Boren found $13M for expansion of OU art museum ?

University of Oklahoma regents this week will consider approving a $13 million budget for a proposed expansion of the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art.

According to the agenda for Tuesday's meeting in Norman, posted on the university's Web site, OU President David Boren has recommended approval of the design development phase for a gallery addition to the museum, along with the budget for the project.

Regents approved the project during a meeting in May as part of the comprehensive master plan of capital projects for OU's main campus in Norman.

According to the agenda, as part of the project, space will created for what will be known as the Eugene B. Adkins Gallery, as well as an archive storage area to display, store and curate works of art included in the Adkins Collection.

The collection includes Southwest- and American Indian-themed items.

The museum's current rooftop sculpture garden will be enclosed to create a new third-floor gallery and a staircase from the lower galleries to the third-floor gallery will be built.

The agenda item notes the university also plans "to pursue the acquisition of another important collection of art works," so the new addition will be sized to include a new mezzanine level with 4,000 square feet of space "to display newly acquired art." The item does not mention what the potential art acquisition might be.

Of the project's $13 million budget, the agenda item notes that $6 million will come from the university's discretionary reserves and $7 million will come from private sources. Construction should begin early in 2009.

School board filings to open Monday

The campaign filing period for Board of Education members will open 8 a.m. Monday and continue until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Cleveland County Election Board Secretary Paula Roberts announced.

Roberts said filing will be conducted at the county election board office, 122 S. Peters Ave.

She said Declarations of Candidacy are available at the election board office and require notaraztion by a Notary Public.

School board offices up for election on Feb. 10, 2009, include:

· Lexington School District Office No. 4 -- five-year term.

· Little Axe School District Office No. 4 -- five-year term.

· Noble School District Office No. 4 -- five-year term.

· Moore School District Office No. 4 -- five-year term.

· Norman School District Office No. 4 -- five-year term.

· Robin Hill School District Office No. 2 -- three-year term.

· Moore Norman Technology Center District Zone No. 4 -- five-year term.

American Minute - Nov. 30 - Mark Twain

American Minute
with
Bill Federer

"The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" was his first popular story, written while in San Francisco.

He then sailed to the Holy Land and wrote Innocents Abroad. While on this trip, he saw the picture of his friend's sister, Olivia Langdon of Elmira, New York, and he fell in love.

Immediately upon his return, he met and married Olivia.

His name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, born NOVEMBER 30, 1835.

In Innocents Abroad, 1869, Mark Twain wrote:

"We dismounted on those shores which the feet of the Saviour had made holy ground...One of the most astonishing...observations is the exceedingly small portion of the earth from which sprang the new flourishing plant of Christianity."

Mark Twain continued:

"The longest journey our Saviour ever performed was from here to Jerusalem - about...one hundred and twenty miles....He spent His life, preaching His Gospel, and performing His miracles, within a compass no larger than an ordinary county of the United States."

Mark Twain wrote:

"In the starlight, Galilee has no boundaries but the broad compass of the heavens, and is a theatre meet for great events; meet for the birth of a religion able to save the world."

Chesapeake Energy to sell $1.8B stock for cash

In the Dark of Night, Chesapeake Energy Corp. is seeking to raise up to $1.8 billion through common stock sales in an effort to fund its activities.

In two filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission late Wednesday, the company said it will issue shares worth as much as $1 billion before fees and also registered 50 million shares worth at most $791 million for potential sale.

Chesapeake said it will use proceeds from the $1 billion offering for general corporate purposes, and other capital expenditures.

The move would dilute holdings of shareholders, who already suffered through a substantial decline in Chesapeake's stock price this year. Shares closed at $20.24 on Wednesday, off 73 percent from the stock's $74 52-week high set this summer.

But the company said cash flow, borrowings and cash on hand have not been enough to pay for capital expenditures.

Chesapeake has used up the remaining financing available under its $3.5 billion bank credit facility and only $251 million is left of another $460 million credit line. Credit markets remain tight with financial institutions under duress.

Chesapeake has hedged about 73 percent of its remaining natural gas and oil reserves in 2008 and 67 percent of expected production in 2009 at average prices of $9.09 and $8.65 per thousand cubic feet equivalent (Mcfe), respectively. In Nymex trading Thursday, natural gas for January delivery slid 9.7 cents to $6.781 per 1,000 cubic feet.

The company has cut back on its capital expenditure budget through 2010 in light of global economic distress and concerns about oversupply of natural gas in the U.S. market.

In September, BP PLC's U.S. arm said it plans to buy a 25 percent stake in Chesapeake's Fayetteville Shale assets in Arkansas for $1.9 billion. A month earlier, BP said it had bought similar Chesapeake assets in Oklahoma for $1.7 billion.

Earlier this month, Chesapeake sold even more natural gas assets to Norwegian energy company StatoilHydro for $3.38 billion.

Moore (Oklahoma) is Booming with New Businesses

In spite of the current economy struggles, new businesses continue to open in Moore, Oklahoma.

Moore City leaders said the community's location, which is located off Interstate 35, has had a positive impact on their economic standing.

Sen. Anthony Sykes (R-District 24) said first impressions are also making a difference.



Developers are still planning to open a new shopping center in the area, which will include Bed Bath & Beyond, Pet Smart and Chick-Fil-A.

"Sales are strong," City Manager Stephen Eddy said. "We're pretty well countering what we're hearing in the national news here."

As the economy slows, city leaders of Moore remain optimistic. They call themselves "Forward Thinking" and plan to stay that way, which is a big selling point for big businesses.

Why the Haters “Hate” Governor Palin

Hat Tip to BostonPatriot @ Thanks to Palin





Attacks on Gov. Sarah Palin by McCain campaign staff at first appear to be a case of making her a convenient scapegoat, but the attacks have a more devious motive. This post-election barrage is the first volley of the campaign to choose the Republican nominee in 2012. The Washington, D.C. based establishment that rules the GOP wants her career over now. She threatens them.

Firefighting 101 teaches it is easier to stomp out a wildfire when it is small. Don’t allow the fire to grow, spread and become an inferno. Sarah Palin was the spark of McCain’s reform campaign. She ignited the campaign and gave the reform message legitimacy.

Those knifing Palin are the old-guard Republicans who don’t want to see her as the nominee in 2012. The old-guard GOP candidates are likely Gov. Haley Barbour or former Gov. Mitt Romney.

Sarah Palin brought a vibrant, fresh face to the Republican Party. The GOP elitists saw how she easily connected with voters. Palin drew huge crowds of up to 30,000 people anxious to see and hear her. The crowds flocking to see Gov. Palin bond with her culturally. She has the potential to garner Obama- or Reagan-like devotion.

The Republican Party needs this grassroots energy and her reform agenda after a decade of broken promises and the disappointing Bush presidency.

