Major Endorsement Today in California

Could it be Goverenor Arnold? I think so.

From: John McCain Major Endorsement


Thursday, January 31, 2008

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
WHO: John McCain and Major Endorsee
WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN: Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. PST
Press Set Up Time: 9:20 a.m. PST
WHERE: Solar Integrated Technologies1837 East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Los Angeles, California 90058

NOW blasts Obama and Kennedy

I guess that the National Organization of Women think that Hillary should just get a cakewalk due to her gender. So even though her husband is badgering voters not to vote for Obama based on just his color, Hillary should get votes just because she's female.

From Chris Hedges: Northwest Indiana

The National Organization for Women blasts Ted Kennedy for not supporting Hillary Clinton and instead backing Barack Obama, reports James Taranto in the Wall Street Journal

The debate continues on the South Shore Expansion

Blue County Red State has tended to poke some holes in the argument, and as always Buzz likes to suggest that government always lies by saying it will cost one thing and then spending a ton more. Good points and worthy debates to join over at his site.

clipped from bluecountyredstate.blogspot.com The South Shore Expansion STIF is ROLLING. Despite opposition from Democrats Charlie Brown and Vernon Smith of Gary, the South Shore Extension funding through a STIF propoal passed the house. The House of Representatives adopted Rep. Chet Dobis' funding package by a 54-41 vote, with 15 Republicans joining 39 Democrats in voting for it. I have to admit, I am impressed that this has gone as far as it has. I would never have bet that it would pass either house. I don't like Democrats, but you have to be impressed with Chester. He had a good idea and he sold it to both downstate Democrats and Republicans. Of course, as a heterosexual white male, he should be a Republican anyway.;)

John Edwards to drop out Today

After losing in all the states so far, and becoming the third wheel in the Obama-Hillary battle, he finally bows out.

Now, will he endorse Hillary and attempt to garner himself a V.P. spot?

What happens tonite in Florida

I haven't weighed in much here lately on the Florida Primary, and will attemp to live blog over at Hoosiers for John McCain as results come in, but my thoughts prior to any results:

The McCain Romney battle may take all nite to sort out. I am projecting a very tight McCain win but the 1 million absentee ballots will play a major role, and who knows how long they take to count?

Heading further down the results, Huckabee will come in third due to failing support for Mayor Guiliani. Basically his support will evenly split between Romney and McCain. This fourth place finish will render Guiliani's campaign ended.

Fast forward to Super Duper Tuesday - McCain will win a ton of states, with Guiliani gone he picks up New Jersey, New York and California Now here's the upset ... I think Huckabee has a surge coming too in southern states. Wouldn't it be insteresting if Romney fails to a southern surge by Governor Huckabee?

Stay tuned.

Valparaiso native earns honor

Adrian Jones - the "boy wonder" as he's called by Mayor Jon Costas, was honored as one of consulting magazines 30 under 30. Well deserved great job Adrian.

clipped from http://www.consultingmag.com/articles/641/3/30-under-Thirty/page-3.html 30 under Thirty While most high school seniors were putting the finishing touches on their college entrance applications, Adrian Jones was preparing a plan to unseat a popular mayor in his hometown. At the age of 17, Jones was serving as a campaign director for his neighbor, Jon Costas, in a mayoral run in Valparaiso, Ind. “I love the ability to make a difference in the community, and that’s one reason I love local politics,” Jones says. “And I’m passionate about Valparaiso. This is where I grew up, and I look at it as giving back to my community.” He’s currently a member of the private equity practice, but he’s done “a little bit of everything at Bain,” and that includes another one of his passions—travel. Jones has traveled to 67 countries and is currently working in Stockholm, Sweden, “trying to build a bigger global perspective on how business operates,” Jones says. “I think that perspective will be very beneficial.”

Technology tracks twitter comments about candidates

If you haven't tried www.twitter.com then this may seem really out there. Twitter asks the simple question, "what are you doing"

But it goes so much further, since you then can respond to those same comments posted by people you watch or follow. Politweets allows you to see what people saying about candidates raw and unfiltered

clipped from politweets.com Politweets So, what's everyone's thoughts on Florida tomorrow? What are the predictions for Romney v McCain? Anderson Cooper plays the McCain clip where he calls Romney a flip-flopper but even Cooper can't stand Romney's prettiness and flirts. McCain called Romney a Flipflopper again... I wonder how those mobiles that Ellen wants to make from CPAC Romney flip flops will look. Is Mitt Romney too pretty to be president?

