West Virginia Blue
The Best Blogging Community in West Virginia Democratic politics, progressive policies, the good life and free living in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia.
It's Spring Break here in our neck of North Carolina. We're Tar Heel fans, so are glued to the tube during March Madness. Unfortunately, North Carolina is in for a different type of March Madness as the Clinton and Obama campaigns descend on the state. We have a short roundup this week while many of our state bloggers take a much needed break. Enjoy!
Oregon Steve Novick became the first Senate challenger to publically sign onto Darcy Burner's Responsible Plan for Iraq this week. The Pacific NW stands together!
California Landlord Groups think tenants activists are terrorists.
Nebraska The Beatrice State Developmental Center stands to lose $30 million in federal funding, while facing charges of negligence and abuse from the U.S. Department of Justice. After three years of failure and incompetence from his administration, Republican Governor Dave Heineman accuses State Senators who talk about the situation of engaging in a "coordinated partisan attack."
Compiled once again by indefatigable Betsy Muse of BlueNC.
This week finds many of us burning the candles at both ends. We see campaigns gearing up in North Carolina as the time for filing to run for public office comes to a close at noon today. Campaigns are looking to hire "internet outreach coordinators" for the first time and BlueNC has been announced as a venue for an open forum discussion between our two Democratic gubernatorial candidates. Imagine seeing that in the newspaper and realizing we didn't have a date set for the event! We will also host a debate or forum between at least three of the four candidates for Lt. Gov. in NC. Just yesterday we received confirmation from a candidate for senate that she will live-blog at BlueNC. Check out the other state blogs on the list and on the Open Left and MyDD state blogrolls.
California Karen Bass will become the new Speaker of the Assembly. She will team with Senator Darrell Steinberg to lead the California legislature for the next two years. She is the first female Democrat to lead the Assembly.
New York Daily Gotham reports on endorsements in a Congressional race beginning to heat up in New York's 13th District. This one is all that stands between us and a free-of-republican-Congressmen New York City.
Kentucky In the wake of the KY debacle two weeks ago with the state party in the Senate primary, BlueGrassRoots made a Wiki project to give Kentuckians the informational tools to "infiltrate" and take over their party at the local/county level.
Washington Nicole Brummitt is mother of a son whose father is incarcerated in Washington and transferred to a private prison in Arizona. In her story, $3.3 billion company profits of the pain of incarcerated Washingtonians and their families, she sheds some light on Corrections Corp of America. Washington Department of Corrections currently contracts with CCA. In a time where we are seeing crime decrease in Washington there is also a strange epidemic of the prison population increasing. More prisons and more prisoners means more profit for CCA.
Texas Sen. John Cornyn tried to swiftboat Democrat Rick Noriega by calling on him to release his military records. Looks like that backfired as Noriega released them and his records are stellar.
Oregon Vicarious Thrill Dept: It was endorsement week in Oregon, and everybody went Obama. Senate candidate Steve Novick offered his highly-developed support for Obama, with primary competitor Jeff Merkley following up with his own version, as well as a dig at Novick for not endorsing him HARD enough. But maybe the most important blessing came from a new Oregonian who may actually be more popular than Obama in the state: Greg Oden got a call from Barack and tells us in his blog diary he will cast his first vote for Prez this fall for Obama.
Illinois A bill to correct some of the state's over-reliance on local property taxes for education by "swapping" out a portion with the state income tax is making its way through the Illinois Senate
Arizona Rick Renzi "Staying the Course" in Arizona while facing a 35 count indictment and many years in prison if found guilty.
Alabama Thirty-one counties in Alabama lack a hospital offering maternity care, yet midwife assisted home birth is not legal in the state. The Alabama Birth Coalition organized a march on the State House last week advocating for legislation to allow licensed midwives to practice in Alabama.
Nevada Freshman Rep. Dean Heller (NV-2) is among the worst in Congress on Children's issues according to the Children's Defense Fund. The Clark County Democratic Convention in Las Vegas to allocate delegates for Obama and Clinton for the state convention ended up in a big mess with a do-over necessary. Here's an eye-witness account.