Looking back at history, you see resemblances of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan in Palin. Both Thatcher and Reagan were dismissed and insulted by their own party stalwarts. “Useful idiot” was a term once leveled at President Reagan.

Palin hails from Wasilla, Alaska; Margaret Thatcher grew up in the apartment over her family’s grocery store in a small town in England. Thatcher’s father taught her never to do things because other people were doing them. He said, “Do what you think is right and then persuade others to follow you.” Like Thatcher, Palin’s political philosophy and economic policies emphasize reduced government intervention, free markets and entrepreneurialism.

Margaret Thatcher was willing to take a hard line and earned the nickname “Iron Lady” for her tough-talking rhetoric defiantly opposing the Soviet Union. Likewise, Palin is tough enough to stand up to present-day threats. While Thatcher earned the moniker of ‘Attila the Hen,” Palin calls herself a “Pit-bull with Lipstick” and others dub her “Sarah Barracuda.”

Human, likeable, personable and witty like Reagan, with loads of common sense and confidence, Sarah Palin lives what she believes. And the camera loves her as it loved Ronald Reagan.

Grass-roots efforts are sure to encourage Palin to run in for president in 2012. Meanwhile, she trusts a higher power, saying she is, “Putting my life in my creator’s hands---that is what I always do.” She also said, “I’m like, God, if there is an open door for me somewhere, this is what I always pray, …don’t let me miss the open door…And if there is an open door in ’12 or four years later, and if it is something that is going to be good for my family, for my state, for my nation, an opportunity for me, then I’ll plow through that door.”

This rising star is now too bright to be extinguished by attempts at sabotage. She has addressed the criticism, setting the record straight concerning the purchase of clothes for herself and her family by the Republican National Committee, saying, “Those are the RNC’s clothes, they are not my clothes. I never forced anybody to buy anything. I never asked for anything more than maybe a Diet Dr Pepper every once in a while.” And then there’s the ridiculous rumors regarding the debate prep about NAFTA and Africa. Palin summed it up well, calling it “cruel, it’s mean-spirited, it’s immature, and it’s unprofessional,” and said, “Those guys are jerks if they came away with it taking thing out of context, then tried to spread something on national news.”

Yet Palin realizes criticism is to be expected in politics. “Your life is an open book and you open yourself up to criticism and you’d better be ready to take that criticism,” she said. “In other words, don’t run for office if you can’t handle it.”

Those staffers guilty of anonymous attacks are cowards. Their agenda to control the GOP needs to be seen for what it is -- an attempt to kill the career of Sarah Palin because it threatens them. Americans can see through the falsehoods and love the real Sarah Palin. Nearly 400 letters arrive daily addressed to Gov. Palin and are now piled high in big bags waiting for her.

Floyd and Mary Beth Brown are bestselling authors and speakers. Mary Beth's latest book is featured at www.condibook.com Together they maintain a blog at www.2minuteview.com

American Minute - Nov. 29 - C.S. Lewis

American Minute
with
Bill Federer

His death went unnoticed, as he died the same day John F. Kennedy was shot, but his works are some of the most widely read in English literature.

Originally an agnostic, he served in World War I and became a professor at Oxford and Cambridge.

He credits his Catholic friend and fellow writer, J.R.R. Tolkien, author of "Lord of the Rings," as being instrumental in bringing him to faith in Christ.

Among his most notable books are: The Screwtape Letters; Miracles; The Problem of Pain; Abolition of Man; and The Chronicles of Narnia, which include The Lion, Witch and Wardrobe.

His name was C.S. Lewis, born NOVEMBER 29, 1898.

Over 200 million copies of his books have sold worldwide and, 40 years after his death, continue to sell a million copies a year.

In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote:

"All that we call human history - money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery - is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy."

C.S. Lewis wrote:

"Christianity...is a religion you could not have guessed...It is not the sort of thing anyone would have made up. It has just that queer twist about it that real things have."

What will be the 2009 GOP Senate Agenda ?

Oklahoma State Senate President Pro Tempore Designate Glenn Coffee and Majority Floor Leader Sen. Todd Lamb, talk about what will be the 2009 GOP Senate Agenda ?

Terror in Oklahoma

Coming on the back of the terrorism conviction of the 'Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development', One has ask what other Terrorism links are in OKC ?

Citizen told to stop using Twitter to update on Bombay attacks

News on the Bombay attacks is breaking fast on Twitter with hundreds of people using the site to update others with first-hand accounts of the carnage.

The website has a stream of comments on the attacks which is being updated by the second, often by eye-witnesses and people in the city. Although the chatter cannot be verified immediately and often reflects the chaos on the streets, it is becoming the fastest source of information for those seeking unfiltered news from the scene.

Murad Ahmed, Technology Reporter

In the past hour, people using Twitter reported that bombings and attacks were continuing, but none of these could be confirmed. Others gave details on different locations in which hostages were being held.


And this morning, Twitter users said that Indian authorities was asking users to stop updating the site for security reasons:

One person wrote: “Police reckon tweeters giving away strategic info to terrorists via Twitter”.

Many pointed to reports that that the situation had led to clashes between Indian forces and militants in the disputed border region of Kashmir. Some messages gave the names of suspected terrorists. None of the information could be confirmed at this stage.

Twitter is a micro-blogging service, where people can send short messages of up to 140 characters to friends using text messages or over the internet.

Others have used the site to post contact details of relevant emergency services for those caught up in the attack. There were appeals for Twitter users to post “I’m fine” messages so it could be relayed onto family and friends.

Many sent messages of support to the Indian authorities and Bombay’s citizens.

One user said: “please give all respect and due to all those cops and army people who are risking their lives 4 us”. Other Bombay residents showed anger that the situation was continuing: “sadly NO ONE seems to be in charge. what are they all WAITING for 18 hours later ?”

American Minute - Nov. 28 - James Warren, President of Massachusetts Provincial Congress

American Minute
with
Bill Federer

Following the hated Stamp Act of 1765, the British committed the Boston Massacre in 1770, firing into a crowd, killing five.

Colonists responded with the Boston Tea Party in 1773.

The British then blocked Boston Harbor in 1774 to starve the city into submission. The President of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress was James Warren, husband of Revolutionary War author Mercy Otis Warren.

James Warren proposed Sam Adams form Committees of Correspondence to inform the nation of injustices committed in Boston.

President James Warren, who died NOVEMBER 28, 1808, approved the Massachusetts Resolution:

"In Provincial Congress, Watertown, June 16, 1775 - As it has pleased Almighty God in his Providence to suffer the calamities of an unnatural war to take place among us...the most effectual way to escape those desolating judgments...will be that we repent."

The Resolution continued:

"Among the prevailing sins of this day, which threaten the destruction of this land, we have reason to lament the frequent prophanation of the Lord's Day, or Christian Sabbath...

