The Bachmann Effect

Wamp (R-TN) Still Doesn't Get It!

2009-04-06T14:47:00.004-04:00

Here's a recent reply from Zach Wamp (R-TN) to our email asking him to support The President's health care reform:

Too many Americans are living without access to quality health care and most everyone agrees changes are desperately needed. But there is widespread disagreement about the best way to expand health care coverage.

Instead of turning health care over to the government, the real goal should be to bring down the cost of health care for all Americans, so that those who have it can keep it and those who don't, can afford it. To lower health care costs, we need to create tax incentives, promote preventive care and implement market reforms through competition and choice.

Last year, I cosponsored the Health Care Choice Act to allow residents in one state to buy health insurance from another state. Such a change would empower consumers to compare health care plans across the country and choose the plan that best meets their needs. This is an example of the kind of reform we need to fix what's broken with our health care system.

As Congress and the American people continue to debate this issue, I will push for a private-based solution that includes increased access, individual choice and reforms of the health insurance market, while preserving our 'fee for service' health care system.

Warmest Regards,
Zach Wamp
Member of Congress

I have just three questions for Rep. Wamp...

1. Does your Health Care Choice Act address the blatant misuse of pre-existing conditions by the health insurance industry?

2. How is "turning health care over to the government" any worse than having it controlled by profit-hungry insurance and pharmaceutical companies?

2. Are you going to opt out of your cushy, government-provided, congressional health care plan and opt in to your "private-based 'fee for service'" health care system?

Give It Up, Coleman (R-MN)

2009-04-02T12:23:00.007-04:00

Norm Coleman (R-MN) is dragging the November 4th, 2008 election WAY past its bitter end. It is time for him to concede and allow Al Franken (D-MN) to be seated in the Senate. Coleman is impeding our Government and our Democracy and needs to step down now.

At this point, he can still define returning to public life as running again for another Government position. Once the full investigation into his corruption is completed, he is more likely to define returning to public life as being let out of prison. Norm Coleman is not even fit to represent the degenerates of his state, however few of them there may be, he needs to step down before he loses his status as a human being... it may already be too late.

Donate to Al Franken (D-MN)

Happy 36th Birthday to Rachel Maddow

2009-04-01T20:50:00.004-04:00

Best wishes on her birthday... Her show, on MSNBC, is reliable, informative, entertaining and refreshing. May her audience continue to grow.

Mike Doogan Ousts AKMuckraker

2009-03-28T11:05:00.013-04:00

I hate that after all of this time of inactivity that the inspiration to start up again comes from a DEMOCRAT! I hope that this Democrat will soon be censured and later voted OUT...

In Exposing the Identity of Mudflats, Rep. Mike Doogan Exposes Himself.

Anonymity is an interesting thing. Anyone who has read my "About" page knows that Mudflats popped out of my head and on to my keyboard last May. I, like many of you, get frustrated with my government. There isn't anyone who pays attention, on either side of the political spectrum, who doesn’t at some time feel like they need to get something off their chest.

Here's a link to the full article on Mudflats

Here's the email that we sent to the House Minority (Democrat) Leader, Representative Beth Kerttula.
Email: Representative_Beth_Kerttula@legis.state.ak.us

Please censure Rep. Mike Doogan for his ousting of AKMuckraker’s identity. His actions are despicable and make me ashamed to be associated with the Democratic party. I hope that you can take swift, decisive action and restore my faith and confidence.

Thank you,
Remaining Anonymous

We also suggest contacting Rep. Mike Doogan directly to express your outrage (as carefully and politely as possible). Here is his contact information:
Rep. Mike Doogan "doogans@gci.net"
Rep_Mike_Doogan@legis.state.ak.us
Phone: 907.561.7990

Please email AND call, let him know that is unconscionable and unethical! In case you are wondering, what Doogan did was not only unethical, but also illegal:

Instead of using their true names to communicate, these people choose to speak using pseudonyms (assumed names) or anonymously (no name at all). For these individuals and the organizations that support them, secure anonymity is critical. It may literally save lives.

