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Saturday 7/31/2004
Bush camp solicits race of Star staffer 7/31/2004 Arizona Star: "A rally organizer for the Bush-Cheney re-election campaign asked Teri Hayt, the Star's managing editor, to disclose the journalist's race on Friday. After Hayt refused, the organizer called back and said the journalist probably would be allowed to photograph the vice president. "It was such an outrageous request, I was personally insulted," Hayt said later. Danny Diaz, a spokesman for the president's re-election campaign, said the information was needed for security purposes."
Retired general: Bush foreign policy a 'national disaster' 7/31/2004 CNN: "A former Air Force chief of staff and one-time "Veteran for Bush" said Saturday that America's foreign relations for the first three years of President Bush's term have been "a national disaster" but that the president's Democratic rival was "up to the task" of rebuilding. Retired Gen. Tony McPeak, the Air Force chief of staff during the first Gulf War, delivered the Democratic radio address supporting implementation of the 9/11 commission's recommendations for national security."
"The Savage Extreme of a Narrow Policy Spectrum" Five Questions with Noam Chomsky 7/31/2004 Counterpunch: "On the eve of the 2000 election, about 75% of the public regarded it as largely meaningless -- prior to Florida shenanigans, the Supreme Court, etc., which were mostly an elite concern. In 2004, more appears to be at stake and interest is greater, but there is a continuation of the long process of disengagement mainly on the part of poor and working class Americans, who simply do not feel that they are represented. The Harvard University project that monitors these matters currently reports that "the turnout gap between the top and bottom fourth by income is by far the largest among western democracies and has been widening.""
Friday 7/30/2004
Kerry Highlighted Few Black Issues as he Lit up Bush 7/30/2004 Amsterdam News: "In outlining his plan Thursday night to restore trust and credibility to the White House, John Kerry placed little attention on issues of special concern to African-Americans, opting instead to discuss how he is better equipped than George W. Bush to lead the country in a time of war and direct its battle against international terrorism."
Black and Hispanic Officials Vow to Unite, not Divide 7/30/2004 Black America Web: "New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson convened more than 100 black mayors, state legislators and federal legislators for a Thursday luncheon to stress two points at the close of this Democratic National Convention. Richardson, the 2004 convention chairman, said he wanted to first do what Democrats have not done well enough: thank its black base – a weak spot that President George W. Bush has tried to exploit. Richardson, the self-proclaimed “chair of Latino governors,” also pressed for black and brown constituents to unite."
Kerry Acceptance Speech Resonates with Black Delegates 7/30/2004 Black America Web
You’re from where? Black Delegates are from all over 7/30/2004 Black America Web
Thursday 7/29/2004
Edwards a second "African-American president"? 7/29/2004 AP: "To U.S. Rep. Mel Watt, John Edwards' nationally-televised pledge to discuss racial issues "everywhere" was the payoff of a promise the senator made more than a year ago, when he was a presidential hopeful meeting with a small group of black leaders in North Carolina."Sharpton Speech Draws Standing Ovations 7/29/2004 AP
ROLAND S. MARTIN: Bush can't take NAACP heat 7/29/2004 Black America Today
Black Democrats Mobilize to Defeat Bush in November 7/29/2004 Black America Web
Sullen, depressed president retreats into private, paranoid world 7/29/2004 Capitol Hill Blue: "Bush’s erratic behavior and sharp mood swings led White House physician Col. Richard J. Tubb to put the President on powerful anti-depressant drugs after he stormed off stage rather than answer reporters' questions about his relationship with indicted Enron executive Richard J. Lay, but White House insiders say the strong, prescription medications seem to increase Bush’s sullen behavior towards those around him. “This is a President known for his ability to charm people one-on-one,” says a staff member to House Speaker Dennis J. Hastert. “Not any more.” "
Hail, the Conquering War Criminal Comes! What Kerry Really Did in Vietnam 7/29/2004 Counterpunch
Black Democrats Gain Convention Influence but not Numbers 7/29/2004 NNPA
Black Democrats Gain Convention Influence but not Numbers 7/29/2004 NNPA: “Although the number of African American delegates is unchanged from 2000, this report clearly indicates that they are increasingly holding important decision-making positions at the convention,” Eddie N. Williams, president of the center, says in a statement accompanying the report. African-Americans serving in key convention slots include Ohio Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, co-hair of the party and chair of the Platform Committee; Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, chair of the Credentials Committee; and New York Congressman Gregory Meeks, chair of the Rules Committee. There are also six Black vice chairs of those committees. At the 2000 convention, only one African-American, Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton, chaired a convention committee. According to the Joint Center, the number of high-ranking African-Americans in state parties has reached 51, an increase of 54 percent. Six are state party chairs."