It be recommended by this Congress, to the people...that they...pay a religious regard to that day, and to the public Worship of God thereon."

Holy Land Retrial Ends in Sweeping Guilty Verdicts

It took 15 years and two trials, but the government has won a terrorism conviction against what had been the nations largest Muslim charity and five of its leaders for funneling millions of dollars to the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

A federal jury in Dallas found 'Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development' and its officials guilty of funneling more than $$12 million to the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

"It involves a conspiriacy that spanned a 13-year period of an effort," U.S. Attorney Richard Roper said. "A sophisticated effort to support the terrorist organization Hamas."

"This is a real victory for all of us in the sense that the funding for terrorism is essential for its continuation and we have done many things to weaken their operational capacity," Deputy Director MIPT David Cid said.

The convictions carry sentences up to 15 or 20 years on each count.

Ghassan Elashi, Holy Lands former chairman, and Shukri Abu-Baker, Holy Lands chief executive, were convicted of a combined 69 counts, including supporting a specially designated terrorist, money laundering and tax fraud.

Mufid Abdulqader and Abdulrahman Odeh were convicted of three counts of conspiracy.

Mohammed El-Mezain was convicted of one count of conspiracy to support a terrorist organization.

Bad News From Africa

For background see U.S. Command for Africa to focus on military, not humanitarian role & How long till Barack Obama put U.S. Troops in to Kenya ?

U.S. intelligence analysis of the situation in Africa are grim. The basic problems are corruption, tribalism and raw materials (from oil to diamonds and minerals) that enable warlords to sustain themselves, and their gun toting followers, for years. Somalia and Congo are the worst examples of this sort of thing.

Then there's Sudan, where the government actually supports much of the mayhem. Many countries are seemingly peaceful, but are actually ready to slip into anarchy.

The problems in Africa are pretty basic, but most Western leaders are unwilling to deal with them head on. For example, it's not considered politically correct to talk about tribes anymore. Instead these distinct cultural organizations are referred to as "ethnic groups" (which they often are) or "clans" (which are subsections of tribes).

But much of the world's population still owes their primary allegiance to tribal organizations. Africa, South America and parts of Asia are largely tribal areas. Europe still has a few. But the Scots clans are largely just social organizations, although in Eastern Europe you can still find functioning clans.

Over the past few thousand years, tribes evolved (by more powerful tribes conquering weaker ones) into kingdoms, and then, with the addition of robust economies and a lot of bureaucrats, nations. So you tend to find tribes in less affluent parts of the world.

The majority of our planet's population is poor. But a third of the world's population is in China and India, two places where the strong tribes long ago conquered all the weaker ones. Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands still have a lot of unconquered tribes.

Tribes tend to fight a lot. Most tribes are agrarian, and there always are disputes over land and crime. Tribes don't have the strong legal systems of kingdoms and nations, so justice is seen as a personal chore. Within tribes, there usually is a system of tribal elders who arbitrate these disputes. But when the disputes are between tribes, arbitration is difficult, usually impossible. Violence and endless blood feuds result.

Africa has the largest number of active tribes on the planet, over 500 at last count. The nations of Africa are artificial creations, put together by European colonial powers in the late 19th century.

In the 1950s and 60s, most of these colonies were given their freedom. These new African nations still had their tribes, plus poverty and weak legal systems. The colonial powers enforced peace, often with guns, but also with thousands of bureaucrats imported from Europe. After independence, most of these bureaucrats went home.

The tribal animosities began to emerge very quickly after independence. Most of these nations soon found themselves run by military dictators. It was ugly, but it kept the peace. However, unlike the colonial bureaucrats, the locals were far more corrupt, often because they were intent on taking care of their tribe at the expense of everyone else. The corruption ruined the economy, as well as making most of the population increasingly angry over the poverty and injustice.

When democracy got it's chance again in the late 1990s, it was because Africans realized that, unlike everyone else in the world, their economies had been steadily shrinking through the 1980s. The end of the Cold War also eliminated the ability to play off the superpowers against one another, thus eliminating another source of income. They needed change, but democracy alone was not enough.

With the generals replaced by politicians, tribal violence is on the rise again. A good case in point is Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation. Nigeria has some 250 "ethnic groups" (most organized as tribes around shared customs, language and culture) in a population of 122 million.

Pre-colonial tribal warfare is returning. In the past, the various kingdoms that existed before the colonial period had ethnic minorities that were oppressed, and they have not forgotten. It's fashionable to blame all this on the European colonial governments, but the one sub-Saharan nation that was not colonized, Ethiopia, also experiences frequent civil war and rebellion because of its dozen or so different ethnic groups.

No one has yet come up with a quick solution for this problem. Historically, the only thing that works is gradual absorption of many of the smaller groups into the larger ones. This has been going on more rapidly in the last few centuries, making it easier for many stable nations to form. Africans want to hold on to their colonial era borders, even if it means constant threat of unrest. This is preferable to the pre-colonial tribal warfare. But how do you keep the tribes from fighting?

Admitting there is a problem is the first step, and most African nations are doing that. They are stressing the need for national unity. But with corrupt police and civil servants, plus rampant poverty, too many people still have to fall back on the tribe for economic and judicial relief. History provides little comfort. Everywhere else, tribes only faded away after centuries of increasing prosperity and the development of honest and efficient government.

Put more simply, the central government had to compete with the tribal organization to provide better living standards and legal systems. This works, it was working during the colonial period. But it only works long term if the locals themselves provide the judges, police, politicians and bureaucrats.

Meanwhile, the tribal violence increases. In the last decade, nearly ten million have died from tribal violence in Africa. Guns won't solve the problem. In fact, the end of the Cold War has brought millions of cheap AK-47s to Africa. This has increased the death toll, as assault rifles can kill a lot more people than the traditional spears and bows. Indeed, previously only the bravest tribal warriors went to war, because it was up close and personal. You had to be tough, experienced and brave. With AK-47s, any kid can become a bad ass, blasting away from a distance. Where in the past women and children generally were spared, now they are the first victims of the AK-47 armed teenagers.

Money alone won't solve the problem of tribal violence, Honest government will. But you can't easily buy that. The locals have to put aside centuries of custom to make government work. That won't happen fast, and when it does, it will take a long time to eliminate the tribal loyalties. Meanwhile, Africa is a grim example of survival of the fittest. Resourceful and ruthless men, abetted by cheap guns and natural resources to plunder, thrive, while proponents of civil society and honest government cower in the shadows.

Chinese Commandos Train To Kill Pirates

The Chinese South Sea Fleet recently conducted an anti-terrorism drill in which commandos flew to a merchant ship and then assaulted it by rappelling down from the helicopter and "cleared" the vessel of pirates and "rescued" the crew.

