Saturday, July 19, 2008
TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS
INDEPENDENT VOTERS
REFORM
NEW YORK POLITICS/INDEPENDENCE PARTY
- Poll: Independent Voters Unenthusiastic About Obama And McCain (The Moderate Voice) Even though their impact is pooh-poohed by some partisans on both sides (until the votes are actually counted and it shows their impact) both camps will be going after independent voters.
- HERE'S THE POOH-POOH:
- Independent, uninspired, and undecided (Boston Globe/Political Intelligence)
- Sad Independent Voters Are Excited About Nothing (Wonkette: The D.C. Gossip Blog)
- WARNING to Boston Globe and Wonkette: Demean independent voters at your own risk!
REFORM
- Idaho to court: State GOP lawsuit should be tossed (Fox 12 News KTRV) U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill said he'll hold a scheduling conference to outline the hearing dates in August.
- REVIEW OF RECENT WASHINGTON "TOP TWO" STORIES:
- Pay attention, voters (Seattle Times editorial)
- IN OUR VIEW: Welcome, top two (By The Columbian editorial board)
- Parties should back off threats to void election (Takoma NEWS TRIBUNE)
- State will run top-two primary-Parties say it will jeopardize election results (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
- "Top-two" warning nothing to worry about, Sam Reed says (The Olympian)
NEW YORK POLITICS/INDEPENDENCE PARTY
- New York State Independence Party Leadership Consolidates More Power Over County Units of Party (Ballot Access News) -- State party faction doesn't want any grassroots activity they can't control...
- Consultant fees raise questions in Davis bid for Independence Party nomination-Wives of two officials paid $5,00 each (Buffalo News) -- The internal shenanigans of the upstate faction of the New York Independence Party....
Labels: "top two primary", independent voters, New York Independence Party, open primaries, political reform
Friday, July 18, 2008
TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS
REFORM
Different take on federal elections (THE DAILY IBERIAN) For the first time in nearly three decades, Louisiana will have closed Congressional primaries Sept. 6.
CAMPAIGN
LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS:
Libertarian party impact on 2008 elections (ENCToday - North Carolina)
NEW YORK INDEPENDENCE PARTY
Independence Party changes rule, gives Donno ballot line (New York Newsday) NOTE: MacKay wants to control the Independence Party in New York, not grow it, and his hand-picked State Committee goes along with it. This is the fight the New York City Independence Party Organizations are having with the State Committee and State Chairdictator--NH
Different take on federal elections (THE DAILY IBERIAN) For the first time in nearly three decades, Louisiana will have closed Congressional primaries Sept. 6.
CAMPAIGN
- Dems Finding Success in Center (RealClearPolitics) That's how the party plans to win seats this year, too, DCCC executive director Brian Wolff told Real Clear Politics. "These are going to be the more fiscally responsible" Democrats, he said. "We're not talking about a lot of progressive Democrats that are running."
- Obama widens California lead to 24 points ahead of McCain (San Diego Union Tribune)
LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS:
Libertarian party impact on 2008 elections (ENCToday - North Carolina)
NEW YORK INDEPENDENCE PARTY
Independence Party changes rule, gives Donno ballot line (New York Newsday) NOTE: MacKay wants to control the Independence Party in New York, not grow it, and his hand-picked State Committee goes along with it. This is the fight the New York City Independence Party Organizations are having with the State Committee and State Chairdictator--NH
Labels: Barack Obama, centrist, independent voters, Libertarian Party, New York Independence Party, open primary, unaffiliated voters
Thursday, July 17, 2008
TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS
REFORM California nonpartisan redistricting..... Missouri open primaries..... Maine initiative and referendum.... North Carolina fair ballot access.... Oklahoma ballot access
BONUSGATE PENNSYLVANIA
THIRD PARTY NEWS
Editorial: Barkley: IP gets a serious candidate (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
- CA: Proposition 11 levels the redistricting playing field (Mercury News)
- CA: House Dems oppose Calif. redistricting measure (Daily Comet)
- MO: In our view: Consider local races (Joplin Globe) Our recommendation is that party affiliation is secondary to ensuring that competent people are elected to our county offices.
- ME: AUGUSTA Charter panel mulls petitions and their limits (Kennebec Journal)
- NC: Ballot laws hurt democracy-N.C. obstructions thwart third parties, independents (Daily Tarheel, UNC)
- OK: Barr fight: Ballot access is candidate's focus (NewsOK.com, The Oklahoman Editorial)
BONUSGATE PENNSYLVANIA
- Green Party candidate wants case reopened (Philadelphia Inquirer)
- Bonusgate, a distraction we don’t need (The Sentinel) Meanwhile, a serious reform — a constitutional amendment to take partisanship out of the redistricting process — languished in committee, which means it can’t be passed in time for the next round of reapportionment following the 2010 census.
- Something’s Rotten in the State of Pennsylvania (Dissident Voice) Bonusgate involved the use of state employees to challenge the nominating petitions of Ralph Nader in 2004 (Also see Political Profiling in Pennsylvania, CounterPunch )
THIRD PARTY NEWS
Editorial: Barkley: IP gets a serious candidate (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
Labels: ballot access, bonusgate, Carl Romanelli, Dean Barkley, independent voters, initiative and referendum, open primary, Pennsylvania bonus scandal, political reform, Ralph Nader, redistricting
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Talk/Talk: Arnold and Donna
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Below are excerpts from this week's Talk Talk, Arnold and Donna. Every Sunday CUIP's president Jacqueline Salit and strategist and philosopher Fred Newman watch the political talk shows and discuss them. Here are excerpts from their dialogue on Sunday, July 13, 2008 after watching "The Chris Matthews Show" and "This Week with George Stephanopoulos".
