Pro School Voucher Group, Advocates for Student Achievement, Behind another Poll?

Advocates for Student Achievement, that was behind an early push poll, which falsely stated that MPS School Board President Peter Blewett authorized Board Member Charlene Hardin to attend a personal trip with Board funds, might behind another poll.

For Democratic campaign strategist Thad Nation, it feels like déjà vu all over again.
In the primary election, a pollster questioned him about Milwaukee School Board President Peter Blewett's re-election bid even though Nation doesn't live in the city. The pollster also raised questions about the voucher program that allows thousands of Milwaukee students to attend private schools.

Nation resides in Shorewood, meaning he can't cast a ballot for or against Blewett.
Now, with the general election less than a month away, Nation said he was rung up again. He was asked once more about the Blewett race and vouchers. There also were questions about the state Supreme Court race and the superintendent's contest.

And, once again, Nation said he asked who was underwriting the survey, something that must be disclosed under state election laws. The response, he said, was "various groups." The first poll, it turned out, was paid for by the pro-voucher Advocates for Student Achievement. Messages and e-mails left with the group were not returned.

There was one big difference between the two polls: Nation said this time the pollster didn't ask any misleading questions intended to "push" a respondent one way or another.
"I wouldn't characterize it as a push poll," said the veteran pol.

Nation said he did tell the questioner that he would support Blewett. But the questioner never asked if he could.

A Win for Mayor Barrett and a Loss for County Executive Walker

Well, the 17 year impasse regarding the $91.5 million dollar idle federal transit aid has finally come to an end. The City of Milwaukee will get 60% of the money for a downtown rail line and 40% to Milwaukee County for buses. Maybe Scott Walker should have taken the 50-50 split.

I wonder if Scott Walker will refuse his 40%. Stay Tuned for more updates.

Tell Scott Walker That the Stimulus Will Create more than Just A Few Construction Jobs

I swear Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker’s Ideological head is buried so far in the sand, I doubt he will ever see the day of light. In the opinion section of Saturday’s Wall Street Journal, Mr. Walker writes why “he’s not lining up for stimulus handouts.” In it he states that "the stimulus is a bait and switch on employment" and that "it will only create a few construction jobs." Evidently Mr Walker has not been paying attention to what companies in Wisconsin are saying about the stimulus.

If road projects such as highways, bridges and city streets are funded with the federal stimulus dollars, they will have some of the most significant effects on the economy, said Pat Goss, executive director of the Wisconsin Transportation Builder’s Association.

“We’ve got a record number of people on unemployment who have been laid off and let go. I am confident this will accomplish what they want, and the long-term benefit of this will put people back to work,” Goss said.

Mike Sikma, vice president of Musson Bros. Inc., a Brookfield-based contractor that serves road and highway construction, storm and sanitary sewers and other projects, agreed. The state of Wisconsin and its municipalities also have a large number of projects that have been deferred over the years and could quickly be started with federal stimulus dollars, he said.

Manufacturers that serve the transportation and construction industries could indirectly benefit from the federal economic stimulus package because of their customers ordering new machinery or equipment.

GenMet, a Mequon-based steel fabricator that serves original equipment manufacturers related to the paving and construction industry, believes it could see increases as those customers begin work on stimulus-funded projects. GenMet, formerly known as General Metal Works, has facilities in Mequon and Slinger and employs 75 workers.

“We hope that it would trickle down and impact us with sales revenue,” said Mary Isbister, president of the company. “It will also help us because as the infrastructure improves we will more readily get supplies when we buy from our vendors out of state and when we want to sell out of state.”

[…]

Building construction projects could help stimulate the economy because of their high wages and the large network of suppliers that support the industry, said Mike Fabishak, chief executive officer of Associated General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee.

[...]

We are seeing some layoffs in most of the crafts, particularly the basic trades like carpentry, bricklayers and cement. This is not only from my perspective, but from all of the (AGC) chapters around the country, we’re all thinking that this could be a viable stimulus to our industry at a time when we need it.”

