Focus on the Senate Posted by: McQ
on Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The present Senate:
49 Democrats, 49 Republicans, 2 Independents
The present situation:
54 Democrats, 40 Republicans, 2 Independents, 4 seats are a toss up.
A note about the two "independents". They mostly caucus with the Democrats with the notable exception of Joe Lieberman when it comes to Iraq (and other national security issues).
So even if all 4 of the toss up seats went to the Republicans, Democrats would effectively have 56 seats to the Republicans 44.
However it is not at all clear that the 4 seats in the toss up category are going to finally go the Republican way even though the 4 Republicans are incumbents.
• In Oregon, where Republican Sen. Gordon Smith is seeking a third term, polls by Survey USA and Research 2000 showed Democrat Jeff Merkley, the state House Speaker, with leads of 5 and 6 percentage points, respectively, while the most recent Rasmussen organization’s poll showed the race tied.
• In the high-profile Minnesota race, first-term Republican incumbent Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken, a well-known entertainer, were in statistical ties in polls taken by Quinnipiac University, Research 2000 and Survey USA, with both candidates hovering around the 40 percent mark. The only constant being the 18 percent pulled in each poll by third-party candidate Dean Barkley.
• In North Carolina, first-term Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole trailed Democratic state Sen. Kay Hagan by 4 percentage points in a Research 2000 poll.
• In Mississippi’s Senate special election, appointed Republican Sen. Roger Wicker led Democratic former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove by a statistical insignificant 1-point margin in a Research 2000 poll.
Now, at this point, no one expects all 4 to go Democratic. But I think you have to expect, statistically, that at least one, perhaps two will.
All of that depends, I believe, on turnout for Obama. And I've commented on Obama's GOTV effort below. While 56 is a formidable advantage, adding two more to take it to 58 will make it almost impossible - given the record of some "Republican" Senators - for the minority to filibuster anything.
My greatest wish is for Joe Biden to lose his Senate reelection bid here in Delaware. Ain’t gonna happen, but I can still dream. He has so little regard for the voters in DE that he’s not even bothering to campaign for Senate; he refuses to debate his republican opponent (Christine O’Donnell). Just for taking us for granted he should lose his seat. But alas he will win reelection (the idiot voters here would elect him even if he were dead) and the new democrat governor (the republican doesn’t stand a chance) will appoint another dem to fill Biden’s seat. Oh, well. Maybe at least the Phillies will win the Series.
This is a scary time in our nations history when outright liberalism might be allowed full control over all three branches of our government!! If this occurs you will see an escallation of curruption beyond comprehension and these liberals will make sure they legislate all checks and balances out of their way to allow the country to slide down the slippery slope of socialism. May God Help Us All. If you want to remain free perhaps its time to seek sanctuary in another country!!!
May God Help Us All. If you want to remain free perhaps its time to seek sanctuary in another country!!!
Hmmm, I heard similar stuff from the left when the GOP won big in 2000 and especially 2004.
But then we got to vote in 2006.
And if the Democrats win really big in 2008, the Republicans will likely have a very good year in 2010, that’s the way politics works. The sky is not falling, politics swings right-left-right-left, and every once inawhile, as in 1980 and perhaps now in 2008, there is a major swing that reshapes the boundaries for awhile. But there are never any eternal winners or permanent majorities. http://scotterb.wordpress.com
"I’m not green, but I could be," reads one. Others have similar messages printed on them, "My Bag", "Use Me and Re-use Me".
Since the Chinese government issued its June 1 ban on free plastic bag handouts, retailers in China have found themselves in the midst of a "green" phenomenon.
They’re anxious to turn fashion-conscious customers into eco-aware shoppers.
Under the new regulations, free plastic bags are banned and shopkeepers are required to charge shoppers for plastic bags. The prices vary, but range from 0.2 yuan ($0.03) to 1 yuan ($0.14) depending on the size of the bag.
But, a plain bag is far from satisfactory for the China’s fashion-conscious - and this mindset is pushing the country towards a "green revolution" in the closets.
"It is cool to carry a simple colored eco bag to go with my Levi’s jeans and sneakers," says 21-year-old Huang Min. "It is a direct way to contribute to environmental protection. And, it is a popular vision for saving the planet."
The Beijing college student wears her new eco bag proudly on her shoulder. It is an important part of her outfit - and has a statement to make.
Eco bags are increasingly being seen as fashionable as more and more celebrities appear on "green issue" magazine covers with the reusable bags matching their outfits.
"Going green" appears to be a growing trend. Stars as big as Madonna have even dazzled "green-oriented" magazines. The artist was chosen to dazzle the cover of Vanity Fair’s third annual May 2008 Green Issue.
As environmental issues spill into the fashion world, the "green shopping bag" campaign seems to be a win-win solution for all those involved.
Companies can adopt the bags as a brand-building tool. Consumers see it as an iconic statement against throwaway plastics - which have previously been given away in the billions annually. The "green movement" has been seeping on to fashion runways and marketing strategies - so why not on shopping bags and totes?
Muji, a Japanese lifestyle store established nearly 30 years ago, launched its own version of "My Bag" when it opened its first Beijing store in Joy City this March. The simple yet stylish bags made from linen and cotton threads have sold well over the past few months in the capital, according to Muji staff. Initially, they sold bags ranging from 5 to 100 yuan, but now they only have bags priced from 24 to 100 yuan remaining.
"People of different ages love the bags because they are light, simple and convenient," says one of the shop’s workers Chen Weimi.
"To reduce waste and conserve resources, we encourage our consumers to use ’My Bag’," says the store’s manager Akita Toru.
Other well-known international brands are also striving to set the eco trend in Beijing. Diesel, Marc Jacobs and DKNY have also released low-priced eco bags made of organic cotton.
And, apart from the big international names, young designers based in Beijing are also working on the green bags.
"Young people in China are aware of the environment and want to do what they can to protect it, especially when it is becoming a trend," says 30-year-old designer Peng Haofeng, from Yunnan province.
Together, with two other friends, the three opened a green-themed store, Kidults, or Tong Huo in Chinese, last November on Dongsi Street. The company aims to promote the green fashion concept among the Beijing people.
According to the store’s marketing manager, Gou Chenglong, many people were unaware of the eco bag concept when the store first opened last year.
"People, especially the older generation would not accept the idea because they didn’t think about the simple green bag value that much. But, half a year later, more and more people here are becoming aware of the eco-bags or eco-fashion trend, especially when the government issued the ban on plastic bags at supermarkets in Beijing. It is a good start."
With handmade pictures on them, the bags look trendy and self-expressive. The bags generally contain no dyes and are known for their creative trims and decorations made from wood or bamboo.
"The price is normal and acceptable for students and office workers," says 26-year-old Zhou Fei, as she rifled through the bags at Kidults ranging from 15 yuan to 100 yuan. "I am a frequent buyer of green bags and T-shirts."
"It would be fashionable to carry beautifully designed cloth bags rather than monotonous white plastic ones down the street."