Get-Tough Policy on Cuba May Backfire Against Bush 7/29/2004 NYT: "But the strategy has pumped life into a voter registration drive among newer Cuban immigrants, who generally favor greater contact with the island and their relatives there. Sergio Bendixen, a longtime pollster based in Miami, said the new measures were drawing supporters and opponents in equal numbers among Cuban-Americans. For a bloc that has been characterized by remarkable electoral cohesion for decades, the split is telling, Mr. Bendixen said. "They've been very controversial," he said of the new restrictions. "The Bush side feels it's going to energize their base. The Democrats feel it has created a very important opening to gain significant support." Jorge Mursuli of Mi Familia Vota, a voter registration drive among Hispanics in Florida, said his nonpartisan operation was signing up as many Democrats as Republicans."
Vietnam comrades enlisted for fight with Bush 7/29/2004 Telegraph, UK
'Terror' Against the Press 7/29/2004 Village Voice: "It looks like the FBI's Boston field office faked a threat of domestic terrorism just before the start of the Democratic National Convention by leaking "unconfirmed" reports of white supremacist groups readying an attack against media vehicles in Boston. Fox News, for one, reportedly was wildly trying to disguise its trucks by covering up its logos."
Wednesday 7/28/2004
Officials: Democrats’ Biggest Money Man Has Mob Connections 7/28/2004 ABC Barack Obama's National Profile Rises 7/28/2004 Africana
Al Sharpton's Convention Speech 7/28/2004 AP
Politics through a Black Lens 7/28/2004 Black America Web
Politics through a Black Lens 7/28/2004 Black America Web: "Spurning the downtown glitz of the Democratic National Convention, the Congressional Black Caucus took some of the action to the ’hood for a town hall meeting, “to the people we represent,” said CBC Chairman Elijah Cummings, D-Md."
Powell isn't running - Board of Elections documents show assemblyman won't challenge Rangel as previously expected 7/28/2004 Newsday: "Manhattan state Assemb. Adam Clayton Powell IV, dogged by scandal, will not mount a previously expected primary challenge to veteran U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel of Harlem, according to election documents released yesterday. The Rangel race had been touted more than a year ago as a potential clash between an older Democratic stalwart and Powell, whose preacher father lost the seat three decades ago to Rangel and who had the support of the Rev. Al Sharpton. But Powell's reputation took a double hit this year. First, he was accused of giving alcohol to an underage legislative intern in Albany in May, and there were questions whether he had consensual sex with her. In late June, he was accused of sexually assaulting a woman he had met at a Manhattan party. Powell said later that he had passed a lie detector test in that case and that the woman in Albany had recanted."
NARC PARTY - This is your convention on drugs. 7/28/2004 NY Press: "One of the constants of the Kerry plane was a guy named David Morehouse, who is a senior political advisor to Kerry. Morehouse, like Weiner, is a former ONDCP heavy. He was once the number-two man in the agency behind Barry McCaffrey. Just a few days after Super Tuesday, he explained to me with pride that he had been involved with the planning of many of the ONDCP's most celebrated p.r. campaigns. "Like the fried-egg thing?" I said. "Well, yes, the fried-egg thing, and some others," he said. Morehouse said he left the ONDCP before the plan to plant hidden anti-drug messages in the scripts of tv shows like Friends and E.R. went into action, but admitted he had been there during the planning of these programs."
