GOP war on voting: U.S. Supreme Court rejects petition from Ohio on early voting
October 16, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeeanie:
Another victory against the GOP war on voting. The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected a petition for certiorari from Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted to review the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals order to make early voting available to all voters on an equal basis on the final weekend before election day in Ohio. High court won't block early voting in Ohio:
The Supreme Court sided with Democrats on Tuesday in refusing to block a decision over disputed early voting days in the battleground state of Ohio, giving President Barack Obama's campaign a victory three weeks before the election.
The court refused a request by the state's Republican elections chief and attorney general to get involved in a battle over early voting on the three days before Election Day.
Obama's campaign and Ohio Democrats sued the state officials over changes in state law that took away the three days of voting for most people but made exceptions for military personnel and Ohioans living overseas.
Democrats in their lawsuit cited a recent study saying nearly 105,000 people voted in the three days before the election in 2008. They argued everyone should have the chance to vote on those days. And they said eliminating the opportunity for most Ohio residents to vote in person on those days, while giving military or overseas voters the chance to do so, leads to unequal treatment.
* * *
On Oct. 5, a federal appeals court reinstated voting on the weekend and Monday before the election and returned discretion to set hours on those days to local boards of elections.
Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted appealed that ruling to the Supreme Court last week.
* * *
Shortly after the high court's decision, Husted ordered uniform hours across the state. The hours are from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3; from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4; and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 5.
Bob Bauer, general counsel for Obama for America, praised the Supreme Court's decision.
Carmona campaign Spanish-language ad: ‘Vergüenza’ (Ashamed)
October 16, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
The Dr. Richard Carmona for U.S. Senate campaign has released a new Spanish-language ad entitled "Vergüenza." Press release:
Carmona campaign releases new Spanish ad: ‘Vergüenza’
Carmona's former U of A coworker condemns Flake's false attacks
The Carmona for Arizona campaign began running a new statewide Spanish television ad today responding to Congressman Flake's false attack. "Vergüenza (Ashamed)" features Dr. Cecilia Rosales, MD, MS, associate professor for the University of Arizona and Carmona’s former coworker, who says that is a shame that 12-year Congressman Jeff Flake wants to discredit Dr. Carmona with false attacks.
"It’s a pleasure to work with him and he is an inspiration for our students,” says Dr. Rosales, who has known Carmona for more than 20 years. "He is respectful and supportive of his coworkers. His great passion is to protect your health and mine."
"And to see a career politician like Jeff Flake discredit Dr. Carmona, who has spent his life helping others, is a shame."
Carmona is a combat-decorated Special Forces veteran, Pima County Deputy Sheriff and the 17th Surgeon General of the United States.
Video below the fold.
Carmona campaign ad: ‘Mom’
October 16, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
The Dr. Richard Carmona for U.S. Senate campaign has released a new ad entitled "Mom." Press release:
Carmona reflects on how experience shaped views on education, equality
The Carmona for Arizona released a statewide ad today, "Mom," in which Rich Carmona shares how his personal history shaped his views on education, leadership and equality.
"'You need to get an education, it will set you free,'" Carmona reflects on what his mother told him. "'You get an education, you can be anything you want.'"
"'The world will be a better place when women have an equal seat at the table of leadership,'" Carmona recalls. "She was probably the best education i got in my life," Carmona says of his mother.
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Video below the fold.
