In response to a wave of negative reactions to his $75,000 Super Bowl ad buy (filmed in California), Pete Hoekstra has tried to deflect criticism by accusing Democrats of “talk(ing) about race when they can’t defend their records...” Unfortunately for Pete, the ad has been panned by figures on all sides of the political spectrum, from national Republican consultants and state GOP leaders to a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, who called it “blatantly racist.”
Maybe Hoekstra thought shooting a slick Hollywood ad depicting racist caricatures would generate lots of free publicity and distract Michigan voters from the fact that he can’t defend his own record of doublespeak and hypocrisy.
Consider the facts:
--Hoekstra broke a pledge he made when he first ran for Congress to retire after six terms, flip-flopping so he could stay in office for three more terms - before running for governor.
--When he was running for governor, Pete said he wanted a tax code that worked for the taxpayers, “not for special interests and not for lobbyists.” Less than a year after losing that election, he had gone to work for a Washington lobbying firm.
--In 2010, Pandering Pete said, “this year money is not going to win...our emphasis will be more on building a grassroots organization, getting people to the polls rather than slick TV advertising trying to convince somebody they’re the best candidate.” Less than two years later, the self-described penny-pincher was shelling out $75,000 for a negative Super Bowl ad buy.
--This isn’t the first time Pete has brought national embarrassment to our state - in 2009, he compared a House GOP dispute with Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the deadly Iranian protests of 2009, and was widely mocked by national media.
Kudos to Daily Kos for this clip of Fox News cutting off Stabenow's defense of the auto industry and "Cash for Clunkers" in order to show BREAKING NEWS about Discovery Channel's Shark Week.
(Good news. It's still a good idea to call her office at (202) 224-4822 and Levin's office at (202) 224-6221 to let them know you also support a strong public option! - promoted by ScottyUrb)
Well, hopefully, Senator Stabenow can be counted on to stand tall for a good public option. She was on State of the Union on Sunday with John King and had this to say.
STABENOW: Well, my first choice and very strong choice is a public option. And I have to say, Wolf, that what my friends are saying, Senator Gregg and Senator Alexander really are scare tactics that have been put forward by folks that don't want to change the system because they make a lot of money off the current system right now.
The reality for families today is if there's an insurance company bureaucrat between you and your doctor telling your doctor what they're allowed to do because of what they'll pay for, telling you what they'll pay for, putting you through all kinds of bureaucracy to try to figure out if you can get care, assuming you're not dropped if you get sick or can't get insurance if you have a pre-existing condition. So what we're talking about is putting somebody on your side, being able to make sure that the insurance company, the for profit insurance company won't provide you with a low cost insurance policy for your family that you have another choice.
Last night Barb, from Senator Stabenow's office appeared to give the Oakland County Democratic Party an update on doings in the Senate.
After her update I had a chance to ask Barb from her office about the Senator's vote on the credit card bill and the amendment that would have limited the rates charged on credit cards, you know, the ones that have jumped up to 25, 30% if you are late on your payment and the fees that have been going through the roof lately, especially since we gave the banks billions of dollars.
Senator Stabenow voted against the amendment that would limited those rates and I asked Barb why she voted against the amendment. Her answer? The amendment was going to fail anyway.
I don't know about you, but that's not a good enough answer, given the Senator has received $1.2 million in donations from the financial services industry.
Senator Stabenow makes herself out to be a champion of the middle class. And I know those usurious interest rates the credit card companies are charging some of their customers are making it virtually impossible for some customers to make a dent in their credit card balances.
Senator Stabenow also voted for the awful bankruptcy bill during the last Congress. I'm starting to ask myself whose side Senator Stabenow is on.
I've spent the last 18 hours trying to figure out how to verbalize the rage, the frustration, and the deep sadness I feel after the asinine vote by the Senate Republicans in Congress that killed the auto industry bailout. And then I saw this quote by Lt. Gov. Cherry that seemed pretty spot on -
"We are witnessing Congressional unraveling of the American Dream and the demolition of the very foundation of our national security. A few beltway insiders who are completely out of touch with the struggles of American families decided to settle old political scores at the expense of millions of jobs and our national economic security. While bankers get the keys to the Treasury our manufacturers get a one-way ticket to bankruptcy and American families are left unprotected."
Last time I checked, the United States included Michigan, although with the way we've been slapped and kicked around in DC, you wouldn't know it.