John Hunzinger, president of Brookfield-based Hunzinger Construction Co., agreed.

“Even if (there is stimulus money) not in construction, it’s just about trying to get the tide to come in,” he said. “There is a lot for infrastructure, which will indirectly have some effect on shoring up construction costs to some degree. We’re hoping for some opportunities for some (construction) support and some building opportunities.”

Large contractors winning projects also will provide work for subcontractors in the region.

[…]

The University of Wisconsin system has a significant number of building improvement and new construction projects on its statewide list that are ready for construction, which could begin with short notice if there is funding in the economic stimulus package, said Carlos Santiago, chancellor of UW-Milwaukee.

And there is more;

Milwaukee-based Super Steel Products Corp., which manufactures rail cars and other rail industry products, would benefit from a stimulus package, but its effects would take two to three years to take hold, said Jim Schmelzer, president and CEO.

“The unfortunate thing is that the length of time it takes when money is approved to when a passenger rail project is approved is fairly long,” he said. “It’s not immediate. But over a two- to three-year period, it will have a substantial impact as we work with a lot of rail general contractors.”

In early 2008, Super Steel closed its manufacturing facility in Schenectady, New York. It has since shifted production to Milwaukee, where it employs about 400 workers, Schmelzer said. If several projects the company is bidding on are won, Super Steel anticipates growing employment in Milwaukee to more than 500 within 18 months. If the federal stimulus package is approved, its jobs prospects will improve further, Schmelzer said.

[…]

Racine-based

Ruud Lighting Inc. has already begun marketing and shipping its energy-efficient LEDway product, a street light that uses LED bulbs, which are far more energy efficient than traditional bulbs.

“We align quite nicely with the intent of the president’s stimulus package,” said Chris Ruud, the company’s executive vice president. “If some of the stimulus money is invested into LEDway streetlight projects, more manufacturing jobs will be created in Wisconsin, because we outsource all of the component manufactured parts.”

Seventy-seven percent of the LEDway streetlight components are manufactured in Wisconsin. The remainder is manufactured by other U.S.-based companies, Ruud said.

According to Ruud, for every $50 million of stimulus money, BetaLED and its local suppliers would create 192 full-time, permanent jobs within the state of Wisconsin and an additional 35 jobs throughout the United States.

Don’t tell Scott but I think that’s more than a just a few Construction jobs. Oh there’s more;

Architects and design professionals, who have seen significant layoffs in the economic downturn, could benefit from the economic stimulus if it contains incentives for new buildings or upgrades to existing structures.

Milwaukee-based Kahler Slater is working to learn as much as it can about the initiatives associated with the stimulus package to better assist clients in obtaining funding, said Jill Morin, executive officer.

“We really view ourselves as a partner with our clients, so we want to help them make the case that they should be a beneficiary of any money that might come their way,” she said. “We are watching the planning very carefully to make ourselves more knowledgeable.”

If school-related projects are funded, they could provide a source of new work for architectural firms like Plunkett Raysich Architects.

And………….

The stimulus package also will create opportunities for law firms and consultants who will offer services steering clients toward stimulus dollars and programs.

Last week, the Milwaukee-based law firm of Davis & Kuelthau S.C. formed a team of attorneys to assist public and private clients in finding opportunities related to the stimulus package.

“The billions of dollars in targeted spending currently proposed in the bill will have a considerable impact on municipalities, school districts, contractors and suppliers in Wisconsin,” said Ann Rieger, president of the firm. “The rapid deployment of these funds and the ‘shovel ready’ requirement of the projects will require many hours of manpower to comply with the sheer volume of projects that will be funded. We are pleased to provide the necessary support as clients navigate their way through the requirements of this complex and comprehensive initiative.”

I could go on, but I think we all get the picture. Too bad Mr Walker Doesn’t.

