By Nick, Section News
Posted on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 10:00:01 AM EST

Stop the presses!  John Cherry, Jennifer Granholm and Mark Brewer may have just succeeded in altering the complexion of the Michigan Supreme Court, but probably not in the way they were hoping.  A report in Lansing insider publication MIRS lays an atomic level candidate announcement at the feet of high-level backers of the extremist Reform Michigan Government Now petition.  That includes, of course, Brewer and both the current governor, Granholm, and a likely candidate for the office in 2010, current Lieutenant Governor John Cherry.  Cherry just confessed to the Ivory Tower that both he and his boss helped bankroll the whole bloody project! But that’s another issue for another time.  Where was I?  Oh, right, the Supreme Court. Brewer’s personal hobby horse for the last full year has been the defeat of Chief Justice Cliff Taylor.  Justice Taylor is a great guy, a fantastic jurist and an unabashed strict constructionist.  He reads the laws and he interprets them and that’s put him squarely in the cross-hairs of the trial lawyers and every other radical liberal on the block.  It was even claimed that Brewer had received a ten million dollar pledge via John Stryker to focus squarely on a Taylor defeat.

The former Klan attorney and current Big Labor pocket dweller (Brewer) spent the last year traveling the state trying various stunts.  He bought Taylor’s old car and drives it everywhere.  He showed up on Mackinac Island during the Detroit Regional Chamber leadership conference to hold a presser about how rotten Taylor is.  He’s trotted out a woman who cried at the podium about how mean Taylor was for “blocking” her ability to sue companies who create life saving drugs, only to find out the same dame already sued and won a mammoth judgment against the company Taylor supposedly protected.

Read on…

And when lefty-backed Reform Michigan Government Now submitted fraudulently collected petition signatures he went up on TV immediately with an ad attacking Taylor for blocking RMGN.  Nevermind the fact that Taylor is still about two-hundred-seventeen procedural steps away from even looking at RMGN, Brewer’s narrative calls for tar and feathers and tar and feathers the man will produce.

Only one little problem… you can’t defeat someone if he is running unopposed.  The Michigan Democrats were having the darndest time coming up with a candidate of their own.  (Telling, by the way.)

It was over a month ago that Brewer’s nightmare candidate search appeared to be over.  He had Marietta Robinson, a two-time statewide loser locked and loaded and ready to spend all of that gay-special-rights cash but then mysteriously she went silent.  The MSM forgot about the story and no one pressed Marietta about that long-overdue candidate announcement.  Of course we continued following her potential candidacy here on RightMichigan (here and here).

Well, after a month away Marietta is BACK and sure enough, what she’s got to say is bound to make some serious waves.

She is NOT going to run for the Supreme Court.  The reason?  RMGN.

Robinson yesterday told Tim Skubick via MIRS that not only does she oppose RMGN but she views the issue as a major distraction to any candidate’s ability to successfully run against a hugely popular incumbent chief justice.

(Her opposition to the petition) put Democrat Robinson at odds with her own party chair and segments of organized labor that back the RMGN effort, and at the same time it put her on the same side as the GOP chair Saul ANUZIS and other Republicans.She also concluded the debate over the ballot plan would be “a distraction and that’s putting it mildly” that would have taken the focus off the “outrageous decisions” Taylor has made during his tenure on the high court.

According to Robinson, she felt the legal wrangling over the issue would continue into September thus denying her media attention on why Taylor she feels should be defeated.

“It would suck all the oxygen out of the room,” she suggested. Rather than battle that, she decided to stay out of the contest.

Translation: RMGN just nuked the candidacy of the leading Democrat challenger in the biggest judicial race in my lifetime.

Thank you cards to John Cherry, Jennifer Granholm and Mark Brewer should be in the mail shortly.

http://www.rightmichigan.com/story/2008/7/22/1001/71933

For Invitation and mail in dinner reservation form
http://www.houghtongop.com/files/08.0829_Lincoln_Day_Dinner_Invitation_and_Payment_Instructions.pdf

To purchase tickets online with credit card
https://www.donationtickets.com/donationticket/eventTicket.asp?guidEvent=5B585D

For additional information contact John Niemela, HCR Chair at 906.369.3780 or John@HoughtonGOP.com

John Larson will be traveling throughout the 110th District this week and would like to meet you.