If only Congress were as sharp and cared as much about working families as we do, they'd realize what letting the Big Three fail really means: not being able to retire, not being able to have health care, not being able to put food on the table - not being able to enjoy even a hope of achieving the American Dream.
These aren't just "workers". Every time I hear this topic discussed on the airwaves, I wonder how many people truly understand that these "workers" are actually people like my dad, my aunt, my neighbor, your friend, even you. Do they get that there are actual people behind this very in-personal collective group term, also used to describe honeybees and ants??
We owe American workers, who had nothing to do with the onset of the economic crisis or the strategy of auto management, the benefits and pay they agreed to, and we owe it to them to fight for their jobs and well-being.
Do Senate Republicans know what it's like to lose a job for no reason other than credit markets seizing up? We bailed out the financial institutions that got us into this crisis with much less rancor than providing much less money in a LOAN, not a bailout, to one of our most important manufacturing industries.
And has Congress been to Michigan lately? Have they seen the job losses we've already suffered, and the pain workers have already faced as the Big Three restructure?
After casting a 'yea' vote on Cloture on the Motion to Proceed (Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to H.R. 6304 -- Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978) I received an email from Senator Debbie Stabenow today. The subject:
"Filibuster-Proof Senate in 2008!"
After effectively killing the efforts of Senators Dodd and Feingold to filibuster the attempt to pass the bill giving President Bush the authority to continue his illegal wiretap program, and grant telecos retroactive immunity...Debbie Stabenow is happy to boast a 'filibuster-proof senate'?
It gets better. From the email:
"There are only four days left . . .
. . . before the end of this fundraising cycle. Democratic candidates around the country are pushing to raise as much as they can by June 30 because when they report their fundraising figures for the quarter, it will be used as a gauge of the strength of their candidacies.
Media outlets watch these numbers closely. The Republicans watch them even closer.
Click here to donate today!
Contribute using ActBlue
That's why your help today is so crucial. Never before have we had so many amazing Democratic candidates running for U.S. Senate all over the country. Because of these great candidates, we have a real chance in November to significantly increase our Democratic majority in the Senate.
It takes 60 votes in the Senate to overcome Republican filibusters of important legislation, like health care for children, ending the war in Iraq, fixing the housing market, and creating good-paying American jobs here at home. Republicans are blocking our every effort to get this country back on track. But all of that can change in November!!
But only with your help.
That's why I have set up a page on Act Blue, a federally-registered PAC that helps candidates raise money online. Since 2004, they have raised over $53 million for Democratic candidates across the country.
BFM: Pete Hoekstra Is A Scaremonger. "If Pete Hoekstra wants to talk about terror, he should talk about the terror uninsured people feel in their hearts when they're faced with sudden illness, burdensome medical debt or premature death."
Dan Scripps: Intro @ WSCC Debate. Great speech by Dan at a debate for the 101st House district race.
Media Mouse: Ehlers, Levin, and Stabenow Evaluated on Support for the Middle Class. Carl got an "A," Debbie got an "A+" and Rep. Ehlers got an "F."
State Government/Legislation
LSJ Editorial: Prison costs: State's only choice is to spend less on imprisonment. "Michigan imprisons more people and spends more money doing it than its neighbors. That gives those states an edge, either via greater investments in other public services or the ability to hold down taxes."
Michigan Messenger: Film production incentive package is fast-tracked through the Legislature. "We have the opportunity to do something that will have an important effect on our economy," said Rep. Andy Meisner, D-Ferndale, one of the sponsors of the bipartisan, bicameral package of bills. "We can expect to see increased film production in the state this year."
Ann Arbor Business Review: Lenders: State licensing a good step for stability. "Barbara Banco of BANCO Mortgage Centre in Birmingham has been in the lending business for some 25 years, and believes the bills are long overdue, and that loan officer accountability is a long time coming."
AP: Michigan governor signs bill to create optional driver's licenses. "The legislation is aimed at meeting tougher identification rules required by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative."
Freep Editorial: Region needs to move together on new plan for light rail. "In any case, for light rail on Woodward to succeed, the entire region must get behind the plan. Metro Detroit can't afford to let more infighting destroy another opportunity to start building a woefully needed regional mass transit system."
