Scott Cochran's
Letter to the Tribune: A Step Backward

On Tuesday, America took a step forward while Florida, and Tampa Bay in particular, took a step backward. It's as if a new leadership across the United States is pulling the country into the 21st century, while Florida voters are still trying to drag us back to the 19th. Particularly puzzling is that Ronda Storms will actually be a part of our state government, no doubt pushing the same old gay-bashing, anti-science, hard-right social agenda.
And people in U.S. House District 9 should be downright embarrassed to be sending Gus Bilirakis, who can barely understand the simplest issues or organize a coherent thought, to Washington. If we don't want to be viewed by the rest of the country as a bunch of backward simpletons, we have a lot of work to do. 2008 starts now.
SCOTT COCHRAN

Howard Dean April 17, 2003

When Congress approved the President’s authorization to go to war in Iraq – no matter how well-intentioned – it was giving the green light to the President to set his Doctrine of preemptive war in motion. It now appears that Iraq was just the first step. Already, the Bush Administration is apparently eyeing Syria and Iran as the next countries on its target list. The Bush Doctrine must be stopped here.....more

Harry Reid Speaks

Harry! Harry! Harry!

With the election giving Democrats control of the Senate following four years of GOP dominance, the gold miner's son from tiny Searchlight, Nevada, is in line to become majority leader......more

http://www.giveemhellharry.com/

DFA Victory!

Democracy for America members played a critical role in the successes of November 7. No national grassroots organization put more boots on the ground than DFA. Together, we took our country back!......here

DFA Tampa Bay

Governor Dean's
50 State Strategy Worked

In the wake of Democratic victories in all 50 states, Governor Dean sent out the following message today...more

Howard Dean, April 17, 2003......Bush: It's Not Just His Doctrine That's Wrong

Harris' House seat appears headed for recount

The touch-screen voting machines Katherine Harris championed as secretary of state after the 2000 presidential recount may have botched this year's election to replace her in the U.S. House of Representatives, and it's likely going to mean another Florida recount......more

How Can 149,394 People Be So Wrong?
Click Here

As They Listen For An Echo, I Hear Only A Roar

This is the beginning of the end of Bushism. The near-end of “rollback” as an ideology. The end of blowing up countries for the sheer thrill of it. Republicans weep tonight not for their actual losses but because they know they’ll not have a blank check again for perhaps a generation......more

If Democrats Win Senate, Will McCain Suicide?

Sometimes it is best to NOT tempt fate. On October 19th, Buckdog carried the story of Senator John McCain saying that he would 'commit suicide' if the Democrats take control of the United States Senate......more

"Blizzard of Subpoenas"
Democrats 'have a little list'

The Democrats' takeover of the House of Representatives will give the party more power on Capitol Hill than it has enjoyed since 1994, including control of powerful committees, responsibilities for the federal budget and the opportunity to investigate the White House......more

Thank You, Ned

You've given us all hope for the future, and it was a real honor to help with your efforts to take back America from the conservatives.....more

Meet John Conyers Jr.
The new chairman of the Judiciary Committee

Which has the authority to begin hearings and an investigation into whether the planning and selling of the Iraq war was a constitutional crime......click here

LANDSLIDE! ...a big thanks from Michael Moore

Now the real work begins. Unless we stay on top of these Democrats to do the right thing, they will do what they've always done: Screw it up. Big Time. They helped Bush start this war, and now they should make amends......more

Start spreading the news

New Yorkers cheered and downed tequila shots last night as news of Democrat victories filtered through. Today though, the hangovers kick in and the results tell a different story......more

Democrats’ Takeover in House Transforms Washington Overnight

Voters across the country dispatched Republican lawmakers Tuesday in favor of Democrats, ending four years of total GOP control in Congress and giving voice to a party that has challenged President Bush’s leadership of the war in Iraq......more

Nancy Pelosi

Are our priorities for the 109th Congress. We are committed to building an America where all families can live and prosper in diverse, safe, and vibrant communities.

Gore Vidal: 'The Most Important Election in My Lifetime'

Kathy Castor
For Congress

Kathy also shares my belief that the war in Iraq is drawing attention and resources away from the search for "Osama bin Forgotten” and from securing America's points of vulnerability.....Senator Bob Graham

Click Here

Samm Simpson


Thank You Ms. Simpson

Mary Mulhern
Hillsborough County Commission, District 1

Mass Transit - That works for working people. Light rail and expanded bus system
Environment - Responsible growth to protect water and air quality. Sustainable, energy-
efficient building and transportation
Fiscal Responsibility - Public dollars for sensible priorities - safety, transportation, education
Code of ethics for county government

Independent Public Servant who answers to the voters, not special interests.

click here

Brian Moore
“You’re like two peas in a pod.”

