Hillary or Bust

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

Just wondering NewYorkExpress why your TLs always feature some strange or improbable events (like in the Obama one where Jeb Bush said he would resign if elected and Michelle Bachmann being held at Gitmo)?

[NewYorkExpress]

Just wondering NewYorkExpress why your TLs always feature some strange or improbable events (like in the Obama one where Jeb Bush said he would resign if elected and Michelle Bachmann being held at Gitmo)?

I'm a very strange person.

To be fair, I don't think I've gone too extreme to this point in this TL, though we have a long way to go yet.

[OSR STANDS WITH PALESTINE]

American Football is a great band, why do they deserve to be illegal?

It's horribly unsafe, beyond the usual levels of unsafe.

In any event, Pelosi isn't bringing that bill up for a vote anytime soon, and a large majority of the Republican Caucus in the House is also opposed to the legislation. It's not going to pass.

How is the band unsafe? They just make music

It's the sport, not a band (which I've never even heard of).

When I hear American Football I think of the band

Well, there's football (what Americans call soccer) and football (what the rest of the world calls American Football).

And there’s the band American Football, which is the only football I care about

[NewYorkExpress]

October 9, 2007

Des Moines Register poll shows Cuomo, Huckabee in the lead in Iowa, tight Senate race. Democrats leading in four of five House Districts, competitive in the fifth.

Iowa Caucus-Democrats

Mario Cuomo 30%
Hillary Clinton 29%
Tom Vilsack 15%
Dick Gephardt 13%
Douglas Wilder 3%

Iowa Caucus-Republicans

Mike Huckabee 33%
John McCain 26%
Mitt Romney 22%
Fred Thompson 9%


Iowa-Senate

Incumbent Tom Harkin (D) 45%
Former Governor Terry Branstad (R) 45%

Iowa-First Congressional District

Incumbent Bruce Braley (D) 53%
State Senator David Hartsuch (R) 35%

Iowa-Second Congressional District

Incumbent Dave Loebsack (D) 49%
Lt. Col. Marianette Miller-Meeks (R) 36%

Iowa-Third Congressional District

Incumbent Leonard Boswell (D) 56%
State Senator Andy McKean (R) 40%

Iowa-Fourth Congressional District

State Senator Herman Quimbach (D) 44%
Incumbent Tom Latham (R) 42%

Iowa-Fifth Congressional District

Incumbent Steve King (R) 46%
State Representative Roger Wendt (D) 41%

The above polls were all conducted by the Des Moines Register. 1,500 Iowans were polled statewide. Margin of error was +/- 3%

[President of the great nation of 🏳️‍⚧️]

Iowa is Cuomo Country. And if not, it's a good thing I already have bust (well, I didn't in 2007 or 2008, but I do in 2021, so).

[NewYorkExpress]

October 9, 2007

Gerald Ford dead at 94

After over a year of ill health, including being confined to his bed since November 2006, former President Gerald Ford died yesterday morning at home in Rancho Mirage.

Ford will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda, and will have a state funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.

President Bush has ordered all flags on U.S Government buildings to fly at half-staff for the next week.

All major Presidential Candidates, with the exception of Douglas Wilder, have agreed to cease active campaigning until after former President Ford's funeral.

October 20

Mitch Landrieu avoids runoff, will be the next Governor of Louisiana.

Louisiana voters went to the polls in the jungle primary, with the winner needing to get more than 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff in December. Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu, long considered the frontrunner, was trying to win in one round against several opponents.

Louisiana-Governor-Jungle Primary

Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu (D) 50.4567%
Public Service Commissioner Jimmy Field (R) 21.4085%
State Representative Shirley Bowler (R) 10.677%
Former State Representative Vic Stelly (I) 9.4463%
State Senator Robert Marionnouex (D) 4.3465%
State Representative Carla Blanchard Dartez (D) 3.665%

[NewYorkExpress]

October 26, 2007

Asa Hutchinson running for Senate

Asa Hutichinson, the former Undersecretary of Homeland Security for Border and Transportation Security, Administrator of the DEA, Representative, and Chair of the Arkansas Republican Party, has announced that he will challenge Senator Mark Pryor for reelection, creating a third pickup opportunity for Republicans, to go with their opportunities in Iowa and Louisiana. Polling has shown Pryor trailing generic Republican by close to double digits all year, but in close races with most named challengers, including Mike Huckabee, Hutchinson, and Representative John Boozman.


