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Iowa Republican Caucuses

Jan 4th, 2012 by Catrina

Showtime!

Voting is underway in the Republic Caucuses in Iowa. With less than 1% of the count Ron Paul lead the pack. With 3% of the count Rick Santorum took lead position. With 6% counted Rick Santorum held 1st. place with 1,229 votes just 25 votes ahead of Ron Paul, but just now the count clicked over to 11% and Ron Paul takes the lead, followed by Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry, and Michele Bachmann.


Live results here.

UPDATE: Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum share dibs on first place, Ron Paul not far behind. Newt Gingrich in forth place closes the door on the Iowa circus leaving Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann alone in the dark.

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Posted in Politics

1,289 Responses to “Iowa Republican Caucuses”

  1. 401
    Chris B says:
    9 February, 2012 at 8:33 pm

    GOP Ripe For Splits In Assault On Birth Control Rule.
    *****************************************

    Congressional Republicans’ pledge to mount a legislative push against the Obama administration’s requirement that health insurance plans cover birth control comes with a risk: Alienating their members who have previously pushed or voted to mandate contraception coverage.

    Back in 2001, six Republican senators sponsored legislation decreeing that health insurance plans may not “exclude or restrict benefits for prescription contraceptive drugs or devices approved by the Food and Drug Administration.” In other words, they would be required to provide birth control. The bill never made it out of committee, but that wasn’t for a lack of effort from the GOP.

    The measure’s lead sponsor was Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and cosponsors included Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME); the other four have since left Congress. Counterpart legislation in the House was introduced by former Rep. James Greenwood (R-PA) and cosponsored by 14 others Republicans including incumbent Rep. Todd Platts (PA) and now-Sen. Mark Kirk (IL).

    Spokespersons for Snowe and Collins did not respond to TPM’s requests for comment by press time, and the two senators have not weighed in on the controversy thus far.

    Would it be wonderful?
    HarryH is right on the money.

    http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/gop-ripe-for-schisms-in-assault-on-birth-control-rule.php?ref=fpnewsfeed

  2. 402
    Chris B says:
    9 February, 2012 at 8:34 pm

    Spell check broke. Wouldn’t it be wounderful?

  3. 403
    Chris B says:
    9 February, 2012 at 11:36 pm

    Did Obama Administration Pick a Fight on Birth Control Deliberately?
    *****************************************************

    The president is ‘very sensitive’ to concerns about his policy mandating that Catholic institutions provide contraception coverage—but did the administration incite the enraged response to fire up young liberal voters?
    Could the administration have done anything to avoid the firestorm over its ruling that Catholic institutions provide birth-control coverage to employees? “Avoid it?” says Democratic pollster Geoffrey Garin. “The presumption of the word is that this is politically damaging. This is a pro-birth-control country.” While the views of those who oppose contraception must be respected, he says, it shouldn’t be done by denying coverage to women who work for Catholic-affiliated hospitals, universities, and charities, and who may or may not follow the teachings of the Catholic Church.

    Even if they didn’t the Democrats now know they have the perfect hot button issue.

    More here….
    http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/02/09/did-obama-administration-pick-a-fight-on-birth-control-deliberately.html

  4. 404
  5. 405
    Jen says:
    10 February, 2012 at 5:22 pm

    yet another reason not to let Gina near the printing presses :(
    http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/3821618.html?WT.svl=theDrum

  6. 406
    Jen says:
    10 February, 2012 at 5:29 pm

    sadly though … she can’t be stopped. One of the actions of my favourite PM PJK that was a massive cock-up.

  7. 407
    Paul says:
    10 February, 2012 at 9:43 pm

    my favourite PM PJK

    Here’s looking at you, kid.

  8. 408
    Chris B says:
    11 February, 2012 at 8:16 am

    Obama Approval Ratings Rise Tracks Increasing Consumer Confidence.
    ********************************************************

    On Thursday, the Gallup Daily tracking poll marked a symbolic milestone. For the first time in more than a month and only the third time since last July, Gallup reported an approval rating for President Barack Obama (49 percent) that was slightly higher than his disapproval rating (46 percent).

    More here…
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/10/obama-approval-ratings-rise-consumer-confidence_n_1269159.html

  9. 409
    Chris B says:
    11 February, 2012 at 8:17 am

    Looks like we have a better candidate than Gingrich. Santorum. :)

  10. 410
    Chris B says:
    11 February, 2012 at 8:17 am

    Nice one Paul. Signed Gough.

  11. 411
    Chris B says:
    11 February, 2012 at 1:54 pm

    Santorum has hit the lead in polls in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

  12. 412
    Chris B says:
    11 February, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    411 For the Republican Part. Wheras against Obama has is being thrashed by about 8%

  13. 413
    paddy says:
    11 February, 2012 at 4:11 pm

    Yay Nancy!! :mrgreen:
    Pelosi’s “Stop Colbert” Video Goes Viral http://bit.ly/AbhHxc

  14. 414
    Gaffhook says:
    11 February, 2012 at 9:14 pm

    Rupert must be about to tweet, When is this ever going to fucken end?

    Met Police arrested 8 people this morning as part of Operation Elveden which is investigating allegations of inappropriate payments to police and public officials.

    http://www.atvtoday.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3739:officers-from-operation-elveden-make-more-arrests&catid=1:tv-media&Itemid=3

  15. 415
    paddy says:
    11 February, 2012 at 9:58 pm

    This …….

    Senior Sun journalists arrested in police payments probe

    Deputy editor, chief correspondent and picture editor among five Sun newspaper staff and three others arrested

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/feb/11/sun-journalists-arrested?CMP=twt_fd

    Is almost as funny as Banjo Rinehart’s vogon poetry. :evil: :lol:
    http://t.co/GUEfPEB7

  16. 416
    Chris B says:
    12 February, 2012 at 7:37 am

    Santorum surges into the lead
    ************************

    Riding a wave of momentum from his trio of victories on Tuesday Rick Santorum has opened up a wide lead in PPP’s newest national poll. He’s at 38% to 23% for Mitt Romney, 17% for Newt Gingrich, and 13% for Ron Paul.

    Part of the reason for Santorum’s surge is his own high level of popularity. 64% of voters see him favorably to only 22% with a negative one. But the other, and maybe more important, reason is that Republicans are significantly souring on both Romney and Gingrich. Romney’s favorability is barely above water at 44/43, representing a 23 point net decline from our December national poll when he was +24 (55/31). Gingrich has fallen even further. A 44% plurality of GOP voters now hold a negative opinion of him to only 42% with a positive one. That’s a 34 point drop from 2 months ago when he was at +32 (60/28).

    More here…
    http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2012/02/santorum-surges-into-the-lead.html

  17. 417
    HarryH says:
    12 February, 2012 at 11:06 am

    Chris

    It looks like the Obama camps timing was indeed perfect in lobbing the firebomb into the Gopper primary circus.

    Onwards it goes, damaging the inevitable winner (Romney) more and more as it goes along.

  18. 418
    Jen says:
    12 February, 2012 at 4:27 pm

    407 -
    aw shucks Paul *blush*

  19. 419
    Jen says:
    12 February, 2012 at 4:31 pm

    geezus – someone needs to keep Gina away from the pens as well as the papers :mrgreen:

  20. 420
    paddy says:
    12 February, 2012 at 7:46 pm

    419
    Jen
    Bernard Keane summed up Gina’s prowess with the pen beautifully.
    Australia’s “Poet Lorikeet”. :lol:

  21. 421
    Jen says:
    12 February, 2012 at 8:05 pm

    420
    love it paddy :lol:

  22. 422
    paddy says:
    13 February, 2012 at 10:57 am

    Dear Gaffy, just spotted your post Re: NBN over the fence @3595
    I only have one comment. ….
    You lucky bastard!!!! :mrgreen:

  23. 423
    paddy says:
    13 February, 2012 at 1:24 pm

    Oh fucking GOLD!!!! Geoff Lemon on Heathen Scripture critiques Gina Rinehart’s poetry. :mrgreen:

    http://heathenscripture.wordpress.com/2012/02/13/as-a-poet-rinehart-makes-a-great-billionaire/

  24. 424
    Chris B says:
    13 February, 2012 at 1:33 pm

    Conservatives gleefully revived the culture wars. But they’re not winning. How Obama set a trap for the right.
    ***************************************************

    Perhaps some helpful soul could inform the Catholic bishop of Pittsburgh, who last week calmly explained that “the Obama administration has just told the Catholics of the United States, ‘To hell with you!’” A quiet word in the ear of the dogged opponent of gay marriage Maggie Gallagher might have helped too. Just after Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in California, was struck down by a court on narrow grounds, she titled a blog post: “Ninth Circuit to 7 Million California Voters: You Are Irrational Bigots.”
    Not to be outdone, newly insurgent presidential candidate Rick Santorum described a secular society not based on religious principles as a renewal of the French Revolution and “the guillotine.” Evangelical voters lined up in Minnesota, Missouri, and Colorado to vault him back into the front of the race. And when the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation withdrew support from Planned Parenthood, the reaction from the other side was almost as ferocious. “You don’t make good on a ‘promise’ to your dead sister by selling out women who need you most,” wrote Mary Elizabeth Williams on Salon. When Komen reversed its decision, the pro-life Republican who had been behind it, Karen Handel, resigned, complaining to Fox News about “the level of vicious attacks and coercion … by Planned Parenthood. It’s simply outrageous.”

    417 HarryH Even more to that.

    More here… :lol:
    http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/02/12/andrew-sullivan-how-obama-set-a-contraception-trap-for-the-right.html

  25. 425
    paddy says:
    13 February, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    Rundle has exceeded even *his* magnificent standards when it comes to analysing US politics in today’s Crikey.
    Best piece I’ve read in ages.
    Rundle12: Maine game — US primaries at the end of act one
    http://www.crikey.com.au/?p=273620

  26. 426
    paddy says:
    13 February, 2012 at 2:38 pm

    And……FINALLY!!
    The moment we’ve all been waiting for………
    Firstdog does the Illustrated Gina!
    http://media.crikey.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/VogonPoetry.jpg

  27. 427
    Chris B says:
    13 February, 2012 at 2:58 pm

    What if somebody wrote a blog and nobody read it?

  28. 428
    Chris B says:
    13 February, 2012 at 4:41 pm

    I’m using words to describe the paintings on my site (for Google). So far none are worth 1,000 words.

