Crafting this newsletter after a week off is like coming back from vacation only to be reminded that your rathole apartment is just as disheveled as when you left. On our first day back in reality, religious extremists popped the sparkling cider as a district court judge ruled that federal funds can't be used for stem cell research -- briefly interrupting their condemnation of that Burlington Coat Factory/mosque in lower Manhattan. Politicos clearly had a bit too much coffee this morning as Michael Steele is already getting a heaping pile of blame for something that hasn't happened yet and Debbie Wasserman Schultz is criticizing a speech John Boehner gave...tomorrow. This is HUFFPOST HILL for Monday, August 23rd, 2010:
COURT HALTS FEDERAL FUNDING OF STEM CELL RESEARCH - Forgive us if we post this again below...our genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's may have set in. "A U.S. district court issued a preliminary injunction Monday stopping federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research in a slap to the Obama administration's new guidelines on the sensitive issue.The court ruled in favor of a suit filed in June by researchers who said human embryonic stem cell research involves the destruction of human embryos. Judge Royce Lamberth granted the injunction after finding that the lawsuit would likely succeed because the guidelines violated [a] law banning the use of federal funds to destroy human embryos. '(Embryonic stem cell) research is clearly research in which an embryo is destroyed,' Lamberth wrote in a 15-page ruling. The Obama administration could appeal his decision or try to rewrite the guidelines to comply with U.S. law." Reuters: http://bit.ly/cfTWWP
HUFFPOST HIRING: POLITICS EDITOR AND COPY EDITOR - We need an editor for our Politics page. It's a difficult task: you have to corral the work of people who stubbornly refuse to dress in anything fancier than cargo shorts, keep track of the most interesting political reporting online and be the person we primarily complain to. Upset that we finished that last sentence in a preposition (and for our countless other grammatical trespasses)? Why not apply to be our next Politics copy editor? For both positions, apply to nico@huffingtonpost.com. Be sure to include the position in the header.
MICHAEL STEELE ALREADY BLAMED FOR THING HE HASN'T DONE YET...BUT, LET'S BE HONEST, PROBABLY WILL END UP DOING - Although we think Chicago machine politics, Nancy Pelosi's out-of-touch San Francisco terror babies are perfectly viable scapegoats, a number of GOP operatives are gearing up to blame RNC Chair Michael Steele if the Republicans under-perform in this year's midterms. The RNC's recent anemic fundraising report is only aggravating the GOP's thirst for Steele blood. "The bottom line is the chairman of the party has two functions. First and foremost is to raise money and secondly is to drive a message. [Steele] hasn't done either," said Ed Rollins, the GOP mainstay who ran Ronald Reagan's first presidential campaign. "At the end of the day if we come up short in some of these races Steele is going to get the blame... obviously as the party chairman he needs to put the money into races and these state parties and he doesn't have it." Sam Stein:
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CHUCK HAGEL ENDORSES JOE SESTAK IN PENNSYLVANIA SENATE RACE - The former Republican Nebraska senator, who has a history of bucking his party and looking eerily like an older version of Coach Taylor from the TV version of "Friday Night Lights," has publicly endorsed the Democrat vying for Arlen Specter's Senate seat over Republican Pat Toomey. Hagel, who HATES the far right, Club For Growth wing of the party that Toomey represents, will formally endorse Sestak during an event tomorrow. "Hagel told The Associated Press on Monday that Sestak has demonstrated during his two terms in Congress that he puts what's best for the country before the interests of his party. He said Sestak's courage and integrity as a legislator are qualities the nation needs more of." http://bit.ly/bbYuvE
Also in the Keystone State, a new ad from the League of Conservation Voters conjures up a hypothetical oil spill in Lake Erie five years from now. The dramatization is meant to highlight Toomey's 2001 vote to allow drilling in the Great Lakes. The spot also mentions the amount of money Toomey has taken from oil and gas interests and stresses that cute children in dresses everywhere will perish under his tyrannical reign, enforced no doubt by his kitchen sink faucets of doom. http://bit.ly/bhSxwh
