Gingrich Challenges Edwards to Poverty Debate

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich was in Raleigh this past week and challenged Senator John Edwards to a debate on poverty. Read the article from the Raleigh News and Observer by clicking on the link below.

http://www.newsobserver.com/114/story/456037.html

Breaking News: Supreme Court rules on Texas Congressional Districts

The United States Supreme Court upheld most of the Congressional District map in Texas today striking a major blow to Democratic plans to change the make-up of the Congressional delegation of the Lone Star State. Click on the link below to read the major details of the high court's ruling today from the Austin American-Statesman.

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/06/29redistrict.html

SC Lt. Governor Wins Runoff

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/14917354.htm

Palmetto State Dems banking on Swing Voters

A good article found in The State regarding SC Dems need to capture swing voters in the upcoming election.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/14917281.htm

In Defense of Joe Lieberman

My good friend "Joe" recently posted comments to this site comments in regards to Washington Post commentary on Joe Lieberman's Senate re-election campaign in Connecticut. It seems that many have a problem with Senator Lieberman's strong stance on the Iraq War and would like to see him defeated in the primary by an anti-war Democrat.

In the 1955 book Profiles in Courage, then Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts wrote of men who risked their political futures to stand upon their principles. If Joe Lieberman were alive at that time, his stance would be in this book.

I am disturbed of the factionalization of the war issue within the Democratic Party. I have always believed the Democratic Party to be the true "big tent" party allowing for diversity in opinion. I am fearful, if Lieberman loses in the Democratic Party, that factions will employ litmus tests to candidates pushing our party further from the mainstream of the American electorate.

I ask the anti-war, Daily Kos faction, who are targetting Lieberman for defeat, why aren't you targetting Teddy Kennedy for defeat? He was close to President Bush in passage of the No Child Left Behind Act, which incidentally is ruining American education. Why aren't you targetting Democrats who voted for Bush's tax cut package? It is putting a huge burden on people my age because of the deficits being created? The decision to challenge a sitting incumbent because of a single issue is hogwash and threatens the stability of our party.

Joe Lieberman has proven himself to be an able represnetative for the people of Connecticut. He has an impecable record on women's issues, is a supporter of civil liberties, and has voted for labor issues consistantly. When viewing his voting record, one will find that his Democratic credentials are strong.

Lieberman is one of the few statesman in our party. He is someone who can cross party lines and get issues resolved. The loss of Lieberman in the Senate would be great.

I hope the people of Connecticut will see through this ploy of the left and give Joe Lieberman the primary victory he deserves.

Interesting article on the new Cold War found in The Nation

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060710/cohen

North Carolina's Child Poverty Rate Increases

In perhaps the saddest story in the current state of affairs in North Carolina, the Annie E. Casey Foundation is reporting that the number of children in the Tar Heel state is increasing.

http://dwb.newsobserver.com/news/ncwire_news/story/2968590p-9402203c.html

Report on NC 11th Congressional Race

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported on the race for North Carolina's 11th Congressional district between incumbent Republican Charles Taylor and Democrat Heath Shuler.

http://citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200660624023

God and Politics: Ohio Style

It was bound to happen, God being mixed into the gubenatorial race in the Buckeye state of Ohio. In a speech this week, Republican nominee J. Kenneth Blackwell, made comments regarding the Democratic Party and religion. In the speech, Blackwell stated, ``Democrats still believe that government is God, and God is not.'' This language is unacceptable and I hope that the people of Ohio reject such talk at the ballot box in November.

Before I was involved in politics, I was a churchgoer. My Catholic faith was instilled to me by my family and I rarely use it for political purposes. I am tired of the Republican Party using religion as a vote mechanism and painting Democrats as a Godless group of people.

I ask Republican Party officials a few simple questions and hope they will refference their Bibles for the answers:

1. Is it moral to allow 1 of 5 children to live in poverty?
2. Is it moral to live in the richest nation in the world and have people go without healthcare?
3. Is it moral to pollute the environment and ruin the planet that GOD created for his children?
4. Is it moral to spend the country into debt beyond repair and pass it along to the next generation of leaders?
5. Is it moral to Judge another's beliefs without examining one's own beliefs?
6. Is it moral to discriminate because of a person's race, color, sex, or sexual orientation?