  29. 429
    paddy says:
    13 February, 2012 at 5:05 pm

    From the “You couldn’t make this up” school of journalism.
    Via @MediaMook on twitter.
    The Sun chief reporter John Kay murdered wife in 1977, blamed job, & was rehired by the tabloid advocate of hang ‘em high justice!
    Then this happens
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Kay_%28journalist%29
    In February 2012, Kay was reported to be one of eight people arrested as part of the Operation Elveden investigation into alleged bribes to police and civil servants

  30. 430
    Chris B says:
    13 February, 2012 at 9:38 pm

    Long Time Coming: Obama’s Approval Rating Goes Positive.
    ***********************************************

    It was a long road back, but President Obama is now back in positive territory in our TPM Poll Average.

    The shift comes on the heels of a completed Iraq withdrawal, a legislative win on the payroll tax cut before Christmas, and perhaps most importantly, good economic numbers in January and early February. The President’s numbers have jumped in the last few days in both Gallup and Rasmussen tracking polls as well as individual national polls.

    More here…
    http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/long-time-coming-obamas-approval-rating-goes-positive.php?ref=fpa

  31. 431
    Chris B says:
    13 February, 2012 at 9:44 pm

    Has Obama Cornered Republicans On Contraception?
    ******************************************

    Republicans are doubling down in their assault on President Obama’s birth control requirement, insisting that his accommodation of religious nonprofits does not address religious concerns. But by attempting to keep the heat on Obama, the GOP might be diving head-first into a culture war over contraception that social conservatives lost long ago in the minds of the public.

    Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) said the House will push to repeal the rule entirely, while Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said Republicans will force a vote on legislation permitting any employer to deny birth control coverage in their health insurance plan by claiming a moral or religious objection. “This issue will not go away until the administration simply backs down,” McConnell said Sunday on CBS’ Face The Nation.

    Obama’s new policy permits religious nonprofits such as universities, charities and hospitals to opt out of the requirement and instead force the insurance company to pay for their employee’s contraception. (Churches were always exempt.) Republicans dismiss that as a gimmick and not good enough. Boehner’s spokesman Michael Steel called on Obama to “take up the Bishops’ offer to find a resolution that respects all Americans’ Constitutional rights.”

    I can here the approval rating rocketing sky high.

    More here….
    http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/has-obama-cornered-republicans-on-contraception.php?ref=fpnewsfeed

  32. 432
    Chris B says:
    13 February, 2012 at 9:48 pm

    More here and I really like this bit.
    ***************************

    The GOP persistence could come at a cost, as the new rule bolsters Democrats’ efforts to portray the freakout over religious freedom as a Trojan horse for restricting access to contraception generally. If Dems succeed in that effort, it’s an easy battle to win: Americans overwhelmingly believe contraception is morally acceptable, according to a litany of surveys, and even a majority of Catholics agree that insurance plans should be forced to cover free birth control.

    Back again…
    http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/has-obama-cornered-republicans-on-contraception.php?ref=fpnewsfeed

  33. 433
    Chris B says:
    13 February, 2012 at 9:49 pm

    This next election could be a real wipeout for the Republicans.

  34. 434
    Chris B says:
    13 February, 2012 at 11:02 pm

    Republican Enthusiasm Gap Could Spell Trouble For Party In November.
    *************************************************************

    “I think the lack of enthusiasm among Republicans is partially about Romney, but more broadly a reflection of their discontent with the field as a whole,” said Public Policy Polling (D) pollster Tom Jensen in an email to TPM. In addition to PPP, Pew numbers from early January found the same trend. “We did a national poll last week that found only 47% of GOP voters were satisfied with their choice of candidates, while 41% wished someone else would get into the race. That compares to 73% of Democrats who said they were happy to have Obama as their candidate.”

    Whole story here…

    http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/republican-enthusiasm-gap-could-spell-trouble-for-party-in-november.php?ref=fpnewsfeed

  35. 435
    Chris B says:
    13 February, 2012 at 11:14 pm

    Rupert Murdoch Could Face Fresh Legal Action In US From Milly Dowler Lawyer.
    ********************************************************

    The solicitor representing the family of Milly Dowler as well as other alleged victims of phone hacking is taking his battle against Rupert Murdoch to America, it has emerged.

    Mark Lewis, one of several lawyers representing clients pursuing claims against the News of the World for phone hacking, is expected to travel to the US within the next few weeks to meet with American lawyers about legal action in the country.

    Mr Lewis was reported as being in the “advanced stages” of bringing at least one case against Mr Murdoch’s company in the US.
    Asked about the reports, he said he was “not prepared to deny” them.

    The revelation comes after five senior journalists from The Sun were among eight people arrested over allegations of improper payments to police and public officials.

    Twitter it gang!
    More here…
    http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/02/13/rupert-murdoch-legal-action-milly-dowler-lawyer_n_1272477.html?ref=uk

  36. 436
    Gaffhook says:
    14 February, 2012 at 1:34 pm

    435
    Chris
    The shit is coming at them from all directions and they are extremely worried about the charge of “wilfull blindness”.

    As part of its response to the billowing phone hacking scandal, News Corp has amassed the most formidable team of FCPA lawyers ever assembled. “They have appointed not just one of the best lawyers in this field, they have appointed most of the best lawyers,” Coffee said.

    “That’s not normal defensive strategy,” he added.

