Who will be the next mayor of SLC?

Because it sure as heck won't be Rocky. "The results of a Dan Jones and Associates poll, commissioned by the Deseret Morning News and KSL-TV, showed that 39 percent of city residents say the mayor deserves to be re-elected, and another 57 percent think it's time to give someone else a chance." Of course, the same poll give him a 52% approval rating.

Yet like Bush, he is a divider, not a uniter: "Only 4 percent of "strong Republicans," for instance, said they would support a third term for the incumbent. But of the "strong Democrats" polled, 84 percent supported his re-election." Similarly, "Anderson's strongest supporters self-identify with Catholicism, Protestantism or no religion. Among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Anderson's approval ratings and support for re-election hover at 26 and 12 percent, respectively."

While the sample size of the sub-groups makes these numbers suspect, there is a vague grain of truth to them. Members of the city council think they have a shot at being mayor, so do county coucil members. I personally don't like Eric Jergensen my councilmember, because he never responded to my email. What kind of constituent service is that? I mean, how many emails do SLC councilmembers get anyway...well maybe the Aves get more than most. You know, all those prayer flags, end the war lawn signs, and drum circles add up.

Meanwhile, Utah's other prominant Democrat, Rep. Jim Matheson is doing all he can to make a fuss and drag is feet to stall the testing of bombs out in the Nevada desert near Utah. This is one of those issues where Matheson doesn't have to look at poll or wonder about campaign contributions or GOP attack ads, because he doesn't care what anyone else thinks. This father died of cancer because the government lied to us about the same kind of testing. It's just that simple.

Porter Goss and Hookergate

UPDATE: The Center for American Progress has much more details on the links between ex-Rep. Duke Cunningham (R-jail) and Goss. A sudden, unexpected resignation on a Friday afternoon smacks as being part of a bad news dump.
a href="http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/05/05/breaking-porter-goss-resigns-as-cia-chief/">BREAKING: Porter Goss Resigns as CIA Chief:

"Breaking news being reported by MSNBC: they have confirmed that Porter Goss has resigned as Director of CIA. Rumor has it that Francis Townsend may be the President’s new nominee for the position. NBC saying that they do not expect for a replacement to necessarily be named today."

The key here is that Porter's deputy (executive director) Billmon has more:

It seems Foggo's procurement duties were originally what made him such a welcome guest at Chez Wilkes. As director of the CIA's forward logistics office in Germany, he helped Wilkes (a boyhood buddy) get to first base with the agency, winning a $2-3 million contract to supply water and first aid kits to CIA agents in the field in Afghanistan and Iraq....The alleged amount of the contract under negotiation? Close to $300 million, I've heard.

How far down the um rabbit hole do we want to go on this one? "No where!" says the Traditional Media. "All day long!" says the lefty blogosphere. "[crickets]" says the rightwing blogospere.

The announcement on the resignation ought to be made today."

Friday round-up

Wherein I cull all the best tidbids from around the blogophere.

• “The official team bus to be used by the United States during the World Cup will not bear a flag for security reasons. The 32 official buses were presented Thursday in Frankfurt and the other 31 buses have large national flags of the teams painted on rear sides.”--The only one. Why don't we put a Canadian flag on our bus like all the tourists have to do with their backpacks? [hat tip Center for American Progress]



• Following up on Rep. Kennedy's exploits: "Kennedy: I Wasn't Drinking. I Was High." On what you ask? Why Ambien of course! Isn't that the stuff that makes you eat while you sleep? But then again we have this juicy nugget from an employee of the Hawk and Dove (great Bar) "He was drinking a little bit."
  
  [hat tip TPM] Patrick's statement:
  

  "Last Tuesday, the Attending Physician of the United States Congress treated me for Gastroenteritis," a stomach illness. According to Kennedy, the attending physician prescribed Phenergan, an anti-nausea medication, which in addition to treating gastroenteritis, "I now know [it] can cause drowsiness and sedation."
  
  "Following the last series of votes Wednesday evening, I returned to my home on Capitol Hill and took the prescribed amount of Phenergan and Ambien, which was also prescribed by the Attending Physician some time ago and I occasionally take to fall asleep. Some time around 2:45am, I drove the few blocks to the Capitol Complex believing I needed to vote.
  
  "Apparently, I was disoriented from the medication. At that time, I was involved in a one-car incident in which my car hit the security barrier at the corner of 1st and C St, SE. At no time before the incident did I consume any alcohol."