I have decided to pursue the candidacy for United States Senator of Florida in the November 2006 general elections. I will run as an independent candidate. I will speak out forthrightly against the war in Iraq and for the need to bring our troops home immediately....more

April Griffin
Hillsborough County School Board District 6

April has been a member of the PTA, a classroom volunteer, a substitute teacher in the Hillsborough County School System, and has been active in her children’s schools for many years. A lifelong Hillsborough County resident, she has worked in the Hillsborough County School District’s Public Affairs Office and PACE Center for girls, an all-girl’s school for at-risk teenage girls......more

JOE REDNER
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY COMMISSION, DISTRICT 5

"The Most Progressive Candidate this fall on the ballot is Joe Redner!" - WMNF

Joe Redner

Betty Reed
Florida House of Representatives - District 59

I have lived in Florida all of my adult life. I have been married to James Reed for 49 years. We are the proud parents of five children, all college graduates, and nine grand-children. I am a member of Bible-Based Fellowship Church of Temple Terrace. I have a bachelor's degree in Behavioral Science from National-Louis University, Florida. I am a recently retired educator, and have been involved in grassroots campaigns as well as volunteered to serve on numerous city, county and school advisory boards......more

Phyllis Busansky
Democrat U.S. Congress District 9

Phyllis, served on the Hillsborough County Commission from 1988 to 1996. The Tampa resident won national acclaim for her leading role in creating the county's indigent health care program. In Congress, she would continue to focus on health care and promote programs and funding for helping local government provide more health care......The Times recommends Phyllis Busansky. ....more

Third-Party MILF
And I have a few final requests

And she is. But in revisiting the column in my mind, I realized I didn't go beyond that description to say how surprised I was when I met her to find a well-informed and serious candidate -- if a very inexperienced politician -- who deserves more attention than she got during this campaign......more

The Couch Potato's Guide to Election Night

If you have a political bone in your body -- even if you're usually a cynic about elections -- you're undoubtedly holding your breath right now. With the 2006 midterm elections upon us, the question is: Will the Democrats recapture at least the House of Representatives and maybe even take the Senate.....more

“Triple Venti, no fat, no foam, extra hot, with pink sugar.”

Katherine Harris has a very, very specific Starbucks order. It is her fuel, it is what keeps her going. If she doesn’t get it, she gets angry.......more

Vote....Brain Moore

Insulting Our Troops, and Our Intelligence

Every time you hear Mr. Bush or Mr. Cheney lash out against Mr. Kerry, I hope you will say to yourself, “They must think I’m stupid.” Because they surely do.They think that they can get you to overlook all of the Bush team’s real and deadly insults to the U.S. military over the past six years by hyping and exaggerating Mr. Kerry’s mangled gibe at the president......more

As Bush Campaigns, Newsweek Says GOP Numbers Drop

The most recent Newsweek poll shows that Bush’s approval rating has fallen to 35% and the Democratic advantage in the generic ballot question has now increased to 16 points amongst likely voters. Newsweek reports that as Bush travels the country, their poll has found that support for GOP candidates actually falls........more

U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark calls trial a Travesty and
told to "Get Out"

Saddam Hussein was convicted and sentenced Sunday to death by hanging for war crimes in the 1982 killings of 148 people in the town of Dujail, as the former leader, trembling, shouted "God is Great!"......more

The life and times of Saddam Hussein
Today's verdict marks the beginning of the final chapter in the controversial life story of the deposed dictator......more

Children of Nazi racial engineering meet in Germany

The children of a Nazi programme aimed at creating an "Aryan elite" met publicly in Germany at the weekend in an effort to banish the spectre that has haunted many of them since their birth.....more

2006 Proposed Constitutional Amendments

Election Day is next Tuesday, and Florida voters this time find themselves faced with six proposed amendments to our state's constitution. Here are some thoughts on the proposals.....click here

"Do you want us to win"
Republicans Spring a New "Winning" Strategy

As the U.S. death toll in Iraq for the month of October passed 100 -- making it the deadliest month in nearly two years -- and with polls still showing that the Democratic Party is poised to take control of the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate, Republican Party message-meisters appear to have devised what they hope will be the money sound-bite for electoral victory......more

Stogie Voted!

Governor: Jim Davis
United States Senator: Brian Moore
Congress District 11: Cathy Castor
Attorney General: Skip Campbell
Chief Financial Officer: Alex Sink
Commissioner Of Agriculture: Eric Copeland
County Commissioner District 5: Joe Redner
State Representative District 59: Betty Reed
Circuit Judge Group 32: Bernie Silver
Circuit Judge Group 43: Paul T. Jeske
Circuit Judge Group 44: Emily Peacock
Circuit Judge Group 45: Ashley Brooke Moody
School Board Member District 6: April Griffin

Dean digs at Bush
Praises Ohio efforts at Toledo stop

A cautiously confident Howard Dean rallied Toledo Democrats yesterday with digs at President Bush, an agenda for a Democratic Congress, and praise for statewide candidates who weren’t around to hear.Mr. Dean, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, told a packed VFW hall that Republicans have damaged the country by dividing Americans — and that Democrats, if they work hard enough, can ride a desire for change to big wins in Ohio and nationwide next week.....more

I S**t You Not...

