Local Vote 2012

Check back often for the latest news on state and local elections, issues and events affecting NewsChannel 9 viewers.

Vote 2012 Links

Tea Party Congressman Chews Out IRS Official Who Pleaded The Fifth Watch the video.
IRS Misses Filing Deadline: Fails to Comply With Congressional Demand for All Communications With WH About Targeting Conservatives Crucial evidence needed to develop an accurate answer to that question would include the records of any communications that went back and forth between the IRS and the White House on the topic.
Democrat raises prospect of special prosecutor for IRS A Democrat on the House’s investigative committee raised the specter of a special prosecutor on Wednesday to investigate political targeting of conservative groups at the IRS from 2010 to 2012.
Democrats Turn on IRS; Compare IRS Scandal to Totalitarian Regimes In a fiery statement, Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA), cited the State Department's annual human rights report, and the practice of tyrannical regimes that enact human rights on paper but fail to honor them in practice. He compared the conduct of the IRS in singling out Tea Party and conservative groups to those regimes
Report: No IRS Workers Have Been Disciplined & Union Says It Hasn’t Been Contacted on Personnel Despite the Obama administration’s repeated promises to get to the bottom of the Internal Revenue Service’s political targeting scandal, nothing has been done.
Giant octopus: IRS has 8 offices to enforce Obamacare The Internal Revenue Service, charged with implementing the biggest change in tax laws in 20 years due to Obamacare, has created eight offices and special "teams" to handle the chore, way more than initially revealed.
Meet the Man Who Set Off the IRS Firestorm...and Dated Michelle Obama in Law School? J. Russell George once stalked the halls of the Capitol for senators’ autographs. Now he’s there to testify in a scandal gripping Washington.
IRS Scandal: Who Knew What and When?
Armed DHS Guards Protect IRS From Tea Party Protesters At a Tea Party protest outside an IRS building in St. Louis there were no regular police – only armed Homeland Security guards.
IRS's own internal probe ended in May 2012, six months before election, but was hidden from legislators The new details surfaced in a Congressional hearing.
Report: IRS Decisions Not Linked to Low-Level Employees Only The claim that the ongoing IRS scandal is limited to low level employees is falling apart.
Accused Fort Hood Shooter Paid $278,000 While Awaiting Trial The Army said under the Military Code of Justice, his salary cannot be suspended unless he is proven guilty.
Dept. of Justice Tracked a FOX Reporter's Activities When the Justice Department began investigating possible leaks of classified information about North Korea in 2009, investigators did more than obtain telephone records of a working journalist suspected of receiving the secret material.
Labor union chief calls immigration bill dangerous, sees agency as ‘approval machine’ The Senate’s immigration bill will raise national security risks and the Obama administration will do little more than “rubber-stamp” illegal immigrants into the program, endangering Americans, says the labor union representing the 12,000 employees who will have to approve the applications.
How the IRS seeded the clouds in 2010 for a political deluge three years later In early 2010, an Internal Revenue Service team in Cincinnati began noticing a stream of applications from groups with political-sounding names, setting in motion a dragnet aimed at separating legitimate tax-exempt groups from those working to get candidates elected.
White House aide: Obama’s whereabouts night of Benghazi attack ‘a largely irrelevant fact’ [VIDEO] White House senior adviser Dan Pfeiffer made the talk show rounds in the wake of three scandals involving the Obama administration, but seemed to have the same message: that the details were “irrelevant” and Obama wants to make sure this doesn’t happen again.
Top IRS Official Admits Question That Revealed Tea Party Targeting Was Planted The origins of the IRS scandal over its targeting of tea party groups aroused curiosity and suspicion from the beginning.
Congressman accuses White House of ‘cover-up’ in IRS scandal The chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee on Friday said the IRS scandal shows a “culture of cover-ups” and “political intimidation” within the Obama administration.
Who’s who in the IRS scandal: 7 to know Here’s a who is who in the unfolding controversy.
Inside the Cincinnati IRS office Every day, 2,000 employees go to work at various federal agencies in this John F. Kennedy-era structure, whose chief tenant is the Internal Revenue Service — which is having just about the worst week an agency can have.
IRS doled out $92 million in employee bonuses More than $92 million in bonuses averaging $5,500 per employee have been handed out by IRS executives to thousands of the tax agency’s employees since 2009, according to data obtained by The Washington Examiner.
IRS Official in Charge During Tea Party Targeting Now Runs Health Care Office The Internal Revenue Service official in charge of the tax-exempt organizations at the time when the unit targeted tea party groups now runs the IRS office responsible for the health care legilsation.
Congresswoman Talks About Impeaching the President Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) told a crowd at a tea party rally that she's asked every weekend why Congress isn't working to impeach President Barack Obama.
Obama evades question on White House knowledge of IRS targeting President Barack Obama dismissed calls for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the IRS scandal, and evaded a question asking if White House officials knew of the IRS targeting of conservative political groups.
IRS Exec at Heart of Targeting Scandal Collected Big Bonuses The IRS, in response to a Freedom of Information Act request from The Washington Examiner, provided data showing that Lois Lerner, who is director of the agency's exempt organizations division, collected $17,220 in 2010, $14,691 in 2011, and $10,620 in 2012.
Congressman Concerned AP Phone Records Reveal Conversations with Member Congressman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) said Wednesday during an interview on the Hugh Hewitt Show that the Justice Department’s investigation of the Associated Press involved seizing phone records from the United States Capitol.
Document: IRS ordered conservative educational group to turn over a list of high school and college students it trained When a Tennessee lawyer asked the IRS for tax-exempt status for a mentoring group that trained high school and college students about conservative political philosophy, the agency responded with a list of 95 questions in 31 parts, including an ultimatum for a list of everyone the group had trained, or planned to train.
IRS Employees Disproportionately Donate to Obama Barack Obama received more than twice as much in campaign donations from IRS employees in 2012 as did his opponent, Mitt Romney, records show.
Did the IRS give Mitt Romney’s tax returns to Harry Reid? During the 2012 presidential campaign, Harry Reid claimed to have intimate knowledge of what was secretly inside Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney’s tax returns.
IRS Asks for Reading List, Tea Party Group Sends Constitution When Marion Bower decided to start her tea party organization in 2010, she didn’t know that it would take nearly two years for the Internal Revenue Service to approve her request for tax-exempt status.
VIDEO: Conan O'Brien Jokes About IRS Audit after Jokes About Obama Late-night host Conan O'Brien at the 2013 White House Correspondents dinner in April: "Now I've made some jokes about the President this evening, [turns to Obama] and I'm looking forward to my audit."
Liberal Group ProPublica Says IRS Leaked It Documents The Internal Revenue Service gave confidential documents from conservative groups to the investigative website ProPublica, the website reports.
‘Very Frightening’: Prominent Catholic Prof. Claims IRS Audited Her After Speaking Out Against Obama and Demanded to Know Who Was Paying Her Dr. Anne Hendershott, a devout Catholic and a noted sociologist, professor and author, she believes she may have been one of the IRS’s targets.
House speaker on IRS targeting: 'Who is going to jail?' House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said Wednesday that the Internal Revenue Service broke the law when it decided to target conservative groups for extra scrutiny when they applied for tax exempt status.
Justice Department subpoena of AP phone records unites left, right in opposition to ‘Big Brother’ The revelation that the U.S. government used secret subpoenas to pry into Associated Press reporters’ phone records triggered two contradictory reactions in the political world.
Even Jon Stewart blasts Obama over AP, IRS scandals The longtime “Daily Show” host tore into the White House and specifically bashed the president for repeatedly claiming he learned of major events at the same time as the American public.
Report: IRS Tax-Exempt Process "A Mess" Federal authorities have opened a criminal investigation of whether Internal Revenue Service employees broke the law when they targeted conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status — the latest setback for an agency that is the subject of withering bipartisan criticism and multiple congressional inquiries.
Bipartisan Congressional Demand: Provide All Communications Between IRS and WH About Targeting Conservatives; Warns: Don't Destroy, Modify or Remove Any Documents Rep. Sander Levin (D.-Mich.), the ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee, has joined Rep. Dave Camp (R.-Mich.), the committee chairman, in demanding that the Internal Revenue Service answer by next Tuesday thirteen questions posed by the committee relating to IRS discrimination against conservative and pro-Israel groups and, where relevant, provide all internal agency documents and communications substantiating the answers.
Obama: ‘I Bear Responsibility for Everything--To Some Degree’ President Barack Obama said on 60 Minutes on Sunday that he bears responsibility “for everything--to some degree."
The IRS wants YOU — to share everything A POLITICO review of documents from 11 tea party and conservative groups that the IRS scrutinized in 2012 shows the agency wanted to know everything — in some cases, it even seemed curious what members were thinking.
White House: No Comparison Between Obama and Nixon “I can tell you, people who make those kinds of comparisons need to check their history,” spokesman Jay Carney said. “Because what we have here with one issue, Benghazi, clearly we’re learning more and more is a political sideshow, a deliberate effort to politicize a tragedy. The president feels very strongly about that. You heard him address that yesterday.”
In IRS scandal, echoes of Watergate Jay Carney, whose unenviable job is not to explain but to explain away what his employers say, calls the IRS’s behavior “inappropriate.” No, using the salad fork for the entree is inappropriate. Using the Internal Revenue Service for political purposes is a criminal offense.
Claim: Obama Campaign Co-Chair Attacked Romney with Leaked IRS Docs One of President Barack Obama's re-election campaign co-chairmen used a leaked document from the IRS to attack GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney during the 2012 election, according to the National Organization for Marriage (NOM).
Benghazi, IRS: Son of Watergate? In his defense of President Obama, Press Secretary Jay Carney is beginning to sound a lot like Ronald Zeigler, Richard Nixon's spokesman. Carney only has to use the word "inoperative," as Ziegler did when incriminating evidence surfaced that proved his previous statements untrue.
"Jobs" Creation
Sen. Marco Rubio demands resignation of IRS commissioner Sen. Marco Rubio has asked Treasury Secretary Jack Lew to demand the resignation of the IRS commissioner, after news surfaced that the agency had targeted Tea Party organizations. The agency has reportedly targeted other conservative groups that focus on government spending and the federal debt.
Obama denounces reported IRS targeting of conservative groups President Obama on Monday described the reported targeting of conservative groups by the Internal Revenue Service as “outrageous” and intolerable, and he called for those responsible to be held “fully accountable.”
IRS scrutiny went beyond Tea Party, targeting of conservative groups broader than thought An IRS campaign to apply additional scrutiny to conservative groups went beyond targeting "Tea Party" and "patriot" groups to include those focused on government spending, the Constitution and several other broad areas.
Investigation expands to others who criticize government At various points over the past two years, Internal Revenue Service officials targeted nonprofit groups that criticized the government and sought to educate Americans about the U.S. Constitution, according to documents in an audit conducted by the agency’s inspector general.
Rumsfeld: IRS also retaliates against outspoken business leaders In "Rumsfeld's Rules, Leadership lessons in Business, Politics, War and Life," the former chairman of G.D. Searle & Co. said that business leaders often bite their tongue rather than criticize presidents out of fear the administration will retaliate.
U.S. House will investigate IRS matter House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) confirmed Friday afternoon that the Republican-led House will investigate the IRS’s inappropriate targeting of conservative groups.
‘I’m not good at math’: The IRS’ public relations disaster About a half-hour into a conference call with reporters Friday afternoon, senior Internal Revenue Service official Lois Lerner said something she will regret.
Tea Party Rejects IRS Apology Conservative groups have rejected an Internal Revenue Service apology for unjustifiably scrutinizing tax-exempt conservative groups during the 2012 election cycle. The IRS apology has seemingly validated conservatives' fears of politically motivated regulation.
Mitch McConnell Demands White House Investigate IRS for Targeting Conservative Groups Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is calling on the Obama administration to conduct a government-wide probe in the wake of an admission by the Internal Revenue Service that it targeted conservative groups.
IRS apologizes for targeting conservative groups The Internal Revenue Service inappropriately flagged conservative political groups for additional reviews during the 2012 election to see if they were violating their tax-exempt status, a top IRS official said Friday.
FLASHBACK: Mark Levin Asks IG to Probe Possible IRS Misconduct in Dealing with Tea Party
Politico: IRS "Mistakes Were Made" Roughly 75 groups were singled out using words like “tea party” or “patriot” in tax documents, Lois Lerner, who is responsible for overseeing tax-exempt groups, said on a hastily arranged conference call Friday afternoon.
Suspension for boy who held pencil like gun A Suffolk, Virginia elementary school suspended a boy for holding his pencil like a gun and pretending he was a Marine, just like his father.
Schoen: Benghazi Is Likely to Follow Hillary’s 2016 Presidential Bid Democratic pollster and author Doug Schoen tells Newsmax TV that the attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi is likely to follow former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton into the 2016 presidential race should she decide to make another run for the White House.
Administration aids immigration advocates with $310 billion claim President Barack Obama’s Social Security Administration has given the Senate’s immigration bill a boost by writing a letter saying the bill would help the Social Security trust fund.
Number of names on U.S. counter-terrorism database jumps The number of names on a highly classified U.S. central database used to track suspected terrorists has jumped to 875,000 from 540,000 only five years ago, a U.S. official familiar with the matter said.
Police say liberal student activist threatened herself with rape in Facebook hoax, framed conservatives A well-known female liberal blogger and radio host at the University of Wyoming (UW) is being accused by police of fabricating a rape threat against herself to appear as if it came from a conservative.
New immigration bill has more waivers and exceptions per page than Obamacare The Senate’s “Gang of Eight” has released a new version of the immigration bill that contains 999 references to waivers, exemptions and political discretion.
Study: Obama spends more time on vacation than in economic meetings Using the official White House calendar and media reports, a new report from the Government Accountability Institute says Obama has spent 474.4 hours in economic meetings. That would be 3.6 percent of his presidency, they estimated.
Background Checks Bill Could Come Up Again in the Senate Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), who sponsored the expanded background checks measure that was recently defeated in upper chamber, told Chris Wallace that the measure will “absolutely” come up for a vote again
Immigration bill grants amnesty to employers of illegals; no prosecution for bogus IDs The debate is raging over whether the latest immigration bill is an amnesty for illegal immigrants, but one part is clear: The legislation would forgive businesses that have employed those immigrants illegally.
Gun bill’s failure may help immigration legislation Here’s an odd political reality: The collapse of the gun bill in the Senate last week may well make the passage of immigration reform legislation slightly easier.
Gun Store Running AR-15 Giveaways on Facebook Sees Page Shut Down Without any notice from Facebook, Erik Lowry said his page was shut down
Immigration bill contains 400 waivers, exceptions and exemptions The Senate’s pending immigration bill includes roughly 400 exemptions, exceptions, waivers, determinations and grants of discretion.
Phillies pitcher Jonathan Papelbon: Obama out for guns The pitcher, who came to prominence during his run with the Boston Red Sox (including as the team’s closer during their victorious 2007 World Series run), spoke with CSN Philadelphia and said, “Today’s day and age has gotten so crazy. Shoot man, Obama wants to take our guns from us and everything. You got all this stuff going on; it’s just a little bit insane for me, man. I’m not sure how to take it.”
Sen.Says Background Check Measure Doesn't Have The Votes, Accuses NRA Of Lying Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) admitted Wednesday that his background check amendment did not have the votes for passage, and said in a television appearance that the National Rifle Association was lying about his bill.
Four reasons the Senate gun control bill may be kaput Even pro-gun control lawmakers determined to put on a good face are conceding that things are looking grim.
Actor blames Boston attack on gun culture: ’2nd amendment must go’
New York Police Confiscating Firearms from People Taking Anti-anxiety Medication The New York State Police are suspending the handgun permits of people in the state who are prescribed anti-anxiety medication, according to Jim Tresmond of the Tresmond Law Firm in Hamburg, New York. Tresmond Law specializes in firearm litigation.
New Watergate?; Accusations of Parties Bugging Offices Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday accused a Kentucky Democratic super-PAC of bugging his campaign office and asked the FBI to investigate.
N.Y. Dad Who Had Pistol License Suspended Over Comments Made by 10-Year-Old Son Will Likely Take Legal Action Against Police The New York father who had his pistol license suspended indefinitely over a perceived threat made by his 10-year-old son and two other students will likely pursue legal action against the Suffolk County Police Department and possibly the Happauge Public School District, the father’s attorney told TheBlaze Tuesday.
Govt. Takes 11 Years to Respond to Records Request The U.S. government, under both Democratic and Republican administrations, is renowned for violating federal transparency laws and blowing off or unscrupulously delaying records requests, but this is a bit much.
Prof at public univ under investigation for allegedly forcing students to make anti-gun posters A professor at a public university in Texas is under investigation from school administrators for allegedly forcing students in her graphic design class to create anti-gun posters for a personal anti-gun campaign she had launched.
Obama running short of time to burnish legacy in second term The next 10 weeks are a make-or-break period for President Obama’s second-term agenda.
Associated Press: Obama IOUs Coming Due Presidential campaigns are long in the making, quick to be forgotten. But one part of them lives on for years: the victor's promises.
Hundreds of Texas educators take free concealed handgun class A concealed handgun training class envisioned by former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle before his death drew hundreds of educators to a Texas school auditorium Saturday.
Unemployment rate falls; What's the real story though? The number of people not in the labor force which in March soared by a massive 663,000 to a record 90 million Americans who are no longer even looking for work.
Armed Grandmother of 10 Gives Burglar Way More Than He Could Handle: ‘Did I Hit You?’ An armed grandmother proved too much to handle for one home intruder in Spokane, Wash. Police say the gun-toting granny held the suspected burglar at gunpoint until officers arrived.
Video of 15-Year-Old Girl Lecturing Maryland Lawmakers on Gun Control Goes Viral We don’t know much about her, but this 15-year-old girl from Maryland sure knows her facts when it comes to firearms.
Obama Budget to Include Cuts to Programs in Hopes of Deal President Obama next week will take the political risk of formally proposing cuts to Social Security and Medicare in his annual budget in an effort to demonstrate his willingness to compromise with Republicans and revive prospects for a long-term deficit-reduction deal, administration officials say.
What Are States Doing About Gun Control? With gun legislation in jeopardy in a closely-divided Congress, several states have been moving ahead in recent weeks to pass — or reject — stricter gun laws that restrict the size and sale of certain weapons, require registration of other weapons and parts, and generally make it more difficult to own and use larger, semi-automatic weapons.
Reporter Battles WH Spokesperson in Tense Exchange Over Sequester’s Impact on Border Patrol Things got testy between Fox News reporter Ed Henry and White House Press Secretary Jay Carney during a daily press briefing Tuesday as the two debated the impact of the sequester.
Sandy Hook Dad Backs NRA's School-Safety Plan Mark Mattioli, whose 6-year-old-son James was killed last year during the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, said politics should not interfere with finding solutions to making America’s schools safer.
70,291,049 Background Checks for Gun Purchases Under Obama Over the same time period, the number of background checks completed under President George W. Bush was 36,090,415, or about half the number conducted under Obama.
Pastor at Obama’s Easter Church Service: ‘Captains of the Religious Right’ Want Blacks ‘in the Back of the Bus,’ Women ‘Back in the Kitchen’ The pastor at the Washington, D.C. church where the Obama family celebrated Easter on Sunday said members of the religious right want blacks “in the back of the bus,” women “back in the kitchen” and immigrants “back on their side of the border.”
Senators have doubts about universal background checks for gun transfers Senators from both parties signaled Sunday that universal background checks could be the next gun measure to get shoved toward the legislative scrap heap or significantly watered down.
Illegal Border Crossings Have Doubled During Recent ‘Amnesty’ Talks As America’s elected officials and the “Gang of Eight” hammer out a deal on immigration reform, the number of illegal border crossings has exploded, according to a report from Townhall.
FL Sen. Rubio demands some immigration hearings, may delay amnesty bill Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio has demanded public hearings on the pending immigration bill, complicating Democrats’ plans to rush the high-stakes measure through the Senate’s judiciary committee by the end of April.
Hunters across country say they are boycotting Colorado over new gun control laws Colorado last week became the first Western state to ratchet back gun rights in response to mass shootings at a suburban Denver movie theater and an elementary school in Connecticut. Opponents warned that the gun controls would hurt hunters, especially an expansion of background-check requirements to apply to personal and online gun sales.
Poll: 80 percent of Americans unhappy with Washington; 30 percent angry Eighty percent of Americans are dissatisfied with Washington — including 30 percent who are angry, the highest level of anger recorded since polling on that question began in 2010. A new CBS News poll shows rapidly slipping approval of President Barack Obama and very low ratings for the Republican Party.
Law would fire sheriffs for defying gun control measures Supporters of the 380 sheriffs in 15 states who so far have vowed to defy new state and federal gun control laws claim that legislation is starting to pop up around the nation to fire any state elected or appointed law enforcement official who doesn't obey federal orders
DHS To Buy 360,000 More Rounds of Hollow Point Ammunition Why the ammo build-up? The government isn't answering.
U.S. Border Patrol Uniforms Manufactured in Mexico U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has granted uniform contracts to VF Imagewear, Inc., an apparel company that relies on manufacturing sites in Mexico for a “significant percentage” of its occupational garments.
Jim Carrey’s Wild Anti-Gun Music Video ‘Cold Dead Hand’ Is Out and It Insults Gun-Owners And…Charlton Heston? Hollywood funnyman Jim Carrey released a slew of controversial tweets branding those opposed to stricter gun control “heartless motherf%ckers unwilling 2 Bend 4 the safety of our kids.”
NYC Mayor says he will spend millions more to defeat the National Rifle Association and pro-gun pols The $12 million ad blitz targeting senators wavering on gun control will be just the beginning, Mayor Bloomberg warned Sunday.
NY Offers $500 to Report Illegal Gun Owners Citizens can call a special hotline to report illegal gun owners.
Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley's Gas Tax Bill The O'Malley Administration and Michael E. Busch, House Speaker, is sponsoring the bill. To contact O'Malley visit - http://www.governor.maryland.gov/mail/ To contact Michael Busch visit - michael.busch@house.state.md.us
Family Says Investigators Overreacted To Boy’s Gun Photo On Facebook The family and an attorney say father Shawn Moore’s Second Amendment rights to bear arms were threatened in a state that already has some of the nation’s strictest gun laws.
Military ‘drone command center’ coming to Pennsylvania A U.S. military drone command center is coming to Horsham, Penn., on Oct. 1, according to reports
Dinesh D’Souza making follow-up to ’2016: Obama’s America’ Dinesh D’Souza, the conservative author behind the surprising box office hit “2016: Obama’s America,” is planning a follow-up to his 2012 documentary. The new film will posit that America is undergoing a terrifying transformation during President Barack Obama’s second term.
VIRAL VIDEO: Virtual State of the Union...about Gun Control In this segment of his Virtual State of the Union, the Virtual President talks about why politicians want to talk about gun control rather than crime control, and delivers the factual evidence and historical truths that make the case for the Second Amendment self-evident.
Poll: Government dissatisfaction highest since Watergate More Americans cite dissatisfaction with government as the biggest problem facing the country than at any other time since the months leading up to the Watergate scandal, a new poll finds.
Census: Record 1 in 3 US counties are now dying A record number of U.S. counties - more than 1 in 3 - are now dying off, hit by an aging population and weakened local economies that are spurring young adults to seek jobs and build families elsewhere.
U.S. to let spy agencies scour Americans' finances The Obama administration is drawing up plans to give all U.S. spy agencies full access to a massive database that contains financial data on American citizens and others who bank in the country, according to a Treasury Department document seen by Reuters.
Associated Press Fact-Checks Obama, Biden and Bloomberg on Key Gun Claim: ‘Grasping at Tatters of Moldy Data’ Some of the numbers being hurled around in the gun control debate passed their freshness date eons ago. Perhaps none is more prominent than the claim that 40 percent of gun sales take place without background checks.
Florida Democrat pushes to criminalize ammo purchases without anger management course A Florida Democratic lawmaker is working to make it a crime to sell ammunition to people who have not completed an anger management course.
How the White House silenced gun control groups President Barack Obama’s gun control agenda is looking more doomed by the day, but gun control advocates still haven’t said a word to complain.
Senate committee starting votes on curbing guns President Barack Obama's prospects for winning near-universal background checks for gun purchases seemed shaky as the Senate Judiciary Committee prepared for Congress' first votes on curbing firearms since December's horrific shootings at a Connecticut elementary school.
ICE Plans to Release More Jailed Illegal Immigrants House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte on Tuesday released an internal U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) document showing that the agency planned to release thousands of illegal aliens from detention centers in response to cuts resulting from sequestration.
White House Email: Make Sequester As Painful as We Promised An administration email seemed to show at least one agency has been instructed to make sure the cuts are as painful as President Obama promised they would be.
Not Sequester Cut for Calligraphers Making $97k a Year With the White House closing its doors to public tour groups in order to save money for the sequester, it's worth remembering some of the other costs the White House incurs annually.
Sequester Spin: Just How Much Do Capitol Janitors Make? Fact check: White House has kept up its spin offensive, claiming that a cut in “overtime” was a de facto pay cut and thus the president was right — or at least not wrong.
Capitol Sequester Effects: A Little More Dust and More of a Mess Staffers, lawmakers and others working at the House and Senate soon will have fewer ways to enter the Capitol.
What Sequester?: Feds Post 400 New Jobs Monday The sequester cuts are now officially in place, but many government agencies appear to be hiring freely anyway.
What Sequester? Pt 2: TSA Rushes $50 Million For New Uniforms Before Sequester Hit The impending sequester did not prevent the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) from acting in late February to seal a $50-million deal to purchase new uniforms for its agents--uniforms that will be partly manufactured in Mexico.
What Sequester? Pt. 3: No Cuts for Obama Secret Service Despite the sequester, the Secret Service isn't going to skimp when it comes to protecting President Barack Obama, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Monday.
