Daily Kos Elections May 8, 2012 primary liveblog
thread #4

post from Daily Kos on 08 May 2012 08:33:33 PM. © Daily Kos

Daily Kos Elections Liveblog Banner Tonight, we're liveblogging primary election results in Indiana North Carolina, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. For our handy guide to all of the key races, click here.

Results: Indiana | North Carolina | West Virginia | Wisconsin

5:35 PM PT: This is pretty amazing:

In 1977, when Lugar came to the Senate, 3 of his colleagues had been born in the 1890s. One--McClellan--voted on Social Security in 1935.
— @TerryMoran via web

5:44 PM PT: IN-05 (R) has tightened quite a bit, with David McIntosh at 31 and Susan Brooks just behind at 29. That's because Hamilton County, where Brooks leads 32-27, is starting to report.

5:49 PM PT: Indeed, IN-05 is now 30-30 between Brooks and McIntosh, but there's a new name in third place, John McGoff. However, McGoff's all the way back at 21, and he hasn't been kicking nearly enough ass in his home county of Marion to make enough of a difference.

Read The Full Article:
http://feeds.dailykos.com/~r/dailykos/index/~3/MKyJJ6BCLlg/-Daily-Kos-Elections-M
ay-8-2012-primary-liveblog-thread-4

Digg this

Tell Your Representative that You Are
Disappointed

post from The Politics of Jamie Sanderson on 08 May 2012 08:01:19 PM. © The Politics of Jamie Sanderson

Click Here to Send
Rep. Tim Scott
a Message!(Click the "Take Action" link after your legislator's name in the vote center to send your message.)

On Tuesday, April 17, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Sportsmen?s Heritage Act which, as drafted, could allow much of the National Park System to be opened to hunting and recreational shooting. Your representative voted to not exempt national parks from this harmful legislation. Take a moment to let your representative know you are disappointed with their vote to not protect national parks! Click the "Take Action" link after your legislator's name in the vote center to send your message.

The bill included language that purports to exclude national parks and national monuments from hunting and recreational shooting, but is so poorly drafted that it could result in hunting being permitted in national parks like Yellowstone and the Great Smoky Mountains. In addition, it ignores the many national park unit designations that also do not allow hunting, such as national historical parks, national military parks, national memorials, etc. The House had the opportunity to exempt units of the National Park System from the bill by voting in support of a technical clarifying amendment offered by Representative Rush Holt (NJ-12). Sadly, Mr. Holt?s amendment was rejected.

The bill has now moved on to the Senate where NPCA is working to get this harmful language removed and ensure a genuine exclusion for the National Park System that does not change current law.
Take Action: Please tell your representative you are disappointed to learn that they voted against Rep. Holt?s amendment on the Sportsmen?s Heritage Act which would have exempted the National Park System from the bill.

It's important to let our elected officials know when they don't do the right thing for our national parks. Thank you for taking a moment to express your disappointment in your representative. Perhaps next time they will do better by voting to protect national parks.

Sincerely,
Elise

Elise Russell Liguori
Legislative Representative

Read The Full Article:
http://thepoliticsofjamiesanderson.blogspot.com/2012/05/tell-your-representative-
that-you-are.html

Digg this

Elizabeth Warren: Sorry kids, you're on your own

post from The Politics of Jamie Sanderson on 08 May 2012 08:01:19 PM. © The Politics of Jamie Sanderson

Our Republican opponent Scott Brown just voted NO on a bill to stop student loan interest rates from doubling on July 1st.

Can you believe it?

Just a few weeks ago, Scott Brown voted once again to protect big oil subsidies. And now he is telling thousands of college students in Massachusetts -- kids drowning in debt from the soaring cost of tuition and fees -- that they have to pay even more.

This isn't about economics -- it's about our values.

Tell Scott Brown and the Republican Party to stop blocking action on student loans.

Scott Brown had a choice this morning: To help students who are trying to build a future for themselves, or to stand with the leadership in the Republican Party.

Scott Brown made his choice loud and clear.