What's the problem with South Shore extension?

A good friend asked, and so I feel compelled to write a rather detailed post here and mirrored at Northwest Indiana Real Estate so that my readers there can comment as well. Update: NWI Times article on negotiations downstate.

Question: What's all the craziness about the Chicago South Shore all about?

Answer: As you know we already have a commuter rail line from Northwest Indiana that run basically along the shoreline from Chicago all the way to South Bend airport. The current debate raging in Northwest Indiana is about some possible extensions to this line.
The extensions would descend from the lakeshore through Lake County down through Munster and all the way to Lowell, and through Porter County down to downtown Valparaiso.

Cost: The estimated cost for this project were set at $1 Billion. The Federal government with the help of our U.S. Rep Pete Visklosky will contribute $500 million of this amount. The Regional Development Authority, RDA, would be asked for $150 million, and then the debate rages over where we get the $350 remaining needed to fund the project.

RDA: The Regional Development Authority has not authorized the $150 million yet, but the entire concept behind the formation of that entity was for a project such as this. The political willpower exists to fund the $150 million with a bond or series of bonds issued by the RDA based on the annual income already in place from taxes that come from the counties already. The RDA also gave $130,000 to a group (Connections) that will work to help the public with information about this project. This initial investment created some controversy as those aligned against this project felt that tax dollars shouldn't have been used to "sell" the idea to the public.

So, the key to the funding really comes down to the last $350 million. One option proposed that seems to have the best chance would be the state allowing the affected counties to "capture" a percentage of the sales taxes collected in those counties and direct those dollars directly to this project. Basically, these taxes are already being charged, we'd just direct them to this project.

Well, of course, when this idea was floated downstate other entities affected by the South Shore rose up and asked for other improvements to be added to the project: South Bend for an improved access to the airport, and some major snarl closer to Chicago that needs to be fixed. This increased the $350 million to over $550 million but appears to have influenced a few more legislators to support the project if their improvements could be included. At this point it looks like the project will make it through the state legislature.

At home here in Porter County we have some people who are against the project. I am for the project so I have a hard time explaining their thoughts, perhaps theyll comment once they notice this post The project would create 26,000 jobs and unlock potential economic development for Northwest Indiana, and help the environment.

Some of those against the project seem to be taking the neo-conservative approach that all projects are a bad idea since the government can't be trusted to spend the money, or that it will eventually cost a lot more to actually operate the new lines. Arguably the South Shore doesn't make money, and I would highly recommend that Toll Road tolls be increased faster so that it becomes relatively cheaper to take the commuter line.

I stand alone on this demand side idea, no one else seem to like the idea.

In essence we're talking about the chance to create 20,000 or more jobs, to create tons of construction activity, to further connect us to Chicago. Seems like an easy decision to me, since there are no new taxes.

I added a couple updates and revisions due to errors in initial numbers, thanks to Northwest Indiana Forum and Connections flyer which helped me get my numbers right.

McCain speaks to Romney flips and flops

 
Good morning all. Please see statement below from Senator McCain on Mitt Romney’s latest negative attacks:
 
“Mitt Romney's campaign is based on the wholesale deception of voters. On every one of the issues he has attacked John McCain on, Romney was for it before he was against it.
 
“He was for campaign finance reform, and even proposed taxing political contributions.
 
“He was for cap and trade, and even supported a tax that increased the price of gasoline at the pump.
 
“He called our immigration bill ‘reasonable’ and ‘not amnesty.’
 
“The truth is, Mitt Romney was a liberal governor of Massachusetts who raised taxes, imposed with Ted Kennedy a big government mandate health care plan that is now a quarter of a billion dollars in the red, and managed his state's economy incompetently, leaving Massachusetts with less job growth than 47 other states.”
--Sen. John McCain

NW Indiana Bloggers Debate the South Shore Expansion

First, by way of full disclosure, I am in favor of the south shore expansion to Lowell and Valparaiso. I have posted here on Porter County Politics my thoughts on the project, the jobs it will create, and the possible funding sources.

Some other conservative bloggers though are voicing some discontent at the process and possibly even shying away from the project. Will the real cost of the south shore expansion please stand up from Team Hammond asks a series of questions that should indeed be answered to unite those supporting this economic development project.

I have said all along that informing the electorate and the public is the key. When the Illiana Expressway was proposed, all we got was the "opinions" of the naysayers, and then the politicians lost their nerve. I fully support the $130,000 invested by RDA in the educational effort conducted by the Northwest Indiana Forum to expand the voice of those in favor of this economic development project. The fact that there is a debate, means the educational effort is working.

