TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

INDEPENDENT VOTERS
Here's a mix of news over the past few days. If you're in the Atlanta area, go see Jacqueline Salit's documentary "How The Independent Movement Went Left By Going Right" (you can also see the film online at independentvoting.org/video). And please read Tom Jacobs' article in Miller-McCune and see if you agree that methinks Tom doth protest too much!

• 'Independent' Voters Are Generally Not -- They are prized by pollsters, but are smaller in number and less influential than most think. (By: Tom Jacobs, Miller-McCune)
• Film showing of “How The Independent Movement Went Left By Going Right” (Georgia Independents) The film will show on Saturday, August 8th, from 2:30pm – 5:00pm at the Ponce de Leon Branch of the Fulton County Library at 980 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE in Atlanta.
• Thomas Richard Harry Launches His New Book, 'The Gathering Of The Clan: An Independent Political Option For America.'- The Gathering of the Clan explores the need for change in politics and shares innovative constructs to revitalize our two-party system. (PRESS RELEASE)
• A Regional Party No More-Far From Being Relegated To The South, The GOP Is Showing Signs Of Life In Democratic Strongholds (by Amy Walter, National Journal)
• Zobgy/O'Leary Report Poll: American Voters Split 49/49 on Sotomayor Confirmation (PRESS RELEASE-O'Leary Report Poll)

OPEN PRIMARIES
Washington State indies get back-up from top court:

• Supreme Court Rules Open Primary Constitutional (Rose Report)

BLOOMBERG 09
Big news this week was the Quinnipiac Poll showing that Bloomberg's support has gone down by 10 points since last month. The Quinnipiac news release points out that "In the June 16 survey, New York City voters were asked to choose between "Thompson the Democrat" and "Bloomberg the independent." In today's survey, Bloomberg is identified as "running as both a Republican and an independent." Looks like Mike needs to get more independent! Bloomberg is running on Column C, the Independence Party line, as his primary ballot line. New York is a fusion state.

• Democrats Mull Rookies For Special Election (By Emily Cadei, CQ Politics)
• Badillo For Bloomberg (Again) (Elizabeth Benjamin, Daily News/Daily Politics)
• Bloomberg Still Ahead In Mayoral Race But Sees Support Drop By Half (Kris Alingod - AHN )
• CNN LARRY KING LIVE - Interview with Colin Powell (CNN)
• Colin Powell endorses NYC mayor's re-election bid (AP)
• Colin Powell endorses NYC Mayor's re-election bid (Associated Press, Newsday)
• Morning Fix: The Conundrum of Colin/Bloomberg Slippage? (Chris Cillizza, Washington Post/The Fix)
• Colin Powell: 'Re-elect Mike Bloomberg' (Liz Benjamin, Daily News/Daily Politics)
• Thompson gains ground in mayoral race-Quinnipiac University poll shows the city comptroller closing the gap with Bloomberg, as the mayor’s party identity keeps shifting. (Crains New York)
• New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg holds a 10 point lead over his top Democratic challenger. (CNN Political Ticker)
• Bloomberg Lead Shrinks When Identified as a Republican (QUINNIPIAC POLL)

Dr. Omar Ali on Al Jazeera Thursday: Race in America

Catch Dr. Omar Ali, professor in the History Department and the African and African American Studies Program at Towson University in Maryland, on a half-hour segment of Al-Jazeera International's "Inside Story" to discuss race in America--surrounding the Henry Louis Gates/Sgt. James Crowley incident. Tune in Thursday, August 30, at 1:30pm Eastern Time. Click here for Al-Jazeera link.

health cares

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

Independents growing as a voting bloc...

• More in Ariz. register as independent voters (by Amy B Wang, The Arizona Republic)
• Partisan or Not, a Tough Course on Health Care (By ADAM NAGOURNEY, NY Times/Political Memo)
• Poll: President's popularity suffers in health reform push (By S.A. Miller, Washington Times)

POLITICAL REFORM

• California Legislature Faces Many Election Law Bills (Ballot Access News) AB 909, which has passed the Assembly and is in the Senate Appropriations Committee, would provide that independent voters must be told at the primary polling place that they may choose a Democratic, Republican or American Independent primary ballot.

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

INDEPENDENT VOTERS
Apparently this percentage is up since January, including among independents. But the poll was taken before Obama's latest push for health care reform...

