http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/elections-news/ en-us Wed, 6 Jan 2010 00:10:36 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421791/posts Michael Steele said Tuesday that if he was not chairman of the Republican National Committee, he’d be a tea party protester. “As I like to tell people — long before there was this big push on tea parties — if I wasn't doing this job, I'd be out there with the tea partiers,” Steele said during an interview with Fox News’s Neil Cavuto. Steele said the “schism” between the anti-tax protesters and the GOP is “overrated” — despite the fact that tea party organizers refuse to align themselves with the Republican Party. “The reality is there's enough things we have... Politico http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421791/posts#comment Wed, 6 Jan 2010 00:10:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421789/posts State Sen. Anthony D. Galluccio, sentenced to one year in jail yesterday for failing a home Breathalyzer test, has resigned, Senate President Therese Murray announced tonight. Murray had warned the 42-year-old Cambridge Democrat he faced harsh consequences when the full Senate convened tomorrow. Tonight, she welcomed the news. “Senator Galluccio has made the right decision today for himself, his family, the Senate and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. With his resignation, he can begin to face difficult personal challenges, and I hope he receives the services he needs to help him along the way,” Murray said in a statement sent to... Boston Herald http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421789/posts#comment Wed, 6 Jan 2010 00:08:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421781/posts <p>Dorgan won't seek re-election. By KEN THOMAS, Associated Press Writer Ken Thomas, Associated Press Writer – 16 mins ago WASHINGTON – North Dakota Democrat Byron Dorgan says he will not seek re-election to the Senate in 2010, a surprise announcement that could give Republicans an opportunity to pick up a seat from the Republican-leaning state.</p> Associated Press/ Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421781/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 23:54:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421761/posts Ever since 1945, the US has regarded itself as the leader of the “free world”. But the Obama administration is facing an unexpected and unwelcome development in global politics. Four of the biggest and most strategically important democracies in the developing world – Brazil, India, South Africa and Turkey – are increasingly at odds with American foreign policy. Rather than siding with the US on the big international issues, they are just as likely to line up with authoritarian powers such as China and Iran. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421761/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 23:32:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421741/posts Bret Baier just reporting Byron Dorgan will not run for the Senate this year. I'm not seeing it yet on Fox News, yet. Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421741/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 23:16:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421749/posts Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin railed against President Obama today, saying "his fundamental approach to terrorism is fatally flawed" and that "the real nature of the terrorist threat requires a commander-in-chief, not a constitutional law professor." The same day the president met with his national security team to discuss the security reviews he ordered after the alleged attempt to blow up a plane on Christmas Day, Palin posted a note on Facebook criticizing the administration's response to the event. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who allegedly attempted to blow up the plane headed for Detroit, Mich., "is an enemy of the United... CBS News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421749/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 23:22:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421747/posts “Although I still have a passion for public service and enjoy my work in the Senate, I have other interests and I have other things I would like to pursue outside of public life. I have written two books and have an invitation from a publisher to write two more books. I would like to do some teaching and would also like to work on energy policy in the private sector. “So, over this holiday season, I have come to the conclusion, with the support of my family, that I will not be seeking another term in the U.S. Senate... News Release, Dorgan web site http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421747/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 23:21:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421744/posts Just announced by Brett Bair on Fox News: Sen Byron Dorgan (D-SD) will not seek re-election this year. Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421744/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 23:18:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421733/posts A federal appeals court has ruled that imprisoned felons should be allowed to vote in Washington state to ensure that racial minorities are protected under the Voting Rights Act. Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421733/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 23:03:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421731/posts www.michaelsavage.wnd.com/ http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421731/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 22:56:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421729/posts (Columbia, SC) – U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham says he’s not taking seriously the latest move to rebuke him by local Republican leaders. On Monday, the Lexington County Republican Party voted 13-7 to censure Graham for working with Democrats on immigration and climate change policies. WYFF TV http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421729/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 22:55:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421727/posts If you're going to call out someone for hypocrisy, make sure you're not guilty of the same thing. Guest columnist and Christian minister Welton Gaddy, a pastor for preaching and worship at Northminster (Baptist) Church in Monroe, La. and MSNBC regular, apparently had no qualms with calling out former Fox News "Special Report" anchor Brit Hume in a Jan. 4 column, but is committing the same transgression. Gaddy took issue with the Fox News senior political analyst's 39-second spiritual commentary on redemption for the recently disgraced Tiger Woods. And although Gaddy failed to mention that Hume publicly stepped out of... NewsBusters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421727/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 22:50:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421713/posts Over ONE MILLION copies sold! On the NYTimes Bestseller List for 19 weeks, 12 weeks at #1!Buy it… read it… live it!