And Massachusetts voters are seeing through his independent act. Even after Scott Brown and the Republican Party have thrown the kitchen sink at Elizabeth this past week, a new poll conducted yesterday shows Elizabeth and Scott Brown are tied at 45-45.

We need your help to tell every student, parent and grandparent about Scott Brown's vote today -- and to make sure Massachusetts voters know whose side he's on.

Thanks,

Mindy Myers
Campaign Manager
Elizabeth for MA

Read The Full Article:
http://thepoliticsofjamiesanderson.blogspot.com/2012/05/elizabeth-warren-sorry-ki
ds-youre-on.html

Digg this

Live Results from Indiana

post from Talking Points Memo on 08 May 2012 08:01:08 PM. © Talking Points Memo

We're tracking live results out of the Indiana Senate primary right here and as of 7:12 PM on the East Coast it's not looking good for Dick Lugar. Definitely very earlier -- 12% precincts reporting. But Mourdock is up by over 20 points. If you're in[...]

Read The Full Article:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~3/q2EMieHwxv4/live_results_fr
om_indiana.php

Digg this

Down Goes Lugar

post from Talking Points Memo on 08 May 2012 08:01:08 PM. © Talking Points Memo

Indiana now officially in play for Senate Democrats -- but by no means a gimme. [...]

Read The Full Article:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~3/EixqUnFaNe8/down_goes_lugar
.php

Digg this

Netanyahu’s ‘Atomic Bomb’ Unity
Deal Met with Bibi, Mofaz, Go Home’ Protests

post from TaylorMarsh.com on 08 May 2012 08:01:03 PM. © TaylorMarsh.com

“Sometimes a big shock is needed to cause people to take to the streets? The people cannot take it anymore.” – Tzipi Livni, former Kadima head (via Times of Israel)

ISRAELI POLITICS just exploded with the “atomic bomb” announcement by PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who has canceled upcoming elections to form a unity government with Kadima, led by Shaul Mofaz.

From the editor in chief of Haaretz, Aluf Benn:

Now, Netanyahu is at his most comfortable. Instead of been dependant on the mood swings of Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and the Likud’s right-wing representatives, he has a coalition with two wings, between which he can maneuver. At times he’ll break right, at others left, all according to the needs of the moment. He can throw a bone to Lieberman and then to Mofaz; build a settlement and evacuate illegal structures. At times he?ll indicate that war with Iran is near and at others he’ll give U.S. President Barack Obama’s diplomatic overtures a chance. No politician can dream up of a more perfect situation. – Formation of Israeli unity cabinet shows Netanyahu blinked first, again

From the Times of Israel:

People chanted: ?The entire nation is the opposition,? ?Bibi and Mofaz, go home,? and also, ?Overturn the government.?
Others carried signs calling Netanyahu and Mofaz liars. Several people were arrested at the demonstrations in Tel Aviv.
Livni, who resigned from politics last week after Mofaz defeated her for the position of Kadima head, said: ?Sometimes a big shock is needed to cause people to take to the streets? The people cannot take it anymore.?

Former Kadima leader Tzipi Livni was among those who was asked to speak to the protesters, some of whom were arrested, because the police declared the gatherings illegal.

From the Christian Science Monitor:

?A major shift has happened in Israel?s government this night. Israel?s government is no longer a right-wing government,? says Amit Segal, a political commentator for Channel 2 news. ?In the long term, it will enable Mr. Netanyahu to try to reach an agreement with the Palestinians without fearing the reaction of Mr. Lieberman or the right wingers of his party.?
Netanyahu?s big-tent government also gives him more political cover if he chooses to be more aggressive against Iran because of the presence of Mr. Mofaz, a former army chief of staff and former defense minister who has been critical of Israel’s stance on Iran, in the decisionmaking process, say analysts.
?A unity government reduces the likelihood of criticism of the government should an operation go wrong,? wrote Ron Ben Yishai, a military affairs columnist for Ynet.com news website. ?It strengthens Israel?s deterrence and enhances its decisionmaking ability of the leaders on foreign policy and security issues, of which Iran is foremost.?

So far, reaction outside Israel is all over the map. But mostly people seem to be trying to figure out what Netanyahu is up to, because he most assuredly didn’t do this for grins. All signs pointed to Netanyahu winning the elections anyway.