As for those that will be against anything, ie Commissioner Bob Harper of Porter County, he and his cohorts have probably stood against progress one too many times to matter much anymore. I can debate with Team Hammond, they are actually concerned about jobs and construction and the continued growth of NW Indiana. Harper and the "taints" could care less, they just want to keep Porter County small, rural, and white.

New York Times endorses McCain, but is that a good thing?

Senator McCain was endorsed by the New York Times yesterday. Apparently McCain was quite proud of it until Mitt pointed out that McCain was so proud of being endorsed in an editorial that begins, "We have strong disagreements with all the Republicans running for president." Powerline is all over it. One wonders why McCain even bothered to waste his time visiting the snake pit in Times Square.

The Cow still supports McCain's chief rival, but I'm beginning to realize that the reason the Republican field is so open is because Republicans have two excellent candidates for President. Say what you want about Mitt's embracing of Reagan-style conservativism at a relatively late stage, he's got an incredible track record leading businesses and a refreshing lack of ideology. Realistically this is McCain's last shot at the White House while Mitt is still young, so if one believes his rhetoric about being a leader while Mitt is a manager, it might suggest an interesting match-up: McCain-Romney '08. A war hero and a brilliant technocrat are impressive headliners.

Over on the Democrats' side, it seems that Slick Willy is putting to rest (see also) any fears Republicans had of a pairing of Billary-Hussein '08 (as in Barack Hussein Obama). Hillary's divisiveness is at a record high and may have wiped-out her "softer side" appeals to centrists a year ago. Hussein has made impressive gains with black Democratic preachers who didn't like his failure to mention slavery as the root of all their problems, but lunchpail Democrats rightly distrust the kid who went to the tony Punahou prep school and then Harvard. Them Dems just keep digging their holes deeper to throw mud.

Hillary used party rules to steal election?

From: Chris Hedges - Will Hillary tear apart the Democratic Party?

If you are Barack Obama, do you feel like everytime you turn the Billary camp is manipulating the situation to gain delegates or money or media?

All the candidates agreed to stay away from Michigan and Florida, at the request of the party. Then Hillary wins those two states, most probable. Then she tells her delegates from legal states to support adding the delegates from the two illegal states. The ones where Barack didn't even campaign.

Problem? Not in the Clinton world. Now here's the issue for me, I want John McCain to face Hillary. So, frankly although I feel bad that Barack is being lapped, it's going to work out.

Maybe Barack in 2012?

clipped from http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/ezraklein_archive?month=01&year=2008&base_name=clinton_tries_to_reinstate_mic CLINTON TRIES TO REINSTATE MICHIGAN AND FLORIDA'S DELEGATES. I hear all the time from people in Florida and Michigan that they want their voices heard in selecting the Democratic nominee. I believe our nominee will need the enthusiastic support of Democrats in these states to win the general election, and so I will ask my Democratic convention delegates to support seating the delegations from Florida and Michigan. I know not all of my delegates will do so and I fully respect that decision. But I hope to be President of all 50 states and U.S. territories, and that we have all 50 states represented and counted at the Democratic convention. I hope my fellow potential nominees will join me in this. I will of course be following the no-campaigning pledge that I signed, and expect others will as well. But if this pushes her over the edge, the Obama camp, and their supporters, really will feel that she stole her victory

McCain up by 3 in Florida poll today

While it's still within the margin of victory, the Thompson withdrawal has settled down and McCain has begun to climb again.

I had a little back and forth with a twitter friend about the Thompson withdrawal, she suggested that it may have even helped McCain?

clipped from www.reuters.com In Florida, where Republican presidential contenders meet in a critical primary on Tuesday, John McCain had a narrow 3-point advantage on rival Mitt Romney, 31 percent to 28 percent, in the state's initial rolling poll. Obama leads in South Carolina; McCain up in Florida: poll

Martiez and Rep. Clay Ford endorse John McCain

With Florida getting real tight, Guiliani in a freefall and Romney spending 10's of millions to buy the election, John McCain today picked up endorsements from two key Florida leaders.

Now the voters have a very key and important choice.

clipped from marcambinder.theatlantic.com Martinez (Finally) Endorses McCain Sen. Mel Martinez will endorse John McCain in Miami today, thereby guaranteeing McCain the lead spot on Florida newscasts and helping, potentially, in Central Florida, where Martinez, then the mayor of Orange County, put together a coalition of conservative white voters and Hispanics of all descent. Also: McCain recieved the endorsement today of State Rep. Clay Ford of Gulf Breeze, FL

Choice: Governor Flip-Flop or Senator Straight Talk

Anna Marie Cox from Time suggests that John McCain doesn't have the experience to lead our nation due to his lack of business experience.