Tuesday 7/27/2004
Obama Draws Roars of Approval at DNC 7/27/2004 AP Monday 7/26/2004
AP Story Giving Bush Electoral Lead Is Faulty 7/26/2004 Democratic Talk Radio Saturday 7/24/2004
SIMPLE MECHANISM TO DEFEAT PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH IN NOVEMBER 2004 7/24/2004 AfroCubaWeb Judge upholds "free speech zone" at Democratic convention but O-K's march 7/24/2004 AP: "BOSTON A federal judge has called a fenced-in "protest zone" at the upcoming Democratic National Convention "an affront to free expression" -- but rejected an effort to block its use. Judge Douglas Woodlock also agreed with protesters' lawyers that the area, more than a block away from the convention site, looked worse than a concentration camp, with razor wire on a chain-link fence, and overhead netting."
Friday 7/23/2004
Convention Bumps, Security Chumps, and Kerry Stumps 7/23/2004 Insight: from the Rev Moon's sister publication to the Washington Times.Thursday 7/22/2004
Bush’s End Run around Black Leaders will Backfire 7/22/2004 Black America Web: "But by failing to show up for even a photo op – a low-risk shtick he’s perfected over the years at black churches – Bush has all but assured that blacks voters will treat him like the second coming of Lester Maddox on Election Day.
Bush thinks he can avoid such a fate with the divide-and-conquer strategy that he’s been using on blacks since taking office. That’s what his faith-based initiative is really about. Give a bag full of dead presidents to some black preachers, he believes, and they will cut their ties to elected black officials – like members of the Congressional Black Caucus, with whom he has also refused to meet.
Despite the criticism he weathered for thumbing his nose at the NAACP, Bush thinks that by speaking at the National Urban League convention on Friday he will be able to pull some monkeys out of his hat. Don’t bet on it.
I suspect that the mood among Urban League members, if not the group’s leadership, is pretty testy when it comes to Bush. I’ve covered this group since the days of Vernon Jordan and I can tell you it is no bastion of Uncle Toms. The Urban Leaguers with whom I’ve spoken over the past few days resent the way Bush has treated the NAACP, even as they await his arrival at their annual meeting.
What neither Bush nor his advisers seem to understand is that many people in the Urban League are also members of the NAACP. He can’t stiff them in one of their roles and expect them to welcome him with open arms in the other."UL Delegates Resent Bush’s NAACP Tactics 7/22/2004 Black America Web: "If President George W. Bush thinks a “divide-and-conquer” strategy will help him gain black votes in November, he miscalculated, according to attendees at the National Urban League convention. Although Bush will address the convention Friday, many of Urban League delegates remain offended by his refusal to speak at the NAACP’s annual convention last week in Philadelphia."
Wednesday 7/21/2004
GOP newcomer hopes to block McKinney from Congress 7/21/2004 AP Latino Majority Backs Kerry/Edwards In 2004 7/21/2004 Center for Public Opinion and Democracy
Don't Call It A Comeback 7/21/2004 Guerilla News: "The scene at Cynthia McKinney's campaign HQ late Tuesday night was electric. Hometown rapper Ludacris was bumping on the sound system, "Take that and rewind it back!" and the crowd was pumping their fists in joy. The results had just come in - McKinney had just passed the 50% mark, narrowly giving her the edge she needed to avoid a run-off in the 4th Congressional District's Democratic primary here in suburban Atlanta. The (still unofficial) result will all but assure her a return to Congress."
Grand Jury Steps Up Inquiry Into Possible Halliburton Ties to Iran 7/21/2004 LA Times: "A Halliburton controversy erupted Tuesday, fueled by a grand jury investigation into whether the oil services giant violated federal sanctions by operating in Iran while Vice President Dick Cheney was running the company. The investigation centers on Halliburton Products and Services Ltd., a subsidiary registered in the Cayman Islands and headquartered in Dubai that provided oil field services in Iran. The unit's operations in Iran included Cheney's stint as chief executive from 1995 to 2000, when he frequently urged the lifting of such sanctions."
Sunday 7/18/2004
Regime change in Iran now in Bush’s sights 7/18/2004 Sunday Telegraph: "PRESIDENT George Bush has promised that if re-elected in November he will make regime change in Iran his new target.
Bush named Iran as part of the Axis of Evil along with North Korea and Iraq almost three years ago. A US government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that military action would not be overt in changing Iran, but rather that the US would work to stir revolts in the country and hope to topple the current conservative religious leadership.