  37. 437
  38. 438
    paddy says:
    14 February, 2012 at 3:19 pm

    Happy Valentine’s day ticsters.
    Or as the good dog would say…… :lol:
    http://media.crikey.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Rabbits.jpg

  39. 439
    Chris B says:
    14 February, 2012 at 6:11 pm

    437 Gaffhook Make sure as many people Twitter this article as possible. Its only very recently I have realised how powerful a tool Twitter really is.

  40. 440
    Chris B says:
    14 February, 2012 at 6:13 pm

    Which is why the ABC run Twitter comments. It massively boosts any article in Google that has Twitter links.

  41. 441
    Chris B says:
    14 February, 2012 at 6:18 pm

    Have a look at my site (803 pages) and see the Twitter links all the way through the site. The Google Guy Matt Cutts http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/ says that Google treats Facebook links and Twitter links the same.

    http://www.femme-classic-art.com

  42. 442
    Chris B says:
    14 February, 2012 at 6:19 pm

    Matt Cutts is one of Googles top people.

  43. 443
    Gaffhook says:
    14 February, 2012 at 6:24 pm

    An update on y NBN.

    I was fortunate enough to be selected to trial the new NBN. I find it very good and i was put on a 50down and 20up situation. I just keep paying my normal plan fees that i was paying before and can do whatever i please for the duration of the trials.
    part of the deal is i am not supposed to be saying anything but what the hell. people deserve to know what is happening

    I have been keeping a record and on my PC i have XP and my laptop W7 with IE

    On my PC with XP and IE the average speeds over 17 days were 34.2 down and 11.51up

    I installed Google Chrome and my average speeds since then with XP/chrome for 43 days has been 51.35down and 15.45up.

    On my laptop for 61 days wit W7/IE the average speeds are 46.41down and 14.32 up.

    I have been skyping internationally and watching different things, particularly the Leveson enquiry and i must say that the new NBN leaves the copper in the dust. There is no comparison.

    I have been receiving pamphlets in the mail box offering deals by RSPs and from the prices they are offering around those speeds with a phone deal added, my back of the envelope calculations would save me approx $30 per month. More if i want to go lower speeds.

    I have not yet been offered a deal by the company i am trialling with.

    It appears that the home part of the installation from the NBN co terminal on the house to the pc area will cost around the $380 mark. This was done free but it involves the three boxes at my pc station and about one and a half hours labour by two techs.

    One of the boxes contains a 12v battery which retails for round $50.

    The two young techs that did the instalation were very professional and from my obversations well trained.

    They had done 100 hookups before mine and are doing 4 hook ups per day and there are more than their gang doing the same.
    All of a sudden there are going to be lots of instant official hookups on the NBN.

    I got them talking a bit and they both said they voted LNP at the last election but would definitely be voting Labor at the next election to prevent the mad monk from trashing the NBN. The two reasons were the NBN is brilliant plus that is their jobs gone if the mad monk trashes it.

    I think it is a very big sleeper as far as getting votes goes and will be very positive for the Government.

    Thank you ALP for being a positive progressive Government.

  44. 444
    Chris B says:
    14 February, 2012 at 11:31 pm

    ACCC sets price cap for Telstra broadband.
    *********************************

    Telstra must accept a cap on wholesale broadband prices before the competition watchdog will let it finalise a lucrative deal with NBN Co, it emerged.

    The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says the proposed cap will lower retail broadband prices and increase competition.

    The ACCC today for the first time ”declared” the prices that Telstra can charge commercial customers for wholesale broadband services. The regulator has the power to set prices on certain services and already sets prices for basic phone access.
    Advertisement: Story continues below

    ACCC commissioner Ed Willett said declaring broadband services was the only way to resolve its concerns that Telstra would charge its wholesale customers too much.

    It set interim prices of $25.40 a month in cities and $30.80 a month in regional and rural areas, plus a capacity charge, and will set final prices after an inquiry. The prices are for ADSL services, a technology that provides broadband over copper telephone lines. Wholesale customers must also rent the phone line for about $23 a month.

    ”If Telstra now presents us with a revised [undertaking] … and makes a commitment that they are not going to challenge the ADSL declaration, then we will be able to move to consider that [undertaking] promptly. We do not see a need for any further consultation process,” he said.

    A revised undertaking could be considered within weeks, he added. This means Telstra could complete its $11 billion deal with NBN Co swiftly if it agrees to the wholesale price cap.

    Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/business/accc-sets-price-cap-for-telstra-broadband-20120214-1t3w1.html#ixzz1mMYLfUrn

  45. 445
    Chris B says:
    14 February, 2012 at 11:32 pm

    Good on yer Gaffy.

  46. 446
    paddy says:
    15 February, 2012 at 7:11 am

    Morning ticsters, here’s a gloriously funny piece from Wonkette to wake up to. :lol:

    Wingnuts Furious About … Fox News Going Liberal
    What are America’s old white racist exurban cretins on Medicare and Social Security upset about today?

    http://wonkette.com/463611/wingnuts-furious-about-fox-news-going-liberal

  47. 447
  48. 448
    paddy says:
    15 February, 2012 at 8:23 am

    447
    Gaffhook you beat me to it. :-)
    Pure gold from Stewart.

  49. 449
    Chris B says:
    15 February, 2012 at 1:45 pm

    Obama Leads GOP Rivals
    ********************

    A new New York Times/CBS News poll shows President Obama holds a significant lead over each of his potential Republican rivals.

