Author: HL

What to Watch in Kentucky
In Kentucky, Jack Conway (D) and Dan Mongiardo (D) face off in what has turned out to be a very close Democratic Senate primary. Polls close across the state by 7 pm ET.

1. Jack Conway is from Louisville and is expected to do quite well there. Louisville has a tendency to report its results earlier in the evening, and Conway should lead early in the count. Dan Mongiardo is counting on a strong performance in the rural areas of Kentucky and should be able to close the gap with Conway as those results come in. If Mongiardo leads with 50% of the precincts reporting, he’ll likely win.

2. Will voters actually pull the lever for Darlene Price? This former US customs drug agent and Democratic candidate for US Senate has been pulling about 5% in recent polls. In polls, her vote tends to be among Conway’s constituency of liberals and females. If the support Price falters at the polls, Conway is likely to be the beneficiary and it may put him over the top.

3. Does anybody actually show-up? Most of the media attention in Kentucky (and nationally) has been focused on the Republican Senatorial primary between likely winner Rand Paul and Trey Grayson. The Secretary of State, who happens to be Trey Grayson, predicts only a 30% turnout statewide. Conway has vastly outspent Mongiardo on television and is likely to benefit from a large turnout. If more than 500,000 votes are cast statewide in the Democratic primary, Conway is likely to win.

— Guest contributor Harry Enten writes Margin of Error and is an intern for Pollster.com.

What to Watch in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) faces a tough primary challenge from Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) for the Democratic Senate nomination. Polls close at 8 pm ET.

1. The early returns will come from Philadelphia where Specter is widely seen as having an advantage. Specter started his political career as Philly’s district attorney and is counting on a large turnout among African-Americans. While polling differs on how well Specter and Sestak are doing in Philadelphia, Specter better jump out to a large lead early or his night will likely be a long one.

2. Speaking of the black vote, Specter’s fate may be tied to Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Anthony Williams. Williams, who is African-American, has, like Specter, been endorsed by most of the major politicians and political organizations in Philadelphia. While Williams is likely to lose to front-runner Dan Onorato, a strong Williams performance (20%+ statewide) probably indicates a high African-American turnout and is good for Specter.

3. Suffolk University pollsters have pegged York County as the “bellwether” county. That is, the county most likely to predict the results statewide. While Suffolk University does not always get the results right, the winner of their chosen bellwether county almost always wins statewide.

— Guest contributor Harry Enten writes Margin of Error and is an intern for Pollster.com.

Ex-Cop Goes Rogue on the Drug War, Tells Pot Smokers How to Outsmart the Police
Police admired Barry Cooper when he lied to put drug dealers in prison. Then he flipped the game on them.

Police admired Barry Cooper when he lied to put drug dealers in prison. Then he flipped the game on them.

PG&E’s Audacious Attempt to Enshrine Its Energy Monopoly In the California Constitution
The rich and corporate are abusing CA’s initiative process to enforce their profits through the state’s constitution.

The rich and corporate are abusing CA's initiative process to enforce their profits through the state's constitution.

Nouriel Roubini: How to Break Up the Banks, Stop Massive Bonuses, and Rein in Wall Street Greed
The prominent economist explains why the model of the financial supermarket is a disaster, and why it’s so dangerous that Wall Street is back to business as usual.

The prominent economist explains why the model of the financial supermarket is a disaster, and why it's so dangerous that Wall Street is back to business as usual.

This Week in Bigotry
This Week in Bigotry In an attempt to “rebrand” Arizona, whose recent immigration law has been called racist, Governor Jan Brewer bans teaching ethnic studies. After smearing Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan for having worked for civil rights icon Thurgood…

Why Elena Kagan Is A Terrific Choice
Massachusetts has been Elena Kagan’s adopted home, but it’s not for such home state boosterism, parochial reasons why I think she’s a terrific choice. No, it’s because I got to know her well not in Boston, but here in the…


Elena Kagan – Senate – Supreme Court – Massachusetts – Republican Party

GOP Victory Mirage
Almost six months ago I suggested that the conventional Washington wisdom of a Republican sweep this November was fatally flawed. Now a new AP-Gfk poll shows that the Democrats are staging a major comeback. People want Democrats to control Congress…