Anonymous communications have an important place in our political and social discourse. The Supreme Court has ruled repeatedly that the right to anonymous free speech is protected by the First Amendment. A much-cited 1995 Supreme Court ruling in McIntyre v. Ohio Elections Commission reads:

Protections for anonymous speech are vital to democratic discourse. Allowing dissenters to shield their identities frees them to express critical, minority views . . . Anonymity is a shield from the tyranny of the majority. . . . It thus exemplifies the purpose behind the Bill of Rights, and of the First Amendment in particular: to protect unpopular individuals from retaliation . . . at the hand of an intolerant society.

The tradition of anonymous speech is older than the United States. Founders Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay wrote the Federalist Papers under the pseudonym "Publius," and "the Federal Farmer" spoke up in rebuttal. The US Supreme Court has repeatedly recognized rights to speak anonymously derived from the First Amendment.

Read the full article here...

You can also register your concern to the Alaska Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics. Their emails are:
Representative_John_Coghill@legis.state.ak.us
Representative_Berta_Gardner@legis.state.ak.us
Senator_Gary_Stevens@legis.state.ak.us
Senator_Thomas_Wagoner@legis.state.ak.us

3/28/2009 Update: A new FaceBook group has been started to call out Doogan http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=82564017994

3/29/2009 Update: Here's another great article from the Daily Kos:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/3/28/714126/-Response-to-Rep.-Mike-Doogan

Yes We Can, Yes We Did...

2008-11-05T00:57:00.006-05:00

I guess we have all helped to show a little bit more about what a community organizer can do. What an inspirational acceptance speech, it was an honor and a privilege to have been able to play a small part in this historic victory. This is the biggest voter turnout (%) since women were given the right to vote in 1920, awesome.

Nobody can say it better than President-elect Obama (soon you will be able to quit pinching yourself every time you see that) said it himself in his acceptance/victory speech

Battleground State History and Conjecture

2008-11-04T11:15:00.017-05:00

Pennsylvania
John McCain has, pretty much, pinned his hopes on Pennsylvania, there is almost no path to 270 for him without it.

Pennsylvania has voted Democrat for the last four elections, but the state's blue-collar Democrats have shown a lack of enthusiasm for Obama in the primary. McCain has fought hard to exploit this weakness but has trailed in the polls by double-digits since mid-September.

Pennsylvania voted Republican only when the entire country was doing so, except when they chose Dewey over Truman in 1948.

McCain's chances of pulling off an upset here are slim to none and, I believe, should be contested and investigated if it happens.

New Hampshire
New Hampshire chose Nixon over Kennedy in 1960 and they voted for G.W. in 2000, but they wanted him out in 2004 ~ hopefully they have learned their lesson and will favor Obama in 2008. Polls were within margin of error until early October, since then Obama has a consistent and wide lead. I am counting on New Hampshire to keep all of New England Blue.

Virginia
Virginia has only gone Democrat once since 1952, when it voted for Lyndon Johnson in 1964. It is another state that chose Nixon over Kennedy. Virginia has voted Republican without interruption in the last ten elections.

However in the "communist ~ not real" Virginia there is a large African-American population and a large suburban Washington, D.C. population. This gives Obama a real chance in Virginia, polling since early October has favored Obama by a wide, but mostly single-digit, margin.

I have a hard time counting on a state that chose Nixon over Kennedy to help put Obama in the White House.

Ohio
Ohio voted for Bush by slim margins in 2000 (+3.5%) and 2004 (+2.1%). The Ohio vote determined the outcome of 2004, if Bush had lost Ohio then Kerry would be President now.

Ohio's Democrats went for Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama in the primaries, and McCain has led in Ohio polls, but Obama has opened an increasing lead since the recent economic crisis.

Unfortunately, Obama's lead has narrowed in Ohio over the last week, or so. This is, most likely, due to the exploitation of Joe the Plumber, lies about the coal industry, divisive racism and various other Rovian tactics. Is Ohio stupid enough to make their decision based on a non-plumber, turned celebrity?

Ohio has only once failed to elect the winner since the 1944 election when it chose Nixon over Kennedy in 1960. Any state that produces a Joe the Plumber icon and chose Nixon over Kennedy has me a little worried about Obama's chances in that state.

Florida
The last four elections were resolved by narrow margins, the closest being the 2000 race, when George W. Bush (with a little help from his family and friends) beat Al Gore by .1 per cent. Polls have had McCain ahead for just about the entire campaign, although Obama has a narrow lead for most of the time since the beginning of October.

