GOP Has Female Problems

Nov 09, 2009 - Conservatives say they pushed Dede Scozzafava out of the House race in New York’s 23rd District a week ago because of her left-of-Republican social views — and not because she is a woman. But the growing schism between the Republican Party’s ascendant right wing and its shrinking moderate core has clear gender undertones — and Scozzafava’s departure raises fresh questions about the GOP’s ability to recruit, elect and even tolerate the sort of moderate women who used to be part of its ruling mainstream. While Republicans scored a pair of impressive electoral victories in New Jersey and Virginia with solid support among female voters, the events of the last week offer harbingers of serious trouble ahead with the largest swing voter bloc in the country — women. - 0 Comments

As Virginia goes, so goes not much

Nov 04, 2009 - By Ruth Marcus                                                                      Wednesday, November 4, 2009       Advice to readers about the coming orgy of analysis about the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial elections: Ignore it. Disquisitions on The Meaning of It All for President Obama or the 2009 results as a harbinger for Congress in 2010 have scant basis in reality. Over-interpreting election results is an occupational hazard for political reporters. - 5 Comments

Amazingly from the L.A. Times: The Golden State isn't worth it

Nov 01, 2009 - THE CALIFORNIA FIX The Golden State isn't worth it Our high-benefit/high-tax model no longer works, especially compared with low-tax states like Texas. By William Voegeli In America's federal system, some states, such as California, offer residents a "package deal" that bundles numerous and ambitious public benefits with the high taxes needed to pay for them. Other states, such as Texas, offer packages combining modest benefits and low taxes. - 1 Comment

What have I been saying about local politics, it seems like forever.

Oct 31, 2009 - Glenn Harlan Reynolds: It's the follow-through that matters in New York's special race By: Glenn Harlan Reynolds Sunday Reflections Contributor Next week's special congressional election in New York's 23rd Congressional District seems to have the entire political class in an uproar. Mainstream Republican pols like former House Speaker Newt Gingrich are afraid it portends a grass-roots revolt, or, worse, a third party for 2012. Surging tea partiers hope it represents an opportunity to make mainstream Republican pols take them seriously. - 9 Comments

Delta Flight Attendant Serves Up Journals for American Troops

Oct 26, 2009 - In between keeping her passengers safe and comfortable, Delta flight attendant Robin Schmidt tends to another mid-air mission -- passing journals among the rows so passengers can help her thank American troops. Over the last five years, Schmidt has filled hundreds of passenger-written journals and sent them to the troops she "adopts" in Afghanistan and Iraq. Not connected in any way to the military, Schmidt said, "This is just part of who I am. - 2 Comments