Does this sound familiar?

From the Carpetbagger:

Apparently, real reporters didn't care that Webb's novels included sexual content. The Allen campaign kept pitching the story, but journalists kept blowing it off. Who cares about a few paragraphs from a 20-year-old novel, especially a novel embraced by conservative Republicans?

Left with no other avenues, Allen's team turned to Drudge, who apparently didn't hesitate. The online world reacted to Drudge, the political world reacted to the online world, and the mainstream media responded in turn. Now, it's on the front page.

I don't have an overarching point here, but I think it's an interesting case study on how to use the web politically.

God knows we never see that happen in Minnesota....

On an unrelated note, this morning I've already had three pieces of republican lit and one Jehovah's Witness at my door. Oddly enough, they all seem to be using the same picture of Iraq in their materials.

Oh Neil

No wonder they never invite you to the family functions...

A company headed by President Bush's brother and partly owned by his parents is benefiting from Republican connections and federal dollars targeted for economically disadvantaged students under the No Child Left Behind Act.

With investments from his parents, George H.W. and Barbara Bush, and other backers, Neil Bush's company, Ignite! Learning, has placed its products in 40 U.S. school districts and now plans to market internationally.

At least 13 U.S. school districts have used federal funds available through the president's signature education reform, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, to buy Ignite's portable learning centers at $3,800 apiece.

The law provides federal funds to help school districts better serve disadvantaged students and improve their performance, especially in reading and math.

But Ignite does not offer reading instruction, and its math program will not be available until next year.

It's true

I love boston cream pie

(this is a test)

Missing in Action

Me.

Sorry, I have been so neglectful, but most of my time has been spent at MinMon with the Living Word Christian Center coverage.

Scalia Earns His Keep

Lovely:

Speaking to an audience of 1,500 ACLU members during an hour-long debate, Scalia said that "nobody ever thought" abortion rights and gay rights "had been included in the rights contained in the Bill of Rights, which is why abortion and homosexual sodomy were criminal for 200 years."

Shorter Sausage

"If you don't like bigots, that makes you a bigot."

Who will fact check the fact checkers?

Fecke will...

When Facts Bite Back

In case anyone was curious why Mark Kennedy is so far behind

It's emails like this:

Thursday, October 12, 2006 is Senator Mark Dayton Day!

As the temperature turns cooler and the leaves (and even the snow) begin to fall, voters from all over Minnesota are reminded of a tradition not nearly as old as the State Fair, but every bit as unique to our state...

It's Senator Mark Dayton Day!

We know. It's hard to believe it has already been two years since that memorable day, October 12, 2004 when Mark Dayton inexplicably closed his Senate office in Washington, DC and all of Minnesota said, "huh?!"

Here are some great ways for you to send Mark Dayton and Amy Klobuchar the message, "Happy Anniversary! – We have not forgotten!"

Make it a fun family project by creating homemade cards and signs to drop off at Senator Mark Dayton or Candidate Amy Klobuchar's offices, call or email an e-card to say "thanks for being there, no, seriously thanks for being in your office today" or, if you really want to send a message, call your local flower shop, bakery or party store and send whatever reminder you prefer to Mark Dayton or Amy Klobuchar's office.

Send a Cake! Send Balloons! Send Flowers! Send a Singing Telegram!

Senator Mark Dayton

1 Federal Dr # 298

Fort Snelling, MN

(612) 727-5220

Amy Klobuchar

416 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55401

(612) 378-3604

Senator Dayton, also known as Amy Klobuchar's "hero," will no doubt be reminiscing about what historians already consider his most memorable act in office.

Now, some Minnesotans may feel that the sort of head-scratching, laughs and embarrassment that Senator Dayton's term in office has provided, are not the best use of a U.S. Senate seat. For those of you who have been concerned by such behavior, you may want to think twice about voting for Amy Klobuchar, who recently said, "I have the utmost respect for Mark Dayton!"

However, on this day, October 12, 2006, Minnesotans of all stripes can come together to remind Mark Dayton and his cheerleader Amy Klobuchar (after-all, she still hasn't found one single policy issue where they differ), that we have not forgotten the special kind of judgment he showed by closing his office, for a full month, for unknown reasons and what his leadership has meant for us...

