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 True Republicans drawn to Obama Former congressman Leach's endorsement of the Democratic candidate in line with the GOP's original values John Nichols  —  8/27/2008 6:51 am   http://www.madison.com/tct/opinion/convention/302243 RIPON -- When former Iowa Congressman Jim Leach -- a Republican stalwart with close ties to the Bush family -- endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, he made a point of noting that he was not switching parties. "As a Republican, I stand before you with deep respect for the history and traditions of my political party. But it is clear to all Americans...

DENVER -- On a night when the wife of the presumptive Democratic nominee for president would take the stage at the Democratic National Convention following an address by the party's most revered elder statesman, it would be hard to imagine how a former congressman from eastern Iowa would even get notice, let alone high marks as one of the most important speeches of the night. Unless, of course, the former congressman was a Republican. So there was Jim Leach, former diplomat, friend of the Bush family and longtime Republican congressman from Iowa City, enjoying the enthusiastic response of thousands of...

One of the challenges of the week for Chicago is finding a way to control the news cycle without the candidate. Today's answer: "Republicans for Obama." The most surprising name out there so far is probably that of former Iowa Rep. Jim Leach, a prominent figure in a battleground state. Also, former Sen. Linc Chafee, and Douglas Kmiec. There's still room for some higher-profile, more current figures -- an apostate of the profile of Joe Lieberman. The leading candidate for that slot still seems to be Chuck Hagel.

I live for this type of thing ... That will learn ya not to leach bandwidth ...

Here’s why we should all root for the almost-ex-Mrs. Paul McCartney, Heather Mills, performing again tomorrow night on ABC’s ridiculous “Dancing With the Stars.” Because nobody else will. “A bitch.” “A whore.” “A leach.” “A liar.” “A shameless gold digger.” “Losing her leg was the best thing that ever happened to her . . . publicity-wise.” “Sir Paul should get her prosthetic leg as part of his divorce.” “Yeah, she should certainly lose her other leg, too.” This is what’s printable here from bloggers. Nearly everybody hates her on the “Dancing” Web site, too. In the respectable British press -...

The battered and bruised Bush Administration is being pressured to make a foreign policy mistake that would further infuriate its conservative base -- nominate defeated liberal Republican Rep. Jim Leach as the next U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Leach is a favorite of the crowd that favors world government financed by global taxes. He would fit in quite nicely at the world body. But he would not be a reliable defender of American interests. The candidate being put forward by the pro-American lobby is international lawyer and former Ambassador Frank Ruddy, who has the experience, credentials and character to represent...

Excerpt - WASHINGTON (AP)--A House Republican and Democrat, in the new spirit of bipartisanship, are urging President George W. Bush to name defeated Republican Rep. Jim Leach to be the next U.S. ambassador to the U.N. ~ snip ~

While the rest of the US will be discussing the Democratic victories that secured a House majority and a potential Senate majority, most online poker players will be discussing a single victory; the one that unseated 30 year incumbent Republican Jim Leach. Leach was the sponsor of the House bill that became the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act. With his stated goals of "protecting American families" and addressing a "national security concern," Leach introduced HR 4411. In a 51% to 49% victory, political science professor Dave Loebsack defeated the longtime Republican Congressman from Iowa. In the legislative world, Leach was...

<p>July 27, 2006 -- THE Mrs. Brooke Astor story. Many of us have known for a long while that New York's all-time grandest dame has been exhibiting increased signs of fragility. She's entitled. The woman is 104.</p> <p>She is also entitled to continue her days in the style befitting one of America's greatest ladies.</p>

Ranked by the editors of Human Events1. Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R.I.)Once approached by Democratic Leader Harry Reid to switch parties, Chafee has long supported liberal polices. He backs legal abortion, gay rights, federal-funded health care, strict environmental protections and a higher minimum wage. Opposes ANWR drilling. Also was the only Republican in Congress not to endorse the President's reelection and one of three who tried to gut Bush's tax cuts.