Reading articles about politicians who use religion against my party makes my blood boil. I have met thousands of Democrats who are churchgoing. They are wonderful people living the life God has planned for them.

In a previous post, I referenced a political candidate from North Carolina, Vernon Robinson. Ken Blackwell and Vernon Robinson are two of a kind. They claim to love America, but truly hate the people who call America home. In my christian faith, that is wrong because Jesus teaches us to love each other as Children of God.

I hope we as Democrats can begin to stand up to this Christian bigotry that many candidates on the right use to divide our party and the electorate. It is time to stick our thumbs into the eyes of candidates like Robinson and Blackwell (Old Testament Style!!!) The time to be timid is over. Let's take our gloves off and start punching back.

http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/news/14866814.htm

Washington Times Political Commentary

The Washington Times does not believe Democrats will win in 2006 and 2008. Big surprise! considering this is the right-leaning newspaper of our nation's capital. However, there is some good analysis in this piece that Democrats should be reading.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/commentary/20060623-085055-8697r.htm

Politics at its Worst

Republican Vernon Robinson, candidate for Congress challenging incumbent Democrat Brad Miller, is quite the disturbed individual. He has ran for numerous offices without luck, and reminds me of the perenial B52 candidate, always looking to drop the political bombshell.

His advertising is racist, homophobic, and makes former Senator Jesse Helms appear worthy of sainthood. Besides the advertising, it is appaling that Vernon Robinson is running for Congress to represent a district he does not call home. Add it all up, and it is easy to conclude that Vernon Robinson brings out the worst in politics.

When faced with such candidates, responsible political parties take steps to shield themselves from bigotry and stupidity. I am disappointed at the lack of words from the North Carolina State Republican Party denouncing Robinson's campaign advertising. Does anyone remember the 2000 GOP National Convention where the theme was tolerance? I guess the silence from the state GOP is code for intoloerance towards immigrants and gays?

This past week, the campaign of Vernon Robinson was reported upon in the News and Observer. I have included a link below for you to read.

http://dwb.newsobserver.com/politics/ncwire_politics/story/2966743p-9400886c.html

Attacking North Korea, a Dangerous Proposal

In yesterday's blog entries I included a link to an Op-Ed piece found in The Washington Post. The piece dealt with the possibilities of attacking North Korea's missile on the launch pad before it is tested. The piece was authored by two former Clinton defense officials, William Perry and Ashton Carter.

After reading and digesting the arguments put forth in this piece, I have concluded to attack North Korea would be a dangerous military venture that could distabalize global politics. The reaction in the world community to another unilateral strike by the United States at a sovereign country is an unknown factor in this debate.

The Op-Ed piece offers that the U.S. should make clear that South Korea would have no role in this attack. It says that Japan would welcome the bold move on the part of the United States, bringing our two nations closer. The most unpredictable conclusion made in this piece is that Russia and China would give the U.S. a pass on this action because of the failure of the Six Party Talks to reslove nuclear issues surrounding North Korea.

I am not a foreign policy export, yet I do believe the North Koreans are practicing a bit of global "wedge" politics. By threatening to test a missle capable of delivering nuclear war heads to the United States, the North Koreans are challenging the bravado of the Bush Administration's Preemptive Doctrine. It is no secret, the nations involved in the Six Party talks have a vested interest in keeping North Korea in check. Attacking North Korea unilaterally would shatter any hope of a diplomatic sollution and would bring the world into a second Cold War.