HANCOCK - John Larson, candidate for 110^th State Representative, announced today that he will be holding meetings this week across the western Upper Peninsula to get an opportunity to meet residents of the district and hear their concerns about issues regarding state government.

Larson stated, “I want to be State Representative to ensure State Government promotes a positive business climate, encourages innovation and hard work, and allows citizens to build their communities and raise their families in ways that represent their values and heritage.” He went on to say, “Holding meetings within the district is important for any state representative or candidate to allow us to meet face to face with our constituents and listen to their concerns.”

If you can make either of these meetings, please join us.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM Baraga Lakeside Inn 900 South US 41 Baraga MI 49908

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 12 PM - 2 PM Ming’s Asian Bistro (Ming’s Super Buffet) located in the Sharon Center 901 W Sharon Ave in Houghton, Michigan, 49931 This will be a “Dutch Treat” lunch. Come for lunch and meet John Larson.

Watch for further updates on other Meet and Greet times and locations.

John Larson will be one of the featured speakers at the Houghton County Republicans Lincoln Day Dinner August 29, 2008, For information on their event visit the HCR website at www.HoughtonGOP.com

www.johnlarson4rep.com  

The meet and greet is scheduled for the following:

ON  JULY 22 2008 @ 2:30 PM TO 4:30 PM

BARAGA LAKESIDE INN
900 South US HWY 41
BARAGA MI 49946

2:30 PM TO 4:30 PM

PLEASE CALL  906-201-2144 OR 906-524-2248 FOR RSVP  (EVENT IS FREE BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO IS ATTENDING.)

* IF NO ANSWER PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE  YOUR NAME AND YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER AND WE WILL CALL YOU BACK!

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Tom Casperson - http://www.tomcasperson.com
Linda Goldthorpe - http://www.goldthorpeforcongress.com
Don Hooper - http://www.donhooper.org

Senate Race

Jack Hoogendyk - http://www.jackformichigan.org

State Representative 110th District

John Larson - http://www.johnlarson4rep.com

State Representative 109th District

Doreen Takalo - http://www.takaloforstaterep.com

July 12, 2008

MORNING UPDATE:

IRAQI STUDENTS VISIT MRP…headquarters yesterday.  Eight students came by through a U.S. State Department program to see how the party works and were very interested on the impact our election will have on their country.  A great experience for all.

McCAIN’S NEW AD… As President of the United States, John McCain will always put his country first. He has done this his entire life. He has an enormous sense of responsibility and duty. When John McCain was offered a chance to go home early from prison camp in North Vietnam, he refused and put America before his own self-interest. John McCain has consistently put his country before politics and party, and will do the same as president.

Please follow this link today and watch "Love" to learn a little more about John McCain’s life and why he owes so much to our great country.

McCAIN HEADQUARTERS & VICTORY CENTER GRAND OPENING…we will officially open our headquarters this Monday, July 14th at 5pm and would be honored if you all would join us and also invite your own organizations.  Governor Mitt Romney will be among our special guests who will be there to help kick off our grassroots campaign here in Michigan. 
When:  Monday, July 14, 2008 at 5 PM
Where:  McCain Great Lakes Regional HQ and Michigan Victory Center
31440 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 100
Farmington Hills, MI  48344

RSVP to Michigan@JohnMcCain.com <mailto:Michigan@JohnMcCain.com> or 248-579-4578

WHAT WILL OBAMA COST US…here is an interesting study.

EXPOSE OBAMA…here is an interesting web page that you may want to share with your friends…I like their energy commercial about "hot air".

MICHIGAN MATTERS…What’s ahead for Michigan in this presidential election? Watch myself along with Denise Ilitch and Derrick Miller as we join "Michigan Matters" host Carol Cain to discuss those issues and more. Is Michigan-native son Mitt Romney heading for the veep position with GOP John McCain? And will there be a Hillary and Obama ticket?  Watch "Michigan Matters" this Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on WWJTV (CBS Detroit) and repeated on CW50 (WKBD) at 11:30 a.m. Sunday to hear our spin!  The show is also posted online Sunday afternoon .

CONGRATS TO CAROL CAIN…editorial director at  WWJTV/CW 50 and also political/business columnist at Detroit Free Press, for her blockbuster TV special "Building Bridges: From The Great Lakes To the Great Wall" which talked about globalization’s impact on Michigan. In her first "Eye On The Future" special for the CBS owned station, Cain won three Emmy’s, two awards from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, was nominated for a Peabody Award, and won an award from the Chinese Business Association of Detroit.

