2009

I was reading over on Virginia Centrist, and found some interesting stories and comments on the 2009 races. So I got to thinking, who are we going to run in 2009? Anybody sitting around with nothing to do?
Here's my lists; Top 5 (In order) for each office.
Governor:
L.F. Payne
Phillip Puckett
Bobby Scott
Don Beyer
Roscoe Reynolds
There are two big question marks in the 2009 Governor's race - Creigh Deeds and Mark Warner. Warner has said he would like to be Governor again, and if 2008 doesn't work out (but I think it will), then 2009 could be a comeback year. Deeds, if elected Attorney General, would shoot to number one on the list.

Lt. Governor:
Don Beyer
Chap Petersen
Brian Moran
L.F. Payne
David Englin (According to reports, Englin isn't interested. If that's so, Viola Baskerville would take his place on this list.)
John Marshall would knock Viola Baskerville right off the list - if he was running.

Attorney General:
Onzlee Ware
Creigh Deeds
Bud Phillips
John Edwards
Brian Moran
Notice that all but one - and the top four - on this list are Southwest/Western Virginia candidates, and for a simple reason; A candidate for Attorney General can't win without rural votes. And if you're from the area, especially in Southwest Virginia, you get a "good ole boy" turnout, which really, really helps.

As for the Republicans, I'd be fine if they just didn't field any candidates...but we're not that lucky. So here's who I think the GOP might turn to. These are in alphabetical order, since I don't have any top five list for them, for obvious reasons.
Governor:
Bill Bolling
Jim Gilmore
John Hager
Jay Katzen
Bob McDonnell
I know Jay Katzen. Jay is a family friend of ours. I know he's a good person, and if he ran as a moderate, my party would really have to impress me to stay on my side of the aisle for this race.

Lt. Governor:
Steve Baril
Bill Bolling
Sean Connaughton
Joe May
William Wampler
A person I know who knows what she's talking about says that Wampler is interested in running for statewide office in 2009. Since he's not a lawyer, and not high-profile enough to run for Governor, process of elimination.

Attorney General:
Ken Cuccinelli
Chad Dotson
Jerry Kilgore
Terry Kilgore
Bob McDonnell
I only listed the Kilgore brothers because, well, I couldn't come up with any others.

So there you go. I may have one or two on any given list that will actually run, and I'm getting the cart before the horse quite a bit, but heck-o, it's fun.

I'll talk about the 2006 Senate race against George Allen pretty soon.

-Neal

This Should Be Fun

According to the Hampton Roads Daily Press, incoming Lt. Governor Bill Bolling is making a bunch of great-sounding empty promises that will get us no where.

Bolling said last week that "hundreds of millions of dollars per year" will be available to build a "transportation system for the 21st century." That's just peachy. We can also fully fund all our existing programs (except for those pesky little things - like education) and not pay any new taxes.

When I met Russ Potts in Abingdon back in August, he had one thing 100% right. There are a lot of "free lunch" Republicans running around. You can't fully fund everything, provide new funding for roads, and cut taxes. Any 12 year-old could tell you that.

Most folks assume Bill Bolling will be running for Governor in 2009 (possibly with a tough primary depending on who the Attorney General turns out to be). We can't let him waltz around trying to undermine Tim Kaine for four years, then tout a record of accomplisment. We need to call Bolling on his actions and keep a close eye on him. Bolling will be on the same level of sliminess Kilgore was in 2005 (and hopefully as bumbling), so we need to fight him every step of the way.

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I'll be posting about 2009's potential candidates (or lack thereof) later on.

-Neal

Warner-Rockefeller 2008

I was sitting at home today, after having eat some turkey and potato salad, and I came across a pretty good idea. Assuming (and we've got our fingers crossed) Mark Warner would run for, and win, the Democratic Presidential nomination for 2008, what would be the winning combination to defeat the Republican ticket?

I've got it.

