Regional Politics
Mountain West Up for Grabs?
Christian Science Monitor: "They tend to ham it up: bolo ties and cowboy boots, a gun and a fishing pole never far from hand. Democrats who've won statewide offices in mountain states often look the part of old West clichés. But they owe their victories to a new reality: The interior West is urban and professional, more focused now on environmental protection and renewable energy development, and swelling with new independent and Latino voters who are up for grabs."
VEEPS
Here’s a rather strange web site dedicated to vice presidents: “ VicePresidents.com is a unique web magazine dedicated to the ultimate #2s in our society: the U.S. Vice Presidents. We take the stodgy concept of the vice presidency and turn it on its ear! Through stories, breaking news, analysis and inventive content, we relate the vice presidency and its vice presidents to society and culture through creative and meaningful perspectives. Each of the 46 VEEPs have special stories, trivia and history that amplify their place in American political lore. And in 2008, readers will relish our take on the unique race for VEEP!”
Podcast Watch
Several Weber State University faculty members are posting podcasts on business, politics and other topics at a web site called Podcasting at Weber. Political podcasts on the site include analysis of presidential primaries and radio interviews. New political podcasts are posted a couple of times a month.
Utah economist Jeff Thredgold’s Tea Leaf economic update this week discusses the economic stimulus package put together by the president and Congress. “Fiscal stimulus is coming,” says Thredgold. “Such a program needs to be limited in scope and delivered quickly.”
CPPA Newsletter
The University of Utah's Center for Public Policy & Administration has posted its latest Policy Perspectives newsletter. This month's edition analyzes Utah's tax system and looks ahead to next week's "Tsunami Tuesday," when 22 states will hold their primary/caucus to select the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates.
Washington Watch
Matheson: No to Pay Raise
Columnist Jeff Jacoby spotlights Rep. Jim Matheson's efforts to stop the automatic congressional pay raise (Boston Globe); Matheson signs a letter to Pres. Bush "asking that he fully fund the program that reimburses state and local law enforcement for the arrest, transportation and incarceration costs associated with criminal aliens" (see press release).
Today in Political History
Jan. 31, 1865: The House of Representatives passes a constitutional amendment to abolish slavery. (New York Times)
Jan. 31, 1876: The United States orders Native Americans to move into reservations. (NBC5)
Jan. 31, 1940: The first Social Security check, in the amount of $22.54, is sent to Ida May Fuller. (Perspicuity)
Wise Words
“Washington, D.C. is a place where delusions go to thrive. That explains why Congress and the president are now agreed on remedies that will not work, expending money they do not have, to fix a problem that may not exist.”
—Steve Chapman (Patriot Post)
National Politics
Best Stories From . . .
-- The Politico: "John McCain may be getting the hang of this front-runner thing. You say whatever you want to say, you keep repeating it, and you don't worry about the details. Straight talk? That was earlier in the campaign. At a Republican debate at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, Calif., Wednesday night, McCain repeatedly charged -- without a whole lot of evidence -- that Mitt Romney once supported a specific timetable for withdrawal from Iraq. Romney heatedly denied it, saying it 'sort of falls into the dirty tricks that I think Ronald Reagan would have found reprehensible.' McCain didn't care. He knew Ronald Reagan was not around to give an opinion one way or another."
-- Associated Press: "Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will endorse John McCain on Thursday, giving a certain boost to the Republican presidential front-runner six days before California's high-prize primary."
-- San Francisco Chronicle: John Edwards drops out of the presidential race.
-- The Hill: "The Senate Finance Committee passed its economic stimulus plan Wednesday, refusing to rubber-stamp a rival plan negotiated between the House and President Bush."
Lighter Side
Best of Late Night Humor
Ann Coulter: John McCain is Bob Dole minus the charm, conservatism and youth.
David Letterman: From “Top Ten Barack Obama Campaign Promises presented by Senator Barack Obama”: I will double your tax money at the craps table; If you bring a gator to the White House, I’ll wrassle it; I’ll put Regis on the nickel; I’ll rename the tenth month of the year “Barack-tober”; I won’t let Apple release the new and improved iPod the day after you bought the previous model; Pronounce the word nuclear, “nuclear”; Three words: Vice President Oprah.
Jay Leno: Have you heard this story? They’re trying to pass a bill now that allows politicians to insist that they be addressed by gender-neutral titles. Is that really necessary? I mean, don’t we already have gender-neutral titles for politicians? “Crook,” “liar,” “adulterer,” “pinhead,” “moron” —these are all gender-neutral. ... The big issue in South Carolina was lost textile jobs. That’s why Hillary was so stunned that she came in a distant second. In fact, today she said, “I’ve been wearing all of these pantsuits for nothing.” ... Bill was really upset by her second place finish. In fact, he said, “Does this mean I don’t get a third term?” ... Exit polls showed that Bill’s campaigning actually hurt Hillary. I just hope it doesn’t cause any tension in their marriage. ... You can tell John Edwards is a little disappointed with his third place finish. In fact, for 1/millionth of a second, he actually stopped smiling. I don’t want to say that John Edwards seemed phony, but a lot of voters thought Hillary’s Southern accent was more real than his. ... Sylvester Stallone announced today he is endorsing John McCain. I think that’s what he said. He might have said, “Hand me my cane.” |