Rick Renzi's under indictment, Sue Myrick gets caught with her fingers in the cookie jar - possibly legally, Patrick McHenry has questions surrounding just about everything he does, John Shadegg can't make up his mind. How many more Republicans will get caught up in legal or ethical controversies prior to November?One way to stay on top of this is to follow along with the state blogs. We're discussing our congress critters and their shenanigans long before it hits the national scene. Stop by. Check us out. You too can be the first to know.Here's your roundup for the week:
North Dakota North Dakota's Republican Realtor-legislators and developers plan to build the Emperor a new prison using hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars so they can subdivide public riverfront land and build McMansions and starter castles.
Maryland Art Brodsky of Public Knowledge comments on a bill to collect information on broadband deployment.
Nebraska Republican Attorney General Jon Bruning claims to be "surprised and disappointed"by the Nebraska Supreme Court's declaring the electric chair an unconstitutional form of capital punishment. Nevermind that the notorious hypocrite is on record as a state senator predicting and expressing support for the court's decision.
Ohio Chris Baker gives a moving personal perspective on the Clinton legacy in Ohio in The Prodigal NAFTA.
Kentucky BlueGrassRoots carpetbombs Chuck Schumer, Gov. Steve Beshear and the KY Dem Party for the Horne/Lunsford debacle that let Mitch McConnell off the hook. Chuck Schumer responds by slamming the KY blogosphere. Falsely.
Louisiana Supporters of Gilda Reed, including Ryan of the Daily Kingfish, held a 24 hour blogathon fundraiser for Democratic Candidate Gilda Reed at Daily Kos. All of the posts are linked to here. Here's a look at one of the Democratic candidates' ads in LA-06. Here's a look at another one of the Democratic candidates' ads in LA-06.
Michigan Some thoughts on how to do better GOTV in Michigan
West Virginia W.Va. state Sen. Hunter says "I introduced Senate Bill 588 because I fervently believe that God did not intend for us to destroy the mountains, the streams, the forests and His people in order to mine coal." Jay the Telcom Operator: Sen Rockefeller's unwavering support of telco immunity earns him a new nickname "One Ringy-Dingy Rocky" (with a must-see photoplay by OneCitizen).
Minnesota SurveyUSA indicates a dead heat between incumbent Republican Norm Coleman and Democratic challenger Al Franken.
Once again Betsy Muse of BlueNC brings us this week's roundup.
This week we bring you double the pleasure in our 50 State Blog Roundup. Real life threw me a curve ball last week and I wasn't able to follow through with the roundup. My apologies. You will find last week's roundup tagging along at the end.
Without further delay, here's what's going on locally at our state community blogs:
Kentucky Yellow Dog calls out Chuck Schumer for supporting a millionaire DINO against McConnell. And McConnell is still whining in his fund raising letters about the KY liberal blogosphere kicking his ass.
Minnesota Check out highlights from what turned out to be John Edwards' final public appearance as a 2008 presidential candidate in St. Paul on Tuesday.
Texas The Republican Minority leadership is coming to Texas to help prop up their most vulnerable incumbent, Mike McCaul, in TX-10.
Alabama Fueled by increased support among black voters, Barack Obama has moved ahead of Hillary Clinton in the latest Alabama poll.
Maryland For the first time ever, the Maryland presidential primary might actually matter.
West Virginia Read what traditional media won't print: writer Heath Harrison has an exclusive interview with Air America's Mike Papatonio. There were major suprises in WV-02 race this week. Long-time Sen. Byrd aide Anne Barth is now the leading Democratic candidate to unseat vulnerable Republican Rep. Shelley Moore Capito.
New Jersey Blue Jersey takes a whack at an influential state newspaper's shameless water-carrying for state Republicans.
Georgia Georgia Democrats had a JJ Dinner on Wednesday. Hillary was there, and Tondee's Tavern has several interviews with Georgia leaders, including news that a Republican might switch parties in the State House.
This week's round-up once again brought to us by Betsy Muse of BlueNC.
On the eve of the South Carolina primary, those of us near the state are busy canvassing, calling and doing everything we can to stay on top of the local news. Earlier today I pulled up every online newspaper I could find listed for the state and found that the local news was doing a better job than the national media at portraying the race for the Democratic presidential nomination as a three person race.