    Obama leads Mitt Romney by six points among registered voters, 48% to 42%, and tops Rick Santorum by eight points, 49% to 41%.

    Key finding: “Romney’s drop in support against the president is attributable to a shift among independents. Last month, independents favored the former Massachusetts governor by eight points over Mr. Obama. In the new survey, Mr. Obama holds the edge, leading Romney among independents by nine points.”

    http://politicalwire.com

  50. 450
    Chris B says:
    15 February, 2012 at 2:13 pm

    Rasmussen: More Than Half Of Voters Think GOP Agenda Is Extreme
    *****************************************************

    The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 35 percent of Likely Voters say it would be more accurate to describe the agenda of Republicans in Congress as mainstream, while 52 percent feel extreme is a more accurate description. Thirteen percent (13 percent) are not sure.

    More here…
    http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/rasmussen-more-half-voters-think-gop-

  51. 451
    Chris B says:
    15 February, 2012 at 2:17 pm

    Five CBS stories that ought to make Obama smile.
    ***************************************

    Poll: Obama holds edge over GOP hopefuls

    President Obama holds a significant lead over each of his potential Republican opponents in the general election, according to a poll released Tuesday by CBS News and the New York Times. That includes Mitt Romney, who was even with Mr. Obama last month.

    See the rest here. Some very positive stuff for Obama.
    http://www.americablog.com/2012/02/five-cbs-stories-that-ought-to-make.html

  52. 452
    Chris B says:
    15 February, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    The news for Obama and the Democrats just gets better and better.

  53. 453
    Chris B says:
    15 February, 2012 at 3:04 pm

    CBS/New York Times poll: Yup, people like their birth control!

    This latest CBS poll confirms what even Fox News has confirmed—that the American people don’t want their employer dictating their health care needs.

    What a winner the birth control issue is.
    More here…
    http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/14/1064876/-CBS-NY-Times-poll-Yup-people-like-their-birth-control-?via=blog_1

  54. 454
    paddy says:
    15 February, 2012 at 4:24 pm

    The incomparable Firstdog on our most treasured rituals. Gold! :-)
    http://t.co/4NNeXblG

  55. 455
    Gaffhook says:
    16 February, 2012 at 8:24 am

    Looks like SeweRoo was about to start infesting his Oz stables with some of his UK stars.
    We should be so lucky.

    Ms Carter, who was arrested last month by officers from Scotland Yard’s Operation Weeting team – set up to investigate phone hacking at The News of the World – had planned to leave the UK with her family to start a new life with News Ltd, part of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp.

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/phone-hacking/9083424/PA-to-Rebecca-Brooks-prevented-from-leaving-Britain.html

  56. 456
    Gaffhook says:
    16 February, 2012 at 9:05 am

    A good slow burning fate would be good in one aspect but being an impatient bastard i surely would like it to go a bit faster.

    http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/media/2012/02/5267941/us-litigation-against-rupert-murdochs-news-corp-may-not-be-imminent-it

  57. 457
    Chris B says:
    16 February, 2012 at 12:47 pm

    The Odds Shift Towards Obama
    *************************

    Nate Silver applies his statistical model for the presidential race — which includes presidential approval, economic growth, and opponent’s ideological orientation — and finds that President Obama has improved his chances of reelection, from a “slight underdog” in November to now favored to win the popular vote against Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum.

    “In recent weeks, Obama has taken a more populist approach (just read the transcript of his State of the Union address). The strategy has induced more howls than usual from Republicans about ‘class warfare,’ but the White House has clearly studied the numbers. In the Republican primaries, Romney has had trouble winning the loyalty of working-class voters, especially in the Midwest.”

    http://politicalwire.com

  58. 458
    Gaffhook says:
    16 February, 2012 at 12:47 pm

    No good having good informers if they are not rewarded. Why not have them on a good retainer for loyalty.
    Things you will not read in Oz Newscprpse because it is very embarrassing as to how their owners are corrupt.
    When SeweRoo does things he sure does them (im)properly

    The Scotland Yard investigation into alleged illegal payments by Sun journalists to police and other public officials is looking into claims that some individuals received more than £10,000 a year and were “effectively on retainer”.

    News Corporation’s controversial internal unit passing information about alleged illegal practices by News International journalists to the Metropolitan police believes it has uncovered evidence of “serious suspected criminality over a sustained period” by some public officials supplying information to the Sun.

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/feb/15/met-sun-public-officials

  59. 459
    Chris B says:
    16 February, 2012 at 1:01 pm

    456 Gaffhook This is the bit I like Gaffy: “Whether the younger Murdoch actually scrolled through that entire correspondence on his BlackBerry is another matter. (He insists that he missed Myler’s crucial message in his haste.” Certainly fits the bill as far as “willful blindness” goes.

  60. 460
    HarryH says:
    16 February, 2012 at 2:14 pm

    I think Australian progressives should be very worried about what is happening under our noses but seem helpless to stop.

    It seems obvious to me that the reactionary forces are turning New South Wales and Queensland into a version of America’s south. I don’t mean that as an insult to the people in those states, and it is a very loose analogy, but i think that is the reactionaries electoral strategy.

    By wall to wall anti progressive media bombardment in these states i can see the difference in outlook between the public down here in Vic to our northern neighbours growing further apart all the time.

    I see Lachlan Murdoch is keen to get the complete NRL rights for Ch 10. It’s hard to explain but it worries me and fits into what i’m observing.

