AltWeeklies Wire
Democrat John Perez is About to Become Califoria's First Openly Gay Speakernew
John Perez, a political newcomer, should have plenty of time to solidify his power base and build influence. His tenure also promises to increase the influence of the Assembly and help advance the cause of gay rights.
East Bay Express |
Robert Gammon |
12-09-2009 |
Politics
Ray Nagin Still Factors Into the New Orleans Mayor's Race, as a Reverse Barometernew
New Orleans voters may not know just yet what they want in their next mayor, but they definitely know what they don't want: another Ray Nagin. Polls and campaign strategies bear that out as candidates try to distinguish themselves not only from one another but also from the hugely unpopular, term-limited mayor.
Bay Area Organizations Appear to be Part of a Secretive Group with a Bizarre Radical Pastnew
Knowledgeable sources say that the Physicians Organizing Committee is one of several Bay Area front groups set up to disguise a strange political cult. Although a representative for the committee denied the link, it has shared personnel with an alleged cult front group and received a grant from a nonprofit linked to the cult.
'Conspiracy Theory' Host Jesse Ventura Talks 9/11, JFK, and Vietnamnew
Jesse Ventura wants to talk. He's growling. "You want an exclusive?" The guy hates the press. During his governorship, he famously printed press passes that read "Media Jackal." Why's he calling? "My new show on TV," he says.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Hart Van Denburg |
12-08-2009 |
Politics
Can Alexi Giannoulias Shake Off His Problems to Win Obama's Old Senate Seat?new
Victory in the race for state treasurer transformed Alexi Giannoulias into a promising young progressive with big prospects—until the media began reporting that his family's bank had given a series of loans to figures involved in organized crime or political corruption.
Chicago Reader |
Mick Dumke |
12-07-2009 |
Politics
A Begrudging Admiration of Las Vegasnew
It’s a strange economic model that has fascinated a number of contemporary American writers, from Hunter Thompson to Marc Cooper. Las Vegas is an obvious morality story all about capitalism, exploitation, human nature, and, of course sin and religion. The town was created by Jewish mafioso, then the Mormons took over for a while, and now others are moving in. Mormons may be the most conservative of all religion, certainly socially, yet Vegas is proud of the fact that your secrets are safe in Sin City. Not being a Mormon, I can’t imagine how they reconcile themselves to their adopted city.
Random Lengths News |
Lionel Rolfe |
12-03-2009 |
Commentary
The World's Greatest Dysfunctional Body: Why the U.S. Senate Can't Governnew
Ever wonder why the federal government can't get anything done -- like health care or immigration reform -- despite one party's control of Congress and the presidency? It's because of a procedure that allows the threat of a filibuster to obstruct action more easily than a real filibuster.
Reno News & Review |
Dennis Myers |
11-30-2009 |
Politics
Will a 'Perfect Storm' Kill Connecticut's Fledgling Public Campaign Finance System?new
A ferocious series of political, judicial, fiscal, legislative and economic pressure fronts are coming together in a way that has state and party officials nervous about whether this program will make it through the 2010 state elections.
New Haven Advocate |
Gregory B. Hladky |
11-24-2009 |
Politics
The Texas Gubernatorial Primary is Home to a Pitched Battle Over the Soul of the GOPnew
The contest between Rick Perry and Kay Bailey Hutchison is a microcosm of the Republican party's search to keep itself relevant. Must it go to the hard right and maintain ideological purity, or is there room underneath the tent for moderates?
Dallas Observer |
Sam Merten |
11-23-2009 |
Politics
Can a Nice-Guy Republican Convince Tennessee's Right-Wingers to Vote for Him?new
To a casual observer, it would appear that gubernatorial candidate Bill Haslam is a near-ideal politician for the general election season. But with the general election still nearly a year off, the state primary on Aug. 5, 2010, is what matters to the campaign now, or at least it should.
Metro Pulse |
Charles Maldonado |
11-20-2009 |
Politics
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann: Crazy Like a Foxnew
Many worry that her remarks are detrimental to the national Republican Party's credibility, which is why not everyone inside the GOP is thrilled at the prospect of Bachmann becoming the face of their party. Nevertheless, GOP higher-ups have shown no effort to muzzle her, which suggests she fills an important role.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Matt Snyders |
11-18-2009 |
Politics
Ideologues Take Full Advantage of America's Amnesia About Tom Painenew
"The idea that Glenn Beck and others whose ideas are opposite to Paine's have adopted him to distort his ideas is extremely disturbing, but not surprising," writes Alaine Lowell, executive director of the Thomas Paine Society.
Pasadena Weekly |
Kevin Uhrich |
11-16-2009 |
Commentary
The John Birch Society: Preserving America -- and a Few Secretsnew
The nonpartisan, in-the-background, slightly secretive organization wants to indoctrinate you in its cause: making America jibe with the Constitution. They've been at it for 50 years. Are they making converts? Hard to say. Membership numbers, and the number of chapters nationwide, are kept tightly under wraps
Las Vegas Weekly |
Ken Miller |
11-13-2009 |
Politics
Why is the Political Settlement in Honduras a Big Win for Americans?new
It's harder to justify your existence as a bulwark against U.S. bullying when the U.S. has quit acting like a bully.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Andisheh Nouraee |
11-10-2009 |
Commentary
All Eyes on Joe Liebermannew
Jumpin' Joe Lieberman has once again managed to freak out Connecticut Democrats of nearly every persuasion. Left-wingers are firing rockets into the blogosphere, some longtime Lieberman loyalists are sadly shaking their heads, and establishment types are seething at what Joe may be doing to his old buddy Chris Dodd's reelection chances.
New Haven Advocate |
Gregory B. Hladky |
11-10-2009 |
Politics