Mark Warner for President, Jay Rockefeller for Vice President.

Think about it; For President, a young moderate, expert in fiscal and budgetary issues, relatively little experience in foreign policy, not a whole lot of elected service experience, moderate on social issues (get some swing voters), from a mid-size swing state. For Vice President, an older liberal, one of the nation's foremost intelligence experts, very progressive stances on social issues (keep the base happy), lots of experiecne in the Senate (24 years in 2008) and as a Governor, and from a small, yet crucial swing state.

The way I look at it, a Warner-Rockefeller ticket would bring swing voters into the fray (Warner), shore up the base (Rockefeller), get votes from folks who are worried about the budget (Warner), and make sure red-state union workers are 100% behind the Democrats (Rockefeller).

Think about it this way; assume a Warner-Rockefeller ticket wins all the states Kerry-Edwards won in 2004, then picks up VA, WV, OH, AR, and IA, and we've won the election. And more states could possibly be in play. With Virginia and West Virginia, the at least partial reasons for victory would be the folks on the ticket. With Ohio, the main appeal could be Rockefeller's strong support of unions. Iowa and Arkansas could be picked up on Warner's merits as a moderate.

Leave me some feedback in the comments section. What do you think about this scenario?

Neal

Typology; Happy Thanksgiving

I found a pretty nifty quiz at http://typology.people-press.org/typology/ which tells exactly what kind of Democrat/Republican you are. My results are below. Everybody take it and see what you are (and leave it in my guest book, because I'm curious).

Disadvantaged Democrat
Based on your answers to the questionnaire, you most closely resemble survey respondents within the Disadvantaged Democrat typology group. This does not mean that you necessarily fit every group characteristic or agree with the group on all issues.
Disadvantaged Democrats represent 10 percent of the American public, and 10 percent of registered voters.
Basic Description
Disadvantaged Democrats are the least financially secure of all the groups, and they express strongly negative feelings toward business, and strong support for government efforts to help the needy. Minorities account for a significant proportion of this group; nearly a third (32%) are black, roughly the same proportion as among Conservative Democrats. Levels of disapproval of George W. Bush job performance (91%) and candidate choice in 2004 (82% for Kerry) are comparable to those among Liberals.
Defining Values
Most likely to be skeptical of an individual’s ability to succeed without impediments and most anti-business. Strong belief that government should do more to help the poor, yet most are disenchanted with government. Strongly supportive of organized labor (71% have a favorable view of labor unions).
Who They Are
Low average incomes (32% below $20,000 in household income); most (77%) often can’t make ends meet. Six-in-ten are female. Three-in-ten (32%) are black and 14% are Hispanic. Not very well educated, 67% have at most a high-school degree. Nearly half (47%) are parents of children living at home.
Lifestyle Notes
Nearly a quarter (23%) report someone in their household is a member of a labor union, and 58% report that they or someone in the home has been unemployed in the past year– both far larger proportions than in any other group. Only 27% report having a gun in the home.
2004 Election
2% Bush, 82% Kerry
Party ID
84% Democrat; 16% Independent/No Preference, 0% Republican (99% Dem/Lean Dem)
Media Use
Largest viewership of CNN as main news source among all groups (31%). Only group in which a majority (53%) reads newspapers.

Note: All descriptions and percentages are based on the national sample of adults surveyed by telephone in December.
In the overall typology there is a ninth group called “Bystanders” who are defined as adults who are not registered, who do not follow news about government and public affairs, and who say they rarely or never vote.

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Happy Thanksgiving to everybody! Now get off the internet and go eat some turkey, potato salad, stuffing, deviled eggs, rolls, and stuff like that! That's what I'll be doing!

-Neal

Against Alito

I've been reading up on Samuel Alito and his record as a circuit court judge. President Bush and the Republicans say he's mainstream, but I needed to check for myself.

And I found out they were telling a story.