• 53% Say Obama ‘Partisan Democrat’ (Michael van der Galien, Poli-Gazette)
• Partisan Politics-53% Say Obama is ‘Partisan Democrat’ (Rasmussen Reports)
• In drive for health reform, Obama must win over independents (By Linda Feldmann, Christian Science Monitor)

LOCAL INDEPENDENT VOTERS
Step right up, see how the gov candidates scramble for the independent vote!

• Dodd Remains Weak Among Independents- Poll Indicates He Has Base Back; Gaining Among Unaffiliated Voters Is Tougher Task (By DANIELA ALTIMARI, The Hartford Courant)
• Poll: Independents give Simmons edge over Dodd in Conn. (USA Today)
• Daggett: Only an independent can fix the mess in Trenton (New Jersey News Room)
• N.Y. GOP nominates new kind of Republican (By Aaron Blake, The Hill)
• Independents gaining a significant voice in Arizona's political arena (Mesa Independent Examiner, Christina Wijfjes-Smit)
• Poll: Sen. Specter's lead has vanished (UPI) "Independent voters have shifted narrowly to Toomey 46 - 42 percent and say 53 - 35 percent that Specter does not deserve reelection."

THIRD PARTIES
Personally I think the American public has pretty much "moved on" to nonpartisan politics for the moment, but I still think Mark West makes some mighty good points here about the value of third parties.

• Response to John Hawkins' "3 reasons why a successful third party wouldn't solve anything" (By Mark West, Renew America blog)

LAST WORD
This is a short article by the guy who blogs about American politics for The Economist, no doubt named after the Lexington of the American Revolution where the first "shot heard round the world" rang out... After reading the piece I'd say we made the right decision. Both times!
The Obama cult (Lexington blog, from The Economist print edition)

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

Wow! The polls came out and there was a slew of articles about the numbers, strength and opinions of independent voters. Now at 39% of the electorate, independent voters will determine the outcome of the upcoming midterm elections.

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• A declaration of independence for N.J. voters (BY CHRIS DAGGETT, New Jersey News Room)
• Independent voters continue to rise in Ariz. (Associated Press/Arizona Central)
• Poll shows candidates in 2010 governor's race to be unknowns (By James O'Toole, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Pennsylvania Gov's Approval Drops To Lowest Ever (Quinnipiac University Poll)
• Obama woos Dems on his health plan (BY MICHAEL MCAULIFF, DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU)
• Obama’s Biggest Political Problem: Democrats? (POSTED BY JOE GANDELMAN, The Moderate Voice)
• Borger: Congressional Democrats messing up on health care (By Gloria Borger, CNN/Politics)
• Rumors Of The Demise Of ObamaCare Have Been Greatly Exaggerated (Marc Ambinder, The Atlantic/Politics)
• Independents and the Obama Mandate- A recent survey suggests little appetite for big government. (By JOHN P. AVLON, Wall Street Journal)
• Speaking out against Obama’s reforms (By Leslie Eastman, San Diego News Network/A More Perfect Union)
• Howard Fineman: Endless Summer--In his bid to push health-care reform through Congress, Obama is counting on a wave of political good will. But is he at risk of wiping out? (Newsweek)
• The Most Important Number in Politics Today (By Chris Cillizza, Washington Post/The Fix)
• 2012 Match-ups: Obama, Romney Tied at 45%; Obama 48%, Palin 42% (Rasmussen Reports)
• What's Next, Mr. President -- Cardigans? (By Matt Welch and Nick Gillespie, Washington Post)

In New York, coverage of Mike Bloomberg's independent run for mayor includes his May contribution of $250K to the NYC Independence Party organizations. NYC IP filed more than 5,800 signatures of members throughout the five boroughs at the Board of Elections last Thursday... And by the way, the Naked Cowboy and Rev. Billy are apparently throwing their hat (and collar) into the ring for mayor...

BLOOMBERG 09

Ballot line for Sale? RE: Bloomberg (by Jewlicious, Daily Kos) NOTE: Seems a bit naieve....?