Jody Harding Supports Denying a Fundamental Human Right

Mayoral Candidate for Racine, Jody Harding, actually supports denying one of the most fundamental of Human rights, The Right to Vote. She writes;

I believe that any individual who is receiving a government subsidy should lose his/her right to vote for as long as s/he receives that subsidy.

This right would be reinstated as soon as the government subsidies ceased; however, no vote could be cast as long government “aid” was received. By “aid” I mean any form of payment from the government, whether it be cash or voucher, food stamps, housing allowance, aid to dependent children or farm subsidies. Any payment or reduced expense funded by the government should cause its recipient to lose his/her right to vote.

Wow, someone who is running for a public office wants to take rights away. That is astonishing!!

Violent Revolution Averted; Obama Opposes the Fairness Doctrine Renewal

Just a few days ago liberals were very close to inciting a violent revolution by pushing for the renewal of the fairness doctrine. Well today, President Obama stated that he opposes its renewal.

President Obama does not support reviving the so-called Fairness doctrine, an aide said on Wednesday, knocking down speculation that Obama was open to reinstating the rule requiring broadcasters to air alternate perspectives on controversial issues.

Charlie Sykes and crew can now settle down.

Scott Walker Demonstrates his lack of Economic Competency

Today in his so called State of the County address, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker proposed some really peculiar uses of the economic stimulus money slated for Milwaukee County and the State of Wisconsin.

In it he proposed this;

Walker said $3.2 billion of the estimated $3.5 billion the state is expected to receive in stimulus aid should be used to offset the state's 5% sales tax starting March 1. That would translate into some $3,000 in saving for the average family.

"I just want something that's going to work," to get the economy moving again, Walker said. The sales tax hiatus could prove to be a bonanza for Wisconsin merchants if residents from neighboring states flocked to Wisconsin for purchases of cars, appliances and other big-ticket items, he said.

That’s interesting; the average family in Wisconsin will save $3,000? Here Scott Walker reveals his lack of knowledge of the tax law and the understanding of the Average Wisconsin family, Joe Wineke chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin;

Redirecting federal stimulus money towards a sales tax holiday would be impossible under the law. Furthermore, Walker’s crazy claim that the sales tax holiday would translate into $3,000 in savings for the average family assumes that each household will go out and spend $60,000 on taxable goods. What ‘average’ family has that kind of disposable income?

And as far as residence in neighboring states flocking over here to purchase those big ticket items, The Recess Supervisor articulates how this would be impractical;

First of all, state use tax laws typically require that a consumer who resides in a state pay tax on any untaxed item that is brought into the state for use in that state. That means that people from Illinois who come to plunder Wisconsin's stores would legally owe use tax on that to Illinois. So unless Scott Walker is encouraging people to break the law, folks from Illinois would come to Wisconsin, buy stuff here, and then pay the tax to Illinois. Brilliant!

Furthermore, let's consider Walker's specific mention of vehicle purchases. Most states require proof that tax has been paid on a new vehicle when the vehicle is imported and titled in your home state. Otherwise, guess what? You have to pay the difference to your state of residence! Such is the case in Illinois, for instance, unless you leave the vehicle out of the state for 90 days prior to import. It is always the case in Minnesota when a resident purchases a vehicle out-of-state. Does Walker think dealers in Racine are going to sell cars to Illinois residents on lay-a-way?Besides that, the feds are already ponying up to refund sales tax payments on new vehicle purchases. So in Walker's example, Wisconsin would collect no tax, Illinois or Minnesota would, and the consumer would have their state sales tax refunded to them by the federal government. Illinois and Minnesota win! Wisconsin loses! Yay stimulus!

Scott Walker has clearly shown that he lacks the ability to solve the problems that are facing Wisconsin and Milwaukee County. He has also demonstrated that he lacks the basic understanding of economics and tax laws.