John Edwards had plenty of press in the local news with at least one or two of the larger papers touting his rise in the polls and a couple of the smaller ones still reporting last week's news. It was interesting to see that some papers showed only pictures of Clinton and Edwards and at least one paper showed only Barack Obama. Since online "front pages" change frequently, I obviously only had a snapshot of what was being shown at that particular time. However, if it was indicative of the mood of voters in South Carolina, might the national press and the pundits that bloviate therein be out of touch with what's really going on in South Carolina? I guess we'll find out on Saturday.
In the meantime, your bloggers at the 50 State Blog Network have been busy. Here's your roundup for this week:
California Real eminent domain reform has qualified for the ballot, not the Hidden Agendas the right-wing groups are trying to get past the state so that they can ban rent control.
Iowa Iowa Republican fundraising is even worse than national
Nebraska Republican Gov. Dave Heineman is pushing for a super-sized corporate welfare package costing the state more than $60,000 for each job created.
Kentucky The Heather Ryan controversy exploded in the KY blogosphere this week, yet the mainstream media was AWOL. Newly elected Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear is apparently taking a pass on making a strong challenge to Mitch McConnell this year, in order to placate a big donor.
New Mexico New Mexico Second Congressional Candidate Bill McCamley writes about a true chance for change from the disastrous politics of Rove and governing of Bush.
Once again, Betsy Muse of BlueNC brings us this week's roundup.
Here is your roundup for the eve of the Nevada Caucuses. Scroll to the bottom and head on over to My Silver State for some excellent and balanced (they actually admit John Edwards exists) coverage of the top three Democratic candidates.
The writers at the state blogs are working hard to bring us the latest on the Dem congressional candidates. Check them out, especially if you live in a very red district and need a Democrat to adopt.
North Carolina NC-03 candidate Marshall Adame is receiving hate mail from BLACKWATER supporters in his district. A good sign for Democrats that Marshall is on the right side of the issue.
Texas Texas' youngest DNC member suggests that his spot be kept as a 'youth seat' when elected at this summer's state convention.
New Mexico The always exciting New Mexico Legislative Session kicked off this week with the emphasis on universal healthcare, ethics reform and energy policy. And even a bit of domestic partnership.
Michigan Compendium of posts covering the Michigan primary and after-analysis
Nebraska Congressional Quarterly's 2007 results are in. Ben Nelson's 69.8% party loyalty is the lowest of any Democratic Senator but is a far better representation of Nebraska voters than Rep. Adrian Smith's unthinking and embarrassing 98% loyalty to his Republican masters.
Alabama Using GOP tax framing against them: After the Alabama Supreme Court overturned (on a party line vote) a $3.6 billion award against Exxon Mobil, Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom proposes simplifying the tax code for oil and natural gas producers.
Indiana Rep. Mark Souder (IN-3) really, really wants to be friends with lobbyists. This week finds that friendship taking a bizarre (but not unexpected) turn.
This week's roundup once again brought to us by the indefatigable Betsy Muse of NCBlue. New Mexico A local reporter created the Muckraker's Guide to New Mexico, a great resource for any aspiring muckraker in the Land of Enchantment.
Georgia The GOP takes control of Georgia and a top Republican in the legislature is hours from his home and family but minutes from a female lobbyist's house, drunk driving, gets arrested, and what happens? Well, he avoids justice!
Thanks once again to Betsy Muse of NCBlue for this week's roundup.
Happy New Year and Congratulations to Iowa Democrats on the excellent turnout for yesterday's caucuses.
Below is an abbreviated roundup for our 50-State community blogs. Enjoy reading up on what's important in states across the country. Onward to New Hampshire!
Georgia Silence Dogood writes what has been on many Georgia Democratic activists minds. Mike Jacobs is the most recent party switcher in Georgia.
North Carolina BlueNC hosted congressional candidate Larry Kissell for our first live-blog of 2008. Come by and read his comments and while you're visiting let us know what you think of our new site design.
Kentucky The 2007 Bluegrass Rooties! These awards document the Kentucky highlights and lowlights, heroes and villains of this foul year of our lord, 2007. Much snark to be had.
Curtousy of Betsy Muse at BlueNC, here's the final 50 State Blog Network Roundup for the year.