SO IT'S COME TO THIS (AGAIN) - Ignoring the trend set in motion by that armchair pundit Socrates to wait until your opponent has finished speaking to offer a rebuttal, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern held a conference call with reporters in anticipation of John Boehner's speech on the economy tomorrow. 'Prebuttals' are a staple of today's media strategy, but there's something about them that reduces the pageantry from levels we begrudgingly live with to something more raw...kind of like that first Christmas when your parents don't even bother to sign your presents from Santa Claus. http://bit.ly/dA3NP0
Mission accomplished: @Mikeallen: Rep Debbie Wasserman Schultz, asked on DNC conf call if Boehner econ speech is a measuring-the-drapes moment, says he's "SMOKING the drapes"
REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY IN FLORIDA HEATING UP - HuffPost's in-house polling guru Mark Blumenthal -- HuffPollster? -- weighs in: "The final round of polls for Florida's Republican primary for Governor between Bill McCollum and Rick Scott are today's most intriguing. Mason-Dixon shows Bill McCollum leading by nine (45% to 36%) in a survey conducted in the middle of last week, while an automated, Public Policy Polling (PPP) survey conducted over the weekend has Rick Scott leading by seven (47% to 40%). Meanwhile, another weekend poll by Quinnipiac University has McCollum leading by a not-quite-statistically-significant four points (39% to 35%). 'With one in five GOP voters undecided,' the Quinnipiac pollsters write, 'anything can happen.' That seems the safest bet, especially since pollsters miss more often in primary elections. If I had to wager, however, I'd put my money on Mason-Dixon. The trend across all polls (illustrated in our chart) has been moving in McCollum's favor since mid-July, and Mason-Dixon's managing director, Jacksonville-based Brad Coker, knows Florida's 'likely voters' as well as any pollster in America."
Check out this cringe-worthy video of McCollum and Scott passing each other in Tampa International Airport...WITHOUT ACKNOWLEDGING ONE ANOTHER: http://bit.ly/bdpJP1
MEEK WAY AHEAD OF GREENE A DAY BEFORE PRIMARY - Are billionaire Jeff Greene's chances to be Florida's next senator totally vomit-caked? A survey out today from Qunnipiac -- which has Kendrick Meek leading Greene 39% to 29% -- would seem to suggest so. Emily Swanson breaks down the numbers. http://huff.to/9Tj57u
Blue Dog Lori Edwards is pitted against progressive Doug Tudor in Adam Putnam's seat opening up in Florida. The DCCC, of course, is backing the Blue Dog, who'll likely win. Helps to have party backing.
Palin-endorsed Joe Miller is up against Lisa Murkowski in Alaska tomorrow. Very little polling's been done and it's not reliable in Alaska anyway. The question for Republican primary voters: Do you like all that stuff that we in the lower 48 buy for you? Our money's on Murkowski. The winner will likely take on Democrat Scott McAdams.
Dan Quayle's kid had been crushing it in the polls for an open Arizona seat until opposition researchers leaked a devastatingly embarrassing video of him. Oh, wait. Quayle released that himself. And paid to have it shot. And aired. Just in case the political scene has the misfortune of never hearing from Ben Quayle again after he's wiped out tomorrow, enjoy that ad one more time: http://bit.ly/bKHnev
A new poll finds West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin handily defeating his opponent -- who we regret to inform you isn't named 'Joan Ladythigh.' The survey, from RL Repass and Partners, has Manchin leading Republican John Raese 52% to 32% in the race for Robert Byrd's Senate seat. http://bit.ly/cvAtRB
John McCain spokesman Brian Rogers on the Republican Senate primary in Arizona tomorrow: "J.D. Hayworth is deader than Elvis." http://huff.to/95Krdp
Sen. Al Franken today announced that Ed Shelleby will join his office as the new press secretary. Shelleby previously flacked for Rep. Jim McDermott. Also from the release, put out by Franken's office: "Communications Assistant Alexandra Fetissoff has been promoted to Deputy Press Secretary, Communications Assistant Leigh Hartman will become New Media Coordinator, and Sen. Franken's Special Assistant Kris Dahl will take on additional responsibilities as a Communications Assistant. Minnesota Communications Coordinator Marc Kimball will remain in place as Senator Franken's primary Minnesota-based spokesperson and media liaison, and Communications Director Casey Aden-Wansbury will continue to lead the communications team."