Florida has only once in the last ten elections not voted for the next President. Since Florida chose George H. W. Bush over Bill Clinton in 1992, and Nixon over Kennedy in 1960, it should not surprise or worry you if Obama loses Florida to John McCain.

North Carolina
North Carolina will, most likely, be closer than Ohio and Florida. it voted against Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996. But North Carolina has strong Democratic roots and voted Democratic 6 times in a row from 1944 through 1964. The only time that North Carolina has voted Democrat since 1964 is when they voted for Jimmy Carter in 1976. There is a strong progressive population in some parts, large African-American population in others and very large bible belt, fundamentalists in much of the rest of the state. Obama has a very slim lead in the polls but has a shot in North Carolina, they are not one of the states that helped put Nixon in the White house in 1960.

Indiana
Don't pin any of Obama's hopes here, apart from voting for a Democrat in 1964, when only six states voted Republican, Indiana last chose a Democrat in 1936, when only two states voted Republican. Indiana is a very Red state. Obama's chances in Indiana are that, overall, they don't seem to really like either candidate and they are right next to Obama's home state of Illinois. Their proximity to Obama's home state could allow some of the Illinois enthusiasm to spill over and affect the outcome.

McCain has consistently led in the polls, but the margin has narrowed constantly since the beginning of October.

Tennessee and Georgia
Will the Democratic population in Atlanta, Memphis, Chattanooga and Nashville be enough to out-vote rural areas to turn Tennessee and Georgia for Obama, I don't think so but I do hope so.

Arizona
Poll margins are down to an almost imperceptible lead in Arizona, I believe his slimy campaigning has shamed them. John McCain's home state might still vote him into office just to delay his return to Arizona.

Alaska
Palin started out as the most popular governor in the country, but approval has waned significantly in her home state. There are more "-gates" than can be counted and many of her remaining supporters will likely also be voting for convicted felon, Ted Stevens, for the senate. Alaska will probably not swing for Obama, but it will be a lot closer than it should have been.

Final Tally
Look for Obama to win between 273 and 364 electoral votes and John McCain between 128 and 174. What I am really hoping for is Obama 403, McCain 135.

Dole's (R-NC) Nasty Campaign is Hurting in the Polls

2008-11-03T12:12:00.002-05:00

Kay Hagan (D-NC) is up by 5.5 points.

see latest poll results...

Donate to Kay Hagan

More Voter Suppressions Tactics

2008-11-02T18:16:00.007-05:00

Make sure that you have this number 866-687-8683(OUR-VOTE) with you at the polls, call for help if you need it, don't take no for an answer.

Obama Campaign Video. Making it Count: How to Protect Your Vote & Spot Dirty Tricks

Long lines might deter some voters, election watchers say that an insufficient number of voting machines to accommodate record turnout could deal an even bigger blow to voting rights than do reports of voter intimidation and malfunctioning machinery.

check here for live problem reports...

Woman Denies Treats to Obama Supporters on Halloween

2008-11-02T11:43:00.011-05:00

Shirley Nagel of Grosse Pointe Farms refused to give candy to Obama Trick-Or-Treaters this Halloween. Although this woman is not a candidate, we had to include this here as another example of the divisive mindset of many McCain supporters. It's us and them, Pro-America and Anti-America. Her actions will likely influence a generation of children in her neighborhood, scarred by her hate, who will grow up to be life-long Democrats. These children will forever remember the Republican witch who wouldn't give them candy on Halloween, I bet they really wish they could vote in this election.

McCain supporters like to pass around an email about how the Obama house does Halloween ~ "Take candy from the big bags, and pass it out to the kids that did not go trick or treating" ~ a sick attempt at humor about Obama being a socialist. Well, here you have a shining example of McCain's capitalistic communism (it's no accident that they are the Red States) at work ~ "Only those who think like us and look like us are allowed to participate in the sharing of the candy".

Interesting that this story broke on a Fox (Red News) affiliate, did they think this was a good campaign tactic?

read more here...