The Fairness Doctrine and the Pending Counter Revolution

It seems the right lately is in fury over the possible renewal of the Fairness Doctrine. They fear that by bring back the fairness doctrine that somehow the liberals are deliberately trying to silence the right wing squawking brigade that we all know as talk radio. Some are even armed and ready, literally, to fight a pending violent revolution. This quote courtesy of Bert over at Folkbum from a guy named Ralph from Delafield, a caller into the Jay Weber show.

"You can’t say I’m not a crackpot, and neither are you [literal transcript, swear to God], but you know, they’re really playing with fire. They really, really are. They’re getting very, very close to inciting a very violent counter-revolution. The thing about conservatives, we are out here, and we are armed."

Jay, very amiably, then added that he has been getting lots of emails with a similar message about a coming revolution.

And now Charlie Sykes is buying into this fear by posting in his “Sunday Hot Read” regarding the fairness doctrine with the title of his post HERE COME THE SPEECH COP; he writes:

A telling non-denial from the Obama Administration. My read on this: It's on. As we saw on the stimulus package, Obama is letting the left drive his agenda, and this is deareat, fondest, most passionate wish of "progressives."

And Bruce at Badger Blogger suggest that WTMJ AM radio may want re-hire Kathleen Dunn. Really, I can’t figure out why they would be scared of her. She’s doesn’t present opposing viewpoints all that well anyway.

The Fairness Doctrine as we know it is defined as follows;

The Fairness Doctrine was a policy of the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that required the holders of broadcast licenses both to present controversial issues of public importance and to do so in a manner that was (in the Commission's view) honest, equitable and balanced.

[It should not be confused, but often is, with the Equal Time rule. The Fairness Doctrine deals with matters of public importance, while the Equal Time rule deals only with political candidates.]

[…]

The Fairness Doctrine had two basic elements: It required broadcasters to devote some of their airtime to discussing controversial matters of public interest, and to air contrasting views regarding those matters. Stations were given wide latitude as to how to provide contrasting views: It could be done through news segments, public affairs shows, or editorials. The doctrine did not require equal time for opposing views but required that contrasting viewpoints be presented.

By the very definition of the Fairness Doctrine it’s really hard to figure out why they are frightened by its renewal. It certainly doesn’t appear that it would Silence the squawking brigade or censor their propaganda. Their fear is opposing viewpoints being expressed on critical issues; and ask this question, why would Obama or the Democrats make some unrelenting drive to eliminate right wing radio now? The election is over, and the Obama campaign weathered the worst that right wing radio could throw at it. All that room on the radio dial seemed to have done more harm than good to their cause, so why would the liberals want to silence it now?

A pending violent revolution is upon us? Please, that’s ridiculous; stop with all the fear mongering.

Bradley DeBraska Arrested

Former head of the Milwaukee police union was arrested today in court and charged with two felonies.

DeBraska, 53, had been the target of a criminal investigation and secret John Doe proceeding into allegations of forgery involving documents in a pension-related lawsuit. A complaint released this morning charges him with misappropriation of entity-identifying information, party to a crime, and forgery, party to a crime. Each count carries a possible maximum sentence of six years in prison, and a $10,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the District Attorney's office, not the Milwaukee Police Department.

DeBraska invoked his 5th Amendment right against possible self-incrimination in open court, said Circuit Judge David Hansher, and refused to answer questions. The retired police detective was then arrested and led out of Hansher's courtroom in handcuffs a short time later.

DeBraska is being booked into the jail and is expect to appear in criminal intake court later today.

Scott Walker Confirmed Candidate for Wisconsin Governor

Apparently.

APPLETON -- The annual Lincoln Day Dinner, this year celebrating Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday, sponsored by the Outagamie County Republican Party, will be held Monday at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, 333 W. College Ave.

The social hour will begin at 5:30 p.m., and dinner is at 6:30 p.m. Guest speakers will include Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, a candidate for governor; Jefferson County Judge Randy Koschnick, a candidate for state Supreme Court; and state Rep. Roger Roth, R-Appleton.

We all know that he is a probable candidate for the GOP seemingly the Outagamie County Republicans has already affirmed Walker as the candidate.

