TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS 9/28/09

GOVERNORS RACES

• A Declaration of independents in 2010 (By ALEX ISENSTADT, Politico)
• Mild-mannered independent aims to channel voters' anger (By MICHAEL SYMONS, Asbury Park Press) Chris Daggett said he became an independent as he grew "badly disillusioned and disappointed" with both major parties' inability to address the state's problems.
• Environment groups turn from Corzine (By Adrienne Lu, Philadelphia Inquirer Trenton Bureau)

BLOOMBERG 09

• Obama may sit out New York City mayor's race between Bloomberg and Thompson (ELIZABETH BENJAMIN, Daily News/Brawl for the Hall)
• Stuck in the middle: In mayor’s race, working families have two lousy options (By Harry Siegel & Fred Siegel, Daily News)
• Remember Lindsay? (Sam Roberts, NYT)
• Comparing Effectiveness in the City’s Schools (Michael Barbaro, NYT)

WORKING FAMILIES PARTY

• A Lingering Question: Are Runoffs Superfluous? (By SAM ROBERTS, NYT)

Live Blogging President Obama's speech at G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh

6:58 Hmm... imho, not so much value in the parsing of this particular speech, or this particular moment. However, let's put our best foot forward! And see Fred Newman's take on Talk/Talk... Look, the Keynesian notion of simply regulating a system that devours – and based on Marx’ and Rosa Luxemburg’s insights, must devour – everything around itself, including ultimately itself, well, how do you regulate that kind of monster? Why will that monster be regulated by anything

5:38 question (sorry missed import)

POB -- as a consequence of this action (by Iran), the region and the world is less secure... Have to consider the options given the importance of this situation, [wanted to have consensus among the major powers.]

5:34 int'l reporter asking about Iran, intelligence etc

POB -- Intelligence re Iran seems to be solid, and seems to be contrary to intl standards, preferred method of operation is diplomatic, keep the path of diplomacy open, keep Iran in the intl community.... When we work to find diplomatic solutions and if that diplomacy doesn't work, we might find sanctions (eg) more effective...

5:30 local reporter: asking about g-20 protesters

POB -- these protests are directed generically at "capitalism". disagrees that the source of all ills is the free market... important to make sure that the market is working for ordinary people, emphasis needs to be on that ordinary people are able to pay their bills, etc. (doesn't support the protests)

5:25 Reuters reporter asks question re: Afghanistan policy. POB -- we were pursuing al Quaida, adrift, important that there is a sense of credibility on the part of the Afghani people for their govt. So much of our success has to do with the willingness of the people to take this on. New US General there. Our military strategy is only part of a larger civilian, govt strategy.

Re: public concern -- families being hurt, tough questions

But POB wants the best information, esp. before sending more troops.

5:23 October 1st important. Ball in their court. Iran has serious decisions to make.

5:19pm Watching msnbc (c-span has live coverage) Pres. Obama is saying that we have taken responsibility for the global economic situation.... He's now taking questions from press about Iran.

Pres. Obama: Building on what happened in NY -- world community is united, Iran raises "grave doubts" about intent of nuclear program. ... Iran is on notice...

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS 9/23/09

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Poll Reflects Afghan War Doubts-Obama Slips on Foreign Policy, but Gains on Health-Care and Economic Fronts (By JONATHAN WEISMAN, Wall Street Journal) As the 2010 election cycle heats up, independent voters now favor Republican control of Congress by four percentage points.
• NBC/WSJ: OBAMA HEALTH #S INCH UP (From NBC's Mark Murray)
• Job One-The only way Obama can pull his presidency back from the brink. (John B. Judis, The New Republic)
• ANALYSIS-ACORN scandal not seen rubbing off on Obama (Reuters)
• The Most Important Number in Politics Today (Chris Cillizza, Washington Post/The Fix)
• Obama's Leadership Qualities Stand Out to Americans (by Jeffrey M. Jones, Gallup) Democrats' views have barely changed (90% in April vs. 88% today), while Republicans' (38% vs. 21%) and independents' (63% vs. 50%) ratings are down more than 10 points each.