Earlier this month, a Chinese cargo ship, the "Delight", and its 25 man crew, was taken by Somali pirates. About the same time, a Chinese fishing boat, with a crew of 24, was also taken by Somali pirates off the coast of Kenya. China has said it will contribute forces to help deal with the Somali pirates.

For background see China Special Operations Forces

American Minute - Nov. 27 - Dr. Chaim Weizmann & the State of Israel

American Minute
with
Bill Federer

During World War I, Britain was ineffective manufacturing explosives, until a breakthrough in synthesizing acetone was made by Jewish chemist Dr. Chaim Weizmann, who was born NOVEMBER 27, 1874.

In gratitude, Britain issued the Balfour Declaration, establishing a Jewish homeland.

President Woodrow Wilson wrote to Rabbi Stephen Wise, 1918:

"I think all Americans will be deeply moved by the report that...the Weizmann commission has been able to lay the foundation of the Hebrew University at Jerusalem."

President Harry S Truman wrote to Dr. Weizmann, November 29, 1948:

"I remember well our conversations about the Negeb...I agree fully with your estimate of the importance of the area to Israel, and I deplore any attempt to take it away from Israel.

I had thought that my position would have been clear to all the world, particularly in the light of the specific wording of the Democratic Party platform."

Truman continued:

"I have interpreted my re-election as a mandate...to carry out...the plank on Israel...In closing, I want to tell you how happy and impressed I have been at the remarkable progress made by the new State of Israel."

Dr. Weizmann wrote:

"I think that the God of Israel is with us."

State Senate Leader Finalizes GOP Majority Staff

Oklahoma State Senate President Pro Tempore Designate Glenn Coffee announced Tuesday that he has finalized his majority leadership staff for the 2009 legislative session.

Coffee’s staff includes:

Fred Morgan,
Senior Policy Advisor and Legal Counsel to the President Pro Tempore

Former State Rep. Morgan continues in his role as Coffee’s top aide.


Becky Woodie,
Personal Assistant to the President Pro Tempore

Ms. Woodie has served as Coffee’s personal assistant since he was first elected to the State Senate a decade ago.


Gwendolyn Caldwell,
Majority Leadership Legislative Director

Ms. Caldwell first joined Coffee’s leadership staff four years ago as deputy leadership assistant.


Randy Swanson,
Majority Leadership Communications Director

Mr. Swanson is the new communications director for Coffee and the Majority leadership team.


Ashley Kehl,
Majority Leadership Media Assistant

Ms. Kehl first joined Coffee’s leadership staff in 2007 as a receptionist and staff assistant, and was later promoted to media assistant.


Brittnee Preston,
Majority Leadership Legislative Assistant

Mrs. Preston interned for Coffee’s office during the 2007 session before joining Coffee’s staff as a full-time employee.


Rita Chapman,
Administrative Assistant / Constituent Relations and Appointments

Mrs. Chapman was an assistant to Coffee at his law firm prior to joining the Senate staff in 2007.


Sonja Wall,
Administrative Assistant / Receptionist

Ms. Wall worked for 8 years as an executive assistant at the State Senate before joining Coffee’s staff last week.

Last week, Coffee announced that another aide, Paul Ziriax, is leaving the leadership staff to accept Coffee’s appointment to the dual position of Secretary of the Senate and Secretary of the State Election Board.

Coffee’s staff includes a personal assistant plus seven leadership staff, for a total of eight employees. By comparison, when Democrats last held the Senate majority in 2006 the Pro Tem’s office employed 11 people (a personal assistant, 9 leadership staff, and a consultant).

Liberal/Left/Pinko bloggers forced Brennan out of the running for CIA director slot

John Brennan, President-elect Obama's intelligence adviser and the person many thought would head the CIA, has formally withdrawn his name from consideration "for a position within the intelligence community." (Read his letter to Obama here)

Why is this important?

Liberal/Left/Pinko bloggers and others on Obama's left flank have been furious over the idea that Brennan might get a senior post because he has been associated with some of the Bush administration's harshest intelligence tactics, including waterboarding, overseas detention and domestic surveillance.

As the intensity of criticism increased, team Obama seems to have decided it was best for Brennan to stand down.

This is an important victory for the left base, which was still feeling the sting of Obama's decision earlier this year to vote for enhanced surveillance powers.

In an interview with National Journal earlier this year, Brennan revealed that he differed with Obama over the thorny issue of immunity for companies that assisted the government with warrantless surveillance of Americans.

In the wake of that interview and other reporting on Brennan's policy positions, Liberal/Left/Pinko bloggers launched a Web-wide campaign to scuttle his nomination.

In the NJ interview, conducted eight months before the election, Brennan distanced himself from some of the Bush policies and struck a pragmatic pose on surveillance policies:

In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, the threshold [for gathering intelligence about terrorist suspects], quite frankly, was low, because we didn't know the nature of the threat we faced here in the U.S. Every effort was made by the government to try to get as much understanding and visibility into what else might be out there that's going to hurt us again. Now that a number of years have passed, we need to make sure the calibration is important. But maybe in a period of heightened threat you have to recalibrate that based on new information you have -- new intelligence that's going to give you a better sense of where to aim your magnet.

Brennan's departure could put a crimp in the transition team's plans to roll out its top security picks.

According to an Obama transition spokesperson, Brennan will remain on the team as an adviser during the transition period.

American Minute - Nov. 26 - George Washington, First National Thanksgiving Proclamation

American Minute
with
Bill Federer

In order to thank God for the First Amendment, which was passed a week earlier by Congress, President George Washington issued the first National Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1789:

"Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me 'to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness;'"

Washington continued:

"Now, therefore, I do recommend...Thursday, the 26TH DAY of NOVEMBER...to be devoted by the People of these United States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be;"

Washington concluded:

"That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks...for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government...particularly the national one now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed...to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue."

American Minute - Nov. 25 - Sojourner Truth

American Minute
with
Bill Federer

Born a slave in New York in 1797, she spoke only Dutch until she was sold at age 11. Suffering hardships, her third master made her marry an older slave with whom she had five children.

In 1827, she escaped to Canada. After New York abolished slavery, she returned as a domestic servant and helped with Elijah Pierson's street-corner preaching.

Her name was Sojourner Truth.

In 1843, Sojourner Truth heard "a voice from Heaven" and began spreading "God's truth and plan for salvation."

In Massachusetts, she worked with abolitionists William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass.

After the Emancipation Proclamation, Sojourner Truth moved to Washington, D.C., met Lincoln and helped former slaves.

In 1850, she dictated her biography, The Narrative of Sojourner Truth: A Northern Slave, stating:

"When I left the house of bondage I left everything behind. I wanted to keep nothing of Egypt on me, and so I went to the Lord and asked him to give me a new name."

Sojourner Truth continued:

"I set up my banner, and then I sing, and then folks always comes up 'round me, and then...I tells them about Jesus."