Let's shoot straight, Romney has no business leading this nation he can't make up his mind, and for me the security and national defense is more important to me from my President.

clipped from time-blog.com Getting Down to Business Of the many stark differences between John McCain and Mitt Romney, the one that gets the most attention from both voters and the press is Romney's claim that his private sector background uniquely qualifies him to "fix" Washington, versus McCain's national security/experience argument, "ready to lead on day one."

Can we eliminate the property tax?

Possibly were just moving around the chairs on the Titanic, perhaps a serious look at totally repeal of property taxation in Indiana.

clipped from stopindiana.com The state of our state is CRISIS! This week is it! We have an opportunity to win the repeal of property taxes in this legislature (SJR8) and establish Indiana as the economic sunshine state. Please join your fellow Hoosiers for the Governor's State of The State Address (begins at 7PM & expected to be 30 minutes long). Bring your families and share with them, history in the making. The Indiana Property Tax Repeal Alliance

Mike Sodrel for Congress - Southern Indiana

From Hoosier Access comes word that Mike Sodrel, former congressman from southern indiana, will announce formally today his candidacy.

In my opinion, it's a good thing, this is perhaps one of the most highly contested and closely watched races in the country. The votes are literally 50-50 down the line Dem vs. Rep.

If we even stand a chance of winning back the House, it will take wins in tight districts like this!

Senator Charbonneau supports taxpayers

Our newest Northwest Indiana senator on property taxes and income taxes.

clipped from www.insideindianabusiness.com Indianapolis, Ind. -- Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso) feels taxpayers should not lose state income tax deductions as a result of property tax billing delays. Therefore, he authored legislation that would allow taxpayers paying property taxes in 2008 to claim two deductions on their 2008 state income taxes. Senate Bill 267 passed 12-0 out of the committee on Appropriations today. “Taxpayers are not responsible for property tax billing delays and should not be penalized on their state income taxes because of those delays,” Charbonneau said. “The legislation I authored would allow individuals living in counties that are sending out late property tax bills the option to claim two $2,500 income tax deductions for property taxes paid in 2008.” SB 267, Charbonneau’s first bill presented to the Committee on Appropriations, will be heard by the full Senate.

McCain wins another state - Onward to Florida

Although not reported widely, John McCain won the Louisiana Caucus last night. Reports from the state suggest that Fred Thompson would have fared well, and many of his supporters swung to McCain. A trend?

clipped from www.johnmccain.com John McCain Wins Louisiana Caucus Today, The Republican Party of Louisiana announced that John McCain won the Louisiana Caucus. This important caucus, coming on the heels of South Carolina, is more evidence of the momentum behind John McCain. This victory is a huge defeat for other candidates who poured many resources into the state and failed to register amongst Republican voters. On to Florida!

Mitt Romney is pandering again

Mitt Romney has no chance of beating Hillary, so it's time to move on to someone who can ... John McCain

clipped from blogsforfredthompson.com Mitt Romney- Pander Bear, Extraordinaire First, it was his blatant pandering to the automotive industry in Michigan. Now, Mitt Romney has taken his pandering routine to the next level- pandering to senior citizens in Florida. It should be clear to everyone what Mitt Romney's road to the nomination is- identify a key demographic in a given state, and pander away to that demographic. This is the guy that is going to carry the conservative mantle if Fred exits the race? Good grief. Mitt Romney is pandering away his credibility and his electability right before our eyes.

Who's at fault for fraud in Region politics?

Jerry Davich suggests that its the voters, the ones that keep sending the same exact people back into office for decades.

clipped from blogs.suntimes.com I don't blame crooked pols... I blame you Jerry Davich Observations from the edge don't blame crooked politicians, or even those pols who may not be "crooked" but who have obvious "lapses in judgment" or whatever. They're going to cheat, lie, and bamboozle as much as they can get away with, regardless of public office. For them, it's partly human nature at work, and partly region politics as usual. No, I blame you - the region's voters and citizens who elect 'em into office. I blame you for keeping 'em in office year after year, decade after decade. I blame you for choosing to whine about it, joke about it, or make hollow threats about it rather than actually do something about it. I see it year after year, pol after pol, election after election.