October 31, 2007

Republicans hold debate in Cedar Rapids.

Republicans held their eighth Presidential Debate on a cool Halloween Night in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Here's how the candidates did.

Fred Thompson: Hit the Bush Administration for putting politics before justice in the controversy for dismissal of U.S Attorneys in 2006. Otherwise had a quiet debate. B

Mike Huckabee: Said the Taliban would never have come back into power if Afghan's were forcibly converted to Christianity. Sounding more and more like a parody of an evangelical candidate with each public appearance. F

Mitt Romney: Called out Pakistan for creating the Taliban in the first place, and said that we should have gone to war with Pakistan instead of Iraq, nuclear weapons be damned. Got a round of cheers for that. B+

John McCain: Stated that the United States could avoided the Taliban coming back into power if President Bush had ordered a nuclear strike on Kabul back in 2001. Didn't help his case, either in the primaries or in the general election. D-

[NewYorkExpress]

November 6, 2007

Democrats do well in Off Year elections, win Kentucky, multiple Mayoral Elections. Republicans win in Mississippi.

Kentucky Governor/Lieutenant Governor

Former Lieutenant Governor Steve Beshear/State Senator Daniel Mongiardo (D) 51.43%
Former Representative Anne Northrup/State Representative Jeff Hoover (R) 48.57%



Mississippi Governor


Incumbent Haley Barbour (R) 66.26%
Former Moss Point Mayor, Former State Representative Louis Fondren (D) 33.74%

Mayor of Charlotte

State Representative Beverley Earle (D) 50.45%
Incumbent Mayor Pat McCrory (R) 49.55%

Mayor of Houston

City Controller Annise Parker (D) 60%
Former State Senator Jon Lindsay (R) 37%
Professional Wrestling Promoter Outlaw Josey Wales IV (Independent) 3%

Mayor of Indianapolis

Incumbent Bart Peterson (D) 48%
Retired Lt. Col Greg Ballard (R) 45%
Fred Peterson (L) 7%

United States Senate Special Election- New Jersey

Sheila Oliver (D) 53.3%%
Christine Todd Whitman (R) 46.7%

[President of the great nation of 🏳️‍⚧️]

Mayor of Charlotte

State Representative Beverley Earle (D) 50.45%
Incumbent Mayor Pat McCrory (R) 49.55%

[NewYorkExpress]

Mayor of Charlotte

State Representative Beverley Earle (D) 50.45%
Incumbent Mayor Pat McCrory (R) 49.55%

I hate to tell you this, but McCrory's career isn't over yet. He's not running for Governor in 2008, but 2010 isn't that far away, and he could easily get a House seat in redistricting.

[NewYorkExpress]

November 2, 2007

After over a thousand ballots, UN General Assembly breaks deadlock, selects Yoriko Kawakguchi as the next Secretary-General

After 1,046 ballots over three weeks, the United Nations General Assembly has finally broken a multi-way deadlock and selected former Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi as the next Secretary General, by acclimation, after her last two opponents, Israeli Ambassador to the United States Sallai Meridor and Secretary-General of the Arab League Amr Moussa withdrew from consideration this morning.

Kawaguchi has stated her focus as Secretary-General is likely to be on the long stalled peace process between North and South Korea, during the balloting process.

November 7, 2007

Iran now in compliance with Nuclear Deal

After the deactivation of Iran's final nuclear plant this morning, the IAEA has confirmed that Iran is now in compliance with the deal reached between Iran, the EU and Russia back in July.

New York Yankees win World Series

Following a Postseason which set a record for rainouts, with eighteen, six of them in the World Series alone, the New York Yankees have defeated the Atlanta Braves in seven games, winning game seven tonight at Turner Field 4-0, behind a complete game shutout from Mike Mussina.