Salit: Something else that I liked about Schwarzenegger was his commentary on flip-flopping. He said he was pro-flip-flop. Part of the story here is that more traditional progressives are saying that Obama's flip-flopping on the issues is going to undermine his base. They're really talking more about themselves than they are talking about Obama, it seems to me, meaning that Obama's changes undermine their position. In any event, Schwarzenegger says, 'I love flip-flopping. Flip-flopping is a good thing. You're allowed to change your mind.' It was a welcome change from the usual.
Newman: The last thing the Democratic Party gets upset about is its left wing being upset about flip-flopping. The Democratic Party left has never displayed that it has the courage to vote for what it says it stands for anyhow. They're strategic flip-floppers, so to speak
Read Talk Talk in its entirety here.
Below are excerpts from this week's Talk Talk, Arnold and Donna. Every Sunday CUIP's president Jacqueline Salit and strategist and philosopher Fred Newman watch the political talk shows and discuss them. Here are excerpts from their dialogue on Sunday, July 13, 2008 after watching "The Chris Matthews Show" and "This Week with George Stephanopoulos".
Salit: Something else that I liked about Schwarzenegger was his commentary on flip-flopping. He said he was pro-flip-flop. Part of the story here is that more traditional progressives are saying that Obama's flip-flopping on the issues is going to undermine his base. They're really talking more about themselves than they are talking about Obama, it seems to me, meaning that Obama's changes undermine their position. In any event, Schwarzenegger says, 'I love flip-flopping. Flip-flopping is a good thing. You're allowed to change your mind.' It was a welcome change from the usual.
Newman: The last thing the Democratic Party gets upset about is its left wing being upset about flip-flopping. The Democratic Party left has never displayed that it has the courage to vote for what it says it stands for anyhow. They're strategic flip-floppers, so to speak
Read Talk Talk in its entirety here.
Labels: Arnold Schwarenegger, Barack Obama, Democratic Party, Donna Brazile, flip-flop, Fred Newman, Jacqueline Salit, left-wing, Talk/Talk
TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS
REFORM
CAMPAIGN
THIRD PARTY NEWS
- Idaho Repub chief Norm Semanko interview with comments on open/closed primaries (BOISE WEEKLY)
- If Idaho is a bellwether, Democrats are looking good (Idaho Mountain Express) Key fight within Repub Party over open primaries, inclusion of independents
CAMPAIGN
- Provincial Progressives: The New Yorker Magazine and Why Obama May Lose (Huffington Post) Progressives, Democrats and all those independent voters like me who long to turn the page on the Bush catastrophe -- get a grip!
- Obama on a pedestal could be worse than an absurd caricature (Politics In Color) I'm not satisfied with the complaints that the New Yorker gave comfort to right-wing nuts. It may be better to see this over-the-top image now as independent voters assess the Democratic U.S. Senator from Illinois rather than October when the undecided are about to make up their minds on which candidate they will chose at the polls.
- Obama holds 9-point lead over McCain, poll shows (by Staten Island Advance)
- Women, Blacks Give Obama 9 - Point Lead Over McCain (Quinnipiac University)
- Obama Moves Right? Pundits Cheer (Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR) Analysis of media coverage
THIRD PARTY NEWS
- Barkley joins Senate race-WIth Jesse Ventura announcing that he wouldn't run, Barkley, a longtime adviser to the former governor, put his hat in the ring. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
- Barkley enters U.S. Senate race (Pioneer Press)
- Editorial: Barkley: IP gets a serious candidate (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
- Jesse the Diva gives way to bravado-lite Barkley (Minneapolis Post)
Labels: Barack Obama, Dean Barkley, Idaho closed primaries, independent voters, Jesse Ventura, New Yorker Magazine, Quinnipiac poll
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Neo-Independent: Is this the Rainbow We've Been Waiting For?
Spring/Summer Issue of The-Neo Independent is now out.
E D I T O R ’ S N O T E
The culture of the independent movement has not
permeated the American mainstream in the way, for
example, that SpongeBob or Brangelina have. Not
to worry. Avant-garde theatre, music and fashion first
appear in out-of-the-way performance spaces or on
the streets, often taking decades to filter through to
Broadway or Dancing with the Stars. Likewise, the independent movement is creating its own outside-thebox
culture in a variety of venues as we develop into a
mainstream force.
There is probably no more edgy American political/
cultural performance than wearing a tee shirt. We
had some great ones this political season. In South
Dakota, which held one of the final primaries in the
Democratic line-up, independents were barred from
voting but wanted to make a point. Kim Wright of
South Dakota Voice of Independents and family
members put their plight out there in plain English.
And at the start of the primary season, before a single
vote had been cast, independent Lenora Fulani
raised questions about the black political establishment’s
wholesale backing of Hillary Clinton without
a public debate on the Obama option, asking “Who
Decided Hillary is Best for the Black Community?” She
put her question on a bright yellow tee that became a
bestselling item from Harlem to Bedford-Stuyvesant.
Today it’s a collector’s item.
vote had been cast, independent Lenora Fulani
raised questions about the black political establishment’s
wholesale backing of Hillary Clinton without
a public debate on the Obama option, asking “Who
Decided Hillary is Best for the Black Community?” She
put her question on a bright yellow tee that became a
bestselling item from Harlem to Bedford-Stuyvesant.
Today it’s a collector’s item.
And then there were the awards ceremonies. No red
carpets and flashbulbs, but Robert Sullentrup of
Missouri and Larry Reinsch of Iowa, both co-founders
of Rock the Debates, received Anti-Corruption
Awards at an event sponsored by the Independence
Party of New York City that was packed with independents.
And in the publishing world, launch parties
are a must. We had one for the last issue of the Neo –
where contributing writer Matt Meiners and I posed
for photos with a portrait of our first president.