Environment, Energy & the Economy
WMR: Wind and Cow Chips -- The Key to West Michigan's Future?. "West Michigan can move from being an office furniture, pharmaceutical, and auto part manufacturing economy (while keeping as many of those jobs as possible) to being a life-sciences and alternative energy manufacturing economy if we're smart."
Bay City Times: State's first commercial windmill farm starts churning out power in Huron County. An accompanying BCT editorial urges Legislators to get on the stick and pass an RPS.
Dave Dempsey: Who owns the Great Lakes? "In Michigan the debate is particularly keen, and pending legislation could either divest significant portions of lakes and streams from public control to private, or put Michigan in the region's lead in reaffirming Great Lakes water belongs to us all."
Freep: Illegal tobacco sales cost Michigan millions. "Big-time profiteers and small-time cheaters are smuggling 7 million cartons of cigarettes into the state annually to evade Michigan's high cigarette taxes, costing the state about $140 million a year."
Odds & Ends
K-Zoo Gazette: Report says Great Lakes pollution harming our health. "The report suggests pollution in some areas is causing health problems, including cancer and premature births. The document was produced by scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."
The Hub: Michigan filmmakers get the spotlight Sunday. Several nice profiles of Michigan filmmakers who will be featured at this week's East Lansing Film Festival (including one of my former professors).
Let me know if I forgot anything. Drop your links in the comments section...
The Oakland County Democratic Party Pasta Night to honor state representative Aldo Vagnozzi was a huge success. Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow honored Aldo, as did many other elected officials from Oakland county. The hightlight of the evening though was Aldo himself. His speech was full of stories of his long career in politics and Aldo's unique brand of humor. Also started out by saying, "You're probably wondering how long I'm going to talk. As Elizabeth Taylor used to tell her husbands, 'I won't keep you long.'" Over 200 Democrats from across Oakland county came out to honor Aldo.
Thanks to everyone on the committee for putting together another rousing success for Oakland County Democrats. There was so much excitement in the room. Democrats can't wait to get to work to make sure we have a Democratic Congress and a new Democratic president inaugurated in January of 2009. We certainly can't afford a third Bush term with John McBush.
With a tight race between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, Senator Debbie Stabenow hasn't ruled out casting her super delegate vote for Obama.
"It's very important that we look at the popular vote," she said. "We have to look at who's gotten the majority of the votes around the country and it's important to respect that."
Of course until the whole Michigan/Florida imbroglio gets settled it won't much matter what Stabenow plans to do.
Stabenow (who has publicly backed Hillary) goes on to say that she thinks one candidate will emerge as the clear winner in pledged delegates. Based on where numbers are today, it's pretty hard to see how Hillary Clinton would be that candidate.
Not a popular title for a post, I'll be the first to admit. It's funny what a little research does...
When the FISA votes first came out, and I saw Senator Stabenow's name on the wrong side of the Telco immunity vote (wrong to me, anyway), I literally saw red.
I fired off a last email to her inbox, blasting her for action and betrayal, I posted comments to blogs (including here) and generally steamed.
Civil Liberties are a huge hot-button topic for me, and I've had a long-running (though intermittent) conversation with Senator Stabenow's office on the subject (mostly on what I perceived was her weak voting record on the subject).
Today, I saw a comment in this recommended diary Stabenow sold us out again where someone expressed doubt as to how badly the Senator voted in this case.
All fired-up, I set out to show a detailed list of the votes and how badly Stabenow voted on all of them, to prove her perfidy (details at bottom of this diary).
I have been musing that the MDP scheduled a primary on Martin Luther King's birthday (as opposed to the national holiday), when it was a primary that disenfranchised a black candidate who respected the letter and spirit of DNC rules (and a replacement February primary/caucus could easily have been scheduled); but maybe the forces of justice had their due last night.
...the exit poll results from this strange contest reveal some troubling trends for the New York Senator. ...
Among black voters, Clinton was crushed by "uncommitted," 26-70. If that kind of margin among African Americans continues into future primaries, she faces major problems in the heavily black January 26 South Carolina primary....
...Clinton was perfectly positioned. She had no serious opposition. She also had the strong support of top Michigan Democrats such as Governor Jennifer Granholm and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow.
Usually, a prominent presidential contender running a primary campaign without serious opposition and with strong in-state support from party leaders can count on winning 90 percent or more of the vote. ...
A remarkable 40 percent of Michiganders who participated in the primary voted for nobody, marking the "Uncommitted" option on their ballots. ...
