October 2007

Early voting measures are touted by election reform advocates as a principal way of increasing voter turnout, but a new empirical study by political scientists concludes that most early voting options have a negligible or even negative impact on turnout. Full release

John McCain takes a bag full of tricks but no treats to the Kaiser Family Foundation's Presidential Candidate Forums today as he presents a health care reform plan that would bring the Bush Administration's failed health care policies back from the dead. Full release

Congressional Quarterly Inc., the nation's premier provider of news and analysis on Congress, politics and public policy, today announced the launch of the new CQ Politics Web site, the leading free site for political professionals, opinion leaders and political enthusiasts. Full release

Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) this week urged Congressional appropriators to include an additional $100 million in funding for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program at the Department of Defense. Full release

Key science and engineering faculty positions in higher education remain the domain of white men. The first national study of tenured and tenure track faculty at the top 100 university departments, in each of 15 science and engineering disciplines, finds that women and minorities continue to be underrepresented. Full release

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Representatives Bobby Rush, Rosa DeLauro, Bart Stupak, and Diana DeGette and consumer advocate Donald Mays held a news conference in the Capitol yesterday afternoon on Democratic efforts to promote consumer product and toy safety. Full release.

Barack Obama today stepped ahead of all other candidates for President in one of the most critical areas of foreign policy, the effort to eradicate extreme poverty. As a part of reasserting America's leadership in this area, he pledged to increase spending on global HIV/AIDS to $50 billion over 2009 to 2013, while at the same time increasing overall foreign assistance spending to $50 billion annually. Full release

Yankees fans have double the reason to be jealous of Boston's sweeping World Series victory this year: Taxpaying fans at Fenway Park paid peanuts to build their ballpark compared to the hundreds of millions of dollars New Yorkers will shell out in subsidies for their new stadium. Stadium sticker shock isn't a new phenomenon by any means, but a study released today by the nonpartisan research arm of the 362,000-member National Taxpayers Union (NTU) illustrates some alarming trends in taxpayer subsidies and climbing construction costs. Full Release.

Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich goes into tonight's Democratic Presidential debate riding a wave of positive polling results that put him in fourth place nationally, second in a major California straw poll, and leading among declared Democrats in an online survey sponsored by Democracy for America. Full release.

Government filings by Al Gore's investment management firm, Generation Investment Management (GIM), indicate that the Nobel Peace Prize winner may be "talking the talk" but not "walking the walk" when it comes to investing in so-called "sustainable" businesses. Full release.

The following was issued today by the Office of Sen. Patrick Leahy: "This fits a well-worn pattern. In this Administration, accountability goes by the boards. That seems to be a central tenet in the Bush Administration -- that no one from their team should be held accountable, if accountability can be avoided. That goes equally for misconduct and for incompetence. If you get caught, they will get you immunity. If you get convicted, they will commute your sentence. They are the Amnesty Administration. Dodging accountability corrodes our values and our integrity, which have been real sources of America's enduring strength." Full release.

Consumers for Competitive Choice (C4CC) applauds the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for its bold ruling that favors consumer protection over big business interests in the matter of cable subscriptions for those living in apartment buildings. Wednesday, the agency is set to strike down monopolistic contracts that tie entire apartment complexes to one cable company without offering cost-saving competition for subscribers. Full release.

On Wednesday, November 7, a major public conference will feature philanthropist George Soros; political consultants Frank Luntz, George Lakoff, and Drew Westen; New York Times media critic Alessandra Stanley; journalists Nicholas Lemann and Orville Schell; and FCC Commissioner Michael J. Copps, along with other influential commentators in a daylong series of panels and debates titled "There You Go Again: Orwell Comes to America." Full release.

The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University today announced the launch of "Code Red," a monthly blog developed by David Dranove, the Kellogg School's Walter J. McNerney Distinguished Professor of Health Industry Management. "Code Red" is accessible here.

