There are lies, damn lies and statistics.  And this last poll from survey USA got me more worked up than ive been in a while.  Ladies and gentleman, this is ridiculous.  Bush and Kerry tied in Maryland.  MD, which traditionally votes 5-15 percentage points more Democratic than the national average.  That any polling firm could present this tells us the sad state of our politics.  But not only do they release the poll, they emblazon it with the Democratic State of Maryland in Play!

Most recent diaries seem to be on polling... or perhaps on general political strategy.  This diary is going to be my humble attempt to refute some basic conservative myths on public education.  It is no secret that Republicans hate public education.  Before, they wanted to eliminate the Education department, now they want to practice school vouchers and charter schools.  The idea that American Government, and by inference, the American people as a whole, take responsibility for the raising of their children seems to be anathema to conservative thought.  The benefits of public education are being brought up in my economics classes.  For example, public education ideally creates knowledge that we can all be guaranteed we share.

I am bringing this up because I recently read, browsing an article on townhall.com, a stinging attack on Calvert county schools, in my home state of MD.  While the article does make some relatively useful points, the majority of it is myth or blatant misinformation.

The article can be found
here.  The author is apparently a disgruntled public elementary school teacher in Calvert County, Maryland.  Emphasis on disgruntled.  In extended I shall reprint egregious parts of the article and explain my complaint against them.

I havent done a diary in a long time, but I thought this was worthy of note.  I was looking at the national republican senatorial committee website, thats known as www.nrsc.org, and I leafed through the site to see what the enemy was saying and I found this...

on the front page of their website.  How absolutely ridiculous.  Now, Im not actually saying the Majette has a chance of winning.  However, I will say that she has no chance of winning because she is an underfunded late entrant in a conservative state.  But the Republicans wanted to point out that the Democrats had the gall to nominate a black female.  I mean, as if being black or a woman alone isnt bad enough. </sarcasm>.  The question is what do we do about this relatively clear sign of racism... any ideas?

So, Im trying to get some information on Perot's candidacy.  Specifically, on campus there has been some conservative criticism of Democrats for not wanting Nader to run.  I was wondering if there was any bitching from prominent Republicans about Perot or Buchanan threatening to "steal" (or in the case of Perot actually "stealing") the election.  That way I have some ammo.

Look...  I like Dean... I really do.  But I will be very dissapointed with Edwards if he chooses Dean as his VP.  It would be a dangerous and a poor strategic decision.  We all know Edwards strengths... optimism, charisma, electoral moderation, southern charm (maybe we should file that under charisma), and fantastic domestic policy proposals.

However, Edwards has glaring weaknesses as a candidate.  

from politics1.com

DEM WIDENS LEAD IN KENTUCKY SPECIAL. According to the latest Louisville Courier-Journal poll, former Attorney General Ben Chandler (D) has widened his lead in the KY-6 Congressional special election on Tuesday. Chandler now leads State Senator Alice Forgy Kerr (R) by a vote of 49.4% to 39.6%.

Wow...  wed been talking about the message if Chandler wins this district.  What is the message if Chandler kicks Kerr's derrier so definitively that it scares off any Kentuckian from running against him?

What I'm saying is... If Kerr really doesnt brake 40 (still not likely)... is it gonna come back to haunt Bush or will it serve as proof that Kerr was a horrible candidate.  Either way, I'm sure it would bring tears to McConnels eyes.

There was a lot of thought that Clark would endorse Edwards or maybe Dean as a way to create  a 2-way race.  Kerry, as being stronger on national security issues, may have always been Clarks preferred candidate.  However, I realize now that Clark had to endorse Kerry for the future of his political career.

Clark is clearly from Arkansas... so that is where he would have to run for a position.  However, thanks to Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln... the Arkansas Senate seats are going to be safely Dem for quite a while.  The only House Republican, John Boozman is already being given quite a race by Jan Judy, and Clark's name is a bit big for a house seat anyways.  That leaves the governorship open in 2006, but Clarks strong point is definitely not the domestic policy necessary to win that election.

So, in short...  if Clark wants to continue his political career anytime soon, he needs a Cabinet position in the next administration.  Sheer realism (cynicism?) dictates that he get close to the likely Dem nominee now for that to happen.

If you look at Kos' anaylsis he says the Kansas seat held by Sam Brownback is the sleeper race for 2004.  Well... the Dems found their candidate in Joan Ruff, an attorney who immediately got Sebilius' endorsement.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/7722838.htm

This is pretty important for 2 reasons.  One is obviously to hold Republicans back in Senate seats.  The other is too provide backup for Dennis Moores reelection campaign in the 3rd district.  With Sebelius getting elected in 2002...  The dems are strong and want to flext their muscle.  This is a long shot in any case.  But sending Sam Brownback home is at least a realistic dream now.

Going Native for 2004
By DAVID BROOKS

Published: December 6, 2003

To: Tom DeLay

From: A Concerned Conservative

Dear Tom,

This week I read that you have abandoned plans to house Republicans safely on a cruise ship off the island of Manhattan during the G.O.P. convention in New York this summer. Have you paused to consider what this will mean?