Washington – Republican – Democratic – United States Congress – Barack Obama

Transocean to give shareholders $1 billion while trying to cap its responsibility for Gulf spill at $27 million.
Transocean, Ltd., the giant oil contractor that leased its Deepwater Horizon rig to BP, held a “closed-door meeting” with shareholders Friday, “just days after” executives appeared before Congress to explain the company’s role in the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill. As ThinkProgress noted, the meeting took place at the company’s headquarters in Zug, […]

Transocean, Ltd., the giant oil contractor that leased its Deepwater Horizon rig to BP, held a “closed-door meeting” with shareholders Friday, “just days after” executives appeared before Congress to explain the company’s role in the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill. As ThinkProgress noted, the meeting took place at the company’s headquarters in Zug, Switzerland, where Transocean relocated two years ago to avoid paying taxes. Though CEO Steven Newman “ignored questions from reporters,” the company said in a statement that it would distribute $1 billion in dividends to shareholders:

The revelation that Transocean is distributing a $1 billion profit to shareholders as one of its drill sites leaks millions of gallons of oil into the sea is sure to inflame an already smarting debate over offshore drilling and the company’s role.[…]

To put the distribution in perspective, the amount of profit that Transocean plans to pay out in the next year is half of what Exxon ultimately paid for the Exxon Valdez disaster off the Alaska Coast.

It’s also more than double what BP has said they’ve spent on the cleanup to date.

Meanwhile, Transocean has “passionately argued” to limit its financial responsibility for the disaster. The company filed a court request last week to cap its liability under $27 million, a paltry sum considering BP has already spent over $450 million on cleanup, and analysts estimate the effort could ultimately cost up to $8 billion. As Raw Story notes, Transocean has actually made money from the disaster, collecting over $400 million from insurers, leaving it with a profit of $270 million after the costs of the rig are subtracted. As maritime attorney Jeff Seely told NPR, “They are the only people who have been compensated for this tragedy. The decedents [of the 11 workers killed in an explosion on the rig] haven’t been the compensated. The injured people who still are suffering, all the fishermen out in the Gulf that can no longer work haven’t been compensated.”

Obama Doing Labor’s Bidding

The Revenue Limits of Tax and Spend
David Ranson, Wall Street Journal
The Greeks have always been trendsetters for the West. Washington has repudiated two centuries of U.S. fiscal prudence as prescribed by the Founding Fathers in favor of the modern Greek model of debt, dependency, devaluation and default. Prospects for restraining runaway U.S. debt are even poorer than they appear.U.S. fiscal policy has been going in the wrong direction for a very long time. But this year the U.S. government declined to lay out any plan to balance its budget ever again. Based on President Obama's fiscal 2011 budget, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates a…

Primaries Gauge Voters’ Frustration
Kiely & Fritze, USA Today
Cruising the struggling rural communities of eastern Arkansas, Earnestine Weaver, the local justice of the peace and longtime Democratic committeewoman, senses a tide building in advance of Tuesday's primary.”People are saying: 'Let's make a change. Let's get rid of all the people in office now,' ” she says.In state after state, as campaigns ramp up for this year's congressional elections, voter anger threatens to capsize the careers of lawmakers previously considered untouchable. Party affiliation is not the issue.

Straight Women, Too, Play Softball
She’s not gay, OK? Actually, the all-too-public discussion about the ought-to-be private topic of Elena Kagan’s sexuality would be easier if the Supreme Court nominee were gay. By Ruth Marcus

She’s not gay, OK? Actually, the all-too-public discussion about the ought-to-be private topic of Elena Kagan’s sexuality would be easier if the Supreme Court nominee were gay.

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Robert Reich: BP Stands for Bad Petroleum
When you hear dueling public statements like what we’ve heard from the White House and BP, watch your wallets. You can safely assume BP’s lawyers are already at work to ensure that the firm pays not a cent more than $75 million.