Hope you enjoy this issue. We independents are
grappling with the best ways to exercise our developing
power and we’re having a good time doing it…
grappling with the best ways to exercise our developing
power and we’re having a good time doing it…
Jacqueline Salit
Labels: Barack Obama, independent voters, Jacqueline Salit, Kim Wright, Larry Reinsch, Lenora Fulani, Matt Meiners, Robert Sullentrup, Rock the Debates, South Dakota Voice of Independents, The Neo-Independent
Who listens to blogging heads?
From the Los Angeles Times:
"....They are more likely to identify themselves as Democrats or Republicans, rather than as independents, and are more likely to call themselves liberals or conservatives rather than moderates. Political blog readers are more likely to vote, give money to candidates or simply talk about politics. They live and breathe politics...."
h/t to Josh's tumblelog for this
"....They are more likely to identify themselves as Democrats or Republicans, rather than as independents, and are more likely to call themselves liberals or conservatives rather than moderates. Political blog readers are more likely to vote, give money to candidates or simply talk about politics. They live and breathe politics...."
h/t to Josh's tumblelog for this
Labels: blogging heads, blogosphere, independent voters
Websites For Independent Voters
From Everyday Woman
By Marcia Ford (Reprinted from We the Purple: Faith, Politics, and the Independent Voter )
It would be impossible to list all the worthwhile independent-voter blogs and Web sites I've discovered, so I've pared the list down to sites that reflect general interests. Some of the links below refer to sites mentioned in the previous chapters, but some referred to earlier are not on the list below. That is no reflection on their value to independent voters but rather an effort to avoid too much duplication. Be sure to visit the sites mentioned in the chapters as well.
Most of the sites below provide a list of links to sites that narrow the field to, say, independent conservatives, evangelical progressives, or liberal populists.
Ballot Access News (http://www.ballot-access.org/): This one's a real eye-opener, even if you're not interested in ballot-access issues. Just read a few random posts, and you'll get an inkling of the challenges faced by independent candidates - and independent voters trying to simply register as independents. Of course, if you're a ballot-access junkie, this is where you'll get your fix.
Central Sanity (http://www.centralsanity.blogspot.com/): "Supporting the Rebellion of Reasonable People in an Unreasonable World." This site is for moderate Republican and independent voters but provides news and smart commentary that transcends political ideology.
Committee for a Unified Independent Party (CUIP) (http://www.independentvoting.org/index.html): Pretty much a national clearinghouse for all things politically independent. This group has done more to rally and unite independents than any organization or individual out there. Great source of information and news, plus a link to the CUIP publication The Neo-Independent, where you'll find indie-related articles and commentary. This is where you start if you want to find out more or connect with other independents nationwide.
The Hankster (http://grassrootsindependent.blogspot.com/): Hands down, the best source for daily political news that independents would be interested in. Nancy Hanks has been politically active for decades and really knows her stuff. It would be a good idea to bookmark her site and visit it often.
Independent Texans (http://www.indytexans.org/): Lots of information of interest to Texans, but also some great information on political reform; just follow the link by that name in the left column.
Independent Voice (http://www.independentvoice.org/): The voice of California's 3.6 million independents, or at least those who have found the site and appreciate its perspective on independent politics. There's lots of overlap here with CUIP, but it's still a site worth visiting.
The Moderate Voice (http://www.themoderatevoice.com/): "Domestic and international news analysis, irreverent comments, original reporting, and popular culture features from across the political spectrum." Sometimes just fun stuff, but often the kind of news you won't get from the mainstream media. Well worth checking out.
Project Vote Smart (http://votesmart.org/index.htm): An all-around excellent site for information on candidates and the issues. Besides, you have to love a group that boasts a purple bus and the slogan, "We provide more information about the candidates than they remember about themselves."
The Purple State (http://thepurplestate.com/): "Political Commentary from the Youth Vote"; specifically, a group of students, mostly from Vassar, who founded the site because they "could not take it anymore" - "it" being the partisanship that is obscuring the nation's real concerns. Now they're blogging, and what they have to say is significant.
WatchBlog (http://watchblog.com/): I especially like the format of this site, which provides three columns of news and commentary of interest to Democrats and liberals, third-party voters and independents, and Republicans and conservatives. After reading the items in the center column, dedicated to us, you can spy on the partisans to the left and right.
Excerpted from We the Purple (Tyndale House Publishers) by Marcia Ford. Reprinted with permission.
RELATED LINK:
We the 'Purple'
By Marcia Ford (Reprinted from We the Purple: Faith, Politics, and the Independent Voter )
It would be impossible to list all the worthwhile independent-voter blogs and Web sites I've discovered, so I've pared the list down to sites that reflect general interests. Some of the links below refer to sites mentioned in the previous chapters, but some referred to earlier are not on the list below. That is no reflection on their value to independent voters but rather an effort to avoid too much duplication. Be sure to visit the sites mentioned in the chapters as well.
Most of the sites below provide a list of links to sites that narrow the field to, say, independent conservatives, evangelical progressives, or liberal populists.
Ballot Access News (http://www.ballot-access.org/): This one's a real eye-opener, even if you're not interested in ballot-access issues. Just read a few random posts, and you'll get an inkling of the challenges faced by independent candidates - and independent voters trying to simply register as independents. Of course, if you're a ballot-access junkie, this is where you'll get your fix.
Central Sanity (http://www.centralsanity.blogspot.com/): "Supporting the Rebellion of Reasonable People in an Unreasonable World." This site is for moderate Republican and independent voters but provides news and smart commentary that transcends political ideology.
Committee for a Unified Independent Party (CUIP) (http://www.independentvoting.org/index.html): Pretty much a national clearinghouse for all things politically independent. This group has done more to rally and unite independents than any organization or individual out there. Great source of information and news, plus a link to the CUIP publication The Neo-Independent, where you'll find indie-related articles and commentary. This is where you start if you want to find out more or connect with other independents nationwide.