Things are heating up in Iowa and New Hampshire as the two states are flooded with volunteers from across the country. Many of us who can't physically be in early primary states to knock on doors are helping to call voters. What are you doing to prepare for primary season?
Here is an abbreviated list of important stories from our 50 State Blog network. Holiday travel and unexpected plans have prevented a more thorough roundup, but make sure you visit the state blogs listed in the right sidebar at Open Left and the left sidebar at MyDD.
Nevada At My Silver State, Sven explains Harry Reid's approval disapproval...uh...well....his ratings and predicts the attacks from the left will boost old Harry's approval ratings in the next Las Vegas Review Journal poll.
From Betsy and Karl at BlueNC.
Here's your 50 State Blog Roundup for the week of December 21, 2007:
Illinois PSB poster bored now serves up an excellent updated analysis of the Dem candidate three-way for Denny Hastert's abandoned seat in IL-14. In IL-03: Lipinski wants to have his cake and eat it too
Maryland Maryland Republicans are suing to prevent recently passed tax legislation from going into law. Gotta give them points for moxie.
California San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom doesn't like the new health plan, saying that he is not sure that the plan is "moving us toward our ultimate goal of affordable and quality care for everyone."
This week's Last week's round-up got stuck in the inter-tubes. Better-later-than-never, here it is.
Welcome to another week of the 50-state blog roundup. Major thanks to Betsy of BlueNC for all the work she does for this roundup. There is lots going on around the 50 State Blog Network and it's very important to help out the state blogs to grow the progressive people-powered movement. So read you're local blog and help out the 50 State Blog Network and as Thom Hartmann says "Democracy begins with you, activism begins with you. Tag, you're it!" Enjoy the roundup. [Posted by Betsy for Karl.]
New Jersey The Clinton Campaign stumbles big in New Jersey, performing dismally at an early organizational test in the Garden State.
Michigan The latest - again - on Michigan's on-again/off-again presidential primary
Texas Texas Gov. Rick Perry appears to endorse Mike Huckabee at a press conference where he was supposed to be announcing his support for Rudy Guiliani.
Today's 50-state blog roundup is brought to you by the letters B, N, and
C - BlueNC. Major, major hat-tip to
Betsy, who really did all the work. If you aren't reading your state's
blog, you should be, because "all politics is local" should be more than
a motto. This is an interesting week, the Presidential Primary is
heating up in the early states (see below), while Virginia holds a
special election next Tuesday. At the same time state legislatures seem
to be trying and sneak in some iffy legislation before the holiday
season. Enjoy!
Alabama DVD maker (and tax break recipient)
Cinram
kicked over a hornet's nest when they decided to import 1350 workers
from third world countries for "seasonal" jobs in Alabama.
Connecticut Ambassador
John McCarthy running in the 32nd district - all politics is local.
This is how you build "a bench".
California Robert in Monterey tells us where the
rubber meets the road.. or
the cash in this case. AND, The
Republican dirty trick, so called electoral "reform", has been
delayed past the June 2008 election.
Louisiana Louisiana 1976 talks up the political and
economic benefit of holding
conventions in New Orleans (as a side note, my first convention was
in NOLA and was the best, absolute best).
Maine Contrary to popular belief, Spud1
points out that Collins
is not a moderate when she votes for Bush policies.
Montana Run,
Steve, Run! That's what Montana progressives are saying about Steve
Doherty.
Nebraska On Wednesday, President George W.
Bush helped raise a reported $750,000 for Republican Senate candidate
Mike Johanns, but neither could escape the damning words
of Sen. Chuck Hagel.
Nevada We
finally have a candidate against Jon Porter in NV-03, one of the
most vulnerable House members nationwide. Clark County Prosecutor Robert
Daskas announced his campaign last week.
Tennessee The AT&T statewide cable franchise
bill is headed back to the Tennessee legislature. Not surprisingly,
the Knoxville News Sentinel has once again taken the pro-big business,
anti-consumer anti-local government position and endorsed it.
Texas The opportunity to defeat a
Republican Senator in Texas becomes clearer with new
poll results on the Texas Senate Race.
West Virginia The W.Va. GOP is promoting a platform
of "Unleashing Capitalism." Carnacki uses an assist from Krugman to
point out Capitalism needs a
leash.