BLOOMBERG 09

• Thompson can beat Bloomberg, Ferrer contends (By Laura Andrews, Caribbean Life News)

INDEPENDENCE PARTY

• Defeated Councilman Kendall Stewart vows to fight on as independent against Jumaane Williams (BY ELIZABETH HAYS, DAILY NEWS)
• Civic Leader, Bounced From Community Board, Leads Revolt (By Harold Egeln, Brooklyn Daily Eagle) A group of Democrats is revolting in Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights. The homegrown rebellion is only targeting one Democratic Party councilman, incumbent Vincent Gentile in the 43rd Council District, and it supports Republican candidate Bob Capano.

WORKING FAMILIES PARTY

• After Years as Aide, Powerful Support (By JULIE BOSMAN, NY Times) Dan Cantor, the executive director of the Working Families Party, said Mr. de Blasio had established “a dense and deep network of connections” among community-based organizations and advocacy groups.

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS 9/22/09

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Too much gov't: poll (By Geoff Earle, NY Post)

OPEN PRIMARIES

• Richard Winger: Single primary bid's a loser (By Richard Winger, Special to The Bee)
• Newsweek’s Jonathan Alter Writes in Support of “Top-Two” (Ballot Access News)
• The Jackass-Reduction Plan-Open primaries are step No. 1. (Newsweek)

GOVERNORS RACES

• Judge rebuffs Daggett's suit to shuffle ballot names (By Adrienne Lu, Philadelphia Inquirer Trenton Bureau)
• Parties See Chafee As Potential Winner (RealClearPolitics)
• N.J. Libertarian governor candidate, five voters join Chris Daggett's balloting lawsuit (By Lisa Fleisher, Star Ledger September 18, 2009)
• Nevada's 2010 Races In National Spotlight-Party Eyes Commissioner As Next Governor (Fox5 Vegas) Reid’s bid, however, could face some hurdles if Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman enters the race as a Democrat. Last week, the mayor said he was “seriously considering” a 2010 run, but said he would prefer to strike out on his own as an independent candidate.

MAYORS RACES

• Tulsa Mayoral Race to be Competitive (By CHARLES CANTRELL, Greater Tulsa Reporter) "Out of the box" Repub wins primary; 2 indies will run in general
• Wild Card: Can Independent Candidate Win? (By P.J. LASSEK, Tulsa World)

BLOOMBERG 2009

• EXCLUSIVE: Bloomberg Puts Gay Marriage Chances This Year at "Zero, Zero" (BY PAUL SCHINDLER, Gay City News, Chelsea Now)
• Barrett: More Bloomberg Revelations in Purnick's Book (By Wayne Barrett, Village Voice/Runnin Scared)
• Poll: Thompson closes some of the gap-Incumbent Mayor Michael Bloomberg is still running well ahead of City Comptroller William Thompson, although the challenger is winning over more undecided voters. (By Erik Engquist, Crains New York)
• The Next Round (by Gail Robinson and Courtney Gross, Gotham Gazette) "It will be the New York Times versus the Working Families Party," said political consultant Hank Sheinkopf...

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS 9/21/09

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Some News for the Maine Twins: They Love the Public Option Back Home (by mcjoan, Daily Kos) Look at those Independent numbers--67 percent in favor!
• There You Go Again, Jimmy (by David E. Johnson, Human Events) Additionally, by charging racism, Democrats hope that they can shame Independent voters to prove that they are not racists by rethinking their opposition to health care. There is precedent for this -- Democrats did this in 1964 against Barry Goldwater after his vote based on constitutional grounds against the Civil Rights Act. When polls showed support for Goldwater among white Independents, Democrats ran a shame campaign to get Independents to vote Democratic to prove they were not racists.
• Dems Should Focus On The Color Purple (by Charlie Cook, National Journal) I am becoming convinced, based on this and other research, that although many independent voters are disappointed in specific things that Obama has done, they still hope that he will do well and believe that he might. To be sure, red America has already given Obama the thumbs down. And blue America just wishes he would be more liberal. But it's purple America, the independents who voted for Democrats in the 2006 midterm election by an 18-point margin, that makes the biggest difference right now.