Her last full day on earth, NOVEMBER 25, 1883, Sojourner Truth would begin her messages: "Children, I talk to God and God talks to me."

Why is Faiz Shakir, a Research Director for Center for American Progress, Lying to Get Information?

Hat Tip to Erick @ REDSTATE




This is Faiz Shakir. He is a research director at the Center for American Progress and editor of Think Progress.

Center for American Progress is the "think tank" that only thinks about how to spin Democrat agenda items into publicly acceptable public policies.

And Faiz Shakir is one of their hit men -- running Think Progress to help set a media narrative in favor of Democratic policy. Or he is he?

Earlier today he sent an email to Saxby Chambliss's campaign from his gmail account:

From: Faiz Shakir [mailto:faiz.shakir@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 11:27 AM
To: Michelle
Subject: press list

Hi, I'm coming down to Atlanta to cover the campaign for a few conservative blogs. Any chance I can get on your press list? Thanks

Yes, I've confirmed faiz.shakir@gmail.com is the same Faiz Shakir at Center for American Progress.

So is he really covering the campaign for conservative blogs?

No. Of course not. He's lying trying to get a press list from Chambliss's campaign.

But why is a research director at a left-wing "think" tank playing partisan games?

"The Center for American Progress is a non-profit, non-partisan organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code," according to CAP's website.

CAP's head honcho is in charge of Obama's transition team.

Is Shakir following orders in the fight to get a 60 seat Democrat majority to push Obama's agenda?

Again, why is the research director of a non-partisan, non-profit think tank playing games — lying to get contact information from Saxby Chambliss's campaign?

Sykes elected to Capitol leadership

Sykes elected to Capitol leadership

The Majority Party in the Oklahoma State Senate has selected their leadership team for the 2008-09' legislative sessions, and Senator Anthony Sykes has been chosen to serve as Majority Whip. Sykes was elected by his colleagues Tuesday at a caucus prior to the swearing in ceremony for new Senators. Sen. Sykes becomes the first District 24 senator to serve in a Majority Leadership position since 1983.

Sykes said he was honored to have been chosen by Senate Republicans for the leadership post.

"Oklahomans have entrusted Republicans with a historic majority in the Senate, and we look forward to working on a variety of issues and initiatives to make Oklahoma a better place to live, work and raise a family," said Sykes. "I'm honored to assume this challenge and grateful for the opportunity to serve the citizens of District 24."

For the past two years, Sykes has served as Co-Chair of the Senate Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence. Sykes has also served as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and the Senate Committee on Retirement and Insurance. Sykes is a graduate of Newcastle High School, the University of Oklahoma and the University of Oklahoma College of Law.

"We will work hard to pass legislation to improve our infrastructure, ensure the safety of law-abiding citizens, promote job growth and bring tax relief to Oklahoma families," Sykes said. "I look forward to working with each of our members to ensure we make progress on the issues important to District 24 and Oklahoma."

GOVERNOR’S ETHNIC AMERICAN ADVISORY COUNCIL Nov meeting

November 21, 2008
Friday – 3:00 P.M.

Office of Personnel Management
Jim Thorpe Building – Conference Room G-91

A G E N D A

A. Call to Order.

B. Introduction of Council Members, Staff, and Guests.

C. Review of Minutes from the September 5, 2008, Meeting. [Possible Vote]

D. Presentation: [Possible Vote]
School of International and Area Studies, Center for Middle East Studies
Dr. Robert Cox, Director, School of International and Area Studies
Dr. Suzette Grillot, Associate Director, International Programs Center
Dr. Joshua Landis, Co-Director, Center for Middle East Studies

E. Establish Dates for 2009 Council Meetings. [Possible Vote]

F. Unfinished Business. [Possible Vote]

G. New Business.
[Any matter not known about or which could not have been reasonably foreseen prior to the time of posting.]

H. Announcements.

I. Comments from Visitors.

J. Adjournment.

Coffee Names Committee Chairs, Announces Reduction in Number of Committees

Oklahoma State Senate President Pro Tempore Designate Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, announced Monday that he is reducing the number of Senate committees and subcommittees by two, from 22 to 20. Coffee also named the Senate's new committee chairs on Monday.

Changes to the Senate's committee structure include:
The elimination of the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.

Combining two Appropriations subcommittees - Health and Social Services, and Human Services - into a single Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services.

"Streamlining the number of committees will help improve efficiency and make our committees more effective," said Coffee, R-Oklahoma City.

Nineteen Republican senators who each served as a committee co-chair the past two years will serve as chairmen in the GOP-controlled Senate. One new senator - former OSU president Jim Halligan, R-Stillwater - is being tapped to chair an Appropriations subcommittee.

Coffee plans to announce committee vice-chairs and other committee members within the next two weeks.

"This is one of the most intelligent and talented groups of committee chairs I have seen during my tenure in the Senate. They'll play a critical role in advancing the Senate Republicans' agenda of fiscal responsibility, job creation, government reform, and traditional values," Coffee said.

The State Senate's committees and committee chairs for the 2009 session are:

Appropriations Committee:
Sen. Mike Johnson, R-Kingfisher

- Appropriations Subcommittee on
Education:
Sen. Jim Halligan, R-Stillwater

- Appropriations Subcommittee on
Health and Human Services:
Sen. Brian Crain, R-Tulsa

- Appropriations Subcommittee on
Natural Resources and Regulatory Services:
Sen. David Myers, R-Ponca City

- Appropriations Subcommittee on
General Government and Transportation:
Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso

- Appropriations Subcommittee on
Public Safety and Judiciary:
Sen. Anthony Sykes, R-Moore

**************************************

Finance Committee:
Sen. Mike Mazzei, R-Tulsa

Education Committee:
Sen. John Ford, R-Bartlesville

Judiciary Committee:
Sen. Patrick Anderson, R-Enid

Agriculture and Rural Development Committee:
Sen. Ron Justice, R-Chickasha

Business and Labor Committee:
Sen. Harry Coates, R-Seminole

Energy and Environment Committee:
Sen. Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa

General Government Committee:
Sen. Cliff Aldridge, R-Choctaw

Health and Human Resources Committee:
Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond

Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee:
Sen. Don Barrington, R-Lawton

Retirement and Insurance Committee:
Sen. Bill Brown, R-Broken Arrow

Rules Committee:
Sen. Jonathan Nichols, R-Norman

Tourism and Wildlife Committee:
Sen. Mike Schulz, R-Altus

Transportation Committee:
Sen. Cliff Branan, R-Oklahoma City

Veterans and Military Affairs Committee:
Sen. Jim Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City

For the first time in the state's history, Republicans have the majority in the Oklahoma State Senate. Senate Republicans picked up two seats on Election Day to win a 26 to 22 majority.