$3.5 billion for Wisconsin

Governor Jim Doyle stated today that Wisconsin will receive an estimated $3.5 Billion of the $789 billion from the Federal economic stimulus package.

Doyle said the total of $3.5 billion that state and local governments, and Wisconsin schools and businesses could get under the federal stimulus package includes:

• $2 billion for help paying health-care, education and other state government bills;

• $550 million for highway and bridge projects;

• Additional money for high-speed rail service from Chicago to Milwaukee and Madison;

• $400 million in clean water and sewer programs;

• $150 million for weatherization programs;

• And more money for research and National Institutes of Health projects.

Scott Walker Gets Another Pass

While I am troubled by the latest blunder coming out of Milwaukee County Government( The Task Force on Work Reform for Men), the question that Bice failed to ask is why would the County hire an individual to consult on job creation when he has messed it up wretchedly in the past? In the case of Gerard Randall both Supervisor Coggs and County Executive Scott Walker should share the blame for this latest miss-step. After all, with Walker’s blessing, they hired Randall to handle Job creation again when he failed at it not that long ago.

The Private Industry Council (PIC) controlled $14 million in public money to run a job trainings program for Milwaukee County. PIC was controlled by appointments of County Executive Scott Walker and Randall was paid $154,000 a year to head PIC.

Without any involvement and oversight from the County Board, PIC failed to generate any measurable outcomes regarding job creation; in fact before the City of Milwaukee took over the oversight of the federal funds the status of job creation under PIC was this;

The agency has no money left for the last quarter of its fiscal year for job training, meaning certain programs will be stagnant from April to June with possible staff lay-offs. That, of course, should lead to questions as to where the money went and the societal impact of not being able to train people who need and want jobs.

All job training of any kind was cut off.

Free bus tickets–desperately needed by job seekers to get to either training or their job–are no longer being issued, leaving willing workers stranded.

Orientation continues, but job search training -- to help people apply and obtain jobs -- has been cut off.

It was clear that PIC was ineffective in controlling the $14 million in federal funds for job creation. So why then would Scott Walker give his blessing to the Board to hire Randall, given his recent track record on job creation, to consult the County Board on a task force to create jobs?

It appears Walker gets yet another pass from MJS.

Hey Owen Robinson, It’s about Accountability

Owen Robinson over at Boots and Sabers is displeased about President Obama’s plans to mandate new executive pay limits for government assisted financial institutions.

Yes, that’s it… let’s make sure that the troubled companies have a hard time attracting the truly talented executives who could fix it. Seriously, if you are a talented executive, why would you go to a company that’s already in trouble and where your pay is capped? You wouldn’t. Instead, you’d go to a nice healthy firm where your job will be easier and the pay is better. Obama seems intent on further handicapping companies that are already in trouble.

Of course Own failed to notice the whole point of President Obama’s proposed plan. It’s about accountability and not about handicapping companies or about government intrusions.

Obama, in an interview with CNN Tuesday, stressed that the restrictions would not amount to excessive government intrusion.

"There are mechanisms in place to make sure that institutions that are taking taxpayer money are not using that money for excessive executive compensation," he said. "It's not a government takeover. Private enterprise will still be taking place. But people will be accountable and responsible. And that's what we have to restore in the financial system generally."

And some Republicans have few qualms about restrictions, especially if they are temporary.

"In ordinary situations where the taxpayers’ money is not involved, we shouldn't set executive pay," said Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama, the top Republican in the Senate Banking Committee.

"But where you've got federal money involved, taxpayers' money involved, TARP money involved, and the way they have spent it, with no accountability is getting close to being criminal.

Hmmm excessive executive compensation; did Owen fail to remember that over $18 Billion of taxpayers’ dollars went to pay bonuses for executives who were responsible for running wall street into the ground and buying extras like airplanes. This money was given to them with very little oversight; money that was suppose to prevent their sudden collapse, or so we were told.
Executives need to be held accountable when using taxpayer’s money.