And remember, while we encourage you to observe this Mark Dayton Day as you see fit, the best way to make this the last Mark Dayton Day would be to vote for Mark Kennedy on November 7.

That's just juvenile and petty. Thanks, Congressman Kennedy...

How Great is the Momentum Against the Republicans?

Wetterling already beat Bachmann (at least, according to CNN)...

Hack "Journalist" Attacks Real Journalist ?

Let me see if I understand the situation, partisan hack Hugh Hewitt is attacking actual journalist Eric Black? Because Black wrote a story about the Bachmann-Wetterling race and didn't include a criticism of Wetterling's new ad? Even though the story wasn't actually about ads at all? (They were mentioned as an effect but were not the point of the piece.) Do I have that right? So does that mean in the future I can criticize any story about Bush, for example, if it doesn't include mention of Iraq? Even if the story isn't about Iraq? That is the logic we're working with here, right?

By the way, sudden expert on the MN 6th CD, Hewitt may want to figure out who the politicians in Minnesota are before he writes another article about them.



"Paeltny"? "Bachman"? You might think it's just a typo, but he misspells Bachmann's name two other times in the article. Fact checking? Fact checking isn't important when you're writing propaganda for the like-minded, I suppose. Although I am a little surprised that a sanctimonious scold like Hewitt hasn't yet figured out how to spell "condemn".

I think I'm glad I'll be out of touch all day tomorrow. I need a break from these fools.

Stand for the Family Rally Audio

Audio from the Stand for the Family rally in St. Paul.

Some shorter soundbites:

Dr. Dobson on choosing a candidate

Dr. Dobson on California Schools and "Gender Fluidity"

Full clips

Full Speech of Dr. James Dobson, Focus on the Family

Full Speech of Gary Bauer, President of American Values

Full Speech of Rev. Ken Hutcherson

Meanwhile...

Now that the GOP has found someone willing to commit political seppuku for the Foley scandal (although I see that let him keep his job for the time being) for the good of the party we can turn our attention to other news.

Like the fact that Iraq is continuing on its way to becoming a failed state:

Attacks in Baghdad Kill 13 U.S. Soldiers in 3 Days

BAGHDAD, Oct. 4 -- Thirteen U.S. soldiers have been killed in Baghdad since Monday, the American military reported, registering the highest three-day death toll for U.S. forces in the capital since the start of the war.

The latest losses -- four soldiers who were killed at 9 a.m. Wednesday by small-arms fire -- are part of a recent spike in violent attacks against U.S. forces that have claimed the lives of at least 24 soldiers and Marines in Iraq since Saturday, the military said.

or how about the fact that then National Security advisor Condelezza Rice was clearly warned about Al Queda attacks before 9/11 and failed to do anything about it and then lied to the 9/111 commission about it, and lied about lying about it until official records contradicted her. Heckuva job, Condi!

I might have more to say about that other cover up later on, but for now I want to see how it's going to play out.

Even Better Than The Burger King Chicken

Leigh interviewed Indie the Buffalo while I was out of town.

Now I can't stop playing with Indie.

He has Bobo's voice. But I don't recommend asking Indie if he is the child of a monkey, he gets a little hysterical...

Should Have Stopped At One

The puff piece on Mark Kennedy in yesterday's Strib was actually one of the more effective bits of campaign propaganda I've seen in a while. Turns out Kennedy likes puppies and kitties and wow, he even grew up in a small town. Made you feel all warm and fuzzy.

Then they had to start talking about his record. Oops. Really, the title should tell you all you need to know, but if it doesn't, check out these paragraphs

Sticking with Bush, but running as an outsider

If voters are angry at Congress, Kennedy said he believes it has less to do with the aims of the Republican majority than its inability to get things done. For that, he blames Democrats in the Senate, who have used the filibuster to stymie controversial GOP initiatives such as the constitutional ban on gay marriage.

"The No. 1 thing voters are bringing up is partisan obstructionism in the Senate," he said.

His promise to improve the political climate in Washington is also based on his claim to be someone who "crosses party lines."

That looks like a pretty good summary of Kennedy right there: Even though Republicans control both houses, the problem with Congress is the Democrats! But I'm Bi-Partisan!

What do I believe? Who knows! But I'll say anything to get elected!