Ralph Reed and Jack Abramoff

The New York Times is reporting that former Chrisitian Coalition leader and candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia Ralph Reed was a key figure in the lobbying activities of Jack Abramoff. Click on the link below to read the article.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/23/washington/23abramoff.html

Sideline Bob Shrum

Democratic Political consultant Bob Shrum is the last person Democrats need to comment on the War on Terrorism. Appearing on Hard Ball with Chris Matthews this past Tuesday evening, Shrum portrayed Democrats as a weak at the knees party, afraid to see the war effort to completion. His analysis of current policy, failing to acknowledge any progress, was steeped in Vietnam era rhetoric going as far as to predict our troops will be rescued from the Green Zone in Baghdad as our embassy was evacuated in Saigon in 1975.

I am amazed at the need of Shrum, and many other Democrats, to liken the War on Terrorism to Vietnam. The comparisons are few, if any, and strategy in the War on Terrorism is committed to winning.

I am tired of seeing Bob Shrum speak for my party on national/international issues. His record in Presidential elections is horrific and I see his opinion to be painting the wrong image of the Democratic Party. Shrum had his chance to speak as strategist for the Gore campaign in 2000 and the Kerry campaign in 2004. His retro-80's political campaign strategy has failed two candidates, and it is now time time that Democrats sideline Shrum in the national debate.

http://www.slate.com/?id=2065586

Tough Talk from former Clinton Defense Chiefs

Former Secretary of Defense William Perry and former Assistant Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter have authored an Op-Ed piece in today's Washington Post dealing with the threat of North Korea to test a missle capable of delivering a nuclear war head to the mainland of the United States. In this piece, the two former defense officials argue the United States should strike the missle site before it ever launches.

Click on the link below to read the entire Op-Ed piece.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/21/AR2006062101518.html

Washington Post Opinion on Joe Lieberman

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/20/AR2006062001439.html

Carolina Wins the Stanley Cup

The night was like no other in my lifetime. Experiencing Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals is a memory I will take with me for the rest of my life. The fans were loud and appreciative of the sacrafices being played out on the ice at the RBC Center in Raleigh. This past hockey season, working as a bartender at the RBC Center, was wonderful and I already miss not having another game to look forward to.

Growing up in the Cleveland Media Market, I was raised a Cleveland Browns, Indians, and Cavaliers fan. The three teams combined have experienced heartbreaking losses (The Drive, The Fumble, Michael Jordan's last second shot, and Jose Mesa's blown save in the 1997 World Series) that still bring grown men to tears. I remember crying my eyes out as the Browns lost to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game two years strait.

Having your team take you to the brink of victory was a norm of growing up a Cleveland professional sports team fan, and after the losing games 5 and 6, one I worried was happening again as a Carolina Hurricanes fan. However, it was meant to be for the Canes!

Thank you Canes for one hell of a season!!!

President nets $27 Million for GOP

President Bush attended a Washington fundraiser filling the GOP's political war chest with an additional $27 million dollars. Read about the fundraiser in an article from today's Washington Post.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/19/AR2006061901490.html

Latest NC Political News

Read the latest political news from North Carolina in the Raleigh News and Observer.

http://www.newsobserver.com/114/story/452527.html

A New Direction for Southern Baptists?

Washington Post political commentator E. J. Dionne shares his views in today's newspaper about the future of Southern Baptists and the American electoral process. By electing a moderate voice to lead the organization, are Southern Baptists moving away from the hard-line conservative view on social issues that have defined their involvement with the Republican Party for the past twenty years?

Dionne's analysis of the convention this week is well done and a must read for my viewers.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/15/AR2006061501790.html

Edwards, the New Comeback Kid?

In January 2003, a freshman Senator strolled out of his Raleigh home and announced his candidacy for President of the United States. I watched this announcement live, and new immediately this was the candidate I wanted to support and work for in the 2004 Democratic primaries.

I first heard of John Edwards in 1998 while reading an article in the Washington Post about his challenge to incumbnet Senator Lauche Faircloth. After his election to the Senate, I followed Edwards and was impressed with his star power. I saw him as the next generation of Democratic politicians who could build upon the successes of the "Clinton-way" of presidential campaigning.

Like many Democrats, I ignored Senator Edwards' lack of political experience because I believed him to be the only candidate capable of defeating President Bush. The senator's resume turned out to be a political liability after the South Carolina primary in 2004, paving the way for John Kerry to win the nomination.

