WATER COOLER
The Water Cooler is written by Washington Times staffers.
Latest Blog Entries
New York upstate race more about labor politics
Dede Scozzafava officially endorsed Bill Owens the Democratic candidate for the 23rd District of New York. Her endorsement comes after reports of her husband Ron McDougall's public endorsement for Mr. Owens earlier today.
Was Watertown Daily Times endorsement about Dede's supporters just a big labor flip?
The Watertown Daily Times reported this morning in their endorsement of Democrat Bill Owens for New York's 23rd District seat that Ms. Scozzafava was "quietly" urging supporters to the Owens campaign. The endorsement, however, could beself-serving in that it did not mention what kind of supporters are being sent over to the Owens campaign.
NY report says Scozzafava sends supporters to Owens, former spokesman distances himself
Republican New York Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava's bow out of New York's 23rd District special election race may not have have been executed so graciously after all.
Scozzafava out, Owens and Hoffman race to get out the vote
New York Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava halted her campaign in the state's 23rd district on Saturday morning after announcing on her website she did not have the poll numbers nor the money to remain competitive with candidates Conservative Doug Hoffman and Democrat Bill Owens. However, Ms. Scozzafava's name will remain on the ballot when constituents go to the polls on Tuesday.
Markey keeps out minority's witness from hearing, GOP folds
Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, held hearings yesterday to look into fraudulent letters which were sent on behalf of the coal industry to several members of congress. The original hearing was to take place on October 15, but was postponed until yesterday morning
Local news blogging: Virginia gubnatorial race a blowout
Four days away from Election Day in Virginia and the gubnatorial race looks like McDonnell's to lose. According to polls McDonnell is leading Democrat Creigh Deeds by double digits. This is making to be a historical landslide.
Local news blogging: NJ gubernatorial race reaches final stages
New Jersey Election Day is four days out and the best indication of who will be the next governor just may be the New York Yankees game one World Series loss. The polls are sharply contrasting and the gubernatorial race between incumbant Jon Corzine, Republican Chris Christie and Independent Chris Daggett, can go any way.
Virginia race looks bright for GOP'er Comstock
Virgnia's House of Delegate races are becoming just as exciting as the Deeds/McDonnell face off during this off-year election. McLean resident, Barbara Comstock is running on the GOP ticket and challenging first term incumbent Delegate Margaret G. "Margi" Vanderhye. Of all the House races, the Vanderhye v. Comstock race is said to be the most expensive in the state. One million dollars is expected to be spent between them by November 3.
Nancy Pelosi's Halloween health care monstrosity
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) introduced a health care monstrosity of a bill yesterday right before the Halloween weekend. The House Republican Conference gives the heads up on some scary factoids packed into the almost two-thousand page long bill.
Off the beaten path online: 'MyCongressmanIsNuts.com', goes after Grayson...
Today's Water Cooler lineup of off the beaten path online stories are: 'MyCongressmanIsNuts.Com' is a website created by Floridians in Alan Grayson's (D-Fla.) district who are embarrassed by his antics in Washington, FNC's Major Garrett talks about his current relationship with the White House, and candidate for New Jersey governor Chris Christie demands that Governor Corzine man up and just call him "fat."
Local news blogging: Crist forgets how to hug?
From a bear hug to no contact at all? Bloggers in Florida are asking what happened to the governor's chummy relationship with President Barack Obama.
Off the beaten path online: Obama salutes slain soldiers return to U.S., won’t send reinforcements...
Today's Water Cooler lineup of off the beaten path online stories are: Obama salutes slain soldiers... won't send reinforcements, conservative organizations rally behind Hoffman, and Democrats use rhetorical misdirection on the health care debate
Video: Rep.King grills Goodell on Limbaugh comments
At a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Rep. Steve King(R-Iowa) questioned NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about the public attacks on Rush Limbaugh.
Education Secretary Duncan pushes colleges to convert loan system
The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA) has passed the House, but has yet to be deliberated in the Senate. The bill, H.R. 3221 would make the federal government the sole provider of student loans and cut out private lenders. However, Education Secretary Arne Duncan played politics and took it upon himself to send a letter to thousands of colleges and universities across the country urging them to prepare to use the government's Direct Loan Program for the 2010-2011 school year.
Sixth-grade girl suspended for empty shotgun shells
Chalk up another school on the list of unyielding policy slaves that punish unsuspecting students wielding weapons of mass suspension. Brody Middle School in Des Moinse, Iowa, suspended an 11-year-old girl for bringing empty shotgun shells to school.