Jim Leach of Iowa and Chuck Bass of New Hampshire (2 RINOs who, I believe, voted to keep us dependent on Middle East oil by voting against ANWR) are on right now discussing what the future of the Republican party is and/or should be.Typical comment by Leach: He just said he is concerned when (paraphrase here) "one part of one party" is in charge of the budget. Praise for the "moderate Republicans" all around. If any of Bass's and Leach's constituents are able to get hold of these lamebrains, please do so. Political junkies who like to listen to these...

Dear Greg, Thank you for contacting my office about Hurricane Katrina and the situation along the Gulf Coast. I appreciate hearing from you. Katrina was the most devastating natural disaster to befall this country in generations. As with any catastrophic event, a certain amount of discombobulation was inevitable at the outset. But the leadership failures and chaos that ensued after the levees gave way in New Orleans were inexcusable. Katrina exposed a shocking lack of preparedness in our emergency-response systems at the local, state and, most importantly, federal level. It almost defies belief, for example, that help was delayed for...

SEOUL, Aug. 30 (Yonhap) -- A delegation of U.S. congressmen arrived in Pyongyang on Tuesday, North Korea's state-run media said, for a visit expected to focus on ways of resuming the six-party talks on the North's nuclear weapons program. "A delegation from the U.S. Congress headed by James Leach, chairman of the Subcommittee on Asian and the Pacific Affairs of the International Relations Committee of the House of Representatives, arrived here Tuesday," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. The delegation, which also includes Tom Lantos (D-California), will stay in Pyongyang for three days and then visit Seoul before...

WASHINGTON, July 22 (Yonhap) -- Rep. James Leach has obtained a visa to enter North Korea and is expected to travel there late next month, multiple sources said Thursday. Two-term Congressman Leach (R-Iowa). chairman of the House Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, had shown interest in visiting the North in the past. His office declined to comment, but one source, speaking on condition of anonymity said, "I am glad he is going." A State Department official, also asking not to be named, said the general practice of the department is to "encourage" congressional visits. Another source called the...

In case you haven't heard, the Marriage amendment got shot down in the house: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,134134,00.htmlHere's the Republicans voting Nay: Bass Biggert Bono Castle Cox Dreier Foley Frelinghuysen Gerlach Gibbons Gilchrest Greenwood Hobson Hostettler Houghton Johnson (CT) Kirk Knollenberg Kolbe Leach McInnis Ose Paul Pryce (OH) Sanders Shays Simmons Here's the republicans not voting: Boehlert Cannon Diaz-Balart, L. Diaz-Balart, M. Dunn Hunter Nethercutt Ros-Lehtinen Tauzin Be sure to contact these people & show your appreciation. Here's the list of Dems voting FOR: Berry Bishop (GA) Boucher Boyd Carson (OK) Chandler Cooper Costello Cramer Davis (AL) Davis (TN) Edwards Etheridge Ford Gordon...

U.S. House Unanimously Passes North Korea Human Rights Act U.S. Congressman Jim Leach, who submitted the North Korea Human Rights Act The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed on Wednesday (local time) the North Korea Human Rights Act of 2004, which calls for the U.S. government to be actively involved in the North Korean human rights issue and protect North Korean defectors. The bill specifically enumerates for the U.S. to take certain steps like �£ including the North Korean human rights issue as a major topic of discussion with Northeast Asian states; �£ providing generous financial support for North Korean...

LOS ANGELES, April 2, 2004—Jody Eldred Productions today announced it has just completed filming and is in the final stages of production on an inspirational documentary called, “Changed Lives: Miracles of The Passion,” which will air nationwide Easter weekend. With rave reviews from Diane Sawyer on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and Joe Scarborough on MSNBC’s “Scarborough Country,” this one-hour T.V. special was shot in High Definition and documents the true stories of people whose lives have been forever changed by Mel Gibson’s incredible motion picture “The Passion of The Christ.” “I knew instantly that people’s lives were going to be...