Samuel Alito is as right-wing as Antonin Scalia, and, at 50 years old, much more dangerous than Scalia. He said in a 1985 application that the Constitution didn't contain a right-to-privacy and therefore Roe v. Wade was unconstitutional. He has said a police who strip searched a mother and her ten year-old daughter was in the right while carrying a warrant to search a residence.

Most troublesome, Alito says he has "strong disagreement" with the Warren Court, led by Chief Justice Earl Warren, when it ruled on reapportionment - one man, one vote. Is Samuel Alito against equal voting rights?

He says, in the 1985 application for employment in the Reagan administration, "...I am particularly proud of my contributions in recent cases in which the government has argued in the Supreme Court that racial and ethnic quotas should not be allowed and that the Constitution does not protect a right to an abortion."

Sandra Day O'Connor is a common-sense jurist. She rules with the Constitution in mind, not with her personal political beliefs in the forefront. Sam Alito would take the court on a 90 degree turn to the right, and at this critical junction, we can't allow that.

Today, I called the White House and voice my opinions. And now, tonight, I'm calling on the United States Senate to vote down the nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court.

We can't afford to take a chance like this.

Neal

I Keep A Close Watch On This Heart Of Mine...

I went to see the new Johnny Cash biographical movie, Walk The Line, today. Let me say, wow. Of course one hears what they're expecting ("Folsom Prison Blues," "Get Rhythm," "Ring of Fire," etc), but the movie was much more than that. It was about Johnny Cash the man and not only Johnny Cash the legend.

The movie traces his life from the time he lived in Dyess, Arkansas, and lost his older brother, Jack, who was killed in a saw mill, to his marriage to Vivian Liberto, to his days at Sun Records, through his fight with drugs, and finally to his tumultuous courtship of June Carter.

I can honestly say I think this is a better movie than Ray was last year, and I think Joaquin Phoenix and Resse Witherspoon will both be nominated for (and probably win) Oscars for it.

One scene which was particularly interesting (and indicitive of where Johnny Cash was in his life at that time) came fairly late in the movie. Johnny has June and her family (Mother Maybelle, Eck Carter, and her children) over to his new mansion, along with his parents. He has a highly emotional exchange with his father, and ends up running a tractor into the lake, and June pulling him from the water. He says "You should have left me." She responds later as to why she helped, "You're a friend, and friends help friends."

My favorite scene came very late in the movie, when Johnny, who has been repeatedly turned down in his proposals, proposes marriage on-stage during his and June's rendition of "Jackson" on night in Ontario (true story).

I would highly recommend this movie to every die-hard Johnny Cash fan, and also to any casual fan of Cash who is also interested in seeing a great performance.

I would also like to take this opportunity to say that the world hasn't been the same since Johnny Cash and June Carter-Cash died.

A Standing Ovation Is In Order

Today, 30-year incumbent Congressman Jack Murtha of Pennsylvania, a moderate Democrat and past supporter of the Iraq War, today reversed his position.

Murtha, in a speech delivered today in Washington said, in part, "I have been visiting our wounded troops at Bethesda and Walter Reed hospitals almost every week since the beginning of the War. And what demoralizes them is going to war with not enough troops and equipment to make the transition to peace; the devastation caused by IEDs; being deployed to Iraq when their homes have been ravaged by hurricanes; being on their second or third deployment and leaving their families behind without a network of support."

Murtha is known as a moderate Democrat, and regularly receives votes for Speaker (from Gene Taylor of Mississippi). Murtha is a decorated Vietnam veteran, and the first combat veteran from that war to be elected to Congress. The Bush White House has previously embraced Murtha. They made a complete reversal of that today.

The full text of Murtha's speech can be found at http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/pa12_murtha/pr051117iraq.html.

I'll say this; Jack Murtha is a great Democrat and a great American. I'm glad one of our senior officials in the House has got the fortitude to stand up and say what needs to be said.