[NewYorkExpress]

November 9, 2007

Sex Scandal forces John Ensign to resign

Senator John Ensign (R-NV) announced his resignation this morning, two days after he was caught in bed with the Treasurer of a PAC that was associated with him, effective on November 13.

Governor Dina Titus (D) will appoint a replacement, who will serve until a special election is held in 2008.

November 13, 2007

Frankie Sue Del Papa appointed to Senate Seat

Governor Dina Titus appointed former Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa to fill the Senate seat being vacated by the resignation of John Ensign. Del Papa's appointment, brings the Senate to a 53-47 advantage in favor of the Democrats, including Bernie Sanders.

Del Papa stated at a press conference at her home in Reno that she would run to finish Ensign's term.

November 15, 2007

Democrats debate in battleground state

Democrats had what might have been the first chance to truly impress Ohio voters in tonight's Presidential debate. Here's how they did:

Douglas Wilder: Was not invited to his second debate in a row. Instead was campaigning in South Carolina. One has to wonder when he's going to get the memo and drop out.

Tom Vilsack: Needed a great performance, and didn't get it. Had a good night, and managed to hit Clinton and Gore over the Clinton Administration's Crime Bill, but otherwise, it was not the night he needed. B

Dick Gephardt: Had a much better debate. Called Gore a "climate hypocrite" for using electricity, but may have stumbled slightly when he claimed the only solution to global warming was the extinction of the human race (though that did get some approving retweets from several scientists in Europe). C+

Al Gore Continued a theme of the past month of his on the campaign trail of slamming the Des Moines Register for leaving him out their Iowa poll. Hit Gephardt for claiming that extinction of humanity was necessary for the planet's survival, saying that he "hoped that humanity could learn from their mistakes". B

Mario Cuomo Riding high after polls showed him in the lead in Iowa, joined Gephardt in attacking Gore and Clinton over the Clinton Administration's Crime bill, calling it "racist to the core". Committed to picking a woman or person of color as his running mate if he won the nomination. A

Hillary Clinton: Struggled to defend Clinton Adminstration Crime Bill, called it a "good idea that went bad". Hit Gephardt on support for Iraq War, pointing out that unlike her, Gephardt had yet to apologize for his vote in favor of the war, or take any action to end the war. A

[NewYorkExpress]

November 15, 2007

U.S Court find Saudi Arabia responsible for 9/11

A class-action lawsuit today filed in Federal Court by relatives of 1,400 victims of the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001 found the Saudi Arabian Government responsible for financing the attacks, as well as not stopping them by arresting the fifteen hijackers that came from that country. The jury awarded $750 billion in damages, which was reduced by Federal Judge Rosemary Collyer to $125 billion, plus court costs.

November 16, 2007

Douglas Wilder suspends campaign for President

Douglas Wilder, having not been invited to the previous two debates, and with polling numbers below 2% in all states except for South Carolina, where he is at 14%, and Virginia, where he is at 15%, has suspended his campaign for President today in Richmond.

Wilder did not offer an endorsement.

Sources close to Wilder say the Richmond Mayor and former Governor is considering a run for the House against either Virgil Goode or Randy Forbes, neither of whom have drawn a significant opponent as of yet.

Sexual Harassment bombshell against Roger Ailes exposed, Rupert Murdoch accused of covering up Ailes's behavior.

Fox News President Roger Ailes is under a criminal indictment for sexually harassing Gretchen Carlson, and dozens of other Fox News employees and seeking to silence witnesses and victims and intimidate them. News Corporation CEO Rupert Murdoch, who owns Fox News, is also under indictment for obstruction of justice and bribery after prosecutors alleged that he authorized off the books payoffs of victims of Ailes, and shredded the records of said payoffs.

Prosecutors are seeking jail sentences for Ailes and Murdoch. They are also seeking to have Murdoch's citizenship stripped, and for him to be deported back to Australia, however New York County District Attorney Robert Morgenthau admitted that this was a longshot at best.

November 17, 2007

California Legislature passes ban on vaccine exemptions

The California Legislature passed a ban on all vaccine exemptions this mornings. The proposed ban, which will head to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger desk, is considered controversial because in addition to removing the exemption for religious beliefs, the bill removed the medical exemption to getting any vaccination.

