What was McCain saying about experience? Sarah Who?

Barack Obama Hits it Out of the Park

Barack Obama went on offense last night accepting the Democratic nomination. Even Pat Buchanan had to be stopped by his co-hosts due to his effusive commentary on Obama's speech. I hope no Democrat missed it, but this wouldnt be a Democratic blog without having this speech on it.

Watch Barney Smith, former Republican sock it to the Republican Party and John McCain.

Republicans - Thanks for the Memories

Thanks for the memories, George W. Bush and John McCain.

Troy Eccentric Echoes My Sentiments

As I wrote last week, the appointment of Glenn Clark to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners could have a backlash effect on Republicans in November. This kind of power politics doesn't sit well with voters. This article is from the Troy Eccentric.

GOP power play could result in a backlash

August 28, 2008

Democrats are crying foul over last week's appointment of 9th Congressional District GOP Chairman Glenn Clark to fill the unexpired term of George Suarez on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners.

Suarez, a Madison Heights Democrat, died Aug. 12 after battling cancer. Clark, his replacement, is considered an ultra-conservative Republican.

The appointment of Clark is a perfect example of power politics at work, and it should not have come as any surprise to the Democrats on the board.

Before Suarez's death, the Republicans held a slim, 13-12 margin on the board. They've been looking at the November election, hoping to increase that lead.

Even with Suarez's seat open - he did not run for re-election, and the race drew hopefuls from both parties - Republicans face a battle in his 24th District. A deeply entrenched Democrat in Madison Heights politics, Gary McGillivray, is running against lesser-known Republican Dan Milz.

The move is a clear-cut attempt to elect Milz, according to the board's Democratic caucus chair, David Coulter of Ferndale, who represents the 25th District. Coulter believes Republicans hope that, by having one of their own in the seat, voters may be more inclined to vote Republican in November.

That seems like a stretch. While Troy has voted Republican, some view the city as having a more "purple" tinge, meaning a growing number are voting Democratic. But southeastern Troy is only a small part of the district, the bulk of which is in heavily Democratic Madison Heights, with a smaller portion in Royal Oak.

What seems more significant is that, with the appointment, the Republicans now have a 14-11 majority on the board. Clearly any disputes or controversial legislation on the board will have a one-sided resolution, namely one favored by the Republicans.

What does that translate into in real terms?

Nominating Clark unexpectedly on Aug. 21 was an equally conservative Republican, Bob Gosselin. Both are Troy residents and both wield considerable political influence in Oakland County.

They likely will join forces in any spending and so-called family values issues brought before the board.

But there are other concerns as well. According to Coulter, the appointment was not on the agenda, and no candidates for the position were interviewed.

While it may not have been a violation of the state's Open Meetings Act, it's no way to engender the cooperation needed to move the region forward.

Keeping the seat vacant until it expires on Dec. 31 would have been a mistake, but so was the process used to fill it. Republicans could see a backlash because of it.

Obama Makes Surprise Appearance at Democratic Convention

John McCain's Terrible Record on Women's Issues

Standing up for choice outside John McCain's Farmington Hills regional headquarters.

Great ad from the Oregon Democrats

This is a great ad from the Oregon Democrats. Maybe the Michigan Democratic Party can get it and use it and air it.

Oakland Democrats Ready for the Spotlight

The Oakland County Democratic Party has been working hard for the last 4 years preparing for this November's elections. Oakland Democrats are ready to defend every incumbent and ready to take new seats to make Oakland county Democratic from top to bottom.

Republicans Replace Democrat Suarez with Far Right Winger and McCain Vice Chair, Glenn Clark

In an outrageous move, the Republicans on the Oakland County Commission replaced Democrat, George Suarez, who recently passed away, with far right wingnut, Glenn Clark, from the Tom McMillin wing of the Oakland County Republican Party. The Democrats were honoring Suarez with a black drape over his chair and the Republicans use the opportunity to make the shameful move of appointing Clark to the commission to replace Suarez until January, when the person elected to the seat formerly by Suarez will take over.

Democrats, let's use this outrageous move the the Republicans as motivation to make sure we do even more than we would have before, knock 100 more doors on behalf of a Democrat, make 100 more phone calls. If you haven't volunteered, do it now. Not one Republican deserves to be in office on the county commission. Not ONE!

If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.

Dem chair: GOP commission appointment 'outrageous'

By Steve Kowalski • ECCENTRIC STAFF WRITER • August 24, 2008

The appointment of a Republican to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners to replace Democrat George W. Suarez, the District 24 representative who died of cancer Aug. 12, has quickly drawn fire.