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FOR THE LATEST NEWS, COMMENTARY & INFORMATION:

Check…out…our…online Articles of Interest………News…you…can…use………

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TODAY’S TOP STORIES

The following stories and more are available at my Articles of Interest online.

McCain takes lead in transparency race

By KENNETH P. VOGEL | 7/11/08 10:08 PM EST

John McCain today fired the latest round in his battle with Barack Obama over campaign finance transparency.

Responding to a coalition of good government groups that last month requested additional details about their fundraising from both Obama, and McCain, the Republican’s campaign agreed to volunteer more information about bundlers and small donors.

Obama’s campaign took a similar step on Thursday, updating its online
list of bundlers after The New York Times reported that he had not done so in more than six months, but hasn’t gone as far as McCain in offering information about its bundlers.

Here’s a question for the mayor

By ROCHELLE RILEY • FREE PRESS COLUMNIST • July 11, 2008

I’m confused.

First Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick says under oath that he did not have an affair.

Then he watches as hundreds of text messages about his affair circle the globe.

Then he goes on television with his wife and apologizes.

Bill for text-message scandal pinches county

Worthy: It could top $1 million
BY KATHLEEN GRAY • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • July 11, 2008

The cost to prosecute the criminal case against Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his former chief of staff will be $200,000 this year and could cost an additional $1 million next year, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy told county commissioners this week.

Commissioner Kevin McNamara, D-Canton, said with severe budget cuts projected in the county Sheriff’s Office and Public Services Department, which handles roads, he’s unwilling to spend more money for the Kilpatrick case.

"Before I spend any more money on this, I’m going to protect my roads first," he said. "I think you’ve got a slam-dunk case. Why are we living through this nightmare?"

For Fox anchor, unlikely stumble

Revelations linking Fanchon Stinger to Detroit sludge deal shock her news colleagues.
Leonard N. Fleming and Mekeisha Madden Toby / The Detroit News

DETROIT — In the world of TV news personalities in Detroit, Fanchon Stinger was the rising anchorwoman who seemingly had it all: good looks, a charming personality and a fat-salaried position.

Stinger, 37, who began her career as an intern at Fox 2 Detroit, climbed fast and impressed many with her drive. She became an investigative reporter and then moved to the station’s morning show anchor chair in 2004. Her annual salary was more than $300,000.

But her meteoric career came crashing down this week. She was let go Thursday from Fox 2 following revelations that her own media company placed advertisements in connection with a Detroit sludge contract that is under federal investigation.

Candidates vie for Livonia’s 19th House District seat

Two Democrats, one Republican compete to replace term-limited incumbent John Pastor.
Steve Pardo / The Detroit News

LIVONIA — Creating jobs, cutting the budget and attracting new businesses are some of the top issues facing the Livonia candidates running for the 19th District House seat.

Republican incumbent John Pastor is term limited, meaning there will be a new face representing Livonia residents next year. Democrats Steve King and Jennifer Rutkey are on the Aug. 5 ballot. The sole Republican candidate is John Walsh, an attorney who was appointed executive director of Schoolcraft College in 2001 and is the chairman of the Livonia Planning Commission. He served a Livonia city councilmember from 1998-2001.

King and Walsh say they have experience in controlling budgets and both say jobs are a top priority, according to their responses in questionnaires distributed by The Detroit News. Rutkey didn’t fill out the questionnaire and didn’t return a telephone call Friday.

Democrats target state’s Chief Justice in new ad

By Dawson Bell • Free Press Staff Writer • July 11, 2008

LANSING - The first attack ad of this year’s contest for a key seat on the Michigan Supreme Court will be launched this weekend by the Michigan Democratic Party.

The ad takes a somewhat convoluted route to its target, Chief Justice Clifford Taylor, by calling on him not to block a ballot proposal backed by Democrats that makes extensive revisions to the state constitution.

Among the changes is a pay cut for judges, and the ad suggests Taylor, who is up for reelection in November, will have to choose between protecting "his salary and perks" or letting "the people vote for change."

Boom Vs. Gloom

By INVESTOR’S BUSINESS DAILY | Posted Tuesday, July 08, 2008 4:20 PM PT

According to the New York Times, John McCain’s economic advisers are agonizing over whether their candidate should balance the budget, as he recently promised to do by 2013, or extend the Bush tax cuts?