“Conservatism is the antidote to tyranny precisely because its principles are the founding principles.” --Mark Levin in Liberty and TyrannyWelcome to “The Levin Lounge”… Step in and have a virtual FRink.Taking the country by storm, one radio station at a time – and kicking the BUTTS of the competition! Welcome all, to the most FUN LIVE THREAD on FreeRepublic.com! You can call Mark’s show: 1-877-381-3811 The Mark Levin Show http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421713/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 22:30:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421712/posts The primary system in Arizona is closed, and that may be a problem for Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). He recently represented his party in the national presidential election, but may have trouble representing it again for the Senate seat he now holds. In Arizona, only those registered to a given party may vote in its primary. The electorate there is said to be split fairly evenly among Democrats, Republicans and independents. The problem for McCain is the tendency of Republicans to run hard to the right of late. That plays well for presumed challenger J.D. Hayworth, who has solid experience... Radio Business Report http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421712/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 22:28:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421709/posts MESA, Ariz. – Arizona House Republicans on Tuesday proposed a sweeping package of tax cuts aimed at helping businesses, with Speaker Kirk Adams saying the incentives are needed to spur economic development and add high-paying jobs in the state. The package proposed for consideration in the legislative session that starts next Monday includes both corporate and individual income tax cuts and decreases in property taxes paid by businesses. "Arizona is not as competitive as it needs to be with job retention and job growth," Adams said. The Mesa Republican was flanked by a half-dozen fellow GOP representatives during a news... AP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421709/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 22:21:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421690/posts 'It's not a special deal,'' Ben Nelson told the New York Times of the special deal that converted him into the 60th Senator for ObamaCare. "It's a fair deal. Some people said I was getting money for Nebraska. That's wrong. I was just getting rid of an underfunded federal mandate. There's nothing sleazy about it. I cracked the door open for other states." The other states think somewhat less of Mr. Nelson's benevolence. Under the "Cornhusker Kickback," the federal government will pay all of Nebraska's new Medicaid costs forever, while taxpayers in the other 49 states will see their budgets... The Wall Street Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421690/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 21:45:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421684/posts House Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio) on Tuesday said his party "strongly endorses" C-SPAN's request that Democratic lawmakers allow cameras into their healthcare negotiations. C-SPAN CEO Brian Lamb first asked party leaders for full access to those discussions earlier this morning, stressing in a letter that it was crucial his channel air all debate over "legislation that will affect the lives of every single American."Democrats have not yet said whether they will comply, and the White House has already dodged a question on the matter, but House Republicans quickly seized on the letter this afternoon and announced their support for Lamb's... The Hill http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421684/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 21:38:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421674/posts The political paths of three former student leaders from Texas’ two main public universities have crisscrossed for years. All three have been on the political radar since all were on the same statewide ballot in 1990. Now, two face off March 2 for the Republican nomination for governor: U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison is trying to unseat Gov. Rick Perry. The third, Democratic former state Comptroller John Sharp, wants Hutchison’s Senate seat -- whenever it might be up for election. Her seat is scheduled election in 2012, but she could resign sooner, which would cause a special election. Two of... Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421674/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 21:25:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421664/posts On Today's Show... January 5, 2010   Mark Steyn Guest Hosted Tuesday's Show. Rush Returns on Wednesday at Noon ET » RushLimbaugh.com: Check Out Mark's Stack of Stuff for Quotes and the Latest News » Mark Gives Us the Latest on Rush's Return (Rush 24/7 Members:  Listen)   "I feel very, very fortunate. I have been treated to the best health care the world has to offer -- and that is right here in the United States of America." -Rush Limbaugh   » Video, Transcript: Rush Press Conference in Hawaii » Rush: Message to My Listeners EIB Affiliate Update for North... RushLimbaugh.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421664/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 21:15:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421663/posts What if a state Attorney General argued that voters for any political election simply had no fundamental right to privacy on Election Day? Would we take notice then? Consider the following words argued in Champaign County Court in Illinois by the Illinois Attorney General's office headed by Lisa Madigan: "While plaintiff attempts to suggest to the Court that there is a fundamental right to a secret ballot, no such right exists." (bottom of Page 11 of pleading) BC Magazine / Technorati http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421663/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 21:14:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421656/posts Ralph Nader tells us: Health care reform "weak"; Tea Partiers "nothing"; Obama a "corporatist"...and he hasn't ruled out a 2012 prez run Just returned a vmail that "Ralph Nader would like to speak with you." (Oh, go ahead, the taunt is too easy: "Man, he MUST be bored.") Truth is, Nader was pushing a book by a local dude, but more on that some other time. We were itching to ask the first question on your mind. Ralph, with four prez runs under your belt, are you done running for public office? "It's too early to say," Nader told The... SFGate: Politics Blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421656/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 21:02:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421655/posts Increasing terrorist threats, global warming, health care, or mounting deficits and debt. We hear the constant drumbeat from the right and left everyday. If we take the politics out of the equation, and rely on history, which of these are most likely to cause widespread chaos, and even destruction in the United States? The answers may surprise you. U4prez http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421655/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 21:01:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421653/posts Pelosi tells C-SPAN: 'There has never been a more open process' By Eric Zimmermann and Michael O'Brien - 01/05/10 03:29 PM ET House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) defended Congress' work on a healthcare bill Tuesday saying the process has displayed historic transparency as C-SPAN mounted an effort to open negotiations to TV cameras. C-SPAN wrote a letter to congressional leaders today asking that TV cameras be allowed to film negotiations to reconcile the House and Senate bills. Pelosi said Congress had been transparent throughout the process. "There has never been a more open process for any piece of legislation," Pelosi... The Hill http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421653/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 20:50:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421649/posts President Obama: No more 'finger-pointing' By: Josh Gerstein and Carol E. Lee January 5, 2010 03:30 AM EST President Barack Obama will deliver a stern warning to his appointees at a meeting Tuesday afternoon that he won’t tolerate efforts by the CIA, the State Department and others to shift blame for the recent intelligence foul-up to other parts of the government, said spokesman Robert Gibbs. “We are going to move beyond agency finger-pointing,” Gibbs told reporters. “The president will not find acceptable a response where everybody gets in a circle and points at someone else. The American people won’t accept... Politico http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421649/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 20:47:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421642/posts Republican candidates start the year by opening a nine-point lead over Democrats, the GOP's biggest in several years, in the latest edition of the Generic Congressional Ballot. The new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 44% would vote for their district’s Republican congressional candidate while 35% would opt for his or her Democratic opponent. Rasmussen Reports http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2421642/posts#comment Tue, 5 Jan 2010 20:40:51 GMT