$253.5B—U.S. Borrowed Nearly 6x as Much in February as Sequester Cuts All Year During the month of February--as President Barack Obama was warning Americans they would see dramatic effects in their lives if “sequestration” of some planned federal spending kicked in--the federal government’s debt climbed by $253.5 billion.
The Sequester in -- One Word See the cloud created by a Gallup poll after sequester hits.
Pentagon’s carrier cancellation heats up sequester fight as cuts take effect The Pentagon’s decision to cancel a carrier group’s deployment to the Middle East has become a political flashpoint in the growing fight over how and what the Obama administration is cutting under sequestration.
Sequester: Delays at the Airport? “Now that we are having to reduce or eliminate basically overtime both for TSA and for customs, now that we have instituted a hiring freeze…we will begin today sending out furlough notices,” DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano said.
Fliers fear 'hellacious' fallout from 'sequester' With government agencies required to give workers advance notice, furloughs and front-line staffing changes weren't expected to kick in for at least a month.
The Age of Austerity? President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans are dug in on the sequester, and there are no signs of a quick fix to the $85 billion in across-the-board spending cuts that both sides say they disdain.
Will the Government Shutdown? The sequester is in effect, but now House Speaker John Boehner tackles whether the government will shutdown.
White House: President Did Propose the Sequester White House economic adviser Gene Sperling admits that, yes, in fact, the sequestration was President Obama's plan.
Obama Approval Rating Drops into the 40s Dip comes just as sequester cuts start.
President Looks Passed 2013 Sequester to Help Dems in 2014 President Obama, now facing the consequences of automatic spending cuts and the complications they raise for his broader domestic agenda, is taking the most specific steps of his administration in an attempt to ensure the election of a Democratic-controlled Congress in two years.
U.S. to Give Quarter Billion Dollars to Egypt U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday rewarded Egypt for President Mohammed Morsi's pledges of political and economic reforms by releasing $250 million in American aid to support the country's "future as a democracy."
Sequester Solution May Take Months To say that the meeting between congressional leaders and President Barack Obama was unproductive might be an understatement.
Spending cuts due to ground Navy's Blue Angels flying team Blue Angels pilot Dave Tickle said he is focused on practicing maneuvers for an upcoming show in California instead of worrying about how federal spending cuts will threaten performances this year by the U.S. Navy's renowned flight demonstration squadron.
Obama's Sequester Math: $300 Billion In New Revenues Called 'Spending Cuts' When President Obama put out his "balanced" plan to avoid the automatic sequester cuts, no one noticed. Which is probably just as well for Obama, given how embarrassingly unbalanced it is.
Are There Sequester Silver Linings? Despite the dire warnings from policymakers and economists, could the impact of sequestration be less harmful than meets the eye, or perhaps even beneficial in some ways?
Obamacare Rollout Not Affected By Sequester Sequester or no sequester, the administration is trying to keep work on the core elements of Obamacare full steam ahead.
Politico: Now What After Sequestration Hits Polls show Americans aren’t paying close attention to the fight even though a slight majority says sequestration will hurt the economy.
Why Sequester cuts are here to stay...for a while Lawmakers and aides say they do not expect Congress to turn off budget sequestration before April and that negotiations to freeze the automatic spending cuts could drag into May or beyond.
Lawmaker Scare Tactic?: 170 MILLION Jobs Could Be Lost Due to Sequestration Cuts If Congress allows sequestration cuts to take effect, more than 170 million Americans could lose their jobs, according to Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.).
IRS Furloughs to Begin After Tax Season. The Internal Revenue Service plans to require five to seven days of unpaid leave for many of it employees through September, but it won’t begin the furloughs until the summer in an effort to avoid disruptions in the April tax filing deadline.
Obama chides GOP for killing plan to address cuts President Barack Obama is chiding Senate Republicans for blocking a Democratic plan to replace automatic spending cuts that are set to kick in Friday.
CBO: Dem Sequester Bill Adds Billions to Deficit The sequester replacement bill proposed by Senate Democrats, and endorsed by the White House, would add $7.2 billion to the federal deficit over ten years, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
Sen. Harry Reid's Sequester Solution: You Pay More Taxes Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said there is no chance of striking a deal to avert the deep budget cuts set to take effect unless the final compromise includes a tax hike.
Where's the Urgency to Prevent Sequester? President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner haven’t spoken since Thursday. Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid haven’t met since Jan. 21.
House May Cancel Overseas Travel for Members after Sequester House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) is ready to cancel congressional trips abroad as part of the belt-tightening prompted by automatic spending cuts that begin Friday, according to Republicans.
Detained immigrants released; officials cite sequester cuts Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have released “several hundred” immigrants from deportation centers across the country, saying the move is an effort to cut costs ahead of budget cuts due to hit later this week.
Who Is Exemot from the Sequester? Report identifies certain programs that are exempt from sequestration and lays out special rules that govern the sequestration of others
NY Democrat calls gun rights advocates ‘gun toting tea party psychotards’ A local lawmaker in Hudson, NY is catching some flak after he accused gun rights advocates of being “gun toting Tea Party psychotards” in an email.
Vietnam Vet Barred From Owning a Gun Because of a Teenage Misdemeanor 45 Years Ago A 19-year-old sailor stationed in Annapolis, Md., in 1968 was arrested for getting into a fight with an alleged member of a street gang. Now, more than four decades later, the 64-year-old U.S. Navy veteran has been stripped of his right to own a gun.
Why is Wal-Mart worried? Payroll tax could cut consumer spending Recent reports forecast lower spending for this year, anticipating that the restored payroll tax will impact consumers' wallets, especially low-income earners. Wal-Mart is adjusting its strategy.
What Are the Best And Worst States for Second Amendment Fans? Do you live in a state that still holds high regard for the Second Amendment?
Ammo Prices Have Doubled Since December At 'America's Largest Gun Shop' The price of his store's ammunition has more than doubled since mid-December, says Larry Hyatt, owner of Hyatt Gun Shop in Charlotte, N.C., which bills itself "America's Largest Gun Shop."
Teacher Reportedly Threatens to Give Students Zeros on Homework Assignment for Writing About Guns The teacher, Mr. Dewey Christian, reportedly told the students that the topic was unacceptable.
Group Giving Away Shotguns In High-Crime Neighborhoods To Test If Crime Is Reduced A University of Houston graduate student says he’s conducting a study to hopefully answer the question being asked across the country, “Do more guns reduce crime or not?”
Sheriff Warns Of “Second American Revolution” If Gun Grabbers Get Their Way A Milwaukee County Sheriff has warned that a second American Revolution may be sparked if unconstitutional gun laws are enforced by police and sheriff’s department officials.
Mo. House Bill Makes Proposing Gun Control Illegal A Missouri lawmaker is proposing to send colleagues to prison for introducing gun control legislation — a plan that even its sponsor acknowledges has no chance of passage but nonetheless highlights the increasingly strident tone of gun measures in Missouri’s generally pro-gun Legislature.
(VIDEO) Sen. Ted Cruz Takes on Obama Gun Initiatives "No amount of stripping the rights of the men and women here to defend ourselves and our families will do anything to prevent violent criminals from carrying out horrific acts," Cruz said.
(VIDEO) VP BIden: "Buy a Shotgun!" Vice President Joe Biden recommended that "if you want to protect yourself, get a double barrel shotgun":
New Interactive Map Shows the Number of Times Guns Have Saved Americans Proponents of stricter gun control measures regularly call attention to the number of people who have killed in gun-related-crimes: However, what these people often neglect to mention is the number of people who have been saved by firearms.
Caught on Tape: USDA Workers Chant Pilgrims Were Illegal Aliens The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is coming under fire for hosting a compulsory “Cultural Sensitivity Training” program that required some intriguing participation of those in attendance. In addition to being implored to bang on tables, everyone in the room was instructed to chant, in unison, “The pilgrims were illegal aliens.”
Missouri Democrats Introduce Legislation to Confiscate Firearms – Gives Gun Owners 90 Days to Turn in Weapons Missouri Democrats introduced an anti-gun bill which would turn law-abiding firearm owners into criminals. They will have 90 days to turn in their guns if the legislation is passed.
Watchdog: Claims backlog grows despite parade of VA 'solutions'; Hereos Forced to Wait A billion-dollar "glitch" was discovered two years ago in the Department of Veterans Affairs computers. A simple fix was needed to create what amounted to an e-mail alert when veterans receiving temporary disability payments were due for a new medical exam
Illegal immigrant tells Congress not to call him illegal Jose Antonio Vargas, an illegal immigrant and former reporter, scolded a congressional panel, saying that he should not be called illegal, and saying it is an insult to his family who brought him here.
Dr. Ben Carson Talks About Entitlement Struggles in the U.S. Dr. Ben Carson spoke against entitlements and about how great our nation is when it's rooted in self-reliance and personal responsibility for 30 minutes in front of President Obama.
"Obama Phones": Millions Improperly Claimed U.S. Phone Subsidies The U.S. government spent about $2.2 billion last year to provide phones to low-income Americans, but a Wall Street Journal review of the program shows that a large number of those who received the phones haven't proved they are eligible to receive them.
The Man Who Killed Osama bin Laden... Doesn't Get Health Benefits Now “I left SEALs on Friday,” the unnamed SEAL told author Phil Bronstein. He exited a little over three years short of the 20-year retirement requirement. “My health care for me and my family stopped at midnight Friday night.”
Dept. of Defense Extends Benefits to Same Sex Couples Departing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta extended a list of benefits — all previously denied by the Pentagon — to the same-sex spouses of service members as well as to the unmarried partners of gay troops.
Homeland prepares budget cuts, up to 1,000 furloughs at Secret Service Bracing for the possibility of budget sequestration next month, the Homeland Security Department is making plans to furlough as many as 1,000 Secret Service agents, officers and others employees, officials say.
Obamacare co-ops being created behind closed doors Secrecy shrouds President Obama's $2 billion program to launch 24 new co-ops designed to compete with private insurance companies under the chief executive's landmark health care reform.
Restored Payroll Tax Pinches Those Who Earn the Least Jack Andrews and his wife no longer enjoy what they call date night, their once-a-month outing to the movies and a steak dinner.
VIRAL VIDEO: Gun Control ForDummies This video gives an explanation of the Second Amendment to the Constitution in the context of the why the Bill of Rights was included along with the establishment of the federal government.
Homeland Only Fully Approves 10% of Freedom of Information Requests According to an annual report for 2012 just released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), DHS processed a total of 205,895 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests during the year.
Obamacare red tape burden: 127,602,371 hours yearly Complying with the raging tsunami of new Obamacare rules and regulations will cost American businesses and families 127 million hours annually, enough time to carve out another 1,039 Mount Rushmores which took 14 years complete, according to a new House report.
Seven million will lose insurance under Obama health law President Obama's health care law will push 7 million people out of their job-based insurance coverage — nearly twice the previous estimate, according to the latest estimates from the Congressional Budget Office released Tuesday.
Court: NYTimes's Request for New York City Gun Owners Violates Law A New York appellate court has ruled that the New York Times's request for a list of gun owners in New York City, under the Freedom of Information Law, violates the state's statute. The ruling overturns in part a lower court's ruling.
VIRAL VIDEO: William Shatner's Gun Control Video This 2008 clip from "Boston Legal" has gone viral again.
An inconvenient truth: More polar bears alive today than 40 years ago Author Zac Unger was originally drawn to the arctic circle to write a “mournful elegy” about how global warming was decimating the polar bear populations. He was surprised to find that the polar bears were not in such dire straits after all.
Gallup: 61% of Small Business ‘Worried’ Over Healthcare Costs -- 30% Not Hiring, Fear Going Out of Business Sixty-one percent of U.S. small business owners said they were “worried about the potential cost of healthcare” and 56 percent said they were “worried about new government regulations,” according to the Wells Fargo/Gallup small business index released on Jan. 31, which also showed that 30 percent of small business owners are not hiring and fear going out of business within a year.
IRS: Parents Must Pay Federal Fine for Uninsured Kids In new, final regulations issued Wednesday, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) said that parents must pay a federal fine under Obamacare if their children or dependent spouses are uninsured for any part of the year.
Homeland Security has advice for confronting mass murders: scissors That’s some of the helpful advice in a new instructional video from the Department of Homeland Security.
DHS revamping immigrant welcome materials, set to include Obamacare The welcome materials the federal government directs new immigrants to read — which detail, among other facets of American life, how and where to get government benefits — are in the process of getting a bit of a makeover to increase accessibility for newcomers.
Mission Accomplished?: Obama's Jobs Council Shutting Down The unemployment rate has improved to 7.8 percent, but is that still too high?
Read the Letter 1,100 Green Berets Signed for Protection of the 2nd Amendment The Special Operations Forces Report (SOFREP) called our attention to a 2,929-word letter signed by more than 1,000 Green Berets in support of protecting the Second Amendment and explaining why “all Americans should be concerned” about doing so themselves.
Reagan's home could become a parking lot for Obama's library The apartment building was once the Chicago home of a boy who would become a President.
Feds Shut Down Coal Plants...But Heat Capitol WIth Coal
New Drone-Mounted Camera Can Tell What You’re Wearing From 17,500 Feet A new camera developed by the Pentagon’s research arm was highlighted in a recent special on PBS’ “Nova” in an episode called “Rise of the Drones.” It’s a camera system so detailed it can discern specific movements and even what a subject is wearing.
Study: 37 percent of employed college graduates didn’t even need their education With record numbers of college graduates underemployed in jobs that don’t actually require degrees, economists are joking that even aspiring janitors may soon have to get master’s degrees to compete for jobs.
Amnesty for 11 Million People? Obama plan will include a potentially quicker path to citizenship than the bipartisan plan a group of senators unveiled earlier this week.
The Most Ridiculous Law of 2013 (So Far): It Is Now a Crime to Unlock Your Smartphone
Woman Tries to Show How Easy it Is To Commit Voter Fraud; Gets Arrested for Voter Fraud Roxanne Rubin, 56, a casino worker in Las Vegas, was arrested after trying to vote twice.
Sandy relief bill eats up taxes on the rich Congress is poised to clear the final $50 billion chunk of emergency aid for Superstorm Sandy -- and in one vote, it will have used up all the new tax money President Obama won by raising rates on the wealthy in the “fiscal cliff” deal.
Should Welfare Recipients Be Tested For Drugs? If you can't pass a drug test, you won't receive benefits in some states.
Financial Times: Tax Hell: New Laws, Do You Need an Expert? The average taxpayer will spend 18 hours filling out a personal return, which is not surprise since Congress has made nearly 5,000 changes to the tax code since 2001 -- an average of more than one a day.
Worst. Recovery. EVER? (GRAPH) GDP "growth" just dipped below the heretofore lowest on record.
Tensions Explode; Fight Erupts at Food Stamp Office (VIDEO) The video shows four women shouting and punching each other as security guards attempt to separate them.
Beltway Panics Over Looming Defense Cuts Looking ahead to the automatic across-the-board spending cuts that threaten slash defense and domestic programs on March 1.
Size of U.S. Government Equal to Population in 1776 According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the current civilian federal workforce, excluding postal service employees, was 2.15 million in 2011. The Census Bureau estimates that in 1776, the entire population of the United States was just a bit higher, at about 2.5 million.
Survey: 82 percent of small businesses think economy is on wrong track What’s more, over half of small businesses. 54 percent, expect business climate for small business to worsen in the next two years.
The Real Story Of How 'Untouchable' Wall Street Execs Avoided Prosecution Numerous documents prove that executives at leading banks, credit agencies, and mortgage brokers were falsely touting assets as sound that they knew were junk — the very definition of fraud.
Poll: Only 1 in 5 believe the deficit will go down New poll also includes reaction about gun controls.
House votes to allow government borrowing through May The House overwhelmingly passed a bill Wednesday to permit the government to borrow enough money to avoid a first-time default for at least four months, defusing a looming crisis and setting the stage for a springtime debate over taxes, spending and the deficit.
In Philadelphia and Ohio voting districts, Romney receives zero votes In 59 voting districts in Philadelphia and nine districts in Cleveland, not a single person voted for Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney on Election Day.
Obama Won Dozens of Cleveland Districts with 100% of the Vote For example, in Cleveland's Fifth Ward, Mr. Obama won districts E, F, and G 1,337 to Mitt Romney's... 0. And in case you're wondering, Gary Johnson received more votes than Mr. Romney
Voter fraud, illegal activities reported in several states As a result of last Tuesday's presidential election, several reports are coming in of voter fraud by the Democratic Party, particularly in key states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Colorado, and Florida where in St. Lucie County, the unofficial vote count showed 175,554 registered voters but 247,713 vote cards were cast coming to 141.10%
Florida Election results
The Divided States of American (NY Times) The Obama victory was far narrower than his historic election four years ago, but it was no less dramatic.
Obama Wins Re-Election A sharply divided America awarded President Barack Obama a second term Tuesday, choosing him over Republican Mitt Romney to lead the repair of an economy that by far remains the country’s biggest concern.
Politico: 5 Things To Watch For Tonight After 18 months of political combat, $2 billion in combined campaign spending and a skull-softening barrage of campaign ads that left toddler and reporter alike weeping for relief, Barack Obama and Mitt Romney await judgment from the only polls that matter.
Expect a Long Night, But Clues Could Come Early (NY Times) The most expensive presidential race in American history now becomes the biggest show on television, a night with enough uncertainty that it could become a telethon lasting well into morning.
Foreign election officials amazed by trust-based U.S. voting system For the head of Libya's national election commission, the method by which Americans vote is startling in that it depends so much on trust and the good faith of election officials and voters alike.
Exit poll data will be examined in ‘quarantine room’ At 11 a.m. today, representatives from the consortium of news organizations that sponsor the National Election Pool entered a “quarantine room,” where they’ll look at data gathered via exit polls, Michael Calderone reports.
Florida Amendments League of Women's Voters
Romney Landslide: Here Are the Biggest Names Predicting It & How It Will Happen More and more pundits on both political sides are taking the electoral leap and predicting a landslide for Mitt Romney. Here are some notable ones:
An Obama Landslide? Here Are the Expert Predictions That Point to a Decisive Obama Victory Read what 5 "experts" say.
46 newspapers abandon 2008 Obama endorsements to support Romney Forty-six newspaper editorial boards that endorsed then-Senator Barack Obama in 2008 have decided instead to endorse Republican nominee Mitt Romney this year, according to a tally from the Republican National Committee.
Politico: If Obama Loses... A defeat for Barack Obama would be no ordinary loss for Democrats.
Politico: If Romney Loses... For Republicans, the only thing harder than losing to Barack Obama might be explaining it.
Final Swing States Poll: Fired-up voters split, 48%-48% USA TODAY and Gallup have conducted 11 surveys over the past year or so in the nation's dozen top battlegrounds. Here is a rundown on how the contest has changed over that time and where it stands now.
Mitt Romney's Foreign Police - Spoof BarackObama.com released a spoof video of Mitt Romney's foreign policy plans.
The Mystery Behind Mitt Romney A man posted a YouTube video questioning what Americans really know about Mitt Romney
Questioning President Obama's Record A man edited his own YouTube video to highlight what he believes are failures of the Obama administration.
Biden Debates Himself The New Tampa Republican Club released a video spoofing a debate between Joe Biden and Joe Biden.
Hope Depot President - YouTube Video The president of Home Depot shares his thoughts on President Obama's policies
Have You Heard About ‘Spigot Cities’ That May Pump Votes to Obama? President Barack Obama’s campaign team could have more control over the outcome of the 2012 election than you think, according to a report by TheBlaze documentary team that reveals the potential for highly targeted voter fraud in key cities that could determine who gets the electoral votes from many swing states.
Ohio Voting Count 'Nightmare' Looms With the presidential election expected to hinge on Ohio, the state’s former secretary of state, GOP stalwart Kenneth Blackwell, is warning that a little-known change in the Buckeye State’s absentee-ballot process could lead to a “nightmare scenario.”
Will early voters cannibalize Nov. 6 turnout? That’s a major unknown as Democrats and Republicans tout and trash each other’s advantages and try to build enthusiasm going into the final days of the 2012 campaign.
Viral Video: Conservative is Calling A YouTube user creates a video about his thoughts after 2008 and now.
Obama: I'd Appoint Secretary of Biz Mitt: I'd Be President Who Gets Biz The Romney campaign is ripping President Obama for calling for the creation of a secretary of business to handle the nation's economic ills -- running a TV ad saying that solution would only add more bureaucracy to a cluttered system.
Woman Blocked From Voting Over 'Bible' T-Shirt A woman was blocked from early voting near Austin, Texas, last week after wearing a T-shirt that said "Vote the Bible."
More Electronic Voting Machines Changing Romney Votes to Obama: What's Happening? TheBlaze decided to look into who was responsible for making sure the machines was calibrated in the first place; how calibration issues occur; and how the problems are fixed.
Shift in white, minority vote could decide Obama-Romney race The ethnic mix of this year’s electorate could decide the winner of the race between President Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney.
Iowa Follows Texas, May Arrest UN Observers Iowa has joined Texas in warning international election observers of possible criminal prosecution if they violate state laws and get near polling places on Election Day.
Romney, Obama camps war over 'state of the race' Who has the momentum in the race for the White House, President Barack Obama or GOP challenger Mitt Romney?
Michael Moore and MoveOn.org Ad on Voting for Republicans
In New Hampshire, Obamacare to Cause 20% of Doctors to Stop Accepting Medicare Patients With the Presidential election one week away, it’s worth reviewing how Obamacare will impact the residents of key swing states. A new survey of physicians has found that 25 percent of doctors in New Hampshire intend to place new or additional limits on accepting Medicare patients, with 20 percent altogether refusing to accept new Medicare patients, because of Obamacare’s impact on the fees that Medicare pays to providers of health-care services.
Debunked: Here’s the Explanation for the ‘Made in China’ Romney Hat You’re Seeing on Facebook A viral photo showing a Romney hat with “Made in China” stamped on the tag has led some to criticize and others to find the facts.
Washington Examiner: Lack of white support could cost Obama his presidency AMES, Iowa -- If President Obama doesn't win a second term next Tuesday, he won't have trouble finding the root problem. As the president likes to say, it's simple math: Waning support among white voters could torpedo his re-election bid.
Michael Moore, Moveon.org video features dirty-mouthed old people lambasting Republicans, Romney Liberal film producer Michael Moore is out with a new “NSFW” (not safe for work) Moveon.org campaign ad featuring elderly nursing home residents cursing and describing the dirty things they will do if the Republican Party and GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney win the election
G.O.P. Turns Fire on Obama Pillar, the Auto Bailout e ad from Mitt Romney showed up on televisions without the usual public announcement that both campaigns typically use to herald their latest commercials: Chrysler, a bailout recipient, is going to begin producing Jeeps in China, an announcer says, leaving the misleading impression that the move would come at the expense of jobs here.
Romney embraces executive authority The Republican presidential nominee has reserved the right to deploy U.S. military power to world hot spots, as Mr. Obama did in Libya, and to greenlight unilateral action against Iran.
Gallup suspends daily tracking poll Gallup will not conduct its daily tracking survey for the second night in a row as a result of superstorm Sandy, the polling firm announced Tuesday.
Hurricane Sandy: Could it push back the election? The Federal Emergency Management Agency is preparing for Hurricane Sandy to disrupt next week’s elections, agency Administrator Craig Fugate said.
Newspapers abandon 2008 Obama endorsements, choose Romney Republicans are touting a list of newspapers that have switched their endorsements from then-Sen. Barack Obama in 2008 to Gov Mitt Romney in 2012.
Romney or Obama: List of Newspaper Endorsements The Des Moines Register in Iowa surprised Obama supporters by endorsing Romney. See who other newspapers are endorsing.
5 Things to Look Out for in the Home Stretch of the 2012 Presidential Campaign With just days left until the 2012 presidential campaign comes to a close, both candidates are working feverishly to convince voters, particularly in swing states, to support them. As we enter the final week of the electoral battle between President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney, here are five things to watch for:
After Bush v. Gore, Obama, Clinton wanted Electoral College scrapped President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are among the politicians whose past criticisms of the Electoral College system would draw new scrutiny if there is a split verdict in this year’s presidential election.
Obama avoids question on whether Americans in Libya were denied requests for help President Obama declined to answer directly whether a CIA annex was denied urgent requests for military assistance during the deadly attacks last month on U.S. outposts in Libya.
Washington Post: Romney, Obama could split popular and electoral college vote Most polls at this moment suggest GOP nominee Mitt Romney is in the lead nationally, but surveys in the nine or so swing states are registering a narrow advantage for President Obama.
White House considering new tax cut; Is it a campaign ploy? The White House is weighing the idea of a tax cut that it believes would lift Americans’ take-home pay and boost a still-struggling economy, according to people familiar with the administration’s thinking, as the presidential candidates continue battling over whose tax policies would do more for the country.
Absentee ballots sent to military may have been destroyed in crash ral officials say that absentee ballots being sent to U.S. military serving in Afghanistan may have been burned in a plane crash.
Does "Children of the future" ad go too far in using kids in politics? (VIDEO) The children, who stare blankly at the camera throughout the video, even take pains to explicitly mention that they blame “mom and dad” for all those horrors.
Campaigns Brace for ‘Frankenstorm There is no escaping the 2012 presidential campaign, which is entering its final, all-consuming 10 days. But what if something came along and diverted everyone’s attention? What if the candidate rallies and speeches were but a sideshow? What if all the cable TV chatter was about something else?
Washington Examiner: Spending on White House dinners soars under Obama President Obama has spent far more lavishly on White House state dinners than previous chief executives, including nearly $1 million on a 2010 dinner for Mexico's president, according to documents obtained by The Washington Examiner.
Controversial ad?: Obama ad: President wants your electoral virginity Voting is sexy and voting for the first time is — well, like losing your virginity. Or something. At least according to a new Barack Obama campaign ad.
Is Obama's 'firewall' crumbling? Romney draws level with President in 'safe state' of Wisconsin Mitt Romney is now tied with Barack Obama in Wisconsin, one of the 'firewall' states the president hoped would protect him against defeats in Florida and Virginia, according to a new poll.
Gallup Gives Edge to Romney See the latest daily tracking poll.
Washington Post: Is Mitt Romney’s momentum real or fake? There’s been an active debate over the last few days in the political class about whether former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is genuinely the momentum candidate in the race, or whether he and his campaign are simply pulling the wool over gullible reporters’ eyes when it comes to the state of the race.
