The Counterpoint Group would like to congratulate Caressa Cameron on becoming Miss America 2010.
On January 30, 2010, she won the Miss America 2010 pageant held at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. Caressa is the third Miss Virginia to win the national title.
Congratulations Caressa!
The Counterpoint Group would like to congratulate Jen Corey, Miss DC 2010 on being a semi-finalist in the Miss American pageant held on January 30th, 2010 at the Planet Hollywood Casino in Las Vegas, NV.
Jen is the only person in Miss America history to have a “green” platform. Check it out at www.jennifercorey.com.
DC could not be more proud of Jen Corey . . . congrats Jen!
Copied from the Quinnipiac Poll:
January 26, 2010 - Rubio Edges Crist In Florida Gop Senate Race, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; President Obama Under Water As Voters Disapprove
Former State House Speaker Marco Rubio has squeaked past Gov. Charlie Crist in the race for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination, leading 47 - 44 percent and topping Gov. Crist on trust, values and conservative credentials, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
Rubio beats the leading Democrat, South Florida Congressman Kendrick Meek, 44 - 35 percent in a general election matchup, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Crist leads Meek 48 - 36 percent.
President Barack Obama is under water in Florida as voters disapprove 49 - 45 percent of his job performance, down from a 48 - 46 percent approval rating October 21.
Rubio's lead over Crist in the horse race represents a major reversal from October when the Governor led 50 - 35 percent; from August's 55 - 26 percent Crist lead and from June's lead of 54 - 23 percent.
The Supreme Court of the United States’ recent ruling, that loosened the Federal Elections Committee restrictions placed on Corporations, Labor Organizations and National Banks, has been welcomed by some, yet slammed by the Obama administration. The 5-4 decision overturned a previous vote that specified that these three groups could not release political messages within 30 days of federal elections and that only money from their Political Action Committees, or funds set aside exclusively for political expenditures, could be used in these campaigns. This would essentially grant corporations and labor unions the same rights as individuals, when it came to expressing political opinions, which the prevailing opinion held was protected under the first Amendment right to freedom of speech. The dissent contended that this represented a misguided assumption that corporations and labor unions should have the same rights as citizens, who vote and can stand for elected offices. It is true that citizenship is a right granted to individuals, yet it is also an individual responsibility, a vital aspect of which is not present in labor unions or corporations.
Many feel that this will cause Members of Congress to be more conscious of the impact of their voting record on big business, as larger corporations now have a more potent influence in campaigns. This could be especially troubling, as now multi-national corporations, unlike foreign nationals, would be permitted to participate politically. Yet any action on the part of corporations could severely politicize the relationship between companies and their shareholders. Would investors then chose to sell stock in corporations they feel support or oppose a political point of view that they do not feel they could support financially? The reality is that while politics can affect business, it is stability that allows corporations to concentrate on their balances sheets. The only real measure of worth for shareholders is profitability so companies would most likely either choose not to weigh in and risk investments or simply support the incumbent candidate.
Perhaps it is not a wonder local television stations and local public relations firms are licking their chops in hopes that mid-sized corporations, which would not typically invest in a Public Affairs Committee, might now seek to spend money in order to influence local candidates. Perhaps soon political messages will become as prominent as direct to consumer pharmaceutical advertising or infomercials that plague the television audience. In a society where news is 24 hours and Youtube.com and social networking sites have come to dominate traditional forums for political expression, this decision may not have such a sever impact after all. In many areas individuals receive the news from the Internet, not television or print just as one example. Anyone concerned that big labor and big business will gain an oppressing advantage in public opinion, need only look at the success of grass roots organizations such as the Obama campaign and the Tea Parties.
According to a study that used Global Position System (GPS) data, the Capital Beltway has been ranked as the third worst freeway in the United States!
The only freeways that ranked worse then the Beltway were the Hollywood Freeway (#1) and the Lunalilo Freeway in Honolulu, HI (#2).
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Gov. McDonnell was picked because, “Gov. McDonnell understands that the American people are more interested in shrinking unemployment than expanding government.”
House Minority Leader John Boehner believes Gov. McDonnell is the right person to deliver the speech because he “has offered common sense economic policies in stark contracts to Washington Democrats.”
The Counterpoint Group would like to con
We would also like to thank Senator Kirk for stepping into the seat formerly held by Senator Ted Kennedy at a time when someone was truly needed. We wish Senator Kirk the best of luck in the future.
The 2010 North American International Auto Show, which began this week, is this year a unique blend of prudence, innovation, and optimism. Understandably, there was also a political presence, the likes of which had not been seen in prior years. The show was clearly haunted by an economic recession that hit the U.S. Auto industry especially hard, and saw the nation’s leading automakers reach out to Congress for support.
Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, encouragingly announced that while a delegation from the Congress “came to Michigan to…observe," the group ultimately will “go back with a message of optimism [to Washington]." Certainly a supportive nod both to the politicians and the business leaders in attendance who had worked tirelessly to develop initiatives to modernize, strengthen, and enhance the troubled auto industry.
Other beltway big shots to visit this year’s Detroit show included, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who held a press conference at the country’s largest automotive showcase. With successful programs already under way such as the “Cash for Clunkers” program and the Department of Energy’s Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiative, (part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act), Washington can certainly be confidant that going green can spur the consumer economy and create much needed jobs in the manufacturing industry.