Since the primary and general election defeat of 2004, Edwards has worked to bolster his political credentials. He has co-written a report with former HUD secretary Jack Kemp for the Council on Foreign Relations regarding U.S. relations with Russia. He has made numerous trips abroad, including a recent visit to Israel. He also has expanded his work to fight poverty, an issue Edwards believes will determine America's future.

Edwards' has quietly worked to make himself a credible candidate in 2008. His name ID is strong amongst the American public, and Democrats have a very favorable view of him. With potential candidates Hillary Clinton and Al Gore having high negatives amongst the public, Edwards may be the alternative candidate who can forge party unity and still win the general election.

Is Edwards the new comeback kid? Only time will answer this question, but any observer of politics must admit that Edwards has made himself into a candidate who must not be overlooked.

http://oneamericacommittee.com/

Senator John Edwards polling strong in Iowa

The Des Moines Register is reporting that former Senator John Edwards leads potential Iowa Caucus voters with 30% support of those polled. Edwards leads Senator Hillary Rodham-Clinton by 4% in a matchup of possible 2008 Democratic Presidential candidates.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060611/NEWS09/606110338&SearchID=73247738887856

Edwards Comments on Iowa Poll
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060612/NEWS09/606120315&SearchID=73247739111682

Interesting Reads from the Weekly Standard

Is Bush using Clintonian Foreign Policy?
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/332oamry.asp

A Presidential Comeback?
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/335uvqht.asp

Palmetto GOP Split?

Read today's report from South Carolina's The State newspaper about troubles in the Republican Party.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/14821302.htm

Thoughts on the President's Press Conference

This morning, President Bush conducted a press conference to brief the American people on his visit to Iraq. The President returned to old themes on the Iraq War, while adding a new message to the fold, not to play politics with the battlefield. The President appeared to be confident in the long-term progress being made in Iraq, and rejected a time table to withdraw troops.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with a soldier who returned from Iraq. This soldier assured me that things are better in Iraq than what we see each night on television. The soldier told me stories of being greeted in the streets by the Iraqi people and stated that we are getting the job done.

I have been a supporter of the Iraq War and War on Terrorism from the beginning. I applaud the President for staying the course in Iraq. I am reposting remarks I made back in December to this very issue because I think they are appropriate to this discussion.

Posted December 19, 2005 by Blue Dog
I know this posting will make some of my Democratic friends uneasy, but those who know me best understand that I have been a supporter of the Bush Administration's War on Terror since the early hours of September 11, 2001.

I have always believed that politics needs to end at our countires waters. I am not ashamed of my wholehearted support of President Bush's decision to invade Afghanistan and Iraq; positions that were unpopular with many in my party. I still believe I was correct in my support for President Bush and would do the same if the clock was turned back.

In last nights speech to the nation, President Bush made the most compelling arguments to date for America's committment to staying the course in Iraq and winning the "big picture" in the War on Terrorism. War is not pretty. The images shown on our TV screens at night are gruesome and do affect the moral of the American people. We must not foreget that in our countries previous wars, men have died.Would the outcome of World War II be different now if TV screens were prominent in every American household? Would people question the resolve of President Franklin D. Roosevelt to defeat the Evil Axis of Nazi Germany, Mussolini's Italy, and Tojo's Japan? It makes you wonder!

Our country is persuing the correct policy in the Middle East. Democratic nations do not fight each other. A free Iraq will eventually lead to a peaceful Middle East as people are awakened to the freedoms accustomed with democracy. Other nations in the region will, and some currently are, (Egypt and Lebanon come to mind), be forced to deal with their own tyrannical and oppressive governments. By spreading freedom in this region, our enemies will have no base of operation to launch attacks on western governments.

Our fighting men and women are doing a hell-of-a-job in Iraq. We must honor the sacrafices they are making in this struggle between good and evil. To quit now would dishonor the men and women who have given their lives to this cause of freedom, and embolden the terrorists to attack us in the future.