Neal

Young Voters for Warner

Me and Ben from over at Blue in Virginia have launched a blog called "Young Voters for Warner," and we'll be organizing statewide to get support for Mark Warner for President in 2008 among the 18-25 demographic. You can see the site at http://youngvotersforwarner.blogspot.com/.

Just Some Thoughts

I like Robert Byrd.

I know alot of people talk about him like he's a dusty old relic who Democrats should either forget, ignore, or just put up with.

I say we need to rally around Senator Byrd.

Senator Byrd stands for increased minimum wage, for affordable perscription drugs, for dramatically increasing veterans' health care funding, and for pulling out of Iraq.

I say Robert Byrd is one of America's last true giants of public service. We Democrats need to rally around one of our greatest leaders.

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WARNER REVS THE ENGINE

Mark Warner is doing everything a Presidential candidate does. He's going to New Hampshire, appearing on national television shows, and has a PAC, available at http://www.forwardtogetherpac.com.

I'd like to excerpt from a speech Governor Warner made in 2003. I believe it is quite approriate:

"...In Washington the last couple of years, we've seen lots of talk, but few results. And we're heading in the wrong direction.
The last time we had a Democratic President, America saw the first budget surpluses in a generation.
Just three years later, the Republicans' own numbers show a future filled with deficits as far as the eye can see.
The last time we had a Democratic President, unemployment fell to record lows. But today it climbs a little higher every month.
The last time we had a Democratic President, the stock market soared. Today, it just sputters.
In 2000, America was promised something called "compassionate conservatism." And you know - that sounded familiar to a lot of us in the South. We had been saying for a long time - balance the budget, but not on the backs of working people.
But they meant something else - and all we got was more of the same....
Virginia hasn't voted for a Democratic President since Lyndon Johnson in 1964. When I ran for Governor, the Republicans controlled both houses in the legislature and every statewide office - and the White House picked our Governor to run the Republican National Committee.
And despite those odds, we won because we built a new coalition of Virginians.
We did that by laying out a message that focused on meeting the needs of an information age economy - a message that stressed economic opportunity, educational opportunities, and fiscal responsibility.
We started with the most loyal Democrats. We said to African Americans and to working people - We know that you have been taken for granted in the past. Those days are over. You will help lead this team.
We said, we're going to bring people together - just like Governor Winter showed us how to do here in Mississippi.
And then we reached out to Virginians in rural communities - to people who hadn't voted for a Democrat in a long, long time. And we asked them to give us a chance.
In a 21st century economy, you can be successful anywhere - if you have a good education and job skills.
We talked about giving young people the chance to get a good job in the place they grew up. Because you shouldn't have to leave your family or your hometown to get ahead.
We said, Virginia will never prosper if all the good jobs are in one area, and other places get left behind.
And then we said something that a lot of people had never thought of - you can like NASCAR - you can like hunting - you can like bluegrass music - and you can still vote for a Democrat.
We did all this because we recognized that if you're going to offer people economic hope, you can't spend all your time talking about the same old social issues that have divided us for too long.
You can't move forward if every discussion is about abortion and guns.
Those are all important issues, and we can't ignore them. But they create passion that often distracts us from more fundamental issues.
And let me say it again - if we can do it in Virginia, we can do it for America.
We have to do it for America. Because America deserves better than failed fiscal policy. America deserves better than an economy that leaves millions of people and whole communities behind.
And Democrats offer better. We offer optimism, and we offer hope for the future.
Now as you might guess, a lot of Republicans and Independents supported us. And since then, a lot of them have asked me, Mark - Why exactly are you a Democrat?
And I just smile. Because if you have to ask, you wouldn't understand.
I am a Democrat because since Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence - and since Jackson spoke for the common man - our party has never been the party of the status quo.
Instead, we have been the ones to see a challenge - and do something about it. Let's be honest - it hasn't always worked perfectly. Sometimes it has gotten us in trouble. Sometimes it has split us apart. But sometimes, those are the wages of progress.
And yet, I am a Democrat because the greatest and most noble political experiments of our time had their birth in our party.
I am a Democrat because the New Deal literally saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans.
I am a Democrat because a generation after a Democratic president started the Peace Corps, you can still find faded photographs of John F. Kennedy on the walls of homes from South Africa to South America.
I am a Democrat because fighting for working men and women is always the right fight.
I am a Democrat because our party led the struggle for civil rights and because we recognize that discrimination and bigotry are not dead - and that we must continue to seek equal opportunity for all.
I am a Democrat because despite our failures, our missteps, and our excesses - we know that waging a war on poverty does not mean fighting the individuals who are poor.
I am a Democrat because we know that today's battle is about the future versus the past - and it's time to put aside yesterday's battles of us versus them.
I am a Democrat because we know that criticizing success won't create a single job.
And most of all, I am a Democrat because when my three daughters go out into the world to make their lives, I want them to find a world where there's less hopelessness - less selfishness - and less violence.
I want them to find a world where there is more opportunity - more understanding - and more hope.
That is the mission of this party.
That is what we work for.
That is why we get up every morning.
That is why we're here tonight.
And our work is not done."

