Obama in Powder Springs
Paul A. Lovinggood Gymnasium
John McEachern High School
2400 New Macland Rd.
Powder Springs, GA 30127

Tuesday, July 8th, 2008
Doors Open: 7:30 a.m.

The event is free and open to the public; however, space is limited, and tickets are required. For security reasons, do not bring bags and limit personal items. No signs or banners are permitted.

Ticket distribution locations:

George Allen Hair Salon
103 Spring Rd.
Smyrna, GA 30080
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Los Portales
4485 North Town Square, Ste. 104
Powder Springs, GA 30127
Saturday: 12:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

I was pretty focused on running, so maybe I just missed the Martin campaign's presence at the race, but for all of Rand's faults, his work ethic ain't one of them. Heck, only Vernon and Rand even bothered to make an effort today (and Congressman Lewis of course, because he's not just in the hizzouse, he BUILT IT), which strikes me as pretty pathetic. Were the Obama people there and I missed it? (I saw several folks with the T-shirts, but no one that looked official). The YD's were not the only group registering voters and working the crowd, so I'm pretty disappointed, again, that some other folks seem to have missed the boat, again.

Jim, I'm begging you, GO TO THE COBB BREAKFAST NEXT SATURDAY. That is all.

Essentially, I tried to rate each Bush disaster by two main criteria: its body count and its damage to the country's reputation. So while Bush's awkward groping of German Chancellor Angela Merkel may be personally humiliating to everyone, it doesn't have the same heft as, say, the Iraq War.

Today, U.S. Senate candidate Rand Knight received the endorsement of the National Education Association (NEA).

"I am honored to receive this endorsement," Knight said. "I was raised by my mother, a public school teacher, who instilled in me an appreciation of both a good education and of the people who contribute to educating students every day." Rand Knight has a Ph.D. in Ecosystems Analysis and is the first candidate in history with a Ph.D. in any biological science to run for the U.S. Senate.

The Board of Directors of the Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) recommended Knight's candidacy to the National Education Association (NEA) Fund for Children and Public Education, who just this week voted on, and unanimously approved, the recommendation to endorse Rand Knight for U.S. Senate in Georgia.

Knight, who proposes to fund education with new revenues created through the development of jobs in areas such as renewable energy and mass transit, took a hard stance on the No Child Left Behind Act. "No Child Left Behind was never fully funded and resulted in millions of Georgia's children being left behind," Knight said. "Teachers are required to teach to a test score and training students to think critically, analytically and independently is not rewarded. Additionally, we're punishing underperforming schools instead of helping them."

Jeff Hubbard, president of the GAE cited Knight's commitment to strengthening public education as one of the key reasons he was endorsed.

"Rand Knight's education positions are forward-looking and address education as a lifelong process," Hubbard said. 'Knight has made clear that education will be at the top of his list of priorities in the U.S. Senate, and he demonstrated a dedication to ensuring everyone in the United States receives the education to which they are entitled. As our next U.S. Senator from Georgia, Rand Knight will sponsor legislation that invests heavily in Early Childhood education. He has fresh ideas and the passion to persuade other legislators to provide our schools with the funding they need to be successful and helping college and post-graduate students finance their education."

Gentlemen, let the games begin...12 days left.

Summary: During a segment in which Fox & Friends co-hosts Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade labeled New York Times reporter Jacques Steinberg and editor Steven Reddicliffe "attack dogs," Fox News featured photos of Steinberg and Reddicliffe that appeared to have been digitally altered -- the journalists' teeth had been yellowed, their facial features exaggerated, and portions of Reddicliffe's hair moved further back on his head.

Atlanta Pride Booth
What: Volunteer with YDG's Stonewall Caucus at our Atlanta Pride Booth
When: Saturday & Sunday July 5th & 6th
Where: Civic Center, Atlanta, GA and the Pride Parade Sunday 1-3

Volunteer with Young Democrats of Georgia's Stonewall Caucus at our booth, or contact Edmund Thornton 404-849-4025

Atlanta Pride Parade
March in the Parade on Sunday at noon, or contact Jason Cecil 404-840-0693

Savannah VR
What: Voter Registration with the Chatham County Young Democrats
When: Friday July 4th 10AM
Where: Democratic Party HQ, 109 W Victory Dr, Savannah
Facebook event link here.

I'm heading to all points Second Continental Congress this weekend. We start out in Philadelphia, on through Lancaster, York, and fly home from Baltimore.

Next week I'll probably be headed back to Ann Arbor, Michigan where Republicans dare not run. That's right, in the upcoming city elections not one 'R' appears on the ballot.

Human Rights Hero Nelson Mandela is now free to hit the road without worry. He has been removed from the US Terrorist Watch list...

What about a road trip to Statesboro? The Statesboro Herald sponsors a debate of Democrats running for US Senate. 7PM, Tuesday July 8th at Ogeechee Technical College.

Barack Obama's strategists are suggesting that the first African-American presidential nominee of a major political party can parlay increased turnout among black voters into a string of victories in the South.

Given that roughly half of all African-Americans live in the 11 former Confederate states, the idea seems intuitive enough. It's also wrong. Prying Southern electoral votes away from the Republicans is not so simple.

Officials in Mr. Obama's campaign say they are bullish on the South, and they have signaled their aggressiveness with early campaign appearances in North Carolina and Virginia, major voter registration drives in the region, and television advertising in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia. . . .

Mr. Obama's Southern strategy relies on significantly increasing black registration and turnout, as he did in the primary season. Mr. Hildebrand said that by some estimates there are 600,000 unregistered black voters in Georgia alone. The higher the black share of the vote, the lower the requirement for garnering white votes. But the Obama camp argues that it can increase its share of the white vote as well by focusing on younger, more progressive whites. (emphasis added)

NYT

U.S. Rep. Paul Broun is trying to return to Congress for a second term, but his past might come back to haunt him.

The Athens Republican declared bankruptcy, didn't pay his taxes and fought with an ex-wife over alimony payments while living in Americus in the late 1970s and early 1980s, according to records unearthed by GOP opponent Barry Fleming's campaign.

In his four previous runs for federal office, rumors circulated, but politicians and journalists considered him a fringe candidate and didn't delve too deep into his past. Sumter County and federal court documents offer detailed information about his transgressions.

Keep it up boys, and we'll have a Democratic Congressman in the 10th yet.

For most candidates, this is a critical filing. From Georgia's WIN List:

This early filing will determine the perception of campaigns and candidates across Georgia. Pundits, PACS and state party organizations will use the report to determine which races are viable and where they will invest their resources.

Otherwise, drop your favorite candidate a few dollars today.