Iowa Governor 2010: Election BREAKING News
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D.C. Douglas, Former Geico Voice Actor, Fires Back At FreedomWorks (VIDEO)
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Gingrich falsely claims “anti-military” Kagan “single[d] out the military” at Harvard

Arguing that President Obama “should withdraw” Elena Kagan’s nomination, Fox News’ Newt Gingrich falsely claimed that Kagan tried to “block the American military from Harvard Law School”; that Kagan “single[d] out the military” in applying Harvard’s nondiscrimination policy; that the military “didn’t have a policy” of discrimination against openly gay troops; and that Kagan is “anti-military.” Last year, Gingrich smeared Sonia Sotomayor as a “racist” and argued that her nomination should be withdrawn.

Gingrich uses falsehoods to claim Kagan is “anti-military” and should be withdrawn

Gingrich claims Kagan “single[d] out the military” for a policy that was Clinton’s. On the May 16 edition of Fox News Sunday, Fox contributor Newt Gingrich speech at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, Kagan stated: “I am in awe of your courage and your dedication, especially in these times of great uncertainty and danger. I know how much my security and freedom and indeed everything else I value depend on all of you.” Kagan further stated that she has been “grieved” by DADT because she “wish[es]” that gays and lesbians “could join this noblest of all professions and serve their country in this most important of all ways.” Kagan added:

But I would regret very much if anyone thought that the disagreement between American law schools and the US military extended beyond this single issue. It does not. And I would regret still more if that disagreement created any broader chasm between law schools and the military. It must not. It must not because of what we, like all Americans, owe to you. And it must not because of what I am going to talk with you about tonight — because of the deep, the fundamental, the necessary connection between military leadership and law. That connection makes it imperative that we — military leaders and legal educators — join hands and be partners.

Kagan has repeatedly praised the military even while opposing DADT. In an October 6, 2003, email announcing that Harvard Law School would allow military recruiters on campus, Kagan wrote that “[t]he importance of the military to our society — and the extraordinary service that members of the military provide to all the rest of us — makes this discrimination [DADT] more, not less, repugnant,” a sentiment she reiterated in a 2005 letter offering “background” on the school’s position on military recruiting on campus.

At an October 2004 rally protesting against military recruitment on campus, Kagan reportedly said: “These men and women, notwithstanding their talents, their conviction, their courage, cannot perform what I truly believe to be the greatest service a person can give for their country. And that’s just wrong, that’s just flat out wrong.” In a 2008 statement on the military recruiting issue, Kagan wrote, “The military is a noble profession, which provides extraordinary service to each of us every day.”

Gingrich previously called for Sotomayor to withdraw

Gingrich previously smeared Sotomayor as a “racist” and said she should withdraw. During his Fox News Sunday appearance, Gingrich stated that Obama “should withdraw” Kagan’s nomination. In 2009, Gingrich posted a tweet stating, “White man racist nominee would be forced to withdraw. Latina woman racist should also withdraw.”

Sarah Palin’s Media Con-undrum

Brace Yourself: This Is the Tip of the Iceberg for Oil-Induced Enviro Catastrophes
The blame-game theory is still a red herring distracting us from the environmental disaster’s prime suspect: All of us.

The blame-game theory is still a red herring distracting us from the environmental disaster's prime suspect: All of us.

10 Things You Can Do to Improve America’s Health Care System
Key things you should know about the new health care law and ways you can bring true reform to the industry.

Key things you should know about the new health care law and ways you can bring true reform to the industry.

The 21st Century Soldier: Supports Gay Rights, Clean Energy and Is Often Progressive
Votevets is making waves educating the public about a very different kind of soldier.

Votevets is making waves educating the public about a very different kind of soldier.

New York Justice Goes National
Barack Obama’s vision of American justice seems a bit parochial, with Attorney General Eric Holder hailing from the New York City borough of Queens; Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg coming from a once-proud, upwardly mobile Jewish section of Brooklyn…



Barack Obama – Ruth Bader Ginsburg – United States Supreme Court – United States – New York

Sign In Issues
Folks, we’re in the process of implementing Facebook Connect at TPM. It should be live now on most of the site. However, we’ve had a number of emails from regular users telling us they have not been able to sign…


Facebook Connect – Facebook – Social network – Online Communities – Business

This Week in Bigotry
This Week in Bigotry In an attempt to “rebrand” Arizona, whose recent immigration law has been called racist, Governor Jan Brewer bans teaching ethnic studies. After smearing Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan for having worked for civil rights icon Thurgood…

NRA Members Approve Of Concealed Carry Restriction At Annual Convention
ThinkProgress is reporting from the NRA Convention. This is our fourth dispatch. See our previous posts here, here, and here. The NRA is holding its annual meetings this weekend at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, NC. Violence Policy Center executive director Josh Sugarmann noted this sign at the convention warning its members not to bring […]

ThinkProgress is reporting from the NRA Convention. This is our fourth dispatch. See our previous posts here, here, and here.