I think this speech is exactly what Warner needs to say out on the road. Mark Warner will be our next President if he repeats the truth like he did in this speech.

I'm gone.

-Neal

How True It Is

There you go.

On To 2006

Now that Tim Kaine is our next Governor and Creigh Deeds very well may be our next Attorney General, we need to look forward to 2006.

My Congressman, Rick Boucher, will be running for a 13th term, and will ikely face opposition. Potential nominees include Bill Carrico, Kevin Triplett, and a Kilgore (I've heard both names). As always, Republicans will make noise like they'll defeat him, and then they'll get somewhere between 35%-41%. Period.

The battle royale will be for Senator George Allen's seat. Allen will be running for a second term, as a warm-up for 2008. We need to stop him before he can get to Iowa. Who can we do that with? According to the last poll, the choice seems to be State Senator Phillip Puckett of Russell County. Other popular choices were Delegate Jackie Stump, Chap Petersen, and James Webb. But other than Webb, not many people are really seiously thinking about running. So who should it be?

I also want to say thanks to the folks over at Raising Kaine. I think they were instrumental in motivating the base to help elect (soon-to-be) Governor Kaine. I think they should continue in the same vein and do the same for the 2006 Senate nominee as the did for Kaine.

I also think that folks who are supporters (I count myself in the group) of Mark Warner for President, should start getting out the word about his success in the state's fiscal fiasco, and his ability to win elections in red states (and get people elected in red states).

Happy Veterans' Day!

-Neal

Ladies and Gentlemen, Your Governor

With 98% reporting, Tim Kaine has been elected Virginia's governor with 987,376 votes, or 51.58%.

Bill Bolling will win the Lt. Governor's race by a 51%-49% vote.

I'm not ready to make a call on the McDonnell/Deeds race.

This has been an alright night for the Democratic party. We also held the Governor's seat in New Jersey with Senator Jon S. Corzine's election.

Next big show; Warner 2008. On to the White House!

-Neal.

Breaking News

The AP is reporting Tim Kaine will be Virginia's next governor. More later.

Countdown to E-Day

Here we are only a few hours from election day (and by the time you read this, it will very likely be election day), and the latest SurveyUSA poll has Tim Kaine up and out of the margin of error.

The poll:

Tim Kaine - 52%
Jerry Kilgore - 43%
Russ Potts - 3%
Other - 1%
Undecided - 1%

This is great news! The last several polls have had Kaine up by 2% or 3%, but this is huge. Much better than I expected! But we still need to run this race like we're 10 points behind. We need to get out the vote, call everyone we know, convince family members, even be a walking billboard if you feel the urge.