Ballot Line Bonanza (Liz Benjamin, Daily News/Daily Politics)

Gives $250K to Independence Party (By Tom Robbins, Village Voice/Runnin Scared)

Any Friend Of Bloomberg's... (Liz Benjamin, Daily News/Daily Politics)

Line Dancing (Liz Benajmin, Daily News/Daily Politics)

The Naked Cowboy NYC Mayor (Shannon Bell, Right Pundits.com)

NYC's Naked Cowboy wants to be mayor (Associated Press, 10News)

Electallujah! Reverend Billy Takes on Bloomberg, Corporate Hegemony and Consumerism (Fog City Journal)

ALBANY REFORM

State Senate gridlock likely to affect next year’s election, poll finds (By Robert J. McCarthy, BUFFALO NEWS)

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

Slow news weekend for independent voters, but the onslaught of partisan attacks on Pedro Espada's efforts to bring reform into the Albany statehouse continue. Mayoral control of schools is now a central issue in the NY State (recessed) legislative session...

BLOOMBERG 09

• Sharpton to Endorse Thompson for Mayor (By DAVID W. CHEN, NY Times/City Room)
• Sharpton Endorses Thompson For Mayor (By: Grace Rauh, NY 1)
• Democrats Lash Out at Mayor Over Control of Public Schools (By A. G. SULZBERGER, NY Times)

NEW YORK STATE POLITICS

• Bums on a tear: Sens. Diaz, Espada, Monserrate, and Kruger complain about Mayor Bloomberg's knocks (BY ERIN EINHORN, DAILY NEWS CITY HALL BUREAU)

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

OPEN PRIMARIES

Can political parties bring about political reform in California? Or is that another case of the fox guarding the chicken house....? California Moderate Party founder says reform is ok, but "It goes beyond structural reform." Not sure what that means. Human development? My read on this third party is lots of party program, not much human political process....

• A new political alternative for Golden State: the California Moderate Party? (Carla Marinucci, San Francisco Chronicle/Politics Blog)
• AM Alert: From the ground up (Sacramento Bee/Capitol Alert)

BLOOMBERG 09

It's official -- the 2009 NYC Mayoral race is about whether the black vote returns to the Dem Party or continues to go independent.

• Rev. Sharpton backs Bloomberg foe for NYC mayor (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Newsday)

NY STATE REFORM POLITICS

NYC's grassroots independent fight against corrupt (Dem and Repub) party politics for nonpartisan elections, nonpartisan governance and fair elections: Mr. Espada goes to Albany...

• Crusading for Reform, and Coming Up Short - BOOK REVIEW Francis S. Barry’s “The Scandal of Reform”, Rutgers University Press (By SAM ROBERTS, NY Times) And he makes a case, worth paying attention to dispassionately, that “nonpartisan elections could help modestly reduce incumbency advantage in New York City.”
• Senate Pork power rankings (Irene Jay Liu, Albany Times Union/Capitol Confidential)
• State Senate shortfall - Coup, downstate political power leave this region shortchanged (Buffalo News EDITORIAL)
• In the New York Senate, Order Is Restored, but Decorum Isn’t (By DANNY HAKIM, NY Times/Reporters Notebook)

SOTOMAYOR CONFIRMATION

Towards a more independent Supreme Court

• Senate Republicans Won't Block Sotomayor (Washington Post, Paul Kane, Robert Barnes and Amy Goldstein)
• Morning Fix: Winners and Losers, Sotomayor Day 4 (Chris Cillizza, Washington Post/The Fix)

men walk on moon

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

Are they Dems or are they indies? Only their community organizer knows for sure....

• Trying to get the Obama army out of its foxholes (By MARY SANCHEZ, The Kansas City Star)

BLOOMBERG 09

Mayoral control of schools is a political issue this year, not only in NYC, but in other cities:

• President Obama takes on local control of schools--and its impact on Houston school reform (Examiner - Houston, Author: Jesse Alred)

NY STATE POLITICS

NY State Senator Pedro Espada from the Bronx might well be the first actual reformer to walk the halls of the NY State legislature. He's now the Senate Majority Leader and was instrumental in revising the rules pertaining to bringing legislation to the floor, changing decades-old practices that required the majority leader's permission to advance legislation, lawmakers said. Now any 38 senators, or three-fifths of the 62 total, can petition to bring a bill to the Senate floor.

• Senate Passes Major Rules Reform (By David King, Gotham Gazette)
• Early Morning Reform On Tap In The Senate (Elizabeth Benjamin, Daily News/Daily Politics)
• Liars and bullies: State Senate Democrats become ever more disgraceful (EDITORIAL, Daily News)
• Rules changes headed for passage (or so they say) (Capitol Confidential, Albany Times Union)

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

O'Leary Report skews pretty far right, seeks to peel off independent voters; New Jersey polls showing shift among indies from Dem Corzine to Repub Christie for Gov -- keep watching implications for midterms...