OPEN PRIMARIES

• Why must we join the party? (By Anne McGraw Reeves, Patriot News) If the goal is to increase voter participation, then let everyone vote who wants to vote, whether they've signed on with a party or not. Let's open up the primaries.

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS 9/14/09

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Obama must prod Demos toward agreement on health-care legislation (By Dan Balz, The Washington Post) The most immediate task at hand for President Barack Obama in his drive to win enactment of health-care legislation is to bring together members of his party behind a single piece of legislation. That is the first step toward a more important political objective, which is to rebuild his and the Democrats' support among independent voters.
• Study Finds Independent Obama Voters Wary Of President’s Policies (By Ravi Bhatia – Talk Radio News Service)
• Independent-Minded Obama Voters At Odds with Congressional Leadership over Economy and Government Intervention (Resurgent Republic)
• Poll: Support for Public Option Grows (CBS News)

OPEN PRIMARIES

• Editorial: Here's one way to purify parties (Sacramento Bee) An even more intriguing idea for changing our elections would be to forgo the open primary and switch instead to nonpartisan elections – as we have had for decades at the local level.
• California Republican Party Will Continue to Let Independents Vote in its Non-Presidential Primaries (Ballot Access News)
• State GOP drops push to bar decline-to-state voters from primary (Sac Bee)
• Taking California back from the political insiders (by Pete Golis, Santa Rosa Press Democrat)
• Mood of reform is in the air (By Steven Harmon, Contra Costa Times) An open primary — in which voters could vote across party lines in a primary to advance the top two candidates, regardless of party, to the general election — has the support of 68 percent of voters.
• 2010: Year of CA Government Reform? (John Myers, KQED/Capital Notes)

NY INDEPENDENCE PARTY

• New York State Democratic Party Chair Hints He Wants to Abolish Fusion (Ballot Access News)
• Dem chair Jacobs eyes eliminating cross-endorsements (By DAN JANISON, Newsday)
• INDY CELEBRATION Staten Island Spring Chair Reception (Strictly Political/Staten Island Advance)

WORKING FAMILIES PARTY

• Working Families Party a fave - as a target (Elizabeth Benjamin, Newsday)
• The growing clout of left-wing party-Working Families rules Albany; now it’s targeting city (By Daniel Massey, Crains New York)

BLOOMBERG 09

• Exclusive: 'See Mike Not Run' (By: Joyce Purnick, Politico)
• Dem Primary: Usually Exciting, Not This Time (By SARA KUGLER, NBC New York-AP)

Talk Talk: Obama's Entaglements Or So What If He Is A Socialist?

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Every week CUIP's president Jacqueline Salit and strategist/philosopher Fred Newman watch the political talk shows and discuss them. Here are excerpts from their dialogues compiled on Sunday, September 6, 2009 after watching selections from "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer," "Hardball with Chris Matthews," and "This Week with George Stephanopoulos."

Salit: I already have a working title for this week's Talk/Talk.

Newman: Which is?

Salit: "Obama's Entanglements." No doubt it's something of a redundancy, because being President of the United States is all about entanglements. But the two in particular that we'll talk about today are Afghanistan and the fight over health care.

Newman: I have an alternative title.

Salit: What is it?

Newman: My title is "So What If He Is a Socialist?"

Read Talk Talk in its entirety here.

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

INDEPENDENT VOTERS
Independent voters may be "all over the map" ideologically, but most think we should get out of Afghanistan...