Then, at the end of an article on the supposed competition between supply-siders and deficit hawks, came the definitive answer from McCain senior economic adviser Douglas Holtz-Eakin: "You’ll never have successful deficit-reduction without strong economic growth."

With unacceptably high fuel costs and an economy throttling down from the tax-cut-powered Bush expansion, this is no time for big tax hikes and a 21st-century version of LBJ’s Great Society domestic spending spree.

Locals flood GOP convention coffers

By TOM WEBB- ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS | 7/11/08 6:22 PM EST

The spectacle of the coming Republican National Convention will be brought to you by Minnesota’s major corporations, even more than planned.

Virtually every major Twin Cities company has given money to the convention’s local host committee, donated free services or both. The surprise has been the ratio of local donors to national money.

"They originally thought it would be a 50-50 split, and it’s looking more like 60 percent local and 40 percent national," said Teresa McFarland, spokeswoman for the host committee, which is charged with raising $58 million.

Lieberman Dismisses GOP Veep Speculation

ABC News’ Ron Claiborne Reports: Senator Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., says he has no interest in being Sen. John McCain’s running mate, preferring to remain in the Senate seat he’s held for the past 20 years.

"As regards the vice presidency, I really have been there and done that," Lieberman told ABC News in an interview airing on Saturday’s World News. "I am not a candidate. I am not interested in doing it. I hope John is elected president. I’m going to work hard to do that happens and I think the best thing I can do the help him be the great president I think he’s capable of being is to be Democratic senator working across party lines to get things done."

Do Obama’s changes hurt his candidacy?

Nancy Kruh

Pundits have been drizzling out questions about Barack Obama’s changing stances, but the candidate’s about-face vote Wednesday in favor of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act seems to have unleashed a hail of opinions.

"Everyone expects some alterations as the chosen candidate moves to the center for the general election," Froma Harrop writes. "But Obama hasn’t just shortened a sleeve here, taken in a waist there. He’s come out with a whole new summer wardrobe of policy positions."

The Providence Journal columnist suspects Obama is hoping "that, happy or not, the left has nowhere else to go. But the speed with which he chucked his promises suggests that he also regarded the intellectuals as an easier sell than they thought themselves."

Paid for by Michigan Republican Party

Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee

——————————————————————————————

This questionnaire information can be useful to voters in selecting a candidate for the U.S. Representative from the 1st District.  The answers are confined to 200 words by request.

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Why do you want to be a U. S. Representative for the 1st District?

The U.S. House has 435 elected Representatives as members. Each one, is expected by the American public to use his or her creative talents, to contribute to the objectives of national defense, providing for energy requirements, organizing border control, contributing to economic stability, domestic tranquility, education, internal infrastructure and public health concerns.

Instead of displaying creativity, the U. S. Congress has completely lost direction and is writhing in a cesspool of indecision. It needs an immediate overhaul which includes a massive replacement of current membership. I am a mature American Patriot that has a sound formal education from a highly respected Conservative College-University in Chicago. (See Bio Information on website.) This was followed by five decades of an intense self taught study of political history, both national and international. My instruction was gleaned from the mistakes and success’s of western civilization and the great leaders that set the course of history.

I want to become an active member of the United States Congress because I have the credentials, intelligence and drive that America needs to return to it’s rightful position as the worlds leader. My character has a spotless record of civil behavior, with cultural and business success all contributing to the kind of profile that America needs from it’s Congressional leaders.

Why are you qualified to be the 1^st Districts U.S. Representative. 199 words

I totally understand the American dream. Born in abject poverty, and left without any monetary inheritance whatsoever. (the 13^th child.) I served my country militarily, (Three years & eight months.) I earned every dollar paid for my formal education, I found all of my employment without help, I designed and built two homes, including the basements, totally alone, by the hands on method, (muscle, sweat and blood.) I invented two successful business’s and built a third one providing 35 years of self employment. I took part in politics, as county chair and many times as a delegate. I was the director of a large Bible camp. I served a number of church’s as a lay preacher, I have traveled in all 49 continental states for a total of almost six million miles, (yes, million) and I have spent a lot of time in Great Britain, France, Canada and Mexico and traveled the "Alcan highway about twenty times." I ran for The United States House of Representatives three times, 02, 04, 06, and now in 08. This is the kind of living experience that very few Congressmen have. My two primary interests are politics and American history. Am I over qualified ?

