Blogworthy, September 12th, 2008

There's been so much happening this week that giving each news item we we'd like to touch on its own post is unrealistic. So, to quickly round up some of the important developments that are going on, here's the latest edition of Blogworthy.

The Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund has released a hard-hitting, emotionally compelling ad blasting Sarah Palin for her support of aerial wildlife slaughters. The ad brutally depicts the practice, showing a low flying aircraft with gunmen inside using high caliber rifles to shoot and kill wolves. This is one of the best ads we've seen so far this cycle. Take a look.

Speaking of Sarah Palin, film critic Roger Ebert feels so strongly that she isn't qualified for the Vice Presidential job that he penned a scathing column panning her selection as John McCain's running mate. An excellent read.

Hurricane Ike is poised to strike the Texas coast late today or early tomorrow, according to the National Weather Service, which is warning of big floods:

APPROACHING HURRICANE IKE HAS PRODUCED ELEVATED TIDES AND STORM SURGE IN GALVESTON BAY PUSHING WATER UP THE THE SAN JACINTO RIVER. AS A RESULT MINOR FLOODING IS EXPECTED BELOW LAKE HOUSTON TO THE MOUTH AT GALVESTON BAY.

PERSONS ARE URGED TO STAY AWAY FROM THE RIVER UNTIL WATER LEVELS RECEDE.

MOTORISTS SHOULD AVOID ANY WATER COVERED ROADS AND FIND AN ALTERNATE ROUTE.

LIVESTOCK AND EQUIPMENT SHOULD REMAIN OUT OF THE FLOOD PLAIN FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

ADDITIONAL RAINFALL OVERNIGHT WILL PRODUCED A FURTHER RISE ON THE RIVER.

As of 2 PM Pacific Time, Ike was a Category 2 storm with winds at 105 MPH.

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama spoke to representatives of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers today by satellite, attacking John McCain and his lobbyist friends for standing in the way of Boeing's efforts to fairly win the Air Force's tanker contract.

Here is an excerpt of his speech, courtesy of the campaign:

John McCain just doesn’t get it.

Just ask your brothers and sisters at Boeing. Because while it was right for the Pentagon to cancel competition yesterday for the next generation of tankers, it was wrong for John McCain to reward two of the Washington lobbyists who worked against Boeing with jobs on his campaign.

[...]

Just ask the workers across this country who have seen their jobs outsourced. The very companies that shipped their jobs overseas have been rewarded with billions of dollars in tax breaks that John McCain supports and plans to continue.

So when American workers hear John McCain talking about putting country first, it’s fair to ask – which country?

A judge has slammed the door on Republicans' attempts to bury a competitive U.S. Senate race at the bottom of the ballot in Mississippi in violation of state law. A Republican-controlled elections commission, which answers to corrupt Republican Governor Haley Barbour, had schemed to dampen turnout in the race (with the idea that Democratic leaning voters wouldn't bother to finish voting) by illegally moving it below downballot races.

The case is likely to be appealed to the Mississippi Supreme Court, which is unfortunately also controlled by Barbour allies.

Meanwhile, another Republican - entrenched Republican Norm Coleman, who currently controls the office once held by the great Paul Wellstone - has made a major advertising blunder that could cost his campaign millions of dollars.

DailyKos explains:

The senior Senator's latest ad features the former Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota attacking Coleman's Democratic opponent, Al Franken. The ad specifically mentions Franken by name, in fact.

Unfortunately for Coleman, he is required to air his own likeness on screen for four full seconds in such an ad, or he forfeits the right to enjoy the "special candidate rate" for broadcast advertising.

However, it's not clear that the law Coleman violated will be enforced:

So what will happen to Coleman? The ball is in the court of Minnesota's broadcast stations; should they continue to offer the lower rate, however, they may be subject to legal action by the Franken campaign, the Minnesota DFL, or the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. It is unknown whether legal action would actually be pursued in such a case.

The relevant law, passed in 2002, has never been litigated before, so the campaigns and parties are in uncharted waters here.

This story could go away overnight, or wind up deciding the campaign in Minnesota. It's anybody's guess what will happen, at this point.

Finally, a bit of news in a race down south: if an internal Democratic poll is to be believed (and we at NPI are suspicious of polling in general) Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Jeff Merkley is gaining ground on incumbent Gordon Smith, one of the wealthiest Republicans in the country:

Jeff Merkley (D): 43 (38)
Gordon Smith (R-inc): 41 (47)
Dave Brownlow (C): 6 (4)
(MoE: ±3.7%)

The poll was conducted last week by Benenson Strategy Group of likely voters. The parentheses show the numbers from the poll conducted in August.

Smith appears to be in trouble with undecided and independent voters, who do not have a favorable impression of his job performance. Hopefully, this is the year that Democrats capture a majority of U.S. Senate seats in the Pacific Northwest. It won't happen without hard work, though. If you're reading from Oregon, please head on over to Jeff Merkley's website today to volunteer or donate.

Jeff needs your help to make the U.S. Senate more progressive.