BECAUSE YOU'VE READ THIS FAR - Welcome to the Cat Party. http://bit.ly/ZAZlA
Read the piece in the New Yorker about the nefarious billionaire brothers bankrolling the Tea Party. Everyone else is: http://bit.ly/dsf9H9
GLENN BECK HAD NICE THINGS TO SAY ABOUT CORDOBA HOUSE IMAM - It would appear that America's drivel laureate actually was -- once upon a time in 2006 -- smitten with the religious leader behind the Ground Zero Mosque/Mosque Near Ground Zero/ Second Mosque Near Ground Zero/Downtown Manhattan Islamic Cultural Center/Phoenix Rising From Burlington Coat Factory's Ashes. " Media Maters surfaced a 2006 segment from ABC's 'Good Morning America' in which Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and conservative TV host Glenn Beck discussed the need to separate moderate Islam from the extremist elements of the religion...The talk show host went so far as to suggest that Rauf was not part of the small group of radicals that should concern the country." Sam Stein: http://huff.to/biIdAR
That's more like it: Beck, more recently: "after you've killed 3,000 people you're going to now build your mosque?" http://bit.ly/9Rz6lm
Ron Paul chimed in this weekend, assailing the "demagoguery" of some of those on the right as a distraction from more important issues of "war, peace, and prosperity." In a statement issued on Friday, the Texas congressman -- and patron saint of Americans whose social heydays were as presidents of their college debate clubs -- added that the controversy has originated from "neo-conservatives who demand continual war in the Middle East and Central Asia and are compelled to constantly justify it. They never miss a chance to use hatred toward Muslims to rally support for the ill conceived preventative wars. A select quote from soldiers from in Afghanistan and Iraq expressing concern over the mosque is pure propaganda and an affront to their bravery and sacrifice." http://bit.ly/a7x1SM
(Ron's position is in opposition to his son, Rand, who made his view known last week: http://bit.ly/dCTVf5 )
Dick Durbin, the Senate's second-highest ranking Democrat behind Harry Reid and its second-most Keebler Elf-y Democrat behind Carl Levin, has come out in support of the mosque. Durbin's position is a break from Reid, who just last week announced his opposition to the Islamic center. Dra-a-ama-a-a http://bit.ly/ak0YU2
While it's not surprising that individuals on the government's payroll are hostile to the Cordoba House plan (See 'Representatives, House of' and 'ate, Sen'), Mother Jones notes that members of a mostly government-funded religious freedom panel have a history of, well, let's just say 'unease' with the world's second largest religion. "A leader of this group--which receives $4.3 million a year from the government--has even proclaimed that the community center could be a front for Islamic terrorism. That's not all: the same agency, the US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCRIF), has been the subject of an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint for allegedly discriminating against Muslim employees." http://bit.ly/bUXGCM
GOP EAGER TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION THEY LOVE SO DEARLY - Elsewhere in the unending struggle to wrest control of the Republic from ne'er-do-wells that would have our nation's places of worship turned into annexes for Vassar's Womyn's Studies department, the AP notes that Republican lawmakers are hoping to carve up the Constitution like a Thanksgiving turkey. "Republicans have proposed at least 42 Constitutional amendments in the current Congress, including one that has gained favor recently to eliminate the automatic grant of citizenship to anyone born in the United States. Democrats...have proposed 27 amendments, and fully one-third of those are part of a package from a single member, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill." http://huff.to/94cFcS
An RNC Committee member didn't get the keep-it-subtle-on-the-Obama's-a-Muslin'-thing memo. In a tweet on Friday, Kim Lehman claimed that the president was not baptized as a member of the United Church of Christ but is in fact an avowed Muslim. In response to a Politico article about polling, Lehman tweeted "@politico you're funny. They must pay you a lot to protect Obama. BTW he personally told the muslims that he IS a muslim. Read his lips." This fringe-y move comes only days after Mitch McConnell said on Meet the Press offered that he'd just go ahead and take Obama's word that he's a Christian. http://huff.to/cc0Elp
A Tea Party patriot's guide to Washington, D.C.: "...stay in NW DC and points in Virginia. Do not use the Green line or the Yellow line. These rules are even more important at night. There is of course nothing wrong with many other areas; but you don't know where you are, so you should not explore them." There's also a section on Ethiopians. http://bit.ly/c262FM