Conservatives Need to come back to McCain

American Power - Conservatives must come back to McCain
After reflecting on WSJ article by Fred Barnes

The irony is that McCain's most important qualification - his readiness for
commander-in-chief - is being discounted precisely because his signature support
for the war in Iraq has been vindicated.I think the real threat to the
Republican Party is the continued demonization campaign waged
against McCain. The dynamic of momentum has turned nearly irrevocably in
McCain's favor. Fred Thompson's on the way out, and Mitt Romney's hanging on largely on account of personal wealth.

Public opinion has not only elevated McCain to the status of GOP frontrunner, he's clearly seen as the most competent candidate of either party on leadership qualities.The longer conservatives hammer McCain - delaying the party rally that's necessary to showing a unified parisan front in the general election - the deeper the damage will be.

Fred Thompson may not endorse anyone

From: It's not the end of Fred Thompson

I spoke with one of Fred's advisors a little while ago. We should note that
Fred Thompson has not and will not be endorsing any of the other candidates. My
understanding is that with no strong clearly conservative person in the race, he
saw no point in endorsing.

But, this is not the end of Thompson. I'm told we'll be hearing much
more from him in a few days. His mother is recovering from an illness and he is
with her. But, I suspect he'll be engaging in forums around the country to talk
about conservatism and make sure we hold the other candidates to some
consistency -- no more talking populist in Michigan, Mitt Romney.
Likewise,
it would not surprise me in the least to start seeing Fred showing up and
engaging in Republican primaries where a corrupt Republican who has lost his way
might find Fred supporting an opponent in the primary.

The race for the Presidency is over for Thompson, but the fight for the
party might just be beginning for him.

Frankly, I totally understand his desire to be the conservative conscience, but his ability to affect the race will now diminish quickly. He may only have a day or two to make some comments about his friends running for office, and then he won't have much impact.

Fred Thompson to Drop Out

I just heard that Fred Thompson is dropping out, no details on an endorsement of John McCain yet. source (Fox Business News Network)

Senator Thompson - please consider joining with your friend and fellow senator McCain in continuing this process.

First quote I could find:

McLean, VA - Senator Fred Thompson today issued the following statement
about his campaign for President: "Today I have withdrawn my candidacy for
President of the United States. I hope that my country and my party have
benefited from our having made this effort. Jeri and I will always be grateful
for the encouragement and friendship of so many wonderful people."

Fox News Decision 08

John McCain's Plan in Iraq is working

Source: Publius Pundit - McCain, America Surging
It's hard to imagine how the news could have been any better for him. Senator McCain must be walking on air.

First, a victory in New Hampshire. Then, a second in South Carolina. And finally, a front-page report in USA Today revealing that his surge is working and 75% of Baghdad's neighborhoods (356 of 474) are now secure (can we say the same of Detroit's, or Camden's?). Michael Weiss has a great blogger roundup discussing the thrilling report over at Slate. He quotes one blogger as follows: "Democrat friends, come over to the winning side now. Come on, guys. We're beating the tar out of al-Qaeda. Iraqis who, 13 months ago lived with little hope now are welcoming their neighbors home, regardless of their sectarian affiliation. The Iraqi parliament, emboldened by our wilingness to stay and do the hard work on their behalf has passed the first of what is likely to be several reconciliation laws."

Meanwhile, African-Americans are turning on Bill Clinton as their new standard-bearer goes after him big-time. Who would McCain prefer to run against, the lightweight Obama (who admits he inhales deeply and plays footsie with those who play footsie with Farrakhan) or the decimated, despised Hillary? Hard choice. Either way, he's all smiles

John McCain wins reporters by being "nice" to them

Taking a page from moms nationwide, John McCain has decided not to pander, not to spin, not to flip flop ... but just plain be nice to reporters, to joke with them, and give them access. Guess what, it's so well received he's getting favorable media treatment.

clipped from www.washingtonpost.com McCain's ability to charm the press wasn't responsible for his big win in Saturday's South Carolina primary, but it didn't hurt. After the slimy, rumor-filled campaign run against him in that state in 2000, media outlets yesterday embraced the notion that his triumph was "poetic justice" (href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Tribune+Company?tid=informline" target="">Chicago Tribune), "exorcising the ghosts" of South Carolina (href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/The+New+York+Times+Company?tid=informline" target="">New York Times) and a "spiritual victory" (Slate). And then there is McCain. Reporters rarely quote his aides because the man himself is available to react to just about everything. And that "infinite" access, says href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/The+Boston+Globe?tid=informline" target="">Boston Globe correspondent Sasha Issenberg, helps the href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Arizona?tid=informline" target="">Arizona senator. How candidates treat reporters shouldn't matter in the coverage, but it does. Journalists tend to reward those who engage them and get testy when they are stiffed, concluding that such candidates are overly calculating and wary of unscripted exchanges.