The NRA is holding its annual meetings this weekend at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, NC. Violence Policy Center executive director Josh Sugarmann noted this sign at the convention warning its members not to bring concealed carry weapons onto its property:

ThinkProgress spoke to a number of attendees and asked if they were bothered by the convention center’s policy. Nearly everyone agreed that there needed to be some sort of restriction, suggesting NRA members who attended the conference understand the need for sensible safety regulations. “I think that’s probably a pretty good policy,” one NRA member said. Some other reactions:

– TP: You don’t have a problem with not bringing firearms here?

NRA MEMBER1: Not really. It’s up to the individual place of business. It’s their right to do as they choose. It’s my right to choose not to come in if I choose not to do so.

– NRA MEMBER2: I understand it. I think most people carry a gun for self defense. In a place like this, I’ve seen enough police presence around here I don’t think that there would be much of a problem.

– NRA MEMBER3: Whether I truly agree with it or not, no I don’t, because again I say it’s an infringement on my rights. But I understand, like you said, they have to have a facility to hold this convention. This is a rule they have so we’re willing to abide by it.

Watch the video:

The NRA lobby is pushing hard to loosen concealed carry restrictions, urging states such as Tennessee and Georgia to allow gun-holders to carry their guns into bars.

TARP becomes prime target for senators facing reelection battles
It was the chant heard around the Senate: Angry GOP delegates in Utah calling out “TARP! TARP! TARP!” as they tossed Sen. Robert F. Bennett from the primary ballot, punishment for the veteran lawmaker’s 2008 vote to bail out the financial sector.


United States – Government – Republican – History – United States Senate

Palin calls Fiorina and other Republican candidates ‘mama grizzlies’
Sarah Palin appears to be building a pack of “mama grizzlies” in the 2010 elections that could send a powerful political message if she decides to run for president in 2012.


Republican – Sarah Palin – United States – Politics – Parties

8 probes into Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill
The April 20 explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig and the massive oil spill that has stemmed from the accident have prompted eight formal investigations so far, and more could be coming . They address two basic questions: What went wrong with BP’s drilling operation in the Gulf of Mexico, and what…



Oil spill – Environment – Energy – Petroleum in the Environment – Business

So Much for Europe’s Superiority
Joel Kotkin, The Daily Beast
For much of the last quarter century, European pundits, particularly in France, have been promoting the notion that the old continent sat on the verge of a grand resurgence. The events of the past month—culminating in a trillion dollar rescue of the Euro—should, at least, put that dodgy notion to rest.Although the financial crisis may have originated on Wall Street, it’s been Europe and the Euro that now represent the big threat to drive world markets back into recession. The show stealers are India, China and Brazil. Still the big boy on the block, the American…

The Threat to Miranda

The GOP’s Grass-Roots Obstructionists
Galston & Mann, Washington Post
We commend The Post for initiating a forum on polarization, which is indeed the dominant political phenomenon of our time. Consider that for the first time in modern history, in both the House and the Senate, the most conservative Democrat is slightly more liberal than the most liberal Republican. This is more than an interesting scholarly finding; it has consequences for the legislative process. The most conservative Senate Democrat (Ben Nelson) ended up supporting health reform; the most liberal Republican (Olympia Snowe) ended up opposing it. For decades, the operational core of…

Democrats’ Diverse Coalition
E.J. Dionne, Washington Post

162,000 New Jobs Added in March
The Labor Department said Wednesday the jobless rate dropped in 69 percent of metro areas last month from February. The report follows other recent encouraging news about jobs. Employers added 162,000 jobs in March, the government said earlier this month, the most significant gain in three years.