Here's contact information for the Grosse Pointe Neighborhood Club:
Neighborhood Club
17150 Waterloo
Grosse Pointe, MI 48230
Phone: 313-885-4600, Fax: 313-885-2418

And the city offices:
Grosse Pointe Farms City Offices
90 Kerby Road
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236
City Council Administration: 313-885-6600

Note: While we acknowledge this woman's right to exercise her free speech, we are still appalled by the divisive way that she chose to exercise it. We need to strive to unite, not divide. In one of the latest (vile, divisive, hate-filled, full of lies and distortions) Anti-Abortion fliers to make the rounds in PA, it says "As Americans, we are taught to love our neighbor.", is this what they mean? Protect innocent babies from abortion (which nobody, including Obama, is against doing), but once they are born and alive here in our world, it's okay to be vile and cruel to these innocent children?

Chambliss (R-GA) Those "Other Folks Are Voting"

2008-11-01T11:59:00.005-04:00

Trying to boost turnout in his predominately white base: "The other folks are voting," he bluntly tells supporters.

read full article here...
current poll results...

Only Three Days Left!

Help those bad "other folks" remove bigotry from the US Senate, donate to Jim Martin (D-GA)...

Dole (R-NC) Does it Again, Stoops to Depths of Hell Herself to Portray Hagan as Godless

2008-10-31T16:44:00.006-04:00

Here's her latest ad.

read about Dole's other attacks...

Please click here now to donate to Kay Hagan. Help her fight back, show Elizabeth Dole that the public will not stand for her despicable and divisive campaign tactics.

New Poll Shows Bachmann's (R-MN) McCarthyist Comments are Widely Known and Hurting Her: Bachmann Adds Lies to Her Arsenal

2008-10-30T12:23:00.011-04:00

79% heard or have heard of Bachmann's comment, 68% disagree with it. Voters are punishing Bachmann. Nearly 4 out of 10 voters report that they are now less likely to support the Congresswoman compared to 8 percent who indicate they are more supportive.
see poll here...

First McCarthyism, now lies. Bachmann uses a TV commercial and a new web site to repeat the allegations of wrongdoing. But there's no indication Tinklenberg broke any laws, only that he was trying to streamline the bid process and save the taxpayers money. Bachmann and Tinklengerg debated today on Minnesota Public Radio and, from what we've seen and heard so far, there was no mention of MNDOT in the debate, apparently not a valid enough allegation to bring it up to Tinklenberg's face.

Listen to program where ad is discussed...

Donate to Tinklenberg here...

Elizabeth Dole (R) NC Stoops Below the Lowest of the Low, Portrays Opponent as a Godless American

2008-10-29T12:41:00.020-04:00

First of all, this is a free country, with laws about separation of church and state, that should preclude this from being an issue at all. It's even more egregious because it is absolutely and completely false. Dole shows us that she is the Godless one by stooping this low.

Dole's new ad falsely accuses Kay Hagan of being an atheist when the fact is that she is a Sunday School teacher and an elder at her Presbyterian church. It is one thing to question your opponent's record and ideology, it is beyond despicable to bald-faced lie in your attempt to do so.

This from Dole's own website:

"Kay Hagan is trying to run a campaign in North Carolina that casts her as a moderate but the money that's paying for it is coming from the left-wing fringe of political thought," said Dole Campaign Communications Director Dan McLagan. "You can tell a lot about a person by their friends and these are friends most North Carolinians would not be comfortable having over for dinner."

Hagan's campaign is being largely funded by labor unions intent on ending North Carolina's status as a right to work state, liberal trial lawyers and ultra left wing groups like MoveOn.org which is a deeply anti-military organization. Now Hagan has added anti-religion activists from Boston Massachusetts to the list.

"Kay Hagan does not represent the values of this state; she is a Trojan Horse for a long list of wacky left-wing outside groups bent on policies that would horrify most North Carolinians if they knew about it," McLagan said. "This latest revelation of support from anti-religion activists will not sit well with the 90% of state residents who identify with a specific religious faith."

Update 30, October 2008

CNN's Campbell Brown tells Dole to reclaim her dignity

Kay Hagan's response (maybe you helped to pay for this?)

Help show Dole the power of the "left-wing fringe of political thought", show her that there is a VERY "long list of wacky left-wing outside groups", don't let her ridiculous, divisive, Godless rhetoric help her win.

Please click here now to donate to Kay Hagan now (again, if you already have) to help her fight back, show Elizabeth Dole that the public will not stand for her despicable campaign tactics.