If Tim Kaine does win really big, then Leslie Byrne and Creigh Deeds can grab on to his coattails and ride into victory.

So, here's my final predictions on what the final results will be:

Governor
Tim Kaine (D) - 52%
Jerry Kilgore (R) - 46%
Russ Potts (I) - 2%

Lt Governor
Bill Bolling (R) - 51%
Leslie Byrne (D) - 49%

Attorney General
Creigh Deeds (D) - 52%
Bob McDonnell (R) - 48%

House of Delegates - District 1
Terry Kilgore (R) - 51%
Rex McCarty (D) - 49%

House of Delegates - District 2
Bud Phillips (D) - 61%
Linda Tiller (R) - 39%

House of Delegates - District 3
Jackie Stump (D) - 98%
Write-in - 2%

House of Delgates - District 4
Joe Johnson (D) - 97%
Write-in - 3%

House of Delegates - District 5
Bill Carrico (R) - 98%
Write-in - 2%

House of Delegates - District 6
Benny Keister (D) - 51%
Anne B. Crockett Stark (R) - 49%

That's my predictions. I think we'll do mostly well. I hope my predictions on Bolling/Byrne and Kilgore/McCarty are incorrect, so we'll have to wait and see.

Night all, and remember to vote.

-Neal

Baked Beans, Potato Salad, And Great Public Servants

Earlier today, I went to the Rally and Potluck dinner at Abingdon High School. We got there about ten minutes to five, and it ended up not starting until 5:20 or so, but it was worth it. Some highlights (in order of appearance):
Creigh Deeds: State Senator Deeds gave a high-energy speech that would fire up anybody. About midway through the speech, Tim Kaine arrived, and of course received a standing ovation. One highlight of the speech was a line akin to "I live in Bath County with my wife, my kids, 6 horses, 5 ponies, and a donkey named Harry S Truman." (Sure, we've all heard it before, but I still like it).
Leslie Byrne: Miss Byrne gave a pretty good speec and told the story about the girl scouts who visited her Congressional office. The punchline was, "Miss Byrne, can boys be in Congress too?" Governor Warner arrived midway through her speech, and, like Kaine, received a warm welcome. The big finale concerned electing "Tim, Leslie, and Creigh, and giving Virginia some T-L-C."
Rick Boucher: Congressman Boucher is always good to hear. He said he knew he would have an opponent next year ("We just don't know which state he'll come from this time."). He also introduced his mother, Dorothy, to the crowd, who appeared to be at least 85 or 90.
Linwood Holton: Former Governor Holton was extremely entertaining. One thing I liked to hear was, "Seeing all these folks out, I almost feel bad to be a Republican." (Or something very similar). Governor Holton said he had recruited 21 people to go to the polls and vote for Kaine, and we should all get at least 10 people to go vote.
Mark Warner: Governor Warner touted the success of the last four years of the Warner-Kaine administration, and said that by electing Tim Kaine, we could carry on that success. He pointed out that Tim Kaine "married above himself, in terms of marrying Linwood's daughter." He implored us to leave our cell phones turned on, "You hear the rings and hear an annoying sound. I hear cha-ching cha-ching." He also said that without Southwest Virginia, he couldn't have been elected.
Tim Kaine: Tim Kaine was the star of the show. He got up, talked about his three heroes (Jim O'Leary, Linwood Holton, and his own father, who was in attendance), and said that the momentum was in the ticket's favor. He said on November 9th we could wake up knowing we had won the closest, and most important election in our state's history.