Maryland Lt. Gov. 'Serious' Contender for VA Slot

Not only is Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown co-chairing the Obama transition team at the Veterans Affairs Department, he is a leading candidate to serve as VA secretary.

A source close to the Obama transition effort confirms that Brown is being given "serious consideration" for the VA slot, and is currently undergoing the vetting process.

A member of the Army Reserves since 1984, Brown, who holds the rank of colonel, commands the 153rd Legal Support Organization in Pennsylvania. He is the highest-ranking elected official in the country who has served a tour of duty in Iraq, having spent 10 months in the country in 2004.

According to his official biography, the handful of issues Brown has been asked by Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley to focus on in his current position includes the military base realignment and closure process, veterans affairs and health care.

Eight Southern governorships up in 2010

Hat Tip Southern Political Report

Eight Southern governorships
up in 2010

By Hastings Wyman
Southern Political Report

November 24, 2008 — Here's a look at the eight Southern governorships that will be decided in 2010.

Alabama: Gov. Bob Riley (R) is term-limited. The Democrats could face a hotly contested primary between Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom Jr., son of a former governor, and US Rep. Artur Davis, an African American who, like Barack Obama, is Harvard-educated, but is more moderate (his voting record rates 65% from the Chamber of Commerce). Another possible contender is state Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks (D). On the Republican side, businessman Tim James, son of former Gov. Fob James, has announced that he will run. Tim James ran in 2002, finishing third in a three-way race with 9%. US Rep. Jo Bonner (R) is being widely discussed as a potential candidate, though he has made no public declaration. Bonner, 49, is from Mobile and is not well known across the state. US Sen. Richard Shelby (R) has made it clear that, contrary to rumor, he plans to seek re-election and will not be in the gubernatorial race.

Arkansas: Gov. Mike Beebe (D) is expected to seek a second term and, given his own popularity and the GOP’s failure to contest Democratic incumbents here in 2008, he’s is a strong bet for re-election.

Florida: Gov. Charlie Crist (R) is expected to run again and, with consistently high ratings in polls -- his latest approval rating was 68% -- is the early favorite. Several Democrats are getting touted for the race, including Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, who is being promoted by a group of Hillary Clinton’s backers. Sink, however, may run for the US Senate instead. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, and US Reps. Allen Body and Kendrick Meek also get mentioned.

Georgia: Gov. Sonny Perdue (R) is term-limited and the race to succeed him began earlier in the year. Three candidates have formed exploratory committees: Secretary of State John Oxendine and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, both Republicans, and former Adjutant General David Poythress, a Democrat. In addition, a number of candidates from both parties are getting mentioned in the Peach State media, including, on the Republican side, US Reps. Jack Kingston and Lynn Westmoreland, Secretary of State Karen Handel, and House Majority Leader Jerry Keen. For the Democrats, Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond, an African American, who has held his elective post for ten years, and House Minority Leader DuBose Porter are possibilities.

Oklahoma: Gov. Brad Henry (D) is term-limited and a spirited contest for the open seat is likely. The leading Democratic contender for now is Attorney General Drew Edmondson, scion of a family prominent in Oklahoma politics. Edmondson has been touring the state and is expected to announce in late 2009. But he may not have a clear field in his own party. Lt. Gov. Jari Askins and state Treasurer Scott Meacham are also getting mentioned for the job. On the GOP side, two members of Congress are possible gubernatorial contenders. Congresswoman Mary Fallin, a former lieutenant governor, is getting mentioned; she was recently elected president of the sophomore class of House Republicans. Congressman Tom Cole, who earlier this month lost his position as chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, is being talked about for governor. And Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, who lost a runoff for Congress to Fallin in 2006, is also getting some attention for the job.

South Carolina: Gov. Mark Sanford (R) is term-limited. The Republican field of potential candidates is large. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer (R); Attorney General Henry McMaster (R); Carroll Campbell, son of the late Gov. Campbell; US Rep. Gresham Barrett and state House Majority Leader Jim Merrill have all either expressed interest or are getting mentioned in the media. On the Democratic side, there is also a list of possible contenders, including former state Democratic Chairman Joe Erwin; state Sen. Joel Lourie; state Superintendent of Education Jim Rex; state Sen. Vincent Sheheen; and former Superintendent of Education -- and 2004 US Senate candidate -- Inez Tenenbaum.

Tennessee: Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) is term-limited and there are a lot of politicos in the Volunteer State who are possible candidates to succeed him. The biggest name is that of former US Sen. -- and Senate Majority Leader -- Bill Frist (R), who is expected to say yea or nay in early 2009. If Frist runs, he immediately becomes the heavy favorite and would probably clear the field, especially on the GOP side. If Frist stays out of the race, eight-term US Rep. Zach Wamp (R) has expressed interest in the governorship. Other possible Republican contenders include US Rep. Marsha Blackburn, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey and Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam. For the Democrats, former House Majority Leader Kim McMillan formed an exploratory committee last spring. Other Democratic hats potentially in the ring include US Rep. Lincoln Davis, former US Rep. -- and US Senate candidate -- Harold Ford, Jr., former Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell, and former Democratic state Chairman Doug Horne.

Texas: Gov Rick Perry (R) has announced that he will seek a third term, but that has not discouraged US Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, a fellow Republican, from dropping hints that she expects to enter the primary against him. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst (R) is another possibility. Other names that have been dropped include state Sen. Dan Patrick (R), owner of a conservative radio station, and former Secretary of State Roger Williams. If both Perry and Hutchison run for governor, however, it may discourage other GOP aspirants. On the Democratic side, Houston Mayor Bill White has expressed interest in the gubernatorial race, but if Hutchison steps down to run for governor, White might prefer to run for her Senate seat.

Syria Wary of New Media

After information ministers from Arab states agreed to make new media and communications technology compatible across the Middle East, critics of the Syrian government said its real interest was in regaining control of a sphere where censorship of information is less and less effective.

A resolution issued on November 17, after information and communications ministers from the Arab countries met in Damascus, contained a pledge to develop a joint strategy for coping with new technological developments and to coordinate national policies on IT. However, the document stressed that this was not about imposing censorship.

At the meeting, Syrian Information Minister Mohsen Bilal indicated that his government was struggling to keep abreast of evolving technology. “Electronic media are moving very fast and we fear that we’ll be unable to keep up,” he said.

Analysts say the increasing popularity and sheer number of news websites, together with advances in mobile phone technology, present a huge challenge for regimes that have traditionally controlled the flow of information their populations have access to.

“New media such as the internet and text messaging have shrugged off the restrictions that some governments impose on media, and have helped [people] get access to news that wouldn’t have been accessible if it were up to government officials,” said Damascus-based media expert Muyasar Suhail. “Governments can no longer control the news that’s published or halt the flow of information.”