LEVI JOHNTSON FILES CAMPAIGN PAPERS IN ALASKA - The 37th craziest candidate to receive media attention this year (seriously, think about it) has filed papers with the Alaskan government indicating his intention to run for office. TMZ: "In the documents, filed on Friday with the Alaska Public Offices Commission, Johnston states that he intends to run for a position in the City of Wasilla. Levi doesn't specify which position he's running for ... but he's previously stated that he wants to become the next mayor ...a position once held by his baby mama's mama Sarah Palin. By filing the document -- Levi is permitted to officially begin his campaign ... which means dude can legally accept campaign contributions." http://bit.ly/dukzY4
Meanwhile, Bristol Palin will receive $14K to speak at a fundraiser benefiting a home for single mothers. "Palin, 19, will receive $14,000 to speak at a benefit at the Louisville Marriot Downtown on behalf of the Lifehouse, which was founded in 2007 and has operated in a brick house on Riedling Drive, a quiet street off Zorn Avenue.The $125-per-person benefit will raise funds toward plans to double the home's capacity, but it's also intended to bring publicity to the program after its low-key startup, executive director Joan Smith said." Louisville Courier-Journal: http://bit.ly/d2nTDj
JEREMY THE INTERN'S WEATHER REPORT - It's the end of August, so enjoy the weather while it's still nice! Tonight: All hail the Arctic winds! Cool, dry air coming from the Northwest has been responsible for the pleasant weather we've had. Unfortunately, it's been mixing with the warm moist air coming off the water. This has led to a bit of volatility and scattered showers (possibly light thunderstorms), which will sweep through this evening. Tomorrow: Rain and clouds in the morning will mean a cooler afternoon. The sun should shine by mid-morning, and there's a good possibility that we will have our first sub-80 degree day since June (Poncho-tip the Capital Weather Gang: http://bit.ly/Y8HXw)
COMFORT FOOD
- A woman became the fastest texter in the world by texting "the razor-toothed piranhas of the genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus are the most ferocious freshwater fish in the world. In reality they seldom attack a human," in 35 seconds. http://bit.ly/aMG7CQ
- Man 0. Hill 1. http://bit.ly/cIf3Is
- A nail salon is charging overweight customers an extra $5 to cover the costs of broken chairs. http://bit.ly/bXJD3L
- A series of questionable product combinations. http://huff.to/a0KEui
- For the clean freak AND retro gaming enthusiast: Duck Hut gun soap. http://bit.ly/9iNK8O
- Facebook founder Mark "You know what's cool? A billion dollars!" Zuckerberg is unblockable on Facebook. Sure would hate to be his ex. http://gizmo.do/98HcPA
- The best commercials featuring Darth Vader. We're more curious about the WORST ones, but still. http://bit.ly/dlKyVm
TWITTERAMA
@pourmecoffee: Big Beck/Palin DC rally this weekend should be biggest All-White party after Diddy's.
@mattklewis These pics I took of Ben Quayle yesterday, I think, show his fun side. http://yfrog.com/n3ixsfj http://yfrog.com/msuqmoj
@gregmitch: Blago back on The Daily Show tonite. Will Jon touch his hair again?
THE TUBE
TONIGHT: HuffPost's own Sam Stein is on Hardball. Alan Grayson takes his loud voice and even louder ties to Ed Schultz's show. Time's Bobby Ghosh discusses THE MOSQUE on Countdown, guest hosted by Lawrence O'Donnell. Former Illinois Governor Rob Blagojevich is on the Daily Show. TOMORROW: Former Reps. Martin Frost and Tom Davis are on Daily Rundown. Bloomberg's Betty Liu broadcasts from Miami as part of the Poverty Pulse 2010 series.
ON TAP
TONIGHT
7:00 pm: The Scissor Sisters perform their lively, look-at-me brand of power pop at DAR Hall. Take your dad, your best friend, your girlfriend, your favorite coworker, and your other dad [DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D Street NW].
7:00 pm: For those of you feeling like something a bit more mellow, 80s behemoths Tears for Fears perform at 9:30 Club [9:30 Club, 815 V Street NW].
TOMORROW
8:00 pm: The Washington Psychotronic Film Society presents Terror on Tour, an enjoyably low-budget 1980 slasher flick about a band of clown rock musicians and their groupies who one-by-one fall victim to a murderous villain. Kind of like Eat, Pray, Love [The Passenger, 1021 7th Street NW].
8:45 pm: My Big Fat Greek Wedding is screened at Stead Park. Seating is limited so be sure to get there on time [Stead Park, 1625 P Street NW].
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