The official said: “If George Bush is re-elected there will be much more intervention in the internal affairs of Iran.” "Saturday 7/17/2004
Whoopi Goldberg calls Republicans 'hypocrites': 7/17/2004 ANI: "Veteran actress Whoopi Goldberg, who recently came under fire for her X-rated rant against President Bush at the celebrity studded fund raising event for Democrat candidate John Kerry, has lashed out at the Bush Administration for abusing her right to free speech.
According to the New York Daily News, the "Ghost" actress said that the outcry against her blue jokes on President Bush during the event, which took place at the Radio City Music Hall last week, is "a little fake."
"America's heart and soul is freedom of expression without fear of reprisal, I find all this feigned indignation about 'Bush bashing' quite disingenuous. For the Republican Party to pretend this is new to them seems a little fake," the report quoted her as saying."Bush's Cuba policy could cost him votes 7/17/2004 Miami Herald
Friday 7/16/2004
Cabin Fever 7/16/2004 Alternet: "The Log Cabin Republicans, who watched conservatives attempt and fail to pass a constitutional ban on gay marriage, are having trouble endorsing Bush for a second round."Hoping for the Best, Planning for the Worst 7/16/2004 Alternet: "Even though police in Boston are working to accommodate protesters during the Democratic convention, there are signs that officers are planning for mass arrests."
Poll Finds Dwindling War Support 7/16/2004 CBS
Whoopi Goldberg Brings Hypocrites from Under Their Rocks 7/16/2004 Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Whoopi Goldberg latest star punished over anti-Bush remarks 7/16/2004 San Joe Mercury News
Kerry calls atrocities in Sudan genocide, criticizes Bush 7/16/2004 Sudan Tribune: "Presidential contender John Kerry called the atrocities being carried out in the Darfur region of Sudan "genocide" and criticized the Bush administration for not using the same term."
Thursday 7/15/2004
In Fact, Kerry Strong With Blacks 7/15/2004 CBS: "Relatively energized, extremely serious, Sen. John Kerry spoke at the NAACP convention on Thursday in an attempt to galvanize black voters. The hard data indicates he is well on his way."Barack Obama: A Look at the 2004 DNC Keynote Speaker Who Could Become One of the Only Black Senators in U.S. History 7/15/2004 Democracy Now: "Illinois state senator and Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, Barack Obama, was chosen to deliver the keynote address at this year's Democratic National Convention in Boston. Obama currently faces no known opponent in the November election and if elected he would become only the fifth black senator in U.S. history. We take an in-depth look at Obama with longtime Chicago columnist Salim Muwakkil."
Swing states: Florida - Enter at your peril 7/15/2004 Economist: "Our series on swing states looks at the biggest prize of all. Once again, everything is not quite as it seems in Florida."
Advertiser drops Whoopi after Bush sex joke 7/15/2004 Guardian
Education chief blasts NAACP - Rod Paige called group leader's comments about Bush "hateful" 7/15/2004 MSNBC: "Rod Paige, the nation’s first black education secretary, condemned NAACP leaders Thursday for saying some black groups are fronts for white conservatives."
Bush losing support among Cuban voters 7/15/2004 Radio Progresso
Whoopi's Bush whack 7/15/2004 Sydney Morning Herald: "Comedian Whoopi Goldberg will no longer appear in ads for diet aid maker Slim-Fast following her lewd wisecracks about President George W Bush's name at a fundraiser last week, the company said today. Florida-based Slim-Fast said it was "disappointed" in Goldberg's remarks at last Thursday's $US7.5 million star-studded fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall in New York."
Undecided Voters Likely to Break For Kerry 7/15/2004 Taegan Goddard's Political Wire: "Last week, Fabrizio McLaughlin and Associates, a GOP polling firm, released a strategy memo based on their recent Battleground State Survey that reveals undecided voters "are currently poised to break away from President Bush and to John Kerry." "
Wednesday 7/14/2004
Harlem’s Bill Lynch to lead Kerry campaign 7/14/2004 Amsterdam News, NY: "U.S. Senator John Kerry has tapped one of the nation's most sought-after political strategists to serve as deputy manager for his presidential campaign.
Earlier this week, Kerry offered William (Bill) Lynch Jr., of Harlem, the second-in-command post of his campaign just one week after he announced that John Edwards, the senator from North Carolina, would be his vice presidential running mate.
''I think it's a great honor that I've been asked and encouraged by a number of political friends to do this,'' said Lynch, speaking from Washington, D.C. ''I know how important this election is for our country, and for our people in particular,'' he added."Will John Edwards Serve Black Interests? 7/14/2004 Seattle Medium
Tuesday 7/13/2004
Giving Felons a Role in Democracy 7/13/2004 Alternet: "The RNC attacks America Coming Together for hiring people with past felony convictions, then hires Republican bad boy – and convicted felon – Don King to lead public relations in the African-American community."Betraying Another Green Champion - The Sierra Club's Inexplicable Treatment of Cynthia McKinney 7/13/2004 Counterpunch: "This failure to endorse McKinney can only be seen as a betrayal of the greatest kind. When McKinney was in Congress, she worked tirelessly for issues which the Sierra Club supports. Several examples of how McKinney benefitted the Sierra Club can easily be found by some basic internet searches. For example, Mother Jones magazine called McKinney's introduction of the National Forest Protection Act in the House of Representatives as a "minor miracle." In fact, the Sierra Club and McKinney's name appeared in publications numerous times together in regard to this legislation's introduction, and the Sierra Club used it at a time when the forest protection movement had been battered by the salvage rider, which McKinney opposed, as an shining example of the positive efforts that were being made on behalf of public forests. In addition, the Sierra Club and McKinney worked together on other issues, such as proportional representation and civil rights for environmental activists. Where is the record of this kind of commitment from the other candidates?"
Osama Wins! Election Postponed! Kerry: "Too Soon to Comment" 7/13/2004 Counterpunch
Monday 7/12/2004
Bush No-Show a Mistake in a Close Race, says NAACP 7/12/2004 Black America Web: "If the NAACP held as rigid a stance, Mfume said, it would have abandoned Republicans after a 1990 campaign ad run by North Carolina Sen. Jesse Helms suggested black people were taking jobs from whites. It would have written off the GOP, he said, after Republicans in 1988 used the image of Willie Horton, a furloughed black murderer, to turn voters against Democrat Michael Dukakis.
Had it written off Republicans as quickly as Bush has turned against the NAACP, the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights group, would have lost the chance to form alliances with Republican senators Arlen Specter and John Warner and others that Hilary Shelton, head of the group’s Washington Bureau counts as friends."Saturday 7/10/2004
President to skip NAACP convention 7/10/2004 Boston Globe: "President Bush will become the first sitting US president in eight decades not to attend at least one national convention of the NAACP, risking alienating some minority voters. Bush, 58, declined to speak at the Philadelphia convention, which runs through Thursday, because of ''scheduling commitments," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters aboard Air Force One."Friday 7/9/2004
A Black Jesse Helms in Crowded N.C. Race 7/9/2004 Black America Web: "When the Winston-Salem (N.C.) Journal wrote that about black City Councilman Vernon Robinson in September 2003, some residents figured it would have a negative impact on his bid for North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District seat.
Instead, Robinson has embraced the newspaper’s comment and now uses it as a campaign slogan. Robinson, who also has been dubbed “The black Jesse Helms,” uses photos of himself with the conservative U.S. Senator on brochures and direct mail literature."Kerry Solidifies Base 7/9/2004 Capitol Hill Blue
July Surprise: Is Bush Pressuring Pakistan to Capture Bin Laden During DNC? 7/9/2004 Democracy Now
Michael Moore’s new documentary ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ delivers scathing indictment on Bush 7/9/2004 Final Call
Bush Losing Support Among Cuban Voters 7/9/2004 WCVI
Thursday 7/8/2004
Edwards a plus for Kerry ticket 7/8/2004 Afro American Black leaders back VP pick 7/8/2004 Amsterdam News
Race figures to be referendum on former congresswoman 7/8/2004 AP: "Two years after Cynthia McKinney was ousted from Congress by a challenger from within her own party, the five-term Democrat is seeking her old job back. Five other Democrats and one Republican also want it but are largely being overshadowed by McKinney's attempt to revive her career. The controversial congresswoman's name recognition could backfire if the 4th District Democratic primary goes as pundits predict and ends in a runoff. Merle Black, an Emory University political scientist, says supporters of the other defeated Democrats are likely to rally behind McKinney's surviving challenger in the runoff."