VoteVets.org ad in opposition to Jeff Flake: ‘Uniform’
October 16, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
Rep. Jeff Flake voted for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and to put those wars on the nation's credit card, not asking any sacrifice from Americans to pay for those wars. The only sacrifice asked was from the approximately one percent of Americans who serve in the United States Armed Forces. And how did Jeff Flake thank them for their sacrifice and service to their country? Flake has consistently voted against veterans bnenefits, Representative Jeff Flake – Voting Records – Project Vote Smart, as laid out in this ad from VoteVets.org. Description of VoteVets Arizona Ad – Uniform:
Jeff Flake Voted for Iraq Use-of-Force Resolution. On October 10, 2002, Jeff Flake voted for H J Res 114, a resolution authorizing the use of force against Iraq. The resolution, however, required the administration to report to Congress that diplomatic options had been exhausted diplomatic options no later than 48 hours after military action had begun. The president was also required to submit a progress report to Congress at least every 60 days. The House passed the resolution 296-133. [Roll Call 455, S 114, 10/10/2002]
Flake Voted for Budget That Cut Veterans Benefits. In 2003, Congressman Jeff Flake voted for a budget that called for cutting $15 billion from veterans' benefits, including veterans' pensions, compensation, education and other benefits, over 10 years. [Letter from Edward R. Heath, National Commander, Disabled Veterans of America (Congressional Record, page H2547), 3/17/03; H. Con. Res. 95, Vote 82, 3/21/03]
Flake One Of Twelve Members To Vote Against New GI Bill, Increased Education Benefits For Veterans. According to Washington Post, "In a pair of bipartisan votes, the House yesterday approved $162 billion to continue the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan well into 2009 and a separate measure that would allow veterans returning from those battlefields to receive increased education benefits. The domestic spending measure, approved 416 to 12, also includes a 13-week extension of unemployment insurance for laid-off workers who have used all 26 weeks of their current benefits, and $2.65 billion for Midwest flood relief. […]Under the program, often called the new GI Bill, veterans would receive enough money to pay even the most expensive state university tuition." [Roll Call 432, HR 2642, 6/19/08; Washington Post, 6/20/08]
Flake One of Three Members to Vote Against Providing On-Job and Vocational Training for Post 9/11 Veterans. According to the Associated Press, "A measure aimed at improving educational assistance for veterans since Sept. 11, 2001 awaits President Barack Obama's signature after passing the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill was introduced by U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka of Hawaii, who said Thursday that education of veterans is a vital part of the nation's commitment to members of the armed services. The bill provides for less complex programs for veterans who have served on active duty since Sept. 11, 2001, pays benefits for on-job and vocational training, and makes service members eligible for an annual book allowance. The measure passed the Senate on Monday before clearing the House on Thursday." [HR 3447, Vote 642, 12/16/10; Associated Press, 12/17/10]
Video below the fold.
Women Ignited Now (W.I.N.) video: ‘Vote’
October 16, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
Sens. Paula Aboud (D-LD 28) and Linda Lopez (D-LD 29) brought their Women Ignited Now (W.I.N.) rally to the Saguaro Eastside Democrats on Monday night.
Sen. Aboud recommended viewing online this video entitled “Vote,” directed by Steve Anderson, which was shown at the W.I.N. rallies around the state but for which there was not enough time to show at the SED meeting last night. Sen. Aboud recommended grassroots activism – the "rule of 10" — share this video with 10 of your friends and family, and pass it on.
Video below the fold.
Arizona Daily Star is failing Southern Arizona with its endorsements – Part 2
October 16, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
The Arizona Daily Star continues the “Chinese menu” system in its endorsements of state legislative races today: one Democrat and one Republican in House races, the Democrat in Senate races (with one deviation today in LD 14).
LD 10 Bradley for Senate; Vogt, Wheeler for House.
LD 11 We select Holt in Senate; Joseph, Kwasman for House.
LD 14 Fleming, Leach and Stonebraker all bring fresh ideas to voters.
As I said yesterday, this is a disservice to the residents of Southern Arizona.
I want to point out the foolish inconsistency in the Star's "Chinese menu" methodolgy today, focusing on one issue of importance to the editors of the Star: women's access to reproductive health care.
Romney’s Tax Plan: Half A Billion Tax Free For Guys Like Him
October 16, 2012
by
Posted by Bob Lord [Cross Posted at Down With Tyranny] Tagg, the son of a wealthy executive, marries at an early age and has five children. He’s devout in his religious beliefs, and gives generously to his church. This is the story of how he might fare under the Romney tax plan, if enacted. By … Read more
Arizona Illustrated (PBS) U.S. Senate candidate debate
October 16, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
KUAT’s Arizona Illustrated (PBS) hosted the second of three debates between Dr. Richard Carmona and Rep. Jeff Flake for the U.S. Senate race on Monday night.
Video replay below the fold.