Ominously for the Clinton camp, the former First Lady was losing the African-American vote -- in Wayne County and statewide -- to "Uncommitted." African-American leaders such as Detroit Congressman John Conyers, who backs Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, had urged an "Uncommitted" vote. ...
It is hard[] to believe that Clinton will get very far claiming Michigan handed her a meaningful victory Tuesday night. When two out of every five voters choose nobody rather than a prominent candidate who is running with little or no opposition, that candidate's got no reason to celebrate.
With comments like the Mich Lib one recently about needing a Caucasian fella on the ticket (Why? I'd vote for an Obama/Sebelius ticket, no white guy there), I think it is good to be sensitive, racially and otherwise, when making comments, maybe. And with the Daily Kos observations today, John Kerry: Kicking ass, defending the right to vote, and flying to Nevada (on John Kerry's fighting the Clinton attempt to disenfranchise largely Latina/o workers' vote), and Say Goodbye to Howard Dean, (about the DNC entering the legal fray against the Clinton disenfranchisement attempt, and the likelihood of the Clintons booting Dean, in favor of Terry McAuliffe, if they win), it looks not just like a Michigan Dem struggle against Granholm/Brewer/Dingell's complicity with disenfranchisement, it looks like a national battle, of the reformers against the unworthy Establishment. I hope we'd all be on the side of the reformers.
(While the DNC can't per se oppose the Clinton campaign, it's nice to see them at least opposing a Clinton initiative. Maybe Dean knows that not only will he be booted if the Clintons return to power, but decency itself will be booted as well.)
--The message, as always, is, be active and take back your party. Find replacements for the people I mention above who need to be replaced. Run yourself if you have to. Be inclusive to minorities and to people in general. Promote the right over the wrong, and progress over stagnation. Keep the dream alive. MLK would expect no less of you.
Happy Hump Day. We've got a couple new BlogAds over in the sidebar, so please give those a look-see (these folks help keep the lights on). Enjoy your morning cup-o-links!
State Government/Legislation
DetNews: Granholm: Expect more budget cuts in 2008. "Much of the public doesn't want to see us cut health care, education or public safety," Granholm said from her ceremonial office at the State Capitol Building, adding "we will have to do more cuts and more reforms. The biggest reform that still has to occur: reforming sentencing."
LivingBlue: Don't Be Fooled by 'Right to Work for Less' Petition. Judy takes a look at the so-called Right to Work ballot initiative that Republicans are expected to begin circulating at polling places on the day of Michigan's presidential primary.
LSJ: Marijuana as medicine? Michigan voters may be asked in November to legalize drug for patients in pain. Those damn hippies: "These folks are trying to pull the wool over people's eyes," [Republican Sen. Alan] Cropsey said. "They'll get a couple of very sympathetic examples out there, but when it comes right down to it, they are just plain trying to legalize marijuana eventually."
Freep: Universal health coverage sought. "Granholm supports the goal of universal, affordable care, but has not taken a position, spokeswoman Liz Boyd said. Boyd said she was not aware that Lt. Gov. Cherry's name was listed among the endorsements on a Web site linked to the campaign."
Energy, Environment and the Economy
Freep: 3 tech firms to add 532 jobs in state. "We want to create a climate where we grow these companies and see them through to maturity here in Michigan," Granholm said, noting that Accuri was one of the first recipients of a loan from the state's 21st Century Jobs Fund.
DetNews: GM seeks deal on buyout plan. "The buyouts likely would be similar to those offered in 2006, when more than 34,000 hourly workers left GM in exchange for packages ranging from $35,000 to $140,000. GM would like to offer targeted buyouts, while the union is pushing for an offer to be extended to all workers."
Bay City Times Editorial: With a bold goal, we will rise again with renewable energy. "Most experts agree that there's money in them thar green-energy hills, with biodiesel, ethanol, wind power and solar energy leading the way."
Progress Michigan: Send Your Legislator a Dirty Lump of Coal this Christmas. In case you missed it, Santa's helper has a YouTube video up urging Michigan citizens to send a dirty lump of coal to state lawmakers this Christmas.