Obama supporters worry a Romney victory will endanger healthcare law The prospect of a Romney presidency is making some supporters of President Obama’s healthcare law increasingly nervous.
NY Times: Who is Still Deciding? Emmakate Paris was a one-woman tornado the other day, whipping through the racks at the thrift shop here, hunting for clothes for her children and one special item for herself: a green suit. For Halloween, she wants to dress up as Tippi Hedren in the Hitchcock movie “The Birds.”
Politico: How Mitt Romney would govern Mitt Romney’s transition team — dubbed the “Readiness Project” — has stepped up its activities as the nominee has surged in the polls, planning a series of modest but quick accomplishments should he win and bracing for the likelihood Romney would butt heads with House Republicans as he seeks a fiscal “grand bargain.”
A Visual Representation of the "Food Stamp Nation" Graphic attempts to illustrate the dramatic rise in reliance on food stamps from SNAP.
VP Biden: ‘I do have a bad habit of saying what I think’ Vice President Joe Biden, during an event in Las Vegas with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., admitted to voters that he has “a bad habit” of speaking his mind in public.
How Bill Clinton May Have Hurt the Obama Campaign When the histories of the 2012 campaign are written, much will be made of Bill Clinton’s re-emergence. His convention speech may well have marked the finest moment of President Obama’s re-election campaign, and his ads on the president’s behalf were memorable.
White House: No Sequester talks after election President Barack Obama wants to get into negotiations to resolve sequestration and the fiscal cliff “right after the election,” a senior White House adviser told reporters on Wednesday, following up on the president’s assertion that Washington could reach a “grand bargain” in “six months.”
Trump offers $5 million for Obama college, passport records Donald Trump is offering to give $5 million to charity if President Obama releases his college and passport records before the election.
Ohio Has 50-50 Chance of Deciding Election The supposition that Ohio is the most important state in presidential elections is not always true. The decisive state in the 2000 election, of course, was Florida. (Al Gore also could have won by carrying New Hampshire or Missouri, both of which were slightly closer than Ohio that year.)
After irking Obama in debate, Romney continues pushing ‘Apology Tour’ notion Mitt Romney’s campaign is using a new television ad to double down on the one argument from Monday night’s debate that seemed to irk President Obama more than anything else.
New Daily Tracking Poll: Romney Edge The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows Mitt Romney attracting support from 50% of voters nationwide, while President Obama earns the vote from 46%.
Huffington Post: Obama-Romney Debate - Why The Timing Favors Romney After walking all over the president in the first debate and counter-punching his way to survival in the second, Republican nominee Mitt Romney has matched Obama in popularity polls and on projected Electoral College maps.
Ahead of Election, Obama Stops Releasing ‘Stimulus’ Reports The administration is now four reports behind schedule and has so far not released any reports whatsoever in 2012. Its most recent quarterly report is for the quarter than ended on June 30, 2011.
Lee Iacocca endorses Romney for president After a lifetime of voting for and supporting Democrats — and even declining appointment to the U.S. Senate from a Democratic governor — Lee Iacocca endorsed Republican Mitt Romney for president.
Presidential debate: 5 things to watch Monday President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney have had two of the most memorable debates in modern presidential history, and they get together for the last one in Boca Raton, Fla. tonight.
Politico: 6 questions that will settle the election Mitt Romney’s hopes have long hinged on the notion of a tipping point. He would clear some psychic threshold necessary to be embraced as an acceptable alternative to Barack Obama in the minds of persuadable voters, then see national public opinion swing swiftly in his favor.
Pres. Obama Campaign Borrows $15M from Bank of America Obama For America took out a $15 million loan from Bank of America last month, according to the campaign’s October monthly FEC report.
Ohio doctor running newspaper ads criticizing Obamacare ahead of election A medical doctor in the crucial swing state of Ohio is publishing a 2,000-word letter slamming President Barack Obama’s health care law as full-page ads in local newspapers ahead of the presidential election.
"My son is not very optimal - he is very dead': Mother of diplomat killed in Benghazi attack slams Obama's comment on raid President told Jon Stewart, 'If four Americans get killed, it's not optimal'
Home Deport CEO Pleads the Case for Good Business Decisions Home Depot Founder Bernie Marcus shares his concerns for our nation and how frightened he is by what Pres. Obama's policies mean for America, especially for our children and future generations.
Special Ops Forces Weigh in on Election with New Ad See this 30 sec political ad from Special Operations for America Foundation
Gallup Poll of Livekly Voters: Romney 51% Obama 45% All registered voters are asked: "Suppose the presidential election were held today, and it included Barack Obama and Joe Biden as the Democratic Party's candidates and Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan as the Republican Party's candidates. Who would you vote for?"
Instant Reaction Polls Show Narrow Obama Advantage in Second Debate Polling data is often very noisy — so it makes my job easier on those rare occasions when there is some agreement. Scientific polls conducted after Tuesday night’s presidential debate in New York give a modest edge to President Obama.
Politico: 6 takeaways from the debate President Barack Obama stopped the bleeding, Mitt Romney stayed in the game, and the 2012 race remains very competitive after the second presidential debate.
Washington Post Debate Fact ChecK; Taxes, Pipeline and more Obama says he has cut taxes by $3,600. But he makes it sound like it is one big tax cut.
ABC News: Biden Seemed to Overstate His Role in Social Security Reform During the vice presidential debate last week, Vice President Joe Biden seemed to significantly overstate his role in the 1983 negotiations over Social Security.
Amendments to the Florida ballot The Florida Division of Elections has developed a 36-page booklet that contains the full text of all the proposed constitutional amendments that will be on the ballot in November. You can read it online or print your own copy.
NY Times: Most Crucial Time for Candidates May Be After the Debate If the debate is seen to be more of a draw, then the winner will be decided in the hours and days after — with perceptions shaped by whichever campaign manages the post-debate time more effectively.
Moderator Role Under Scrutiny — Before the Debate In a rare example of political unity, both the Romney and Obama campaigns have expressed concern to the Commission on Presidential Debates about how the moderator of the Tuesday town hall has publicly described her role, TIME has learned.
Washington Examiner: Obama funder gets insider deal at NASA Space X is one of three well-publicized Musk firms, the others being electric vehicle maker Tesla Motors and SolarCity Corp., a rooftop solar power panel manufacturer. Collectively, the three Musk firms have received more than $1.5 billion in government funding since President Obama took office in 2009.
Washington Post: Win or lose, Paul Ryan is likely to have a big role in GOP’s future As GOP vice-presidential nominee Paul Ryan stumps across battleground states, conservatives flock to see him — and not just because they believe that he and his running mate are on the verge of booting Barack Obama out of the White House.
What to Watch For in Second Pres. Debate When President Obama and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney take the stage at Hofstra University on Tuesday night for the second presidential debate, the pressure to perform will be squarely on the incumbent.
US Conference of Catholic Bishops criticizes Biden on contraception The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops says that Vice President Joe Biden’s characterization of the Department of Health and Human Services’ contraception mandate at Thursday night’s vice presidential debate is incorrect.
Obama crams for debate President Barack Obama headed to a Virginia hotel for debate camp Saturday on a mission to transform his re-election pitch after his tame first clash with Mitt Romney hammered his poll ratings.
Gallup Poll: Romney Ahead by 2% New poll of likely voters in November.
Rasmussen Poll: Romney Ahead by 2% The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Sunday shows Mitt Romney attracting support from 49% of voters nationwide, while President Obama earns the vote from 47%.
Who Won VP Debate? (CBS News) Biden 50%, Ryan 31%, Undecided 19% Both Biden and Ryan gained ground on relatability and knowledge.
Who Won VP Debate? (CNN) Ryan 48%, Biden 44% Half of all debate watchers questioned in the poll said the showdown didn't make them more likely to vote for either of the candidates' bosses.
PolitiFact: Fact-checking the vice presidential debate The vice presidential debate Thursday night began on a somber note, then quickly turned to lively attacks — with both candidates stretching the truth.
NY Times Vice-Presidential Debate Fact-Checks and Updates Check out fact checks of four big claims in the debate.
Washington Post Fact Check of the VP Debate See which claims were fact and which were fiction.
Twitter frowns on Joe Biden's laugh Vice President Joe Biden and Rep. Paul Ryan were the two candidates on stage at Thursday’s vice presidential debate, but a third character emerged: Joe Biden’s laugh, which didn’t escape the notice of tweeting politicos.
The Story Behind Google's "Completely Wrong" Romney Search The truth is, the search results aren’t a case of digital trickery. Here's why you get the results you do?
Who Will Catholics Choose This November — Obama or Romney? This year, the Catholic Church made its issues with the Obama administration’s policies more than clear — particularly on the contraception mandate, which requires faith-based organizations and colleges to violate conscience.
Should TIME Have Published These Pictures of Ryan? Paul Ryan has a body by P90X, and he agreed to show it off to TIME Magazine. But not everyone’s pumped up about the pics.
5 Things To Watch for in the VP Debate Paul Ryan will look to win for the Republican ticket tonight when he takes the debate stage at Centre College here against Joe Biden in the first national face-off in which he’s participated.
Chris Christie predicts ‘a mean and angry’ Obama in next two debates New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, the man who correctly predicted that Mitt Romney would win big at the last presidential debate, told radio talker Hugh Hewitt on Tuesday that expects see a “mean and angry” President Obama at the next two debates.
ABC News scrambles to cover up Barack Obama’s attendance at VP debate moderator’s wedding President Barack Obama was a guest at the 1991 wedding of ABC senior foreign correspondent and vice presidential debate moderator Martha Raddatz, The Daily Caller has learned. Obama and groom Julius Genachowski, whom Obama would later tap to head the Federal Communications Commission, were Harvard Law School classmates at the time and members of the Harvard Law Review.
Angst grows among Obama supporters After months of watching Mitt Romney twist in the media glare, a growing number of President Barack Obama’s supporters — though confined for now to a noisy minority of liberals — are peering into the Obama-might-actually-lose abyss for the first time after last week’s disastrous first debate.
Sesame Workshop Wants Obama Big Bird Ad Pulled Read the statement about why.
Obama’s $40,000 middle-class tax hike Read the report from the American Enterprise Institute.
Report: Shake-Up in Works at Obama Campaign Headquarters "I'm hearing chatter that there's maybe some people from the last campaign that's maybe going to get a little more involved," said NBC's Chuck Todd.
VIDEO: Absolutely Uncertain A new, 18-minute mini-documentary follows the journey of Irina, a 23-year-old liberal, Jewish New Yorker who voted for Obama in 2008. Yet as her connection to Israel has grown, and she has learned more about the President's policies across the Middle East and towards Israel in particular, Irina has come to realize that "when the chips are down," the President may not "have Israel's back" as he says.
GOLDMAN: A Significant Tax Hike Is Coming, And Neither Party Is Even Talking About Stopping It Goldman's Jan Hatzius takes the pulse of the economy, and mostly thinks things are getting a little better.
VIDEO: Why Did Reporter Ask Such Odd Question of Ryan? Paul Ryan sat down for an interview on Monday with ABC 12 in Flint, Michigan, and things didn't go quite as planned.
Polls, ballot requests suggest Romney overtaking Obama in Ohio A new Rasmussen poll and early absentee ballot requests both suggest that President Barack Obama is losing his lead in Ohio after Mitt Romney’s performance in Wednesday night’s presidential debate
Source: Romney to pull resources out of Pennsylvania, focus on Ohio Field staff for the campaign were told about the decision during a conference call late Monday, the source said. Instructions were not sent via email to avoid leaks to the media.
Military Times Poll: Romney bests Obama, 2-1 The professional core of the U.S. military overwhelmingly favors Mitt Romney over President Obama in the upcoming election — but not because of any particular military issues, according to a new poll of more than 3,100 active and reserve troops.
Obama’s Plan for Ohio; Shift Tax Dollars President Obama aims to help Ohio’s Democrats bail out your state’s struggling cities by forcibly transferring suburban tax money to urban treasuries
NBC Anchor Doesn't Want to be in Obama Ad NBC News sent a letter to Obama campaign manager Jim Messina last week asking the campaign to stop using network footage in a new 30-second spot, released shortly after Wednesday’s debate, in which Andrea Mitchell is shown on air citing an independent analysis that Mitt Romney’s tax plan would cost $4.8 trillion over 10 years.
How it costs taxpayers $1.4 billion a year to fund the White House A book about presidential perks recently revealed that taxpayers spend about $1.4 billion paying for the staffing, housing, transportation and entertaining.
Romney’s Strong Debate Performance Erases Obama’s Lead Mitt Romney no longer trails Barack Obama in the Pew Research Center’s presidential election polling. By about three-to-one, voters say Romney did a better job than Obama in the Oct. 3 debate, and the Republican is now better regarded on most personal dimensions and on most issues than he was in September.
‘Unfair’: Obama Supporters Explain Why Teleprompters Should Be Allowed During Debates Apparently, some consider it “unfair” that President Obama wasn’t able to use his now-infamous teleprompter. As one man stated, “How’s he going to memorize an hour and a half debate?”
National Geographic denies politics influenced release of pro-Obama film before election National Geographic Channel President Howard Owens denied Thursday that the network’s decision to air a pro-Obama video just two days before the November election was motivated in any way by political considerations.
The Hill: Obama administration payouts to defense firms likely unneeded The Obama administration is unlikely to make payments to defense contractors to cover severance costs caused by across-the-board Pentagon cuts, according to defense analysts.
NBC's Chuck Todd Admits Big Problem For Democrats Republicans have an "across the board" enthusiasm advantage over Democrats in NBC's polls that is the opposite of how the electorate looked four years ago
Robert Gibbs: Mitt Romney's Budget Math Is 'Absolutely Crazy' (VIDEO) Former White House spokesman Robert Gibbs on Sunday lit into Mitt Romney's recent debate performance, calling the Republican presidential nominee's claims "fundamentally dishonest" and "absolutely crazy."
An Ohio Court Ruling Could Deliver A Massive Blow To Romney The Obama administration scored another voting rights win on Friday when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit said the key swing state of Ohio can’t single out military voters for special treatment – a ruling that will re-open a three-day weekend voting period that’s become known to black voters as the “souls to the polls” program.
Biden Takes 6 Days Off Campaign Trail With just about a month until Election Day, Vice President Joe Biden is in the middle of taking nearly a week off the campaign trail. He will return to doing campaign events on Thursday, when he will debate Rep. Paul Ryan in the vice presidential debate.
Fact Check: Dueling studies in new ads by Romney and Obama Politicians love nothing more than to point to an “independent” study that backs up their political position.
Obama-Romney Polls Start To See Romney Debate Bounce Political junkies have been watching for any signs that the perceptions of a lackluster performance by President Barack Obama in Wednesday night's debate have translated into polling gains for Republican nominee Mitt Romney.
Obama and Democrats Raise $181 Million in September President Obama and the Democrats shattered the election cycle’s fund-raising record with a $181 million haul for September, the campaign announced on Saturday morning.
Obama Campaign Does Debate Cleanup On Social Security Answer The Obama campaign played a bit of debate cleanup on Friday night with a blog post clarifying that there are, indeed, differences between the president's and GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney's approaches to Social Security.
Big Super PAC Donor on Obama: 'Looks Like He Took My Million and Spent it All on Weed' Bill Maher, a major donor to Barack Obama's super PAC, blasted the president's debate performance on his HBO show.
The New Yorker Cover This Week: Was Clint Right? Here’s a sneak preview of next week’s cover, “One on One".
Gas prices set a record in California California’s average gasoline price set a record Saturday of $4.614 for a gallon of regular, up 12.8 cents overnight – but anyone who filled up in the last few days probably isn’t surprised.
Are Members of Media Offering Advice to Help Obama Campaign? Surrounded by whooping Republicans and suddenly unfavorable data, chief Obama campaign strategist David Axelrod called in the media cavalry.
Non-profit wants to know if Obama asked IRS for anybody's tax returns An independent non-profit group has asked a federal court to order the IRS to release documents concerning any requests the agency received from President Obama for the tax returns of any individual or business
AARP to Obama: Don’t mention us again President Obama invoked AARP to defend his health care law last night, prompting the influential group to release a statement telling him not to do that again.
Has the Middle Class Been Buried? Michael Kinsley once defined “gaffe” as the accidental telling of a political truth. That definition aptly describes the jaw-dropping admission from Joe Biden on the campaign trail this week.
NY Times: In Fallout After Debate, Obama Asks, Which Mitt Was That? President Obama and his team woke up here on Thursday morning confronted by the realization that he lost his first debate by passively letting Mitt Romney control the conversation. Then the president and his advisers resolved to do what he himself did not the night before.
Washington Post: Why Was Pres. Obama So Bad? The Barack Obama who stood on the debate stage in Denver Wednesday night was virtually unrecognizable to the person who swept to victory in 2008 or even the man who had built a narrow-but-clear edge in the 2012 race.
Michael Moore slams Obama’s debate performance: “This is what happens when u pick John Kerry as your debate coach” Left-wing filmmaker and activist Michael Moore was among the chorus of liberal pundits panning President Obama’s debate performance against Republican candidate Mitt Romney tonight. He added in a jab against the Democratic Party’s 2004 nominee while he was at it.
After the Debate Obama campaign relaunches character attack on Romney: ‘Devoid of honesty’ The Obama campaign is returning to attacking Gov. Mitt Romney’s character — and calling for support from the established media — after a surprising debate defeat in Denver.
AP Fact Check: Here Are Obama & Romney’s Biggest Missteps & Mistruths During Last Night’s Debate President Barack Obama and Republican rival Mitt Romney spun one-sided stories in their first presidential debate, not necessarily bogus, but not the whole truth.
Gore Blames Altitude for Obama's Debate Woes (VIDEO) Gore: "Romney did his debate prep in Denver. When you go to 5,000 feet, and you only have a few hours to adjust, I don't know..."
Biden gaffe before presidential debate Vice President Joe Biden inadvertently tossed raw meat to Republican rivals Tuesday barely 24 hours ahead of the first presidential debate, saying the middle class has been "buried" during the last four years.
Daily Caller: Exclusive: In heated ’07 speech, Obama lavishes praise on Wright, says feds ‘don’t care’ about New Orleans [VIDEO] In a video obtained exclusively by The Daily Caller, then-presidential candidate Barack Obama tells an audience of black ministers, including the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, that the U.S. government shortchanged Hurricane Katrina victims because of racism.
Obama campaign: ‘Lady parts’ e-card promotion was not properly reviewed, has been removed urging women to vote based on their reproductive organs has been removed from the Obama-Biden campaign web page.
New Polls Raise Chance of Electoral College Tie As of Monday’s FiveThirtyEight forecast, there were 21 states that Barack Obama was projected to have at least an 85 percent chance of winning on Nov. 6.
Survey: Doctors choose Romney over Obama A new survey shows Mitt Romney with a commanding lead over President Barack Obama among doctors, with Obamacare helping to sway their votes.
Poll: Obama leads 18 points among women A new poll gives President Obama the edge over Mitt Romney, with the president building a commanding lead among female voters.
Politico: 10 quotes that haunt Barack Obama Ahead in the polls, looking strong in key swing states: This must be exactly what Barack Obama dreamed his reelection campaign would look like, five weeks from Election Day and on the eve of the first debate.
U.S. News: Obama Supporters' Dirty Tricks to Win the Catholic Vote In most every presidential contest since the end of World War II, the candidate who carried the Catholic vote won the election.
Washington Post: Welcome to the most important week of the campaign There are 36 days left until Election Day, and that means that every day matters. But the next five days matter more than most when it comes to the race’s final outcome.
Economic signs point both ways for presidential election result At first glance, it looked like the elections might be a slam-dunk for Republicans this year, given the way presidents in recent history have fared in the face of poorly performing economies. But as the GOP is finding out, today’s economy is a double-edged sword that is cutting both for and against President Obama. Read more: Economic signs point both ways for presidential election result.
Christie to NBC’s David Gregory: ‘I wish you guys were as tough on the president’ On Sunday’s broadcast of NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie took a jab at moderator David Gregory and the media for being tougher on Mitt Romney than President Barack Obama ahead of this week’s presidential debate.
Chavez to Obama: I'd vote for you, and you for me With both presidents facing tight re-election fights, Venezuela's Hugo Chavez gave a surprise endorsement to Barack Obama on Sunday - and said the U.S. leader no doubt felt the same.
Quips, gaffes and stumbles: Debates have history of memorable moments Voters, pundits and political junkies will be glued to Wednesday night’s presidential debate to see more than just a back-and-forth on national defense, the economy and other issues.
New York Times: Memorable Debate Moments (VIDEO) Sam Tanenhaus, Book Review editor, talks about some of the most memorable presidential debate moments of the televised era.
What to expect in Wednesday’s first presidential debate Think of it like the Super Bowl, but for politics; even if you don’t like the game all that much, you tune in because it’s a cultural happening. (And yes, we are aware that we just called a presidential debate a “cultural happening”.)
Do the Debates Matter? Everywhere you look these days in the political world, you see stories touting just how important next Wednesday’s debate between President Obama and Mitt Romney will be to the final outcome of the race.
Report: 1 million Ohioans using free phone program A program that provides subsidized phone service to low-income individuals has nearly doubled in size in Ohio in the past year — now covering more than a million people. At the same time, federal officials say they’re reining in waste, fraud and abuse in the program.
Romney Falls Behind in Key States Before First Debate Five weeks to Election Day, President Barack Obama is within reach of the 270 electoral votes needed to win a second term. Republican Mitt Romney’s path to victory is narrowing.
Democratic National Committee predicts Romney will win first debate vs. Obama It's a further lowering of expectations ahead of the first debate in Denver next week. Democratic National Committee spokesman Brad Woodhouse tells Fox News he thinks Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney will win.
Follow the Money; See Where Campaign Cash is being Spent With less than seven weeks until Nov. 6, it's likely the candidates will look to their top fundraising states for some extra cash.
Poll: Heading Into Election, Record Number of Americans Prefer One-Party Government A record 38 percent of Americans would like the same party to control the presidency and Congress, while a record low 23 percent prefer that the White House and Congress be controlled by different parties.
Obama up five over Romney in latest Fox News poll With less than six weeks to go before the election, a Fox News poll released Thursday has President Barack Obama leading Republican contender Mitt Romney by five points.
Tea party leader: Movement’s role ‘more important and more difficult’ if Romney wins If Mitt Romney becomes president, don’t expect the tea party movement to just fade away without Barack Obama in the White House.
Voter registration problems widening in Florida What first appeared to be an isolated problem in one Florida county has now spread statewide, with election officials in at least seven counties informing prosecutors or state election officials about questionable voter registration forms filled out on behalf of the Republican Party of Florida.
Petition delivered to debate commission urging nonpartisan ‘fact checkers’ With only days left before the first presidential debate, retired Florida college professor Vicki Meyer is petitioning for nonpartisan “fact checkers” to be present at the debate.
VIDEO: SEIU paid anti-Romney protesters $11/hour in Ohio An amateur filmmaker has released video revealing that the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) paid protestors during a recent rally for Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney .
VIDEO: Obama Voter Says Vote for Obama because he gives a free Phone Protester outside of Romney rally explains how Obama gives all minorities free phones and that is why they should vote for him. Cleveland Ohio, September 26, 2012
With Start of Early Voting, Election Day Becomes Election Month As eight bells rang from the clock tower of the Polk County Courthouse, the doors to the election office opened on Thursday morning and voters began casting the first ballots of the presidential race in this battleground state.
Business Insider: These Eight Counties Will Decide The Presidential Election Ad spending indicates that President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are seriously competing in eight states, which together will absorb the bulk of the campaign's manpower and cash, including the roughly $600 million in ads that are expected to run between now and November 6.
Politico: 10 debate questions for President Obama and Mitt Romney Here is POLITICO’s list of the 10 questions they would love to see Lehrer put to Obama and Romney.
Madonna: Vote for the 'Black Muslim in the White House' VIDEO: Here's footage of Madonna's "endorsement" (her Obama comments come around the 1:50 mark)
Military Voters in Wisconsin Told to Submit Ballots a Week After Deadline The Federal Voting Assistance Program website published an incorrect deadline for the return of returning military ballots in Wisconsin. Had this error not been corrected, thousands of Wisconsin servicemen and women could have been disenfranchised in this key swing state this November.
Stimulus-Funded Housing Project Installs Anti-Bedbug Sauna A Portland, Oregon public housing complex – partially funded by federal stimulus dollars – is using a specially built "bedbug sauna" to combat infestation of the tiny parasites.
Pew: Republicans see Obama bias increase Many pundits say President Barack Obama's star has faded since the 2008 campaign, but don't tell that to Republicans.
Obama claim on renewable energy doesn't add up President Obama claims he has doubled America's use of renewable energy, but government stats don't back him up
Flurry of Romney ad buys targets D.C. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney has made a slew of major ad purchases in the Washington market — a spurt of activity for a campaign that trails badly in the advertising wars, and one that will reach not only voters in the swing state of Virginia but also potentially help shape the national political and media impressions of the race.
Washington Post polls: Obama lead in Ohio, edge in Fla. hamper Romney path to victory President Obama has grabbed a significant lead over Mitt Romney in Ohio and holds a slender edge in Florida, according to two new polls by the Washington Post that indicate there are fresh hurdles in the way of the Republican nominee’s best route to victory in the Electoral College.
Health Premiums Up $3,000; Obama Vowed $2,500 Cut During his first run for president, Barack Obama made one very specific promise to voters: He would cut health insurance premiums for families by $2,500, and do so in his first term.
USDA offering women, Hispanic farmers over $1.3 billion in discrimination payouts As part of “a new era of civil rights” at the Department of Agriculture, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced Monday that Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who believe USDA discriminated against them can file claims to get a piece of at least $1.33 billion in cash awards and tax relief payments and up to $160 million in farm debt relief, beginning this week
Both Candidates Claim "Underdog" Status in First Debate With nine days until the first presidential debate and candidates vying for the prized bloc of undecided voters, surrogates are playing a game of lowering expectations over which candidate holds the advantage going into the face offs.
Romney Already Planning D.C. Transition Politico: Mitt Romney’s campaign may be struggling, but his transition operation is moving full steam ahead.
