Friday Open Thread [3.14.14]

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South Carolina U.S. Senate candidate Dave Feliciano (R), a teabagging Christine O'Donnell wannabe, is challenging Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC). Said Feliciano: "It's about time that South Carolina says hey, We're tired of the ambiguously gay senator from South Carolina. We're ready for a new leader to merge the Republican Party. We're done with this. This is what it's about, all of us coming together and saying, one way or the other, one of us is going to be on that ballot in November." Given the homophobia of the right, I bet his poll numbers go up.
Delaware Political Weekly: March 8-14, 2014

Delaware Political Weekly: March 8-14, 2014

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Rep. Daryll Scott has designated his preferred successor. He's Sean Lynn, a Dover City Councilman.    Looks like he'd be a worthy successor to Scott, and the district is solidly blue. Of course, we don't know if there will be any primary challengers, and we never know how someone will ultimately perform once in office. I, for one, can only hope that Rep. Scott is not done with public service. He's among the best progressives in the Delaware General Assembly.
Venezuela In Chaos: Why Should We Care?

Venezuela In Chaos: Why Should We Care?

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I've been trying to follow recent events in Venezuela. Here's my take, informed by the work of activist Tom Hayden of Peace Exchange, Chris Gilbert, professor at Universidad de Venezuela and Rory Carroll, a reporter for the Guardian and Observer Latin America, based in Caracas for six years until recently.
Six New Constitutional Amendments from Retired Justice John Paul Stevens.

Six New Constitutional Amendments from Retired Justice John Paul Stevens.

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Here are Justice Stevens' six great ideas for constitutional amendments:
1. The “Anti-Commandeering Rule” (Amend the Supremacy Clause of Article VI) This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges and other public officials. in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding. 2. Political Gerrymandering – Districts represented by members of Congress, or by members of any state legislative body, shall be compact and composed of contiguous territory. The state shall have the burden of justifying any departures from this requirement by reference to neutral criteria such as natural, political, or historical boundaries or demographic changes. The interest in enhancing or preserving the political power of the party in control of the state government is not such a neutral criterion.
Come inside for more.
The sad truth is that John Carney is an idiot

The sad truth is that John Carney is an idiot

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That he continues to believe this austerity idiocy, that he thinks these grifters and frauds are his friends, and that he trumpets his stupidity and naivety on Facebook, shows that he is not very smart:
This morning I got together with my colleagues from the Bipartisan Working Group -- a group I founded with my colleague Jim Renacci from Ohio. We sat down with Maya MacGuineas from Fix The Debt. Our goal was to find ways everyone - both Democrats and Republicans - can agree on to get deficits under control.
A Real DL Poll?

A Real DL Poll?

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We recently inquired about the cost of conducting a regular and scientific poll concerning the job approval of several state wide state officials and our congressional delegation as well as our upcoming contested statewide races in 2014. The cost is something that is doable if we a legitimate fundraiser for it. If you are an avid Delaware Liberal reader, commenter or lurker, or a raging Delaware politico, would you be willing to donate $25.00 towards getting some real polling results here in the Small Wonder? Take the poll...

Wednesday Open Thread [3.12.14]

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I am up in the wonderful Clarion, Pennsylvania on business today and tomorrow, so my presence here will be limited. But here is a polling fix to sooth the pain of the special election loss down in Florida (which was entirely predictable, as I said yesterday, since it has been a Republican district and seat since the Eisenhower Administration). PRESIDENTIAL APPROVAL BACK UP--A new Bloomberg Poll has President Obama's job performance rating at 48%, a jump of 6% since December. His favorability rating is nearly the same, at 49%. DEMS TAKE THE LEAD IN THE GENERIC BALLOT--A new Public Policy Polling survey finds the Democrats lead the generic Congressional ballot, 43% to 40%, after trailing by two points in January.
"One key difference is that Democrats are at least happy with their own party in Congress, giving it a 66/21 approval, while Republicans give their own [party] a negative assessment at 43/48."
So as the supposedly liberal media carps today about a coming Republican wave in November as predicted by last night's loss in FL13, keep in mind that two prerequisites to any GOP Wave is presidential approval at or below 40% and a lead in the generic ballot. Neither of which favor the GOP at this point.
Chris Christie gave gifts of wreckage from the World Trade Center to reward edorsers

Chris Christie gave gifts of wreckage from the World Trade Center to reward edorsers

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Yeah, it is true. Christie really couldn't be any more vile or corrupt....
...the most damaging developments for Christie are closer to home. A New York Times investigation published Tuesday shows he’d turned the Port Authority “into a de facto political operation” even before Kelly declared it was “time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee.” Christie used big Port Authority projects to win endorsement from Democrats and union leaders, and in a ghoulish touch, even handed out wreckage from the World Trade Center to reward mayors who backed him.
I suppose, if it turns out he is offering Baal human sacrifices during monthly Black Mass meetings of a Satanic cult in his basement, it could get a little worse for him. But at this point, only a touch worse.