Syria’s information ministry has a special committee on electronic media and information whose official purpose is to study the media situation, although critics argue that it was designed to address a situation where the government can control domestic radio and TV broadcasters but not electronic media.

Adnan Naouf, editor of Champress, a news website based in Damascus, said, “The future lies with electronic media, and that’s why the official media are trying to control the means of communication in order to tighten censorship over all media outlets, both conventional and electronic.”

Nidhal Malouf, editor-in-chief of the pro-government Syria News site, agreed that officials in charge of media “lack a clear vision of the major changes that will take place in this sector in future, and the immense amount of competition that media outlets are now facing”.

He went on, “This competition will make countries that have narrow margins of freedom, including Syria, interact with one another to get accurate information out into the open. Since facts can be neither concealed nor controlled, let’s present them to our audience in the right way, just as they are.”

At the same time, Malouf drew a careful distinction between media sanctioned by the Syrian authorities and those that operate covertly, suggesting that only the latter behaved unprofessionally.

“It is unprofessional media outlets that are able to violate the restrictions imposed on media, because they are often in hiding. The professional outlets would not do this, because they adhere to the policies that are set out,” he said.

Ghusoun Suleiman, a journalist with the state news agency SANA, was similarly dismissive of independent electronic media that run into trouble with the authorities.

“Some websites have little credibility when they publish news and reports. Some of them engage in defamation, denigration and offensive comments, which results in them being closed down,” said Suleiman.

American Minute - Nov. 24 - John Knox & John Witherspoon

American Minute
with
Bill Federer

Sentenced as a galley slave on a French ship, he looked up as they sailed passed St. Andrews, Scotland, and said:

"I see the steeple of that place where God first in public opened my mouth to glory; and I am fully persuaded...I shall not depart this life till my tongue shall glorify his godly name in the same place."

John Knox was eventually released, met John Calvin, and returned to Scotland, where he confronted Mary, Queen of Scots, mother of England's King James I.

In 1560, John Knox led Scotland to establish the Presbyterian Church.

Dying NOVEMBER 24, 1572, John Knox stated:

"A man with God is always in the majority."

A descendant of John Knox was Presbyterian minister John Witherspoon, who signed the Declaration of Independence and, as President of Princeton, taught James Madison.

On May 26, 1789, the Presbyterian Churches in the United States wrote to President Washington:

"We...esteem it a peculiar happiness to behold in our Chief Magistrate, a steady, avowed friend of the Christian religion...who, in his private conduct, adorns the doctrines of the gospel of Christ."

President Washington replied in May of 1789:

"While I reiterate the professions of my dependence upon Heaven...I will observe that...no man who is profligate in his morals...can possibly be a true Christian."

Governors 2009/2010 Races

Hat Tip to Sean @ The Next Right



Governor's races are odd birds. Of all the races I follow -- House, Senate, Presidential, even state legislative -- they tend to be the least partisan. The reasons are similar to the reasons that Presidential races often seem so issues-less, especially when compared to the legislative races: People don't look at their chief executive and see a bundle of issues; they see a leader.

This is more pronounced at the local and state level, where they just see someone who fixes potholes and makes sure their kid gets funding for afterschool football.

On top of this, these races are going to be very much subject to the performance of the economy over the next few years.

In 2002, Democrats and Republicans alike suffered as chief executives were forced to make cuts in state budgets during the 2000-2001 semi-recession.

Given the full-blown recession/semi-depression we are likely headed towards, there could be a similar effect.

So anyway, theses are very preliminary. Right now if I had to guess, I'd say Republicans would net one or two Governor's mansions, bringing them to 23 or 24 seats. I've bolded the ones that I think seem especially primed to change hands.

Given the large number of open seats and undeclared candidates, I'm even less certain about these than the Senate ratings (which is pretty darned uncertain). This is especially true of open races that I've labelled uncompetitive, since really no one can call an open Governor's race uncompetitive this early. But just watch me. Because I'm dangerous like that.

More below the fold.
Not Presently Competitve R

AK-Gov: (Sarah Palin) Andrew Sullivan once fantasized that Sarah Palin would have trouble trying to survive in Alaska. It's a pipe dream. For the love of God, a convicted Republican felon nearly won re-election there, and Don Young ended up winning fairly handily. Fuggedaboudit.

FL-Gov: (Charlie Crist) Crist presently sports an approval rating of around 65%, which I'm sure he's out-and-out thrilled about. Normally a Florida race would be one that I would say could swing either way, but you have to like Crist's odds right now.

ID-Gov: (Butch Otter) This was close in 2006 when it was open, but it is hard to imagine it being close this time. Pretty much everyone except the Club for Growth hated Bill Sali, his opponent was a former Republican who campaigned on tax cuts, and he still only lost 51-49. As a complete aside . . . anyone else notice how all Idaho politicians seem to have names that sound vaguely like gay porn stars? Butch Otter, Dirk Kempthorne, Mike Crapo. The only one with a normal name was Larry Craig.

NE-Gov: (Open). You know, the thing I miss most about my old blog is coming up with childish comments about candidates with names like Dave Heineman, Chandler Woodcock, and Dave Heineman. I was crushed when Dick Swett didn't run for Senate in 2008. But whatever. The bottom line is, Democrats win the Nebraska Governor's office when Republican governors screw up or raise taxes. That hasn't happened here, and I think Obama's 45% is about the ceiling for Democrats right now. We'll see who get nominated.

Potentially Competitive R

AL-Gov: (Open). Bob Riley (teenage wasteland, whoa yeah) is term-limited. The Democratic bench in Alabama is pretty thin, but Democrats can still win in the state. Artur Davis is running, leaving a very uncompetitive open seat in AL-07, but given how Obama went over here I'll believe it when I see it. I'll wait and see who the Republicans put up, but you'd have to like their odds of holding on.

AZ-Gov (Brewer). This state is trending Democrat more slowly than people think, and many of the recent gains in Congress have been due to local conditions. We actually had a decent year in the statehouse in 2008. I don't know how good a pol Brewer is, and the Republican legislature might push through some divisive stuff that hurts her popularity, but for now, there's only the potential for competition here.

CT-Gov (Rell). Rell no longer sports an approval rating of 105% like she did in the 2006 cycle, but she's still pretty darned popular. She's apparently revving up the re-election campaign, and it is pretty hard to imagine her being defeated. But it is still Connecticut.

SC-Gov (Open). I really have a hard time seeing this being all that competitive after the last couple of open Senate races, but Dems have won the governor's mansion in recent years. We'll see how recruiting goes, but you have to like the GOP's odds.

TX-Gov (Perry). If Perry runs again, I think this will be a tough race for the GOP. I'm not sure that Texans want 14 years of Rick. If he retires or loses in the primary to Kay Bailey Hutchison, its less competitive. You'll hear a lot of noise about the race from the Kossacks, just like you did in 2002, and just like you did about beating Cornyn.