They also need the incentive to pay back the taxpayer’s once their bank or corporation his healthy again. Under Obama’s proposal, firms that want to pay executives above a certain threshold would have to compensate them with stock that could not be sold or liquidated until they pay back the government funds.

Don’t we all want accountability when it comes to our tax dollars?

Feingold and McCain Team up Again

Senators Russ Feingold, D-Wisconsin and John McCain, R-Arizona is teaming up to reign in pork barrel spending.

Earmark Reform, and Accountability Act of 2009 would require a supermajority of 60 votes for any pet project to stay in a spending bill and require all earmarks to be put into a searchable database 48 hours before the Senate vote. Also, anyone getting a federal contract must disclose how much he or she spent on lobbying.

Advocates for Student Achievement behind Push Poll

Advocates for Student Achievement (ASA) admitted today it hired the Parker Group, which was found guilty in federal court in 1999 for racial discrimination, to conduct a push poll in Milwaukee School Board districts with contested elections.

In the MPS’s sixth district, where ReDonna Rodgers is challenging incumbent Peter Blewett, the Poll falsely stated that Peter Blewett authorized Board Member Charlene Hardin to attend a personal trip with Board funds.

Citizens Action for Wisconsin requested the release all the questions in the poll so the public can see that the poll was designed to get the answers it received.

At an event held this morning at the Italian Community Center, ASA spokesperson Anne Curley admitted in answers to questions that it was releasing only some of the questions and responses in the poll.

While this group claims its poll was intended to identify public perception of issues in MPS, it was clearly intended to persuade voters that the current school board is the problem. The group’s agenda is clearly revealed because it did not ask about the funding formula, the cost of the Voucher Program to taxpayers, the failed Neighborhood School Initiative, or what voters like about the MPS.

Public Meetings Regarding the Milwaukee Connector

Via The Bay View Compass;

First of six Milwaukee Connector transit study public information meetings on Tuesday.

The Milwaukee Connector Study is proceeding with the next phase of its evaluation of transit options in Milwaukee County and six public information and input meetings are set.

What: Milwaukee Connector transit study public information meetings - open house-style meetings with video presentations, display boards, interaction with study staff, interactive route-selection activity and more.

When: The first of six: Tuesday, February 3, 2009 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Where: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Union, Wisconsin Room, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd., Milwaukee

Why: Public input is critical to this 12- to 16-month study. Several transit corridors and vehicle technologies will be evaluated and the study will include assessments of routes, vehicles, stations and stops, cost and financing, governance, and potential impacts on parking, traffic, land use and pedestrian circulation.

Under review is bus rapid transit (BRT) and streetcar. BRT corridors include: (1) Bayshore Town Center in Glendale south via 27th Street to the Northwestern Mutual Franklin Campus, (2) the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee south to downtown and west to the Milwaukee County Research Park, and (3) Midtown Center to downtown and south to General Mitchell International Airport. The study will also examine a downtown streetcar loop.

Following Tuesday’s meeting, the following will also occur, all from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

1) Wed., Feb. 4, 2009 — Fritsche Middle School, Cafeteria, 2969 S. Howell Ave., Milwaukee
2) Thurs., Feb. 5, 2009 — Black Historical Society, 2620 W. Center St., Milwaukee
3) Tues., Feb. 10, 2009 – Northwestern Mutual Franklin Campus, 1 Northwestern Mutual Way, Franklin (South 27th Street between Drexel and Rawson)
4) Wed., Feb. 11, 2009 — Milwaukee County Research Park, Room 162, 10437 Innovation Dr., Wauwatosa
5) Thurs., Feb. 12, 2009 — O’Donnell Park, Harbor Lights Room, 910 E. Michigan St., Milwaukee

All locations are wheel chair accessible. Sign language and foreign language interpretation will be made available upon request. Persons with special needs are asked to call 414-299-9700 or email meetings@milwaukeeconnector.com a minimum of 48 hours in advance so that appropriate arrangements may be made. Written comments may also be provided online at www.milwaukeeconnector.com or via the U.S. Postal Service. Please mail comments to: Milwaukee Connector Study, c/o Martinsek & Associates, 1325 W. Potter Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53207.