<p>WASHINGTON - It was both an auspicious and ominous way to begin the week: Auspicious because of President George Bush's resolute demand that Saddam Hussein and his sons leave Iraq. There were also ominous noises from his predecessor in the White House, Bill Clinton, who bared not only his antagonism to the president but his horror at envisioning a strong America.</p>

Her views on marital fidelity: "I don't think I could have coped so well" with a mate's philandering as Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) has. "I used to say to my husband, my late husband, 'If you ever get something I'll maim you. Not kill you, just maim you.' And we'd laugh, laugh, laugh." Heinz adds that she has never had any reason to suspect either of her husbands. "Not for one day, because what I expect of them, they have a right to expect of me. Maybe I'm into 18-year-olds." At which Heinz's campaign handler, former political journalist Chris...

THE PRESIDENT PRAISES THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UNITED STATES AND SAYS HE AGREES WITH THE AMNESTY REJECTION. BY MARK STEVENSON/Associated Press President Vicente Fox said Friday that undocumented Mexican migrants don't want U.S. citizenship, contradicting immigration activists who demand naturalization and oppose any proposal that doesn't include it. Fox strongly defended U.S. President George W. Bush's migration reform proposal, and in remarks to foreign reporters, called attention to divisions over the issue in the Mexican-American community in the United States. "We agree with the rejection of amnesty. These workers are not going to become American citizens, nor do they want...

<p>BATON ROUGE - When asked how they will approach black voters, a key to who wins the Nov. 15 runoff for Louisiana governor, Republican Bobby Jindal and Democrat Kathleen Blanco said they have very specific strategies.</p> <p>Jindal said his message of a stronger public education system and better access to affordable health care will appeal to black voters, 29 percent of Louisiana's 2.7 million registered voters.</p>

<p>BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's two U. S. senators - John Breaux and Mary Landrieu of New Orleans - and U. S. Rep. Chris John of Crowley today will endorse Kathleen Blanco's gubernatorial candidacy.</p> <p>The Democratic show of force will come after the foursome this morning visits the pediatric outpatient care unit of the state hospital named for the late Gov. Earl K. Long in Baton Rouge that is a possible target for closure.</p>

<p>Plenty of theories have been floated to explain Attorney General Richard Ieyoub's failure to make the Nov. 15 runoff for governor. Most commentators have pointed to low voter turnout and a well-financed challenge by former Congressman and fellow Democrat Claude "Buddy" Leach of Lake Charles.</p>

Democrats target black voters on radio Blacks, women hold key to who gets into the gubernatorial runoff, analysts say John Hill Posted on October 3, 2003 BATON ROUGE - Democratic candidates for governor of Louisiana are slugging it out on black radio, targeting the 29 percent of the state's electorate who likely will decide who comes out a winner in Saturday's primary. "Anybody who can get a sizable portion of the black vote and put it together with white (votes that) he or she can get is on the way to the runoff," Southern University political scientist Frank Ransburg said.

<p>BATON ROUGE - Republican Bobby Jindal, R-Baton Rouge, increases his lead, and there's a statistical tie for second place between Democrats Kathleen Blanco of Lafayette and Richard Ieyoub of Lake Charles in the Louisiana gubernatorial race, according to The Times/Louisiana Gannett poll.</p>

<p>BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's gubernatorial candidates are stepping up their messages, positive and negative, trying to sway voters their way during this single most important week of the campaign.</p> <p>Recent polls, consistently led by Republican Bobby Jindal and Democrat Kathleen Blanco, still show a fair number of undecided voters with mere days before Saturday's election.</p>

<p>Jefferson endorses Leach Congressman's support is a blow to Ewing campaign. John Hill Posted on September 23, 2003 BATON ROUGE - U. S. Rep. Bill Jefferson of New Orleans on Monday endorsed Democrat Claude "Buddy" Leach in the gubernatorial race, a blow to former state Sen. Randy Ewing, who had sought the endorsement.</p>

<p>BATON ROUGE -- Voters do not appear to be very excited about any candidate as Louisiana's gubernatorial campaigns head into the final two weeks, a pollster says.</p> <p>One possible reason: When Verne Kennedy of Pensacola, Fla., asked 600 voters in a poll Sept. 3-6 about their feelings about Louisiana, 45 percent said the state is on the wrong track and things are getting worse. And fewer -- 38 percent -- believe Louisiana is moving in the right direction and things are getting better.</p>