VT-Gov (Douglas). He still continues to be popular, and has won in some horrendous Republican years. If he retires or runs for Senate, I would imagine that the Dems will get this one back.

Competitive R

CA-Gov (Open). You have to like DiFi's odds of winning the seat she lost to Pete Wilson 20 years ago. Still, there are some potentially serious candidates on the Republican side. Two surprising facts about California: Democrats have only controlled the Governor's mansion for 20 of the last 110 years, and no Democrat not named "Brown" has served two full terms since the 1850s. These are the types of things I carry around in my head, people.

GA-Gov (Open). I think there will be some type of a competitive race here. Some brilliant-sounding guy named John Oxendine is in the running, but there might be a nasty primary between him and Light Governor Casey Cagle. Dems have a former General/Labor Commissioner, who could help them get rural whites back.

HI-Gov (Open). Popular Governor Linda Lingle will be term limited. It's hard to see how Republicans keep this; the cupboard is pretty bare there.

MN-Gov (T-Paw (?)). Pawlenty can run again, or he can concentrate on a Presidential bid, or try to do both. Democrats have been shut out of the Governor's mansion for 20 years here, so you'd have to like their odds in an open race. Either way, unless the brand makes a comeback here, expect a competitive race either way.

NV-Gov (Gibbons (?)). Governor Gibbons is mired in all manner of scandals, and has an approval rating in the 40s. There's even a recall effort going on. Not looking good for him. Right now it is looking like Republicans' best chance is to prim

RI-Gov (Open). Republicans have managed to hold the Governor's mansion for 16 years in what is arguably the bluest state in the nation. You'd have to think their run is about to end, now that Democrats have stopped running Myrth York.

SD-Gov (Open). Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin may be making a run for an executive slot, in which case you have to think this is a pretty competitive race, even in a very red state.

Competitive D Races

KS-Gov (Open) -- Sam Brownback is running for Governor. He's reasonably popular, and will be running in a very red state where Democrats don't have much of a base. Hard to see this not being at least competitive for Republicans.

ME-Gov (Open) -- I know, I know. But the GOP actually probably would have won here in 2006 of all years if they hadn't nominated a social conservative (in Maine of all places). It's a quirky state, so I say competitive.

MI-Gov (Open) -- It's been rough in Michigan, but Republicans have a couple of statewide figures in Mike Cox and Terri Lynn Land, which pretty much guarantees at least a competitive race. Granholm isn't particularly popular, so that won't help any.

OK-Gov (Open) -- Governor Henry is term-limited in a state that has been steadily trending Republican, even in the last few years. Dan Boren has said he won't run for Governor this cycle, so you have to like the Republicans' odds, assuming that this time around there's no cockfighting referndum on the ballot and we don't nominate a Christian conservative candidate who explodes in an on-camera bust of profanity right before the election. Regardless, this will almost certainly be competitive.

PA-Gov (Open) -- The Democrats' bench is surprsingly thin here, and Republicans have a good number of candidates with statewide experience. This should make for a good race.

TN-Gov (Open) -- This state swung heavily to Republicans in 2008. The awesomely-named Republican Congressman Zach Wamp is considering running. Have to like his odds, especially with Harold Ford Jr. tied up at the DLC.

VA-Gov (Open (?)) -- Are the Democrats really going to nominate Terry McAuliffe? Really?? Maybe there is a God. Anyway, the Republicans have been having problems in the state lately, to say the least, but they have an articulate candidate who will be difficult to beat, while the Democrats will be having a primary among three pretty mediocre candidates. If Tim Kaine is escorted off to some cabinet position, there won't be much to stop a Republican rebound here (yes, I know he can't run, but he wouldn't be spending a whole lot of time on the campaign trail like Mark Warner did for him during his 2005 comeback).

WI-Gov (Doyle (?)) -- Governor Jim Doyle seems bound and determined to run for re-election, but he only got 53% of the vote in 2006, and he's got a pretty mediocre 49-47% approval rating. Definitely vulnerable against the right Republican.

WY-Gov (Open) -- If you know anything at all about politics, you'll understand this rating.

Potentially Competitive Seats

IL-Gov (Blago (?)) -- Assuming he's not in prison, Governor Blago is free to run for re-election. If he is, or if he doesn't run, Democrats' odds improve markedly. Even then Republicans have to field a candidate, which will be no small task here.

MD-Gov (O'Malley) -- Marty O'Malley doesn't have a particularly high approval rating; earlier this year he was actually less popular than Bush. But unless Former Governor Ehrlich makes a go of it, this won't be competitive. O'Malley's ratings have improved of late, so maybe even then . . .

MA-Gov (Patrick) -- Patrick has succeded in getting his approval rating up to 51% in MA. If he continues, he'll be impossible to defeat. If not, he still might be impossible to defeat. The cupboard is pretty bare for Republicans in a very blue state.

NJ-Gov (Corzine) -- New Jersey always seems to play Lucy to the GOP's Charlie Brown. But once again, polling shows a competitive race for a fairly unpopular Democratic incumbent. The US Attorney for NJ is in the race, and is running pretty close to Corzine, who is at 42%.

NY-Gov (Patterson) -- A lot depends on whether or not Rudy runs. If he does, it could be close, though Patterson will probably have to make a mistake that puts a dent in his 59% approval rating.

OH-Gov (Strickland) -- Strickland sports a tepid 45% approval rating in this swing state, which pretty much automatically puts him on the watch list. With the trouble the economy is likely to go through in the next few years, I'd be sweating it if I were him. The GOP has had a rough go the last few years, and only holds one statewide office right now: Auditor.

OR-Gov (Open) -- Gov. Kulongoski leaves office and isn't terribly popular. The Dems have controlled the Governor's office since the 1986 elections, which would seem to open them up to a "change" campaign. But the Republican cupboard is pretty bare here. Secretary of State Bradbury will be a good candidate for the Democrats in a state that ain't getting any redder these days.

Not Presently Competitive D

AR-Gov (Beebe) -- 75% approval rating. It's a red state at the Presidential level, but as blue as Massachusetts at the state level, for historic reasons (AR didn't have a populist/establishment split in its Democratic party in the 30s and 40s, so the Republicans didn't have a faction to take over in the 50s and 60s). Better off concentrating on Senator Lambert-Lincoln.

CO-Gov (Ritter) -- Not above 70% anymore, but still 2:1 approving.

IA-Gov (Culver) -- Chet's well above 50%, and this state has trended blue of late.

NH-Gov (Lynch) -- So like, you know how if you play in 3d edition Dungeons & Dragons and your character can attain Godhood eventually? Er . . . me neither. But if that were the case, I think it would pretty much describe Governor Lynch's standing in New Hampshire.

NM-Gov (Open) -- The Republicans got wiped out here in 2008. Not gonna happen.