The study is being led by the Wisconsin Center District in partnership with the City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County and the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC). Representatives from each of the four study sponsors make up the study Steering Committee which is chaired by the MMAC.

Daniel Bice Just a little late in reporting Push Poll

When it comes to uncovering local politicians exploitations of their office Milwaukee Journal Sentinel columnist Daniel Bice is on them like Peter Falk’s character in Colombo. But when someone is running a false and sleazy campaign against an elected official, Mr Bice comes up tardy in reporting it.

Today, Mr Bice is reporting on a push poll against School Board President Peter Blewett. The push poll that is being conducted by the Parker Group of Birmingham, Alabama falsely states that Peter Blewett authorized Board Member Charlene Hardin to attend a personal trip with Board funds. For the record, the MPS administrator approved the Charlene Hardin Philadelphia trip.

“These push polls are classic sleazy campaign tricks,” Blewett stated. “I have never used them. I want a campaign that focuses on how MPS can prepare our students for the challenging world of work or higher education. Voters have a right to hear about how candidates plan to improve MPS. Secretly-funded sleaze campaigns debase the democratic process and insult voters’ intelligence,” Blewett added.

The Parker Group is a political and corporate telemarketing operation that is most notorious for engaging in “race-matched calling” where its African American employees are given one script to call black voters while its white employees call white voters with a different script, Blewett explained. In 1999, a federal court of appeals found the Parker Group guilty of racial discrimination in employment against an African-American employee because she was only permitted to telephone black voters.

Of course this report is two weeks too late. Peter Blewett wrote a press release regarding the push pull on January 16th and It was picked up by Michael Rosen the same day.

Blewett said, “I have no idea whether my opponent or some group supporting her paid for this push poll because the callers from the Parker Group will not clearly identify who paid except, in one case to answer, ‘The school board,’ which of course is a lie.” Blewett added, “I hope my opponent had nothing to do with these dirty tricks, and that she will immediately call for any group associated with her to desist from these and any other sleazy tactics.”

Maybe Mr. Bice can use his fine investigative reporting skills and find out who paid for the Parker Group to conduct this false push poll.

President Obama’s Weekly Address 1/31/09

In the weekly address, President Barack Obama addressed the latest economic news and urged the passing of an America Recovery and Reinvestment Plan.

He also announced that Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is preparing a new strategy for reviving our financial system -- which will not only ensure that CEOs aren't abusing taxpayer dollars

Michael Steele the right Choice for the Waning RNC

The election of Michael Steele as the next chairman of the RNC is an interesting but probably the right choice. He is one of the most moderate and centrist of the Republicans who could move the RNC more towards the center and with the fast changing demographics of the country, he will need to do this.

Steele, the first African American to run the RNC, was chosen for one undemanding reason; the country’s fast changing ethnic vote demographics which will spell future doom for the republicans who are widely perceived as a narrow-minded party of mainly Deep South, rural and non-college educated blue collar whites. Obama handily won the Hispanic, Asian and the youth vote and trampled McCain with the black vote. In the next four years, the number of non-white and youth voters will continue to ascend and the white electorate overall will continue to decline.

Steele, however, has his work cut for him. He has to find away to unite an alienated and out of touch Republican Party. For one; one of his other four opponents for his job, Saltsman, was so bigoted that he thought it was amusing to lambaste Obama with the infamous “Magic Negro” parody. When he got some mild flack for it, not only did he defend it but he was displeased at the thought that others might not laugh it up too. Too many in the GOP didn’t utter a peep of protest, except the outgoing chair. Two, Steele is somewhat pro government, a centrist and socially active; all contrary of what Republicans profess to be.

Good Luck Mr. Steele.