Politics
Gunning for votes out West
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Democrats believe they are gaining strength in the Mountain West and see the region as a crucial area in the party's quest to regain majorities in Congress and win back the White House.
_ Utah
The most Republican state in six of the past eight presidential elections, one of the state's three congressmen is a Democrat, as is the mayor of Salt Lake City, Rocky Anderson, who recently responded to criticism of his anti-war stance by asserting that a patriot does not "show slavish, blind obedience and deference to a dishonest, warmongering, human-rights-violating president."
_ Nevada
Democrats control the state Assembly, Sen.
Republicans are losing their firm grip on the West
By MARC SANDALOW
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
It was not many years ago that you could drive 1,000 miles east from the San Francisco Bay Area without running into a Democratic officeholder.
The Mountain West, with its open space and rugged landscape, was as reliably Republican as any region in the country, delivering the party's presidential candidates a huge electoral vote advantage, and providing the GOP its base in Congress.
But the Republicans are losing their firm grip on the West.
Montana, Arizona, New Mexico and Wyoming have Democratic governors.
Up for re-election, this GOP senator sleeping well these days
By MICHAEL J. MISHAK
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
He's a GOP incumbent in an election year when many of his fellow Republicans wish they could erase the "R" next to their name on the ballot.
He has been one of the most ardent supporters of the increasingly unpopular war in Iraq.
Foley Forum
An open forum for discussion and opinions concerning Mark Foley's resignation from Congress amid accusations of inappropriate conduct with teenaged pages.
Read more about the news in this story.
House Small Business Committee Democrats to Release End of Year Report on Congressional Action
Tomorrow morning at a press conference in the U.S. Capitol, Democrat Nydia Velázquez of New York, ranking member of the House Small Business Committee, will be releasing an annual end-of-the-year report on legislative action related to small business issues. The report, which is sponsored by the Democratic members of the committee, is not expected to paint a rosy picture for small business legislative action as Congress adjourns to focus on the campaign season.
Velázquez and other members will be discussing issues ranging from access to capital, federal contracting, small business healthcare expenses, and immigration as it relates to small businesses.
To view more stories like these and other political issues, visit The Capitol Standard.
Delay Sought for Border Passport Implementation
Texas Democrat Rubén Hinojosa and several other members of Congress today sent a letter to House Speaker Dennis Hastert urging the House leadership to delay at least until summer 2009 implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which would require U.S. citizens carry passports to re-enter the country after traveling to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean (excluding Puerto Rico).
Hinojosa says a recent GAO report finds that the Department of Homeland Security, which would be responsible for implementing the program, has not fully examined the economic impact on border business
The congressman additionally wants the department to spend more time considering alternative documents, citing the negative impact the high cost of passports would have on those least able to afford it, and what he says is the minimal impact the passport program would have on border security.
To see more coverage of Latino politics in Washington, visit The Capitol Standard.
Missouri at a glance
Monday, October 23, 2006
Missouri lies in the heart of the Midwest, surrounded by eight states and bordering the Mississippi River. Lewis and Clark began and ended their expedition here. Divided by the Mason-Dixon line, Missouri was a slave state but fought for the Union in the Civil War.
Battling it out in America's mood mirror
By CAROLYN LOCHHEAD
Monday, October 23, 2006
Deep in south-central Missouri, where wooded cattle farms mingle with Wal-Marts, Jesus billboards dot the highways, radio runs from Rush Limbaugh to Dr.
