AltWeeklies Wire
Portland City Hall's Popularity Contest Has Been Shaken Up by the Adams Scandalnew
Portland City Hall is as fraught with popularity anxiety as a Hollywood high school prom. And it seems to be going through a curious reorientation in social pecking order following revelations that our metaphorical football captain, Mayor Sam Adams, kissed 17-year-old Beau Breedlove in the building's second floor restroom.
The Portland Mercury |
Matt Davis |
02-05-2009 |
Politics
What Is the U.S. Mission in Afghanistan?new
The big stimulus bill isn't the only economic lifeline being tossed out by Team Obama. The Feds are also offering a generous subsidy to foreign policy columnists. The Obama administration's war strategy in Afghanistan is so unclear, newspapers have no choice but to keep paying people like me to help explain it.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Andisheh Nouraee |
02-04-2009 |
Commentary
Tags: War on terror, Afghanistan
Diane Cibrian: Active Consensus Builder, or Political Strong-Arm?new
In her two years on the San Antonio City Council, Diane Cibrian has established a reputation for wanting to be involved in every aspect of the municipal government process. Her advocates say that it reflects her zeal to bring about positive change in the community. Her detractors grumble that she has boundary issues.
San Antonio Current |
Gilbert Garcia |
02-04-2009 |
Politics
Tags: San Antonio, Diane Cibrian
Some Portlanders See a Double Standardnew
A city leader loses his job when the public learns embarrassing details of an affair he’d cultivated in his past. Portland Mayor Sam Adams’ current predicament? No. It’s the situation faced in 2006 by then-Police Chief Derrick Foxworth.
Willamette Week |
James Pitkin |
02-04-2009 |
Politics
The Mutual Benefits Fallout for South Florida Politicians Is Still Comingnew
The practice of legislators recommending lobbyists is odious. They are supposed to be agents of the people, not lobbyists for lobbyists.
New Times Broward-Palm Beach |
Bob Norman |
02-03-2009 |
Politics
Sins of Commission: Alabama's Jefferson County Approves Absurd Lobbying Contractnew
"Like flushing money down the toilet." Now there’s an expression just about everybody in Jefferson County understands. Just about everybody — with the exception of three county commissioners.
Birmingham Weekly |
Kyle Whitmire |
02-03-2009 |
Commentary
Madison Common Council Incumbent to Rivals: Bring It Onnew
Brenda Konkel is making the most out of Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz's admitted attempts to recruit candidates to run against her. She portrays it as an emblem of her independence.
Tags: Madison, municipal elections
North Little Rock Rep Is America’s Highest-Ranking Greennew
With his silver hair, sunglasses, and crisp black suit, Richard Carroll certainly looks the part of a state legislator. Currently, he's the highest-ranking Green in the United States.
Arkansas Times |
David Koon |
01-29-2009 |
Politics
An A-to-Z Guide to Gov't Contracting Under Bill Richardsonnew

The following guide to pay-to-play is not meant to be complete. Why focus on Richardson? Simple: He is the state's top dog. And his administration is already under investigation for possibly rewarding campaign donors.
Santa Fe Reporter |
Corey Pein |
01-29-2009 |
Politics
School Board Pop Quiznew
For the Feb. 3 Santa Fe Public Schools Board of Education elections, candidates were quizzed on their knowledge. The rules for Pop Quiz are as follows: No research allowed and, if they call back later with the right answer, too bad.
Santa Fe Reporter |
Corey Pein |
01-29-2009 |
Politics
Tags: Santa Fe, school board elections
Robert Ford Takes a Step Forward for African Americansnew
While the conventional wisdom may be to dismiss Sen. Robert Ford's candidacy for South Carolina governor as some sort of publicity stunt, the surrealism of the recent inauguration has prompted me to view it as something different, the latest best chance to get more black South Carolinians engaged in state politics.
Charleston City Paper |
Dwayne Green |
01-28-2009 |
Commentary
Tags: 2010 state elections, Robert Ford
The Hypocrisy of the American Pro-Life Movementnew
For pro-lifers to consistently and enthusiastically vote for leaders whose foreign policies will admittedly lead to the deaths of thousands of civilians — women, children, babies — in order to achieve political objectives is something I cannot understand.
Charleston City Paper |
Jack Hunter |
01-28-2009 |
Commentary
Can Foreign Countries Bribe the U.S. Secretary of State?new
Despite her obvious intellect, Hillary Clinton is a proven failure as a political leader.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Andisheh Nouraee |
01-28-2009 |
Commentary
Tags: Hillary Clinton, international
The 2010 New Orleans Mayor's Racenew
The 2010 New Orleans mayor's race is just over a year away, but it's not too early to take stock of who's anteing up and who's ready to fold in the high-stakes game of local politics.
Tags: New Orleans, municipal elections
Looking Forward, Looking Backnew
It's nice to hear Barack Obama give speeches. But I think we all, President Obama included, are long past ready for him to get down to the business of fixing this country. Because as the big guy made abundantly clear, this country's busted up.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Brian Howard |
01-27-2009 |
Commentary
Tags: Obama inauguration