The Hankster (http://grassrootsindependent.blogspot.com/): Hands down, the best source for daily political news that independents would be interested in. Nancy Hanks has been politically active for decades and really knows her stuff. It would be a good idea to bookmark her site and visit it often.
Independent Texans (http://www.indytexans.org/): Lots of information of interest to Texans, but also some great information on political reform; just follow the link by that name in the left column.
Independent Voice (http://www.independentvoice.org/): The voice of California's 3.6 million independents, or at least those who have found the site and appreciate its perspective on independent politics. There's lots of overlap here with CUIP, but it's still a site worth visiting.
The Moderate Voice (http://www.themoderatevoice.com/): "Domestic and international news analysis, irreverent comments, original reporting, and popular culture features from across the political spectrum." Sometimes just fun stuff, but often the kind of news you won't get from the mainstream media. Well worth checking out.
Project Vote Smart (http://votesmart.org/index.htm): An all-around excellent site for information on candidates and the issues. Besides, you have to love a group that boasts a purple bus and the slogan, "We provide more information about the candidates than they remember about themselves."
The Purple State (http://thepurplestate.com/): "Political Commentary from the Youth Vote"; specifically, a group of students, mostly from Vassar, who founded the site because they "could not take it anymore" - "it" being the partisanship that is obscuring the nation's real concerns. Now they're blogging, and what they have to say is significant.
WatchBlog (http://watchblog.com/): I especially like the format of this site, which provides three columns of news and commentary of interest to Democrats and liberals, third-party voters and independents, and Republicans and conservatives. After reading the items in the center column, dedicated to us, you can spy on the partisans to the left and right.
Excerpted from We the Purple (Tyndale House Publishers) by Marcia Ford. Reprinted with permission.
RELATED LINK:
We the 'Purple'
Labels: blogosphere, independent voters, Marcia Ford, websites, www.everydaywoman.tv
Bonusgate: A Tsunami for Reform
From PACleanSweep
In 2005, the legislative pay raise was a seismic disturbance that rumbled beneath the surface of Pennsylvania's political ocean. In 2006, the electoral effects were felt in what was commonly dubbed a "political earthquake." Three years later, the resultant tsunami - otherwise known as Bonusgate - has finally come crashing to shore.
Citizens should applaud the agents of the Attorney General's office and members of the grand juries. The volume of man-hours apparently involved in pouring through mountains of records and testimony to reach this point is astounding. That the investigation continues and more arrests are likely is even more breathtaking.
The biggest accolades, however, must be reserved for the people of Pennsylvania and their historic reaction to the pay raise. Absent the intense citizen activism during the 2006 election cycle, Bonusgate would not even be a blip on the radar.
Although the grand juries found that the intermingling of campaigns and legitimate legislative functions began prior to 2006, the sheer number of electoral challenges that year created an opportunity for the practice to be utilized to an extent that commanded the attention of the media and law enforcement.
Without pay raise outrage, the practice might have quietly remained behind the scenes for years to come. Without pay raise outrage, journalists might not have had the editorial foresight and ripe audience required for stories that grow "legs." Without pay raise outrage, law enforcement might not have felt compelled to launch such a substantial investigation.
Under grant of immunity, one individual involved in the scandal nailed it: the pay raise "changed the whole map."
Bonusgate should spur aftershocks from voters for the same reasons the pay raise did. Both incidents arose from the fault line of arrogance and greed that unfortunately runs directly beneath our Capitol's dome. For some, apparently, the weight of incumbency is simply not enough advantage in the ongoing fight for power and personal privilege.
Despite gerrymandered legislative districts, the availability of free media coverage for legislative work during re-election season, the ability to dole out public funds, taxpayer-funded newsletters and public service announcements, certain individuals within at least one caucus viewed retaining their positions and gaining a majority in the House of Representatives as objectives that reside above the law.
Although the recent revelations are likely just the first phase of the tsunami, Pennsylvanians must begin considering the cleanup and rebuilding efforts now. Clearly there are instances of individual abuses, but many of the problems of Harrisburg are rooted in the structure of government and inherently systemic.
Will further internal legislative rule changes be enough? Will stronger statutes and threats of stiffer penalties prevent such activity in the future? Can any legislative body effectively police itself, or should Pennsylvania tackle the Mother of all Reforms - an objective constitutional convention where sitting public officials are prohibited from serving as delegates?
These questions can only be answered properly if Pennsylvania's citizens are informed, actively engaged in the process, and honest about both the mistakes of the past and the challenges that lie ahead.
As the waters from the Bonusgate tsunami retreat back to the proverbial sea, some parts of the political infrastructure in Harrisburg will have crumbled while others remain standing. Those that remain standing will have been built on the solid ground of the law, ethics and accountability. It is these principles that will guide us in finally ending Pennsylvania's crisis of confidence.
Constitutional Convention Enabling Act (SB1290)
About PACleanSweep
PACleanSweep is a non-partisan effort dedicated to reforming state government in Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.PACleanSweep.com.
For more information:
Russ Diamond, Chairman
chair@pacleansweep.com
717.383.3025
In 2005, the legislative pay raise was a seismic disturbance that rumbled beneath the surface of Pennsylvania's political ocean. In 2006, the electoral effects were felt in what was commonly dubbed a "political earthquake." Three years later, the resultant tsunami - otherwise known as Bonusgate - has finally come crashing to shore.
Citizens should applaud the agents of the Attorney General's office and members of the grand juries. The volume of man-hours apparently involved in pouring through mountains of records and testimony to reach this point is astounding. That the investigation continues and more arrests are likely is even more breathtaking.