Political Experience: The Good and the Bad 7/8/2004 BET: "It’s true that Edwards’ only political experience is representing North Carolina in the Senate for less than one term. And it’s impossible to imagine that a Black person with so little experience would ever have such an opportunity. For that matter, African Americans with loads more experience still have not been chosen to run for the top two offices in the land. But that’s another column. What matters now is what Edwards has done during his five and a half years in the Senate and what he brings to the Democratic “John-John” ticket. It should be noted, however, that President Bush, who had been governor of Texas for six years, was elected with not much more public office experience than Edwards. But unlike Bush, when it comes to issues important to Black America, those who know Edwards best like him a lot. The NAACP, which rates all members of Congress but endorses no candidates, has graded Edwards twice, giving him an average score of 97.5 percent – damn near perfect. “Edwards has been a very good friend to the NAACP civil rights agenda,” says Hilary Shelton, director of the organization’s Washington office."
McKinney unveils economic platform 7/8/2004 CrossRoad News: "Fourth Congressional District candidate Cynthia MCKINNEY, who is seeking to regain the seat she lost in 2002, on June 24 unveiled what she calls “an economic platform for prosperity, justice and opportunity” for the district’s residents. The three-pronged plan, unveiled on a web-cast address on www.cynthiaforcongress.com, outlines her plans for investing in people, investing in community and reinvesting in our relationships."
Lobbying for the pro-Israel candidates 7/8/2004 Haaretz, Israel: "Former Georgia congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, who is pro-Palestinian, is trying to get re-elected, and once again there is debate over the power of the pro-Israeli lobby in Washington."
Kerry delivers well-received address at A.M.E. conference 7/8/2004 Indianapolis Recorder
Cynthia McKinney for Congress 7/8/2004 www.cynthiaforcongress.com
Wednesday 7/7/2004
The Dems aren't the Only Show in Beantown - The Boston Social Forum 7/7/2004 Counterpunch PAKISTAN FOR BUSH - July Surprise? 7/7/2004 New Republic: "This public pressure would be appropriate, even laudable, had it not been accompanied by an unseemly private insistence that the Pakistanis deliver these high-value targets (HVTs) before Americans go to the polls in November. The Bush administration denies it has geared the war on terrorism to the electoral calendar. "Our attitude and actions have been the same since September 11 in terms of getting high-value targets off the street, and that doesn't change because of an election," says National Security Council spokesman Sean McCormack. But The New Republic has learned that Pakistani security officials have been told they must produce HVTs by the election. According to one source in Pakistan's powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), "The Pakistani government is really desperate and wants to flush out bin Laden and his associates after the latest pressures from the U.S. administration to deliver before the [upcoming] U.S. elections." "
Monday 7/5/2004
Conscience of the Convention 7/5/2004 Alternet: ""We'll have dozens of delegates inside the convention, but we'll have thousands of people in the streets of Boston," Kucinich declared. "We can put pressure on the party to take the right positions on civil liberties, health care, Iraq, and the Patriot Act. We're going to be the conscience of the party. And that will help the Democrats win.""Personal style sells Majette in South Georgia 7/5/2004 Atlanta Journal Constitution: ""There's no question she gave up a safe seat in the House of Representatives for a very long shot at the Senate," said Alan Abramowitz, an Emory University political science professor. "She's a decent person but she's not real experienced politically, and I don't think she took the time to weigh the cost and benefits of this decision." Majette's polling data show that she is far ahead of her competitors in the race for the Democratic nomination. In a campaign survey released June 22, 40 percent of respondents said they would vote for Majette, while her Democratic rivals scored single-digit support."
Saturday 7/3/2004
An Interview with Greg Bates - Ralph Nader's Revolt 7/3/2004 Counterpunch Left, Right Playing Blame-Israel Game 7/3/2004 The Jewish Journal of LA: "But the administration bolstered the blame-Israel line of reasoning by using the threat Iraq posed to the Jewish state to sell the war to skeptical Democrats, hinting that a vote against the war was a vote against Israel’s security. But that was politics, not policy; protecting Israel was never central to the administration’s Iraq aims."