    Dividing the country and monopolising markets was the gameplan to make money and push anti progressivism in the U.S. For a while it delivered them an electoral path too.

    It is happening here. I fear New South Wales and Queensland are lost to reactionaries. Lost under a constant bombardment and a direct strategy by a few powerful people.

    Sorry fpr the blather.

  61. 461
    Gaffhook says:
    16 February, 2012 at 3:12 pm

    HarryH

    That is certainly backed up by the concentration of the Murdoch owned media in NSW and QLD. In Townsville most daily and weekend editions are all of his making.

    On the shelf on any given day are the Townsville Bulletin, the Courier Mail and the Australian. All owned by Murdoch.

    I don’t buy any of them.

  62. 462
    Gaffhook says:
    16 February, 2012 at 3:13 pm

    459
    Chris
    I hope so.

  63. 463
    Gaffhook says:
    16 February, 2012 at 6:46 pm

    Charlie Brookers Sun witchunt poem

    Brilliant

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI0BpJ5WQO4

  64. 464
  65. 465
    Chris B says:
    16 February, 2012 at 9:52 pm

    463 Gaffhook Its been blocked Gaffy.

  66. 466
    Gaffhook says:
    17 February, 2012 at 8:06 am

    This should be the catalyst for heaps of backstabbing and dobbing each other in as they all fear for their jobs and go for the get square on the mongrels who are responsible for the hacking of phones and computers. Those that had nothing to do with it will be very hostile for sure as SeweRoo flys in to tell them what a good fair and honest bloke he is.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17063950

  67. 467
    Chris B says:
    17 February, 2012 at 8:09 am

    Nancy Pelosi Rips GOP Over Birth Control: I May Be ‘Moved To Explain Biology To My Colleagues’.
    *******************************************************

    House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Thursday ripped House Republicans for holding a contentious hearing on birth control that included next to no female witnesses and even prevented one progressive woman from testifying, suggesting that she may need to step in and teach her male GOP colleagues a thing or two about the issue.

    “I think it’s really curiouser and curiouser that as we get further into this debate, the Republican leadership of this Congress thinks it’s appropriate to have a hearing on the subject of women’s health and can purposely exclude women from the panel,” Pelosi said during a press conference. “What else do you need to know about the subject?”

    “If you need to know more, tune in, I may, I may at some point be moved to explain biology to my colleagues.”

    Pelosi’s remarks came shortly after three House Democrats walked out of a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on religious liberty and birth control in protest of Chairman Darrell Issa’s (R-Calif.) refusal to allow a woman to testify in favor of the Obama administration’s contraception rule. The morning panel at the hearing consisted exclusively of men from conservative religious organizations.

    Wow! The Democrats have really hit on a goldmine of an issue. The Republicans just keep on giving.

    More here…
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/16/nancy-pelosi-gop-birth-control_n_1282002.html

  68. 468
    paddy says:
    17 February, 2012 at 8:10 am

    Colbert on fire on contraception. :lol:
    http://tiny.cc/na8dm

  69. 469
    Chris B says:
    17 February, 2012 at 8:15 am

    A source has said the investigation into alleged corrupt payments by Sun journalists involves “suspected criminality over a sustained period of time” involving tens of thousands of pounds, Reuters reported today.

    More here…
    http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/02/16/rupert-murdoch-due-in-london-following-crisis-at-the-sun_n_1281002.html?ref=uk

  70. 470
    Chris B says:
    17 February, 2012 at 8:15 am

    469 I really hope so.

  71. 471
    Chris B says:
    17 February, 2012 at 9:01 am

    Poll Finds Republicans in Deep Trouble
    ******************************

    A new Democracy Corps (D) survey finds the Republican brand “is in a state of collapse — over 50 percent of voters give the Republican Party a cool, negative rating. The presidential race and the congressional battles are interacting with each other to drive down their lead candidate, the party, and perceptions of the congressional Republicans.”

    Meanwhile, Mitt Romney “may be on the edge of political death. The shift against him is one of the biggest in the polls and he now competes with Republicans in Congress for unpopularity. In the summer of 1996, Bob Dole essentially was disqualified in voters’ eyes and never really recovered his footing.”

    Most interesting: Voters who gave Democrats their victories in 2006 and 2008 “have returned in a big way” led by “a resurgence and re-engagement of unmarried women.”

    http://politicalwire.com

  72. 472
    Chris B says:
    17 February, 2012 at 9:45 am

    Father Jonathan Morris Doubles Down on Willingness to Die in Fight over Contraception Mandate.
    *****************************************************

    And the war on women’s reproductive rights continues over at Fox. As our friends at News Hounds noted– apparently undeterred by being made a mockery of by Jon Stewart– Fox News brought back Father Jonathan Morris to double down on his suggestion that clergy should be “ready to die” to fight President Obama’s mandate that health insurers cover birth control.

    The Republicans really have taken the bait and run with it.

    More here.
    http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/father-jonathan-morris-doubles-down-willin

  73. 473
    Chris B says:
    17 February, 2012 at 10:00 am

    If Obama Administration is ‘At War’ with the Catholic Church, So Are Most American Catholics.
    ****************************************************

    As a Catholic, I’m getting a little tired of right-wingers like Newt Gingrich spewing nonsense like this.

