Nasty Newt's on the Attack

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Newt Gingrich is fighting for his political life, slinging mud, playing the race card, and using dirty tricks to keep his presidential hopes alive.

The latest incident occurred at the start of CNN sponsored South Carolina Republican Presidential Debate when Newt viciously attacked CNN's John King for raising a question on allegations from one of Newt’s ex- wives.

Excerpts from an ABC News interview with Marianne Gingrich had been released earlier in the day, where she alleged that Newt had asked her for an “open marriage”, which she declined. The full interview was scheduled for the evening’s “Nightline” program. Newt’s alleged “open marriage” had been the buzz on many broadcasts throughout the day.

Cecilia Munoz Appointed to Direcor of the Domestic Policy Council

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President Barack Obama has named Cecilia Muñoz to the high-profile position of Director of the Domestic Policy Council. Muñoz will supervise the execution of domestic policy in the White House,” announced the Obama administration today.



She currently serves as Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs where she oversees the Obama Administration’s relationships with state and local governments.

National Urban League Rebukes Rick Santorum

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Even though the Iowa Caucus is over and Rick Santorum ran a close second to Mitt Romney, be aware of the following statement from the president of the National Urban League:
National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial today (January 3, 2012)charged Presidential candidate Rick Santorum with pandering to racist elements within his party.

Obama Gets New White House Chief of Staff

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The Chicago Tribune/Los Angeles Times report that William Daley has resigned as White House Chief of Staff after serving in office about one year. President Obama is expected to announce current Budget Director Jacob "Jack" Lew to replace Daley.

Daley followed Rahm Emanual, now Mayor of Chicago, in the position. He served as commerce secretary under President Bill Clinton and ran Al Gore's 2000 presidential campaign. He's the brother of recently retired Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and the youngest son of legendary Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley.

 

Related articles

• Jack Lew to replace Bill Daley as White House chief of staff (dailykos.com)
• Daley Resigns as White House Chief of Staff (politicalwire.com)
• U.S. officials: White House chief of staff resigning (ctv.ca)

Tavis Smiley Ousted From MLK Event

Politico reports that Tavis Smiley, the PBS talk show host who has criticized President Barack Obama for not doing enough for the African-American community, says he was ousted as the speaker at a Martin Luther King luncheon because he was trying to hold the president accountable.
“I don’t see my role as one of criticizing the president. I see my role as one of holding the president – this and every other president—accountable,” Smiley said on Fox News on Monday.

Tavis Smiley-Cornell West

Smiley was booted from the 20th annual MLK luncheon on Jan. 16 that is hosted by the Peoria Civic Center. The group announced last week that Smiley had been replaced by Michael Eric Dyson as the guest speaker of the event, citing people who were “upset about comments that Tavis Smiley has made.”

Where is Pat Buchanan?

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Frequent MSNBC contributor Pat Buchanan has been missing from the channel since October 22, 2011.  It is surprising not to see Buchanan in his normal promenient role during the Republican Presidential race. His absence was noted by Huffington Post and Inside Cable News.  Both news organs made inquiries, but received no response from either MSNBC or Pat Buchanan.

I guess as with all things, time will tell it all.

Related articles

• Pat Buchanan Still Missing From MSNBC (huffingtonpost.com)
• Why Does MSNBC Keep Pat Buchanan On Staff? (crooksandliars.com)
• Is MSNBC Freezing Out Pat Buchanan Because Of His Controversial New Book? (mediaite.com)

Nevada Presidential Caucus-January 21, 2012

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"Hope is that thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us if we have the courage to reach for it and to work for it, and to fight for it."
Barack Obama

The Nevada Presidential Caucus is scheduled for January 21, 2012.  Some voters maybe unfamiliar with the caucus process, particularly if you are accustomed to a primary with private voting as I was coming from Chicago. Here's a quick primer I'll call Caucus 101.

A caucus is a meeting of local Nevadans of a political party to show support and select delegates to a convention for candidates running for office.  The caucus is the first step in Nevada's presidential nominating process and a simple gathering of neighbors to meet and discuss grassroots politics. Each political party is responsible for selecting its own presidential nominee.  President Barack Obama will be the 2012 Democratic nominee.