The biggest accolades, however, must be reserved for the people of Pennsylvania and their historic reaction to the pay raise. Absent the intense citizen activism during the 2006 election cycle, Bonusgate would not even be a blip on the radar.
Although the grand juries found that the intermingling of campaigns and legitimate legislative functions began prior to 2006, the sheer number of electoral challenges that year created an opportunity for the practice to be utilized to an extent that commanded the attention of the media and law enforcement.
Without pay raise outrage, the practice might have quietly remained behind the scenes for years to come. Without pay raise outrage, journalists might not have had the editorial foresight and ripe audience required for stories that grow "legs." Without pay raise outrage, law enforcement might not have felt compelled to launch such a substantial investigation.
Under grant of immunity, one individual involved in the scandal nailed it: the pay raise "changed the whole map."
Bonusgate should spur aftershocks from voters for the same reasons the pay raise did. Both incidents arose from the fault line of arrogance and greed that unfortunately runs directly beneath our Capitol's dome. For some, apparently, the weight of incumbency is simply not enough advantage in the ongoing fight for power and personal privilege.
Despite gerrymandered legislative districts, the availability of free media coverage for legislative work during re-election season, the ability to dole out public funds, taxpayer-funded newsletters and public service announcements, certain individuals within at least one caucus viewed retaining their positions and gaining a majority in the House of Representatives as objectives that reside above the law.
Although the recent revelations are likely just the first phase of the tsunami, Pennsylvanians must begin considering the cleanup and rebuilding efforts now. Clearly there are instances of individual abuses, but many of the problems of Harrisburg are rooted in the structure of government and inherently systemic.
Will further internal legislative rule changes be enough? Will stronger statutes and threats of stiffer penalties prevent such activity in the future? Can any legislative body effectively police itself, or should Pennsylvania tackle the Mother of all Reforms - an objective constitutional convention where sitting public officials are prohibited from serving as delegates?
These questions can only be answered properly if Pennsylvania's citizens are informed, actively engaged in the process, and honest about both the mistakes of the past and the challenges that lie ahead.
As the waters from the Bonusgate tsunami retreat back to the proverbial sea, some parts of the political infrastructure in Harrisburg will have crumbled while others remain standing. Those that remain standing will have been built on the solid ground of the law, ethics and accountability. It is these principles that will guide us in finally ending Pennsylvania's crisis of confidence.
Constitutional Convention Enabling Act (SB1290)
About PACleanSweep
PACleanSweep is a non-partisan effort dedicated to reforming state government in Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.PACleanSweep.com.
For more information:
Russ Diamond, Chairman
chair@pacleansweep.com
717.383.3025
Labels: Harrisburg, independent voters, PACleanSweep, Pennsylvania bonus scandal, Pennsylvania legislature, political reform, Russ Diamond
TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS
INDEPENDENT VOTERS
CAMPAIGN
LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS
Pa. editorials have sharp words for bonus scandal (York Daily Record)
THIRD PARTY NEWS
NEW YORK POLITICS/INDEPENDENCE PARTY
The Hankster has not given much attention to the New York State Independence Party until now. However, there are some interesting dynamics because of the national political scene and the rise of independents throughout the country that warrent bringing this story in. Here are some of the local reports:
- Big Primaries, Big Changes: Iowa, New Hampshire And Voter Registration (CBS News/Horserace) Unlike in Iowa, most New Hampshire independents who chose one of the parties in the primary (roughly 138,000 of the 196,000) left it just as quickly as they joined, re-registering themselves as independents again on the way out of the polling place!
- Young voters find their voices this election (Greensboro NC News Record) n North Carolina, at least 110,000 new voters registered before the May primary, with a sharp rise among unaffiliated voters, Democrats and African Americans, according to the state Board of Elections.
CAMPAIGN
- Voter registration report shows Arizona may be 'going blue' (ASU Web Devil) Rise in unaffilitated voter registration
- Minnesota Polls: Obama Leads McCain by 18 Percent (MyFox Twin Cities) Decline among indies for both candidates--25% now undecided
LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS
Pa. editorials have sharp words for bonus scandal (York Daily Record)
THIRD PARTY NEWS
- Ventura Won’t Seek Minnesota Senate Seat, Unless ‘God Speaks To Me’ (CQ Politics)
- Green Party Taps McKinney for President (Chicagoist)
- Ohio Libertarian Party Federal Court Hearing (Ballot Access News)
- Green Party Hopes to Expand Ballot Access by Pairing States that are On with States that are Petitioning (Ballot Access News)
- Nader collecting signatures to gain ballot access (Politicker.com)
- Nader has enough signatures to qualify in R.I. (Providence Journal)
NEW YORK POLITICS/INDEPENDENCE PARTY
The Hankster has not given much attention to the New York State Independence Party until now. However, there are some interesting dynamics because of the national political scene and the rise of independents throughout the country that warrent bringing this story in. Here are some of the local reports:
- Bloomberg'$ Indy History (NY Daily News/Daily Politics) Omissions from yesterday's "report"....
- Mayor Bloomberg Gives $150,000 to N.Y. Independence Party (Ballot Access News) [NOTE: That's the anti-democratic State Committee faction of the NY IP, as controlled by the State Chairdictator --NH]
- Nassau Independence Party to back GOP's Donno (Newsday) [IP State Committee plays party politics]
Labels: Barack Obama, Cynthia McKinney, independent voters, Jesse Ventura, Michael Bloomberg, New York Independence Party, Pennsylvania bonus scandal, Ralph Nader
Monday, July 14, 2008
TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS
REFORM: Raging debate in Massachusets papers over popular vote
CAMPAIGN
LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS
Cambridge elects black mayor-Also marks first time for a woman to lead city (Washington Times)
THIRD PARTY NEWS: Mayor Bloomberg gives $150K to anti-democratic upstate faction of New York Independence Party
DEBATES
FEATURE
Civil Rights and the Conservative Movement- How the right got it wrong. (Wall Street Journal)
- Popular vote is popular among local reps (Salem News - MA)
- A popularity contest that can't succeed (Boston Globe)
CAMPAIGN
- Making It-How Chicago shaped Obama. (by Ryan Lizza, The New Yorker)
- Obama, the Newsweek Poll and Other Downers (THE FIFTH COLUMNIST by P.M. Carpenter)
LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS
Cambridge elects black mayor-Also marks first time for a woman to lead city (Washington Times)
THIRD PARTY NEWS: Mayor Bloomberg gives $150K to anti-democratic upstate faction of New York Independence Party
- Mayor Bloomberg's pals can count on him and his cash (NY Daily News/Daily Politics)
- N.Y. Independence Party Retains Tradition of Being Last Party to Choose Presidential Nominee (Ballot Access News)
- Jesse Ventura on Larry King Live for Senate Decision (Ballot Access News) TONIGHT AT 9 PM
- Peace & Freedom State Convention Will Have Big Attendance (Ballot Access News)
- Bar-none with Barr-Nunn (Arkansas News Bureau)
DEBATES
- Barr Set to Make Debate Push (Campaigns and Elections Politics Magazine)
- An Opportunity to Open Presidential Debates (The Nation)
FEATURE
Civil Rights and the Conservative Movement- How the right got it wrong. (Wall Street Journal)
Labels: Barack Obama, Bob Barr, independent voters, Michael Bloomberg, New York Independence Party, open debate, political reform, popular vote, Ralph Nader, third-party voters, Victoria Jackson-Stanley
Sunday, July 13, 2008
TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS
REFORM
Our view: Don't abandon the Electoral College (Eagle Tribune - North Andover MA) [Another establishment view... -NH]
CAMPAIGN
Our view: Don't abandon the Electoral College (Eagle Tribune - North Andover MA) [Another establishment view... -NH]
CAMPAIGN
- Is McCain a maverick, moderate or mystery? (DETROIT FREE PRESS) Craig Ruff, a Lansing political consultant, said he believes this year's presidential race is all about attracting independent voters and crossovers.
- Contradictory Polls: Obama Falling, Obama Rising (The Moderate Voice)
- Newsweek giveth, and Newsweek taketh away (The Carpetbagger Report) [Amen, brother! - NH]
Labels: Barack Obama, electoral college, independent voters, John McCain, maverick, political polls
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Making history from the bottom up in Cambridge MD
Baltimore Sun photo by Elizabeth Malby / July 9, 2008
TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS
REFORM
CAMPAIGN
LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS
THIRD PARTY NEWS
- Obama's Liberal Shock Troops (Wall Street Journal) A redistricting commission would be set up to reshape political boundaries, but state courts would be barred from reviewing any plans it draws up. (Only federal courts could review the boundaries.) Voters would also be barred from rejecting or amending the commission's work by initiative.
- Confusion hides in constitutional amendment's fine print-Voters should beware; proposal has way too much 'other stuff' (Detroit Free Press)
- Wall Street Journal Op-Ed Attacks National Popular Vote Plan (Ballot Access News)
- Don't Mess With the Electoral College (Wall Street Journal)
- The push for a popular vote (Boston Globe)
- Current system needs an update (LETTER to Boston Globe)
- Same-day voter registration pushed-Revised bill backed by Augustus gets Galvin’s nod (Worcester Telegram & Gazette News)
- Naming rights (Boston Globe) Same Day Voter Registration - long-running battle between Asian activists and the state's top voting official on how to conduct an election.
CAMPAIGN
- The NEWSWEEK Poll: Is the Glow Fading? (Newsweek/Stumper blog) Is Barack Obama losing independents' support???
- North Dakota Poll Released by Rasmussen Reports: Barack Obama 43%, John McCain 43% (TransworldNews.com) McCain earns the vote from 87% of Republicans while Obama attracts 79% of Democrats and holds an eighteen point lead among unaffiliated voters.
- Wisconsin Poll Released by Rasmussen Reports: Barack Obama 50%, John McCain 39% (TransworldNews.com) In Wisconsin, Obama attracts support from 86% of Democrats and has a twelve point advantage among unaffiliated voters.
LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS
- OK: Slim pickings affect interest in primary election (The Journal Record) Another reason for fewer votes in primary elections is the increase in the number of registered independent voters. There are more than 200,000 of them who are not eligible to vote in primaries. Some states allow it as well as cross-party voting in primaries. Oklahoma does not.
- OR: Ben Westlund bucks “career politician” label (Politicker-OR)
- MN: Ventura is saving any news for TV (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
- MD: Md. city with edgy racial past elects black mayor (AP-Google) Newcomer ousts incumbent in nonpartisan race, Decades after the demise of segregation, this sleepy city on Maryland's Eastern Shore has elected not only its first black mayor but also its first woman to the post.
- MD: Cambridge makes history-Racial strife in the past, city picks first African-American mayor (Baltimore Sun)
THIRD PARTY NEWS
- Nader setting up write-in campaign in North Carolina (News Observer) Ballot access very difficult
- Green Party: Red ink in Chicago bash-Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-Ga.) is leading contender for W.H. nomination (Baltimore Sun/The Swamp)
- RALPH NADER FILES AS CANDIDATE IN WASHINGTON (Seattle dbusinessnews.com)
BOOK REVIEW
Body Politic, Rest & Motion (Texas Observer) Review of The Big Sort: Why the Clustering of Like-Minded America Is Tearing Us Apart [The Hankster's 2 cents: it's not clustering that's tearing us apart, it's the two-party partisan system that's got us divided]
Labels: Barack Obama, Ben Westlund, Cynthia McKinney, electoral college, independent voters, Jesse Ventura, open primary, political reform, Ralph Nader, unaffiliated voters, Victoria Jackson-Stanley
Friday, July 11, 2008
The Dumbest Critique
Ok, this is rich: The LA Times did an article over the July 4th weekend about Mark Bauerlein and his "fear for his country." Bauerlein is a 49-year-old professor of English at Emory University, and a former director of Research and Analysis at the National Endowment for the Arts, is afraid that the digital age (i.e. the internet, blogs, social networking, etc.) stupefies young Americans and jeopardizes our future.