Spokesperson Dodges on Why No Meetings with Leaders for Obama (VIDEO) hite House press secretary dodged repeated questions Monday about President Obama’s decision not to schedule any meetings with foreign leaders while at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Critics: Obama heads for taping of 'The View,' as UN summit begins President Obama will be among the world leaders arriving in New York on Monday for the U.N. General Assembly, but unlike other presidents or prime ministers Obama plans to head straight for a daytime TV interview.
New York Times: Obama and Romney Offer a Possible Preview of Their First Debate Mitt Romney criticized President Obama in remarks broadcast on Sunday for refusing to meet with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, during this week’s United Nations General Assembly meeting, saying it sends a message that the administration is distancing itself from an important Middle East ally.
OpenSecrets.org: Liberal Super PACs Outraise Conservative Groups Super PACs that spent on behalf of Democratic candidates took in $19,686,276 in donations over $200 in August, more than conservative super PACs, which raised $18,295,272, according to Center for Responsive Politics research.
The new focus: Early voting By the end of September, voters in 30 states will start casting early or absentee ballots in the presidential race — a fact that both poses challenges for the campaigns seeking to make their final pitches as well as raises the stakes between now and Nov. 6.
New Web Site Launches to "Unskew" Polls There is a new website, called unskewedpolls.com, that basically reweights the data. Their results are quite different, giving Romney somewhere between a five and eleven point lead.
CBS Doesn't Air Obama Admitting Mistakes in Campaign Ads CBS did not air a clip of Obama admitting to interviewer Steve Kroft that some of his campaign ads contain mistakes and that some even "go overboard."
Mitt Romney releases tax return for 2011, showing he paid 14.1 percent tax rate Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney earned $13.69 million in 2011, mostly income from his investments, and paid $1.9 million in taxes for an effective tax rate of 14.1 percent, his campaign announced Friday.
Coming Sunday: 100 Days Until The Biggest Tax Increase in History Sunday will mark the start of the 100-day countdown to “Taxmageddon” – the date the largest tax hikes in the history of America will take effect. They will hit families and small businesses in three great waves on January 1, 2013:
NY Times: Before Debates, Romney Faces a Daunting Path There are seven days until early voting begins in Iowa, less than two weeks until the first debate and 46 days left in the race for Mitt Romney to change the dynamic of a campaign that by many indicators is tilting against him.
Washington Examiner: The Obama you don't know Few if any of his predecessors took the oath of office with higher public hopes for his success than President Obama on Jan. 20, 2009.
CBC Chairman on Blacks Who Don’t Vote: ‘They Ought to Give Us Their Color Back’ Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Emanuel Cleaver: “That’s why I become so angry at any African-American who refuses to vote. They are not worth the color if they don’t vote. They ought to give us their color back."
Politico:World's Obama fever cools When presidential candidate Barack Obama swept into Europe in 2008, television screens showed massive, adoring crowds. But the latest TV images from abroad are far more ominous: mobs in the Muslim world besieging U.S. embassies, torching American flags and even burning Obama himself in effigy.
Univision Challenges Pres. Obama in Forum President Barack Obama faced some of the toughest questioning of his reelection campaign to date, pressed repeatedly on his failure to achieve comprehensive immigration reform and other unmet promises from his 2008 run.
TX Man Hangs Chair from Tree; Neighbors Call It Racist The fold-up chair, with an American flag attached to it, was hung from a tree in front of Bud Johnson’s home and some neighbors complained that it was racist.
Gallup: Obama - Romney Tied at 47% These are the results when registered voters are asked: "Suppose the presidential election were held today. If Barack Obama were the Democratic Party's candidate and Mitt Romney were the Republican Party's candidate, who would you vote for Barack Obama, the Democrat or Mitt Romney, the Republican?"
"Real Romney" Letter Goes Viral The authors say they got an intimate look at the "real" Mitt Romney when they bought his Park City, Utah home three years ago.
Boy Scout Troop In Trouble For Greeting Romney Plane The Boy Scout headquarters were not happy about the troop meeting with the presidential hopeful.
CBS News: In ad wars, it's "redistribution" vs. the "47 percent" Amid ongoing uproar over a leaked video of controversial comments Mitt Romney made at a fundraiser this year, pro-Romney forces are going on the offensive in an aggressive new ad campaign, targeting President Obama for his record on jobs, coal, and a 1998 comment he made about the "redistribution" of wealth.
Watch the Obama "I Believe in Redistribution" of Wealth Video 1998: "I think the trick is figuring out how do we structure government systems that pool resources and hence facilitate some redistribution because I actually believe in redistribution, at least at a certain level to make sure that everybody's got a shot. How do we pool resources at the same time as we decentralize delivery systems in ways that both foster competition, can work in the marketplace, and can foster innovation at the local level and can be tailored to particular communities."
CBS News Fact Checks Romney "47%" Video So is it true that 47 percent of Americans don't pay income tax? Essentially, yes, according to the the Tax Policy Center, which provides data showing that in 2011,
Mother Jones: The Full Romney "47%" Video Editors explain why one to two minutes of video is missing.
Here Are The First Presidential Debate Topics The first three segments will focus on the economy. The last three segments will focus on health care, the role of government, and governing.
Secret retirement plans: Does Obama expect to lose? Are Obama insiders secretly making retirement plans for the Obamas with the expectation the president will lose his bid for re-election in November?
Politico:Romney rescue plan: More Mitt After taking a beating for comments he privately wishes he never made and from conservative critics he wishes he could muzzle, Mitt Romney and his campaign are settling on a rescue plan to show more of him — in ads, speeches and campaign appearances.
Missing Minutes? :That Romney video missing 'one to two minutes' The videos of Mitt Romney's remarks at a May fundraiser, released in full by Mother Jones yesterday, omit "one to two minutes" of the candidates remarks, the journalist who obtained the video told POLITICO.
Huffington Post: "Hell Week" For Romney Mitt Romney's recent troubles have created a sense of gloom, and a good dose of doom, in the Grand Old Party.
Conservatives warning Mitt he will lose if he doesn’t change campaign A growing chorus of conservatives are telling Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney that he must immediately make changes to his campaign or he will lose.
Poll: Obama’s Foreign Policy Approval Rating Drops After Mideast Turmoil The first opinion poll to be conducted after last week’s deadly attack on a U.S. consulate in Libya and a spate of anti-American protests across the Muslim world has recorded a five-point drop in approval for President Obama’s handling of foreign policy.
Mother Jones Releases Tape From Romney Fundraiser Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney was put on the defensive after liberal magazine Mother Jones released a secretly recorded video from a private fundraising event. In it, Romney says 47% of Americans won't vote for him because the don't pay federal income tax and rely too much on the government.
Wall Street Journal: General Motors pushing U.S. to sell stake; Government Says No The Treasury Department is resisting General Motors' push for the government to sell off its stake in the auto maker, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Bachmann to Obama: Cancel Letterman and Jay-Z, Meet with Netanyahu Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), speaking at the Values Voter Summit last week in Washington, D.C., said that President Barack Obama needs to cancel his upcoming interview with David Letterman and instead meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Married Moms Seen as Key Target for Both Parties In their quests for November victory, President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney both target a critical subset of the female vote: married women with children.
Wall Street Walks as Defense, Tech Back Obama’s Campaign Health care, telecommunications and defense industry workers are fueling President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign, even as Wall Street walks away from his candidacy.
Romney Seeks to Blunt Obama Edge With Swing-State Latinos With 50 days left before election day, Republican candidate Mitt Romney will attempt to reset his campaign this week by trying to cut into the support President Barack Obama has among Hispanic voters and maintaining financial parity with the incumbent by holding fundraisers from California to Florida.
Politico: Romney Campaign Infighting This article is based on accounts from Romney aides, advisers and friends, most of whom refused to speak on the record because they were recounting private discussions and offering direct criticism of the candidate and his staff.
Citizens United Obama film to air on TV This movie — set to start airing on Tuesday and run through Nov. 6 on six cable and six broadcast networks — features forty Democratic and independent voters who backed Obama in 2008 and have since become disillusioned.
Washington Examiner: Congress set to leave a pile of problems behind The House and Senate will work just a few days this week then leave town until after the November election, abandoning work on legislation that's needed to avert looming tax hikes and more than $1 trillion in mandatory federal spending cuts so they can spend their days campaigning for re-election.
Ohio students open to someone new in White House President Obama is losing his edge among young voters in crucial Ohio, where an increasing number of his 2008 college-age supporters, now entering one of the toughest job markets in a generation, say the last four years have changed their view of the president.
Politico: Obama ‘fear’ driving social conservatives Fear of President Barack Obama — not enthusiasm for Mitt Romney — is driving religious conservatives to pull the lever for the GOP nominee this November
Washington Examiner: Obama’s No. 3 bundler profits from light-bulb regs, individual mandate President Obama’s third most important fundraiser, Michael Kempner, founded a lobbying firm and was in 2010 named to the board of a high-tech lighting company that directly profits from Obama’s green-energy policies.
Liberal Super PAC: Calling Republicans racist more effective than criticizing Democrats policy A top official at a liberal super PAC with the goal of eradicating tea partiers from Congress is telling activists that it’s more effective to label Republicans as racists than criticize their policies.
Pres., U.S.Government Deny Knowing of Warnings of Libya Attack A British newspaper claims the administration received credible warnings 48 hours in advance.
New YorkTimes: Obama Grows More Reliant on Big-Money Contributors In the race for cash, Mr. Obama often praises his millions of grass-roots donors, those die-hards whose $3 or $10 or $75 contributions are as much a symbol of the president’s political identity as they are a source of ready cash. But his campaign’s big-dollar fund-raising has become more dependent than it was four years ago on a smaller number of large-dollar donors and fund-raisers.
Crisis poses test for Obama The sudden crisis in the Middle East poses a major challenge for President Obama, who will have to defend his foreign policies and respond to partisan attacks less than two months before the election.
Swing-state ads bill: $575M -- so far Mitt Romney and Barack Obama pulled campaign ads from television Tuesday, in deference to the 11th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks, but that is likely to be the last day of quiet before the election.
Web pioneer providing voter database for free "This is data that is owned by the American people but has never been accessible and affordable before," said the CEO of NationBuilder, a software company that makes online tools for political and community organizing. "For so long, it's been controlled and locked up by the political parties."
Pro-Obama speech ruled Hatch Act violation; Sebelius repays travel costs The White House stood by Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius after federal investigators reported Wednesday that she unlawfully stumped for President Obama while delivering a speech earlier this year. Read more: Pro-Obama speech ruled Hatch Act violation; Sebelius repays travel costs
Obama caves to Romney, embraces free speech for critics of Islam President Barack Obama used Air Force One to conduct a policy loop-de-loop Wednesday, asserting in a CBS interview that he supports Americans’ right to criticize Islam, following almost 18 hours of determined condemnation from Team Romney and damaging news from Egypt and Libya.
US median income lowest since 1995 High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email ftsales.support@ft.com to buy additional rights. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ed14fc70-fc51-11e1-aef9-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz1TFdSLSkg The median income of American households dropped to its lowest level since 1995 last year, extending its decline during President Barack Obama’s tenure and highlighting the depth of the damage to the middle class inflicted by the recession and weak recovery.
Obama, Romney campaigns tangle over attacks on diplomats The Obama and Romney campaigns are trading barbs over two attacks on U.S. diplomatic posts in Libya and Egypt.
Navy Times: Russian ships displayed at DNC tribute to vets On the last night of the Democratic National Convention, a retired Navy four-star took the stage to pay tribute to veterans. Behind him, on a giant screen, the image of four hulking warships reinforced his patriotic message.
Defense industry planning pre-sequestration layoff warnings Several of the nation’s largest defense contractors have threatened to issue layoff notices ahead of planned budget cuts despite Obama administration guidance to the contrary, according to correspondence released by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
Look-Alike Sites Funnel Big Money to Mystery PAC The websites have the trappings of official campaign pages: smiling candidate photos and videos, issue pages, and a large, red “donate” button at the top. Except that proceeds from the shadow sites go not to the candidates pictured, but to an obscure conservative group run by an Arizona
President Obama's Campaign Trashes '2016: Obama's America' Filmmakers call it "the movie the White House doesn't want you to see." Apparently, they're right.
White House to outline defense cuts by Friday...After Missing Deadline Last Week After missing last week’s deadline to produce plans on how it would implement deep, automatic across-the-board cuts to defense spending early next year, the White House now says it will produce the report by Friday.
One-on-One with Mitt Romney About Defense Spending GOP candidate says Republicans made mistakes of the past. Promises increase in military spending.
Romney Struggles with Repeal or "Replace" Obamacare By the time Mitt Romney faces President Barack Obama for their first debate next month, he’ll have to figure out a sharper way to explain what he would do to replace “Obamacare.”
Politico: The Kerry-ization of Mitt Romney Romney — whose convention speech didn’t include a salute to the troops or a reference to Afghanistan, where about 75,000 Americans are still at war — is getting hit almost daily now by Democratic attacks that he is wobbly and therefore untrustworthy on national security.
When Gallup Polls Go Wrong: Remember this? "Mondale Leads Reagan" Proof that polls can be misleading.
WH takes a shot at WaPo over story about Obama skipping intel briefings “The President of the United States gets the presidential daily briefing every day,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters today during the press briefing. “He always reads it, every day, because he’s a voracious consumer of all of his briefing material.”
Politico: 9 states where the race will be won The presidential race has narrowed to a core of nine states, a collection of margin-of-error battlegrounds spread across nearly every region.
Does Raising Taxes Lead to More Gov’t Revenue? Will raising taxes on America’s wealthy actually bring in more revenue? While liberals would argue — and, quite definitively — that it does, UCLA professor and author of “Left Turn” Dr. Tim Groseclose makes a very different case. I
Politico: Scott Van Duzer, the Obama hugger: Shop facing boycott The owner of a Florida pizza shop says people are boycotting his business because he bear-hugged President Barack Obama on Sunday.
Inside story of Obama’s struggle to keep Congress from controlling outcome of debt ceiling crisis President Obama summoned the top four congressional leaders to the White House on Saturday morning, July 23, 2011. The night before, House Speaker John A. Boehner had withdrawn from negotiations to raise the $14 trillion federal debt limit and save the government from a catastrophic default. “Nobody wanted to be there,” Boehner later recalled. “The president’s still pissed.”
Politico: Advantage Obama President Barack Obama heads out of the national political conventions with a much clearer path to winning, top advisers to Mitt Romney privately concede. Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0912/80949.html#ixzz1SvhTKvrl
Dick Morris: Advantage Romney The result of these two conventions is a decided advantage for Romney.
Want to see how the bailout money was spent...or not spent as the case is with some money? We heard a lot about GM during the DNC. Take a look at how all of the bailout money was spent.
Reporters Using ‘Fake Names’ to Buy Obama Campaign Merchandise at the DNC “Have you ever thought of making up a fake name? That’s what the other guys do,” she said
God Gets The Last Word: Cardinal's Pro-Life Benediction Cardinal Dolan gave a fiercely pro-life prayer to the Democratic Convention after President Obama's nomination speech.
Gallup: Obama Enjoys Massive Lead Among Those With No Religion President Barack Obama enjoys a massive lead over Mitt Romney among registered voters who say they have no religion, according to the Gallup tracking poll of the presidential race.
'Occupy Unmasked' Screens At DNC Filmmaker Stephen K. Bannon, executive producer Larry Solov and cast members Brandon Darby, Anita MonCrief and Lee Stranahan took the Occupy movement expos�, "Occupy Unmasked," to the Democratical National Convention in Charlotte. The film was produced by the leading conservative organization Citizens United.
Five NC Delegates Ditch Obama Nomination Vote In a sign of how unpopular President Barack Obama is becoming in North Carolina, five North Carolina delegates did not show up to the Democratic National Convention to cast votes for Obama's nomination.
Washington Post: Fact checking Obama’s and Biden’s speeches at the Democratic convention In their defense of the administration’s policies, President Obama and Vice President Biden sometimes took license with the facts or left out important information. Here are some highlights.
‘Word cloud’ shows priorities of Obama convention speech (GRAPHIC) President Barack Obama’s address Thursday night at the Democratic National Convention will be the subject of endless punditry and political gamesmanship. But if you missed the big event, you can still hold court at the water cooler by knowing which words he used most.
Giant American Flag Left Laying on the Ground Before Upcoming Obama Event (PHOTO) President Obama is slated to travel to the University of Iowa to campaign in the crucial battleground state. The Obama campaign’s “advance team” has been making preparations for the president’s appearance since Monday, sources at the university tell TheBlaz
'Honey Boo Boo' and Bill Clinton's DNC Speech Tie in Ratings After trumping individual cable and network coverage of the Republican National Convention in the key demographic, the TLC series takes its first hit and only ties the night's strongest news coverage (CNN) among adults 18-49.
Democrats’ platform illustration shows six-fingered hands The image shows two hands stretching toward a U.S. flag icon. Each hand has six fingers.
Politico Asks Who is the Great Communicator? Obama or Reagan Barack Obama’s light Christmas reading back in 2010 was Lou Cannon’s biography of Ronald Reagan — 920 pages on the political storyteller Obama admired most, to the profound annoyance of his Maddow-loving base. Obama’s aides can’t quite remember whether the boss ever finished it.
When Will Joe Biden Speak? Not In Prime Time Bumped out of his own night in the spotlight by former President Bill Clinton, Mr. Biden will introduce Mr. Obama before all of the broadcast networks tune in (NBC will show it; CBS and ABC will not).
White House Retweets: 'WORKING PEEPS SLAVES 2 WALL ST!' According to the Sunlight Foundation, the White House retweeted a message that stated, "@HildaSolisDOL WE NEED NATIONAL WORKERS UNION! LABOR LAWS 2 FEW 2 WEAK! WORKING PEEPS SLAVES 2 WALL ST! #HappyLaborDay #un ..."
Unions Not Getting the VIP Treatment at DNC It wasn't a pretty sight last night when security shut down the entrance to the Time-Warner Cable Arena, trapping a couple hundred delegates, donors and journalists who had been just about to go thorugh the metal detectors. Among those in the crowd: Lee Saunders, newly elected president of AFSCME.
Rahm Emanuel Leaves Obama For Priorities USA. What Is It? Former White House Chief of Staff and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has left his honorary chairmanship of President Obama's re-election campaign, in order to offer substantial help to the pro-Obama super PAC,
The Hill: Lobbyists to help nominate Obama for reelection in Charlotte Despite President Obama’s harsh rhetoric toward K Street, lobbyists will be on the convention floor as delegates in Charlotte Wednesday when he is nominated for a second term.
The Hill: White House goes all in on gay rights The White House and elected officials are offering highly visible support for gay marriage at the Democratic convention, electrifying activists and signaling that President Obama’s campaign views the position as a political winner.
Politico: 5 tax questions for Barack Obama Politico: If he wins in November and wants to make deficit reduction or overhauling the tax code a priority, he will, like his opponent Mitt Romney, have to compromise on some of what he’s promising on the campaign trail.
Wall Street Journal: Obama’s Thursday Night Secret About Jobs When President Barack Obama takes the stage Thursday night at the Democratic convention, he’ll probably know a secret about the economy that you don’t: the contents of Friday’s employment report. But don’t expect easy clues in his big speech.
Race in the Race: Vote Black Buttons Appear on DNC Floor Reuters photo: A convention-goer stands on the convention floor on the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina,
Local reporter takes Obama to the woodshed on constitutionality of ‘kill list’ [VIDEO] Ben Swann, a reporter for Cincinnati’s FOX 19, asked the president, “How do you as president utilize that power [of the presidential kill list] to assassinate … U.S. citizens?”
VP Biden in a Word: ‘Good,’ ‘Idiot’ When asked for a one-word description of Vice President Joe Biden, more people use negative words like “idiot” and “buffoon” than positive words, according to a new Pew Research Center and the Washington Post poll.
Palm Beach County Democratic Party chairman: Christians ‘want Jews to die and convert’ [VIDEO] Palm Beach County Democratic Party chairman Mark Alan Siegel, a Boca Raton attorney and former eight-term New York state assemblyman, told Patriot Update video reporter Scottie Hughes that Christians who profess support for Israel are “the worst possible allies with the Jewish state.”
"God" Returns to the DNC Platform; Chaos Erupts in Vote (VIDEO) Democratic party heads rammed through the revised platform, which includes updated pro-Israel language and the mention of God, against the clear wishes of those voting at the convention in Charlotte. See the video of the chaos:
Charlotte Observer: Democrats Blow It Editorial: Not that the whole "most open and accessible convention in history" had a leg to stand on anyway, but now that claim is officially dead. The Democrats just yanked credentials from some 50,000-plus potential voters who had planned to cheer on President Obama's acceptance speech in person Thursday night.
Washington Post: Fact checking the opening night of the Democratic convention The Democrats launched their convention with a series of speeches that put the best possible gloss on the president’s economic record and took various shots at GOP nominee Mitt Romney. First Lady Michelle Obama, who like Ann Romney gave a mostly personal testimonial about her husband, did not give us much material to fact-check. But here’s a round-up of other notable claims Tuesday evening.
Huffington Post: 14 Things Obama Doesn't Want You To Know About The Last Four Years Interactive: How is the U.S. economy doing nearly four years into President Obama’s presidency? Not so great by some measures.
Sen. Rand Paul Speaks Out Against Senators Voting without Reading the Bills The KY Senator explains how members of Congress fail to actually read most bills before voting.
What do you think: “Government Is The Only Thing We All Belong To” (VIDEO) A video that showed on the convention floor Tuesday night offered an unusually direct embrace of the role of government in American life: "Government," says the narrator, "is the only thing that we all belong to."
Abortion issue sets tone  for attracting women at DNC Inside the convention hall, Democrats affirmed themselves as the pro-choice party, delivering the most detailed discussion of contraceptives and reproductive health in major-party political history and adopting a platform that defends abortion, including taxpayer funding for the procedure.
Washington Guardian: Despite ban, Democrats get wooed by special interests in style Democrats flocking to their national convention will spend this week hobnobbing in Charlotte, N.C., with lobbyists, special interest groups and wealthy donors, just days after Republicans hosted their own party of all political parties in Tampa, Fla.
Pentagon fails to comply with law to help overseas soldiers vote, watchdog says Washington Guardian: The Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act was passed by Congress in 2009 and signed into law by President Barack Obama and was supposed to make it easier for both soldiers deployed overseas and U.S. citizens living abroad to cast ballots back in their home states.
Center for Responsive Politics Delivers Citizen Petition Calling for Bundler Disclosure We didn't expect it to be easy to hand the Mitt Romney campaign a thick stack of paper bearing the signatures of thousands of people asking the candidate to be more transparent. And it wasn't.
Democrats focus on equal pay issue while Obama White House pays women less Government records show that despite the Democratic National Convention’s early focus on salary equality for women, President Barack Obama has consistently paid his own female staffers less than men who perform similar or identical duties.
Red Carpet for Solyndra Figure at Democratic Convention The Obama campaign rolled out the red carpet this week for a former top Energy Department official who was at the center of the ill-fated government loan to Solyndra, a California solar panel firm that wound up in bankruptcy.
Pres. Obama or Pres. Bush: Who's Responsible For The Explosion In Government Spending? Read more about how the answer may actually be BOTH.
Kept or Broken: A scorecard on President Obama's campaign promises PolitiFact has been tracking all 508 promises and keeping tally on the Obameter throughout his presidency.
Unions VS. Super PACS in Major Battleground State of Ohio New York Times: As unions around the nation plunge in earnest into another election season of phone banks, door-to-door canvasses and leafleting, they find themselves confronting a political landscape that is more daunting than any they have faced in decades.
Organized Labor Brings Its Frustrations To Charlotte; One Leader Attacks Empty Chair Beforehand The newly-elected president of the giant public workers’ union AFSCME, Lee Saunders, took a page out of Clint Eastwood's book at an Ohio delegation Labor Day breakfast, speaking to an empty chair that he pretended was occupied by Eastwood. .
Charlotte Observer: Fight for female voters will continue at DNC; reopening 'old wounds'? Judging by the women-in-the-news invited to speak in Charlotte, the Obama campaign will pitch female voters by casting the president as an advocate for women – and his opponents as defenders of a benighted past.
New York Times; Spirit of ’08 Gone, Democrats Reunite Against G.O.P. Threat Their unity at this point is defined less by faith in Mr. Obama or a robust vision for what the party should stand for than by the prospect that Republicans could control the White House and Congress next year and enact a conservative agenda that would unravel much of what Democrats have stood for since Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society.
November thaw for Bill Clinton, President Obama Politico: BFFs they are not and probably never will be. But after a troubled beginning, the collaboration seems to be working. The two presidents have spoken a few times in the past few months, sources said.
Obama Gives Himself an 'Incomplete' Grade on Fixing the Economy (VIDEO) Reporter: "You’ve had three and a half years to fix it. What grade would you give yourself so far for doing that?" "You know I would say incomplete," Obama replies.
Blast from the past: Dukakis to attack Romney’s gubernatorial record at DNC The 1988 Democratic presidential nominee is back.
Washington Post: Obama facing mounting questions over ‘you didn’t build that’ remark After being pummeled for days at the Republican National Convention for his remark that business owners “didn’t build that,” President Obama heads to the Democratic National Convention in North Carolina this week facing mounting questions about how he will respond to charges that he is hostile to free enterprise.
Are we watching the last national conventions? The Democratic National Convention opening Tuesday in Charlotte will be the 86th national convention of our two major parties. Republicans have an unbroken chain of conventions going back to 1856; the Democrats’ unbroken chain goes back to 1832, when Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the last surviving (and only Catholic) signer of the Declaration of Independence was still alive.
Debt to reach $16 trillion as the DNC starts in Charlotte Just as Democrats are gaveling in their convention Tuesday, the federal government likely will announce another dubious milestone — $16 trillion in total federal debt.
Obama: Republican voters ‘often agree with me’ President Barack Obama said Republican voters “often agree with me,” insisting that his “approach” at governing has been “consistent” from the start of his term.