Wednesday 6/30/2004
Blind, Or A Coward? 6/30/2004 Tom Paine: "Moore totally avoids the question of Israel. Not only that, but the opening polemic of the movie ties President Bush and company mightily to Saudi Arabia. In one sequence, what seems like several dozen images flash by showing Bush and his advisers shaking hands and chumming it up with leading members of the Saudi royal family. Moore says outright that while Bush is paid $400,000 by U.S. taxpayers in salary, Saudi Arabia has supported Bush and his family with more than $1 billion in business-related subsidies. (That amount, it seems to me, is ridiculously inflated and must be nonsense.) The stated implication is that Bush is more loyal to the Saudis than he is to America.
Huh? Here are some questions for Moore: If Bush is so “in the pocket” of Saudi Arabia, why is he Ariel Sharon’s strongest backer? Why, when he had Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah down at the Texas ranch a few years ago, did he flip off the Saudi’s peace plan? And most important, why did he invade Iraq—since Saudi Arabia was strongly opposed to the U.S. invasion of Iraq? Why did he launch his Iraqi adventure over Saudi objections, with many of his advisers chortling that Saudi Arabia would be “next”? Why did he stock his administration with militant neocon crusaders who see Saudi Arabia as the main enemy? Why, Michael?"Tuesday 6/29/2004
Young: Kerry ducks a 'Souljah moment' 6/29/2004 Metro West, MA: "In short, I wanted to hear John Kerry assert his right to address the U.S. Conference of Mayors without first having to risk a dangerous confrontation with massed pickets from the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association.
That could have been John Kerry's "Sister Souljah Moment." Indeed, it could have been a moment reminiscent of Ronald Reagan quip in New Hampshire in the winter of 1980, as he wiped out his opposition with the unforgettable line: "I paid for this microphone." It might even have been reminiscent of Reagan, as President, confronting the air traffic controllers of the nation and calmly dismissing them all."Monday 6/28/2004
Without Greens, Nader Faces Uphill Battle 6/28/2004 Reuters: "But after the Green Party nominated someone else for president this weekend, Nader faced an uphill battle to match his 2000 campaign when he was on 43 state ballots, said Richard Winger, editor of Ballot Access News. The Green Party is automatically on 22 state ballots.
The Nader campaign is pursing a patchwork strategy that involves running as a third party candidate in some states, and as an independent in others.
Complicating Nader's efforts to collect some one million signatures nationwide are Democrats who are challenging his petition drives and conservative groups that are pitching in to help Nader, an icon to many liberals, to get on the ballot."Sunday 6/27/2004
Cynthia McKinney Wins Support of Congresswomen 6/27/2004 Cynthia For Congress Thursday 6/24/2004
‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ ban? Ads for Moore’s movie could be stopped on July 30 6/24/2004 The Hill: "Michael Moore may be prevented from advertising his controversial new movie, “Fahrenheit 9/11,” on television or radio after July 30 if the Federal Election Commission (FEC) today accepts the legal advice of its general counsel.
At the same time, a Republican-allied 527 soft-money group is preparing to file a complaint against Moore’s film with the FEC for violating campaign-finance law."Wednesday 6/23/2004
Black Caucus implores Nader to quit 6/23/2004 Baltimore Sun The Nader Nightmare 6/23/2004 Washington Dispatch
Tuesday 6/22/2004
Michael Moore's Site 6/22/2004 www.michaelmoore.com Sunday 6/20/2004
Dems risk alienating supporters - Nader says lack of courage on issues leaves Democratic Party toothless 6/20/2004 Michigan Citizen Saturday 6/19/2004
Forget the Democrats: Bush Losing Support Among Republicans 6/19/2004 Capitol Hill Blue Wednesday 6/16/2004
FANTASY ISLAND - Bush Can Forget the Black Vote 6/16/2004 Intelligence Squad: "Juan Williams, one of the extremely few black political commentators on national network television (he is an analyst for Fox News Channel), has just written an extraordinary Op-Ed column for the New York Times claiming that with effort, George W. Bush could win at least 20 percent of the black vote in the 2004 election.