The legislation's sponsor, Assemblyman Curren Price, stated that "being allergic to vaccinations does not give someone the right to put anyone else in danger by not attempting to get vaccinated".

The bill passed the assembly 41-32, and passed the State Senate 17-14. Governor Schwarzenegger has already come out against the legislation, and has said he will veto it as soon as it reaches his desk.

Garry Kasparov assassinated in Vienna

Chess Legend and Russian Dissident Garry Kasparov was assassinated by a gunman outside the Austrian Parliament Building, where he had just given a speech to Austrian MP's calling for opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbach accused the Russian Government of being responsible for the attacks, and has asked on behalf of the Austrian Government for an Interpol Red Notice for Russian President Vladimir Putin for ordering Kasparov's murder on Austrian soil.

Austrian President Heinz Fischer, attending a trade summit in Prague, called the attack "a brazen attack on the European Union", and indicated that he would meet with Chancellor Gusenbach, Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik and Defense Minister Norbert Darabos about the possibility of Austria joining NATO in the future.

November 20, 2007

Spain to hold binding Independence Referendums in Catalonia, Basque Country

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero announced that there would be Independence Referendums being held in March of 2008, which will be simultaneous with the general elections, which will also be held in March.

If turnout on the independence referendums reaches 75%, and a two-thirds majority in the Basque Country, Catalonia or both vote in favor of Independence, then Independence for one or both locations will be granted no later than 2016.

November 21, 2007

Jimmy Carter endorses Mario Cuomo

Jimmy Carter came off the sidelines yesterday, endorsing Mario Cuomo in the Democratic Primary race, stating that his "old-style liberalism was what America needs today" in an editorial in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Carter's endorsement is another blow to both Hillary Clinton and Al Gore, both of whom had been courting the former President for an endorsement.

Bill Clinton melts down in Iowa, accuses Cuomo of cheating in debates without evidence.

Stumping in Ankeny, Iowa, Bill Clinton accused Andrew Cuomo of having advance knowledge of questions in debates, stating that "someone of his age should not be doing so well in a Presidential debate".

Clinton has been pilloried on cable media, with both FOX News and CNN running the story all day.

Cuomo, campaigning in South Carolina, had no comment, but surrogate Ted Kennedy called on Hillary Clinton to end her campaign, saying the episode "proves what we all know, that she cannot manage a White House with a former President living in it. And that's the best case scenario."

November 24, 2007

Australian Elections lead to Labor Landslide, John Howard defeated

Australia held Federal Elections today, and Labor won in a landslide. The situation for the opposition coalition of the Liberal and National Parties was so bad that both Prime Minister John Howard and Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile were defeated in their electoral divisions.

Australia General Elections: House of Representatives

Labor: Kevin Rudd 119 seats
Coalition
Liberal John Howard: 25 seats
National: Mark Vaile: 4 seats
Independents: 2 seats

Australia General Elections: Senate

Labor: 38 seats
Coaltion: 27 seats
Greens: 7 seats
Family First Party: 1 seat
Independents: 3 seats

[NewYorkExpress]

November 26, 2007

Jeffery Epstein arrested on sex trafficking charges, will plead guilty in exchange for testimony against clients

Financier Jefferey Epstein was arrested over the weekend in Miami on federal sex trafficking charges. Sources close to the investigation say Epstein has agreed to plead guilty in exchange for his testimony against his clients, a list that is believed to include former President Bill Clinton, Real Estate Titan and host of The Apprentice Donald Trump, and Prince Andrew, Duke of York.

November 27, 2007

Hillary Clinton files for divorce

Following the arrest of Jeffery Epstein, and the looming prospect of criminal charges being filed against Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton has filed for divorce in Westchester County today.

She did not address whether she would remain in the Presidential race, or in the Senate, with significant numbers of Democrats calling for the end of her campaign and her resignation from the Senate. Claire McCaskill voiced these Democrats's feelings stating that there was "no way Hillary wasn't aware Bill was diddling kids, and that as far she was concerned she should also be facing criminal charges."