Wisconsin Uppity Wisconson reports on Wisconsin
Supreme Court Justice Annette Ziegler's corruption getting national
coverage
Texas The Burnt Orange Report looks at what different voters want
Oregon Oregon Democrats vs the OR GOP--who's doing a better job getting things done and presenting a competent face for their party? It's not even close, people.
New Mexico Some Democrats are just made better than others -- case in point Martin Chavez vs Tom Udall in the New Mexico Senate race.
Nebraska Local Democrats are up-in-arms over party leaders' discussions with Tony Raimondo - a lifelong Republican - about switching parties and seeking the Democratic nomination for Chuck Hagel's Senate seat.
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Steve Novick 
Landlord Groups think tenants activists 
Akron blogger Pho contributes a thoughtful essay on 
The Beatrice State Developmental Center stands to lose $30 million in federal funding, while facing charges of negligence and abuse from the U.S. Department of Justice. After three years of failure and incompetence from his administration, Republican Governor 
They're running against the war, even in Alabama! AL-02 Congressional candidate 
The Iowa legislature has been busy, and desmoinesdem 
The Democratic presidential candidates (finally!) arrived in West Virginia this week. 
We've been discussin 
In New Mexico's Senate race, 
What if one of the people spreading the crazy lies about Barack Obama is 
In the wake of the KY debacle two weeks ago with the state party in the Senate primary, 
Nicole Brummitt is mother of a son whose father is incarcerated in Washington and transferred to a private prison in Arizona. In her story, 
The 
Sen. John Cornyn tried to swiftboat Democrat Rick Noriega by calling on him to release his military records. Looks like that backfired as 
A bill to correct some of the state's over-reliance on local property taxes for education by "swapping" out a portion with the state income tax 
Another 
The Albany Project 
Rick Renzi 
Rabid wingers in Wisconsin turn 
Show Me Progress outlines the 
Freshman Rep. Dean Heller (NV-2) is 
Krazypuppy at Texas Kaos thinks John McCain may have gotten a bit too smart for his own good. 
Art Brodsky of Public Knowledge 
If Steve Kirby runs against Tim Johnson, he'll be making a big mistake. 
Could the Ohio Democratic Party Chairman and his three superdelegate votes be 
At Squarestate, they're 
They're discussing 
Republican State Rep. Nancy Wagner uses 
Is 
At Tondee's Tavern we find tha 
At Green Mountain Daily there's a discussion about a case where 
Tom Feeney has a fight on his hands in Florida's 24th Congressional District as 
At Blue Mass Group they seem to have had enough of Mitt Romney, but enjoy when 
A local reporter created the 
Oregon Senate candidate Steve Novick takes another bold progressive stand and says 
KT Musselman 
Is 
BlueGrassRoots shows how 
Same-sex marriage is on Maryland's legislative agenda -- 
At BlueNC Robert P. analyzes the choices in 
At Blue Hampshire, state Rep. Jim Splaine 
Demoinesdem puts out a call to 
At AZNetroots they invite you to 
Sven at My Silver State delivers 
In Colorado professional reporters are working to keep bloggers and other alternative media sources off the floors of the state house and state senate. 
Silence Dogood writes 
Has 
West Virginia Blue revisits 
At Left in Alabama, Julie expounds on 
At Michigan Liberal, Eric B has a good discussion going on about 
Democratic State Sen. 
The Albany Project notices that Kirsten Gllibrand's (NY-20) self financing challenger 
Greenlynndemocrat tells it like it is on 
It looks like Chet has opened up a 
Calitics reports on the 
At Blue Jersey they're discussing 
At Show Me Progress, Blue Girl is wondering, 
At Fired Up Missouri they're looking for Governor Matt Blunt and find him 
Prairie State Blue offers us some background on their 
The 
Mike Caulfield at Blue Hampshire 
DUI? Expect the Max! Or maybe not. Zelph at AZ Netroots has 
At Washblog, Emily Stebbins tells about a cooperative organic farm, the 
Keystone Politics covers Senator 
Turn Maine Blue outlines why Maine and the rest of the country 
Reflections on 
Fired Up Missouri 
Jay Stevens reports on the obvious 
Blue Oklahoma 
Public school teacher in
Bismarck, North Dakota, 
Buckeye State Blog reports on 
The 