Please make a list of your top priority issues, if elected.

Issues change, along with world events. At this writing, "Energy" probably tops my list of priorities. I have written essays on the oil crises, (refer to website.) before the public started the swing to force release the restrictions on drilling in new and old oil fields. The far left environmentalists, (including Congressman Stupak) have pressured us into a position of dependency on foreign markets that have cost us heavily and will continue to financially drain us until we can shift into an emergency mode to start producing and refining our own oil, which may take several years. I hope the voting public punishes them in November.

Another subject of my deep concern is getting the Federal Government out of education. Especially on the elementary level. (Again, see my education essay on my website.) The extremely important period between three and seven years are when a child develops his world view, and that impression could last throughout their entire lives. We want that world view to be wholesome and patriotic.

The period of military invasion of this country has relinquished to political contamination from within our own institutions and the Government itself. We must prepare for a very long philosophical war with Islam and The United Nations.

Don Hooper, Candidate for The U.S. House of Representatives

A complete biography can be found on my website or on the attachment. A current photo is also supplied by request.

DonHooper@alldial.net
www.DonHooper.org
906.265.9329

http://www.jackformichigan.org

July 9, 2008

MORNING UPDATE:

WHY McCAIN…because the country’s at war, the economy is struggling, oil prices are surging… AND OBAMA…is just an opportunistic and self-obsessed politician who will do and say anything to get elected.

DRILL AND SAVE…Democrats in Congress have been kowtowing to environmental extremists long enough. The radical left and the special interest groups that control the Democratic Party are keeping America from developing America’s oil reserves. The left and the environmental extremists who control the Democrat Party are standing in the way of safe, reasonable, exploration of oil in the United States.

We have all the technology and tools to develop domestic energy safely without hurting our environment if only Congress would stop listening to the special interest groups. We need to Drill and Save.

It’s time to end our dependence on foreign oil. Sign our e-petition today and tell Democrats that control Congress that enough is enough.

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FOR THE LATEST NEWS, COMMENTARY & INFORMATION:

Check…out…our…online Articles of Interest………News…you…can…use………

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THE REST OF THE STORY:

No further commentary today.

TODAY’S TOP STORIES

The following stories and more are available at my Articles of Interest online.

Race for state House heating up

With 44 reps forced out by term limits, Senate may become more powerful body.
Charlie Cain / Detroit News Lansing Bureau

LANSING — Campaigning for the Michigan House is revving up to full throttle as candidates seek to win the seats of 44 representatives who are being broomed out by term limits — including 25 in Metro Detroit.

The House will undergo a major overhaul that could put it at a disadvantage dealing with the Senate next year, where more experienced members will carry on. The 38 Senate seats are not up for election this year.

The House will lose 40 percent of its current members and the chairs of 10 key committees where the heavy lifting is done — including the heads of the Judiciary, Tax Policy, Commerce, Transportation, Energy and Technology, Insurance and Families and Children’s Services panels. It will lose a third of the 30-member House Appropriations Committee, which plays a key role in shaping how tax dollars are spent.

Granholm supports rewrite of constitution

Ballot proposal isn’t best way, she says
Dawson Bell • Special to the State Journal • July 9, 2008 • From Lansing State Journal

Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Tuesday endorsed the idea of rewriting Michigan’s constitution to modify the state’s political structure, but she’s not sure a ballot proposal is the way to do it.

Speaking to reporters at the state Capitol, Granholm said she wasn’t sure whether she would vote for the sweeping package of changes contained in a proposed amendment from a group calling itself Reform Michigan Government Now.

RMGN submitted petitions Monday to put the issue before voters in November, claiming to have collected the signatures of 487,000 registered voters. The petition drive, which operated in relative obscurity before attracting widespread public attention only a few weeks ago, has the backing of Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer. Top Republicans, on the other hand, view it as a stealth attempt by Democrats to take over all of state government.

FBI questions Collins about vote

Agents tell councilwoman two people linked her name to sludge deal payoff
Christine MacDonald / The Detroit News

DETROIT — FBI agents told city Councilwoman Barbara-Rose Collins on Tuesday that she is the "subject" of a federal public corruption probe into accusations that city officials accepted money to approve a sludge-hauling contract, she confirmed.

