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Washington Watch
Hatch: No To Increased Gas Costs
Sen. Orrin Hatch votes against an energy tax package "that would drive up the cost of gasoline in Utah and throughout the country" (see press release); in a speech on the Senate floor, Hatch denounces the Employee Free Choice Act (press release).
Cannon's Milkshake Diet
Lengthy and interesting profile of Rep. Chris Cannon notes his taste for chocolate milkshakes and looks at why he thinks fellow Mormon Mitt Romney is better off without his endorsement (The Hill); Cannon has employed six of his eight children in his campaigns over the past six years (USA Today).
New UTA Website
The Utah Transit Authority has launched a new and improved website. The site "makes it easier for the public to access information on current and future projects [and] view rider information such as maps and schedules. The improved site also has an expanded media room, more information on public transit and information on how to ride" (see press release).
Today in Political History
June 20, 1863: West Virginia is created as the 35th U.S. state. (Source: perspicuity)
June 20, 1967: Boxer Muhammad Ali is convicted in Houston of violating Selective Service laws by refusing to be drafted. The conviction was later overturned by the Supreme Court. (Source: New York Times)
June 20, 1997: The tobacco industry agrees to the Master Settlement Agreement in exchange for major relief from mounting lawsuits and legal bills. (Source: NBC5)
Wise Words
"Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the Revolution, never to violate in the least particular, the laws of the country; and never to tolerate their violation by others."
-- Abraham Lincoln, Jan. 27, 1838, address before the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois
Campaign Tip
Use Proper Fundraising Tool
Ever tried using a hammer to drive a screw? Doesn’t work too well, does it? The problem isn’t your effort, your materials, or your knowledge. The problem is that you’re using the wrong tool for the job. Trade your hammer for a screwdriver and you’re in business.
Political fundraising works the same way. Using the wrong tool for the job is inefficient, ineffective, and gets very frustrating very quickly. Switching to the right tool, however, can make the toughest job on a campaign much easier.
In campaigns you have six “tools” you can use to raise money. They are personal solicitation, finance committees, events, direct mail, telemarketing, and the Internet. (Read the entire tip at Campaign Hot Tips)
National Politics
Best Stories From …
-- Washington Post: Columnist Howard Kurtz: "Hillary Clinton is inevitable. That, at least, is the consensus view of media wizards, strategists, pollsters and other kibitzers ... An official with a rival campaign told me that Hillary has an 80 percent chance of being the party's candidate, and most neutral observers would probably go with a higher number. So why is there such unease about her within the party?"
-- Chicago Sun-Times: Columnist Jennifer Hunter: "There is an interesting phenomenon that has arisen over the last few months: a trend of moderate Republicans who want to vote for Barack Obama. It may seem counterintuitive ... but there is something in Obama's message about ridding politics of partisanship that is appealing to these Republicans."
-- Washington Times: "House Democrats say they may break the immigration issue up into a series of smaller bills that would put off the tougher parts and allow others to pass, such as border security, and high-tech and agriculture worker programs that have clear support."
-- Chicago Tribune: Editorial: "The Democrats took control of Congress in January promising a return to integrity, ethics and transparency. The Republicans had, in several ways, failed on all those matters. One example: earmarks. ... Under GOP control, nearly 13,500 earmarks made it into spending bills in 2005. ... The Democrats insisted things would be different on their watch. ... Take note: Members of Congress have made 32,000 requests for earmark spending in 2008 appropriations bills."
Lighter Side
Favorite Headlines
(Source: James Taranto’s Best of the Web on OpinionJournal.com)
It Must've Run Out of Gas
"Google Pushes 100-mpg Car"--headline, CNNMoney.com, June 19
It's Stuck in the Committee on Redundancy Committee
"Last week, the issue came to a head as the House got bogged down deliberating the budget for the Department of Homeland Security Department."--CNN.com, June 19
Safety Tip: Keep the Dead Out of the Reach of Children
"Baby Swallows Found Dead"--headline, Union (Grass Valley, Calif.), June 19
'No Thanks, I'm a Tee-Toddler'
"East Bay Eatery Serves Margarita to Toddler"--headline, KNTV Web site (San Jose, Calif.), June 15
That's When He Realized He Had Saved Mrs. Trump
" 'You're Fired,' Man Hears After Saving a Woman's Life"--headline, Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville), June 18
Help Wanted
"Armed Men Sought for Home Invasions"--headline, Web site (Las Vegas), June 19 |