Michigan Messenger: Energy Bill Compromise Cuts Key Democratic Proposals. "I could not support a new mandate on our auto industry without including the critical incentives and funding support needed to help them be successful and keep our jobs in America," Stabenow said. "Republicans refused to eliminate taxpayer subsidies for oil companies; stripped out tax incentives, including over $1 billion in consumer credits for the purchase of advanced technology vehicles; eliminated the clean-energy requirement; and did not fully implement the loan program."
WNEM: Dow To Invest $100M, Add 55 Jobs In Midland. "Dow Chemical has been a partner in Michigan's economic success for more than 100 years," Granholm said. "We are proud to partner with the company once again as they develop new technologies and grow new jobs."
Local, State, National Politics
WWJ: Poll: DeVos, Stabenow Favorites For Gov. Interesting poll results for the 2010 gubernatorial race. Of course, this poll is basically meaningless at this point... mainly a gauge of name recognition. Marjory Raymer of the Flint Journal explores the implications for John Cherry and Dan Kildee in this column.
DetNews: Michigan crucial to Romney's GOP run. "And despite the apparent home-field advantage, the race appears very close. Recent public opinion polls have shown Huckabee gaining ground and McCain, the winner of the 2000 Michigan primary, still competitive."
Odds & Ends
Capitol Journal: A question of honor. Derek wants to know why families of fallen soldiers can't be honored on the House floor.
AP: Lt. Governor Announces Big Cut: I'll Drop 55. Gee, I wonder if this means he's running.
Michigan Messenger: Gay Straight Alliance Group at Bay City School Draws Fire From a Parent. "I want it to be a safe thing for students," she said. "I am all for groups that prevent discrimination and violence and hate crimes and hate-related messages. I think in order to have a Gay Straight Alliance, it should focus on prevention of violence and promoting tolerance, not to teach students about homosexual or heterosexual behavior." Yes, that's a real quote.
Let me know if I forgot anything. Drop your links in the comments section...
Happy Hump Day. Take a look at the new ad from the Human Rights Campaign in the sidebar, if you get a chance (these advertisers help keep the lights on). Enjoy your morning cup-o-links!
State Government/Legislation
Capitol Journal: Immediate effect. Derek walks us through the process talk of the whole presidential primary situation. He also asks the important question: "Would it kill someone to invest in a calendar?"
Local 4: Senate Refuses To Restore Dems On Ballot. "Until they can resolve their differences and come forward with a unified plan, there's no need for us to take it up," Bishop told reporters. Wizardkitten's post can be found here.
BFM: A Primary It Is. Cordelia Lear: "As to Mike Bishop and the Republican State Senate caucus refusing to take up the bill to put candidates back on the ballot - maybe our political lesson is that there was a reason why Andy Dillon insisted that some of the legislation associated with the budget needed to originate in the Senate."
Lessenberry: Holding Water. Like a lot of folks, Jack is confused about the water bills working their way through the House and Senate. Critics of the Republican plan argue that Sen. Birkholz's bills would permit dangerously high water withdrawals from Michigan rivers and streams. She says this is, "wildly exaggerated nonsense." Lessenberry's follow-up interview with Rebekah Warren can be found here.
Debbie Stabenow: Compact will prevent diversion of lake water. Sen. Stabenow sets the News straight on the Great Lakes water compact (h/t BFM).
Energy, Environment and the Economy
LSJ: Jobless rate dips to 5.4% for region. Lansing's "total employment for October was 236,400, down 100 from a year earlier but up 1,200 from September. The labor force - people working or actively looking for work - was at 250,000. That was down 500 from a year earlier but up 300 from September."
Michigan Messenger: Consumers Energy seeks tax break for coal-fired power plant. Yesterday Bay County's Hampton Township approved two juicy tax abatements for Consumers Energy to build a dirty coal plant. You can read more here.
Coalition for Progress: Fight global warming, sign the Michigan clean energy petition. Speaking of coal, CFP is urging the Legislature to pass legislation banning more dirty coal plants until certain measures are in place. You can learn more at http://www.nocoalrush.com.
BFM: Grand Rapids Goes Green. For those who say the state of Michigan can't reach the goal of aquiring 20% of our electricity by 2020, the City of Grand Rapids has already done it... more than a month ahead of schedule. You can read the accompanying GR Press story here.
Bay City Times: New report says global warming will lead to more phragmites along our shoreline. "Phragmites only make low water levels worse, by destroying wetland vegetation and diminishing the natural filtering capacity of wetlands, the report says."