• Crime doesn't pay, in fact, it costs you lots...in attorney's fees. "Ohio Republican Rep. Ney, struggling to survive Abramoff link, used campaign funds to pay lawyers more than $200,000; now he taps legal defense fund. Montana Republican Sen. Burns also considers using campaign account despite re-election battle. Federal Election Commission permits such spending if alleged wrongdoing relates to official duties." [hat tip Washington Wire] Can some one tell me why we let people raise $2,100 checks for their "reelection" and then let them turn around and fork that over to a criminal defense lawyer? Doesn't seem right to me. As a donor, I would ask for my money back. But I guess the people that give to these crooks know what they are buying. Oh and don't forget the token Democrat: Rep. William Jefferson (LA) wasted $34k of his donors money on defense lawyers, and that will probably go up since someone just pled guilty to bribing Jefferson. I say throw all the bums out and the DCCC and unions better not be giving to this crook.



• In local news, Sandy won't give up keeping [it] Real: "Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon argues the numbers "don't work," so Sandy officials are going to work on those numbers. The goal: See if they can salvage a Major League Soccer stadium."



• Does somebody have a book to sell? We wouldn't want anyone [else] to profit from a tragedy/crime! "Appearing on "Larry King Live" with her father, Ed Smart, [Elizabeth] Smart answered questions about the kidnapping and her life after it. Today, Smart works as a bank teller and has a boyfriend. At high school, she is treated pretty regularly, she said."

insert Drunken Kennedy/Irish joke here

Hotline asks us to "Picture it.":

This morning at 2:45 a.m., "a Member of Congress nearly smashes his car into Capitol Police officer's vehicle. Member 'staggering' out of car. Allegedly says he's late for a vote. Cap. police sergeants show up. Member is apparently given a ride home. Cap. police patrol officer's union protests. Roll Call gets wind of the incident."

And Roll Call names names "Police labor union officials asked acting Chief Christopher McGaffin this afternoon to allow a Capitol Police officer to complete his investigation into an early-morning car crash involving Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.)."

Why do House incumbents do this sort of thing, and why does Patrick Kennedy in particular do this sort of idiotic behavior every so often? There is something wrong with the House and its de facto ten year terms. Well over 90% of all House members win their reelection by overwhelming margins. Is it because they are especially skilled or likeable? Look to Patrick Kennedy to answer that one.

It is because of redistricting. In order for Democrats to recapture the House, they need 15 seats. That alone will reduce those high-reelect numbers and hopefully will be helpfull for democracy.

And drunk driving

Carroon is no Marroon

The Salt Lake Tribune Headine: No deal for Real.

"Real Salt Lake's aspirations to tap hotel-tax money to build a soccer stadium in Sandy are dead, after Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon announced Wednesday that the 'numbers just don't work' for county taxpayers."

The $35 Million tax subsidy of the team is not 100% dead. "Corroon's bold move...[could be counteracted if] [v]oters...approve stadium funding - through a property-tax increase - if the County Council or Sandy agreed to place that question on November's already-crowded ballot."

Carroon went against the powerful mayor of Sandy, the House Speaker (also from Sandy) and one of the most popular governors in the Union. "We must have tried 20 iterations of how to do this deal," the County Mayor told columist Holly Mullen, "what it would look like if we did this or did that. It always came back to the same thing. We couldn't find a fiscally responsible way to make it work."

"It struck me that day," Mullen said about RSL's season kickoff and announcement about the Sandy Stadium last fall, "as slightly tacky and even politically risky that Checketts et al pulled Corroon onto the dais almost as an afterthought. He was the man who, as it turned out, the rest of them really, really needed. And his name was last on the thank-you list. "

As much as I like soccer and as sad is I would be to see RSl go if they did leave for Phoenix as they have threatened, I say good riddence to taxpayer subsidized sports and whiny idiotic sports management.

And to Carroon, if he keeps this up, he will be reeelected in a landslide. A Democrat that stands tall and calls it like it is to save his constituent's money? That's a winner.

hello kettle, it's me, Dick Cheney

Vice President Dick Cheney today said that "the government has unfairly and improperly restricted the rights of her people" and that other "counterproductive" actions could "begin to affect relations with other countries." "No legitimate purpose is served," Mr. Cheney said, to the use of oil and gas as foreign policy weapons, he added. No, he wasn't talking about the United States silly, he was talking smack to Russia. What ever gave you the idea he was talking about his own administration?

