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Tonight (Tuesday) at 9 PM ET at Drexel University in Philadelphia PA, televised on MSNBC and live-streamed at MSNBC.com Previews: MSNBC Analysis: What must Obama do? MSNBC Analysis: Is Iran the top issue in this debate? MSNBC First Read’s First thoughts: Debate at Drexel MSNBC First Read: Obama, Edwards, Clinton Oppose Mukasey for AG MSNBC First Read: Richardson’s Closer in IA? MSNBC First Read: Clinton’s counterpunch? MSNBC First Read: Biden wants focus on foreign policy MSNBC...

Attention All Presidential Candidates and Networks! There are voters out there like me who do not get MSNBC, CNN and Fox News! Not everybody likes to watch TV all of the time and or pay huge fees to cable companies or satellite networks for a service which used to be free to all (except the advertisers). From now on, NO presidential debate should be on MSNBC, CNN and Fox News unless it is also broadcast to OTA (Over-the-Air) viewers. Yes, I can watch the MSNBC debate tonight on my computer but only...

Chris Cillizza’s The Fix: washingtonpost.com’s Politics Blog The Line: Open-Seat Advantage for House Dems? The retirements just keep coming for House Republicans. In the past month, five more Republican incumbents decided against seeking another term in 2008. Two hail from districts — New Mexico’s 1st and Ohio’s 16th — where Democrats will be even money bets (or better) to win next year. Democrats are also making noise about two other newly open GOP seats —...

The Case for a Constitution “Bill of Responsibilities” Over the past few weeks, I’ve learned that almost everyone takes some time to absorb new ideas, especially a big one like a second Constitutional Convention. The hidebound nature of humanity, and the deep polarization that currently exists in American society, make most people inherently suspicious of any novel proposal. That’s understandable, but I hope that as people think and read further about the subject, they’ll...

AP via MSNBC: State Dept. security chief to resign in aftermath of Blackwater shooting WASHINGTON – The State Department’s security chief announced his resignation on Wednesday in the wake of last month’s deadly Blackwater USA shooting incident in Baghdad and growing questions about the use of private contractors in Iraq. Richard Griffin, the assistant secretary of state for diplomatic security, announced his decision to resign at a weekly staff meeting, according to an internal...

UPDATED AGAIN: ‘We can’t stop it’ – Officials all but concede defeat to wildfires as estimated 1 million evacuate SAN DIEGO – Faced with unrelenting winds whipping wildfires into a frenzy across Southern California, firefighters conceded defeat on many fronts Tuesday to an unstoppable force that has chased an estimated 1 million people away. Unless the shrieking Santa Ana winds subside, and that’s not expected for at least another day, fire crews say they can...

UPDATE: Tomorrow’s The Hill: Obama pressured on gay ‘cure’ preacher and The Swamp: ‘No crusade’ to cure gays, says Obama’s gospel star. UPDATE: Hear Pam Spaulding of PHB and Mike Signorile on Sirius Out Q discussing the issue. _________ Does Barack Obama want to portray himself as either P.C. or consistent? He appears to have got himself into a situation where he’s damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. Pam’s House Blend: Why is Obama...

TODAY’S WORD ON JOURNALISM—Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007 Canary in the Mine: “(W)hile the newspaper is expendable, the tradition it represents and the information it supplies are not. The evolution from Gutenberg to Gates may be irreversible, but as new media replace old ones there’s no official passing of the torch of responsibility, no automatic transfer of the sacred trust the First Amendment placed upon the free press and its proprietors. In fact the handoff, such as it is,...

You Readers must really like us as a news and opinion source because we are ranked #46 on Memeorandum’s Leaderboard! We are surprised, honored and grateful! Thank-you Memeorandum and Dear Readers! Gabe Rivera at Memeorandum and Techmeme: The ascent of blogs and other independent publishers has expanded and revitalized political dialogue in the United Status. While the “mainstream” media remains the primary source of factural reporting, they no longer own the agenda. It follows...