With landmark lawsuit, Barack Obama pushed banks to give subprime loans to Chicago’s African-Americans President Barack Obama was a pioneering contributor to the national subprime real estate bubble, and roughly half of the 186 African-American clients in his landmark 1995 mortgage discrimination lawsuit against Citibank have since gone bankrupt or received foreclosure notices.
Gallup: Obama Job Approval Ratings Drops to 43% Track the approval rating since Feb. 2009.
Maryland Gov. O’Malley: We’re Not Better Off Now Democratic Gov. Martin O’Malley of Maryland, who is considered a possible contender for president in 2016, bucked other Obama surrogates on Sunday, saying that the country was not better off now than it was four years ago.
Bill Clinton on Obama: 'A Few Years Ago, This Guy Would Have Been Carrying Our Bags' Former President Bill Clinton tried to get former senator Ted Kennedy to endorse Hillary Clinton for president in the 2008 election by describing Barack Obama this way: "A few years ago, this guy would have been carrying our bags."
Washington Post Fact Checker: Mitt Romney’s acceptance speech at the GOP convention In his acceptance speech for the Republican presidential nomination, former Gov. Mitt Romney focused more on his biography than his policy positions. But there were moments when his facts went arwy or were missing important context.
Michael Moore: Mitt Romney Will Win In November, Unless... (VIDEO) Filmmaker Michael Moore predicted that the influence of money in politics would lift Mitt Romney to victory over President Barack Obama in November.
Poll: Romney gets convention bounce, takes national lead Mitt Romney has taken the lead over President Obama with a bounce in the polls from the Republican National Convention.
Not in Romney speech: Afghanistan, Social Security They're all costly to taxpayers and the next president presumably will have to address them to one degree or another. Yet GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney made no mention of those issues Thursday in his wide-ranging acceptance speech that closed the Republican National Convention.
Al Gore calls to end Electoral College In the 2000 presidential election, Gore won the popular vote but lost the electoral to George W. Bush.
Which Presidential Candidate Plans a Visit to Louisiana First? Heavy rains and flooding have contributed to at least five deaths in Louisiana and Mississippi this week after the slow-moving storm knocked out power in whole neighborhoods
NY Times: ‘I Will,’ He Said: Romney’s Campaign Promises Even before Mitt Romney stepped on stage at the Republican National Convention, he had promised a lot to voters.
Fact Checking the "Fact Checkers" Bitter campaign and its rhetoric bring fact checkers to the center of debate
Romney to turn to Reagan playbook for stretch run Carrying a post-convention glow from his coronation as the Republican Party’s standard-bearer, Mitt Romney now turns to the final leg of the campaign — the more than two-month sprint that will determine whether his six-year quest to become commander in chief comes to fruition.
Ryan Speech: See How Many Tweets Were Happening Every Minute Paul Ryan delivered a message of urgency at the Republican National Convention: Now is the time to tackle America’s most pressing challenges. Watch the speech, read what the Post's writers had to say about it and see how people reacted on Twitter.
Shocker?: What May Make Arianna Huffington Vote For Mitt Romney? Arianna Huffington currently plans to vote for President Barack Obama in November. Huffington told The Daily Caller, however, that she has been disappointed by Obama’s first term and would consider voting for Mitt Romney if....
Where Will Hillary Clinton Be Next Week During the Dem Convention? Clinton’s high-profile exit from the country and from party politics forcefully underlines her effort to distance herself from Obama’s waning political fortunes.
OpenSecrets.org: Outside Spending Through August Nearly Triples 2008 Pace In the campaign finance arena this year that theme has clearly been the role of outside spending, and some have suggested that we're making too much of something that has been happening in different forms for many years. But a quick look at the numbers overall, and just in the month of August, drive home why this has been such an important story.
Romney Bundlers Enjoy Yacht Party At Convention While Hurricane Isaac slammed other parts of the Gulf Coast, the weather at the St. Petersburg Municipal Marina was just fine. That meant this morning's donor-maintenance event for Mitt Romney's $1 million-plus bundlers, on board a 150-foot yacht called the Cracker Bay, could go forward as planned.
Washington Post: As Republican convention emphasizes diversity, racial incidents intrude From the convention stage here, the Republican Party has tried to highlight its diversity, giving prime speaking slots to Latinos and blacks who have emphasized their party’s economic appeal to all Americans.
Sarah Palin Claim: FOX Canceled My Interviews Fox News appears to have canceled scheduled interviews with Sarah Palin, per the former vice presidential candidate's latest post to Facebook:
Artur Davis rips MSNBC, CNN’s Roland Martin The left’s disdain for former Alabama Democratic Rep. Artur Davis’ embrace of the Republican Party has been obvious, particularly when the Congressional Black Caucus condemned his endorsement of Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney.
Obama tells voters to watch Republicans, but he's not The White House says President Barack Obama is not monitoring the Republican national convention this week. But the president told several thousand mostly college-age voters on Wednesday that they should be watching the event to help them decide how to vote in the November elections.
Yahoo editor fired over anti-Romney joke David Chalian, the Yahoo News Washington Bureau chief, has been fired after getting caught on a hot mike telling a fellow host on an live ABC News web show to “feel free to say” that “they” — Mitt Romney and his fellow Republicans — “are happy to have a party with black people drowning.”
Convention Season Means Party Time For Presidential Bundlers OpenSecrets.org tracks who';s bundling for Romney and Obama.
Washington Post: Most Used Words at GOP Convention A look at how often speakers at the Republican National Convention have used certain words and phrases so far, based on an analysis of transcripts from the Federal News Service.
‘2016: Obama‘s America’ Producer Claims CNN Rejected Film‘s Ad Because It’s ‘Too Political’ The documentary “2016: Obama’s America” has been dominating headlines over the past week after it broke records at the American box office. But now, at the height of interest surrounding the movie, there seems to be a bit of controversy brewing. John Sullivan, executive producer and co-director (author and academic Dinesh D‘Souza also directed and narrated the film), is claiming that CNN rejected an ad for the documentary because it is simply “too political.”
MSNBC abandons GOP convention during every speech by a minority If you were watching MSNBC’s coverage of the Republican National Convention in Tampa on Tuesday night, you might believe those assertions, since missing from the coverage was nearly every ethnic minority that spoke during Tuesday’s festivities
Utah's Mia Love: A Rising Star in the GOP? Enter Mia Love, the 36-year-old daughter of Haitian immigrants and a Republican congressional candidate in Utah. Should she win, she would be the first-ever black Republican woman to win a seat in Congress.
LA Times: Republican National Convention puts a brown face on a white party Until Ann Romney and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie stepped into the prime-time spotlight Tuesday night, the stage at the Republican National Convention was dominated by a parade of racial and ethnic minorities. The same could not be said about the delegates in the hall. As the United States has become an increasingly more diverse country, the Republican Party has maintained a distinctly pale hue.
Obama sneezes while defending Obamacare; blames it on Republicans (VIDEO) During a campaign stop in Colorado today, President Obama sneezed as he defended his health care plan. “It gives me a cold just thinking about what they might do,” Obama joked.
Convention Contributions Down and More Discreet When the 2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee pledged to raise $55 million to cover the cost of staging the Republican National Convention, organizers expected much of the money to come from companies hoping to capitalize on five days of almost unfettered access to America’s political elite.
For GOP, former Democrat Artur Davis is key to independents’ hearts Four years after seconding Barack Obama’s nomination at the Democratic National Convention and four months after leaving the Democratic Party, former Alabama Rep. Artur Davis will walk back into the national spotlight on Tuesday to vouch for Mitt Romney at the Republicans’ convention in Tampa, Fla.
Will Tim Tebow Speak at RNC?
Samuel L. Jackson asks why GOP 'spared' by tropical storm Samuel L. Jackson tweeted it was "unfair" that Tropical Storm Isaac had spared the GOP convention in Tampa and appeared to be heading for New Orleans
The Hill: DNC ad in Tampa newspaper ties Akin to Romney-Ryan ticket The DNC ad adds the name Akin to the Republican presidential ticket logo so it reads Romney-Ryan-Akin, along with the tagline: "Taking away a woman’s decision— any way they ‘kin."
Poll: GOP majority calls Romney better nominee than Sen. McCain Three-quarters of Republican voters believe Mitt Romney is a stronger presidential candidate than John McCain was four years ago — and a sizable majority said the party is more closely aligned with their personal views than in 2008, according to a new poll for The Hill.
NY Times: With Five Romney Sons, Five More Spokesmen When Tagg Romney, the eldest of Mitt and Ann Romney’s five sons, was not quite 12, he decided, in a fit of adolescent rebellion, that his father was a nerd.
GOP platform through the years shows party’s shift from moderate to conservative. Is this the most Conservative ever? The word “abortion” does not appear in a Republican Party platform until 1976, when the party concedes it is deeply split between those who believe in “abortion on demand” and those who seek to protect the lives of the unborn.
Rejection: GOP features three Obama 'switchers' (VIDEO) They knew it was coming, the eventual Romney ad featuring former Obama supporters who just can't pull the voting booth lever for the Democrat again.
Meet the Youngest Delegate at the RNC in Tampa Evan Draim has his own assistant to manage his schedule. He has an entourage. He's done as many interviews in the past two weeks as some of Mitt Romney's top surrogates, maybe more
Paul Ryan makes plea to Ron Paul and his supporters Texas Rep. Ron Paul stopped short of endorsing the Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan presidential ticket during an event, but Ryan has a message for Paul and his libertarian supporters.
Gov. McDonnell: Obama, Democrats focusing on abortion to distract from ‘failed’ record Virginia Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell told The Daily Caller he thinks President Barack Obama‘s re-election campaign is trying to use things like the recent national focus on abortion issues to distract from his “failed” record as presiden
Is Tampa Really the Tea Party Convention? This is a very different Republican National Convention than the one of four years ago, when infighting plagued the conservative base and the nominee conspicuously refused to speak the language of the party faithful. Now the GOP has thrown itself gleefully into the role of the morally righteous opposition. It is buoyed in that endeavor by a message that drove the largest shift in Congressional power since 1994 and a disciplined Presidential and Vice Presidential nominee.
DNC Proceeds With 2-Hour Islamic ‘Jumah’ Prayers After Rejecting Cardinal’s Blessing The Democratic National Committee is raising a number of eyebrows after choosing to proceed with hosting Islamic “Jumah” prayers for two hours on the Friday of its convention, though it denied a Catholic cardinal’s request to say a prayer at the same event.
Who’s on the inside track for a Romney Cabinet Mitt Romney said his Cabinet and White House staff will be stacked with men and women from the business world, but his top advisers sketched out for POLITICO a team composed of many familiar faces in Washington.
Which Super PACs Are Spending the Most Money to Influence Your Vote? One PAC has raised more than three times its nearest competitor...all in a fight for your vote.
Obama or Romney: To Which Candidate Are Floridians Contributing the Most Money? President Barack Obama has so far collected about $8 million from the state during the same time period. That's a marked difference from 2008. During that election cycle, Obama collected about $15 million total from Florida residents giving $200 or more, besting his rival, Sen. John McCain, by more than $1 million.
Obama, Romney Pick Up Big Money From Overseas Donors According to an analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics, based on the latest Federal Election Commission filings, Obama has raised at least $779,000 from donors outside of the United States, while Romney has picked up $383,368.
Dems or GOP: Who's Winning the Social Media Battle? Social media is taking over both political conventions this year, and Democrats and Republicans are battling to prove which party can best take advantage of the new technologies.
Viral Video: ‘When I grow up, I want to be a crony!’ The video highlights the election-season clashes of the GOP’s anti-regulation, free market tea party faction against groups of both Democrats and Republicans.
NY Times: A Party of Factions Gathers, Seeking Consensus Mitt Romney arrives this week to accept his nomination from the increasingly disparate coalition of factions known as the Republican Party, confronting the challenge of unifying them behind him and — should he win — exerting his own authority over a party that is in many ways still forging a post-Bush identity.
Anti-Obama doc's big weekend When POLITICO spoke with conservative commentator Dinesh D’Souza last week, he said he was looking at a “big weekend” as his documentary on Barack Obama, “2016: Obama’s America,” got boost by appearing on over 1,000 screens nationwide.
Poll: Obama, Romney Neck-and-Neck As Conventions Start RNC opens on Tampa Monday with DNC starting after Labor Day.
Famous Drill Instructor Says GEICO Fired Him for Criticizing Obama Admin. Famous drill instructor Lee Ermey — best known for his appearance in the movie “Full Metal Jacket” — says he was fired from his gig as a GEICO insurance personality because he criticized President Obama.
Poll: GOP winning national Medicare debate two weeks after Romney picked lightning rod Ryan A poll released last week shows seniors nationwide back the GOP proposals on Medicare overall, with tight battles in some key swing states.
CNN’s Anderson Cooper takes on DNC Chief Debbie Wasserman Schultz Debbie Wasserman Schultz and CNN’s Anderson Cooper engaged in a heated exchange when Cooper charged that the Florida congresswoman “misquoted” the Los Angeles Times in a letter that the anchor also said misrepresented Mitt Romney’s stance on the Republican Party’s abortion platform plank.
USA Today:: Fake Twitter followers? President Obama's Twitter account has 18.8 million followers -- but more than half of them really don't exist, according to reports.
Obama to focus on youth vote during GOP's convention While the GOP prepares to officially embrace Mitt Romney as its presidential nominee next week, President Obama is focusing his attention on courting young voters that the campaign believes can help push him over the top in three battleground states.
New York Times: It’s the President’s Message, With President Clinton Former President Bill Clinton is not only campaigning for President Obama in his re-election bid. In a new 30-second commercial released on by the Obama campaign, he is practically channeling him.
D’souza: Why the President‘s Impoverished Brother Is ’Ashamed‘ of the Name ’Obama’ In an exclusive interview with the Blaze, author Dinesh D’souza (”Obama’s America: Unmaking The American Dream”) spoke about the shame felt by The President’s impoverished relatives and how hypocritical the tense situation is for the left.
TSA Says It‘s Providing Some Backup Security for Presidential Campaign Events at the Secret Service’s Request Your next Transportation Security Administration screening experience might not be limited to the airport: Attending a presidential campaign event could mean the TSA taking a peek at your belongings.
DNC Web video attacks Artur Davis [VIDEO] A new Web video from the Democratic National Committee targets Democrat-turned-Republican Artur Davis, suggesting that his switch of parties was a purely self-interested move, not one based on political principle.
Obama endorses Biden, quiets replacement rumors President Barack Obama tweeted out a personal endorsement for his gaffe-plagued, smear-spewing, “unchained” attack-dog of a veep at the 9:14 p.m. on Aug. 23.
Prediction Model Predicts Big Romney Win A presidential election prediction model developed by two University of Colorado professors points to a big win for GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney in November.
Senator Famous for Joking About Rape Campaigns for Obama, Biden Senator Al Franken of Minnesota joined Vice President Joe Biden for a campaign event in Minnesota.
Marital, personal ties link Obama administration to Commission on Presidential Debates The moderator of the lone October vice presidential debate was previously married to a top Obama official, an association both ABC News and the left-leaning Commission on Presidential Debates do not view as a conflict of interest.
Is There a Secret Plan Supporting 9% Unemployment? The Congressional Budget Office released its Update to the Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2012 to 2022 today, showing that if Congress and President Obama do nothing to stop Taxmageddon and the sequester unemployment will rise to 9.1 percent next year.
How Do You Spell O-H-I-O? An embarrassing photo of President Obama trying to spell Ohio with a group of students was snagged by Buzzfeed, as Zeke Miller posted two different photos of the incident on their website.
Sen. Barbara Boxer: Maybe Republicans ‘just don’t like their moms or their first wives’ At a Planned Parenthood luncheon in San Jose California, Sen. Barbara Boxer launched a full bore attack on Republicans, after Missouri U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Todd Akin made his comments about “legitimate rape.”
Texas Judge Preparing For ‘Civil War’ If Obama Re-Elected A Texas leader is warning of what he calls a ‘civil war’ and possible invasion of United Nations troops if President Barack Obama is re-elected.
Democrats plan women-heavy slate of speakers for convention Democrats unveiled a slew of female speakers for their convention next month, an indication that they will continue to press Republicans on women’s issues as GOP leaders furiously try to distance themselves from Missouri Senate candidate W. Todd Akin’s recent comments on pregnancy and rape.
Washington Post: Democrats won’t disclose donors to Charlotte convention until after the event Democratic Party officials say they will not release the names of donors to next month’s political convention before the event, despite an earlier pledge that they would regularly disclose the contributors.
The Politics Behind Who Will Moderate Debates Complaining about the moderators of the presidential debates is a time-honored tradition of the election season. Usually, the complaints wait until the moderators have actually asked a question. Not this year.
AP: The Once ‘Solid South’ Not All-Red or All-Blue Anymore The “Solid South” was a political fact, benefiting Democrats for generations and then Republicans, with Bible Belt and racial politics ruling the day.
As always, Florida in the middle of the voting wars Stick a pin almost anywhere on a map of Florida and you’ll find a legal battle over who will be eligible to vote in the coming presidential election — and when, and how, and where.
Obama team revives ‘birther’ claim to fend off veterans’ criticism President Barack Obama‘s aides and allies are trying to undermine an emerging campaign by former soldiers who are slamming the White House for what they see as a willingness to betray the nation’s secrets in exchange for publicity.
Poll: Obama could lose Illinois President Barack Obama could lose his home state of Illinois in November, a new poll shows.
Newsweek: "Hit the Road, Barack" Why does Paul Ryan scare the president so much? Because Obama has broken his promises, and it’s clear that the GOP ticket’s path to prosperity is our only hope.
Swing-State Voters Say They Are No Better Off Than in 2008 A majority of voters in key 2012 election swing states say they are not better off than they were four years ago; 40% say they are better off. Swing-state voters' assessments of their situation compared with 2008 have varied little since last fall.
Peggy Noonan: If Biden Were Republican Meet the Press's Topic Would Be 'How Stupid Is This Person? Appearing on NBC's Meet the Press, Noonan said, "If it had been a Republican vice presidential candidate who had made those gaffes...the subject today of the panel would be how stupid is this person, can this person possibly govern?" (video follows with transcript and commentary).
Nation's First Black Gov. Takes Issue With Biden's "Chains" Comment President Obama defended Vice President Biden’s “chains” remarks in an interview with People magazine Wednesday, while Douglas Wilder, the country’s first elected African-American governor since Reconstruction, has accused Biden of making a race-based appeal.
Did an MSNBC Host go to Far with an N-Word Variation? MSNBC’s The Cycle group discussed Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney‘s assertion that President Obama should “take [his] campaign of division and anger and hate back to Chicago.” Co-host Touré saw what he believes to be explicit racial connotations beneath what Romney was saying, calling it the “niggerization” of the campaign
Secret Service Buys Cupcakes, Says "Thanks" to Baker Who Refused Biden Secret Service officers associated with Vice President Joe Biden bought a pile of cupcakes from the baker who refused to host Biden at his shop — and they did so out of gratitude.
Obama campaign offers Romney 5-year tax disclosure Barack Obama's re-election campaign kept up pressure against Republican rival Mitt Romney on two fronts, launching a new ad defending the president's record on Medicare while challenging Romney to release at least five years of tax returns.
Jay Leno's Take on the Role of Duct Tape in the Election Host gets a chuckle over Joe Biden.
Ex-Military Accuse President of Using Bin Laden Death for Political Gain - Watch Full OPSEC Video
Ex-Officers Attack Obama Over Leaks on Bin Laden Raid In a direct attack on one of President Obama’s political strengths, a group of former special operations and C.I.A. officers started a campaign on Tuesday night accusing Mr. Obama of recklessly leaking information about the raid that killed Osama bin Laden and other security matters to gain political advantage.
White House says Obama will stick with Biden as running mate President Obama has no intention of getting rid of Vice President Biden as his running mate, the White House said Thursday.
Poll: Voter ID laws have support of a majority of Americans Almost three-quarters of all Americans support the idea that people should have to show photo identification to vote, even though they are nearly as concerned about voter suppression as they are about fraud in presidential elections, according to a new Washington Post poll.
Palin calls on Obama to dump Biden in favor of Hillary Clinton Sarah Palin has said that Joe Biden’s controversial ‘put y’all back in chains’ comment should be the ‘nail in the coffin’ for his career and suggested Barack Obama replace him on the 2012 ticket with Hillary Clinton.
VIDEO: Clinton Chief of Staff on Ryan: ‘This Guy is Amazing.’ The quote: “Have any of you all met Paul Ryan? We should get him to come to the university. I’m telling you this guy is amazing. ..."
Donald Trump's 'big surprise' at convention? @realDonaldTrump: Today I am working on my 'big surprise' for the @RNC convention. Everyone will love it.
.Joseph Rago: The Forgotten History of Ryan's Medicare Reform (Wall Street Journal) How the House budget chairman developed his premium-support concept, which was originally supported by Democrats. It's the only plan that won't send grandma over a cliff..
What does Paul Ryan’s budget really cut? Here is a chart comparing the 2016 federal spending levels, as estimated by the Congressional Budget Office and the White House, of both the Obama and Ryan budgets.
Dems: "Bring it On" Paul Ryan! When Mitt Romney chose Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan to be his running mate Saturday, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee had one message for Republican congressional hopefuls: “Bring it on.”
Democrats use Ryan pick to raise cash, but president's backers are confident Democrats were already using the Romney campaign's vice presidential pick of Rep. Paul Ryan to rally donors.
Democrats slam Ryan as threat to social safety net Democrats said that Mitt Romney, by picking Rep. Paul Ryan to fill out his presidential ticket, has set up this year’s election as a referendum on the deep cuts to the social safety net that the GOP’s top budget man says are needed to fix federal finances.
President Obama, Paul Ryan to overlap in Iowa President Barack Obama will have company when he hits the campaign trail in Iowa, as Rep. Paul Ryan also will be traveling to the Hawkeye State.
Gingrich: Romney should run as the ‘paycheck president’ to Obama’s ‘food stamp president’ Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich drew criticism in January when he accused President Barack Obama of being the “food stamp president,” and eight months later Gingrich continues to stand by his assertion, feeling validated by recent reports about the ballooning food stamp rolls.
POLITICO-GW Battleground Poll: Tied up The poll was taken before Romney announced his running mate.
Obama Campaign Defends President's $700 Billion Cuts to Medicare "On top of the savings we’ve already achieved. You know I heard Mitt Romney deride the $700 billion cuts in Medicare that the president achieved through health care reform," a spokesperson said.
Politico: From the Obama camp: 1,000 attended 'half-full' fundraiser Oppoents quickly jumped on a report that President Obama’s largest fundraiser here Sunday was only “half full,” but the crowd for the event was larger than the Obama campaign had initially anticipated.
Palin Won't Speak at GOP Convention She has not confirmed whether she will attend the convention in Tampa.
Paul Ryan's Homecoming Rally Speech In Wisconsin An emotional Rep. Paul Ryan gives a speech at his homecoming rally in Waukesha, Wisconsin on August 12, 2012.
Union Prez Boasts That 400,000 Union Volunteers Will Campaign Door-to-Door for Obama Labor unions plan to send out roughly 400,000 volunteers later this month to canvass voters to support President Barack Obama’s re-election.
Judge: Tea Party Nation must pay $748k Las Vegas hotel bill A judge has ordered Tea Party Nation* to pay a six-figure hotel bill for a large number of rooms he booked for a tea party rally, which he later cancelled when the event failed to draw enough attendees.
Obama campaign ramps up use of celebrity surrogates Elizabeth Banks appears in a new Obama campaign web video talking about the value of Planned Parenthood for “working-class ladies.”
Newt Gingrich: Barack Obama a “direct threat” to my grandchildren’s future In a call hosted by the Republican National Committee, the former House Speaker said he would work extensively to defeat President Obama because he regarded him as a threat to economic future of his family:
Obama: Romney Will Take Us Back to The 1950's President Obama was speaking in Colorado
Book: Blagojevich said he believed Rezko channeled $25,000 to Obama But....federal authorities did not think the claim was credible, authors say
Voter ID lawsuits could delay election results again Partisan legal showdowns in battleground states over a spate of new voting laws could turn the 2012 elections into a repeat of the 2000 presidential vote recount saga, political experts say.
Election 2012: The myth of the small donor From Politico: Like never before, big dollars are having a big impact on politics and governance. This series examines how the new wide-open fundraising landscape will affect the 2012 campaigns.
Georgetown Law Student Sandra Fluke to Intro Obama at Event Fluke is the Georgetown Law Student who testified before Congress earlier this year in favor of insurance coverage of contraception, and gained national attention when conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh called her a “slut” and a “prostitute.”
Washington Post: Priorities ad ties Mitt Romney to cancer death? Going too far? A new ad from a super PAC supporting President Obama ties former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney to a family’s loss of health insurance and a woman’s subsequent death from cancer.
Washington Post: Candidates hold more fundraisers than voter events Mitt Romney continued his fundraising dominance over President Obama for a third straight month in July, with both campaigns shaping their schedules to pursue a steady stream of donations as the race heads into its final 90 days.
President's Aide Takes Speaking Fees from Company Working with Iran The White House defended President Obama’s senior adviser for taking $100,000 in speaking fees before joining the government from a subsidiary of a company working with the Iranian government.
Obama taps Hollywood for campaign cash to match Romney’s haul Beaten in the money chase by Republican challenger Mitt Romney for the third straight month, President Obama turned again to one of the Democratic Party’s most lucrative and reliable sources of campaign cash — Hollywood.
Obama’s College Classmate: ‘The Obama Scandal Is at Columbia’ From Wayne Allyn Root: "I am President Obama’s classmate at Columbia University..."
Charlie Daniels... On Pres. Obama Daniels told WND in an exclusive interview that he expects 2012, with the nation’s very identity on the line, will be “the biggest election we have ever had.”
After defeat of Senate cybersecurity bill, Obama weighs executive-order option Senate Republicans recently blocked cybersecurity legislation, but the issue might not be dead after all.
RNC Sends the DNC a ‘You Didn’t Bake This‘ Cake in Honor of Obama’s Birthday…and the DNC Sends it Back The RNC on Friday sent the Democratic National Committee a birthday cake in the president’s honor, but the DNC sent it back.
NY Times: Record Spending by Obama’s Camp Shrinks Coffers President Obama has spent more campaign cash more quickly than any incumbent in recent history, betting that heavy early investments in personnel, field offices and a high-tech campaign infrastructure will propel him to victory in November.
‘An Implicit Insult’: Why Are Some Turks Angry About This Photo of Obama? An official White House photo of President Barack Obama generated some buzz last week, mostly because it invited more questions than answers.
Ohio ‘concerned with the premise’ of Obama campaign military voting suit The Obama for America campaign, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Ohio Democratic Party filed a lawsuit in late July to strike down part of an Ohio law concerning voting by members of the military.
Union leader strives to ease Obama's "white guy problem" Polls show support for Obama from white males without college degrees at under 30 percent, well below the 39 percent he had when he defeated Republican John McCain four years ago.