Next thing you know, he will go to China and critize them for torturing people.

The moral high ground to critize countries for their lack of democracy, protections for minorities, human rights, foreign policy, abiding by international treaties and laws, energy policy, and torture was all washed away by the Cheney Administration.

How did these clowns get into office? Well this might be an answer: A TV Guide poll finds that 35% of American Idol viewers believe their votes count as much or more than voting in a U.S presidential election.

Kanab we all just get along?

The little story that wouldn't die now hits the big time: the old grey lady has taken up the Kanab Natural Family Resolution. The latest twist, some stickers businesses are displaying have little rainbow people, which some in the town insinuate to mean little gay folks are welcome. To make sure no one gets that mistaken impression, the august mayor is proposing every business have a "Everyone is welcome here" sign minus the little rainbow people. By the way, the local Shilo Inn lost $14,000 in March.

photo credit: George Frey for The New York Times
"A natural family is a fundamental part of our infrastructure that we need to protect and promote," Mayor Lawson told the Times. Yes the "natural family" is under attack in a city of a little over 3K.

Kortney Stirland, a pharmacist who describes himself as a conservative Republican and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, displays the sticker and opposes the natural family resolution, which he has twice asked the council to rescind. He says he has also been offended by people in the community who have told him that a person cannot oppose the resolution, as he does, and still believe in traditional values.

"Originally it was a religious issue, then it became a gay and lesbian issue, but for me now, it's economic," Mr. Stirland said.

Originally it was a stupid idea, then it became a stupid idea because it necessitated intimidation, then it was a stupid idea becuase it divided the town, now it is a stupid idea because local businesses have lost revenue. I really hope this resolution is A) repealled and B) the Mayor loses in his next reelection campaign.

Hat tip State of the Beehive.

Quote of the Day

"I think that Senator Allen, if Jim Webb is his opponent is going to have a very challenging year, particularly in Northern VA."-- VA State Senator Jeannemarie Devolites-Davis, the wife of Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA).

Rep. Davis is planning on running for the other senate seat in 2008 when he assumes Warner will retire. And a near or actual loss by Allen would get conservatives to rally to Davis' side, or so he thinks.

Nonetheless, Davis is about the last conservative GOPer in the House from Northern Virginia. He and his wife know the turf well, and statewide, Democrats have been doing better and better in NoVa each year (2001 Mark Warner, 2004 Kerry, 2005 Kaine). Even though Democratic Senate Candidate Harris Miller is from Northern Virginia, Davis thinks that ex-Reagan Navy Sec. Jim Webb (D) is a more viable candidate statewide and particularly in Northern Virginia against George Allen. That says something.

Courtesy of Hotline OnCall

I feel a blogstorm coming

I am joining in on the brewing blogstorm today for Pete Ashdown for US Senate. I hope and dream that he will replace my current hack senator, Orrin Hatch.

Yesterday, Wired Magazine, where my former boss (from my first job out of college) used to work, wrote a great article on Pete. For my readers, I urge you to read the article. It shows that Ashdown understands technology and the power of the internet more than any politican. Afterall, he founded a local ISP here. Pete's campaign has a wiki, and he opposes the draconian Digital Milenium Copyright Act (DMCA) which the more I learned about in my intro to IP class at law school, the less I liked about it.

Partisan politics aside, it would great for the internet to have such a smart and stauch advocate in the senate who could explain to his fellow senators the impact of various legislation on the development of technology that keeps the US economy going.

Here are some of the growing number of sites talking about Ashdown today (I think all or mostly local bloggers), let's gin up some support for Pete!
Pete Ashdown Day (SLC Spin)

Why I Support Pete Ashdown For US Senate- Obiter Dicta By Steve
Mr. Wiki Goes to Washington- Signifying nothing
Why I support Pete Ashdown- Gary Thornock
Senator Pete goes to Washinton- The Utah Amicus
Pete Ashdown for U.S. Senate- One Utah
Fat Pete Ashdown: Quote of the week- The Utah Amicus
I'm with Pete- Formaline
Mr. Ashdown- Utah Democrats
Bob Aagard's Daily Kos Diary

Steve Urquhart

Hot Blava
Pete Ashdown
Gary Thornock
Ye Olde Swimming Hole
Davis County Watch
Liar Paradox
Dee's Dotes