• Independent Voters and Small Business Owners Will Vote Against Congressmen Who Support a Second Stimulus - According to Breaking Zogby/O'Leary Report Poll (O'Leary Report Press Release) According to a recent Zogby International/O'Leary Report poll, three out of four Independent voters (74.3 percent) oppose a second stimulus, and 55.2 percent "strongly oppose" it. Only 18 percent of Independents favor a second stimulus package, and 7.7 percent are not sure.
• Poll suggests Corzine in trouble (From CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser-CNN Political Ticker) The GOP candidate also holds the edge among independent voters, 64 percent to 28 percent. Christie's showing among independents has increased since last month's poll.
• Commentary: Stimulus is too low, too slow (By Julian E. Zelizer, Special to CNN)

OPEN PRIMARIES

Most Californians support open primaries -- the nation's primiere third party ballot access expert Richard Winger parses the type of primary we're talking about...

• Evidence Rebuts Backers of California “Top-Two” (”Open Primary”) Measure (Ballot Access News)
• Term limits no help in California's budget mess (By DEBRA J. SAUNDERS, Oregon Statesman Journal)

BLOOMBERG 09

Dems playing politics with unemployment?

• Report: Unemployment high among black New Yorkers (AP - Newsweek)

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

OPEN PRIMARIES
California Bill Advances, Would Tell Independent Voters They May Vote in Major Party Primaries (Ballot Access News)

BLOOMBERG 09
More independence from New York City's becoming first independent mayor!

• Bloomberg's New 'Jobs and Education Party' (Elizabeth Benjamin, Daily News/Daily Politics)
• Mayor Bloomberg petitions for new party (The Associated Press, Newsday)
• Mayor Bloomberg Seeking Third Ballot Label (Ballot Access News)
• NYC Comptroller Sees 400,000 Jobless By 2010, Most Since 1993 (By Henry Goldman, Bloomberg.com)

NEW YORK STATE POLITICS
Lots of the NYC press on Pedro Espada's "coup" in Albany is (Democratic) partisan. That's to be expected -- NYC is a Democratic Party town. The interesting thing is that NYC is becoming independent and non-partisan, and both Mayor Bloomberg and Pedro Espada are independent. NYC press, eat your hearts out!

• Tom Golisano: N.Y.'s bad news billionaire (Bill Hammond, Daily News)
• Espada’s New Alliance Party Ties Still Bind, Say Old Bronx Political Observers (Sal Gentile, City Hall)
• Bronx Democratic Party not turning its nose up at Pedro Espada (Bob Kappstatter, Daily News)
• Pedro Espada’s Self-Coronation-The making of an Albany nihilist. (By Chris Smith, New York Magazine)

The Hankster Goes Donklephant!

The Hankster is going on the road! Yes, that's right. My friend and fellow-blogger Justin Gardner has invited some new talent into the stable: Say Hello To The New Donklephant Writers "Today is Donklephant’s 4th anniversary, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate then inviting some new writers into the fray to help build the community and make the conversations more diverse. Specifically, I’ve invited 4 daily bloggers and 3 guest bloggers to join."

Justin was a panelist via satellite at last year's Blogging the World workshop at Performing the World 2008.

In addition to The Hankster, Solomon Kleinsmith will also lend an independent voice to the mix.

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

OPEN PRIMARIES

• One New York blogger thinks it's time for open primaries in New York State - and this just might be the right composition in Albany to make that happen. Read NY: Time for NYS to open the primaries (Canadaeh blog)
• California continues to keep Abel Maldonado's open primary bill front and center: GOP has tough row to hoe in California (Carla Marinucci, San Francisco Chronicle)
• And this letter to the Pocono Record in Pennsylvania reminded me of the flurry of letters and editorials in favor of open primaries in the Keystone State: Primary elections are for the parties to use (LETTER, Pocono Record)

BELOW FROM POCONO RECORD ARCHIVES:

• Editorial: Open primary bill (Pocono Record Editorial)
• Editorial: Open primaries to all registered voters in Pa. (Pocono Record)
• Proposed law would end Pennsylvania's closed primaries (By HOWARD FRANK, Pocono Record)
• Sign petition for open primaries in state (LETTER Ponoco Record)
• Time to include all the voters in primaries (LETTER Ponoco Record)
• EDITORIAL: Primary system needs overhaul (Pocono Record)

BLOOMBERG 09
NY Times says WFP (barely) backs Thompson by a 2-vote margin after Sheldon Silver called on Public Employees Federation bosses to go with the Democrat... Quel Surprise!