[John King wannabe]

November 26, 2007

Jeffery Epstein arrested on sex trafficking charges, will plead guilty in exchange for testimony against clients

Financier Jefferey Epstein was arrested over the weekend in Miami on federal sex trafficking charges. Sources close to the investigation say Epstein has agreed to plead guilty in exchange for his testimony against his clients, a list that is believed to include former President Bill Clinton, Real Estate Titan and host of The Apprentice Donald Trump, and Prince Andrew, Duke of York.

November 27, 2007

Hillary Clinton files for divorce

Following the arrest of Jeffery Epstein, and the looming prospect of criminal charges being filed against Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton has filed for divorce in Westchester County today.

She did not address whether she would remain in the Presidential race, or in the Senate, with significant numbers of Democrats calling for the end of her campaign and her resignation from the Senate. Claire McCaskill voiced these Democrats's feelings stating that there was "no way Hillary wasn't aware Bill was diddling kids, and that as far she was concerned she should also be facing criminal charges."

Doubt Clinton files for divorce and even more doubt McCaskill would ever say that about someone she said she considers a friend.

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

November 26, 2007

Jeffery Epstein arrested on sex trafficking charges, will plead guilty in exchange for testimony against clients

Financier Jefferey Epstein was arrested over the weekend in Miami on federal sex trafficking charges. Sources close to the investigation say Epstein has agreed to plead guilty in exchange for his testimony against his clients, a list that is believed to include former President Bill Clinton, Real Estate Titan and host of The Apprentice Donald Trump, and Prince Andrew, Duke of York.

November 27, 2007

Hillary Clinton files for divorce

Following the arrest of Jeffery Epstein, and the looming prospect of criminal charges being filed against Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton has filed for divorce in Westchester County today.

She did not address whether she would remain in the Presidential race, or in the Senate, with significant numbers of Democrats calling for the end of her campaign and her resignation from the Senate. Claire McCaskill voiced these Democrats's feelings stating that there was "no way Hillary wasn't aware Bill was diddling kids, and that as far she was concerned she should also be facing criminal charges."

Assassination of a political figure is rare, but can happen.


Bill Clinton getting criminal charges and Claire McCaskill calling one of her best friends a criminal is.

[OSR STANDS WITH PALESTINE]

Cuomo ‘08, and ‘012

[NewYorkExpress]

Cuomo ‘08, and ‘012

Hillary's not politically dead yet, and in any case, her quick action in filing for divorce from Bill will help her in the Presidential race.

As for whether she knew about Bill sleeping with with underaged individuals with Epstein...she knew Bill was paling around with Epstein, but that's all she knew. She certainly didn't know he was committing statutory rape.

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

Cuomo ‘08, and ‘012

Hillary's not politically dead yet, and in any case, her quick action in filing for divorce from Bill will help her in the Presidential race.

As for whether she knew about Bill sleeping with with underaged individuals with Epstein...she knew Bill was paling around with Epstein, but that's all she knew. She certainly didn't know he was committing statutory rape.

That's the meta answer. The media will second-guess everything.

[NewYorkExpress]

December 1, 2007

Hillary Clinton confirms she'll stay in Presidential race, as polls continue to show her with healthy lead following Bill Clinton scandal

Following the revelation of the Jeffery Epstein scandal, and Bill Clinton's connection to it, Hillary Clinton has seemingly maintained her lead in polling in the Democratic Primary. Her rivals, with the exception of Al Gore have largely avoided the issue on the campaign trail as well, arguing that the issue, being non-political and not about Hillary, is not relevant to the campaign.

PPP Democratic Primary-National

Hillary Clinton 40%
Mario Cuomo 25%
Al Gore 15%
Tom Vilsack 11%
Dick Gephardt 7%

Des Moines Register: Democratic Primary, Iowa Caucus

Mario Cuomo 27%
Hillary Clinton 27%
Al Gore 19%
Tom Vilsack 15%
Dick Gephardt 9%

Quinnipiac: New Hampshire Primary

Hillary Clinton 39%
Mario Cuomo 26%
Al Gore 15%
Dick Gephardt 10%
Tom Vilsack 6%

Siena: Nevada Caucuses

Hillary Clinton 40%
Mario Cuomo 21%
Al Gore 16%
Dick Gephardt 11%
Tom Vilsack 7%

PPP: Michigan Primaries

Hillary Clinton 42%
Mario Cuomo 20%
Al Gore 19%
Dick Gephardt 12%
Tom Vilsack 5%

PPP: South Carolina Primaries

Hillary Clinton 55%
Al Gore 19%
Mario Cuomo 12%
Dick Gephardt 10%
Tom Vilsack 2%

PPP: Florida Primaries

Hillary Clinton 34%
Mario Cuomo 25%
Al Gore 19%
Dick Gephardt 14%
Tom Vilsack 5%

[NewYorkExpress]