Williams, who recently moved from Washington, D.C. to a new house in the Twilight Zone, calls Bush’s relationship with black and Hispanic voters his "secret weapon," which appears to be William’s attempt to put it in the same category as Saddam Hussein’s secret weapons (of mass destruction) – non-existent."Bush Shouldn't Write Off the Black Vote 6/16/2004 NYT: "With the presidential election only a few months away, it is time for President Bush to unleash his secret weapon -- his relationship with black and Hispanic ... The president is already winning a third of the popular vote among Hispanics, according to a Zogby International poll taken this spring.... "
Special Report: Bush and Black America 6/16/2004 WAVE, LA: "Republican leaders also point to recent studies that show African-American voters moving away from the Democratic Party. In 2002, the number of African Americans who identified themselves as Republicans increased by six percent; those who identified themselves as Democrats decreased by 12 percent. “They feel taken for granted by Democrats,” Gillespie said. “The Republican party wants to take advantage of this opportunity. It is my number one priority as party chairman to deepen and broaden outreach efforts to the African-American community.” "
Tuesday 6/15/2004
Sign the Letter to Mr. Nader 6/15/2004 saynotonader.com Friday 6/11/2004
Rep. Lee volunteers canvass S. Dakota 6/11/2004 Berkeley Voice: "Five volunteers went to Sioux Falls, S.D., on May 28. They knocked on doors and stood on corners -- reminding people to vote for a Democratic candidate in a special election that drew political attention from across the country to the area on June 1.
"I liked the idea of a heavily Republican state having an all Democratic delegation" to Congress, said Devin Lavelle, an Oakland hills resident who joined the contingency.
The candidate they came to support -- 33-year-old Stephanie Herseth -- won. She beat former state lawmaker Larry Diedrich… Lee's campaign committee paid for the volunteer's plane fare and other expenses, said Chloe Drew, Lee's campaign director."Democratic National Convention 6/11/2004 Dems4000.org
Wednesday 6/9/2004
Support Kerry on Travel and Humanitarian Aid to Cuba 6/9/2004 iPetitions: interesting use of technology at iPetitionsKerry boosts lead over W - poll 6/9/2004 NY Daily News: "Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry widened his lead over President Bush - 49% to 43% - in the past two weeks, a Gallup Organization poll found. Kerry, 60, a four-term Massachusetts senator, leads Bush, 57, among registered voters who say they are likely to cast ballots in the November election, in Gallup's poll conducted June 3-6. Independent candidate Ralph Nader drew support from 5%."
Tuesday 6/8/2004
Cuban Americans split on Kerry 6/8/2004 Miami Herald Miami-Dade Bush Kerry Poll Results 6/8/2004 Miami Herald
If Election Held Today - Kerry To Win 296 to 242, New Zogby Interactive Presidential Battleground Poll Reveals 6/8/2004 Zogby
Monday 6/7/2004
Kerry Would Encourage Travel To Cuba 6/7/2004 Local 10, Miami: "Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry is telling the Miami Herald that as president he would encourage "principled travel" to Cuba and lift the cap on gifts to its people… Kerry tells the newspaper those rules only punish the Cuban people and not Fidel Castro."BUSH VS. KERRY ON CUBA 6/7/2004 Miami Herald
Bush, Kerry spark renewed Cuba debate 6/7/2004 Miami Herald
Friday 6/4/2004
A Leap of Faith 6/4/2004 NYT: "In winning the Democratic primary in March, he took a startling 53 percent of the total vote in a field of seven candidates, and he ran surprisingly well among white blue-collar voters. He told me he believes strongly that while there are powerful and persistent differences at work in society, there is also "a set of core values that bind us together as Americans."
He said the basic idea of his campaign, which he described as "an experiment," was to see whether "we could recast politics" in a way that responded to his assumption "that people want to hear an expression of those common values."
"I give the same speech," he said, "in the inner city, in rural, all-white farming communities, or up in the North Shore in well-to-do suburbs." "Tuesday 6/1/2004
Have Black Democrats given up on the system? 6/1/2004 Final Call: "Black congressional members challenge Party taking Black voter base for granted"