So apparently Mr. Bauerlein's 25 years of teaching, researching and analyzing culture in America hasn't given millennials a smarter edge. Next move? He writes a book called "The Dumbest Generation" blaming the kids and everyone else. Seriously. -- NH
So apparently Mr. Bauerlein's 25 years of teaching, researching and analyzing culture in America hasn't given millennials a smarter edge. Next move? He writes a book called "The Dumbest Generation" blaming the kids and everyone else. Seriously. -- NH
Labels: Dumbest Generation, education, generational war, Mark Bauerlein, Millennials
Don't worry honey, independent voters are just in your head!TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS
- The independent voter is partisan (Gary Andres, Washington Times) Gary Andres says independents don't exist...
- Primary Blues (Ada Evening News - OK) Independent voters should not be barred from primary elections simply because they choose not to be classified as Republican or Democrat.
- Millions of African Americans Will Be Disenfranchised on Election Day (BlackNews.com) Virginia, for instance, is one of two states (Kentucky being the other) that does not allow ex-felons to vote under any circumstances.
- Why ‘base’ and ‘independent’ campaign strategies converge (Christian Science Monitor/Patchwork Nation) This guy also says independent voters don't exist!
- Most unaffiliated voters didn't change in primary (KSL-SALT LAKE CITY)
- Majority of unaffiliated didn't vote in primary (Deseret News) Independents are steamed about accusations of being lazy! (Read the comments!)
- The Catholic Voter (NJ Politicker) Pew study of 1,007 Catholic votes found 41 percent unaffiliated with either the Democrat Party or the Republican Party, with 38 percent being Democrats and 21 percent Republican.
If independent voters don't exist, why do they keep talking about us? Well, actually they talk about us like we're not there..... TGIIF (Thank God It's Independent Friday!)
Labels: African American voters, Catholic voters, felony voters, independent voters, open primary, unaffiliated voters, Utah
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Independent leader Jim Holbert files for Kentucky 5th Congressional District
Laurel resident running for Congress
Special to the Times-Tribune
July 9, 2008
Jim Holbert, Independent candidate for the Kentucky 5th Congressional District U.S. House of Representatives seat, filed his nominating petition with the Kentucky Secretary of State’s office in Frankfort on Monday. The filing puts Holbert on the ballot in the 5th District for the Nov. 4 General Election for Congress.
Holbert’s candidacy has been on record with the Federal Election Commission since March, and he has been actively conducting a grassroots campaign in the District on a progressive, populist platform.
Holbert outlines his positions saying, “We’ve got to stop ‘politics as usual’ and start bringing common sense to our regional and national problems. We need trade and industrial policies that will bring back good middle-class jobs. We must start enforcing the existing laws which are supposed to protect Americans from such problems as illegal immigration and unsafe job conditions. And we’ve got to de-fund and defeat the forces behind terrorism through smarter oil, energy and economic policies. We won’t do it through open-ended wars. Our stated objectives in Iraq and Afghanistan have been achieved, and it’s time to bring our troops home.”
Holbert, who resides with his family in Laurel County, is a former Army and Coast Guard officer who works as an Emergency Medical Service helicopter pilot in southeast Kentucky.
To get involved, email contact@jimholbert2008.com
http://www.jimholbert2008.com
Labels: grassroots, independent candidate, Jim Holbert, Kentucky, populist, progressives
TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS
INDEPENDENT VOTERS
REFORM:
CAMPAIGN
LOCAL INDEPENDENT POLITICS
KY: Laurel resident running for Congress (Times-Tribune) Independent candidate Jim Holbert files for Congressional run saying, "We've got to stop 'politics as usual' and start bringing common sense to our regional and national problems.
THIRD PARTY POLITICS
- Congressional scandal-Nation nearly unanimous in loathing the legislative branch (Augusta Chronicle) The most startling and telling breakout fact from the Rasmussen poll is that among independent voters, only 3 percent think this Congress is doing a good job.... This is the most serious indictment of Congress in memory. Making it an even more spectacular insult is the fact that no discernible scandal was necessary to bring on this sweeping censure.
- Congressional Approval Falls to 9% (Donklephant) Independent voters lead the pack
REFORM:
Washington "Top Two" open primary;
California redistricting with nonpartisan commission
- WA: Parties should accept primary system that voters clearly prefer (The Daily News)
- CA: Experts Expound (Capitol Weekly Readers) It's back: A ballot initiative to take redistricting away from the Legislature and turn it over to an independent commission.
- WA: Restoring Primary Power to the People (Kitsap Sun Editorial) That's the bottom line in Washington state's historic "top two" primary election, to be held Aug. 19.
CAMPAIGN
- Dems follow Obama down centrist path (The Hill) Democrats have decided to focus on economic and security issues designed to appeal to a wide range of voters, especially independents who are concerned about soaring gas prices and the slumping stock and housing markets.
- What to do about Iraq? Obama's getting a lot of advice (Minneapolis Post)
- The Stand That Obama Can't Fudge (By E. J. Dionne Jr., Washington Post)
- The Three Party System - The New Political Party is Conservative Democrats (American Chronicle)
LOCAL INDEPENDENT POLITICS
KY: Laurel resident running for Congress (Times-Tribune) Independent candidate Jim Holbert files for Congressional run saying, "We've got to stop 'politics as usual' and start bringing common sense to our regional and national problems.