<p>Only five of seven major candidates for Louisiana governor are eligible so far to participate in a statewide televised debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters later this month.</p> <p>Among other qualifications, the league is requiring candidates show support from at least 8 percent of the voters in public opinion polls.</p>

Democrats Attack Blossman Blossman Sticks to his Guns "Cleo's Bus… Waste of Money" "I am not a racist, but Cleo Fields is," responded Jay Blossman, the conservative candidate for Governor. Blossman expanded by saying, "Cleo is the one demanding special treatment andfunding through the Urban Slush funds, only because of the color of his skin. Because of Cleo, reverse discrimination is alive and well in our Louisiana government." "I believe that race should have no part in our government today," continued Blossman."That is why I have proposed a Racial Privacy Initiative. It would end affirmative action, eliminate minority quotas and...

<p>Leach wants to clean up state budget Mike Hasten / Louisiana Gannett News/Baton Rouge Posted on September 8, 2003 BATON ROUGE - Claude "Buddy" Leach believes setbacks beginning his career have served to temper his determination.</p> <p>Leach, one of the four major Democrats with a chance of getting into a gubernatorial runoff, is using his business savvy, 17 years of governmental experience and community volunteerism as a base for his campaign. "This election is about fundamentally changing our state," he said, adding that he wants to take "a Brillo pad and Purex bleach and scrub the budget."</p>

<p>Do you favor allowing the Louisiana Legislature to control the Minimum Foundation Program for funding public education rather than leaving control with the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education?</p> <p>Kathleen Blanco: I prefer the Minimum Foundation Program. It's what has protected education through the years. The BESE board has the whole picture.</p>

<p>Gubernatorial candidates talk education, economic development Hopefuls also discussed how to keep youth from leaving state.</p> <p>BATON ROUGE - In a gubernatorial forum that was billed as a debate but seemed more like a well-mannered conversation, all the candidates agreed state spending on schools was good, prisons for youth are bad and preschool education was superlative.</p>

<p>Gubernatorial campaigning begins in earnest John Hill Posted on August 24, 2003 BATON ROUGE - Official qualifying last week unofficially kicked off the campaigns for governor as candidates hit the airwaves to build support in the few weeks before the Oct. 4 primary.</p>

Blossman Blasts Democrats on Affirmative Action "I will choose the best people--regardless of race" Public Service Commission Chairman Jay Blossman (R-Mandeville),the conservative candidate for Governor, said today that his Democrat opponents in the gubernatorial election are wrong in pledging to use affirmative action in making cabinet and board appointments. "All four Democrat candidates have publicly committed to discriminate based on race when appointing people to cabinet or board positions," Blossman said. Lt. Governor Kathleen Blanco, Attorney General Richard Ieyoub, Buddy Leach and Randy Ewing on Thursday and Friday endorsed the use of affirmative action in making key state government appointments....

<p>BATON ROUGE - Seven out of 10 Louisiana voters are undecided about their preferred candidate for governor, a new poll shows.</p> <p>But given a list of candidates from which to choose, the number of undecided voters drops to 4 out of 10, according to the poll of 600 taken July 17-21 by Southern Media and Opinion Research of Baton Rouge for release to the news media.</p>

<p>BATON ROUGE - Former Legislative Auditor Dan Kyle, a Republican candidate for Louisiana governor, alleges that a political leader he declined to identify asked for $25,000 to "take care of the votes in this area."</p> <p>Kyle, kicking off a statewide tour Monday in Baton Rouge, said the money could be legally paid because it was for "voter canvassing" permitted under Louisiana campaign law. But once paid, Kyle said the money could be spent to buy votes.</p>

<p>BATON ROUGE - The starting gun of the fall gubernatorial election does not go off until official qualifying Aug. 19-21, but the top candidates are lining up - and lining their campaign treasuries with the cash needed to make the race.</p>

<p>BATON ROUGE - As the Louisiana Legislature prepares to wrap up its session June 23, the top two contenders in the state's wide-open gubernatorial race are as they have been: Lt. Gov. Kathleen Blanco of Lafayette and Attorney General Richard Ieyoub of Lake Charles.</p>