Through its unique format, "Code Red" examines the current state of the United States healthcare system. Dranove, a renowned health economist and policy analyst, reveals the state of healthcare by discussing actual scenarios against the backdrop of the current policy landscape. With each entry, Dranove will elicit a response from William White, director of the Sloan Program in Health Administration at Cornell University's School of Human Ecology. In addition to the ongoing dialogue between Dranove and White, some of the nation's best economists from institutions such as Harvard, Yale and Rice Universities will lend their perspectives on various postings. Full release.

AARP will team up with Drexel University to host the Democratic Presidential Candidates debate watch party and after party held in the Mandell Theatre on campus Tuesday, October 30th beginning at 8:00 PM. This state-of-the-art venue will serve as overflow seating for the debate itself, featuring a large-screen simulcast of the event, and will be open to the media. The presidential candidates will be encouraged to attend the after party immediately following the debate to address the student and community audience. Full release.

Congressman Dave Weldon (R-FL), a physician, voted one more time against the Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), thus helping to prevent the expansion of this program to cover some of the 9 million uninsured children in our country. Dr. Stephen Blythe, a family physician in the congressman's district, takes such exception to Weldon's actions in Congress that he will be running against him for the 15th District seat next year. This may be the first time two physicians have faced each other in a congressional race in fifty years. Full release.

The emergence of drought in Georgia, dwindling Great Lakes levels, and the fierce competition for water in the American West are part of a complex, urgent water crisis unfolding across the globe. "Water is the axis issue that intersects the world's greatest challenges, from health, poverty and security to climate, immigration and environment, even financial and commodities markets," said J. Carl Ganter, director of Circle of Blue, the new journalism, research and collaborative project covering water issues worldwide. Full release

Today Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), pressed for more information about Blackwater USA's alleged tax evasion. The private security firm has been under fire for hiding behind a Bush Administration business size ruling that classified some of their workers as independent contractors rather than employees to avoid paying at least $31 million in taxes. As a senior member of the Finance Committee, Kerry sent a letter to the Committee's leadership requesting an investigation be conducted into Blackwater's tax filings. Full release

Congressional Quarterly Inc., the nation's premier provider of news, analysis and information on Congress, politics and public policy, today announced it has made an agreement with noted author and editor Richard J. Whalen. Whalen will contribute a regular blog to CQ's expanded free-content Web site, which will launch in the coming days. Full release

The following is a guest editorial by the national commander of The American Legion Marty Conatser about Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2007. As leader of the world's largest veterans organization, I often have the privilege of meeting some important people. No, I am not referring to our elected officials, business leaders or celebrities. I am speaking of the members of the U.S. military. Full release

Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democratic leaders held a news conference in the Capitol this evening following the vote on the revised bipartisan SCHIP bill, which passed by a vote of 265 to 142. Below are the Speaker's opening remarks: "Today we took another step forward in providing health insurance for 10 million children. It's an interesting vote. Although we had a number of absences on both sides, we had a situation where on the motion to recommit, the Republicans who all day railed against the increase in taxes in the package, in their motion to recommit, had the same 61-cent tax on cigarettes." Full release

The San Diego County Chapter of the Autism Society of America (SDASA), together with TACA and the Autism Society of America, are offering information and assistance resources to anyone affected by an autism spectrum disorder and who has been impacted by the San Diego County wildfires. Full release

Hundreds of attendees of this week's 2007 National Conference on Tobacco or Health -- including teens and adults representing all 50 states -- rallied today outside the Minneapolis Convention Center to raise awareness about the benefits of smoke-free policies and celebrate the progress of smoke-free laws across the nation. Full release

Tonight, the AARP will be hosting a forum for the Republican candidates in Iowa to address issues important to America's seniors but only one of the Republican frontrunners will attend as the others cited "scheduling conflicts." This comes as no surprise, considering the candidates' risky positions on issues affecting America's seniors, including their support for Bush's failed plan to privatize Social Security -- a plan the American people already overwhelmingly rejected. Full release