Israeli analysts also suggested that Netanyahu backed down from elections now because he fears that the grassroots of his party has been overrun by Jewish settlers. The prime minister denied that suggestion. – Christian Science Monitor

Read The Full Article:
http://taylormarsh.com/blog/2012/05/netanyahus-atomic-bomb-unity-deal-met-with-bi
bi-mofaz-go-home-protests/

Digg this

A driverless car, Mr. Jetson

post from US Politics | AMERICAblog News on 08 May 2012 08:00:44 PM. © US Politics | AMERICAblog News

Google got a license from the state of Nevada to begin testing a driverless car.The video, below, is very cool, but it's not entirely clear how well the thing actually works. I'd have liked to have seen how it does at an intersection with someone waiting at a crosswalk, maybe darting into the street, and how it does at a stop sign with several other cars coming from different directions. ...

Read The Full Article:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Americablog/~3/AcccO7nlti4/driverless-car-mr-jetso
n.html

Digg this

Colorado Civil Unions Pass Final Committee, Floor
Vote Expected Tonight

post from ThinkProgress on 08 May 2012 08:00:06 PM. © ThinkProgress

The Colorado Civil Unions Act has passed its final committee hurdle, the House Appropriations Committee, with a 7-6 vote. There were concerns that the committee was wasting time on bills that won’t make it to the Senate this session and are essentially dead, but it does seem there is enough time for civil unions to proceed. The bill will have to get a House floor vote yet tonight so that it can have its final reading tomorrow, and there’s no guarantee that the controlling Republican leadership will allow it. Stay tuned.

Update

During the committee discussion, Rep. Marsha Looper (R) advanced two amendments to create extra exceptions for church-based schools and therapists to not recognize (discriminate) against civil unions. There will have to be enough Republican support to strip these amendments during tonight’s floor debate so that the bill remains identical to the Senate version, because there is not enough time in the session for the Senate to reconsider it as amended.

Read The Full Article:
http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/05/08/480606/colorado-civil-unions-committee/

Digg this

Labor News and Notes Round-Up

The latest stories from the front lines of the labor fight across the country...

IAFF Wisconsin's President, Mahlon Mitchell, is running for Lt. Governor

The Trans-Pacific Trade Pact would likely end Buy American programs at the federal level

American corporations made record profits in 2011

Republicans are drastically outspending Democrats in the Wisconsin recall elections

Shareholders at five corporations this year have voted against excessive CEO compensation

The AFL-CIO's Building and Construction Trades Department has endorsed Barack Obama for president

To keep himself in office, Scott Walker is raising millions of dollars outside of Wisconsin

The decline of wage growth is dragging down the recovery

Public sector job cuts are disproportionately hurting women and African Americans

The Connecticut legislature passed legislation giving the right to collectively bargain to home care workers

New York City has passed a living wage bill

The 99 Percent Spring is calling on Peabody Energy Corp. to pay its fair share of taxes

Hotel workers in D.C. have won very favorable contracts in their latest negotiations

University of Oregon professors have unionized

Florida nurses at HCA hospitals successfully negotiated their first contract in state history

235 limo drivers in New York City have joined the Machinists union

Virginia conservatives are fighting the use of a PLA on the second phase of the Silver Line Metrorail, despite the fact that phase one used a PLA successfully

Protests of Sotheby's treatment of workers are now in their tenth month

An Occupy protester is running against Scott Walker in the Republican primary

Is organized labor's pick to replace Scott Walker having trouble?

Republicans attacked President Obama on jobs from an overseas call center

Read The Full Article:
http://crooksandliars.com/kenneth-quinnell/labor-news-and-notes-round-23

Digg this

North Carolina and Wisconsin Primary Live Blog
Update: Amendment One Passes, Dalton and Barrett Win

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy Tonight features important contests in Indiana, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. In Indiana already tonight, Richard Mourdock has made history by beating incumbent Republican Senator[...]

Read The Full Article:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/firedoglake/fdl/~3/iIELrgb1pp0/

Digg this