The Real "Threat to Democracy": GOP Voter Suppression and Fraud

2008-10-28T12:34:00.022-04:00

One thing that we have learned in this election is that whatever smears and allegations of deceit, fraud or illegal activity you hear from a Republican is a smoke screen to cover up something that they have already done, are doing, or plan to do soon.

One of the best examples is the ACORN, voter registration fraud smokescreen to cover up the GOP voter suppression and voter fraud schemes.
read about the voter fraud myth here...

Contrary to Sen. McCain's assertions, the real thing that is "destroying the fabric of democracy" is the GOP itself. Republicans have diverted attention from their own voter suppression and fraud tactics with their charges against ACORN's alleged voter registration fraud. It should be noted that, even if the voter registration fraud allegations were true (which they have proven not to be), it is extremely unlikely that it would lead to any significant voter fraud. It is the GOP, in concert with the McCain campaign, that is "perpetrating one of the greatest frauds in voter history in this country". (See how we can use their attacks to figure out what they've done, are doing, or are about to do?)
read about one case of actual voter fraud, and how the victims took their vote back here...

It is the Republicans that are mounting efforts to steal the vote from hundreds of thousands of legitimate voters, a genuine threat that has received almost no media attention. They're stealing your vote, but you can steal it back.

Here are some steps you should take to protect your vote. First, avoid the November 4th minefield. Voters, wherever possible, should vote early and in person. Where feasible, avoid mailing in your ballot, many are rejected for flimsy reasons, and first time voters in many states must include a photocopy of ID. However, if you have a mail-in ballot, don't throw it away. Follow directions, use the correct postage (that's an error that cost a hundred thousand votes last time) and, if possible, walk it in to your elections office.

At the polling station, should you find yourself one of the 2.7 million purged, or your ID rejected, then do your best to resist a "provisional" ballot--one third of which are not counted. Return with proper ID, or call 1-800-OUR VOTE for legal assistance (take this phone number with you to the polls). And never just walk away discouraged. That's just what they want you to do.

read complete Rolling Stone article here...
watch the video here...

We will continue to update with specific examples, if you know of any please email us submissions(at)bachmanneffect.com
DENVER — About 6,400 new voters in Colorado may not be allowed to cast regular ballots on Election Day because they failed to check a box on a voter registration form.

ALBUQUERQUE – Republican Party attorney Pat Rogers refused to say Thursday if a private detective who visited the addresses of two of the 10 Albuquerque voters cited at a news conference last week about voter fraud was working for the GOP.

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- College senior Kyla Berry was looking forward to voting in her first presidential election, even carrying her voter registration card in her wallet. But about two weeks ago, Berry got disturbing news from local election officials. "This office has received notification from the state of Georgia indicating that you are not a citizen of the United States and therefore, not eligible to vote," a letter from the Fulton County Department of Registration and Elections said. But Berry is a U.S. citizen, born in Boston, Massachusetts. She has a passport and a birth certificate to prove it.

Tens of thousands of eligible voters in at least six swing states have been removed from the rolls or have been blocked from registering in ways that appear to violate federal law, according to a review of state records and Social Security data by The New York Times.

See another article about this subject on Mudflats, which includes a great ACORN video.

Last day of early voting in Tennessee is 10/30/2008.

Poll Closing Times (as far as we know, verify with your local polling station)

6PM (ET): Indiana, Kentucky
7PM: Georgia, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia
7:30PM: Ohio, West Virginia
8:00PM: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee
8:30PM: Arkansas, North Carolina
9:00PM: Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming
10:00PM: Iowa, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Utah
11:00PM: California, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
12:00AM: Alaska

Phony Phlier Aims to Suppress Democratic Vote in VA

2008-10-28T11:14:00.007-04:00

A phony State Board of Elections flier advising Republicans to vote on Nov. 4 and Democrats on Nov. 5 is being circulated in several Hampton Roads localities, according to state elections officials.

State Board of Election officials today said they are aware of the flier but disavowed any connection to it.

State Police are aware of the complaint and are looking into it, said spokeswoman Corinne Geller.

The Election is on Tuesday, November 4th, 2008 for ALL voters.

read complete article here...

