Swing State Project

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

KY-Gov: Welcome to the People's Republic of Kentucky

Posted by DavidNYC

Gov. Ernie Fletcher's administration is doing a great Glavlit impersonation:

I've gotten a handful of e-mails this morning already that BluegrassReport.org has apparently been blocked to state computers by the Commonwealth Office of Technology. Readers in three different cabinets have e-mailed to tell me they get a "blocked" message when they try to access the site.

Nothing like a little censorship with your breakfast. Welcome to the People's Republic of Kentucky.

This story has gotten more and more amazing all day. Click the link to the BGR to read all of Mark's updates. I just can't for the life of me figure out what the Republican powers-that-be in KY think they have to gain from doing this. Do they sincerely think they can deny this information to government workers? And if this is payback, wow has it ever boomeranged. BGR has gotten a lot of attention thanks to this - it'll only become even bigger and better-known.

Posted at 01:34 PM in 2007 Elections, Kentucky | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0) | Technorati

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

KY-Gov/Lt. Gov: Pence Abandons Fletcher, Won't Run In 2007

Posted by RBH

Guess it's time for the indicted Governor to find a new Lt. Gov

Lt. Gov. Steve Pence will announce Wednesday that he's not running for re-election with Gov. Ernie Fletcher next year and is resigning as the state's Justice Cabinet Secretary, Pence confirmed to the Herald-Leader.

Pence will remain in his elected post of lieutenant governor.

"I talked to the governor this evening and advised him I will not be a candidate for lieutenant governor in 2007," Pence said. "And I'm resigning as secretary of the cabinet effective Aug. 1."

He declined to answer more questions until a Capitol press conference at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Granted, I don't know how useful it is for Fletcher to have a Justice secretary. It would be like Tom DeLay having an ethics advisor.

Pence's contributions include riding Space Mountain after assuming the powers of Governor and being Fletcher's second choice (his first being bounced due to not being able to be a candidate for the job).

Fletcher will have to make the call to replace Pence. He should probably make the applicant pass a background check. After all, it would fulfill a strategy of having one really corrupt candidate and a less corrupt 'running mate'.

Although it should be noted that Fletcher is also very unpopular, with his disapprove numbers jumping to 65% after his indictment. That was just the "post-indictment nosedive," which means it could get much worse soon. (Then again, it should be noted that most politicians don't have their job approval go up after an indictment)

Either way, the rats are jumping ship from the SS Fletcher.

Posted at 12:55 AM in 2007 Elections, Culture of Corruption, Kentucky | TrackBack (0) | Technorati

Thursday, May 11, 2006

KY-Gov: Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R) Indicted

Posted by DavidNYC

From the Lexington Herald-Leader, via the BluegrassReport:

The special grand jury that’s been investigating state government hiring practices indicted Gov. Ernie Fletcher on three misdemeanors for conspiracy, official misconduct and political discrimination.

The jury also indicted former Transportation Cabinet official Sam Beverage for perjury, which is a felony.

And the jury also submitted to Franklin Circuit Judge William Graham 14 more indictments that are under seal.

Those indictments cover crimes that may have occurred before Aug. 29, 2005, when Fletcher pardoned all administration officials except himself.

Keep checking BluegrassReport for further updates.

Posted at 04:46 PM in 2007 Elections, Kentucky | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0) | Technorati

Wednesday, April 20, 2005

SF-Mayor (2007): Time Magazine Clocks Newsom at 80%

Posted by Bob Brigham

From the San Francisco Examiner:

Time puts Newsom's approval rating at 80 percent, which Newsom political consultant Eric Jaye said is "in the ballpark."

"It may be a few points higher or lower," said Jaye. "He is enjoying an extraordinary level of popular support given how contentious San Francisco politics are."

During his brief tenure in office Newsom has been the subject of glowing pieces in GQ, Esquire, Harper's Bazaar, and the New Yorker. Time also singled out Newsom for its 2004 "People Who Mattered" feature.

The first paragraph says he's looking good for re-election in 2007, the last paragraph reminds us why he might be looking good in 2008.

Posted at 03:32 PM in 2007 Elections, 2008 President - Democrats, California | Comments (1) | Technorati