There’s a reason you ignore them
The more simplistic the GOP slogan, the faster you should avoid it.

It’s certainly true that in the last week and a half, the Obama Administration has found itself in a Bush-like situation of having a bad policy decision become a precursor to an actual disaster.

The GOP plays the “long-game” when it comes to disastrous policy positions (or doesn’t depending on your sarcastic perspective), something a Democrat should always keep in mind. From pretending there isn’t global warming to pissing off the nation’s fastest growing ethnic groups you have to add this characteristic to your political calculus.

So how fitting that Republicans at their last convention sent out noted expert on everything Rudy Giuliani to discuss 9-11 offshore drilling. How fitting they adopt noted expert on everything Sarah Palin’s slogans. How fitting that they continue to send out noted expert on everything Newt Gingrich to demand it while a certain off-shore oil platform breaks Joseph Hazelwood’s record for oil spills.

There are reasons, Mr. President, we shouldn’t listen to most Republican talking points.

?

Late Late Night FDL: Something He Can Feel
Aretha Franklin — Something He Can Feel.

Aretha Franklin — Something He Can Feel.

What’s on your mind?

?

Hava Nagila Edition
Noam Chomsky on “the evil scourge of terrorism,” Glenn Greenwald on White House reporters being afraid of the White House, plus: why you can’t be a cop in Papua, Indonesia if you’ve had your penis enlarged. On a regular basis, Truthdig brings you the news items and odds and ends that found their way to Larry Gross, director of the USC Annenberg School for Communication. A specialist in media and culture, art and communication, visual communication and media portrayals of minorities, Gross helped found the field of gay and lesbian studies. The links below open in a new window. Newer ones are on top. David Hockney meets the iPad… David Hockney was in the Boy Scouts (motto: “Be Prepared”), so he points out that in tailoring terms he was ready for the advent of the iPad. Police barred from penis enlargement Forget about getting a job as a police officer in Indonesia’s Papua if you have had your penis enlarged. You won’t get it, according to local media reports citing the Papua police chief. The hidden damage of psychiatric drugs An award-winning science reporter looks at the history of mental illness in America—with disturbing results. The abuse scandals won’t kill the Catholic Church—but it will make it look a whole lot different These are obviously dark days for the Roman Catholic Church. For over a decade, the U.S. church has been assailed by abuse charges and devastated by the resulting litigation. … Will Goldman Sachs prove greed is God? The investment bank’s cult of self-interest is on trial against the whole idea of civilisation – the collective decision by all of us not to screw each other over even if we can. Hava Nagila! White House reporters afraid to criticize the White House I can’t recall reading any sentence quite as illustrative as this one from Politico stating (without any irony) that White House reporters insisted upon anonymity because they’re afraid of angering the White House with their public statements. An Agenda for Graduate Education The prime position of American graduate education is increasingly at risk, and both universities and the government need to renew their commitments to helping students earn advanced degrees, says a report being released today. Libel Case, Prompted by an Academic Book Review, Has Scholars Worried If you’re an author confronted with a negative book review, you have several options. You can write an angry letter to the editor.  … “The Evil Scourge Of Terrorism” The president could not have been more justified when he condemned “the evil scourge of terrorism.” I am quoting Ronald Reagan, who came into office in 1981 declaring that a focus of his foreign policy would be state-directed international terrorism, “the plague of the modern age” and “a return to barbarism in our time,” to sample some of the rhetoric of his administration. …

Noam Chomsky on “the evil scourge of terrorism,” Glenn Greenwald on White House reporters being afraid of the White House, plus: why you can’t be a cop in Papua, Indonesia if you’ve had your penis enlarged.

On a regular basis, Truthdig brings you the news items and odds and ends that found their way to Larry Gross, director of the USC Annenberg School for Communication. A specialist in media and culture, art and communication, visual communication and media portrayals of minorities, Gross helped found the field of gay and lesbian studies.

The links below open in a new window. Newer ones are on top.

David Hockney meets the iPad…
David Hockney was in the Boy Scouts (motto: “Be Prepared”), so he points out that in tailoring terms he was ready for the advent of the iPad.

Police barred from penis enlargement
Forget about getting a job as a police officer in Indonesia’s Papua if you have had your penis enlarged. You won’t get it, according to local media reports citing the Papua police chief.