Tom Walsh: Granholm pushes for tech money. Tom discusses the Governor's two-day trip to California, "aimed at snagging some of California's billions of dollars for clean-technology energy projects in Michigan." Cathleen has a follow-up on Granholm's blog.
Media Mouse: Michigan DEQ Cleanup Programs Face Funding Shortage. "Outta Sight!--Outta Mind!--Outta Money!" That's the situation DEQ's cleanup programs are in. Media Mouse shares details from a DEQ presentation in Grand Rapids yesterday.
Odds & Ends
Michigan Messenger: World AIDS Day: Wine and Dine to Battle Illness in Michigan. Check out Todd Heywood's post for the details on events happening in Lansing, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Ferndale and West Bloomfield.
Liberal, Loud, and Proud: Universal Health Care in Mid-Michigan: It's happening. "I'm lucky to live in Ingham County, a place where our local government leaders clearly see the benefits of universal health care for residents as a means of cost prevention. Since instituting the Ingham Health Plan over nine years ago, Ingham has become a model for counties all over the state and country, because it works, and while it isn't quite perfect yet, it's getting there."
Let me know if I forgot anything. Drop your links in the comments section...
Freep: House Democrats target employers who hire illegal immigrants. "House Democrats want to make it a felony for employers to knowingly hire illegal or undocumented immigrants in Michigan. A four-bill package would require employers to verify documents for new hires under federal rules, such as driver's licenses, passports or Social Security cards." You can read the release here.
Michelle McManus: Dems shut out state voters. The Chair of the Senate Campaign and Election Oversight Committee boldly takes responsibility for the failure of the presidential primary bill... by blaming Schauer and the Senate Dems.
Skubick: Term limits reform fades. Apparently Bob LaBrant at the Chamber has been taking lessons from Sen. McManus.
Ken Sikkema & Jeff Williams: Plug in new policy for future power. This op-ed is a bit technical (i.e., over my head), but it's encouraging to see the former Republican Senate Leader admit (1) that building more coal plants would harm the environment, and (2) we need to support renewable energy and energy efficiency efforts.
Michigan Messenger: Granholm: Wind power can bring jobs. Speaking of renewable energy, the governor is really pushing this: "I am pledged to focus on this area as the biggest potential for growth," she told the crowd in Traverse City. "If we don't capitalize on this, shame on us."
AP: Midwest governors to sign energy pact to cut use, build resources. "The Midwest can be either a big winner or the big loser in the energy and climate debate," Granholm said in a statement. "To win, we need strong regional innovation and collaboration, backed by strong and perhaps unprecedented federal actions and investment, to advance accelerated deployment of lucrative energy and climate technologies."
Michigan's Economy
AA News Editorial: U-M alumni playing larger role in diversity. "There are alumni who really feel very passionately about wanting to contribute to scholarships that can help certain individuals, whether it's minority students or women to go into science and engineering, or men to go into nursing,'' Steve Grafton, the association president.
K-Zoo Gazette: After a year of combating homelessness, some progress. A nice update on the Kalamazoo County Affordable Housing Partnership's efforts to end homelessness in the area.
Mark Maynard: Bill Ford on the future of transportation and how no one is at the wheel. Mark has a great summary of Bill Ford's speech at UM on Tuesday night about sustainability.
Freep: UAW's new role: Shareholder. "What we are witnessing is the transformation from a confrontational way of working to one of collaboration, which is absolutely necessary," said David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor.
Local/State/National Politics
Stabenow: Michigan votes to sustain CHIP veto disappoint. Sen. Stabenow attempts to dispel some of the myths surrounding S-CHIP.
BFM: It's presidential poll time in Michigan. Wizardkitten takes a look at the most recent EPIC/MRA poll. Hillary is crushing the other dems, while Rudy and Mitt duke it out on the republican side.
BFM: An Embarrassment of Riches in MI-02. Let's see, we have two people willing to take on Pete "Turtle Power" Hoekstra in the 2nd, not to mention great candidates in the 7th and 9th districts. So, anyone care to take on Mike Rogers in the 8th? Anyone... Bueller?
Odds & Ends
Great Lakes Blogger: Dioxin comes home to roost and other news. "Had the company come clean in the 70s and 80s, this problem would not be posing health risks to fisheaters and generating rotten PR for Dow today. But a consistent corporate strategy of delay and deny has simply postponed the day of reckoning."