    Newt Gingrich sought to make inroads among religious voters Sunday, accusing President Obama of having “basically declared war on the Catholic Church.”

    Gingrich, who converted to Catholicism himself in 2009 (his third wife, Callista, sings in a Catholic choir), was speaking about the Obama administration decision this week to require church-affiliated employers to cover birth control drugs in their health plans, regardless of religious beliefs.

    Gingrich, in an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, said the decision represented “a radical Obama administration imposing secular rules on religion.”

    Since Newt is a new convert, he might be surprised to learn that,

    Some 98 percent of sexually active Catholic women have used contraceptive methods banned by the church, research published on Wednesday showed.

    Just stir the flames a little more.

    More here
    http://crooksandliars.com/blue-texan/if-obama-administration-war-catholic-ch

  74. 474
    Chris B says:
    17 February, 2012 at 10:53 am

    Police halt News staffer’s Australian trip.
    ********************************

    THE former executive personal assistant to Rebekah Brooks, once one of the most powerful executives in News International, has reportedly been prevented from travelling to Australia with her family after police confiscated her passport.

    Cheryl Carter, 47, arrested last month by Scotland Yard’s Operation Weeting investigating phone hacking at the News of the World, was reportedly preparing to leave for Australia with her husband and two children when police moved. Her family, according to The Independent, left without her to comply with visa requirements.

    Ms Carter worked closely for Brooks – a close friend and confidant of Rupert Murdoch – for 19 years during Brooks’ time as editor of News of the World, editor of The Sun and as News International chief executive.

    Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/world/police-halt-news-staffers-australian-trip-20120216-1tbpw.html#ixzz1mb15TLli

  75. 475
    Chris B says:
    17 February, 2012 at 11:32 am

    A New York Times headline reads:
    ***************************

    “Both Sides Eager to Take Birth Control Coverage Issue to Voters.” Here’s their lede:
    The furor over President Obama’s birth control mandate has swiftly entered a new plane, with supporters and opponents alike calling the subject a potent weapon for the November elections and mounting what they say will be prolonged campaigns to shape public perceptions of the issue: Is it about religious liberty or women’s health?
    Considering the furor was limited to the Catholic bishops, their Beltway punditry enablers, and opportunistic Republicans, how potent of an issue this can really be in November for the Right is questionable. This isn’t an issue where there are “both sides.” There’s a tiny group of mostly male extremist fanatics (most of them were at Rep. Darrell Issa’s hearing) and then there’s the rest of the world.

    Between the strong public opinion polling on the president’s mandate, and the fact that family planning is an integral part of daily life in America, the Right is up against it. Even if they manage to to get anyone to buy that this is really about religious freedom and not about women’s health, they’re going to have an awfully hard time convincing people that having their birth control taken away in order to protect religious freedom is a good thing.

    More here…
    http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/16/1065503/-The-birth-control-fight-is-all-about-women-s-nbsp-health?via=blog_1

  76. 476
  77. 477
    paddy says:
    17 February, 2012 at 12:49 pm

    The First canine of understatement whispers to Gemma.
    http://media.crikey.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Goodies.jpg

  78. 478
    Chris B says:
    17 February, 2012 at 2:13 pm

    Democracy Corps
    **************

    The latest national survey by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner for Democracy Corps and Women’s Voices. Women Vote Action Fund shows a Republican Party in deepening trouble and emerging underlying trends that may have shifted the balance for 2012.[1] Barring sudden economic shocks, there is accumulating evidence that we have entered a new phase in the political cycle, substantially more favorable to the Democrats.

    This survey sees a collapse of the Republican brand at almost all levels. Negatives associated with the Republican Party have not been this high since right after they lost the country in 2008. Their presumptive nominee flirts with a 50 percent negative rating and may now represent a big drag on the national party.

    More good news here….
    http://www.democracycorps.com/strategy/2012/02/new-phase-and-shifting-balance/

  79. 479
    paddy says:
    17 February, 2012 at 3:36 pm

    Well I won’t be beating Gaffy in the download stakes. :-)
    But I’ve just read that *all* NBN fixed wireless will be up and running by 2015! Bring it on!!! :mrgreen:
    http://nbnco.com.au/blog/the-hidden-benefits-of-nbn-fixed-wireless.html

  80. 480
    Gaffhook says:
    17 February, 2012 at 6:53 pm

    They are coming out of the wood work now.

    Ex journo video dumping on SeweRoo.

    http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2012/02/16/intv-fmr-murdoch-editor-neil.cnn

  81. 481
    Chris B says:
    17 February, 2012 at 11:17 pm

    480 I liked the Samsung Galaxy advert that went with the video Gaffy. I added this bit below.
    You can see millions of sites that iPhone users can’t. Because the Samsung Galaxy Tab can view Flash!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHOZZJ_2Wjg

  82. 482
    Chris B says:
    18 February, 2012 at 8:22 am

    479 paddy Thats around 2 million voters that are going to lose dial up and get a much faster service by 2015 thanks to the Labor government. Just a little advertising will go such a long way in this case.

  83. 483
  84. 484
    Chris B says:
    18 February, 2012 at 10:06 pm

    Obama Fundraising Ticks Up.
    ***********************

    President Obama “raised more than $29 million for his campaign and for the Democratic Party in January, a strong fundraising month that put him ahead of the pace he set in the last quarter of 2011,” the AP reports.