Totally Unapologetic Response Received From WFTV, FL

2008-10-28T09:46:00.010-04:00

No apology, just more Republican talking points, along with some of their own. In John McCain's words, "blah, blah, blah"...
see information in Update 1

Palin Refuses to Repudiate N-Word at Rally Today

2008-10-27T17:24:00.003-04:00

She definitely heard something, but chooses to just move on and let it slide...

At least she didn't pause and smile about it this time.

Donate to Obama Campaign

US Senator Stevens (R-AK) found guilty on all counts

2008-10-27T16:39:00.011-04:00

Yet another new category today, convicted felon! Wow, I didn't see that one coming. Actually, I did, but I was sure they would hold it off until after the election like they've managed to do with several other investigations.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens was convicted of seven corruption charges in a trial that tainted the 40-year Senate career of Alaska’s political patriarch.

read complete AP release here...

Stevens is running against Mark Begich Donate to Mark Begich here...

Be Very Wary of Straight Party Vote Option, Do Not Use It!

2008-10-27T10:03:00.008-04:00

We have classified this issue as voter fraud, even though it technically isn't, because it could cause your vote to not be counted or to count exactly opposite from your actual vote.

Only 15 states have this option, if yours is one of them don't use it! There are many flaws the worst of which is that the vote can get counted for the wrong party. Straight-party voting (also called "straight-ticket" voting) means selecting a single bubble or box for a specific political party in order to register your vote for multiple candidates of that party.

In North Carolina , if you only use the straight party vote option, then you are not even casting a vote for president. 90,000 voters failed to mark their selection for President and Vice-President in NC in the 2004 election. Don't let this happen again in 2008.

DO NOT USE the straight-party option. If you want to vote for all candidates of the same party, mark each candidate individually.

more straight party vote information from VotersUnite.Org

Double check for known problems at your location before you head to the polls to cast your vote.
information on known election problems from VotersUnite.Org

Donate to VotersUnite.Org

Palin Pipeline's Poor Planning Puts Paycheck in Pal's Pocket

2008-10-26T21:33:00.000-04:00

Gov. Sarah Palin's signature accomplishment — a contract to build a 1,715-mile pipeline to bring natural gas from Alaska to the Lower 48 — emerged from a flawed bidding process that narrowed the field to a company with ties to her administration, an Associated Press investigation shows.

"Most definitely TransCanada got a sweetheart deal this time," said Republican Sen. Bert Stedman, who voted against the TransCanada license. "Where else could you get a $500 million reimbursement when you don't even have the financing to build the pipeline?"

read full article here...

Donate to Obama Campaign

Wachovia Mailer Rumor

2008-10-26T18:17:00.000-04:00

We've heard a rumor of a Wachovia mailer that threatens that, if Obama wins, the recipient's children's trust funds will go to zero in value. Does anyone have specifics or proof? Please let us know submissions@bachmanneffect.com

Hopefully we will have an update soon to confirm or deny this.

Update 1:
Here's a phone call to Wachovia, where they say that Robert D. Jenkins, a retirement planning counselor and the one responsible for sending out the email, is being "dealt with".

here's an article on topix about it...

the content of the email has been on snopes since june...

Our take on this, so far, is that, while this should NOT reflect on Wachovia, it does give you a glimpse into the mindset of at least one "rogue" McCain supporter.

Norm Coleman (R-MN) Targets Children with Rape & Playboy Cartoon Mailer

2008-10-26T12:59:00.001-04:00

Another new category defined for this election season, disgusting!

AMERICAblog reader JW writes:

My wife and I have 3 small boys under 6 years old. So when I saw the cartoon cover that says "Come on in kids..." then talks about rape with a little girl on the opposite page you can guess my utter disgust.
...
Creating a children's book talking about rape, and then sending it to Minnesota's children, all on behalf of Norm Coleman. So much for Coleman claiming the negative advertising was going to stop.

read original article...

It seems that every day a new low is defined. Please help us make him stop! Show Norm Coleman "The Bachmann Effect". Donate to Al Franken (D) today!

Here's the link to Franken's website: Donate to Al Franken (D)

Bryan Rudnick Republican Political Consultant

2008-10-25T23:58:00.000-04:00

McCain campaign stoops to its very lowest yet in bid to win Pennsylvania. Rudnick takes the fall, but ask yourself if you really believe their plausible deniability.