• Pelosi Sees Support Ebbing for Afghan War (By YOCHI J. DREAZEN and NAFTALI BENDAVID, Wall Street Journal) Support among Democratic and independent voters for the Afghan war has been evaporating for months, and a raft of recent polls has found that majorities of both groups now oppose continuing or expanding the conflict.
• Poll: Majority in N.C. disapprove of Obama (Charlotte Observer) The fall has been particularly sharp among independent voters, dropping from a 50 percent approval rating in April to 39 percent in the latest survey.
• Obama's Home Run (Michael Sean Winters, America Magazine - The National Catholic Weekly) The GOP has made it clear that they will not back reform so why did the President make the concessions? Because Independent voters want bipartisanship. They are the voters who say they "vote for the person not for the party," which makes them the definition of a swing voter.
• Aim of Obama Health Speech: Reigniting a Presidency (By ADAM NAGOURNEY, NY Times)

OPEN PRIMARIES

• If California Republican Party Excludes Independents from Voting in its Primaries, Voting Rights Act May Interfere (Ballot Access News)

BLOOMBERG 09
Open Up Petitioning Process to Independent Voters: Independent voters represent nearly 20% of the electorate and are the fastest growing group of voters in the city. To enable them greater participation in the political process, the Mayor proposes changing state law to enable independent voters to gather and sign petitions for candidates that are members of a political party.

• Mayor Bloomberg Advocates Somewhat Easier Primary Ballot Access (Ballot Access News)
• Bloomberg Follows Clinton, Obama With Election Reform Plan (Liz Benjamin, Daily News/Daily Politics) The mayor's plan was well-received by the city Independence Party, which has endorsed him for the third time since 2001. (Quote from Sarah Lyons)
• Mike Bloomberg Unveils Plan For Automatic Voter Registration & Weekend Voting (Yeshiva World)

WORKING FAMILIES PARTY
Tough year for WFP -- tough year for partisans...

• Money muddle hits Working Families Party (BY Adam Lisberg, DAILY NEWS CITY HALL BUREAU CHIEF)
• Brownsville's Dynasty Looks for a Comeback (by Candice Berg and Gail Robinson, Gotham Gazette) WFP, Rev. Sharpton no longer supporting Darlene Mealy

CNN's American Morning Speaks to Independents on 9/11

Jackie Salit, IndependentVoting.org President, to Appear

Polarization has frequently been part of America's political culture, but the divisions over healthcare and the President's education speech have flooded the airwaves. As we mark another anniversary of 9/11, the sense of fellowship that emerged from that tragedy seems to have faded from public consciousness. American Morning turns to independent voters for their view.

IndependentVoting.org president Jackie Salit was interviewed for the segment. American Morning Airs from 6:00 - 9:00 am (EST). (The exact time of the segment is unknown at the time of this alert.)

Jackie Salit is the author of "How the Independent Movement Went Left by Going Right", available online.

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS 910/09

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Obama’s all-American healthcare plan (By Edward Luce in Washington, Financial Times) Early opinion polls suggest that independent voters, who matter most to Democrats with slim majorities, received the speech favourably.

OPEN PRIMARIES

• Commentary in Idaho’s Largest Newspaper on Upcoming Trial over Open Primary (Ballot Access News)
• The Idaho closed primary fight: back to square one (Submitted by Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman) And the irony of all of this is, for all the holes in the Republicans' evidence, they may still prevail on constitutional issues. Their most compelling legal argument centers on the First Amendment protection that allows political groups the freedom to associate.
• EOB: Judge Tells R’s To Prove It (Spokesman Review/Juckleberries Online)

GOVERNORS RACES

• Cahill enters race for governor (By Andrea Estes, Boston Globe) Cahill, a longtime Democrat who was elected treasurer in 2002, dropped out of the Democratic Party this summer, saying he felt out of place in a party that he believed was taxing and spending too much.
• Massachusetts governor faces challenge from a former Democrat (From CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney)

BLOOMBERG 09

• Elsewhere: No Kennedys in the Senate? (By JIMMY VIELKIND and AZI PAYBARAH, Politicker NY) Coverage of West Indian Day Parade with photo of LBF and IP Contingent
• For Democratic Mayoral Candidate (NY Times Editorial)
• Democrats Do Battle In Tuesday's Primary Elections (BY JOHN TOSCANO, Western Queens Gazette)
• Down To The Wire For Candidates (by Adam Dickter, The Jewish Week) NOTE: "...Mayor Mike Bloomberg (an independent who is also running on the Republican ballot)..."

