tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332292652009-10-31T08:53:50.052-07:00Political news and analysis from campaign veterans, partisan hacks, and the best minds of our generation.Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08739597019447210562noreply@blogger.comBlogger207125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-91211222357528489972009-05-09T21:43:00.000-07:002009-05-09T22:13:10.035-07:00

A recent poll from Moore Information is stirring up interest in the Oregon Governor's race. Democratic incumbent Ted Kulingoski is term-limited and will step down in 2010, and with two Democratic senators in the state several big-name dems are vying to take over the Governor's mansion. So far, four names are getting most of the attention.If former Governor (Oregon only limits consecutive terms)

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08739597019447210562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-54626209079752637212009-05-08T18:38:00.000-07:002009-05-08T18:40:15.248-07:00

Citigroup is using manipulative tactics to trick unsuspecting college students into opposing President Obama’s plan to overhaul the student loan system. The company, which received $45 billion in federal bailout money, sent an email to its student loan customers (myself included) encouraging them to write their representatives in opposition to the proposed reform.The current system allows private

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08739597019447210562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-90986987887570358522009-05-04T06:11:00.000-07:002009-05-04T06:29:25.743-07:00

Could Oklahoma's Senate race be competitive in 2010? Probably not. A few eyes of turned to Oklahoma in recent weeks as a possible pick-up for the Democrats next cycle, but it ain't gonna happen.The speculation started in earnest after Tom Coburn's Q1 fundraising numbers came back at just over $17,000. That's less than we're spending on the school board race I'm running. Is Coburn retiring? Maybe.

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08739597019447210562noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-2460897764147769972008-12-03T18:50:00.001-08:002008-12-03T19:58:32.767-08:00

If you look at the maps of the US showing the November 4th results, you'll find a pattern of counties that alternate red and blue with one significant exception, Oklahoma. My home state went entirely red. Every single county voted for John McCain over Barack Obama. The state went so Republican that the Republicans gained seats in both chambers of the legislature. The state Republicans could

Pablo Kenneykenneyp@carleton.edu0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-12529666116021873482008-10-24T00:06:00.000-07:002008-10-24T00:16:39.761-07:00

As regular readers have no doubt noticed, this blog has become a bit quiet in the past month. That is in part because I have redirected my blogging energy to the Carleton Democrats blog (which is linked at right and available at carldems.blogspot.com). I would recommend that blog to most of you and it has several advantages for many of you readers.First, I am writing for it and editing it.

Pablo Kenneykenneyp@carleton.edu1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-73476685539684429242008-10-04T23:24:00.001-07:002008-10-04T23:24:31.997-07:00

Do people still want to keep talking about how this election is not about race? You want to argue that opposition to Barack Obama is based solely on opposition to his policies, not on the color of his skin? Do you really believe that if the election were held today Barack Obama would win by 5.9% of the popular vote as Real Clear Politics predicts? Or are you more inclined to believe CBS news's

Pablo Kenneykenneyp@carleton.edu0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-47853167101560570622008-09-24T14:04:00.001-07:002008-09-24T14:04:31.606-07:00

There are slow news days, there are medium news days, and then there are days like today. Good luck digesting all of today's news. On a political front there are several stories that grabbed my attention. Story 1: McCain campaign manager Rick Davis has been receiving checks from Freddie Mac monthly until at least last month.Why this matters: First, it reminds voters that the McCain campaign is

Pablo Kenneykenneyp@carleton.edu0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-64174577714722842732008-09-21T08:41:00.000-07:002008-09-21T08:42:20.187-07:00

The McCain campaign thinks that Sarah Palin can run her own Vice-presidential office and that if necessary she could run this country, but they won't let her run her own Governor's office? While some might disagree, it seems clear to me that choosing a running-mate who you don't trust to handle her own affairs is a perfect example of...BAD JUDGEMENT! The Alaska Daily News has a scorching

Pablo Kenneykenneyp@carleton.edu0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-70436805773413794972008-09-18T15:53:00.000-07:002008-09-18T15:54:01.755-07:00

Tim Pawlenty has put on a brave face sense being passed over for an inexperienced neo-con who has now come to dominate the Republican ticket. City Pages has a great article about the snub: "I'm really excited and pleased with [John McCain's] selection," Pawlenty said to the gathered reporters at the Minnesota State Fair. "Governor Palin is an outstanding, terrific pick for vice president."But as

Pablo Kenneykenneyp@carleton.edu0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-2935415277578344782008-09-17T16:43:00.001-07:002008-09-17T16:43:18.979-07:00

Undoubtedly you're aware that the economy is not very healthy right now (unless you're McCain/Palin). If you are McCain/Palin, or a college student who has had a busy first week of classes you can check out the news here. The McCain campaign has been furiously struggling to have a position, ANY POSITION on the economy: VIENNA, Ohio — On Monday morning, as the financial system absorbed one of its

Pablo Kenneykenneyp@carleton.edu0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-63570347175145672652008-09-12T11:37:00.000-07:002008-09-12T11:53:31.244-07:00

A new poll released by Jeff Merkley's campaign today reveals that, despite Gordon Smith's below the belt negative ads, Oregon's US Senate race is looking bluer and bluer.The Benenson Strategy Group's poll has Merkley leading Smith 43-41. That lead is within the margin of error, so the really big news here is Smith's approval rating. More than 60% of Oregon voters now disapprove of Smith. Merkley

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08739597019447210562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-55560123562956507432008-09-09T00:04:00.001-07:002008-09-09T00:13:31.245-07:00

A Virginia registrar of elections released two statements recently discouraging Virginia Tech students from registering at their college addresses.The statements suggested that registering at their school addresses could cause students to lose scholarships, health insurance, and tax status.Since a lot of our readers are college students, I just want to reiterate that this is COMPLETELY FALSE. In