Leadership and innovation, emergency preparedness, and "going green" will be the focus of the upcoming Congress of Cities, sponsored by the National League of Cities (NLC) in New Orleans, November 13 - 17, expected to be the largest gathering of municipal officials prior to the upcoming presidential primary elections. With rebuilding efforts continuing in New Orleans, conference participants will also have a chance to help many of the city's communities through various volunteer activities. Full release

As the California wildfire crisis enters its fifth day, The Salvation Army continues to provide relief and support to those in need in San Diego County and other impacted regions. Among other efforts, today the Army opened a firestorm assistance center in El Centro to help meet the needs of evacuees from San Diego County. It also continued to mobilize nine canteens, and has six others on call. Full release

House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) issued the following statement today after House Democrats announced they plan to push through controversial SCHIP legislation tomorrow while a number of members from southern California are back in their districts responding to the wildfires: "The scope, scale and severity of the fires raging in southern California are of a magnitude few of us have ever seen." Full release

A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today called on Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani to drop a campaign advisor who offers rhetorical support to a group designated as "terrorist" by the U.S. government. Full release

Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivered remarks at the National Democratic Institute's Democracy luncheon this afternoon. Below are her remarks as prepared: "It was a great honor to receive the invitation to participate in NDI's Democracy Luncheon from Secretary Madeleine Albright. As Ambassador to the United Nations, she represented our nation with great distinction. As Secretary of State, she led a principled foreign policy improving our alliances and promoting democracy all over the world. She is a great American statesman." Full release

As Congressional leaders announced they'd try to reach mutual agreement on energy legislation, 234 economists (including a Nobel Laureate) had a single message: More taxes, regulations, and subsidies will harm, not help, American energy policy. "We write to strongly advise against the inclusion of damaging anti-market provisions in the energy bills moving through Congress," began the joint statement, organized by the 362,000-member National Taxpayers Union (NTU). Full release

The leader of the nation's largest veterans organization today urged Congress to swiftly pass this week's $196.4 billion funding request by the Commander in Chief for Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. "Don't nickel and dime the men and women you placed in harm's way," said Marty Conatser, national commander of The American Legion, to Members of Congress responsible for funding the Global War on Terror. Full release

In The Immigration Solution: A Better Plan Than Today's, authors Heather Mac Donald, Victor Davis Hanson, and Steven Malanga diagnose and offer prescriptions for our current immigration mess. They will discuss their new book at an October 30 panel at the National Press Club, hosted by the Center for Immigration Studies. Full release

New research presents evidence that the public doubts U.S. foreign policy is working and is increasingly skeptical about whether anything can turn the situation around. In a joint online release today, Public Agenda and its partner Foreign Affairs made public results from the fifth edition of the Confidence in U.S. Foreign Policy Index. Full release

As he files paperwork to get on the ballot in the Granite State today, Rudy Giuliani's allies are trying to distance him from potentially embarrassing allegations about his once-close friend Bernard Kerik. According to the New York Post, Giuliani's law partner Marc Mukasey thwarted Kerik's lawyer from interviewing witnesses linked to Giuliani and his consulting firm who may have knowledge of nefarious activity that occurred during Giuliani's watch. Full release

From Florida to Southern California, local Catholic Charities agencies are mobilizing to help their communities deal with recent and ongoing disasters. With fires raging in Southern California, local Catholic Charities in San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino/Riverside are coordinating and collaborating with their local Catholic and disaster relief partners to assess the needs and determine relief efforts. Full release

As the national debate over immigration reached a fever pitch, some mainstream advocacy groups "reached for the playbook of hate groups" -- resorting to hateful and dehumanizing stereotypes and outright bigotry to demonize immigrants. Full release

The more time youth spend participating in youth development programs like 4-H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Boys & Girls Clubs, the more likely they are to experience positive youth development and contribute to their communities, according to a national longitudinal study released today by National 4-H Council. Full release

House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) issued the following statement today after the president called on Congress to complete its work on the veterans' and military construction appropriations bill, now a full 129 days removed from when the House first approved the legislation. "The annual appropriations bill setting aside funds for veterans' health care and housing initiatives is among the most important pieces of legislation we consider all year -- and usually, among the least partisan." Full release

"Patient Safety Through Technology and Improved Communication" is the theme of the 26th Annual Fall Symposium for women's health care providers sponsored by the Montefiore Medical Center Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women's Health. Full release

One presidential candidate gets a secret weapon today -- the unabashed and unreserved endorsement of Chuck Norris. You might think it would be fellow actor Fred Thompson, late of "Law & Order." After all, not only do they have the entertainment industry connection in common, but it's been said Norris was suing NBC, claiming 'Law & Order' are the names of his left and right legs. Full release.