White House to defense contractors: Don’t warn employees before election they may get laid off Pres. Obama’s Labor Department is trying to spare the president the embarrassment of having hundreds of thousands of layoff notices arrive in the mail just before Election Day, including in the crucial swing state of Virginia.
Black pastors group launches anti-Obama campaign around gay marriage A group of conservative black pastors are responding to President Barack Obama’s support of same-sex marriage with what they say will be a national campaign aimed at rallying black Americans to rethink their overwhelming support of the President, though the group’s leader is offering few specifics about the effort.
Wall Street Betting on a Romney Win With just 100 days left until the U.S. presidential election, investors are beginning to make bigger bets on which candidate will carry the day.
Obama Budget Forecast Predicts $8 Trillion Deficit Over Next Decade Details came from a budget plan submitted to Congress.
Taxing the Wealthy Not a Top Priority for Either Obama or Romney Supporters, Poll Finds Americans say job creation, eliminating government corruption, and reducing the federal budget deficit should be the top priorities for the next president.
In Obama era, have race relations improved? Ask Americans how race relations have changed under their first black president and they are ready with answers.
James Carville: 'We’re Gonna Have to Go Through Hell and High-Water to Win this Damn Thing' In a fundraising email sent out by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Democratic strategist James Carville has a serious warning: "We’re gonna have to go through hell and high-water to win this damn thing." The remedy, according to Carville, is to donate more money to the Democratic group.
Rasmussen Poll: Romney Pulls Ahead by 5 Points The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Friday shows Mitt Romney attracting 49% of the vote, while President Obama earns support from 44%.
'USA! USA!' Congressman's Anti-Big Government Rant Gets Standing Ovation On House Floor Congressman gets a standing ovation after a passionate speech about how big government is killing jobs in his district.
Who’s Sponsoring That Political Ad? There’s a Cool App That Can Tell You Government Technology points to two new apps that can help you glean more information about just who produced the ad that could be influencing your vote.
Telegraph:Mitt Romney would restore 'Anglo-Saxon' relations between Britain and America Mitt Romney would restore "Anglo-Saxon" understanding to the special relationship between the US and Britain, and return Sir Winston Churchill's bust to the White House, according to advisers.
Biden Responds, goes on the attack over anonymous ‘Anglo-Saxon’ comment Even before Mitt Romney left for a six-day overseas trip, the White House was deploying Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. to try to knock down any incoming attacks on President Obama’s foreign policy.
The Dark Side Of The White House In "Confront and Conceal: Obama’s Secret Wars and Surprising Use of American Power," New York Times reporter David E. Sanger describes in quite extraordinary detail the Obama administration’s hitherto secret cyberwar campaign against Iran.
Obama Says His Daughters' 'Choices' May Depend on Funding Planned Parenthood President Barack Obama told campaign contributors that he favored taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood in part so his two daughters could “control their own health care choices.”
Democratic Voting Enthusiasm Down Sharply From 2004, 2008 Democrats are significantly less likely now (39%) than they were in the summers of 2004 and 2008 to say they are "more enthusiastic about voting than usual" in the coming presidential election. Republicans are more enthusiastic now than in 2008, and the same as in 2004
Romney and First Lady May Cross Paths in London With the first presidential debate still a few months away, President Obama won’t have to meet his Republican challenger face-to-face for a while — but his wife may not have to wait.
To arouse his base, Obama goes left, left and left The usual strategy for presidential candidates is to appeal to the political center in hopes of broadening their support. President Obama isn't doing that. He is tilting sharply to the left on issue after issue: immigration, religious liberty, welfare, gay marriage, the environment, race, the role of government. Why?
Solyndra figures attend swank Obama fundraiser President Obama rubbed elbows with two men at the center of the Solyndra loan scandal at an exclusive fundraiser in California.
Obama: GOP ‘playing politics’ with military Speaking to an audience of veterans, President Obama accused Republican lawmakers of “playing politics with our military” in the administration’s budget standoff with the GOP over looming cuts for defense and other programs.
Editorial: Lawmakers, do your job – you're lucky to have one Most Americans get two or, perhaps, three weeks’ vacation each year. This is worth remembering as Aug. 3 approaches.
Obama administration announces solar energy project The Obama administration will open public lands in six western states to more solar projects as part of a solar energy road map.
President Obama will visit Israel...If He Gets A Second Term President Obama will make his first trip to Israel as president if he wins a second term, his campaign said.
Poll: Which Group Dislikes Pres. Obama the Most? See the results of a recent Quinnipiac poll.
Pres. Obama Will Count on Black Voters Turnout among blacks increased at a far greater pace in 2008 than it did among white voters in key states like Colorado, Florida and Nevada, and almost all of that black support -- 95 percent -- went to Obama.
Some Small Business Owners Still Upset with Obama; Create Video Messages (Watch) Following President Barack Obama’s highly criticized “you didn’t build that” remark about business owners last week, some owners have submitted photos of their businesses for a two-minute “I built this” video take down of Obama’s comments.
Unions Target Hotel Chain Owned by Obama Supporters with a "Global Boycott" Hyatt will be a target of the union boycott starting Monday.
Watchdog: Study finds Obama spent little time on economy President Obama has spent less than 4 percent of his total time in economic meetings or briefings of any kind (assuming a six day, 10-hour workweek).
Obama wasn’t using teleprompter where he made controversial comments on business According to the video footage posted below, Obama pulled a folded sheet of paper out of his front shirt pocket at the beginning of his speech, and slowly unfolded it.
Did Michelle Obama Praise Bain Capital-backed Child Care Copany in 2011? The website, Daily Caller, claims yes after reviewing video.
For the First Time, Canadians Now Richer Than Americans For the first time in recent history, the average Canadian is richer than the average American, according to a report cited in Toronto's Globe and Mail.
Democrats Propose Plan to Sidestep Anti-Tax Pledge Senate Democrats — holding firm against extending tax cuts for the rich — are proposing a novel way to circumvent the Republican pledge not to vote for any tax increase: Allow all the tax cuts to expire Jan. 1, then vote on a tax cut for the middle class shortly thereafter.
Obama: Texas will be a battleground state soon “(Y)ou know, you’re not considered one of the battleground states,” he said, speaking in front of the Texas state flag. “Although that’s going to be changing soon.”
Arpaio calls Congress to move on Obama eligibility Maricopa County (AZ) Sheriff Joe Arpaio said it's time for a higher authority to investigate the issue.
Van Jones Calls Obama‘s ’You Didn‘t Build Your Business’ Comments the ‘Deepest Form of Patriotism’ Former White House advisor Van Jones slammed conservatives for unfairly attacking President Obama over his “you didn’t build” your business comments, saying the president’s remarks represented “the deepest form of patriotism.”
Democrat Loses It On Tea Partiers It happened during a public event at the Reform Congregation - Keneseth Israel in Jenkintown, Pa.
Democrats threaten to go over ‘fiscal cliff’ if GOP fails to raise taxes Democrats are making increasingly explicit threats about their willingness to let nearly $600 billion worth of tax hikes and spending cuts take effect in January unless Republicans drop their opposition to higher taxes for the nation’s wealthiest households.
Some Conservatives worry about state strategy for Romney Some state Republican Party leaders and influential conservatives say they are worried that the early stages of Mitt Romney’s campaign have been marked by missteps and missed opportunities in the bid to unseat President Obama in November.
Dem. Sen. Schumer tells Bernanke to stimulate economy before November Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., exhorted Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to stimulate the economy before November through some form of quantitative easing or other monetary policy, which Bernanke said could create jobs.
Email shows ICE delayed deporting Obama’s illegal immigrant uncle Emails exchanged by top U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials confirm that ICE delayed the deportation of President Obama’s uncle, an illegal immigrant, and that they had a close eye on Mitt Romney’s view of the issue.
North Carolina losing favor of Democrats With the Democratic National Convention roughly seven weeks away, many are beginning to wonder if the party’s choice of Charlotte, N.C., was the best idea after all.
Obama, Romney Take Fundraising International Barack Obama and his presumptive Republican rival Mitt Romney are aggressively seeking donations from Americans living abroad, with fundraisers in countries next week for influential bundlers of the respective campaigns.
Romney retired from Bain Capital ‘retroactively,’ Adviser Says Romney campaign senior adviser Ed Gillespie defended his candidate from attacks over the timing of his departure from Bain Capital during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday, saying Romney retired “retroactively” from the firm.
Obama - 'If you’ve got a business -- you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen' President Obama dismissed any credit business owners give themselves for their success:
Is Romney Good for Mormons? Most Mormons in Utah believe that Mitt Romney’s rise to become the likely GOP presidential nominee is a good thing for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But many do not trust the media to cover the church fairly
Buying an election?: Political Spending by Unions Far Exceeds Direct Donations Organized labor spends about four times as much on politics and lobbying as generally thought, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis, a finding that shines a light on an aspect of labor's political activity that has often been overlooked.
What Happens if the Election Is a Tie? Early this spring, as the new electoral map began to take shape, an intriguing scenario began circulating in political circles: the very real possibility that the 2012 presidential election could result in an Electoral College tie.
WATCH: Top Dems Who Are Moving Away From Pres. Obama Whether voting to repeal the health care law or skipping their party's convention, some Democrats are distancing themselves from President Obama.
RNC, DNC in Twitter War The DNC and RNC went to war on Twitter in an aggressive back-and-forth notable even by national committee standards.
High-powered lesbians create PAC; Who Will They Support? As a co-owner of the Chicago Cubs, her politically active family’s sole Democrat, and a sister with three brothers, Laura Ricketts is comfortable being the odd woman out.
Obama cuts taxes for White House millionaires President Obama’s latest proposal to raise taxes on high-income earners would effectively cut taxes for a number of senior White House advisers whose net worth exceeds $1 million.
LISTEN: Feds Help City Pay $50-per-hour to Youths for Clean Up Poughkeepsie, New York is paying the equivalent hourly rate of a $100,000 a year salary to unemployed youths to clean up old hurricane damage - worse, it will actually hinder productivity.
Former DNC Chair: Wait, Why Are we Attacking Romney for Being Wealthy? During a discussion on the president’s proposed extension of the Bush-era tax cuts for people earning less than $250,000 a year, former Democratic National Committee chair Ed Rendell characterized Team Obama’s attacks on Mitt Romney’s wealth as misguided.
Fair or Stalking?: GOP unnerved by Democrats' candid camera techniques Dems recording video of GOP members homes and posting online. SEE A VIDEO EXAMPLE
Washington Post: Obama’s record on outsourcing draws criticism from the left Barack Obama promised voters four years ago that he would work to slow the outflow of American jobs to other countries, proposing to revamp a federal tax code that encourages companies to maintain overseas operations.
Can Romney win with Afridan Americans? Mitt Romney, not President Obama, will speak Wednesday in Houston at the annual convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, seeking to make inroads with the president’s most loyal supporters.
Poll: 83% of doctors have considered quitting over 'Obamacare' The survey was released by the Doctor Patient Medical Association.
The Hill Poll: Majority of voters believe Obama has changed country for worse A new poll for The Hill found 56 percent of likely voters believe Obama’s first term has transformed the nation in a negative way, compared to 35 percent who believe the country has changed for the better under his leadership.
Obama four years ago: ‘raising the debt is unpatriotic’ [VIDEO] The Republican National Committee released a web video showing Senator Barack Obama calling $4 trillion in new debt “unpatriotic” in 2008.
Conservatives to Mitt: Quit Now If You Won't Fight Obamatax! Conservatives--who had just coalesced around opposition to what many now call "Obamatax"--exhort: Mitt, start fighting, or give up and let someone else do it.
Obama campaign launches new Romney outsourcing ad President Obama’s re-election campaign launched a new attack on Republican rival Mitt Romney’s business record.
Obama campaign rejects Factcheck.org report defending Romney President Barack Obama’s campaign staffers are pushing back against the FactCheck.org site after it concluded that Gov. Mitt Romney had not exported any U.S. jobs before he left Bain Capital in 1999 to run the Winter Olympics.
Obama campaign call affirms money anxiety Leaked details of a plaintive phone call from President Obama to some of his biggest donors offered a rare and revealing look into the typically private rituals of big-dollar campaign fundraising.
Romney adviser: Health care not a tax While Congressional Republicans have seized on the Supreme Court’s ruling that President Obama’s health care overhaul is constitutional as a tax, presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney’s top campaign strategist undercut that line of argument, saying that the governor agrees with Mr. Obama that the law is not a tax.
Illegal Immigratnts Excluded from Obama Fundraising Dinners Contests are only open to "legal" U.S. citizens/
Whopper: White House adviser David Plouffe on Romney’s jobs record and GOP strategy In terms of the “amazing article” David Plouffe referred to, we found no reports quoting Republicans talking openly about sitting idle on the economy to improve Romney’s election chances.
Romney campaign raises $1 million in three hours after Obamacare decision The Romney campaign raised $1 million dollars in the three hours immediately following the Supreme Court decision to uphold President Barack Obama’s health care reform law, according to a campaign spokesperson’s tweet.
WashPost will not retract 'outsourcing' story The Washington Post will not retract their June 21 report about Bain Capital's investments in firms that specialized in outsourcing American jobs, POLITICO has learned.
Obama Highlights Tax-Evader Marc Anthony As Example Of Rich Who Can Pay More Anthony, who was the featured performer at Obama's Miami fundraiser, is a frequent tax evader, owing $3.4 million to the Internal Revenue Service in 2010 after paying off $2.5 million in back taxes in 2007, NBC reported in 2010.
VP Biden: "It's A Depression For Millions And Millions Of Americans" "The unemployed are really in trouble," Biden said in a campaign stop in Iowa.
Obama Admin Envisions Life Without Congress In the ongoing merger between the Obama campaign and the Obama administration, the White House just sent out an e-mail to its supporters championing a new website that will tell you if you qualify for refinancing under President Obama’s new plan.
Obama Campaign Refuses To Pay Costs For Campaign Stop In NH Who should pay up?
Obama donor got $3.5M FDIC discount in failed-bank settlement A billionaire Chicago family that donated and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for President Obama got a $3.5 million discount last year for paying off early a $460 million settlement deal it agreed to in the 2001 failure of a Chicago-area bank it owned.
President Obama Booed After Thanking Boston For Kevin Youkilis eing booed was probably the last thing President Barack Obama expected from the crowd at a Symphony Hall fundraiser.
DId Pres. Obama knew about Gun Walking in March 2009 ? Watch this video from 2009.
POLITICO reporter suspended for saying Romney only comfortable with white people POLITICO reporter Joe Williams has been suspended pending review of recent controversial comments he made on television and Twitter, POLITICO editors informed staff.
Romney stirs up challenge on unions’ own turf Mitt Romney has pushed the 2012 electoral battleground into union-friendly territory — putting organized labor on the defensive in states it typically has little trouble holding.
Whopper: White House adviser David Plouffe on Romney’s jobs record and GOP strategy "The Fact Checker" from the Washington Post
Washington Post: 4 Pinocchios for Obama’s newest anti-Romney ad The Obama campaign apparently loves to ding former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney with the charge of “outsourcing.” On several occasions, we have faulted the campaign for its claims, apparently to little avail.
Obama campaign spent $33K at trendy Hollywood club last year Last year, President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign spent much more money at a trendy Hollywood club known for throwing parties like its annual Playmates Of Hollywood Lingerie Fashion Show.
Romney Campaign Billed Meeting Expense At Nightclub The Romney campaign held a meeting at a racy Arizona night club that boasts a "specialty champagne bar in the co-ed bathroom," according to the campaigns latest filing with the Federal Elections Commission.
Michelle: "Barack's Your Husband, Too"; Now Donate Again Michelle Obama sent an email to the entire campaign list, titled “Being married to Barack”...and asking for more donations.
VP Biden's Wife Takes Secret Service Lingerie Shopping In Chicago Chicago’s summer violence spree didn’t stop Vice President Biden’s wife, Jill, from lingerie shopping on the tony Michigan Avenue shopping district with full Secret Service detail and Chicago police escort.
Obama Campaign E-Mail: 'Hell No' To First Amendment The Barack Obama re-election campaign is once again targeting conservative donors – and this time, they’re calling for restrictions on the First Amendment to do it.
Democrats In Coal Country Run Away From Obama's 'War on Coal' Democrats in West Virginia -- Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, Sen. Joe Manchin and Rep. Nick Rahall -- announced they would not be attending the Democratic National Convention in North Carolina.
Obama Campaign Sends ‘Dreamers’ Fundraising Email Hours after Amnesty Announcement Seven hours after President Barack Obama announced that some illegal aliens would be allowed to stay in the United States and could be allowed to work here, Katherine Archuleta, Obama’s national campaign director, e-mailed a fundraising letter seeking donations to his re-election effort.
MSNBC mischaracterizes Romney remarks MSNBC aired footage that inaccurately portrayed Mitt Romney's remarks at a campaign stop in Pennsylvania.
Solyndranomics 101; Why Obama Policies Are Failing The fundamental problem is: Obama implemented his vision virtually unchecked during his first two years in the Oval Office.
Lawmakers see financial fortunes sink, But Many Are Still Super Rich Top lawmakers in both parties — from the mega-rich House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to the comfortably wealthy Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) — saw their fortunes shrink, according to financial disclosures released by the House and Senate.
Top Dem: Reduce Pot Penalities (Get Out The Vote Strategy?) Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is backing a plan to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, according to a report.
The U.S. Is Racking up Debt Faster Than the EU For all the bad things that can be said about the eurozone, at least the 17-nation union doesn’t rack up debt as quickly as the U.S. Yes, you read that right.
AFL-CIO shifts resources away from Obama, Democrats The AFL-CIO, the largest federation of unions in the U.S., announced in the middle of election season that it will redistribute funds away from supporting political candidates.
Dems Worries About Obama's Big Hollywood Ties Photo: AP The pollsters’ alarms are flashing for President Barack Obama, but he’s wrapping himself tighter in the glamorous embrace of Hollywood and the nation’s entertainment industry, despite growing alienation among middle class swing-voters.
Harvard ‘racism’ researcher neglected to disclose White House ties The Harvard researcher behind a recent study correlating 2008 election results with racially charged Google searches neglected to disclose ties to a former senior member of the Obama administration.
Campaigner-in-chief: Obama jets out of New York on Air Force One after an evening of star-studded fundraisers Tthe President's re-election campaign will not have to pay the full cost of his jaunt to the Big Apple, because he combined the trip with an official event which will be charged to the taxpayer.
Teacher Says He Was Fired After Writing a Song About the President A Tennessee middle school football coach said he got fired after he wrote a song that criticized President Obama. Bryan Glover, an assistant coach at Grassland Middle School near Nashville, co-wrote the country music song, “When You’re Holding a Hammer, Everything Looks Like a Nail.”
Non-Citizens, Convicted Felons Could Swing the Election for Obama Mitt Romney's lead over President Barack Obama in the states most likely to decide the presidential election could diminish over the next few weeks if left wing pressure groups work successfully to block ballot integrity efforts.
Labor Dept. counts oil lobbyists, garbage men, bus drivers as ‘green jobs’ Under questioning by House oversight committee chairman Darrell Issa, senior U.S. Labor Department officials revealed that the Obama administration counts oil lobbyists, bus drivers, garbage men, bicycle shop employees and used-record store clerks as “green jobs.”
Contingency plans set on US healthcare for post-SUPCO ruling High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. EThe Obama administration has prepared contingency plans in case the Supreme Court strikes down part or all of its signature healthcare reform law later this month, Kathleen Sebelius, health secretary, said on Thursday.
Obama’s Third-Party History Recently obtained evidence from the updated records of Illinois ACORN at the Wisconsin Historical Society now definitively establishes that Obama was a member of the New Party.
Green Public Equity Ventures: The Bain Of Obama's Campaign Message Forbes: 71% of Energy Department green energy grants and loans went to projects involving his major money bundlers, members of his National Finance Committee, or those who contributed as large Democratic Party donors.
Romney Visits Failed Energy Giant Solyndra Mitt Romney visits the now defunct solar manufacturer Solyndra.
White House Defends Obama's Wall Street fundraisers The White House defended President Obama's New York City fundraisers with Wall Street financiers, amid his campaign's attacks on Mitt Romney's time in private equity
Pres. Clinton: Romney Has Sterling Business Record “I think he had a good business career,” Clinton said of Romney on CNN's 'Piers Morgan Tonight'.
George Soros: Godfather of the Left The world’s 22nd richest man, according to Forbes, is now worth $20 billion. But Soros isn’t just noteworthy for the money he has – he’s notable for the money he has given away.
Obamacare Pushes Insurance Costs Up, Not Down Obamacare Has 'Bent the Insurance Cost-Curve North, Not South,' Insurance Executive Tells House Panel
Harvard Law classmate, law review colleague remembered Obama as ‘a pretty cold fish’ While details from President Barack Obama’s college years are scant, with the exception of a few acquaintances’ recollections, in 2008 one of his Harvard Law classmates offered a few seldom-heard remembrances of the president’s time at Harvard.
EPA Official Admits Obama Killing Coal Sen. James Inhofe plans to highlight a little-known speech by an EPA regional administrator who admitted on video that the Obama administration’s air regulations will kill the coal industry.
Test of Fire: Election 2012 A new video from Catholic church organizations: Will you vote the values that will stand the test of fire? Some things are more important than high gas prices or a faltering economy. They are life, marriage and freedom. This November, Catholics must stand up and protect their sacred rights and duties.
Sen. Reid Blocks Ban on $4 Billion Illegal Immigrant Tax Credit Loophole A bill that would close an IRS tax credit loophole that allows the IRS to funnel over $4 billion to illegal immigrants is being held up by Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV).
President Obama Won’t Be Returning His Donations From Bain Capital Though the Obama campaign has repeatedly attacked Mitt Romney for his career at Bain Capital, President Obama still accepted $7,500 in campaign contributions from three Bain executives.
Believe it. Obama’s A Big Spender There are some things that are so apparent that they’re not even worth mentioning. What goes up must come down. The earth is round. President Barack Obama is a big spender.
Will Obama Pull an LBJ and Drop Out? Are his numbers so bad that the President Obama could just walk away from a re-election?
'Joe The Plumber' Slams Biden During Contentious Al Sharpton Interview 'Joe the Plumber' takes on the Vice President.
NBC Massages Poll Results to Show Obama Leading in Key Swing States The NBC/Marist poll is the first bit of good news the Obama campaign has had in a few weeks. Too bad NBC had to massage the numbers a bit to get there.
Barack Obama, the First Tea Partier? In 2009, President Barack Obama reportedly called members of the Tea Party "teabaggers." It turns he may have been the first "teabagger" himself.
Public School Mandates Arabic Language Studies for All 2nd Through 5th Graders A public elementary school in Manhattan, New York, has implemented a school-wide mandate that is capturing headlines.
‘He (Obama) Sat At The Knee of the Reverend Jeremiah Wright’: Ed Klein, Author of ‘The Amateur Ed Klein tells several fairly shocking tales about the social circles surrounding the Obamas.
Democrat running to replace Giffords won’t say if he’s voting for Obama Another Democrat running for office won’t commit to voting for President Barack Obama in the presidential election. Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2012/05/24/democrat-running-to-replace-giffords-wont-say-if-hes-voting-for-obama/#ixzz1vsmYWuln
Tea Party Senator Talks About Reducing Big Government in Washington In the 2010 mid-term elections, Ron Johnson sent three-term liberal Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold packing. Johnson explained the significance of the battle between the private and public sector in Wisconsin’s June 5 recall election of Republican Gov. Scott Walker, why he went to Washington, where he stands on corporate welfare and much more.
Teacher Yells At Student For Asking Challenging Question About Obama From NC, Sarah Campbell wrote at the Salisbury Post that the heated exchange began "with a classroom conversation about a recent news story detailing Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney allegedly bullying a classmate in prep school. It turns into a heated, sometimes confrontational debate."
New O’Keefe video exposes non-citizens on voter rolls in NC, voter fraud comfort at UNC Conservative filmmaker James O’Keefe’s Project Veritas released a new video that contains several stabs at voter fraud in North Carolina.
Romney Donor Believes He Is On Obama "Enemies List" CEO says he was targeted by the president's re-election campaign
America at Risk: Importance of Military Readiness Dark shadows and superheroes may be all the rage in theaters, but the real heroes are on freedom’s frontier, and what’s really scary are schemes in Washington that will leave our men and women in uniform without what they need to defend us.
New RNC Ad Attacks Obama for Saying ‘Sometimes I Forget’ How Bad the Economy Was The Republican National Committee has seized on President Barack Obama’s remarks that he sometimes forgets how bad the recession was.
Pres. Obama: "Sometimes I Forget" About The Recession During a campaign event pres. Pres. Obama admitted that he sometimes forgets the impact of the recession (May 10, 2012).
Should You Need the Government's Permission to Work? License to Work: A National Study of Burdens from Occupational Licensing is the first national study to measure how burdensome occupational licensing laws are for lower-income workers and aspiring entrepreneurs
United States Budget Dilemma Soaring debt and a budget Congress can't balance! This video's author tries to explain WHY.
'If I Wanted America to Fail' This FreeMarketAmerica.org video "If I wanted America to fail" has topped 1 million views on YouTube.com.
Alexandra Pelosi's Take on Why Some Welfare Recipients Refuse to Work Alexandra Pelosi, daughter of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, interviews welfare recipients to find out why they won't work. Pelosi is a documentary film maker in NYC.
Government Workers Mock Wasteful Spending of Your Money UNCOVERED: Federal Government Worker "American Idle"? - Long Version and GSA Awards
Gas Prices Explained From Professor Mark J. Perry's Blog for Economics and Finance.
Why Are Gas Prices So High? MRCTV takes you to a Washington, D.C. station where gas is well above $5 a gallon.
Vets angry Obama Flag replaced American Flag An American flag with President Obama's image in place of the stars flew over a Florida county's Democrat headquarters long enough to enrage local veterans who called the altered banner "a disgrace."
Year After Oil Spill, Obama Energy Policy Endangers Economy The Heritage Foundation and the Institute for Energy Research traveled to Harvey, LA, to film Leslie Bertucci, owner of R and D Enterprises, for this oil spill anniversary video
Hot Video: Marine Stuns Crowd at Tea Party A Marine stuns the crowd at a Tea Party with the fourth verse of the Star Spangled Banner.
Leaked Footage From the New Obama Ad Featuring Tom Hanks Footage of the Obama campaign's new 17 minute ad narrated by Tom Hanks has been leaked to MRCTV. Gives new meaning to the old saying "the Simpsons did it".
Dan Danner Speaks about Healthcare Legislation Dan Danner, president and CEO of the National Federation of Independent Business, speaks to The Washington Times about Healthcare Legislation.
Mitt Romney Responds to Brokered Convention Prospects