December 2, 2007

Russian Parliamentary Elections return narrow majority for Putin's party

Russian voters went to the polls today to elect the new Parliament. With support for Vladimir Putin's government at the lowest point in almost a decade following the brazen assassination of Garry Kasparov in Vienna last month, Putin's United Russia just barely won a Parliamentary Majority, amid speculation of of a rigged election.

Russia-Duma

United Russia: 229 seats
Communist Party: 99 seats
A Just Russia: 30 seats
Liberal Democratic Party of Russia: 27 seats
Yabloko: 20 seats
Agrarian Party of Russia: 19 seats
Civilian Power: 9 seats
Patriots of Russia: 8 seats
Democratic Party of Russia: 8 Seats
Union of Right Forces: 1 seat

While Putin's United Russia has a bare majority in raw numbers, in reality many of the Duma's other parties will vote with them on most issues, making their majority significantly larger.

It remains to be seen who will be named Prime Minister, but Putin has committed to running for a third term as President.

Nelson Mandela dead at 89

Former South African President and leader in the struggle against Apartheid, Nelson Mandela died yesterday evening in Johannesburg, just five days short of his ninetieth birthday.

Presidential candidates on both sides of the aisle paid tribute to Mandela today, with Hillary Clinton, speaking in Des Moines, stating that his struggle was identical to the struggles persons of color faced in America.

December 3, 2007

Rush Holt comes out in favor of ending filibuster

Rush Holt, running for the United States Senate in New Jersey, has come out in favor of ending the filibuster in an interview with Anderson Cooper. Holt, stated that the filibuster was an "arcane institution" and that "as a Representative, I don't understand how a single Senator can block legislation that a majority of other Senators support."

December 5, 2007

Richard Baker resigns after being elected Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana.

Following his victory over Cleo Fields in a runoff for Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana last month, Representative Richard Baker (R) has resigned in advance of his being sworn in next month.

Outgoing Governor Kathleen Blanco is expected to set a special election, with the jungle primary in March, and a runoff in April.

[NewYorkExpress]

December 7, 2007

Democrats hold final debate before Iowa Caucuses, Clinton shines, Gore falls apart

Democrats held their final Presidential debate before the Iowa Caucuses at Hofstra University this evening. Here's how the candidates did:

Tom Vilsack: Made a passionate and direct pitch to the people of Iowa based around his two terms as Governor. Was the only candidate on the stage to support enshrining Iowa and New Hampshire's first state status in Presidential Politics in federal law. B+

Dick Gephardt: For the second debate in a row, failed to fend off attacks from Cuomo about his support for the Iraq War. C

Al Gore: Completely melted down today, calling Hillary Clinton an enabler of statutory rape, and stating that she should be in prison for aiding and abetting for being married to Bill Clinton all of these years and doing nothing about his relationship with Jeffery Epstein. Didn't answer any question on any issue, kept bringing up Bill Clinton's relationships with Epstein whenever he was asked a question on anything. F

Mario Cuomo: Hammered Gephardt on the Iraq War for the second straight debate, suggested that Gore was also an enabler of Bill Clinton's behavior by agreeing to serve as his Vice President in response to one of his unhinged attacks on Hillary Clinton. A

Hillary Clinton: Cool, calm and collected. Completely ignored Gore's unhinged attacks against her, and laid out a revamped health care plan. A

[NewYorkExpress]

December 11, 2007

Democrats go two for three in House Special Elections

Massachusetts Fifth Congressional District (seat vacant following the nomination of Marty Meehan to the federal judiciary)