    “The month’s haul raises Obama’s total combined fundraising for this election cycle to about $250 million. In the last three months of 2011, he averaged about $23 million a month.”

    http://politicalwire.com

  85. 485
  86. 486
    Chris B says:
    19 February, 2012 at 4:39 pm

    I like this bit at the bottom paddy.
    • For legal reasons, this article will not be open to comments

  87. 487
    Chris B says:
    20 February, 2012 at 8:00 am

    In Polls, Obama Wins on Contraception Compromise, Catholics Hold Steady.
    ********************************************************

    Despite the outcry from bishops and Republicans, polls show the president’s contraception compromise has the approval of voters. Why is the GOP ignoring the numbers?
    The compromise that President Obama offered last Friday to Catholic leaders regarding the religious exemption for contraception coverage is not only a reasonable solution to the situation, it is also a political win for Obama.
    Obama announced last Friday that he would make an “accommodation” to nonprofit religious-affiliated organizations such as hospitals and universities, permitting them to be exempt from the requirement in his health-care law that says contraception must be included in all health-insurance plans. Female employees could obtain it directly from the insurance companies, with no increase in their premium.
    The Obama administration initially said that only churches with a moral objection to pharmacological birth control would not have to provide that coverage to employees. This was met with outcry, as both Catholic and non-Catholic organizations said that this exemption was too narrow and an infringement on religious freedom.
    Obama’s compromise received a mixed reaction from Catholic groups, but U.S. bishops weighed in and announced their opposition to any compromise. They’re pushing for an end to the birth-control mandate.
    Both those who attend church every week or almost every week and those who attend less often gave Obama identical approval ratings last week, at 46 percent each.

    Tweet this article.

    More here….
    http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/02/19/in-polls-obama-wins-on-contraception-compromise-catholics-hold-steady.html

  88. 488
    Chris B says:
    20 February, 2012 at 8:33 am

    Nano-transistor breakthrough to offer billion times faster computer.

    An Australian and a woman at that!

    Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/technology/sci-tech/nanotransistor-breakthrough-to-offer-billion-times-faster-computer-20120220-1thqk.html#ixzz1mrzEXvra

  89. 489
    Gaffhook says:
    20 February, 2012 at 12:45 pm

    488
    Abbott will say NO.

  90. 490
    Jen says:
    20 February, 2012 at 2:10 pm

    Labor’s fucked.
    Rudd wil never rewin an election – they got rid of him for good reason and any gloss he had with Kevin07 is long gone. Not to mention the fact that the party will be so divided that they will eat themselves alive. And Gillard has brought it on herself by giving the MSM enough fodder standing for exactly nothing that they could just make up the rest.
    And the whole lot of them are deivering us to Tony Abbott on a plate.
    They are a collective disgrace.

  91. 491
    Ferny Grover says:
    20 February, 2012 at 5:57 pm

    Yes Jen. Yes they bloody well are.

  92. 492
    Jen says:
    20 February, 2012 at 6:05 pm

    Ferny old friend!
    Good to see your monicker … Hope wedding went well and life is good
    And what a disastrous time for oz politics … We definitely need your input to sort it out :lol:
    Big hug!

  93. 493
    paddy says:
    20 February, 2012 at 6:30 pm

    You know the whole #spill nonsense has reached peak BS when Firstdog unleashes Jasper. :-)
    http://media.crikey.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/SwearingCat.jpg

  94. 494
    Jen says:
    20 February, 2012 at 6:34 pm

    Jasper for PM paddy.
    He couldn’t do worse :roll: :mad:

  95. 495
    Jen says:
    20 February, 2012 at 7:55 pm

    Oh God . 4 corners expose on Syria is too terrible. We can’t let this continue. The UN must act .

  96. 496
    Chris B says:
    20 February, 2012 at 8:04 pm

    489 Gaffhook Abbott will say NO. Spot on Gaffy.

  97. 497
    Chris B says:
    20 February, 2012 at 8:05 pm

    Hi Ferny. Good to see an old face. Stop worrying Jen. Things will start changing at the next budget. All the hard stuff is done.

  98. 498
    Chris B says:
    21 February, 2012 at 8:27 am

    Birth Control-Centered Gender War Boosts Democratic Campaigns.
    Where are the women?
    ***************************************************

    The question, posed by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) to an all-male panel at Thursday’s House Oversight Committee hearing on a new birth control coverage requirement, has rapidly turned into a political rallying cry, sparking a viral online campaign and lighting a fire under Democratic campaigns.

    It has also put a coda of sorts on a culture war argument that erupted several weeks ago. A debate that began with the straightforward constitutional question of what the government could instruct religious institutions to do with respect to health care coverage has become the most galvanizing political issue for Democrats since the president introduced his jobs act last fall.

    The Democrats have added 60,000 members in 2 weeks. :lol:

    More here…
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/20/birth-control-republicans-democrats_n_1289166.html

  99. 499
    Chris B says:
    21 February, 2012 at 8:28 am

    It now appears the Republicans a de motivated and the Democrats are super charged!

  100. 500
    paddy says:
    21 February, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    Ah the joys of schadenfreude :evil: :lol:

    Rick Santorum’s red meat weekend could make Mitt Romney’s Mormon problem even worse
    http://www.salon.com/2012/02/20/%E2%80%9Cphony_theology%E2%80%9D_and_evangelical_identity_politics/

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