I talked briefly with Senator Deeds, who told me how his polls were doing ("I was behind by 8, now I'm behind by 3, the momentum is picking up. People are catching on to the disgusting ads McDonnell is running, and funding with money from God knows where."), and seemed ready to win on Tuesday. I talked to Leslie Byrne, who gave me a sticker and declared me an "Official Ambassador for Byrne." Yeah, I thought that was nifty. I talked to Governor Holton, who remembered meeting me in Big Stone Gap in February ("You look like you go two foot taller, boy. I bet everybody looks up to you"). I talked to Tim Kaine, who said he had heard of Neal2028 (awesome!). My most interesting was Governor Warner, who I again asked if he would run for President. His reply: "I'll let everybody know soon. It'll be interesting. Stay tuned."
(Also there was: Senator Phillip Puckett, Delegate Joe Johnson, Rex McCarty, and numerous local officials)

Finally! We got to the food. More food that I had seen in one place in a long time. I had plenty of it, too. Fried chicken, spaghetti and meatballs, meatloaf, macaroni salad, potato salad, baked beans, deviled eggs, some white-ish stuff that was really good, ham salad sandwich, and macaroni and cheese. And then I went back for seconds!

Well, on election day; Me and a friend of mine will be working the polls for 7 hours. What will you be doing to elect Tim, Leslie, and Creigh???

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Daily (Evolving) Predicition
Governor
Tim Kaine (D) 52%
Jerry Kilgore (R) 47%
Russ Potts (I) 1%

Lt. Governor
Leslie Byrne (D) 51%
Bill Bolling (R) 49%

Attorney General
Creigh Deeds (D) 50%
Bob McDonnell (R) 50%

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In Memory

Today would mark the 105th anniversary of Emmett, my late grandfather's (on my dad's side) birthday. He died in 1990, and, although my memories are dim of him, I miss him, and we'll all always miss him.

-Neal

Newspapers Say...

Just a quick post tonight.

Let's see how many papers we can name off that have endorsed Tim Kaine for Governor of Virginia. Ready? Here we go!

The Washington Post
The Daily Press
The Broadside (George Mason University campus paper)
The Cavalier Daily (University of Virginia campus paper)
The Gloucester-Matthews Gazette
The Times Community Papers
The Roanoke Times
Bristol Herald Courier
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Virginian Pilot
Suffolk News Herald
Richland News Press

Tim Kaine has received endorsements from almost every major newspaper in Southwest Virginia. Tim Kaine has the momentum rolling in his favor.

Tonight I'm going to start a semi daily feature until election day; a prediction that will evolve as we go. Tonight, it goes like this:

Tim Kaine 52%, Jerry Kilgore 47%, Russ Potts 1%
Leslie Byrne 50%, Bill Bolling 50%
Creigh Deeds 52%, Bob McDonnell 48%

Also, a late congrats to the Lady Trojans Volleyball team, who went 14-0 this year to win their district championship, and tonight won their semi-finals game. Our football team is 0-9, and going for our tenth loss Friday. Our football team has had 3 winning seasons since...I believe 1963. Why should 2005 have been any different?

Neal

Scalito

This morning around 7:30, I awoke to reports that the President would appoint Circuit Court Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. Reports were correct. George W. Bush nominated a far-right conservative in Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court, to replace a mainstream moderate, Sandra Day O'Connor.

Harriet Miers is looking better and better.

I can't say for 100% sure that I'll oppose the Alito nomination. But some things worry me.

1-His record on womens' rights (Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, 1991)
2-His record on race-based/disability-based discrimination (Bray v. Marriott Hotels, 1997; Chittister v. Department of Community and Economic Development, 2000)
3-If his nickname is Scalito, indicating "Scalia Jr." some red lights should go off somewhere.
4-The one that really bothers me--His record on unauthorized strip searches (Doe v. Groody, 2004) (Read up on this one, folks)

I'm interested in how potential 2008 Presidential candidates (i.e. Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Evan Bayh) will handle this one. I know how George Allen and friends will handle it; they'll hail it as Scalia's second coming (he resembles Scalia a tad bit).

Unless the hearing prove that he is a mainstream jurist like John G. Roberts is, then I will have no other choice than to oppose Samuel Alito. But I will wait until the hearings to see what he has to say.

-Neal