State Senator Steven Pangiatakos (D) 59.765%
Former State Representative/Chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party Brian Cresta 37.464%
Stonemason Patrick Murphy (I) 1.075
Kevin Thompson (C) 1.012%
Kurt Hayes (I) 0.684%

Ohio Fifth Congressional District (seat vacant following the death of Paul Gilmor)

Republican Primary

State Senator Steve Beuhrer (R) 37%
State Senator Bob Latta (R) 34%
High School Teacher Mark Hollenbaugh 15%
Business Consultant Michael Smitely 12%
Fred Pieper 2%

General Election

Public Administrator, 2004 and 2006 nominee Robin Weirauch (D) 50.045%
State Senator Steve Beuhrer (R) 49.955%

Virginia First Congressional District (seat vacant following the death of Jo Ann Davis)

Former State Delegate Dick Black (R) 56.7%
Retired Navy Captain Ted Hontz (D) 42.5%
Former Peace Corps Volunteer Lucky Nairan (I) 0.8%

[NewYorkExpress]

December 13, 2007

Final Republican Debate before Iowa held in D.C

The final Republican Presidential Debate before the Iowa Caucuses was held earlier this evening. Here's how the contenders did.

Fred Thompson: Called the Bush Administration's withdrawal from Afghanistan "directionless", accused Romney of trying to buy the Republican nomination. C+

Mike Huckabee: Hit McCain for his involvement in the Keating Five scandal, stated that he should have been prosecuted for said involvement. B

Mitt Romney: Defended himself from Thompson's accusations that he was trying to buy the nomination by pointing out that he had yet to spend a dollar of his own money on the race. Struggled when Elaine Quijano asked him to compare his Massachusetts Health Care plan, to the Clinton Health Care plan promoted in the Clinton White House. B

John McCain: Called for McCain-Feingold to be enshrined in a constitutional amendment, struggled to defend himself from Huckabee's attacks regarding the Keating Five. C

[NewYorkExpress]

December 14, 2007

Supreme Court strikes down Defense of Marriage Act

The Supreme Court ruled today, 5-4 in McMichael v. Powell that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional, violating both the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the constitution.

The majority opinion, written by Anthony Kennedy, and joined by Stephen Breyer, David Souter, Merrick Garland and John Paul Stevens, called the Defense of Marriage Act "cruel and inhumane", and "a violation of the basic standards of decency".

The minority opinion, written by Clarence Thomas, and joined by Antonin Scalia, John Roberts and Samuel Alito, made clear that the founders intended that marriage was between a man and a woman, and called for a constitutional amendment to codify this, and overturn Lawrence v. Texas.

December 18, 2007

Supreme Court rules that Social Media is protected by the First Amendment

The Supreme Court ruled 8-1 today in Zuckerberg v. Giuliani that social media is protected by the First Amendment.

The Majority Opinion, written by John Paul Stevens, stated that while Facebook has a duty to help the Justice Department, it is not mandated to do any of the actions the Justice Department is mandating they do, unless all of the users targeted are located in the United States, which the Justice Department was unable to prove in their briefs.

The lone dissenter, John Roberts, stated that the First Amendment specifically stated that Americans had the right to a "free press" and to "petition the government" and that social media does not provide these services, it is not protected by the First Amendment.

December 19, 2007

Ban Ki-Moon elected President of South Korea

Former Foreign Minister and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon was elected President of South Korea today.

South Korea-Presidential Election

Former Foreign Minister, Former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon- Independent 49.46%
Former Minister of Unification Chung Dong-young-United Democratic Party 16.24%
Former Mayor of Seoul Lee Myung-bak- Grand Unified Democratic New Party 16.3%
Former Prime Minister Lee Hoi-chang-Independent 7.4%
Business Manager Moon Kook-hyun-Creative Korea Party 3%
National Assemblyman Kwon Young-ghil-Democratic Labor Party 3%
Singer Huh Kyung-young-Economic Republican Party 3%
National Assemblyman, Former Governor of Gyonenggi Province, former Minister of Labor, Lee In-je- Democratic Party 2.4%
Geum Min- Socialist Party 2.2%