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Wash Post: The Reformer and his Free Cell-Phone Towers
The Washington Post is reporting that John McCain has a fresh ethics problem on his hands, even as he presents himself as a "reformer" of rampant ethics problems in Washington:
No Evidence of Election Terror Plot
CNN is reporting that talk about an election terrorist plot is overblown: "U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials say they have found no direct evidence of plans for an election-related terror attack after a five-week investigation, the Washington Post reported in its Saturday edition. Citing unnamed officials in an article on the newspaper's Web site, the Post said a key CIA source who claimed knowledge of such plans has since been discredited, casting doubt on earlier pieces of evidence pointing to an attack. [...] But even after hundreds of interviews, immigration arrests and other efforts, law enforcement officials said they have been unable to detect signs of a plot in the U.S., nor have they identified specific targets, dates or methods that might be used, the paper reported."
Don't Miss These Debate-Day Funnies
OK, they are only so funny, considering the serious implications of Sarah Palin (and now John McCain) anywhere near the White House, but enjoy anyway:
But, Sen. Graham, ‘The Damn Thing Tanked'
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican and a lead of the John McCain campaign, was standing next to Spin Row (the area where all the press is, according to a sign sticking on a tree). I asked him who he thinks will win the election. He says, "Well, I know who I want to win the election." I said, "Well, do you think you (guys) will win the election?"
Tyler Connection An Issue for Candidate
The Tyler (Texas) Morning Telegraph reports on Frank Melton's homestead issues.
Mississippi Churches to Register Voters Sunday, Sept. 28
[Verbatim] (JACKSON, Miss.) – On the cusp of what will be historic election, the Jackson (MS) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated announces its "Voter Registration Countdown" through Oct. 3. As a statewide effort targeted to register some of the 400,000 Mississippians who are not registered to vote in the upcoming November election, the local chapter has harnessed its energies on three fundamental components including high schools, churches and communities.
[Just In] Barbour's State of the State Address
[verbatim] Lieutenant Governor; Mr. Speaker; Fellow State officials, Members of
It is a humbling honor to come before you tonight for the first time as your Governor. I want to start by saying to my colleagues in the Legislature: many of you were kind enough to be there for my swearing-in and listened to my Inaugural Address, and now, in less than two weeks, you're being subjected to hearing me speak again... These are the sacrifices you make as a public official. My old friend, State Representative Steve Holland, caught me in the hall today and said he'd read in the paper that this speech was going to last 40 minutes. He asked me if that were true. I said, "Only if you applaud a lot." He laughed and said we ought to be safe.
‘Weak' Jobs Report Precedes Bush-Kerry Debate
Reuters reports more bad news for the Bush administration: "U.S. businesses added 96,000 jobs to payrolls in September, the government reported on Friday, a weaker-than-expected total that was expected to sharpen a presidential debate later in the day over the economy's direction. [...] The September job-creation total came in below Wall Street economists' forecasts for 148,000 new jobs. The department also revised down its estimate of August new jobs to 128,000 from 144,000 it reported a month ago. Most jobs in September came in the services sector, while manufacturers shed 18,000 jobs last month after increased hiring in the two prior months."
Obama's Grandmother Has Died
The day before the election, may she rest in peace:
"It is with great sadness that we announce that our grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, has died peacefully after a battle with cancer," Obama said in a joint statement with his sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng. "She was the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility."
Wife Says Edgar Ray Killen Not Attending Fair
Associated Press is reporting: "A reputed Ku Klux Klansman under investigation for the 1964 slayings of three civil rights workers in Mississippi has no intention of joining a white supremacist group at next week's state fair, his wife said Friday. Betty Jo Killen, in a telephone interview with The Associated Press from her home in Union, said her 79-year-old husband never told Nationalist Movement leader Richard Barrett that he would attend the fair. 'He has nothing to do with the booth,' she told The AP. 'That is Richard Barrett's doing. Richard Barrett wanted publicity and he got plenty.'"
Barbour's ‘State of the State' Address
"Thank you. Lt. Governor Tuck, Speaker McCoy, ladies and gentlemen of the Legislature, fellow Mississippians. Thank you for being here for my third State of the State address. I apologize for being hoarse, but I struggled with a bad cold last week*sore throat and all. For you Legislators who think that means my speech will be shorter than last year*don't get your hopes up!
Listen to McCain's Despicable ‘Robocall' to Voters
After acting at the last debate as if Bill Ayers didn't matter all that much, John McCain launched the following "robocall" (recorded message) to voters in many states today, creating yet another firestorm about his vicious and misleading campaign tactics. Take a listen.
FOX: Palin Didn't Know Africa a Continent
The country sure did dodge a mighty bullet yesterday. All the off-the-record-until-after-the-election is now coming out about Gov. Sarah Palin, including that she didn't know what countries are in NAFTA, or that Africa was a continent. Read and watch the segment here. The wackiest part is that she is still viewed as a juicy Republican presidential candidate for 2012. Let's see if that lasts. If so, that party has deep issues. You simply cannot run a candidate who doesn't know the continents by the time she's in her 40s. Truly.
Contract to Former Barbour Client Under Investigation
The New York Times is reporting Monday that a debris-removal contract awarded to a former lobbying client of Barbour is under congressional investigation:
Salter Takes on Taxation Myths; Barbour Responds
Update: Pasted below (in the comments) is a statement from Barbour, in minutes ago, about his take on the state's "budget myths." Enjoy.
Register to Vote!
Click here to get the process rolling and get involved. And remember to change your address if you've moved.
McCain's $500-Welfare Rumor Is False
The Associated Press allowed Sen. John McCain to start a false rumor asserting "welfare" based on flatly false information, and that rumor is swirling. Per Media Matters:
[Breaking] $100,000 Reward Offered in Civil Rights Murders
You can still sign the JFP petition calling for the speedy prosecution of the murderers of Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner. To date, we have collected nearly 700 names.
Ole Miss Debate a Conspiracy to Help Obama?
You gotta love it when the conspiracy theorists get going. This blog asks, "Was the debate schedule gamed for Obama too?. (Wonder if they know when the debate was scheduled for Oxford?)
Auditor's MBN Probe Supports Few Charges
The Clarion-Ledger reports: