by Linda*in*SFNM [courtesy of Blog for America]

Mr. Gore has been honored by the very newspaper he worked for 5 years upon his return from Vietnam as a Reporter, along with his wife Tipper who did some photography, as Tennessean Of The Year.  An honor Mr. Gore is truly deserving of, and much more. 

'07 accolades spotlight world-altering vision

"It's been an interesting year."

The understatement last week came from a man accused by his raucous critics of everything but understatement.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Rob Richie
Executive Director
Fair Vote

Facts in the Spotlight:

• Voter turnout statewide primaries in 1966: 33.5%
• Voter turnout in 38 states with such primaries in 2006: 15.4%(the lowest in history)
• Ratio of voter turnout for those over 70 vs. those under 45 in Oregon’s 2006 primaries: 3.5 to 1

As the presidential nomination season is heating up, have you ever thought about the word "primary"? Going to the dictionary, one finds that the first definition is, "first or highest in rank, quality, or importance."

Well, in the case of voter turnout, the first shall be last.

Primary elections indeed determine who wins the great majority of our nation's elections for Congress and state legislature – most districts are safe for one party, and winning the primary is tantamount to winning the general election. But in contrast to turnout in November elections, turnout in primaries is sinking like a stone.

Plunging Turnout in Primaries

by Todd Beeton [courtesy of Calitics: Soapblox California - Front Page]

I wanted to take this opportunity to praise my congressman, Adam Schiff. He's technically a blue dog and if I have one complaint about him it's that he plays it way too safe for no apparent reason -- he won 64% of the vote last year. So, lately, it's been nice to see him step up (with votes in support of withdrawal and an amendment to the Intelligence Authorization Bill to strengthen FISA) and step out into the spotlight on USAGate.

As a former assistant US Attorney in Los Angeles and a member of the House Judiciary Committee, Schiff has brought his expertise and credibility to bear in the Gonzalez hearings (notably telling Gonzalez he felt he should resign to his face.) Today, Congressman Schiff has introduced the House version of the no-confidence resolution against Gonzalez.

More over the flip.