The hidden damage of psychiatric drugs
An award-winning science reporter looks at the history of mental illness in America—with disturbing results.

The abuse scandals won’t kill the Catholic Church—but it will make it look a whole lot different
These are obviously dark days for the Roman Catholic Church. For over a decade, the U.S. church has been assailed by abuse charges and devastated by the resulting litigation. …

Will Goldman Sachs prove greed is God?
The investment bank’s cult of self-interest is on trial against the whole idea of civilisation – the collective decision by all of us not to screw each other over even if we can.

Hava Nagila!

White House reporters afraid to criticize the White House
I can’t recall reading any sentence quite as illustrative as this one from Politico stating (without any irony) that White House reporters insisted upon anonymity because they’re afraid of angering the White House with their public statements.

An Agenda for Graduate Education
The prime position of American graduate education is increasingly at risk, and both universities and the government need to renew their commitments to helping students earn advanced degrees, says a report being released today.

Libel Case, Prompted by an Academic Book Review, Has Scholars Worried
If you’re an author confronted with a negative book review, you have several options. You can write an angry letter to the editor.? …

“The Evil Scourge Of Terrorism”
The president could not have been more justified when he condemned “the evil scourge of terrorism.” I am quoting Ronald Reagan, who came into office in 1981 declaring that a focus of his foreign policy would be state-directed international terrorism, “the plague of the modern age” and “a return to barbarism in our time,” to sample some of the rhetoric of his administration. …

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Palin Email Trial: Jury Deliberation Heads To Fourth Day
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BP Oil Spill: Company Loses $25 Billion In Market Value
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Hawaii Civil Union Bill Passes Legislature
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Sandy Goodman: Warning to Washington: Hands Off Our Oil Spill
I’ve always been a Democrat. But, faced with the threat of the world’s worst oil spill ever, I’m turning conservative, becoming a small government man….

Quick Fact: Hannity falsely claims former Obama nominee “sees similarities between pregnancy and slavery”

On his April 29 show, Sean Hannity twice falsely claimed that Dawn Johnsen, President Obama’s former nominee to head the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel before withdrawing her nomination, “sees similarities between pregnancy and slavery.” In fact, in the brief to which Hannity refers, Johnsen compared “forced pregnancy” to involuntary servitude.

Hannity: Johnsen “seems the similarities between pregnancy and slavery.”

During a discussion of Obama’s judicial nominees on the April 29 edition of Fox News’ Hannity, Hannity article:

The Republicans are referring to a 1989 brief in Webster vs. Reproductive Health Services, a case that tested whether states could prohibit abortions in public health institutions. Johnsen was then legal director of the National Abortion Rights Action League, one of 77 organizations to sign the brief.

Footnote 23, part of the brief that Johnsen said in a Senate hearing that she wrote, said the following: “While a woman might choose to bear children gladly and voluntarily, statutes that curtail her abortion choice are disturbingly suggestive of involuntary servitude, prohibited by the Thirteenth Amendment, in that forced pregnancy requires a woman to provide continuous physical service to the fetus in order to further the state’s asserted interest. Indeed, the actual process of delivery demands work of the most intense and physical kind: labor of 12 or more grueling hours of contractions is not uncommon.”

So Johnsen compared “forced pregnancy” — not motherhood — to involuntary servitude.

After we asked the Republican Conference about the claim, staffer Ericka Andersen acknowledged it was wrong. “You are correct that the post was written inaccurately,” she told us in an e-mail. She corrected the post to say Johnsen “equated forced pregnancy with ‘involuntary servitude.’”

Kudos to the conference for acknowledging the error. But we still find the original claim False.

AZ Immigration Bill Writer’s Resume: GOP Activist, Ashcroft Aide, Arpaio Ally
The controversial Arizona immigration bill signed into law last week was written in part by a conservative immigration law expert and Republican activist who’s a former top aide to John Ashcroft, was recently hired by Sheriff Joe Arpaio, and is running for statewide office.

House Passes New Bill Banning RNC ‘Census’ Mailer Once And For All
Moments ago, the House passed a new bill that seeks to ban misleading Census mailers once and for all.