• Working Families Party Backs Thompson, Despite Mayor’s Pressure (By MICHAEL BARBARO, NY Times)
• THOMPSON CAMPAIGN WINS SILVER (By FREDRIC U. DICKER and CARL CAMPANILE, NY Post)

NEW YORK STATE INDEPENDENT POLITICS
According to the Buffalo News, Tom Golisano controls the upstate Independence Party of New York, and Steven Pigeon is his man... What's the future of reform in New York State?

• After the coup, Pigeon resented as 'hired gun'-Senate drama leaves a bitter aftertaste (By Robert J. McCarthy, Buffalo News)
• Who won, lost in NY's Senate coup? (By MICHAEL GORMLEY, Newsday)

LAST WORD
Sarah Palin is still making news--and might be going independent... Most independents think she should quit national politics.

• EXCLUSIVE: Palin to stump for conservative Democrats (Ralph Z. Hallow, Washington Times) "I will go around the country on behalf of candidates who believe in the right things, regardless of their party label or affiliation."
• Palin Hints At Independent Conservative Movement (Tammy Bruce blog)

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

INDEPENDENT VOTERS
More comments on polls showing drop in support for Obama among indies -- depends on what polls when...

• Indies shifting, or not (Ben Smith, Politico)


• Daily Kos/Research 2000 Oregon Poll (Research 2000)


• Obama Job Approval Drifts Down to 58% So Far in July -- Approval rating of 53% among independents reflects six-point drop from June average (by Frank Newport, Gallup)

CALIFORNIA OPEN PRIMARY
Support for this year's top reform demand

• How To Rescue the Golden State from the Junk Heap (By Gloria Penner, KPBS)

NEW YORK POLITICS
NY State Senator Pedro Espada (photo above) should get the Reform Award of the Century in NY State politics!

• NY Senate gets to work after resolving roadblock (By MICHAEL GORMLEY, AP)


• Prodigal son returns - Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. becomes majority leader; Senate back on job (by JAMES M. ODATO, Albany Times Union)


• Stalemate In N.Y. Appears Resolved-Democratic Senator Rejoins His Caucus (By Keith B. Richburg, Washington Post)


• Albany Impasse Ends as Defector Rejoins Caucus (By DANNY HAKIM, NY Times)

LAST WORD
Notes from a community organizer:

• The Myth of "Obama's Army" and the Reality of Organizing for Healthcare (by Femlaw, Daily Kos) Yep, that's right. We're telling stories. We're knocking doors. We're making phone calls. We're engaging in local activism. That's exactly what we did during the campaign - for two years. And it worked pretty well, the last time. . .

NOTE:

Unfortunately there won't be a Friday Nite Hankster Chat tonight -- my Hewlett Packard laptop computer with Windows Vista is in the shop... again. The one that had a defective hard drive that was replaced during the winter.... hmmm.... Will an Apple a day keep the doctor away???

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

INDEPENDENT MOVEMENT
Ok, so the independent movement went left (by going right) -- a story that the MSM seems to have completely missed, and now the media is fixated on percentages of independents who now disapprove of Obama. Not so fast says Chris Cillizza in The Fix -- it's where independents will go in the midterms that the Dems have to watch out for!

• REVIEW of Committee for a Unified Independent Party President Jacqueline Salit's How the Independent Movement Went Left by Going Right by Darrel Manson in Hollywood Jesus - "Pop Culture from a Spiritual Point of View") NOTE: Darrel is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and a member of the Green Party, living in southern California.
• Independents edge away from Obama (By: Ben Smith, Politico) “This is a huge sea change that is playing itself out in American politics,” said Democratic pollster Doug Schoen. “Independents who had become effectively operational Democrats in 2006 and 2008 are now up for grabs and are trending Republican...."
• Independents backing away from Obama (By DOUG THOMPSON, Capitol Hill Blue)
• Not so fast, says Chris Cillizza -- Obama is still very strong among independents: The Most Important Number in Politics Today (Chris Cillizza, Washington Post/The Fix) It's the midterms you have to watch out for....
• Sarah Palin, crazy or brilliant (Joshua Lobdell, Detroit Conservative Examiner) Independent voters by a 55%-34% simply want Palin to leave the national stage...