The Health Improvement Institute is organizing a one-day workshop Monday, November 12 to explore the future of health information on the Internet. Held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Bethesda, Maryland, the workshop offers the opportunity for health experts, representatives of relevant organizations, and consumers to analyze the adequacy of Web-based health information, to discuss methods for publishing and evaluating health information on the Internet, and to explore strategies to improve the quality and utility of online health information. Full release

Leveraging the unique resources of its public affairs initiative, WE Empowers Women, along with a diverse partnership of the nation's top advocacy groups, WE tv announced today that the network will create and implement an unprecedented national grassroots initiative. The campaign will look to register over 1 million women to vote in the 2008 election while educating them on important key issues of interest to them. Full release

Nearly one in five higher education students now takes at least one class online, according to a new study of more than 2,500 colleges and universities nationwide. The 2007 Sloan Survey of Online Learning, released today by the Babson Survey Research Group, reveals that online enrollment rose by nearly ten percent in fall 2006, to 3.49 million students. Approximately 3.18 million students had at least one online course in fall 2005. Full release

There is good news for healthcare consumers. The once frustrating search to find a healthcare provider who spends time talking with as well as providing high-quality care for patients is just a click away on a computer. A new Web site -- NPFinder.com -- helps you locate a nurse practitioner (NP) in your area. This new resource helps guide consumers to NP practice sites in communities around the country. Full release

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) revealed today that the main speaker for an upcoming series of "Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week" lectures at university campuses nationwide recently offered a keynote address at a European gathering that included representatives of racist or "neo-Nazi" political parties. Full Release.

The Newswomen's Club of New York announces its 69th annual Front Page Awards to 45 outstanding women journalists in print, broadcast and online media. The awards will be presented Nov. 29 at the club's annual awards dinner at the historic National Arts Club, where the Newswomen's club is headquartered. Guest speaker Donna Hanover, Co-Host of "The Morning Show" on WOR Radio 710, will deliver the evening's keynote address. Full release

Today, the Democratic National Committee announced that the 2007-2008 Minority Political Companies Directory, first published in September in a print edition, is now available in a searchable, on-line format that can be updated on an ongoing basis. This new, easy-to-use database will better ensure that users can easily access minority political companies in their area and nationwide with a history of working with the Democratic Party to win elections up and down the ballot. Full release

Less than two weeks after its theatrical premiere in New York, director Alex LeMay's and producer Percy 'Master P' Miller's "Desert Bayou" has attracted a flurry of interest from the NAACP, the American Civil Liberties Union and Appleseed, as well as leaders in the African American community including Donna Brazile, Congressman Edolphus Towns (D-NY) and Reverend Al Sharpton. Full release

Talking about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) issues is frequently a challenge for many people, but the Winston-Salem chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) will recognize outstanding local allies who are meeting this challenge in our community at its third annual Kaleidoscope Awards Banquet on October 27, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at Augsburg Lutheran Church in Winston-Salem, NC. Full release

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit will determine whether Turkish immigrant Ibrahim Parlak can remain in the U.S. at a hearing scheduled on October 22, 2007 at 1:30pm in Cincinnati, Ohio...At the center of Ibrahim's case lie three fundamental, precedent-setting issues: should immigration courts rely on evidence from torture-induced confessions, should the Department of Homeland Security be allowed unlimited discretion to designate any group of "two or more" individuals as a terrorist organization, and should a person be prosecuted for membership in a group that is opposed to the government. Full release.

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