me that the Republicans are growing desperate. Let's also not forget what infamous current President of the United States has a D.U.I. in their past.

Dear Blogians,

I am writing to you all today because an interesting piece of information came my way and... well... I don't trust the good ole' MSM to do much about it.

I live in Mentor, I have my whole life, and three years ago I was lucky enough to be able to send my son to The Ohio State University. Now, I was raised to be politically aware, because the world we live in is shaped by our politicians weather we like it or not. And I've taught my son to be the same way. So, it was no surprise to me when he came home this last weekend that we got in a conversation about local politics. We started talking about the state rep campaign here between Cassell (D) and Schindel (R) [Links added], we were both very angry about the sheer vitriol being spewed by the republican candidate over a mistake that the democratic candidate made. I mean, in this of all elections, shouldn't we be talking about issues that matter to all of us. But as we talked we realized that it was an attack that was fairly unimpeachable.

But then, my son realized he knew Schindel's campaign manager, Troy Judy, he had seen him at parties and traveled in the same social circles. Being an active young boy he started doing some research and he found information that made both of our stomachs curdle. It turns out Mr. Judy is in a campus organization that exults alcohol abuse called Menace to Sobriety and another one called Sleaze Anonymous (http://osu.facebook.com/profile.php?id=12409571). Even his Facebook Profile has pictures of him proudly pounding down shot, after shot, after shot. (See attached pictures) And all of this on the same site where he proudly states that his profession is "Carol Schindel for State Representative, Campaign Manager".

This begs the question (or hopefully in your cases blogs the question), how can a woman who constantly lambastes her opponent for a drunk driving violation hire and stand beside a man who seems to be a strong proponent of alcohol abuse? The simple fact of the matter is most alcoholic behaviour is formed during ones college years. Thus, this guy is setting one of the worst examples possible for our youth by further entrenching the mindset of "alcohol abuse is cool" that is all to apparent in our youth today.

It makes me sick to think that this level of out right hypocrisy is going on in a campaign that is so important to the people of lake county. With the Senate, Gubernatorial, and Congressional races here all pretty much moot our voices will be strongest at the local level, our attention will be greatest at the local level, and our leadership should be open and forthright; brooking no BS. But now I've become too preachy... It's just that this Schindel woman clearly has no right to come at Cassell with out looking like a complete and total hypocrite. I hope I have sent this to a group of people who will lend their voices to the growing chorus of we regular people who are tired of this kind of hypocrisy.

Thank you again,

John [last name omitted to protect privacy]

*Due to the privacy policy listed at the bottom of each page, I have published the full text above (with the exception of the authors last name). Should the author of the email wish for it to be taken down or modified please contact me and I will do so as soon as possible.

Also keep in mind that this was emailed to several different blogs as well.

Joy Padgett Thinks Republican Troubles Stem From 24-Hour News Channels

I just saw this little clip on my local CBS stations website and had to laugh.

Joy Padgett, Republican candidate for Ohio's 18th Congressional District, said she believes it's only speculation at this point that her party will lose control of both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.

Padgett, who's running for U.S. Rep. Bob Ney's seat, said all the hype surrounding this upcoming election is being generated by the 24-hour news channels.

I guess it makes since though, It's got to be a lot harder to run for office when everyone knows that your a crook.

Source: WTRF-TV – News for Wheeling, West Virginia and the Ohio Valley

Barack Obama Considering Presidential Run

It looks like the 2008 Presidential primary may be shaping up to be the battle of the political minorities for the Democrats. It seems that our two top candidates may be an African-American and a woman. While I'd be worried about their chances, I believe it would be a strong sign that everyone has an equal right to the White House no matter what their race or sex may be.

WASHINGTON Oct 22, 2006 (AP)— Sen. Barack Obama acknowledged Sunday he was considering a run for president in 2008, backing off previous statements that he would not do so.

The Illinois Democrat said he could no longer stand by the statements he made after his 2004 election and earlier this year that he would serve a full six-year term in Congress. He said he would not make a decision until after the Nov. 7 elections.

"That was how I was thinking at that time," said Obama, when asked on NBC's "Meet the Press" about his previous statements.

"Given the response I've been getting the last several months, I have thought about the possibility" although not with any seriousness or depth, he said. "My focus is on '06. … After November 7, I'll sit down and consider it."

Source: ABC News: Sen. Obama Says He's Weighing 2008 Run

Republicans Only Shot At Taking A Senate Seat Is Fading Fast

Polls are showing incumbent Bob Menendez (D-NJ) pulling away from his competitor Tom Kean Jr. closing the door on Republican chances of taking over a Democratic Senate seat in this election.

Bob Menendez: 48%
Tom Kean Jr: 39%

In New Jersey's U.S. Senate race, a new Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey poll has Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) up by nine points over challenger Tom Kean Jr. (R), 48% to 39%.

Key finding: "Menendez's voters are more committed to him, as 37 percent of likely voters said they were sure they would vote for Menendez, up nine points since September. Fewer than 3 in 10 said they were sure they would vote for Kean, unchanged since September."

Source: Political Wire: In New Jersey, Menendez Pulls Away from Kean

President Bush Goes All Cut And Run On Us

George Bush now wants a timetable on Iraq. This is especially funny (read: sad) considering how much he ranted against John Kerry about "flip-flopping". Come on, say it with me... HYPOCRITE! Now didn't that feel good? Just keep saying it to yourself until the election and everything will be alright.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 — The Bush administration is drafting a timetable for the Iraqi government to address sectarian divisions and assume a larger role in securing the country, senior American officials said.

Details of the blueprint, which is to be presented to Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki before the end of the year and would be carried out over the next year and beyond, are still being devised. But the officials said that for the first time Iraq was likely to be asked to agree to a schedule of specific milestones, like disarming sectarian militias, and to a broad set of other political, economic and military benchmarks intended to stabilize the country.

Source: U.S. to Hand Iraq a New Timetable on Security Role - New York Times

Oh Google, I thought I Knew You

After reading about one of the Google founders marching in an anti-war parade with his family during the run up to Iraq in The Google Story I mistakenly thought I knew where you stood in the political arena. Sure your new PAC has only given money to three Republican candidates, but why did you have to include Deborah Pryce in that short list?

Looks like Google's been watching Fox News — its new Google NetPAC, launched last month, made contributions to three Republicans congressional candidates, according to the San Jose Mercury News. The Merc's Frank Davies reports $1,000 contributions to each of Reps. Heather Wilson of New Mexico, Deborah Pryce of Ohio, and James Sensenbrenner, head of the House Judiciary Committee and sometime gavel-wielding control freak. At least two of the candidates, Wilson and Sensenbrenner, have porfolios that implicate the use and regulation of the Internet.

Source: Eat The Press | Google's New PAC Skews Republican | The Huffington Post