CALIFORNIA OPEN PRIMARIES
Arnold goes up against California Teachers Association -- again!

• Schwarzenegger holds his ground on budget (Carla Marinucci, Matthew Yi, San Francisco Chronicle) Schwarzenegger's recent resolve may be a product of his short political timetable: He cannot run again because of term limits, but he is keenly concerned about his legacy - and eager to put reform measures like an open primary and a rainy day fund before voters.

NEW YORK CITY POLITICS
Democratic Party losing ground in the face of growing independent movement in NYC:

• Queens City Council member Tony Avella wants a bigger fight against Bloomberg than what Bill Thompson is putting up.... Little-known Democrat still in NYC mayor's race (SARA KUGLER, Newsday)
• Wayne Barrett: The Empty-Suit Board of Ed (By Wayne Barrett, Village Voice/Runnin Scared) To see how far we've come, the last Board of Ed president was Bill Thompson, who rode that job into his current position as comptroller. Robert Wagner and David Dinkins were Stringer predecessors whose records as Manhattan borough president carried them into Gracie Mansion, and former Bronx Borough president Fernando Ferrer was the last Democratic nominee for mayor. Now, not all the clowns are in Albany.

LAST WORD
What are all those Obama-istas up to now? The database still belongs to the DNC. But are they having conversations with their neighbors???

• An Army Untapped (By Harold Meyerson, Washington Post) This year, however, the administration has asked far less of that list and received, not surprisingly, far less in return. Organizing for America (formerly Obama for America), which maintains that list within the confines of the Democratic National Committee, has asked those 13 million Obamaites to "create a conversation within their communities," in the words of one DNC official.

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

OPEN PRIMARIES
Voters will have to see through the mud that will be slung by the parties against open primaries in California

• Less than a year from now: Freedom from ideological gridlock? (By Thomas Elias, San Diego Source/Daily Transcript)

LOCAL INDEPENDENT POLITICS
Governor races start up -- and here are some interesting independent campaigns to watch:

• VA: Poll: McDonnell at 49% and Deeds at 43% (By Jim Nolan, Richmond Times Dispatch) According to Public Policy, McDonnell has picked up more support among independent voters and holds a 54-33 advantage over Deeds in that category.... Deeds has a 4-1 edge over McDonnell among blacks, who came out in unprecedented numbers last fall and helped Barack Obama carry the state.
• MA: Campaign 2010: Cahill to split party, switch to unenrolled (By Jim O’Sullivan/State House News Service, Bedford MA Minuteman)
• NE: Sen. White moves toward race with Terry (By Robynn Tysver, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD)
• FL: Lining up to be next governor of Florida (Historic City News) Peter Allen: The Riverview resident, 60, founded the Independence Party of Florida in 2001. The electrical contractor wants third parties to demand an open primary.

MJ

• "Would There Be A President Obama Without Michael Jackson?" (by Jim Buck, Jim Buck Blog)
• "I want his children to know there was nothing strange about your daddy, it was strange what your daddy had to deal with." - Rev. Al Sharpton yesterday at the Michael Jackson Memorial, Staples Center, L.A. (Politico)
  
  
  NEW YORK POLITICS
  2 independent State Senators speak out for reform: Sen. Pedro Espada has been joined by Sen. Frank Padavan in calling for fair rules for everyone in the NY State Senate...
  
• 30 DAYS – NO RESULTS-Senate mess enters second month (BY PETE DAVIS, Queens Courier)
• GOP has a plan; Espada said he knows Dems who are ready for vote for it (By DAVID LOMBARDO, Legislative Gazette)
• Golisano Defends Coup (Politics on the Hudson)
• Ending state Senate mess would be easy - Albany lawmakers just need to come together, right now (Bill Hammond, Daily News)
• Gov. urged to appoint No. 2, break Senate impasse-A Queens assemblyman, reform groups call on governor to appoint a lieutenant governor who could break tie in Senate, but some question the legality of such a move. (By Erik Engquist , Crains New York)

ELSEWHERE
No one expects much opposition to Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court, endorsements are rolling in, but the jury is still out...