Southern Baptists and Public Schools

This article appeared in today's Washington Post.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/14/AR2006061400823.html

A Story of Idealism from the Washington Monthly

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2006/0606.colvin.html

The Right doesn;t get Education

Individuals who have never stepped into a public school classroom never fail to amaze me. Their ideological viewpoint of the myths in education are simplistic to the point of laughter. As I was surfing the web tonight for aticles to post, I ran across an article from the American Enterprise Institute dealing with the state of public schools in the United States. The article identifies myths of public schools and how they are hurting the reform movement of our education system.

Reading this article allowed me the opportunity to reflect upon the right's utter misunderstanding of education in our country. Read this article and see what you feel?

http://www.taemag.com/issues/articleID.19233/article_detail.asp

Column by the Washington Post's E.J. Dionne

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/12/AR2006061201282.html?sub=AR

June 5, 2006 Southern Political Report

Democrats are looking good in Dixie!!!

http://www.southernpoliticalreport.com/restricted/printed%20editions/spr678.pdf

NC Political Update from the N & O

http://www.newsobserver.com/114/story/449646.html

Land of Goldwater moving to the Center?

Reading The Washington Post today, I ran across an interesting article about one of my favorite Republicans. Despite his views on immigration, I find Congressman J.D. Hayworth to be a respectable gentleman with true convictions. I respect his beliefs and believe he and I would have a great discussion about the future of our country.

The article, which I link below, discusses the new politics that is forming in Hayworth's state of Arizona. The politics in Arizona are moving to the center, leaving once-safe conservatives like Hayworth vulnerable. I have argued on this blog the need for Democrats to present a centrist message to voters. This article provides validity to my calls for moderation in the party.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/11/AR2006061100776.html

Commentary from the News and Observer

The weekly column of News and Observer political reporter Rob Christensen focuses on President Bush. Interesting and thoughful!

http://www.newsobserver.com/114/story/449527.html

Diversity in Schools

Read this article about diversity in our schools from The News and Observer.

http://www.newsobserver.com/146/story/449552.html

Article on Virginia Senate Race

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/10/AR2006061000823.html?referrer=emailarticle

Election '06 Analysis

A good article in today's Washington Post.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/10/AR2006061001119.html

Blog Power! Democrats court bloggers in Las Vegas

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/10/AR2006061001053.html

Time Warner pulls MoveOn.org ad in Ohio

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/08/AR2006060802079.html

House and Senate Dems enjoy fundraising Success

Article in Sunday's Washington Post about Democratic fundraising success.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/10/AR2006061001039.html?sub=AR

Ohio Dems hear from Biden, Obama

Democratic Senators Joe Biden and Barack Obama spoke to Ohio Democrats in Columbus rallying the troops in the Buckeye State. The 2006 elections in Ohio are vital to both parties as the path to the White House in 2008 will role across the Ohio landscape. For Democrats, this election cycle in Ohio may be the most important in 50 years, with the Republicans appearing to be as weak electorally then any other time in the state's history. To fail to capitalize on this opportunity will only guarantee Republican rule in the state for the foreseeable future.

Read the article from the Columbus Dispatch.

http://www.dispatch.com/?story=dispatch/2006/06/04/20060604-C1-02.html

Republicans See Black as Political Gold

The Raleigh News and Observer reports on North Carolina Republicans use of Speaker Jim Black as a rallying figure for the general election. This blog has dedicated numerous postings to this issue and continues to feel that Speaker Black should resign for the good of the Democratic Party.

http://www.newsobserver.com/114/story/446938.html

Potential Presidential Candidates in New Hampshire

A report on 2008 Presiential Politics from the Manchester Union Leader.

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Feingold%2c+Warner+rally+NH+Democrats&articleId=df4fd5ff-4adc-4bd6-889c-da7352bf9f91

We Want the Cup!!!

Life for me is Politics, Hockey, and Teaching. Tonight, the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 to win the Eastern Conference Championship. The Canes now move on to the Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers.

Let's Go Canes!!!!!!!

3rd Party Time?

Interesting editorial from Peggy Noonan in The Wall Street Journal.

http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/?id=110008453