The Slimiest Campaign Ads of 2006

Slate crowns this year's worst of the worst
click here

The No-Responsibility Party ... Ever

From her mouth to the Hairy Thunderer's ear. Deborah Pryce, running in tough battle for reelection in central Ohio just made this statement.....here

Vote Mary Jo Kilroy

Gagging on Haggard

OK. Conservatives and evangelicals who are wringing your hands over this, and gearing up to blame the gays, the Democrats, or both … Come a little closer and let me, as we say where I come from, “break it down for you.”.......more

Paul Newman endorses Ned Lamont

Once a long shot, John Hall closes N.Y. gap

Thanks to a blend of Democratic momentum, Stephen Colbert, YouTube and his own minor league celebrity, strategists say Hall — a long shot Democratic challenger — could topple Kelly, who has represented New York's 19th Congressional district since being swept into office as part of the 1994 GOP revolution......more

John Hall

Ranks of independent voters rising, Vote Brian Moore

About 17 percent of voters registered for next week’s election eschew major-party identification, according to a study released Thursday by American University’s Center for the Study of the American Electorate......more

Vote Brian Moore

Bill Nelson can kiss my Ass

Hacking Democracy Film airs TONIGHT at 9PM

A Needless Apology

It's "insulting," says Bush, that Kerry would insinuate that our troops are "stupid." Clearly Kerry-- an actual war hero who has actually been shot in a real, live, actual war-- doesn't think troops are stupid......more

Stephanie Miller Outfoxes FOX News

Newsweek: Bush/Kerry Flap could HURT GOP

In fact, the concerted attack on Kerry—complete with White House and Republican National Committee press releases—threatens to undermine a central premise of the party’s strategy. The president may have diverted attention back onto Democrats, but he also turned the focus back on himself and the war.Neither subject is a winning issue for GOP candidates ..Bush’s approval rating in the most recent NEWSWEEK poll stood at 37 percent—10 points lower than the last poll before the 2004 elections, and fully 33 points lower than 2002.......more

GOP Meltdown: Florida lawmaker quits in racial slur scandal

State Rep. Ralph Arza resigned today from the Legislature, bowing to pressure to quit after leaving messages filled with obscenities and a racial slur on a colleague's voice mail.The Hialeah Republican had been urged to resign by House Republicans and Gov. Jeb Bush after the messages left on Rep. Gus Barreiro's voice mail became public......more

Michelle Malkin: John Kerry said what?

A general rule of thumb regarding controversies like this is to count how many posts Michelle Malkin has about the issue, and to note that there is a positive correlation to how trivial the matter is and how many posts she has about it. At my last count, she had four on her site......more

Bush Jokes About Missing WMD in Iraq

" The fact is that we wouldn't be in Iraq if it weren't for Democrats like Senator Kerry"
Howard Dean

Liberal Republican Suburb Turns Furious With G.O.P.

For as long as anyone here can remember, Bellevue has been a stronghold of socially liberal Republicanism. First, it was a prosperous Seattle bedroom community, then a technological boomtown, where employees of Microsoft and Internet start-ups consistently voted for fiscal restraint and hands-off government......more

Darcy Burner

Suger Land Bring Your Pencil's

Bush to implore Republicans to write in the name of a candidate whose name is not easily written: Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, a dermatologist who serves on the Houston city council.....more

Democrats retaking control of Congress would be a victory for terrorists.....G.W.Bush

DU: The Top 10 Conservative Idiots, No. 266
click here

John Edwards: What's at stake

Rookie Grandma Ready to Talk; Congressman Young a No Show

Congressional challenger and “rookie Grandma” Ms. Samm Simpson faces an empty chair during WEDU's District 10 Candidates' Debate to be broadcast Wednesday at 9 p.m. Her opponent C.W. “Bill” Young declined to participate in the taping over the weekend claiming he and his wife were in Washington to visit wounded vets in the hospitals and for congressional business. Congress has been recessed for two weeks for the elections.....more

Army monitors soldiers' blogs, Web sites

From the front lines of Iraq and Afghanistan to here at home, soldiers blogging about military life are under the watchful eye of some of their own........more

MEET: Stephen Gorham

I am running for Florida Senate District 10. My wife, Rebecca, and I live in Plant City along with our 3 year old daughter, Sky Trinity. As a long time resident and a recent war Veteran honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy, I am very concerned about the many issues and problems we face as residents of Florida........more

Circus McGurkis Peace Picnic

Saturday, October 28, at Dell Holmes Park
This will be a celebration of 35 years of
Circus McGurkis
9 am to 4 pm. Picnic begins at 11.
Bring your own food and beverage......info

Dixie Chick's:They have a hate list and we were number one

Movie premieres this weekend in New York and Los Angeles......more
The Dixie Chicks joined "Hardball" host Chris Matthews......here
Ads for movie about their blacklisting blacklisted......via Tiny

Shut Up And Sing......website

Is Waterboarding torture?

Poll: Middle Class Voters Abandoning GOP

The 2006 election is shaping up to be a repeat of 1994. This time, Democrats are favored to sweep Republicans from power in the House after a dozen years of GOP rule.......more