CNN: 4 nooses found in Central Michigan University classroom. "Michigan state Sen. Hansen Clark said he met with the university president to discuss how to handle the incident. He plans to make a statement Friday on whether the university will ask federal authorities to investigate the case."
The Hub: Silver Bells in the City event lights up downtown, offers family activities and more. Here's your chance to bring the kiddies to Lansing to see the Capitol. The electric light parade kicks off at 6:10, followed by the tree lighting and fireworks (weather permitting).
Let me know if I forgot anything. Drop your links in the comments section...
Below the fold is the list of who voted "yea" to condemning MoveOn.org and who voted "nay." The vote was in response to the "Betray Us" ad in the New York Times (the entire ad is available on the Moveon site. Levin and Stabenow correctly voted "nay," and would not condemn this group for having the stones to call Bush and the war machine out for their bulls%@t. Bush had no business making a general become the public spokesperson for his failed policy. He had no business making a military man read from a spin-laden report, written by the White House, and have the general pass the work off as his own. The general should have politely declined the gig.
This is getting crazy. I'm glad our Michigan senators had a little backbone here. I lost a lot of respect (if I still had any) for any Democrat on this list that was too weak to vote (that means you, O'Bama), or who caved in to the hunta (that means you, Feinstein). I barely recognize this country any more. Anyone with me?
I just have to jump for joy and congratulate both of Michigan's Senators for not wasting tax payers' money on a censure of MoveOn's ad. All I can say is way to go Senator Levin and Stabenow. I am so proud of you for standing up to those idiots. You are a proud member of a select few up there with a brain.
If you want to see the fools that wasted your money on this stupid political ploy, click here. Sorry this is short, but it was urgent that credit was given where credit is due. Woot for Michigan's Senators Levin and Stabenow.
AP: House committee approves smoking-ban bill. This legislation may still have a long way to go before it becomes law, but yesterday's 12-4 vote out of Rep. Meisner's Commerce Committee was the first time this issue had received ANY vote in the last ten years. Don't forget to check out the posts from the Comm Guru and Wizardkitten about this legislation.
BFM: Cox and Republicans create Catch-22 and continue to hold budget hostage. The Guru was on a roll yesterday. In this post, he rips into AG Cox and the Senate Republicans for holding up the budget. Definitely worth a read.
BFM: Michigan dumping CMS? Wizardkitten takes a look at the state's decision to end its contract with Correctional Medical Services next March, and makes an excellent point: "Lawsuits everywhere, including here. Whenever Republicans say "privatize", the case of CMS should be brought up as an example of how it might not be such a good idea. You could make the case that privatization really doesn't save you any money when you are being sued all the time."
Living Blue: Stabenow Comes Through for Kids. Sen. Stabenow has been one of the leaders in expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program, providing coverage to children of the working poor, and for that she deserves a pat on the back.
Living Blue: Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace. "The Iraq Summer Campaign comes to Brighton Thursday (July 26, 2007) and if you're against the Iraq War, it's time to speak up and let Republican Rep. Mike Rogers of Brighton now how you feel." Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP to michigan7@iraqsummer.org.
AA News: Google boss visits Ann Arbor, sees expansion. Eric Schmidt, chairman and CEO during his swing through Michigan: "The energy level is phenomenal," Schmidt later told reporters following his visit on Friday. "... We're clearly going to expand it; it's already one of the fastest-growing centers in Google." You gotta love the sound of that.
Crain's: Granholm: State to make climate-change plan. "Granholm said the plan, being developed by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, will contain recommendations and actions the state can take in such areas as conservation, use of fuel-efficient vehicles, use of renewable energy, and other steps." If you missed Eric's post on renewables yesterday, go give it a read.
Stone Soup Musings: Must see TV: Michigan. "Hollywood loves Michigan! Okay, maybe not Hollywood per se, but film crews from the Discovery Channel and Travel Channel appear to be smitten by our Midwestern charm." More of this, please.
Walberg Watch: More on the Walberg Recall. Fitzy sifts through all the messy details. On a totally unrelated note, Rep. Walberg rode a Harley into work this week! Come on, 7th district... how could you possibly want to recall such a hip dude?
WILX: Free Wi-Fi in Downtown Lansing. The free wi-fi will only last for 2-3 months (then the fees will kick in), but this is still pretty sweet.
Did I forget anything? Drop your links in the comments section...