• Sotomayor's Critics and Fans (Posted by Prerana Swami , CBS News/Political Hotsheet)
• Bloomberg Steps Up (Again) For Sotomayor (Elizabeth Benjamin, Daily News/Daily Politics)

Fireworks over the Hudson

from Chelsea Piers

NYC Independence Party July 4th Celebration

Come field petitioning with us in Queens!

Happy Independent Independence Day!

For video of NYC Independence Party weekend petitioning, see Hankstertube NYC Independence Party July 4th Celebration

Friday Nite Hankster Chat: Fourth of July Independent Style!

Just got home from a petitioning shift with Bronx IP activist Michelle Pepe (recent graduate of Iona College in New Rochelle, NY) in Queens County Council District 31. VERY successful shift - we brought home 9 in 4 hours!

James Tkacen, a volunteer for Eric Ulrich's City Council race (he won the Feb. nonpartisan special election and has gotten support before from the Queens IP County Committee) -- and by the way a college mate of Michelle at Iona College (small world!) -- was our district guide today! Thanks for the ride, James!!

Video coming up....

There was so much support at the grassroots for independent politics on the eve of Independence Day, I just have to share it! I'm working on video now, so stay tuned...

And, let me know what you're thinking about right now about independent politics, the country, the world...

Talk to you soon!

-NH

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

What's shakin' on Fourth of July weekend?

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Out in Arizona, Examiner.com says independent voters have become a force in Arizona, Repubs are losing ground. "Currently there are 880,128 Independent/unaffiliated voters in Arizona, a 6.8 percent gain from last November to total 28.4 percent of the state’s electorate."

OPEN PRIMARIES

• California struggles with their budget crisis, and Time Magazine ran a piece that included the open primaries solution: To relieve the logjam in California politics, momentum is growing for an open primary system, in which the two top vote getters in the primary, regardless of party, would face each other in the general election. Proponents believe it would loosen the grip of partisan ideologies and make it easier of moderates to win elections. In addition, a redistricting reform won narrow approval last November and proponents of good government keep trying to lengthen the state's term limits on legislators.

BLOOMBERG 09

• The New York Times headline for their article on Mayor Bloomberg's candidate screening yesterday with the Working Families Party At Working Families Party Forum, Bloomberg Declines to Toe the Liberal Line, highlights the Mayor's independence...

LAST WORD

• Here's the latest in a wide-ranging public dialogue about whether the US is becoming socialist under the Democrats...., Walt Lucas a blogger since 2004 at Rough Stock is " A happily married guy from Esparto. Two kids, three dogs, twenty seven cows, thirty two horses and two cats. Blogging on Politics, Yolo County, Family Life and my constant search to become what God wants me to be", indeed believes the Dems are carrying us down a road to "watered down socialism". He offers this commentary in the Daily Democrat out of Woodland CA...

I'm headed off for my petitioning shift to put the first independent Mayor of New York City on the ballot on the NYC Independence Party line, but I'll be back around 6pm -- JOIN ME FOR A SPECIAL INDEPENDENCE DAY FRIDAY NITE CHAT WITH THE HANKSTER!!! RIGHT HERE!

-NH

Happy Independence Day!

Hey hey Hanksteristas! I'll be out slogging around in the neighborhood tomorrow petitioning to put Mike Bloomberg on the ballot (as an independent, of course!) on the NYC Independence Party line.

Then, I invite you to join me online for a special Fourth of July Hankster Friday Nite Chat when I'll be blogging around the sphere between 6 and 8pm NY time.

Post a comment, email me at hanks_nancy@msn.com, or tweet at http://twitter.com/NancyHanks or you could also FaceBook me!

Tell me what Independence Day 2009 means to you and how you're celebrating!

-NH

personal democracy forum 09

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Gallup finds independents ideologically diverse
• Open primaries: what California needs
• Romney would win 2012 Repub primary -- IF they shut down open primaries and keep out independents....
• New York fusion voting gives weight to third parties
• Where does Pedro Espada get all that chutzpa??
• Stop the presses! Political consultant gives up on "change"!
• Albany partisan struggles inside the parties
• How Mayor Bloomberg improved NYC schools
• Personal Democracy Forum -- personal and bi-partisan

pennsylvania indies all out for open primaries!

go team!

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• California parties scurry in face of demand for open primaries...
• New York mayoral control faces deadline in Albany