"I think it was outrageous what they did; it was a stealth appointment, not on the agenda, nobody was interviewed," said David Coulter, Democratic caucus chair.

Troy Republican Glenn Clark, the 9th Congressional District GOP chairman and a party delegate, was appointed at Thursday's commission meeting with a vote that followed party lines. Republicans had held a slim, 13-12 majority on the board before Suarez' death. With the appointment of Clark, the GOP majority now becomes 14-11.

Coulter, a Ferndale resident who represents District 25, said the appointment was not on the agenda. Robert Gosselin, another Troy Republican from District 13, nominated Clark during the "new business" portion of the meeting, Coulter said.

"George reflected the views and values of that district - working class, Democratic values. Glenn Clark is the opposite, very conservative, a Republican operative," said Coulter, who also represents Hazel Park and the southern end of Royal Oak.

"The most appropriate thing would have been to pick a Democrat nominee in a Democrat seat or to leave it vacant and let voters decide (about) 80 days from now (in the Nov. 4 general election)."

County commission vacancies may be filled by appointment within 30 days of the elected official's death or by special election, according to Judy Cunningham, corporate counsel for Oakland County. A special election was ruled out because elections may only be held in February, May, August and November, according to the state consolidated elections law, passed in 2005.

Coulter said nominees are supposed to be interviewed by the government committee. Gosselin said the interview process is optional.

"(The Democrats') tactic was to stall us, stall us, not have the people of the 24th District represented," Gosselin said. "We're elected to do our job. We have to remove the emotion out of it, basically do what we're elected to do. We have an agenda, they have an agenda and they conflict sometimes."

Coulter said the appointment of Clark, who will serve until Dec. 31, when Suarez's two-year term was due to expire, will increase Democrats' support for Gary McGillivray, the party's nominee in the November general election.

"We'll make sure we work hard to let voters of the district know what happened and know who shares your values and I believe that's Gary McGillivray," Coulter said.

Suarez's seat was unoccupied except for flowers and a photograph of him in his honor in the commissioners' first meeting since his death, Coulter said.

"We spent the first part of the meeting reminiscing George and remembering his legacy," Coulter said. "And at this meeting (the Republicans) choose to disrespect that legacy, replacing him with someone who doesn't share George's or the district's views."

McGillivray could not be reached for comment.

The Republican nominee, Daniel K. Milz of Madison Heights, said he wasn't offended another Republican was appointed instead of him. He said he didn't actively pursue an appointment.

"I think right now we just needed someone to fill the seat," Milz said. "Glenn's a good guy and will do a real good job until we have a candidate.

"I am the underdog, I guess you can see, and will work hard, hoping to get to people every day."

ROAD NAMED FOR SUAREZ

Another resolution by Gosselin passed unanimously that names John R Road, between 10 Mile Road in Madison Heights and Big Beaver Road in Troy, as the George W. Suarez Gentleman's Highway until Dec. 31.

The commissioners will pay for the cost of the signs made by the Road Commissioners of Oakland County, according to Gosselin.

"George was an exceptional man and he worked with Republicans and Democrats," Gosselin said.

skowalsk@hometownlife.com | (248) 901-2571

Republican Cyber Security Expert Stephen Spoonamore Discusses Diebold Voting Machines

Stephen Spoonamore is a Republican cyber security expert that describes Diebold voting machines as "junk". Our elections in this country, almost 8 years after the Bush debacle, are still vulnerable to hacking and viruses.

Send this video to your friends

Highlights from the Spoonamore Interview

Segment 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAyEfovA404
Segment 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTBLfgos5b8
Segment 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzKbigGoMoo
Segment 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vNvweInGFs
Segment 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX8fRwsTpoQ
Segment 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9Kq4dxPwY8
Segment 7: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsgY4_BB2lo
Segment 8: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy1sz-xBxf8

Do You Remember How Many Houses You Own? John McCain Doesn't

Michigan Messenger Hits the Streets Asking - Obama or McCain

Listen to some real people with their opinions on Obama or McCain in the swing county of Oakland.

Upon further review

It has been pointed out that Glenn Clark aparently does reside in District 24 of Oakland County, however what the Republicans did is still despicable and Oakland County Democrats should do whatever it takes to make sure this move by the Republican majority of the Oakland County Commissioners and that Republicans pay a heavy price in the fall. Glenn Clark surely does not have the same values at Mr. Suarez, the commissioner Clark replaces.