From an e-mail was sent Thursday morning to 75,000 Jewish voters:

"Jewish Americans cannot afford to make the wrong decision on Tuesday, November 4th, 2008," the e-mail reads. "Many of our ancestors ignored the warning signs in the 1930s and 1940s and made a tragic mistake. Let's not make a similar one this year!"

The email says "Paid for by the Republican Federal Committee of PA - Victory 2008."

It warns "Fellow Jewish Voters" of the danger of a second Holocaust due to the threats to Israel from its neighbors and touts Republican presidential candidate John McCain's qualifications over those of Obama.

The e-mail also accuses Obama of teaching members of the community group ACORN "to commit voter registration fraud" during his years as a community activist.

Republican officials say they've fired Rudnick and that he was not authorized to send the emails. Rudnick claims that he had authorization from party officials to send the email, but declined to say who they were. Looks like he's willing to take the fall to save the other guilty parties.

read original article...

Update 1, 26 October, 2008
Apparently this ploy didn't work, new Gallup poll shows Obama has 75% of Jewish vote...

Donate to Obama Campaign

Florida WFTV anchor Barbara West Makes FoxNews Actually Look Fair and Balanced

2008-10-25T19:53:00.005-04:00

Watch this ridiculous excuse for a news anchor interviewing Joe Biden. We had to make a new category just for her: ludicrous insanity. She digs with John McCain's talking points and lies in a way that is absolutely shameful. Joe Biden was absolutely masterful.

Watch her softball John McCain in a way that is more like a job interview for press secretary than any form of journalism.

Send a complaint to her general manager now. Here's the link to the contact form: http://www.wftv.com/contact/

Look for the checkbox "WFTV/WRDQ General Manager" (the 5th one down on the contact form). If you prefer to call, the news director's name is Bob Jordan 407-841-9000. If the offices are closed, dial 8 after the message for the station directory, enter Jordan Bob (567326262) to be put through to an operator, tell them you want to leave a message for Bob Jordan on his voice mail.

Here's what we sent, to help get you started:

Dear WFTV Gen. Mgr. - I have just watched the videos, online, of the interviews your Barbara West conducted - one with Sen. John McCain and one with Sen. Joe Biden. With all due respect, [add your own comments here]

Update 1, 28 October, 2008
We received this response from WFTV today:

From: "Eyewitness News (CTV-Orlando)"
To: redacted
Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:31:51 -0400
Subject: Web Form Submission Response
Dear Viewer:

Thank you for taking time to contact us regarding Barbara West's recent interview with democratic Vice Presidential candidate Senator Joe Biden.

The Obama campaign contacted us last week offering Senator Biden, via satellite, for a short interview. Barbara West, one of our most experienced anchors, was asked to interview Senator Biden, just as she had been on previous occasions.

It is our goal at Eyewitness News when interviewing any political candidate or public official to ask them a direct question about an issue currently in the public debate. Last week, when much of the political discourse centered on Senator Obama's statement to 'Joe the Plumber' that he thought 'sharing the wealth' was a good idea, Barbara decided to ask Senator Biden just how far an Obama-Biden administration would go in 'sharing the wealth'. What followed was very pointed, provocative question. We allowed Senator Biden to answer, fully unedited.

We tell our reporters and news anchors to ask the questions that one of our viewers might ask. For example, when Senator Obama visited Lakeland recently, Barbara (knowing her time with a presidential candidate would be limited) asked Senator Obama two questions: first, about drilling for oil in the Gulf of Mexico; and, second, about his position on the space program. The Senator's answers dominated the news cycle for the next day.

You can see all of Barbara's interviews with political candidates at WFTV.com including one she just did Monday with Senator John McCain.

Perhaps more than any other presidential election in recent memory, this current election has stirred passions - some of them quite partisan - in many people. Through it all, we believe our mission is to address vital issues that we will face together, regardless of our own personal views with thorough, even handed reporting.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact us.

Barbara West's husband, Wade West, is a Republican political strategist. Here's an excerpt from his SolgamesUSA company website (his political and media consulting company website now gives a "Forbidden" error):

His media communication and fundraising skills have made him a popular consultant for political candidates ranging from local elections, to more than 85 [Republication] members of Congress and members of the President’s [Bush] cabinet.