WORKING FAMILIES PARTY

• Hoffman To Pitch NYC Conservatives (Liz Benjamin, Daily News/Daily POlitics)

ON THE BLOGS

• Robert Steele's Public Intelligence Blog notes CUIP Conference Call Sept 13
• NY Mayor Bloomberg's Independent Campaign (Michael Drucker, Independent View)

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS 9/9/09

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

Read this article for a good straight-forward anti-socialist perspective on the health care debate. The conversation centers around whether we want a country with a spirit of collective work and collective good, or an "every man for himself" culture. What do you think?

• The Limits of Self-Hate (By Lisa Fabrizio, American Spectator) Because, at its heart, the true goal of "progressives" is the repudiation of all that this country was founded on; particularly the right of its people to govern themselves in a way that counts the protections of private property and personal freedom as sacrosanct, and is codified under the tenets of natural law as defined by the Judeo-Christian ethic.

OPEN PRIMARIES

California Repubs don't want "decline to state" voters...

• State GOP about to shoot itself in the foot — again (By thomas d. elias, Mercury News) State Sen. Abel Maldonado, possibly the party's leading moderate, calls the exclusionary plan "just crazy "... I've never, ever seen a business "... run by eliminating 25 percent of the market share. Anyone would walk away from that deal."

GOVERNORS RACES

Timothy Cahill will announce today for independent run for Gov in MA; Independent Chris Daggett on a roll in NJ...

• Cahill Candidacy Likely to Roil Mass. Governor Race (By Emily Cadei, CQ Politics) The Boston Globe is reporting that Massachusetts state Treasurer Timothy Cahill will announce an independent run for governor on Wednesday, shaking up an already charged 2010 governor's race.
• Cahill to announce candidacy for governor (By Andrea Estes, Boston Globe)
• Cahill set to launch run for governor- But state treasurer who left Democratic Party faces hurdles as an independent (By Andrea Estes, Boston Globe)
• N.J. candidate Daggett goes for humor in TV ad (By Cynthia Burton, Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Indie Candidate Daggett Lampoons Rivals In TV Ad (RealClearPolitics) with VIDEO

WORKING FAMILIES PARTY

WFP has somewhat of a base in Queens and the Dem party insiders are going after them...

• Public advocate candidates get nasty in TV debate (BY ERIN EINHORN AND CELESTE KATZ, DAILY NEWS CITY HALL BUREAU) Queens City Councilman Eric Gioia started the digs early, using his opening statement to go after former public advocate Mark Green and Brooklyn Councilman Bill de Blasio as "insiders" who "sure know how to play the same old political games." He slammed de Blasio for his ties to the pro-labor Working Families Party and its for-profit political consulting arm, which Gioia called an "election funding scam."
• Minor parties push into primaries (Crains New York)

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS 9/7/09

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

According to the polls, independents are abandoning unions, Obama and the progressive agenda. Or did the unions, Pres. Obama and progressives abandon independents to the right?

• Labor Day, support for unions plunges to all-time low (By: BYRON YORK, Chief Political Correspondent, Washington Examiner) Broken down by political party, Gallup found support for unions has fallen the most among critically-important independent voters. Last year, 63 percent of independents said they approved of unions. Now, just 44 percent say the same thing.
• Labor Unions See Sharp Slide in U.S. Public Support-For first time, fewer than half of Americans approve of labor unions (by Lydia Saad, Gallup)
• Obama is fast losing white voters' support (By Peter Wallsten, LA Times) New surveys show steep declines in Obama's approval ratings among whites -- including Democrats and independents -- who were crucial elements of the diverse coalition that helped elect the country's first black president. Pew Research crosstabs
• Bleeding Independents (by Charlie Cook, National Journal) Indies support Obama's foreign policy, not so much domestic...