Your Voice, Your Future Stories

Andy Berke Talks Mayoral Race
Andy Berke Talks Mayoral Race
By Drew Bollea

NewsChannel 9 is efforting one-on-one interviews with each of the candidates in Chattanooga's upcoming mayoral election. Monday we sat down with Andy Berke, who gave up his seat in Tennessee's House of Representatives to run for mayor.

"We have a crime problem in our city," said Berke. "It's unacceptable, and we will change it."

In 2011, there were 24 murders per 100,000 people in Chattanooga according to City-Data.com. That is the highest rate since 2002.

Berke sees curbing crime as his number one goal.

"Make sure that our young people are finding the right path to opportunity," said Berke.

That opportunity begins with renewing what we already have, which is Berke's $600,000 campaign slogan.

"We live in a great place, but we can get better," said Berke, "so if we look to the best parts of ourselves we will renew our city."

He says that big business can be a good economy stimulator, but the small businesses are what separate Chattanooga from the rest.

"We also have to support the industry that we have here," said Berke, "some of our best gains will come from people who are here starting their own business."

If elected, Berke says he will open up avenues to generate local business.
"Some of this is ensuring a business has the support from the city," said Berke, "the other part is making sure that the things that are stopping people from opening their own business, that we get rid of those to unleash people's potential."

Berke discussed accountability and openness in government, which is why he's also focused on a balanced budget.

"We should be spending money on the things that matter and work," said Berke, "and not just be budgeting because we did it the year before."

On Tuesday we'll be speaking with candidate Guy Satterfield. So far Chester Heathington, Jr. has not returned our calls.
Unofficial Tally Shows More Than 2.4M TN Votes Cast
Unofficial Tally Shows More Than 2.4M TN Votes Cast
An unofficial tally of votes from the recent presidential election shows more than 2.4 million people cast their ballots in Tennessee.

According to the secretary of state's office, 2,454,470 Tennesseans voted. That's down from the 2,599,749 votes cast in the 2008 presidential election.

This year, voters were required to show photo identification before voting. Those who didn't have proper ID could vote provisionally.

Secretary of State spokesman Blake Fontenay said Thursday that there were 674 photo ID-related provisional ballots cast, 178 of which have been counted.

Earlier this week, a coalition of Nashville poll watchers called for an audit of problems they documented with Election Day voting.

Tennessee Citizen Action organized the poll watching effort and its director, Mary Mancini, said that while some precincts were run effectively and smoothly, many were not.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Todd Gardenhire Wins TN Dist. 10 Senate Race
Todd Gardenhire Wins TN Dist. 10 Senate Race
Liquor Votes From Around the Area
Liquor Votes From Around the Area
GA Voters OK Charter Schools Amendment
GA Voters OK Charter Schools Amendment
Georgians have approved a constitutional amendment that would allow a new state board to issue charters for private operators to run independent public schools.

With 94 percent of precincts reporting, 1.89 million voters - or 58 percent - supported the proposal. A total of1.37 million or 42 percent opposed it.

Gov. Nathan Deal and school choice advocates pitched the amendment as a way to give Georgia families more educational options. State Superintendent John Barge led educator groups in opposition, saying it would lessen local control and siphon public money away from existing schools.

Control over charters now rests mostly with local school boards, though operators who are denied can appeal to the state Board of Education. Georgia has about 200 charter schools already. They will not be immediately affected by the outcome.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
President Barack Obama Wins Re-election
President Barack Obama Wins Re-election
Polling Employee Wears Obama Shirt
Polling Employee Wears Obama Shirt
by Mikaya Thurmond

It all started when one of our viewers tipped us with this tweet.

He sent us this blurry photo that he claimed showed a poll worker wearing an Obama sweatshirt at the Tyner Community Center voting precinct.

From there, we sent our cameras inside the center to take a look for ourselves.

Before entering into the building, this sign was plastered on the front door.

Tennessee Code states that an "officer shall measure one hundred feet from the entrances and place campaign-boundary signs at that distance."

But just a few feet away, the woman also seen in the photo, stands greeting voters as they enter the building.

The polling manager told us that he was completely unaware of this issue. However, the Tennessee Board of Elections wasn't.

The Hamilton County Attorney, Chris Clems, tells me that he expects these kinds of issues to arise at least 4 or 5 times per election season.

But that this issue has been resolved.
Romney and Obama Vote
Romney and Obama Vote
Voting Problems in Hamilton County
Voting Problems in Hamilton County
Vote With Your Gum
Vote With Your Gum
Do You Understand How Elections Really Work?
Do You Understand How Elections Really Work?
Pikeville Voters to Decide Liquor Sales
Pikeville Voters to Decide Liquor Sales
Voters in Pikeville are deciding for the second time in two years whether to allow liquor sales at restaurants and in package stores.

Voters defeated referendums on liquor-by-the-drink and package sales in Nov. 2010, but both lost by fewer than 20 votes.

Bledsoe County Administrator of Elections Lisa Wheeler said the larger turnout for the Nov. 6 presidential election might mean a different outcome.

Wheeler said early voting has been "extremely busy." But she said voters are talking more about the presidential race than the liquor issue.

Other Sequatchie Valley cities have approved alcohol sales in recent years. In 2008, Dunlap and Kimball voters approved liquor by the drink. In Dunlap, residents also approved package store sales.
Tennessee Voters Take Advantage of Early Voting
Tennessee Voters Take Advantage of Early Voting
Tennessee voters turned in a strong showing at the polls Wednesday, the first day of early voting for the November 6 election. With all 95 counties reporting, a statewide total of 121,406 voters cast their ballots yesterday.

“I am pleased with the huge turnout we have seen to begin the early voting period,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “It is my hope that as many Tennesseans as possible take advantage of the flexibility that early voting allows.”

Early voting will continue through Thursday, November 1. Voters with questions regarding the locations and hours of early voting are encouraged to contact their local election commission offices.

CLICK HERE for information on your local election office
Presidential Candidates Prepare for Round Two
Presidential Candidates Prepare for Round Two
24 percent more voters than in 2004 in Hamilton
24 percent more voters than in 2004 in Hamilton
Election officials in Hamilton County say an influx of new residents has pushed the number of registered voters to an all-time high.

the nearly 220,000 residents now registered to vote is up 24 percent over 2004.

Officials say 15,000 new registrations have been processed since the 2008 presidential election and about 2,000 additional forms are being processed.

The deadline for registration is Oct. 8 in person and an Oct. 6 postmark if registering by mail. Early voting begins Oct. 17.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Democrats get aggressive in legislative races
Democrats get aggressive in legislative races
Faced with the possibility of a Republican super majority in both chambers of the General Assembly, Democratic candidates are aggressively attacking their opponents in legislative races across the state.

In the lead up to the Nov. 6 election, Democrats have sometimes criticized legislative issues, such as Republican support for a bill that could lead to a state takeover of Medicare. But more often, Republican candidates are being criticized for activity outside the legislature, such as questionable campaign contributions or legal troubles.

Republicans need just two seats in the state House and two in the Senate to gain two-thirds control of the legislature. That would give them the ability to meet and conduct business even if every Democratic member were to walk out.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Government Leaders Travel on 'Free Trips'
Government Leaders Travel on 'Free Trips'
Presidential Debate - Make or Break?
Presidential Debate - Make or Break?
Ann Romney Coming to Chattanooga, $10,000 per Plate Fundraiser
Ann Romney Coming to Chattanooga, $10,000 per Plate Fundraiser
U.S. Sen. Bob Corker will host a fundraiser with first lady nominee Ann Romney in Chattanooga later this month, according to Blogger Chas Sisk with The Tennessean newspaper in Nashville.

Sisk says Senator Corker and his wife will host a $10,000-per-person dinner at their home on Friday, Sept. 14. Budget-conscious Republicans can choose to attend a reception and photo op prior to the dinner for $5,000 a person or couple, or they can go to the reception only (sans photo op) for $1,000 a person or $2,000 a couple.

Sisk writes that, "The fundraiser is probably as close as Tennesseans are going to get to seeing the two presidential campaigns on the ground this fall. With much of the candidates’ time devoted to stump speeches in battleground states, surrogates such as Ann Romney are expected to be tasked with representing the campaigns in Tennessee — even at private fundraisers."
Judge Dismisses Wolfe's Lawsuit Against Arkansas Democrats
Judge Dismisses Wolfe's Lawsuit Against Arkansas Democrats
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against the Arkansas Democratic Party by a Tennessee attorney who wasn't awarded any of the state's delegates despite winning 42 percent of the vote in the party's presidential primary earlier this year.

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge James M. Moody dismissed John Wolfe's lawsuit that challenged the party's decision to not award him any delegates.

The party argued it had the right to deny delegates to Wolfe because he didn't comply with its rules. The party said before the May 22 primary that Wolfe would not be awarded any delegates because he did not file two mandatory documents.

Moody's ruling said the party did not deny Wolfe his constitutional rights by refusing to award him delegates.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Democrat Leaves Race Against GOP House Leader
Democrat Leaves Race Against GOP House Leader
The Chattanooga Democrat who was facing the state House majority leader in the November election has withdrawn from the race.

Larry Miller said Thursday that he is taking a job in Texas is ending his campaign for the House District 26 seat. After winning the Aug. 2 primary, Miller would have been up against House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick in the general election.

Hamilton County Democratic Party Chairman Paul Smith is looking into the options for getting another candidate on the ballot.

Miller is taking a position as director of the National Institute of Staff and Organization Development at the University of Texas at Austin.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Catoosa Sheriff Results
Catoosa Sheriff Results
By Jerry Askin

Voters in Catoosa County elected a new sheriff, Tuesday. Gary Sisk will take over after 22-year Sheriff Phil Summers, chose not to run for re-election. With 100% of precincts reporting... Sisk beat his opponent Larry Black 54% to 45%.

It's somewhat of a surprise outcome, since Black actually snagged the most votes in the Primary Election.

All across Catoosa County, supporters for both sheriff's candidates campaigned in front of polling places. Hoping the best person would win the race. Kristin Hadden says Gary Sisk is the right person.

"A sheriff that can control any kind of crime... Keep an eye on his people, and basically a good man that can get things done that needs to be done," says Hadden.

Sisk says he has a plan for change in Catoosa County.

"We've got to do more of rehab with inmates... We're seeing too many repeat offenders.. I feel that it's a local problem and we need to deal with it on a local level," says Gary sisk.

Sisk has 22 years of experience in law enforcement and has worked as detention officer and chief deputy at the Catoosa County Sheriff's office. He was also endorsed by current Sheriff Phil Summers.

"I feel that I'm the best one for the job," says Gary Sisk.

But Larry Black says the best man did not win. He says he's got more experience and education. In fact, he told us he's had every job at the Sheriff's office except Sheriff. And has even done outside jobs...making him more qualified.

"I've worked in a number of positions in the private sector dealing with private security and things like that.. And I've learned a wealth of information," says Larry Black.

And though Austine Bowman voted for Black...

"I trust him with taking care of the people in Catoosa County and anyone else that needs it," says Bowman.

Some voters say it takes more than experience to be sheriff.

"Just because you are qualified doesn't mean you know how to do it and do it right," says Hadden.

Other Georgia Results
_______________________

In the republican run off for Sheriff in Dade County .. Ray Cross is wins with 55% of the vote. His challenger, Patrick Cannon, gets 44% of the vote. Ray Cross faces Former Sheriff Phillip Street in November.

People in Murray County also headed to the polls Tuesday for a runoff in the race for Sheriff. It looks like Gary Langford will face long-time democratic incumbent Howard Ensley, coming November. Langford brought home 57% of the vote ... over his opponent Wyle Pritchett with 42%.

As for Georgia House District One, which covers Walker and Dade Counties... John Deffenbaugh was up against Alan Painter for the GOP nomination. All precincts reporting.. John Deffenbaugh wins with 51% over Alan Painter coming in with 48% of the votes.
People Do Not Trust Politicians
People Do Not Trust Politicians
Judge Won't Void Tennessee Democratic Senate Primary
Judge Won't Void Tennessee Democratic Senate Primary
NASHVILLE - A federal judge has refused to void the Tennessee Democratic primary for U.S. Senate won by an anti-gay candidate the party has disavowed.

District Judge Kevin Sharp ruled that the lawsuit filed by losing candidate Larry Crim was improper because it was not filed against an individual.

Crim sued the state Division of Elections and the Tennessee Democratic Party trying to keep the winner of the Aug. 2 primary, Mark Clayton, off the November ballot.

The day after the election, the state Democratic Party said it wanted nothing to do with Clayton. A statement disavowing his campaign said he is a member of an anti-gay hate group and not a real Democrat because he previously voted in only one party primary.

Clayton will oppose U.S. Senator Bob Corker in November.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Romney's VP Pick Creating Buzz In Tennessee Valley
Romney's VP Pick Creating Buzz In Tennessee Valley
It's was a major announcement Saturday by America's Republican candidate for President. Mitt Romney has chosen Wisconsin Republican Paul Ryan as his Vice Presidential Running mate. And the news is causing quite a buzz right here in the Tennessee Valley, and even with Tennessee lawmakers.

Senator Bob Corker released a statement Saturday about Romney's running mate, calling Ryan a "bold and outstanding pick".

So we stepped out on the streets of Downtown Chattanooga to find out what some of you think. Most gave Ryan pretty good reports.

"He's a younger guy, and he's a little more exciting to listen to. His ideas are definitely fiscally, he's one of the best guys out there. So, I think that's going to bring a lot of enthusiasm to the Republicans," says resident Jeff Darr.

Darr wasn't alone in his viewpoints.

"I think it's great news. I think he's the smartest guy out there, and he proved it when he came up with his economic plan and they didn't take it," says Ryan supporter, Linda Darr.

But some of you we spoke with say although they applaud Romney's step in the right direction of picking a young candidate, voters like Nathan Davis say Romney's pick could deter voters at the polls.

"I'm glad we finally know that Romney has a plan, because Ryan has a plan. I think that might hurt him because he already has vouchers for medicare patients and he might lose some senior votes," says Davis.

Mitt Romney will face off against President Obama in the November 2nd elections.
So You Think Your Vote's Not Worth It
So You Think Your Vote's Not Worth It
NewsChannel9 is dedicated to holding government accountable with how it spends your taxpayer money. We have a story that turns the tables onto you, the taxpayer. Each year, every county writes out a budget to pay for handling elections.
Now that the Georgia and Tennessee's primaries are in the books, we wanted to know how much of your taxpayer money was spent for each individual vote cast. We found it turns out, a low voter turnout means your money is not well-spent.
Another week of elections is behind us, and just like every other one, this one didn't come for free. Every year, each county has an election budget that's paid for by taxpayer dollars. The most of efficient use of that money is if 100% of registered voters cast their ballot, but that's hardly ever the case.
Some people, for whatever reason, didn't think it was worth it. "I didn't really have time. It was a busy day for me," said Chris Davis from Ringgold. "What's one person, more or less, whether it's going to tip the scales one way or the other," said Kelli Roach from Ringgold.
But those decisions came with a cost. We crunched the numbers in Hamilton and Catoosa counties for this budget year. We counted the total number of voters both from Super Tuesday, and this past week's primaries. If every single register voter voted, it would have cost Catoosa County taxpayers $5.79 per vote. If the same happened in Hamilton County, taxpayers would've spend just under $8 per vote.
But that's not what happened. In Catoosa, less than 20% of registered voters showed up on Tuesdsay, and in Hamilton County on Thursday, less than 24% voted.
"Of course every election we look at the numbers and we're surprised by such a low turnout," said Tonya Moore, director of elections for Catoosa County. And that low turnout came with a cost. Taxpayer dollars spent per vote in Catoosa County this year? $14.89. And in Hamilton? A whopping $25.11. It's basically like buying seven pizzas and only eating one slice, or buying a twelve pack of mountain dew and only drinking one can.
So it's not just government that's wasting money. Taxpayers who are registered to vote but don't are too.
"I mean, if you're already paying for it, you might as well take advantage of the money that's already being spent," said Roach. So here's something to think about the next time you wonder if your vote is worth it.
The director of elections in Catoosa County says she would have to increase the budget if voter turnout rises, but we'll have to see if saving money is a priority for voters in the next election.

By Natalie Jenereski
Gardenhire Beats Vital By 40 Votes
Gardenhire Beats Vital By 40 Votes
A discrepancy in the number of votes at a Chattanooga precinct, has given Republican State Senate candidate Todd Gardenhire a 40-vote win, over challenger Greg Vital.
The final tally (including Bradley County precincts): Gardenhire 8,020 and Vital 7,980.
The discrepancy was found at the Eastdale precinct. Election officials say the discrepancy shorted some candidates votes, including Gardenhire.
Gardenhire will take on Andrae McGary in November for the 10th District seat.
Tennessee Democrats Disavow Corker's Opponent
Tennessee Democrats Disavow Corker's Opponent
Tennessee Democrats are distancing themselves form Mark Clayton, the man who won the Democratic primary, for the U.S. Senate seat being held by Bob Corker.

The state party issued this statement Friday:

"The only time that Clayton has voted in a Democratic primary was when he was voting for himself. Many Democrats in Tennessee knew nothing about any of the candidates in the race, so they voted for the person at the top of the ticket. Unfortunately, none of the other Democratic candidates were able to run the race needed to gain statewide visibility or support.

Mark Clayton is associated with a known hate group in Washington, D.C., and the Tennessee Democratic Party disavows his candidacy, will not do anything to promote or support him in any way, and urges Democrats to write-in a candidate of their choice in November.”

Corker defeated four GOP opponents in the Republican primary Thursday night.
Rep. Fleischmann Wins Republican Primary in 3rd District
Rep. Fleischmann Wins Republican Primary in 3rd District
Republican Congressman Chuck Fleischmann celebrated at the Doubletree Hotel in Downtown Chattanooga, after watching the election numbers come in Thursday night. He took 39% of the total votes in Tennessee's 3rd District, receiving more than 23 thousand votes. Fleischmann defeated dairy executive Scottie Mayfield, who received 31%, Weston Wamp with 29% and Ron Bhalla who came away with 1%. There is some controversy in the race because Scottie Mayfield did not initially concede. He claimed there may be an error at the Hamilton County election commission.

Fleischmann will now go up against Democrat Mary Headrick in November's general election. She defeated Bill Taylor in the primary.
DesJarlais Rejects Debates in 4th District
DesJarlais Rejects Debates in 4th District
Tennessee Rep. Scott DesJarlais has said no to a series of debates with his Democratic challenger in the 4th District congressional race.

State Sen. Eric Stewart called for three debates in a challenge issued the night of the Aug. 2 primary. Stewart said the debate would help introduce the candidates to voters in the newly redrawn district, now anchored in southern Middle and East Tennessee.

DesJarlais' written reply to Stewart, obtained Tuesday by the Shelbyville Times Gazette (http://bit.ly/PaFaJR ), rejected a debate and cited Stewart's "lack of clarity on the issues" as a reason. The freshman Republican left open the option for a debate before the Nov. 2 election.

Stewart responded that DesJarlais is a member of a "do nothing Congress" who wants to be a "do nothing candidate."

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Presidential Race Heating Up
Presidential Race Heating Up
Vital Concedes District 10 State GOP Senate Race
Vital Concedes District 10 State GOP Senate Race
Greg Vital has decided not to seek a recount and conceded the District 10 state Senate Republican primary to Todd Gardenhire.