Here's an excerpt from Barbara West's bio on the WFTV website:

I am married to Wade West, an international media consultant to politicians, professionals and organizations. Together we often serve as auctioneers at various fundraising events throughout the state.

The fact that West's husband is a [Republican] political strategist, and that there was no mention of this, nor even a hint of an apology, in their response indicates to us that WFTV "News" are also Republican political strategists. At the very least, they believe that the fact that they interviewed John McCain as well as Joe Biden means that they are fair and balanced journalists. The antagonistic nature of the questions to one vs. the softball nature of the questions to the other is not relevant to them.

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Robin Hayes (R-NC)

2008-10-25T17:47:00.001-04:00

Warming up a crowd in North Carolina, Republican Rep. Robin Hayes offered the diagnosis that "liberals hate real Americans that work and achieve and believe in God."

read full article here

His opponent's name is Larry Kissell, website:
http://www.larrykissell.com/

Duncan Hunter (R-CA)

2008-10-25T16:06:00.001-04:00

Rep. Duncan Hunter claimed Obama was winning because he has "nice teeth"

Donate to opponent: Mike Lumpkin for Congress
Website: http://lumpkinforcongress.com/

Elizabeth Dole (R-NC)

2008-10-25T16:00:00.001-04:00

North Carolina Republicans send out homophobic mailings against Democratic Senate candidate Kay Hagan.

The North Carolina Republican State Executive Committee has sent out homophobic mailers targeting Senate candidate Kay Hagan (D), who is challenging Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R).

The mailings warn that Hagan seeks to advance a "radical homosexual agenda" that includes legalizing gay marriage, removing "Under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance, and forcing the Boy Scouts to accept gay and atheist troop leaders.

Donate to opponent: Kay Hagan
Website: http://www.kayhagan.com/

U.S. Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ)

2008-10-25T15:33:00.001-04:00

GOP campaign staff of Bob Lord's opponent dropped his CC at DNC office in Tempe (claimed he was just stopping by to collect memorabilia of the campaign's).

PHOENIX – Democrats working to unseat U.S. Rep. John Shadegg wondered whether political dirty tricks were afoot: A business credit card belonging to the incumbent's re-election campaign was found on the floor of a Democratic field office in Tempe.
Arizona Democratic Party officials on Monday publicly demanded an explanation from Shadegg's campaign – and that it return anything taken from the office.

Donate to opponent: Bob Lord (D-AZ)
Website: http://www.lord2008.com/

"Empower Texans" chaired by Tim Dunn (R) of Midland, TX

2008-10-25T15:26:00.000-04:00

Swift Boat funder Robert Perry, a top national Republican donor, is funding overtly racist attack mail, it's not Swift Boating, it's Race Boating.

A group called "Empower Texans," chaired by Tim Dunn of Midland, an associate of Republican Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick, attacked Democratic state House candidate Joel Redmond of Pasadena with a direct mail piece featuring fuzzy images of black and Hispanic lawmakers (plus Barack Obama), several black birds resembling crows, and a picture of the white Redmund. The tag line: "Birds of a feather flock together."

Anyone with any racial sensitivity gets the meaning of the mailer: Redmond has betrayed whites by befriending people of color. He can't be trusted.

This mailer attack was to smear Joel Redmond (D) TX
Website: http://www.joelredmond.com/

Brad Blakeman (R)

2008-10-25T15:15:00.000-04:00

"No I don't, but let me tell you this. You know what the outrage is today? Is Barack Obama taking a 767 campaign plane to go visit his grandma.

Forget about the energy that is wasted, what about the hundreds of thousands of dollars to take a private trip when this guy should be humping his bags on a commercial plane or taking a smaller plane. Taking a 767 of campaign money from people who could least afford it is more of an outrage in my opinion." Brad Blakeman to MSNBC anchor David Schuster.

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Michele Bachmann (R) MN

2008-10-25T15:04:00.000-04:00

"What I would say is that the news media should do a penetrating expose and take a look. I wish they would. I wish the American media would take a great look at the views of the people in Congress and find out: Are they pro-America or anti-America? I think people would love to see an expose like that." Michele Bachmann on MSNBC's "Hardball with Chris Matthews".

Michele Bachmann's opponent is Elwyn Tinklenberg (D)
Website: http://www.tinklenberg08.com/