OPEN PRIMARIES

Good news for Idaho independents (and all voters)! California referendum in June 2010.

• Federal judge wants trial in election suit (By REBECCA BOONE - Associated Press, KBCI-CBS News) Harry Kresky, the New York-based attorney representing the Independent groups who intervened in the case, said he was pleased with Winmill's ruling, because it means that the Idaho Republican Party will be held to a higher standard of proof if they want to win the case.
• Judge sets trial on Idaho primaries (Betsy Z. Russell, Spokesman Review)
• Judge Says Trial Needed in Idaho Republican Party Case Against Open Primary (Ballot Access News)
• California Election Law Bill News (Ballot Access News)
• Open primary could help ease Sacramento gridlock (Martin Wisckol, Columnist: The Buzz, The Orange County Register)

GOVERNORS RACES

Chris Daggett is giving them a run for their money in New Jersey. Redux on toll road in Texas?

• A positive campaign in the race for governor? (Press of Atlantic City/ Carla Linz Callaway's Blog)
• NJ governor's race gets down and dirty (by Politico.com in Star Ledger)
• Texas gov's opponent uses toll road plan as ammo (By KELLEY SHANNON, Dallas Morning News)

BLOOMBERG 09

Colin Powell and Mike Bloomberg marched at the front of the Caribbean West Indian Day Parade today in Brooklyn; Lenora Fulani and the Independence Party are supporting Bloomberg for re-election on the Independence Party line Column C. The Independence Party is the third largest party in New York.

• Colin Powell Endorses Bloomberg at West Indian Day Parade (By KAREN ZRAICK AND JENNIFER 8. LEE, NY Times/City Room)
• Hankster VIDEO from Caribbean West Indian Day Parade with a statement by Lenora Fulani
• The Leonard Lopate Show - Underreported: The Fight for the Independence Party (WNYC radio broadcast)

HEALTH CARE DEBATE

Socialism or capitalism? What about having a developmental conversation?

• Obama’s in the ER but he’ll get his reforms: The right’s healthcare scare tactics are hitting home – but to little purpose (Andrew Sullivan, Times Online - UK)
• David Axelrod on "Meet the Press" (TRANSCRIPT on RealClearPolitics)
• TV SoundOff: Sunday Talking Heads (Jason Linkins, Huffington Post EXCERPT) Obama's approval rating among independent voters is slipping. Gregory's assumption is that independent voters=centrist democrats. I have to imagine that independent voters are souring on Obama's health care maneuvers because he DOES NOT SEEM TO WANT TO FIGHT FOR THE REFORM FOR WHICH THEY VOTED.
• The Obama Slide (By DAVID BROOKS, NY Times)

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS 9/4/09

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

• Clarus Poll: 88 Percent of American Workers Are Happy With Their Jobs (Reuters press release) Party: Republicans, at 92 percent, were happier than Democrats, at 80 percent. Self-described independent voters were almost as happy as Republicans at 91 percent.
• Congress’s Rating in U.S. Drops to 24-Year Low, Pew Poll Finds (By Jonathan D. Salant, Bloomberg)

GOVERNORS RACES

• Look Out, New Jersey, The Ugly's Just Beginning (By Bill Pascoe, CQ Politics)

BLOOMBERG 09

• Bloomberg’s Plan to Cut In on Democrats’ Primary Night (By MICHAEL BARBARO, NY Times/City Room)

TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS 9/1/09

INDEPENDENT VOTERS

Where are independents landing on the health care issue?

• ANALYSIS-Healthcare protests a dilemma for Republicans (Reuters)
• After Weeks of Health Care Madness, Public Support for Reform Drops... Somewhat (Brian Beutler, TPM-DC Talking Points Memo)
• NBC News Health Care Survey (MSNBC, crosstabs)
• Experts see double-digit Dem losses (by Politico.com, Star Ledger)