I did not see any of this, but others did: CNN Political Ticker: GOP candidates battle over conservative credentials Republican presidential candidates clashed Sunday over who is conservative enough to defeat Democratic front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton, ahead of an evening debate in Florida. Live-blogging from The Caucus (NY Times) AP via Washington Post: Reportedly McCain attacked Romney and Thompson attacked Giuliani. The clashes, in the early moments of a 90-minute debate, prompted former...

Dear Readers, please do not destroy the substance of your comments by larding them with insults and ad-hominem attacks. I often disagree with my fellow TMV bloggers but feel no need to insult them. As Joe says, differing ideas do NOT cause brain cancer. I just read the last 20 comments and find the insults annoying. If they persist, expect warnings followed by banning.

UPDATE: Now I hear “At least 110 dead, over 200 injured.” UPDATE: 45 people have reportedly been killed in this unsuccessful attempt on Bhutto’s life. MSNBC BBC: Several blasts have occurred near the motorcade carrying Pakistani ex-PM Benazir Bhutto, during her triumphant homecoming after eight years in exile. Mrs Bhutto was on her way from Karachi airport to a welcome rally when the explosions took place. Initial reports said at least 15 people were injured in the blasts, but Mrs...

I’m listening right now. If you can’t listen now on NPR, you should be able to listen later online. The Diane Rehm Show 10/18/2007 11:00 AM Larry Sabato: “A More Perfect Constitution” (Walker) For more than 30 years, professor and political scientist Larry Sabato has been examining the workings of the U.S. Constitution – in the classroom, in the court room, on the campaign trail, and at the ballot box. He talks with Diane about why the Constitution is in need of updating...

Follow-Up: Full JTA article: GOP candidates make their case at RJC Rudy Giuliani says he can win Mitt Romney is skeptical about the upcoming Annapolis peace conference John McCain attacks Bush policies Sam Brownback asks for help rebuilding the family UPDATE 3:50 PM: I guess they are done. My phone rang and I muted the sound for a few minutes. UPDATE 3:15 PM: Compared to the candidates who spoke earlier today, Fred Thompson really seems to be bumbling. UPDATE 3:00 PM: Fred Thompson is now speaking. UPDATE...

BBC: Al Gore and UN climate panel are joint winners of 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. Climate change campaigner Al Gore and the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have been jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Mr Gore, 59, was vice-president under Bill Clinton and has since devoted his efforts to environmental campaigning. The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change brings together the world’s top climate scientists. The Nobel committee said it wanted to help the...

Changing the Electoral Vote? It would not be surprising if the most important single primary in 2008 takes place in California. But don’t look for it to be the presidential primary on Super-Duper Tuesday Feb. 5. Look instead to the state primary on June 3, up to now a low-profile event that could become fraught with significance if some California Republicans succeed in getting a highly controversial proposition on the ballot. If successful, it would ensure the party’s nominee 20 or...

UPDATE: A commenter provided a link to the transcript. Thanks! Fred Thompson’s in this one, folks! CNBC Republican Debate – The presidential candidates squared off focusing on economic issues CNBC GOP Presidential Debate Blog Live from Dearborn, Michigan Live-Blogging from The Fix (WP) Live-Blogging from The Caucus (NY Times) Live-Blogging from CNN Political Ticker Live-Blogging from MSNBC First Read

Last Friday I briefly addressed the ENDA bill in this post, stating: My opinion? Passing the hate crimes bill and ENDA will be long-overdue steps in the right direction. If the transgender issue will sink ENDA, take it out. We can address that another time. Well, I made a snap judgment based on what turned out to be incomplete information on a much more complex issue than I had realized. In other words, I should have kept my mouth shut. Ohio Gay People’s Chronicle: ENDA explosion –...

National Coming Out Day, an annual event sponsored by HRC and GLSEN, is next Thursday, October 11, 2007. Maybe that’s why Senator Larry Craig has announced that he will not resign from the US Senate even though his Minnesota guilty plea to attempted bathroom sex has not been dismissed. Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) has changed his mind about resigning and will remain in the Senate through next year. His decision comes on the same day a Minnesota judge ruled Craig could not withdraw his guilty...