McCain looks like winner in SCo

Although the cable stations won't call it, I will

McCain wins South Carolina!!!!!

Morton Marcus takes a swipe at NW Indiana

Economist from IU Morton Marcus, a guy who's humor I normally find refreshing, has taken a swipe at our plan to extend the South Shore in Northwest Indiana

In his esteemed opinion we should buy tons of buses. Well, for my side, I won't be riding any buses, but I will ride a brand new South Shore. That's just me. Thoughts?

Huckabee supporters attacking McCain?

This is beneath the evengelical pastor, and he should immediately decry these efforts that are obviously not fair. Attacking an American hero is beneath him.

clipped from patdollard.com From a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0108/7962.html">Politico.com article by Jonathan Martin: COLUMBIA, S.C. —The national media thinks John McCain is under siege again, and his campaign is only too happy to help reporters file their stories. At a rally Thursday, outside McCain’s headquarters just down the street from the state capitol here, the candidate and a key local supporter, Sen. Lindsey Graham, are explaining that sorcerers of the dark political arts are at work. A nasty flier touching on McCain’s POW experience has surfaced and a round of anti-McCain automated phone calls has been launched by a pro-Huckabee third-party group — but those are the same calls that were placed in every other early primary state. Other than that, there’s been little in the way of dirty tricks.

Conservative Media endorsing McCain everywhere

Have you noticed that media, no matter the state, tend to endorse John McCain? Why? Because he says it like it is.

clipped from blogs4mccain.com Blogs for McCain The Internet home of bloggers supporting John McCain. Blogs for McCain The Internet home of bloggers supporting John McCain. Other South Carolina papers endorsing McCain include the Columbia-based State and the Myrtle Beach Sun News. AIKEN, S.C. – Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., today won the editorial endorsements of two more South Carolina newspapers: the Charleston Post and Courier and the Rock Hill Herald.

Florida: Martinez and Crist to support McCain?

Here's the rumor: (from Mccain Victory)

"A source working with the John McCain campaign says U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez
is set to appear with him in Miami-Dade on Monday, swinging crucial Hispanic
support to his fellow senator who suffered with him in trying to push an
immigration reform bill that was despised and decried by many on the right as
"amnesty."Putting aside the strange-sounding hatred of an otherwise
noble-sounding word, the "amnesty" attack won't have good legs in Miami-Dade
where 70 percent of Republicans are Hispanic, and many are concerned with the
tenor of the debate over immigration.A Martinez endorsement could help pull
Hispanic supporters away from Rudy Giuliani because the senator, though he's
from Orlando, is revered by many abuelas. Consider this: Martinez got almost 10
-- that's right TEN -- times as many votes as opponent Bill McCollum (now the
state's AG and a Giuliani supporter) in their 2004 primary. Martinez helped
drive Miami-Dade's otherwise low turnout up to 37.5 percent.Martinez has refused
to say whom he will endorse. And Melissa Shuffield, a Miamian who has worked for
both senators in their offices and on the campaign trail, wouldn't comment.Gov.
Charlie Crist, meantime, has been asking advice from others on the campaign
trail over whether he should endorse McCain, who was an early-and-often Crist
supporter. Crist also has close ties to Martinez, whose election he strongly
backed in 2004"

McCain is the comeback kid

After losing South Carolina in 2000, losing Michigan on Tuesday, now John McCain looks poised to "win" South Carolina on Saturday and comeback yet again. He is the energizer bunny.

clipped from politicomafioso.blogspot.com Reuters: McCain Takes Early Lead In South Carolina: Poll McCain, an Arizona senator, leads the former Arkansas governor by 29 percent to 23 percent. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was in third place with 13 percent. South Carolina's Republican primary on Saturday is the next battleground as both parties choose candidates for November's election to succeed President George W. Bush. Nevada also holds Republican and Democratic nominating contests on that day. Reuters: McCain Takes Early Lead In South Carolina: Poll

The Democrats have their choice: They want Romney

Daily Kos is patting himself on the back, and now this in from Fox News' Alan Colmes. Basically they know that Romney can't beat Hillary so they get the White House.

clipped from www.liberalland.com Frankly, he'd be much easier for Democrats to beat than McCain. Agree?