Two agents came to her home unannounced about 8 a.m. Tuesday asking if she received money for voting in November for a contract that would pay Synagro Technologies Inc. of Houston $47 million to haul sludge. She said she told them "no" and added "nobody had to pay me off. I was always a yes vote."

Collins’ visit from the FBI is the latest twist in the federal investigation into a City Hall scandal to determine if cash had been doled out in exchange for votes and support on specific projects. Sources have confirmed that Councilwoman Monica Conyers is under investigation.

New claim that mayor lied hangs on 1 word

His answer on affairs can be debated
BY M.L. ELRICK and JOE SWICKARD • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS • July 9, 2008

The prosecution’s hopes of expanding perjury charges against Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to say he lied about affairs with several women hang on a fleeting exchange during a police whistle-blower trial last summer, the Free Press has learned.

On Aug. 29, Mike Stefani, the attorney for two cops suing Kilpatrick and the city for retaliating against them, asked the mayor a series of questions under oath.

"You said you don’t whore around on your wife?" Stefani asked.

McCain-Romney buzz fires up Michiganders

BY KATHLEEN GRAY • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • July 9, 2008

He cuts a stately profile with his well-tailored suits, perfectly coiffed hair and a family straight out of central casting, but he’s no movie star.

The buzz surrounding Mitt Romney, a Michigan son and former Massachusetts governor, is all about the Republican presidential ticket and whether he lands on it as the party’s vice presidential candidate.

Bloggers and political pundits have been speculating for weeks that Romney is at the top of a short list of Republicans who can give presumptive Republican nominee John McCain what he needs to win the White House: business, organizational and government experience — as well as deep roots in Michigan, a state with 17 electoral votes that is shaping up as a key battleground in 2008.

McCain: Spending is out of control

(CNN) — Sen. John McCain on Tuesday brushed off skepticism from economists and insisted he could balance the budget by 2013 by keeping taxes low and curbing spending.

"We’re going to restrain spending, we’re going to have the economy grow again and increase revenues. The problem is that spending got completely out of control," McCain said on CNN’s "American Morning."

McCain is in favor of extending the Bush tax cuts, which are set to expire in 2010.

Que? Obama says nation’s kids should be bilingual

In an under-covered moment I only caught by streaming the event online, Sen. Barack Obama told voters today in Powder Springs, Georgia, they should not be worried about making the United States an "English-only" country.

He said he agrees immigrants should learn English, but felt the concern should be more about global competitiveness.

"Instead of worrying about whether immigrants can learn English, because they will learn English, you need to make sure your child can speak Spanish," he said. "We should have every child speaking more than one language."

Congressional Performance

Congressional Approval Falls to Single Digits for First Time Ever

The percentage of voters who give Congress good or excellent ratings has fallen to single digits for the first time in Rasmussen Reports tracking history. This month, just 9% say Congress is doing a good or excellent job. Most voters (52%) say Congress is doing a poor job, which ties the record high in that dubious category.

Last month, 11% of voters gave the legislature good or excellent ratings. Congress has not received higher than a 15% approval rating since the beginning of 2008.

The percentage of Democrats who give Congress positive ratings fell from 17% last month to 13% this month. The number of Democrats who give Congress a poor rating remained unchanged. Among Republicans, 8% give Congress good or excellent ratings, up just a point from last month. Sixty-five percent (65%) of GOP voters say Congress is doing a poor job, down a single point from last month.

Obama running in place on Iraq

By ROGER SIMON | 7/8/08 8:10 PM EST

"Is Your Trip Necessary?"

That was the famous question asked on a poster distributed by the U.S. government during World War II. The government wanted citizens to curtail unnecessary travel in order to preserve precious resources needed for the war effort.

Today many Americans are asking themselves if their summer driving vacations are really necessary because of the high cost of fuel.

Iraq raises idea of timetable for US withdrawal

QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA and SEBASTIAN ABBOT ASSOCIATED PRESS
Originally published 01:39 a.m., July 8, 2008, updated 12:51 a.m., July 8, 2008

BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraq’s prime minister said Monday his country wants some type of timetable for a withdrawal of American troops included in the deal the two countries are negotiating.

It was the first time that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has explicitly and publicly called for a withdrawal timetable _ an idea opposed by President Bush.

He offered no details. But his national security adviser, Mouwaffak al-Rubaie, told The Associated Press that the government is proposing a timetable conditioned on the ability of Iraqi forces to provide security.