THIRD PARTY POLITICS
- Characters provides 3rd option (The Hill) Dr. Death, Jesse the Body and the Peace Mom. Oh, my.
- Minnesota's Ventura May Bid to Pin Down Senate Seat (CQ Politics)
- Cynthia McKinney Names V-P Running Mate (Ballot Access News) Zentronix blog [SEE BELOW] says that the McKinney-Clemente ticket would be the first in U.S. history of two women of color. However, in 1992, the New Alliance Party ticket was Lenora Fulani and Maria Elizabeth Munoz.
- Green Party Taps Hip-Hop Activist Rosa Clemente For VP (Zentronix) This is an interesting read on current Green Party politics viz Ralph Nader
Labels: Cynthia McKinney, Green Party, independent voters, Jesse Ventura, Lenora Fulani, nonpartisan redistricting, open primary, Ralph Nader, rasmussen poll, Rosa Clemente, third party
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Talk/Talk: Slick About Oil?
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Below are excerpts from this week's Talk Talk, Slick About Oil?. Every Sunday CUIP's president Jacqueline Salit and strategist and philosopher Fred Newman watch the political talk shows and discuss them. Here are excerpts from their dialogue on Sunday, July 6, 2008 after watching "The Chris Matthews Show" and "This Week with George Stephanopoulos".
Newman: OK, let's take one soldier. He or she is over there, and they are fixing a bayonet and heading towards a building to go kill someone. Now, if you take that same soldier, have her or him over there standing in front of an oil refinery to make sure that someone from Al Qaeda doesn't come and blow up the oil refinery, that's still having an American troop there. It's the same soldier. But it's a different mission and it means something different. I really don't understand what it is that McCain is saying. He seems to be saying that the surge worked because fewer American troops are being killed.
Salit: They're trying to make the point, I guess, that this reflects well on the underlying mission.
Newman: How does it reflect well on the underlying mission? Was the mission to have fewer American troops killed? If that was the mission, why go in at all? You'll have no casualties. I don't get the logic. What if we had 10 times as many troops killed in the most recent period of the surge, but they captured or killed Osama bin Laden? Is that a success or a failure by virtue of the current McCain argument?
Read Talk Talk in its entirety here.
Below are excerpts from this week's Talk Talk, Slick About Oil?. Every Sunday CUIP's president Jacqueline Salit and strategist and philosopher Fred Newman watch the political talk shows and discuss them. Here are excerpts from their dialogue on Sunday, July 6, 2008 after watching "The Chris Matthews Show" and "This Week with George Stephanopoulos".
Newman: OK, let's take one soldier. He or she is over there, and they are fixing a bayonet and heading towards a building to go kill someone. Now, if you take that same soldier, have her or him over there standing in front of an oil refinery to make sure that someone from Al Qaeda doesn't come and blow up the oil refinery, that's still having an American troop there. It's the same soldier. But it's a different mission and it means something different. I really don't understand what it is that McCain is saying. He seems to be saying that the surge worked because fewer American troops are being killed.
Salit: They're trying to make the point, I guess, that this reflects well on the underlying mission.
Newman: How does it reflect well on the underlying mission? Was the mission to have fewer American troops killed? If that was the mission, why go in at all? You'll have no casualties. I don't get the logic. What if we had 10 times as many troops killed in the most recent period of the surge, but they captured or killed Osama bin Laden? Is that a success or a failure by virtue of the current McCain argument?
Read Talk Talk in its entirety here.
Labels: Alan Greenspan, Barack Obama, flip-flop, Fred Newman, Iraq war, Jack Reed, Jacqueline Salit, Joe Lieberman, John McCain, left-wing, oil interests, refine strategy, Talk/Talk, US foreign policy
Former Oregon Secretaries of State Phil Keisling and Norma Paulus
drop off signatures for their open primaries ballot measure. (OPB News)
Labels: Oregon open primaries
TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS
INDEPENDENT VOTERS
REFORM: Open Primaries, Oregon One Ballot, Washington "Top Two" Primary
CAMPAIGN
The same river twice-Though poised for gains in the House, Dems likely won't see 2006 repeat (MSNBC-Charlie Cook)
POLLS
- Book Review: Party of One: Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Rise of the Independent Voter (Joe Gandleman, The Moderate Voice)
- "Not a Dime's Worth of Difference?" (Townhall.com) "Middle of the Road" independent contenders like John Anderson in 1980 and Ross Perot in ’92 and ’96 made no attempt to push the parties to the left or the right, but rather schemed to attract the incurably undecided, confused and independent voters who waffle and dither, somewhere between donkey and elephant.
REFORM: Open Primaries, Oregon One Ballot, Washington "Top Two" Primary
- Get Ready For Another Round Of Ballot Measures (OPB News) Phil Keisling: "For the first time in more than a century, Oregonians will get a chance to ask a very fundamental question -- 'Who should control our elections systems?' Citizens and voters, or private organizations known as political parties."
- Political parties say top-two primary may not count (Seattle Times/Postman on Politics) Attorneys for the state Democratic and Republican parties say the upcoming top-two primary violates a federal court order, and could jeopardize the results of both this year’s primary and general elections.
- Washington Republican Party Also Asks State Not to Hold “Top-Two” Primary This Year (Ballot Access News)
CAMPAIGN
The same river twice-Though poised for gains in the House, Dems likely won't see 2006 repeat (MSNBC-Charlie Cook)
POLLS
- Is Congress doing a good job? (USA Today) Harshest marks from independents - 3% approval rating
- Congressional Approval Falls to Single Digits for First Time Ever (