<p>Gubernatorial candidate Claude "Buddy" Leach told the Rapides Chapter of the Louisiana Federation of Democratic Women Tuesday he is the only candidate with a serious plan to pay for a state educational program.</p> <p>"The cornerstone for economic development, the cornerstone for getting a handle on juvenile crime, the cornerstone for lifting Louisiana up is providing every child a quality education," he said.</p>

<p>BATON ROUGE - A direct-mail survey of Louisiana legislators by a major lobbying firm indicates they believe state Attorney General Richard Ieyoub and former state Rep. Claude "Buddy" Leach are most likely to make the gubernatorial runoff this fall.</p> <p>Ieyoub and Leach, both Lake Charles Democrats, each was named by one-third of about 100 legislators who responded when Harris-Deville and Associates Inc., lobbyists for the Louisiana Chemical Association and other clients, asked who they thought would make the runoff. The election will be held Oct. 4 with the runoff Nov. 15.</p>

<p>BATON ROUGE - Six intended candidates for governor in this fall's election say they view education, particularly early childhood programs, as a major key to improving the state's future.</p> <p>But they have differing opinions about vouchers, which would allow students currently enrolled in public schools to switch to private schools at public expense.</p>

<p>Louisiana's higher education system must improve, five of the 12 candidates vying for the governor's mansion said Friday at a forum held at Harrah's convention center.</p> <p>State Rep. Hunt Downer, R-Houma, former state Senate President Randy Ewing, D-Quitman, Attorney General Richard Ieyoub, D-Lake Charles, former state Rep. Claude "Buddy" Leach, D-Lake Charles, and former Legislative Auditor Dan Kyle, R-Baton Rouge,were the five candidates participating in a panel discussion in Shreveport as part of the 65th Conference of Louisiana Colleges and Universities.</p>

<p>MONROE - Education will be a top priority of the next governor, according to six candidates vying for the position this year.</p> <p>The gubernatorial candidates attended a forum held Friday by the Louisiana School Boards Association, which is holding its annual convention at the Monroe Civic Center. The candidates who participated in the Friday forum included Lt. Gov. Kathleen Blanco, former state Senate President Randy Ewing, state Attorney General Richard Ieyoub, former congressman Buddy Leach, former Legislative Auditor Dan Kyle and state Treasurer John Kennedy.</p>

<p>Crowded governor's race could limit funds More Republican than Democratic candidates enter fray John Hill / Louisiana Gannett News Posted on March 2, 2003 BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana governor's race is up to a dozen serious candidates with Republicans outnumbering Democrats seven to five.</p>

Poll: Vilsack, Harkin in lead By Kathie Obradovich . DES MOINES — Incumbents hold the edge going into the homestretch of the campaign, a statewide poll of Iowa voters shows, including a comfortable, 22-point lead for U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin and a 13-point advantage for Gov. Tom Vilsack. . The telephone poll of likely voters shows Republican Rep. Jim Nussle holding a lead over Democrat Ann Hutchinson in the 1st Congressional District race. . Incumbent Congressmen Jim Leach, Tom Latham and Leonard Boswell hold statistically significant leads over their opponents, but high number of undecided voters still could make a...

<p>HORSERACE JOURNAL- ISM: Iowa Republicans are starting to feel better about their prospects next week. They've been out-hustled by the Democrats' absentee-ballot program and have been a little down. It looks like Republicans might lose a number of close races because of that program. But GOP polls are looking up, and Democrats appear to be having some problems with their absentee-ballot effort.</p>

Former U.S. Rep. Buddy Leach says he will run for governor Don Walker / The Times Posted on April 3, 2002 Any speculation going around that former U.S. Rep. Claude "Buddy" Leach might consider a bid for the 2003 Louisiana gubernatorial race was answered by the man Tuesday: "I am running for governor," Leach told the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Group. The Lake Charles businessman touted good health, six grandchildren and the desire to give something back to the state he loves as reasons he'll seek the state's highest office. Gov. Mike Foster is about to enter the last year of...