It will mean that instead of spending time in a secure environment offshore, kind, decent Republicans will be wandering innocently among packs of inflamed New York liberals. They'll be subjected to long harangues that rely heavily on the words "multilateral," "Kyoto" and "John Ashcroft." They'll get condescending looks when they go into a deli and order a strawberry and chocolate chip bagel with pineapple cream cheese -- a perfectly acceptable bagel option in most suburbs. They will naïvely pick up The Village Voice, thinking it contains small-town news.

This speaks for itself on the energy bill.  You have to respect a conservative who will bash his politicians when they dont match his ideology.

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/rn20031124.shtml

Well, the Hill reports that Reid has gained "street cred" from his impressive Senate filibuster... and despite the difference of opinion with Kossians, is likely to become the next SML.

"Senate Minority Whip Harry Reid's Democratic colleagues agree that his nine-hour filibuster last week has bolstered his reputation and solidified his position as heir apparent to Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.).

"I think he was just terrific," Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) said. "This is a man with the patience of Job."

Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) agreed, saying, "I was impressed by his stamina, and his willingness to stand up and give the other side of the story."

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), who lost to Daschle for the leadership post by only one vote and was considered the only likely challenger to Reid, described the Nevadan's filibuster as "certainly a heroic performance."

Prepare for the worst ladies and gentleman... We have been leaked.  This could hurt the Dems on judges...

From thehill.com

How Ted cemented filibuster
By Alexander Bolton

Confidential Democratic memos downloaded from a Senate Judiciary Committee database and leaked to the press show that Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) overcame the reservations of 15 Senate colleagues to convince Democrats to wage filibusters against some of President Bush's judicial nominees.

Republican lawmakers and conservative activists have accused Kennedy since the early days of the Bush administration of being the mastermind behind the Democratic decision to block, if possible, the confirmation of such nominees as Miguel Estrada and Charles Pickering Sr.

anyone notice that almost the entire GOP leadership is from the south or Border states...

Bush - Texas
Cheney - Wyoming might as well be Texas
Frist - Tenessee
Delay - Texas
McConnel - Kentucky
Blunt - Missouri
Lott - Mississippi

the only exception is Hastert from Illinois

by comparison we have
Al Gore - Tenessee
Lieberman - Connecticut
Gephardt - Missouri
Pelosi - California
Hoyer - Maryland
Daschle - South Dakota
Reid - Nevada

4 of those states went for Bush...

which one of these leadership groups is more representative of America

The political play of the week from CNN's Bill Schneider went to justice Roy Moore of Alabama of Ten Commandments fame...

an excerpt -

Could Moore have political plans?

"He'll be back as a United States senator, or he's back as chief justice because he can run again. Or he'll be back as governor," said Terry Butts, an attorney for Moore.

Moore could challenge Gov. Bob Riley in the GOP primary in 2006.

Remember Riley? He sponsored a tax hike plan that Alabama voters soundly defeated in September.

"I will be making an announcement next week which could alter the course of this country," Moore declared on Thursday.

That's next week. This week, he gets the political Play of the Week.

Moore deliberately sought the showdown and invited media attention. He wanted his trial held in a sports arena with thousands of spectators witnessing his martyrdom.

Statement that interests me - "I will be making an announcement next week which could alter the course of this country"  Moore declared on Tuesday.

Moore announcing to run against Senator Richard Shelby, or Bob Riley would not really change the "course of this country."  It would only affect Alabama...  What would have a larger impact?  Challenging president George Bush in the Republican primaries.  He almost certainly would not win, but he could divide the GOP enough to power up the Dems for victory.  This man obviously likes to do things big... will he sabatoge his party and ideology for his own personal prestige?

He wanted his trial held in a sports arena with thousands of spectators witnessing his martyrdom.

.... he really is bringing on the legacy of Strom Thurmond....

Some of the freshman Republicans, like Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Norm Coleman of Minnesota, say they haven't had much chance to speak in the talkathon and asked for the extension. "I never dreamed that in a 30-hour debate you'd have to fight to get two minutes," Graham said.

Graham also threatened to sue to change the Senate rules if Republicans can't break the filibusters, which most senators agree won't happen. "I don't see a way out," Graham said. "Nobody's going to change their votes."

from CNN

OK Lindsay Graham spoke at least 2 hours probably more like 4... and thats not enough for this windbag...

The debate has been extended... and thats fine...

But Graham is beginning to scare me, he might very well be the most dangerous Senator in Washington.  And South Carolina will never kick him out.

This is officially the dumbest thing to have ever come out of the NY Times.  The absolute most completely moronic thing I have seen in a long time and it just pisses me off...

Article will be printed here, followed by some ranting and analysis

Also, could someone show me how to properly show links?

So, a guy sends a subpoena to John Ashroft and Karl Rove... This is the definintion of ballsy.

Article will be here in the extended diary.

Am I the only person who thinks a "Free Speech Zone" is a contradiction?

Federalist sent me this lovely link to the Mississippi vote counting

Mississippi votes

With the Dems losing Kentucky, Mississippi is our hope for the day.  It will make me so happy to see a losing Barbour, but what are the implications???

Before we all start spinning everything, lets have a quick discussion as to whether MS governor vote implies anything in 2004.