Oakland County Commissioners Replace Democrat George Suarez with McCain co-chair, Glenn Clark

I'm not even sure this is legal, since Glenn Clark doesn't reside in Suarez' district, but today at the Oakland County Commissioners, the Republicans took the step of appointing John McCain's campaign state vice chair, to the seat that was formerly held by George Suarez, a Democrat. Clark is on the far right wing of the Republican party in Michigan. I have to ask myself by what authority the Republicans have taken this step.

McCain in His Own Voice - Ran in 2000 for Pure Ambition, Not Country

McCain has been attacking Barack Obama for being "ambitious" and trying to paint that as a negative quality. However, in this Countdown report, McCain says in his own words that he ran in 2000 for his own ambition.

Fellow POW says McCain Should be Nowhere Near the Red Button

I Spent Years as a POW with John McCain, and His Finger Should Not Be Near the Red Button

By Phillip Butler, Military.com
Posted on August 21, 2008, Printed on August 21, 2008
http://www.alternet.org/story/95825/

John McCain is a long-time acquaintance of mine that goes way back to our time together at the U.S. Naval Academy and as Prisoners of War in Vietnam. He is a man I respect and admire in some ways. But there are a number of reasons why I will not vote for him for President of the United States.

When I was a Plebe (4th classman, or freshman) at the Naval Academy in 1957-58, I was assigned to the 17th Company for my four years there. In those days we had about 3,600 midshipmen spread among 24 companies, thus about 150 midshipmen to a company. As fortune would have it, John, a First Classman (senior) and his room mate lived directly across the hall from me and my two room mates. Believe me when I say that back then I would never in a million or more years have dreamed that the crazy guy across the hall would someday be a Senator and candidate for President!

READ MORE

John McCain, the Real Elitist

John McCain's campaign has been trying to paint Barack Obama as an elitist. Watch this video and see who you think is an elitist.

Vietnam Veterans Against John McCain

John McCain is a lying sack of you know what. This video contains very credible accounts of McCain's efforts to block efforts to get information about MIA's.

Volunteer for Change for Michigan

The Obama campaign is looking for volunteers. Watch this video, then go volunteer. Click here to find out more.

Web Ad Launched

Assbackwards tnediserP - George W. Bush

What I find really disturbing about this picture is the big smile on his face and his daughter looking totally quizical, apparently looking at her fool of a father.

Dobson crony prays for rain on Obama's acceptance speech

I don't think God would want to be used for a political prank. But that's exactly what James Dobson crony, Stuart Shephard, is calling for in this video. Dobson has pulled the video from the Focus on the Family web site, but someone else had it already and I downloaded it for posterity's sake.

Michigan Progress Interview with Randy Young, Candidate for the 45th District of Michigan

Here is my interview with Randy Young, candidate for the 45th District of Michigan.

MUST WATCH VIDEO: What McCain Really Stands For

The Solution to the Energy Crisis

I just read about this and I'm amazed, a car that runs on air.

The truth on Obama and taxes

Are You Ready to Rumble?

The Republicans have never been weaker. Now is the time for all of us to get to work to make sure our country doesn't go to hell in a handbasket.

Congratulations to Brenda Lawrence and Jane Boudreau

Congratulations to Brenda Lawrence. Please visit Brenda's web site, www.brendalawrence.com.
My interview with Oakland County Executive Candidate, Brenda Lawrence, will air on Comcast and WOW at 5:30 p.m. in the following cities.

Comcast Channel 52 and WOW Channel 18

CMN serves 11 communities in SE Oakland County, Michigan
Auburn Hills | Berkley | Clawson | Ferndale | Huntington Woods | Oakland Township
Pleasant Ridge | Rochester | Rochester Hills | Royal Oak | Troy
Channel 18
Or you can watch it here.

Congratulations to all the winners in the Democratic primaries on August 5.


Jane Boudreau talks with Michigan Progress host, Bruce Fealk about the race for Oakland County Sheriff. Congratulations to Jane Boudreau on her win in the Democratic (not Democrat) primary. You can visit Jane's web site at www.boudreauforsheriff.com.

Election Results

Oakland County Election Results Click here. Here are
some key races.

REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE 27TH DISTRICT
Vote for not more than  1
(WITH 48 OF 48 PRECINCTS COUNTED)
Charles Findlay  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       568    5.93
Andy LeCureaux.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,285   13.41
Ellen Cogen Lipton  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     5,308   55.41
Mark Richardson  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,800   18.79
Kevin Weeden  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       579    6.04
WRITE-IN.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        40     .42
                 Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     9,580

REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE 29TH DISTRICT
Vote for not more than  1
WITH 37 OF 37 PRECINCTS COUNTED)
Kone Bowman.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     1,317   22.38
Frances L. Finnegan .  .  .  .  .  .  .       422    7.17
Tim Melton .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     4,136   70.28
WRITE-IN.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        10     .17
Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     5,885


REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE 45TH DISTRICT
Vote for not more than  1
(WITH 42 OF 42 PRECINCTS COUNTED)
Theodore A. Golden  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       951   24.24
Randy Young.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     2,964   75.55
WRITE-IN.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         8     .20
       Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     3,923

REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE 39TH DISTRICT
Vote for not more than  1
(WITH 37 OF 37 PRECINCTS COUNTED)
Lisa Brown .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     4,649   57.91
John Kuriakuz .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     3,370   41.98
WRITE-IN.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         9     .11
       Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     8,028

SHERIFF
Vote for not more than  1
(WITH 541 OF 541 PRECINCTS COUNTED)
Jane Boudreau .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .    27,601   45.04
Mark D. Mitchell .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .    18,910   30.86
Warren P. Nunlee-Bey.  .  .  .  .  .  .     2,953    4.82
Harvey Schwartz  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .    11,538   18.83
WRITE-IN.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       279     .46
       Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .    61,281

COUNTY COMMISSIONER 18TH DISTRICT
Vote for not more than  1
(WITH 19 OF 19 PRECINCTS COUNTED)
Dave Woodward .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     2,710   74.02
         WRITE-IN.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         8     .22
       Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     3,661



     

McCain Takes Pride in Being Ignorant

This is what I'm talking about. Barack Obama hits back on McCain's ignorant attack on Obama's energy plan. A little truth goes a long way.

Wal-mart - The High Cost of Low Price

This is happening right under our noses in Oakland county, Michigan. Wal-Mart is fighting against unionionzation and they're willing to do anything to keep their stores from paying living wages and providing quality health care plans that don't require their workers to go on government assistance to survive.

Time Magazine: Oakland County Ground Zero

Time Magazine profiles Oakland County, Michigan as the new battleground for presidential politics.

Thursday, Jul. 31, 2008

Michigan Blues

By Amy Sullivan/Royal Oak

The New Battlegrounds Oakland County, Mich.

To get a fix on just how thoroughly the slumping economy has clobbered the state of Michigan, consider first some traditional indicators: Nearly 300,000 manufacturing jobs have disappeared in the past decade. Ford just posted the worst quarterly loss in its 105-year history, and GM announced it was closing or converting plants. More than 1 of every 20 mortgages is in or near foreclosure, and at 8.5%, Michigan's unemployment rate is the highest in the nation.

But to fully grasp why the economy is the first, last and only issue on the minds of Michigan voters this year, one fact reveals all: two months after the Detroit Red Wings won the Stanley Cup, there is no waiting list for season tickets.

Michigan has gone Democratic in every presidential election cycle since 1988--but it could surprise this time around. While Democrats usually benefit when economic concerns dominate an election, Barack Obama is running only a few points ahead of John McCain in statewide polls, a margin neither side considers safe. Adding to Obama's challenges is the fact that several of the state's Democratic leaders are wildly unpopular, under indictment or both.

The battle for Michigan is coming down to leafy, affluent Oakland County, a once solidly Republican bastion that has grown more Democratic in recent years. Oakland is one of the new battlegrounds of 2008--a handful of counties in must-win swing states that weren't pivotal a decade ago but are where the election will be lost or won this year. Though nearby Macomb County gave rise to Reagan Democrats nearly 30 years ago, it is the more upscale Oakland that holds the key to Michigan now.

Directly northwest of Detroit, Oakland County is the center of wealth in Michigan--it's where Eminem moved after he made his millions--and has escaped the worst of the prolonged slump. When the Pistons relocated from Detroit, they chose Auburn Hills for their new home. Mitt Romney grew up in Bloomfield Hills (which may move him up the list of likely McCain running mates) and attended Cranbrook, the county's toniest private school. Madonna (but not her accent) hails from Rochester Hills.

CLICK HERE for the rest of the article.

Brenda Lawrence Interview on WOW and Comcast, Tuesday @ 5:30 p.m.

My interview with Oakland County Executive Candidate, Brenda Lawrence, will air on Comcast and WOW at 5:30 p.m. in the following cities.

Comcast Channel 52 and WOW Channel 18

CMN serves 11 communities in SE Oakland County, Michigan
Auburn Hills | Berkley | Clawson | Ferndale | Huntington Woods | Oakland Township
Pleasant Ridge | Rochester | Rochester Hills | Royal Oak | Troy
Channel 18
Or you can watch it here.