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08739597019447210562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-54940602022212138292008-09-05T21:43:00.000-07:002008-09-05T21:44:52.961-07:00

This week,Michael Barone published an article about Sarah Palin's speech under the adoring headline "A Star is Born in the GOP.". He discusses the various strengths of her speech before the GOP and concludes: Who wants to say Sarah Palin is a lightweight now?And I answer ME! I want to say Sarah Palin is a lightweight. Also, I want to say...WHAT! Michael Barone and the right wing establishment

Pablo Kenneykenneyp@carleton.edu1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-50073579454215722422008-09-05T17:22:00.001-07:002008-09-05T17:52:55.643-07:00

The failed economic policies of George W. Bush and John McCain have left the economy is tatters, if you haven't already noticed. A report released today shows unemployment climbed to its highest level in 5 years this August, at 6.1%. Employers cut 84,000 jobs last month alone, bringing to 2008 total to more than 600,000. Meanwhile, wages are stagnant and inflation has reached its highest levels

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08739597019447210562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-18629271295695705592008-09-03T14:33:00.001-07:002008-09-03T14:33:52.670-07:00

Lindsey Lohan sounds off on the political consequence of Bristol Palin's pregnancy. From US Magazine, via Mississippifarian.

Pablo Kenneykenneyp@carleton.edu0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-34001538614648604132008-09-02T21:57:00.001-07:002008-09-02T21:57:37.731-07:00

From Minnesota Public Radio:Jeff Ley, 20, of Roseville, Minn., was among the crowd that had marched to the center. When the crowd was gassed, he began running, but then heeded the advice of other demonstrators who yelled at him to walk with his hands raised. He said a police officer stepped from behind a building pillar and fired pepper spray in his face. "I put my hands up because I saw

Pablo Kenneykenneyp@carleton.edu0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-82729131203400477322008-09-02T19:14:00.001-07:002008-09-02T19:14:36.519-07:00

This girl is trying to give police flowers and gets pepper sprayed/maced. I used to be really proud of Minnesota. I guess I still am, but I'm very confused about what's happening in St. Paul (never mind inside the Excel Center).

Pablo Kenneykenneyp@carleton.edu0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-32709122588469204752008-09-02T12:27:00.000-07:002008-09-02T12:55:16.758-07:00

Although Pablo's provides continuing coverage of police aggression at the Republican National Convention is far more important, I wanted to take a few minutes to remind everyone what a gigantic blunder John McCain made in choosing his VP.Here's a taste of what we've learned about Sarah Palin in the last few days:Her underage daughter is pregnant.She is under investigation by the Alaska State

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08739597019447210562noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-46257220787320478632008-09-02T10:15:00.000-07:002008-09-02T10:17:20.206-07:00

This afternoon I received an email from Carleton Professor and my former astronomy professor Joel Weisberg, who participated in the protests yesterday and was arrested on Sunday. He provided a note, statement and useful links. I am reproducing the relevant parts here:You have probably heard of many counter-RNC activities in the last few days. I was one of nine people doing peaceful civil

Pablo Kenneykenneyp@carleton.edu0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-38407504147958072772008-09-02T06:54:00.000-07:002008-09-02T06:55:00.523-07:00

There were four journalists arrested yesterday. They were being held for 'rioting' according to the police. Those arrested included an AP photographer and the host of Pacifica Radio's most popular show, Democracy Now!. This is a problem. I understand that there were violent protesters in St. Paul yesterday. I understand that the police had difficulty with some of them. This is no excuse for

Pablo Kenneykenneyp@carleton.edu0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-41551632227757821382008-09-01T22:06:00.000-07:002008-09-01T22:07:04.971-07:00

Here's an update and context for Amy Goodman's arrest, if anything the arrest seems less justified. You decide. Democracy Now! radio host Amy Goodman and two producers were arrested while covering demonstrations at the Republican convention in St. Paul, Minn. Goodman was released after being held for over three hours, but is still waiting to hear when Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar

Pablo Kenneykenneyp@carleton.edu0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-83552674557465022062008-09-01T21:48:00.000-07:002008-09-01T21:49:00.086-07:00

I'm currently following the main stream media (for the police view) and Fire Dog Lake as well as MNIndependent (for the protesters view). Most interestingly, Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! (which airs regularly on Carleton Radio station KRLX) arrested for Conspiracy to Riot:Getting word as it plays -- Amy Goodman and two other crew from DemocracyNow! are being detained by police for "probable

Pablo Kenneykenneyp@carleton.edu0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-69995170098465644462008-09-01T21:14:00.001-07:002008-09-01T21:14:34.862-07:00

Sarah Palin seems like a good woman. I don't agree with her positions, but she seems like a nice woman who has fought corruption, instituted a windfall profits tax on big oil, and is clearly not a career politician. Moreover, she has had the single worst weekend of anyone in this campaign cycle. This from Ben Smith:I can't remember the last introduction to the national scene this rocky, and it

Pablo Kenneykenneyp@carleton.edu0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-30927939183730182422008-09-01T21:00:00.000-07:002008-09-01T22:00:57.748-07:00

McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds refuses to answer questions and embarrasses himself.

Pablo Kenneykenneyp@carleton.edu0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33229265.post-473132674020924572008-09-01T10:03:00.001-07:002008-09-01T10:03:27.763-07:00

Hope everyone has a good Labor Day. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this administration has ruined our economy and has ensured that you will be working for many more years than you planned. From the AP's Dave Carpenter: Americans are changing the game plan for retirement, with millions laboring right past the traditional retirement age and working into their late 60s and beyond.While the

Pablo Kenneykenneyp@carleton.edu0