Vital said in a statement that last Thursday's race was close but "the election is over."

At different times, unofficial vote counts had the margin as 15 and 40 votes out of about 16,000 cast in Bradley and Hamilton counties. A few provisional ballots were added to the total Monday, but they weren't expected to change the outcome of the race.

Gardenhire will face Democratic candidate Andrae McGary in the Nov. 6 general election.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Mayfield Concedes One Day After Election
Mayfield Concedes One Day After Election
Dairy Executive Scottie Mayfield has now conceded the Republican spot in the Third Congressional District. His campaign organizers say, on Friday afternoon, Mayfield called Congressman Chuck Fleischmann and offered his congratulations.
Mayfield waited to give up the race immediately after Thursday night's primary election in Tennessee. He came in behind Incumbent Congressman Fleischmann by about 6,000 votes in the Republican primary of the 3rd District. Mayfield said he was advised by "people in Chattanooga" that the numbers the Election Commission published were incorrect. He said there could be some confusion because he placed 1st and 2nd in every county but one. He's alluding to Hamilton County where he received 20% of the vote, versus Weston Wamp's 39.1% and Fleischmann's 38.8%. Mayfield said he had no problem conceding if the numbers were, in fact, correct, but he believed that may not be the case. The Hamilton County Election Commission stood by their results.
Rep. Fleischmann Wins Republican Primary in 3rd District
Rep. Fleischmann Wins Republican Primary in 3rd District
Republican Congressman Chuck Fleischmann celebrated at the Doubletree Hotel in Downtown Chattanooga, after watching the election numbers come in Thursday night. He took 39% of the total votes in Tennessee's 3rd District, receiving more than 23 thousand votes. Fleischmann defeated dairy executive Scottie Mayfield, who received 31%, Weston Wamp with 29% and Ron Bhalla who came away with 1%. There is some controversy in the race because Scottie Mayfield did not initially concede. He claimed there may be an error at the Hamilton County election commission.

Fleischmann will now go up against Democrat Mary Headrick in November's general election. She defeated Bill Taylor in the primary.
Redistricting Repercussions
Redistricting Repercussions
Redistricting is causing some headaches in Hamilton County, not only for voters, but for election officials as well.
Daniel Witherow has lived in the Emma Wheeler Homes for the last 9 years, and he's voted in every election, including Thursday's. He used to vote at the apartment's rental office. He knew his polling place had been moved because of redistricting so he cast his ballot at the Bethlehem center, like it said on his Voter ID card. But then, he saw a sign posted at the rental office.
"I was thinking maybe it was a mistake. That's what I was thinking, hopefully it was a mistake," said Witherow. That's because the sign said the location was moved to Calvary Baptist Church, which is all the way in Red Bank.
Daniel had his ID card, so he knew better than to go there, but he was worried others might get confused. "It doesn't take much for a little thing like this to change the community. Most people, a little thing like that and they'll just change their mind about voting altogether," said Witherow.
Charlotte Mullis-Morgan, the Hamilton County administrator of elections, says the new redistricting has caused a few problems like this one.
"Redistricting changed quite a few places, a few things. Evidently one of the inspectors picked up the signs and didn't pay attention to what they were putting out, and they put the wrong sign out down there," said Mullis-Morgan.
Turns out, the sign should have been put up at Trinity Lutheran Church off Hixson Pike, right next to the other ones. "That was our mistake and we are apologetic for that. We didn't realize it until we had a phone call, but we've taken care of it now," said Mullis-Morgan.
We're told a few people did show up at Calvary Baptist who were supposed to go the Bethlehem Center. No word on exactly how many polling places were affected by the signage mistake. By the way, redistricting took place across the country because of the 2010 census.

By Natalie Jenereski
Toll Free Tennessee Voter Hotline
Toll Free Tennessee Voter Hotline
by: Sarah Jennings

And as you head to the polls Thursday NewsChannel 9 wants to remind you about a toll-free hotline number to help you along in the voting process. Here's the number you can call to get help with any questions or problems you may have before, during or after you head to your voting precinct:

1-877-850-4959

Election officials who are staffing the hotline can answer questions about Tennessee's new photo identification law or any other election related issues.
Tennessee Voters Determine Tough Races Thursday
Tennessee Voters Determine Tough Races Thursday

(AP) - Months of bruising primary campaign activity comes to a close Thursday as voters head to the polls to decide the winners.

Voters will need to find ways to keep cool, as the National Weather Service predicts temperatures in the high 90s for the central and western parts of the state.

Among the most closely watched contests are efforts by U.S. Reps. Chuck Fleischmann and Diane Black to win re-election to their second terms in Congress. Both have faced strong challenges for the Republican nomination, and both races have featured large amounts of outside money in the form of independent expenditures.

The Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate is also set to be determined Thursday. Incumbent Sen. Bob Corker has a large fundraising and name recognition advantage over his GOP opponents.
Recount Considered In District Attorney Race
Recount Considered In District Attorney Race
by John Madewell

Elections in north Georgia showed a trend among voters, especially in Walker and Dade Counties. That trend was a movement away from some incumbents.

The race for Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit district attorney position was razor thin, extremely thin. And a recount is possible.

21,903 votes were cast and Herbert "Buzz" Franklin won by only 43 votes over Doug Woodruff.

Franklin has been district attorney for 16 years. He stayed up late into the night, anxiously waiting to see if he could hold off his challenger.

He believes anti-incumbency may have affected the contest. Franklin said, "I know there is some anti-incumbent sentiment out there and some people just think if you've been in office a certain number of years, then that should be enough and you should move on to the next person."

And will the 43 vote margin stand a possible recount challenge? NewsChannel 9 made contact with Woodruff. He said with a margin this tight his camp is "looking at all options" and right now they are "in evaluation mode."

He has a few days to decide.This afternoon, Catoosa Board of Elections members started the consolidation process. That entailed verifying the serial numbers on every voting machine used. The same process will happen in Chattooga, Dade and Walker Counties.

In addition, some provisional, military and overseas votes could still come in.

Catoosa County's Custodian of Elections, John Campbell, explained, "Although the results will not be certified until I believe it's going to be Monday. It used to be you had two days after the election to count any provisional ballots that you might have as wall as getting in your UOCOVA (Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act) overseas ballots. Now they have until Friday."

Georgia's law lays out numerous rules for a recount. Some of the key provisions are as follows:

If a contestant believes a counting error happened, he or she doesn't have to provide evidence. Also, if the margin is less than 1 percent, which the Franklin/Woodruff is, the contestant has two days to file a written request after certification.

Since the election covers four counties, a recount request goes to Secretary of State within two days of certification.

NewsChannel 9 asked Franklin if he anticipates a recount. "I don't know if three would be one or not. You know, in the days of paper ballots, you would expect some change if there's a recount. With the electronic balloting I don't know if there would be much of a chance of any changes. But it wouldn't be unexpected."

The Secretary of State's office said it expects certification at the first of next week. At this point, Woodruff has yet to make a set-in-stone decision.
No Voter ID?
No Voter ID?
A Signal Mountain couple is frustrated with our voting system. They're worried they won't be able to vote in Thursday's primary. They moved to Tennessee from Iowa about a year ago, but they haven't received their voter registration cards.
This couple say they've taken all the proper steps, and even called the Hamilton County election commission multiple times. They're worried that for the first time in 45 years, they won't be able to vote.
"We go to church, we vote, we love each other. That's life," said John and Gail Holcombe. For them, voting is a way of life. Every year for the last 45, like homework, they study the issues and the candidates. It's not something they take lightly.
This year is no different, except for the fact that they aren't positive they'll be able to cast a ballot. Gail says, since January, she's been calling the Hamilton County Election Commission, and going online to try to get their address changed.
"Here it is, July 31st, and we still haven't gotten a voter registration card, we don't even know where our new precinct is," said Gail.
Gail says she's talked with Charlotte Mullis-Morgan from the election commission. "She was very kind, very helpful, but we still haven't gotten our voter registration card."
But Charlotte assured us, the Holcombes won't have a problem, and they're not alone. "We've sent out cards but sometimes they don't get delivered. They do not have to have this card to vote. This is what I want people to understand. They have to have a photo ID of some kind, drivers license, passport, gun permit, any photo ID, just an ID given by the department of safety," said Mullis-Morgan.
Meanwhile, when we asked the couple why they think it's so important to vote, all they did was laugh. "Well there's a flag over there, my parents were involved and part of what they fought for was the possibility of voting for delegates, for officials, and we take that seriously," said John Holcombe.
The main reason for the voter ID card backup, Charlotte says, is because of re-districting.

By Natalie Jenereski
Georgia Voters Head to the Polls
Georgia Voters Head to the Polls
by: Sarah Jennings

Georgia voters head to the polls to decide primary races in congressional districts across the state today. Polls are open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

One of the most hotly contested U.S. House campaigns is in the new 9th District in north Georgia that covers Governor Nathan Deal`s former political turf.

In Catoosa County voters will have their say on who will replace retiring sheriff Phil Summers. Walker County is holding its election for sheriff Tuesday, as well.

The Tennessee primary election will be held on August 2nd. One of the most-contested races in Tennessee is the 3rd District seat for Congress. We invited those candidates to sit down with members of our NewsChannel 9 team and talk about political issues that are important to you.
Those conversations are posted for you to watch here at NewsChannel9.com.

Remember, you`ll need a state photo ID to vote in both Tennessee and Georgia.
[UPDATE] Bradley County Wheel Tax Sign Controversy
[UPDATE] Bradley County Wheel Tax Sign Controversy
By Jerry Askin

Controversy in Bradley County about an upcoming wheel tax vote - and how it's being promoted.

Last week, we told you about the school system - asking for votes in favor of the wheel tax - using school signs.
Now we've learned parents are receiving automated phone messages from school employees - asking them to support the tax.

If passed, wheel tax funds will go right to public schools in Bradley County. School officials say they're in compliance with the state law,but we found out state officials don't agree.

A day at the grocery store for Don Hoops, who's thinking about a huge topic of conversation around Bradley County, the wheel tax. A tax that'll be on the August ballot aimed at supporting local schools.

"It means that everyone will get a chance to pay for the county activities including teaching," says Hoops.

Last week, we told you about signs posted at several Cleveland and Bradley County schools. North Lee Elementary's web site is also soliciting votes.

We learned today that parents have now been getting automated phone messages by the school system - encouraging them to support the tax.

But, state law says it's illegal to use public buildings, facilities and equipment for political advertising.

"Historically those type of expenditures are a very questionable use of taxpayer dollars and it's arguably illegal under current law," says Greg Cochron from the State Comptroller's Office.

"I don't want anybody calling my phone, leaving any kind of messages about voting or anything like that," says Bradley County Resident Robin Kendrick.

"It seems to me that the educators have got to get on the stick with the other people who are asking for support," says Don Hoops.

We arranged an interview with Bradley County Superintendent Johnny McDaniel. He wasn't there when we got there, but we called him. McDaniel says the school system is following what the county attorney has advised leaders to do.
He says the schools are in compliance with state law.

But, a spokesperson from the state comptroller's office says they're not.

"In our past looking at these types of matters, we have not found an explicit authorization nor an implied authorization under current statue," says Cochron.

We talked last week to Director of Cleveland City Schools Martin Ringstaff.... who also defended advertising in favor of the wheel tax - because it goes right to education. The tax will - require drivers to pay $32 per car and $16 for each motorcycle they register. We'll let you all know what happens after the Primary election... on August 2nd.
Rhea County Democrats Turned Away At The Polls
Rhea County Democrats Turned Away At The Polls
by Alyssa Spirato

Voters in Rhea County are turned away from the polls. It all happened because they're democrats. It's a complicated issue involving Tennessee Code.

Rhonda Hillian is a Democrat who says she wanted to vote for a close friend- who happens to be a Republican.

"Not straight Democrat, not straight Republican, the best man got my vote," says Hillian.

But when Hillian showed up to the Rhea County courthouse, she was turned away.

"They gave me a piece of paper that I could vote in a rejection election, and I said 'well, is my vote going to be counted for Ron Travis, when I vote for Ron Travis will it going to be counted?' They said no,'" says Hillian.

Officials with Rhea County say what they did is completely legal. They say Tennessee state law defines a primary as an "election held for a political party for the purpose of allowing members of that party to select a nominee." The law also states that people "may be challenged on the basis of not being affiliated with the particular party in which the person seeks to vote."

"All we're trying to do is make sure everybody has a right to vote. But, they need to vote in their own primary. I don't know why they didn't run their own candidate, I can't answer that," says Ken Coppinger with the Rhea County Election Commission.

If someone's affiliation is challenged, they must go before three judges or election officials. They must then swear their allegiance to the party they wish to vote. But even after that, the voter's fate is still up to the panel. It's a law even some election officials don't think is right.

"I think it's a shame that men and woman died for our freedom and the right to vote, and I think it's a shame that we've come to a place in this country where people are declined the right to vote," says Rhea County Democrat Election Commissioner, Hurley Marsh.

But not all democrats are challenged or turned away, leaving some to wonder whether it's the law or small town politics.

"My husband goes in, and he gets to vote. They didn't challenge him, but they challenged me," says Hillian.

Hillian wasn't the only person turned away. We heard from at least one other man who wasn't allowed to vote. I spoke with Teresa Snyder, the Administrator of Elections - off camera. I asked her - in a state with open primaries, how do they know who is a Democrat, and who is a Republican. She said it's a small town and most everyone knows the resident's party affiliations.
So You Think Your Vote's Not Worth It
So You Think Your Vote's Not Worth It
NewsChannel9 is dedicated to holding government accountable with how it spends your taxpayer money. We have a story that turns the tables onto you, the taxpayer. Each year, every county writes out a budget to pay for handling elections.
Now that the Georgia and Tennessee's primaries are in the books, we wanted to know how much of your taxpayer money was spent for each individual vote cast. We found it turns out, a low voter turnout means your money is not well-spent.
Another week of elections is behind us, and just like every other one, this one didn't come for free. Every year, each county has an election budget that's paid for by taxpayer dollars. The most of efficient use of that money is if 100% of registered voters cast their ballot, but that's hardly ever the case.
Some people, for whatever reason, didn't think it was worth it. "I didn't really have time. It was a busy day for me," said Chris Davis from Ringgold. "What's one person, more or less, whether it's going to tip the scales one way or the other," said Kelli Roach from Ringgold.
But those decisions came with a cost. We crunched the numbers in Hamilton and Catoosa counties for this budget year. We counted the total number of voters both from Super Tuesday, and this past week's primaries. If every single register voter voted, it would have cost Catoosa County taxpayers $5.79 per vote. If the same happened in Hamilton County, taxpayers would've spend just under $8 per vote.
But that's not what happened. In Catoosa, less than 20% of registered voters showed up on Tuesdsay, and in Hamilton County on Thursday, less than 24% voted.
"Of course every election we look at the numbers and we're surprised by such a low turnout," said Tonya Moore, director of elections for Catoosa County. And that low turnout came with a cost. Taxpayer dollars spent per vote in Catoosa County this year? $14.89. And in Hamilton? A whopping $25.11. It's basically like buying seven pizzas and only eating one slice, or buying a twelve pack of mountain dew and only drinking one can.
So it's not just government that's wasting money. Taxpayers who are registered to vote but don't are too.
"I mean, if you're already paying for it, you might as well take advantage of the money that's already being spent," said Roach. So here's something to think about the next time you wonder if your vote is worth it.
The director of elections in Catoosa County says she would have to increase the budget if voter turnout rises, but we'll have to see if saving money is a priority for voters in the next election.

By Natalie Jenereski
Mayfield Makes $150,000 Loan to His Campaign
Mayfield Makes $150,000 Loan to His Campaign
Financial disclosures by the congressional campaign of 3rd District Republican candidate Scotty Mayfield show he loaned his campaign organization $150,000 this month.

Documents show Mayfield will be able to increase the amount of the loan if needed as the races approach the Aug. 2 primary elections.

With the $150,000 included, records show Mayfield reported available cash of just under $170,000. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann's filing showed a balance of nearly $400,000 and challenger Weston Wamp had more than $190,000 on hand.

Personal disclosures filed in May show Mayfield is the wealthiest candidate seeking the Republican nomination.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
No Local Democrats Running In Catoosa
No Local Democrats Running In Catoosa
by John Madewell

A political trend has been building in one north Georgia county over the last several years.

Catoosa County has become a Republican stronghold, very strong.

In fact, one look at the local ballot proves the point. 19 candidates are running for county offices and they're all Republicans, not a single Democrat qualified.

Democratic Party Chairman Ernie Pursley said it's been a frustrating time. "Well I sat here three days waiting on someone to qualify and it never came," Pursley said, "I never thought that we wouldn't have someone run."

But a few things fell into place and the local ballot is now completely GOP. Democrat Sheriff Phil Summers is retiring. All five men running for his seat are Republican. And two office-holders switched parties just before qualifying.

Tax Commissioner Sandra Self, in office 20 years as a Democrat, was one of those to change allegiance. For Self, it was a personal stance. "It just appeared to me that the focus of the Democratic Party was more on social issues I did not agree with." Self noted "same-sex marriage and other issues I had never accepted" as reasons behind her shift to the GOP.

After 16 years in office as a Democrat, Coroner Vanita Hullander jumped parties. Hullander said she made up her mind right before qualifying, saying she couldn't follow along with the national party. She said it had become "too involved in civil issues instead of getting the country back on its feet."

Pursley said issues such as guns, sexual preferences, abortion and now health care are the divisive points.

Some of those wedge issues have played strongly in conservative Catoosa County. He adds the GOP has done a better job, in some respects, with its narrative. "Republicans are very good at telling the Democrats what's wrong with them. And I don't think we're very good at telling the Republicans what's wrong with them, we just kind of take it."

It hasn't always been this way in Catoosa County. An examination of past presidential primaries shows a much more balanced local ballot in both 2008 and 2004.

A glimpse back to 1996 reveals a whole host of Democratic candidates winning local office.

This afternoon, a slow stream of early voters trickled in and out of Catoosa Hall.

Louis Beaber, who is retired, was one of those to cast a vote. Beaber moved here from New Jersey 30 years ago. He's voted Republican all of his life. He remembers when Catoosa had more Democrats in office.

Beaber has a theory why the county has become so red. "People want things and I think more of the Republicans are giving things that people want. It took a long time for people to understand it."

And he believes Democrats will resurface in local elections. "There might be one, I think there might be some. It depends what they're going to give to the people. If they give us something, they're going to be on the ballot."

The Democratic slide to a minority party in Catoosa County has been a gradual and steady one.

But Pursley believes there are still races to be won. "I believe there were 6,500 voted for the President. They are there. We are organized and we'll continue to just hunt and search for good candidates. And when we find one we'll throw our support behind them 100 percent."

Meanwhile, early voting continues for the next two weeks. This election, precincts are open at two places: Catoosa Hall at 7658 Nashville St. in downtown Ringgold and the Westside Voting Precinct at 3319 Lakeview Drive in Rossville.

Early voting lasts until July 27. Voters can cast their ballots Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm. The polls will also be open on Saturday the 21st from 9am-4pm.
Corker Wins GOP Senate Nomination
Corker Wins GOP Senate Nomination
NASHVILLE - Incumbent Bob Corker has defeated four challengers to win the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate.

The former Chattanooga mayor faced a much easier time in his re-election bid than he did when he ran in 2006. Then he had a tough primary against two former congressmen and narrowly defeated former Democratic Rep. Harold Ford Jr. in the even more bruising general election campaign.

With 0.2 percent of precincts reporting, Corker had 47,292 votes, or 85 percent, compared with 2,754 for his nearest challenger Zach Poskevich, or 5 percent.

Seven little-known Democrats were vying for the nomination to face Corker in the general election.

In the most recent financial disclosures, Corker had more than $6 million remaining, while no other challenger had more than $19,000.

____________________________________________________

Corker issued a statement around 8:40 p.m. Thursday:

“Hi, I’m Bob Corker, and I want to thank the thousands of Tennesseans who went to the polls in the last few weeks and cast a vote for my re-election to the United States Senate.

Elizabeth and I deeply appreciate all the supporters who gave their time and hard work to ensure this victory tonight.

Serving you and your family in the Senate is a great honor and a challenging responsibility.

I am focused on our country’s most urgent problems—getting our economy growing again and getting our government’s fiscal house in order.

It’s time to come together around some common sense goals that we all share.

Tennesseans are worried about the economy, worried about finding and keeping quality jobs to support their families. All of us want our federal tax policy to encourage job creation.

We all know that the federal government’s debt burden is unsustainable and that Washington has to live within its means.

All Tennesseans want to reform Social Security and Medicare so that the critical safety net will continue to be there in the future.

Solving these tough problems on a tight budget requires us to work together.

Fortunately, I believe there is growing support on both sides of the aisle for passing tax reforms that encourage job creation, for protecting the solvency of Social Security and Medicare and finally putting an end to deficit spending.

I’m optimistic that we can make real progress.

It will not be easy, but I promise you I will work hard every day to offer leadership on achieving these goals.

Again, my thanks for all that you have done to give me a chance to serve.”
Rep. Chuck Fleischmann - NewsChannel 9 Election Panel
Rep. Chuck Fleischmann - NewsChannel 9 Election Panel
Weston Wamp - NewsChannel 9 Election Panel
Weston Wamp - NewsChannel 9 Election Panel
Ron Bhalla - NewsChannel 9 Election Panel
Ron Bhalla - NewsChannel 9 Election Panel
Bill Taylor - NewsChannel 9 Election Panel
Bill Taylor - NewsChannel 9 Election Panel
Mary Headrick - NewsChannel 9 Election Panel
Mary Headrick - NewsChannel 9 Election Panel
Tennessee Sets Early Voting Record
Tennessee Sets Early Voting Record
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - More than 220,000 Tennesseans have voted early or absentee by mail for the Aug. 2 election.
The secretary of state's office said Thursday it is a record for a comparable election. Through Wednesday, 223,281 had voted early or absentee.
In August 2008, 206,174 voted during the entire early voting period.
Early voting continues through Saturday. Voters need a state or federally issued photo ID to cast ballots.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Mayfield Makes $150,000 Loan to His Campaign
Mayfield Makes $150,000 Loan to His Campaign
Financial disclosures by the congressional campaign of 3rd District Republican candidate Scotty Mayfield show he loaned his campaign organization $150,000 this month.

Documents show Mayfield will be able to increase the amount of the loan if needed as the races approach the Aug. 2 primary elections.

With the $150,000 included, records show Mayfield reported available cash of just under $170,000. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann's filing showed a balance of nearly $400,000 and challenger Weston Wamp had more than $190,000 on hand.

Personal disclosures filed in May show Mayfield is the wealthiest candidate seeking the Republican nomination.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Local Vote 2012

Vote 2012 Links

Your Voice, Your Future Stories

Andy Berke Talks Mayoral Race

Unofficial Tally Shows More Than 2.4M TN Votes Cast

Todd Gardenhire Wins TN Dist. 10 Senate Race

Liquor Votes From Around the Area

GA Voters OK Charter Schools Amendment

President Barack Obama Wins Re-election

Polling Employee Wears Obama Shirt

Romney and Obama Vote

Voting Problems in Hamilton County

Vote With Your Gum

Do You Understand How Elections Really Work?

Pikeville Voters to Decide Liquor Sales

Tennessee Voters Take Advantage of Early Voting

Presidential Candidates Prepare for Round Two

24 percent more voters than in 2004 in Hamilton

Democrats get aggressive in legislative races

Government Leaders Travel on 'Free Trips'

Presidential Debate - Make or Break?

Ann Romney Coming to Chattanooga, $10,000 per Plate Fundraiser

Judge Dismisses Wolfe's Lawsuit Against Arkansas Democrats

Democrat Leaves Race Against GOP House Leader

Catoosa Sheriff Results

People Do Not Trust Politicians

Judge Won't Void Tennessee Democratic Senate Primary

Romney's VP Pick Creating Buzz In Tennessee Valley

So You Think Your Vote's Not Worth It

Gardenhire Beats Vital By 40 Votes

Tennessee Democrats Disavow Corker's Opponent

Rep. Fleischmann Wins Republican Primary in 3rd District

DesJarlais Rejects Debates in 4th District

Presidential Race Heating Up

Vital Concedes District 10 State GOP Senate Race

Mayfield Concedes One Day After Election

Rep. Fleischmann Wins Republican Primary in 3rd District

Redistricting Repercussions

Toll Free Tennessee Voter Hotline

Tennessee Voters Determine Tough Races Thursday

Recount Considered In District Attorney Race

No Voter ID?

Georgia Voters Head to the Polls

[UPDATE] Bradley County Wheel Tax Sign Controversy

Rhea County Democrats Turned Away At The Polls

So You Think Your Vote's Not Worth It

Mayfield Makes $150,000 Loan to His Campaign

No Local Democrats Running In Catoosa

Corker Wins GOP Senate Nomination

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann - NewsChannel 9 Election Panel

Weston Wamp - NewsChannel 9 Election Panel

Ron Bhalla - NewsChannel 9 Election Panel

Bill Taylor - NewsChannel 9 Election Panel

Mary Headrick - NewsChannel 9 Election Panel

Tennessee Sets Early Voting Record

Mayfield Makes $150,000 Loan to His Campaign