As is anticipated every year, the show will showcase a line-up of new models from domestic and foreign manufacturers, but will this year emphasize the emerging electric car market. Though, because of economic constraints, there will be perhaps less flash and a little more substance. It will be interesting to see just how popular some of these newer models will prove as gas prices are again on the rise. This could either encourage consumers to invest in more fuel-efficient vehicles or to forgo purchasing a car entirely. Fortunately, as auto companies compete for consumers with more attractive models and better gas mileages the industry itself will move towards a more sustainable model, one which it is hoped can also save the city of Detroit and the community it supports.
The Counterpoint Group would like to wish the best of luck to the bow-tie wearing Tucker Carlson the former co-host of Crrossfire in his new endeavor, The Daily Caller.
Carlson is an American political news correspondent and commentator on the Fox News Channel. He is also a senior fellow of the Cato Institute as well as the founder and editor-in-chief of The Daily Caller.
Good luck to Tucker Carlson!
One word was on the minds of democrats watching the news on Tuesday, and that word was retirement. Three democrats announced that they would not be seeing reelection in 2010.
Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) who was first elected to the Senate in 1992 from North Dakota announced on Tuesday (and surprised many) that he will not seek re-election to the Senate in 2010. Dorgan said, "After a lot of thought I have made the very difficult decision that I will not be seeking reelection in 2010, " Dorgan wrote in a memo to staff distributed this afternoon." President Obama released the following statement shortly afterwards, “Senator Dorgan should be very proud of his more than 30 years of devoted service in the United States Congress and to the people of North Dakota. From fighting for our energy future to standing with North Dakota’s families through difficult economic times, Senator Dorgan has been a trusted leader for the people of his state. He has also been a champion for our family farmers and a powerful voice for Indian Country – particularly through his recent work to improve Indian health care services. Michelle and I extend our gratitude for his service to our nation and our very best wishes for the future for him and his family.”
Almost immediate following Senator Dorgan's announcement was yet another announcement; this time from Connecticut. On Wednesday after 28 years Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) on Wednesday will announce that he won't seek re-election this fall. Senator Dodd is a five-term veteran as well as the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee.
Finally, Governor Bill Ritter (D-CO) is expected to announce on Wednesday that he will not seek reelection next year.
Michael Steele, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, when asked about the up coming Congressional elections explained that he was uncertain about a specific figure of seats that the Grand Old Party anticipates to pick up. This statement coupled with the recent news of the Republican Governors’ Associations high number of campaign contribution seems to indicate a shift in party focus from the federal to the state level.
Both national parties saw record off-year campaign contributions, with the Republican Governors’ Association reporting $30 million over the past year, while the Democratic Governors’ Association raised $23.1 million. Unlike federal campaign committees, the governors associations are not restricted by campaign finance limits on contributions from individual or corporate donors.
With Gubernatorial victories in Virginia and New Jersey, the Republican Party is already off to a strong start. Additionally, twenty-four out of the thirty-seven Gubernatorial races will also be up for grabs. Mr. Steele is right to focus his party’s attention on the state level as only some thirty or forty out of the four hundred thirty-five Congressional seats are said to be possible wins. Given this statistic, the GOP could see larger marginal gains on the local level if the base forgoes investment in the Congressional campaigns, as the Democrats would still maintain a majority in the House, even if the Republicans were able to pick up the maximum number of seats expected. This could present serious problems for a Democratic Congress that might seek to implement stronger federal policy if many states are controlled by Republican Governors.
The shift in focus by the GOP could certainly be a strategic investment with far reaching benefits. Training emerging Republicans in the Governorship could also help change the perception of the Republican Party on a national level by developing a new class of politicians with executive experience, statewide appeal, and bi-partisan competence in states that have traditionally been hostile to Republican candidates. In the short-term candidates for seats in the House and the Senate could see an electorate that is more receptive to Republicans, and in the long-run the GOP could also see the emergence of a strong, moderate, and electable candidate for the nation’s highest executive office. A search that has to date left the party without a clear 2012 nominee.
The Counterpoint Group would like to congratulate Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker on being chosen as the new CEO of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Ambassador Brinker is a breast cancer survivor and founded the organization almost 30 years ago in memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from the disease at age 36.
Brinker was also United States Ambassador to Hungary from 2001 to 2003 and the Chief of Protocol of the United States from 2007 to the end of the George W. Bush administration.
South Carolina Republican Henry Brown will announce within the hour that he intends to retire from Congress after 25 years. Brown is not the first Republican to announced within just the last two weeks that he would not be running for reelection, George Radanovich (R-CA) too announced that he would be leaving Congress so that he can spend more time with his wife.
The 74 year old Republican had a tough race in 2008 and and now we expect that several notable members of the Republican base will jump into the primary to replace retired Rep. Brown. Several names are already being bantered around including, Senator Strom Thurmond’s son Paul (who is a Charleston County Councilmember), Councilmember Ryan Buckhannon, Katherine Jenerette, Mark Fava and Carroll Campbell III, the son of the late governor of SC.
Brown’s district leans conservative with Senator McCain receiving 56% of the vote in 2008.
The Counterpoint Group thanks Rep. Brown for his 25 years of service and wishes him an enjoyable retirement.
